What Is It With All The Party Favors???

I might seem ungrateful - but really, I don't get the deal with party favors. Kids parties I'm talking about.
Growing up in Europe I never heard about such a thing - it was a friend's birthday, you showed up with a gift and enjoyed the party and that was it.

Of course I don't know whether or not that has changed overseas over the years, but I have to admit that I liked that so much better than the parties I've attended here.
Being very health-conscious and green, it's hard enough to let my kids eat whatever is served at most parties (that is, in most cases, lots and lots of candies, pizza and an assortment of cookies and crackers). Live and let live, right?

But then go home with a goodie-bag filled with more candy?! As my kids are getting older, it's getting harder and harder to explain to them why we can't eat those goodies in the near future (same night!).
Or go home with a goodie-bag filled with some, hm, goodies, I guess - you know what I mean. Stuff that nobody really needs, and yet kids get so excited to get it (just to look at it/play with it for a moment and then it lands in the land-of-the-forgotten.

I really, really don't mean to step on anyone's toes here, as I understand people just do what they grew up with and they just want to do something nice for their little guests. I get that part, even though I also know some folks (from Europe, you guessed it!) who just don't do goodie-bags at all.

So what is my advice?
Well, if you feel like you have to give something to your little guests, think about something health- and earth friendly, meaning don't go to a 99 cent store and buy these toys that are just so bad for the environment (just think about it for a minute, and you'll know what I mean).
There are so many things you can do. If you're crafty, make something personalized. I belong to the group of people who has to give party favors, even though I don't have real parties.
Recently I have done toilet paper wraps filled with a marker, stickers, bracelets that I received as a gift a long time ago and an (organic :-) lollipop, and also I did some personalized place mats made from reused fabrics and unusable clothes (will post about that project later).

If you need some more ideas for self-made favors, check out The Crafty Crow, there are numerous projects even if you're not that crafty.

Let's say you just don't have the time/energy/mood to make something.
Well, how about going through your kids bookshelf and give away some of those that he/she isn't interested in? We all have some in the shelf, and giving away a used book is as green as you can get.
Seedlings for planting are also a great idea and hopefully get kids into nature.
For older kids you might want to think about an activity (make a picture frame out of clothespins, stones, or whatever material, etc., which could be the favor.
Or simply think about something to eat - but stick to one or two items and try to go as healthy as you can (yeah right). Maybe a pack of little chocolates, individually wrapped (sigh) and a fancy lollipop?

I just have the great hope that things can change once we all start to think about our actions and I hope I inspired some folks to make some changes.

Please share your ideas about this topic with us, I'd love to hear from you!

Save Big Money (And The Earth!) By Using Reusable Water Bottles

Oops, it's been a while. I guess summer does that to me. Sorry.

The other day I bought a new Klean Kanteen water bottle from go lightly, Montclair's eco-store, for my older son. I didn't have to but decided to upgrade my little one from a small to medium size since he's a big drinker, especially in these hot days. So the little one will get the "old" mid-size bottle and my older one will get a brand new mid-size bottle for the new school year.

It brought me to think about money. I mean I hear a lot of people say how they don't buy the reusable bottles because of the high price (I paid $18.50). Yes, they do cost more compared to a plastic bottle. BUT if you look at the picture over time, you won't believe how much you save:
Let's say I have to fill up the bottle twice per day, meaning I would have to buy 2 plastic bottles of water per day for - how much are they now? - $1 on average let's say?

$2 x7 = $14 per week = $60 per month = about $720 per year!!!

I use one bottle for at least 2 years, unless we loose them (so far we have lost 2 bottles over a period of 5 years).
So, for a family of 4 that means we save at least $2.000, assuming we would get the plastic bottles in bulk for a better price. The cost of about $80 for 4 reusable bottles and about $150 for a decent water filter seems like nothing compared to the cost of bottled water over a longer period of time.
Let alone the savings for the earth! By using reusable bottles, you save excess water, crude oil, plastic in the landfills and everywhere else on the planet, chemicals and BPA.

