“You could consider me the goddess of organic wine because of my longevity,” says a tres enthusiastic Veronique Raskin of The Organic Wine Company in San Rafael, Calif. “I’ve been at it for 30 years so I should know a couple of things.”

The French native and head cheerleader for the benefits of organic helped uncork the notion of drinking naturally-farmed grape back in 1979. That’s when she brought the first shipment to the U.S. from her family’s 200 year-old vineyard, Bousquette, located in the Languedoc region which borders Provence …

Tags: buy , certified organic labels , company , free , gift , making wine , organic red wine , pesticides in wine , sulfites , winery

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I grew up thinking it was completely normal to slather my skin with products featuring a complex, unpronounceable list of ingredients. Most of us probably never even thought twice about it.

But awareness is rising and many of us just aren’t tolerating toxins anymore. Smart entrepreneurs are stepping up to fulfill the growing need for skincare made of completely natural (and often edible) ingredients. If you like to feed your skin only the finest, add Naya Organics to the menu.

Stemming from a literal interpretation of the “…

Tags: body , gift , gifts , natural , Naya Organics , organic , salt , skin , skincare

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Looking for an interesting, educational, fun and non-battery operated toy for your children? Look no further than OWIKit’s 6 in 1 Educational Solar Building Kit. It’s the latest in a line of solar toys for kids that OWIKit has been manufacturing for a few years now.

The 6 in 1 Educational Solar Building Kit, due for release next month, is designed to teach children (and adults, too) how to use solar power to drive a small motor. Consisting of 21 snap-together parts, the kit allows you to …

Tags: education , games , gift , kids , OWIKit , play , Solar Building Kit , solar power , toy

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I have two thumbs and neither one is green, in any way, shape or form. Nature and plush, pretty gardens fill me with joy, but don’t let me anywhere near a shovel or pruning shears – tragic mishaps are likely to occur.

I’ve been responsible for many a premature death due to my apparent lack of “intuition” when it comes to growing green things. But even I could probably take on a Grow Me a Tree and nurture it through adolescence and into adulthood.

The Silver Birch seeds arrive “grow …

Tags: carbon offset , gardening , gift , Grow Me a Tree , tree

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Not everyone has the space or budget for a large thermal wine cooler in their pad. Here’s a practical way to chill that organic vino and rescue the dying cork stopper industry at the same time.

The Cork Bark Wine Chiller from Bitters Co. is from and features unglazed terracotta wrapped with an outer layer of natural cork bark ($46). It cools your bottle by insulating it with these layers and lends some earthy style at the same time.

The way of life for Mediterranean cork harvesters has become …

Tags: cork , drink , gift , lifestyle , medicine , organic , organic farming , reduce , wine

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Wondering what to get your little Susie Homemaker for her birthday? How bout an eco-friendly appliance, like the Wonderworld Washing Machine Play Set or Kitchen Sink, $90 at Toys R Us?

Just think of the hours of fun loading the machine on a cold cycle with green detergent or scrubbing those vegan casserole pans by hand! “No dessert, Miss Susie, until that pile of organic cotton napkins is folded and put away!” Speaking as the mother of two chronically messy daughters (why hang up that dress when you can toss it …

Tags: appliance , children , decor , entertainment , family , gift , toy , wood

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I love my friends and family, but I don’t like giving them gifts. Wait, that didn’t come out right. What I mean is that I don’t like feeling obligated to give them something simply because it’s their birthday or a holiday. It puts me in a stressful situation, wondering what I can possibly give them that they’ll truly like and that fits my budget. Besides, we all have too much “stuff.”

Here’s a better idea: give the gift of time. Everybody needs extra help cleaning out their garage. And work …

Tags: DIY , friendship , gift , lifestyle , money , save , sustainable , tip

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Who am I to argue with the Madison Avenue suits who coined the phrase “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”?

If only diamonds were all we believe them to be. The violence resulting from the diamond mining and trading industry is, in a word, tragic. And, as it turns out, diamonds aren’t even as valuable as we’ve been told.

First, a little primer:

The U.S. happens to be the largest consumer of conflict diamonds, purchasing over $33.7 billion dollars’ worth of the rocks in 2005. Wondering what conflict diamonds are? …

Tags: blood diamond , conflict diamond , environment , fashion , gift , jewelry , resource , safety

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I just love when I’m checking out the ingredients of a skincare product and find that it’s practically edible. Yum, I think. It means my skin is gonna eat this stuff up!

Enter Pangea Organics, a line of utterly luscious bodycare products that will make your skin rejoice. Check out Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean and Cranberry Scrub (3.8 oz for $33) or Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai and Goji Berry Mask (2 oz for $40). Like I said, oh yum!

Pangea …

Tags: acai , beauty , gift , Pangea Organics , skincare , wellness

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