Alex and Ani Jewelry is becoming quite the media darling, and for good reason.  This unique brand creates pieces made from recycled material and aims to inspire the one who wears it.  Owner and Designer, Carolyn Rafaelian believes it is her calling in life to inspire others to relish what is unique and authentic about themselves.  This bohemian chic collection is made from recycled materials in the U.S., and has been spotted on many celebrities as of late:

Jessica Simpson likes to wear two sets of bangles together n stage, one gold, one silver.

Proving the pieces can be dressed up or down, Vanessa Hudgens wears Alex and Ani bangles with jeans (above) and was recently spotted at the MTV Music Awards sporting the expanding wire bangle set (below).

Seventeen Magazine just featured Miley Cyrus wearing hers to a trip to a smoothie bar.

Photo Credits: 

www.Styleholics.com

www.Seventeen.com

With the 4th of July quickly approaching, there are some things to consider if you are hosting a holiday bash. While it may be impossible to make your celebration 100% eco-friendly this year, you can definitely make an impact with just a few simple changes to the way you eat on Independence Day. Here are some tips to lighten your footprint this 4th of July:

1.) Serve organic food. This is one simple and delicious way to “spruce up” your celebration. Here are some wonderful recipes that reduce carbon emissions (when you buy local, organic foods) while adding a healthy spin on normal Independence Day eating:

• Organic Blueberry Cobbler from Whole Foods Market or
• Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie from The Daily Green

2.) Buy local and/or organic beer or better yet - make your own organic beverages like the recipe below:

Lemonade+Mint Iced Tea Recipe:

3.) Ask Guests to bring their own cups (or better yet…their own reusable bottle!)

4.) Use washable tableware if possible, or buy recycled plates and silverware. Always recycle when you can.

Most of all - have a safe, fun and thankful celebration of our Independence Day!

By now it’s likely you’ve heard that the average woman will consume 6 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime and that’s precisely why it’s important to be aware of what we put on our lips, because chances are we will be consuming at least some of it after application.  Check your favorite brand and pay special attention to ingredients like “Lake colors, FD&C and D&C” which can contain lead and be toxic to the central nervous system. 

 Perfect Organics Lip & Cheek Shimmer in Faz is a perfect pink color for summer.  It’s more like a tinted lip balm with a bit a shine and the right amount of color.  Summer is all about “barely~there” makeup and this is a must have addition to your minimal makeup bag.  It smells/tastes like mint and vanilla and is made with certified organic vegan ingredients and completely edible (not that I recommend it).   

I was recently informed that my sister will be needing a C-section delivery in order to welcome her little girl into the world safely. Fortunately, I will be there in the hospital as she recovers from this routinely performed, but major abdominal surgery. I know that the recovery process from this type of birth can be tricky, both emotionally and physically and I am so glad to have found one extraordinary gift to help her through welcome her little one into the world while she lets herself heal.

Earth Mama Angel Baby has been on the top of my favorite companies list for a while now and I love giving their gift baskets as presents to expectant moms that I know and love. The C-Section Recovery Kit is perfect for healing mind and body and includes a recovery audio CD, C-Mama Healing Salve, a comforting tea and an aromatherapy mist to lift mama’s spirits. A percentage of the proceeds of each C-Section Recovery Kit will go to ICAN (International Cesarian Awareness Network) which helps inform women to make educated choices about a C-Section birth.

Every product made by this wonderful company is completely pure, organic, non-toxic, cruelty free, Vegan and made with the health of both mama and baby in mind. I can’t say enough good things about them and their conscientious approach to pregnancy and birth issues. If you are looking for a way to support a pregnant or postpartum woman in your life, trust me when I say you don’t have to look any further than Earth Mama Angel Baby for that perfect gift - no matter what the circumstances may be.

Anyone who has stood in a checkout aisle in a grocery store knows that the options for chewing gum are impressive. Not only can we pick what flavor we want, but we can pick if we want sugar-free, with flavor crystals or without, long-lasting or, well, short-lasting I suppose.  Unfortunately, the options for a chewing gum that won’t contribute to tooth decay and that don’t contain questionable ingredients are hard to come by. Thanks to Xclear Spry Chewing Gum - the options are growing.

Extensive research has been done on the effects of xylitol in relation to preventing tooth decay and it has been proven over several years to have a significant effect on the reduction of plaque-causing bacteria. Other countries have relied on xylitol not only for their oral hygiene needs but as a substitute for sugar in foods. Still, here in the U.S. we usually have to go to our health food store to find this sugar substitute in products. In study after study, regular use of xylitol gum or toothpaste has been shown to inhibit the growth of plaque and yeast in the mouth.

Although it is hard to come by, Spry Gum is popular amongst dental professionals and health nuts alike. Those in the dental profession love it because they have seen first hand how it’s use has saved both adults and children from tooth decay. Those concerned with their overall health love it because it is a natural substance that doesn’t raise blood sugar levels and reduces bacteria and yeast in the body. Spry gum is said to have long-lasting flavor and reminds some of Chiclets from back in the day because of it’s crunchy outer coating. Each tub of gum contains 100 pieces of gum so it will last quite a long time. With xylitol’s ability to freshen breath while simultaneously fighting tooth decay - you can now multi-task even while chewing your gum!

