Green Cupboards

It seems I have been slacking on my hunting down green businesses. I have been a bad beagle! I didn’t want to continue to disappoint so I have found GreenCupboards.com. I have written a few articles on items I have found at their store. GreenCupboards.com offers a wide variety of items such as toys, grocery items, outdoor, office and even electronics. I know many green retailers may sell green products but their values are lacking. GreenCupboards.comgoes out of their way to assure their customers that they are as legitimate as their products.

About GreenCupboards.com: Green Cupboards is a leading online retailer of eco-friendly products for homes and businesses. Based in Spokane, Washington, the company was the winner of a regional university business plan competition and was subsequently co-founded in 2008 by Gonzaga University graduates Josh Neblett, Sarah Wollnick and their Adjunct Professor, Tom Simpson.
Struck by the lack of one-stop shopping alternatives for eco-friendly merchandise, the co-founders set out to create a customer-centric brand and streamline the way people buy green. Greencupboards targets consumers who strive to do the right things to sustain the planet, yet are challenged to find a broad selection of eco-friendly products that work and cost about the same as a their non-green counterparts.
GreenCupboards offers the vastest array of thoroughly vetted eco-friendly products of any e-retailer in our market. We currently provide approximately 15,000 unique items from over 600 suppliers. Critical to our mission, we endeavor to provide an easy, fun and educational shopping experience, over-the-top customer service and competitive prices. To date, we have satisfied the purchasing needs of over 100,000 consumers.
GreenCupboards employs over 50 youthful, zany and eco-friendly minds. Our culture is as dynamic as the shopping experience we deliver.

Preserve Toothbrush

This is basically the awesomest thing I have seen in a really long time. This toothbrush was made from recycled yogurt cups, they come in multiple colors and sizes. Stonyfield has partnered with Preserve to take their plastic scraps and plastic products to make the razors, tongue cleaners and toothbrushes. Preserve Jr. donates a portion of their proceeds to the National Wildlife Federation. Preserve does all recycling and manufacturing in the USA. The package that the tooth brush comes in is a no postage necessary mailable package to send back your toothbrush when you are done. The colors of the toothbrushes I bought are super cute too. My toothbrush is bright pink and the bf’s is a super cute blue. The brushes feel just like any you would buy in the store. I’m not sure why but I thought the brushes might feel different but they don’t which makes them even cooler.
I went to www.preserveproducts.com to see what else they have to offer and I am excited! They make razors, kitchen supplies, table ware and even to go products. The website is neat and clean and most of all colorful! I am soo in love right now. Preserves tableware is dishwasher safe which I think for moderate greenies/families is a definite plus.
You can also sign up for Gimme5 and Recyclebank on the Preserve website where you an earn rewards for recycling! If that isn’t incentive for doing the right thing I don’t know what is. There are all kinds of ways to earn points on both sites. I am extremely excited I found these sites and cannot wait to start earning points. The fun part is I already use most of the products that earn you points as well as have been recycling them! If only I knew about this sooner. Are you a member of Gimme5 or Recyclebank? If not you can log on with your Facebook account and show other people what you are doing.

Napa Soap Company

I have written about Napa Soap Company before and just held a contest for some lucky greenie to win a sample set of their soaps that ended yesterday. I have a fragrance background from past jobs I have had and for some reason the sense of smell is really important to me when using products. I cannot stand over scented or artificial smelling products. It ruins the whole thing for me.
The Napa soaps I received were not only packaged beautifully (and not over packaged which is something I have been seeing lately much too often) but what I noticed immediately was the careful detail to the scent of the soaps. That is one of the most important elements to any good soap, in my opinion. The soaps looked so beautiful in their packaging I really didn’t even want to unwrap them.
I appreciate a green company that pays attention to detail. The Napa Soap Company website is great, their products are lovely and the prices are quite reasonable. They live up to their green practices which is also an extremely important to me when purchasing a green product. Overall, I am going to say that I am impressed with Napa Soap Company and will be sure to use their product in the future!
Have you ever tried Napa Soap products? If so tell me about them!

I know I have told you all about LovingEco so here is another awesomely chic green flash sale site where not only are your purchases responsible but they go to a good cause. Pure Citizen sales this week are pretty good! Right now I am swooning over Omala!! Their workout clothes are awesome!! Especially their skeggings!! I am loving these new flash sale sites that have more than just over price crap for sale to make people feel special about spending too much on something they could get at Marshall’s for less than half the price. Pure Citizen offers great deals on a regular basis while featuring green/eco-friendly businesses you may otherwise have not heard of. I love being introduced to new companies. The more green businesses and products creates the less room there are for harmful and wasteful ones.
The way Pure Citizen donations work is it is built into the sale and if you would like to save a little less you can give a 20% donation to a non-profit and help them help our world. That has got to make anyone feel better when they go on a little splurge here and there right? If you haven’t checked out Pure Citizen you should! Signing up is free and you aren’t obligated to pay for or purchase anything unlike some of the other flash sale sites! So go there now and check it out. If you have tried Pure Citizen tell me about it! I would love to hear what you think!!!

