Green Tip of the Week: Trimming off the excess...

Let's talk about product packaging. I mean, it's getting ridiculous. Ever been hungry and tried to get into a box of crackers? First you try tearing through the plastic on the outside of the box, which seemingly has no easy opening procedure, and once the box is open you find the crackers are laughing at you through an airtight plastic bag that no amount of man power can tear through. Ultimately, you are left with five crackers and ten pounds of useless packaging. Ridiculous!

Product packaging makes up one third of America's garbage load. ONE THIRD!! This is partly the fault of package-happy manufacturers, but we are to blame as well! How many of you buy packaging within packaging (100 calorie packs anyone?) We all do it, but there are a few ways to significantly decrease your packaging waste...

1. Buy in Bulk...

...and re-package yourself in re-usable containers. You've heard this before...time to start practicing it!

2. Look for recyclable packaging...

...a lot of companies have hopped on the green train, and are trying to do their part in reducing waste. Start supporting them!

3. Relax on the take-out...

...have more meals in, or pack your lunch for the day. This will save on waste and money.

"Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength." -Anonymous

Green Tip of the Week: Green Halloween

Listen up all you ghosts and goblin's, while it is a blast to dress up in manufactured costumes and parade around the neighborhood trailing tootsie roll wrappers, it is not the "green" way!

Here are a few tips to help you green-up your Halloween festivities...

1. Don't buy a new costume...

...try checking out what you can make from your closet, reuse old costumes, swap costumes with neighbors, check out thrift stores, etc. The alternatives to buying a brand new costume are endless!

2. Decorations...

...are awesome, just be sure to reuse them from year to year.

3. Trick or Treat bags...

...be sure they are reusable! Buckets, your reusable grocery bags or pillowcases work great!

4. No littering...

...pass on the green gene to your kids and loved ones! Make sure everyone is properly disposing candy wrappers.

5. Candy...

...ah sweet candy. When purchasing your treats, think about what you are handing out to kids. Maybe make a more eco/health conscious decision. Whole Foods carries candies you can feel proud to hand out! Also, support a product that has minimized their packaging.

"In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth."

-Patti Smith

Green Tip of the Week: The Dirty Dozen...

What is all that stuff that makes up our personal care products? I have to channel my tenth grade chemistry class to even pronounce half of the ingredients. After attempting to understand and pronounce the methlcopalopalmina-ding-dongs, the only conclusion I came to was: that hodgepodge of chemicals being applied to my skin daily can't be good. After a little bit of research, turns out I was right. Today we are going to decode what is in our cosmetic products by teaching you the 12 ingredients you must steer clear of and why. THE NO-NO's: 1. Antibacterials: FOUND IN: every product that claims to be "anti-bacterial" BAD BECAUSE: they can actually weaken your immune system and decrease fertility! 2. Coal tar...colors FD&C Blue 1, Green 3: FOUND IN: dandruff shampoos, anti-itch creams, toothpaste and mouthwash. BAD BECAUSE: it's a carcinogen. yuck. 3. Diethanolamine (DEA): FOUND IN: shampoos and other personal care products. BAD BECAUSE: it can create bi-chemicals called "nitroamines," known to be carcinogenic. 4. 1, 4-Dioxane: FOUND IN: everything, it is used to dilute more abrasive ingredients. BAD BECAUSE: it is linked to cancer. 5. Formaldehyde (diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium compounds): FOUND IN: most cosmetics, used as a perservative. BAD BECAUSE: can cause joint discomfort, chest pains and chronic fatigue. 6. Fragrance: FOUND IN: everything, unfortunately. BAD BECAUSE: it is a loop-hole. The term "fragrance" can mask hundreds of ingredients, usually including phthalates, known to disrupt the edoctrine system and cause reproductive harm. 7. Lead & Mercury: FOUND IN: lead can appear in toothpaste as a contaminant of hydrated silica, also known as lead acetate in men's hair dye. Mercury is found in cosmetics as a preservative called thimerosol. BAD BECAUSE: they are neurotoxins! 8. Nanoparticles: FOUND IN: Sunscreens BAD BECAUSE: they are rumored to penetrate cell membranes and cause biochemical damage. Studies are on-going...but I would still steer clear. 9. Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butyl-, ethyl-, isobutyl-): FOUND IN: almost everything...be sure to look at the fine print. BAD BECAUSE: they mess with your hormones!! They are used as chemical preservatives...and because they mess with your hormone function, they make you more prone to breast cancer. 10. Petroleum Distillates: BAD BECAUSE: thought to be a carcinogen due to the way it is manufactured (think oil!). 11. p-Phenylenediamine (or 1, 4 Benzenediamine, 4-Phenylenediamine): FOUND IN: hair dye. BAD BECAUSE: can cause damage to your nervous system, lung irritation, and allergic reactions. 12. Hydroquinone: FOUND IN: skin lighteners and facial moisturizers. BAD BECAUSE: it is a neurotoxic and can be allergenic. So try to find natural alternatives. Also, write a letter to your favorite cosmetic company and ask them to stop using some of these harmful chemicals because you love their products! The turn around won't be quick, but you never know what your input might spark. I suggest making a pocket list of these ingredients to keep on you while you shop, unless you'd like to tackle memorizing them. Whatever works! Remember, you can visit LolaBabiez Organics for vegan and toxic free baby & mommy skincare by Earth Mama Angel Baby. "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Green Tip of the Week: Greenify your cookware...

