Spa Reveil in Austin Texas is my favorite place to relax and get pampered. It is the perfect mini vacation. Their luxurious treatments take you to another world.

With money being a bit tight right now, I asked them how I could relax at home without spending a lot of money. They gave me some great ideas. Check em' out.

For your Face: Exfoliation is key! Spa Reveil says, "When dead skin is removed, beautiful, more radiant skin is revealed."
At the spa they use Naturopathica Pumpkin Enzyme Peel. It's amazing stuff, Here is how to create this at home:

4 tbsp. pumpkin puree
1 tsp. honey
2 tsp. aloe vera gel
1/2 tsp. sunflower oil
3 tsp. cornmeal

Blend pumpkin, honey and aloe together. Stir in sunflower oil and cornmeal. Gently buff into the skin. To further enhance ingredients, leave a thin layer on the face as a mask for 10-15 minutes. Rinse and moisturize with Naturopathica's Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream is recommended.

For your Body: Exfoliation is a must here as well. Spa Reveil says, "Remembering to care for your whole body by exfoliating, this will provide more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, it will even help with ingrown hairs."

They use the Naturopathica Espresso Mud Mask. Here is how to create this at home:

3 tbsp. coarsely ground coffee beans
2 tsp. powdered milk
1 tbsp. sunflower oil
pinch of cocoa powder

Use in the shower after cleansing. Gently exfoliate the skin in a circular motion remembering dryer area such as heels, elbows and ankles. Rinse and apply body lotion. Our favorite is Naturopathica's new Bourbon Vanilla Body Lotion.

Go Simple! and get in the bath: This is an easy way to relax.

Spa Reveil says "Lavender helps to purify the body and spirit and alleviates a range of aliments such as insomnia, anxiety, depression and pain relief."

Naturopathica French Lavender Soothing Bath and Body Oil -- how to create this at home:

8-10 drops of Lavender Oil to warm bath water.
Soak for 15-20 minutes.
While in bath you can also add 9 drops of Lavender Oil to 1 tbsp. of carrier oil (example: almond and sunflower oil) for isolate massage and pain relief.

So I dug a little deeper to find out why one would want to rub themselves with pumpkin and coffee.

Why Pumpkin? It's a nutritional powerhouse; it’s rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, as well as such other cancer-fighting carotenoids as lutein and zeaxanthin. Pumpkin also boasts B vitamins, niacin, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, and vitamins A and C. The seeds are laden with zinc, a natural sunblock and antioxidant. Pumpkin seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids. They’re very effective in regulating the skin’s own sebum production, so pumpkin seed oil is great for oily or acne-prone skin, and it also balances dry skin. Pumpkin is most commonly used in facial treatments; its active enzymes provide a natural chemical exfoliation.

Why Coffee? For years, caffeine in coffee has been used in products sold to reduce cellulite. It's clear that caffeine dehydrates fat cells by somehow energizing them which in turn causes the sodium/potassium component of the cells to vacate. Consequently, water disappears as well. Bottom line - skin on buttocks and thighs becomes smoother. Dermatologists and scientists also laud coffee's effectiveness and versatility. "Coffee offers multiple benefits," says Doris J. Day, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. When broken down and applied to the skin, its most potent elements (caffeine and the berries that contain the beans) can fight wrinkles, calm redness, reduce swelling, and, according to new research, may even help prevent skin cancer.

© Focus Organic for 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

Just to let everyone know, Andrew's company proposed a new contract, the union held another vote, and the contract was accepted, so no strike!

Darren Collins presents Backyard Escargot posted at Green-Change.com. Darren says, "It might be a bit "out there", but you probably can't get more local than eating the snails from your back step!"

Debbie Lattuga presents Composting in the Spring? posted at Gardening Tool Review. Debbie says, "Gardening tips to speed up your work time in the garden with a splash of organic growing."

Heather Levin presents How To Have A Green Valentine's Day posted at The Greenest Dollar. Heather says, "Tired of pink teddy bears and impersonal cards? Me too. Here's a list of ways you can have a more intimate, eco-friendly Valentine's Day."

Kat presents Make Your Own Household Cleaners posted at Homesteading and Homekeeping at Whisper Wind Farm. Kat's article includes recipes for homemade cleaning products.

SimplyForties presents New Experiment in Vermicomposting posted at SimplyForties.

Meg presents Choose Your Impact: The Great Nappy Debate posted at Meg. More on the recent debate over whether cloth or disposable is more environmentally friendly.

Katie presents Celebrate Green! An Author Interview posted at Making This Home. An interview with the authors of Celebrate Green!, which helped create the Focus Organic holiday article (thanks to Lynn and Corey!).

Andy presents Borders Hates Trees, Smug Yuppie Geeks posted at Doomsday Labs.

00FF00 presents Wood is Good? posted at ooffoo - where it's free to swap, sell, give away, recycle and more. 00FF00 says, "A member of the ooffoo community presents 'Wood is Good?,' unpicking the complexities of determining whether a product is truly sustainable, before raising the possibility of 100% of products being 100% sustainable by the year 2100.

JanelW presents Pregnancy without toxins posted at organic mommy's Weblog. From the article:

Pregnant and green, no, I’m not talking morning sickness! If you are pregnant or going to become pregnant then there are a few things you should consider in order to reduce your exposure to chemicals and possible birth defects to your baby. As I am now pregnant with baby #2 my motto is you can never be too careful. Research as much as you can and take time to think about the everyday things you do and how they might affect your baby.

Stephanie presents Dryer Lint Fire Starters posted at Stop the Ride!. Stephanie says, " Something useful from recycled items."

Jerry presents To clean or not to clean posted at My Best Me. Jerry says, "Is it possible that your skin or sinus allergies are exacerbated by the household cleaners that you use? Natural alternatives can keep you breathing easier."

John C. presents Home Energy Saving Tips - Consume Less Energy & Save Money posted at Squidoo: Home Energy Saving Tips - Consume Less Energy & Save Money. John says, "Here are some home energy saving tips to help everyone consume less at home, and save some cash as well."

Silicon Valley Blogger presents 10 Simple Ways To Save Money And The Environment. posted at The Digerati Life.

Ariel Bravy presents Should We Try and Prevent the Extinction of Animals? posted at You Are Truly Loved. From the article:

Is the extinction of a particular species really something to rally against and get worked up over?

Is it something to simply something to accept as a natural part of the cycle of birth and death?

Should we do all we can to prevent a species from being wiped out?

The Smarter Wallet presents Green Cleaning Products: How To Clean Your House The Eco-Friendly Way posted at The Smarter Wallet. I think everyone has cleaning on their minds this week

Grog presents Statistics Show Alternative Medicine Making A Strong Play posted at Organic Grog.

RecycleCindy presents Free Recycled Valentine?s Bag Pattern posted at My Recycled Bags.com. RecycleCindy says, "For all those holiday crafts out there, here is a Valentine's Day project. Crochet a cute little Valentine's heart bag to hold all those Valentines or fill it with candy. This bag is made from recycled plastic bags into plarn (plastic bag yarn.) The pattern is free so I hope you'll enjoy this eco friendly craft project."

