Is There Asbestos in Your Home?

There are hazards to consider when conducting green renovations or health home improvements for home and building owners. Among these is asbestos. While most asbestos products were banned in the late 1970’s by the Consumer Products Safety Commission and regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency thereafter, these materials still exist in nearly 80% of structures built prior to 1980.

Asbestos is particularly relevant when conducting energy efficiency renovations, as most asbestos products are found in insulation, duct work, piping, and other construction compounds. As these materials become older, they become brittle and even more hazardous. If they are disturbed, it is all the more likely that hazardous asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Inhaled asbestos fibers have been the principle cause for the rare and aggressive cancer, mesothelioma, as well as a host of other respiratory conditions.

Fortunately, there is help for those whose homes and buildings may contain this material. Asbestos abatement and consulting companies can indicate to you where and if asbestos products have become a health concern. These firms can then safely remove and dispose of these materials in adherence with state and federal regulations. Through simple precautions, asbestos cancer and other health conditions can be avoided as a result of asbestos exposure. We can create healthy homes and buildings, while staying healthy ourselves.

This article was written and presented by Jennifer Miller, Awareness and Outreach Coordinator for Mesothelioma.com Read more!

Eco Friendly Holiday Lighting

With the holidays upon us, and inflation surging, now is a great time to make smart, energy efficient choices within your home to lower your overall operating expenses. LED (light emitting diode) holiday lighting is a popular, eco-friendly option, since it's both long lasting and 90% more efficient than incandescent lights.

Here's a great vendor with some great green options: HolidayLED.com. Holiday LED.com offers traditional holiday lights in a full range of colors, popular icicle lights and even pre-lit Christmas trees, all made from energy efficient LEDs.

Better yet, this vendor offers a special recycling program. Send them your old incandescents holiday lights for recycling and they will send you a 15% off coupon for new LED lights! Sounds like a good deal right? There's more!

They are offering an additional discount exclusively for IDOG readers: an additional 10% off by using Coupon Code "GKRIST." Offer expires 12/31/2008.

Happy Holidays!
Photo courtesy of HolidayLEDs.com. Read more!

Green Kristine on the CW11 News!

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Steals & Deals: Viva Terra Eco Furnishings

Good news for a change! I just saw that one of my favorite retailers, Viva Terra, is having a sale on one of their most unique and unusual pieces, the twisted stool/side table, and I just wanted to alert my readers. Aren't they really nice? These works of art are hand sculpted from sustainable monkey pod wood, have a variety of uses and are on sale for just $175 (for the tall size). When can you get a handcrafted anything for this price??

Click on this link, TWISTY, and enter the code "NT8101" when ordering. Offer good until 11/15/08. And don't forget to check out their other fantastic furnishings! Read more!

The Gilded Age Turns Green

Don't blink. The world we live in is an unprecendented state of flux. First off, our planet is in serious trouble. Ice sheets are melting quicker than originally predicted. Stronger than usual weather patterns have caused a disturbing series of damaging storms. Without immediate intervention, the future is unknown.

Next is the U.S. economy, which is crumbling before our very eyes. Thanks to corporate greed and regulation "lite" from our government agencies, Americans are likely to experience a rather unpleasant recession in the coming months and perhaps years. We, the taxpayers are now financing the bailout to the tune of $700 billion dollars. The bright light in this is the fact that we, the people will not lose everything and jump out of windows like in 1929.

Lastly is government. We have all had the great misfortune of living under a joke of leadership aka the Bush Administration, and the upcoming election is a very serious one. Both candidates look vastly different from where I'm sitting. The one that understands the importance of investing heavily in green technology rather than offshore and Alaskan drilling is the one who can solve a host of issues in one simple shot. It is imperative that we ban together and make the right choice.

Yes, the world is changing quickly, and we are headed back to basics. The Gilded Age of corporate greed, excessive lifestyles and lavish spending will slowly but surely come to a crawl. Over the next decade, I believe that we will witness a shift among corporate leaders towards global corporate responsibility. We have seen it already with T. Boone Pickens and he is just one of the first to emerge. With the failure of Lehman, Bear, Fannie, Freddie Mac, AIG and others, executive pay will be more closely scrutinized by shareholders, regulators and the press. At long last, corporate leadership will be held accountable and will earn a fair wage, not the lottery. Wall Street as we knew it last week, won't exist. The jury is still out in terms of what it will look like, but the huge bets, the huge amounts of leverage and the complete lack of regulation will be things of the past.

The current economic climate already negatively impacts families across our great country. Many jobs have been lost and consumer spending continues to decline rapidly. As a result, and purely by default, the main tenants of green living such as saving money, saving energy, reducing, reusing and others will be adopted. Consumers will look to cut corners, and by doing so will embrace green living more than ever. SUV's are being exchanged for smaller more fuel efficient vehicles, travel has been cut back and we (me too!) look to break out last season's fall handbag rather than buy a new one. Simple pleasures are back in style...a rainbow, a sunset, and an afternoon with your family. Count your blessings, not your cash.

Our new goverment leadership should be working for the people and leading us towards energy independence. This road will bring untold riches to our country in terms of jobs for both the white and the blue collars, the savings from being "off" foreign oil, and the ultimate benefit of seriously reducing greenhouse gases. The U.S. can and should be the world leader in green technology, and by doing so, help other nations adopt clean energy and ultimately, protect our planet. Read more!

Mc Mansions are Out and Prefabs are In

There was a time when prefab housing of any type was frowned upon. It was always cheap, sometimes tacky and worst of all, a major faux pas. However, times are a-changing. With surging inflation and the increasing popularity of "green", reducing your carbon footprint and downsizing is becoming positively chic. Whether you are on the market for a little cottage or an entire house, pre-fabs come in all prices, shapes and sizes.

Several home designers and architects are catching onto this and are releasing their own pre-fab designs. One is these new fangled manufacturers is Kithaus. Kithaus has created several designs that are compact and easy to install due to lightweight construction materials. Furthermore, they offer homeowners the option of adding a small backyard office/retreat/playroom without permits and contractors, which is a huge plus. Some of their models are priced from $29,000+ and work for a variety of uses.

If you are interested in something a little more complete, consider this: the ASAP House. ASAP stands for a house "about saving a planet." Architect Laszlo Kiss has developed plans for a contemporary, modular net-zero energy house. It's a complete home with all of the modern conveniences you would expect yet it is truly green. The architect has plans to expand on the ASAP house by introducing additional new design modules - everything from a 700 sq ft studio cottage to a 3100 sq foot home. Visit ASAP to learn more.

