5 Easy Steps Toward A Greener You

Whether you’re a bohemian and organic yogini or just a person wanting to be a little more green, there are a few things you can always do to make a difference. Even for the greenest of us, remembering some basics can help to reignite and remind us of simple things to make our lives a bit better.

1) Reduce

Let’s face it: even in tough economic times most people live in somewhat of a state of abundance, and there isn’t anything wrong with that. We also could all use for a little reduction in how we buy and how we consume. Use less paper, print things less often, open the windows, don’t make as much food, actually eat your leftovers, put a timer in your shower, don’t leave the water running while you brush your teeth, etc. Look at your life and find at least 3 ways today to reduce your use.

2) Reuse

The best part of reusing anything is in the creative opportunities that can be found. Not only can you get in touch with your inner artisan, but there are also real-life practical ways to reuse household items. Use your old socks as cleaning rags, make a blanket or quilt out of old t-shirts, old bills and junk mail can become crap paper for notes, jars can become flower vases, and more. Next time you go to throw things away, take a moment and get creative before you toss that junk in the garbage

3) Recycle

Many communities offer a diverse recycling program that can keep many things out of our landfills. I recently learned about a service in my community that will even take away old appliances AND provide you with a credit off a utilities bill if a new energy efficient appliance is purchased. Electronics are also in high demand right now for recycling. Check out EPA.gov for more information about local recycling electronics efforts.

4) Shop smarter – Shop greener

Shopping greener doesn’t necessarily mean buying organic goods from your local mega supermarket. So many day-to-day products now offer eco-friendly, safe, and (often) organic alternatives; sometimes these alternatives may be a bit more pricey, but the positive difference they make over heavy chemical brothers and sisters. You can also find green alternative products that have been recognized and approved by various organizations like Green Seal.

5) Power down

Most everybody has fallen asleep with the TV on, or left a light on in the bathroom while leaving the house in a hurry. Mistakes happen, but being conscious and powering down really DO make a difference. Beyond being aware of simple things, there are several little things that we often overlook: don’t leave things on the charger after they have finished, turn off your computer when you are done, take advantage of cooler days and turn off the AC, etc.

There are so many ways to be more green for beginners and veterans! Organic Bug offers tools, goods, gifts, and more to help make your life be a little more green!

Snack Food Trying To Be A Little Greener

Sun Chips of Frito Lay is making quite the crunch this week.  From Facebook, to twitter, to the Wall Street Journal there is a steady buzz about all the noise that Frito-Lay has been making with their green line of snacks.  Sun Chips is definitely making positive strides toward a greener treat from their packaging to their actual products.

Seven months ago Sun Chips began mass distribution of their products in a newer noisier bag.  The bag is made out of a plant-based material, polylactic acid, and claims to fully decompose in about 14 weeks if put into hot active compost (pretty good compared to the nearly 100 years it takes typical chip bags).  The polymer used to make the bags has a higher “glass transition temperature” which basically means that it’s more brittle than rubbery.

One of the current production plants for Sun Chips has also transitioned to Solar Energy to help lower their environmental impact.  In Modesto, CA 145,000 bags of Sun Chips are produced and ready to ship each and every day.  The plant in Modest is one of eight separate facilities that creates and packages the noisy treats; don’t get too excited because they have a long way to go, but their efforts should be celebrated for now.

Despite their green efforts, they have yet to make the transition to an organic product.  Perhaps that will be their next step.  Don’t let anybody trick you into thinking snacks like this are “healthy,” but Sun Chips are definitely less bad for you than some of their competition.

All-in-all, Frito-Lay is making some great steps in the right direction.  Hopefully people can ignore the noisy bag due to the positive impact that it can make over the alternatives.

For more eco-friendlier products, swing over to Organic Bug for everything from organic gluten free sweet brownie treats to jewelry made out of recycled glass!

Mother Nature’s Party Planner

This summer you are going to be throwing many lavish, fun amazing parties, right? Of course! Well to be a gracious host(ess) it is important to make sure that you are going green so that you know not only you but all of your thankful guests are helping reduce carbon emissions into the beautiful atmosphere. Check out some ways to stay on the environmentally side for your summer party hosting.

