Stuff We Found Today - 9.30.08

Food Stuff

• 30 Creepiest Vegetable on Earth - (post from Environmental Graffiti) For your viewing pleasure.
• Want to Save the Earth? UN Says Cut Meat from Your Diet Once a Week - (post from EcoScraps) What's one meal a week? Anyone can do that, right??
  

Home Stuff

• 15 Inspiring Glimpses into the Future of Green Housing - (post from EcoSalon) These are some pretty cool homes!
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Honda Planning Hybrid Motorcycle - (post from ecoGeek) Good news for all you motorized two-wheelers.
• Air Capture System Can Filter Carbon Dioxide from Any Air, Anywhere - (post from Planetsave) Also check out the Discovery Channel's Project Earth episode featuring this technology.
• Slimming Down Flat-Screen TV Power Use - (post from EcoGeek) If you're planning on buying a new flat screen, wait for the new ones that consume less power.
  

School & College Stuff

• Rutgers Breaks Ground for Biggest College Solar Farm in U.S. - (post from EcoLocalizer)
• GreenReportCard.org - "...the first website to provide in-depth sustainability profiles for hundreds of colleges in all 50 U.S. States and Canada." See how your school scores.
  

Cool Website Stuff

• The Wedding Lens - A great green way to have your wedding guests share photos of your special day. This site was designed as a replacement for the plastic disposable wedding cameras that so many people use at weddings. This also makes a great gift for the wedding couple.
• The Read Green Initiative - Forget the glossies...read your favorite magazines online. They're even offering a free 1yr subscription just get you started!
• EcoBrain - Green Books for Green Living - This e-book website is currently offering new members a $5 credit for towards any book in their collection until Nov 1st.
• GreenYour.com - "...your go to guide for whatever you want to green." Covering practically all areas, information is grouped into Facts, Tips and Products. Read more about this site.
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Estate Bottled Fuel - (post from EcoScraps) Hilarious! After reading this post, be sure to check out the site Fine Fueling.
• Do You Really Need Fiji Water More than Fijians Do? - (post from EarthFirst) Stuff like this makes us sick.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.29.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Schools Urged to Achieve Fair Trade Status - (post from Fair Trade Resource Network) See what schools in the UK are doing - perhaps we could take a clue from our friend across the pond.
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Allure Magazine's "Best of the Best" Natural Beauty Products - Allure's "Best of the Best" beauty products guide now has a "Natural" category. See which products made the list.
• Aura Cacia Introduces Fair Trade Certified Body Polish - (post from Fair Trade Resource Network) This is "the first body polish that contains Fair Trade Certified raw sugar cane granules as an exfoliating agent..." Available at www.auracacia.com.
• Antipodes Certified Organic Skincare Lands in the US - (post from Feelgood Style) Apparently the high end skincare line from New Zealand is all the rage in Europe.
• Oversized Handbags - 4 Hot Bags for Every Eco-Fashionista - (post from Feelgood Style) Yes, these bags are hot!
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• DRM is Bad for You AND the Planet - (post from EcoGeek) Some interesting food for thought.
• Magnetic Air Car Could Be Ready by 2010 - (post from CleanTechnica) Interesting...
• First Greenfreeze Climate Safe Freezer Launches in the United States - (post from CleanTechnica) Brought to us by those awesome guys at Ben & Jerry's and Greenpeace.
• New Mobile Phone App to Track Carbon Footprint - (post from CleanTechnica)
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Google's Project 10 to the 100th - "Project 10¹⁰⁰ is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible."
• Sun of God: The Vatican Goes Solar - (post from Red Green and Blue) Turns out the Pope is kind of green.
  

Quote of the Week - 9.28.08

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend"

~Dr. Martin Luther King

*****************************

"...and sometimes sharing a little Fair Trade chocolate can help too."

~Coco-Zen

Stuff We Found Today - 9.28.08

Home Stuff

• Green PreFab from Across the Pond - (post from Green Building Elements) We just love prefabs.
• Super-Efficient Water-Saving Shower - (post from Building Green Elements) This is for those of us who love to linger and soak in a hot steamy shower.
• How to Recycle Anything Guide - (post from Real Simple) A to Z guide on how to recycle common household items - GREAT!
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Simple Shoes - Shoes for a Happy Planet - A shoe company committed to leaving a sustainable footprint. We love their their Green Piggies infant line.
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Am I Green or Not? - A new website for the eco-competitive where people rate each other on how green they really are. Read more on GreenMuze's post.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Ecuador 1st nation in World to Give Nature Rights Via Constitution - (post from EcoWorldly) While this may sound little too far for some people, it makes complete sense when you realize that this is a country that has been exploited and polluted by international companies taking advantage of Ecuador's natural resources.

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• America's Greenest Hotels 2008 - (post from Forbes Traveler) A great reference for those of you planning an upcoming holiday getaway.
• One Way to Eliminate Waste in the Music Industry - (post from TheDailyGreen) Digital music delivery systens can help reduce the need for all those plastic CDs and their cases.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.27.08

Home Stuff

• Save $100 a Year with a Programmable Thermostat - (post from Lighter Footstep) ...and they don't cost very much at all.

