The folding bike specialists at Dahon have come up with an energy efficient way to charge your iPod, iPhone, MP3 player or handheld device – bike power. The FreeCharge transfers power from a bike’s generator hub to a high-capacity battery, which in turn supplies steady current to your USB powered small device.  The FreeCharge unit secures to the bike’s frame in a silicon case.  Duhon is including the charger on a couple of its bike models in the near future and as a stand-alone accessory sometime around March 2010 for an estimated $99.

Nice concept.   via: bikehugger

When transitioning from summer to fall, I always start by covering up my toes.  And as a lover of boots over shoes, here are a couple of fab finds in the vegan and green arena that are covet-worthy.

Having attended Portman’s NYC shoe debut and been up close and personal with the shoes (and the lassie), rest assured, the quality of the materials and craftsmanship are first class. These black beauties, (above), from Natalie Portman’s short-lived Te Casan vegan line are available at Endless Shoes. Pati Ankle Boot (L) on sale $178.72, (reg. $324.95) and Pava, (R) on sale for $233.72 (reg. $424.95). Other NP shoes on sale here as well, which is a good thing, since these styles are not available in all sizes.

In terms of your pocketbook, you may pay more initially when you buy quality, but these boots will far outlast many of the more inexpensive, cheaply made options out there. These styles are classic, and will endure trendy styles that will come and go. In terms of the cost to mother Earth, Portman and her team took a painstakingly thoughtful, planet-friendly approach to production of both the shoes and the packaging.

A solar novelty that can provide comfort to the lonely, amusement for geekologists and artificial bird sounds for ornithologists.  Perhaps that’s going a little too far, but this little analog sound robot is said to transform artificial or natural sunlight into a variety of bird sounds.  Steady light levels will induce him to make one or two sounds, while varying light levels can have him singing like a flock.  The solar robot’s creator suggests taking the little guy in the car to elicit a wide variety of sounds and songs – might be a nice alternative to talk radio.

solar singer type 1 #7 is $55 @ middlecreekmerchants etsy shop

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the first Monday of every month were considered a national holiday?  We kept it local this past weekend, and experienced a low-key, low carbon impact weekend. We never touched the car, simply walked wherever we wanted to go; kept the tv and computer use to a minimum; prepared more veggie-based meals than usual (lost a pound or two); and found more time to relax.  Lounging on the rooftop deck, reading, and unwinding were the natural orders of the day.  There was something very satisfying about watching the boats float by on the river and choppers fly overhead, as we basked in the light.  No worries, no scurrying, no wasted energy. Must do this more often – holiday or not.

In our part of the country it is apple picking season and we have been talking about making our annual trek to the local apple orchard to pick some of our favorite apples.  It is hard to find truly u-pick organic fruit as most farmers find it necessary to use some chemicals to combat disease and insects.

Fruit is one of our family’s major interests in the realm of organic farming.  If we already owned our own land, the product I am about to share would be a wonderful gift for each of our children so we could start our own orchard. (more…)

On honor of the last unofficial day of summer, we’re celebrating by taking the rest of the day off. We hope you have a non, labor-intensive day, too.  See you tomorrow!

A Tried and True, Green Products Review…I’m not a clean freak, but every spring and fall I go on a housekeeping tear; it helps clear the cobwebs from my mind.  I love this new line of green household cleaning products I used last week during my fall clean-a-thon. They’re amazing.  Planet-, people- and pet-friendly Better Life cleaning products are 99 percent derived from plants. No parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, VOCs, ethoxylates, ammonia, bleach, solvents, dyes, toxins or synthetic anything.

Here’s what I used: 2am Miracle, Even the Kitchen Sink gentle scrubber, I Can See CLearly, WOW glass cleaner, WhatEVER Clary Sage & Citrus all-purpose cleaner, a Euro Sponge and my favorite, their floor cleaner called, Simply FLOORED.  What’s really gratifying is (more…)

• L.A. Wildfire Drives Wildlife to Backyards – reuters
• Tired of reading that book on the beach? Try this…Google Trick Tracks Extinctions – bbc
• One way or the other, the Arctic is heating up fast…Hey, Global Warming Skeptics, Take Your Heads Out of the Sand – cs monitor
• Former ‘Material Shiksa” likes kosher beef…Madonna Wastes 271,040 Gallons of Water with Beefy Meat Request – ecorazzi
• Dogs have been hanging with the wrong crowd.  Wolves Beat Dogs on Logic Test – livescience
• Is Bush back? Despite threats of pollution and damage to wild fish stocks…U.S. OK’s Giant Fish Farms in Gulf of Mexico – msnbc
• If you’ve ever been on a packed #1 Train, you might disagree…Honolulu Scraps Body Odor Ban – aol news

UPDATE:  Congratulations to our 2 lucky winners:  Londia B. and Natalie A.  Enjoy!

Here’s a cool way to energize your karma and refresh your workout gear.  In honor of Yoga Month (September), our pals at Gaiam are sponsoring this exciting Great Green Giveaway.  2 lucky ladies will each receive Gaiam-designed active wear from their latest collection, and a handy yoga mat sling made from 100% sustainable hemp.

Designed for maximum comfort and flexibility, the organic cross back tank has a shelf bra, as well as extra stretch built into the neck and armholes.  It’s made of 94% organic cotton and 6% Spandex. Low eco-impact dyes; machine washable. Winners gets to pick their favorite color:  melon, green, grape, white or black. sizes: 4-16, (retails, $48).

Semi fitted, with elastic waist that lies flat on the body and sits just below the waist line, straight leg and side slit, the black capri side slit pants are created from a blend of 90% certified organic cotton/10% Spandex for flattering, long-wearing style. Low eco impact dyes, machine wash. sizes: 4-16, (retails, $58).

Let your mat breathe as you trek in eco style, hemp yoga mat sling (retails, $12.98). (more…)