Until now, there hasn’t been a channel dedicated to all things green & eco-friendly.  In collaberation with TreeHugger.com, Discovery launched Planet Green one month ago on June 4th.  On the air 24/7, you’ll find a wide variety of shows to help inspire you to live more consciously.  Offering a broad range of perspectives and ideas, all backgrounds and ages will be able to find something appealing.  

No matter what shade of green you are, learn how to reduce your carbon footprint on Wa$ted, follow the residents of Greensburg as they rebuild their town that was completely destroyed by a deadly tornado and how they are implementing eco-friendly design into their plans.  If you’re a bit (or a lot) star-struck, check out Hollywood Green as host Maria Menounos reports on how the stars are going green.  On location at Whole Foods Market, watch Emeril Lagasse whip up some healthy meals with local and organic foods on Emeril Green.  Hosted by Tom Bergeon (Dancing with the Stars host), each week Supper Club features a celebrity chef who cooks up a green meal for four green celebrity guests while they discuss latest happenings and controversies in the green movement.  If you’re into home design and renovation, tune into Renovation Nation, Greenovate or World’s Greenest Homes for some great inspiration and ideas. 

 To find out what channel it’s on in your area, click here. 

You have just one more week to prep for your 4th of July celebration…that day where family & friends gather together, eat too much food, play games or maybe just relax at the pool, park or beach in anticipation of the grand display later in the evening.  Lighting really sets the mood when you’re throwing a bash and what better way than to use the sun to power it; not to mention you won’t have to worry about the candles going out or unnecessarily using power to shed some light on your evening.  With a full charge these cool weather resistent, cordless, flame-resistent shoji lanterns will illuminate for 6-8 hours.  If you want to keep them up all summer, they have an automatic day/night sensor so when nightfall arrives, they’ll automatically turn on (or you have the option of manually turning them on or off).  They’re collapsible for easy storage and this set of three also comes in red, white & blue! 

Any golf enthusiast will tell you that golf is the true sport of father’s day. As the game spans time, space and challenging circumstances, it inevitably generates a bond between players. So take your father for a bonding day on the course . . . as said in an article in Golf Digest, “In an era in which the family unit is being kidnapped by forces ranging from the 60-hour work week to the PlayStation, it is the golfer who still has the greatest capacity to celebrate Father’s Day.”

A great way to introduce a day of golf is with breakfast in bed and a small gift of Nike’s recycled golf balls wrapped up with a handmade card that says, “lets go golfing today.” He’ll love it.

Many major sports companies are now offering recycled alternatives to their best-selling products. Titleist offers “previously played” Recycled Pro-V1 36 Pack Golf Balls. does too. All are durable and designed for distance and performance. You can even get them with a soft blue core for more spin Hex Aerodynamics construction.

Give the ball that’s best for his game. Happy golfing!

The Common Threads Garment Recycling program is a fantastic success and has received worldwide recognition, inspiring other companies to do the same and make use out of discarded goods. I encourage you to donate your old, worn-out garments. It’s easy, just wash items first and pop them in the mail to:

Patagonia Service Center
ATTN: Common Threads Recycling Program
8550 White Fir Street
Reno, NV 89523-8939

If you live near a Patagonia Retail Store then drop them off directly–ideally, while you’re running other errands, to reduce environmental impact.

The Common Threads Program accepts:
- Patagonia fleece (including Synchilla® and Regulator® insulation)
- Polartec® fleece from other manufacturers
- Capilene baselayers
- Patagonia cotton T-shirts

Please note buttons, zippers and snaps do not need to be removed in advance. They come off in the recycling process.

This spring, thousands of unwanted bunnies will fill America’s local animal shelters, humane societies and sometimes—far worse—dumpsters. How so?

Every Easter, well-meaning but uninformed individuals cave to the cuteness temptation and buy baby bunnies for Easter. Most often these bunnies are given as gifts to young children, while other baby rabbits serve as novelty flair for an Easter party or special event. After the adorableness has worn off, however, these new pets are no longer wanted or needed.

