What Steps Has Your Family Taken To Go More Green? Linked In Members Respond!

What steps has your family taken to go more green?

Dave Maskin wrote:
"If we all do a little bit, it will add up BIG TIME!"
http://www.WireNames.com

• The one big thing we've done is to change out our regular light bulbs for compact fluorescent ones.
• Also, completely unplugging cable boxes and TVs when not in use, as well as computers and modems.

Hans Chung wrote:
"I think that helping more people go green by focusing
on greening business has the most impact."
http://www.mokugift.com/

• I went green by starting my own company to help other people and companies go green while saving money or driving revenue.

• We let you plant a tree for $1. Consumers can send them to each other or companies can use them as rewards.

Taylor Ellwood wrote:
"It comes down to making little choices, but those
little choices can have a big effect on how you live your life."
http://www.imagineyourreality.com

• We've changed our lights to flourescent bulbs
• Started composting
• Even making sure not to throw out a paper bag we use to collect paper for recycling...

Susan Shwartz PhD wrote:
http://www.sff.net/people/susanshwartz/

• I buy mostly fresh foods with as little packaging as I can manage.
• I turn off all lights that I am not using.
• My apartment is cooler.
• I watch water consumption.
• Although I use plastic bags, I recycle them.
• I repair, rather than throw out, and buy most clothes on e-Bay.
• I do not own a car.

Shane Wyatt McCartney wrote:
http://swmccartney.blogspot.com/

• Recycle
• Changed out lights to LEDS
• Down to one car and plan our shopping drives better
• Composting
• Green roof and siding ( Started not complete )
• Turned off room lights when not in use

Beate Bouwman wrote:

• In a family with five young kids we don't use a tumble dryer or dishwasher,
• Buy either very good clothes or second hand
  
• In business, I promote low energy houses (wood - frame-construction with use of loam products (very high insolation), regenerating energy from sun and water etc.).
  
• My husband is also into MPC.

Aurora Bramble wrote:
"If everyone lived simply maybe everyone could live a decent life. I don't want to be one of the small % of people to use the great % of resources."

• I now buy all my personal and cleaning products green
• I look for organic cotton and bamboo fabrics in clothes bedding towels
• I got the electric company to come out and put in free insulation for the top floor of my apartment building
• I sat in on my city's green committee came up with a plan for green incentives for businesses in my city and gave it to the chairman
• I got the city to include the end of my block a triangular shape included into the city's beautification project. They made a beautiful little park lush and full of flowers and some picnic tables
• I ride my bike pretty much everywhere
• I consume as little as possible i am big time into simplicity
• I buy all my produce from a farmer's market and i am a vegan the rest I buy at whole foods organic
• X-mas lights this year LED
• Cards recycled paper
• I rarely use lights in my apartment because it is bright here so i get up when it's light and wide down when it gets dark and i use candles for atmosphere made.
• If everyone lived simply maybe everyone could live a decent life. I don't want to be one of the small % of people to use the great % of resources. I live in an apartment so it is tricky to grow vegetables and herbs but I'm trying.

What Steps Have I Taken To Go Green? Replacing conventional items with safer/healthier products.

Before I started this green blog, I really had no idea that:

• The FDA doesn't regulate cosmetics or personal care products.
• The cosmetics I put on my face were toxic.
  
• The deodorant I used had aluminum in it.
• The food I ate was filled with chemicals and pesticides.
  
• The conventional household cleaners I used were filled with harmful chemicals.
  
• The dangers of plastics, non-stick cookware, aspartame, and the list goes on.
• Lots of items on the store shelves are NOT safe for me or the environment.

Okay, so the first half of my life I've been living in a toxic world!

TIP: I've relied on iherb.com, an online store selling over 10,000 items -many brand name natural products to help me go green. With super low shipping, discounted prices, and extremely fast delivery, this site provides me with my personal care items, green cleaning products, gum, mints, vitamins and more- that I can't get locally. Get $5 off your first time iherb.com order when you use my coupon code CEL445. I hope that by shopping at iherb.com, you will be inspired to make healthier choices too:)

I'm hopeful that my chemical footprint will be less visible for the 2nd half of my life.

It does take self-discipline to keep your wallet closed until you are sure that what you are buying is healthy for you, your family, and the environment. You vote with your dollars. Living simply makes sense.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Why buy 10 toxic products to clean your house when just 2 natural products will work even better? (These products effect you, your family and your pets!)

• Why slather your face & body with 10 chemical filled personal care items daily when-a few organic or natural products would treat you like the queen you should be?

• Why eat unhealthy when eating healthy is readily available?

Here are some specific steps I've taken (see below) to continue my lifelong green journey. Maybe this list will inspire you to make some changes in your own life. Be sure to post a comment and share your story.

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS
DEODORANT: Did you know most deodorants on the store shelves feature aluminum as one of the main ingredients? YES! Read this article to find out the dangers of Aluminum in Deodorant I've since replaced conventional deodorant with a straight DIY baking soda paste OR I use Home Health Herbal Magic.

TOOTHPASTE: Replaced conventional toothpaste with straight baking soda paste or I'll use fluoride-free & SLS-free Xyliwhite Toothpaste.

• Why I will not use conventional toothpaste
• Dangers of Flouride

LOTIONS, OILS AND BUTTER:I use Hand-crafted All Natural Creations Shea Butter Lotion for the face. Pure Unrefined African Shea Butter, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or Kiss My Face C's The Day Moisturizer for body moisturizers. For hand and face moisturizer at bedtime: Certified Organic Jojoba Oil or Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

PERFUME: Did you know most perfumes are filled with toxic chemicals? Did you know these toxic chemicals can be a health risk to those who wear it, the air around them, and those in their household? YES! Read this article to learn more.

I avoid perfume and limit the products I use that list fragrance as an ingredient. Instead, I use 100% Natural Vanilla on my pulse points when I want to wear a hint of vanilla. This blend is pre-diluted with jojoba oil so it's ready to use. I enjoy the delicious light aroma and health benefits from wearing natural vanilla oil.

What is so bad about Fragrance?
Are you willing to risk your health for a spritz of perfume?

BAR SOAP: Replaced traditional bar soap (i.e. harmful perfumes, artificial additives, dyes, chemicals) with Fragrance-Free Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Bar soap.

HAND SOAP:
Replaced anti-bacterial soap with Dr. Bronner's Hemp Almond Castile Soap.
Why? Read about the health risks of using Antibacterial Soap

FACE CLEANSER: Replaced traditional face cleanser with Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil .
Yes, the same stuff you use in your kitchen!

MAKEUP REMOVER: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. EVOO is a major multi-tasker:)

EXFOLIATOR: Replaced store-bought exfoliator with homemade recipe of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil & finely ground cornmeal.

SHAMPOO: Replaced brand name shampoo with SLS-FREE Giovanni Magnetic Energizing Shampoo . Why? "The vast majority of these products (brand name shampoos) contain toxic chemical compounds like MIT that contribute to cancer, liver disorders and neurological diseases."-SOURCE: http://www.naturalnews.com/003210.html.

• Dangers of SLS

COSMETICS
Before I buy any cosmetics or personal care products, I first check the ingredients and the safety rating on the Skin Deep database here: www.cosmeticsdatabase.org.

