Green Daily

Hand Sanitizer Selection Made Easy With the Good Guide

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:07:00 EST

Filed under: Health

Cleanwell, with the power of thyme oil/Photo: Cleanwell.com

This year the Dread Swine Flu has even the most chemical-aversive of us displaying big pump-topped bottles of hand sanitizer on our desks and stashing mini bottles of it in our bags and pockets. I even have a new routine at the gym that involves swinging by the hand sanitizer dispenser multiple times during my workout. And again when I'm done!

This renewed love for water-free germ killers doesn't change the fear that many of us have about what the heck is actually in them? Are they dangerous to use on kids? Do they really contribute to the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and viruses? And what about production processes? Good or bad for the environment?

Before you get into an H1N1 prevention-fueled tizzy (like I almost did), check out the Best Hand Sanitizer list from the Good Guide.
The site rates the commonly available products on several categories, including:

"Health" -- including general and reproductive health
"Environment" -- how the manufacturing practices impact the environment
"Society" -- customer satisfaction, worker treatment, philanthropy

It's a great one stop place to get information about everything you care about!

The hand sanitizers with the top ratings (out of 10) include:

To my surprise, Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer received a relatively high 6.8 rating, and it was only that "low" because it contains "fragrance" which can mean anything. But as far as the known ingredients and their environmental practices go, it's not bad.

Also, missing from the list is CleanWell, one of my personal favorite non-chemical hand sanitizers. Made from essential plant oils, including a distinctive thyme oil, you actually feel like you're getting the benefits of aromatherapy in addition to killing germs!

Bottom line? You know this already: soap and water is the best. Since that's not always available, at least now we know which products help more than they harm!

Hand Sanitizer Selection Made Easy With the Good Guide originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fear the Halloween Candy

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health, Kids and Parenting

Fair trade chocolate from naturalcandystore.com

When you're a kid, Halloween is your chance to get a ton of candy, for free, which you then eat until you get sick. And when you're an adult, it's a reason to buy all the candy you'd normally never let in the house ... which you then eat until you get sick.

Here's the truly scary part: it's not just overeating that makes you sick, it's the stuff in most commercially produced candy bars that will make you turn green, even if you're only reading the label!

I was checking out Fitsugar, and was reminded that most candy contains high fructose corn syrup and food coloring. Bad, but if you're only indulging once or twice a year, not going to kill you. But then there are the hydrogenated oils, which are so bad they even cause miscarriages!
Don't despair that the only way to have a green Halloween is to be weird house that gives out apples that taste like soap (from washing off the pesticides, of course!) There are many delicious, organic, eco-friendly choices for treats:

Check out the Natural Candy Store for all kinds of great ideas, like packs of natural gummy bears or organic cotton candy. They even have vegan candy mixes!
Raisins (nature's candy!) or trail mix in sealed individual servings*
School supplies, like Terracycle newspaper pencils
A bamboo toothbrush, which is sort of the modern version of the soapy apple, but still useful
Spare change wrapped in fun fabric remnants -- everyone likes money!

If you're having a party and don't have to worry about sealed servings, there are loads of fun recipes for indulgent but healthy treats like caramel apple dip, or a haunted forest veggie platter.

Just remember, you can find festive, healthy and green Halloween treats. It just takes a bit of thought -- and a lot of will power when you're walking down the candy aisle in Walgreens!

*Yes, I know I went all ranty yesterday about individual servings and the waste they create, but Halloween is an exception I'm prepared to make. It's once a year, it's because of safety concerns, and it is possible to recycle raisin boxes!

Fear the Halloween Candy originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ladies: Have You Considered Reducing Your 'Special Lady Time' Waste?

Cat Lincoln — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Natural Body Care

Knit or crochet a reusable tampon! Credit: Fern and Faerie

Okay, girls/women/wymyn, it's time to have a candid talk. Yeah, we've discussed this topic before, but my dear friend, and GreenDaily assistant editor, Kristen Seymour, sent me a link and now I can't stop asking myself: could I knit -- and use -- a reusable tampon?

There are plenty of reasons to avoid the ubiquitous "petal soft" plastic applicator Tampax. Let's start with health issues like toxic shock syndrome, not to mention whatever side-effects are caused by the chemicals used to bleach the cotton. Plus there's the issue of waste created by "feminine products" -- even those applicator-free o.b. tampons.

We all want to reduce our impact on the planet. Or at least we say we do. But are you really ready?
Here are your options:

The Mooncup, Diva Cup or The Keeper Cup -- whichever brand you pick it's an "internal option" made of rubber, which "collects rather than absorbs" fluids.

