This is part six of a 10-part series on how changing ones eating habits may be the most accessible and impactful way to improve the world.

With awareness as the first step to solving any problem, it’s fortunate more and more people have become aware of the problems created by the fast food industry.

They understand why its non-local food items (comprised of predominantly meat, monoculture, and synthetic ingredients wrapped up in billions of single-use materials) don’t quite equate to nutritional or environmental health. These conclusions are often forgotten and brushed off, however, due to the power of habitual practices (and aggressive marketing) as well as fast food’s convenience and low price. (more…)

Here’s a socially responsible company for folks who care about the way things are made, and the people who make them.  Founded by Safia Minney in 1995, U.K-based People Tree has always been concerned with more than just stylish fashion. Entitled, By Hand Minney actually “wrote the book” on ethical fashion.

(L to R, below)

made in Bangladesh, silk pod dress
handknit in Nepal everest hat, scarf and gloves
from brass, Kenyan hoop earrings

(more…)

• New US Office Takes Fresh Approach to Carbon – cs monitor
• The truth about corn ethanol?  Scientists Warn Biofuels May be More Harmful Than Petrol and Diesel – guardian.co.uk
• Bugs are rejoicing.  Bat-Killing Syndrome Spreads in Northeast – msnbc
• All will be revealed…See-Through Frogs Discovered – livescience
• A wise move…Michigan Governor Puts New Coal Power Plants on Hold – reuters
• Hasn’t this happened to you?  Traveler Caught With Pigeons in Pants – aol news

How could we prepare for cupid without taking a peek at the latest sexy intimates from designer Sophie Young of g=9.8?

This French architect-turned eco fashion designer takes undies to unsurpassed sustainable heights. Rather than pollute the planet by outsourcing far and wide, Young uses biodegradable material, eco friendly dyes, and keeps the production local, helping to support the economy of a small village near Angers, France.

This comfy lingerie set is eco fashioned with Lenpur®, a renewable textile made from white pine tree clippings — soft as silk, feels like cashmere, cool as linen. Lenpur adapts to your body temp, so when you feel warm, your undies stay cool and vice versa — perfect for sport, boudoir, hot flashes? or boardroom.  It’s good to see more and more designers concerned about sustainability, and not just style and comfort.  boxers and bra and panties @ byNature.co.uk

g=9.8 (code for gravitational acceleration).

Some consider February 14 a Hallmark occasion, avoiding it like the Plague.  Others love Valentine’s Day, and shower their heartthrob with all manner of affection.  Hope you have a meaningful day, and remember the heartbeat of our unique, life-sustaining planet.

fun and funky ways to celebrate

• Double Shot of Love – take a few sips and snaps, 2 shot glasses and 1 camera ($45) @ wishwrap.com

• Get Eco Sexy – feel good vibrations all year ($59) @ babeland (photo, above L)
• for ultimate decadence and gluttony, the 3c’s champagne, chocolates, cupcakes — lovely biodynamic, vegan champagne Brut, Fleur de l’Europe (pick up locally, approx. $50); handmade, vegan, fair trade and organic chocolates @ lifebychocolates; and luscious, vegan cupcakes from babycakes, nyc (photo, above R)

(photos above:  L to R)

• Cuff ‘em – eco meets geek links, discarded circuit boards refashioned by hand in sets of red, green or blue ($28) @ ecoemporia.com
• tried and true – flowers, wine or chocolate — Fair Trade Certified, naturally
• close-knit betty – a pair of handmade, recycled knitting needle bracelets ($16.93) @ ecoemporia.com

(photos above, L to R)

• your intimate reader – go kate winslet and pickup a book of poetry, or Toni Morrison’s Beloved, (local bookstore, library or receive 30% discount @ barnes&noble.com)
• KISS – Keep It Simple Stu – send a Valentine Tree, a personalized, beautifully animated ecard from jacquielawson.com ($10/year for unlimited ecards)
• for mother (Earth) – offset your V-Day activities by planting 3 trees in the Mendocino National Forest ($9.95) @ begreennow.com

express your love-ly sentiments free-ly

• write a heartfelt line or two and add a little element of surprise to their day
• treat them to a sensual massage or foot rub
• meander through the park, hand in hand, and keep the conversation bubbly
• go local — fix tasty bites of finger food at home, light candles, shuffle the ipod, turn off the cell phones and enjoy!

• Gov. Palin supports paying a $150 bounty for a severed foreleg…Ashley Judd Blasts Sarah Palin on Aerial Wolf Killing – ecorazzi
• Fur Flies as English and Scottish Animal Groups Clash Over Cash – bbc
• Oopsie…Acid Dumped in City’s Water Supply – msnbc
• New Discovery May Lead to New Class of Allergy Drugs – sciencedaily
• An obviously unhappy constituent…Groundhog Bites Bloomberg at Ceremony – newsday
• 7 Items You Won’t Believe Are Actually Legal – cracked.com

Plastic, paper, and surfboards?  Attention surfers: your old, beat-up surfboard can now help pave the very road you drive on, or better yet, be given a second life as a recycled surfboard.  ReSurf Recycling and Green Foam Blanks, two Southern California based organizations, have developed new methods in recycling what was long believed to be an unrecyclable material, “polyurethane.”

Of the 750,000 surfboards produced annually, an overwhelming majority is comprised of “polyurethane” foam – a not so eco-friendly material.  During its production process, toxic chemicals, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds are released into the atmosphere.  And, 20% of the foam is rendered waste after custom shaping.  Until recently, the foam was presumed to be unrecyclable, (more…)

Swedish casual clothing and designer jeans maker, Nudie Jeans, has updated its super-cool web shop with its spring/summer 2009 collection.

Nudie Jeans uses only the finest indigo and organic cotton – and for all you Kurt Cobain fans – Nudie suggests you’ll achieve optimal fading and fit by not washing your jeans for the first 6 months.  Nudie now sells accessories, undies, jackets, tees and more…and yes they ship to the USA.

nudiejeans.com

UPDATE: Feb 10 – It’s official!  Congratulations to our lucky winner, Stephen S.  He copped this tasty prize, and we know he’ll enjoy this wonderful brew.  Thanks to everyone for participating.  If you want to check out our latest Giveaway, it’s listed on our home page.

Original Post:

Organic coffee lovers, this one’s for you.  Be the lucky winner of your personally selected 4-pack of aromatic and delicious Salt Spring Coffee: shade-grown, Fair Trade, certified organic and carbon neutral.

Choose 4, 14-ounce bags of your favorite beans: decaf, medium or dark roast. A $52.00 value, (plus free shipping to USA and Canada).

To Enter – Simply visit saltspringcoffee.com and learn more about their fresh micro-roasted beans. Then enter your comments on this post telling us:  what do you like/dislike about the company, whether or not you would purchase on-line from the Salt Spring Coffee Company and why, and which product most interests you. (more…)