Green Options

Here’s a fun stocking stuffing gift for those who have been a little naughty this year: Sweet Soaps Santa’s Coal and Snowman Poop soaps.

Sure to get the message across while garnering a smile these fun soaps will make perfect eco-friendly stocking stuffers.

It seems as though every day I get news of another ‘great new this’ or ‘fabulous new that’, and I’ll be the first to put my hand up & gleefully admit it makes me just as excited as the rest of you to be in the know, to hear of things first, and to be updated on the latest & greatest - however, there’s something to be said for the ancient, the stoic, the classic, the tried & tested. Known and used for thousands of years by island cultures, coconut oil is one such legendary ingredient that falls squarely in that category. Not only has it properties that make it a staple in most organic beauty products as well as most natural skin & haircare collections,

Terri Bly, president of The Nature of Beauty, invites readers to help her select her next eco-friendly wallet. She presents a list of 6 finalists and then opens it up to a vote. Brands include ReBagz, amykathryn, ESPE, Silvi Designs, and Fleurville.

If you crave the exotic, Auric Blends Goddess Scents are for you. They are 100% natural blended with exotic essential oils, resins and absolutes to bring out the goddess in every woman. Each unique scent is named after the goddess that inspired the aroma.

If you know anything at all about physics, you’ll know that every living thing is suffused with energy and each individual plant & animal resonates with its own unique vibrational pattern. These energy frequencies are said to contain healing elements that when harnessed in the right way and instilled in a carrier of some kind, can infuse their restorative effects into your skin. Much like the way Homeopathy works, this new skincare line from SKINAGAIN uses state-of-the-art computerized technology called Dermavibe, to capture over 300+ energy frequencies ranging from bach flowers to aloe vera to crystals, which are then transferred into a metallic conductor at the bottom of a healing serum.

Emma, who helps run the Internet’s numero uno fashion recycling website, contacted me to ask if I could imagine opening my wardrobe and choosing from over 10 million outfits? Of course I replied with enthusiasm and she said “welcome to the future of Bigwardrobe.com.”

Emma explains that it’s like a small environmentally-friendly version of eBay. Yet the merchandise is strictly apparel with three categories of men, women, kids. Love the tailored coat offering pictured.

People keep telling me it’s just my body detoxing, releasing some sort of angry toxins all over my face. Apparently, new yogi’s go through this period when beginning their journey into the yoga world. Well, I’ve been at this yoga thing for a few months now, and still, my face continually breaks out. I’ve never had flawless skin, mind you, but lately, it’s been at a whole new level of imperfect. And, who would have thought, I’m not too happy about it. In fact, I’ve turned into a little angry toxin myself, infusing my brain with nasty negative self talk and feeling much like a teenager girl all over again- constantly looking at my face for new imperfections and crying a little on the inside every time a new one pops up.

Enter Organoderm and Dr. Alkaitis- two facial products that have flown into my life like little superheros wearing capes, flexing their big muscles and fighting the big bad break out.

The Dazzle Dry Nail Polish System is made for the “on the go lifestyle”. The really great thing about the quick drying Dazzle Dry Nail System is that it contains no harmful chemicals. It is free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, and camphor and is also nitrocellulose free (this is the stuff that turns your nails yellow).

The Dazzle Dry formula is also Vegan and Non-Toxic.

Terri Bly, president of The Nature of Beauty, reviews Sweet Riot, a mission-focused, women-owned company dedicated to providing the most delicious chocolate in the world through environmentally-responsible and ethical business practices.

I’ve been shaving my legs from the millisecond my mother gave me permission to create the smooth, sleek pins I’d always wanted. I’m not divulging how long that is but let’s just say in my vast experience with razors and creams, mens razors are infinitely more well engineered and perform better than their female counterparts. This latest razor, called ‘Azor’ from the King Of Shaves, is no exception, but what I particularly like about it is the careful consideration for the environment in the manufacture & design. It not only uses less packaging but the plastic is made from 100% post consumer recycled plastic, the ‘one part’ design reduces energy and uses a tool that manufactures leaving no waste, the shape of the razor eliminates the need for secondary packaging, and organic inks are used in the printing process. The wishbone shape of the handle is such that you can clearly see where you’re going and what you’re doing - a huge bonus to anyone who regularly slashes themselves trying to go over knees & ankles (that’d be me).

The holidays are creeping up faster than any of us would probably like. Before Halloween is even over the stores are already putting up winter holiday displays. As always I try to start early though I hardly ever do. Time just flies by so fast.

But I have been keeping an eye out for great eco-friendly products that are reasonably priced (like $25 and under) that would make great gifts and stocking stuffers.