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.

Of all places I didn’t expect to find an organic herb garden at Bath & Body Works, but voila!  I did.  If you’re like me and not feeling very ambitious about tending to your own full fledged organic garden, how about a mini version?  That’s what I was on the hunt for and this kit fits the bill.  It could also be great as a housewarming gift or for the gardener or chef in your life.  I love using fresh herbs to cook with and this is a very convenient and affordable way to do just that. 

This recycled steel pail is packed with all you’ll need to grow your very own organic basil, parsley and garlic chives and can be used inside or out.  The Organic Kitchen Herb Kit comes with:  

~Complete instruction

~Organic seeds + soil

~Organic ricehulls as drainage

~Gardening gloves

If you’re struggling with the embarrasment of acne and want to avoid over or under the counter pharmaceuticals to treats a case of the bumps, look no further than your health food store.  Two foods that have garnished some big praise when it comes to blemish-busting includes:

1). Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar:

There is a good chance you won’t find this in your conventional grocery store and don’t be fooled by the apple cider vinegar next to the white vinegar in the dressing aisle.  The type you are looking for is organic and unfiltered and the kind that contains “mother” (cloudy, spiderweb looking particles at the bottom of it - I know, how appetizing - but it’s totally natural, a part of the fermentation process made from apples).  Apple cider vinegar or ACV is in my opinion, a miracle food.  The ailments it can heal never cease to amaze me.  ACV acts sort of like vacuum and has the ability to pull toxins out and flush them out of the body.  It is highly cleansing, both inside and out.  You can use it to make your own household cleaners and you can drink it to clean your insides.  If you are looking for more energy and clearer skin, start by mixing 1 teaspoon per day in 8 ounces of water (with up to 1 teaspoon of organic honey if you are unable to take it alone) and gradually work your way up to 1 tablespoon per day.  You’ll likely be surprised at no only how clear your skin is looking, but how much more energy you have. 

 2). Barlean’s Flax Seeds and Flax Seed Oil:

Barlean’s makes my favorite brand of flax seed oil.  I use it in fruit smoothies or to drizzle on sprouted grain bread before I sprinkle with cinnamon.  Flax seeds come with a wealth of health benefits including hormone-balancing, skin-clearing and mood-regulating properties.  Barlean’s 100% USDA certified organic flax seed are fresh-pressed and air shipped to ensure you are getting the most benefit and it’s also the only flax seed oil to contain a “freshness dated” stamp on the label.  Many users have reported a significant difference in facial acne and blemishes after consuming flax seeds after approximately two weeks. 

These Taklon brushes are completely soft and makeup glides on oh-so-smoothly with them.  I had to buy these myself to see what all the fuss was about since they’ve received rave reviews from natural to conventional beauties alike.   I’m absolutely loving the long (sustainable) bamboo handles and the totally affordable price tag!  Plus 1% of annual EcoTools sales is donated to 1% For The Planet. I’m currently using the blush brush and eyeshadow brush to apply my latest favorite mineral makeup (free of talc and bismuth oxychloride).  Pick both of them up for less than $20 and see for yourself.  Gentle on your skin and your wallet! 

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.

Hi there!

My name is Stancie and I’m thrilled to be the newest addition to the ShopGreen blog. How exciting that one year ago this month PriceGrabber decided to group “green” products together and I’m joining the team on ShopGreen’s anniversary!

I’m of the mindset that we can and should work towards being ‘conscious consumers’. We owe it to ourselves to take a step further and be aware of the impact of our decisions. “Sustainability”, “carbon offsets”, and “lighter footprints” have all been gracing the covers of magazines and news headlines, but what do they really mean and how do they apply to your busy daily life? My goal is to bring an element of simplicity in order to decode “green” messages being hurled your way. To learn a bit more about me, visit our Meet The Writers page. I very much look forward to sharing my latest and greatest organic and eco-friendly finds with you! And please feel free to say hello or comment. I’d love to hear from you and welcome your feedback!

And just in case you’re wondering, my Dad’s name isn’t “Stan” and my Mom’s name isn’t “Nancy”…the number one question asked of me.

Standard wool has scales that make it itchy and coarse and cause it to shrink. To reduce the scales and itchiness, most manufacturers treat their whole with chlorine. But chlorine is a pollutant.

To avoid the environmental problems associated with chlorine, Patagonia insists on sourcing only the softest, least coarse wool possible. Such wool comes from just three Merino sheep ranches, all located in the southern alps of New Zealand, where ranchers follow the strictest environmental mandates of low head to hectares and natural grass feeding.

With room to graze and a healthy diet, it’s no wonder these sheep produce the world’s thinnest wool—at one-fifth as thick as human hair. At such a fine gauge, this 100% merino wool does not require chlorine to make it soft. It is naturally soft on its own.

Patagonia Women’s Wild Isle Sweater features images of Nordic wilderness - conifers, full moon, snow geese and whales. Made from Patagonia’s signature soft merino wool it is exceptionally soft.

Patagonia’s definition of success stretches far beyond units sold and profits earned. The company prides itself on creating products that not only offer great value, but also tread lightly on the planet.

Patagonia ensures a product’s environmental integrity by starting at the source—fabric. The company travels the globe in search of only the best quality performance fabrics that carry the lightest environmental impact. Hemp, organic cotton and chemical-free wool are just a few signature woven and knit materials.

Shopgreen offers many items for men and women that are made from these eco-materials. Stay tuned for explanations as to why Patagonia sourced materials offer exceptional environmental and performance benefits.

Patagonia Men’s Prefontaine Jacket is made of stretch-jersey 100% organic cotton. Just one of many of the companies eco-fabric garments.

Though I’ve loved Patagonia clothing for as long as I can remember, I have only recently come to know how great the company truly is. After reading, an article on Patagonia founder and CEO, Yvon Chouinard, I am stunned by the company’s longstanding commitment to environmentalism. From habitat protection funds to company grants for wilderness exploration and biodiversity study, Patagonia donates a significant portion of their profits to environmentalism. Then, consider Patagonia’s products. All are designed with environmental best practice in mind.

The Patagonia Capilene 3 Zip Neck for Women is one of Patagonia’s many eco-designed products. Made from 64% recycled polyester, it is 100% recycleable at the end of its lifetime.

Given my recent findings and enthusiasm for Patagonia’s work, I would like to take the next few days to elaborate on the company’s various environmental initiatives, while highlighting the ways in which Patagonia is a model company from which the rest of corporate America can learn. Stay tuned for more on Patagonia.

Many parents argue that Patagonia is too expensive for their growing kids. “I don’t want to spend too much money on my sons’ clothes if they’re going to outgrow them in a 6 months,” explained my friend Sarah, mother of growing boys Jake and James.

Agreed Patagonia can be a bit pricey—especially for growing kids, but think of it as a long-term investment. You’ll actually save money because Patagonia’s products last and last and last. Given their outstanding quality, you won’t have to spend precious time and money on replacements. Patagonia kids clothes are designed for growth. Many feature snaps, buttons and adjustable elastics allowing garments to follow your kids’ rapidly lengthening legs and oddly elongating arms.

Patagonia’s Baby Baggies Apron Dress for Toddler Girls is one example of Patagonia’s “growth technology.” This adorable A-line apron dress with matching diaper cover features the gentlest elastic that stretches as a baby grows. Crossover back straps also accommodate spurts with adjustable, double-snap closure fronts.