Show your dog what a good buddy he is by treating him to the Buddy Bucket — denim Frisbee, Orbee indestructible bone, bake at home biscuits and his very own bathing products. From Our GreenHouse, an eco-friendly e-tailer showcasing natural home products that are safe for you, and gentle on the environment.

Here’s an online e-tailer I just discovered that offers gluten-free, natural and organic products (no fresh produce), delivered right to your door. They market premium brands that you’ll find in Whole Foods, Wild Oats and many independent health food stores. If you order some of the items in bulk (ie 6 or so), you’ll receive a discounted rate on those items. And you receive 5% off your first order placed with them. That all sounds pretty good, but I wouldn’t recommend ordering any perishable food. The frozen food is shipped in a Styrofoam cooler, which is not biodegradable.  If you’re interested in this service, you can visit wellnessgrocer.com to learn more.  We’d like to hear from you, if you have suggestions regarding any alternatives to Styrofoam.

Pocket Panties…Check ‘em out at Oregon-based, sweetskins.com. Eco-fleece and hemp clothing, offered online: hoodies, tops, skirts, pants, dresses and undies. Bottoms featured here are hemp & cotton, boys-cut briefs, currently on sale for $15. To fully appreciate the goods, be sure to link to their fabrics page.

Researchers in Poland have found that the murky brown apple juice you may pass over for aesthetic reasons contains four times the cancer fighting nutrients of its clear brethren. The process of purification used to create clear apple juice removes many of the beneficial compounds found in cloudy juice.

Science Daily article

Endangered Species Organic Chocolate packs a lot of goodness in every bite. Dark chocolate contains nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times more than those found in green tea. Ten percent of ES’ net proceeds goes to protecting endangered animal and plants…Their all-natural chocolate is made from the seeds of cacao trees that are naturally shade grown on small, family-owned properties. All their ingredients are ethically traded, ensuring a fair wage and humane working conditions for the farmers. These beautiful bars can be found at Whole Foods, The Vitamin Shoppe, Health Nuts and online at chocolatebar.com. Check out their online gifts — Valentine’s Cards and Chocolates might be the perfect combo for your sexy beast.

It’s an impressive fact that for over 80 years, international personal care supplier, Weleda has taken a holistic approach to development. The vast majority of the raw materials this organic body care pioneer infuses are from organic or bio-dynamic sources, even the alcohol and water.

Their unique processes unlock nature’s healthy gifts and deliver a bounty of therapeutic formulas for all to enjoy. From Baby’s Starter Kit, perfect for travel ($13), to anthroposophic medicines that support the body’s natural healing abilities, Weleda’s traditions of working in harmony with nature continue to provide us with some of the most pure and natural personal care solutions available anywhere.

A recent super-food to hit the scene is the acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berry. Direct from the Brazilian Amazon, and appearing at juice bars and health food stores near you…acai’s rich in anthocyanins and other anti-oxidants, and contains a bit of omega-6 fatty acids. Nicholas Perricone, MD, a well-known name in skincare, pronounces that “it contains 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine, plus fiber, essential fatty acids and amino acids.” And acai’s now considered to be the world’s healthiest fruit!

I agree with those who describe the taste as “berry, with a hint of chocolate”…this palm tree fruit is berry good. A brand you might want to sample is Bossa Nova. They give back — through funding by Bossa Nova in association with the Rain Forest Alliance, every Bossa Nova you drink saves one rain forest tree. For more great photos and much more nutritional info about this nutty fruit, click here.

Admittedly, I have a thing for shoes. I’ve uncovered an accessories company for men, women and kids, that’s truly concerned about it’s ecological footprint…The Green Toe shoe collection from Simple Shoes is designed using earth-friendly: jute, hemp, straw, and wool. The foot-beds are formed from cork and natural rubber, which sounds so comfy; and they’re stuck together with water-based adhesives. Green Toe has more than one toe in the green landscape — the company is continually improving their recycling efforts, eco-packaging, and even expanded their line to include more gear. (Free shipping) …Their website design is very cool, click here for a visual treat.

Toyota’s success in selling its Prius hybrid is reducing the tax credit available to its customers.  The car maker is seeking to extend the federal tax credit that has provided a buying incentive to consumers.  Other car makers are not so enthusiastic…

Click here for more from USA Today