Ball Mason Jars

Although the upfront cost is more than plastic, the overall reward out gives plastic or paper cups a run for your money. Not only are these jars surprisingly sturdy and tough to break, they allow people to party without ditching their one time use paper or plastic cup. If you are hoping that people can get their names on them, then set out some masking tape and a sharpie, have people label them. After the party you can use the jars as leftover containers, flower or candle holders or even a pencil cup.

Recycle, of course

The morning after clean up can be much easier when you are using green goods. Not only can you quickly chuck the bottles and cans into recycling along with all of the necessary paper and throw away products.

Cloth Napkins

This is not only an amazing way to wow your guests by showing them your snazzy style, but also is a way to save money (in the long run) and to help out your environment by saving a couple trees. It adds a true element of elegance to the party for everyone to enjoy. Throw them in the washer and fold them for your next use.

Reuse those utensils

If you are on the party train to Greensville, then pack on some more and let it ride! Check out Preserve On The Go Cutlery ($5.50 for 8 sets, preserveproducts.com). It’s reusable, recyclable, made from BPA-free recycled plastic, and dishwasher-safe. Make sure to let your guests know that they are not the usual throw-away kind of plastic cutlery.

Compost your plates

Sometimes paper is the only way to go. You don’t want to risk breaking your nice plates or having to go out and buy mismatched plates from the thrift store. Only in this case, check out the green paper plate option. Preserve On the Go plates are compostable plates that let you chuck them straight into the composter.

Organic Soap Made Easy by Vermont Soap Organics

Ever wonder how organic soap is made?  Check out this video from Vermont Soap Organics that features each step of their soap making process!

We are proud to carry soaps, pet shampoos and household cleaners from Vermont Soap Organics because they are all USDA Approved and Certified Organic.  That means each product component is derived from plant-based renewable resources, farmed and processed without chemicals in a sustainable, fair-trade manner.

Larry Plesent, founder of Vermont Soap Organics, was inspired by the “capitalism with a conscience” philosophy other Vermont businesses had adopted (Think: Ben and Jerry’s, Earth’s Best Baby Food, Gardener’s Supply, Seventh Generation, and Stonybrook Farms).

His mission is to provide consumers with an ever-expanding line of affordable high quality products while conducting business in an environmentally aware manner, serving as an example of how corporations can and should be a tool for positive social change.

Pangea Organics Facial Mask Featured on Vanity Fair’s Beauty Blog!

Another member of the Organic Bug family has been recognized for outstanding quality and commitment to bringing consumers more sustainable options.  In the past, Pangea Organics Facial Mask has been featured and honored on numerous occasions such as:

• 2009 Better Nutrition Best of Beauty Award for Best Skin Care
• 2007 H20 Fitness & Wellness for Women H20 Beauty Awards for Best Overall Mask
• 2007 ShapeYou Gear Awards for Great Gear of the Year Award
• 2007 Natural Health Natural Beauty Award for Face Care in the Face Mask Category
• 2007 Best of Show Awards, Natural Products Expo West 2007 for Best New Vegetarian Product
• 2007 New Products Showcase Award, Natural Products Expo East for Best New Product for 2007

Now they can add  the Vanity Fair Favorite Green Pick in May 2010 to this list!    This month, Pangea Facial Mask with Japanese Matcha Green Tea, Acai & Goji Berry made the list of favorite green beauty picks on the very popular Vanity Fair Beauty Blog:

“During the month of May, [Vanity Fair] Beauty brings you our favorite green picks that will keep you pampered from head to toe…..Once a week, we detoxify, cleanse, and exfoliate our skin with Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask. Acai helps skin to regenerate, goji berry helps with anti-aging, and matcha tea helps to prevent damage from free radicals.”

The products are handmade in the USA without synthetic preservatives, petrochemicals or parabens.  All Pangea Organics products arrive packaged in molded fiber boxes manufactured using a Zero-Waste process with 100% post-consumer recycled paper and organic seeds like amaranth and sweet basil. Slip off the label and soak the box in water for a minute and plant it approximately 1” deep in soil. Then watch your garden grow!

Not Too Late to Honor Mom & Mother Earth on Mothers Day!

