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 …

Tags: American , cars , cash , college , credit , debt , families , fresh , frugal , green , groceries , house , payments , processed foods , recession , reuse , saving , second-hand , vegan

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Misconceptions about tofu, the taste of vegan anything and a serving of Quorn nuggets are just a few of the reasons a lot of people aren’t eager to go veg. I’ll admit, I had my doubts the first time a vegan friend offered me a spoonful of her tofu soup. But, all it took was one bite to discover that a delicious meal is all in the recipe. Here are some simple dishes to ease even the toughest skeptics into more eco-friendly eating habits. They’re so …

Tags: lifestyle , meals , recipes , vegan , vegetarian

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If you haven’t heard, fancy-shmancy cupcakes are stealing the hearts of America as we downsize our celebrations with treats that fill us up, not out.

For a growing number of sweet teeth, four bites and one candle do the trick as we replace the wasteful sheet cake of old with an indulgent Red Velvet vegan confection made to order at your chic neighborhood cupcake boutique.

Call it theater in the round for the bakery hound!

The new stars are the vegan assortments  introduced by bakers such as Yummy Cupcakes in …

Tags: baby , birthdays , compost , Conserve , dairy-free , decor , design , gluten-free , Gourtmet cupcakes , green , parties , recycle , showers , special events , sugar-free , vegan , weddings

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I’ve always been impressed at how much longer my husband’s shoes last than mine. Some pairs he has had for 20 years and has simply re-heeled and polished them to make them last. He even keeps the boxes.

But now that he is on the public transportation circuit – like so many other good green worker bees – it’s important to wear a comfort shoe that doesn’t pinch when you’re running for that bus or train.

The good news is vegan shoes have become much more stylish, from the old boxy …

Tags: 19 Moons , comfort , Italian , loafer , men , oxford , public transit , shoes , vegan , workboot

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Most of us put lipstick on in the morning, but it doesn’t remain on our lips. You’ll see it on your coffee cups, your napkins and your food.  Did you ever stop to wonder how much lipstick you might eat up in a lifetime?

We can eat four to six pounds of lipstick throughout our lives. If you buy standard lipstick, you’re basically chowing down on artificial dyes, lanolin, sodium lauryl sulfates, colors derived from petroleum and even carmine that comes from the shell of a female beetle. Everyone say …

Tags: cosmetics , eco friendly , lip gloss , lipsticks , organic , skincare , vegan

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I imagine in your health consciousness you’ve given up Jell-O as a dessert choice, but you probably have an occasional use for gelatin to thicken jams, jellies and pie fillings. I’m not sure if you ever considered where gelatin comes from, but it’s far from vegan. That nondescript white powder sold as Knox is extracted from the bones, connective tissues and organs of animals. Many people are surprised to learn that something as seemingly innocuous as a gummy bear is not a vegetarian food.

The plant kingdom saves the …

Tags: agar , candy , carrageenan , cooking , dessert , food , gelatin , substitute , vegan , vegetarian

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What do you picture when you think about summer barbeques? If visions of greasy burgers, CO2-emitting charcoal and trash bags filled with disposable plates, napkins and wasted food come to mind, here are some green tips to celebrate this seasonal milestone with respect for Mother Nature.

The centerpiece of any good BBQ is the grill, so invest in an eco-friendly one. What are your greenest options? Gas and charcoal versions both have their drawbacks: gas grills rely on non-renewable resources, while charcoal grills release carbon …

Tags: barbeque , green , grill , guide , howto , lighting , summer , tips , vegan , vegetarian , Verterra

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Listen closely, because this might get confusing. When you buy a pair, you give a pair, and today at EcoSalon you just might win a pair. Got that?

I’ll start again. We’re giving away a TOMS gift card worth $50 toward the purchase of a pair of TOMS shoes.* Leave a comment to be entered.

TOMS Shoes are comfy, co-ed and some of them are vegan. More importantly, the company’s focus is on giving – One for One, to be exact.

For every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS will …

Tags: fashion , giveaway , shoes , vegan

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Just when you thought you’d heard and seen it all, former Playboy Playmate and Baywatch beauty Pamela Anderson has decided to temporarily swap her silicone and Botox ways all in the name of eco-fashion.

No, you heard me right, same sentence, Pamela Anderson and eco-fashion.

Collaborating with 90s punk club kid/actor/singer/designer Richie Rich, Anderson was quoted in People as saying at Richie Rich’s March 27 ROCK Fashion Week runway show (at Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau Resort): “I really don’t like to wear clothes. I would rather go naked. But I …

Tags: Baywatch , eco fashion , pamela anderson , playboy playmate , richie rich , vegan , vivienne westwood

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