Mainstream Eco-Finds

Photo Property of My Eco Diary

How does a busy working girl (or boy) keep their eco-footprint light in this crazy modern world? If I had more time I would be much craftier. I would slow cook from scratch, make my own cosmetics, sew, knit, and only shop at the farmer's market. Maybe I’d keep bee’s for honey and have a chicken coop in my backyard. Learn to make yogurt. Let's get real who has time for all of that? Retired people that’s who.

If you are like me you walk a delicate balance (and sometimes suffer from guilt) when aiming to be environmentally conscientiousness. Most days I'm running from work to meetings to the store to the gym, etc. And so I’m often searching for ways to be an eco-warrior while keeping up with the busy demands of my life. It becomes especially frustrating when what is available to us in the form of sustainable convenience is quite limited. Add living on a budget and - well they don’t call it “Whole Paycheck” for nothing. Plus I will admit there is a thrill to “junk shopping”. Ever get that excited heart-racing when you step in to Ikea? Yep, me too.


How can we minimize our guilt when we find ourselves at Le Target or Costco or one of the many mega-chains that lure us off of the freeway? I’m here to help. Below is a brief list that I've compiled with eco-tips for a few major shopping chains.


Ikea
Ikea is doing a lot with solar energy.  And they claim to be eco-friendly with products such as:


Pluggis Series is a line of home/work office organization products made from 100 percent recycled PET plastic.


Dvala pillows, duvet covers and other linens are reportedly made with less water, chemical fertilizers and pesticides in manufacturing.


Micke furniture is made from wood-based frames filled with recycled, honeycombed paper, a fabrication chosen for its strength and rigidity. and uses less raw material than particleboard.


Sunnan Lamps combine low energy LED technology with solar cell panels. Additionally the IKEA Foundation donates a lamp to UNICEF and Save the Children for every lamp purchased.


Walgreens
Walgreens actually sells quite a few responsible items.  To find them quickly, check their website and search for "organic" or "recycled".


The cute recycled tote bags  are only $1.99.  Made from 100 recycled plastic bottles.

Nature's Way EfaGold Coconut Oil - Aside from the plastic packaging this is a good sustainable product.

Ecotools Earth-Friendly Cosmetic Bag – Designed by Alicia Silverstone no less! Made from hemp & recycled plastic.


Physician's Formula Organic Wear Mascara – Natural formula and recyclable eco-brush.


Target
Target carries a bevvy of eco-products such as Dr. Bronner’s soaps,  and a solar crank radio. Super Target has organic produce and fair trade coffee.


Trader Joe’s
I love Trader Joe’s because they have a lot of organic products, they have a policy to only carry items with non-gmo ingredients, and are easy on the pocket book.  However they really disappoint in the produce section with the over-packaging. It is possible to find some items that aren't in plastic.  My local store carries loose avocados, lemons, limes, grapefruits, bananas and a few others. I tend to wait until I need very specific non-packaged items (or wine!).  I feel it's much better to go to a co-op like Berkeley Bowl or the farmer's market.  For more details on Trader Joe's products read on here.

Tips for Keeping it Sustainable

• More and more chain-stores are beginning to carry organic and eco-friendly items.  While I do advocate shopping at small businesses and farmer's markets, we will inevitably need to shop at these big chains once in a while. Keep on the lookout for natural and organic items and avoid products that have a lot of plastic packaging.

• When shopping for clothing look for organic cottons.  But read this article first in Ecoterre.com about organic cotton fraud.  Onecompany caught in the act is H&M.

• Browse online but shop in-store (saves packaging in shipments).

Zen and the art of Reusing Plastic Bags

• Research shows that plastic bags will take 1,000 years to decompose
• 500 Billion to one trillion plastic bags are used each year
• Plastic bags are the second-most common type of ocean refuse, after cigarette butts (2008)

Trying to live sustainably can seem staggeringly complicated at times.  We have so many things to think about.  Waste reduction, toxins, fair wages for coffee workers in Mexico.

How can we keep from becoming discouraged? Like they say in alcoholics anonymous, "one day at a time".  Today I want to talk about plastic.  We use too much! Plastic is everywhere and in everything. As I scan my apartment I see plastic shoes, plastic cell phone, plastic computer, plastic toothbrush, the big blue plastic Ikea bag, and the list goes on. Plastics packaging is cheap and out of control! The depressing part is that many of these items cannot be recycled. 

I've recently taken a hard line with my plastic use. In fact I was inspired by Beth Terry who has been living plastic free (and blogging about it) since 2007. So I decided to join her "Plastic Challenge" - I will post my results here and on her blog.

My goal is to be a more mindful consumer. As I reach for that handy produce baggy I want to stop and think "hold the boat, do I need this? This baggy is going to take 1,000 years to decompose." I am also trying to buy non-plastic packaging like glass and paper, but it’s not always easy. In the grocery aisle as I stare at the 20 plastic yogurt containers I wonder if I will have to stop eating yogurt altogether.  Sometimes I feel like it's a lost battle.

No funky bags – Clean ém dry and dry 'em right!

Re-using plastic bags is one way I am reduce plastic waste in my life.   And I'm a bit of a germ-o-phobe so I did some research.on how to prevent food-born illnesses from bacteria and such. Particularly on how best to clean that baggie that came from the butcher.  You might think yuck, I'm not going to re-use a bag that had raw meat in it. Never fear...follow these easy tips for sanitizing the baggy.

