Sorry I have been gone for a bit. School is a total time sucker and in attempting to continue to live a simple life I must choose to give up some activities that I enjoy doing. Since spending time with my hubbo and sleeping will not be sacrificed (not even to school no matter how hard it tries to weasel its way in), my blogging cannot be as regular as I would like it to be. Unfortunately this will continue to be the case until I GRADUATE, which will be in DECEMBER!!!!

However, I did want to share with you an awesome find. Nordstrom is now selling Holistia Organic cotton underwear. It is so soft and comes is simple solid colors as well as some funky designs (most of which they unfortunately don’t picture on their site). The one down side is that when I was in the store I read the Ethical Fashion tag and interpreted it as Ethical labor practices. I wasn’t until I was in the middle of writing this post that I realized that it just talking about the environmental practices. So, it isn’t perfect but it is a step in the right direction, especially since cotton is the number one pesticide crop.

image courtesy of kixandthecity.com

Last night Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash debuted his new shoes. This time his Nike’s were a little different. They were made from scraps from other basketball shoes. I know that Nike has long been the bad guy in the world of footwear due to labor and environmental practices, but let’s give credit where credit is due. Nike has recently made a move towards more global responsibility and is now making the Nike Trash Talk which is the shoe model made from scrap material that is based off of their already popular Nike Zoom BB II model.

Nike footwear designer, Kasey Jarvis said: ‘I was really looking for a ‘here and now’ solution to footwear waste, and creating a performance product using waste materials felt like a very innovative solution. Using Nike’s Considered design ethos I was able to create a shoe that stands up to the stringent on-court performance requirements but is also more environmentally friendly.’

Steve Nash has been involved with environmental issues for a long time. It’s really great to see that he is taking that concern to his shoe company and that they are utilizing the waste that they create, and are making it usable. Nash said, “Any opportunity to promote the environment and preserve our planet is a step in the right direction.” If you’d like to get your hands on these, they will go on sale on April 22nd.

Nike still has a lot work to do to clean up it’s international labor and environmental practices.

I am hoping that you all get that this isn’t about bread specifically. The bread is only a specific example of a general idea…now that you are more in-tune with the waste you produce, where has your thinking led you?

My thoughts led me to what people did before our obsession with putting preservatives in and packaging everything. (It’s like we are always preparing for some huge disaster and living in fear that things are going to be taken away from us and we aren’t going to have enough.) They either made it themselves or bought it directly from the person(s) that did make it. Food may not have stayed fresh as long, so, people bought what they needed as they needed it. (I know that it wasn’t as always as rosy as this sounds, but I am trying to get at a general idea and not at a full historical account of consumerism.) It may sound strange but, this realization has made a big impact on my thinking. Part of me didn’t understand why this hadn’t occurred to me before since community, connection, and interaction are so important to me. Yet, I also understand that there is a timing to things and when we are ready and the time is right, things will settle in and take root just as they should. In the same way that I feel the need to know the people producing my fruits and vegetables and the land where they are being grown, I need to know those baking my bread and even bringing as much of that into my own home as I can. I have been baking my own bread for about 3 months now and love it. There are times where I love it less and it feels like a chore, but I love baking it in my home and then breaking bread with family and friends. I no longer have to throw out packaging (woohoo!) and when I bought a special loaf of delicious peasant bread, it was from a small, local bakery called The Monkey Tree.

My challenge to you is to begin to find creative ways to reduce the trash you create. Whether it is baking your own bread, buying it from a friend who loves to bake, make your own household cleaners, find a health food/natural remedies/body products store that sells shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc. in bulk (You can reuse the containers you have and you pay by the once.), buy used clothing or recycled clothing, etc. Basically, begin to rethink and find solutions for what you regularly (or not so regularly) buy and the trash you are creating in the process.

I would love to hear any ideas you come up with!

The following are all of the links that were submitted for this week’s Carnival of the Green which One/Change is hosting. Below the links I have included the comments provided by the submitters (when applicable). If you are interested in making submissions of your own or hosting future carnivals, check out Treehugger. I hope you enjoy this weeks carnival!

Mel Rimmer presents A Load Of Old (Laundry) Balls posted at Bean Sprouts.

I tested eco washing balls to see whether they were any better than just using plain water. It seems they’re not, but surprisingly they’re also no worse for most washing than using branded detergent. So eco washing balls are a rip-off, and so is laundry detergent.

Mallory presents Denim Therapy posted at Miss Malaprop.

Denim Therapy specializes in reviving your old jeans and breathing new life into them before they make a trip to the landfill.

Riversider presents Riverworks “Undemocratic”: Michael Lavalette posted at Save The Ribble!.