Wow!   Mothers Day is this weekend…should I rush out and buy a gift, wrap it and ship it to Mom (who deserves only the best by the way) ?  How about flowers?  Again? No?   Luckily it is not too late to honor your Mother by honoring Mother Earth with a purchase of a gift that falls under the category of Fair Trade, Handmade, Made in the USA, Natural, Organic, Recycled or Sustainable. Read on for my top picks for Mom!

Fair Trade Gift for Mom

Why Fair Trade? Fair Trade utilizes social criteria and environmental principles that support a more equitable and sustainable economic structure that benefits people, their communities and the global markets.

MY PICK Caribbean Craft Sun Face Recycled Oil Drum Art Brighten your day with our handmade Sun Face Oil Drum Art! Craft artists design and sculpt these one-of-a-kind creations in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti using recycled oil drums. The natural patina and reflective sheen give each piece its sunny disposition that may be enjoyed in your home or garden. These talented Haitian artists continue the tradition of Oil Drum Art in their tropical Caribbean homeland. They work as employees and independent contractors for Caribbean Craft, a Fair Trade organization, developing their skills and providing a sustainable income for their families through the use of the available distribution network.

Handmade Gift for Mom

Why Choose Handmade? Handmade refers to an individual or group of skilled artisans who apply their craft to produce goods for the marketplace. Handmade is also used to identify artwork produced by individuals engaging their imagination to create aesthetic art within a particular discipline.

MY PICK: Bottled Up Designs Cobalt Glass Square Pendant & Earrings These one of a kind handmade creations by artist Laura Bergman. The vivid deep blue color of our Antique Cobalt Glass Square Pendant & Earrings comes from the broken remains of old Noxema bottles! In an effort to preserve the environment and protect an area rich in wildlife, Laura reclaims whole and broken bottles from old glass dumps found in wooded habitats and rural farmlands near her home in Pennsylvania Amish country. As a master glass cutter Laura polishes and molds the recycled glass to eliminate any sharp edges. She then skillfully mounts the glass in delicate spirals of sterling hoops to produce exquisite pendants and earrings that catch the light with every move!

Made in the USA Gift for Mom

Why Made in the USA? Made in USA identifies products made in the US that contribute to a stable US economy.

MY PICK: Fire & Light Recycled Glass Heart in Lavender This is a most elegant way to say I Love You Mom! The translucent recycled glass lavender hearts are handmade by a community of Fire & Light artisans in Arcata, California. Artisans skillfully etch the words Fire & Light onto each completed piece. A totally classy & Heartfelt gift!

Organic Gift for Mom

What Does Organic REALLY mean (is it just a marketing term?)  Organic implies food and other items derived from raw materials that are wild-crafted or organically grown. The processes used minimize damage to the environment and improve the quality of life for the workers and animals involved.

MY PICK: Truly Wize Mother’s Day Super Star Gift Box Give Mom a beautiful gift box of three dozen assorted gourmet organic cookies freshly baked especially for her. And yes, she needs three dozen because in true MOM style, she will give some away and you want her to have plenty to savor and enjoy for her wonderful self! The gift box is bursting with eight hand decorated star shaped Sugar Cookies, seven melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Truffle Cookies, seven sinfully rich signature Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies (that have been featured on the Rachael Ray Show), a sweet selection of seven Iced Spring Thumbprint Soft Vanilla Cookies and seven refreshing Orange Blossom Cookies~crisp drops on the outside; soft & chewy on the inside with a fresh orange flavor. YUM!

Natural Gift for Mom

What Does Natural Mean? Natural refers to products manufactured using materials and ingredients produced conventionally but without added chemicals or synthetics, lessening their environmental impact.

MY PICK: Pangea Organics Bar Soaps Everything in these Pangea Organics Bar Soaps has been chosen with mindful intention to give you the purest, most nourishing soap possible. The gentle cold processing methods preserve the natural healing properties of each customized blend so that the benefits reach the body instead of getting boiled off, leaving the skin soft and the environment smiling. As the most trusted organic skincare line on the market Pangea Organics has been featured in more than 130 publications including Body + Soul, Jane, Natural Health and O, The Oprah Magazine! The company has enjoyed 11 television and radio segments on shows like The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Get Fresh with Sara Snow, The Isaac Mizrahi and The View. Additionally, Pangea Organics has received 12 awards honoring their high performance products and progressive efforts to find sustainable business solutions in every facet of their company.