Read my interview with Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and author of Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry here: Author Interview: Stacy Malkan: Not Just A Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of The Beauty Industry

I signed the petition to congress for safe cosmetics, will you?
Click here to petition to congress for safe cosmetics

MASCARA: Replaced mainstream mascara with mercury-free natural Real Purity Mascara. This is the "purest" mascara on the market today.

EYE PENCIL LINER: Replaced conventional eye liner with Honeybee Gardens Joba Colors eye liner.
My interview with President/CEO of Honeybee Gardens.

FOUNDATION & BLUSH: Replaced liquid foundation with Purely Cosmetics mineral makeup.
Benefits of Mineral Makeup

LIPSTICK: I'm a lip balm girl 99.9% of the time these days but when I do want a splash of color on occasion, I wear a hand-crafted Nature's Brilliance By Sue Shea Butter Lipstick. These are super moisturizing and come in variety of fun colors.

LIP BALM: Since I started making my own lip balm, I'll never go back to store-bought balms! Anyone can make their own balm using this kit. For my recipe, I use only 2 ingredients--EVCO (extra virgin coconut oil) and beeswax- which makes a slick (not waxy) moisturizing balm with just a touch of shine.

LIP GLOSS: I make my own DIY gloss which consists of EVCO (extra virgin coconut oil) and Jojoba Oil.

NAIL POLISH: Replaced toxic nail polish with Honeybee Gardens WaterColors Nail Enamel.
This is a water based non-toxic, odorless, and eco-friendly polish. Yes, odorless!

NAIL POLISH REMOVER: Replaced conventional remover with safer no-smell Odorless Nail Polish Remover.


FOOD, DRINK & GUM:
I eat & drink organic whenever I can. Why? Click here to learn the benefits of eating organic
"Chemical pesticides or herbicides to control weeds and pests find their way into our bloodstream through our water and food supply, in the air we breathe and by being absorbed through our skin."-Source http://www.sprig.com/7_Everyday_Environmental_Causes_of_Breast_Cancer/page/2

TABLE SALT: I no longer use conventional table salt. Instead I use either Miracle Krystal Salt or pink Himalayan Crystal Salt.

• Why I switched to Krystal salt
• The consequences of consuming table salt
• Learn about Himalayan Crystal Salt
  

OILS: I use EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) to cook with and have incorporated EVCO (Extra Virgin Coconut Oil) into my diet. It's great on stove-top popcorn!

A NOTE ABOUT SODA-->Not only does soda contain aspartame, the so-called sweet poison but it contains other harmful components. Knowing this, I cannot sit down and enjoy a soda.
Instead, I will continue to enjoy my water flavoring it up with a slice of lime or lemon.
Health benefits of lime
Health benefits of lemon

GUM: I've been a major gum chewer all my life so I was determined to find a healthy replacement than what is found on the store shelves. I found aspartame-free Spry Gum which is naturally sweetened with Xylitol. Read this article to find out the health risks of aspartame.

LAUNDRY
Replaced traditional detergent with SOAP NUTS/Laundry Berries, which I sell here on my blog (see right hand side).

Why?
"When we clean our clothing with chlorinated laundry detergent and bleach, inhalation can irritate or damage the lungs and upper airway. Your healthy alternative is to launder your clothes in baking soda or natural detergent. Brighten those whites with borax or non-chlorine bleach. When you stick to the natural stuff, you will not only get truly clean clothes but also help save the environment from degradation."--SOURCE: http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/7141/clean-clothes-and-the-toxins-they-hide/

More about laundry detergent:
source: http://www.sprig.com/7_Everyday_Environmental_Causes_of_Breast_Cancer/page/2
"A class of chemicals called alkylphenols make these products create suds and stabilize the other ingredients. The problem with these chemicals (such as nonoxynol, octoxynol, or nonylphenol ethoxylate) is not only is direct contact risky, but they aren't biodegradable so they can be found in your drinking water and in the air. The danger: A 1994 study published in the medical journal Endocrinology found that these chemicals actually mimic your body's natural estrogen in the body so they can stimulate cell or tumor growth."

CLOTH BAGS:
I created a one-of-a-kind Take A Walk On The Green Side Tote Bag that I take with me when I shop. Makes a great gift or treat yourself to one.

KITCHEN

COOKWARE-->>Replaced non-stick cookware with stainless steel. Why? Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, the chemical name for the coating on non-stick cookware can be toxic to humans.

POPCORN-Replaced microwave popcorn with stainless steel stove-top popper-> Why? A chemical coating used in microwave popcorn bags breaks down when heated into a substance called perfluorooctanoic (PFOA). The EPA has identified PFOA as a “likely carcinogen.”


PLASTICS-> Replaced plastic storage containers with Pyrex glass storage sets
Why? Source:http://www.sprig.com/7_Everyday_Environmental_Causes_of_Breast_Cancer
"Bisphenol-A, a chemical used to make plastic stable but also leaches out of the plastic and into the food or drinks you ingest. The danger: "Sustained exposure over time can effect your estrogen system to disrupt your normal hormone function of your breast cells to possibly feed and promote cancer," says Janet Gray, Ph.D., director of the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Center at Vassar College."

SPORTS BOTTLES-->Replaced plastic sports bottles with stainless steel bottles. Why? Plastic bottles contain a number of chemicals, some of which are unhealthy. Use Code 2468 to receive 8% off your order here.

CANNED FOODS-> Limiting my canned food intake. Why? Many canned foods are lined with a plastic coating made from BPA, which can leach into the food. BPA (bisphenol-A,) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical.

CLEANING SOLUTIONS
"Rid your home of toxic chemicals. They harm adults as well as children. There's more to the danger than ingesting poisons: your skin absorbs them, and your lungs inhale the fumes. Your liver and fat cells store them."--SOURCE:
http://www.non-toxic.info/

DISH SOAP:
Dish soap =Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid.
Automatic dishwasher detergent= Seventh Generation Dishwasher Gel.
My fave dish towels = Flour Sack Towels.

DUSTING FURNITURE:
Instead of using Pledge, simply dust with a slightly damp (or dry) reusable microfiber wonder cloth. However, if you feel you can't live without a dusting solution, use this HOMEMADE SOLUTION>> 1/4 cup lemon juice mixed with tbs. of olive oil. NOTE: If you have leftover solution, store it in the fridge.

WINDOW CLEANER:
HOMEMADE SOLUTION->>Mix 1 quart warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar. Store in a spray bottle.

TOILET BOWL:
HOMEMADE SOLUTION>>baking soda. Simply scrub with baking soda. OR for stain removal, use 1/4 cup borax and let sit for 30 minutes- then scrub and flush.

I want to hear from my readers! Be sure to post a comment to let me know what YOU are doing in your life. How are you going green? What products or homemade recipes have you found that you love?

Healthy Children By Amy Todisco

Healthy Children

By Amy Todisco

www.greenlivingnow.com

Aren't there laws to protect our children from foods contaminated with toxic chemicals? Yes, but they aren't enforced. The Delaney Clause, found in Section 409 in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, states, "No substance found to cause cancer in man or animals may be added to food." Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency still allows many toxic chemicals into our food system. Why? Because they claim that the benefits outweigh the risks.