Chris Baskind presents Living Cheap Is the New Green posted at Lighter Footstep. Chris says, "If going green is making you go broke, you’re doing it wrong. Saving resources and saving money go hand in hand. Here’s how to get started."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2009. | Permalink | 8 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

Andrew's union has decided to strike, which means by the next week he will either be on strike or be laid off. This also means I am looking for another source of income. I hope this won't interfere with keeping the site up, but I'm letting everyone know just in case.

Kathy Hester (GeekyPoet) presents Finding Organic Coupons posted at Geek, Poet, Housewife Wannabe. For more organic coupon ideas in addition to Kathy's, check out our article on organic coupons.

PassionateGreen presents Dr. Kracker Makes Sticking to Your Healthy Eating Resolutions Easy posted at PassionateGreen. From the article:

Often consumers find whole grain foods to have a different, less-pleasing texture than foods made with refined grain. This is true of most breads, cereals, pasta, and baked goods, at least according to my family! I say for all the benefits of whole grain I will put up with texture differences, because eating refined grain is pretty much the nutritional equivalent of eating sand.

Aahz presents The Scoop On Poop: Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers posted at Aahz Reviews Morgan Hill. Aahz says, "Could conventional wisdom be wrong? If so, will environmentalists admit it?" This one is going to be controversial, considering most of us here have at least a bit of tree hugger in us.

Praveen presents Tao of Simplicity: Amazon.com Goes Green posted at Tao of Simplicity.

Meg A. presents Let's Make 2009 the Year for saying "No" posted at How to Make a Difference. From the article:

Lets make 2009 the year to lay claim to greatness and say 'No' to the things that don't fit our ideals of bounty and growth. Lets make this the year of standing up for what we believe in, being accountable and making a difference.

Phil for Humanity presents To All Global Warming Deniers « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity. Phil says, "For a moment, let us assume that global warming is false."

Lisa Robbins presents Resolution: Be Gorgeous & Green posted at City Living Girl. Lisa gives us her recommendation.

Summer presents Contessa Green Cuisine Review posted at Eco Child's Play. Summer says, "Contessa Green Cuisine is a frozen food company that strives to be as environmentally friendly as they are delicious."

Myscha Theriault presents When Going Green is Classy posted at Wise Bread. Myscha describes her submission as, "a service article on how to go green with style."

Ray K presents How Starting A Backyard Compost Can Save You Money posted at JustSaver.com.

ChristianPF presents Chick Fil A Nutrition Facts posted at ANO. ChristianPF says, "While Chick-Fil-A is about the best choice for healthy eating in the fast-food area, there still are some big downsides."

Janelle Sorensen presents Post Holiday Detox posted at Healthy Child Healthy World. Janelle says, "These are easy tips for a post-holiday detox or a year round routine for helping your body flush the chemicals and toxins we are exposed to every day."

Condo Blues presents Organize Your Life with Six Pack Containers! posted at Condo Blues. Condo Blues says, "I had condiments sliding all over the shelf on the refrigerator door. The solution was a recycling bin away!"

Stephanie presents Project Orange Thumb posted at Stop the Ride!.

Traci Hayner Vanover presents Tax Credit "Window Of Opportunity" Reopens In 2009 posted at News About Green Living - Green Living Resources - Eco-Friendly Tips & Information. Traci says, "With nearly 40 percent of home remodeling incorporating sustainable, green materials, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Fenestration Rating Council have established a new, stricter set of criteria for windows carrying the ENERGY STAR label, which will take effect in 2010."

banquet manager thatsme presents Bacteria On My Lemon Slice? posted at So You Want To Be a Banquet Manager.... A short one to make you think. For the record, I get my water sans lemon.

Kate presents Power Plastic posted at Green Thinking Blog. Kate says, "Our world has turned plastic. Almost everything you use is made of plastic. So, what if you could take that plastic and turn it into energy? Konarka Technologies is currently turning this dream into a reality by developing the technology for plastic to convert sunlight into power."

Kate also presents New Year’s Resolutions for the Blue Planet Foundation, saying, "Blue Planet Foundation is an organization that is dedicated to implementing renewable energy programs and creating a global awareness to respond the urgency of the climate change we face. Primarily, the Foundation is looking at Hawaii to be an example to the world of how to use clean energy. They have put in place 5 New Year’s Resolutions to make this goal a reality in 2009."

Paige Rodgers presents Save Green While Going Green in 2009 posted at Fabkins. I included Fabkins in Focus Organic Green Holidays Guide, and this is an article by the co-founder of Fabkins.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2009. | Permalink | 7 comments

If you had not picked up a copy of her book yet, it's a must read.  All of the proceeds go to charity.  It's an easy read for those who haven't plunged into the green life yet, and it hits home for those who have embraced nature but don't like to be called a "treehugger."  Essentially the book shows that there is a little bit of green in all of us.  

Once you get through it, check out the acknowledgment, you might recognize a certain someone in there getting a shout out.  Yep, me!  I had the pleasure of working with Sloan on her book, and she is truly fabulous. Stay up to date on Sloan at www.greengoeswitheverything.com

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments

1. Plan your meal ahead of time
   Know how many people you will be serving on Thanksgiving. This will help you purchase your food without buying too much, which will reduce the amount of waste you have after the meal.
2. Keep decorations minimal
   Try creating a beautiful party space with edible items and/or decorations found in nature. Your turkey can be your centerpiece, and for a splash of color, add some bowls filled with cranberries. The kids can create popcorn garlands that they can snack on later, and fresh-cut greens or fallen leaves from outside can be made into beautiful decorations for the rest of your home.
3. Buy local and organic
   From the main course to your wine or apple cider, try purchasing your food items locally and organically. If you are having a real turkey, purchase one from a local farm (check LocalHarvest). Less transportation = less emissions, and you will be helping to support your local economy. Purchase your side items locally, too, whether from your local farm or from a farmer's market or co-op.

   If you are going vegetarian this Thanksgiving, consider tofurky or turk'y roast, which is soy free.

4. Skip the disposable tableware
   I know it's tempting, especially if you are serving a large group of people. It's important, though, to skip the disposable plates, napkins, forks, etc. Using your regular dishes and cloth napkins will save you money and trash. If you insist on not washing dishes at the end of the day, use compostable dinnerware.
5. Properly store your leftovers
   You took all these steps to have a more green Thanksgiving, but if you put your leftovers in the fridge covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, your green Thanksgiving just became a little less green! Store your leftovers in washable, reusable containers, or in the dishes you cooked them in, when possible, with lids on them. Compost leftovers that you can't save.
6. Recycle
   Recycle anything you can. If your drinks came from plastic soda bottles, glass wine bottles, or aluminum cans, recycle them. If any of your meal came from recyclable packaging, recycle them. Remember that paper napkins and paper towels cannot be recycled (another good reason to use cloth napkins!).
7. Clean up with green cleaners
   Save it for the next day, if you want, but make sure that when you clean up from your meal, you don't ruin your air quality and risk your health with chemical-laden cleaners. I recommend TerraCycle's All Purpose Cleaner, which can be purchased at a number of stores including Targat, OfficeMax and more.