Pro: no waste
Con: requires a way to clean up -- hand sanitizer isn't gonna cut it

Reusable cloth pads, like Luna pads.

Pro: no waste
Con: doing the laundry just got a little messier

Stopping your period with birth control pills (under a doctor's care, of course!)

Pro: no waste
Con: that's a lot of messing with your body chemisty

Organic cotton tampons

Pro: avoid the scary Dioxin in traditional tampon brands
Cons: still creating waste

Knitting -- or crocheting! -- your own reusable tampon

Pro: no waste, choice of colors, and it's a hobby that can help you quit smoking
Con: there's that laundry issue again

So many choices, and I'll be honest, the wuss out choice of organic cotton tampons is as "green" as I can make my special lady time. What about you? Let's see some Green Lady Warriors represent!

Ladies: Have You Considered Reducing Your 'Special Lady Time' Waste? originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tap Water is Smarter Despite the Lack of Celebrity Ad Campaigns

Cat Lincoln — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health

Bring a bottle and fill it up at the tap! Credit: Tappening

We've all done it. In a weak moment at Walgreens, or maybe at the gym, you see the appealingly slender bottle of SmartWater, with all of those magical electrolytes that you've been conditioned to believe will make you stronger, thinner and (yes) smarter. Your good tap water intentions fly out the window and before you know it you're locking lips with Jennifer Aniston -- metaphorically speaking, of course.

Remember to stay strong! Don't give in to the lure of Jen's sunkissed smile and promises of Hollywood glamour!

It's easy to find information to help you strengthen your tap water drinking resolve. Our clever friends over at Fit Sugar have a great list of the reasons to pick tap water over bottled water, many of which are echoed by ingenious folks at Tappening:

Tap water is tested for contamination far more frequently than bottled water -- as in, 100x/month vs. 1x/week!
Tap water is chlorinated to kill bacteria, bottled isn't.
Bottled water isn't (necessarily) screened for E.coli, Giardia, or Cryptosporidium pathogens -- tap water is.
Up to 40% of all bottled water is actually tap water anyway, so you're just paying for the bottle and label.
Bottled water is a mixture of melted ice caps and polar bear tears. Also, it makes acid rain fall on playgrounds.

Okay, that last bullet is made up, part of Tappening's "start a lie" campaign. The point of the campaign is that tap water is cleaner, safer, and has better oversight from health and government agencies. But somehow -- through misleading ad campaigns -- bottled water companies have us convinced that bottled water is more appealing.

Besides the quality issues and the fact that we're paying for something that we can get for free, there is the whole issue of the bottles themselves. Most contain dangerous chemicals like phthalate. And about 75% of water bottles in the U.S. wind up in landfills, rather than recycled.

The bottom line is that tap water is the healthy, sensible and responsible option. In fact, when you look at it that way, there isn't even a choice!

Tap Water is Smarter Despite the Lack of Celebrity Ad Campaigns originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Going 'Poo-Free for the Environment

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Health, Natural Body Care

(Photo by Daniel Berehulak, Getty Images)

I know I'm a little late to the No 'Poo Party, but I love -- no really, love -- hair product and styles and rituals. I'm a loyal salon customer, and my bathroom looks like a beauty supply store. So the thought of completely giving up shampoo puts an icy shard of fear in my heart.

Instead of indulging in the rich lather and floral fragrance of store bought shampoo, people are "cleaning" their hair with baking soda. And "conditioning" with apple vinegar. Please say it isn't so!

But loads of people are doing it, and not just the ugly hemp-ghetto girls and dirty hippies. To my amazement, the No 'Poo movement was started by Lorraine Massey, a stylist. The blasphemy! She swears that swearing off shampoo is what helped her curls become the envy of the hair world, and inspired her to write the best-selling Curly Girl, a guide to managing your waves and ringlets.

Perhaps Lorraine's intentions were less about the environment, and more about her hair. But it caught on with the green crowd for several reasons:

One Less Plastic Bottle in Your Home
Those plastic shampoo bottles are exactly like water bottles, and we know where they wind up: Ground into particulate matter, floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, or piled two miles into the sky in a landfill. Anything that reduces plastic bottles is good for the environment, and for people.

In a Word: Cancer
Some of the chemicals in shampoo are seriously bad for you! Common cleansers such as octoxynol-40 and sodium laureth sulfate can easily turn into ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane and even formaldehyde. Remember that whole thing about triclosan last week? Getting clean is deadly!