In 1993, two studies ("Pesticides in the Diet of Infants and Children", by the National Academy of Sciences, and the Environmental Working Group's study, "Pesticides in Children's Foods") gave us evidence that pesticides used in food production are dangerous to human health, most especially children. According to the book, The Safe Shopper's Bible, "both (studies) concluded that infants and children are at high risk for future cancers because of their exposure to carcinogenic pesticides, quite apart from neurotoxic, teratogenic, and other toxic effects."

There are several factors that make children more vulnerable than adults. First of all, the majority of pesticide studies are conducted using adult male bodies. Secondly, the pesticides are tested one at a time. Consider the fact that pesticides rarely occur by themselves, for instance multiple pesticides may be used on a fruit or vegetable. Pound for pound, children eat more fruits and vegetables than adults do. They have less detoxifying enzymes than adults, making it more difficult for them to break down the toxic chemicals in their bodies. They breathe faster and have immature organs. Their playing habits put them into contact with toxic chemicals more frequently (down on the carpet and pesticide laden lawn, or hugging pets doused with anti-flea and tick products, or wearing chemical collars).

At this time in history, following the events of September 11th, 2001, it is imperative that we do everything that we can to keep our children and ourselves healthy. The added anxiety, grief, and stress that we are all experiencing takes it's toll on our bodies. One way that we can counteract those factors is by eating whole (ideally local) certified organic foods.

Here are ten more reasons to choose certified organic foods:

1. Protect Future Generations
Children receive 4 times the exposure of adults for at least 8 widely used cancer-causing pesticides in food. The food choices you make now will impact your child's health in the future.

2. Prevent Soil Erosion
The Soil Conservation Service estimates that more than 3 billion tons of topsoil is eroded from U.S. croplands each year. That means that soil is eroding 7 times faster than it is built up naturally. Soil is the foundation of the food chain in organic farming. In conventional farming, the soil is used more as a medium for holding plants in a vertical position while they are doused with synthetic chemical poisons and fertilizers.

3. Protect Water Quality
Water makes up two thirds of our body mass and covers three fourths of the planet. Despite its importance, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that pesticides (some cancer causing) contaminate ground water in 38 states, polluting the primary source of drinking water for more than half of the country's population.

4. Save Energy
Modern farming uses more petroleum than any other single industry, consuming 12 percent of the country's total energy supply. More energy is now used to produce synthetic fertilizers than to till, cultivate, and harvest, all of the crops in the U.S. Organic farming is still based on labor-intensive practices, such as: weeding by hand, rotating crops, and green cover crops, rather than synthetic chemicals.

5. Keep Chemicals Off Your Plate
Many of the pesticides approved for use by the EPA were registered before extensive research linking these chemicals to cancer and other diseases had been established. Now the EPA considers that 60 percent of all herbicides, 90 percent of all fungicides, and 30 percent of all insecticides are carcinogenic. The bottom line is that pesticides are poisons designed to kill living organisms, including humans.

6. Protect Farm Workers Health
A National Cancer Institute study found that farmers exposed to herbicides had a 6 times greater risk than non-farmers of contracting cancer. In California, reported pesticide poisonings among farm workers have risen an average of 14 percent a year since 1973, and doubled between 1975 and 1985. Pesticides poison an estimated 1 million people annually.

7. Help Small Farmers
Most organic farmers are small in scale and 48 percent gross less than $15,000 per year. Join an organic community supported agriculture (CSA) group, and/or purchase from organic farmers at farmer's markets and farm stands.

8. Support A True Economy
The price of organic food represents the true cost of raising healthy food. Conventionally grown food does not reflect the hidden costs borne by taxpayers, like hazardous waste disposal and cleanups, environmental damage, pesticide regulation, health insurance hikes, etc. In 1988, nearly $14 billion in federal subsidies were given to conventional growers. Why?

9. Promote Biodiversity
Between 1950 and 1970, the practice of planting large plots of land with the same crop, year after year (monocropping), initially tripled farm production. The bad news is that this lack of diversity of plant life has left the soil lacking in natural minerals and nutrients. In an attempt to replace the nutrients and ward off the increasing number of pests, chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticide use has increased. In fact, between 1947 and 1974, crop losses due to insects have doubled.

10. Better Taste and More Nutrition
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen recently reported that organically grown produce has higher levels of nutrients, like vitamins and secondary metabolites (which are thought to lower the risk of cancer) as compared to conventionally grown produce.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amy Todisco is the owner and President of Green Living Now, LLC. She was the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit, the Consumer's Healthy Home Center (CHHC). CHHC was created to hire independent toxicologists to test a variety of household products for their potential inhalation health effects, and recommend the safest choices to consumers. Amy closed down the nonprofit to create the Green Living Now web store as she felt she could positively impact and inspire more people with the store.

Amy is also a professional life coach (Catalyst 4 Change Life Coaching) and is creating a group teleclass on several topics of green living, beginning with organic food on a budget. She's also created three green living ebooks that are going on sale by 8/1.

Contact Amy here: amy@greenlivingnow.com
www.greenlivingnow.com

What Types of Women's Personal Care Products are Safe for You and the Planet?

Author: Anne Harvester

We pay attention to the safety of our cars. You strive to ensure your family eats healthy foods. Many of these facets of concern have been pounded into our heads since we were little girls. Unfortunately, this same scrutiny is not applied to items with which we come into the closest contact. Are you sure your women's personal care products are safe?

Safe personal care products are a necessity for both your family and yourself. This ranges from your child's soap to your collection of cosmetic products. Many women wrongly assume that cosmetics are just for fashion. This is not the case. A mineral cosmetic provides for both flawless appearing skin as well as UV ray protection. Safe cosmetics are both natural and often possess additional protective qualities.

Many undesirable ingredients work their way into commonly found women's personal care products. Many cosmetic products are derived from petroleum products. These best remain in the tank of your car as opposed to residing on your skin. Mineral makeup, however, is fully natural and excludes micronized titanium dioxide which is another wonder of science best left in the lab as opposed to on your face. Safe cosmetics facilitate both healthy skin as well as beauty.

Safe cosmetics are characterized by organic ingredients. This differentiates them from many popular products which contain a litany of potential irritants and allergy triggers. Shampoos and conditioners often contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) which is best avoided. Similarly, deodorants with aluminum chlorhydrate are best left on the shelf as opposed to on the most sensitive of skin under your arms.

Women's personal care products do not have to be manufactured with such ingredients. Many providers go the extra step to thoroughly scrutinize everything that goes into their products. They'll produce a mineral cosmetic using kaolin clay instead of employing harsh artificial chemicals. As indicated, mineral makeup provides for a shield from the sun granting you additional years of wrinkle free skin.

It is not only women's personal care products that require careful selection. Your entire family deserves the same benefits yielded to you from your organic cosmetic line. It is important to know what goes in everything from your kid's toothpaste to your husband's hair conditioner. Unfortunately, you know it is difficult enough to get them to pick up their clothes let alone be conscious of the compositions of the many products they reflexively use on a daily basis.

The chemicals used in many women's personal care products don't remain forever on your body. Upon bathing they end up swirling down the drain and right out into your local ecosystem. Many today are assuming personal responsibility for the substances they emit into the environment, and natural products allow for a feeling of satisfaction in this arena. Quality organic personal care products improve both your health as well as that of the wildlife around you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cosmetics-articles/what-types-of-womens-personal-care-products-are-safe-for-you-and-the-planet-434809.html

About the Author:
A new eBook by Flora Stay, D.D.S. offers invaluable insight into the hidden information on the labels of all the Personal Care Products in your house. Get your FREE copy today »

Are You A Locavore?