I think I have mentioned before how I love writing letters and sending cards which isn’t the greenest of approaches to correspondence but I go out of my way to find the green-est stationary I can get my hands on. I do my part and send out actual stationary only when I need to express that personal touch that e-mail/e-cards cannot display.
While searching for some invitations for a family member’s upcoming baby shower I came across Twisted Limb Paperworks unique designs. Twisted Limb’s handmade paper is just as unique as the company. You should be happy to know that the paper is made here in the USA which is a quality I will never get enough of. The colors and texture are much more fun than you can find in boring old mass produced stationary. Just feel one sheet of Twisted Limb paper and you will immediately see a difference. You can see the care and love put into producing Twisted Limb products. This paper isn’t made for the sake of cutting down tree’s it is an alternative to a necessary evil that will probably plague the world for quite a few more years.

About Twisted Limb Products (you can read more about Twisted Limb Paperworks by clicking here):
■Eco-friendly: We want you to fall in love with any of our designs knowing that they have the highest environmental integrity possible. The paper we make and use is the very best from an environmental standpoint or we don’t carry it. Except for the eco-friendly vellum, which is 30% PCW recycled and processed chlorine-free (best available), all paper that you receive from Twisted Limb Paperworks is 100% PCW recycled and processed chlorine-free; most are also manufactured carbon-neutral. Learn more about our sustainable business practices.
■Artisan-crafted in the USA: Our handmade paper and invitations are carefully made from start to finish in our colorful carbon-neutral art studio in Bloomington, Indiana

If you must purchase stationary or have an event that requires invites do your part and support businesses that support our environment, better yet that support our environment and our country! Did I also mention that they support your wallet by not charging a million dollars for their beautiful products?? Twisted Limb Paperworks goes out of their way to make beautiful, high quality stationary for their customers so go out of your way to do the right thing and choose green! You don’t be disappointed.

Besides bringing environmental and animal issues to light The Green Beagle finds it just as important to seek out companies that have green hearts and minds. I want you to do business with companies that make being green their business. I know it is difficult because many companies feign their environmentalism but if you know what to look for you can make the right decisions.
Nubius Organics about us section had a blurb that summed up exactly how I felt when starting my green mission ” But how? Where to start? There’s so much information out there – much of it overwhelming and difficult to fit into our lifestyles. It’s hard to know where to begin to be able to make a difference. The most consistent recommendation is to start slowly. Start small and even the most incremental changes will start to set free your inner environmentalist and things will just keep going from there! Please sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep apprised of simple tips and useful information that will help you on your way to green living!” I think this is one of the truest statements many of us have said at times.
Nubius Organics carries many of the popular green brands such as Chelsea Green Publishing, Under the Nile, Eco Bags and so on but they also carry a few I haven’t heard of. Nubius Organics carries a wide varieties of items for children, home, fashion and lifestyle. Their site is pretty cute to boot!
I always say it but I will say it again. It is our duty to support green minded businesses. I know the greenest way to be is to not shop at all but being realistic and understanding our materialistic nature we must do our part to research and support businesses that do research and support our environment. The only what to make change is to change ourselves! If you must shop spend your money at stores like Nubius Organics.

I am tired of all of the deals that everyone else gets with websites like Send The Trend, Beyond The Rack, Style Mint and the list goes on and on. When are the eco-conscious designers going to break out and give us a much less crunchy look! Our chance has finally arrived! LovingEco offers daily private sales that help you make smart and fashionable choices. We all know the greenest choice is not to purchase at all but if you have to why let our environment suffer in the process.
What I really like about LovingEco’s site isnt the sales at all but their team. You get to see their pictures and get a sense of who they are besides just forcing eco-fashionable sales on you. Not that that is what they do but many eco-businesses can write an excellent mission statement and provide you with that you want to hear to increase their sales but the LovingEco team gets personal. You can feel if you are unsatisfied you know exactly who you can hold accountable and that takes courage! Did I also mention that proceeds go to charity when you purchase their Style for a Change tank.  100% of the proceeds go to one of 6 charities they have listed but you get to choose which one you want to donate to.  That is a change I can definitely get behind.

LovingEco’s Mission:Our mission is to create a healthier planet. We are passionate about inspiring change, giving back, having fun and making eco stylish. LovingEco helps give people the opportunity to make better choices about the products they purchase so that we together can create a more environmentally and socially conscious planet. By choosing to shop here you will create conscious positive choices from organic, recycled, eco-friendly and ethically produced items. And with each purchase a portion of sales goes back to charitable causes. Now start shopping differently…small changes can make a big difference.

Have you ever tried LovingEco? If so what was your experience? I admit I haven’t purchased from them yet but I do plan on doing so! Keep in mind the holiday’s are coming and this is a great idea to get good deals on some great eco-conscious items.

