First of all, if you don’t laugh when you see or hear this product’s name, Chicken Poop Lip Junk - I have serious doubts about whether you have a sense of humor.  Everything from the name, marketing, web address (www.ilovechickenpoop.com) is hilarious (IMHO, of course!).  There is however one thing the company is actually serious about and its their ingredients - very simple, yet very effective.  Confession: I don’t like this product as a lip balm though - its much too lavender-y for lips.  I’m talking knock-my-organic-socks-off-and-feel-like-I’ve-been-chewing-on-lavender-plants-for-days lip balm - so if you like that kind of thing, go for it!  It is however perfect as an all-purpose and mighty convenient on-the-go stick to heal and/or soothe cuts, scrapes or bug bites (my personal fave).  The twist up tube doesn’t take up any space in my bag or bathroom drawer and its ideal to dab on mosquito bites to take the sting right out.  And the good news?  Its totally affordable at just $2.99 a tube and it is sure to be the topic of many conversations!

I just saw this trailer yesterday and I have to see this!  This looks to be sort of an eco-version of the Super Size Me documentary, yet more funny and entertaining.  (I was mostly just grossed out and horrified by the latter).  “No Impact Man” is an extreme one year project by Colin Beavan and his family, in research of his book.  I love his wife in this trailer - so real and honest and how I’m sure the majority of us would feel if our man came to us and asked us to do such a thing.  It seems a little unbelievable that anyone could have absolutely “no impact” (on the planet) in one year, but I’m sure willing to watch and find out how this family tries to do so.

Colin can be found on his blog, or at Crazy Sexy Life (founded by Kris Carr, subject of the medical journey documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer). 

This past week I’ve been working in West Hollywood and just so happen to be working in the same building as the casting company for TLC’s hit TV show, LA Ink.  While you can’t just walk in and be on the hit TV show (you’ve got to have a cool story, be unique and be selected), you can however walk-in to their ‘real’ tattoo shop High Voltage Tattoo and get one anytime (though it won’t be on camera).  Though I didn’t venture in the shop (there was a long line), I did drive past the yellow building with big red letters (complete with casting crew in headsets outside on the sidewalk) and snapped some pics.

If you’re interested in ‘greening’ your after tattoo care routine (yes, you’ve got to take care of it - afterall it is a wound), look no further than your local health food store (and I found a great one near LA Ink called Erewhon - right next to The Grove).  The keys to keeping your tattoo healthy and healing well are two-fold: 1). Keep it clean and 2). Moisturize.  For both steps, you want to think “simple, gentle and effective”.  To clean, you could do what Eminem does and wash with Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap (the ‘Unscented‘ version would be best for this purpose) and to moisturize you could slather on pure Organic Coconut Oil or the first USDA Certified Organic line designed by tattoo artists, specifically for after tattoo care, called Rose Tattoo Aftercare serum created by tattoo artists:

Rose After Tattoo Care Liquid Serum is USDA Certified Organic and comes in a spray bottle for easy and sanitary application, is 100% vegan and 99.5% organic.

Rose Tattoo After Care Body Balm is USDA Certified Organic, 100% vegan and 97% organic; designed to heal, moisturize and brighten tattoos.  Available in Rose (girly) or Lavender (manly).

Is it just me or does any else notice the blatant, obvious fact that glares at me each time I stroll down the grocery store aisle or flip through a popular glossy?  The term “organic” used to equate with “crunchy” and those who cared about it were typically confined to stereotypes like “granola munchers” or “hippies”.  Now “organic” is just about the trendiest bandwagon that can be jumped on and because of this, for the most part, it has lost it’s true meaning and many consumers believe that ‘organic’ automatically equals ‘healthy’ and others honestly have no idea what ‘organic’ really is, just that it’s somehow better.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that organic cigarettes are not good for you, though savvy marketers know that by slapping this magic word on their label, they will likely increase sales, unfortunately.  The same is true for most organic candy, cakes and cookies.  Many consumers buy because they read “organic” next to candy and think “wow, I can eat as much as I want without the guilt because it’s organic so it must be good for me!”.  I hate to break it to them, but the only different between consuming a whole bag of organic cookies and a whole bag of conventional cookies is that the organic variety contains ingredients that might have been grown without the use of pesticides and fertilizers.  It does not mean that you will gain any less weight or be any healthier than you were before.  ‘Organic’ also doesn’t simply mean ‘natural’, which many buyers get confused about.

So what’s my point?  My point is that if you retain common sense when buying organic, you may just save some money in the process.

1).  Don’t Judge A Book By The Cover:

Don’t take the front of the package at face value.  Marketers are ultra~savvy and know just how to position their product to appeal to the masses.  Don’t forget to flip the product around and peruse the ingredients before tossing it into your cart.  Afterall, why pay premium prices if the contents are not all that different from the conventional variety?!  Know how much organic content it actually contains.  If it contains just one or two organic ingredients so the company can slap the word “organic” on the front label, it’s likely been washed in green (aka greenwashed).

