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Sunday, September 19, 2010

10 Highly Recommended Eco Friendly Products

eco friendly productsBeing eco friendly doesn't always have to be such a chore. In fact, some products that have been introduced make it very easy, and won't break your budget. Leading an eco friendly lifestyle has never been easier. Here are 10 recommended eco friendly products that you should check out today to reduce your impact on the environment:

Biodegradable Trash Bags - Plastic is no longer the wave of the future. There are harmful chemicals found in trash bags, as well as unnecessary scent agents. Few, if any, plastic trash bags can make claims that they are BPA free, phthalate free, or biodegradable. Corn based plastics that break down in landfill conditions are the ideal alternative, and they're surprisingly strong. That's less animals harmed, less plastic created, and less plastic in our environment, just by making one simple switch.

Eco Friendly Baby Diapers - Diapers take a huge toll on the environment. Not only do they consume resources to create them, but they take massive amounts of space just to dispose of them. Diapers are not biodegradable, for the most part, unless the packaging indicates so. Other types of diapers may also have chemicals which will be absorbed into your baby's skin. Instead, opt for a more earth friendly option for your baby that doesn't have the chemicals. 

Reusable Paper Towels - In terms of wastefulness, paper towels rank near the top. Paper towels consume trees, which we need to help filter air and create oxygen. They also intake CO2, which our atmosphere has plenty of. To reduce paper towel waste, consider using a reusable set of paper towels to save trees and save money. 

Soap Nuts - These tiny little berries can actually wash clothing. It's sound unbelievable, but once you try them, you'll see them in action. While they may not produce overwhelming suds, they still contain saponin to help remove grime and dirt. Soap nuts also are far easier on your clothes, so you won't be finding as many holes, rips, and tears on your clothing. Expect the life of your clothing to substantially increase, while not spending any additional money on detergent (the price is about the same). 

Aromatherapy Reed Diffusers - Yes, those candles smell great, but what's in them? And as for those chemical disinfect sprays, what's in those? An array of parabens, metals, and propellents are included in air freshening products, and they aren't natural. Over time, you could experience headaches, smoke inhalation, and have black, sooty walls from candle smoke. A natural, green alternative is aromatherapy reed diffusers, made with just natural ingredients. The difference in scent is also astounding.

Eco Friendly Cat Litter - Kitty litter is a must for indoor cats (as well as outdoors), but they have their drawbacks. Namely, they create dust that can be inhaled by your kitty, and you. The carcinogenic dust can lead to health problems, and kitty is very likely to eat it, too. Buying a more earth friendly and cat friendly litter will help you, help the cat, and help the earth. 

certified organic perfume

Organic Perfume - The lack of integrity and utter disregard for the quality of the products produced by the perfume industry are appalling. Chemical fixatives, animal testing, petrochemicals, headache causing artifical fragrance, and an entirely synthetic composition make 99% of today's perfumes a really bad choice all around. Perfumes have been around for centuries, but only since the 20th century have they been synthetic. Revert back to the perfumes nature created by choosing an all natural, organic perfume instead. 

Organic Crib Sheets - The number of chemicals found in traditional cotton sheets are horrible for you, and even worse for little babies. Babies have less mass to distribute the chemicals absorbed by their body, unlike adults, who have far greater mass. This means babies will have a greater exposure to any chemicals and pesticides used on their sheets, and a greater risk of developing cancer. To reduce this risk, opt for a certified organic set of sheets. Organic mattresses are another great option, provided they are certified and are firm enough for your baby. 

Eco Cup - This brilliant invention is a great way to reduce take out coffee cup waste. Instead of throwing away your plastic or paper cups day after day, the Eco Cup will prevent that waste from ever occurring. Simply bring it in to your local coffee shop and fill it up. It's all the benefits of an easy to use coffee sippy cup, without the negative effects on the environment. 

Eco Friendly Cleaning Products - Cleaning products sound innocent, because they clean, but most are not. Specially formulated chemicals thrown together to create a grime stopping cleaner have their negative affects and flaws. Skip the chemicals next time and get an eco friendly cleaning product you can clean with, sans the guilt. These are also refillable via concentrate pouches, so there's less harm done to the environment and less transport energy used. 

For additional ideas, read this post on the top 10 eco friendly gift ideas, or head to TheGreenerEarth.com today to shop for eco friendly products like reusable paper towels, the Eco Cup, organic perfume, and others listed on this page. 


Friday, July 30, 2010

120 Ways to Go Green: A Wrap Up

This past week on the Green Living Tips Blog has been dedicated to finding new ways to go green, specifically by sharing some of the articles that I've published on Squidoo. Here, you can read the full 6 part series from the week which links to individual articles (or lenses as we like to call them at Squidoo):

As always, you can catch up with me on Twitter and on Facebook as well. Have a great weekend!

Reusable Living, Vegetarian Dishes, and Tips to Reduce Climate Change

This is part 6 in a 6 part series of my green articles on Squidoo. Each of these articles aims to give you a more earth friendly alternative to the things you are already doing and consuming. You'll come away with at least a few new ideas on going green through this series.

101. If there's any one thing you would like to do to lower your electric bill, try weatherstripping your home first.

102. The natural skin soothing spray is a great way to treat sunburns and bug bites, and it's completely all natural!

103. Traditional perfumes not only cause headaches, but are made with toxic plasticizers, which are a chemically created fixative. The natural alternative to the perfume industry is to find organic perfumes that smell wonderful and won't harm the environment.

104. The fall foliage tote bags found here are great ways to be more festive during fall foliage season!

105. The Reusable Bag Headquarters features several different resuable bag companies and designers.

106. Celebarate Earth Day everyday by following these easy tips on recycling, reusing, and reducing things in your life!

107. Use this bag again and again! Find scary reusable Halloween bags for Trick or Treating. They're even washable!

108. Buy organic shade grown coffee and treat the environment a little bit better (and taste the difference!).

109. Here are a few reasons you should eat more veggies (and it's not just because it's good for you!).

110. This natural acne cleanser will do a great job removing acne without using irritating chemicals that will worsen breakouts.

111. The organic under eye cream will smooth wrinkles, and won't subject your skin to chemicals that redden the skin.

112. These lettuce recipes are great ways to increase the amount of lettuce in your diet -- an important vegetable you should be eating.

113. Clean the air quality in your home just by adding a few of these recommended houseplants!

114. Find your town in Massachusetts and find your tote bag on the Massachusetts tote bags page!

115. The renwable energy bag features a beautiful windmill image, reminding everyone to think of how much energy they use day to day!

116. Find my review of Go Green, Live Rich on this lens, and find a sampling of some of the tips you can find in this easy to read book.

