The Goode Life

2008-04-16T15:42:16-07:00

I saw this photo on a newsletter sent to me from the Sierra Club, I had to steal it, I love it!

What are you doing for Earth Day?

I'm almost done with all my schooling and certification classes which has been taking up loads of my time, hence the infrequent posts, but all that is winding down now so I should be back on schedule.

Ciao for now!

Go Green, Live Rich

2008-04-16T15:34:20-07:00

I’ve read a lot of books and I do mean A LOT on living green, being green, and doing green; and I’ve come to the point where I’ve almost stopped reading them because after a while you realize they are quite redundant of each other.

So when Go Rich, Live Green by David Bach with Hilary Rosner showed up in my mailbox I was instantly intrigued. There is this assumption out there that being green is costly, in fact a couple of DJs on a local radio station here in my city where joking one morning on how the grocery store chain Whole Foods should be renamed Whole Paycheck!

The author David Bach is no eco-guru but he does know money! So he combined his business savvy with top environmentalist Hilary Rosner and now we have 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth (and Get Rich Trying)! Something we tree-huggers have been trying to tell people for years.

The book is a list of easy to read tips that I will admit most eco-warriors already know and if you haven’t been living under a rock lately then you too are probably familiar with some of his ideas. But the difference between David and Hilary’s book is that they present the what, the why, and most importantly the how! Most books just tell you global warming is after us and go “be green” without explaining in non-scientific terms the why and the how.

I’m a fact girl - I like facts, statistics, and references and I assume most writers do too. This book has them; that’s probably the most useful stuff I got from the book along with chapter 10, tip 43-Invest Green.

Everyone is looking for that get rich quick book , well here you go and it doesn’t hurt that you can save the planet while you’re at it!

The new LOHAS site

2008-03-14T12:30:50-07:00

A while ago I did a post on are you a Lohasion, which is someone who lives the LOHAS life (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability). Every year the LOHAS community puts on a forum where all the media executives, thought leaders, opinion makers, and business people get togther to discuss tapping into this $200 million dollar market. This year LOHAS 12 will be held in Boulder, CO, from June 18-21.

They have recently re-launched their website, which I have to say looks amazing! It has a lot more information on it, it's user-friendly and it seems to be geared towards everyone in general instead of just the business market. The newly styled site has:

A job directory
Calendar of events
Resources
Journal
Business Directory
News
And lots more!

The Race for President: Who's Green?

2008-03-13T19:09:45-07:00

Forgive me for not having posted in a while. I can't seem to turn my attention away from CNN. This election year has been nothing short of just fascinating to watch and as a poli sci major in college, this is right up my alley.

Although our country is divided up into red and blue, I'm really concerned with whose green. I wrote an extensive article at my column at Bellaonline (the environment section) on the candidates and where they stand on environmental issues. Obviously we are down to the top three contenders, Hilary and Obama for the Democrats and John for the Republicans. So I will give you a brief synopsis of the three, but to learn about all the previous candidates please read my full article at Bellaonline here. That's important because the nominee may choose one of them as a running mate and it's important to know where they stand as well.

The Democrats:

Barack Obama - Senator Obama introduced an energy and climate plan in 2007. He calls for improving energy efficiency in the U.S. by 50 percent by 2030, and all new buildings in the US to be carbon neutral by 2030. He supports a phase-out of incandescent light bulbs by 2014. He proposes investing $150 billion over 10 years in research and development for biofuels, renewable energy, and other clean technologies. He supports raising fuel-economy standards for automobiles to 40 mpg and light trucks to 32 mpg by 2020. He was a co-sponsor of the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act, and he calls for cutting U.S. carbon dioxide emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. He hopes to accomplish this through a cap-and-trade system that would auction off 100 percent of emissions permits, making polluters pay for the CO2 they emit.

Hillary Clinton- Senator Clinton’s campaign has been carbon neutral! She supports a goal of the U.S. getting 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. She supports raising fuel-economy standards to 40 mpg by 2020 and 55 mpg by 2030. She wants the US to cut its consumption of foreign oil by two-thirds of projected levels by 2030. She also proposes a cap and trade system similar to Senator Obama’s; to reduce U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 and would auction off 100 percent of the emission permits as well as other measures. Senator Clinton has been a huge advocate for energy independence throughout her campaign.