2). Know Why You Buy: 

If you’re comfortable chowing down an entire organic chocolate cake in one sitting, but would never dream of buying conventional apples ~ you may not be interested in healthy eating, you may be a victim of trendy eating.  The most important thing is to be conscious of your decisions and explore your options.  Using a product just because your mom did or your mom’s mom did, doesn’t mean it’s the best or the most healthy.  Ask questions, read ingredients, do your homework, know what’s toxic and unhealthy…don’t do it because it’s just always been done that way, because you don’t have to ~ you have options and resources to discover more information than our mom or our mom’s mom did.

3). Learn To Spot The Seal:

The USDA seal that is.  This is a symbol to indicate that the product has been approved and verified as containing certified organic ingredients by the Unitied States Department of Agriculture, most specifically their National Organic Program.  It the product name or description contains the word “organic”, there is no way to really be sure unless you see this seal on the label.

4). Buy Store Brand Organic & Save: 

In my neck of the woods, I have access to a big box Superstore, which is a huge, and an oftentimes overwhelming place that I can find apples, car batteries and dishes all in the same place.  Make no mistake, it is a mega~store, but it does contain an organic gem amongst all the stuff…lower organic food prices.  Oftentimes I find organic produce at the exact price (or sometimes lower) as the conventional varieties and packaged or canned organic food in the store’s brand is definitely comparable in terms of price.  Find out if your store has their own organic brand (that has the USDA seal) and you could save big time!

5). Can’t afford organic? Buy local & healthy:

If you just don’t have the funds to splurge on the organic version, buy local and healthy (i.e. produce).  After all, the reason we should want to buy, eat and support organic is to be more healthy and support the reduction of toxins in our body and environment.  I believe ‘organic’ to be the most healthy option in terms of produce and most food, but sometimes the cost is double or triple that of the conventional variety and it can be difficult to justify that cost.  Visit your local farmer’s market, shop at health food stores, always keep your eyes open for sales or consider joining a produce Co~op.  Consume lots of vegetables and fruit, organic or not, and think twice about splurging on organic treats if you’re interested in health and/or weight.  If you cut back on all the junk food (organic or not), you’ll likely be able to afford to spend more on whole organic food and/or products.

6). Know The Code:

Have you ever wondered what the little stickers on produce represent or why they are there?  There is actually a purpose other than annoying you while you try to peel them off without leaving any adhesive behind.  I learned the little secret from Sophia Uliano, author of best selling book, Gorgeously Green.  Bottom line, if it’s fine (organic), it has a nine.  Codes that are 5 digits and begin with’9′ are organic and have not been genetically~modified.

So what about you?  Have you found creative ways to save when buying organic, do you think its important to always buy organic or do you pick and choose, or are you on the other side of the fense and think it’s all hype???

Photo credit: Nutrition & Food blog

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!

Famously known for her booty~shooting party girl persona in movies like her breakout film, The Mask and There’s Something About Mary, those images are replaced with elegance and sheer beauty in this month’s issue of VOGUE.  The twelve page spread highlights Cameron Diaz’s sun~kissed lean body and beaming smile while she sports sustainable fashion brands like Hessnatur and Del Forte denim.  I really didn’t know she was a green girl, but apparently she isn’t one to shout it from rooftops, it was just how she was raised and it comes naturally to her.  Take a look at the trailer for her new environmental documentary in which she travels around the country interviewing everyday people about environmental issues.  Marie Claire Editor tagged along on this roadtrip and shares about it here.  Diaz also shares her favorite green websites here. 

Now that one of sugarholics favorite holiday is behind us, you may be wondering how exactly to go about losing some of the extra baggage accrued over the last few months.  Blame it on the weather, holidays, economy or stress - but ready or not, here comes bathing suit season.

With so many trends, theories and infomercials, its hard to know where to start, where to spend your money and what is really going to give you results.  Afterall, you want something that isn’t going to:

1). Cost a ton.

2). Be boring.

3). Require a lot of time.

I have been on many a detox diet, but the one that resonated very loudly for me (and apparently Halle Berry) is called The Fat Flush Plan.  I had been following it on and off for a few years but decided to take the book’s exercise recommendation seriously and buy a ReboundAir Half Fold Rebounder when I finally got serious about losing weight about a year ago.  So what is a “rebounder” you may ask.  It’s a mini trampoline.  Yes, you jump up and down, up and down and bounce off fat.  Yes, yes you do.  Sounds too easy right?  It is.  Its up to you to make it as difficult or as easy as you want to but almost everyone can benefit from just 15 minutes per day and you’ll likely see fast results with 30-45 minutes per day.  (And it can be broken up into 15 minute manageable sessions too). 