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Ethical Fashion Show Paris - (post from EcoFashionWorld) For the uber eco-fashionistas.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Nature Segregates Dirty, Rich Nations from Clean, Poor World - (post from EcoWorldly) Enough said.
• Take the Ten Mile Pledge and Cut Your CO2 - (post from Lighter Footstep) We like the "Declare one car-free day a month" where you "Make yourself slow down, catch up on your reading, and unwind."

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Remembrances: Legendary Actor, Philanthropist Paul Newman Dies - (post from NPR) This a really nice tribute to a life well lived.
  
• A Video Tribute to Paul Newman - (post from Mashable)
• Five Easy Ways to Green-Up Your Tailgate Party - (post from Lighter Footstep)
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• STRiDA MAS Debuts New Folding Bike - (post from EarthFirst.com) Pretty cool, but a little pricey for us right now.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.26.08

Food Stuff

• The Coolest Fruit On Earth - (post from Environmental Graffiti) "Imagine: a fruit that when eaten, renders sour foods sweet..." Question is, where can we get it??
• Plum Clafouti - (post from Eat. Drink. Better.) We haven't tried this recipe ourselves just yet, but it sounds so delicious and looks easy to make that we just had to post it.
  

Home Stuff

• National Solar Tour: Renewable Energy Behind the Scenes - (post from Clean Technica) A chance to "get an up close and personal look at solar systems." Happening all over the country during Ocober - check out the schedule by state.

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• A New Battery Alternative Stores Huge Amounts of Energy - (post from Gas 2.0) A very interesting read for those of you that are more scientifically inclined.
• Apple MacBook Goes Green for GreenPeace - (post from EcoScraps) About time!!
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• The Earth After Us: What Legacy Will Humas Leave in the Rocks? - (book) "...a fascinating - and sobering - read." Read more on Planetsave's post.
• Nominate a "River Hero" to Win a Toyota Prius - (post from TheDailyGreen) Video contest aimed at raising awareness on water quality issues.
  

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Blip.fm - If you're into music (any music) and you haven't heard of this yet, go check it out. It's basically Twitter for music. Have fun!!
• Academy of Sciences Museum Finally Opens in San Francisco - (post from Green Building Elements) Woohoo!! We can't wait to check out the "living roof". Read more about this green museum on EcoLocalizer's post.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.26.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Think Green! - (kids book) "...a wonderfully illustrated children’s book about simple ways kids and adults can help keep our world green and clean." A great book for 3-8 yr olds. Read review on About.com.
  

Food Stuff

• Kids Konserve - Great reusable lunch containers to reduce all those plastic baggies, and a nice alternative to plastic containers. These were designed for school lunches, but adults can certainly use them too.
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Green By Nature - A natural bath and body care line that's "free of parabens, sulfates, DEA, petroleum, propylene glycol, sacchrine, dioxin, and phthalate...infused with beneficial plant extracts, essential oils and botanical essences..." We love its afforadability and that you can find it at Target!
• A Round Up of Eco-Friendy Clutch Purses - (post from EcoStilletto) Some planet friendly clutches for all you purse lovers. There's special discounts on some of these too - see post.
• The Body Deli - An amazing line of organic body care products made from raw (yes, RAW) fruits and vegetables. Some of the products are even kept refrigerated to preserve their freshness - read more about this line that celebs are swooning over.
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Green Computer Roundup - (post from Earthfirst) We posted a few of these computers in the past, but here they are all lined up.
• Where Do Satellite Go When They Die - (post from Environmental Graffiti) Take a look at these pictures - a little creepy.
• Mini Kin Juices Gadgets with Wind Power - (post from CleanTechnica) Can't wait to hear more about this little gadget.
  

, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Who Killed the Electric Car - (movie) Released in 2006, this documentary "investigates the events leading to the quiet destruction of thousands of new, radically efficient electric vehicles." Now available on DVD - Netflix, anyone?
  

VIDEO: Grocery Store Wars

This has been around, but we just came across it - a well done and funny spoof on Star Wars, advocating organic foods.

ZapRoot: Sarah Palin & Plastic Trees

Here's the latest from ZapRoot.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.25.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Jump at the Sun Books: Goldilocks and the Three Bears - (post from MOMbo TV)
• Keeping Kids Fit: How to Fight the Fat - (post from MOMbo TV) Some sage advice.
• 16 Hormone Disrupting Chemicals Found in Teen Girls - (post from TheDailyGreen) Parents and young women, read this and then check out this post from Organic Beauty View (we posted this link in a previous Stuff We Found Today).
  

Food Stuff

• Eating Local: Tips and Tricks - (post from EcoLocalizer)
• Greenbottle - (post from Eco-Libris) "The future of milk bottles is already hear and it's made of recycled paper."
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Top 5 Green Technologies Still Missing in the USA - (post from EcoWordly) Why is it that we don't have high speed trains??
• The Zero-Fossil Fuel House - (post from TheDailyGreen) The Green Faire in Stamford, CT will feature new technology in home building.
• Dell Laptops Going 100% LED - (post from EcoGeek)
  

Work & Business Stuff

• Need a Green Job? Check Out Free Guide, Weekend Events - (post from EcoLocalizer) Free "Green Jobs Guidebook".
• Under 25? Got a Green Project? Check Out These Grants - (post from Ecopreneurist) Hurry, the deadlines on a couple of these grants are coming up fast!
  

