Even though the end of July is near that doesn’t mean it is too late to do some spring cleaning! You can clean out much more than your closets to feel completely renewed and refreshed. Even though you have gotten rid of last years flip flops and some frayed towels try cleaning out your mental closet to get ready for a new greener healthier life.
Here are some quick tips to make your summer and self have greener:

1. The Summer is the perfect time to eat lighter and healthier! It’s too hot to cook heavy meals in the kitchen. You want to cook outside and keep yourself cool. Try sticking to local & organic fruits and vegetables if you can. When or if cooking meats find lean, organic meats for summer grilling. Try new things with your healthy diet to keep you interested and learning how to stay healthy. You can carry your summer healthy habits over into fall and winter with the more you know. Melissa’s Everyday Cooking with Organic Produce: A Guide to Easy-to-Make Dishes with Fresh Organic Fruits and Vegetables

2. Be Inspired! The warmer months inspire everyone to want to get into better shape. Take advantage of the warm weather by eating outside, going on walks, riding bikes, or going to the beach.   Enlist a friend for support. It is sometimes easier to stay motivated when you have some one to share your “thin-spirations” with. Start a routine by yourself and with a partner use the DVDs  and equipment that sit back of the closet collecting dust. The days are longer and the nights are perfect for evening swims or after dinner walks. Try 10 FREE at-home, online yoga classes. Yoga expert Rodney Yee guides your one-on-one practice through videos and podcasts!

3. Get involved! Again with this wonderful weather you are afforded the advantage of outside events. Children are off from school have a yard sale or bake sale. Get the block involved and have a summer block party for everyone to enjoy. Talk to local charities about helping with fundraising or volunteering. Talk neighbors and families about going on group day trips together. How about home wind turbines?

4. Clean out the crap! Go through your kitchen cabinets, pantry, refrigerator , freezer and donate or throw away anything that will not help keep you on your summer healthy track. Change curtains, wash rugs, open windows or grow some in door plants. Than clean your house from top to bottom. While doing this get rid of/donate anything you don’t need or haven’t used in the past 8 months or so.  If you cannot find a way to reuse any of these items there is no reason to hold on to them. Go to your locak Goodwill or drop box and donate!

5. Help your environment! Get your family to grow an organic garden to help you save money and eat healthier. Talk to your family about composting and collecting rain water. Learn about your environment by hiking, visiting parks, beaches or go camping. Use the time to observe your local environment, this way you can understand what it takes to keep your environment greener. Take the time to visit local farms, you can get excellent tips and ideas for your garden at home. Try to maximize your effort by keeping track of your carbon footprint.

6. Stay positive! Making any changes in life can sometimes be difficult. But holding on to what isn’t working for us won’t help either. Set goals for yourself in short and long time-frames, you don’t have change everything all at once but you want to stay motivated in the right direction. Make your own goal related affirmations to remind you of what you have done, where you are and want to be. Keep a journal of the entire process. Being negative doesn’t help you feel better ever, don’t waste your time with it. 160-Page Recycled Paper and Sugarcane Journal

Re-Bound: Creating Handmade Books from Recycled and Repurposed Materials

I love reading. It is one of my favorite things to do. I especially love reading old weathered books. I don’t know why I prefer them broken in, but it just adds to my reading experience. Lately I have been trying to find books that will teach me what I can use at home to make myself and my home greener. While typing recycled into my search box Re-Bound: Creating Handmade Books from Recycled and Repurposed Materials came up somewhere towards the end of my page. This can take my love of reading even further. This is an excellent way to share your love of reading with others or make the perfect gift for someone even fix a book that may have been damaged.

Description:
Re-Bound is a beautiful book on bookbinding with a fun green twist-all the projects use recycled and upcycled materials. This book shows you how to take everyday materials from around the house, flea markets, thrift stores, and hardware stores and turn them into clever and eye-catching hand-made books.

SodaStream Home Soda Makers

So I am a huge water drinker. I need water with me 24/7. I bring bottles with me everywhere I go. My one green downfall is seltzer. I love seltzer. I need the bubbles. My sadness over all of the plastic bottles I would take to the recycling center forced me to find an alternative. I tried to go back to plain water but it just wasn’t the same. I had to find an answer to my seltzer issue and I did! SodaStream is a great way to make your own sparkeling water or soda at home! I’m not a fan of soda , it is too sweet for me but you do have quite a variety of flavors to choose from.

Ofcourse before I made any purchases I had to make sure they were really green. This is their corporate website http://www.sodastream.com/earthfriendly, this is just a portion of what they are trying to do:

SodaStream is an “Active Green” company. Our solution when used by consumers is actively saving CO2 footprint. The more the system is used on a daily basis, the more the user actively saves. This differs from “Passive Green” brands, which use green-friendly production processes, but their products are not inherently helping the consumer save on their daily footprint.