The Republicans:

John McCain - Senator McCain has been a leader on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and is probably the greenest Republican candidate of the group! He too supports a cap and trade system for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and opposes the carbon tax. He’s against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He supports the use of nuclear power as an alternative energy source and a way to reduce carbon emissions and he wants to find a way to use our coal resources without emitting more greenhouse gases. Global warming would be a top issue for his presidency. He spoke out against the current administrations lack of action on the climate change issue!

The $1k eco-friendly tote must have!

2008-01-08T16:43:49-08:00

Okay the market is now saturated with eco-friendly totes. Actually people if you think about it any bag that you re-use over and over can be called ECO! I have long been over my Anya Hindmarch "I am not a plastic bag", I think I used it for two weeks before I realized this bag is more of a purse than a bag for carrying all my groceries! And I hate how it became sooooo trendy to the point that people were missing the point of the bag's purpose!

With all that being said I have to admit that Stylehive has compiled a list w/photos of some great looking eco-totes. What I like best about this list is that they have something for everyone in a variety of styles and price points. Kudos to them for not thinking every green girl wants a hippy-chic cotton canvas bag (although I do have plenty) but sometimes we may want to splurge on the green glam item such as Goyard's market bag in recycled canvas; according to The Business of Fashion blog, these bags last forever - a great thing to know when you are trying to justify the $1k price tag!

Technorati Tags stylehive eco-friendly bags goyard

Beautiful Bamboo Hangers

2008-01-08T14:33:35-08:00

My friend Justin who runs the very popular green site Metaefficient.com has a posting up on some really beautiful bamboo hangers he has come across from the The Great American Hanger Co.. He's right when he says they really show off the beauty of the wood:

This is perfect for those who put organize my closets on their 2008 resolutions list!

Technorati Tags bamboo hangers

The "Conscious" Life

2008-01-08T13:19:22-08:00

I really like the Conscious Lifestyle website. Their motto is eat well. dress well. play well. Three things we completely subscribe to here at The Goode Life! I encourage you all to visit their site especially if you are a student and want to learn more on making a difference in your community or at school:

"Are you passionate about making the world a better place? Have an idea about how to make your fellow students and your school more socially responsible? Want to turn that idea into a reality?"

Conscious Lifestyle is accepting applications for its 2008 venture program, (click on the link to learn more about the venture program and what other schools and students are doing in their area).

Submit an application for the chance to win:

* Up to $1,000 in start-up funding
* Web space on consciouslifestyle.org
* Monthly skill-building workshops
* Personalized support
* Access to a network of social entrepreneurs

To learn more and download an application, visit http://consciouslifestyle.org/ventures.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2008.

Technorati Tags: conscious lifestyle students schools

The JC Report: Eco-Chic

2008-01-07T17:02:54-08:00

I do not know how many of you subscribe to the JC Report Newsletter. It is absolutely one of my favorite websites on fashion. Always cutting edge and ahead of the trends. Here is an article taken from their end of the year report. The whole report was goode but I am only posting Jason's report on Eco-Chic. And if you haven't signed up to recieve the newsletter yourself please do so.

Eco-Chic Showcase
Kuala Lumpur

Early last year, we outlined some of the emerging eco-conscious styles in our Sustainability issue. The subject has since taken on momentum, with a wave of nature-nurturing trends hitting the market, as well as eco brands now grouping at fashion and trade shows and appearing on department-store floors. Several conferences and newletters have also formed to bring organized dialogue to the movement, and we attended the ecoStyle Award ceremony earlier this month in Kuala Lumpur. The award was created to bring attention to international green designers within the creative community (fashion, architecture, and product design) who have developed "stylish and environmentally sustainable initiatives."

