Adventures in Eco-Living

Our Favorite Organic (and Cheap) Alternative to Soda Pop

I have a weakness.... on a hot summer's day, there is nothing I enjoy more than an ice cold glass of Coke. I can remember lazy afternoons at my grandma's house when I was little, with a chilled glass of Coke so cold you could barely hold on it to it. It was our special late afternoon treat.

But now that we're all grown up, and we are on a journey of sustainable living, we are trying to cut the "junk" out of our diet, and that means first and foremost high fructose corn syrup (recently suggested to be linked to liver damage and diabetes, among other things). I guess soda pop, for me, was a tough one to give up. I would say, "OK, that's it, I'm going to give up pop for good now," but then, inevitably, I would be somewhere and would find myself with a big fountain drink in my hand.

Part of the problem was that I find juice a little heavy and sweet to drink all day long, but sometimes I need something more than water. So I started experimenting with creating my own special tea-based iced beverage, and I think I am onto something fabulous.... (disclaimer: OK, I cheated.... I based my recipe on a Tazo drink I was had that was delicious, but contained high fructose corn syrup and was pricey).

This drink is based on jasmine green tea, which is full of cancer-fighting anti-oxidants, and is absolutely superb served chilled over a glass of ice. In fact, I find it much more enjoyable cold than hot. The jasmine adds a delicate floral touch that is just heavenly, and the ginger makes it warming enough to drink in winter. It is smooth, refreshing, clean, and crisp, and I now drink this organic, healthy, full-of-antioxidants drink all day long! And at about 20 cents per quart, you just can't get more economical than this!

RECIPE

1 Numi Organic Jasmine Green Tea bag

1 quart water

honey to taste (I suggest about 1/8 - 1/4 cup, but use your own judgment)

small piece of chopped ginger (optional)

1 stick lemongrass or 1 tbsp shredded lemongrass (optional)

mint leaves (optional)

Directions:

Boil the water, then pour into a glass jar with the tea bag and the honey. Let steep for approximately 5 minutes, but go longer if you want your tea strong. If you are using the ginger and lemongrass, add them to the steeping tea. You can either just throw them in, and then strain the tea when it is finished steeping, or you can add them in a spice bag or tea infuser, so they are easy to remove.

Let cool, then refrigerate. Serve chilled over ice. Throw in a mint leaf for even more yumminess and enjoy!

The Green Holiday Gift Guide 2009

The wintry wonders of November are settling in, the last of the leaves have lost their will to hang on, and mornings are chilly enough to make me wish I didn't really have to get out of bed. This can only mean one thing. Yes, the holiday season is approaching, and once again we are spending much time here trying to figure out how to make it more meaningful (and less hectic!).

Gone for us are the days of gadgets and gizmos, last minute frantic shopping to buy, something, anything, that could be given as a gift. We've started to focus on more handmade, more personalized gifts, and when that doesn't work, we go green. Recycled, Fair Trade, organic, natural- gifts of these nature are so much more meaningful because they benefit our planet, too. We are baking, putting our organic sun-dried tomatoes into decorated jars of oil, making necklaces, making cutting boards, and making photo gifts. And when that doesn't cut it, or when we just run out of time to go homemade, we are giving some awesome green gifts to our loved ones.

We've put together our 2009 Holiday Green Guide with some of our favorite green gifts this season. We've searched far and wide to carry a wide selection of gifts that will fit everyone on your list. Some of them are available on our main website, while others are only available on our eBay World of Good store. (But don't worry, if you want items from both places, just shoot us an email and we can combine your orders with a shipping discount!).

So here goes. Happy Holidays to all, and here's to keeping it simple, keeping it meaningful, and keeping it green!

Recycled Paper Cutting Board

We just love this awesome board! It is made from 100% recycled paper, pressed into a product that Preserve calls "Paperstone". It is a gorgeous, durable, stone-like material that looks sleek and stylish in any kitchen. Perfect for that eco-someone who loves to cook! Price: $24.99

Fair Trade Color Splash Bags

These gorgeous bags are handmade by a Fair Trade cooperative in India, using recycled cotton scraps from a fabric mill. Beautiful patterns make these bags a sure hit. Because of their handmade and recycled nature, each one is totally unique, so you will never see anyone with an exact copy of your bag! Price: $38.99

"Drink the Drops" Stainless Steel Water Bottle

OK, so have you ever wanted to put ice in your water bottle, but the cubes wouldn't fit? Those days are over, with this awesome, wide-mouth water bottle. Don't forget that stainless steel is THE safest, BPA-Free choice for water bottles these days. And who wouldn't love the funky, artsy designs? Price: $12.99

Tree of Life Aluminum Water Bottle

We love these beautiful bottles as a more affordable alternative to SIGG. Besides, we weren't thrilled this year when SIGG admitted they knew their bottles contained trace amounts of BPA all along. Price: $12.99

Wanna see more bottles? CLICK HERE to view all of our reusable water bottles.

