Looking for an alternative to plastic LEGOS? Look n further than Earth Blocks, the more organic building block. The blocks, which snap together like traditional LEGOS, are made from a variety of natural and recycled materials, including the bark of the cedar tree, compressed dust from sawn cedar logs, and coffee beans.

Due to their organic content the blocks are slightly softer than traditional LEGOS, though much… much greener.

Created by Colors Tokyo.

$30 a set @ the guggenheim online store

via: designboom

Rustic chic. Allison Cecil makes these woodsy, personalized bark rings out of 100% recycled sterling silver. Depending on your ‘crunchy’ quotient they could even serve quite nicely as wedding bands.

$104 (one ring) @ themonkeysalwayslook Etsy shop

HotLips is a hot soda pop brand, family-run and located in Portland, Oregon. They’ve been concocting fruit-based batches of refreshing bubbly since 2005 – sourcing locally grown fruit, refining the processing & manufacturing, rolling out new flavors, expanding distribution, and listening to customer’s requests for “less tiny seeds in the strawberry, please.”

We recently had the opportunity to test their latest handcrafted flavor, Cranberry – it’s a hit in our book. How do they do it? Fresh batches of Stevens and Yellow River varieties of cranberries from Seaview Farms arrive at HOTLIPS bottling plant in Newberg, Oregon. The berries are cooked in kettles, blended with NW grown pear juice for a happy dose of light sweetening (no other sugar is added), then it’s lightly carbonated and pasteurized. The fruit-derived soda is distributed in bottles made from 80% recycled, locally sourced glass. Just twist off the cap and Voila! Instant fruity refreshment.

We’ve drunk it straight and are happy to report that it doesn’t leave one’s mouth feeling dry or parched, like a “whole” cranberry juice can. The tartness of the cranberry is well balanced by the addition of pear juice delivering a dose of sweetness that we seem to desire when drinking soda. The carbonation also adds a nice level of sparkling hydration and refreshment, too.

Vodka lovers that we are, we also added Cranberry Soda to a shot of vodka and added a twist of lime. Very fine.

Not for bargain hunters – this handcrafted soda pop retails for $2.75/each or a 6-pack for $11. (when you buy a 6-pack, you can mix & match flavors) … buy online @ hotlipssoda.com

full disclosure: we received a complimentary 6-pack for the purposes of this trial, no strings attached.

Related: HotLips previously on The Alternative Consumer

• Oh the irony… Iran Says to Go Green as Oil Sanctions Tighten – reuters
• Sharks aren’t getting any hungrier – people are just getting in the way… Shark Attack Deaths See Spike in 2011 – livescience
• Headline of the day… Bahama’s Blue Holes Harbor Strange Lifeforms – enn
• (video) Company aims to convert solar energy into new fuels and remove greenhouse gas from the atmosphere… Converting Solar Energy into New Fuels -bbc
• Methane leaks may offset climate benefits of natural gas… Air Sampling Reveals High Emissions From Natural Gas Field – nature.com
• Vulture Restaurants Cater to Endangered Birds – msnbc

Related: more eco news on The Alternative Consumer

On a budget, or flying solo these days? Don’t let the commercialization and hype regarding Valentine’s Day ruin your mood – take heart knowing you’re not alone and be sure to treat yourself to a simple indulgence that makes you happy. Light a few candles, pour some essential oil & Epsom salt in the bath and take a relaxing soak; or call a buddy to reminisce and have a few good laughs. Move to your own beat – compile a music mix of all-time faves for your listening pleasure.

Got a few bucks to spare? Here are a few fun ways to embrace loved ones, mother earth & yourself:

(above, from top) men’s organic cotton boxers from goodandfairclothing.com (in white or black; $26). Sexy bralet & cheeky thong by g=9.8; find more of our favorite eco lingerie for her and organic underwear for men @ bynature.co.uk

(above) Heart & Stone handcrafts personalized charms, rings, key chains and necklaces for men and women; pricing varies … Tiny Tags jewelry can be customized with names, dates and birthstones; $195-$395

(above) Coco-Zen offers fresh, deliciously decadent Fair Trade Certified chocolate truffles as well as pampering body and bath products. Feast your eyes on an array of gift ideas starting at $3, or snag a Green Gift Set of either Chocolate to Eat, Chocolate to Wear or a Combo Gift Set, $64 – $110.

(above) Gifts with heart and soul – from Alex & Ani’s Charity by Design collection, pretty expandable bracelets made from recycled material; designs customized to reflect the message and beauty inherent in each organization; 20% of all sales of the Best Friends Bangles are donated to the American Heart Association. set of 2, ($48)

(above) For body-friendly pleasure, babeland.com has you covered; recharge your battery with the newly designed rechargeable We-Vibe II.

(above) Be still my beating heart … get swept off your feet with a well-deserved hot-stone massage – add a healthy dose of massage oil (SpaRitual.com) or massage balm (badgerbalm.com) to totally unwind.