Overall, it's most important to remember that Thanksgiving is about spending time with family and being thankful for what you have. Don't let the hustle and bustle of the day make you forget your loved ones, and save some apple cider for me!

Recipes

• Pumpkin Squares
• Pumpkin Soup
• Organic Homemade Cranberry Sauce
• Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup
• Roasted Pumpkin and Vegetables
• Apple Pumpkin Delight
• Corn Bread and Broccoli Rabe Strata
• Pumpkin Pie

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 6 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

Update, 8pm: I designed a new graphic for the carnival, much nicer, IMO!

Sarah Lane presents Clean Coal's Dirty Little Secret posted at on a ledge. Very informative article on why clean coal is not the way to go.

Tiffany Washko presents Top Ten Green, Natural Toddler Toys for Christmas 2008! posted at Natural Family Living Blog. I wanted to tell you which of Tiffany's choices was my favorite, but they're too cute to decide.

Heather Levin presents How To Set Up A Community Lending Library posted at The Greenest Dollar. From the article:

The idea is simple: people in a community pool items they own to share with everyone. Some communities choose to set up the lending library in their local, book-based library, but other communities have set up lending libraries out of their own homes or community centers. Even more operate lending libraries entirely over the internet.

GrrlScientist presents Bottomfeeder: How to Eat Ethically in a World of Vanishing Seafood posted at Living the Scientific Life. GrrlScientist says, "There's plenty of fish in the sea, as the old addage goes -- but are there, really? I experienced a rude awakening at the peak popularity of Orange Roughy, which I loved. I learned that Orange Roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus, an extremely long-lived benthic species in the Western Pacific Ocean that doesn't even reach sexual maturity until 40 years of age, was being eaten out of existence by people like me. After I learned that, I never touched Orange Roughy again."

GrrlScientist also presents Invasive Exotic Species: More than Meets the Eye. She says, "Genetic analyses of an exotic invasive parrot species reveals (1) a cryptic species and (2) support for the notion that the pet trade was involved in establishing this invasive species in the USA."

Ben Connor Barrie presents Sustainable Farming Maintains Biodiversity posted at Sustainable Design Update. Ben says, "This article discusses a method of tropical farming that does not negatively impact biodiversity."

Coatlicue presents Natural vs. bottled water posted at Raw Fitness Online. Coatlicue says, "An article about the health benefits of natural waters, and the dangers of bottled and distilled water."

Patrick Walsh, Tempe, Arizona, Real Estate presents Water Conservation Made Simple!! and Honoring Earth Day posted at Patrick Walsh, Realtor. Patrick says, "Water harvesting is practiced around the world and is a great benefit to the community when used on a large scale. You can take steps to contribute and save water by harvesting at home." I also realize Earth Day was months ago (in fact, it's the day this site began!), but Patrick's Earth Day post includes some interesting "Arizona Solar Power and Energy Efficiency Trivia."

Louise Manning presents 2012 vegetable gardens planned for London posted at The Human Imprint. 2012 gardens by the year 2012... should be totally doable!

Jim presents » Recycling Earns Money For Your County on Blueprint for Financial Prosperity posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity. From the article:

In Howard County, Maryland, the county has decided to give out over 71,000 recycling bins to the residents. The size of your home will dictate the size of the bin you’ll be receiving. Single family homes will receive a 65-gallon wheeled cart, townhomes with a garage will get a 35 gallon bin, and townhomes without a garage (like mine) will receive an 18 gallon bin.

Patricia Turner presents Top 50 Green Technology Blogs posted at Green Web Hosting Blog. Posts like these give me a whole lot of new websites to look at!

Surfer Sam presents Two Miracle Foods That Can Nourish You and Cure You posted at Surfer Sam and Friends. From the article:

The benefits from eating healthy are endless. Food can nourish you and cure you. And some foods that you eat can help you look and age better! Here are some breakthrough foods you may not have heard about, foods that will be on more tables this year.

sebastian@zoomiscooters.com presents BG’s C100 to Become First Mass-Produced Electric Car Available in USA posted at Zoomi Life. Sebastian says, "For those of you who have been waiting for a green, affordable transportation solution - BG Automotive is releasing the first affordable all-electric car available on the US market in February 2009. Finally, an affordable green transportation option!"

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 4 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

Hope everyone had a happy Halloween! Can you believe it's November already? Not me! It was in the upper 70s all weekend here, and is 72 right now... crazy! Where's my sweater weather? T-shirts in November are not allowed!

I am thinking about designing a new image to represent All Things Eco, but I'm lacking design inspiration... any ideas? Better yet, anyone want to design one for me? *evil grin* Ok, ok, I'm done babbling.

Laurel presents Sustainable Shoes Coming to Payless posted at Green Thinking Blog. Laurel says, "Payless will be selling affordable, eco-friendly shoes. One unfortunate thing about many sustainable products is that they can be expensive. But Payless has very low prices. And in the past couple of years, they’ve offered more trendy and stylish shoes."

Katie Bouchillon presents Another Use for Plastic Shopping Bags posted at A Green Fire. Katie says, "We all need new ways to use up the plastic we already have on hand. This is one more way."

David presents SustainLane's 2008 City Ranking - How Sustainable Is Your City? | The Good Human posted at The Good Human. Couldn't tell you how St. Louis did, it apparently wasn't used in the study... and my my town in CT is way too small to have qualified for it!

Kara presents Spicy-Sweet Apple Chips posted at An Hour In the Kitchen. Kara says, "Make your own organic apple chips- easy and delicious."

Woman Tribune presents Top 10 Produce You Should Buy Organic posted at Woman Tribune. We posted about this when Focus Organic started up, Woman Tribune gives us a reminder.

Tim Leffel presents Organic Merino Wool Socks from Teko posted at Practical Travel Gear. Tim says, "Organic Merino wool socks made from the shearings of happy Argentine sheep."

Sarah Scrafford presents Eco-Kitchens: 100 Big and Little Ways to Make Your Kitchen More Earth-Friendly posted at Organicasm. Another amazing post from Organicasm.

Patty presents Beauty's Ugly Side posted at Little Green Stilettos. From the article:

The average woman absorbs over 2.2 kilos (5 pounds) of chemicals from beauty products every year. Only 11% of the 25,000 chemicals in these products have actually been tested.

Erika Collin presents 50 Must-Read Blogs for the Conscientious Organic Shopper posted at Organicasm. The posts on Organicasm never fail to amaze me!

Izmet presents The High Cost of Progress posted at Izmet's Dream. From the article:

We have become a world dependent on modern conveniences. No doubt this is in response to our fast-paced, stress-filled lifestyles. There simply is no time to do things the "old-fashioned way". We have become prepackaged, plastic-wrapped, instant-gratification-seeking humans. Some would call this progress. What makes all this progress possible?

Nichole Halsey presents Bring On the Rain (Gardens) posted at Bad Human! Don't take chemicals from strangers!. Nicole says, "How to create a rain garden to prevent storm water from polluting our lakes and streams."