Natural Shaving Kit for Men

This stylish little kit comes with the most wonderfully moisturizing sassafras, all-natural shaving soap, a natural boar's hair bristle brush and a classy hardwood soap box. For that eco-man in your life! We've received rave reviews about this kit! Price: $23.99

10-Stage Home Water Filtering System

Keep it meaningful, and give them a gift that will really benefit everyone who uses it. This filter removes along list of contaminants, including chlorine, pesticides, and heavy metals, making it easy to "take back the tap". Say good-bye to bottles, and hello to clean, sparkling, delicious tap water. Price: $109

Natural and Exotic Handmade Soap Sampler

Mmmmm.... our very favorite soaps, bundled together in this cute soap sampler. All-natural, handmade, and heavenly. These delicious soaps are a pure indulgence!Price: $10.80, on sale

Mmmm....natural soaps make a heavenly gift. CLICK HERE to view all of our incredibly indulgent natural soaps!

Recycled Silver and Fair Trade Glass Necklace

Handmade by artist Josie Lamb Williams, this is a beautiful and elegant piece of green jewelry. Hand-crafted sterling silver, accented by Fair Trade, recycled glass, this unique gift will be cherished!

We have lots of eco-friendly jewelry ideas! CLICK HERE to view our line of eco-jewelry.

"Little Yogis" DVD Set: Yoga for Kids

Now this is cute! Instead of all the plastic toys and video games, how about a fun way for kids to learn how to stay healthy and fit. This DVD set teaches youngsters easy, simple stretches that make yoga fun. Price: $21.95

Organic Merino Wool Socks

OK, I know what you're thinking. Socks for Christmas??? Isn't that what your mom gets you? But, wait, honey.... if you've never tried these socks, you just don't know what comfort is. The warmest, most comfortable socks you will ever wear, and softer than you thought wool could be. And they breathe, too, so your feet just don't sweat. Amazing! My husband won't wear any other socks now. Price: $17.99

Hybrid Solar Flashlight

We have finally found an affordable, solar flashlight! And it's not just any flashlight, wither- it's waterproof, it floats, it's shatterproof, it can hold a charge for three years, it can charge in sunlight AND room light, and just in case, it has a back-up lithium battery. Besides that, it's lightweight, and a convenient size. Once again, my husband the Gadget Guy, has thoroughly tested this flashlight, and he enthusiastically gives it a double thumbs-up! Perfect for camping, hiking, fishing, boating, biking, and as an emergency light in your car that is always guaranteed to work.

Organic Cotton "Bikefish" T-shirt

We love this fun shirt! Besides the fact that it is organic cotton, the message is awesome: a school of bicycles eating a hummer. Available in olive green with a yellow screen print (eco-friendly dyes, of course). Yes! Price: $28.99

Fair Trade Cruelty-Free, Tree-Free Leather "World" Journal

Only from India, land where cows are revered for the beautiful animals they are, could we get a cruelty-free leather journal! The leather used to make this classy journal is from cows that died of natural causes. Additionally, the paper is tree-free, made from recycled cotton scraps from fabric mills.

Handmade, Fair Trade Wood Top

It's back to basics with this simple, beautiful, hand-carved wood top. There is something about old-fashioned toys that is making wooden creations so popular once again. And with all the problems in plastics and with lead paint on toys, wood is seeming to be such a simple, green solution. Who doesn't remember playing with a top when they were little? Price: $8.99

Make Your Own All-Natural Chocolate Kit

This is an educational, fun gift for children of all ages. Not only will they learn the art of making chocolate, kids will also learn the fascinating history and economy of chocolate, as well as learning about raw materials an dhow they are sourced from around the globe. Price: $9.95, on sale.