Read more!

Eco Floors: Natural Cork by Globus Cork

When renovating my "green" house this summer, I chose to do the kitchen floor in a natural cork material. I wanted to use something durable, beautiful and sustainable, and cork was a perfect solution.

I looked to a local New York manufacturer, Globus Cork to provide the product as well as an education in cork flooring. First off, cork is a renewal material - it gets harvested from the bark of cork oak trees every 9 years and it then grows back. Even so, the cork tiles themselves are made from the scraps of the wine cork manufacturing process, so they are truly a recycled product. Folks, you really can't get much greener than that! Once the tiles are formed, depending on the color/style, they get a coat of voc-free stain and sealer. Cork tiles come in either the glue down or the floating variety, and either one provides a beautiful outcome! They are offered in a wide variety of patterns, shapes and colors and the good people at Globus Cork can help you either design your floor or make suggestions based on your ideas.

Cork flooring offers even more benefits. Cork is very soft under foot and is easy on your joints and back. It's also super durable, water and stain resistant (within reason), and maintains its freshly laid appearance over time. One of my green contacts tells me that her cork kitchen floor of 5 years still looks fantastic. And cork flooring is not hugely expensive either, unlike many other "green" products.

The images you see show the cork floor I used in my own kitchen project. Please email me if you need any details...I would be happy to share them with you. For further information about the environmental aspects of cork, the many color/design options, and more, visit Globus Cork. Read more!

World of Good by Ebay

Whenever I travel abroad, I usually like to buy a little something from the region to remind me of the trip when I get home. When I went to Greece, it was these leather sandals ( I called them Jesus sandals) or in St. Johns, it was a small sculpture made by a local artist. Usually it's something a little funky and indigenous to the region, although in Italy, I opt for Furla, Fendi and Ferragamo. Hey, I'm human and I'm female- what can you do.

Anyway, you don't have to travel all over the place to find special treasures from around the globe. Check out Ebay's own, A World of Good. World of Good.com connects the purchasing power of developed nations like ours with local artisans world wide. They offer products in just about every category imaginable and each purchase makes a positive impact to people, places, animals and of course, the Earth.

Looking for a Peruvian hand loomed alpaca shawl, a real Indian pashmina or a sparkly dog leash made of recycled materials? They've got that and then some. And talk about finding unique and unusual gifts too!

Visit A World of Good to find your treasure while helping to do a world of good to others. Read more!

Back to School Basics: Reusable Water Bottles

If you are providing your child with bottled water each day, you are potentially adding 200 water bottles to the landfill annually. Multiply this by 800 kids in my local elementary school and it makes 160,000. Yes, some schools have recycling programs, but is your 6 year old disposing of it properly? You see where I'm going with this. A much better alternative, a reusable water bottle. I recommend Sigg aluminum water bottles.

Of course, Madonna and Cindy Crawford's kids already use them, but who cares about them. The benefits of Sigg bottles are as follows:

1. Reusing is better than recycling and/or creating waste.
2. Aluminum bottles don't leach plastic bottle chems into the water over time.
3. Aluminum bottles actually keep the water cooler.
4. They come in about a million varieties - designs, colors and sizes- so that kids can find the one they love.
5. Your child will be setting a good example to others. Monkey see, monkey do.
6. The spill free design keeps things clean, and kids love to use them.
7. The flip top cap keeps the drinking spout germ free.

The only bad news is that they are next to impossible to find, due to high demand. I lucked out at the local Whole Foods and found one Paddington Bear bottle. It's so cute and my daughter loves using it. The price of the small bottle was $17.99 which was high but reasonable considering how much you could save on bottled water, plus the benefits to Mother Earth.

Visit the Sigg website, or go to Whole Foods, Dick's or other retailers. Try EBay if you are out of luck locally. Read more!

Recycled Bags a la Stella McCartney for LeSportsac

Among the top designers in the world, Stella McCartney is clearly a leader in the green movement. First came her line of Organic Skin Care, and now this: Functional and super chic bags, rucksacks and luggage designed with recycled materials! Finally, my theory that "green" is not just for crunchers anymore is proven once and for all. Oh contrere, eco chic is headed our way like a Category 2 Hurricane.

Case in point: Her new Fall line for LeSportsac, made from 100% recycled nylon and other recycled materials. You go girl! These are the it-bags for the stylishly eco-conscious. There are plenty of varieties such as hobos, totes, travel bags, and even a convertible rucksack ( a personal fav.)Stella's smart designs can be found at top retailers, but for more information and a look at every bag, go to the LeSportsac website.

I'm wondering which celeb will be photographed with one first? Stay tuned. Read more!

Thoughts about the Conventions

I know this is a green blog but I just have to give a shout out to my former fav Presidential candidate, Senator Hillary Clinton. As a woman, I can really appreciate her accomplishments, especially as a champion for the rights of women and children. She has the unique ability to understand the needs of our nation, government and world, all while raising (quite successfully I might add) a lovely daughter. She delivered a kick-butt speech to the Democratic delegates last month and I am sorry to see her off the ticket, as I'm sure many others are as well. I smell a prominent cabinet position, probably related to universal health care, and a campaign debt reduction deal to boot. Thankfully, the party seems fully committed to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and developing green collar jobs and that guy, Barack is not such a bad choice either. He may be a "freshman" but he seems to exercise good judgment when important decisions need to be made. His selection of a running mate certainly helped combat his weaknesses of lack of experience and foreign policy. Anyway, with or without Hillary, he's a heck of a lot better than the crypt keeper and his freshman. Read more!

Eco Beauty: Scrub-a-Dub Dub

Have you ever tried one of those super-rough exfoliating facial scrubs? You know, the kind with some sort of microscopic roughage that feels like you are rubbing #300 sand paper on your face?

For years, I endured those grueling treatments in the hopes of that pure, baby soft porcelain skin of yesteryear. The fact is, using harsh scrubs are unnecessary and the need for them is a misconception amongst many women. "No pain, no gain" should not be the motto for facial cleansing. Luckily, I found a natural, chem-free skin care line complete with a wonderful exfoliator!

It's a skin and hair care line from Noah's Naturals. The company's eco-friendly products were carefully formulated with the help of Aveda creator, Prakash Purohit. One of them is the Exfoliating Face Scrub with Jojoba Beads and it's lovely! While rubbing it on my face, I noticed that the beads were soft to the touch, yet they did their job to gently and effectively exfoliate. The product also left my face feeling fresh, soft and moisturized. And the best part was that it was free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates and propoylene gylcol. Furthermore, all Noah's Natural products do not test on animals, are made from the purest ingredients, and use fully recyclable packaging.

