The dress I received not only fits perfectly, it makes me feel good to put my daughter in it knowing that I’m promoting a worthwhile business. When people ask me where to get this dress, I’m happy to point them in the right direction!!  Go to their site to buy pieces online and suggest them to your favourite kids store near home!

The first step when providing eco-friendly assisted living facilities is green construction.  There are many building supplies made of recycled materials that help to remove items from the landfill instead of simply creating more garbage.  For example, recycled plastic is extremely popular for decking material, siding and outdoor furniture.  There are many other such building products available on the market for new construction or renovation that can help make a building an eco-build.

There are also other ways to make the care facility one that fits in with your eco-friendly lifestyle including — composting, alternative power sources, low VOC paints, recycled paints, organic gardening activities, recycling, electronic data management techniques, alternative homeopathic therapies, rain water storage and many, many more.  Ask a care facility how they are upgrading to green.  Dual flush toilets?  Energy star appliances?  Low flow shower heads??

Simply eating what you already have in the fridge instead of going to the grouchy store in your gas guzzling SUV can save a lot.  It saves you money and it saves the planet’s natural resources.  Cuts down on pollution and means there is less in the landfill.

Consider how much food that people in the Western world buy and simply throw away because it spoils before it is eaten.  WTF? We’re doing that while huge parts of the rest of the world is starving??  There are homeless people literally at our doors and we’re throwing away food?  All this while complaining about being in debt?  It really makes no sense when you take a step back and look at the bigger, global picture.  Reduce your consumption of everything even just a little and see what difference it makes.

Image Courtesy Flickr User Rusty Clark

The easiest and most financially sound way to make the world green-er is to simply buy less.  Buy less stuff!!  I want to yell it from the rooftops.  People overspend to buy stuff they don’t need to load up landfills full of waste.  We’re consumerists on a mindless spending spree.  People have no idea how much waste they generate on a daily basis.  Buy a coffee in the morning in a paper (or even worse — styrofoam cup), use a stir stick, grab a lid, use a sugar packet.  At least five bucks out of your bank account and a little pile of stuff in the garbage. Drive to work using gas to make more money to buy more stuff you don’t need.  Hit the grocery store for food that you’ll let spoil.  Buy a new car that’s too big for your needs and far too expensive.  Simply resolve to cut back.  Buy less stuff of every single kind.  Use what you have instead.  The planet will be thankful to you in so many ways…. Happy New Year!!

Image Courtesy of Flickr User U.S. Army Environmental Command

Did you get a new computer for Christmas?  How about at a Boxing Day sale?  The holidays are a very popular time to purchase new electronic products.  While I literally want to scream at people to stop buying all of those unnecessary gadgets, that is yet another green resolution post.  Plus, there comes a time in every home where electronics such as televisions, laptops, phones and what not absolutely do not work any longer.  When the time comes that your device is no longer of use to you (or anyone else — see yet another green resolution for a re-use tip), please find an electronics recycling center.  There are tons of them nearly anywhere that you are located.  Do NOT just put these things into the landfill. It’s totally unnecessary to do so.  These products have bits and pieces that can be easily used again.  The plastic casing on many products can be remolded into new products.  Recycle your old electronics and e-waste — don’t trash it:)

Image Courtesy Flickr User randomidea

Consumers have the power to control what corporations do.  I know, it’s a crazy thought but we really do.  Corporations are driven by one thing and one thing only — money.  If they aren’t making it, they’ll change.  What we have to do as a whole group of consumers is refuse to buy products that are over packaged.  Let companies know that we aren’t going to take the amount of waste generated by excessive packaging.  Email them.  Facebook them.  Twitter them.  Phone them.  Pretty much any company will have all 4 ways of easily communicating with them.  Blog about companies that waste.  Use the power of your voice and even more, the power of your purchasing dollar.  Precycle by simply NOT BUYING things that have tons of packaging like this chocolate.  Buy something with less packaging.  Another step to a green-er 2012.

