The video above from The Daily Greens gives some great green gift ideas for grown ups, and below we continue our perusal of Inhabitat’s fabulous Green Holiday Gift Guide!
Vintage LP Recycled Coasters – $19.99
Useful gifts are always appreciated and almost everyone can find use for an extra set of coasters – especially fun ones like these ones recycled from vintage records! Each coaster features completely random artists from all eras of music and your giftees will have a blast serving each their guests drinks on coasters showcasing their favorite musical styles.
Recycled Wine Bottle Glasses – $35
These 100% recycled glass tumblers make great gifts for parents who appreciate unique housewares with a sense of history. Green Glass Company creates each one from a reclaimed wine bottle, and you can see the warp, and warble, and imperfections that make each piece unique. Choose from cyan (Bordeaux bottles), cobalt (Westport Rivers Wine bottles), and topaz (Californian Chardonnay bottles). It would go well with the organic wine club subscription mentioned in the video and also recommended by Inhabitat!
Culinary Herb Wreath – $65
This culinary herb wreath is just the thing to warm the hearth of your folks’ home and infuse it with the scent of the country. Each wreath is crafted from organic marjoram, dill, thyme, sage, lavender, anise, cinnamon sticks, and yarrow – all of which can be clipped at will to season meals well into the new year.
Samsung Reclaim Cellphone – $250
Samsung’s eco-friendly reclaim cellphone caused quite a stir when it was released early this year, and for good reason – the green machine is made almost entirely out of corn-based bio plastic and features a design that is 80% recyclable. The phone also boasts standard smartphone credentials sure to please any eco geek, including a full QWERTY keyboard, 3G, GPS, and easy access to social media sites like Twitter, Myspace, and Youtube.
While the video above gives us a look at fun, educational and must-have Christmas gift Ideas for kids in the UK, we’ve also a few more items to share for American kids from the Tots section of Inhabitat’s Green Holiday Gift Guide!
Baby Elephant – $24
Your little ones won’t be able to let go of cuddly Lil’ Ellie once they feel how huggable he is. Plus you can feel good about supporting a very important cause – since Lil’ Ellie is hand-knit by women in Kenya, your purchase allows them to earn a living wage by practicing a skilled craft.
Organic Finger Puppets – $20
Give little ones hours of good old-fashioned fun with these adorable organic finger puppets. They’re the perfect colorful way to teach kids about all the different types of animals and how they are all important to the earth!
Soysilk Tofu Bear & Organic Cotton Teddy
You can’t go wrong when it comes to giving a toddler a beloved plush teddy bear to cuddle — especially one that is as cute and eco-friendly as the Soysilk Tofu Teddy or the sweet organic cotton teddy bear from Volker Senger. The silky smooth tofu teddy is made out of soysilk fiber derived from byproducts of tofu manufacturing and the organic cotton bear is twelve inches long, the perfect size for tiny embraces which will be extra warm and cuddly due to his natural lambswool fill.
Knit Octopus – $78
Octopi get cold too! At least our lovable wooly octopus does, but luckily he has a fetching cap, scarf and booties for all 8 legs to keep him nice and toasty. We’re pretty sure he’ll keep your little animal lover cozy too!
Adopt an Animal From WWF and Get a Plush Toy – $25 to $250
This year give back to the earth by adopting an endangered animal through the World Wildlife Fund. There are 100 different species to choose from, and every donation made goes to protect severely endangered animals and support WWF’s conservation efforts. As an added bonus, you’ll receive a cuddly plush version of the animal that you protected that you can give to a loved one.
The video above gives you a great idea of what they’re about, but just in case you’re watching the video someplace where you need to be quiet, we’ll explain too. Or at least tell you their explanation from their website. Ideal Bite offers bite-sized ideas for light green living - ideas for real people who lead busy lives and want to make small changes that add up to big results. Their Daily Tips cover everything from biodynamic wine to eco-pet products to organic cosmetics. The secret sauce? A spoonful of “incremental environmentalism” combined with a keeping-it-real attitude.
