Hair it is - the word on phthalates

I try to live by the golden rule for awesome hair - only wash every other day, or if you or your family can stand it, every third day.

And when I do scrub away, I go phthalate free. That's the nasty group of chemicals that has been shown to cause problems in animals, ergo people animals. The GreenGuide has a super primer on what products are free of the accused and a great list of brands you can trust. A couple of personal favorites include Aveda and Tom's of Maine. Okay, the aluminum free deodorant tends to leave you smelling like a travel weary tourist in mid-August, but I feel good about the product ingredients and when my husband used it, his armpit rash vanished.

Don't forget to suds up with my every other day routine of Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Shampoo.

Enjoy!

EcoMoms Unite!

It started on vacation when I saw the headline in the NY Times: For ‘EcoMoms,’ Saving Earth Begins at Home. I got intrigued, but between catching up on email, real mail, laundry and de-sanding the suitcases, I haven't picked it up again until now. I'm glad I did! I just signed up for the EcoMom Challenge. It's the brainchild of excellent mom, Kimberly Danek Pinkson, who started the EcoMom Alliance to "leverage the power of mothers to help reduce global warming; To inspire and empower mothers to take First Steps For A Sustainable Future by Sustaining their Homes, Sustaining their Planet and Sustaining Themselves."

Here are the first 10 Steps to getting eco, mommy style:

1. Change a light. If every household in America changed out just 5 light bulbs to energy efficient CFL's it would be equivalent to taking 8 million cars off the road.
2. Drive More Efficiently: Car pool, don't idle during drop off and pick up, drive a hybrid and drive less.
3. Shop local, fair trade and organic.
4. Use non toxic products for cleaning, bathing, even make-up and you'll protect the environment as well as reduce you and your family's risk of disease.
5. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
6. Turn off and unplug electronic devices and you'll reduce your exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and save on energy and CO2 emissions.
7. Re-think your laundry plan!
8. Plant a Tree.
9. Buy carbon offsets. Click to learn how
10. Play more.

Stay tuned and enjoy!

Soup in a Box

I found a delicious organic creamy tomato soup this week that came packaged in a box. They're so convenient and I like the idea that my soup doesn't sit on a shelf in an alumnimum can for ages. I'm sure that's much worse than a plasticized box, but oh well.

I figured I could recycle the soup box, but called Imagine's customer service anyway where I was connected with George, a very helpful fellow. George confimed that 'yes, the boxes can be recycled' and gave me the manufacturer Tetra Pak's website. Here's what I found:

"Tetra Pak was founded on a remarkably simple idea: that a package should save more than it costs. This is still valid. We make food available to the world in lightweight packages that are safe, hygienic and made by clean industrial processes. This means we are constantly reducing the environmental impact of our operations, products and packages. For example, our aseptic cartons are 20 per cent lighter today than they were 20 years ago. Our packages meet the requirements of all four waste management options: source reduction, recycling, energy-from-waste-incineration, and landfills."

I now feel great about indulging in more box soup.

Enjoy!

What's your earth conservation plan (ECP)?

I got intrigued by an ad I saw for esurance while I was watching some HGTV last night. Erin the esurance agent and her sidekick - a laidback fellow - were promoting steps esurance is taking to help the environment. They're a paper free company and all policies are in electronic form, plus through their community outreach they've planted around 20,000 trees. I was impressed! Sounds like I should shop my insurance.

When I went to the site today, I found an even bigger deal and that's their partnership with Earthlab. Check out Earthlab's ECP calculator to get an idea of both your daily habits and carbon footprint that usually only takes into account transportation and energy consumption.

I got a 260 - the range is 150-900. Not bad, but could be better. They have some great tips on lowering that number.

Enjoy!

Spring Flings

Honestly, sometimes it's hard to live green when there are some many fun things to buy! Reduce, reuse and recycle. If you take it seriously, it usually means you should stave off the strong temptation to buy the latest and greatest at the local boutique or specialty store like Banana, The Gap or my budget friendly crush - Old Navy.

The latest set of new arrivals at Old Navy features super soft jersey dresses and tops to pair with smart shorts and chinos.

Sadly, they haven't embraced the organic movement yet and in talking to a couple of sales associates, they don't offer ANY organic cotton. Sad. I'll be they're working on a 'green' group. This little number at right is $29.50 online.

Happily, the earth and body friendly options are improving, check out this cute 100% organic cotton print dress at Aventura Clothing. $29.99 for the Sheridan Organic Sundress. Tres green!

Enjoy!

I'm Not A Plastic Bag

We know! But if you haven't been guilted into swapping your paper or plastic addiction with a canvas or all natural material tote bag yet, now's the time. Cafe Press has some great designs to add to canvas bags. For around $17 you too can voice your love for all things green as you sail the aisles of Trader Joe's. Don't miss the frozen section and check our their easy recipes!

Or consider a full green assault and choose an organic cotton or recycled cotton tote from reusablebags.com.

Enjoy!

Green Coffee, Eggs and Ham

You all know about shade grown and free trade coffee, but I discovered another way to keep your daily cuppa easy on the earth.

If you use a standard coffee machine with cone filters, try using the smaller size 2 cones instead of the lager size 4. I know, sounds small, but saves on paper. Also consider using the unbleached versions or check out this great Hemp filter, size 2.

Now the next caffeine hit won't mean a hit to mama earth.

Drink up!