117. Quit throwing away disposable cups and use an eco friendly, BPA free, reusable cup like the Eco Cup.

118. Get on track to fight climate change in 50 different ways with this post.

119. Why buy stale, unfresh grocery produce? Find your local farmers market through this all inclusive list of the 50 different states of the USA.

120. If you're making butternut squash frozen, there's a much better alternative. Try out this easy recipe for homemade butternut squash here, it's only takes a few minutes extra preparation time.

Be sure to visit the Green Living Tips Blog for the rest of the 6 part series! You can also visit A Million Ways to Go Green for more eco friendly tips and advice from the author. Thanks for reading this series, I hope you enjoy the articles I've published on Squidoo (and maybe visited a few of them).

P.S. - One more thing - sign up for my free newsletter to get the latest green advice, news, and truly earth friendly products right in your inbox.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Natural Organic Products, Reusable Gifts, and Energy Efficiency

The three themes of the title have little to do with each other, but they have two things in commons: the articles in this post were all published by me, and they all feature ways to help green your life. There are simple, tiny things you can do like switch to biodegradable bags, or you can indulge in a little self pampering with the organic facial care products featured here. There are also a few posts on energy efficient cars and transportation. This is part 5 of a 6 part series on my green articles. Enjoy!

81. Find out how to host an online party here. It's the next best thing to an actual party!

82. These biodegradable pet bags are perfect to carry with you on your dog walks.

83. The organic lotion on this page is a great way to make your skin ultra smooth, and the scents are incredible!

84. Find more organic t-shirts and gift ideas on this page.

85. The cherry blossoms tote bag also features black bird silhouettes and a beautiful design that's machine washable!

86. You can take some green tax breaks to save some money on your taxes next year!

87. The recycled gift wrap on this page is a unique way to reduce your impact on the environment!

88. Reusable coffee filters have their own unique taste, and they're a great way to save those coffee grinds (they make great garden soil!).

89. The US reusable tote bags feature each of the 50 states. Find your state here!

90. The organic exfloating scrub is a natural way to scrub your face and remove dead skin without irritants.

91. These green travel tips will help you be greener on your next vacation.

92. Super soft Egyptian cotton baby towels are the ultimate way to treat your baby organically!

93. Before your next car purchase, check out some of these hybrid car reviews!

94. You can green your car with these green driving tips. Make your car run more efficiently, it will save you some money too.

95. The Chevy Volt is one impressive car. It's electric, and the mileage it gets is unbelievable. Check it out!

96. Not sold on going organic? Here are some reasons to go organic that might change your mind.

97. You can really taste the difference with this organic chocolate offered here!

98. This natural amonia free glass cleaner is a great way to reduce your exposure to harmful irritants from ammonia.

99. The organic gentle relief toner is powerful, yet soothing and invigorating for your face. It will clean up all the leftover dirt after washing it.

100. The organic multi tea cleanser freshens up your face and cleanses pores completely.

Be sure to visit the Green Living Tips Blog tomorrow for part 6 of the list! You can also visit A Million Ways to Go Green for more eco friendly tips and advice from the author.

P.S. - One more thing - sign up for my free newsletter to get the latest green advice, news, and truly earth friendly products right in your inbox.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Green Solutions for the Planet

Today is part 4 in a 6 part series in helping the planet through some of the articles I've published on Squidoo. On this post, you can find green solutions for the planet like reusable gifts, organic products (that help you and the environment), and ways to recycle your clothing.

Read the series so far:

61. A green solution for your baby is the eco friendly diapers offered on this page. Diapers take up billions of pounds of space in landfills!

62. These are some of the best smoothie recipes I've found online, and I compiled them all together in one place!

63. Wrapping paper is fun, but kind of wasteful. This page features a great alternative, reusable gift bags!

64. The Earth Day contest was a big success in 2009! Find out what was given away and who won on the contest page.

65. The organic moisturizing toner is a great way to naturally clean your face without overdrying.

66. Why pay for packaging materials? Here you can find out how to get free packaging material if you're an Ebay seller, shipper, or if you're just moving across town.

67. Be kind to the earth with reusable bags! The beautiful canvas tote bag featured holds 3 times as much as a disposable plastic bag!

68. It's hand washing gone green with the organic foaming hand soap, available with refill packets to fill it back up!

69. Chemicals aren't good for you, and that's why the organic bathroom cleaner is a wise choice for your family!

70. Yes, you can recycle your clothing by following these simple steps!

71. These green t-shirts are a great way to be kind to the planet and look great while doing it.

72. The organic all purpose cleaner is great for nearly any surface, and smells terrific!

73. The backyard bird count contest was a big hit!

74. Pesticides and chemicals are in our food, clothing and bedding. Why add more? This DEET free bug spray is a great natural alternative that really works!

75. Save money, go green! We could all use a little extra money, couldn't we?

76. In November 2009, we gave away the California tote bag, a green themed reusable tote.

77. The organic body products page features some great organic choices that don't have the harsh chemicals.

78. Go green with the reusable gift ideas here!

79. Organic shea butter really moisturizes better than anything else. If you have extremely dry skin, give this a try!

80. Find more ways to go green with these recommended tips!

Be sure to visit the Green Living Tips Blog tomorrow for part 5 of the list! You can also visit A Million Ways to Go Green for more eco friendly tips and advice from the author.

P.S. - One more thing - sign up for my free newsletter to get the latest green advice, news, and truly earth friendly products right in your inbox.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Go Green with Us and Reduce Your Impact on the Environment

Today is part 3 of a 6 part series of posts on greener living. Today, posts 41-60 will offer more green tips, products, and suggestions that I've offered on my articles on Squidoo. You can click any link to head to that individual article. The goal of each of these links is to help you reduce your impact on the environment and lead a greener lifestyle!If you missed part 1 or part 2 yesterday, please read that first.

41. Go green with these eco friendly, organic earth day t-shirts! They're better for the environment and you.

42. Find the green lens of the week and more tips on this green resources page.

43. Go completely organic with the natural, reusable, and earth friendly products from Chartreuse Products.

44. Why use chemicals on your baby? Try this natural diaper cream instead.

45. Reduce your electricity and heating costs in your home with these easy tips.

46. These delicious veggie panini recipes will have your mouth really watering!

47. The soap nuts laundry detergent is a great way to wash your clothing naturally.

48. Freshen up your home with the incredible scents of these aromatherapy air fresheners. The light scent is incredible!

49. Choose a cute accessory for your baby with the best nursery baby rugs that I've chosen here.

50. These earth friendly t-shirts feature some unique designs, on all organic t-shirts!

51. Organic shower gel is a great way to wash your body without chemicals. It's available in three incredible scents!

52. The organic facial care products here include a full facial regiment gone green and chemical free.

53. Find a bunch of vegeterian recipes to choose from and change up your current diet!

54. What chemicals are in your dryer sheets? Switch to a more natural alternative with these reusable dryer sheets available here!