The mission of Ideal Bite is to create a more sustainable world by connecting enlightened companies with responsible consumers who are ready to make small changes that add up. Ideal Bite is a sassier shade of green.
We checked out their Fashion page and found tips for eco-boots, recycled sunglasses, organic underwear, shoe recycling, eco-luggage, and an organic little black dress. They even break it down into bite-sized categories like Apparel, Accessories, Fashion Care and Men’s.
Clicking on any of the items brings up more details, like the benefits and a list of products you can try, along with a personal tale like, “Heather bought a hot little black organic cotton dress that hangs in her closet as a reminder that she’s not allowed to skip yoga under any circumstances” or “Hanah modeled some of the [organic] women’s underwear for her sig-o so he could help her decide, and - surprise, surprise - he found a whole new appreciation for all-things-eco.” The comments that follow talk about real issues too.
It’s these touches of easily digestible info with personal experience combined with the ease of a list of links so their recommendations can be followed that makes the site so great. Not to mention the cute artwork and clean design.
We know you may be surprised at the use of the “B” word in the title, but we have good reason. Have you heard of the New York Times Bestseller called Skinny Bitch? Even in the video above, the host feels nervous about being taken as rude by saying the title of the book whose co-author he’s interviewing. It’s a no-nonsense, tough-love guide to help you make intelligent and educated decisions about eating healthy. The authors are Rory Freedman, a former agent for Ford Models and self-taught know-it-all and Kim Barnouin, a former model who holds a Masters of Science degree in Holistic Nutrition and is shown in the attached video.
The book has sequels that include Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven, Skinny Bitch: Just Bitchin and a line of fitness DVDs. In her 20’s, Kim explored food and found that by eating better, she started to physically and mentally feel better. A lightbulb went off in her head – food heals.
Kim now runs a website called Healthy Bitch Daily.com, “the loose-lipped guide for the woman who gives a damn”. With sections for food, health, beauty & style, home and arts & entertainment, Healthy Bitch Daily delivers “healthy, say-it-like-it-is advice on food, fitness, sex, money, meditation, shopping and more….
“It’s not about being skinny or counting calories. It’s about being conscious of what you are feeding, lathering and putting on that beautiful, God-given body of yours.”
Their Beauty & Style section includes stories about stylish vegan footwear, 95% USDA certified organic lip balm, a lesson on buying ethical diamonds, a guilt-free line of facial crèmes and a healthier, greener face cleanser.
In the Self section we found a recommendation saying, “As a general rule, it is best to select moisture wicking clothing made from organic or recycled materials that contain a minimal amount (if any) synthetic fibers like Lycra, and are created by companies with sustainable business models and fair labor practices.” At Garments Without Guilt, we agree!
They also suggest a few companies that meet these requirements and put organic cloth and recycled materials to stylish use. They are:
Gaiam – Best known for their widely available 100-percent organic cotton line of yoga wear, this eco-lifestyle company encompasses everything from an organic bathroom décor line to chemical-free bras and panties to exercise balls and mini trampolines. Gaiam has partnered with some of the country’s top fitness instructors for top-notch home workout gear and yoga products.
And their “Bitchworthy: note: Gaiam partnered with The Conservation Fund to create Go Zero in 2006, a grassroots effort responsible for launching the world’s first carbon-neutral product shipping program. They have offset their carbon footprint by saving nearly 50,000 trees and 9 million pounds of greenhouse gases. Score Card: Gaiam 100, Opponent 0.
GoLite - A global manufacturer of lightweight, sustainable apparel and equipment for the great outdoors, GoLite strives to put all materials, waste and otherwise, to good use. Somehow, these ladies have managed to turn coconut shells into workout wear! Expect fleece-lined softshells and temperature-controlled longsleeve zip-ups, all packaged in recyclable materials.