Handmade, Sustainably-Harvested Cutting Board

A beautiful, elegant cutting board makes the perfect addition to an eco-kitchen! Additionally, this is truly a gift that will last many years, and when necessary, can be re-finished for many more years of use, making it a truly sustainable product. The maple and walnut have been sustainably harvested right from our own forest, and then crafted by my husband Alex into beautiful and sturdy boards. Custom boards are available, too! Price: $31.99

"Think Green!" Children's Book

This awesome green book is geared toward teaching youngsters about green issues, from recycling to taking care of our planet. beautiful illustrations make this an enjoyable read, and printed environmentally friendly, too! Price; $14.95

PLA Corn Plastic Water Bottle with Filter

A reusable water bottle with it own filter, free of petroleum plastics! ALthough there are still many possibilities for improvements on these new corn-based bio-plastics, we believe it's a great start for getting away from petroleum forever! Price: $7.99, on sale.

Fair Trade Handmade Cotton Batik Swirl Scarf

We love the delicate intricacies of batik. This cotton scarf is funky, stylish, and eco-friendly, supporting a Fair Trade artisan co-op in India. Price: $23.99

Fair Trade, Hand Made "Ananda" Necklace from India

This beautiful necklace is so simple, yet so chic. Made in an extraordinary family-run artisan cooperative in India that helps its artists rise above poverty. Price: $19.99

Choosing a Safe Water Bottle

With all the news lately about BPA contamination in plastics, it's no wonder that consumers are wondering what a safe choice might be for their families. Here is a brief summary of what we at The Greater Green recommend, based on the latest research and findings:

#1: The BEST choice right now would be a glass water bottle. Consider reusing a glass juice jar that you purchased (filled with juice) and then ran through the dishwasher to sterilize it. There are absolutely no contamination concerns with glass, and it is easy to clean. Additionally, glass can hold just about any type of liquid. The one catch, of course, is that glass is breakable. A clever idea: wrap your glass jar in a hand towel before putting in your backpack or duffel bag, and then you can also use the hand towel throughout the day in restrooms,etc.

#2: If glass will not work for you, your best bet is appearing to be stainless steel water bottles with no liner (liners can themselves cause problems), like the ones available at The Greater Green, 20 oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Carabiner, that is the perfect size for that on-the-go lifestyle. It fits in most cup holders in cars, attaches to a belt loop or backpack, and is perfect for hiking, biking, or even just running errands. Stainless is extremely crack- and break-resistant, and does not stain easily. Additionally, at less than ten dollars, these bottles are an affordable choice, especially when you consider that if well-taken care of, these bottles will certainly last for years. For optimum performance, we recommend you only use your bottle for water (which will help keep it cleaner, too), though you can safely fill it with other cool liquids as well. Manufacturers do NOT recommend putting hot liquids into these bottles (use an insulated thermos for that).

Stainless steel is great because it is totally BPA-Free, toxin-free, sturdy, usually dishwasher-safe, and affordable. There are a lot of stylish stainless steel bottles available these days. If you are looking for some funky, stylish designs, check out these picks:

Get Real Sticks and Stones Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Sleek black design fits any mood, any occasion. Dark on black with a touch of color. This handsome, elegant bottle dresses up OR down. Whatever your mood. 20oz./600ml. BPA free stainless steel and decorated with lead-free inks. Threaded screw-on cap is totally unique!

Get Real Drink the Drops Stainless Steel Bottle: Fun, quirky design with the cool screw-on cap. Birds, squirrels, strange little deer-like creatures with mouths wide open for the big drops above. Subtle and eye-catching at the same time. Mostly white design on a deep blue background. 20oz./600ml. BPA free stainless steel and decorated with lead-free inks. Threaded screw-on cap is totally unique!

Hydrate Responsibly Stainless Steel Bottle: Simple, stylish message on a sleek silver bottle. "Hydrate Responsibly" and enjoy the pure taste of clean water in our designed stainless steel water bottles. 86% of plastic water bottles used in the United States end up in landfills, taking up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Transporting bottled water consumes approximately 1.5 million barrels of fossil fuels per year. Help reduce this number by carrying a refillable bottle. With our 25.36 fl. oz. (750 ml) stainless steel bottles, water remains free of unhealthy plastic residues. BPA-FREE.

#3: The next best option for a safe water bottle would be aluminum bottles like SIGG, with an epoxy-resin liner. Though SIGG has insisted in the past that their bottles are BPA-Free, as of the summer of 2009 SIGG finally admitted that prior to 2008, their secret liner contained trace amounts of BPA. They are now supposed to be using a liner that is BPA-Free, and if you'd like to mail in your old bottles, say they will exchange them for free. Personally, we find this to be a bit disconcerting.