FACT: 

YES! Eco-friendly pots, pans, saucers, etc. have arrived. Each of the items found at the website below is made from oven/stove-safe ceramic materials.

Why do we need eco-friendly pots and pans?

Why because teflon is toxic my darlings. Not only does it sneak it's way into food but it also off-gases while your cooking, allowing you to breath all that in. Teflon is made from a chemical called C8, which has somehow sneaked it's way into all of our blood-streams. While it is uncertain what the presence of C8 does to humans, it has proven cancerous and fatal to animals. That can't be good.

Think about how often you cook with teflon pans per year.

Now multiply that by your age.

yuck.

Oh ya, did I mention it takes 20 years for it to get out of your system?

TIPS:

1. Buy new...

Greencookingpots.com

...has a cooking apparatus for each of your needs. Very cool stuff, and affordable!

2. Or...

...go cast-iron or ceramic. Stay away from non-stick!!

"If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life."

-Maslow

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Newsworthy News!!

LolaBabiez wins Chic Eco's 2009 award for

BEST ECO-LUXURY INFANT CLOTHES DESIGNER!!

Here's what people are saying:

***"The different signature pieces are unlike any you find at a regular baby store. They are made by hand with love from a mom who knows that when it comes to your baby you can't put a price on their health."***

So if you haven't checked out our eco-friendly infant clothing line, now is the time! And don't forget, Carrie loves to hear from you about custom orders as well. So if you like what you see and you have a specific idea in mind for baby clothes, gift packs, bedding, etc., please email us!

lolababiez.com

We always look forward to hearing from you.

Check out our article on freestyle.com here.

And click here to read more about Lolababiez Organics.

Green Tip of the Week: Green out the dishwasher!

FACT: If every US household replaced one bottle (45 oz.) of dish detergent containing phosphates, with a phosphate-free version, we would save about 84 million pounds of toxic pollution seeping into our lakes, rivers, streams, etc. So what's the hold up? If you have a dishwasher, make the switch. There really is no valid excuse not to. Too expensive? Guess what, they are making phosphate-free versions very affordable. Think it doesn't work as well? False. I've been using these alternatives for two years now...can't tell the difference. Here's a few options I would recommend... TIPS: 1. Seventh Generation... ...has an award winning dishwashing detergent gel, as well as powder. Widely available at Whole Foods,Bed Bath & Beyond, online, and some forward-thinking supermarkets. 2. BioKleen Powder... ...affordable, works well, and available at most health food stores. 3. Jet Dry alternative... ...I had a discussion with a fellow green tipper about this whole "Jet Dry" business (meant to leave your dishes spot free, and apparently "A Must"). After trying to decipher the very un-ecofriendly ingredients, I decided against using this product and opted for a green alternative: Seventh Generation's Free & Clear Rinse Aid ...and my dishes are spot free! This can be found at your local Whole Foods or any retailer selling Seventh Generation products. ***A big CONGRATS to our FIRST monthly giveaway winner: DANIELLE F.!!*** Danielle, thank you for your comments and support. Not Danielle? Don't be discouraged...a new month has begun and another giveaway is around the corner! Keep those comments rolling... "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost, that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. " -Henry David Thoreau Click here to check out our award-winning eco-friendly clothing line!

Green Tip of the Week: Save water!

FACT: 

We tend to forget that water is a finite resource. Us Californians have had a wake-up call this summer by experiencing the cut-backs of water usage due to the severe drought we are facing. I've learned that it is the little things that count. For example, if every person just shortened their showers, we could save thousands of gallons of water per day! The average shower uses 25 gallons of water. Moms, I have a feeling you have mastered the art of the short shower. Here's a tip that'll help your family be on board as well...

TIPS:

1. Set a timer...

...If you get your shower down to 5 minutes you will cut your water usage down to 12.5 gallons of water.

I'm challenging you all...and myself on this one!!

***Today is the last day to be eligible for our giveaway! Be sure to leave a

comment or make a purchase TODAY, and the winner will be announced next

week!!

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."

-Lanston Hughes

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