Because SodaStream uses water straight from the tap, the system makes traditional store-bought beverage bottles obsolete. That means, less plastic manufactured, less plastic waste and less transport of bottled beverages.

Globally, 206 billion liter of bottled water was consumed in 2008 (Zenith International Global Bottled Water Report, 2008); the energy required to make water bottles in the US only, is equivalent to 17 million of barrels of oil in 2008 (Container Recycling Institute, 2002); The bottle industry consumed 100 barrels of oil each year, excluding transportation.

According to the US Recycling Institute, more than 80% of bottles in the US do not get recycled and end their lives in landfills. Eliminating bottles in the US each year would be equivalent to taking 100,000 cars off the road and eliminating 1 million pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

We all know in a world of disposable that reusing is the way to go! We have reusable grocery bags, reusable eating utensils etc why not add a little fizzle to your drinking while helping decrease your carbon foot print!! Check SodaStream out!

Wabisabi Green Eco Art Pillows

I love decorating my new home and as I repeatedly mention I am trying one purchase at a time to “green it up” any way I can. Lately I have been lamenting over the fact that my bedroom isn’t up to par. I have been dreading buying new sheets, blankets and pillows because of the small zoo of animals that think my bedroom is their palace. I decided to get over it and begin the fun of decorating. I wanted to go all out this time and get the little things I never really thought to purchase before. Decorative pillows were high on this list. That is where I found these EcoArt Pillows by Wabisabi Green. Besides being hand printed with water based inks, using sustainably harvested kapok fiber or ecofibers from recycled plastic bottles it is also MADE IN THE USA! I love finding eco-products made right here at home. Not enough products are made in the USA anymore for a number of reasons but when I find them I make sure to keep a list! Check out Wabisabi Green today and see what they have to decorate your home!

Papyrus Lime/Slate EcoArt Pillow
A decorative green throw pillow hand printed with a stunning papyrus design.The modern Papyrus pillow available in a stylish lime/slate color combination provides a cheerful garden accent for your home.This design goes well with many the Branch, Frond and Rosette pillows.

Cover:
Soft organic cotton twill hand printed with environmentally safe water-based inks. The back cover is solid slate.

Insert:
100% hypoallergenic fill in unbleached cotton shell. Choose from luxurious silky organic kapok fiber sustainably harvested from the rain forest or soft and fluffy ecofiber made from recycled plastic bottles rescued from landfills. Designed, hand printed, and fabricated in the USA

Product Care:
Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low. All pillows are constructed with a hidden zipper for easy removal and cleaning.

The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth

Yesterday I was given a suggestion to read this book The Weather Makers by Tin Flannery yesterday on The Green Beagles Facebook page. I decided that it was a good idea to find the book and post it for everyone to read.

PRODUCT REVIEW:

An international best seller embraced and endorsed by policy makers, scientists, writers and energy industry executives from around the world, Tim Flannery’s The Weather Makers contributed in bringing the topic of global warming to national prominence. For the first time, a scientist provided an accessible and comprehensive account of the history, current status, and future impact of climate change, writing what has been acclaimed by reviewers everywhere as the definitive book on global warming.
With one out of every five living things on this planet committed to extinction by the levels of greenhouse gases that will accumulate in the next few decades, we are reaching a global climatic tipping point. The Weather Makers is both an urgent warning and a call to arms, outlining the history of climate change, how it will unfold over the next century, and what we can do to prevent a cataclysmic future. Originally somewhat of a global warming skeptic, Tim Flannery spent several years researching the topic and offers a connect-the-dots approach for a reading public who has received patchy or misleading information on the subject. Pulling on his expertise as a scientist to discuss climate change from a historical perspective, Flannery also explains how climate change is interconnected across the planet.
This edition includes an new afterword by the author.

The 4th is almost here! I know this is a time everyone gets ready for big parties and lots of fireworks but as much as I like to party I really am interested in finding new greener ways to celebrate. So I searched the web and brought it to my twitterer’s and fellow FB greenies. Here are some ideas I found:

Bring or Biu Biodegradable or Reusable Cutlery

Use recycled or biodegradable plates, cups & bowls

Purchase locally grown organic fruits and veggies

Buy food with as little packaging as possible. Try making as much as you can yourself at home.

Use your regular dishes, bowls and plates for food storage. You can bring them home and wash them instead of throwing out containers.

Carpool, walk, bikeor skate to your destination if possible.

Make your own decorations. That can be part of the planning fun. Holiday Magic : The Art of Making Decorations for Eventful Days Thoughout the Year

Use organic charcoal for your grill or even this lump charcoal 20LB Lump Charcoal

Terra Chips Stripes & Blues Sea Salt, 6.5-Ounce (Pack of 12)I saw this suggestion on BlissTree.com just for funzies. 

Use solar lights if your party goes into the night. Wild Grass Solar Garden Lights. 3 LED Lights, 2V/80mAh solar panel. 1.2 V/500 AAA Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery. There are many different fun kinds of lights that are sold everywhere.