From Dictionary.com we bring you the word locavore!

Definition:	a person who attempts to eat only foods grown locally
Example:	Locavores grow their own food or buy foodstuffs grown within their region.

Which one are YOU?
Post your answer in the comment section!

• I am a locavore
• I want to be a locavore
• I don't want to be a locavore
  

Eight Green Gift Ideas

Author: Virginia Ginsburg

Giving green gifts is increasingly popular, as it provides an opportunity for your gift to stand out from the crowd and make a positive impact on the Earth.

When giving a green gift, you have to consider several elements, including the gift itself, its source, its packaging, and the company providing it. These elements all make an impact on the Earth, and thus deserve careful consideration.

First of all, the gift itself must be considered. Ideally, its contents should be organic, or at least have a minimum impact on the Earth. For example, paper products should be recycled; cloth products should be made of organic fibers like cotton, bamboo or hemp. Wooden products should be made of fast-growing woods or recycled hard woods.

Second, the packaging of the product should be minimal to reduce waste. Seek zero packaging when possible. Next best is recycled paper packaging. The least desirable packaging is plastic, which takes significant energy to produce and is difficult to recycle. If the only option is plastic packaging, seek minimal amounts of plastic.

Third, the source of the gift is important based on both human rights considerations and transportation costs. It's no secret that most U.S. companies manufacture their products outside of the U.S. This is sometimes the only option when it comes to economy, but you can be a conscious consumer by researching the country of origin to determine how likely it is that they frequently are cited for human rights violations. The fuel costs involved in shipping products from foreign countries vary, but can make a significant impact on the product's overall cost to the environment.

Finally, consider the company itself. It may surprise you to discover that some companies that sell green products are actually not green at all. They may actually be less than green companies. Other companies that use less sustainable products may in fact be greener overall when you consider product sourcing and packaging. The best thing to do is to think beyond the label on a product and do a little bit of research. Consider the concepts above and apply them to all of your green purchases for more conscious consumption.

Eight Easy Options For Green Gift Giving

1. Gift Certificates - require almost no transportation resources or packaging, and ensure the recipient will get exactly what he or she wants. Choose local, environmentally-conscious companies from which to secure the certificates.

2. Organic Products - are often sourced from environmentally-conscious companies that minimize their impact on the world. Consider clothing, accessories and beauty items.

3. Charity Donation - requires no transportation resources or packaging, and directly make a positive impact on the world. Check out organizations that benefit global resource initiatives, focusing on something meaningful to the recipient like water or air quality, or wildlife protection.

4. Local Home-Made Products - buying locally-made products supports the local economy and minimizes transportation impact. Look for hand-made gift items like bags, decorative boxes and children's toys.

5. Massage - a hands-on gift requires almost no waste, and the only products required are a little bit of massage oil.

6. Eco Spa Day - while many spas use treatments that are tested on animals and contain ingredients that don't meet the green standard, eco spas specialize in treating guests to luxury without negatively impacting the Earth.

7. Home-Made Food - if you like to cook, select the best organic and locally-grown products available and prepare a home-made meal that you can either share or drop off. Don't live nearby? Bake organic cookies and send them in the mail.

8. Week of Groceries - take the task of grocery shopping off their to-do list by visiting the local farmer's market or responsible grocery store. Remember to include some recipes for how they can cook the food!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/eight-green-gift-ideas-509854.html

About the Author:
Virginia Ginsburg specializes in research related to ecologically-sound life and business practices. She writes about green living and socially-conscious investing. Her company, Green Baby Gifts http://www.greenbabygiftsonline.com/ , specializes in gifts that are both beautiful and ecologically-sound.

Going Green is not Just for Big Business-You Can Grow Eco-profits, Too!

Author: Ruth Klein

The world of big business is making daily headlines by "going green" after discovering that what's good for the planet is also proving good for business.

IBM recently announced "Project Big Green," a $1 billion initiative to reduce energy consumption by offering new lines of energy-efficient IT products.

Wal-Mart is adding solar power to more than 20 stores.

PepsiCo is buying renewable energy certificates to offset its carbon footprint. Even major banks and energy firms are being asked by shareholders to prove that they, too, are going green.

It's not just the biggest businesses that are attracting new customers and shareholders and reaping huge profits by "going green." Small businesses also are growing eco-profits by embracing surprisingly inexpensive strategies to add value to their products, services and brand.

Consider these innovative examples:

- Bob Smith of Mad River Brewing Company in Blue Lake, California, has attracted positive publicity (and new customers) by promoting his efforts to reduce his small firm's waste output and take other environmentally conscious steps. In turn, he has received welcome positive publicity from the press. "What PR budget? That is our PR budget," he told the Albuquerque Tribune about "going green" to market his business.

-In Florida, Natalie Kelly formed Home Therapy Cleaning Services, which uses only nontoxic, all-natural cleaning products for her home cleaning business. She used to sell aromatherapy candles from her home, she told the St. Petersburg Times, but today uses an aromatherapy baking soda blend to freshen carpets.

Here's what you can do:

- Two inexpensive ways any small business or solo entrepreneur can go green are to change light bulbs to energy-efficient bulbs and use biodegradable cleaning products.

- With that done, tell your customers and the media about these simple ways to go green. You will have just earned instant credibility as a green business, and also as a media resource for simple, effective ways to "go green."

- Many communities online and offline are forming networks to exchange energy-saving ideas for home and business. Form your own energy network, enlisting neighborhood businesses that will welcome another opportunity to show they're going green, too. The plus for you is that you will have just positioned yourself and your business as a community environmental leader.

- Copy what the New York Times called "Phase 2" of the corporate response to global warming. Partner with an environmental group. Travelocity invites customers to donate an extra $10 to $40, which goes to the Conservation Fund to plant trees to offset the carbon used by a client to take a trip. Whole Foods invites customers to buy a $5 "wind power card" that goes to Renewable Choice Energy to build wind farms. What local environmental group can you partner with to promote on your Web site (and vice versa), to set aside a day that a percentage of profits will go to that organization or to make their fliers available at your business?

- Make use of readily available, free information to hand out with your business literature or to make available in your office. For example, create a one-page flier on your letterhead inviting clients to calculate their own carbon footprint by visiting http://multimedia.wri.org/safeclimate_calculator.cfm.

- Go deeper green! Attend a "green" conference in your community or region, and promote your attendance. (Go to Google.com and type in "green" and "conference" and your area to find out when and where they are scheduled.) Write a "green" article on simple ways you are going green and submit it to one of the dozens of "green" Web sites and blogs that invite reader contributions. It's a great way to market your smart ideas and your business!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/going-green-is-not-just-for-big-businessyou-can-grow-ecoprofits-too-268998.html

About the Author:
Ruth Klein, the De-Stress Diva (tm) and Branding Guru, is the proverbial Woman About Town. Holding a Master's in Clinical Psychology, consulting with renowned businesses - small and large. Ruth is a consultant, author, speaker, radio show host, branding strategist and productivity coach. http://www.ruthklein.com .