RecycleCindy presents Recycled Net Market Bag posted at My Recycled Bags.com. Cindy says, "Here is a great way to recycle and repurpose those plastic bags. Crochet this eco-friendly market grocery tote bag using Plarn (plastic yarn) you create from cutting the bags into strips. I offer a picture tutorial on how to make the plastic bag yarn here. The free crochet pattern for my net market bag is found here. Thank you."

Lisa Spinelli presents Clouds Move in Over Alternative Energy | Greener Pastures: Personal Finance posted at Greener Pastures. Lisa says, "Excuse me, but lower oil prices aren't going to stop the polar ice cap from melting!" I agree, Lisa! Gas prices have gone down and I'm seeing the ridiculously huge SUVs showing back up on the roads!

Benjamin presents Oil Prices Fall: Will Our Determination for Alternative Energy Follow? posted at Trees Full of Money. Benjamin says, "Americans have made significant strides in curbing excessive energy as oil has peaked over $140 a barrel. Now that oil is back to more sustainable levels, will we just go back to our old ways?"

Traci Hayner Vanover presents Buy Mint Essential Oil & Save a Michigan Farm From Foreclosure posted at News About Green Living. Traci says, "For $5, you can get a dram of pure mint oil. It lasts a long time and is very hard to find. Currently, there is enough essential oil inventory to pay this debt. On November 1st the bank has the right to inventory and equipment and then on August 14, 2009 they can take over the property." November 1st, the deadline, has passed, but the farm is still accepting orders in hopes of stopping foreclosure.

Heather Levin presents Why Live In A Micro Home? posted at The Greenest Dollar. From the article:

Most people would balk at the idea of living in a home that’s only 300 square feet (or less!). But for me, and a growing number of other people, it would be a dream come true.

Flash Gordon presents Bauu Press: I Am Sustainability: How The Human Body Can Save The Planet posted at Bauu Institute and Press. Flash Gordon says, "How to become a sustainable person, making the world green from the inside out."

sebastian@zoomiscooters.com presents The Top Five Electric Bicycles of 2008 posted at Zoomi Life. Sebastian says, "Electric bicycles are the ultimate human-electric hybrid vehicles, and are gaining popularity fast as a great means of eco-transportation. Here's a list of the top five electric bicycles of 2008."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 7 comments

The best option for dealing with unwanted insects is obviously with a green pest control alternative. If you have a serious problem and are looking to hire a company, look for one that considers the health of the environment and its customers, as well as the humane treatment of animals. For those of you who live in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Texas, Arizona, or Colorado, Alphaecological is one company that offers green pest control.

If you do not live in those states, or do not want to hire a company, avoid standard pest control options laden with chemicals. These are not only bad for the health of you, your children, and your pets, but also for the environment. There are many companies that offer pest management products that are non-toxic and environmentally safe.

Other healthier options for getting rid of those annoying bugs are prevention (obviously!) and making your own at home natural pest control products.

Prevention

• Make sure openings into your home are sealed.
• Don't leave uncovered food out in the open.
• Keep garbage in containers with lids, and don't let it sit in your home for long periods of time.
• Clean up spills and food messes promptly.
• Use insect repellent (natural, of course!) when you go camping or anywhere you might pick up insects.
• Bathe and comb your pets regularly to remove any insects they may have picked up.
• Dust and vacuum your home frequently, including your curtains, to deter dust mites.
• Reduce water sources such as leaky taps, and replace your pet's water frequently.

Fruit Flies

Keep your fruit in containers, and throw it away or compost if it starts to go bad. Fruit flies, once you have them, can be difficult to get rid of. Basil is a fruit fly deterrent; try keeping a basil plant in your kitchen.

Flies

Mint or eucalyptus oil can be used to deter flies. Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a piece of absorbent cloth and place it where flies are a problem.

Ants

Trace the ants back to their point of entry. When you found it, sprinkle a small amount of spent coffee grounds, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper. Ants won't cross with any of these there. Dry, crushed mint leaves can also work as an ant deterrent.

Cockroaches

Here's an interesting fact I bet you didn't know: catnip is a natural cockroach repellent! Garlic and bay leaves are also said to deter cockroaches.

Spiders

Lemon or lavender essential oils can be used to deter spiders. If you don't want to spray these around, put some onto cedar shavings and place them in a sachet (you can make this out of old panthose), and hang or place the sachet where you notice the spider problem.

Insect Bites

It is especially important to use a natural insect repellent on your skin. Most chemical-based insect repellents contain DEET, which can cause rash, swelling, itching, and eye irritation.

Essential oils, which are natural alternatives, to reduce the occurrence of insect bites include:

• Ticks: rose geranium, eucalyptus, lavender
• Mosquitoes: thyme, lavender
• Fleas: orange oil
• Lice:lavender, tea tea, rose geranium

Notes: If you are pregnant, consult with your doctor before using essential oils. Avoid using essential oils on your pets. They may be dangerous, especially for cats. For pets with fleas, make a tea of lemon peel and water and allow it to steep overnight. Allow to cool and sponge the tea onto your pet.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 19 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

I'm receiving more submissions that are not suitable for this carnival then ever... including astrology? While it may be interesting, it's just not right for All Things Eco! Try to keep the submissions on topic, everyone.

Julie Hall presents Beware the Chocolate Monsters: Keep Slave Labor Out of Halloween posted at on a ledge. From the article:

For most of us chocolate is a happy part of Halloween. It’s hands-down the best treat in the bag—so popular, in fact, that kids have to keep an eye on their chocolate-pilfering parents at this time of year. So, it’s especially ironic that this beloved sweet treat is a living nightmare for the children who are caught in the chocolate slave trade.

Kristen McCarthy presents Organic is Next to Godliness posted at this-sustainable-life.com. Kristen says, "Organic products have become the food of the bourgeois –and I’m not talking about the kind of food historically only available to the rich: calf liver pâtés, speckled Emu eggs, and ninety-nine dollar square watermelons –instead, I’m talking about the essential food groups that ensure our nutrition: vegetables, fruit, grains, and dairy."

Mac presents Eco Friendly Tips for the Home posted at Actorlicious. Mac presents some simple tips for a green home.

Annette Berlin presents 10 Crafty Ways To Recycle Greeting Cards posted at Craft Stew. Annette says, "I was trolling the newsgroups today and I saw a discussion on ways to use old greeting cards. The discussion never got too far, but it did get me thinking. Here are some of the ways to recycle old greeting cards that I’ve read about, tried out, or heard about over the years."

GrrlScientist presents Seattle Visit: The Montlake Fill (UBNA) posted at Living the Scientific Life. GrrlScientist says, "This photoessay describes my visit to one of the finest small- to medium-sized urban birding areas on the west coast of North America, the Montlake Fill. This is a reclaimed wetland that was formerly a city dump." She also presents Honeycomb, "A picture of a honeybee honeycomb, photographed at Russ Pittman Park, Texas."

Benjamin presents Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF): The Best In Green Building Technology posted at Trees Full of Money. Benjamin says, "If you are considering new construction, you need to know about an amazing green building technology known as Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)."

MsUnreliable presents Beyond Spring posted at That Unreliable Girl. MsUnreliable says, "The growing trend towards green pools are setting the standards for a stylish, sustainable summer." This post is for those of you who in the parts of the world experiencing the start of summer.