No, Really, It's Bad for Your Health
If that wasn't bad enough, some studies also indicate that toxins present in common shampoo brands contribute to nerve damage and abnormal fetal development. And here's what I mean when I say common: a bunch of toxin were found in baby shampoo. Sigh.

Environmental Runoff
Again, like triclosan, shampoo goes down the drain and into water sources -- from drinking water to the ocean to lakes and rivers. And all of those chemicals hang around the environment, giving frogs extra eyes and killing native wildflowers. Plus we drink it! See above, "Cancer" and "Bad for Your Health".

Our Old Friend the Carbon Footprint
Also, those chemicals, especially ammonium derivatives take a lot of energy to make, so the manufacturing process creates an additional carbon load on the environment. Which probably means Al Gore would give No 'Poo the Green Thumbs Up.

Are you convinced yet? I'm on the verge of getting rid of even my greenest, most eco-friendly, refillable glass-bottle shampoos. While Lorraine Massey's version of No 'Poo permits conditioner, most of those have the same bad for you/bad for the environment chemicals in them, so a full, 100% green hair effort means (sob) giving it all up.

That might be more than I can do, but my label reading skills are getting yet another workout, that's for sure.

Can you do it? Have you done it? Is it madness to try, or selfish to hesitate for even one second? Have your say in the poll!

Going 'Poo-Free for the Environment originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Abe's Market - Like Your Local Co-op Only Online

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health, Natural Body Care

(Photo by Abe\'s Market)

Every day it seems like another new all-natural and organic brand hits the market. It's hard, and kind of a hassle, to try to track down the story and to verify that all of these products really are made with TLC ... and not BPA!

It used to be that you could take a stroll or bike ride down to the local food co-op and chat with the folks behind the counter to get scoop on all the products sold there. Often you could even meet the producers or farmers, because practically everything was sourced locally.

For better or worse, times have changed and we have literally the entire world at our finger tips. And soon we will have a resource that blends that co-op feeling with the convenience and choice of the internet. Abe's Market is a new online marketplace where you can shop for all-natural beauty, food, kids' stuff, and home and garden goods, plus participate in a community to exchange information and tips. It's sort of like the co-op with the bulletin board except you can go there at 3 a.m. if you feel like it, and have it all delivered to you.
Starting with just 50 brands, each seller on Abe's Market will have a page with the story behind the brand including photos and videos. It sounds like one of my favorite aspects of Sephora's site, where you can learn about the philosophy of the company, which is just as important to me as the ingredients when I'm making a purchase decision.

From the screenshots and graphics I've seen so far, it also looks like a sophisticated and easy to use e-commerce site, which would be a welcome change. I can't believe the number of all natural sites out there who seem to believe that fuzzy pictures and weird navigation gives them some kind of granola-cred. Finally a site for all-natural products that isn't afraid to be slick!

The site is slated to launch at the end of August, and as a way to build and engage a community from the very beginning, they're taking suggestions for brands to include in the first wave of 50 sellers. Got a brand you feel passionate about? ~~Tack up a 3x5 card~~ Submit your idea to on the Abe's Market site.

Abe's Market - Like Your Local Co-op Only Online originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember The Dirty Dozen of Produce

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health

(Photo by Adwriter on Flickr)

Last Thursday I was grocery shopping with a friend. Produce is amazing this time of year and I couldn't resist grabbing a couple of fragrant, juicy peaches.

"What are you doing?" she asked me, horrified. "Those aren't organic!"

I looked at her blankly.

"The dirty dozen? Thin skinned fruit? Pesticides?" she prompted, which jolted my memory. Reluctantly I put down the filthy fruit, and went in search of the clean(er) organic version.

With so many other things to remember, I honestly don't feel bad that I forgot about the dirty dozen. But it did make me think about ways to make it easier to remember them.

To back up for a minute, here's the scoop: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out an annual list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that have the highest levels of pesticide contamination when grown with industrial farming methods. They (and pretty much everyone else now) recommend that you buy these organically grown whenever possible:

DIRTY DOZEN
(Buy These Organic)

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Lettuce
9. Grapes
10. Pears
11. Spinach
12. Potatoes

On a more positive note, they also list the produce with the lowest levels of pesticides, so in other words you can get away with not buying these organic if you're trying to save a little money:

CLEANEST 12
(Lowest in Pesticides)

1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn (frozen)
4. Pineapples
5. Mango
6. Sweet Peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi
9. Bananas
10. Cabbage
11. Broccoli
12. Eggplant

Thanks to the Care2 Healthy & Green newsletter for the nice clear list. And so now that you have the list, how do you remember it? Here's my pnemonic for the Dirty Dozen:

Pretty Amanda pursues cats, nearly stampeding cows lovingly grazing precious sunflower petals.

