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). 

Two days ago Starbucks confirmed that by the end of this month, they plan to nix high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes and colors from their bakery menu items.  With a new target market in mind, the health conscious consumer, they’ll also offer more salad selections.  The transition has been gradual, most recently adding healthier alternatives like oatmeal for breakfast.  With this announcement, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll ever go organic.  And I’m not alone; the Organic Consumer Association has been calling on Starbucks to make the change for years.  They even have a sample script online for consumers who want to call and urge the chain to make such changes. 

One month ago, Starbucks launched their new ”No Compromises Coffee Values” campaign in response to McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts cheaper coffee offerings and loss of sales due to consumers counting pennies.  The campaign urges consumers to consider the quality of Starbucks coffee and how they treat their workers.  I say, if they really want to make a difference, it’s time for them to consider sourcing organically grown and fairly traded beans.  Afterall, the peddler and purveyor of all things coffee revolutionalized how and where people enjoy coffee.  Starbucks could have a big impact on the industry and truly set themselves apart from their competition while substantially  contributing towards the reduction of pesticides used on conventionally grown coffee beans, which is apparently one of the most heavily sprayed crops (up there with cotton).

If you’re trying to save money by brewing your own at home and won’t settle than anything less than organic, Newman’s Own Organics Coffee or Green Mountain Fair Trade Organic Coffee are great choices. 

Image credit: Keija on flickr

“John Masters Organics grew out of my desire to create a luxuy beauty line that treats the earth with respect.  The result is the culmination of the hard work performed by people all over the world.  Their dedication to growing and harvesting organic and wild-crafted ingredients is honored at John Masters Organics.”

-John Masters, part basement alchemist, part organic innovator

Over 20 years ago, John Masters began mixing essential oils and herbs in his kitchen.  Today his salon caters to some of the most green celebs in the first and only clean air salon in New York City.  His product lineup consists of 30 luxury organic products for hair and skin for human and even pets and most recently Treehugger nominated his haircare in their first annual ‘Best Of Green’ Awards. 

Some of my personal favorites include John Masters Organic Rosemary + Peppermint Shampoo; it has a gentle foam and invigorating aroma. My hair is left feeling clean and scalp a bit tingly.  Follow up with the Rosemary + Peppermint Detangler for smooth strands and easy styling. 

A few weeks ago, the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics released a new report unveiling some ingredient no-nos found in baby and children skin care products - ones you’ve undoubtedly heard of and ones you may even have in your bathroom at this very moment.  82% of the products tested by Environmental Working Group contained formaldehyde, 67% contained 1,4-dioxane and 61% of the children’s bath products tested for this report contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane - known carcinogens. So what’s the big deal?  The big deal is that formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane were found in products that do not list these ingredients on the label, so even the most diligent label-reading parent would not be able to find them because they are bi-products of other ingredients.  According to the report “using a contaminated product once is unlikely to cause harm.  But these products often contain other harmful chemicals that, when used repeatedly and in combination with numerous other products, can add up to harm.”Just because a product has been around since you were a child doesn’t mean it’s safe. See how your bathtime products rate in the No More Toxic Tub report.Looking for some safe, natural and/or organic alternatives?  Check out:Earth Mama Angel Baby Shampoo & Body WashCalifornia Baby Shampoo & Body Wash  Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash  

For the last 100 years consumers have trusted the Good Housekeeping Seal Of Approval when making purchases and now they’re following consumer demand by introducing a new Green Seal of Approval to help clear up rampant confusion.  GH has partnered with Santa Barbara, California-based consultancy firm Brown & Wilmanns Environmental to develop its green criteria.  “Determining what products get the green thumbs-up will include evaluating its health value and toxicity”, said Michael Brown, of Brown and Wilmanns.

“We want people to be able to see how we arrived at the decisions. Not every green advocate will be happy, but we’ve bent over backward,” Ellis said.  Jordana Gustafson, Editor at SustainLane.com says “no matter the timing, the Good Housekeeping brand name alone will give consumers confidence to trust that what they’re buying is environmentally friendly”. 

Tomorrow when the April issue hits newsstands Editor-In-Chief Rosemary Ellis will announce the additional of their Green Seal to the already trusted standard Good Housekeeping Seal Of Approval found on 5000 products to date.  “Marketers were slapping a lot of words on products sometimes legitimately, no doubt, sometimes not so legitimately,” Ellis said, ticking off labels like “natural” and “organic.”  “It just became clear consumers were confused and frustrated,” she said.

“None of them, I would say, has been able to cut a wide swath,” Ellis said. “That’s one reason we think Good Housekeeping is an ideal entity to do this. I think a lot of readers will say, ‘What took you so long?’” ”From a business point of view we have a lot on the line and from a trust point of view we have even more on the line,” Ellis said. “But if something has the Good Housekeeping seal, whether it’s an expensive or inexpensive product, you know you’re getting your money’s worth.”

Products already granted the standard Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval can now ask to be evaluated for the Green Seal.  The green seal has the same sleek look as the original Good Housekeeping Seal, but is a dark green color and has leaves on either side.  Determining what products get the green thumbs-up will include evaluating its health value and toxicity, said Michael Brown, of Brown and Wilmanns.

“It’s a combination of looking at the materials that go into the product, aspects of waste, energy use, water use and certainly the potential health impacts associated with the product,” said Brown, whose firm will train Good Housekeeping researchers to test products against the decided green criteria.

Image credit: www.GoodHousekeeping.com

It’s disconcerting and no surprise that chemical plants are terrorist targets, but the BIG question is why isn’t the fact that at least one of the “101 Most Dangerous Chemical Facilities in the U.S.” producing ”laundry and household cleaners, hair care products, toothpaste, deodorants, shave creams and gels, foot sprays, contraceptive foams, hand sanitizers and other products” worthy of front page news and primetime television?  According to this article, this facility alone has the potential to harm up to as many as 1 million people if it were the victim of an attack.  But let’s think for a moment about the 1 million people it has probably already harmed with the products they produce and the 1 million people they will harm in the future; not to mention that its undoubtedly a huge environmental polluter. 

If you’re not already a savvy label reader, now is the time to become a conscious consumer. Make a difference.  Vote with your dollars.