DEET is used in most standard insect repellents sold today. This chemical is known to have negative impacts on our water supply and wildlife. There is also evidence of DEET having adverse neurological impacts on humans. Although we can’t vouch for their effectiveness, here are some safe, environmentally friendly insect repellent alternatives that you might like to try. They’re all DEET-free, which makes them body-friendly, too:

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For those who feel compelled to profess their love of the road – London-based velo-re has been creating edgy belts and accessories from recycled bicycle tires and inner tubes since 2006. (more…)

Architect William Morgan’s goggle-eyed Dune House was created back in the mid 1970′s. The two, side-by-side, duplex apartments were built right into the Atlantic Beach, Florida dune using swimming pool technology – a gunite-concrete shell anchored to a cast concrete floor. (more…)

Christine Esposito has been crafting funky stuff from recycled materials for over 20 years. (more…)

Summer seems to bring the big tote bags out of every woman’s closet. Whether we’re just staying out due to longer days, or we’re out really enjoying the sun, we seem to have more to tote around.   The following are our favorite environmentally conscious totes…

(above) Make Love Not Trash – On top of a great company name, they have great bags. They’re edgier than most environmentally conscious bags, come in three different colorways and are made with a combo of cotton exterior and organic cotton lining; and a minimal amount of vegetable dyed leather. (more…)

• Extreme weather…Arizona Firefighters Catch Small Break After Brutal Weekend – cnn
• They’ve sold their constituency a bunch of baloney and now they’re stuck with it. GOP Presidential Hopefuls Dance Around Climate Change – yahoo! news/cs monitor
• Is there a pattern here? China Floods: Millions Affected by Deadly Downpours – bbc
• Short sighted? Budget cuts could endanger lives…Blind Eye in the Sky: Weather Satellites Lose Funding – npr
• We’re All Mutants: The Average Human has 60 New Genetic Mutations – livescience
• Cars may soon talk to each other…Intelligent Onboard Transportation Systems to Prevent Car Crashes – sciencedaily

For summer exercise there’s nothing quite like running-down a well-thrown frisbee.

As a canine prone to chewing on things, I’ve become more than a little concerned about the potential hazards of the chemicals, specifically BPA, in plastic frisbees. BPA (Bisphenol A), which is a chemical ingredient found in many plastic items, has been linked to all manner of health problems. With that in mind, what better material to make a frisbee out of than natural, ultra durable hemp? The Eco-Fetcher (pictured above), marketed by Honest Pet Products, is made from sustainable hemp, one of the strongest natural fibers on earth. Not only is hemp tough, it’s naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial.

The Eco-Fetcher comes in three sizes; it’s machine washable and even floats for water retrieving. You can purchase the Eco-Fetcher from our friends at Olive Green Dog. Oh, one other thing, the frisbees are handmade in the USA by disabled adults.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Portland on the weekend of June 26th, you’ll have the opportunity to check out all the fun and excitement of the North American Organic Brewers Festival. The 7th annual NAOBFevent is being held at Overlook Park and will be host to a number of organic beers and beverages from around the country.

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Being the epitome of uncommon knowledge, it’s really amazing how many toxins are put into mattresses during production. The Futon Shop would like everyone to be able to sleep on a bed without being exposed to toxic chemicals during the night. Many Americans are now moving over to organic mattresses because of the use of these chemicals in typical mattress production. Let’s break it down:

Polyurethane
If there is one material that is more or less ubiquitous in most mattresses today it would be polyurethane foam. Polymers and urethane chemicals, which contain an Isocyanate compound, seep out of polyurethane foam. Isocyanate compounds have been known to cause a host of diseases and complications, including asthma. Some isocyanates are known for their carcinogenic effects, as well as the havoc they can wreak on the immune and nervous systems.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Esthers (PBDE)
PBDE was the chemical that, until very recently, was added to the production process of every mattress in the United States. Reason being: it’s a fire retardant. As of now, this substance is banned in the U.S., but if your mattress was made prior to 2005, it could still be in there. PBDE is bad because it’s been known to have detrimental effects on brain development. If a company imports their furniture from China, PBDE is most assuredly an added ingredient.  (more…)