It is definitely a product I felt good about using, and it worked really well. Check out some of their other great organic products at Noah's Naturals.

Find Noah's products on their website, or search for a local participating retailer. Read more!

Green House Makeover : Eco-Friendly Hardwood Floors

When I purchased a 1920s Colonial for renovation, I wanted to maintain its original character yet use as many eco-friendly products and features as possible. The house had the original hardwood floors throughout; Douglas Fir on the first floor and Southern Yellow Pine on the second floor. Both were shabby. The first floor showed plenty of discoloration, large scratches and even a hump in the middle of the floor. The second floor was partially covered in hideous pink ceramic tiles, so we weren't sure what would happen. We knew that the green way to go was to salvage as much original planking as possible, rather than to scrap it and start new. But would it work?

Our plan of action was to hire the best flooring contractor in the area. That was easy. Dave Novak Flooring of Long Island is a real pro and knows his green products to boot. Dave helped us to determine whether or not the situation was salvageable or not. Miraculously, they were able to correct the major flaws, including the hump, some wide gaps, and the discoloration. The next step was to determine what product to use to restore the floor. He highly recommended BonaKemi products, for their quality, durability and environmental friendliness. In fact, Bona's extensive line of products are the only hardwood flooring system that is GreenGuard certified for Indoor Air Quality. With a combination of BonaKemi's water based stains and sealers, and Dave's expertise, our floors became absolutely flawless. Our Green House Showcase slide show pics at the top of this page show the gorgeous (and healthy) results.

When renovating your hardwood floors, talk to your contractor about the benefits of a water based treatment vs. oil based polyurethane. Or contact ours: Dave Novak Flooring at (516)-672-2413, and please visit BonaKemi.com. Read more!

Fuel Efficient SUV Alternative

So my lease is up and I'm looking for a new ride. Since the Aston Martin doesn't come in a fuel efficient model, I guess I need to keep searching. (As if.)

The real story is that I have been on the waiting list for the Toyota Prius for about 3 months now, and I don't get the impression that they will be calling me back any time soon. My battered ego is sad to report that low cut blouses, shameless flirtation and heavy batting of the eyelashes did absolutely nothing to speed up this lengthy process. But the good news is that I think I found the answer for all those moms out there that are not looking forward to parting with their beloved SUV but need a nicely equipped, spacious car.

The Volkwagen TDI Clean Diesel Jetta Sportwagen. The photo above is just the regular Jetta, but I am referring to the Sportwagen, shown at Volkwagon's site. I know, its a VW, which is not what you were expecting but hang on there, princess. First of all, the gas mileage gets about 29 city and 40 highway, and some say that these EPA estimates are on the low side. The emissions are very low and are expected to be lower than a normal car. Plus, the car has got plenty of pep (like Usain Bolt), sporty styling (like May-Traynor and Walsh) and plenty of room in the trunk (like Lo Lo Jones). Just kidding Lo Lo, you are lovely! And the car comes with some super cool add ons: an all glass panaromaric roof, navigation, satellite radio, Ipod docking station, as well as cutting edge safety features. Best of all, the TDI Sportwagen is available soon at a dealer near you!

Check out all the specs of this vehicle and more at TopGreenCars or VW of America.

Photo courtesy of VW of America, Inc. Read more!

Who are Today's Real Greenies?

Once you become involved in the green movement, it tends to do something to you. At least it did to me. It hypnotically lulls you into an obsessive state and suddenly, you find yourself weighing the green attributes and qualifications of just about everything that comes across your path. Thankfully, because this has been a great source of benefits for my family. The one exception? Shoes and bags, which I proudly maintain my original obsessive allegiance. My highly plausible argument is that the lifespan of quality goods is much longer than the "Made in China" equivalent, so you need to buy less overall. Case in point, I have a Gucci bag that is at least 10 years old and after lots of wear, it still looks as good as new.

In trying to determine who exactly might be listening to my rantings about green, I needed to learn who today's greenies are. Are they 95% ex-hippies from Sea Cliff and 5% the rest or what? Here is what I learned from my research:

Greenies are not just hippies who smoke pot regularly, tend to resists haircuts, sport tattered sandals and eat a diet of munchies. Although many are and they continue to smoke pot avidly. Not that I have any direct knowledge of these types of activities.

Greenies are not clueless and caught up in a sea of misinformation. On the contrary, I find them to be learned intellectuals. They are as passionate about the plight of the manatee as they are in the boudoir. Again, no direct info on this!

Not all greenies are full on-junkies; many opt for a "lighter shade" of green. In fact, some even drive SUVs and wear leather goods including the latest Tory Burch ballet flats, available this fall. They choose to adopt green principals in some respects, but it's not an overall lifestyle choice. ( While we applaud this groups efforts immensely, further introspection into their materialistic lives might be a good idea. After all, its a recession and shockingly, even Paris Hilton is cutting back.)

Based on several Green Drinks International meetings that I have attended, today's greenie is much younger than I would have originally imagined. Many college aged, 30 somethings and Facebook/social networking types are heavily involved in the movement.

And believe it or not, Seniors are the spoilers here. Recently, I met an older couple at a Green House Showcase event, and by the looks of them, it is quite possible that they were present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. All kidding aside, they were very interested in all of our green features and planned to implement many of them in a new renovation of their seniors condo. Very surprising!

The bottom line is that the green movement is gaining momentum amongst the young and old alike, and whatever you can muster is a benefit to your long term health, the Earth and most importantly these days, your wallet. Peace out.

For more information about going green, contact us at Klivesgreen@gmail.com. Read more!

Green House Makeover: Toilet Talk

Did you know that your old toilet (circa 1994 or earlier) uses up to 70% more water annually than a new dual flusher? In areas where water costs are high, replacing your old bowl can save you some significant coin! Since our fresh water supplies in parts of this country are dwindling and are expected to drop precipitously low in the future, dual flushing technologies are essential.

At our recent Green House Showcase in New York, reducing water consumption was one of our main objectives. One way to meet this goal was to install dual flushers. These toilets have been used for years in Europe and Asia, and they are slowly making their way to the US. Here's how they work: there are 2 flushing options, either 0.8 gallons or 1.6 gallons, depending on your uh, needs. And they come in all types of styles, from traditional to super contemporary, and best of all, most of them are affordable. The ones we installed cost about $250 each, made by Sterling for Kohler. See how the tank in the photos is so small? This makes them look so tres chic - ooh la la! (Both photographs show the same toilets in 2 different baths, fyi.)