Make your own ice. Prepare ahead of time. These trays are recyclable and made out of rubber.  Lekue Silicone Ice Cube Tray, Star.  You can make them red and blue colored if you want. 

As for the fireworks and sparklers that’s a big ol’ no for at home but if there is a big community event then participate in that. In this case less is definitely more.

After the party be smart about what is left over. Use the food for compost if it can’t be eaten. Recycle anything that you aren’t planning on reusing.  Be careful with your homemade decorations. Save them for next year. Who knows what other events they may be good for.

What else can you think of to help make our 4th of July greener this year?

Shop The Latest Eco-Fashion Sneakers & Sandals Available Now at SimpleShoes.com

I used to have these sneakers in high school! They were my favorite! The soles of the shoes were speckled with different colors and they were canvas. If I wasn’t wearing my Converse these were it! After a while finding them became extremely difficult. I was beyond disappointed. Then when I started watching Curb Your Enthusiasm I saw Larry David in what looked like my favorite old style! I am not sure if those were the brand of  his sneakers but I am almost positive! Larry David’s now ex-wife is an environmental activist so I was hoping Simple Shoes were back in action, and so they are!!
In my sneaker search I found these comfy slip-ons. They come in a variety of colors and to top it off they are soo very environmentally friendly!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

• Men’s Gumshoe – Organic Cotton.
• Midsoles and arch cookie made of carpet padding for at-home comfort at all times.
• No glue was used in the assembly of this shoe! Thanks to a lot of stitching, it’s made with less than a thimble full of water-based adhesives – most shoes use 2 shot glasses worth of glue.
• The small amount of glue that we do use is water based, not petroleum based.
• Just another way to reduce our dependence on petroleum, and it also means no nasty smelling glue for the people who put your shoes together.
• Partially recycled shoe – the bottom of this shoe is made from a recycled car tire blended with natural rubber.
• The foot form inserts are made of post consumer recycled paper
• Shoebox made of post-consumer recycled paper, soy based printing ink, natural latex and starch based glue.
• Part of the Green Toe™ collection.

How much fun is this? You can design your own environmentally friendly T-shirt! I have posted items from Element EcoWear before but I cannot believe that I never noticed the design your own Tee section! Men and women can choose the type of shirt, color and design you like. There are soo many different patterns you are bound to find a couple you must have!

Product Description:

Support the planet with a customized graphic t-shirt! All of  Element EcoWear’s Essentials are fair trade, organic tees for men & women that can be hand-printed with Element’s modern, retro, & vintage graphics; you can choose the shirt & graphic combination. Each finely detailed, durable print adds just $10 to the price of Element’s eco-tees.  To order a graphic tee–choose a design, select “Add to Cart”, and then specify your shirt style, size & color.

With the oil spill, BP’s, and Obama’s reluctance to actually get things done I was reminded of a great documentary I saw a long time ago. I thought that this was very appropriate now that this spill has happened. Who Killed the Electric Car? is a great example of how our government and large corporations decided what was in their best interests above what was in the environments best interests. If you haven’t seen this yet you should. It is very important to be aware of how our government continually keeps their pockets lined while keeping our earth and its citizens in a constant state of duress.

Product Description:
In 1996, electric cars began to appear on roads all over California. They were quiet and fast, produced no exhaust and ran without gasoline. Ten years later, these futuristic cars were almost entirely gone. What happened? Why should we be haunted by the ghost of the electric car?

The Ultimate Green Store Work Bags

English Retreads Guarantees:

*Easy to clean. Wipe your English Retreads product with a damp cloth.
*Easy to shine. Use any standard tire cleaner such as Armor All.
*Cruelty free & vegan: no animal products used in making this bags.
*Classic designs hand-crafted from 100% reused rubber inner tubes.
*Each bag is unique due to the markings and textures of the rubber.
*English Retreads will repair any of their bags if they become damaged due to normal wear and tear (you only pay the shipping costs).

Our Green House – natural & organic products for the home.

Does your dad like to cook? or eat? Mine sure does! This bamboo cutting board also doubles as a serving plate! Easy to clean and made out of one of the most renewable resources on Earth, make it a perfect addition to any kitchen!

Best selling audiobooks on iTunes

Does your Father like to read? Save paper and give your dad an iTunes gift card. He can download from the computer and put it on a cd if he doesn’t have an Ipod. Your dad can bring his favorite books with him where ever he goes!

 Waffle Weave Robes and Towels from Gilden Tree! Order Yours Today!

Does your father need sometime to relax? Get him a gift for 2! Gilden Tree, Inc.Weekend GetAway basket comes with: two white waffle weave robes, organic chocolates, candle, romantic music, a little 95% Shea Butter Balm and two massage stones. (massage instructions included) The set comes in a pandan box with a lid.