Bitchworthy: The GoLite Thermal Wind Jackets come in hip, bright colors like ‘Sky Blue/Deep Water’ and ‘Light Cypress/Rosemary’ for those after-dark runs.
Brooks – Pulling the Trump Card for Runner’s World 2008 International Green Award and Footwear News 2008 Green Award, the Washington-based running shoe maker is like the Lance Armstrong of environmentally sustainable products. Their entire Trail footwear collection is made from a long-wearing outsole compound made from sand rather than oil. Zero oil = petroleum reduction. Two thumbs up.
Bitchworthy: Brooks has introduced the first-ever biodegradable running shoe midsole, BioMoGo, which speeds up the biodegrading process 50 times faster than traditional midsoles. Ching, ching: That’s a savings of 29.9 million pounds of landfill waste, or for you sport buffs, 1,277 football fields.
Patagonia – This tree-huggin’ store offers (deep breath, please) trail runners, hikers, surfers, rock climbers, fly fishers, snowboarders, travelistas and yogis a wide range of durable and dare we say, chic, outfits made from previously used fibers (kudos to Patagonia’s fiber-to-fiber recycling system). Products and gear are made from recycled fleece, organic cotton, hemp and waterproof material.
Bitchworthy: Conservacion Patagonia, a non-profit dedicated to the protection of biodiversity and wildland ecosystems in Chile and Argentina, is pounding the dirt to create Patagonia National Park (said to be similar in size to Yosemite National Park).
If you’re looking to get back into shape, now you have a reason to. Not only will Mother Earth thank you, but so will the opposite sex. Burn, baby, burn!
So, while we can still get away with it, GWG wants to tell you all to stop bitching and get eco-ethical and guilt-free!
In the video above, Erin Carlson, a Yahoo Green expert, explains some of the myths that give us green guilt. We all want to do something to help the planet, but maybe we’re not sure what to do or exactly how to do it. We also found a list of tips in Self Magazine to help you get past the green guilt.
1. Find planet-loving pals
Share tips, get inspired and locate other green-themed websites like GenGreenLife.org.
2. Manage the mail
Halt catalog chaos and you’ll spare trees while you curb clutter. Try catalogchoice.com
3. Befriend the faucet
Tap water hydrates you just as effectively as bottled H20, plus it’s free and doesn’t create waste for landfills.
4. Bypass the dry cleaner
Instead of exposing your clothes (and yourself) to dangerous chemicals, wash delicates at home or find a green cleaner in your area.
5. Halt the paper trail
Copying on both sides and using your work memo as a scratch pad are just two ways to use fewer sheets and preserve trees.
6. Shut down the computer
Conserve electricity and cash by flipping your machine off when it’s not in use.
7. Shun elaborate packaging
Opt for products with the least amount of wrapping to reduce needless waste.
8. Polish your brushing routine
Using a toothbrush made with recycled plastic can reduce decay of your teeth and the environment.
9. Use organic cotton each day
Products created without chemical pesticides can keep pollutants out of the environment and your home.
10. Skip meat at least once a week
Eating vegetarian for a day can prevent the release of tons of greenhouse-related gases.
11. Wash clothes in cold water
Be gentle on your duds while decreasing power and reducing emissions released into the atmosphere.
12. Pick juice or milk in plastic bottles
It’s easier to produce and recycle bottles made of plastic.
13. Green your cleaning routine
Tidy up with biodegradable, eco-safe products to avoid contact with potentially harmful chemicals.
14. Flip your lids
Keep non-recyclable plastic bottle tops from polluting oceans and harming sea animals – or take them to any Aveda store!
15. Grow a less thirsty garden
To cut down on your water usage and workload, plant flowers and bushes that thrive in your climate.
16. Wipe with sponges
Avoid paper towel waste by reaching for this kitchen essential more often.
17. Give away gadgets
Recycle rather than toss your outdated TV, computer or cell phone. Go to MyGreenRecycler.com to find where.