Ok now let's talk functionality. Do they work and get the, er, job done, shall we say? The answer from my experience is a wholehearted yes! I have had many a construction worker over the house and let's just say that I didn't find any nasty surprises.

In conclusion, mon ami, adopting water saving features like dual flushers in your home are a fabulous way to reduce your consumption and save money in the process. Manifique! Read more!

Free Pass to The Best Green Gym

Once a month, my refined sugar intake requirements elevate quite uncontrollably. I find myself noshing on anything processed with a high sugar and chocolate content. Also, my emotional sensitivity borders on the psychotic. It's very possible to find me sobbing after a touching TV commercial or in last night's case, the presentation of the gold medal to adorable Shaun Johnson. Either I need to be committed or it's simply that time of the month. I need to hit the gym offset this bizarre imbalance pronto!

The Olympic coverage is not helping either. I find my eyes glued to the TV screen in sheer exhaustion night after night, even to watch rowing! Kudos to NBC's mesmerizing coverage.

I love sports. Not only watching them, but participating in them as well. When I can't run and cycle on the street, I hit the gym. In a high stress and high calorie world, it's a requirement as a part of my green lifestyle - for both mind and body. So I don't go totally cuckoo.

Luckily, I stumbled upon a fantastic gym in my area: Equinox Fitness. It's a beautiful facility with great trainers, awesome yoga, a fabulous spa, and spic-n-span locker rooms. As a green junkie, this is all very nice but what really hooked me in was their green initiatives. Some of them include: low voc products used in the design and building of the gym, plastic and paper recycling, the use of low-tox/natural cleansers in the gyms, the use of recycled paper at corporate, a shop offering organic clothing and reusable bottles, and soon-to-be-implemented technologies that improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality and reduce water consumption.

If you need to tame those hormones, and look and feel great to boot, email me @klivesgreen@gmail.com for your 3 day free trial pass and I guarantee that you will love it! Read more!

Confessions of a Green Junkie

I admit it. I'm a Green Junkie. That's me. I'm a chronic recycler and a solar freak plus I can kick some organic ass. I grow my own veggies, compost, sleep on organic bedding, use natural beauty products, and I even WORK in the industry, I'm so hooked. Every time I need to buy something...anything...be it food, clothing, a new car, towels, or even soap...I morph into an investigative environmental reporter, rushing to uncover the impurities and toxicity of the synthetic, and search for the most suitable, all-natural fossil fuel free replacement that keeps my indoor air quality high, my carbon footprint low and ultimately gets me to that green euphoric high....oh- oh- oh- yeaaaaahhhh! It's almost as good as sex.

In addition to being hooked on green consumer products, I can't get enough information about climate change and the ever changing duration of our earthly existence. This video is part of the reason why I'm hooked:



It wasn't always this way....I can think back to my days of over consuming at the local superstore, when I was bored and wanted to kill time. After scoping out a shopping cart, I would wander aisle after aisle, piling up my cart with as many sandals, housewares, and other miscellaneous crap I could get my hands on. ( A shop-a-holic high, you say? I see a trend here!) Heck, it felt damn good, yet it was a foul display of wastefulness.

Another memory of my former self was my frequent high-end corporate dinners in NYC when I would order a full course meal, only to nibble on a little of this and that, and proudly declare, "Yes, I'm done," when each course was clearly untouched. Just throw it right in the trash. What a totally spoiled bitch! I can barely stand myself thinking about it.

Like Gwyneth Paltrow, motherhood was the turning point that made me realize (duh) that most of the things we eat and live with in our homes are bad for us and need to be replaced. It was time to take inventory and make incremental changes that improved the quality of life for myself and my family. The more I learned, the more outraged and ultimately addicted I became.

We all have choices in life and we need to really make better ones. I do not condone burning bras, growing out your arm pit hair or trading in your Tory Burch flats for hemp sandals (PLEASE, not that last one!) But if we are having a new baby, we need to take a look at surrounding that newborn with the purest products that do the least environmental damage. Or if our car lease is up, we need to explore hybrids and clean diesels, or at least downsize our vehicle from mammoth to medium. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find your new green identity that resides somewhere between a landlubber hippie and a spoiled bitch over consumer- AND make a real impact towards the future!

BOTTOM LINE: All kidding aside, the green movement is real and its now and we all better get on board before we vaporize this planet and future generations! Oh yyyeaaaahhhh. Read more!

Green House Showcase 2008 Photos

 It doesn't look even remotely green, does it? Ha ha, yet it totally is! For those of you poor souls who didn't attended this event, watch the slide show attached to see the results. The home was completely renovated in a sustainable and environmentally sensitive way thanks to the consulting work by Kristing Livadas. Eh hem, that's me. My work on this project, coupled with my research and present study for the LEED AP exam enables me to successfully complete green minded projects, both commercial and residential.

Here's a listing of the green attributes we added to this 1920s Colonial Charmer: 1. Rhino Shield Exterior Paint (insulating and guaranteed for 25 years) 2. BonaKemi water based stains and sealers for the 90+ year old wood floors 3. Sherwin Williams Harmony no-voc paint 4. beeswax candelabra in WB fireplace 5. programmable thermostats 6. Energy Star rated windows with Low E coating 6. Energy Star Rated Exterior Doors 7. Globus Cork Kitchen Flooring 8. Moen water purifier kitchen faucet 8. Ice Stone recycled glass and concrete countertops 9. recycled glass and recycled porcelain tiles 10. Energy Star appliances throughout 11. low flow aerator faucets and shower throughout 12. dual flush toilets 13. Savvy Rest organic mattress 14. Feng Shui eco design throughout 15. organic bed and bath linens throughout 16. front loading Energy Star washer and dryer 17. new gas hot water heater 18. organic fertilizers and native plantings throughout 19. new cement fiberboard siding on garage 20. new natural pebble driveway (allows for natural drainage and minimal soil disruption 21. eco furnishings by Crate & Barrel.

Read more!

Should I Use Pesticides on my Lawn? NO!

Jogging around the neighborhood is one of my favorite things to do. I get to listen to my music, in peace, just me and the road. I particularly enjoy the slide show of homes and manicured lawns as I trot by. On my route, I noticed a disturbing number of those mini flags that alert you to the presence of a recent pesticide spraying. Not just a few, a lot. I am completely amazed by this. How is it, that in this day and age, that people are more concerned about the look of their lawns than the impact of synthetic pesticide use on humans (especially children), plants and animals, and the environment? It's either ignorance- or ignorance in my book. Since the EPA and government continue to allow corporations to create and sell products that harm us in the name of $$, we have to take matters into our own hands. Here are a few key facts that should make you give up the flag, at last!

