Earth Day is coming up soon on April 22nd and one great way to make your life a little greener is to choose eco-friendly alternatives for items you use daily. I use a variety of pens and pencils daily at work and at home, so I was thrilled when Pentel contacted me to review a number of different writing utensils from their Recycology line. Instituted in 2007, the Recycology program includes only products that are made of a minimum of 50% recycled materials by weight. In addition, all of the Recycology products are refillable, further reducing unnecessary waste. They are of the same high quality as their other writing products, and there was no price increase!

Let's start with pencils. All of the Recycology pencils are made of recycled plastic outer shells with refillable lead. The Pentel Super Hi-Polymer Lead is packaged in 100% recycled plastic and works great for standardized tests that require a #2 pencil. Of course, there's no need to worry about sharpening and the lead itself is made to resist breaking. In fact, one piece of their lead writes "720 meters vs. 530 meters for a standard wood case pencil." The lead comes in 0.7 and 0.5mm sizes--I prefer 0.7 for thicker lines. The pencils worked great--I used them for everyday writing at work and a friend of mine put his to use sketching. Both of us were happy with the results. The pencils are also easy to reload when needed.

Next up...I got to try a wide variety of pens. My favorite for everyday use at work was the HyperG Retractable Liquid Gel Pen. It writes smooth and I didn't run into any smearing, which can often be the case with gel pens. I usually like blue ballpoint pens, but this one is so reliable that I would definitely switch to gel. My friend especially liked the black Rolling Writer Pen with an 0.8mm cushion ball tip, it made writing and drawing easy. The only pen that didn't work well for me was the Slicci Ultra-fine Gel Pen. It has only a 0.25mm line width and I think that's what bothered me. Even for standard writing it was too thin and there didn't seem to be enough ink coming out. It's intended for detailed drawing or writing, so perhaps I got a bad one. If you do run into a problem like this, it's good to know that Pentel guarantees satisfaction and every product of theirs is backed with a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship!

The third type of writing product that I got to try were the retractable markers and highlighters. I love the idea of having the pens retract--it makes it so much easier than having to deal with a cap all the time. Plus, the Handyline Permanent Marker and Highlighter that I used were refillable--how great is that? They both worked without fail and served up nice, broad strokes like good markers and highlighters should.

Overall, you really can't go wrong with Pentel's Recycology line of writing products. You get high quality, recycled materials, and in the end you save money by refilling instead of buying new each time. Check out your local store or buy direct online to start writing "green" today!

I have a collection of stainless steel water bottles that I use constantly. Awhile back I invested in a Thermos 18oz insulated water bottle and was amazed at how I still had ice cubes in there at the end of a full work day. So, I've been on the prowl for some larger-capacity insulated water bottles to start replacing some of my old ones.

For Christmas I bought each of my three nieces one of the 17oz Ecovessel insulated water bottles, so I thought I'd try out the 25oz for myself. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Ecovessel uses 100% recyclable materials and everything is BPA-free.

The product says to hand-wash, but I tested it in the dishwasher as well. It survived just fine, but I imagine after awhile the green coloring might come off. Also, be sure that the top-part stays in the top rack since it has some plastic.

One of the things I really like about this bottle are the two openings--one large one for putting in ice and cleaning and a smaller one on top for easy drinking. They offer a bunch of fun colors too--I chose the green shown here.

In the larger opening there is a stainless steel mesh strainer basket. This is intended to help block ice cubes from going through to the smaller drinking area. Interesting idea, but the first thing i did was try to remove it and its handle broke. After playing with it for awhile I figured out a way to remove it without the handle and took it out for good. This was really my only disappointment with this product.

Otherwise, I put maybe 4-5 small ice cubes in there, fill with cold filtered water, and the bottle keeps it cold for over 8 hours. No complaints there! And, really, I didn't need that strainer in there that broke, so I would still recommend this product. You can purchase the Ecovessel insulated water bottle at Amazon for $21.95--a great investment.