Image Courtesy Flickr User QuinnDombrowski

Simply unplugging unused appliances can make a huge difference.  Appliances that are plugged in use power even when they’re not actually turned on.  Unplug devices such as cell phone chargers, toasters, blenders, coffee makers and DVD players to help save some serious amounts of energy.  If every single person unplugged five appliances not in use in their home, imagine the difference that could be made in a block, in a neighbourhood, in a community, in an entire city and across the country.  This is one small step to living a green-er lifestyle in 2012.  I’ll be writing about a few more easy ways to live a greener existence as an individual or family into a cleaner, greener 2012!  Happy New Year’s everybody:)

Image Courtesy Flickr User planetc1

Have you ever heard of laser treatment for back pain?  This is now being offered to patients with lower back pain as a less invasive alternative to surgery.  No surgery means no hospital and no hospital means less waste.  Less waste of resources, time and money that is.  There is no scarring, no cutting, no general anesthesia, a much shorter recovery period and significantly less cost.  Laser treatment for back pain typically costs 75 – 80% less than more traditional methods that involve opening the back up for surgery.  This new treatment, if shown effective, offers many benefits to the patient and the planet.  There would be no need for a variety of chemicals and drugs used in traditional surgery as well as less surgical supplies and hospital services used.  This is definitely something that is worth looking into if you are suffering from pain and the doctor is recommending surgery!

While it definitely doesn’t meet my standards for an eco-friendly cleaner, I do think this is a great product.  I’m a mom of a teenage son who’s cleaning habits definitely leave something to be desired.  Luckily, he lives in the basement and has his own bathroom down there that hardly anyone else ever uses.  It’s still nice though to have it clean and fresh though when his friends are over or the family is down there watching movies.  This is just the right kind of product to help a teenage boy clean hands free and easy.  I’m pretty sure that this kind of “yuck” definitely needs cleaners with some kapow in them and this product definitely delivers.  While I will not be purchasing this for the bathrooms upstairs, I will definitely consider doing so for my teen’s personal space!

There are many options available to builders who are looking to diversify a building’s source of power with the most popular choice being solar.  Solar technology has changed drastically in recent years so the giant ugly panels are no longer always necessary.  In fact, solar panels are now built built into shingles so that they are virtually unnoticeable from the street level.  These new designs allow builders absolute design freedom while still providing pollution free power alternatives that will durable, even in harsh Canadian winters.

Another way that builders are using new technology to increase a dwelling’s green factor is with energy star appliances.  New refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers and dryers are much more energy efficient than comparable appliances built even 5 years ago.  These appliances not only decrease the amount of energy needed to run them but also decrease the amount of water and soap needed to wash dishes and clothes as well.  Builders are now often installing extremely efficient appliances as their standard package knowing that new buyers and renters are thinking global and long term when investing in a home.

So, the next time you’re looking for a new apartment to rent, consider all of the different green technologies that may have been used in the construction.  Ask questions — the answers just may surprise you!!

Image Courtesy Flickr User Mellie_

Prescription medication to make your eyelashes grow longer and eyelash extensions are all the rage lately.  However, did you know that there are some easy (and all natural) ways to make your eyelashes grow longer and fuller?  This means that there is no need to have chemicals used, no need for mascara or glues that could be dangerous for both your eyes and the planet!  Everyone wants to know how to make eyelashes grow naturally and there are several ways.  Natural oils such as olive oil or emu oil can be dabbed along the base of the lashes at bedtime with a q-tip to encourage growth of the eyelashes.  This will condition the lashes that are already there and encourage new growth as well.  Another natural way to make eyelashes grow is to change your diet to ensure that it is rich in proteins and vitamins.  Some good foods to include are soy proteins, yogurt, beans, fish and eggs.  Remember that organic choices are better for your body and the planet.

Image Courtesy Flickr User ilovememphis

Working in even the most mundane job could help the world become a green-er place.  As a technical writer, I helped put a plastic recycling program in place throughout my entire office and made sure that all paper purchased was recycled.  It wasn’t much but it did make my office of 20 or so people a more eco-friendly environment.  If you are working Orthotist Jobs, you can mention eco-friendly shoes to podiatrist patients that will work with their orthotics.  There are many green shoes that have removable insoles such as Keen that could be recommended.  You could also suggest the inclusion of eco-friendly products and technologies in the orthotics that are being made for your patients.  If you are working at a daycare, you can suggest using both sides of the paper to cut down on paper waste or even get parents to bring in office paper that is only used on one side.  A daycare worker could also help to teach the children about different ways to upcycle waste so that it can be used again.  Just about any job can help contribute to a better environment if you take the time to think about it!

-Gandhi

So beautiful and so very true.  Surround yourself with positive people, thoughts, feelings, images, words, behaviors, habits, values and see how far this will go towards happiness for you and our entire planet.