We have kept blogging away with our points about the dangers of the proposals to barrage our river and build housing in its’ greenbelt. Now at last we are winning counselors to our side - proof that blogging works as a method that determined community campaigners can use to get their message across in a powerful and sustained way.

Patrick Quinton presents Breaking Up is Hard to Do posted at Cars Are Evil.

This post does not refer to any time sensitive links. It is more of a reflection on a particular topic that relates to the theme of my website. Thanks for your consideration.

John presents It is good to find a deal killer posted at hell’s handmaiden.

Suzanne Roman presents Polar bear “protected” posted at Towards Green.

Phil presents Plant Trees on Public Land « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity.

Ever think of a new way for everyone to easily help the environment? Well, I think I just did.

Vihar Sheth presents Zero Waste posted at green | rising.

Victoria E presents Nau News posted at Groovy Green

Our second question comes from Beo aka Robert: I have heard of a new eco fashion company called Nau with founders stemming from Big Names like Marmot and Patagonia. Can you give us an update on them?

Rey Thomas presents The Thomas Political Report: What The President Said, What The President Meant posted at The Thomas Political Report.

Don Bosch presents Creation: The Not-So-Silent Sermon posted at The Evangelical Ecologist.

Is God silent? Does He even exist? Look up! All Creation reveals God’s presence continuously and universally. Don Bosch invites you to a green meditation on the 19th Psalm over at The Evangelical Ecologist.

Darrick Dean’s presents Back to the Future: Cast Iron posted at The Evangelical Ecologist.

Sue Richards presents Auntie Aging posted at My Menopause Blog

Before you invite Auntie Aging into your life, check to see how green she is.

John presents Urban Ecosystems and Nature Writing posted at A DC Birding Blog.

Avant News presents Lipodiesels Shine at 2010 LA Auto Show posted at Avant News.

Zane Parker presents Coming to Terms: on bringing a kid into this world posted at Groovy Green.

This past summer and fall, the prospect of a child has provided abstract motivation for work on our small earthen house.

Wise Bread presents Seven ways to maximize your gas mileage posted at Lynn Cognito.

Lynn shares seven sure ways to maximize your gas mileage.

Matthew presents UPDATE: EPA to deny ‘Brokovitch’ carcinogen for residential use posted at EPA may allow ‘Brockovich’ carcinogen in wood preservative.

Matthew presents Study: Hybrid cars save money in long run posted at Enviroblog.

An Intellichoice.com study finds that hybrid cars, whose fuel efficiency alone may not justify their higher initial purchase price, are in fact more economical in the long run.

Biologist Sally Kneidel presents The House Was Rockin…The Night We Socked It to the Utilities Commission posted at Veggie Revolution.

The local struggle in North Carolina to reject Duke Energy’s plans for 2 new coal-fired power plants. The resistance is supported by the Clean Air Coalition and the Sierra Club.

Sally Kneidel presents Chimps and Gibbons Have Human Elements to their Language posted at Veggie Revolution.

It is about Sally’s earlier work, as a graduate assistant, teaching American Sign Language to surly young chimpanzees. This post begins with a December study about the recent discovery of human elements in vocalizations among wild gibbons.

Jennifer Killpack-Knutsen presents Sundance 2007 Films for Greenies and Environmentalists posted at Jen’s Green Journal.

Connor presents The Homemade Revolution: Why DIY is Better posted at Matisse & Jack’s Blog.

Homemade eco friendly energy bars and how they may be safer.

Greener News Room presents Journalist fights subpoena in Lt. Watada court-martial case posted at Greener Magazine

Journalist fights subpoena in Lt. Watada court-martial case. The Society of Professional Journalists, military reporters and editors, the editorial staff of the LA Times, Greener Magazine/NRP, Media Alliance and scores of community groups join in denouncing the Army’s attempt to turn journalists into an investigative arm of the government.

Nina presents Ten Money Questions for Mark Brand posted at Queercents.

Award-winning architect, Mark Brand discuss big vs. small houses in the Queercents series: Ten Money Questions.

Andrea presents Organic Fertilizers posted at Buy Organic.

Discusses the benefits of using organic fertilisers in your garden and how to improve your soil naturally.

January 8th - Hippy Shopper
January 22nd - Clay & Wattles

Both Simple Shoes and Keen have started sustainable shoe lines. So now you can cause less damage as you walk around this green earth or more accurately, you can keep more of the earth green as you walk around on concrete.

Green Toe shoes is Simple’s line of natural footwear for both men and women and is their “effort to minimize the ecological footprint left by shoes” (they also make a really cool feedbag). Some of the ingredients they use in making their Green Toe shoes are: water based cement, which is less toxic and has a less propensity to be a fire hazard than traditional cement; crepe/laytex collected from Hevea (rubber) trees once the tree has matured; cork, which is usually harvested from the Cork Oak tree and naturally has a large composition of suberin, a waxy mixture that is water, mold, mildew, and pest resistant substance; jute, a long, soft, shiny fiber from the jute plant that can be spun into long, course, strong threads; wool, a fiber spun from the fur of a couple different types of animals, most commonly sheep; and bamboo, a woody, perennial, evergreen plant whose fiber can be spun into fabric.