There is a similar product now offered by Thermos in a 26oz size, so I decided to try that one as well. The top works very much like the Ecovessel top, but I think the Thermos version is much more rugged and has less potential to break. Again, there are two openings--one larger to load and wash through and one smaller opening for drinking. There was no strainer device in this model, which was just fine with me.

The Thermos insulated water bottle is also BPA-free and dishwasher safe (with the mouthpiece on the top rack). The description at Amazon says hand wash, but the materials that came with the bottle said dishwasher safe.

Again, this water bottle works fantastic, keeping water ice-cold all day. In fact, Thermos claims it can keep beverages cold for up to 18 hours! This model can also be purchased on Amazon, with the costs ranging from $15.99 to $21.99 depending on the color you choose.
Overall, I think the Thermos brand bottle is constructed better, but both bottles work great if you're looking to take a cold beverage with you on-the-go!

Last year I decided to finally get a tattoo and began searching for different establishments that offered vegan tattoo inks. You see, many tattoo inks contain either bone char or animal-derived glycerin, so I chose to avoid that and seek out the vegan alternative.

I was planning a trip out to Seattle, and found a great place there that offered vegan inks as well as all-natural, animal-free products during and after the tattoos: Damask Tattoo.

Rather than using the standard green soap often used for tattoo prep, they chose Dr. Bronner's, which works just fine and is all-natural and alcohol-free. For the rest of the products used during and after the tattoo, Damask used Black Creek Botanicals T.A.T. (Tattoo Aftercare Treatment). They are a Seattle-based company offering soaps and skin care products, all of them natural and some of them vegan.

Black Creek Botanicals Tattoo Aftercare Treatmeant products contain:

• No Parabens
• No Paraffins
• No Alcohols
• No Petrolatum
• No Colorants
• No Animal Products (100% vegan)

They DO contain (see their site for details on each):

• Aloe vera
• Avocado oil
• Coconut oil
• Evening primrose seek oil
• Grape seed oil
• Hyaluronic acid
• Jojoba
• Kukui nut oil
• Palm christi oil
• Palm kernal oil
• Rosehip seed oil
• Sea buckthorn oil
• Shea butter
• Botanical extracts, essential oils and hydrosols

Black Creek Botanicals only sells their T.A.T. products to tattoo professionals; however you can buy small quantities directly from Damask tattoo. I purchased the kit on the left as part of my aftercare treatment. The wipes are used to gently clean the area and the balm is used to moisturize after cleaning. I used these everyday for several weeks and the tattoo healed up perfectly and I had no excessive peeling or any other problems. Also, the scent of these products is really pleasant and natural smelling compared to some of the chemical-based alternatives.

There are some other alternative tattoo aftercare treatment choices. I've also used the Merry Hempsters Tattoo Balm, which is another great natural, vegan moisturizing product that includes sunscreen. I haven't used anything besides those two brands, but just remember that if you choose to have a tattoo, you can still opt for all-natural, eco and animal-friendly products--all it takes is a little research. What better way to take care of something that's going to be with you for the rest of your life?

I'm so picky about scents--the wrong one can really change your mood all day. So, when I set out to find a perfume that wasn't made out of chemicals and animal byproducts, I wasn't going to compromise. Patchouli was not going to cut it for this gal. I tried a few different "natural" brands, but I just couldn't force myself to like them.

Then, I ran across Pacifica Perfumes at a local Whole Foods store. They had a whole display of all the brand's top scents in both spray and solid form. Now, I'm not going to say I liked all of the scents, but what I can say is they were all very natural-smelling because they are based on essential oils, flowers and fruit scents. My favorite right now is the Malibu Lemon Blossom--it reminds me of summer and beaches and all that good stuff.

The perfumes come in standard spray bottles, but they also offer a solid version in a soy-wax base or a roll-on. You can see photos of each type here. I started out with the wax kind because it was the least expensive at around $9.00, but since I'm allergic to soy on my skin, that wasn't the best long-term choice for me. I switched to the spray version which runs around $22.00 for a one-ounce bottle and it works great. The roll-ons are perfect for taking on-the-go in your purse and run around $12.00.