Eco-Friendly Holiday Gifts-Reusable Tote Bags, Organic Foods, Seventh Generation Household Items,Natural Cosmetics & Personal Care

Instead of using traditional wrapping paper this holiday season, consider putting your eco-friendly gifts in a basket or reusable tote bag instead. More wrapping ideas: Sunday comic section Pages from a catalog Recycled paper (think paporganics.com) Fabric Brown paper bag & decorate According to Recycle Now the materials that go into making some wrapping paper result in it not always being accepted for recycling:wrapping paper is often dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver coloured shapes, glitter, plastics etc which cannot be recycled. What items to select for your gift? Pick a theme: Seventh Generation household items Personal Care & Cosmetics Organic Food

Natural Communities Magazine: "Bringing Positive Solutions To Life's Challenges"

Before your next trip to the grocery store, be sure to check out Dear God, Don't Eat That!, an article that lists 17 items to stay away from and why. And are you aware of the Dirty Secrets Of The Food Processing Industry?

These articles, along with a wide variety of other important topics are featured in one of my favorite resources, Natural Communities magazine.

Go Green With Celeste Discounts Coupon Codes: iherb.com, Natural Body & Cosmetics-Karma Naturals, Klean Kanteen stainless steel sports bottles!

Hello Go Green With Celeste readers,

Here are some great discounts. Check them out and be sure to post a comment to let me know what fun items YOU are buying:)

Get $5 off with code CEL445 at www.iherb.com. (first-time customers)

NATURAL BODY & COSMETICS!
Get 20% Discount at www.karmic-klutter.com with code NEWCUST807. (first time customers)

STAINLESS STEEL bottles! Get 8% discount with code 2468 at www.watercheck.biz.

Does The Price Of Your Perfume Add Up To Health Issues?

Author: Gregg Hall

Almost everything made today includes some kind of fragrance. It is in soaps, cleaning products, laundry detergent, deodorants, and more. I could list a lot more but then all we would have would be a list. We utilize perfume for air freshener, on our own bodies and on the bodies of our pets. The problem with all of this is that the proliferation of all of these chemicals could be contributing to making you feel ill.

The use of fragrances is nothing new, they have been used for centuries dating to biblical times but it is only now that we have begun to see some of the issues arising from the use of perfume. One of the main reasons for this, I think, is that throughout the ages fragrances were created from natural ingredients while now the vest majority of scents on the market are made from chemicals which leave a toxic vapor trail.

The reason for making the fragrances with synthetics is simple; it is much cheaper and faster to produce once they have the formula down. Some of the chemicals used like petroleum are proven and well documented to contain dangerous toxins that can cause health issues from birth defects to disorders of the nervous system, and even cancer.

The fragrance industry that uses these chemicals is completely unregulated because they are not thought to be producing anything dangerous. They don't have to supply the FDA with any date or information of testing, safety, or their formulas. Some people are more sensitive to these chemicals than others, so while it may not affect you it could very well be harming someone in your home. For people who are highly allergic to some of these chemicals they don't have to smell them, it can just be laundry soap that has an allergen that causes them to break out in a rash when they put on a freshly laundered piece of clothing.

Some are so hyper sensitive to certain perfumes that just one sniff of the scent can cause shortness of breath, rapid breathing and heart beat and other reactions. Some other very common signs of someone who is highly allergic are sore throat, sneezing, nausea, and watery eyes. In many cases if the chemical is absorbed through the skin it has an even more powerful impact.

There are many establishments today that are beginning to implement fragrance free policies due to the allergic reactions that are being seen. Not only do the ask people not to wear any scented products but they also use only unscented cleaning products for their janitorial services. As more and more people display reactions to the chemicals we will see companies all across the country following suit with similar policies.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/does-the-price-of-your-perfume-add-up-to-health-issues-45162.html

About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about discount designer perfume and discount women's perfume store at http://www.perfumeandcolognestore.com

Honeybee Gardens Mercury-Free Mascara, Water-Based Nail Polish Suncoat,All Natural Creations Face Cream, Karma Naturals Organic Body Products

After my research today, I'm thrilled to find some black nail polish without the harsh chemicals, mercury-free mascara, face lotion that is NOT linked to cancer and my recent discovery-->>Karma Naturals, specializing in Natural & Organic body products.

Check them out and if you've tried any of them, be sure to post a comment below:)

Mercury-Free Mascara

• Honeybee Gardens Mascara
• http://www.honeybeegardens.com/natural-cosmetics/products/masc.html

• Afterglow Pure Soul Mascara
• http://afterglowcosmetics.com/all_natural_mascara/

• Suncoat Natural Vegan Mascara
• http://www.suncoatproducts.com/index-mascara.htm

Water-Based Nail Polish

Acquarella Nail Polish ($18)
http://store.acquarellapolish.com/Acquarella-Nail-Polish/M/B000WQU5IE.htm

• Rates a 0 on Skin Deep
• NOT linked to cancer

Suncoat Nail Polish ($7.63)
https://www.internatural.com

• "In Suncoat water-based nail polish, all the chemical solvents are replaced by water. The major ingredient is water, not chemical solvents! So when Suncoat water-based nail polish is being applied, it is only water that evaporates to the air, not toxic chemical fumes."

Face Lotion That Is All Natural!
All Natural Creations Light Shea Butter Lotion ($10 + $4.95 s&h)
http://www.allnaturalcreations.com/face.shtml

• Rates a 1 on Skin Deep
• NOT linked to cancer
  
• Compact for Safe Cosmetics signor
  

Natural & Organic Body Products
Karma Naturals
www.karmic-klutter.com

• All natural or organic lip balms, gloss, blush, foundations plus more
• Compact for Safe Cosmetics signor
  

President Barack Obama: Letter to Help Support The Pickens Plan

No matter who we voted for, we need to back our President who was elected this week.

I just sent President -Elect Barack Obama a letter congratulating him on his historic victory and hoping he will join me in supporting the Pickens Plan.

You can also send him a letter by visiting http://action.pickensplan.com/obama

Here is the letter:

Congratulations on your historic win.

As you begin to develop an agenda for the first 100 days of your Administration, I look forward to learning more about your plans to reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil.

The Pickens Plan is our country's way to create hundreds of thousands of new energy jobs and kick-start this ailing economy.

I hope you will join me in supporting the Pickens Plan. Together we can make a difference.

Steps Families Can Take to Living Green

Author: Britt Michaelian

I do not consider myself to be a huge environmentalist but, I am proud to say that I saved my allowance to join Greenpeace in the 80s. As an adult, I now realize the importance of having an awareness about our impact on the earth and sharing this with our children.

We may not be able to save our planet from every black cloud, but it is important to be responsible and respectful to the earth on a daily basis.

There are simple steps that we can all take to help live in a more green, earth friendly way. We do not have to change our lives drastically and with a few adjustments, nothing will seem to be different (for the exception of the land fills not being as full, our energy and water bills not being quite as high, and our knowing that we are doing our part in living a conscious and environmentally friendly way).

The following is a list of simple steps that families can take to living green. It is not a complete list, but a starting point. The important thing here is that parents and caregivers discuss these steps and ENFORCE them. If parents teach children to live green at an early age, children will naturally respect the earth.

I know there are many more things we can do, so I encourage you to please send us your great tips too! The earth thanks you and so do we!