There are a huge range of long lasting products that can be personalized with the new baby’s name, birthdate and even birth weight if you’d like!  A traditional sort of personalized gift would be a pewter cup or spoon.  These are often held onto and used for several generations.  Gifts like this that are treasured instead of trashed in a few years are a very eco-friendly choice because they don’t just end up in the garbage.  A more modern take on the personalized gift is to have the baby’s name painted on canvas.  This can last for years and years because, well, it will always be their name!!  Remember to shop for the future as well as the present when you are looking for a baby gift — both their parents and the planet will thank you!

The nightie (sleep slip) shown here comes in 4 different colors and is only $30.  They have some adorable print baby shirts of the alphabet and an eco-friendly word (like organic, farm grown, cage-free, vegan, animal protection, dirt, etc.) that range from $17 – $26 depending on size, sleeve length, etc.  These are some extremely reasonable prices in my opinion!!

Want to win $50 to spend at this awesome store??  Check out the In The Know Mom blog giveaway and enter to win.  While you’re there, vote for them to win some of the blogging awards that they’re up for.  They are definitely one of my favorite blogs to read for eco-friendly kid gear — they are definitely in the know:)

There would be 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 from the Western Hemisphere (North and South) and 8 Africans.

70 would be non-white; 30 white.

70 would be non-Christian; 30 Christian.

50 percent of the entire world wealth would be in the hands of only 6 people.

All 6 would be citizens of the United States.

70 would be unable to read.

50 would suffer from malnutrition.

80 would live in sub-standard housing.

Only 1 would have a college education.

When one considers our world from such an incredibly compressed perspective, the need for both tolerance and understanding becomes glaringly apparent.
By Forrest Felling

Walt Whitman

Imagine how the world would be…

Their liquid dish soap is free of dyes, fragrances, petroleum solvents and skin and respiratory irritants.  It’s actually based in coconut oil which has soothing properties to the skin instead of the drying tendencies that most liquid soaps produce.  Remember all those commercials about dish pan hands?? lol  Coconut oil is a popular ingredient at Tropical Traditions because of the many health benefits provided by it as opposed to the much over produced forms of oils and fats that the western world tends to use.  They ensure that their oil is made in the traditional methods by hand and benefiting the people who live in the area.  Want to try out this soap for yourself??  Go to the Tropical Traditions page and order it or check out the blog Heck of a Bunch for your chance to win a gallon.  Or maybe do both:)  I always end up with lots of dirty dishes at my house…

The reason why I choose this one, besides the fact that it is adorable, is because bees are such an important part of our planet’s ecosystem.  Many people see bumble bees as a pain because of their tendency to sting when provoked.  My thought is — don’t provoke them!  The dwindling population of bees has started to become a huge problem in our food chain.  This costume isn’t made of bamboo and it has been shipped overseas but it is still a great way to teach your kids about nature.  Instead of being a witch or a vampire this year, consider encouraging your kids to dress up as an animal and use that to get their interest sparked to promote a conversation.  If we don’t teach our kids how to respect our planet, all of our green living ways will be forgotten with the next generation.

So, what do you do??  Try organic products of course.  Not only are they safer for the environment because there are no chemicals used, they are safer for people to use as well.  Check out Purity by Haircare for a line of hair products and cosmetics that are organic.  They even have some hair care products that may help with hair loss.  Visit the blog Pawsitive Living for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to this online store to shop for some organic goodness of your very own!

They have gorgeously simple reusable lunch bags that will have those who are brown bagging it hanging their heads in shame.  There are 3 to choose from — a flower design, a because every bag matters design and yes, even a robot design!  Next come reusable bags for sandwiches, snacks, fruits and veggies and finally even reusable cloth napkins to round out the kit.  My favorite is this gorgeous dandelion fluff pattern — would definitely remind me of summer through those cold winter months…  Best of all?  These bags have no plastic lining — they’re made from 100% organic cotton, printed with water based inks and are made in the USA instead of being made overseas!  These lunch kits are absolutely super!!  Check out the blog Natural Mommie for your chance to win a custom lunch kit of your own or purchase it on the graze organic site for only $47.  You’ll have the coolest, greenest, eco-chic lunch around!!  Now, what to put in it…

Image Courtesy Flickr User murnahan

It seems as though there is an app for every possible situation these days.  Everything from grocery shopping, dining out and learning your alphabet can be made a little bit easier with the help of a smart phone app.  When it comes to weddings, the best wedding planning apps can really help to cut down on the wedding’s carbon footprint as well as save time.  Instead of driving from location to location looking for the best dress using up a precious natural resource (gas/oil) and causing air pollution, you can simply use the Wedding Dress Look Book app to find the style that works best with your shape, bra size, height, and personality.  It will even take into careful consideration any areas that you consider to be flaws to point you in the right dream dress direction.  There are tons of other great apps like this to help you find the best engagement ring, hairstyle, cake, flowers and invitations without ever using a drop of gas.  Want to have an eco-friendly wedding??  Apparently there’s an app for that!  It might just save the bride to be some stress and a ton of time as side benefits as well:)  Good luck on your big day!!