Read more about the Simple Shoe company to get educated on their mission and practices (this is a good habit to get into).

I found Keen’s Ventura shoes when I was at REI last week. The Ventura is a woman’s shoe that is 100% vegan (no leather, no glues), features an organic canvas upper, a foot bed made from a combination of cork and natural latex, a natural rubber outsole, and recycled eyelets. Keen is also committed to reducing packaging, reduced printing, and using sustainable materials. I am not sure why, but the Ventura shoes are not yet on Keen’s website so if you are interested in buying some you will have to either look online at REI or go into an REI store.

Read about the Keen company to get educated on their mission and practices. Also, check out the Keen Foundation and learn about what they are doing to help people and the planet.

Greenfibre is having their biggest ever January sale. For those of you who don’t know Greenfibre “sells ethical, natural and organic bedding, organic clothing, organic and biodynamic skin care products, organic fabrics and wool and eco-friendly household cleaning stuff”. Right now they are having a sale of everything from organic cotton flannel duvet covers to men’s organic cotton blue jeans. This is not a call for needless consumption, but if you were in need of making some purchases anyway check out their site and see if you can find it on sale.

Anthropologie uses sweat shops (as well as engaging in other ethically sketchy behavior).

Huge sigh.

Jasmin over at Worsted Witch, who also shares my love for what she describes as “Anthroplogie’s sense of Old World sophistication”, broke the news to me a couple of days ago in a post. It is incredibly disturbing that Antropologie uses sweatshops. The use of sweatshops, at all, is incredibly disturbing.

Those of you who know me, or who have come to know me through my writing for one/change, may know the following about me:

1. I have a huge appreciation for art, beauty, creativity, textiles, form, and function (and things that are feminine without being girly);
2. I, for the most part, could care less about shopping.

Anthropolgie was basically the only exception to the latter because so much of what was in the store possessed the former’s qualities. To be honest, I can’t afford most of the goods Anthropologie sells, but that didn’t keep me from wandering aimlessly through the store, letting my creativity neurons fire at the speed of light and shamelessly being tempted to go into debt.

The grief I now feel about Anthropologie’s use of sweatshops is not because I will no longer shop at a store whose creativity I related to and appreciated. I understand enough to know that a store, that store, is ultimately not that important. The grief, saddness, and dissapointment I feel is the result of yet another store’s indifference to human rights. It is that the human beings, the men and women running that store could care less about the lives of other human beings, other men and women.

Check out Green Shift and Responsible Shopper to find out more information about the practices of the companies you are supporting.

It’s always better to know.

P.S. I am getting to know more independent designers whose craftsmanship and aesthetic are worthy of praise and support.

You cannot very well go to yoga naked! Well….some places you can, but for those of you who choose to get your yoga on while clothed, the following organic clothing will get you started. Also, if you are riding a bike, walking, or talking public transportation to get to your yoga studio a good yoga bag makes the trek a little more graceful.

Yoga Bag:
Shuba Organic Cotton Yoga Bag: The bags are made with organic cotton with solar powered electricity and two of the four bags you can choose from are made with “a fair-trade 100% organic cotton design by socially resposible company Harmony Art Organic Design“.

Clothes:
WOMEN
Blue Canoe Organic Sheer Tops: perfect for Bikram/hot yoga.

Blue Canoe Camis and Tanks

Blue Canoe Fitted Yoga Pants

Prana Organics (tops and pants)

Eco Fleece Hoodie Wrap: Perfect for Savasana.

Innerwaves Organics, Maui Tops

Innerwaves Organics, Maui Bottoms

MEN
Prana Organic Momentum Short

Prana Organic Momentum Pant

Prana Orgnaic Tree Box Ringer: “All profits from the sales of this ringer T will be donated to the Conservation Alliance. The chest is water-base printed with an abstract tree design, and contrast topstitch detail is added to the neck and sleeves.”

Patagonia Organic M’s Go-T: “Go-T’s look and feel like a cotton T-shirt but have an important distinction: They manage moisture with the effectiveness of Capilene®. The cotton/polyester fabric is light and airy, dries fast, and feels skin-friendly. 70% organic cotton, 30% polyester with a moisture-wicking finish.”

Innerwaves Organics, Maui Bottoms

Everything a green yogi needs for his/her green earth-lovin’ practice.