Night Owl Paper Goods

I just wrote about Night Owl Paper Goods earlier this month but I heart Night Owls designs and products so much that I had to write again about something that is very important to me. Night Owls products are MADE IN THE USA. I know many people don’t care or think it is important but if Night Owl can not only be an eco-friendly business but also operating here in the United States what are other companies excuses? It is our obligation as citizens to support businesses that do work here in the US to keep our economy thriving. If we support business who use eco-friendly practices here in America we can force other larger businesses to do the same.
Night Owl products are beyond reasonably priced and you can even customize your own merchandise. You can make stationary, wedding invites, cards and get scrapbooking materials.
If you aren’t interested in making your own designs they have plenty of their own designs that are soo cute you want to pinch their cheeks. You can even purchase your own hand made owl!
Here is a list of Night Owl Paper Goods Charitable Contributions straight from their own website:

Charitable Contributions
It’s very important to us to conduct our business in a manner that encourages and inspires respect for the environment and the community.
Our Products:
Our goal is to create our products using environmentally-sound methods and to conduct our operations in an environmentally-responsible manner.
Our Contributions:
Below are some of the organizations that we support and encourage you to support as well!
•American Red Cross
•Birmingham Boston Terrier Rescue Organization
•Black Warrior River Keepers
•Brownstones to Red Dirt
•Fresher than Fresh 100% Natural Snow Cones
•Greater Birmingham Humane Society
•Hearts + Hands for Japan
•Journals for a Cause, benefiting the River Oak Center for Children
•Rainforest Partnership
•Right Rides
•Shelby County Humane Society
After reading all of this is there any reason why you haven’t at the very least even checked out Night Owl Paper Goods yet?

I cannot express how large of a crush I have on Night Owl Paper Goods. The designs are adorable, the products are made here in the USA & are eco-friendly! The Peacock Wood Jotter is a fave design of mine because I have a thing for peacocks. I must have a to do list on me at all times so this little note pad is perfect for me or for the student in your life to make sure they keep track of all of their assignments/tasks! Once you are done with the pad you can use the wooden cover and back as a decoration for a craft or!
The wood used for Night Owl notbooks. pads, cards and accessories is beautiful. A simple idea with creative designs that are catching to the eye. They describe their style as folksy which for me gives their products such an innocent feeling.
Besides the designs you can choose from you can also design your own! This is perfect for events or even if you want to spruce up your children’s school supply arsenal.
Night Owl Paper Goods main goals are to conduct business in a manner that encourages and inspires respect for the environment and the community. Night Owl creates their products using environmentally-sound methods and conduct their operations in an environmentally-responsible manner.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
• 3″ x 4 1/2″
• Eco-friendly sustainably harvested birch jotter pad
• 75 Blank 100% post-consumer recycled pages
• Packaged in a clear envelope
• Wood & paper are 100% biodegradable & recyclable with paper goods

Spiral Peace Bronze Necklace

I have written about From War to Peace before and will continue to write about them until everyone has at least one item of theirs in their possession! Besides their exceptional customer service and their unique designs, I have the utmost respect for what they do.
I have a few of their pieces already and everytime I wear them I get compliments which prompts me to tell them the From War to Peace story in hopes of inspiring them to support such a eco-fabulous business. If don’t know their story here it is (excerpt from From War to Peace’s website):
Founders Paul and Sandee Ogren shared a dream of a world without war. They dreamt of a world where bombs are turned into beauty, hate into love, and war into peace. From War to Peace is their attempt to help make that dream a reality.
We recycle copper from disarmed nuclear missile systems to create Peace Bronze, the most precious metal in our world. We use it to make glorious art and jewelry for those who share our commitment to a world without war.
From War to Peace is a green company. We recycle everything, making the old newly useful. Our silver- and gold-plated pieces are created entirely from recycled metals. Our printed paper is all recycled. All plastics we use are biodegradable. Our Peace Bronze itself is recycled from missile system cabling. Even the server hosting our website uses solar technology to power its computers.
From War to Peace is a uniquely American company. The copper we use was originally mined in Montana, then used in the Midwest as wiring in nuclear missile systems before being disarmed. After recovering the copper, the Peace Bronze is made for us at a California foundry. We use casting foundries in New Mexico & CA for our casting. Local artisans turn it into jewelry and art objects here in the U.S.A.
From War To Peace dedicates 20 percent of all FWTP profit to deserving peace and social justice organizations in the U.S.A. and around the world.

Since I have such a crush on From War to Peace and I want you to have one too I have I am holding a contest to give away The Spiral Peace Bronze Necklace so you can be just as in love as I am! Click here to enter my From War to Peace Contest!

Product Info:
The spiral is perhaps the most ancient of all artistic symbols, originating before the Bronze Age. In Incan, Celtic, Aboriginal and other historic cultures the spiral represents continuation, a sense of the infinite.
An original design by Jack Biesek.
Each pendant is 1 3/8″ in diameter and weighs 6 grams.