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! 

I’ve compiled some of my favorite snacks that will have you passing up candy at the magazine rack and peanuts on the plane.  In most cases, you’ll find that these alternatives are not more expensive than their conventional counterparts.   Bringing healthy snacks is one of the most important things when I travel, because I know its unlikely I’ll find any at the airport, on the plane or soon after I land.  (Although I do map out the closest market or health food store to my hotel before my trip so I can plan to get some things for my stay).  It’s always important for me to plan ahead and shop in advance so I can pack them in my carry-on for easy access when I get the munchies on the plane (or before or after). 

1). Sensible Foods Organic Apple & Cherry Berry packets:

Equal to a 1/2 cup of fresh fruit, these ”crunch-dried” fruit snacks are 100% organic & GMO free and you’ll find nothing in the bag but the fruit….no preservatives, additives, coloring, sugar, gluten….nada!  Because snacks foods are usually laden with high (bad) fat, salt, refined sugar, and empty calories, the makers of Sensible Foods wanted to create an alternative.  So they created a process to extract the water from the fruit and keep all the enzymes and nutrients in tact.  They are delicious!  

2). Eden Foods Roasted Organic Pumpkin Seeds:

Forego the peanuts and munch on these! Just dry-roasted seeds with a bit a sea salt, make a super delicious and ultra nutrious snack.  You’ll get protein, dietary fiber, magnesium, much needed omega-3, 6, and 9 EFAs and 15% of your daily value of zinc per serving.  They also come in a resealable zip top so they don’t spill over over in your bag.  Studies indicate that pumpkin seeds may protect against kidney stones and parasitic disease, and may even help ward off depression.

3). Woodstock Farms Organic Mango slices: 

These are one of my favorite sweet treats!  They’re addicting and a rich source of Vitamin A with good doses of Vitamins B and C.  Mangos have more carotenoids than most other fruits. They’re high in fiber, and contain a small amount of carbohydrates, which the body converts to energy.
 

4). Oskri Organics Sesame Bar:

If you’re craving a candy bar, try one of these instead.  This is a sweet & nutty crunchy treat that will quench your sweet tooth.  You’ll find three thin vegan and kosher bars in a pack; high in fiber, iron, calcium and protein.  But what won’t you find?  Lactose, gluten, refined sugar & simple carbs.   Yum!

5). NOW Raw almonds:

There are so many amazing benefits of almonds.  Studies have shown that consuming almonds may have the same cholesterol-lowering effects as statin drugs.  With just 1.5 ounces you’ll get a great dose of Vitamin E and magnesium along with protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron.  They contain phytochemicals, which are plant chemicals that may provide powerful protection against heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases.  New research claims that almonds may be able to help fight obesity and diabetes.  (I wouldn’t put the whole 1 lb. bag in the carry-on.  Scoop a couple ounces out into a small bag and you’re good to go!). 

Not just for the plane….it’s great to stock up on these for road trips, camping, school lunches or keep a stash in your desk at work 

Bamboo is not a tree. In fact, it is a giant grass. And just like the grass on a lawn, when bamboo is cut it’s root system is unharmed, healthy and regenerative. Best of all, bamboo has the ability to grow to maturity in 4-6 years while hardwoods take decades to achieve maturity. Once cut, most hardwoods are left lifeless. Whereas after bamboo is cut, it is able to grow again and again.

Bamboo makes a great fabric alternative to conventional cotton. Besides being amazingly soft to the touch, bamboo is also naturally anti-microbial, which means the fabric actually prevents bacteria from growing on it, resulting in clothing that remains odor-free longer than other fabrics . . . meaning less trips to the dry cleaner, which is always a major plus for the planet and your wallet!

Bamboo as a fabric is not completely virtuous. The process of converting bamboo into a soft fiber requires harmful chemicals and energy intensive machinery. BUT bamboo growth does not require any pesticides, which in the end makes it a better alternative to conventional cotton.

Bamboo flooring seen here is an excellent alternative to conventional wood flooring, because using bamboo in place of wood prevents further exploitation of world’s already dwindling timber resources.

We all know fathers love appliances and gadgets. With Father’s Day coming up, what better way to thank your dad for . . . well, being your dad . . . than with some hand dandy green gadgets?

One of the best ways to ensure his gadget is green is with the purchase of an Energy Star certified appliance. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy that identifies and promotes efficient products. Those appliances carrying the Energy Star symbol are better not only for the environment, but also your father’s energy bill. According to Energy Star’s website, “Americans, with the help of Energy Star products, saved enough energy in 2006 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars — all while saving $14 billion on their utility bills.” Wow, that’s a pretty convincing statistic!