There are approximately 24+ fragrances to choose from ranging from fruity to flowery to spicy or woody. Some examples are French Lilac, Indian Coconut Nectar, Tunisian Jasmine, Vanilla Vera Cruz, Persian Rose and Avalon Juniper. With such a variety of choices, I imagine everyone could find something they enjoy from this collection.

Now, here's some more good news:  Pacifica is an environmentally-friendly company. These are some facts about their products and manufacturing process.

• No animal testing. All products are cruelty-free.
  
• 100% vegan. No animal byproducts.
  
• No phthalates, parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, benzene, GMOs, mineral oil, peanut oil or triclosan. 
• Boxes are recyclable
• Manufactured in the U.S.A.
  
• Local suppliers are used to support the community and lessen the carbon footprint.
• Company travel is offset by purchasing carbon credits.
• The company goal is to have zero product-manufacturing waste in their factory.

You can purchase a wide variety of Pacifica perfume products online at Amazon.com, at your local Whole Foods or directly from the PacificaPerfume.com site. With so many scents to choose from, I think you'll find one you like. You'll smell great and you'll be using a natural, safe product while supporting an eco-friendly company!

A few years ago I got a dishwasher, which I absolutely love--it's the first time in my life that I owned one and I really do appreciate it. That being said, I still have some scrubbing I need to do around the kitchen, whether it's hand-washables, large pots or pans, or the stainless steel sink. Usually I'd grab either a dish cloth or one of those sponges with the scrubber on it to handle those tasks. Unfortunately, those things end up getting bacteria on them and can even get stinky. So, when I saw the "Goodbye Detergent All-Natural Spaghetti Scrub," I figured it might be worth a try. The name comes from the fact that it looks like a little ball of spaghetti and because it's made with natural abrasives, it's a powerful scrubber that doesn't require detergent. The scrubs and their Japan-based company have been featured in several magazines, including Food & Wine, Dwell, Shape, Clean Eating and Martha Stewart Living to name a few. With all that press, I was willing to give 'em a shot.

Here are some additional benefits as noted on Reuseit.com:

• Each scrub lasts up to 4-6 months
• Dries quickly - won't develop mold, smell, or rust
• Comes in coarse and gentle for different tasks
  
• Reduces the need for wasteful detergents and soaps
• Works with natural abrasives (peach pits or corn cobs)
  
• Made from recycled, all-natural ingredients
• Top-rack dishwasher safe
• Recycled/recyclable packaging
  

As you can see, you get two scrubs per box and they start out in a long rectangular shape with thin strips cut into it. After using it a few times it takes on that spaghetti look. The scrub is very flexible and worked well on a stained sink, as well as glass and plastic dishes. It's nice to be able to quickly clean up a dish without having to grab detergent. I personally only have the gentle version (made with peach pits), but there's also a coarse scrub made from corn cobs that can take on tougher jobs.

Each set of two scrubbers goes for around $8.95 at Reuseit.com. It sounds a little expensive for a scrubber, but remember: it lasts from 4-6 months and it can be cleaned in the dishwasher. On top of all that, you don't have to use soap! So, I think it pays for itself over time and you can feel confident that you're using something all natural and eco-friendly!

For years variations on the coffee to-go cup have been available to reduce waste on those trips to your local coffeehouse. These cups are usually porcelain with a silicone lid, both easy to wash and long-lasting. This particular one, offered by EcoCup, holds 12 ounces of coffee (usually a "small") and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. I have not tried this particular product, but it has been well-reviewed at reuseit.com. It's a great way to be eco-friendly without changing the way you're used to drinking your coffee.

But, this post isn't about coffee cups--it's about reusable cold-beverage cups! This was a great find for me because instead of coffee, I usually like to order iced tea.  Even though the cups used at my local coffeeshop are made of compostable materials, the cups usually end up in a sealed plastic garbage bag which kind of defeats the purpose. I wanted a reusable cup that was easy to use and had similar features as those throwaway cups.