Mats:

EM4 4 mm Yoga Mat: “Eco Yoga, a UK-based company, has created a natural mat that does not contain any PVC. The mat has a pure rubber underside that grips the floor and a jute fabric/rubber mix on top. The fabric gives a highly durable, tactile and pleasantly natural surface to work on. They are machine washable and biodegradable. And these mats are the new benchmark in performance. They are extremely grippy, non-skid mats, tested and recommended by the most discriminating users!”

Intent Vinyasa Yoga Rug: “Eco-sensitive yoga rugs made with certified, hand picked organic Egyptian cotton, known to be the softest and most durable cotton in the world. Traditional yoga rugs are made with conventionally grown cotton which consumes approximately 25% of the insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides used in the world. Conventional farming devours a pound or more of pesticides and fertilizers to produce enough cotton for a single yoga rug.” They are also fairly traded.

Organic Yoga Towel: Helpful for keeping your mat from turning into a slip-n-slide.

Agoy Earth Yoga Mat: “The earth mat, made from a revolutionary synthetic form of rubber, is not only beautiful, it’s also free of PVC, Phthalates, toluene, heavy metals, latex and natural rubber. Plus it’s decomposable.”

Mat Cleaners:
Vermont Soap Organics Yoga & Exercise Mat Cleaner: “Crafted from certified organic vegetable oils and botanicals. Free of synthetic chemicals: artificial colors, fragrances, preservatives, alcohol and detergents. Cruelty and animal byproduct free. Not tested on animals. Safe for skin contact and sensitive individuals. Certified Organic and USDA Approved.”

Jo-Sha Wipes: “Our wipes are made of a high quality, soft, wood pulp based towelette that is biodegradable. The outer packaging is 100% recyclable….[and] contain no alcohol and no harsh chemicals. The pure essential oils we use are naturally anti-bacterial, naturally anti-septic, and naturally astringent.”

RAW yoga mat freshner: “RAW utilizes zero synthetic chemicals in its products. The ingredients are 100% natural and organic using only grade A essential oils and living herbs, fruits, spices, and plants when available.”

Props:
Blue Lotus Yoga Organic Bolster: “They are handmade and stuffed with cotton and kapok. No foam is used at all. It is a natural fiber bolster that provides a softer surface while maintaining support and comfort.”

Blue Lotus Yoga Organic Zafu

Barefoot Yoga Eco Friendly Foam Block: “The new eco-block is made from the highest quality, non-toxic material with no chemical odor. To make these blocks, no halocarbon gases (e.g. CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs) or volatile hydrocarbons (e.g. pentane, isobutane) at any stage in the production of any of its polyolefin foams are used. Eco blocks are manufactured using a high pressure nitrogen gas process which produces a pure, chemically and biologically inert material.”

My husband and I love to travel and we (maybe more me than him) thought it would fun to travel a bunch this winter in order to get a break from the gloomy Chicago days. We have been traveling every weekend for over a month, visiting family and friends all over the U.S. We are now throughly tired and looking forward to spending a weekend at home.

Our last stop on our tour was Dallas to visit my family. On Saturday night we made a yummy dinner for the whole family (minus Andrew ) and then sat outside with a fire blazing to eat dessert and chat. We also opened my birthday presents, all of which were earth friendly! I loved all of them so much that I thought I would share with you what was in my goodie bag.

My step-mom, Amy, got everything from Green Living a very cool, earth friendly store located in Dallas, Texas.

1. Green Field Paper Birthday Card. What makes this card so cool is that I can grow it! The paper contains wildflower seeds and all I have to do is plant the entire card in the soil, make sure and water, and watch it grow.

2. Organic Cotton String Bag from Eco Bags. Their bags are made using fair wages and fair labor practices and are great for toting around stuff (like groceries) and because it is a string bag, when I am not using it I can store it somewhere and it won’t take up much room.

3. A Fair Trade and Sustainable Recycled Newspaper Frame (with a very cute picture of me, my sister Anna, and my sister-in-law Renee in it) hand made by a women’s Co-op in the Philippines and distributed and sold by Ten Thousand Villages.

4. A Hemp Frisbee by Ecolution that gets really high (Amy’s joke not mine).

5. Of The Earth Organic Cotton T-Shirt.

6. A fair trade Recycled Silk Bucket Purse made by artisans in Napal and distributed by Ganesh Himal Trading Co.

7. And last but not least, Chimp Mints Organic Chocolate by Endangered Species Chocolate Company. They make fair trade certified, organic chocolate and “donate 10 percent of it’s net profits to organizations that are committed to protecting endangered animal and plant species.” They also name their chocolates after endangered species to raise awareness and “and inside our labels chocolate lovers can read about the plight of these animals and learn how to contact specific organizations for more information.”

I also got a beautiful necklace but I don’t know anything about it, so, unfortunately I can’t share information on it.

Thanks Amy and Daddy for my great birthday presents!