55. These easy to make vegetable sides are great accompaniments to your dinners (and a good way to squish in more veggies!).

56. There are 50 ways you can go green with Chartreuse on this page, from the eco friendly skin care to the reusable products and more!

57. The organic facial cream is a great way to treat your face to a luxurious, all natural moisturizer that's chemical free.

58. Build your own recycling system in your home with these tips.

59. Go entirely organic with your baby's fun time with these recommended organic baby toys.

60. Book an organic home party with Chartreuse to find out more about the eco friendly, organic products offered!

Be sure to visit the Green Living Tips Blog tomorrow for part 4 of the list! You can also visit A Million Ways to Go Green for more eco friendly tips and advice from the author.

P.S. - One more thing - sign up for my free newsletter to get the latest green advice, news, and truly earth friendly products right in your inbox.

Monday, July 26, 2010

20 Earth Friendly Tips to Help Save the Environment

If you missed it yesterday, I posted part 1 of this 6 part series here, 20 Eco Friendly Tips for a Greener Planet. Today, the blog will continue with 20 earth friendly tips to help save the environment, which range from using greener products that are reusable, to recycling more in your life.

21. Get rid of the chemicals in your ziploc bags with these bpa free reusable sandwich bags. Why throw away when you can reuse again and again?

22. These easy green tips were taken from just one month of my green tip of the day posts!

23. In January 2010, we gave away the recycle tote bag in this contest.

24. Cut back on paper towel waste with the amazing reusable paper towels. You'll love these!

25. Go green on Valentine's Day and do something different (and better for the environment!)

26. This delicious stuffed bell peppers recipe is a great way to get more vegetables into your diet.

27. Soap nuts might seem strange, but they do a great job of washing your clothing naturally without chemicals.

28. Reusable bamboo utensils can cut down on your plastic waste, and they're a lot nicer to eat with, too.

29. Green your baby's bath time with these organic towels, creams, and recommended green baby products!

30. There are hundreds of green tips at a Million Ways to Go Green, the page here on Squidoo.

31. Plastic isn't our only option anymore. Try the biodegradable trash bags and cut back on your plastic bag use today!

32. This incredible organic shampoo is also biodynamic! Read this page to find out what that means, and why it's good for you and the environment.

33. Featured here are some of the organic t-shirts and gifts available from EcoGreenBags.

34. Take a look at some of the unique organic diaper bags available today (and they're truly organic!).

35. This gigantic reusable bag folds up into a tiny compact reusable shopping bag so you can take it with you everywhere you go!

36. There are 50 ways to go green on Squidoo on this lens. Featured are 50 of our greenest lensmasters!

37. Reusable produce bags are a great way to cut down on plastic waste in the supermarket.

38. These customized reusable SIGG water bottles are fully customized with unique designs, and they're BPA free!

39. Not sure where the local recycling center is in your town? This page will help!

40. Organic household cleaners are just a click away with this page, featuring some all natural and organic cleaning solutions for your home.

Be sure to visit the Green Living Tips Blog tomorrow for part 3 of the 6 part list! You can also visit A Million Ways to Go Green for more eco friendly tips and advice from the author.

P.S. - One more thing - sign up for my free newsletter to get the latest green advice, news, and truly earth friendly products right in your inbox.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

20 Eco Friendly Tips for a Greener Planet

Have you ever thought about your contribution to helping out the planet, and what your way of life leaves behind? If you're looking for eco friendly tips to make your lifestyle a little greener, then you're in luck. This week, I'll be posting ways to go green with TheGreenerMe and offering links to all of the articles I've published on Squidoo (they're actually called lenses there). Each article has easy ways to go green and earth friendly advice that you'll be able to pick up a thing or two from. Here's the first part of the list (part 1 of 6):

20 Easy, Eco Friendly Tips

1. Find out how to recycle things on my page featuring 50 ways to recycle.

2. Find things that you can reuse with this list of 50 reusables.

3. Set up an eco friendly baby nursery for your newborn with these recommended baby products and nursery tips.

4. Try the reusable coffee cup, the I Am Not a Paper Cup, to cut down on your disposable take out coffee cup waste.

5. Learn how to dispose of paint properly with these easy tips for your next paint job.

6. Give your baby the best BPA free baby bottles for their health with this list of recommended bottles.

7. Green your charitable contributions with this list of green charities, and how they rank for the amount of money that goes towards the cause.

8. These convertible baby cribs are some of the best available today, and will easily convert to day beds and full size beds down the road.

9. You've probably heard the slogan "reduce, reuse, recycle, right? This page will walk you through a typical day that's been greened entirely, from morning to night.

10. Join the Christmas tree debate and decide for yourself whether you're more of a fake tree or real tree person.

11. Reduce things in your life by conserving, cutting back, and analyzing what you use right now with these 50 tips.

12. Take a look at some of our reusable canvas tote bags, which are machine washable, durable, and perfect to replace your current disposable plastic bags.

13. Daily, I post the green tip of the day on Twitter. This page has compiled some of those tweets!

14. Ever wondered what the world would be like if we didn't recycle? Here are some of the possible consequences of not recycling here.

15. If you're looking for some eco friendly and durable furniture for your newborn, read up on some of these baby changing tables!

16. Cut back on water consumption with these water conservation tips for your home and life.

17. Start recycling more things in your life that you didn't know you could with this list. You'll be surprised at some of things you can recycle!

18. I've done some research, and I've found some of the best organic crib mattresses available, and compiled them together on this page.

19. It's important to get in your veggies, and spinach is no exception. Get more Vitamin K in your diet with these healthy spinach recipes.

20. Which side are you on in the bottled water vs tap water debate?

Be sure to visit the Green Living Tips Blog tomorrow for part 2 of the list! You can also visit A Million Ways to Go Green for more eco friendly tips and advice from the author.

P.S. - One more thing - sign up for my free newsletter to get the latest green advice, news, and truly earth friendly products right in your inbox.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The (Many) Causes of Global Warming

Global warming really can't be pinned on any one specific thing, but it's largely due to an increase in greenhouse gases that have started to deplete the ozone layer. There are many causes of global warming that really deserve more attention than the commonly known and often blamed, like cars and coal fired plants.