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Time for a Slacker Uprising - (post from GreenMuze) "Michael Moore wants you to vote and he is willing to give away his new film - Slacker Uprising - for free to encourage you to go to the polls." Enough said. BE SURE TO VOTE!
• Cliff Bar's GreenNotes Promotes Eco-Friendly Concerts - (post from Ecopreneurist)
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Upcycled Gift Wrap by BellyBuzz - (post from Feelgood Style) These upcycled bows made from discarded magazine are super cool. Stock-up for the holidays!
• Jailbirds Creating Eco-Havens in Prison - (post from Guardian.co.uk) Cool...prisoners turned conservationists!
  

VIDEO: Senate Energy Summit

For those interested in what's going on in the Senate with regards to energy.

Senate Energy Summit - Opening Statements


Senate Energy Summit - Panel 1


Senate Energy Summit - Panel 2

VIDEO: Scratch Session @ SOUL FUCKTRY

Kid DJs Sara and Ryusei are at it again. We just can't get enough of these two - just watch how into the music they are.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.24.08

Food Stuff

• Easy Tomato Shallot Soup Recipe - (post from Eat. Drink. Better.) Mmmmm...homemade tomato soup! If you use those super sweet just-about-to-burst tomatoes that are in the farmer's markets right now, you don't even need to add the sugar.
• Food Labels: Organic? Fair Trade? Certified Humane? What Does It All Mean? - (post from Eat. Drink. Better.) Yes...all Coco-Zen chocolates carry the Fair Trade Certified Label.
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Chi Chi Amor - (Kids Fashion) Cute and eco-friendly clothing made from repurposed Guatemalan textiles - "recycled fabrics from the huipil and core, the traditional shirt and skirt of indigenous Mayan women of Guatemala. We think their Embroided Flower Marley Dress is just too adorable for words.
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• My Inspiration Lounge - A great information site for women - "...an online portal to useful, inspiring websites and articles so women can get on their way to taking action." We love the Go Green and Become An Eco-Shopper sections.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Great Wildlife Photos - (post from TheDailyGreen) More beautiful photos of beautiful animals.
• Methane Time Bomb Under Arctic Seabed - (post from Sustainablog) This is scary folks!!
  

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• 5 Green Podcasts that Entertain as Well as Educate - (post from Sustainablog) For those of you who are into podcasts.
• Venture Arctic & the Eco-Revolution - (post from GreenMuze) Eco-education in the form of a computer video game.

VIDEO: Future History: Plastic Water Bottles - KQED Quest

This little video from KQED Quest ponders the question, "What does our use of bottled water say about us?" The funny and revealing answer comes through the perspective of an anthropologist from the distant future, trying to figure out what the purpose was of all these "sacred vessels" we left behind.

Coco-Zen Hits Retail Shelves in Faifax, CA

If you're ever in beautiful downtown Fairfax, head on over to Good Earth Natural Foods where you can now find Coco-Zen truffles. This local store and deli is a community favorite, carrying fine organic foods. Their website also offers great information and tips for healthful living.

Good Earth Natural Foods 1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd Fairfax, CA 94930 Visit their webisite - www.GoodEarthNaturalFoods.net Read more about them.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.23.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Cell Phones May Be Unsafe for Teens - (post from TheDailyGreen) "Another study has added to growing concerns among some scientists that cell phones - particularly when used by younger people - could increase the risk of a rare brain cancer."
• Green Halloween - Offers tips to have a healthier and greener Halloween, including some great alternatives to passing out candy.
• Pedoodles Eco Kicks for Kids - (post from Eco Chick) Cute eco-friendly shoes for kids.
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Robotic Prius Takes Itself for a Spin Around SF - (post from CNET News) Cool or creepy - you decide.
• 5 Green Ways to Dispose of that Old Cell Phone - (post from EcoLocalizer)
• Chrysler to Sell Electric Cars in US as Early as 2010 - (post from Gas 2.0) An electric version of Chrysler's Voyager MPV.
• Ploggs Track Power Usage, Lets You Know Wirelessly - (post from EcoGeek) It's currently only availabe in Europe, but we thought this gadget was so cool, we had to post it.
• Solar Parking Lots: Charge While You Park - (post from EcoGeek) This would be amazing if a reality. Electric cars could "fill up" while out on the road, not just at home.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• World Consumption Exceeds Resources After Today - (post from TheDailyGreen) An interesting, yet alarming article - everyone should read and pass along.
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Babymomento - Custom online birth announcements and holiday e-cards.
• SustainLane's 2008 US City Sustainability Rankings - Check to see where your city ranks on sustainablility. See which cities made the top 3 and why.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.22.08

Food Stuff

• How Healthful is Soymilk? - (post from TheDailyGreen) Actually...pretty healthful, along with almond milk, oat milk, help milk, etc.
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• FORA.tv - A website featuring smart and entertaining video content, "all drawn from the live-event speeches, discussions, interviews and debates going on everywhere all the time at the world’s leading conferences, ideas festivals, think tanks and other major centers of thought and discourse" - referred to as "the thinking man's YouTube".
• Introducing a New Green Networking Site - (post from TheDailyGreen) Greenwala - "a place where the average person could come, learn and take actions to be greener."
• 10-Step Guide to Buying a Used Laptop That Works - (post from Sustainablog) For those of us on a budget, here's some good advice.
  