Fiona King presents Obama vs McCain on Healthcare: Top 10 Issues posted at US PharmD. When it comes to health topics not directly related to eco living, I have a hard time deciding whether to include them. I usually include those related to health insurance because it is an important topic, and this one especially for Americans.

Surfer Sam presents The Secret Lives of Bees. Honey, Health and Harvests ! Surfer Sam posted at Surfer Sam and Friends. Sam's article includes the sections "The Honey Bee," "The Benefits of Bees," "The Bee Community," "Worker Bees and Drones," "The Life of the Queen Bee," "The Bee Business of Commercial Pollination," "Honey Bees Gone Mad," "Food Products from the Bee - Honey, Pollen, Propolis and Royal Jelly," "The Health Benefits of Honey," "Royal Jelly From the Honeybee," "What Is Honey Bee Propolis?," and "The Benefits of Honey Bee Pollen."

Laurel presents Natural Air Freshener posted at Green Thinking Blog. Laurel says, "A recent investigation of the chemical levels in some common air fresheners found that 12 out of 14 had hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates in them. The state of California maintains that 5 different types of phthalates are 'known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm.' Learn a simple recipe for making air fresheners the 'green way.'" Laurel also presents Climate Crisis Needs Media Support and says, "The television network ABC recently decided not to air the We Campaign’s 'Repower America' ad which says that 'massive spending on ads by oil and coal companies… is a key reason our nation hasn’t switched to clean, renewable sources for energy.' Find out about you can participate in a petition campaign to send a message to the major networks that they need to finally get on board with climate protection."

Kate presents Walking the Planet in Someone Else’s Car Tires, or Bike Tires, or Their Soda Bottle posted at Green Thinking Blog. Kate says, "Check out 2 videos about shoes that bring new meaning to walking-in-another-person’s-shoes. These shoes are made from old car tires, bike tires, beverage bottles and more."

NtJS presents The Cloth Diapering Rodeo posted at not the jet set. NtJS says, "Our baby would lay on the changing table so nicely while I changed her diapers. She would even hold her own legs up for me (to cute!). Now that she is 8 months old I have to wrestle her down, hold her legs up and keep her hands out of the way. Do I give up on my cloth diapers?"

RecycleCindy presents My Signature Recycled Bag posted at My Recycled Bags.com. Cindy says, "Crochet yourself this stylish shoulder bag from recycled plastic bags. I offer a free crochet pattern for everyone interested in green eco-friendly crafting."

Jason Isbell presents Reducing the Waste with Conscious Printing | Tired Garden posted at Shabam School. Jason says, "We have to print things out on paper. Knowing how to tell if the printer is eco friendly allows us to be more conscious consumers."

Curry Kenworthy presents Web hosts are going green posted at Web Hosting Scene. Curry says, "A look at the green hosting trend."

Allison presents 8 Fashionable Green Shopping Bags for Any Style posted at AfterGraduation. My personal favorites are the World Food Programme Feed Bag and the black and white b. happybags bag.

Ben Connor Barrie presents Ecuador’s New Constitution First to Guarantee Rights to Nature posted at Grown Ass People. Ben says, "Ecuador's new constitution is the first to grant unalienable rights to nature. This article discusses possible domestic and international implications of this move."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 7 comments

October 17th's Tip

Shower Curtains: Most are made of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). PVC has come under scrutiny for health concerns. When used for vinyl shower curtains and many other products, PVC offgasses harmful chemicals which can cause poor indoor air quality and health problems. These shower curtains are also easier to throw away when they become mildewy, and contribute to overflowing landfills because they do not break down.

What can you do? Next time you replace your shower curtains, try ones that aren't vinyl. Use nylon liners instead of plastic ones, and get cloth or hemp outer shower curtains.

Resources

Hemp Shower Curtains with Hemp Macramé Rings ($79-$109) - Can be used with or without a liner (see FAQ), and can even be used as window curtains. Made with biodegradable dyes.
Simple Memory Art ($32) - Non-PVC vinyl kids shower curtains, cute!
Organic Cotton Curtain ($79) - Comes with brass or chrome grommets
Soft Sensations Liner ($9.99) - Inexpensive, made of non-PVC vinyl
EVA Liner ($9.99) - Another option, from Target
Method Daily Shower Spray - Spray in your shower and on your liner to kill mildew

Contribute

If you want to contribute a tip (and I know you do!), shoot us an email (don't post the tip in the comments!). Be sure to include your URL if you want a link to your site included with your tip!

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.
Thanks to everyone for all the Happy Birthdays! The weekend was fun. We picked up a few dozen or more used books from a charity organization. Would have grabbed more but, with all the hardcovers, it was all we could carry We got almost the entire 16 volume series of The Children's Hour hardcover storybooks from 1953... just missing volume 5. Anyway, on to the carnival!
Hilary Green presents 10 Ways to Save On Gas and Improve Mileage posted at Cars for Girls. Some useful tips, many of which you have probably already heard, but some you may not have.

Kevin Fleming presents Chevy Volt Aims for 100 MPG Rating posted at The Green Motorist. Is it just me, or do the interior pictures of the car make it look like a toy?

Athlyn Green presents An Innovative Way to Recycle Plastic Bags posted at Alternative Health/Holistic Living. Athlyn says, "A great way to convert plastic bags into usable products." Sounds similar to RecycleCindy's ideas

Dale Liebrecht presents Vegetarian posted at A Bag Full Of The Real Poop. Dale says, "It's cool and green to be a vegetarian!"

Jennae presents Top 10 Online Stores for Eco-Friendly Decorating posted at Green Your Decor. Jennae's site is one of my personal favorites, and this post is awesome and informative.

P.L. Frederick presents 9 Side Effects To Using The Clothes Line posted at Small & Big. P.L. says, "All true, I say." For your humorous side. An example side effect from the post:

Ghosts cruising the line for some sheet action

John presents Kona Sugarloaf: The White Pineapple posted at Only The Internet's Best Reviews. John says, "Is the fuel spent transporting pineapples from organic jungle farms in Hawaii to Boston worth it?"

Axel presents The Healthy Salad posted at axel g. From the article:

My favorite salad is as easy to prepare as it's healthy - full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. In short, this salad is a delicious health bomb made with easy-to-find ingredients.

Tiffany Washko presents Eco Friendly Halloween posted at Natural Family Living Blog. Not just a great post because Halloween is the best holiday ever, but because it's REALLY informative. Give yourself a good amount of time to really be able to check out all the resources Tiffany provides in this post!

Frugal Babe presents A Frugal Supplement For The Hydroponic Garden posted at Frugal Babe. More on Frugal Babe's new hydroponic garden.

Mac presents 10 Ways To Save A Dollar During Hard Times posted at Actorlicious. More examples of how being frugal can also lead to being green.

Traci Hayner Vanover presents Selling Where the Grass is Greener posted at Traci Hayner Vanover - The Caffeinated Marketing Musings of the Promo Diva®. Traci says, "For all those green-intentioned manufacturers that are interested in setting themselves apart from the crowd, you’ve got a friend, ally, and resource in Green Seal®."

