Santa Cruz Organic teamed up with Choice Organic Tea to create two, tasty new “tea meets juice” drinks. (more…)

Much as sister site Inhabitat does for architecture and design, Ecouterre will do for fashion.  Going beyond superficial trends, Publisher, Jill Fehrenbacher and Managing Editor, Jasmin Malik Chua focus on design in eco fashion and beauty, providing essential insights and fresh perspectives on sustainable style.

As founder and publisher Fehrenbacher says, “…There are a ton of talented, environmentally conscious designers who are producing beautiful, innovative, groundbreaking designs each year, and they are really not getting the attention they deserve from mainstream press.  I’ve started Ecouterre to provide a showcase for these up-and-coming designers and a forum to get people talking about eco-design.”

We love the tripped out name and smart editorial, and wholeheartedly support their mission, “to follow the evolution of the apparel industry toward a more environmentally sound future, as well as spark conversation about why sustainable design matters.” Best wishes to Jill, Jasmin and the team for much success!  Check it all out @ ecouterre.com

This multi-purpose eco dog toy – called the Būmi - can be tugged, pulled, flexed, thrown or floated.  West Paw Design makes this extremely pliable dog entertainment system out of Zogoflex, its proprietary recyclable material.

Features: guaranteed to last repeated exposure to even the most destructive hounds, 100% recyclable, flexible – you can stretch the Būmi to twice its length and it will bounce back to its curved “S” shape.  If your pooch does destroy this toy, West Paw will give you a one-time free replacement or refund.

Available in 2 sizes and 3 colors. Non-toxic, FDA approved and made in USA.

$10 (s) – $13.50 (L) @ west paw design

If you want to go green why not start from the ground up?  These men’s Trailmaster hikers from Wicked Hemp sport an 85% Hemp upper with vegan nubuck toe and heel collar.  The toecap and heel stabilizer are Recycled PVC.  The inside lining is vegan mesh and, unlike many eco-friendly shoes, they aren’t shockingly ugly.

$54 @ wicked hemp

Armed only with our trusty Flip video camera, we attended the recent Eco-Luxe media event at Rouge Tomate in NYC, resulting in the video teaser below.  The Eco-Luxe show featured eco friendly – and appropriately enough – ‘green’ luxury products, many of which we’ll be reviewing and even featuring in our Great Green Giveaways over the next several weeks…stay tuned.

• At least we’re not taking a step back…Senate Blocks Move Against EPA Climate Rules – reuters
• Crossed-eyed Owl Finds Happiness – ananova
• Collections and shakedowns will be a little tougher now…Italian Police Seize Mafia Boss’ Pet Crocodile – myway
• I’m not ready for this…Paper Battery May Power Electronics in Clothing and Packaging Material – sciencedaily
• Bizarre Gelatinous Fish Found in Brazil (video) – natgeo
• Genetic Discovery Could Help Wine Industry - redorbit

Want to work at home but not actually ‘in’ your home?  Here’s a small office structure for those who can’t afford to lose time and energy to their home’s sea of distractions.  The Moonroom is a creation of U.K.-based Roomworks, a prefab design and manufacturing outfit that specializes in small spaces.

This eco friendly, super-insulated tiny structure comes with 12 electrical outlets, wall lights and phone/internet hook-up.  The 2.8m x 2.5m Moonroom goes for around £5,000 and can be constructed in one day.  The green roof option will run you another £750.

related: OfficePod

With fall’s arrival and winter on the horizon, hauling firewood is a chore many are warily anticipating.  Enter, the Woodchuck Cart.

I remember as a teen, having to carry in the truck-load of wood my parents had delivered to our home every fall.  It was a lot of work!  But I do have fond memories of working with my sisters and eventually my husband, piling wood in my parent’s basement.  However, this woodchuck cart probably would have cut our time (and soreness!) down considerably, even though there were 3 or 4 of us doing the task. (more…)

Near the interior of California’s mid-region, among the Giant Sequoia trees—some of the largest on Earth—that made it famous, is tucked Sequoia National Park. Established as the second national park in the U.S. in 1890, the mentality here is “big,” and in addition to larger-than-average trees, it’s also home to the highest peak in the lower 48 states: Mount Whitney.

Being such a “big” place has proven a natural lure to adventurers nationwide. That’s why, only a few years ago, architect Burr Hughes chose the space to develop a backcountry, bungalow retreat. Today, the ecologically responsible operation is known as Sequoia High Sierra Camp.

(more…)