What else contributed to global warming? Things like the popularity of beef, use of aerosol, and the invention of plastic have led to a different mentality that has caused a lot of destruction on the environment, and eventually our atmosphere, too. Sure, you might be able to refute a couple of these facts, but how about 50 of them? Read this page on the causes of global warming to get the real facts on what's causing these changes to the ozone.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

How to Save Energy with Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

To many people, using compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFL bulbs, is nothing new. These bulbs have really caught on in the past decade, and continue to grow in popularity. In fact, it's actually getting harder to find regular incandescent light bulbs, which is a good sign people are using CFL bulbs.

Simply put, CFL bulbs will help save energy. Compared to regular incandescent light bulbs, they use a fraction of the energy and last years longer. Once you install CFL bulbs, you'll also get to enjoy one other thing: not having to change light bulbs! Most last 5 years or longer, and if they don't, they probably are under warranty. To get started with your energy savings, buy some CFL bulbs. Have them on hand when your next incandescent bulbs burn out, and replace them one by one. You could also choose to replace all of them immediately to see the energy savings turn on immediately.

If you're still not convinced, read this page which features 7 reasons to use CFL bulbs in addition to the ones on this post.

The product to the left, the  GE 13-Watt Energy SmartTM - 8 Pack - 60 watt replacement , is also by far the best deal on CFL bulbs. They also qualify for super saver shipping, so if you order 4 packs of these bulbs (probably enough for your entire home), you'll qualify for free shipping. At a price of 6.99 for the 8 pack, that's only 87 cents per light bulb, which actually makes it cheaper than most incandescent light bulbs. It's no longer more expensive to buy these energy saving bulbs, so give them a try if you haven't already.

Related Posts:
* Using Less Plastic with Reusable Cups
* How to Decrease Energy Use While You Sleep
* Getting Your House Greener this Winter

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

25 Easy to Make Homemade Vegetarian Recipes that Won't Take Forever to Make (and Still Taste Delicious!)

We all know most of the benefits of leading a vegetarian lifestyle, but if you're used to eating meat, it can be tough to incorporate more vegetables into your diet in a way that still tastes good. Here you can find some hand picked homemade vegetarian recipes that won't take forever to make, and are a delicious alternative to your regular meat dishes!


1. You won't miss the eggs in these gooey vegan chocolate chip cookies! Try making them next time!

2. Stuffed bell pepper, lemon cauliflower, or veggie primavera sound appetizing? These veggie sides are the perfect way to boost your vegetable intake in a delicious way!


3. Eggplant parmesan is a great way to go meatless for an Italian meal. You can take it one step further and find yourself some soy based cheese, or local dairy.


4. Want to go dairy free, even with your ice cream? Try one of the many homemade soy ice cream recipes
featured on this page.


5. Emeril Lagasse has cooked up a winning hot, nutritious vegetarian chili recipe that even meat lovers will love!


6. Peas and mushrooms add extra veggies to this traditional fettucine alfredo recipe. Great winter meal.




7. They're fancy enough for dinner, and tasty enough to have at anytime of day. These veggie paninis will give you some creative ways to spice up your dinner.


8. An easy, fresh tasting homemade tomato soup tastes far better than anything you've ever had in the can. Just replace the chicken broth with instant (chicken-free) broth.


9. Sweet potato pie, zucchini brownies, cheddar broccoli soup and other veggie favorites can be found on these easy to make veggie recipes page.


10. Craving some meat? Have that beefy taste without the meat in this vegetarian beef stew
recipe
.


11. Fried Zucchini is really simple to make, and goes great with many Italian recipes. Especially good when it's in season, in the peak summer.
12. Another great summer recipe is blueberry rhubarb pie. A good (albeit slightly sugary) way to boost your fruit intake a little.


13. Spinach is a pretty versatile vegetable, full of Vitamin K. Try out these healthy spinach recipes listed here.


14. Mushroom, pesto, sundried tomato... there are hundreds of way to go vegetarian with your pizza.


15. Authentic chinese food already has many vegetables in the recipes. Try out these vegetarian chinese food recipes next time instead of ordering out!


16. Sometimes, the appetizer is the best part of the meal. That's why these vegetarian appetizers are such a great choice. They're healthy, yet still have that delicious hour d'oeuvres taste.


17. Ahh, meatballs. It's tough to get a meat-free version right, but this recipe manages to make a great version of vegetarian meatballs.


18. Love a BBQ, but just don't eat meat? This vegan BBQ video will teach you that you don't need beef to have a smokin' barbeque!

19. There are a few dozen tasty vegan slower cooker recipes you can make at home in a snap on this page. Slower cookers reduce fat, and have loads of taste!


20. Lacking on fruits? These healthy fruit smoothie recipes are one of the best ways to squeeze more fruit into your diet.


21. Mexican food is one of the toughest things to try and make healthy. Try these vegetarian enchiladas next time you're craving some authentic Mexican food and cut some calories.


22. If you're in more of a Chinese mood, check out this page for some simple vegetarian fried rice recipes.


22. Back to Mexican! You can find a few dozen tasty vegetarian Mexican
recipes
on this page. The veggie quesadillas sound delicious!
fruit smoothies


23. Start your day the right way! Tofu and soymilk make excellent replacements for eggs in this vegan omelette.


24. When everyone else is eating their hamburger, you can be eating your vegetarian hamburger. These versions are more "meaty" than "tofu-ey".


25. Stuffed bell peppers can easily be made vegetarian. They're usually meat-free anyways!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Using Less Plastic with Reusable Cups

Is there anything better than a nice plastic cup? Chances are, you've never once thought that. Your favorite cups are probably reusable ones that are ceramic, stainless steel, or glass. Despite that, millions of people use billions of plastic cups every year. A reasonable solution to the world's landfill and pollution problems are smack dab in front of our faces, but we persist and still keep using disposable plastic cups.

There are five core reasons why you should be using reusable cups instead of disposable plastic cups.

1. Plastic cups never biodegrade. They might break down, but they never truly biodegrade. Instead, they wind up in the environment, breaking down into tiny, toxic plastic bits.

2. Drinks taste better in a reusable cup. No one ever called them reusable cups before disposable cups existed, but it's true, the plastic affects the taste of water and other drinks.

3. There simply aren't enough resources available for everyone on the planet to get a new cup every time they're thirsty, then throw it away. The idea seems kind of silly when you think about it, doesn't it?

4. The production of plastic has a highly destructive process to the environment. Not only is the plastic itself bad, but the emissions and by product produced are also negative consequences of the process. Even recycling plastic takes more energy and resources that could otherwise be saved by simply using a reusable cup.

5. Plastic contains trace elements of potentially harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. These are especially harmful to children, but have also been linked to cancer. In Europe, more aggressive measures to avoid BPA and phthalates are being taken than in the USA as the result of many scientific studies.