Steps to Living Green:

1. Turn off the lights and the TV when you are not in the room. Better yet, turn the TV off all together and grab a book!

2. Get energy efficient appliances. This will help save on your electric bills as well as helping the environment!

3. Change out all of your old incandescent light bulbs with the new energy efficient florescent bulbs. They not only save you money, but time- you do not need to replace them as often and there is less waste from needing fewer bulbs!

4. There is one thing that is better than these new energy saving light bulbs and that is natural light. If it is light out, open the shades and catch some rays! Natural sun light helps with seasonal depression and vitamin D!

5. Recycle all of your plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans. We have been hearing this for years, so do it! Every little bit counts.

6. Get a water purifying filtration system, or just a container with a filter like a Britta and STOP using those plastic water bottles! .

7. Buy a kitchen timer and put it next to each shower in your home. Take the 4 minute shower. One minute for shampoo, one for soap, one for conditioner and one to rinse. Shave with the water off in between soaping and rinsing. This is HUGE in helping with water consumption, especially if you have more than one child taking showers. Better yet, take showers with more than one person at a time and still keep it to minutes! Make it a game!

8. Turn the water off while brushing teeth and while washing hands. After a quick initial rinse, turn the water off during lather and turn on again for a thorough rinse to finish up. For extra dirty hands, use a washcloth to remove dirt, not running water!

9. Recycle toilet paper and towel rolls. Better yet, if your kids are in preschool or grade school, save up the rolls and give them to the school. Kids can always make great art or science projects using paper towel and toilet paper rolls!

10. Fix leaky faucets as soon as the start to leak. Do not procrastinate on this kind of stuff. It not only costs you money, but wastes way more water than you realize.

11. Switch your household cleaners, dish soaps and hand soaps to environmentally friendly ones. The chemicals in bleaches and harsh chemicals are not only bad for earth, they are bad for you! Think cancer and fertility issues, not that much fun.

12. Every time that you go to the store to stock up on supplies for the house or office, look for recycled or green products. This way, you will know you are at least trying to be green!

13. Organic is the way to go. Buy from local farmers if you can and buy most, if not all of your produce from the organic section. Again, this not only benefits the earth, but your body does not need all of those pesticides and chemicals- more cancer and infertility, yuck!

14. Even shampoos and cosmetics companies are starting to go green. And these products are actually good! Give them a try!

15. Be open to trying new things that are green. The more open you are, the sooner you will find out that this whole green movement is kind of fun and definitely makes you feel like you are being responsible! What could feel better than that?

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/steps-families-can-take-living-green-379071.html

About the Author:
Britt Michaelian, MA is the founder and CEO of Responsible Family Company. Her DVD, Care for Kids: The Essential Guide to Preparing Caregivers educates caregivers about medical emergencies. Sign up for her newsletter to receive a free Child Safety Report at http://www.responsiblefamily.com

I Signed The Pickens Plan Petition--Will You?

Click here to sign a petition
asking the Presidential candidates to tell us
what their plan is for energy independence.

Learn More About the Pickens Plan here:

http://www.pickensplan.com/about/

Microwave Popcorn Health Scare

Author: Jaci Rae

A recent news piece on CNN Prime News Tonight with Erica Hill revealed evidence that microwave popcorn could be harmful to your health. In the news piece it was discovered that Fluorooctanoic Acid was shown to be in high levels in microwave popcorn bags.

Fluorooctanoic Acid, which is added to the microwave-popcorn bags as a resistant coating, releases onto the popcorn when the bag is heated up and is then absorbed into the bloodstream and stays there for a long time. This chemical appears to be carcinogenic in lab animals. The FDA is now studying the affects of this chemical in greater detail.

In addition to the problem above, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is studying a different problem associated with the butter flavoring in microwave popcorn. NDTV had this to report: "Exposure to vapors from butter flavoring in microwave popcorn has been linked to a rare lung disease contracted by factory workers in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska." The companies who manufacture the harmful Teflon chemical stated they will eliminate the chemical by the year 2015.

Here is a recent headline:

Possible Health Concerns Over Popcorn Bags

05-02-06 at 4:56PM

"A Health Alert has been issued for microwave popcorn. Scientists are now taking a closer look at some of the popcorn's packaging.

A study by the FDA found that a coating, used to make microwave popcorn bags grease resistant, is seeping into popcorn.

"So what we're finding is that even before we cook the popcorn the butter is already contaminated with a paper flurochemical that will be absorbed into your blood and stay in your blood for a long, long time," said scientist Glenn Evers.

An independent scientific review board found an acid, which can be extracted from the chemical, causes cancer in animals and is likely to be carcinogenic to people."

So what can you do in the meantime? Popcorn has become a staple and is also an affordable luxury in these troubled economic times. Recently I discovered all was not lost and I would still be able to enjoy a newer brand of microwave popcorn. A new company has come up with an affordable, practical and convenient solution that will help ensure you and your family isn't being exposed to toxic chemicals when eating this delectable treat.

Granny's Natural Microwave Popcorn comes with natural FDA approved microwave popcorn bags, a recipe booklet and more. There are no additives, preservatives and/or chemicals that are now being found in the microwave-popcorn you're used to. You and your family deserve to know you are safe before 2015.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/microwave-popcorn-health-scare-31310.html

About the Author:
Jaci Rae is the author of The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money and Winning Points with the Woman in Your Life One Touchdown at a Time. Book Jaci for your next show: and hit contact button for her publicist.

Diet: Is Meat Really Good for Us? What Happens When We Eat Meat? Find Out.

Author: Patrick Hamouy

Meat

When we look at our diet and what is good and bad for us, it is always beneficial to look at the way our ancestors used to eat. What has been eaten for 100,000s of years has determined the ability of our body to digest certain food. It will take another few thousand years (at best) before our body is able to digest the junk food some people ingest nowadays.

Prior to the Second World War, meat was expensive and most people only ate it on special occasions or at weekends (if they could afford it). Nowadays, some people eat meat several times a week. Sometimes, several times a day. Mr Richard McDonald and Ray Kroc have probably killed more people than were killed during the Second World War by introducing their fast food restaurants.

Should we really eat meat?

To answer this question, let's consider the following facts:

* Our teeth tell us that we should not eat much meat. Our molars and premolars are for grinding and crushing. Carnivores have teeth that are sharp and pointed, made to tear the flesh of other animals.

* Our saliva contains ptyalin and is alkaline for the digestion of starches. Carnivore's saliva is acid for the digestion of animal food.

* Our digestive system is 30 feet (10 metres) in length to allow the slow absorption of all the nutrients we eat. A carnivore's digestive system is short (only about 3 times the length of their trunk), meat does not get a chance to stagnate and stick to the walls.

* A carnivore's stomach generates ten times as much hydrochloric acid as ours does for the digestion of meat.

* The digestion of meat generates Uric acid. Our liver cannot easily eliminate Uric acid. A carnivore's liver can eliminate ten to fifteen times more Uric acid than ours can.

Where will I get my protein?

This is a standard question when I tell people to cut down or entirely give meat. First, we must learn that we do not just absorb protein from meat. In order for our body to create protein from meat, it must first break the animal protein down into amino acids and then manufacture human protein with these. This procedure is very tiring on the body and extremely inefficient.

Where do you think horses, elephants, cows, sheep etc.. get their protein from? Yes, you've got it: from the grass, vegetation and all the plants they eat.