Victoria E presents Ecoist Adds New, Chic Wrapper Bag Collection + Exclusive Discount on Victoria-E.com! and Seeing the Sustainable Side of Getting Limber and Centered posted at Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living.

Miss Jocelyn & Miss Emily Rose presents Blessed Girlhood: Autograph Album posted at Growing In Grace Magazine. They say, "Recycle old books and make something worth using!" I'd like to add to use recycled paper or tree free paper (Google for it, you can find it all over the internet and many of the options are GORGEOUS).

AdmirableIndia.com presents Hogenakkal Falls: Part 1 posted at AdmirableIndia.com. More photos and some videos from AdmirableIndia.com.

Lauren Rose presents THE CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES | Own Home Style .com posted at Own Home Style .com. Lauren Rose says, "Nowadays due to the introduction of new hybrid varieties in vegetables, which are susceptible to pest and diseases, there is demand for more plant protection, usually with toxic chemicals."

Julena presents The Natural Anti Wrinkle Solutions posted at Organic Makeup and Skin Care. Julena says, "Anti aging solutions do not have to involve toxic chemicals, painful injection or spooky face lifts. Learn about the myriads of natural anti wrinkle methods available to you. From nutrition, to creams, to exercise (yes, I said exercise!) . Staying pretty all the way is the natural choice."

Strogatel presents Wooden toys nourish the soul posted at Wood Toys. Strogatel says, "Wooden toys are not only a more natural choice for our kids. They transfer positive energy and remind us (and teach them) of our roots." If you are buying wood toys, try to make sure they come from sustainable forests. Look for toys with FSC certification.

Lisa Spinelli presents 50 Ways to Go Green | Greener Pastures: Personal Finance posted at Greener Pastures. Lisa says, "Feeling a little overwhelmed by the push to go green? If you’re driving around in a Hummer, having trouble grasping the “go green” concept, just ask yourself: what one thing can I do to make the planet greener -besides paint my SUV green?"

Laurel presents Algae Jet Fuel! posted at Green Thinking Blog. Laurel says, "Solazyme “is a synthetic biology company that has produced the first algal-based jet fuel that’s passed all ASTM specification tests for aviation fuel (freezing point, stability, density, etc). I’ve been researching biofuels for about two years, and algae biofuels seem to hold the most promise as a truly sustainable fuel."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 10 comments

September 26th's Tip

Washing Machine: Front loading washers use 50% less water than top loaders. The clothes actually get cleaner with significantly less detergent as well! - Contributed by Dave

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If you want to contribute a tip (and I know you do!), shoot us an email (don't post the tip in the comments!). Be sure to include your URL if you want a link to your site included with your tip!

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 8 comments

September 19th's Tip

Refrigerator: During the summer and winter the settings for your refrigerator may not be the same. Keeping the refrigerator at 35F to 40F will keep your food safe. For your freezer,, 0F is the target temperature; bacterial growth will be stopped at that temp. Having a thermometer in both your refrigerator and freezer can save you much energy by not over cooling or spoiling your food. - Contributed by Andrew

Contribute

If you want to contribute a tip (and I know you do!), shoot us an email (don't post the tip in the comments!). Be sure to include your URL if you want a link to your site included with your tip!

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 9 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

This last hurricane was ridiculous! Since when does a hurricane make it halfway across the country to cause wind damage and flooding? We had small streams that I didn't even know existed flood and shut down roads and highways, tree chunks all over the ground, and even chunks of houses everywhere. One lovely chunk of house siding blew into our car yesterday and we wound up with a flat tire and some scratches. How is everyone else doing? Anyway, on to the carnival!

Julian Pollock presents A Naturally Organic Mattress for the Perfect Night’s Sleep | Organic Family Circle posted at Organic Family Circle. From the article:

Here’s a basic guide to understanding the ingredients in eco-friendly mattresses and how they will give you the best and healthiest sleep.

Katrina Cain presents What Do You Do With Leftover Paint? posted at Were You Wondering.... Very helpful information that I'm sure many do not already know.

Peter presents Raw Vegan Food posted at we overstep. Peter says, "What seemed to be an extreme diet is easier and more efficient than a regular diet.
" Peter, how much does your daily diet cost? I'm not so sure I could eat that much in one day, cooked or not! Although it would be nice to never have to cook again... I HATE cooking!

Victoria E presents The Final Word on Water Bottle Safety (Not From the FDA), New Green Food Guide Gives Inside Track on Eco-Eating and Activism, and Gorgeous and Green! Exclusive Preview of Ortolan’s New Home Collections posted at Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living :: San Francisco.

Julena presents Organic Skin Care Myths posted at Organic Makeup and Skin Care. Julena says, "Debunking the organic skin care myths."

James presents Alternative Uses For Common Veggies posted at Growing Groceries.com. James says, "Informative article on secondary edible uses for vegetables already growing in your garden!"

Izmet presents The landfill blues posted at Izmet's Dream. From the article:

How many times have we driven down a street and seen a perfectly good (albeit used) piece of furniture on the side of the road, or sitting in (or outside of) a dumpster?

Far too many times, Izmet, which is why I give away everything salvageable on Freecycle/Craigslist. When I was younger, we had "garbage days," where people would set out their stuff that they thought someone else might like. We'd drive around the neighborhood and pick up stuff from the curb that we wanted to take home. Sounds strange, but I got some good stuff! It was like a free tag sale

Frugal Babe presents A Greenhouse posted at Frugal Babe. From the article:

My husband is building a greenhouse. Our hydroponic garden is doing so well that he was inspired to increase our growing capacity by making our outdoor garden a year-round venture.

Good luck with the greenhouse, Frugal Babe and husband!

Kelly Sonora presents Top 50 Green Fashion and Design Blogs posted at Organicasm. Some of my favorites are listed there!

Marjorie presents Go Meatless One Day a Week posted at Green Thinking Blog. Marjorie says, "Avoiding meat for one day every week helps reduce climate change and global warming because rearing cattle and other animals used for food has a huge effect on greenhouse gas emissions and habitat destruction."

Sydney Larson presents Pay-As-You-Go Solar posted at Sweet Solar Home. Sydney says, "What is Pay as You Go Solar? Why should you trust those who sell it? CEO of SunRun, Nat Kreamer, explains how it works and why you should get involved in going solar."

Anna Farmery presents Show #187 - Making Innovation Work in Green Marketing posted at The Engaging Brand. A podcast from Anna, who says:

Today I talk with Rob Shelton who is an expert on innovation and talks about how innovation is needed for the green marketing initiative.

Praveen presents Environmentalist Meddling Causes Uneasy Existence Between Humans and Komodo Dragons? posted at Tao of Simplicity. Strange. What I wonder is why the group stopped natives from having dogs?

Steve Faber presents Mercedes Smart Car – Smart Car, Dumb Idea?? | Super Gas Saver posted at Super Gas Saver. Steve says, "There are simply other cars that get great gas mileage, are relatively cheap to buy, and give much more utility and performance in every day use." I was surprised to see that this car gets 33 city / 41 hwy MPG and requires premium gas. While 33/41 isn't exactly horrible, couldn't it do better, since it's being praised for its "greenness?" And premium?