Besides these five core elements, you'll also see a benefit of cost savings if you bring a reusable cup to the store. It might also encourage others to go reusable with their cups just by watching you use yours.

You can read more about the eco friendly reusable Eco Cup on this page, or shop for reusable stainless steel water bottles, kids stainless steel bottles, and BPA free drinkware at TheGreenerEarth.com today!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Aromatherapy Reed Diffusers - Scent Your Home with Essential Oils

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years to fragrance homes. Only in the past century have other ways of spreading scent become popular. Scent is a big business. There are scientists dedicated to replicating natural scents and getting that scent into the products you spray into your home, office, and cars. Why not just use the natural scent instead? Unsurpringly, if you follow the money trail, you'll find the answer. Cheap ingredients mean bigger profits, and scientifically formulated scent is far cheaper than natural scents, in most instances.

Synthetic scents have their downsides for us. They can give us headaches, cause dizziness, and contain plenty of hormone disruptors. From products like plugs ins, spray can air fresheners, and even scented candles, they all contain artificial fragrance and propellants. The worst part is that fragrance isn't regulated by the government, so they are free to use virtually anything they want in their spray cans, including kerosene, butane, and formaldehyde.

Luckily, not everyone has abandoned creating natural scents. Essential oils provide a natural way to fragrance your home, without any chemicals involved. The smell is also a world of difference. Once you've been exposed to essential oils, you'll notice a major difference in the scent, and you'll be able to point out a fake scent. You may also get less headaches, nausea, and dizziness associated with synthetic fragrances.

The natural aromatherapy reed diffusers offered at TheGreenerEarth.com are the ideal way to scent your home, chemical free. Five impressive scents have been released that contain essential oils of sandalwood, bergamot, neroli, rose, jasmine, and lemon. They're also vegan friendly, pthalate free, cruelty free, and made in the USA.

Related Posts:
* Certified Organic Perfume
* Chemical Free Aromatherapy Air Fresheners

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

How to Use Up Food in Your Cabinet: Easy Recipe Generators


We've all bought a thing or two at the local grocery store that we thought we'd use, only to have it sit in the cabinet for months, sometimes years. If the food is still within the expiration date, you can of course donate the food to a local food pantry. If you'd rather make a meal out of your current cabinet inventory, there's an easy way to generate recipe ideas using Recipe Matcher.

RecipeMatcher.com is an easy to use website that lets you plug in the ingredients you have on hand, and suggested recipes will pull up based on those ingredients. The results can be surprising! It's also a great way to waste less food, and clean out the cabinets to make room for new food. You can also enter fresh ingredients into the ingredients list.

If you have plenty of canned or bagged pet food around that may expire before you use it up, donate it to a local animal shelter. They certainly will put it to good use!

How to stop buying wasteful food (for your next grocery shopping trip):

  • Don't buy in bulk if you don't need it. Costco and BJ's might be a good deal, but if you don't need the surplus and you can't go through it, you may wasting more money than you're saving.
  • If you haven't tried something before, buy a small pack of the item or a smaller size.
  • Buy individual size containers for things you haven't tried before. That way, if it's a multi pack and you don't like it, you've only used one, and you can give the rest away (for example, a 6 pack of Spicy V8 vegetable juice).
  • If the item has dust on the cover at the store, don't buy it. Chances are that product is sitting on the shelf unpurchased for a reason!
  • Shop for foods with less packaging. Buying fresh is an alternative at many grocery stores, including nuts and produce. Bring your own reusable bags or reusable containers and fill it up with the grains, nuts, or fresh products you're looking for (these are usually located in the produce aisle, or sometimes one aisle or two over).

Intro photo of grocery cart by zoovroo on flickr.

The author of this page writes on this green blog, and sells eco friendly products like reusable paper towels, organic body products, and biodegradable trash bags. Stop by the TheGreenerEarth.com today to view the entire product catalog!

Monday, June 7, 2010

How to Reduce the Effects of Climate Change

Climate change is one of the biggest reasons so many people are trying to think of progressive green ideas. Research has shown that stopping climate change dead in its tracks is nearly impossible, but we can try to slow it down. That way, we'll feel less of the effects of climate change down the road, whether those are high temperatures, rising sea levels, or rapid water evaporation (and a dwindling water supply).

The things that effect climate change the most are the actions of man, but events like volcanic eruptions can contribute to global warming. While we can't plug all of the volcanoes on the planet, we can try to reduce our own emissions that are building up in the atmosphere. As you may already know, the more greenhouse gases that enter our atmosphere, the warmer the air is, and the more damage it causes to our ozone layer.

There are two main factors that influence climate change, and those are the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. There are several other factors that contribute to global warming, but these two factors alone cause most of the greenhouse gases.

How do we reduce the effects of climate change?

Almost everything we purchase and use expels greenhouse gases. Much of the greenhouse gases we emit are from our food and transportation. Even the produce at the supermarket and a small lawnmower cause some emissions. Now, those bunches of grapes aren't sitting there expelling greenhouse gases themselves, but the process used to grow the grapes, transport them to the supermarket, and keep them cool does cause greenhouse gas emissions. The water that is pumped to the farm, the workers that drive to the farm, the tractors that maintain the land, and the delivery of materials to the farm all contribute small bits of emissions and energy use (and cattle farms use far more than plant farms). When the grapes are picked, they're transported to a facility using trucks, which use gas and oil. Once the grapes arrive in the supermarket, you'll drive to the market to go get them, burning more fossil fuels.

So how can we use less energy with our food?

First, we can avoid packaged foods. The fact that grapes are usually unpackaged is better for the environment and our atmosphere. The production of packaging is one extra step that will cause more emissions. Second, we can buy locally. Buying locally means fresher foods that use less transport energy to get to you. Third, we can grow our own food.

How can we use less transportation energy?

Buying your food locally is a big step in using less transportation energy. Second, you can reduce the amount of time you drive and carpool when possible. Public transportation is another option that uses far less energy than a single car.

There are many more ways to reduce climate change, from switching to reusable bags to taking cooler showers, which you can read about at the above link.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Buy Certified Organic Plush Animals (and Know What You're Getting)

organic plush animalWhen someone puts the time into a product you buy and it's apparent that there's fine workmanship involved, you're usually happy with that product. Mass produced pieces that come off an assembly line that don't have as much attention to detail... well, those are often tossed aside. The same logic can even be applied to kids toys and plush animals. When they're well made, we notice. When they're cheap and poorly constructed, we also take notice (and vow to never purchase them again, not to mention tell the entire neighborhood, along with all of your Facebook friends).