According to the ASPCA, rabbits are the third most-euthanized animals in U.S. shelters after cats and dogs. Unless you’re in it for the long haul and know how to take care of one, please, don’t put a live bunny in your Easter basket! Leave little Peter Cottontail be . . .

Under the Nile’s stuffed bunny is a better choice this Easter.

Some animal lovers will use any and every opportunity to spoil their precious pets. Easter is no exception. If you choose to include Fido in the Easter festivities then consider an organic and phthalate free toy.

Organic cotton, natural rubber or latex soft toys provide a non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternative to the typical phthalate-rich dog toy.

I like these adorable Organic Stretchy Plush Dog Toys for Easter. They are especially great for the dog that loves tug-o-war. Each toy is safe, non-toxic and made of all natural organic fabric with a pure water organic dye process using natural extracts from plants and minerals. The fabric is naturally softer than regular cotton! Saliva resistant.

For Easter choose from the adorable selection, or go for the traditional “Lucy the Bunny” (pictured below).

Easter isn’t Easter without chocolate (yes, I’m an addict).
Delicious Easter chocolate comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether in the form of a mini-egg, hollowed out bunny or pastel-colored bon bon there’s plenty to choose from. Just make sure you indulge responsibly.

As most of us know, chocolate comes from the cocoa bean, a crop harvested in some of the most economically and environmentally disadvantaged parts of the third world. Many cocoa plantation regions lack child labor laws and reliable environmental policy.

This Easter, nix those awful waxy chocolate eggs. Instead, surprise the kids with an Easter egg hunt choc-full of delicious and responsibly harvested chocolates. By opting for organic and/or fair trade certified chocolates you’ll be supporting farms that treat their workers and the planet well.

Hop to! Easter arrives early this year (March 23) and as we all know it’s never too early to start preparing. If you celebrate the holiday consider greener, yet equally festive, options such as Organic Calla Lillies, Organic Cotton Bunny Stuffed Animals, Domestic or Local Wines.

Of course, much about Easter has become commercialized, mass produced and therefore rough on the environment. It is important to remember Easter’s original message and spirit. That being said, however, one shouldn’t feel quilted into a sparse, if not disheartening, observance.

As some items (chocolate, chocolate, wine, chocolate) are necessity, it’s best to partake, but keep it simple. For requirements (eggs, for example) support organic and local farms, rather than mass-produced agri-factories. For toys and Easter bunny stuffed animals source from responsible companies that use organic cottons and natural dyes. Choose chocolate candies that are organic, fair trade, and not wrapped in thick plastic eggs.

Stay tuned for all the Easter eco-alternatives. More tomorrow.

How could I talk about Valentine’s Day without mentioning chocolate. Perhaps my favorite thing in the world. In case you haven’t noticed, I am an absolute chocolate fanatic. But, lets not forget that like coffee, chocolate comes from the cocoa bean, a crop harvested in some of the most economically disadvantaged regions of the world. Many of these regions lack sound labor laws and environmental policy.

For Valentine’s Day make sure you give your “sweetie” chocolates that are not only delicious but also responsibly produced. These organic hand-crafted and tea infused artisan chocolates from the Tea Room will do just the trick. They are delicious, organic and handmade locally in Napa valley. With 16 in a box you’ll be sure to get your fix.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful bouquet of roses or tulips for Valentines Day? They’re so beautiful—well, at first. Then, after only a few days, they dry up and droop down. This Valentine’s Day, rather than giving a gift that wilts, why not give a gift that grows over time? A symbol of your love . . . (hah, so cheesy).

A little planter pot of flowers or herbs will provide fresh scents, beauty, and enjoyment use for ages—truly the gift that keeps on giving. The best part is that homegrown flowers and plants cut back on your carbon footprint. By going local—and what could be more local than your own windowsill—you’re avoiding purchasing foreign flowers that come with hefty carbon emissions generated from transportation and shipping.

Ensure your plants and flowers last until next Valentines Day by keeping them well fed and healthy with Bonide’s Organic Plant Food.

 photo courtesy of fothergills.co.uk