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World - (photo exhibit) An amazing photo exhibit of some beautiful animals. This exhibit is traveling across the country - check the calendar to see if there's a showing coming near you.

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Celebrate Green! - (book) A great guide to hosting eco-friently parties and events throughout the year, and perfect now for anyone thinking of having a holiday party.
  

VIDEO: T. Boone Pickens - The Pickens Plan For US Energy Independence

You've probably heard of The Pickens Plan in the news, but may not really know what it's all about. Here's a video from FORA.tv to help bring you up to speed.

*NOTE: This is the full 1 hr video. For clips & highlights, click on the FORA.tv link on the video screen.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.21.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Wild Animals in Captivity - (book) This book about zoos and their animals "teaches children kindness, compassion and respect".
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Shuttle 10D: A Lof of Computer in a Little Space - (post from EcoGeek) Interesting little PC - no need for a keyboard or a monitor.
• Cycle-Sol: Solar-Powered Electric Bicycle Concept - (post from EcoScrap) Now this is a bike we'd like to see!
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Top Excuses for Ignoring Climate Change - (post from GreenMuze) Enough said. Read this and pass it on - it's about education!!
• Trees Emit Chemical to Communicate Danger - (post from Sustainablog) Maybe the trees really can talk...and maybe we should listen.
  
• Red Hot Winter Reading - (post from GreenMuze) Here's a great reading list if you want to get up to speed on climate change.
  

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Blue Gold: World Water Wars. An Interview with Film Director Sam Bozzo - (post from GreenMuze) A new water film that focuses "on the 'power' of water politically" is set to premier at the Vancouver International Film Festival from Sep 25th through Oct 10th.
• GreenMuze - A new green environmental news site with a "dash of irreverence". Read more on TheDailyGreen's post.

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Charitable Giving Program From Organic Style Flowers - (post from Feelgood Style) Give beautiful organic flowers and a part of the proceeds will be donated to a worthwhile non-profit.
• Green Weddings: The Reading List - (post from Feelgood Style) Recommended reading for anyone planning a green wedding.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.20.08

Food Stuff

• Kid-Friendly Vegan Recipes: Organic Skillet Corn Bread - (post form Eco Child's Play) Even if vegan isn't your thing, you and the kids will love this - plus, it's super simple to make.
  

Home Stuff

• Make Ironing More Energy Efficient - (post from TheDailyGreen) This is for those of you who do happen to iron.
• Berkeley Backs Solar Power Loans for Residences - (post from Ecoscraps) Always ahead of the social and environmental curve, Berkeley plans to provide city-backed loans to property owners for rooftop solar systems. Wonder if other cities will follow their lead.

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Pure&True Affirm Multi-Vitamin & Age-Defying Serum - "A you-must-have-this and you-need-it miracle in a bottle that performs everything except sex and triple somersaults!" Got your attention? Read the rest of the review from Organic Beauty View.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Wave vs. Man - (post from Environmental Graffiti) Photos of some pretty amazing waves - awesome!
• Happy Dragonfly - (post from Environmental Graffiti) You just have to look at the photo.
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Click Your Mouse, Plant a Tree - (post from TheDailyGreen) "Just by becoming a fan of the Plant a Tree Drive on Facebook, iChapters will plant a tree on your behalf." iChapters.com offers eBooks, eChapters, print textbooks, print and digital study tools, and online homework solutions such as CNOW, WebCT, and OWL (we assume that if you're a student you know what those are).
• Green Christmas: How to Have a Joyous, Eco-Friendly Holiday Season - (book) We know this might be a bit early for most of you, but we know that there's a few of you out there who can't wait to start planning for the holiday.
  

ZapRoot: BPA Declared Baby Safe, Thanks FDA!

Here's the latest installment from ZapRoot.

*For those who've never heard of ZapRoot...

"ZapRoot is an unconventional bite-sized news show that covers the fast changing world of the modern Green Revolution. With sarcasm, silliness, & sanity, host Jessica Wlliamson encourages you to have a better time while making a better world."

ZapRoot is produced by ViroPOP, "a green video network aimed at highlighting the most exciting and entertaining things happening in the new eco-revolution. ViroPop is the first network on the Internet to treat the new environmental pop culture with a sense of irreverent fun."

Stuff We Found Today - 9.19.08

Food Stuff

• Supercook - Got a bunch of stuff sitting in your fridge or pantry, but you just have no idea what to make for dinner? Check out Supercook.com - an amazing website that lets you type in whatever ingredients you have on hand, and then spits out a list of recipes organized into courses so that your whole meal is planned out.
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Beginning - An organic skincare line for babies and moms by Maclaren, the popular UK based stroller manufacturer. Read more on Eco Chick's blog post.
• Eco Zen Boutique - Where Going Green is the Fashion - (post from Ecopreneurist) An eco-friendly shopping site offering "eco-chic clothing, organic cosmetics, recycled handbags, earth friendly jewelry and green gifts and goodies at competitive prices." We like the "competitive prices" part.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Scientists Scour World to Fill Doomsday Seed Vault - (post from TheDailyGreen) We found this article to be very interesting. If scientists around the world are planning ahead for an "end of days" due to global warming, what does that tell us??
  