Stuffed animals are a dime a dozen, but finding plush animals that aren't made with cheap, chemically treated filler is a little more extraordinary. From the buttons to the outside fabric, manufacturers can tend to skimp and use cheaper materials to offer a lower price. With that lower cost to you comes a certain cost to everyone, and those are:

  • The effects on the environment
  • The adverse health effects on workers (working in chemically treated cotton plantations)
  • Cheaper materials that may be treated with hazardous chemicals, unbeknownst to you

Unlike food products, manufacturers do not have to disclose what is in the teddy bear that you're giving your child. What could be in it? Pesticide treated cotton, synthetics with traces of lead, who knows?

Buying a certified organic plush animal is a much better option for your child. Not only will it be safer, but you'll know what you're getting. There are also many customer reviews out there of these organic stuffed animals, so you can read before buying whether you think the product would be a good fit for your child.

Read more about buying organic for your child on these other resource pages:

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Five Ways to Decrease Your Energy Use While You Sleep

save energy while you sleep
This is part five of a five part series on Earth Day, conservation, and being green. With these small steps, we can all save money while making big changes to our environment.

Back in the day, sleeping didn't cost a dime. There was no such thing as a refrigerator, computers weren't invented, and cellphones didn't need charging. Today, even while we sleep, appliances run, air conditioners hum, and clocks stay lit up all night, all the while racking up our bills. Now if we could only find a way to get paid to sleep so we can pay for all of this!

Our energy bills aren't going anywhere, but there some things you can do to decrease your energy use while you sleep. Before you go to bed tonight, give one of these a try. Then, every night you can try to tackle another one before bed:

  1. Plug your computer into a power strip with an on/off switch. Buy one with power surge protection to protect your computer during thunderstorms and electrical surges for even better use of the power strip. Computers that are left plugged in without a power strip can suck up tons of energy (and that story about how computers use less energy by staying on than turning them on and off is a myth).
  2. Turn down the fridge temperature. Fruit and vegetables will keep longer at slightly higher temperatures than freezing, and you'll save on your energy bill.
  3. Put more frozen stuff in your freezer. This will keep your freezer colder longer, and will prevent the frost mechanism from kicking on more often.
  4. Unplug toasters, panini presses, coffee makers, or anything else that isn't programmed or doesn't need to be used. All things that are plugged in can use energy while you sleep!
  5. Use a ceiling fan to move warm and cool air around your home. This will circulate the air that you pay for, and keep the thermostat from kicking on more often.

I hope you enjoyed this five part series on Earth Day and found it informative! Thanks for reading.


P.S.: The author of this page likes to blog on this site, and also sells a line of eco friendly products like reusable dryer sheets, paperless towels, soap nuts, organic facial care items, and organic household cleaners.

Get Kids Involved: Earth Day Activities for Kids

earth day apple
This is part four of a five part series on Earth Day. These small tidbits of information are meant to help you make tiny, unnoticeable changes that amount to something bigger down the road.

It's a whole lot easier to educate a child than it is to educate an adult. Kids today have a better perspective on the environment than anyone else. For example, let's say you had to choose between your 89 year old Grandmother and your 8 year old daughter to educate on Earth Day. Who would you want to teach? Kids are more impressionable, open to new ideas, and eager to learn (sorry Grandma!), and they're going to absorb more of the things you teach them. What you tell them about the environment could amount to a whole lot of changes to the Earth tomorrow.

Here are some activities for kids this Earth Day:


Here are a few more activities to try with your kids that are timeless (and they'll remember them forever):

  • Plant a tree, but not just any tree. Let your kids pick the tree, and help research which trees will grow best in your yard. Maybe the best tree to grow might be a cherry tree, a flowering dogwood, or a shady pine?
  • Reuse things from your cellar. Have a bunch of stuff that's ready to make it's way to the dump? Kids can get creative and find ways to repurpose some of the things in your basement into entirely new things. Try using objects as organizational containers, or even sell off some of your old stuff on Ebay and share the cash with your kids (if they agree to help!).
  • Melt down crayon ends and make something cool out of them. This project is a lot of fun, and a great way to reuse something that would otherwise be tossed away.

Keep reading this blog for the rest of the Earth Day series!

How to Have a Slower, Greener Lunch


This is part three of a five part series about Earth Day, and how you can implement small changes to make a difference everyday.

Lunch is quick. If you're like most Americans, you grab something fast. Take-out from a sub shop, fast food from a hamburger joint, or maybe a salad in a plastic container from cafe. When food is quick, unfortunately it never tastes as good. Is there a way that you can make your lunch last longer, and be more enjoyable? The answer is to get the word "fast" out of your lunch. Being concerned less with the quantity and more with the quality will leave your more satisfied and healthy. Another nice side benefit is that the environment will reap the benefits, too.

Slowing down your lunch is going to take a little bit of extra planning, a change in your current habits. Here are some of the ingredients you'll need for a slower lunch:

* Someone to talk to
* Reusable containers (no disposables allowed)
* Something that involves little packaging

So how will you make time for your new, slower lunch?

  1. Switch your lunch hour to a time when there are less lines at restaurants. Bump it up 15 minutes, or change it to one hour later. By changing the time, you'll avoid the lines at most restaurants and be able to enjoy your lunch more (and think more about what you're eating).
  2. Eat lighter instead of heavy. Lighter foods are easier to eat, so you'll be able to eat them slower, and you won't feel bogged down after you eat it.
  3. Know the busy lunch days for restaurants around your workplace, and skip eating out on those days. Opt for eating in on those days instead.

How eating slower will help the environment:

  1. Eating slower means you'll eat less. By eating less, you'll be consuming less packaging, less disposable utensils, less napkins, and less money.
  2. Slower eating means you'll be able to tell when you're full. This means you'll be losing pounds, and losing weight can help the environment.
  3. You'll be able to think about what you're eating, and that way, you can improve your diet by eating more veggies and fruits.

Keep reading this blog for more Earth Day tips and updates all day long!

How to Lessen Your Environmental Impact During Your Commute


This is part two of a five part series on Earth Day, and lightening your environmental impact.

Maybe for some of us, our morning commute consists of walking downstairs to get some coffee, but not for most people. 70% of America has to leave for work or school, and nearly everyone has to leave the house at some point or another. In other words, it's inevitable that you will have some sort of commute, sooner or later. Here's a few things that you can do to lessen your environmental impact during your commute:

  1. If you drive by car: make sure your tires are properly inflated, make sure the oil is changed, and fully maintain your car. The better your car runs, the less it emits into the environment and the better mileage it gets (not to mention it save you money, too, and it's safer).
  2. If you take the train: Ride your bike to the train, or hitch a ride with someone else who takes the train.
  3. If you have the option to let your kids take the bus, let them take it. It's far less impact on the environment to let them take the bus vs. you picking them up.
  4. If you walk, keep walking! This is great exercise.

