Eco Scoop

Jamie Foxx Gives Up Bling for the Greater Good!

Jac Chebatoris — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:56:48 GMT

Apparently Jamie Foxx thought it was "time for a change," too.

While he may have annoyed the pants off of a lot people after he won that Oscar for "Ray" by aping his performance every chance he got with a "whoa oh, whoa oh," he's thankfully kept it down a notch for a while, so it's cool, especially now that he has come forth with this selfless act: he has stopped wearing the big ICE in his ears for the more conflict-free alternative of cubic zirconia.

CZs! Cubic zirconia are the delight of every tweakity tween at prom time and beyond, at every Claire's in every mall across America! Do they even know they've got something in common with an Academy Award winner now!? All the sugar in their Jamba Juice would surely make this news just more exciting!!

It sounds like I'm making light, which in a way, I am, BUT the important and impressive thing is that he is doing this at all. Foxx's like their fancies, but this one has decided that the blood diamond trade is one that he does not want to support and took the big step by removing them, which is one of those examples of using celebrity for something actually useful.

"I now wear cubic zirconia. I used to wear real diamonds, but there's too much issue about blood diamonds," Foxx told Contactmusic.com.

And he's right. The diamond trade in Africa is staggering in its conflict, violence and abuse. Brilliant Earth, one of many companies that offers conflict-free diamonds, explains the blood diamond trade on its website:

Conflict diamonds have funded devastating civil wars in Africa, ending millions of lives. These conflict diamonds also known as "blood diamonds" are associated with human rights abuses, environmental damage, and terrorism.

See? REAL bad. So props to Jamie and let's hope that with a certain day coming in February very soon, when people tend to get all romantic and perhaps even propose, that they'll think about WHERE their diamond (if that's how they're doing it) comes from and HOW it was mined. Look, the little blue box is great, sure, but one that's GREEN is even better.

No blood on your hands. Or your left ring finger. Or in Jamie Foxx's ear.

Thank you and good night.

Only Jamie knows faux sure what those rocks are.

Sexy Times at the Superbowl? Nope, Says NBC

Jac Chebatoris — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:30:15 GMT

Ladies getting frisky in their skivvies seems like a no brainer in terms of advertising that would run during the sweat-and-grunt fest that is the Super Bowl, taking place this Sunday (Go Steelers!). But apparently, ladies getting frisky in their skivvies acting lasciviously toward various vegetables pushed the envelope just a little too far.

NBC honchos rejected the "Vegetarians Have Better Sex" ad from PETA over concerns that it "depicts a level of sexuality exceeding our standards," says the official letter from NBC posted on the PETA site.

I mean, it is objectifying women in the interest of arousing (sorry) attention to the cause of becoming a vegetarian and the ads are just this side of risque, but no more so than that weird Bob Dole Pepsi ad where he got all hot and bothered by a Britney Spears commercial or something or other, I've tried to block it from my mind, and maybe it didn't even run during a SuperBowl, but you get the point.

Here's the list of objectionable images, line by line, from NBC. Then click here to watch the spot yourself and decide, a.) does it go too far and b.) does it make you want to become a vegetarian? If it does, then all those meat-eating, and thus global warming-contributing football fans, should start the petition to NBC like, tonight!

Via Email

The PETA spot submitted to Advertising Standards depicts a level of sexuality exceeding
our standards. Listed below are the edits that need to be made. Before finalizing the
spot, we would like to view a Quicktime file as well as a DVD with high resolution.
:12- :13- licking pumpkin
:13- :14- touching her breast with her hand while eating broccoli
:19- pumpkin from behind between legs
:21- rubbing pelvic region with pumpkin
:22- screwing herself with broccoli (fuzzy)
:23- asparagus on her lap appearing as if it is ready to be inserted into vagina
:26- licking eggplant
:26- rubbing asparagus on breast
Victoria Morgan
Vice President, Advertising Standards
NBC Universal

Bjork's Venture Capitalist Fund Will Make it Work

Jac Chebatoris — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:42:51 GMT

Diminutive singer and national hero of Iceland, Bjork, is a scrappy lady. She's tiny, but you don't want to tangle with her, you know? She's fierce onstage--have you seen those costumes and seriously, who can forget that tussle with the paparazzi at the New Zealand airport last year (...or the Thailand airport in 1996).

