Here’s a great way to make your home decor both more sustainable, and noteworthy. Instead of buying perishable fresh flowers everyday, or replacing them with boring plastic or silk knockoffs, why not feature these handmade roses made from the pages of an upcycled atlas? The reclaimed paper is attached to twigs. No thorns involved.

A set of 5 of these handcrafted conversation starters will only cost you $7.50 @ Dragonflies’ Etsy shop.

Plants are Mother Nature’s super-efficient air filtration system. The ANDREA system utilizes award-winning technology to accelerate a plant’s already potent capacity to remove airborne toxins from the air. The gadget employs active plant filtration in concert with layers of water and soil to provide a multistage system that cleanses indoor air of harmful toxins that can irritate and be harmful to your lungs.

It naturally purifies air by drawing it in and propelling it through the leaves and root system of a plant, then out through water and soil filtration and back into the room environment.  (more…)

A long-time fan of author and consumer advocate for green & clean living, Debra Lynn Dadd, I was quite happy to receive a review copy of her latest paperback, TOXIC FREE: How to Protect Your Health and Home from the Chemicals that Are Making You Sick, published by Tarcher/Penguin of the Penguin Group, 2011. ($15.95).

I first discovered Dadd several years ago via her website, debraslist.com and was struck by her practical, down-to-earth advice. When The New York Times crowned her the Queen of Green, we cheered. After reading TOXIC FREE, we’re still cheering.

backstory – In 1978, while in her early twenties, Dadd was diagnosed with MCS (multiple chemical disorder). In search of information, but without much readily available, Dadd’s quest led to a lifelong journey to discover how to live a toxic free lifestyle. Piecing together research on chemicals in everyday products and how they affect our bodies, she quickly realized how the interplay of what’s around us — what we eat, what we put on our bodies and what’s in the environment — all affects our overall health.  (more…)

Simplicity often outperforms complexity. Case in point: this no-frills bud vase provides the perfect platform for displaying wild flowers and plant groupings. The handcrafted rustic display is created from an old chunk of reclaimed black locust. (more…)

Here’s a Tried and True Review for anyone who loves shoes and their feet … We received 2 complimentary ToeSox products: a pair of Ultra Sport ankle sox and Five Toe Sandals – they’re designed to help strengthen feet. Gimmick? I think not…

Toes and feet are sexy. Did you know that each foot contains approximately:  26 bones, 20 muscles, 33 joints and 100 ligaments? Keep them in tip-top condition. I stretch the space between my little toes during my yoga practice. It’s challenging. Anyone with squishy toe syndrome (my terminology), probably knows what I mean. So for extra conditioning when off the mat … enter ToeSox.

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• If you live on the East Coast, these apps may come in handy…Hurricane Tracking: Apps for Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Irene – cs monitor
• They’re usually tiny…Why a Quake in Virginia Isn’t as Rare as it Sounds – npr
• Extreme Reactions to East Coast Earthquake: Fear and Laughing in America – livescience
• Hey, Congress – maybe we do need the EPA…‘Sickening’ Spill Kills Hundreds of Thousands of Fish – msnbc
• I did the same thing…Megan Fox Drops Vegan Diet to Gain Weight – ecorazzi
• That’s a lot of biodiversity…World Species Count Put at 8.7 Million – bbc
• Housing shortage? Hawk Swoops Inside NYC Apartment Building – myway

Colorado micro brewer Colin Westcott and his company, Equinox Brewing take keeping their business local and sustainable — very, very seriously.

When Westcott opened his micro brewery, he vowed to serve his brew in his own taproom, as well as select bars that were either within walking distance, or hand truck delivery. Since his home base of Fort Collins is bike-friendly, he expanded his delivery options by commissioning the design and creation of the ‘keg trike’ (more…)

Here’s an energy-saving device that’s powered by your own brute force. Imagine – save energy, a little money, and get a mini upper body workout all at the same time, while just sitting at your desk.

Shred your unwanted documents by simply reaching for this hand-cranked paper shredder. The retractable handle tucks in to the side when not in use; the slim silhouette is easy on the eyes and easy to store. A nice alternative to the typically noisy and electric-powered shredder. Comes in grey or turquoise, $45 @ poketo.com.

Michigan-based, EnerFusion Inc., has created the Solar Dok, an off-grid, outdoor table & bench set-up, equipped with an array of photovoltaic solar panels.

The Solar Dok is made from recycled materials, and is designed to allow folks to charge: phones, laptops, or any other electronic device with 100% solar energy. The solar-powered charging station can deliver 110VAC renewable power in any remote location.
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