5 Things to Do This Morning for Earth Day


Be greener and have a lighter carbon footprint from the moment you get out of bed

This is part one of a 5 part series on Earth Day. Why not make a few small changes in your life, beginning with Earth Day?

From the moment you wake up, we start consuming things. We breathe, we brush our teeth, run the water, take a shower, cook our breakfast, throw away things, and drive to work. What if we just took one or two of those things and started to change them in such a small way that it didn't even affect our lives in the least? That's called being realistic, and that's what will work if you're going to be making some changes in your life. Here are ten things you can do this morning, starting from the moment you wake up, to be a little greener and less wasteful:

  1. Eat stuff with no packaging. Go ahead, eat a raw fruit, a bakery item that you purchased without the bag, or something you baked yourself. The real point is, the less packaging, the better it is for the environment... but it's also better for you! When you bake your own items, you'll be in control of the calories and ingredients, and when you eat fresh fruits, you'll be eating something low calorie, nutritious, and pretty tasty.
  2. While you're at it, bring stuff to work for lunch that doesn't have much packaging, or simply bring your own lunch. By bringing your own lunch, you'll be saving yourself some cash, but also be throwing away far less plastic, paper, and foil than if you visited your local fast food restaurant, sub shop, or favorite take out restaurant.
  3. Turn the water off while you shave and brush your teeth. That's pretty easy.
  4. Take a shorter shower. Don't worry about cutting your shower time in half or even shaving off a few minutes, just worry about reducing it even by a minute. If that's far too hard for you, order a low flow shower head when you get home from work (this will pay itself off in just a few months anyway).
  5. Ask another Mom to drive the kids, and take a walk. Carpooling will help save gas, and give you time to do your own thing. A brief walk will burn calories, and keep you out of the doctor's office (not to mention you won't have to buy the next size up clothing!).

Keep reading this blog all day to keep up to date with more tips in this series for Earth Day.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Why You Should Start Eating More Fruits and Vegetables

The benefits are numerous, but do you really have time to squish in all of those fruits and vegetables into your diet? In a world of processed food, fast food, and hard to pronounce fillers that are taking the place of real food, the real question is, can you afford to not eat more fruits and vegetables? It doesn't take a vegetarian to know that eating plants is good for you, and you don't have to be a vegetarian or vegan to have some of those same benefits. Simply by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet, you'll be doing a few of the following:

  • Losing weight (it's impossible to gain weight on fruits and vegetables alone)
  • Gaining control of your finances (you'll be grocery shopping more, eating less expensive meat, and maybe even skipping fast food more often)
  • Best of all, you'll feel better.

Not fully convinced yet? Read the new lens featuring 30 reasons to eat more veggies, and see if a few of them convince you that you should up your veggie intake. What could you lose? Only pounds, inches, and maybe some debt.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

50 Things to Do During Earth Hour

Every last Saturday of March is Earth Hour. The goal of Earth Hour is to raise awarenes towards the need to take action towards climate change. Business and homes everywhere participate by shutting off their lights and lowering their energy consumption in any way that they can. Every year, the participants in Earth Hour have grown in numbers, as more people become more aware of the changes our planet are going through (and the Earth Hour event itself).

Think Earth Hour sounds like a great idea, but you're struggling to find things to do? Here;s a list of 50 things to do during Earth Hour, from candlelight dinners to scary ghost stories. You're bound to find something on the list that you'll find fun and interesting!

1. There's never been a better excuse to cook up some Smores by the fire.
2. A game of flashlight tag feels even more justified and fun during Earth Hour.
3. Tell some scary ghost stories in the pitch black of the night.
4. Cook up a late night BBQ and serve some of your family's favorites.
5. Get the whole area involved and throw a neighborhood party for Earth Hour.
6. Kids and adults alike can appreciate the simplicity of candelit shadow puppets.
7. While you have your candles burning, you can also plan your own romantic candlelight dinner.
8. Experience the phenomenon of glow in the dark Lifesavers at night.
9. Let the kids bring out their collection of glow in the dark stickers to fully appreciate the glow.
10. Play with glow sticks, tons of fun in the pitch black dark.
11. Listen for owls at night and learn the different calls. Just be very quiet and go into the woods with your call tape (wait a few minutes after each call to wait for them to respond).
12. View constellations and try to find some of the popular ones like Orion's Belt and the Big Dipper.
13. Go camping in your own backyard for the night.
14. Start a campfire and enjoy those Smores and tell ghost stories. It will be a night to remember!
15. Play board games by candlelight.
16. Plan a night hike, a thrilling experience that's far different from any day hike you've ever gone on.
17. View the beautiful, natural wonder of tidal pools lit by moonlight (bring a flashlight, too).
18. The first warm, rainy night of spring is when the salamanders walk to the vernal pools to breed. This is a sight to see (and might not happen during Earth Hour, but it's around this time of year).
19. Listen for animals near your home, or in the woods. Like owls, you'll just need to be quiet and patient.
20. Turn off everything in your home and go grocery shopping. You'll enjoy the short lines at the grocery store!
21. Go to the movies. They'll be using the electricity in the theater whether you go or night.
22. Tell one of these scary ghost stories and terrify everyone around you.
23. Attend a restaurant that is participating in Earth Hour. Google your local area plus "earth hour restaurants" for more information.
24. Sleep. The average American could use more of it. Why not tonight?
25. Hold a blind taste testing for beer, wine and cheese.
26. Ask for a massage, or give a massage. They're even better in the dark (and a great way to relax during Earth Hour).
27. Plan a scavenger hunt at night in your yard, in the woods, in the city, or wherever you find fun.
28. Listen to your favorite music on your ipod in the serenity of the dark.
29. Walk around to see who else is participating in Earth Hour.
30. Break out those scented candles that you've been storing and actually use them.
31. Play board games that you've never played before, maybe even the scariest one of all, the ouija board.
32. Read by candlelight (not too close though!).
33. Reminisce about your past, talk about it, and share it with your kids, partner or friends.
34. Let the kids play outside late. They'll be thrilled.
35. Play horseshoes in the dark. It's much harder.
36. Go thermostat free and bundle up (if you need to).
37. Read up on reducing, reusing, and recycling on your charged up Blackberry or iphone.
38. Use your Kindle to read without any candlelight.
39. Play new video games on your Nintendo DS or portable game system.
40. Take a bath. They're even more relaxing in the dark.
41. Pamper yourself with all of your spa and beauty products, then recycle the containers.
42. Take a walk along the beach if it's low tide and take in the fresh air.
43. Take the train into the city and walk around.
44. Enjoy the free lights and electricity at your local coffee shop.
45. Make campfire food.
46. Use the time to talk about what you'd like to plant in your garden (or indoor garden), or other green ideas for the coming spring and summer months.
47. Look up at the nighttime sky to notice how dark or not dark it really is.
48. Listen for frogs and spring peepers.
49. Make some fondue.
50. Start making your own list of things that you did during Earth Hour, then share them here or on your own blog!

