Occasionally as I'm browsing the internet I come across some items or companies that are eco-friendly and sustainable and I just HAVE to share.

Alchemy Goods
Alchemy Goods says it all with their mission statement "Turning useless into useful". Alchemy Goods was conceived one day when a busy cyclists messenger bag got stolen, being eco-friendly they didn't want to just run out and replace it. Instead they took a second look around at what was on hand and made something using the old inner tubes from bikes, and Alchemy Goods was born.



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For those seeking inspiration in combating food addiction, or for those simply seeking entertainment about green endeavors, look no further than a great new book by actor/comedian Jeff Garlin, My Footprint: Carrying the Weight of the World. In this autobiographical journey, the star of Curb Your Enthusiasm discusses his food addiction, his steps to overcome it, and the lifestyle he has created what is healthy for both himself, and the environment. 

In the book, Garlin ...




Earlier this week President Barack Obama once again made a push for energy efficieny, helping the environment, and helping the economy. On Tuesday he announced a new rebate program aimed at encouraging people to retrofit their homes with more efficient insulation and heating systems in order to save money and energy. Months ago the very successful Cash for Clunkers initiative saw people exchange their old, inefficient automobiles for newer ones.  Now, Obama is tackling heat loss at home.

The Homestar program is aimed at helping out struggling Americans with a cash rebate. Upon buying certain equipment, they will receive at least $1,000 cash incentive.  The equipment ...




If you're looking for a way to cut down on energy bills, insulating your home is a great start. There is no reason why you should be wasting energy (or overpaying for it) when you can make changes. Green builders and contractors are doing their part to seek out insulation that is made from recycled and renewable materials:
RECYCLED GLASSOne example is with fiberglass insulation. I was surprised to learn that about 40% of fiberglass insulation made today is made from recycled glass bottles and other post consumer glass. Ask your builder/contractor ...



Any eco-conscious person knows that bottled water is not the way to go for quenching your thirst, instead reach for that reusable water bottle. Again the eco-conscious person knows that the leading brand name for these bottles is Sigg, however one thing about Sigg is they are pretty expensive which is what deters the average person from making the switch. How many times do you hear that people WANT to be more environmentally friendly but just can't afford it? Well this is definitely one of those situations. Thankfully however it seems that the demand for these bottles is rising and companies are taking heed and offering more competitively priced alternatives.

Environmental ...



There are certain times where environmentally unfriendly products can be avoided by simply not using them or not purchasing them but sometimes with items such as toothbrushes which are necessary due to good oral hygiene. Thankfully now there are companies that are listening and making environmentally friendly options for us eco-consumers! One such company is Preserve, who manufactures amongst other things eco-friendly toothbrushes! Although the bristles of the toothbrush are new the handle on these environmentally friendly toothbrushes is made with 100% recycled #5 plastic, usually from used yogurt cups. The #5 plastic is one not ...





We all seem to be more aware of our environment than in the past. New parents have a much greater knowledge base to draw from as they make decisions about how to live a green life for themselves and their children. More products are available to choose from that are organic, chemical-free, natural, etc. Here are some general tips for healthier pregnancy and parenting:

While pregnant, avoid or limit exposure to toxic household chemicals and foods containing pesticides and mercury. Opt for greener cleaning products and organic fruits and veggies. 
Select ...






We discussed regular composting in a previous post, but what about those of us with small gardens? or a patio garden? Where we don't have room for a full compost pile, how do those of us with a small garden reduce our waste? Or those of us with big gardens that just want to do more? Well how about trying vermicomposting? That's worm composting! It's really easy to start composting with worms and unless you plan on investing in a specific vermicomposting system it can in fact be done with items you probably already have in your home, it just takes a little time and some worms!





Inspiring vegetarian, humanitarian, Olympic snowboarder Hannah Teter is moving into a yurt when she heads back to Vermont. She told People magazine: 
"I will live in the yurt part time," Teter says. "Mom has [a] huge garden and fruit trees, and I love it there. I helped my parents get solar power this past year, and I'll be running on solar and hopefully wind power with my yurt so I can be completely off the grid."

A yurt? Ever heard of a yurt? It's such a great eco-conscious concept ...




Switching our standard items with eco-friendly alternatives is a small step we can all take in reducing our carbon footprint and making the switch from standard laundry detergents to an eco-friendly alternative is a great move in the right direction. Many manufacturers are offering green laundry detergents but not all are made equal so check your labels! Choose one without phosphates (mostly phased out in laundry detergents now in the US, but double check) and without bleach. In fact detergent manufacturers aren't required by law to disclose their ingredients on the label, so if there isn't a list, that should send off warning bells!


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