I know, it's pretty bad. If that's not going to work for you, do what I did and download the iPhone app from EWG so you can just check when you're in the grocery store. Better living through technology!

Remember The Dirty Dozen of Produce originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Eco-Angle on Poop

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Home

(Photo by Getty Images)

In the end, it always comes back to poop, doesn't it? I was catching up, scrolling through my "green news" feeds, and there they were, one after another, on Huffington Post, Reuters, and the Lazy Environmentalist: stories about eco-friendly toilets.

The green issue, i.e. the least green thing about toilets, and therefore poop, is water. It takes a lot of water to wash away each person's daily "production." And in a world where fresh water is in increasingly high demand ... at some point the discussion becomes, "Do we prioritize drinking water or toilet water?"

But we green folk are nothing if not inventive, so of course there are solutions. For ages, one of my favorite eco-home-porn items has been a grey water toilet. The concept is simple enough: you collect the water from showers, face-washing and tooth-brushing and use it to flush toilets instead of valuable drinking water. Two people using a grey water system can save as much as 14 gallons of water per day!
As neat as that idea is, toilet developers with green, um, brains, have branched out further, taking it into the realm of non-water toilet solutions. For example, the Huffington Post just ran a story about compostable toilets, which dehydrate and convert human waste into garden friendly fertilizer. An interesting way to make your garden grow! Perhaps the Obamas will consider something like that for the White House garden.

But wait, the ideas get even more space age: an industrial designer named Virginia Gardiner is working in London to create a waterless toilet that converts poop into energy. It uses an "anaerobic digester" to produce methane cooking gas from the poop. Which ironically would get used to cook food, which would be eaten, and then turned into waste, which would then be turned into more energy -- yeah, it's a magical closed loop energy system! Go watch her explain it in a video, it's so cool!

See? Poop talk isn't just for fifth graders anymore. It's a bona fide eco-topic! So get smart about it, and bring it up next time you're at a dinner party. People who get the green movement will be impressed with how sophisticated you are. And if there are any 5th graders around, chances are they'll be pretty impressed, too.

The Eco-Angle on Poop originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All Natural Beauty Products Roundup

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Natural Body Care

(Photo by Dr. Hauschka)

One of the most fun parts about beauty blogging is getting to try all kinds of neat stuff I wouldn't otherwise hear about. And since all-natural products are one of the fastest growing markets these days, I've been trying a ton of eco-friendly, body-friendly, and gorgeous-making treats lately! Here are a few of my current favorites:

Dr. Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Oil
I am totally obsessed with this body oil, which is purported to "reduce the appearance of cellulite." I can tell you that it made my bumpy upper arms smoother than I ever thought possible, and it smells like a sunny day on a citrus farm. My only complaint is that the bottle is too small -- I whizzed through it in less than three weeks, and at $28.95, it could get to be an expensive, but worthwhile, habit to maintain. It's no wonder Dr. Hauschka is "swamped with demand" for their products!

Decléor Aromessence[TM] Neroli
Another oil I am really into lately is this face serum from French spa brand Decléor. The subtly sweet/bitter scent is a blend of neroli, sandalwood, petitgrain, sage, parsley and juniper berry essential oils, which leaves your skin glowing, and your mind calm. At first I was worried about using oil on my face, but you just use a dab at a time, and the results speak for themselves. It's $68 for a .05 oz bottle, but believe me, you use it much more slowly than the Dr. Hauschka body oil!

skyn ICELAND Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels
Naturally my husband walked in the house two seconds after I stuck these soothing gel-backed strips under my eyes. "It's a beauty treatment!" I said, and he just shook his head. But ten minutes later, when I pulled them off, I looked -- and felt -- refreshed and awake. Like the entire skyn ICELAND line, the eye gels ($45 for six pairs) are forumulated to pamper and rejuvenate stressed out skin. They are quick and easy to use, awesome for eyes that are tired from too much travel.

Wai Hope Illuminaire Enzymatic Revitalizing Mask
I made sure my husband was gone for the day before I tried this next product: a minty green organic exfoliating facial mask, made with pinapple and papaya fruit enzymes. I have to admit, my favorite part is that the jar comes with a bamboo paddle, to make application a little neater! Of course, I also liked how bright and smooth it made my skin in just five minutes, and without parabens, formaldehydes, perfumes, resins, sulfates or petrochemical ingredients. A 1.7oz jar, which is good for several masks, is $65.

Got a favorite that I missed? Share your great find in the comments so we can all reap the rewards of natural beauty!