Hot soapy water and vinegar

You can simply wash the bags by hand in the sink. Turn the bag inside out and give them a good scrubbing with hot soapy water. If the bag contained raw meat follow with a 5% vinegar rinse.  (the kind you find in the market).   Vinegar has been proven to kill mold, germs and viruses! Alternately you could use a store bought product such as Cleanwell which claims that thyme is a great natural anti-bacterial. 

Too much moisture left in the bag can breed bacteria so it's important to dry well before storing. If you have drying lines in your laundry room, it's easy, just hang them up to dry and after a few hours turn them inside out to dry the other side. Speed along the process with a quick wipe with a towel.

Another way to dry plastic bags is in your dish drainer by standing a big knife or spoon up and hang the bag over that.  Also a coat hanger can work if it's bent in such a way that you can lay the washed bags over them to drip dry.

Here's one I made, I know it's not very pretty but it works! For your crafty types I found  DIY bag dryer on Ehow...it sounds cute!  Send pics if you make one.

Repeat this mantra...Use it, clean it, dry it, bring it! (It does no good hiding in your pantry).  Then read this article by Reusit.com which will likely terrify you into re-thinking that plastic bag.

Pamper Yourself at Home Organically

Homemade Salt Scrub Recipe


Being frugal can be hard work so it's important to take a 'staycation' once in a while.  Bring home that beach vacation glow with pampering sea salt scrub. Rich in minerals, exfoliating and easy to make! Be creative and experiment with different aromatic essential oils (I love lavender). These make great gifts too!

Most of these ingredients can be found at your local health food store or at an online retailer.


Recipe
1 cup fine sea salt (or sugar)
1/4 cup flaxseed oil
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
8-10 drops geranium oil or other high quality essential oil.
*peppermint oil is great for a foot scrub, lavender is relaxing, while rosemary oil is more energizing.


Preparation:
1.) In a small bowl add the salt (or sugar), then add the oil, mix well with a spoon until the texture moist enough to hold the mixture together, but not too oily. Add more or less oil to receive desired texture.
2.) Add several drops of essential oil (s) of choice and combine well.
3.) Mix and store ingredients in glass bowls and jars.
4.) Massage over your body to exfoliate skin. Be careful in the tub as the floor of the tub may get oily and slippery!



Eco-tips for keeping it sustainable


Research the source of the product (look for wild-crafted and fair trade)


Purchase oils in glass bottles rather than plastic. (plastic takes 1,000 years to biodegrade and leaches in to oils)


Save your old glass bottles and re-fill them at a Cooperative market that has a bulk items section.



Check out these online suppliers for the recipe ingredients:



Buy Lavender 100% Pure Essential Oil - 30 ml

Coarse Gray Sea Salt From Guérande 1 Lb Stand up Pouch

Happy Valentine's Day!

Chocolate, how sweet it is.  

♥

The lore of chocolate is as sweet and rich as chocolate itself. Discovered in Latin America some 1,500 years ago the Mayans and Aztecs believed it was an aphrodisiac and to this day is associated with romance.  Cocoa beans were used as currency in Aztec times, and to consume chocolate was considered a luxury. In the 1700's it is said that player Casanova adored chocolate and consumed it before meeting with his paramours.  In the 1800's Richard Cadbury of Cadbury Brother's packaged chocolate in a heart shaped box...and the rest is history!

Getting chocolate from your sweetie is super romantic, but it's not just for Valentines Day anymore.  Dark chocolate and gourmet chocolate's have become increasingly popular with health foodies like myself.  I'm always on the lookout for a good superfood and chocolate fits the bill.  The latest research show that dark chocolate is heart healthy.  This has to do with flavonoids and antioxidants. Flavanoids are plant metabolites which may modify allergens, viruses, and carcinogens (Wiki) and what are antioxidants exactly?  Here's a quick refresher:

An Antioxidant is a molecule believed to help the body's cells resist damage caused by free radicals (like cigarette smoke). If the body lacks adequate levels of antioxidants, damage from free radicals can occur and leads to increases in LDL (bad cholesterol).

Solay Raw Chocolate Truffles are packed with heart-healthy anti-oxidants. Other dietary sources...citrus, tea and red wine. Go ahead and indulge!

So pretty in pink, organic cotton by Green Cheeks

Sustainability is Sexy!

What better way to start off this blog than with sexy fanny's!  Lingerie is flirty and fun, but it doesn't have to impact the planet or break the bank.  Here are a few sustainable and pretty things for your derriere.

Change Starts with your Underwear - PACT.com

The purchase of PACT underwear is participation in a social movement: when you buy PACT underwear, you are supporting and encouraging organic cotton farmers, responsible labor practices, and businesses that form partnerships with nonprofit organizations dedicated to positive change in our world.

Red Brief Boxer $24

"Shells" Boy Short $22

Pretty in Vintage

Save money and reduce your enviro-footprint by shopping vintage. Added bonus is you will own a unique item. Never again will you suffer that embarrassing moment when you bump in to someone with the same outfit!  I frequently purchase from the online resale shop etsy. It's a wonderfully designed concept, I've even sold things too!  They have great deals, I heart etsy! 

Check out this 1970's fabulous flirty onesy. This and other a one of a kind items can be found at Rubylane.com

                           




More Vintage Online

Heavenly Vintage Lingerie
vintageslips.com
Dorothea's Closet


Made in the USA! 

There is something sexy about a basic white panty. These simple but cute white undies are from the organics collection by sweatshop-free American Apparel.