This 16 ounce cup is made by EcoCup (same company as the hot coffee cup above) and is made of BPA-free acrylic with a silicone seal on the screw-on top.

The straw is made of the same material and has a little wider part at the bottom that keeps it from coming out of the cup completely. The cup has double-wall insulation so it has a great advantage over those throw-away cups--it stays cold and prevents condensation. Although not completely leak-proof, the silicone screw-top keeps the beverage from sloshing out of the cup. It may a bit large for younger children, but it would also make a fun travel cup or a more spill-proof way of serving drinks to older kids or messy adults!

The one small disadvantage is that the entire cup and straw need to be hand-washed. The cup is pretty easy to clean, but I can imagine hand-washing a straw could be challenging if you had something like a smoothie or other thicker beverage in it. The manufacturer recommends using a pipe cleaner if needed.

You can also purchase a straw brush made specifically for cleaning out straws and sippy cup tops. There are a few models available, but this one seemed to be the best-reviewed on Amazon.com.

Overall, I'm thrilled with the Eco Cup on Ice. It works better than the cups provided by the coffeeshop or restaurant, blends in easily and the price of $7.95 is reasonable considering it is made of long-lasting, durable materials.

This January has been especially cold here in Wisconsin and staying moisturized is a challenge, to say the least. I've used all kinds of moisturizing soaps and lotions, but with the extreme colds and dry air my skin still gets dry and kinda itchy. Not cool. At all.

I ran across Booda Butter at a local store called Beans & Barley here in Milwaukee. They had a sample tin open to try it out, so I dug in and tried a little. The consistency is very balm-like and you have to kind of scoop out a little with your fingertips. Then, just rub it between your hands and you have a really thick, almost oily balm that you can distribute wherever you need it. It really does have the consistency of butter right out of the fridge--thick at first and then it melts with heat. Sometimes I'll just use it on my hands, but when it's really dry, I use it all over. A little actually goes a long way, so even though the tin seems small, it lasts a long time. Because it's kind of greasy, I mostly use it at night before bed or on body parts that aren't necessarily exposed, like legs, feet or arms. You can use it on your face too since it won't clog pores--I used it on my nose when it was chapped during a bad sinus infection.  If you do use it on your hands like a lotion, make sure you work it in well otherwise you'll have greasy hands.

The balm is hand-made in Golden, Colorado and the ingredients are organic, cruelty-free and vegan: Organic Shea Butter, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Olive Oil. It's completely non-toxic and contains no additives, preservatives, or parabens. The "butter" smells somewhat like chocolate, but it's not overwhelming. One of my dogs is sort of obsessed with the scent--she can smell it from across the room and I literally have to fight her off to prevent her from licking me or stealing the tin.

Booda Butter comes in a 3oz tin for approximately $13.95. I thought it seemed a bit expensive at first glance, but considering it lasts a long time and in comparing it to similar organic lotions/balms, it seems about right. If you can't find it at a local store, you can order it on Amazon with free shipping.

I definitely recommend trying Booda Butter wherever you need it whether it's moisturizing in the winter or after sun in the summer or even on your new tattoo. Get some and "spread the love!"

All images courtesy of www.boodaorganics.com.

I don't know about you, but I've had my share of struggles with airplane-friendly containers for liquids. You know those cheap ones that come free with cosmetic cases? I've had those open up in transit--there's nothing like shampoo spilled all over your carry-on to make the flight home a little more uncomfortable. How about those containers that are impossible to open while you're taking a shower on the train (yes, I've done this!) because the caps are hard to remove?

If this irritates you as much as it does me, I may have found the answer to your traveling liquid problems! The GoToob made by Humangear is a new way to take your goo to go in three different sizes: 3oz, 2oz or 1.25oz minis.
All images are courtesty of reuseit.com.