Love those traditional bouquets of flowers and boxes of chocolate? Just be sure they’re Fair Trade and organic so they’ll meet with mama earth’s as well as your sweetheart’s approval; try Whole Foods or OrganicBouquet.com … Happy V-Day!

Related: more eco-friendly gift ideas from The Alternative Consumer.

With designs that bring in the outdoors, Philadelphia-based Iannone Design makes great looking sustainable furniture. Their Waltnut St. Graphic Console provides plenty of space for hiding your cable box and DVR or media storage of any sort – with an adjustable shelf, two compartments and touch release doors.

The console is made of kirei board and features a gloss white laminate with walnut veneer. Green attributes: the piece is constructed of FSC and CARB II certified plywood, sustainable kirei board (made from salvaged sorghum stalks) and finished with an FSC certified laminate. The hand-applied wood finish consists of natural oils and waxes.

The console is also available with dandelion and hummingbird graphics.

photos by Amie Schroeder

Related: more sustainable home decor on The Alternative Consumer

Show your boy in the hood some eco love … BUC’s hoodie is made with genuine earth-friendly values and delivers affordable style:

• 100% certified lightweight organic cotton
• low impact dyes (choose either grey or black)
• printed with water-based PVC-free inks
• Fair Trade made
• $34.99

What’s not to love? Hoodie Oxford @ ideologie.com

• Prince Charles Optimistic for Global Fisheries’ Future – bbc
• I’m not much of a tea drinker… Green Tea Drinkers Show Less Disability With Age: Study – yahoo! news
• How Dinosaurs Grew So Huge – livescience
• Rare caribou face off against the Tea Party… Protest Over Plans to Protect Northwest Caribou – msnbc
• Stretching the shrinking health budget… Combined Approach to Global Health has Benefits – sciencedaily
• There’s now a price to be paid for ignoring health and environmental issues… China’s Short Term Environmental Future is Bright – cs monitor

By Emily Anderson for Green Goes Simple

Admit it: You need help! You may not be a hoarder, but you probably have parts of your home (basement? hall closet? under the bed?) that you’d rather keep hidden.

Don’t worry, though — you’re not alone. Most of us don’t even know how much stuff we really have, let alone know how to get ourselves organized. Before hauling everything to the curb, try these planet-friendly steps (no landfills included!) to clear the clutter and breathe a sigh of relief.

1. Give Yourself an Audit
Pull all of your things out from hiding and begin to create three piles: “Donate,” “Repurpose” and “Needs Repairs.” You can donate items, sell items at swap meets, or trade items for things you do want. Electronic and computer companies like Dell and Apple have sophisticated programs for reusing equipment. You can also sell items online via eBay or Craigslist, or trade items on Freecycle.org. At the very least, you can donate items to a local Goodwill store.

2. Be a Pickup Artist
Find a set of small storage bins — plastic or canvas — and keep a couple in each room of your house to stash random items quickly and neatly. I keep a few canvas bins in each room for wayward items like toys, magazines and books, so I can easily clear the clutter and then put it in its proper place later. Keep a bin by the front door and make a habit of removing your shoes when you get home. (Bonus: This is an easy way to keep your home clean!) While you’re at it, use some of the storage bins to keep your recycling sorted — mark one for glass, one for plastic and one for newspaper.

3. Stop the Junk Mail
Americans receive almost 4 million tons of junk mail every year — that’s about 100 million trees, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And more than one precious resource is cut short by junk mail: The average American spends the equivalent of eight months of his or her life opening junk mail. Check out DoNotMail.org for information on what steps you can take to get your name removed from marketing lists. And don’t worry: Even if you don’t get coupons in the mail anymore, you can still find great deals on household goods online. Go straight to the websites of the brands you love, or check out Groupon and Living Social to take advantage of special deals.

4. Go Shopping
Keep everyday items intelligently organized — and well stocked — to avoid a frantic search or an unnecessary purchase. Extra batteries, paper products, cleaning supplies, even shampoo, soap and toothbrushes are wise to keep on hand. And consolidate shopping trips. You’ll save time, gas, energy and money by combining multiple errands into one trip. While you’re at it, consider doing more of your shopping online. Many sites will keep a record of your common purchases so you can consult your personal shopping list when you log on.

5. Repeat
You don’t have to take on everything all at once. Do a little organizing whenever you can, and it will all eventually add up to a cleaner, greener home. Remember: The things that are good for us personally are often also good for the environment. This
is especially true when it comes to our living spaces. Get your home a little more organized and you’ll be well on your way to living — and saving — green.

Emily Anderson is the author of Eco-chic Home, Eco-chic Weddings and When Changing a Lightbulb Just Isn’t Enough. Her work has appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies’ Home Journal, The New York Times and her blog, GoodWithStyle.com. Her articles have previously appeared on Green Goes Simple.

Green Goes Simple: Conservation at Home