All Natural Beauty Products Roundup originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Leather, No Vinyl - Are Organic Cotton Bags the Only Green Option?

Cat Lincoln — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:07:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Health, News

(Photo by Target)

Okay, so I get that we shouldn't use leather, because it's (theoretically) cruel to kill animals for fashion, and the tanning and dying process is (definitely) an environmental nightmare that produces evil, poisonous sludge.

A fashionable girl can still turn to fun (and bonus: inexpensive) vinyl options from trendy bargain retailers like Target and H&M. No animals hurt here! Except, wait, the production of vinyl is sort of nasty. But did I mention, no animals hurt? Vegan? Please, can't I at least have a leather looking bag?

Apparently the answer is "No." A news alert from the Center for Environmental Health just released results from a study that found vinyl bags bought in the Bay Area have high -- dangerously high -- levels of lead in them. Great! That's where I live, and I'm carrying a fabulous H&M vinyl bag right now. Except I just dropped it like a radiation-hot potato.
Now, I'm no chemist, but why in the world do you need to use lead to produce a handbag? Is it really that hard to make something without animal products or vile chemicals? Actually I'm sure the answer is online somewhere, so let's just take that question as academic and move on to the important one: What materials are left for a stylish green gal to tote?

I just went through a sustainable vs. eco-friendly decision matrix with shoes, so it shouldn't be a surprise that bags are an issue too. Just last month I did a post on socially responsible and chic summer bags, like the black straw Kelly Starfish bag from Claire V. But now I have to wonder about the vegan Matt & Nat bags that I adore so very much because they're made of vinyl.

There will be more on this topic -- I might be willing to give up steaks once in a while, but no amount of C02 or poisonous dyes will ever make me carry a brown hemp bag. There must be a fashionable solution out there!

No Leather, No Vinyl - Are Organic Cotton Bags the Only Green Option? originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Be Good and Green to Yourself!

Cat Lincoln — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Natural Body Care

(Photo by Getty Images)

The gals over at PrettyCity tell us that it's "pretty being green," and they're helping the rest of us put that uplifting idea into practice with their Green and Gorgeous pledge, which started on June 5th, World Environment Day.

Across the country, spas are participating in Green and Gorgeous by pledging to recycle, conserve water and energy and provide green products to their clients. And I was also intrigued to read that the spas are developing signature treatments that have a reduced negative impact on the environment.

While supplies last, green ladies -- and gentlemen -- who get a treatment at a participating spa also get a "Tote-ally Pretty" tote that is super cute and a great reusable shopping bag.
Even better, the spas are all offering special rates for select treatments, and the prices are as compelling as the green benefits. The cool services and prices include:

Organically Smooth & Beach Ready: Eucalyptus-Lime foot soak, organic pineapple & coconut exfoliation and hydration at the Awa Spa & Wellness Sanctuary in Tampa, FL. $59, usually $70.
Gorgeous Shape: A relaxing Pureology shampoo with deep conditioning treatment followed by a haircut with blowout and style at the Aqua Salon in Chicago, IL. $39, usually starts at $50 and up.
Many Thanks Organic Pedicure: This invigorating pedicure includes cucumber scrubs to exfoliate dead cells and nourish skin! At Skintology in Chelsea, NYC. $39, usually $65.

Not all states are represented, but if you have a spa you love, and would love to see participate in Green and Gorgeous, you can always submit their information to PrettyCity, which maintains an extensive list of spas, including reviews, as well as information about the latest trends!

Be Good and Green to Yourself! originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Making Eating Choices for Local and Global Goodness

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:11:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health, Local

(Photo by Getty Images)

One of the biggest discussions in the eco-community is about food. Choosing organic, eating vegetarian one a day week or growing vegetables on your back patio are all common changes people are making to reduce their impact and improve their health.

Just like businesses are discovering that green practices are good for the bottom line, a lot of us are learning that eating healthier is connected to making environmentally-friendly choices. A few weeks ago I wrote about Good Guide, a site that helps you figure out ingredients, environmental practices and how a product compares to similar brands. They just came out with a helpful list of 10 tips for Eating Healthier. Some of the ideas are common sense like avoiding processed foods and checking the sodium levels -- hint, lower sodium is better, even if salty = tasty!