Recycled Gift for Mom

Why Recycle?  Recycled is the reusing of materials to make new products, saving our precious natural resources and raw materials. Recycling uses less energy, decreasing oil dependence; reduces landfill, curbing leaching of contaminants into the soil and water supply; and improves air quality through the reduction of toxic incinerator emissions.

MY PICK: Rebagz Juice Pack Small Tie Totes This is the smaller more compact version of our wildly popular Large Tie Tote! Hollywood celebrities, sports stars and other notables have been seen carrying around our eco-friendly Rebagz! America Ferrera of Ugly Betty fame, Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria, Debra Messing, Jaime Pressly, Kate Walsh and Serena Williams to name just a few! Playful yet sophisticated, whichever one you choose will maintain its fresh and sassy look for years to come! Well-made, vibrant, fashionable and functional are just some of the ways to describe these water-resistant handmade creations.

Sustainable Gift for Mom

Why Sustainable?  Sustainable manufacturers strive to produce products in an environment that provides social and economic benefits while practicing environmental stewardship.

MY PICK: CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator-Long Handle The long hoe-type handle is a dream for gardeners with limited kneeling and bending ability~this amazing tool allows you to get back out there and enjoy gardening again! Additionally, it’s a bonus for agricultural workers because it weeds deeply and precisely next to valuable crops without damaging the crop or its root system. This reptilian head is like having a “steel fingernail” at your service, doing the work of a whole collection of garden tools! And get this! The long handle comes in three lengths to accommodate your height, all at the same great price:

Free Gift Message Cards are available…..

Love Your Baby…the Non-Toxic Way

Looking at what the conventional home is today, it is nearly impossible to make a non-toxic environment for yourself, let alone for your children. Many things are out of our control as consumers and as tenants of homes. But there are a handful of key elements that we can control in our children’s lives. Helping them live a non-toxic, organic and safe childhood in what is supposed to be the safest place for them—is our job as parents.

On of the first key elements into a non-toxic home for our children is to swap your cleaning products for eco-friendly versions. You can go out and research what the best sustainable cleaners are out there on the market, or you can make your own home cleaners. Mixtures that include vinegar, baking soda, grapefruit seed extract and eco-friendly soap are all great money saving and green ways of mastering the cleaning product dilemma. This is a huge element to overcome, and an even greater contribution to your child’s health. Also, try to line dry clothes and to use eco-baby-safe detergent.

Moving to the kitchen, you should look into your cupboards and drawers. Look at what you eat on, cook on, cut on and eat with. All of the items that you use in the kitchen should be examined and considered. Check into cast iron, glass, stainless steel, enamel coated cast iron, and lead-free ceramic.  Avoid non-stick surfaces and anything plastic. If you’re using plastic, even something that claims to be BPA-free or microwave-safe, do not ever put it in a microwave. Plastic seems to be a regular eating surface, this is very bad. Check out ceramic or stainless steel.

Another easy and simple change is to start (or continue to) drink tap water. Put on the filter that attaches to the spout if you need to. Get a water pitcher that filters out water. But plastic water bottles are so last year. But, seriously, drink the water from home.

It is incredibly important to just look at what you are bringing into the house. Things like wearing your shoes in the house can track pollutants onto the carpet that your babies are crawling around on and later sticking those fingers that picked them up into their mouths. It’s invisible, but very real. Check the dry cleaning you are bringing in—is it safe? And most importantly, when you come home, before you pick baby junior up make sure to wash your hands.

The most impactful yet complex is the food element. Bottom line—feed your children organic, sustainable, local food.  Check out your local CSA or farmers market and save some cash from the big green shopping stores if that is an issue. Remember what you teach your children: you are what you eat!

When your kids get sick, the first thing you turn to is over the counter, right? Wrong! The first thing you should look at is a natural cure/remedy. Teething, fevers, and stuffy noses will no doubt have you worried and tired yourself. But don’t give up and meander to your local supermarket unless you are buying ginger, garlic and grapefruit seed extract.  Great examples of home cures include steam for congestion.  Honey works well on the throat. Frozen celery can be used for teething purposes in lieu of plastic frozen toys. Dried fruit or stewed prunes are good for constipation. DIY fruit juice popsicles combat dehydration. Ginger and peppermint tea work for tummy aches.