I also hear a lot of people say that they don't trust that the stainless steel won't leach and how they're not sure it's safe. Well, if you buy plastic bottles how can you be safe that the bottle hasn't been out in the sun for a long time, meaning it would leach chemicals big time? How can you know how pure the water is? How can you feel good knowing how much energy has been put into producing the bottle and the water in it?
Ditch the plastic and switch to reusable bottles today - for your and the planet's sake.

Do You Dream About Improving a Corner of the World for Future Generations? Your Ideas Are Wanted.

Another contest to help improve the world! Please read and take the time to register, think about how to participate and submit your idea!

 

The non-profit organization travel2change - www.travel2change.org - is holding a worldwide innovation contest to identify and fund the most creative ideas or proposals for improving the sustainable management of water in travel destinations.

 

Proposals can be submitted for any travel destination, in any country, anywhere in the world in the following four categories:

 

• Health

 

• Environment

 

• Education

 

• Sport

 

The main goal of the idea challenge is to generate meaningful and sustainable proposals about how travelers can make a positive impact on the lives of local communities. The interaction between travelers and host communities is encouraged in order to do something "with" as well as "for" the locals. The emphasis is on sustainable project ideas that rethink travel around the theme of water.

The contestant with the best idea in each category will be awarded a trip to the country they chose for their project proposal along with support so that their idea can be realized. An additional participant, chosen to have made the most valuable contributions and comments, will be able to join whichever winning trip they choose from the four categories.

 

The contest is accepting proposals through July 10, 2011. Ideas are posted online where anyone is encouraged to review and comment openly. The ideas will be evaluated on the basis of creativity, effectiveness, impact, feasibility and sustainability.

 

To participate, help empower local communities and maybe win a fully paid trip anywhere in the world, visit:

www.travel2change.org

Made From Earth... Literally! And How To Get A Free Lip Balm

Sometimes I walk around and think to myself what a beautiful place our earth is!

It amazes me that everything there is comes from this planet, and yet we have managed to produce so many toxic materials that keep creeping into our lives and are to be found in every single product we consume, from food to cosmetics to furniture and pretty much anything you can think of.

In the past I have talked so much about buying organic, non-processed food, if possible living a vegetarian (or even better vegan!) lifestyle and green cleaning options.
What I haven't written about much is cosmetics, and now is the time to do so!
Remember, it's not only important for us as well as for our environment what we eat - what goes into our skin should be just as pure and healthy as our food.

Very recently I was approached by made from earth, an organic skin care line and asked to test and review some of their products (this is the fun part of my "job" as a green living consultant and blogger :-)
I am so happy to report that I found the products to be outstanding! If you decide to try their products, you can get a free lip balm when you mention the special code "YourGreenerFuture".

But let me first talk a little bit about conventional products and their ingredients:
What I've been saying over and over when it comes to store-brought foods is READ YOUR LABELS!
Well, the same goes for your cosmetics, and I know that many people have not spent a minute doing this, or if they do, many have no idea what all those conventional ingredients are and, more importantly, what they may do to your health.
So here's a list of ingredients to be found in "normal" cosmetic products and that should be avoided:

1) Parabens

Low-cost synthetic preservative found in pretty much every kind of personal care product. Parabens have been linked to play a role in the development of breast and other cancers as they mimic the hormone estrogen. There have been no successful studies to show that repeated and prolonged use of paraben is safe.

2) Petrochemicals (from made from earth website):

Almost all skin care products contain synthetic substances - petroleum (chemical) based. Studies have found that oral and topical application of petrochemicals in rodents resulted in anemia, kidney degeneration, and nerve damage to the brain and spinal cord. Even more disturbing was that several animals died before the study ended! Some synthetic colors, such as FD & C Blue No. 1, are suspected carcinogens. Behentrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydrosypropyltrimonium Chloride, Linoleamidepropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate are toxic ammonium compounds. Today we know that many of the household cleaning products, home furnishings and our food supply is loaded with petrochemicals, and this is linked to the rise in cancer, along with other diseases.

3) Pthalates

These are a particular group of petrochemicals that are known to have endocrine disrupting properties. Pthalates are used to make rigid plastics soft and pliable and are also commonly added to cosmetics. Pthalates are linked to elevated rates of endocrine disruption and are possibly carcinogenic.
Dibutylphthalate and diethylphthalate (DBP, DEP, also butyl ester) helps lotions absorb into skin.