Some benefits:

a). Uses no electricity (unlike a treadmill).

b). Easily folds and slides into a closet or under the bed.

c). Easy on joints.

d). Stimulates your lymphatic system.

e).  Lifetime warranty.

I know from personal experience that jumping on my own rebounder for 30 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week yielded a noticeable difference in the way my clothes fit and my muscles looked and felt (in fact I lost a few sizes).  I feel stronger, have more energy and I really did feel as though the fat was melting off my body.  Of course I was also eating well, but that won’t necessarily leave you toned.  After a few months I also incorporated hand weights and practiced boxing like moves while jumping to tone my upper body. 

Need more proof?  Check out what N.A.S.A. has to say about it here. 

Obviously the greenest choice would be to get outside and exercise, but let’s face it - not all of us have that luxury (or desire) when there’s two feet of snow on the group or in the miserably hot humid months of summer.  Save gas going to the gym and save electricity by not having to plug this in!  Its a bit of a chunk of change up front but knowing all the benefits, coming with a lifetime warranty and being much cheaper than a treadmill….I was sold and I’d say its one of the best purchases I’ve made.   

Marie Claire:

Although Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi is the new face of Pantene, in Beauty Snoop she shares a couple of her favorite natural beauty treatments:

Desert Essence Jojoba Oil: “To fight flakes, I microwave a cup of this and massage it into my scalp.  My grandmother used to do it on the stove.”

Honey: “I’m big on natural treatments, I slather this on.  Honey is great for pulling impurities from pores.”

Lucky Magazine:

In the Hair Report, Stylist Jessica de Ruiter can’t live without:  

John Masters shampoo & condition: “Even though the shampoo’s free of sodium lauryl sulfate (the chemical that makes stuff lather and can also strip hair), it still manages to be soapy/foamy and really get my hair clean.  The conditioner is one of the best detanglers ever, yet it doesn’t weight my hair down.  Plus the scent is divine, and the sleek, minimalist bottles look good in my bathroom.  I could go on and on…”

 In the article “Secret Ingredient: Goji Berry”…

Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea Facial Mask: “This multitasking treatment detoxes, deep cleans, and exfoliates, leaving your skin distinctly brighter and clearer.”

InStyle Magazine

Star of the TV show Big Love and the new movie, He’s Just Not That Into You, Ginnifer Goodwin shares that her signature scent is Weleda’s Wild Rose body oil.  “It’s sexy, musky and subtle”. 

Love Your Lashes article sited Physician’s Formula Organic Wear’s new mascara the best green pick.  “Best for sensitive eyes.  Instead of synthetic ingredients, this formula relies on organic beeswax and natural pigment to deliver length and thickness without irritation.”  (I went straight to Walgreens to see if it was in stock yet.  It wasn’t but you can be sure I’ll be checking back and putting it to the test). 

Domino (so sad to see it go)

In A Cheater’s Guide To A Tidy Home, I spotted two great beauty buys in the home of interior designer Ryan Korban:

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm: spotted in ashtray with keys and coins

Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner: Back of toilet in mirrored tray

This futurist high elevation retreat resembles a drop of mercury and distinctively reminds me of what locals call “The Bean” in Chicago’s Millenium Park (aka Cloud Gate).  Tourists stare into the mysterious art piece, take fun photos and throw their hats up into the hollow center.  No doubt Ross Lovegrove’s new project will be a work of modern art, but may also serve as a high elevation getaway.   Scheduled to begin construction in Italy in 2010, this pod will be solar & wind-turbine powered and is designed with a double glass exterior covered with a special reflective coating, completed transparent from the inside allowing guests a 360 degree view of their natural surroundings while cozy and warm, including enjoying a starlit sky in the comfort of bed. 

Do you think this distracts from the natural beauty of the landscape or do you think its a great idea to be able to enjoy it more fully whilst keeping warm?  

 {Via Inhabitat}

I’m not one who finds beauty in typical graffiti.  In fact, I mentally roll my eyes a little when its plastered on the outside of a perfectly good building, structure or train.  In my opinion, graffiti = boredom.

I make an exception for this though.  I love the inspiration behind it and I’m drawn to the way it looks on concrete in the midst of dried spray paint.  It brings beauty to the ugliness and makes me smile. So why does sustainable design team, Anna Garforth and Elly Stevens write in moss around the city?

 In their own words:

“It seems as if writing with moss, represents an unusual synthesis between advanced civilization and nature.  It is a chance for us to speak as individuals and artists, but also to be the spokesperson of organisms which have no voice in our world. We hope that not only the words will be noticed, but also the moss itself, put to the forefront through it’s sculpting, fashioned into a form we can understand.

We ask people to nourish each other, and nourish the ecosystem we inhabit.”

What do you think?  Fab or funky?