Fight For Your Right….

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

fist 144x300 Fight For Your Right....Many environmental activists have turned to the courts to fight to protect the planet.  However, being an activist doesn’t always mean that you have to turn to the courts.  There are many battles to be fought and not all of them are so big.  Even the average citizen without any special super powers or tons of money can join the fight.  You can put down the phone to call your raleigh business lawyers or Los Angeles lawyers specializing in water conservation.  What is really needed right now, in my humble opinion, is for people to think about how they are living.  Examine life’s mundane choices and think about the effect of them on a global scale.  Is the coffee in that mug fair trade?  Is that bowl of fruit organic?  Buy local.  Buy what you need so there is no waste.  Make do with what you have.  Most homes are already so crowded with clutter that it boggles the mind.  Do you have a gift giving occasion coming up?  Try making a present instead of heading out to a big box store.  Too scary?  Employ a local crafter!  Shop local crafters on Etsy.  Teach children how to recycle, compost, save money, pick up trash, care for our planet and one another.  The fight can start small and at home.

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Eco-Friendly Welding Helmets?

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

eco helmet Eco Friendly Welding Helmets?It’s amazing to me the huge variety in “eco-friendly” products that are now available on the market.  Take, for example, the eco-friendly welding helmet.  It’s solar-powered!  The shade doesn’t require any batteries at all because it runs completely on solar power… The specifications for the helmet, I admit, do sound pretty cool until you get to the part that reads “Don’t forget to allow the helmet sufficient time to charge before use”.  What?!  What happens if it’s not charged?  Does that mean the welder is not protected?  Apparently there’s no battery back-up or safety mechanism to prevent injury from use without a full charge.  Maybe just buy some eco-friendly rechargeable batteries and stick with miller welding helmets until the eco-technology on this one reaches acceptable safeties.  I do love that they are working on ways to make everything green-er though:)

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Fabric Snack Bags

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

Snack Bags Fabric Snack BagsFabric, reusable snack bags are an easy way to make little one’s snacks much more environmentally friendly.  These bags can be used over and over again to help cut back on the amount of plastic that is both used and discarded in an eco-mama’s kitchen.  These bags can be easily wiped out, shook out and turned inside out to dry which means they don’t have to waste even more resources by adding to the never ending pile of laundry.  Want a chance to win some?  Check out a great “mom” blog Life with My Littles to enter this giveaway (and a ton of other great ones) to celebrate the blog’s birthday.  Better hurry — the contest ends on January 20, 2012.

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Green Snowshoes

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

snowshoe Green SnowshoesSnowshoeing is a great physical exercise and can help adventurers see places that they never would be able to without the snowshoes on.  Even the purchase of a snowshoe can be a more environmentally friendly one when the proper research is done first.  A good example of a great choice for the eco-trekker is the Crescent Moon Gold 10 Snowshoes.  First off, they are made in the USA.  This means that there is a lot less concern about the safety and welfare of workers than when products are made overseas.  It also means that the fossil fuels and unnecessary packaging caused by shipping products so far does not occur.  This company helps to provide jobs in the community of Boulder, Colorado which means that with the purchase, the local economy is being stimulated.  Equally important is that these snowshoes don’g have any PVC on them.  No fossil fuels are wasted to make the PVC and none of the toxic chemicals produced from the production of PVC are made.  Another product with two green thumbs up!

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Green Carpet Cleaning

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

Shag Green Carpet CleaningLuckily, more and more businesses are starting to adapt green technologies and business policies to make their company’s gentler to the environment.  One niche where this has really taken off is in home cleaning and home cleaning supplies.  The chemicals that have formerly been used to keep our houses clean are extremely toxic in some cases and the move to a more naturally clean home environment is definitely on the rise.  For example, if you’re looking for carpet cleaning raleigh North Carolina style, check out some of their green carpet cleaning companies.  These companies not only use safer, more natural products to get carpets clean.  They also use products to help repel the dirt and stains.  This means that carpets will stay clean longer and less products will need to be used to keep them that way!  I’ll definitely give the less waste, less use, more natural, green clean companies two big green thumbs up:)

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Kidz-Med Non Contact Thermometer

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

thermometer Kidz Med Non Contact ThermometerOkay, there’s not really such a thing as an eco-friendly thermometer I guess.  But if there was, this would be it because it doesn’t need disposable probe covers like an ear based thermometer does.  This model is completely non-contact which means there is no need to have a disposable cover at all!  Less waste, less stuff to produce = green-er:)  The lack of contact also makes this a lot easier to use on kids who are sick, whiny and squirmy.  Even easier to use on kids who are finally asleep and you don’t want to disturb them!!  Sounds like a fantastic idea to me.  Check out the blog Toddler Tales by Mommy for a full review and chance to win one of your very own.  I’m off to enter!

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Hiking Trips

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Paula

backpack Hiking TripsIf you’re going to save the planet, you might as well get out there and enjoy it!  The key to successful hiking trip is to ensure that you have the right equipment.  Hiking is one of those adventures that doesn’t require a ton of gear but what is involved is essential.  Hiking shoes are a must!  You don’t want to be several hours away from transportation with blistered, bleeding feet.  Equally essential is the proper backpack.  Make sure that the backpack fits your body properly and is sized according to your needs.  Check out jansport backpack for a wide variety of backpacks that are categorized according to activity.  They’ve got a wide selection of daypacks for hiking trips, water purification systems and pretty much anything else you might need for a long day of hiking.

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DIY Gift Idea

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Paula

berries DIY Gift IdeaIt seems as though we’re always shopping and looking for ideas on what to buy.  Whether we’re looking for birthday gift ideas for her or him, anniversary presents that are sure to please or Valentine’s day presents that are from the heart, we always have out eyes peeled for gift ideas for the ones we love.  Why not try to DIY something instead of heading out to that big box store??  Making something at home shows that you put some thought into it to show you truly care about them and the planet.  Why not dip some locally and organically grown berries into some fair trade chocolate?  Make a romantic card out of the recycling pile?  These ideas don’t have to be something super complicated, expensive or time consuming to let the one you love know it:)

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Sneaking in Healthy

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Paula

Frosted Toast Crunch Sneaking in HealthySometimes with kids, you have to sneak in the healthy stuff.  That’s why when I saw this Frosted Toast Crunch made with whole grains, I smiled knowingly:)  Okay, okay it’s not THE most healthy cereal out there but every little bit does add up.  I love how more and more products are being made with whole grains.  Less processing is good for the environment and the people in it.  I’m all for sneaking in some healthy stuff now and again.  Especially when I can tell them that it’s a treat!!  Check out Mommies Angels to enter to win everything pictured here in a giveaway.  You can sneak in some healthy treats to your kids too!

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Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend!

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Paula

Ecoura Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend!Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so you might be in the market for a beautiful diamond necklace or maybe even an engagement ring!  When shopping for diamonds, make sure to keep a few important things in mind.  You want to make ABSOLUTELY sure that your diamond is conflict free.  There has been a lot of media surrounding the selling of blood diamonds but these diamonds are still being marketed here.  Look for companies that are more eco-friendly.  There are several out there such as Ecoura Fine Jewelry that use both recycled metals and conflict free diamonds.  This company is committed to using renewed resources where ever possible.  They are using eco-friendly marketing materials where possible and even plant a tree for every purchase of their bridal rings.  Don’t forget your love for the planet when you tell your sweetie you love her!

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