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Pedestrian Street Art by Peter Gibson - (post from Toxel.com) A Montreal street artist whose work questions our "car culture".
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Smock - A "truly green letterpress print shop" with a line of invitations, announcements and greeting cards all sustainably printed on bamboo paper. Take a look at some of their beautiful cards.
• Botanical Paperworks - A stationary company that makes cards, envelopes, guest books, albums and journals all from very planet friendy plantable seed paper. Once planted, these stationary items bloom into beautiful wild flowers. These items are ideal for those planning a green wedding or event.
  

Coco-Zen Hits Retail Shelves in Springfield, MO

Locals of Springfield, Missouri can now indulge in a little Dark Chocolate Nirvana just by heading over to Global Fayre - a unique specialty boutique that carries only Fair Trade items from around the world, located in the heart of Springfield's historic downtown area. We're excited that Coco-Zen's retail store debut is with a specialty retailer that shares our same philosophy and commitment to planet & people friendliness.

Global Fayre 324 S Campbell Springfield, MO 65806 Visit their webisite - www.GlobalFayre.com Read more about them.

From Joyce's Desk: Follow-Up to Yesterday's Rant

So... after I finished my rant on Fair Trade last night, I came across a few articles that made me happy. They indicate that Fair Trade (particularly chocolate) is on the right path - albeit, a bit slow. The Europeans seem to be ahead of us (as usual), with The UK and The Netherlands taking the lead.

From ConfectionaryNews.com:

9/9/08 - Confectioners Slow to Formulate Fair Trade Products?

7/22/08 - Ethical and Premium Brands Lock In Consumer Awareness For Chocolate Makers

6/22/08 - Fair Trade, Sugar and Mars Community Plan

5/23/08 - Worldwide Fair Trade Sales Up 47%

5/13/08 - Consumer Awareness of Fair Trade Increases, Says Survey

Stuff We Found Today - 9.18.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Cars Are Hurting Our Children: Air Pollution and Infant Health - (post from Eco Child's Play) Interesting reading for any parent.
• Everything You Need to Know About Bisphenol A - (post from TheDailyGreen) A great compilation of articles/posts worth reading on the subject, including a guide to understanding all those plastic recycling numbers.
• Diapers.com: Save $10 on First Purchase of $49 or More - (Use coupon code "JXYC9302") Did you know that you can get lot of green baby products from this online retailer? Plus, you get free shipping when you spend $49 or more. Way better than lugging those huge cases of diapers at the store.
  

Food Stuff

• Blue Planet Run - The Race to Provide Safe Drinking Water to the World - (Book) Won the Independent Publishers Award for book "Most Likely to Save the Planet". Read Planetsave's review.
• 5 Fall Foods That Will Boost Your Health (and Meal Ideas, Too) - (post from Eat. Drink. Better.) We're looking forward to trying ou the Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese recipe, mmmmmm.
• Panzanella - (post from Eat. Drink. Better.) Perfect for leftover bread and all those amazing tomatoes at the farmers' markets right now.
• 5 Foods Pregnant Women Should Eat Organic - (post from TheDailyGreen) Recommendations from Dr. Alan Greene, author of "Raising Baby Green".
  

Home Stuff

• Argington: Modern Children's Furniture - This company offer beautiful modern designs that are both kid and planet friendly. Read about their Green Attitude. Though the prices may be a bit steep for those of us on a budget, the pieces are waaaay cool - we love the Taj Chair and the Galap Rocker.
• GoodGuide - A website that offers “the world’s largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home.” Not only does it have a huge database of product information and give recommendations, but there are great features and applications like "Create Your Shopping List" that also sends your list to your cell phone.
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Project Runway Frontrunner is Eco-Chic - (post from Feelgood Style) Guess who we're rooting for?

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• 12 Year Old Boy Invents New Type of Solar Cell - (post from CleanTechnica) Yeah, you read that right...a 12 year old boy!
• Castagna Electrifies the Fiat 500 - (post from CleanTechnica) Okay...now this is a cute electric car!
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• 20 Most Incredible Desert Oases - (post from Environmental Graffiti) Again, some amazing pictures of nature.
• More Beautiful Options for Organic Flowers - (post from Feelgood Style) Lists some great website where you can order US grown organic flowers to send.
  

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Stan Slaughter's Collection of Eco Music - (post from Eco Child's Play) Okay, we're not going to begin to try and explain this guy's music - just read the post. All we have to say is that you & your kids can truly rock out to some environmentally friendly lyrics. Have a listen.
• 10 Best Eco-Themed Movies for Kids - (post from TheDailyGreen) They're fun for the adults, too!
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Netflix Origami - Totally useless, but a fun time waster. Hey, Netflix lets us reuse most of the envelope to return their DVDs, now we can do something with that paper flap that gets torn off.
  

From Joyce's Desk: Fair Trade, Huh?? A Video to Answer the Question

Whenever I tell people about Coco-Zen and explain that we only use Fair Trade Certified chocolate, I usually get a confused look that translates to, "Fair Trade, huh??" Well, I don't know about all you other enlightened chocoholics and supporters of Fair Trade, but I get a little tired of explaining the concept over and over again, and then having to educate people about the cocoa industry's "dirty little secret" - cocoa farming and child labor (often slavery). So.....