Toad sticker presents Liquid organic fertilizer posted at The Prepared Christian. Toad sticker says, "Something that I use and it works too!"

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 3 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

Can you believe it's September already? It's blog carnival day, the first day of September, Labor Day, and this is the 100th post here at Focus Organic! It doesn't feel like it

blogowner12 presents Toyota Prius Spy Photos posted at Tips to save gas and increase mileage. blogowner12 says, "Another car to make the Earth cleaner."

Melinda presents GREEN YOUR INSIDES: The #1 Cheapest & Most Versatile Product For Your Home posted at One Green Generation. Melinda's article presents 19 uses for vinegar.

Steve Faber presents How to Improve Diesel Fuel Economy for Your Truck or Car posted at super gas saver. From the article:

This is a beginning primer on how to maximize fuel economy for your diesel powered car or truck. Since better fuel economy is one of the main reasons people buy diesel vehicles, there is a bit of gold in here.

Patty Howe presents An Eco Guide to Consumer Electronics posted at { gathering home }. Patty says, "News on eco rankings of popular electronics companies!!"

Janel W presents Back to School Green posted at organic mommy's Weblog. Janel says, "Tips for sending your kids back to school without toxins!"

George L Smyth presents One Minute How-To - How To Leave No Trace In Your Favorite Wild Place posted at George L Smyth. George says, "Steve Sergeant explains how you can go into the wilderness without leaving a trace of your being there, allowing others to enjoy its unspoiled nature."

Christine C. Reed presents EcoBliss: 26 Questions to Bioregional Grounding posted at BlissChick. A wonderful article from Christine. From the article:

Every place is this unique. You just have to dig a bit.
And digging can lead to roots which can give you a sense of grounding that can be easily lost in this world that can seem precariously virtual, too fast, and too transient.

Alfa Mercado presents Moving Boxes Recycling Ideas posted at Moving Boxes. Exactly what it sounds like!

Kate presents Green & clean « Om Shanti Handcrafts posted at Om Shanti Handcrafts. Kate says, "A post about doing what I can to keep my business running green."

Tiffany presents The Great Homeschool Decision posted at Natural Family Living Blog. From the article:

The great decision I am talking about is method and curriculum. That seems to be the next step after deciding to teach your child at home. What curriculum or homeschooling method will best suit your family and your child?

Dave presents Modular Walls and LEED Credits posted at Modular Walls and Partitions.

ChristianPF presents How to make natural toothpaste posted at ChristianPF. ChristianPF says, "I never knew how cheap and easy it is to make your own!!"

AdmirableIndia.com presents Pearl Valley or Muthyala Maduvu, Karnataka posted at AdmirableIndia.com. More nature pictures and videos from AdmirableIndia.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 8 comments

August 29th's Tip

Air Conditioning/Heating: You all know about turning the temperature up or down (depending on the season) about two degrees to save energy. What about when you go out? Do you really need to keep your house at 74F in the summer or 68F in the winter or whatever temperature you have it at when you're home? When you leave for work or go on vacation, turn your thermostat up or down (again, depending on the season) 5 to 10 degrees. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it and forget it, at least for leaving the house for work. The change you want to make depends on your level of comfort with the idea, and whether or not you have pets in the home. When we go visit family in the winter, I plan to turn the thermostat to between 60 and 63F.

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© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 10 comments

When I found Caterpillars soy candles, I thought, "Hmm, I like soy candles, let's take a look at what they have." When I saw their scents, I was very intrigued... never before have I seen amaretto coffee scented soy, mulled apple cider scented soy, etc... Looking through the list of scents sent me drooling...

Soy wax is healthier for us and for the environment than paraffin wax candles. As you all know, paraffin candles are made from the sludge at the bottom of a barrel of oil, which goes through chemical processes to create the candle. When burned, they release toxins, which makes them a large cause of indoor air pollution. Soy candles don't release these toxins, contain no toxic chemicals, burn cleaner and last longer than their paraffin alternatives.

Caterpillars Soy Candles are 100% FDA certified organic soybean wax, which is a big reason why I'm so interested in them. There are a lot of other soy candles out there, but are they 100% organic? I don't know, but I doubt most are. With Caterpillars, you have the option of getting your candles dye-free.

I suggest choosing dye-free soy votives to keep your candles natural. Once you add colors, you add chemicals, which sort of defeats the purpose, if you ask me! If you want color, get colored candle holders (see a photo from my wedding above, colored holders are much better than colored candles!.

Anyone who knows me knows that I go through business ideas like undies, so Caterpillars wholesale soy candles section sounds interesting, as well... A soy candle home business? Might not be a good idea for me... I might end up keeping all the candles

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 9 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

So this week's carnival is a bit small, I'm not sure why. Saturday I got to thinking that maybe I had forgotten to update the listing on blogcarnival.com, but nope, I remembered. Could it be that everyone is getting the kids/themselves ready for back to school and college?

Lovelyn presents Recycle Your Compact Fluorescent Bulbs posted at The Art of Balanced Living. Lovelyn comments in her article about learning of the mercury content in CFCs and says, "Just when I thought I was doing something good for the environment, I discover this." I just have to add that nothing we do is perfect, it's all about taking small steps toward a better future.

Leah Mansback presents Energy-Efficiency and The Cost of Home Ownership and Is It Time to Replace That Air-Conditioner? posted at GreenHomes America. The second article gives tips for when you may need a new air conditioner. From the first article:

Unlike your property taxes or your insurance costs, however, you can have a big impact on the utility bills you pay. You can ignore them, and they’ll climb. Or you can take control, increase the energy-efficiency of your home, and reign in those costs.

Jimmy Atkinson presents Why VoIP Needs to Go Green posted at VoIP Now. From the article:

Is VoIP greener than most traditional telephony technologies? While some individuals believe that VoIP is more environmentally friendly than the telecoms, we felt hesitant to agree.

AdmirableIndia.com presents Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore: Part 1: Ancient Watch Tower and Organic Cultivation posted at AdmirableIndia.com. AdmirableIndia says, "Organic cultivation," in The Lalbagh Gardens.

NtJS presents ReUse It! : T-shirt Bags posted at not the jet set. NtJS says, "What can we do to cut back on the 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags consumed world wide each year? Keep your own reusable t-shirt bag with you every time you shop!" Includes directions for making your own!

Health Blogger presents Live A Healthy, Happy, and Rich Life By Practicing Moderation posted at Health and Fitness Blog. Health Blogger reminds us that, "Unless You Are Blessed With Exceptional Genetics, A Life Of Moderation Is What Will Bring You A Physically and Spiritually Happy Life."

Elisa presents Great Green Blogs! posted at Not Just Pretty : Sustainable Style. Elisa says, "Here is a list of some "great green blogs" I've come across! I love to discover now ones...!" Me too, Elisa, thanks for the list!

Heidi presents John Wilson discusses his energy efficient home posted at Home Energy Tv. The video on Heidi's post is about 25 minutes long, and very interesting.