Yeah, It's Oh So Quiet, but that's only until Bjork shows up!

So it's good that Iceland's most famous daughter is doing right by her native country and trying to prevent its full economic collapse. Bjork has established The Bjork Fund to " invest in sustainable businesses that create value through leveraging Iceland's unique resources, spectacular nature, vibrant culture and green energy,"says the website of Andur Capital, the company managing the fund.

This isn't the first show of her eco-ness: Her single for "Nattura" from last October raised awareness to her environmental campaign of the same name for protesting the building of aluminum factories (smelters) on Iceland.

Yay Bjork!

Kevin Bacon's Bits on Living Green

Jac Chebatoris — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:45:51 GMT

Do you remember the first time you heard about the six degrees of Kevin Bacon game? The thrill lingers, does it not?

Kev's a cool guy it seems, and he's earning extra CPs (cool points) for what we're reading about him today. Ecorazzi points out that The Denver Post has a nice piece about The Bacon's eco ways.

For instance, you learn that he walks nearly 40 blocks everyday and takes public transportation. When he goes home to his beloved hometown of Philadelphia, he'll take the train instead of driving and because he is "horrified at the amount of plastic water bottles that get thrown away every day," when The Bacon Brothers (his band his brother, Michael) play shows, they sell refillable aluminum bottles and encourage people to fill their bottles up with tap water.

And did you know that he wrote the foreward for noted environmental author, Thomas Kostigen's book about our daily impact called "You Are Here" ?

Read the rest of the Bacon bit here.

Olivia Wilde's an Organic Beauty

Jac Chebatoris — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:31:14 GMT

She might play a doctor who goes by the name "Thirteen" on TV, but that doesn't mean "House" star Olivia Wilde doesn't have a few beauty prescriptions of her own.

Wilde graces the premier issue of Organic Beauty magazine, out on stands now with their February issue and she makes a good case for picking up a copy: clear, bright eyes, shiny hair and smooth, glowing skin-with her freckles in plain sight--thank GOODNESS not everything gets airbrushed within an inch of its life in some mags!

But you won't believe what is one of her secrets for staying so gorge...

THE OCEAN!

And I must say, I completely agree. A walk on the beach--in summer or even in the moody depths of winter--does wonders for a gal's complexion!

This is what Wilde tells the magazine:

"Whenever I can, I swim in the ocean... it's as much a a part of my regimen as products. It makes me feel scrubbed and clean."

Love this take on things.

But for us the rest of u hardcore, what ELSE does she do? kind of beauty junkies, here's how the 24-year-old rounds out her routine.

Olivia swears by Osea Ocean Cleansing Mudd to help clear up breakouts (yes, even she gets them...)
She does yoga and sometimes does yoga AND spinning on the same day--now that's some discipline.
After years of dying her hair (in shades of blonde, purple, pink and dark brown) she decide to go au natural and not dye her hair. Two years later, she says it feel much healthier.

She's also taken her organic-mindedness to work with her by getting recycling bins set up on set. Then, she lobbied for everyone to recycle paper and use recyclable cardboard packaging at the craft service table.

"If people can take small steps toward and organic life, it doesn't seem so overwhelming."

And if it does, a quick dip in the ocean might be just what the doctor (on TV) ordered!

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves Get an Eco Baby Gift for Son Levi

Jac Chebatoris — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:25:22 GMT

Matthew McConaughey and his baby mama (we have to come up with a more dignified id, c'mon!) Camila Alves recently received an eco-friendly baby gift basket from EcoBabyWorld.com.

The basket (pictured here) is chock-full of cool, organic and eco baby finds like the world's first stainless-steel baby bottle, as well as things like:

Natura World: Organic Crib Mattress Pad, Travel Size Puddle Pad, Organic Baby Cloud Pillow, Re.Groove.N.8 Mist (pronounced regroovenate as in rejuvenate)

Epicuren Baby: The Epicuren Baby Gift Set - Daily Wash (5.4oz), Daily Lotion (5.4oz) and Diaper Spray (2.4oz)

Plum Organics: Brochures with information on the importance of starting your baby right with 100% organic baby food, 2-week supply of FREE Plum Organics baby food, 100% organic cotton
Plum Organics Kids t-shirt for the little one

CleanWell: CleanWell All-Natural Kid-Safe Hand Sanitizer spray and wipes, CleanWell All-Natural
Foaming Hand Soap (Spearmint Lime and Orange Vanilla scents)

And a bunch of other great, clean and healthy products for the wee ones.