Here's a video that's been around for a while but is great at explaining what Fair Trade is all about.

• If you're someone who doesn't know what Fair Trade is, WATCH THIS.
• If you're constantly explaining to others what Fair Trade is, PASS THIS ALONG.

"Fair Trade - The Movie"




For those of you who need something that's a little more "in your face" with regards to Fair Trade chocolate, see the videos we posted in a previous blog:

Video: Chocolate and Child Labor (Slavery)


Now For My Rant...
I've read in various articles written by Fair Trade naysayers that Fair Trade as an economic concept is not sustainable in our market system - that in the natural order of supply and demand, prices will always reflect what consumers are willing to pay and cannot be pushed higher unless artificially forced by government laws and regulations.

Well...I have to STRONGLY disagree. Now, I'm no expert in economics, but I do understand it's mechanics (I did major in Economics and Business at UCLA - so, give me some credit). Believe it or not, I'm a very strong supporter of the free market system, and I believe that it can coexist with human good will - capitalism isn't a "dirty word" if consumers are educated and given a choice.

From a product standpoint, Fair Trade is a valued "quality" that, if understood, consumers would be willing to pay a little more for. Think of a sweater, for example. Most people are willing to pay a little more for one that's made from natural fibers - say cotton, wool or cashmere (people pay a lot more for cashmere) - than for the same sweater made from polyester or nylon. This is because clothing made from natural fibers has a perceived higher quality and value. The same can be said for Fair Trade products. Let's look at chocolate (of course). If everyone understood how traditional cocoa farming destroys the land and often uses child labor/slavery (particularly in the Ivory Coast where the majority of the world's consumed cocoa comes from - what I like to call chocolate's "dirty little secret"), then I have to believe that, if given the choice, most people would pay a little more for chocolate that was guaranteed to have been produced without harming workers or the environment. People would pay more for the higher value of Fair Trade. And yes, I believe that most people are inherently good.

There's one more thing to consider - the big chocolate companies. Because most consumers are unaware of chocolate's "dirty little secret", companies like Hershey and Nestle are only concerned with paying the lowest price possible for cocoa regardless of the toll on people and environment. They believe their consumers (us) only care about eating "cheap" chocolate. However, as more consumers become chocolate "enlightened" and desire the value of Fair Trade, they will vote with their dollars and reward those companies that offer a Fair Trade choice. When this starts to happen on a larger and larger scale, the big chocolate companies will naturally go where the money is (that's economics), and then they will start to demand Fair Trade from their cocoa suppliers. From there, I believe we will truly start to see change in the cocoa industry and see more cocoa farms that are planet & people friendly.

Ultimately, I see the market system as merely a tool for good people to use - the market will bear what people want. Fair Trade and capitalism can coexist. We just have to work together to spread the word and educate others.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.17.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World - An engaging kid's environmental book. Read the review from Eco Child's Play.
  

Food Stuff

• Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce - (post from Eat.Drink.Better) We love the roasted tomatoes (not pureed) spooned on top of goat cheese spread on a slice of olive bread.
  

Home Stuff

• New Study: Paint Your Roof White, Save the Planet - (post from EarthFirst.com) Wonder if there's going to be a run on white house paint??
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Rebagz Handbags from Half the Sky Designs - Cool bags made from discarded rice sacks and juice packs. We especially love the ones made from rice sacks because of all the cute and quirky prints. Our favorites - Limited Edition Panda Cinchy Tote, Magnolia Sport Pouch, Jasmine Laptop Carrier, and for the guys - Golden Fortune Messenger Bag.

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Feast Your Eyes: The 2011 Chevy Volt - (post from EcoGeek) 2011 is still a few years from now, but it's fun to see what's going on besides just the Prius.
• Guide to Greener Electronics (9th Edition) from GreenPeace - Definitely worth reading if your thinking of purchasing a new gadget (PDF you can download from site). Nokia ranks at the top, while Nintendo sits at the bottom.
• Mark Your Spot Without Leaving a Trace: Bushnell BackTrack GPS - (post from CleanTechnica) Cool gadget for all you hikers and campers out there.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Abkhazia's Abandoned Railway Lies Forgotten - (post from Environmental Graffiti) Just cool pictures. When man leaves, nature returns.

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Swaptree.com - Got tons of old books, CDs, DVDs and video games that you know you'll never look at again? Check out Swaptree.com, "a new and innovative way for people to easily trade the books, cds, dvds and video games they are finished with, for the ones they want, all for FREE."
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.16.08

Food Stuff

• Lovin' Fresh: Couscous Burritos - (post from Eat.Drink.Better.) Simple & delish little recipe.
  

Home Stuff

• Jump Start To Green - Kick start your home to a greener path with these great starter kits. Not only are they a great value up front (you'd spend a lot more if you purchased each item separately), they'll help you save money in the long run. There are two different kits to choose from - see what's inside each kit.
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Yes To Carrots - A great face and body care line of shampoos, body washes, cleansers and moisturizers that are paraben free and "contain all the yummy goodness of organic fruits and vegetables, and Dead Sea Minerals". Best of all, the line is widely available throughout the U.S. - Target, Walgreen, Duane Reade and Long's Drugs.
• Sale at Coco's Shoppe - One of our favorite eco-boutiques is having a fab summer sale. While many of the items are for warm weather, there are a few items that we'll want to wear into the fall and winter - Covet's wool jacket, Covet's skinny knee-length skirt, and Loomstate's cropped denim.
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Apple Introduces Environmentally-Friendly iPod - (post from CleanTechnica) If you plan to buy one of these to replace your old iPod, don't forget to recycle it.
  