Benjamin Dinsmore presents 36 Ways to Reduce Your Home's Energy Use posted at Trees Full of Money. Benjamin says, "With energy prices on the rise, and the sustainability of our environment in question, I thought that it would be beneficial to share some of the energy saving tips that I have picked up over the years."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | One comment

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

Elisa presents Eco-bags : High-Fashion/Low Impact « Not Just Pretty : Sustainable Style posted at Not Just Pretty : Sustainable Style. Elisa says, "Like handbags? You'll LOVE these "Eco-bags"! Gorgeous materials and designer details....! Sweet!" The eco bags in Elisa's article present, to met at least, one of those, "Why didn't I think of that?!" moments.

Tiffany presents Green School Supplies Letter to Teacher posted at Natural Family Living Blog. From Tiffany's article:

Last week when I wrote about a Green Back to School I received a question about how to handle supply lists you get from the school with specific product requests that are not so green. I am all too familiar with these lists and yes many do request specific products or brands that are not so great for green people. So I have written a sample letter you can send along with your student to explain why you have deviated from their recommendations.

Shannon Bullard presents Aluminum Vs Glass Beer Bottles: The New Paper Vs Plastic? posted at Zeer Blog. Shannon says, "What's better for the environment? Aluminum or Glass? I wrote this post because I've been trying to figure out the environmental impact of glass vs aluminum. I pulled from all sides of the web to come up with my conclusion."

Frugal Babe presents Moving On And Letting Go posted at Frugal Babe. Frugal Babe tells us about cleaning out and recycling old personal care products, etc., some of which she hasn't used in years. I can relate... I have products like these under my sink, too!

Learning the ropes presents Yoghurt cups: Recycle and reuse posted at Learning the ropes. Learning the ropes posts tips on how to reuse empty yogurt cups.

Victoria E presents Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living » Blog Archive » Behind the Seams with Kate D’Arcy of Toggery Organic Designs and Be Green, Save Green :: Eco-Fashion Embraces A New, Affordable Shopping Destination posted at Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living :: San Francisco. Victoria's first article is an interview with Kate D'Arcy, designer of Toggery, an eco clothing line. Her second is about a new online eco-fashion shop, Fashion and Earth.

Steve Faber presents - Top 12 Cars With the Best Gas Mileage That are Actually Fun to Drive posted at super gas saver. All I have to say is: Woo hoo! My car is the first on Steven's list!

James Shoop presents Grow Food and Save The World posted at Growing Groceries.com. James talks about why he wanted to start a garden and some benefits of growing your own food.

Vihar Sheth presents The Future of Cities and Housing posted at green | rising. From the article:

Thursday and Friday of last week I attended a conference called “Green Homes and Sustainable Communities”. ’twas very good. My mind was boggled by the great information presented, and while there’s no way to recap both days in their entirety, I will provide a few highlights.

NtJS presents Review: FeshAire Choice No-VOC Paint posted at not the jet set. NtJS says, "Eco-friendly products are the order of the day. We tried out some true no-VOC paint. See how it faired." I'm a little disappointed by the price, but I think I can handle having only 65 color choices.

RecycleCindy presents Crochet a Water Bottle Holder posted at My Recycled Bags.com. Cindy presents to us another creative recycled project and says, "Here's a wonderful eco friendly project. Crochet a water bottle holder from your old plastic bags. It a handy holder and a wonderful way to repurpose your plastic bags into a useful item. There is a free crochet pattern for this project at my blog site."

Jamie McIntosh presents Save Money With Organic Produce posted at Suite101: Organic Gardens blog. Jamie says, "Organic food sales are down at the market, but consumers still desire safe and natural produce."

Katrina Cain presents Did You Know Broken Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Are Toxic? posted at Were You Wondering.... I know that this is the reason some people say CFCs are no better than standard bulbs.

Amy presents Looking for a "Green" Business? | BBB Consumer Education Blog posted at BBB Consumer Education Blog. Tips from the BBB for "investigating 'green' claims in advertising and marketing."

Meg presents How to Make a Difference: 5 Ways to Reduce your Rubbish posted at How to Make a Difference. From Meg's article:

I think its time to add another few "re's" to the list . . .

RETHINK - rethink your consumption habits so you don't generate so much rubbish
REPAIR - get broken things fixed rather than throwing them out and buying new
REFUSE - refuse to use or buy things that generate rubbish or can't be recycled

Larry presents My daughters solar powered electric car posted at Measure Twice, Cut Once. Larry says, "Start your child early on solar energy." It's not the kind of solar powered car you're thinking, his daughters are 2 and 5! Very cute

Izmet presents Flight of the Monarchs posted at Izmet's Dream. Izmet's article is about monarch migration, and includes a tip for what you can do to help the butterfly population.

Julena presents all about organic makeup and skin care — going as natural as we can — Organic Makeup and Skin Care posted at Organic Makeup and Skin Care. Julena says, "This is a review of absolutely great organic shampoos."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 9 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

I forgot to update the carnival listing on blogcarnival.com again! This seems to have an effect on the submissions, so I am going to try to keep my absent minded brain from forgetting again

Nicole Ravlin presents 8 Tips on How Not to Lose Your Cool posted at GreenHomes America. Nicole's article includes some good tips for keeping your home cool and energy efficient.

GP presents Sustaining Yourself posted at Innstyle Montana- Come on Inn. GP says, "Despite all the campaigns to promote fruit and vegetable intake - only a third of Americans eat two or more pieces of fruit per day." GP also presents Kid Friendly In Montana, saying, "Kid friendly and eco friendly travel in Montana."

Tiffany Washko presents Back to School - Green Style posted at Natural Family Living Blog. Tiffany's article is full of great back to school information and links for the eco-conscious parent.

EcoSalon presents A Precocious Pioneer Erin Schrode posted at EcoSalon. EcoSalon's article talks about an ambitious young woman who has started a group called Teens for Safe Cosmetics. From the article:

The coalition of passionate young women aims to raise awareness about the potentially harmful ingredients in beauty and daily use products that may be linked to cancer, reproductive interference, and other health risks.

Tip Diva presents Top Ten Tips - Greening Your Bathroom posted at Tip Diva. Tip Diva says, "If you’re looking to become more green, why not start with your bathroom? Here are ways to conserve energy, water and more."

Phil for Humanity presents Why Nuclear Power Plants are Horrible « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity. Phil says, "The reasons against nuclear (fission) power plants are because they are non-renewable, dangerous, and create radioactive waste."

Elisa presents The Ecosexual is getting sexier! posted at Not Just Pretty : Sustainable Style. Elisa was worried this article might not fit well with this carnival, but I think it's great! Ecosexual is definitely a new term for me!

Janel W presents Paycheck to paycheck organic posted at organic mommy's Weblog. Janel posts some great tips for organic living on a budget.

Stephanie presents What is Green? posted at Stop the Ride!. From Stephanie's article:

Being green is not my primary motivation in the way we live. Frugality and self sufficiency take those top spots. In my eyes being green is a pleasant bi-product of our lifestyle.

RecycleCindy presents White Crocheted Plastic Hobo Purse posted at My Recycled Bags.com. RecycleCindy shows us another of her cool recycled reations and says, "Check out the latest in trash to treasure fashion. This cute hobo bag was crocheted from recycled plastic bags. The free crochet pattern is available for green crafters at the link above."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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