18. Buy locally
Championing neighborhood stores that sell locally made products rather than buying from far-flung locations can significantly cut down on pollution and fuel use.
19. Drive smarter without buying a hybrid
Turning off the engine rather than idling is just one way to make any car greener.
20. Don’t clean your plates
Let your dishwasher do the dirty work and cut your bills in the process.
21. Work out outdoors
Fresh air helps you stick to your fitness routine and cuts down on power use at the gym.
22. Fine-tune your fridge
Keeping the door shut will help your refrigerator run more efficiently and lower your electric bill.
23. Rediscover your wardrobe
Editing a teeming closet translates into less stress, more time and big savings.
24. Don’t blow it
Allow hair to air-dry to protect your strands and employ less power.
25. Lower your electricity bill
Using a power strip and other juice-saving devices can spare you loads of cash while conserving energy.
26. Carry your own bag
A fold-up reusable tote means you are always ready to shop.
27. Eat Organic
Vegetables and fruit grown without synthetic pesticides prevent those chemicals from harming farmers, wildlife and consumers. Get a list of the most contaminated foods at FoodNews.org.
28. Pack your lunch
Green bagging your PB&J in a reusable tote is good for the earth and your waistline. Polystyrene, the material that makes up plastic and white foam to-go containers, usually isn’t recyclable and goes straight to the landfill.
The Dr. Hauschka website tells us so. “Dr.Hauschka Skin Care is a different kind of company. Inspired by our vision of a culture of care, we’ve created a company not driven by greed but powered by compassion. All we do is in the interest of fostering well-being in the world, from our ecologically sound methods of growing and sourcing ingredients to our one-of-a-kind manufacturing processes and international fair trade initiatives. “
They go on to say, “We’re active in our local communities and engage in projects the world over that help transform disadvantage into self-reliance and economic sustainability.” We love that about them!
Dr. Hauschka products include:
• Holistic Home Remedies
• Homeopathic Medicines
• Natural Skin Care
• Bath & Shower
• Body Care
• Decorative Cosmetics
• Face Care
• Gifts & Accessories
• Hair Care
The photo above is from a Treehugger.com article promoting their new shampoo line. “Natural and organic skincare company Dr. Hauschka has… four tasty hair care products: Macadamia and Orange Shampoo for normal hair, Nasturtium and Lemon Shampoo for normal to oily hair, Apricot and Sea Buckthorn Shampoo for dry and damaged hair, and Jojoba and Marshmallow Conditioner for intensive daily conditioning treatment.
“The Germany-based firm only uses herbal extracts from plants grown organically or collected in the wild to create each product—without making sacrifices for scent, lather, or consistency. Plus, the quality seal of the German BDIH is stamped on every bottle. What does that mean? Full ingredient disclosure and no synthetic chemical colors, aromas, preservatives, silicones, paraffins, petroleum products, or animal testing.”
The company explains their “holistic” philosophy this way: “When it comes to any one action we take, any one decision we make, we take the time to look at the repercussions and ramifications on the earth, our clients and customers, our communities and our company.
“We carefully choose every plant and mineral ingredient based on its individual effects and the way it interacts with other ingredients, as well as whether it came from an ecologically and ethically sound source. We choose packaging that’s Eco-friendly and which allows us to keep our products free of artificial preservatives.
“A Dr.Hauschka Skin Care regimen should be part of a healthy lifestyle supported by diet, exercise and contemplative practices to reconnect us with our natural rhythms. All of these factors have an effect on skin health and beauty, and all are a part of Dr.Hauschka’s holistic approach.”
We at GWG like the way they go about their eco-friendly and people-friendly business!
Above you can see Rachel Sarnoff of EcoStiletto (who we’ve highlighted before) offering a great review of Alaffia, along with other fabulous eco-fashion tips, on CNN. She says Alaffia is truly amazing as a line and works incredibly well. And that it’s a great example all around: the packaging is recyclable, the products are made from all natural ingredients-organic ingredients-and also, the production of this line supports indigenous people in Togo, Africa. She also added that it smells amazing and that Shea butter is “just incredible for your skin.”