Work & Business Stuff

• Save $, Save a Piece of Paper - (post from Ecopreneurist) Some great tips for businesses or anyone with a home office. Who knew that switching to Arial Narrow font would reduce office paper use by 15%?

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• California's 220 MPH High-Speed Train Will Be Emmissions-Free - (post from CleanTechnica) The greatest thing ever for us NoCal/SoCal trekkers when this actually gets built.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.15.08

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Jumbo Hostel - If you're ever in Sweden, you can spend the night in an actual Boeing 747, without leaving the ground. Read more about Jumbo Hostel. If you don't want to sleep there, you can take a tour of the plane and have a snack in the cafe.
• MTV Cuts Down Rainforest for New Reality TV Show - (post from Sustainablog) So not cool!!
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• More Farmers Should Use the Lounge n Pick - (post from EarthFirst.com) Just for laughs...you have to look at this.
• How to Go Green: Dorm Rooms - (post from Planet Green) - Just in time for back to school.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.14.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Use a Net Pot For Natural Allergy Relief - (post from The Green Routine) As allergy sufferers, we think we're going to give this one a try. Another great treatment that we swear by is a saline nasal rinse (you can buy them at Target's pharmacy section).
  

Home Stuff

• 8 Easy Tips for an Eco-Friendly Garden - (post from The Green Routine) None of us here have time to garden, but we know there are a few green thumbs out there - this is for you.
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• A Green-Pro Designer for Custom Couture -(post from Feelgood Style) This is for all you high-end green fashionistas. Anyone planning on having a wedding gown designed?
• EcoFashionWorld.com - A great site dedicated to eco-fashion. "Get the scoop on sustainable style, browse our unique and quickly expanding eco fashion guide and get inspired by the true visionaries..."
• Freitag - Totally cool bags made from recycled materials. "FREITAG products are made from original recycled materials – used truck tarps, used car seat belts, used air bags and used bicycle inner tubes. Because the materials are tough, the products are too. Because we’re Swiss, our quality standards are too. And because it is made from an original piece of tarp, every single FREITAG product has its own, individual design."

Work & Business Stuff

• How to Make Money Recycling Aluminum Cans - (post from The Green Routine) - This could actually be a great project/venture from some enterprising teens (school fundraiser anyone??).

Other Random Cool Stuff

• 8 Products You Didn't Know Were Made From Oil - (post from The Green Routine) Interesting list.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 9.13.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• MOMbo TV - An international online mom's group, "MOMbo TV provides a forum for educators, activists, entrepreneurs and thought leaders to connect with an audience of mindful mothers." We love the fact that you can read stories from mom's all around the world and realize that we all share the same desire - to raise our children as best we can and to help them become good people. Read more about MOMbo TV.
• How Prepared Is Your Family? - (post from Eco Child's Play) Although we figured that most American's by this point have some sort of home emergency kit, we thought this was worth posting as a reminder to either put one together if you don't have one, or check & update the one you do have.
  

Home Stuff

• Recycled Plastic Chair Design for House Plants or Outdoor Garden Furniture - (post from Feelgood Style) So, these aren't available for purchase (yet), but we thought they would be pretty neat looking out on the patio. Plus, we love the name of these chairs - "Let's Grow Some Balls!".
  

Work & Business Stuff

• Chicago Firm Market Tree-Free Paper - (post from Eco-Localizer) Interesting...we'll be curious to learn more about this.

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Search Green Travel - A new green travel site that works like all the others (help you find cheap flights), but they donate 50% of their share of advertising revenues to environmental charities. Now you can book your travel and help the environment at the same time...neat-o!
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• United State's First Attempt to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Set to Launch - (post from Village Green News) Hello...about time!
• MTV Switch - MTV Networks International's climate change initiative targets the youth segment with this cool looking site. Teens and young adults will enjoy perusing the pages while learning about environmental issues and how to spread the word. Read more about MTV Switch on Planetsave's post.
  

VIDEO: Kid DJs - Freakin' Awesome!!!

These kids are for real - apparently dad's a DJ.

DJ Sara and DJ Ryusei - 8yr old sister & her 5yr old brother


DJ Sara - This little girl has got some serious talent


Sara & Rysei at Warner Music Group Grammy Party 2008


Start Using SCRATCH LIVE - Now 9 & 6, these two play around in their "studio" and you can see how into the music they really are.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.12.08

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Rehash Clothes - An online venue where you can trade clothes, accessories and books with others. Why buy when you can swap?
  
• Collete Kids - Super cute unisex onesies in organic cotton that are perfect for handing down to younger siblings - brother or sister! *PS - Only the onesies are made from organic cotton.

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Ultralight Electric Plane Makes Flying Cheaper Than Driving - (post from EarthFirst.com) Can you imagine if we all had our own personal electric planes?!!
• Alaskan Police Pull Over Solar "UFO" Car - (post from EcoGeek) I might of though we were being invaded if I saw this thing zipping by.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• 7 Places Global Warming is Smacking the Crap Out of the Earth Right Now - (post from EarthFirst.com) The title says everything.
  

