Displaying items by tag: recycled

It is estimated that 1 in 5 people in the US have dandruff, which amounts to approximately 50 million citizens. Yikes - that’s a lot of people struggling with itchiness and embarrassing white stuff on their dark clothing! Fortunately they can all breathe easy because this unpleasant scalp condition can be prevented and treated naturally through some simple lifestyle choices and home remedies.

Published in Hair and Nails

Sustainability & Healthy Living Sweeps Chicago with Luke Saunder’s Passion Project, ‘Farmer’s Fridge’

EvG team member Kelly O’Brien met with Farmer’s Fridge creator & owner, Luke Saunders and shared what she learned about the innovative new concept.

As their website indicates, Farmer’s Fridge is a ‘fresh twist on an old concept’ of healthy sustainable salads and snacks….at your finger tips in a kiosk - aka...a vending machine. This kiosk is unlike any you have seen before though! Healthy primarily organic salads and fresh daily made snacks in eco-sustainable packaging is yours with the touch of a screen. The concept is absolutely brilliant and the very first thought to go through my mind was ‘What took you so long’? In Chicago, there is absolutely nothing like it!

Published in Restaurant Reviews
Friday, 19 February 2010 17:35

Green tips from Crossroads Trading Co.


These days I buy most of my clothes from consignment shops. This is eco-friendly (reusing clothes others don't want) and inexpensive. One of my favorite places in L.A. is Crossroads Trading Co. They have multiple locations, but I usually go to the one in Santa Monica. Last weekend I found a really cute t-shirt (which you'll eventually see in one of my videos), and I've often found great dresses there too. You can also recycle clothes you don't like there, and either get cash back or credit towards a purchase at the shop - they're picky, so make sure the clothes are in-style, clean, and in good shape.

Published in Fashion/Clothing
Monday, 21 December 2009 02:09

"I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas"



While it is a little late in the game, there is still time to green your holidays. If you're looking for some inspiration and advice, check out "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas" by Anna Getty. The book shows you how to make "gifts, decorations, and recipes that use less and mean more", and it is a joy to read. It has beautiful pictures and illustrations that remind you why the holidays are so special. It's a very well laid out book: each recipe and set of instructions are easy to follow, and I love that it has flaps on the cover to allow you to bookmark your place. Simple tips, green facts, and notes from Anna are mixed in throughout the book, giving readers more insight into why it's important to make eco-friendly choices.

"I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas" is mainly composed of instructions for how to make your own decorations and gifts. Some of my favorites are: the newspaper stocking, decorated matchboxes, recycled t-shirt pot holders, and silver leaf wire window ornaments. There are some fantastic tips covering topics like green gift wrapping, shipping, entertaining, and energy efficiency. The book also includes several vegetarian recipes, such as delicious looking soups and salads, and most of them can be modified to be vegan.
 
"I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas" has a beautiful message to share with the world and it will bring the joy of green to many families for years to come! Zem Joaquin said it best in the forward: "Amid a sea of consumption, we need Anna's thoughtful perspective on celebrating a green Christmas".
Published in Book Reviews
Wednesday, 15 April 2009 07:54

Better junk mail

As I went through the usual office junk mail, I came across an eco-friendly mailing from Lexus. Even though it was another unnecessary letter, I was quite impressed it because not only was it made from Mixed Sources, but the envelope was the letter! The letter was created to fold into a sealable envelope. So at the very least Lexus saved an envelope in a very creative way...but I'm still going to request to be taken off their mailing list!

Published in Home
Wednesday, 10 December 2008 09:54

Green Wrapping Paper (part 2)


I'm back to searching for eco-friendly wrapping paper. 

  • A few months ago I found some beautiful paper by PapOrganics/Perennial Paper, but they don't have any information about how to buy it on their website.
  • The Green Life now carries paper by Fish Lips, but it's not quite what I'm looking for
  • Whole Foods in Venice carries pretty paper by Soolip but it's not holiday themed
  • Bloomin' is cool because you can plant all their products when you're done with them (but they don't have a huge selection of wrapping paper).
  • Natural Elements has really cool paper, and I've seen it at a few stores (though I don't see any for the holidays)
  • Of The Earth has plant-able paper too, and some for the holidays!
  • Peaceful Valley has a good selection, but not much for the holidays.
  • Seltzer has really fun products, but not much for the holidays.
Green Girl Gift Wrap - small selection, including for the holidays
Paper Mojo - a large selection for the holidays, and it's on sale!
Amy Butler Design - BEAUTIFUL paper, but not for the holidays ; (
ErinRuth - very nice paper, some could work for the holidays
Green Solutions has paper that can pass for the holidays
CrinkleCo has really cute paper, and some for the holidays
 
** GreenYour.com has great advice: Be careful with wrapping paper advertised as "recycled." This could mean it merely employs a mix of virgin wood fiber and pre-consumer waste. Instead, check product labels for a high percentage of post-consumer waste (ideally, 100 percent PCW).
 
Let's not forget the reusable options:
  • Newspaper
  • Cloth
  • Pre-used gift bags
Published in Home
Friday, 21 November 2008 02:11

Junk Mail


I've had it up to here with junk mail! At my job it just comes pouring in and I'm sick of it. I've registered us on the Do Not Mail list and I've used Catalog Choice, but it keeps coming! So I am doing it all manually, and it really isn't that bad if you do it everyday. 

** I just revisited DMA Choice and they have a fantastic website - very similar to Catalog Choice, but even better because with one click of a button you can be taken off all catalog, magazine, and mail offer lists. Definitely sign up for it. 
 
Here's my method:
  1. I collect all catalogs/magazines, newsletters, mailings, postcards, etc. - I keep a list of what I've cancelled so I didn't duplicate the process with the same company
  2. I used to call all the companies, but it took forever. So now I Google them, find their websites, look for "Contact Us" or "Customer Service", and email them.
  3. In the email heading I write "Please remove from mailing list" and in the body I write that again, followed by the address EXACTLY as it is on the mailing. If there is a customer number and key code I include that as well.
Surprisingly, most of the companies respond within a day, and politely say they've removed me from their mailing list.
 
What I really wish these companies would do to make my (and your) life easier is to have a button on the bottom of their websites that says "remove from mailing list",  just like most do at the bottom of mass emails.
 
Or, if they really wanted to help the environment - they would STOP SENDING JUNK MAIL! Almost everyone uses the internet these days - why do we need catalogs and post cards announcing every sale and new product?
 
 
Ideal Bite is on the same track today with their tip about no longer receiving phone books by mail. Yellow Pages now has a great website that makes the process easy - do it today!
 
UPDATE: Friends highly suggest using GreenDimes to get rid of junk mail. 
Published in Home