Their website explains that the founder chose to promote indigenous African natural resources that are culturally, spiritually, economically and ecologically sustainable. Shea butter that is traditionally handcrafted fits. It’s a renewable resource of African origin; shea trees are wild, requiring no chemical fertilizers or pesticides; and it’s an integral part of many savanna communities. Consequently, there is a wealth of local and traditional knowledge of making shea butter.
The fair trade of our handcrafted shea butter and shea butter skin care products is bringing income to and empowering our communities in Togo, while making indigenous, sustainable and effective skin care available to the global community.
Their website also tells us a bit more about how their company empowers all who work with them.
Alaffia strives to be an integral part of our communities in Washington state and in Togo, West Africa. Here are a few ways we participate:
In Togo, West Africa
• The Alaffia/Agbanga Shea Butter Cooperative is an important part of the greater Sokode community. We provide stable, fair incomes to over 80 families. The Cooperative also provides medical care and other assistance when needed. Our members are proud to be able to use their indigenous knowledge to feed and clothe their families. One of our goals is for the cooperative to be a model for other groups and individuals in Togo and other West African nations to follow.
• Community Enhancement Projects - Ten percent of our sales go directly to fund community enhancement projects in Togo. We have several projects, all of which serve to enhance community self reliance and sustainability.
Today, Africa is considered the poorest continent on Earth. Seventy-seven percent of Africans live on less than $2 per day, and women and children make up the majority of this number. African families must also cope with the impacts of diseases such as AIDS and malaria, high unemployment rates, and increasing problems with air and water pollution, including access to potable water.
Africans are still experiencing colonial legacies that impede the well-being of the people, such as the systematic exclusion of women from the formal education system and lack of access to adequate market information to trade their products fairly. The discrepancy between the extreme poverty and the natural wealth of the African continent has been a constant puzzlement and source of frustration for many over the years. So Alaffia helps people in Togo, but those in their community in the U.S. aren’t left out.
In Washington State, USA
• The Alaffia Global Community Scholarship is designed to assist low income high school seniors in Washington State obtain higher education degrees.
• Soaps & Lotions for Local Shelters- Donating soap and lotions to local women’s shelters is important, since we believe everyone should have access to high quality body care products, especially those who are facing difficulties in their daily lives.
• Visits to Alaffia - we discuss Fair Trade and demonstrate how we make our soaps and lotions at our building in Washington.
• Soap Making Classes - Alaffia teams with a local retailer, Radiance Herbs and Massage, to offer soap making classes at our facility several times a year.
• Internships - Alaffia works with several schools and universities to provide internships for students interested in learning about fair trade.
Can you imagine what the world would be like if EVERY company did their business with this level of integrity? At Garments Without Guilt, we can imagine it, and we’re working to see it become the norm.
In an earlier post that discussed how “Fair Trade Products Beautify the World” we mentioned several companies that are doing just that. One of them, Aveda, we covered in our GWG Universe Blog and now we want to highlight Pangea Organics.
Their name brings to mind the supercontinent-the one that existed when there was only one piece of land that all libing beings shared. Their philosophy is outlined quite nicely by their CEO, Joshua Onysko, in the video above, but their website puts it in these succinct phrases:
Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative.
Ecocentric Bodycare: Always Beneficial, Never Artificial.
And this is one of our favorite things they say: “You’re already beautiful. We’re just here to help cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin.”
Pangea products are (and always will be):
• Crafted by artisans in small batches, using pure, organic ingredients that replenish the skin
• Hand-blended to soothe or stimulate your senses
• Preserved using the gentlest of methods to retain the nurturing properties of the botanicals in each customized blend
• Intentionally sourced from organic farmers through fair trade practices whenever possible
• Honest above all else: if it’s in our products, it’s on our labels
NEVER
petroleum-based ingredients
sulfates or detergents
synthetic preservatives
artificial colors or fragrances
Buying Pangea Organics products does more than make your body feel good. It means you’re supporting sustainable agriculture and culture – everything from fair trade sourcing and organic farming to living wages and the use of renewable, recycled and recyclable resources. In other words: good for you, good for every body.