4) Cosmetic Fragrance

Almost all cosmetic products list the generic term "fragrance" as an ingredient. Even "unscented" products may contain masking fragrances, which are chemicals used to cover up the odor of other chemicals. Artificial fragrances are made from petroleum or coal which degrade in the environment and cause skin irritations.

Cosmetic fragrance is made with cheap synthetic chemicals which replicate the natural aroma of products which already exist in nature. Companies use them because it is cheaper than using the natural scent. Fragrance is considered a trade secret, so companies don't have to tell us what's in it – often dozens or even hundreds of synthetic chemical compounds.


Here's a good website to read more about the danger of artificial fragrance in cosmetics.

5) Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate

SLES and SLS are both cheap, toxic chemicals that are commonly used in cosmetic products that are expected to "foam up" (soaps, shampoos, toothpastes etc.).
It is used in floor cleaners, engine degreasers, car wash detergents, and just about every soap and shampoo on the market. In the same way as it dissolves the grease on car engines, sodium lauryl sulfate also dissolves the oils on your skin, which can cause irritation and dryness. SLS was found to be a mutagen and can damage the immune system. In sufficient amounts, it is capable of changing the information in genetic material found in cells.

6) Diazolidinyl Urea or Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate (from made from earth website):

It is chemically related to imidazolidinyl urea and is a formaldehyde releaser used as a preservative. Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The label on your skin care product may not list "formaldehyde". The following ingredients break down and release formaldehyde: diazolidinyl urea (or 3-diol diazolidinyl urea) 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1 (or bronopol) DMDM hydantoin.


Are you still with me?
I know it's a tough thing to now start worrying about the ingredients in your cosmetics as well. But it's so worth it! I'm happy to add made from earth to my list of favorites after using the products for some time now.

One thing you have to be aware of though: As you start your journey with healthier, greener, organic personal care products, you have to say goodbye to things like foaming up, excessive smell and the like.
Sometimes, even after years of avoiding commercial products, I find myself still overusing shampoo in the hopes to get a little bit of foam :-)

As for the made from earth products, here's what I've tried and came to like a lot:
Rosehip and Hibiscus Facial Serum: I use this in the morning after cleaning my face and before applying my moisturizer. It's light and pleasant, non-oily or greasy, and the same can be said about the Three Berry Daily Face Serum, which I apply at night.
For a cleanser, I tried the Green Tea Toxin Cleanser, which is not the typical cleanser that you might be used to: you leave it on the skin for a few minutes and can even use it as a mask before washing it off. I found it to be very refreshing!
For extra facial care I used the Grapefruit Glycolic Scrub twice a week. Even though I found the texture to be a bit runny I have to say this is one of the gentlest facial scrubs I have ever used. 
I also tried two of their lip balms and found them to be great!
For my hair I use the Tea + Protein Herbal Shampoo, and again, this is different than the commonly used L'oreal or whatever you used to buy! No foaming agents at all, which might lead you to overuse this gentle product, even though it's not necessary, because it cleans the hair beautifully and leaves it light and fresh. I have long hair and like to use a conditioner. made from earth's Peppermint Herbal Conditioner does the trick and untangles the hair. Love it!


This company seems to be outstanding. Upfront about their processes, ingredients and manufacturing, they don't leave you in the dark about what's in every single one of their products. They are truly organic and holistic, not just some organic ingredients mixed up with a bunch of cheap chemicals.
Their products are also vegan, which means no animal had ever to suffer for testing.

I would love for you to check them out and give them a try at www.madefromearth.com

If you do so, you'll get the blueberry lip balm for free! Just add it to the cart, and at checkout add the discount code "YourGreenerFuture" to get it free.

Just one word of caution - if you're using homeopathic remedies, make sure that your products don't contain peppermint since that counteracts with homeopathy. And if your vegan, stay away from their honey body lotion :-)

Please share your experience with us!

Do You Have An Idea How To Make The World A Better Place?

Here's your chance - check out Siemens Smart Grid Innovation Contest!

Who organizes this contest?