Image Courtesy Flickr User stevedepolo

It seems as though every month is someone’s birthday, anniversary, graduation or housewarming.  I find myself constantly buying gifts and worrying about the cost to the environment with each and every one.  The truth is though that if you shop considering both the recipient of the gift and the environment, everyone wins.  Each and every gift should be something that the receiver actually wants and have the receipt with it so that it can be exchanged (instead of trashed) if they get duplicates.  Each and every gift should also be eco-friendly in some way which is easier than you would think.  If you shop around, you can find a more environmental friendly version of practically anything!  For example, if you wanted to buy someone jeep grand cherokee custom floor mats you should shop for mats with recycled tire rubber backing or PET (recycled pop bottle) carpeting or something made locally.  There are many ways to make your purchases more considerate to the environment and to the giftee.  Just make sure that both are considered before you pull out your wallet.  Also remember than handmade items not only contain more sentiment but are almost always more earth friendly than big box store purchases made overseas under questionable trade practices and with questionable manufacturing techniques.  Give green from the heart!!

They’ve got a great variety of reusable bottles, glass containers, bento style lunch containers, stainless steel containers, lunch boxes, reusable sandwich bags and even reusable cutlery for kids to carry back and forth to school.  One of my favorites are the reusable snack bags that come in a huge range of patterns.  They have great styles that would be perfect for lunches for kids (or grown-ups) of any age.  Some have velcro closures and some have zippers but either way, plastic bags are no longer necessary!

Want a chance to win products for free from Lavish and Lime??  Visit one of these great blogs listed here to enter giveaways for awesome eco-friendly lunch products: Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous and Mommy Kat and Kids.

Image Courtesy Flickr User Jingles the Pirate

The love of nature and the great outdoors are two of the main reasons why people choose to live eco-friendly lives.  The beauty, serenity and peace that can be found when outside amongst nature instill a connectedness that even the most cold-hearted find hard to ignore.  However, most of us spend little time outside exercising.  Even the most boring exercises can really be better outside.  Yoga, running, stretching, lunges, sit ups and even weight lifting can all be done outside with the fresh air and sunshine on your face.  It will help you to commune with nature while you work at shedding those extra pounds.  Sometimes, however, diet and exercise don’t get rid of every bit of unwanted flab.  If you’re considering supplementing your weight loss regime with any diet pills, make sure that you read a variety of diet pill reviews and consult your doctor before starting to take anything.  Remember that all natural products are best for both you and your body!!

Image Courtesy Flickr User Energetic Spirit

An apple a day is supposed to keep the doctor away but did you know that apples can also be used as natural appetite suppressants?  Foods that are high in fiber such as apples help to fill you up so that you eat less over all.  This means that less calories are taken in while still maintaining a feeling of fullness.  High fiber foods can also help you to curb sugar cravings while means you will also eat less junk!!  Other high fiber foods that can be used to curb your appetite are fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.  Remember that eating less is better for both you and the environment as it leads to reduced weight and less use of natural resources that are unnecessary.  Organic choices are always better for both you and the environment as well because they mean that less chemicals will be polluting both you and the planet.

Have you ever taken a look around your kitchen and realized just how many things are made of plastic?  Bowls, containers, ladels, measuring spoons, cups, whisks, cutting boards, etc. of the plastic variety abound in my kitchen.  I have no clue what kind of plastic most of it is made out of as it’s not marked in anyway.  BPA surely lurks in a drawer or two of my family’s kitchen…seriously making me wonder if I should update some of my accessories!  Metal and glass are both safe alternatives to plastic in almost all cases but may not be very good environmentally.

Bambu offers a wide range of products for the kitchen made out of sustainable materials including bamboo, cork and coconut. There is a line specifically for kids, serveware, nesting bowls, cutting boards, utensils and more available. Want a chance to win some great green products for your own kitchen? Check out In The Know Mom for a chance to win some sustainable accessories to ditch the plastic and make the switch!