You only have one body and we only have one planet. Pangea promises to do all that they can to take care of both.
There’s no reason to feel guilty about using personal care products to make yourself beautiful, especially if you’re choosing them well. We at Garments Without Guilt recommend Fair Trade and organic products as the most sustainable products you can buy. Fair trade is sustainable because the people who are involved in the production of the raw materials, usually in developing countries, are ensured fair wages, which leads to a thriving community. Organic products are sustainable for the environment, because they don’t use chemicals which can negatively impact the land and water used in growing and processing them.
We came across an article in a year-old issue of Self Magazine that asked “Can Lotion Change the World?”. The article told the story of a reporter who was invited by The Body Shop, the pioneer of the Fair Trade Movement, to visit one of their source farms in Nicaragua. We couldn’t find the entire article online for you to check out, but most of it can be read at World of Good’s site (for more on World of Good, visit our GWG Universe Blog).
In searching online for the article, we came across one on Redbook’s site titled “Can a Beauty Product Save the World?” written by a different reporter who seems to have gone on the same trip to Nicaragua.
The beauty of the way fair trade shares abundance with all involved seems to extend to reporting on fair trade too. These writers didn’t give space to The Body Shop, their hosts. They also included other fair trade products in their recommendations. That’s a win-win!
The video above highlights one of the products mentioned in the Self Magazine article, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, which uses coconut oil sourced in Sri Lanka. As we may have already mentioned, the labor laws in Sri Lanka help ensure that all workers are treated ethically, which is why we can make Garments Without Guilt, along with other guilt-free products.
Here’s a weird idea! You’ve probably heard of the “million man march” or similar things people organize to show the government they want changes made. Well, Seventh Generation has come up with the idea of a Million Baby Crawl, because though they may not be able to stand, they can still stand for something!
What could babies possibly have to protest or support? They’re busy learning how to use their body parts. Well, according to Seventh Generation, the company behind the campaign, mounting scientific evidence points to the fact that widespread exposure to chemicals can cause serious and adverse impacts on human health, particularly for children. So they’ve helped to draft a bill called the Toxic Chemical Reform Act that they’d like to see become law.
You think no one would expose their innocent babies to scary chemicals, right? Well, dangerous chemicals still lurk in our homes, in many of the products we use every day. Try reading the usage or warning labels on products that you use to clean your home. It can be terrifying. Seventh Generation brand-name products include: non-chlorine bleached, 100% recycled paper towels, bathroom and facial tissues, and napkins; non-toxic, phosphate-free cleaning, dish and laundry products; plastic trash bags made from recycled plastic; chlorine-free baby diapers, training pants, and baby wipes; and chlorine-free feminine care products, including organic cotton tampons.
So it’s a funny idea to promote a good cause, but then you look at the video above of babies crawling across a city street and perhaps you begin to wonder if anyone would actually allow a baby to do such a thing. The good news is that no one expects real babies to crawl anywhere but around their comfy playpens and carpeted home floors. Instead, you can create a virtual baby to crawl across a virtual landscape.
Join the crawl by creating a “crawler,” dressing him/her up and giving the little tike a message to shout from his or her cyber-soapbox. Add your name and submit it, where people can make comments on your “speech”. It’s still a little odd, but cute and different, and certainly attention-getting.
At Garments Without Guilt we want to be able to wash our ethical and environmentally made clothing in guilt-free detergents while wrapping our babies in chlorine-free or organic cotton diapers before playing on a floor that was cleaned with phosphate-free cleaning supplies. But even if we aren’t able to fully realize such a vision, we can take small steps—baby steps, even—toward a safer and more sustainable world.
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