The Siemens Smart Grid Innovation Contest is organized by the Siemens Smart Grid Company Project in cooperation with Siemens' Chief Technology Office (Open Innovation and University & Research Cooperation). Siemens aims to communicate and collaborate in partnership and invites you to be part of this open innovation approach.

Join the global community and contribute with ideas on Smart Grid

• new business models that change the game,
• applications for new customer benefits,
• disruptive technologies to enable a smarter world.

...comment and vote the ideas of the community...
...and get rewarded with:

• attractive prizes for participants: 15 000 euros and more.
• excellent career perspectives at Siemens,
• funded collaboration with leading university partners: 1 million euros.

We from Siemens want to get in touch with you and jointly speed up open innovation. Contribute your ideas and market insights in competition but also in cooperation with a large community of Smart Grid experts around the globe.

Siemens has a budget of more than 1 000 000 euros in order to translate your ideas into innovation by collaborating with universities. Siemens also aims to translate the resulting mature innovations into products, services and solutions and is therefore planning additional significantly larger investments.

Join the grid - energize the world.
Support the idea of an environmentally friendly smarter power grid.

Check out the website for more information but hurry, the timeline is June 15!

On Veganism by Jennifer Chaky

I often talk and write about how a plant-based diet is so important for sustainability. This is because livestock agriculture is just about the most polluting industry there is. Water systems are choked with runoff from the high concentrations of animal waste, over 100 million tons of methane, the worst gas that contributes to climate change, is released into the atmosphere from the animals, and land and water that can go to grow food for humans is used inefficiently to feed animals that we in turn eat. For example, it takes ten times more land to grow a monoculture crop like soy or corn that is then used as animal feed.  The ratio of land and water that is used to grow animals protein compared to what is used to grow plant protein ranges from 4:1, to 54:1. That is 4 to 54 more land and water is needed in animal agriculture than plant. Land that can be better used to let forests and wild places exist or to grow a variety of fruits, nuts, legumes, and vegetables for healthy human consumption is devastated in order to raise animals.

I first became a vegan because I love animals and didn't want them killed for my plate- but after 22 years of eating this way, I have learned that the benefits go much further than helping animals. By not eating the saturated fats that come only with animal protein, a plant-based diet offers superior health benefits. And the old fear of not getting enough protein is just not an issue when you eat a variety of nuts, legumes, seeds, and veggies. Yes, even I at one time struggled with what to eat, but there seems to be a vegan explosion going on and recipes and ideas are in abundance from a slew of new cookbooks and informative website. The creativity and possibles of dishes to make from plants is unending.

I feel so strongly about a plant-based diet being better for the world that I began to sell vegan ice cream in my store, Go Lightly in Montclair. After all, what better way to show people how yummy plants can be than to show them through ice cream? The ice creams I carry are homemade from either hemp, soy, coconut, cashew, or almond milks, are sweetened with agave and brown rice syrup, and have zero saturated fats. They come in various flavors such as mocha almond fudge, cookies and cream, gluten-free chocolate chip cookie, maple walnut, and dozens more.

Recipe: Amazing Raw Apple Pie

This recipe is from the book "Raw Food - A complete guide for every meal of the day" by Erica Palmcrantz and Irmela Lilja.
I tweaked it a bit to fit our needs, and it came out just great.

This is what you need for the crust: 

• 2 cups raw almonds
• 1 Tbs coconut oil 
• 5 Dates 
• 2 Tsp cinnamon 
• Pinch of salt 
• 1 Tbs raw honey or maple syrup  

Chop the nuts in food processor. Add the oil, dates, cinnamon and salt and mix. Add honey or syrup, mix. Spread and press the dough on the bottom of a pie dish. 

For the filling you need:  

• 2 Apples 
• 1 Banana * 2 Dates 
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon  

Thoroughly blend all the ingredients in a food processor, and spread inside the crust. 

For the garnish you need:

• 3 Apples, sliced (I peeled them so my kids were more likely to eat the pie :-) 
• Cinnamon  

Garnish the pie with sliced apples and sprinkle cinnamon on top.  I especially like about this recipe that it was easy to make and didn't require any preparation such as soaking nuts etc, what you usually have to do for raw recipes. It came out so yummy and the whole family liked it very much.

Enjoy!