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!

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.

TREE APPLIQUE MEADOW DRESS

I was looking for new summer dresses and I came across this dress when I was shopping Element Eco Wear.com

. The Tree Applique Meadow Dress is Made from 100% Organic Cotton & uses low impact dyes.
Description:
* V-Neck, Knee Length
* Hand-Applied Tree Applique on Front
* Slight Pleat Tucks Under Bustline
* Slight A-Line Flatters Many Figures
* Made in Nepal
* Fair Trade

This dress is light and flowy & perfect for summer. You can wear it to the beach or an evening out with the ladies. The dress is simple but not plain. Organic cotton is a great fabric in hot weather! Try this dress on for size and let me know how you like it!!

It has been a while since I have posted any items Made in the USA. I decided to go on the hunt! I am always looking for furniture that is sustainable which is how I happened across this little beauty!
Oompa’s side board storage unit is perfect for children or college students. It is easy to assemble and
Description:
Assembles in seconds with Ecotot’s patented, no-tools assembly method. Ideal for bedrooms, playrooms, or living rooms. Available in an assortment of colors; seen here in fiery red.
Attributes:
100% FSC Wood Rainforest Alliance Certified
100% formaldehyde-free birch plywood SmartWood
Eco-friendly, non-toxic, water-based stains
UV cured finishes minimize greenhouse gases
No tools or hardware required
All materials sourced in North America
Wholly designed and manufactured in USA
Ecotots is a Member of the SFC (Sustainable Furniture Council)
W 39 x D 23 x H 22.5 in.

I was on the hunt for some new clothes and I happened upon this super cute skirt. The Vintage Skirt by Indigenous Designs
* organic cotton jersey/tencel
* hand finished embroidery detail
* falls to knee
* easy elastic waste fit
* made in Peru
* fair trade
* low impact dyes
* hand wash gentle / flat dry

Indigenous Designs is committed to:
*Supporting and preserving fair trade wages and artisan cooperatives.
*Investing in natural and organic fibers and environmentally-friendly dyes.
*Spreading the beauty of handmade, eco fashion.

Check out their other designs and see how you like them!

I have sensitive skin that constantly gets dry if I wash my face too much then I break out if I lotion my face at all. This, as you can imagine, is extremely frustrating in summer when I get a tan or burn or during the winter in the cold and wind. I am not a fan of just any cleanser and prefer to use the most eco-friendly products I can seek out. After some research I found Lily Organics Nourishing Facial Cleanser.

Lily’s Description
Perfect for daily use. Our non-detergent, emollient cleanser leaves the skin fresh, clean and balanced. It is made with our homemade soap consisting of Almond Oil and Essential Oil of Sage for cleansing and toning, plus Tea Tree Oil for its antiseptic qualities. Lavender is added to refresh and soothe your skin. Especially useful for normal to dry skin types. For all skin types; including sensitive. Apply a small amount to wet or dry face, gently massage and rinse with lukewarm water. Use with cotton ball or pad for a facial make-up remover (except eye make-up). Can also be used as a hand and body cleanser.
Lily’s Ingredients
(VEGAN) Lily’s homemade almond oil soap, Lily flower extract, kosher vegetable glycerin, Irish moss, witch hazel, lemon juice, essential oils of lavender, sage, tea tree oil, rosemary, camphor, and vitamin E.

After using this for a week I didn’t have any dry patches! My skin felt clean with out the some times harsh tingle of other skin care products. Also the smell and texture of this cleanser was amazing. The cleanser has a soft and silky. Many cleansers feel harsh and sting for me anyway which I thought meant it was working. This was cool and calming. I think I have become a life long user of Lily Organics because after using this cleanser and a few other products. After reading the book the Beauty, Health & Happiness, A Way of Life Lily I was inspired to take a closer look at what I put on and in my body in a way I never have before. I get excited when I find green products made by real green people. I appreciate she shared her experiences in her decision to become green. Her products reflect that along with the hard times that many of us face on our journey to be socially and environmentally responsible. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again we need to support companies that aren’t just green washing but have their actual beliefs invested in their products and companies. It is extremely important.