So, why is this exactly?  A motorbike’s engine works completely differently than a passenger vehicle’s engine.  They extract more energy from fuel than a car but the downside is the smog production — specifically oxides of nitrogen.  There is also much, much less room for technologies that reduce these chemicals such as catalytic converters.  This means that the EPA and other environmental agencies have more lenient regulations for motorbikes than for cars.  The technology just isn’t there yet to have more stringent rules in place for motorcycles.  Because there are so few motorbikes on the road statistically and other polluters (such as diesel trucks, construction equipment and non-compliant vehicles) pose a bigger problem, the regulations are not likely to be tightened anytime soon.  For the time being, motorbikes (even small ones) will continue to cause more air pollution than Hummers although they’ll use less gas while doing so.

Image Courtesy Flickr User Crunchy Footsteps

Always keeping one eye on your paper consumption?  Consider doing more online to cut down on your tree wastage.  It’s easier than driving from place to place wasting fossil fuels and causing air pollution.  It also means that paper doesn’t have to be wasted.  Things are much simpler these days with so many services being available online.  Lots of companies such as insurance companies offer everything from term life insurance rates to automobile policy quotes completely online.  With the click of a mouse, quotes from multiple companies can be obtained to save the hassle and waste of getting quotes on paper.  Consider shopping online for paper wasting things such as insurance or mortgages the next time they need to be renewed.  The world would be much greener if we all took one tiny step to save trees.

Oxygen Bleach – 6 lb.
What’s the solution?  Try Tropical Traditions Oxygen Bleach as an eco-friendly, people friendly alternative.  It’s great in the laundry without worrying about ending up with bleach spots.  Even better, it’s great in many applications around the home.  It can remove stains from dishes, clean and deodorize drains, removes old and mildew from most situations, can be used as a carpet cleaner, mop cleaner, etc.  Need something clean and deodorized??  Check this stuff out!  Best of all it’s safe for everything from baby’s diapers to cleaning decks and not harming the plants!

Want a chance to win a 6 lb bottle for yourself to try?  Check out the blog Leslie Loves Veggies for her giveaway that’s open until August 19, 2011 for Canadian and American residents.  Not a winner??  Click the link above to purchase it for only $16.75 right now during the sale.  A little goes a very long way so I’m sure 6 lbs would last an incredibly long time!

Image Courtesy Flickr User Public Domain Photos

Want to get some cold hard cash in the greenest way possible?  Why not try getting a cash advance online?  You use no fossil fuels at all to get your money because you don’t even have to leave your house.  You produce no air pollution from the car that you would use to drive there.  No paper is wasted because the transaction is entirely digital.  You can get a cash advance online with the money you need being transferred directly into your bank account and ready for you to spend.  All that and you save time too!  Just be careful that getting a small loan doesn’t turn into a habit because it is always best for your finances and the planet to live within or even below your means.

Speaking of linen — check out this gorgeous scarf from Affordable Scarves.  I have no idea what kind of actual linen it’s made of but the two toned colour of the scarf definitely has me swooning!  Leslie Loves Veggies has a great review and giveaway right now from Affordable Scarves that gives you the chance to win one of these for yourself.  I’m off to enter — maybe I’ll ask if it’s organic as well!

The second hand smoke from cigarettes is also a huge pollutant to both smokers and non-smokers alike.  Not only do these chemicals contaminate the air that people breathe, they also stick to surfaces like walls, couches, chairs, hair and clothes.  Anytime one of these contaminated surfaces is touched, the chemicals from the cigarettes is passed along as well.

So, what’s the solution — short of making cigarettes illegal?  The e-cigarette eliminates both the litter and the second hand smoke contamination.  The cartridges (the part that look like the filter) are good for about 30 uses each.  It contains the nicotine portion of the cigarette while the white part of the cigarette is the battery which can be recharged over and over again.  Instead of breathing out harmful carcinogenic chemicals, the user exhales a harmless vapour.  That’s why smoking this kind of cigarette is called “vaping”.

The e-cigarette also is being used by smokers to help them quit smoking which is what we really want people to do in the long run.  It can be used in the same way as other smoking cessation programs with lower and lower doses of nicotine being used until the addiction is completely kicked.  It also is good for times when smokers really cannot smoke like at work or around children.  They can get the feel of smoking without worrying about what to do with their flammable cigarette butts or what harm they are doing to the people around them by smoking.  Definitely a step in the right direction!

The one thing I really love about shopping at the Body Shop is that it’s a company that can be trusted to use ethical sourcing in their products.  This particular line contains fair trade honey from Ethiopia and beeswax from Cameroon.  Want a chance to win the entire line??  Check out My Organized Chaos to win an awesome Body Shop gift basket full of their new honey bronze line worth $150!

- Thich Nhat Hanh