There are so many places to buy Energy Star products. Shop Green is a great place to start with a solid assortment of Energy Star dishwashers , air conditioners, cordless phones, showerheads, refrigerators, etc. The site picks the best Energy Star products and organizes them in an easy and convenient list so you can scroll by price, brand, or customer rating. Check it out . . . your dad, his energy bill, and the environment will thank you.

I am quite excited to announce that Pottery Barn is offering a collection of bedding, towels, robes and upholstery all made from 100% organic cotton fiber. Yay! This is great news! Not only is the cotton organic but is also certified and regulated by Oeko–Tex, a separate association of ecological textile research, testing and certification. Pottery Barn’s organic cotton is therefore certified as using no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, fragrances or dyes.

With over 198 stores in the US and Canada, Pottery Barn also has an extensive reach. Sourcing certified organic cotton means thousands of pounds of organic cotton purchased—a helpful boost to organic cotton industry—and millions of pounds of pesticides avoided. Yay, Pottery Barn!

Pottery Barn’s efforts to offer a large selection of organic cotton products is notable. Considered the best one-stop-shop for quality house wares and wedding gifts, the brand is a true trend setter in a competitive industry. I hope that Pottery Barn’s move to organic cotton will inspire other large retailers to go green as well.

The organic cotton bedspread pictured here is a beautiful display of graphic botanicals outlined in tone-on-tone contrasting threads. According to Pottery Barn, the flowers are all hand-embroidered too. The pattern repeats on the quilted pillow shams.

I was just thinking, Mother’s Day organic breakfast in bed, doesn’t make sense unless mum is lounging in some luxurious organic bedding. Right?

If you’re indulging mom this Sunday, make sure she is reclining on pure and pesticide-free cotton.
My recommendations:

Janice’s Organic Bedding
I especially like the damask organic pillowcases and sheet sets. The stripe and check patterns are subtle and extremely soft and cozy. Plus they’re completely organic. To boot, they’re processed and preshrunk without the using any toxic bleaches or chemicals. Nice!

West Elm’s Organic Bedding
In addition to organic towels, West Elm also offers organic, dye free 230-thread-count organic cotton bedding. Their certified organic cotton is grown and processed without the use of herbicides or pesticides - making it better for you and better for the planet. They’re also made in USA.

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

Wouldn’t your lover prefer a bouquet of chemical-free roses to a bunch of pesticides?

I know I would.

A great way to show your valentine your appreciation is with a beautiful arrangement of organic and/or fair-trade flowers.

But flowers are just the beginning. To top off the special occasion, put your organic arrangement in a beautiful handmade glass vase. Environmentally minded housewares company, Grandin Road offers hand-blown glass vases that inspire infinite decorating options, and unlike your flowers, these vases will last forever. When your flowers have perished, fill each vase with seashells, potpourri, pebbles, even bits of sea glass. Combine all three vases for an artistic arrangement or separate for a minimalist statement. Whatever you choose, the sculptural glass will always hark back to that special Valentine’s Day surprise.

In addition to bamboo, cork is an excellent alternative to wood flooring. An amazingly versatile, cork” is so flexible, light, and impermeable that it can be used for everything from bottle stoppers to buoys to insulators. Cork is even used in musical instruments!

Cork is completely sustainable and easily recyclable because it comes directly form the outer bark of the cork oak tree. Therefore, it negates the need to cut down trees, allowing trees to continue releasing oxygen.

Cork is especially great for floors because t’s softer and more buoyant than hardwood. Acting as a cushioning pad, it is an excellent choice for those areas—kitchens and workrooms—requiring you stay on your feet.

Roll of cork flooring. Credit: ArtConcepts Store.

Of all the wood flooring choices available, bamboo is considered the most environmentally friendly. Bamboo is not only highly sustainable—a renewable resource that grows with little water—but also using bamboo avoids using the world’s already dwindling timber resources.

Bamboo is not a tree. In fact, it is a giant grass. And just like the grass on a lawn, when bamboo is cut it’s root system is unharmed, healthy and regenerative. Best of all, bamboo has the ability to grow to maturity in 4-6 years while hardwoods take decades to achieve maturity. Once cut, most hardwoods are left lifeless. Whereas after bamboo is cut, it is able to grow again and again.

An image of carbonized bamboo flooring.