"There is so much going on around the movement," said Simon Lock, managing director of IMG Fashion Asia Pacific. "We wanted to be part of the voice of change." IMG co-sponsored the event with NYC Inc, in conjunction with Tourism Malaysia and Earth Pledge, a New York-based organization at the forefront of the sustainability movement. The committee nominated Stella McCartney, Jurlique, Anna Cohen, Terra Plana, Knoll, Q Collection, and Dr. Ken Yeang as models of excellence for their unique designs and use of materials, as well as effective and relevant ecological sustainability. Yeang, a Malaysian architect, was awarded the top honor for his invention of a bioclimactic skyscraper. "Eco-design is designing in such a way that the human-built environment integrates benignly and seamlessly with the natural environment. Both the human-made and the natural must blend together, so there will be no pollution, no waste, no detrimental consequences on the environment. This is something we all need to address for a common, sustainable green future," Yeang said on the topic.

More than 20 designers also participated in the Future Fashion runway presentation, which provided further breadth to the presentation. Brands such as Proenza Schouler, Derek Lam, Karen Walker, Heatherette, and Diane von Furstenberg each showed a single outfit made exclusively from environmentally sustainable fabrics and textiles. Simon Lock explained that this showcase held particular importance as a second-prong initiative "in engaging the industry at large. We want to create ongoing initiative... We want to create activities that have a direct outcome, not just awareness."

Holding the first event in Malaysia was of symbolic importance for organizers. Malaysia has been a poster-child for adopting conservation policies — from industrialism to tourism — but as the environment gains greater attention, we anticipate more eco-accolades throughout the world.
-Jason Campbell

Origins Organics: You Are What Your Skin Eats

2008-01-07T16:42:04-08:00

Following up on the post below I decided to look into the Origins Organics Line. It is a full scale line offering everything from face wash to lip balm, to body moisturizers to hair care. The unique thing about this mass market line is that it proudly boasts the USDA Organic label.

Their motto "You are what your skin eats" is true. The skin is a living organ that absorbs much of what it comes in contact with, so I can't stress how important it is to be fully aware of the ingredients in lotions and such.

I haven't tried the line yet, and am still deciding if I want to. I really like the stuff that I use now, but just for curiosity sake I may buy the cleanser or lip balm just to see how I like it. I hear the smell is very medicinal, which actually doesn't bother me, I have an aversion to that overly flowery scent in other products.

If you are truly interested in it now, here's a blog written by a beauty scientist who gives her take on the Origins Organics line. She didn't seem to like it nor did some of her readers. Here's a blogger who actually liked it.

Whatever your choice may be I am very happy to see organic beaute going mainstream!

Technorati Tags: Origins Organics skincare

Estee Lauder Goes Small Town

2008-01-07T16:11:54-08:00

Here is a great story I came across in the Wall Street Journal. It's about a small town farmer who was approached by cosmetic giant Estee Lauder to develop an ingredient for a new line of organic beauty products.

When Mark Schuett mentioned to his wife that Estée Lauder Cos. wanted to work with him to develop an ingredient for a new line of beauty products, she took him to the nearest mall -- an hour's drive away in Sioux City -- to prove how important this potential new client was.

"I'd never heard of them before," says Mr. Schuett. "I thought it was spelled 'S.T. Lawder." (click here for the full story)

Technorati Tags: Estee Lauder organic beauty

The Splendicity Roundup

2008-01-05T06:00:00-08:00

From the Splendicity community, comes the most splendid of the week.

Beauty and Fashion Tech has Eight New Year's Resolutions. CelebLOOK asks who looked better: Carrie Underwood or Miley Cyrus? Beauty Secrets Revealed Is Giving Away 2 Wonderful Spa Kits. Viva Woman finds out why glass storage is better for natural skincare products. NY $pender shares her New Year's Resolutions. All That & a wonders about the lengths women go to be skinny. Indie Style File puts the spotlight on designer Ohne Titel. Her Accessories has picked her favorites from 2007 and her not-so-favorites. Shopalicious scores a dress with both casual and party flair, from Brooklyn fave, Bird Boutique. Style...a work in progress makes her style resolutions for the upcoming year as she ponders the words of Benjamin Franklin, “How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them”. Temptalia shares a tutorial to get cat eyes using liquid liner, plus the easy neutral eye. Petite Fashionista tells us how to mix the high and low. Shoe Blitz says, Feeling Blue? Try these Emilio Pucci Peep-Toe Pumps. Have a splendid week!