Chuck the cosmetics! Can’t say it anymore plainly. The things that companies put into the lotion, powder, etc. that is recommended to put on your baby is just plain not safe. They’re loaded with synthetic hormone disruptors and potential carcinogens that pound for pound present more of a health concern for small people than for adults. If it is dry, or if there is an issue, put some organic olive oil on it. If you prefer a cosmetic, only use ones that are made with very few organically or biodynamically grown ingredients. You should be able to read the ingredient list and generally understand what it means. If you can’t, don’t put it on your baby. Look for trustworthy third party certification labels.

When using pest pollutants use organic and/or natural pest control like integrated pest management for lawns and inside for things like ants and roaches.

Any way you look at it—there are a million changes that we as parents can make to improve our children’s lives. The difference here is our babies don’t have a choice. So make it for them.

Shopping Non-Toxic: Top Ingredients to Eliminate From Your Cosmetics Cabinet

You would think that with the epidermis (skin) being our largest organ in the human body, that we would take more care when it comes to what we slap on it for protection and beauty. A majority of cosmetics and skincare has not been evaluated by the FDA or any other publicly recognized safety institution. It is then, up to you to educate yourself and get on board with green, organic and safe skincare.  If you can even eliminate a couple of your home products that have these ingredients and switch to a healthy, organic non-toxic brand, you will be surprised to see the physical difference and possibly be saving yourself from a serious condition in the future. Your body will thank you!

Things to look out for when buying skin products

Aluminum chlorohydrate: An astringent used as a topical antiperspirant or topical body deodorant. Aluminum is a neurotoxin that alters the function of the blood-brain barrier, linking it to Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

Mercury: Used as a preservative and antibacterial agent in cosmetics such as mascara, where it can be listed under the name “thimersoal,” mercury can damage brain function even at low levels. Mercury can be found in eye drops and certain imported skin-lightening creams, as well.

Nanoparticles: Largely untested, these extremely minuscule particles are usually undeclared on product labels, even though they can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. You can find them in bronzers, eye shadows, sunscreens, and lotions.

Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, isoparapben, etc.): The most common preservatives used in cosmetics to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which some studies show plays a role in the development breast cancer and urogenital abnormalities.

Triclosan: An antibacterial compound found in cleansers, deodorants and other cosmetic products that is classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen. Overuse could also result in strains of drug-resistant superbacteria.

40 Years of Earth Day Will be Celebrated April 22

Where Were You When You First Heard of Earth Day?

April 22 will mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a global movement to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.   While there is much work to be done to banish unsustainable practices; I believe that we should feel proud about how far this movement has come over the years.

I first heard of Earth Day myself when I was 14 years old.  My parents decided we should attend an Earth Day rally in Raleigh, North Carolina and hear some guy named Ralph Nader speak (I laugh now that I had no idea who he was at the time….).  Though I was not impressed with the speaker, I remember the passion and the enthusiasm expressed by the crowd; and I believe that small rally held on the NC State Campus left a life long impression on me and helped to foster a true desire to improve our environment.  It inspired me to lobby my high school administrators to put a recycling bin for soda cans in our lunchroom; a radical concept at the time- and a major pain, I had to personally haul those things to the recycling center!    I would like to think if a small rally held over 20 years ago could inspire me so much- I wonder what all the attention from the media, celebrities and the President of the United States are doing for young people today?

I am thrilled to see how much attention Earth Day gets each year.   What started as a vision to bring greater visibility to environmental issues from Senator Gaylord Nelson has evolved into one of the most significant global movements in human history with a range of initiatives and events all over the world.  Not to mention, Organic Bug is celebrating with it’s largest contest in history: we are giving away 40 prizes to 40 lucky winners who enter between now and April 22.    So I am curious to hear from you- where were you the first time you heard of Earth Day?

“As we continue to tackle our environmental challenges, it’s clear that change won’t come from Washington alone. It will come from Americans across the country who take steps in their own homes and their own communities to make that change happen.”-PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Organic Bug Spotlight On Healthy Child Healthy World

A Wake-Up Story from Healthy Child Healthy World on Vimeo.

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