Did you participate in Earth Hour? If you didn't, you can make plans to participate in Earth Hour next year, or just plan your own personal Earth Hour on a different day. It's all about reducing our impact on the environment and educating others. You can also read our other post on things to do during Earth Hour for more ideas.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Are Salon Shampoos Killing Your Skin and Hair?

Sitting in the waiting room in any salon, you'll see product after product available for sale, to keep the color in your freshly dyed hair, to keep that teased, perfected hairstyle in place, and to moisturize your hair after all those treatments. These products are made by professionals though, so how bad can they be for you? After all, the bottle says "the true professional," so that must mean they know what's good for us, right? Maybe not.

As it turns out, those hair products could be destroying your hair more than fixing it, all the while depositing a range of chemicals into your scalp, skin, nails and hands. What chemicals? The internet is full of conflicting information about chemicals. At the very least, the chemicals could be doing nothing (though many articles and studies have suggested otherwise). Worst case scenario, the petrochemicals in salon products and shampoos could lead to severe skin irritation, cause birth defects, and potentially shampoo could cause Alzeheimer's Disease. Are salon products going to kill you overnight? No, you have a better chance of winning the lottery and then being struck by lightning while seeing a flying pig in your last moments. Over long periods of use, your salon shampoo that contains petrochemicals cause some annoying irritation, weaken and damage your hair, strip it of vital nutrients, and expose your hair and scalp to unncessary agents (and some of the potential risks described previously).

What About Animal Testing with Shampoos?

One brand that doesn't test on animals is Paul Mitchell. However, you do have to be careful when a product says that it "has not been tested on animals." The final product itself may not have been tested on animals, but the individual ingredients may have. How can you be really sure your product hasn't been tested on animals? Look for the little bunny. Products that have the "leaping bunny" logo have met standards where the product is cruelty free, including suppliers, all ingredients, testing, and manufacturing.

What are the alternatives to traditional salon shampoo?

There are some alternatives out there for salon shampoo. An organic shampoo is a great choice, but you have to look at the ingredients just like any other product. Just because the product states that it's organic, that doesn't mean it's healthy. First, you'll always want to look for certified organic products. Some companies cannot attain organic certification because some of the ingredients simply aren't made organic, or the price difference in certain ingredients is astronomically different. If you have questions about any product, check the cosmetic database, and check reviews from other consumers online by doing a quick google search for the company name + reviews. There's also biodynamic shampoo, which is not just organic, but a product that is made from a self sustaining ecosystem. In other words, nothing comes from outside of the farm. The herbs are grown on the farm, and all of the other ingredients in the shampoo. The cost of the biodynamic organic (which you can find here) shampoo will also be comparable to that of a salon product, but will be far higher quality - and won't damage your hair.

If you're interested in reading more about what chemicals might be lurking in your cosmetics, you may want to read the following posts from our blog:

Monday, February 22, 2010

Certified Organic Perfume - Why Buy All Natural Perfume?


Ah, the sweet smell of your favorite perfume. Who can resist the aroma, the memories, and... the antifreeze? Traditional perfumes often contain synthetic compounds from petroleum (yup, as in gasoline - the type you fill your car with!), and Propylene glycol, which is found in antifreeze. Luckily, there are high quality types of certified organic perfume available.

But first, let's talk about perfume for a moment. The fragrance industry does not have any regulation - they are self regulated. It isn't like food, which has to meet certain requirements, or governed by the USDA like our produce in the USA. Instead, ingredients that perfume manufacturers use are considered "trade secrets," and do not have to be disclosed. In other words, it's anything goes in the perfume world. Whatever smells good, put it in there. Are you wondering what else is found in your perfume?

Your perfume can also contain phthalates. Phthalates are plastic by-products used as a sort of filler to make things more pliable, and in perfume's case, it is used as a fixative (to make it stick in place and not run). The dangers of phthalates have been widely documented, so much so that the European Union has banned phthalate use in cosmetics in Europe. We're still waiting in Canada and the United States for a phthalates ban.

How the Perfume World Has Changed

Way back in the day, perfume was natural. There were no such thing as phthalates, glycol, and other synthetic substances. The only ingredients being used in perfumes in the days of Mesopotamia and Egypt were natural ones, the highest quality available. They were never overpowering, they were always pleasant, and they had no petroleum. Ingredients used consisted of bergamot, flowers, almonds, herbs, spices, and conifer. Today, far less money is used on the actual ingredients as is spent on the packaging, marketing and advertising of the perfume. Cheaper ingredients, namely synthetics, were introduced in the 20th century. These "breakthroughs" allowed scents to be created for a cheaper price that would otherwise be harder to get naturally. An all natural perfume is something you would have a hard time finding at any perfume store or at your local Macy's.

Certified Organic Perfumes Available

This all natural perfume is going to have a lot of benefits over the typical commercial variety of perfume. Here are some of those benefits:
  • Natural perfume is subtle, not overpowering. Your friends, family, and coworkers will appreciate this!
  • Each bottle is unique. You'll experience different looks to the actual liquid in each bottle, a natural occurrence.
  • This particular certified organic perfume (click shop for products when you arrive at the previous link) is free of animal products, and hasn't been tested on animals.
  • It's vegan friendly (a small amount of beeswax is used).
  • Natural perfumes can be layered for a unique natural scent.
  • Best of all, you'll be synthetic free! No more phthalates, chemicals, petroleums, or alcohol. To top it off, it's certified organic.

Made with a base of 100% natural coconut oil infused with fruits, rare grasses, rare woods, and exotic spices, and is made with the most natural and organic ingredients as possible. The end result is a wonderful, intoxicating aroma that will leave your other synthetic perfumes in the dust. The alluring organic perfumes come in four amazing natural scents. The 4-Scent Oil Set includes: Fleur Savage, Kesu, Llang Llang and Kizes. 4 ml each.

You can order the organic perfume here (click shop for products).

If you're also looking to give your home a wonderful scent without potential toxins found in common household sprays, first try opening the windows, ventilating, and vaccuming, and topping it off with a spray of natural aromatherapy room spray.