Sharing: It’s Not Just Nice, It’s Necessary
The other day, I pulled my bicycle up to one of those nouvelle food trucks that are all the rage in these parts and ordered myself a delicious, healthy, organic falafel. While a group of us was standing on the sidewalk devouring our lunches, impromptu conversations among strangers just naturally started. I ended up talking to the guy who ordered just after me. We chatted throughout our lunches before sharing a cordial goodbye.
I thought later: “That was revolutionary. This is not something that happens in a …
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Cash Strapped Readers Spare a Dime for America’s Cheapest Family
It may have been published a couple of years ago, but Americans are now catching up to the message of Steve and Annette Economides and are eagerly plunking down their pennies for the hot home economics crash course.
The authors of America’s Cheapest Family have done remarkably well feeding their family of seven on just $350 per month, paying off their first house in nine years and purchasing a second, larger home, buying cars with cash, taking nice vacations, and yes, even socking away …
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Sweden to Label Foods’ Footprints
Buying food really was a whole lot easier a hundred years ago. There was less choice, the food was usually homegrown or locally grown, and there was little in the way of additives and preservatives. Plus, the shoppers back then didn’t have to read the food labels to find out how many nutrients, calories or fat content a product contained.
Today’s shopper, on the other hand, is spoilt for choice. But along with the choice come responsibilities and obstacles – the 100 mile rule, organic vs. non-organic, food labels, sugar …
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Elvis Is Alive, Well, and Recycled
A dedicated Elvis fan, I’m always happy to learn about new Elvis sightings. But most turn out to be run-of-the-mill Elvis impersonators, determined to mimic his look and his sound.
But there’s nothing ordinary about this Elvis impersonator. Wearing a green jumpsuit and green cape glittering with recycled pop tabs and bottle caps, Eco Elvis is determined to get everyone all shook up about the environment.
Sounds like a gimmick, but Kansas City-based Eco Elvis impersonator is the real deal. A dedicated vegetarian who eats organic …
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Totally Tubular Wine!
It’s not your grandmother’s wine box!
This 3-liter tube contains a premium, rich and structured California Cab – the first release by winemaker Barry Gnekow, who went looking for a way to drink outside the box and to entertain without the waste.
“My goal was to produce the equivalent of a $25 bottle of wine that could be delivered to the consumer at under $10 per bottle,” he says.
At $40 a tube, The FOUR Cabernet scores many eco points. It eliminates expensive traditional glass-and-cork packaging, cutting wine bottle landfill waste by …
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Happy Green Halloween
Orange and black might be the traditional colors of Halloween but why can’t a little green fall into the mix? Here are a few simple tips to help make this weekend’s Halloween festivities a shade greener:
- When it comes time to make a jack-o-lantern, find a locally grown and organic pumpkin to carve.
- Make costumes from what you find around the house. Recycle clothes from years past or head to the nearest second hand store and rummage around. Try to convince the kids to trade costumes from last year with …
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Endangered Species Chocolate: A Sweet Way to Make a Difference
You may already know that chocolate can help beat the blues, ease the stress of a frustrating day, and, in some cultures, it’s even used as a replacement for cash. But were you aware that by simply eating a chocolate bar, you can help protect the lives of endangered species like African elephants, lions, and bonobo apes?
No, you probably won’t save an African jungle by simply chowing down on a …
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Introducing Trashless Tuesday
Follow Friday? Check. Meatless Monday? Check. Trashless Tuesday? Tell me more.
We’re trashy, but it’s not because of Paris or Perez Hilton. Americans generate…well, let’s just say we’re full of it.
In 2002, Zero Waste America said, “Waste management in the U.S. is in a state of anarchy with no effective federal plan in place to maximize recycling and minimize waste.” Succinct. There’s no shortage of such cheery information available to the curious eco soul, like the fact that Americans create enough waste to …
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Snuggie: Wrap Yourself in the Toasty Toxic Warmth!
“When you watch the commercials you can tell they’re made of cheap stuff,” says my astute oldest daughter about the fleece blanket sensation known as the Snuggie™. “The people wearing them are just so cheesy, like the man in the leopard one who says he’s so glad he found a fun designer print that suits his personality.”
Snuggie consumers proudly wear the Made-in-China label on their sleeves, not considering the synthetic polyester fabric they’re breathing in all the while they’re adjusting their thermostats in the thin, robe-like throws. I find they …
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