Ingredients

* 1 pound organic red potatoes, large diced
* 1 1/2 tablespoons organic apple cider vinegar
* 1/4 cup organic mayonnaise or canola mayonnaise
* 1 tablespoon yellow deli mustard
* 1 tablespoon organic dried chives
* 1 tablespoon organic dried dill
* 1 tablespoon organic garlic powder
* 1/2 cup chopped organic red onion
* 1 teaspoon organic dried parsley
* 1/2 cup chopped organic celery
* 1 teaspoon organic sea salt
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Cut potatoes in large pieces then place potatoes into a large heavy-bottomed pot. Cover with cold water and place over high heat with a pinch of sea salt and organic olive oil in the water. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Once water is boiling put potatoes in pot without cover on, still on high heat. Let potatoes boil while you chop the onions and celery.
Put the celery, onions and spices in a bowl that has a lid. Check potatoes periodically to make sure they don’t over cook. Once they are soft remove from pot and drain. Mix potatoes with onions, celery and spices. Next mix in the vinegar. Then add the mayonnaise and mustard do not mix but put the lid on the bowl and shake until everything completely mixed. Put the finished salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour to make sure it cools.

Luxurious Natural Velour Robes, Wraps From Gilden Tree. Shop Gilden Tree Today!

Graduates need some time to relax after just completing a huge step in their lives. Moving on and moving up usually requires some much needed rest after all that celebrating. Give them the gift of relaxation with out having to spend a ton of money. The Luxurious Spa set includes a quality spa wrap, a spa headband, and half pound of deeply-moisturizing Spa Soaks.

The Gilden Tree’s velvety-soft velour wrap closes with a row of snaps at the top, its adjustable and very comfortable. The headband matches and is made with gentle elastic. It closes with velcro in the front. This Luxurious set is great for after a bath or shower, even to just laze about. The Spa Soak is a blend of Sea Salt, Epsom Salt, Shea Butter and Gilden Tree’s signature scent, Kiran Forest – a blend of fresh green botanicals. The whole set is packaged in a reusable basket and lid, and tied with a ribbon. Regular wraps fit women 6-16, Full-figured gowns fit women 18-3X.

Whether it’s the salt covered streets of the frozen north or the arid tarmac of the southwest, dry cracked noses and paws are a fact of life for dogs. The summer is coming and depending on where you live the temperature could get extremely warm. This blissful balm will alleviate the discomfort with creamy Shea Butter and soothing aloe. The smooth balm also provides fast relief for eczema, hot spots and insect bites with good stuff like marshmallow, Indian frankincense, tea tree oil, burdock and comfrey.

Keep in mind this Happytails Spa Bow Wow Balm is excellent for winter weather as well! Your dogs pads are very important. If your pets pad is dry or cracked it could lead to infection if you aren’t careful. Why not help protect their sensitive areas year round!

Don’t worry, if your dog licks it off it’s perfectly safe to ingest. (It’s also great for your dry cuticles, elbows & dry patches!) Happytails Spa Bow Wow Balm is great skin irritations, alleviation of fleabites, eczema, dry and itchy skin, rashes and other areas of discomfort. Dry, cracked paws Apply to dry damaged paw pads to heal and conditioned. You may also apply BowWow Butter Balm as a preventative measure . Dry noses Rub a little on your best friend’s schnozz to keep it moist and delicious

The summer is quickly approaching and the proper accessories are a must!! You don’t have to buy just any accessories! Try some good ol’ American Made accessories! I constantly mention the importance of local shopping. This great piece may not be made in your own back yard but it is local enough!
From the Flora vs. Fauna collection by Small Things Designs in Portland, Oregon. Handmade silhouette cut from sterling silver and placed over jewel toned glass. Wear your necklace with the silver in front, or flip it over and let the image peek through the jewel-toned glass for a more subtle look. Three quarter inch circle pendant hangs on a super fine 16 inch chain, closes with a handmade hook and eye clasp.
When you purchase this piece you are not only contributing to the American economy but you are participating in helping people recognize how great American craftmanship really is! In a time where most things are imported we easily forget how great our own culture is in making products!! The more we choose American made products the more our country benefits!!