Fact: There is no registered pesticide that is safe. In the US, it is a violation of Federal law to state that a pesticide is safe. (Which means it's harmful, people!)

Fact: According to the Journal of National Cancer Institute-1987, children whose homes and garden have been treated with pesticides have 6.5 times greater risk for leukemia than children living in untreated environments.

Fact: Besides sensitivity and toxicity, other dangers to humans include decreased fertility, cancers, leukemia, asthma/allergies, low sperm count, genetic disorders and more.

Fact: Only 5% of sprayed pesticides reach their intended target - the rest drifts to unintended areas such as water or the air. ( Like on that swing set, or on your shoes, then in your house, where that baby is crawling on the floor!)

Fact: Pesticide use is one of the top pollutants of our water, it degrades our soil and it harms wildlife.

"Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health. The diseases we're beginning to see as the major causes of death in the latter part of this century and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin." -- Dick Irwin, toxicologist at Texas A&M Universities

The proliferation of pesticide use has only occurred over the past 50 years, yet for centuries farmers used natural methods to protect their crops. Alternatives are available! Reach out to your local village, Chamber of Commerce or environmental non-profit to learn about organic methods to treat your lawn at home.

Some of the information in this post was found at the link below. For more information, go to http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/environment/RATE/pestfact.html

NOTE: When I say 'pesticides', I mean any poison meant to kill a certain target. These include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Read more!

Eco Furnishings Found Locally at Crate & Barrel

After renovating a house recently with all environmentally friendly features, it was now time to look at furnishings. Of course, I wanted to go eco friendly. Home furnishings can be toxic and negatively impact your indoor air quality. I learned this first hand last year.

I made the incredibly stupid decision to purchase some bedroom furniture from a major national furniture chain. A few hours after it arrived, I noticed a heavy "new car/furniture" type of scent in the room. I figured it was just new and needed some time to air out. After a day, the odor was still there. After 4 days, the odor was still there. After 10 days straight with the windows opened, the odor DID NOT dissipate AT ALL! I was having visions of those poor people in New Orleans in their FEMA trailers! With the windows shut, I could only tolerate 5 minutes in the room before a headache would set in. I knew I had to take action and removed the furniture immediately.

My guess is that the wood frame and drawers were constructed with plywood that contained formaldehyde and heaven knows what else. In other types of furnishings, upholstery can be treated with flame retardant chemicals (and stain resistant chems too) that off gas into your home, and your family get the breathe it in! So going eco friendly makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons.

The next challenge is to find these types of furnishings, which are few and far between. Luckily, I stumbled onto a national chain that offers eco friendly furnishings and housewares, as a part of their Eco Initiaves Program - Crate & Barrel. They carry everything from Bamboo Dining Tables, to chairs with Soy foam cushioning, to recycled glass dinnerware. Some of the pics on this post are from their line. I was lucky enough to get some of these lovely pieces for our Green House and everyone loved them, especially me.

For more eco furnishings, take a look at:
Fernwalla
Cisco Brothers
Read more!

Mercedes Halts Production of Petro-powered Cars by 2015

I found an article on EcoGeek.org that talks about how Mercedes Benz plans to remove petro-powered cars from their line up by 2015. According to the source, they plan to focus their research on electric, fuel cells and biofuels. About $4 million dollars have been spent on the project to date, with a plan to spend an additional $1.4 billion by 2014. I don't know about the rest of you but this sounds like a crock to me!

Trust me, I am completely for the reduction in the use of fossil fuels, but how could this be? The year 2015 is only 6 1/2 years away - that would be a monumental achievement. Is there a plan to modify gas stations to biofuel hubs within this time frame that I haven't heard of? Why hasn't this announcement been on the front cover of every major newspaper and newscast in the country? A brief visit to the MB website indicates nothing about any of this or their "sustainable mobility" plan as quoted in EcoGeek. I am highly skeptical.

Some truths are mentioned however. Many automakers are looking to unveil their environmentally friendly vehicles in the year 2010, leaving us with little to choose from today. Just attempt to locate a new hybrid vehicle to purchase. Its akin to discovering the lost city of Atlantis. There are a few "clean diesels" hitting the market, i.e. the VWs and Mercedes Bluetec Vehicles. However, I am leery about purchasing the first model in a new series because it usually takes automakers a year or two to work out "the bugs", based on personal experience.

The bottom line: Don't believe everything in print. And hang onto your old car until 2010 if you can. Read more!

Eco-Fabulous Bath Furniture by Waterfall

Are you looking for eco-friendly bathroom furniture that is not only green but beautiful and functional? On my endless quest for all things green, I have noticed that finding something chic and green was not easy. Luckily, I found the needle in the haystack: Waterfall Bathroom Furniture.

As you can see by the photos, Waterfall offers a variety of styles that are sure to please even the most discriminating tastes. The materials used to make them are all environmentally responsible: from FSC certified MDF (medium density fiberboard) to the lowest VOC (volatile organic compounds), water based paints available. Even the countertops are made of CaesarStone, a certified green product.
Add a low flow faucet and your vanity will be full-on green! To see their complete line of products, go to Waterfall Bath. Read more!

Get Your Free Organic T-Shirt

...with your $30 contribution to the Obama campaign!

The last few Presidential elections, for me, were about picking the dog with the least fleas.

Not much has changed this time around, but the state of our planet and country are in complete disarray. This election requires our careful reflection and analysis. Because none of us have much time for that, here's a link to Grist, which offers a fact sheet on their home page for each candidate in regards to the environment.

The Obama camp has received the full support of the Sierra Club, as you may or may not be aware. I feel rather confident in my statement that I expect most, if not all of the remaining environmental groups to do the same.

Since the Democratic party has pledged that they are running the entire campaign on the pocket change of average Americans vs. special interest money (a rather noble gesture), I feel that it is my duty to help.

The Obama Camp is offering a "free" organic T-shirt to all contributors of $30 or more. There are several pages on his site to make a donation, but only this page offers the organic shirt. Click here for the Obama T-Shirt contribution page.

So if you are a supporter of the Earth or Obama, or you think you may be a supporter, or if you just like organic T-shirts, take one down for the cause. Read more!