The L.A.-based company was formed when the CEO and founder became a new mom and couldn't help her daughter's dry skin and breakouts until she changed to a natural lotion. And just like most of us, new parents want the most gentle and non-toxic ingredients for their baby's delicate skin.

Portia De Rossi's Vegan Shoes are Made For Walking

Jac Chebatoris — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:41:33 GMT

Portia di Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres are a very happily married couple. Of vegans. The famous pair who got married last summer, are reportedly now 100 percent vegan.

From the vegan red velvet cake at their wedding, to Portia's announcement that she designing a line of vegan shoes (paging Natalie Portman...), it appears the couple that eschews meat and dairy together, stays together.

Portia, who used to wear fur, and Ellen, who used to wear leather have gradually made the change together to a vegan lifestyle together.

And before anyone judges Portia on her lifestyle (vegan or otherwise) they should try walking a mile in her leather-free shoes!

Details to come, on what they'll look like and when they'll be out as they're revealed.

Casey Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix: Vegan brothers-in-Law Unite for Rap Career

Jac Chebatoris — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:02:54 GMT

What?

Well, unless it's just a new version of "Punk'd" (oh, that silly Ashton before Demi), Joaquin Phoenix announced his "retirement" from acting a few months ago. Not that anyone really noticed (cared?) with the crumbling economy, nations at war and the mounting anticipation of the changing of the guard at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

But now, we can reflect at what is: Joaquin Phoenix has decided to stop acting and is instead setting his sights on becoming a rap-star. The uber vegan is to be helped along in the process by none other than Diddy who is said to be producing Joaquin's first record. AND, Joaquin's brother-in-law, Casey Affleck (married to Joaquin's sister, Summer Phoenix) who is also a supremely dedicated vegan, will be directing a documentary of Joaquin's rise (?) to rap-dom.

Reviews from his first show were less than, shall we say, glowing... so maybe it's not time to quit that day job yet Joaquin! Though these two have known each other since 1995 when they were in "To Die For" together, so maybe between their vegan prowess, acting saavy and connections (Diddy, namely) maybe it won't be the big trainwreck it is setting itself up to be.

Mariel at the Expo

Jac Chebatoris — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:03:14 GMT

She's Ernest Hemingway's granddaughter which means self-destruction is in her genes, but Mariel Hemingway has turned around her family's legacy by creating a healthy lifestyle to be envied. Mariel, a mother, wife, actress and author ( her excellent book Mariel Hemingway's Healthy Living from the Inside Out came two years ago), is busy enough, but she feels so passionate about spreading the word about the GOOD you can do for your mind, body and spririt, especially in a eco-friendly/green way, that she's got her own blog to detail just how to go about it. Her most recent post is "Greening Yourself" which you can read here.

And if you're in Los Angeles on Jan. 24th, Mariel will be speaking at the GoGreenExpo on the topic of "greening yourself through living a healthy life style…eating well, slowing down & creating sacred space," says Mariel.

Om, indeed.

Green Inauguration as American as Red, White and Blue

Jac Chebatoris — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:02:46 GMT

The inauguration of Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States of America on Tuesday is going to be a big--Oprah Winfrey and other famous people big--event. But what's trumping all the bells and whistles and star power? The fact that it's going to be a GREEN inauguration. From the balls (two of 'em) to it all, the big event is hopefully a look at what Mr. Obama (that's Mr. President to you, after Jan. 20) will have in store for even those who don't know they're environementalists yet!

A look at what's happening:
One of the inaugural balls will include a green carpet made from a recycled rug.

Official invitations to the Jan. 20 inauguration are being printed on recycled paper.In order to reduce the inauguration's carbon footprint, attendees are being encouraged to carpool or ride public transit. If they are driving, they're being asked to drive a hybrid or buy carbon offsets.

Volunteers (nearly 20,000) are being put to work as a "green squad" to do trash detail: picking up trash and recyclables along the Mall and parade route. The National Parks Service, according to ABC News, and the Trust for the National Mall have set up recycling bins up and down the Mall to help out.

Let's hope the MILLIONS who are attending and descending on D.C. for the event will do their part to help out as well.