Secondly, let's clear the misconception about the importance of protein in our diet. The information originates from tests that were conducted on rats. Rats need up to eleven times as much protein as we need in our diet as is illustrated by analysing rat mother's milk. So relax, you are not going to die from a lack of protein if you stop eating meat.

One of my main Macrobiotic teacher, Denny Waxman, used to tell us that the body manufactures protein from just about any food and that we could not be lacking protein unless we stopped eating or were malnourished. This is confirmed by research done in 1957 (Rose, W. "The amino acid requirements of adult man" - Nutritional abstracts and reviews) confirming that nearly all the complex carbohydrates, such as those in whole grains, beans or potatoes, have amino acid profile adequate for human protein needs.

On the subject of protein, it is interesting to learn that in Macrobiotic, we are also told that cancers feed on protein and that we always restrict the amount of protein in a cancer patient's diet.

Some will argue that fat is necessary because it is a source of linoleic acid. As this acid is also contained in brown rice, the body will get an ample supply by following the diet described in this book and this will not be a problem.

Where else can I get protein from?

If you are still worried about your protein intake, the following food has a high content of easily absorbed amino acid suitable for the production of human protein: Peas, lentils, chick peas, kidney beans, fish, tofu, green grapes, iceberg lettuce, collards and kale.

What is the effect of meat on the body?

These days meat is usually frozen, overcooked and as such stripped of all its goodness. It gives an immediate burst of energy and strength. This is OK in colder and Polar Regions if you do not mix the meat with sweet (Yin) food, otherwise it is deadly.

An excess of meat will cause problems of accumulation of matter: clogged vessels and organs, putrefaction and infection. As soon as the animal is killed, meat starts to putrefy. This process is nowadays controlled by the use of freezing that allows us to eat animals killed several days, weeks, months or years (as recent TV programs informed us).

Putrefaction resumes when the meat is unfrozen i.e. just before you start eating it. To properly digest meat takes 3 to 5 days and as much as two weeks in the elderly. This is compared with a proper digestion time of one to one and half day for non-meat eaters.

Should you eat meat on a regular basis, your intestines are never clear and the meat putrefies in your digestive track. Putrefaction produces toxins and amines that accumulate in the liver, kidneys and large intestines, destroys bacterial cultures (especially those that synthesise vitamin B complex) and causes degeneration of the villi of the small intestine.

Saturated fatty acid accumulates in and around vital organs and blood vessels, often leading to cysts, tumours, and hardening of the arteries. Saturated fat also raises the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Over a period of several years, putrefied meat is going to adhere to the lining of your intestines and cause various problems such as IBS, stomach cramps, prolapsed colons, haemorrhoids, constipation, diverticulosis, appendicitis, varicose veins, atherosclerosis and colon cancer etc...

To compensate for eating meat, the body needs more oxygen in the bloodstream. The breathing rate rises after eating animal food making it difficult to maintain a calm mind. Thinking becomes defensive, suspicious, rigid and sometimes aggressive. A very analytical view is often the result.

It makes the muscles slack and the joints stiff. Daily consumption of meat and dairy food, is at the core of our excessive protein intake, which has been associated with de-hydration and heat-stroke in athletes, fatal exacerbation of kidney and liver malfunctions, increased acidity of body fluids, infant deaths, premature ageing, heart disease, and cancer. A high protein intake creates toxic by-products in the form of unused nitrogen; excreting these can seriously overtax the kidneys, unless large amounts of water are taker to flush them out.

The saturated fat content of meat will then start circulating in your blood stream and start coating your arteries and eventually various organs eventually leading to the development of serious disease such as cancer or heart problems.

In the United states these days, 2 out of every 3 person suffers some form of serious problems related to that very high intake of fat.

"The average American & European intestine carries within it over 5 pounds of putrid, half digested red meat, plus another 5-10 pounds of foul toxic mucous waste impacted of years in the folds of the colon and small intestines."

When the actor John Wayne died, an autopsy revealed that his intestines had grown to 12" (30 cms) in diameter with only a small opening in the middle to allow the digestive process to painfully carry on.

What else is in the meat I eat?

This is one of the problems. Nowadays, the meat that you buy contains a lot of chemicals that you end up eating when you consume your favorite dish:

Antibiotics and steroids in the feed to prevent infections and increase weight quickly. This has had the effect of causing the development of new disease breeding bacteria, resistant to many form of antibiotics and causing a threat to human life.

Sex hormones such as androgens, progestogens and estrogens to promote faster growth. The long term effects associated with the consumption of these are:

Obesity, infertility, diabetes, dwarfism, gigantism, kidney disease, hypertension, precocious puberty, hypoglycaemia, masculinisation of females, feminisation of males and cancer.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/diet-is-meat-really-good-for-us-what-happens-when-we-eat-meat-find-out-223357.html

About the Author:
Patrick Hamouy teaches Reiki Healing, Indian Head Massage, Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT), Anatomy & Physiology, Oriental Diagnosis & Psychic Development. He sees customers for consultations.in Macrobiotic, Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT) and Removal of toxic products from the home environment Full information on his web site at: http://www.therapies.com

Make a Green Splash With Eco-Friendly Promotional Items From PromosMatter -FREE Organic T-Shirt Giveaway!

Enter to win a free organic t-shirt!
You pick the color and size.

To ENTER DRAWING FOR FREE ORGANIC T-SHIRT:

1) Post a comment below and

2) Email me (greenwithceleste@yahoo.com) to let me know
why you should be the winner of this eco-friendly t-shirt & to provide
your mailing address should you be selected as the winner.

This will qualify YOU to be entered into the drawing.

A Go Green With Celeste winner will be randomly selected on October 18, 2008.
The winner will be contacted by e-mail.
Open to individuals in USA (lower 48) states only. One entry per person.
*********************************************
Q&A with PromosMatter
www.promosmatter.com
www.promosmatter.com/efriendly.html

About PromosMatter:
PromosMatter is a direct marketing promotional products company, offering more than 350,000 products through a network of 3,000 plus suppliers. Kim Martin, the owner of PromosMatter, incorporated in October of 2007 after working from home and with another promotional company. In March of 2008, PromosMatter opened their retail location in Bartlett, TN.

CELESTE: Tell us how companies can go green when it comes to their promotional materials.

KIM: There is a wide variety of eco-friendly concepts in the promotional market today. Suppliers and manufacturers are providing items made from sustainable sources - examples being cups made from potatoes, beets, pens made from corn to lanyards made from bamboo. There is a movement to lower the amount of packing materials goods need to be shipped and making sure packing can be recycled. Even a resurgent in refillable/reusable goods such as pens, spray bottles, and travel packs has started to sweep the industry.
Many manufactures are going to organic materials and/or green process to create goods for the market. It’s always good to be able to show people that this process is having a smaller carbon footprint on the environment.

CELESTE: What statement is a business making to their customers when they provide eco-friendly giveaway products?

KIM: It is real simple – a company giving out eco friendly products is saying to their customer base, “We are not only interested in the bottom line but we have our eyes on the future.” Everyone knows that things are changing. Showing that you are ahead of the curve is never a bad idea.

CELESTE: How is PromosMatter, Inc., different from the rest of the companies out there who provide eco-friendly promotional items?