Giving coffee the boot is easier said than done. While I have never been one to drink coffee on a regular basis, I know that for many people it is something they cannot live without. Instead of suffering through the headaches, loss of attention, lethargy and lack of something warm in their hand - many people stick with their habit out of necessity.

While many experts debate the health benefits and concerns of a coffee, some drinkers would rather not have an addiction to anything - no matter what it is. If you’re a coffee-holic who would rather give up the habit but don’t know how to make it happen - Yerba Mate‘ may just be your ticket. It gives you an energy boost that rivals coffee’s, but instead of giving you the classic “crash” in the afternoon, it sustains throughout the day. It is not addictive like coffee and won’t cause withdrawal headaches if you skip a cup in the morning. Another great perk of Yerba Mate’ - no coffee breath! If you’re thinking of making the switch, or just want to try something new - make yourself a Mate’ Latte and discover the difference!

Kashi makes several products that always seem to be on my grocery list and these bars are no exception.  These crunchy bars are baked with whole flaxseeds and roasted pumpkin seeds and have the perfect amount of sweet and spice.  These do remind me of the tastes and smells of Fall, more than summer, but from where I sit the weather is acting much like Fall and not so much like Summer.  These are a healthier snacking alternative any time of year and much better than reaching for a candy bar.  These are less processed than most with absolutely no artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives and you won’t find a trans~fat or high fructose corn syrup in any of Kashi’s products.   

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in beautiful La Jolla, California, Kashi’s mission is to provide great tasting, all~natural foods that allows people to maintain their health, wellness and weight management goals.  I can definitely get on board with that mission!  Another of my Kashi faves includes their Kashi Seven Whole Grain Puffs.  A bowl of this with ice cold Almond Milk poured on top is one of my favorite quick breakfasts or afternoon snack. 

Summer is all about sunshine, and with summer sunshine comes heat and with heat comes rapid dehydration. Most people know that drinking plenty of pure water is the best way to stay hydrated, but doing so sometimes comes at the cost of using plastic water bottles to carry with us throughout the day. There is a better way!

I have been using Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottles for a while now and I am officially a Kanteen convert. They are sturdy, eco-friendly, BPA-free, non-leaching, insulating and convenient. Stainless Steel and aluminum water bottles can be found in many mainstream stores nowadays, from Old Navy to the chain grocery store - I’ve seen them everywhere. However, not all non-plastic water bottles are created equal, so - as always - it’s important to be an informed consumer.

I chose stainless steel because I feel that it’s generally a safer material than aluminum for containing beverages. The stainless steel (18/8) used in Klean Kanteen bottles makes them extremely rugged so they will stand up to years and years of wear with little upkeep. This makes the initial investment a little easier to swallow (no pun intended.) If you haven’t yet made the switch to a non-plastic, non-leaching water bottle to contain your family’s hydration needs - there is no better time than this summer! Now…go drink your water.

No matter if you live on a coastline or live smack-dab in the middle of the country - you are bound to seek out time in or by the water this summer. One memorable part of growing up near the Pacific Ocean for me was the frequent trips to the nearby beach. We would play tag with the waves, find sea shells and make sand castles for hours on end. Here we are, several (I won’t mention how many) years later and kids are still finding the same great joy in creating works of art out of sand and water. Thanks to Green Toys, Inc. - parents can now offer their little beach bums a better, more eco-friendly choice for creating their masterpieces.

This Sand Play Set is made from milk containers that have been recycled into HDPE which is considered to be one of the safest plastics available. This adorable little set includes a bucket with a rope handle, sand castle mold, a shovel and a rake - everything you need to make one impressive fortress on the shore or in the sandbox.  Unlike chincy plastic beach toys you might find at the local drugstore, this set is sure to last for years and years so you don’t have to replace them every summer. Green Toys are completely BPA and Phthalate-free, rigorously tested for safety and sustainability and made in the U.S.A. to help reduce greenhouse gases from overseas transportation. To top it all off, every Green Toy comes in a 100% recyclable package with nothing extra and unnecessary. From start to finish - this is a company that cares about our world as equally as our children. So go pack up the car (or the bike) - it’s time to hit the beach!

C&C California was created by two women who grew up on the beaches of Southern California during the 70s.  Cultural icons of that era, Raquel Welch, Jacqueline Kennedy and Natalie Wood, inspired the brand as well the entrepreneurs mutual love of colors, styles and comfort of that decade.  The initial collection was designed to embody “California Chic”, easy, casual and comfortable pieces and now, years later the brand has expanded beyond tees to include sweaters, dresses, bottoms, sportswear, loungewear and organic cotton pieces. 

 I purchased this organic cotton terry top made by C&C California about a month ago and it’s one of the most comfortable things I own!  Made of organic cotton, this feels just like your coziest sweatshirt (this terry fabric is more thin than typical sweatshirt fabric) but is such a versatile piece for summer evenings or overcast June gloom days.  I love the pockets on the side, but you wouldn’t want to carry heavy items such as keys since that would make the shirt bulge a bit.  Lip balm or hands are more suitable things to put in these pockets.  This is fitted on the top with non~clinging, fairly roomy fabric on the bottom that would look just as good with sweatpants as it would with a cute pair of organic jeans.  And it was fun to find the hang tag made from recycled paper contains flower seeds, so it can be planted and will grow flowers.

 Sale Alert: This top is 40% off for a limited time!  Click here to check out the sale