A company that has been a little more upfront with the safety of their bottles is Gaiam. Their aluminum bottles also contain an epoxy resin liner, but they have been very clear about the BPA issue. Extensive testing has shown that no BPA is present under normal conditions; however, under exteme conditions, trace amounts were found. That means that as long as you don't use your Gaiam bottles to drink very hot liquids, you should be fine. And aluminum is not only super light-weight, it is also a bit more affordable than stainless. Be aware, though, that you should not put your aluminum bottles in the dishwasher, and they will dent a bit easier than stainless steel.

Here are a few of our favorite aluminum bottles:

Tree of Life Aluminum Bottle: So simple and elegant, in a beautiful sage green color. Our Tree of Life 100% recyclable, reusable aluminum leak-proof water bottle by Gaiam is a reminder that all life on Earth is related. Bottle holds 25.36 fl. oz. (750 ml) and is sealed by a ring-top screw cap. Aluminum material does not contribute to the unhealthy amount of eco-polluting disposable waste plastic.

Cloud Bouqet Aluminum Bottle: Fun metallic blue design! This 100% recyclable, lightweight aluminum water bottle comes in an attractive, metallic blue with a delicate yellow floral design. Gaiam offers reusable aluminum water bottles as an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic water bottles. Our leak-proof, generous aluminum bottles hold 25.36 fluid oz. (750 ml), with a ring-top screw cap.

Persian Paisley Aluminum Bottle: Our 100% recyclable Persian Paisley aluminum water bottle is light and fun, and also eco-friendly. 86% of post-consumer disposable plastic bottles end up in US landfills, where they can take up to 1,000 years to break down. This reusable, leak-proof and generous aluminum water bottle holds 25.36 fluid oz. (750 ml), with ring-top screw cap.

#4: Our fourth choice for safe water bottles is the PLA Corn Resin Bottle. Now, this bottle serves a slightly different purpose, because it comes with a charcoal filter that makes the PLA bottle reusable for about 3 months, at which point it is compostable (though only in a commercial compost). We like the filter, because it means you can fill up with tap water wherever you are. Though PLA is not the perfect plastic, it is a good first step in creating sustainable plastics that are not so detrimental to the environment. We have discussed PLA at length in previous posts. Clicke HERE to read all about it.

WORST: Near the bottom of our list are the polycarbonate bottles. Because of contamination concerns with Bisphenol-A, we do not recommend these bottles. Please keep in mind that many baby bottles are also affected by the BPA concerns, so please look for BPA-free bottles, like those made by Born Free.

And, of course, the very last resort would be regular disposable plastic bottled water. First of all, this bottled water is often just plain old tap water anyway. And we now know that only a small fraction of plastic bottles actually enter the recycling stream (some estimates show only about 14% of plastic bottles are being recycled), so we have a major problem with plastics that will potentially last for millions of year.  Read all about it in The Problem with Plastics.

Here's to healthy hydration!

With all the news lately about BPA contamination in plastics, it's no wonder that consumers are wondering what a safe choice might be for their families. Here is a brief summary of what we at The Greater Green recommend, based on the latest research and findings:

#1: The BEST choice right now would be a glass water bottle. Consider reusing a glass juice jar that you purchased (filled with juice) and then ran through the dishwasher to sterilize it. There are absolutely no contamination concerns with glass, and it is easy to clean. Additionally, glass can hold just about any type of liquid. The one catch, of course, is that glass is breakable. A clever idea: wrap your glass jar in a hand towel before putting in your backpack or duffel bag, and then you can also use the hand towel throughout the day in restrooms,etc.

#2: If glass will not work for you, your best bet is appearing to be stainless steel water bottles with no liner (liners can themselves cause problems), like the ones available at The Greater Green, 20 oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Carabiner, that is the perfect size for that on-the-go lifestyle. It fits in most cup holders in cars, attaches to a belt loop or backpack, and is perfect for hiking, biking, or even just running errands. Stainless is extremely crack- and break-resistant, and does not stain easily. Additionally, at less than ten dollars, these bottles are an affordable choice, especially when you consider that if well-taken care of, these bottles will certainly last for years. For optimum performance, we recommend you only use your bottle for water (which will help keep it cleaner, too), though you can safely fill it with other cool liquids as well. Manufacturers do NOT recommend putting hot liquids into these bottles (use an insulated thermos for that).

Stainless steel is great because it is totally BPA-Free, toxin-free, sturdy, usually dishwasher-safe, and affordable. There are a lot of stylish stainless steel bottles available these days. If you are looking for some funky, stylish designs, check out these picks:

Get Real Sticks and Stones Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Sleek black design fits any mood, any occasion. Dark on black with a touch of color. This handsome, elegant bottle dresses up OR down. Whatever your mood. 20oz./600ml. BPA free stainless steel and decorated with lead-free inks. Threaded screw-on cap is totally unique!