Some of the other ideas include eating low on the food chain, which is another reminder that red meat is probably best limited to an occasional snack, and watching out for bright, artificial colors. Sure, hot pink M&Ms might be festive, but the dye that makes them so vivid might also contain some nasty compounds. In fact, Europe is considering eliminating some colors from use in foods!
Another tip that I hear all the time, and probably you do, too, is to eat local and organic. You'll support local farmers and businesses, which is good for the economy. You'll cut down on the amount of energy required to get food to your table, helping reduce your carbon footprint. And by eating what's fresh and in season, you'll be picking more whole foods, which are vitamin-packed and good for your body.

If you really want to take the local thing to the next level, I have it on good authority that locasexuals get more action. Getting lucky locally will also reduce your carbon footprint. Plus there are many organic and sustainable "love aids" to keep you happy, healthy and green.

Whatever you pick to put in your mouth, giving it a few minutes of thought in advance just might help you live a little better -- and longer!

Making Eating Choices for Local and Global Goodness originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Be Green Down to Your Fingertips

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:13:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Health

(Photo by Priti NYC)

We can't all have a green thumb, but these days there are ways to make our fingers greener -- and if you're really fashion forward you can even make your nails literally and figuratively green!

Surprised? Of all the beauty treatments and rituals, nail polish has historically been the most toxic. That's finally changing, with most brands eliminating the three worst chemicals, toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate. Known as the "toxic trio," these three ingredients have been linked to cancer, asthma and reproductive disruption. Pretty scary for a vanity habit!

A new survey from the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance and Women's Voices for the Environment found that 74% of major nail polish brands are now "Three Free." Many of them also tout their organic ingredients, which is sort of a brain twister -- I mean, it still smells like glue, so it's not like you can eat the stuff -- but also good news for those of us who want to use the least harmful products on our bodies.
Below are a few of the best known and reviewed "Three Free" and in some cases organic and natural brands. Just remember that top coats and "quick dry" will almost always have formaldehyde in them.

Priti -- a completely non-toxic line, they even have soy-based nail polish remover, $12.50
Zoya -- known for their funky colors and amazing long lasting shine, $6
Nicole by Opi -- no animal testing, recyclable packaging, and those awesome pen applicators, $7
Rescue Beauty Lounge -- so very Hollywood, and trendsetting fashionista colors, $18
Butter London -- the amazing "3 Free" starter kit helps you get your nails in shape, naturally, $14

Be Green Down to Your Fingertips originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:13:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Psychology of Your Green Instincts

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:22:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Movies, TV and Books

(Photo by FT Press)

You've greened your diet. Your home. Your commute. Your office. But what about your interior?

Now that the benefits of green external conditions are becoming well known, it makes sense that the next "green frontier" would be the landscape of the mind. In a new book, "The Genius of Instinct: Reclaim Mother Nature's Tools for Enhancing Your Health, Happiness, Family, and Work,", psychologist Dr. Hendrie Weisinger explores the benefits of being "psychologically green."

Just like so many environmental problems come from being disconnected from our surroundings and the planet, Dr. Weisinger believes that we can be more successful, happy and mentally healthy if we get back in touch with the instincts that are "hard wired" into our brains.

In the book she lists six primary instincts, and ways to get back in touch with them.

Part 1: Shelter Seek
Listen To Your Emotions -- Learn to hear "the voice of your instincts" and rely less on other people's opinions. If you have a nagging feeling that something is wrong, believe it!

Part 2: Care Solicit
Allow Yourself To Feel Vulnerable -- Dr. Weisinger says that we are "hardwired to care-solicit-ask others for help." Most "self-help" books today tell you to do things for yourself, and not depend on others. But in nature, asking for help when you need it is necessary to survive.

Part 3: Care Give
Be A Care-Giver -- Another thing that we're hardwired to do is care for other people. So many people fight the maternal or paternal instinct that makes you want to help others grow and develop. It's important to nurture this instinct, whether you're caring for your family, or volunteering in your community. It helps ensure the future for yourself, and for everyone else.

Part 4: Beautify
Look Your Personal Best -- We see animals groom themselves and each other, to find mates and establish power. Dozens of studies show that "attractive" people are more successful. Even though we know it's about more than looks, taking care of yourself helps you put yourself forward in a positive way.

Part 5: Co-op
Commit to Cooperate -- Cooperation brings out the best in everyone, and makes the bigger "team" more successful. Plus we need each other to survive! If you make a commitment to being cooperative, you set a great example for your kids, you create positive momentum, and it help you avoid destructive "tit for tat" situations.

Part 6: Curious
Become a Curious George/Georgette -- It is in our DNA to explore. Encourage kids to ask questions, try new places, keep learning. This increases your chances of finding things that will enhance your existence.

Dr. Weisinger's idea is really interesting, and it makes a lot of sense (trust your instincts!) It's a positive approach to areas that most of us try to improve anyway! The book came out this spring, and is published by FT Press, so you can find it online or in your local bookstore.

