Maggies Organics 100% organic toy penguin
Maggies Organics works partners with cooperatives owned by the local workers and this product is an example of the output. It actually satisfies a few of the eco-friendly and socially responsible ideals. The outside is made from 100% organic cotton left-overs and scraps from other products and the filling is post-industrial polyester fibre from mill scraps. They are made in the USA by Opportunity Threads (http://opportunitythreads.com/) a worker owned coo-op in North Carolina.
The penguins are safe for most ages with embroidered eyes and a securely sewn on hat. They don’t contain any small parts that are dangerous for the little ones. They are about 9″ tall.
Buy Maggies Organics products online from Mother Nature
Moom Natural Hair Removal
Sometimes great products come out of pure necessity and chemist Jinous Nouri created a product because because she didn’t want her daughters to use chemicals or artificial ingredients on their skin. The good thing about using natural materials is that you don’t have to then use other products, such as moisturizers to negate the harmful effects of the chemicals. In fact most people find that after using Moom products their skin is better for it anyway.
Like ther hair removal products, Moom Organic Hair Removal removes the hair from the root, cleans the follicles to avoid ingrown hairs and lasts for about 8 weeks on most people. It ican be used on the whole body including the sensitive areas such as the bikini line, so no having to buy more than one type of product.
All the ingredients are organic, 100% natural and include sugar, water, lemon jiuce, chamomile and tea tree oil. It is water soluable so no messy cleaning up afterwards, just rinse with water. It is available in kit form plus refills because the cotton strips will nearly last forever.
Buy Moom hair removal online from Mother Nature or Drugstore
Newman’s Own Organics Nells Breakfast Blend Coffee
Nell Newman, daughter of Paul Newman and Joanna Woodward, started the organic division of Newman’s Own and it now includes USDA and Fair Trade certified coffees. Newman’s Own and in turn the organic division shares a similar philosphy with their partner, Green Mountain Coffee in that they strive to ensure the coffee growers from some of the poorer parts of the world receive a fair price for the afforts. they also try to help with other areas of agriculture as evidenced by the help given to the women in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Newman’s Own Organics Nell’s Breakfast Blend is a smooth coffee, obviously suited to early morning drinking. The inclusion of some of the Indonesian coffees helps to give it a distinctive flavour.
Buy it from Mother Nature or Coffee For Less.
ShiKai Very Clean Hand Soap
ShiKai, the company, focuses on products that utilise the shikakai extract they developed themselves. Shikakai has long been used on India for haircare products and means fruit for hair. The extract has been adapted to now be used as a cleaner, not only for the hair , rather for all parts of the body.
The ShiKai Very Clean Liquid Hand Soap is able to cut through hard to remove grease and oils whilst still being gentle to the skin, unlike other traditional soaps. This makes it perfect for frequent use and doesn’t result in the skin drying out. There is also no need for any abrasives. It is available in the natural fragrances of tea tree, citrus, fresh scent and cucumber.
Buy ShiKai products online from Drugstore or Mother Nature
Alba Botanica Daily Shampoo
Alba Botanica, like the rest of the Avalon Natural Products brands, have developed a product line free from paraben preservatives, not tested on animal and use natural products. They have developed their own preservatives, thus ensuring stable long-lasting products whilst not using harmful chemicals such as parabens and phthalates. In the interests of consumer awareness, the ingredients are listed on their website and they don’t hide behind only listing a few of the main ones.
As the name suggests, the Alba Botanica Daily Shampoo is a regular shampoo containing herbal extracts, botanical oils and plant proteins. The ingredients are antioxidant rich, such as the acai oil, that clean and restore the health and good look back into your hair. Soft, strong hair is healthy and one of the best indicators is smoothly silky hair. This shampoo is suitable for both natural and color treated hair.
Buy Alba Botanica products online from Drugstore or Mother Nature
Endangered Species Organic Chocolate
Endangered Species Chocolate is impossible to not eat. Who could pass up the opportunity to eat high quality rich dark chocolate and know that in addition to eating 100% organic chocolate, you are also helping to save the planet, one bite at a time? In 2009 the company created a charitable foundation with the aim of working with nonprofits to help save the plight of endangered species around the world. Ten percent of the net profits from Endangered Species Chocolate has been donated each year since its founding in 1993 and the foundation is a more formal way of promoting this cause.
On to the chocolate though. The range of 100% organic 3oz bars includes dark chocolate with Goji berry, pecans and maca or with goldenberry and lucuma or with cacao nibs, yacon and acai or plain dark or milk chocolate. You can also buy the organic health collection which combines the first three. The packaging is 30% post-consumer FSC certified paper and depending on the item, includes information on some of the endangered species. These chocolates are certified organic, vegan, gluten free and kosher.
Buy this premium chocolate online from Mother Nature
Don’t fill the kettle all the way if you just need one cup of boiling water
The savings are twofold with this one because you are not using as much water and as it takes much less time for a cup to boil compared to a normal eight cup kettle then you are saving energy costs as well. The recommended minimum for most kettles is more than enough water for your cup of tea or coffee. If there is any left over, let it cool and use it on the garden or if you have some weeds you wish to get ird of then poor the boiling water on them for a natural weed killer.
Un-Petroleum Lip Balm
Un-Petroleum is a niche brand developed by Avalon Natural Products who continue to receive accolades for their all natural products and commitment to being a socially responsible company in an industry rife with unscrupulous companies using dangerous products and questionable manufacturing methods. Un-Petroleum only uses natural products that are not derived from petroleum based sources. They don’t have a large range under this name, just straight forward simple products that work.
The Un-Petroleum Lip Balm comes in three flavours, cherry, tangerine and vanilla. All refreshing tastes. The signature ingredients are the moisture rich olive and jojoba oils that sooth and soften the lips. The combination of natural waxes and vitamin E also heal and protect with SFP 18 sun protection.
Buy Un-Petroleum products from Drugstore or Mother Nature
B-cycle nationwide bicycle sharing program
B-cycle is a bicycle sharing program available nationwide. The aim is to reduce the number of times people jump in their cars beause they don’t have another means of transport available. This might be because they don’t have the space to store a bike, are travelling and not in the ir home city or any other reason.
Some of the quick facts n the website are astounding. Things like the average person loses 13 pounds in their first year of riding a bicycle, three hours of riding a week can reduce the possibility of heart problems by 50% and in 2003, cars idling in traffic wasted 5 billion gallons of fuel.
All you need to do is signup then head to a B-station and collect your bike. All your rides are tracked and distances, calories burned and carbon offsets are recorded. when you are finished, just return the bike to the station. No hassles with storage, cleaning and maintaining your bike or any other associated costs. It is a win-win because your health benefits from the riding and the environment benefits because of the reduced emissions.
More information at the B-cycle website.
Use lids when cooking to save energy
Ever noticed how things tend to boil over when you put a lid on the saucepan? that’s because you probably don’t adjust the heat down when you put the lid on. You can use a smaller burner or lower temperature if you cook with the lids on saucepans. This is particularly true if you are boiling water for paste, rice etc. The added benefit is when something is simmering, there’s no chance of splattering all over the cooktop if the lid is in place. Less cleaning up is always a positive.