KIM: All promotional products companies have access to eco-friendly products. What we at PromosMatter are doing is just making so much easier. We have created an entire catalog of green, organic, and eco-friendly products on our web site www.promosmatter.com. As you will see, we gave these once second class citizens of the promotional world, a place on the front page of our web site.

In talking to our customers, we educate many of them on greener options – a recycled material, a reusable product, or just something with less packaging. Even in our showroom, we have an entire display dedicated to Eco-Friendly advertising so customers can handle the products and decide what best suits their needs. We want to help everybody get their name out to their customer base as effectively as possible and being green is one of those ways.

CELESTE: Your best selling green product is?

KIM: PromosMatter doesn’t have one best selling green product. We have seen an increase in customers requesting t-shirts made from sustainable or organic materials, which can be imprinted with eco friendly or soy based inks. We also have a large customer base for eco -friendly pens, which are made from corn products, recycled plastic, or recycled cardboard. As a whole, the industry has seen a switch from use once and toss to reusable products.

CELESTE: If you could share a secret with businesses about eco-friendly promotional products--what would you tell them that they may not already be aware of?

KIM: Something as innocent as a ceramic coffee cup is one of the most eco-friendly products there is - simply because they are reusable. Paper and styrofoam fill trash bags and landfills every day in this country. Many companies have forgotten many of the best promotional products can be washed and reused rather than thrown in the trash. This simple fact makes putting your company’s logo on a reusable product more visible to your customers and Eco Friendly when you stress the reusable concept.

I know of one company, which did away with the use of styrofoam cups and replaced them with washable coffee cups for the employees, made good business sense all the way around.

CELESTE: If a company comes to you with small budget but wants to make a big green splash---which product(s) would you recommend?

KIM: Recycled Sports Bottles that are BPA free would be my first suggestion. People carry their water bottles everywhere these days. Many states and municipalities have started to regulate the sale of bottled water making sports bottles a much more desirable promotional product. These bottles have a relatively large imprint area so a company’s name will be seen. It is also important to remember these bottles are reusable. I would like to stress when ordering it is very important to for a company to be specific and request recycled plastic that are certified BPA free. The price, set-up fees, and minimums can be low compared to other promotional items. Because they are plastic, being lighter than other products, shipping is also less costly saving money.

CELESTE: What has been the most memorable promotional product you have designed for a business?

KIM: Trying to get a tree frog with the companies name on latex balloons has been the most challenging. The frog was multi dimensional and multi colored, as tree frogs are known to be. In order to keep the cost down for the client we reworked the art so it was a single color, while maintaining the integrity of the tree frog. I must admit I learned a lot about art that day.

CELESTE: Any other eco-friendly ideas for businesses looking to make a green statement?

KIM: The old teacher adage, “Monitor & Adjust.” Look around.

Do ANY of the products currently being used in business have a recycled, green, organic, or more eco-friendly equivalent that will meet the needs of the business while providing for the environment?

Can ANY of the products you have in your business be greened up?

Other ideas:

• Add recycling bins to the hallways and break areas can be a planet saver.
• Get everybody flash drives instead of having to make copies to move files around.
• Offer an embroidered jacket with the company logo to your employees and lower the thermostat in the winter is another great idea.
  

PromosMatter through our network of suppliers has over 3,000 eco-friendly products with more being adding on a regular basis. If a business is unsure where to start, they can call one of our representatives, 901-347-0468 or e-mail info@promosmatter.com and we can help get them started.

CELESTE: Have you considered teaming up with an organic/natural cosmetic company to offer personalized items specifically for men and women? (Such as lipsticks, lip balms, lotions, etc.)

KIM: Of course, some of our health and beauty suppliers have gone green.
Organic lip balms, insect repellants, and refillable hand sanitizers are just some of the eco-friendly printable products we offer. However, our industry has not brought in a full cosmetic line, but anything is possible.

CELESTE: Kim, would you like to add anything?

KIM: We really enjoy working with people who are interested in the green movement. We love providing them with small, simple steps that can have a big positive impact on our environment. Going green is not as difficult as some seem to think. It starts with one step forward, and working with knowledgeable people. We are more than happy to help someone take that first step. We are always here to answer questions and give bright ideas.

Website – www.promosmatter.com
Eco friendly page www.promosmatter.com/efriendly.html

To ENTER DRAWING FOR FREE ORGANIC T-SHIRT:

1) Post a comment below and

2) Email me (greenwithceleste@yahoo.com) to let me know
why you should be the winner of this eco-friendly t-shirt!

This will qualify YOU to be entered into the drawing.

Mariah's Sassy Fashions: Introducing Eco-Friendly Duct Tape Purses & Comic Book bags--FREE Giveaway--Duct Tape Wallet!

Enter to win this one-of-a-kind Mariah's Sassy Fashions duct tape tri-fold wallet!
A Go Green winner will be randomly selected on October 18, 2008.
How to qualify?

To enter giveaway, simply comment on this blog (no registration required) and e-mail me (greenwithceleste@yahoo.com) to let me know why you should be the winner of this eco-friendly wallet!

Introducing Mariah's Sassy Fashions

One-Of-A-Kind Original Duct Tape Creations

Most pieces available at Funky Findz & Design
Wausau, Wisconsin
715-298-3463

Have you ever seen a duct tape bikini?
This is an exclusive creation by Mariah!
You just may see this piece worn by a live model in the upcoming Funky Findz fashion show on
October 25, 2008, @ the Landmark building in Downtown Wausua, Wisconsin.
The public is invited. Mark your calendar--you don't want to miss it!

This was Mariah's first signature creation. Her eco-friendly comic bag. When asked
about this piece, Mariah shared, "I ask all my family and friends to save the comic section from the Sunday edition of the Wausau Daily Herald for me so I can recycle the pages!"
And recycle she does. Her comic creation is a true conversation piece.

This duct tape Messenger Bag is amazing!
Did you know duct tape came in these vibrant colors?
Exclusive Mariah's Sassy Fashions creation. $45

Mariah's Sassy Fashions signature Peace Sign silk screen t-shirt $21

Have your own style with this handmade silk screen tank by Mariah

Write all your thoughts in this one-of-a-kind silver splashy duct tape journal

Funky Findz & Design
Downtown Wausau, Wisconsin
We can all "go green" by supporting our local artists.

Are you sassy or do you know someone who is?
This is Mariah's sassy plastic purse, a keeper for anyone with an attitude.

Go Green with Mariah's green, white, silver and black
Sassy Fashions Duct Tape Messenger Bag $45

Placemat tote with hoop handles. Too pretty to eat on.

Mariah's Sassy Knit Sweater Purse made from a pre-worn sweater.
So cozy you want to wear it.

T-Shirt tote with sequin bling

pen in your favorite people in a funky duct tape address book

Duct tape purse with retro vibe

Treat yourself or someone special to a one-of-a-kind duct tape cell phone case.
Why buy a product made in China when instead, you can support a local artist.
There are many talented creative artisans among us. We don't have to look far.

The "It" girl, Mariah Lueras, showcasing her
one-of-a kind creations @ Exibitour
on September 20, 2008.

The Comic Book Purse fits nicely on your shoulders.

Mariah's Sassy Fashions t-shirt bag made from, you guessed it,
a favorite t-shirt.

Silver and blue duct tape bag