The Psychology of Your Green Instincts originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GoodGuide Reads Ingredient Lists So You Don't Have To

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health, Kids and Parenting

(Photo by GoodGuide)

You used to be able to walk down the aisle of a natural foods store, and tell just by looking at the packaging which products didn't have any bad chemicals or dangerous ingredients in them. All natural products were:

wrapped in ugly brown paper packaging
sold in bulk out of grimy vats
tied up with hemp string
utterly devoid of luxury and prettiness

But then the ugly eco-duckling of natural products was captured by the girls in marketing and given a glamorous make-over. Today there are hundreds of organic, natural, and green products that you want to buy just for the pretty ribbon on the box. Here's the problem: Now that it's cool to be natural, and you're allowed to have pretty packaging, it's almost impossible to tell which products are healthy and safe, and which ones are just really, really well packaged.

It was the safety mystery that prompted Professor Dara O'Rourke to check out the sunscreen he was putting on his five year old daughter Minju. To his horror, it contained a toxic ingredient. But he was only able to figure that out because he was a researcher at University of California-Berkeley and had access to detailed information.

Dara was inspired to make it easier for parents, and all of us, to figure out what's in the stuff we put on our bodies and sort out all the pretty marketing claims of "green" products. The result is GoodGuide, a one stop site for you find out how safe and eco-friendly a product really is.

Some serious brain power went into setting up this site -- the team includes scientists, consumer researchers, technologists and industry professionals coming from Google, Amazon, eBay, PayPal, Intuit, MIT and the University of California. They're geniuses at reading the labels -- and analyzing that list of ingredients -- so you don't have to be!

The GoodGuide site is totally easy to use, and has a surprising amount of information. There are about 70,000 products in the system, with more being added. In addition to beauty products, you can search for information on food, toys, and household products, like cleansers. Everything has a rating, from 1-10, which takes into account the ingredients in the product, the company's environmental practices and how it compares to similar products.

The functionality also extends to purchasing. You can see the average price, find a local place to buy it, or order it online from amazon or thefind.com. And members can write reviews of the products, providing another whole dimension of information.

You can still try to judge a product by it's packaging, but with GoodGuide, now you don't need to!

GoodGuide Reads Ingredient Lists So You Don't Have To originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 20 May 2009 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Itchy Issue of Recycled Toilet Paper

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Home, Climate Change

(Photo by 7th Generation)

I wish I could say that I'm clueless about why The Recycled Toilet Paper Debate keeps coming up, but let's face it -- we've had the "Eco-sandpaper Experience." Butts are tender and recycled paper can be rough!

Compounding the difficulty of finding a recycled TP solution is the challenge of finding a brand that meets the whole family's demands for softness, absorbency and cost, while being made with an environmentally-correct amount of post-consumer waste.

So why bother? There are plenty of compelling reasons for using recycled bathroom tissue. As the Natural Resources Defense Council says:

"If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber toilet paper (500 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 423,900 trees."

Just to do the math for you, when we cut down trees, we end up with more CO2 in the air, which equals climate change and melting polar caps and general mayhem. We need all the trees we can get.

At last it seems like technology is catching up with need. Recycled product choices have multiplied, and there are many recycled offerings that are both quilted and soft. Of course, the proof is in the wiping, so if you want to do your own comparison, take a look at:

Seventh Generation -- 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer, quilted and surprisingly soft
Trader Joe's -- 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer, and love that jumbo pack!
Marcal Small Steps -- 100% recycled, minimum 60% post-consumer, 50 years of experience making recycled paper
Scott Naturals -- 40% virgin fiber isn't great, but is better than 100% virgin fiber and you gotta start somewhere!

Got a bathroom favorite not on the list? Share in the comments!

The Itchy Issue of Recycled Toilet Paper originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 12 May 2009 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to Feng Shui Your Bedroom - Cheap Green Hobbies

Josh Loposer — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Home

If you're like me, you tend to zone out whenever somebody starts telling you about how they're like, totally into this new eastern philosophy thingie. However, dejunkifying your house, whether you think of it as an ancient art form or not, does actually produce some measurable results in your quality of life. For example, living clutter-free helps you keep things organized so you buy less junk and know exactly what you have, which is kinda green.

The reason I like feng shui is that it makes the dejunking process seem like a fun hobby and not a chore -- and it's nice to have cheap hobbies these days. This video, while it focuses on feng shui in the bedroom, gave me a couple of ideas of how to incorporate some eco-friendly ideas with my ch'i energy channeling activities. If only I could plug my ch'i into the grid and sell it to the power company ... that would be sweet.