A Simple Way to Stretch your Gas Dollar

I have mentioned this tip before, but in light of today's outrageous gas prices, I wanted to share it with you again. Plus I just did it today with incredible results. Like I said, having the appropriate amount of air in your tires can help increase your MPG. Here's how you do it: Buy a tire pressure gauge or just go to the gas station. Your tires say the amount of max psi or pressure they will take, so fill all 4 slighly lower than that level. That's it. My car (that is up next month, hooray!) gets an abysmal 15mpg in town but cranked it out to 18.8mpg! Ok, it's only 3 miles extra, but for my 25 gallon tank, that's an extra 75 miles per fill up. Cha- ching! Read more!

Feelin' the Love for Organic Love Lipsticks

It is said that the average woman ingests up to four pounds of lipstick or gloss in a lifetime. According to the Environmental Working Group, a partner of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, one-third of personal care products contain at least one chemical linked to cancer. With that in mind, I decided to begin looking for some safe alternatives, and I found a GREAT one with Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics' Organic Love Lipsticks.

Depending on the shade, these lipsticks are made with approximately 70% to 82% certified organic ingredients. Some of the key ingredients include organic jojoba seed oil, Vitamin E, organic pomegranate seed extract, organic grape seed extract, and organic apricot kernel. The rest of the ingredients are iron oxides and micas, (for pigment) and titanium oxide (for opacity), which are all pharmaceutical grade inert minerals. Organic Love is free from petroleum, gluten, paraben, nuts and the entire line of cosmetics is cruelty and gluten free. These gals over there are on the ball!

Aside from all those benefits, the lipstick itself goes on light and smooth, not heavy and waxy. Your lips will feel fabulous, as though the nutrients were going to work to moisturize and condition instantaneously. For real!

I highly recommend this product, so go to their site, drop $22 bucks and eat all the lipstick you want.

Note: Visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics site, which has a ton of information about all beauty products and their ingredients. You will find it invaluable. Read more!

Green House Makeover 3 : The Exterior

One of the most important features of any home is it's curb appeal, and as you can see, this house has none. My goal is to turn this ugly duckling into a beautiful swan! Let's take a peek at what needs to be improved and greenified.

First, the house looks like it's missing something. With a lack of architectural and landscaping detail, this Dutch Colonial look like a real dud. A front porch will add loads of curb appeal, an additional outdoor "room" and an element of character that is sorely lacking. Another benefit: a porch will help to keep the front aka the south side of the house cooler in summer.

**Green Solution** Using responsibly harvested lumber, FSC certified for example, is a great way to get green. FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council, and the lumber they certify comes from responsibly managed and harvested forests. Lumber such as this is now available at the Green Depot, an up and coming green building supply chain.

Second, siding and paint. The colors presently used on this home are downright UGLY. And gasp - the siding is old asbestos shingles. This is a major environmental hazard if we remove them, plus it will cost us major bucks. What is our best green option here?

**Green Solution** Keeping the asbestos shingles intact doesn't present any danger to the occupants or neighbors of the home. Luckily, I found a exterior paint specialist called Rhino Shield, a national company with franchises across the USA. The Rhino Shield product is a ceramic paint that is sprayed on and lasts for up to 25 years with one application! It is 8 times the thickness of regular paint, and completely encapsulates the shingle and trim. (This is especially important for us with the asbestos). The ceramic paint is breathable, yet it helps to insulate your home from the heat and the cold. Have you ever noticed school buses with white paint on the roof? It's Rhino Shield paint and its applied for its insulation benefits, which effectively reduces fuel consumption. Rhino Shield paint comes in every color imaginable, has a 25 year warranty and is resistant to mold, water, heat, bugs, you name it. This is my answer!

Lastly, landscaping. Like I said in an earlier post - what landscaping? Most of the front and backyard has been or will be dug up as a result of construction, so we have to get ready to plant a new lawn and plantings, and cut back some of the aged growth.

**Green Solution** There are a host of new organic lawn care products that are now on the market that produce great results. Jonathan Green makes a great line, for example. Organic fertilizer, grass seed, and the use of native, drought resistant plants complete the picture. Something that needs constant watering isn't ideal anymore due to the overall reduction in rain accumulations. Furthermore, I found that local nurseries are willing to test your soil and offer you ideas about which plants to add to your yard, all for free. Utilize them!


The exterior is not yet complete, but I am hoping that the end result will look something like this in the end, which looks pretty homey to me.

Read more!

Green House Makeover - Oil vs. Gas or Solar??

Energy usage and efficiency is a critical element to any green home makeover. Currently, our lovely makeover house is heated by old fashioned steam radiators powered by an oil fired boiler. Ick. Not only is oil the dirtiest fuel source, it's the most expensive and least green. The electric is powered from, what else, electricity, which isn't cheap either in this part of the country.

We have a certain budget toward the upgrade of mechanicals of this house and unfortunately we can't replace both the boiler and add a solar system for the electric. ( Although I really, really, really, really want to.) Is our money spent more wisely on a new gas fired boiler which replaces the crusty oil furnace or do we keep it and add solar panels to pay for a portion of the electric bill?

Let's weigh it.

Solar: Clean, renewable energy. Totally green and conceptually, I love it. Solid up front investment for small system (2k). Must deal with local building departments and boards to get approval, and potentially, neighbors may complain that its ugly, since its on the front of the house. Depending on the new occupants of the house, it may pay for a good portion or a small to medium portion of their montly electric bill. Keep in mind that we are in the Northeast and we don't have full sun all year round like CA or FL, plus we still have oil to heat the house.

Gas: Much cleaner (aka less odors, no soot, major carbon reductions) than oil but not renewable. Still a fossil fuel yet a lot cheaper (for now.) Installation costs about 1/2 of the solar system. Electric remains untouched.

Do we get rid of the oil or go with solar? Feedback anyone? I am completely interested in hearing from you!!!

My thought is to go with gas. The sooner we all get off oil, like the junkies we are, the better off the country and our planet will be. The current oil boiler is older and probably not working at full efficiency anyway. It will be cleaner and cheaper and the new occupants will benefit more this way vs. electric via solar. I really love solar but unless the system covers most of the electric usage and preferably pays me back, I'm not sure its worth the money vs. the alternative. If we went for a larger system that could take care of 100% of the usage, it would become cost prohibitive on this project.

What I could do if money was no object....and if it's not an object to you, call me and we'll do lunch. On you. Read more!

Green House Makeover I - Evaluation

As you may or may not have read in a previous post, I have purchased a property in New York with the intention of renovating it as green as possible and then selling it to some lucky greenie. The house itself is a solid early 20th century Dutch Colonial and I plan on adding as many energy efficient and sustainable items as possible to enhance its green value.