Get Real Drink the Drops Stainless Steel Bottle: Fun, quirky design with the cool screw-on cap. Birds, squirrels, strange little deer-like creatures with mouths wide open for the big drops above. Subtle and eye-catching at the same time. Mostly white design on a deep blue background. 20oz./600ml. BPA free stainless steel and decorated with lead-free inks. Threaded screw-on cap is totally unique!

Hydrate Responsibly Stainless Steel Bottle: Simple, stylish message on a sleek silver bottle. "Hydrate Responsibly" and enjoy the pure taste of clean water in our designed stainless steel water bottles. 86% of plastic water bottles used in the United States end up in landfills, taking up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Transporting bottled water consumes approximately 1.5 million barrels of fossil fuels per year. Help reduce this number by carrying a refillable bottle. With our 25.36 fl. oz. (750 ml) stainless steel bottles, water remains free of unhealthy plastic residues. BPA-FREE.

#3: The next best option for a safe water bottle would be aluminum bottles like SIGG, with an epoxy-resin liner. Though SIGG has insisted in the past that their bottles are BPA-Free, as of the summer of 2009 SIGG finally admitted that prior to 2008, their secret liner contained trace amounts of BPA. They are now supposed to be using a liner that is BPA-Free, and if you'd like to mail in your old bottles, say they will exchange them for free. Personally, we find this to be a bit disconcerting.

A company that has been a little more upfront with the safety of their bottles is Gaiam. Their aluminum bottles also contain an epoxy resin liner, but they have been very clear about the BPA issue. Extensive testing has shown that no BPA is present under normal conditions; however, under exteme conditions, trace amounts were found. That means that as long as you don't use your Gaiam bottles to drink very hot liquids, you should be fine. And aluminum is not only super light-weight, it is also a bit more affordable than stainless. Be aware, though, that you should not put your aluminum bottles in the dishwasher, and they will dent a bit easier than stainless steel.

Here are a few of our favorite aluminum bottles:

Tree of Life Aluminum Bottle: So simple and elegant, in a beautiful sage green color. Our Tree of Life 100% recyclable, reusable aluminum leak-proof water bottle by Gaiam is a reminder that all life on Earth is related. Bottle holds 25.36 fl. oz. (750 ml) and is sealed by a ring-top screw cap. Aluminum material does not contribute to the unhealthy amount of eco-polluting disposable waste plastic.

Cloud Bouqet Aluminum Bottle: Fun metallic blue design! This 100% recyclable, lightweight aluminum water bottle comes in an attractive, metallic blue with a delicate yellow floral design. Gaiam offers reusable aluminum water bottles as an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic water bottles. Our leak-proof, generous aluminum bottles hold 25.36 fluid oz. (750 ml), with a ring-top screw cap.

Persian Paisley Aluminum Bottle: Our 100% recyclable Persian Paisley aluminum water bottle is light and fun, and also eco-friendly. 86% of post-consumer disposable plastic bottles end up in US landfills, where they can take up to 1,000 years to break down. This reusable, leak-proof and generous aluminum water bottle holds 25.36 fluid oz. (750 ml), with ring-top screw cap.

#4: Our fourth choice for safe water bottles is the PLA Corn Resin Bottle. Now, this bottle serves a slightly different purpose, because it comes with a charcoal filter that makes the PLA bottle reusable for about 3 months, at which point it is compostable (though only in a commercial compost). We like the filter, because it means you can fill up with tap water wherever you are. Though PLA is not the perfect plastic, it is a good first step in creating sustainable plastics that are not so detrimental to the environment. We have discussed PLA at length in previous posts. Clicke HERE to read all about it.

WORST: Near the bottom of our list are the polycarbonate bottles. Because of contamination concerns with Bisphenol-A, we do not recommend these bottles. Please keep in mind that many baby bottles are also affected by the BPA concerns, so please look for BPA-free bottles, like those made by Born Free.

And, of course, the very last resort would be regular disposable plastic bottled water. First of all, this bottled water is often just plain old tap water anyway. And we now know that only a small fraction of plastic bottles actually enter the recycling stream (some estimates show only about 14% of plastic bottles are being recycled), so we have a major problem with plastics that will potentially last for millions of year.  Read all about it in The Problem with Plastics.

Here's to healthy hydration!