IPath’s new Cabana shoe is made with 100% hemp uppers.  The stylish cross-over casual shoe is a great summer alternative for skateboarders, eco posers and those possessing a certain level of counterculture savoir faire.

Available in late March @ ipath.com

While we’re on the subject of hemp…when is the U.S. going to approve the legal growth and processing of industrial hemp?  We import hemp-based products from Canada and elsewhere.  Industrial hemp can be grown on unimproved land, with little, or no, pesticides and herbicides.   The weed can be used in the production of paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics and fuel – while saving valuable forests.  Just a thought.

UPDATE:  March 10, 2009 – We have a winner!  Congratulations to Bob M. of Indiana, who selected the solid black watch.  Thanks again to everyone for entering. If you wanna check out our most recent green giveaway, just go to our home page (listed under Green Giveaways).

ORIGINAL POST:
Freestyle, the original action sports watch manufacturer, is sponsoring this Great Green Giveaway.  Mark time in eco style.  One lucky winner gets their choice of either the stripe or solid design.

The Boiler is Freestyle’s first solar watch. It packs 12 months of power in a single charge and eliminates the hassle and waste of buying and disposing watch batteries. The Boiler is water resistant to 100 meters and also features: a battery power indicator, power save mode, night vision back-light, and chrono/alarm/tier/dual time. Get on the cutting edge of eco friendly style with this cool solar timepiece.

Prize valued at $115 (plus shipping).
Free Shipping, anywhere in the U.S. (more…)

• The price will double, too… Shell Oil Sees Global Demand Doubling by 2050 – npr
• Obama Budget Plan Big on Cleaner Energy-Climate Change – msnbc
• Honey. I found some stuff in the Koi pond…13,000-Year-Old Tools Unearthed at Colorado Home – myway
• Size Matters When You’re Installing Solar – scientific american
• Awesome, dude…Psychedelic Fish is ‘New Species’ – bbc
• I know the feeling…I’m a Helpless Victim of My Brain – guardian uk

As we all know, the auto industry is going through a disastrous stretch, plagued by both mismanagement and a toxic global economy.  We thought we’d accentuate the positive and list some of the kudos that the Ford Motor Company has recently received in its effort to get greener. (more…)

Betina Wassermann is living the dream of every part-time, Etsy, tchotchke maker.  If you caught the procession of stars on the Oscar’s red carpet, you may have seen Mickey Rourke sporting a pendant featuring a photo of his recently deceased and beloved companion, Loki the Chihuahua.  Designer Wasserman, inspired by the passing of her own pooch, created the Loki pendant and forwarded it to Mr. Rourke as a gift.  Custom order your own charm (the Loki piece will remain one of a kind) @ wickedworld.etsy.com.  Makes sense that Betina works full time in marketing…

I recently uncovered a gem of a gift site, Elegant Roots.  Designed to foster a consumer evolution…encouraging consumers to make purchasing decisions based on values beyond function and beauty.

They make it easy to make informed choices by presenting the essentials — Who made the product, Where, of What, and Why on every page — in a fresh, user-friendly format. Each designer/manufacturer/artisan is profiled in detail, creating a greater sense of appreciation of the craft involved.

Shop for accessories, baby and kids, home decor, jewelry, men, pets and spa. It is the thought that counts.

find style and relevance @ elegantroots.com

• Industry-friendly Republicans are already squawking…How Carbon Cap and Trade System Would Work – msnbc
• There’s always more damage to be undone…U.S. Interior Scraps Bush Oil Shale Lease Research – reuters
• Congress Begins Talks on Energy Bill – enn/worldwatch instit.
• If you were wondering…Scots Fir is ‘Tallest tree in U.K.” – bbc
• Would you be interested in some beachfront property in Kansas?  Ice in East Antarctica a Bigger Threat Long Term – yahoo! news
• I would think it would be up more…Plastic Bag Recycling Up Across U.S. – livescience
• 5 Ways People Are Trying to Save the World (That Don’t Work) – cracked.com

Don’t super-size those fries, super-size your bike.

A company called Super Sized Cycles is now selling electric assist bikes for large or obese people. They have upgraded the seat, seat post, collar, handlebar stem, tires, pedals and gears. Super Sized’s manufacturing subsidiary, Zize, is also modifying selected bikes from Currie Technologies iZip line to add its own iZize line. The Super Sized line ranges from street cruisers to mountain bike models. (more…)

We tried it and we liked it.  Each 8 oz bottle of alcohol-free Embodi packs all the health-giving antioxidants of 2 glasses of red wine.  Emodi’s blend of organic fruit juices, water, and other natural ingredients packs just 90 calories, making it one of the lowest calorie antioxidant juice drinks available today.  The company also says that it’s the only healthy drink to take advantage of the full antioxidant power of the red wine grape.

Available in 3 tasty flavors: Citrus Resurgence, Tropical Revival (goji berry and pomegranate) and Berry Renewal. We preferred (more…)

From the U.K. comes yet another pocket-sized solar charger designed to power-up your bloated collection of gadgets, gizmos and contrivances with renewable energy.  This Juicebar contains a 1500 mAh high capacity battery that can be charged via USB port or by exposing the solar cell to sunlight.  Devices can be charged directly from the sun via the solar cell.  Included accessories are: 12 connectors covering most popular mobile phones, hand held game consoles and MP3 players (including iPods).

The Juicebar measures 11 x 40 x 93mm and weighs in at just over 2 ounces.

£19.99 @ epogo.co.uk

Welcome – Guest Blogger, Carmen K. Iezzi, Executive Director, Fair Trade Federation.

The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) evaluates businesses for their full commitment to nine Principles, including Creating Opportunities for Marginalized Producers, Cultivating Environmental Stewardship, and Paying Promptly and Fairly. FTF members strive to only source items under these Principles – no fair-washing here!

Products from Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs) are usually made with recycled, sustainably harvested, organic, and/or chemical-free materials. Often working in remote areas off of the power grid, FTOs encourage environmentally sustainable practices throughout the entire trading chain. (more…)

Store that kiddie mess in this multitasking box.  A sturdy storage container by night, the fully recyclable MultiBox is a child’s seat and learning tool by day. Shapes, Numbers and Alphabet.

Made primarily of recycled material, the ‘Box’, is protected by a non-toxic, fire retardant coating.  Easily cleaned by a wet cloth.

U.K. only @  by nature