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

• Reverb - Founded by Adam Gardner (singer & guitarist for the band Guster) and his wife, "Reverb greens up summer tours, making sure that all that partying has as small a footprint on the earth as possible." Read more in EarthFirst.com's post.
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• EarthFirst.com - Read the post from Eco-Chick to understand why you need to read this sarcastically funny and informative online publication. We'll definitely be passing along quite a few posts from here.
• Poor Diddy Flying Commercial Due to High Gas Prices - (post from EarthFirst.com) Okay, so we thought we'd interject a little sarcasm here.
• 10 Green Things Even George Bush Could Do - (post from EarthFirst.com) While you've probably heard these tips before, the doctored up photos of George W will hopefully give you a few chuckles.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger Tells You How to Drive with EcoDriving USA - (post from EcoGeek) This one is for all you Arnold fans.
  

VIDEO: Ali G Talks to Treehuggers

This is for all you Ali G fans out there. Yeah...you know who you are.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.11.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Enjoy Safe & Healthy Bath Time with Baby from Day One - (post from Eco Child's Play) This is a must read for parents of little kids. I never thought about the mold growing in my toddler's squirt toys...which he loves to squeeze into his mouth - YIKES!

Food Stuff

• Eatz - Ever wanted to take a cooking class, but felt too intimidated? Well, if you live in the LA area, check out Eatz - fun, small cooking classes in a dinner party environment, held in a private residence. You can even reserve your own private party cooking class for you and your wanna-be-chef friends. Read more in DailyCandy.
• Tomato Crouton Casserole - (post from Eat.Drink.Better.) This is a wonderful and very easy recipe for all those gorgeous ripe tomatoes at the farmer's market right now.
  

Home Stuff

• Find Renewable Energy for Your Home - Looking to buy renewable energy and/or renewable energy certificates (RECs) to offset your energy consumption? Check on Green-e's website for a certified supplier near you. Coco-Zen buys RECs from Village Green Energy.
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Aptera's Electric & Hybrid Cars - (post from Gas 2.0) For those of who have heard the name Aptera, but have no idea what green car aficionados are talking about...
• Air Cars vs. Elecrtic Cars vs. Hybrids - Which are Greener? - (post from Gas 2.0) Yes, there is such a thing as an air car.
• The First City in the U.S. to Make Natural Gas from Our Poop - (post from Planetsave) That's right folks...poop.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Surfing the Longest Wave in the World - (post from Environmental Graffiti) Where the Amazon River meets the Atlantic Ocean, South Americans hold their annual Pororoca Surf Championship.
• 30 Million Trees are Cut Down Annually for Books Sold in the U.S. - (post from Planetsave) Hmmm, maybe e-books aren't such a bad thing.
  

Arts, Entertainment, Living & Other Cool Stuff

• Sustainable Living Road Show - A caravan of educators and entertainers touring the country in biofuelled vehicles spreading the word about green living. Check to see if there's a stop near you - educational & fun for the family. Watch their promo video.
• Sex, Drugs, Gifts Uncovered in Government Oil Probe - (post from CNN) WHAT??!!! Sorry, we don't normally post political subjects, but this just has to be passed along.
  

VIDEO: Animals Save the Planet

From the people at Animal Planet, these are cute & amusing animated shorts where animals enlighten us on what people are doing to the planet. Most are suitable for young viewers - however, we recommend parents view the videos first to determine suitability.

**These are all the "episodes" we could find.

Energy Efficient Penguin

Leopards Hate Litter


Meerkat Traffic


Supermarket Bags


Lyons Recycle


Hippo Shower


Cows And Gas

Jellyfish


Dog On Standby

Stuff We Found Today - 9.10.08

Food Stuff

• Sacred Grain and Gluten-Free Superfood - (post from Eat.Drink.Better.) - Amaranth seeds. Read about this amazing grain and how to prepare and enjoy it.
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Alima Pure - Yes, it's another mineral make-up line. What we love about Alima Pure, though, is that you can order sample jars of their cosmetics for $1 - $1.50 each. How cool is that??? Now you can actually try the product without spending a ton of cash. Plus, you can send your empty jars back for recycling, and they'll give you FREE eyeshadow!
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Wikia Green - From the founder of Wikipedia, there's a new resource for all you "wiki" addicts who want to learn more about all things "green". Read more information on TheDailyGreen's post.
• Newspapers on Portable Flexi-Screen - (post from EcoGeek) Bizarre, yet interesting. Could be great for those that don't like reading their news off a computer screen and want to actually hold something.
  

Arts, Entertainment, Living & Other Cool Stuff

• 10 Incredible Underground Lakes & Rivers - (post from Environmental Graffiti) These beautiful pictures once again leave us in awe of nature.
• 100 Goats Turned Loose on a Downtown L.A. Plot - (post from Los Angeles Times - Environment) We just found this to be too amusing to not pass along - "...the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency hired 100 goats to nibble away thick weeds on a steep slope at the corner of 4th and Hill streets..." Any of you guys out there in LA seen these goats?
• The First Solar Powered Movie Theatre in the US - (post from Planetsave) In Fairfax, CA, the Fairfax 5 Theatres is going solar.