Now I need to perform an overall evaluation to determine opportunities for change.

OK, let's talk about the exterior. Quite simply, it's ugly. The house looks like it's missing something big, like a front porch. I think we'll add one. The exterior paint colors are hideous, especially the reddish brown trim. The landscaping is...what landscaping? The driveway is also a disaster and the garage is being held up by a giant overgrown bush. Change all that.

Let's go inside. The house is not big with 7 rooms in all, but it has great bones, a nice flow and original pine floors throughout. The baths and kitchen are gross. The whole place is dirty and pretty much everything you see needs to be refinished.

The mechanicals in the basement consist of a 100amp electric panel, already updated. A working oil burning furnace. Not very green. Hmm.

One green trait already exists. The windows have been updated with Energy Star replacement windows with a low E (emittance) coating! This is the window you want to install in your house for its beneficial energy rating and ability to keep radiant heat out in summer and warm air in during the winter.

On this project, I want to focus on energy and water efficiency, superior interior air quality, and beautiful sustainable features and products throughout that will knock the socks off of everyone who comes in. I am thinking possibly solar, modification of furnace, insulations checks abound, and a few surprises too.

Time to call the suppliers... Read more!

How Green Are U? Take the Earth Day Quiz

There are celebrations taking place across the globe today in honor of Mama Earth. Come and join us! More and more people are jumping on the green bandwagon and are learning how they can benefit themselves and the planet. What a perfect time for a little personal reflection. How can you personally can make a difference?

It could be something little. Like giving up paper towels, or planting trees, or recycling. Or it could be more like getting a more fuel effecient vehicle, maybe even a hybrid or installing solar panels. No matter how much or how little you do, there are many shades of green, and every little bit adds up.

So go for a fresh start and take inventory of how you live life! Take IDOG's Earth Day Quiz and get a few shades greener!


Answer the following questions. Each "yes" gets 1 point.

1. Do you drive to work and opt-out of mass transportation, if available?
2. Do you drive an SUV?
3. Do you own more than 1 SUV?
4. Does your home have more bedrooms than the amount of persons in your household?
5. Do you own a vacation home?
6. Do you travel a lot for work or pleasure? A lot meaning once a month + ?
7. Do you eat non-organic food? More than 50%?
8. Do you NOT recycle?
9. If a parent, do you use disposable diapers?
10.Do you drink bottled water?
11.Do you mainly shop at giant superstores like Walmart vs. local vendors?
12.Do you consume alcohol more than 5 days a week?
13.Have you NOT switched to compact fluorescent bulbs?
14.Do you keep your cell phone charger plugged in at all times?
15.Do you think global warming is a total crock?
16.Do you consume red meat?


Scoring Results
# of Yes'
12+ You are a disgrace to this planet! Reduce your consumption! Minimalism is in. You are caught up in the daily grind of material life and are clueless about the current state of affairs on this planet. I highly recommend you contact me directly for an intervention.

10+ You are attempting to make strides to get on with this green movement, but you have a long long way to go. Take a close look at your personal lifestyle, your home, your career and your family to determine areas of improvement. You need to learn about the benefits and detriments, so read this blog and visit our new Eco Shop at GreenKristine.com!!!

8-10 You are a semi respectable person, really striving to do the world and your family some good, well done, but you still need some work. Keep educating yourself about the products and ideas that can help you make a difference. IDOG can help!

4-8 You are a legitamite greenie!! Nice work!! Keep it up and don't get lazy. Your results will pay off with a higher quality of life.

1-4 You are a super star and should be commended!! Join clubs and organizations that will help spread the good word of going green and call me if you are looking for work!

In conclusion, I am here to help you achieve whatever green goals you have set for yourself. This blog and my new shopping website, GreenKristine.com, (coming soon!!)will arm you with all the information and products your need to get to whatever shade of green you want to be. Cheers! Read more!

Live from NY: "Green This House"

So I had this great idea: Renovate an old, ugly house in the suburbs of New York using as many green, sustainable features as possible. Then showcase the house in all it's green glory to prospective buyers and folks who want to learn more about a healthier, energy efficient home at a series of Open House Events.

I will be documenting the entire project from start to finish on this blog so join us while we attempt to answer these questions:

What sustainable materials and products will we use and why?
Does renovating green really cost more?
Can a renovation be green?
What's the popularity of green residential construction in NY and everywhere?
Do people care at all?
Will we sell the house or will we be stuck with it?
Was buying a home in the worst real estate market in 10 years a really stupid idea or am I a freakin' genius?!

Follow this ground breaking series while we uncover the story behind greenovations!!! Read more!

Your Plastic Recycling Checklist

Are you throwing out perfectly good recyclable plastics? If you aren't recycling the following list, you are adding garbage to the landfill for nothin'.

While it's important to recycle your plastic, it's a little known fact that plastic containers are not recycled to make new containers, but to make other secondary materials. Consumers who recycle plastics think they may be helping to reduce the amount of plastic used and our reliance on petroleum, however, recycling will do little to stop production overall. Not to discourage you from recycling though! Many new items are being made from plastics like shoes and even clothing, so keep it up. But the best thing to do is to limit consumption by purchasing items with the least amount of packaging.

Depending on your municipality, you can recycle most items with a recycle symbol with a number in it, like the one shown above. Contact your town to find out how high of a number they will accept.

Items to recycle:
Prescription drug bottles
Vitamin and supplement bottles
Yogurt cups
Pudding cups
Sour Cream, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, cream cheese
Peanut butter and honey
Ketchup, mustard
Mouthwash
Shampoo and conditioner
Moisturizer bottles, skin care, nail polish remover, most skin/body care bottles
Some Tupperware type containers
Cleaning supply bottles
Dish washing and laundry detergents
Plant containers from the garden center

Plastic supermarket bags are NOT included on this list, but again, ask your town (NYC does). Also, you can check your local market to see if they will recycle the bags. Stop & Shop takes the bags back to allegedly recycle, however, I would highly recommend that you use reusable bags.

For more info on plastics and their strange little numbers, go to the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code Read more!

Highest MPGs on the Market

With summer fast approaching, you can bet your booty that gas prices could reach $4 a gallon, or thereabouts. In some parts of the country, they are already there. If you are in the market for a new car, I highly recommend getting yourself an education in high fuel efficiency autos.

Rather than searching each auto maker's site individually, I did my research at GreenCars.com. They offer an excellent summary of fuel efficient vehicles, listed by price. Some models weren't included, such as Audi, Lexus and the new Saturn's but the site was chock full of info for cars priced from $15,000 to $30,000.