Healthy Drinks

2008-01-04T15:43:31-08:00

Now that the holidays are over I'm sure most of us could use a little detoxing! So my usual Friday cocktail post is one of goode healthy drinks so we can start the new year off right. Don't worry next week I'll be back to my usual champagne cocktails and such I'm sure, but this week I decided to give the ol' liver a rest and try to focus on cleaning out all the sludge from my over indulgence of holiday goodies.

Don't forget to experiment with the recipes and add other healthy things such as wheat germ, brewer's yeast, or even oatmeal. Enjoy! (These recipes come from www.healthrecipes.com)

Apricot Pineapple Smoothie Recipe

1/4 cup crushed pineapple
1 fresh apricot, diced
6 strawberries
1/2 banana
1 1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. skim milk powder
1 heaping tbsp. high- quality protein powder (optional)
1 tsp. flax seed oil (optional)
-------------------------

In a blender, process fruit with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until thoroughly mixed and serve.

Banana-Strawberry Fruit Smoothie Recipe

1 banana, frozen
6 strawberries, frozen
1 1/4 cup water
1 tbsp. skim milk powder
1 heaping tbsp. high- quality protein powder (optional)
1 tsp. flax oil (optional)
--------------------------------
In a blender, process all the ingredients until thoroughly mixed and serve.

Tropical Fruit Shake

1/2 mango
2 tbsp. frozen pina coloda mix (or 1/8 tsp. natural coconut extract)
1/2 banana, frozen
4 strawberries, frozen
6 ice cubes
1 1/4 cup water
1 heaping tbsp. high- quality protein powder (optional)
1 tsp. flax oil (optional)
--------------------------------
In a blender, process all the ingredients until thoroughly mixed and serve.

Beauty Water From A Shower Filter

2008-01-04T06:00:00-08:00

Did you know the skin absorbs more chlorine from a ten minute shower than from drinking eight glasses of chlorinated water!

Chlorine is bad, bad, bad!!!!

Thank the gods for shower filters --and there are some really goode ones out on the market. If I had to endorse one it would probably be the Aquasana Shower Filter. Shower with one and tell me if you don't notice the difference in softer hair and skin, plus the sheer fact of knowing you are not absorbing synthetic chemicals, THMs, and VOCs.

I have noticed that the Aquasana is exactly like the one Beverly Hills hairstylist Jonathan Antin sells on QVC. So who came first? My research shows me Aquasana came first and it's cheaper than Jonathan's. But I know people are quick to buy celebrity endorsed products, which is why Antin's does so well (I'm going to guess Antin probably licenses his name to the Aquasana product, so basically you're paying more money just for his name)

Jonathan Antin's shower filter, is actually called Jonathan Product Beauty Water(tm) Shower Purification System. As a hairstylist he used to require his celebrity clients to shower using spring water the night before a big photo shoot. This inspired him to create a system that gave you purified water everyday, besides think of all the plastic water bottles you would have to go through for a shower (what a waste)! If you want to hear his full spiel catch him sometime on QVC.

Even if you don't use the filter system at least his hair care products are vegan and sulfate free and that's always a goode thing!

Technorati Tags: aquasana shower filter Jonathan Antin chlorine beauty water

The Organic Man

2008-01-03T18:01:18-08:00

I typically don't like men who refer to themselves as natural and organic, that usually translates into haven't showered in days! But alas there is a beauty site out there trying to change this perception!

More often than not, organic beauty sites target women, actually beauty sites in general cater to women and forget about men, but someone has come up with a site for men and men only! It's called Male Organics and they are your one stop shop for all your male grooming needs.

While perusing the UK based site I see they have a goode selection of items from reputable brands and it's organized quite well. The one category "Little Horrors" perplexed me until I saw it's for the little guys (how cute). Ladies now you can stop shopping for your man and tell him to go to Male Organics for his own soap and shampoo, and while you're at it introduce him to the wonders of hair conditioner. I am shocked at how many men don't use it! I know guys that wash their hair with the same bar of deodorant soap they use on their bodies. If you have such a guy (or are such a guy) then please click on their grooming tips too.

Now when we say our man is au naturale that doesn't mean stinky!

Technorati Tags: male organics grooming men