For starters, Howcast mentions changing burned out light bulbs to feng shui your bedroom. Well, there's a no-brainer. When you're going for the green feng shui, you've gotta go CFL or LED.
Another green idea has to do with Howcast's "something beautiful." Why not make that something beautiful a houseplant that helps filter out nasty indoor air pollution like a peace lily or rubber tree.
If you're going to repaint, go for a eco-friendly paint with zero VOCs, Lowes has zero VOC paints.
As far as decking out your room with images that you hope will come true ... that's one's open for interpretation. You might consider making a collage out of some old magazine clippings ... maybe add some electric cars, wind turbines, and polar bears.

How to Feng Shui Your Bedroom - Cheap Green Hobbies originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Boxed Water Better?

Josh Loposer — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health, Plants and Wildlife

For those of us with a uncontrollable urge to avoid tap water at all costs -- even though numerous studies have shown that bottled water isn't any better -- there's a new brand concept out there for purchasing small quantities of supposedly pure water in a disposable container.

Boxed Water Is Better (that's the name of the company) provides consumers with yet another way to purchase what already flows freely from their tap. Are you picking up on my cynicism yet? Anyways, Boxed Water Is Better sells water in what are bascially recyclable milk cartons that can be flattened out to conserve space and thus lower their carbon footprint.

Another particularly eco-friendly aspect of drinking this boxed water is that BWIB donates 20% of their profits to the conservation of the two sources they consume: water and trees. On the other hand, drinking boxed water still creates a larger carbon footprint than drinking from the tap (transportation), creates waste (because not all of the cartons will be recycled), and it costs a lot more than the tap. I'm just saying.

[via CoolHunting]

Is Boxed Water Better? originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Burpee - Monsanto Rumors Laid to Rest

Kelly Leahy — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:47:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Health, Home, Plants and Wildlife

It's that time of year when gardener's start digging up the earth and planting seeds. Burpee is one of the most well know seed suppliers in the United States. Their seeds are carried at home improvement giants like Home Depot and Lowes where one-stop shoppers can get all of their gardening supplies. Their wares are so prolific that a few have made their way into my garden. Because of this I was immediately taken aback when I started reading on gardening forums that Burpee was owned by GMO giant, Monsanto.

Monsanto has been acused of many things from trying to be the single global supplier of seeds to using humans as lab rats by feeding us genetically modified food (read about GMOs here and here). I am not a purist but I try to avoid genetically modified seeds the best that I can and when I read the rumors about Burpee, some red flags started to fly. I swore off the brand not only for the plants but also because I didn't want to be putting money into Monsanto's pockets wich purchases of gardening accessories.

Well, it turns out that Burpee IS NOT owned by Monsanto. In 2005 Monsanto bought vegetable seed company, Seminis Inc. who supplies some seeds to Burpee. This does little to asauge any fears about food safety as technically Monsanto does supply product to Burpee (even many organic seeds are tinted with GMOs). However, it's important to point out that Burpee is privately owned and operated by third generation seedsman, George Ball Jr. and I can buy peat pots without guilt.

If you are a faithful Burpee customer and have concerns about GMOs, tell them. However, it's good to know that there are already seed companies out there like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds who are 100% commited to providing GMO-free seeds.

Burpee - Monsanto Rumors Laid to Rest originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heather Mills is the Face of BK's New Veggie Burger

Josh Loposer — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities, Food, Health

Yes, there are at least two things in that title that are almost entirely incomprehensible, yet true. First off, it's hard to imagine a world where hardcore vegan Heather Mills would agree to be a spokesperson for the unapologetic meat fetishists at BK. Secondly, Burger King is going to start offering a veggie burger? Weirdness abounds.

If you're looking for a third reason that this news is bizarre, it may be worth examining what BK wants with a somewhat publicly reviled ex-wife of a Beatle, stigmatized for being a selfish golddigger. Still, the $6M deal has reportedly already been signed, sealed, and delivered.

Obviously, money talks and $6M can buy a lot of cars and McMansions. Mills could certainly be criticized for her making a deal with the hamburger devils at BK by the vegan community, and she probably will get a fairly strong tongue lashing -- she's used to it. Reportedly, Mills is looking at the silver lining:

A friend told The People: "Heather is ecstatic. She believes she can change the eating habits of millions. She's also being paid a lot of money and the deal will help boost her standing."

[via Ecorazzi]

Heather Mills is the Face of BK's New Veggie Burger originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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