One standout was, of course, the Toyota Prius with efficiency around 50-60 mpg. In that department, the car is freaking awesome and untouchable. After personally test driving it, I was pleasantly surprised by the available extras such as Navigation, Bluetooth and leather, even if it wasn't a particularly powerful performance. Hey you can't have it all, not for $20 grand, anyway. Also notable was the Toyota Matrix which is a nice looking sporty wagon, and the intriguing Pontiac Vibe.

Volkswagen is now offering an impressive collection of diesel powered cars, such as the Golf, Passat and Jetta. Unfortunately due to the emissions regulations in a handful of states like New York and California, they are not offered, but they are working on it and hopefully they will offer those great fuel numbers in all 50 states.

If size doesn't matter (yeah right!), the Mini Cooper is just cool and the convertible model is pretty hot for summer.

Find the gas mileage of your dreams at http://www.greencar.com/features/features36/! Read more!

Greening the Nursery

You plan your pregnancy. (Sometimes.)

You take special vitamins and get regular check ups to make sure the baby grows healthy.

You take classes to prepare yourself for the birth.

You learn about breastfeeding and baby care.

So why would you fill your baby's room with a bunch of chemicals?

Actually, most of us are guilty of this, myself included, until I got an education in "green." Shockingly, paint, carpeting, bedding and even furniture upholstery can contain or are treated with chemicals that produce dangerous gasses that linger in your baby's room and home for months, sometimes years, and result in poor interior air quality. Is there a link here to the rise in the rates of asthma and other childhood respiratory illnesses? There are no clear studies that indicate this (of course!) but you can draw your own conclusions.

The good news is that the popularity of the green baby is surging and now there are more choices than ever. Hollywood celebrities like Julia Roberts and Halle Berry have greened their nurseries, but they spent thousands of dollars on a green interior design consultant.

Try IDOG's Green Nursery Guide! The price is right!

Step 1: Pick out your colors! When painting the baby's room, you need to use a low or better, no VOC paint. Traditional paints contain volatile organic compounds that linger in a room for long periods of time. A great no-VOC paint is the Harmony line by Sherwin Williams. It's so safe that you can paint with it by day, and move in that night. Color choices are in the hundreds.

Step 2: Many parents like carpeting in a baby's room because the baby may be crawling on the floor. True, but the bad news is that wall to wall is treated with toxic chems- even benzene and formaldehyde in some cases, as well as moth repellents, stain repellents, and dangerous adhesives that can off gas into your home for months if not years. Imagine their little faces rubbing on it! No, no, that won't do. Check out http://www.flor.com/, a very eco-conscious company that offers natural fiber rugs that come in these cool, easy to install, easy to clean carpet tiles. If a tile gets stained, you just pull it off and replace it. The tile adhesive doesn't ruin the floors underfoot either. You can use it for wall to wall, or create an area rug. For true wall-to-wall and other flooring alternatives, try http://www.greenfloors.com/. This company's products are made from recycled materials and are some of the lowest VOC carpet on the market. Or stick with wood floors, especially if allergens are an issue, but make sure they are treated with a water based sealant, not the usual oil based polyurethane.

Step 3: Buy an organic mattress and bedding. New babies spend much of their day sleeping, and it's important they are not on or close to dangerous substances. Did you know that regular mattresses are treated with a host of chemicals, including PVC, phthalates, lead, or antimicrobial biocides, pesticides and even formaldehyde? This will not do for a pure newborn! Go to http://www.babyandmeboutique.com/ and purchase a Naturepedic mattress, a company that specializes in organic baby mattresses. I also found some well priced crib sheets at http://www.babycenter.com/ in pink, blue and ivory, and check out the "Best Blanket in the World" according to Esquire Magazine, at http://www.underthenile.com/. It's organic, and super soft!

Step 4: Stock your crib with organic crib toys like this adorable crate of veggies from Under the Nile. Babies chew on everything, and it makes sense that they chew on something that is made and stuffed with organic, pesticide free cotton.

Step 5: Make sure that you keep the room well ventilated, and get fresh air circulating daily!

Last One: If you are going green all the way, then consider natural furnishing as well. http://www.downtoearthhome.com/ offer a complete line of cribs, bassinets, changing tables and rockers made from natural wood, free from all types of toxic adhesives, paints, and finishes. Most of their fabrics are primarily hemp and organic cotton. If you don't want to take it this far, the first 5 steps should serve your baby very well!

Congratulations on taking the first step to a natural, healthy baby!

Read more!

Calling All Greenies, Hippies, Enviros & Emos!

Seriously, folks, take a look at this and please help!

Climate change is an urgent issue that requires immediate solutions. That's why I've joined with Al Gore and others across the country and around the world who want to halt global warming.

We're on the verge of being over one million strong and I'm asking you to join us. Please click here today to become part of the solutions to global warming: http://wecansolveit.org/alliance

If leaders in business and government are going to make stopping climate change a priority, we need to send a loud message that we want action now. That's why I'm asking you to get involved today: http://wecansolveit.org/alliance

Together, we can stop global warming. Read more!

Great Green Gifts: Housewares by Fire & Light

For anyone looking for a unique and meaningful gift, look no further! I was recently thrilled to stumble upon a little bit of "green" heaven in a line of gifts and tablewear from a company called Fire & Light.

It all started years ago when the oldest recycling community in the nation got together to discuss ways of resolving the issue of shipping their glass for recycling, which was very expensive and cost prohibitive. After discussing their options, a solution emerged. Fire & Light was created to utilize the post consumer recycled glass and in the process, create jobs for the community. ( Who said that green business can't save our planet and our ecomony? Pishaw.) Currently, Fire&Light produces a delicious line of glass tableware, home accessories and art glass in colors that take your breath away.

Here are some of my favs.

Splash Bowl. It's shape, color and the swirls of color within it make it a true work of art. As with many of their products, it comes in a wide range of hues. And at $46, it's a deal.

The Goblets and other barware. At left. This colorful glassware make that beverage extra special, and a set of 4-8 make a eco fab gift.

Purchase their dinner plates in one color and salad plates in another. This creates wonderful contrast and texture.

Soap dish & Footed Jar w/ Lid. Add some natural lavender soap and you have yourself another special gift.

All of the Tealights. The candlelight reflects into the glass for a special effect. Love the Splash and Conch Shell in particular.

Many of the items come signed by the artisan, making it a true piece of art!

See for yourself at http://www.fireandlight.com/.

Read more!