The container itself is made of 100% BPA-free, FDA-approved silicone and #5 polypropylene which makes it extremely flexible and easy to squeeze out nearly every last drop. The entire top unscrews to give you ample room to add whatever you want. The flip top opens to reveal a no-drip valve opening, making dispensing the contents a much cleaner experience. Another great feature is the window below the cap that can be rotated to expose any one of several labels, such as "Soap," "Lotion," etc. Finally, the medium size (2oz) version of the GoToob includes a suction cup on one side in order to allow you to temporarily attach the container to a shower wall to make access to the goods even easier. All this and it's dishwasher safe too! I can't tell you how much time I've spent trying to get conditioner out of travel container with a tiny opening. Just remember to wash the cap by hand and you're set.

I bought two of these in the 2oz size (at $7.95 each) and have had great success with using them for shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap and lotion.
(Note: The 1.25oz size containers are $6.95 each and the 3oz versions come in a three-pack and run about $24.95.) These containers are definitely more environmentally-friendly compared to those throwaway travel size toiletries.

You don't have to wait for vacation time to use these GoToobs--they are perfect for taking condiments in your lunch too. Try salad dressing, ketchup, mayo or your other favorite liquid toppings. The GoToob can handle most everything, but humangear has identified some products that don't work well in the silicone container. Check their website for details.

I highly recommend these containers and have had only good experiences with them. In fact, I'm probably going to have to invest in the other sizes as well. I purchased mine at one of my favorite online stores, reuseit.com. They may seem pricey at first glance, but they will last longer than any of those other cheaply-made containers. Stop the travel-size frustration with GoToobs today!

I'm always on the look-out for all-natural, eco and animal-friendly cosmetics. It's not easy to find them because they are almost never carried in your standard department stores. So, if you want green beauty products, you might have to rely on the Internet. Over the years I've tried tons of different brands and have had some successes here and there, but there's one company I've been particularly impressed with lately: Gourmet Body Treats. They are a small company based out of Selma, Texas offering a wide variety of beauty products from cosmetics and skincare to shampoos and soaps.
All images courtesy of www.gourmetbodytreats.com. WMXJFD7Z2S2K

 
Their company ethics fit the bill in every way:

• Organic ingredients
• 100% Vegan / No Animal Testing
• Certified Fair trade ingredients
• Local ingredient sourcing
• 100% Non-toxic
  
• Green business practices
• Recyclable packaging and paper from sustainable forests
• No nano-particles
  

Now that we feel all warm and fuzzy about Gourmet Body Treats as a company, let's talk about the products. They are all hand-made in small batches, so occasionally you'll see a product that is only offered in the colder months to prevent melting during shipping. One of these products is the Gourmet Color Palette. It's four cream colors you can use for whatever you like. I use the pink for blush, the beige for quick touch-ups or concealer, and the light and darker browns for eye shadow. They all go on smooth and look great! At $12.75, this product is a great deal and it's just generally super-convenient to have all these things in one compact. All I need to do is bring my Ecotools blush and eye shadow brushes and I'm ready to go!

The next product I used was the Gourmet Cream Concealer. At $12.75, the price is comparable to other similar natural concealer products. It comes in an easy-to-use metal case and either a light or medium color. I'm fairly pale, so light worked for me, but I don't think the medium would be a good match for people with darker skin tones. If you are interested in a darker shade, let them know and perhaps they can offer you different options.

The product shown to the right is a life-saver. Well, actually a nose-saver. Let me explain: I started off this winter season with a nasty sinus infection. With already dry skin, the constant nose-blowing caused my nasal area to be extremely chapped. (Not attractive at all--I know!) I tried all kinds of moisturizers and balms, but nothing helped until I used their Soothing Hydrating Serum twice a day. Originally I purchased this because my skin is so sensitive that I wanted to use it in place of a moisturizer. While it works well for that, an extra-thick layer was perfect for my sad, sore little nose. It may seem like $21.00 is a lot for such a tiny bottle, but a little goes a long way and it does wonders for dry, sensitive skin.

I've been using eye creams for pretty-much my whole adult life. Fighting off those dark circles from all those late nights and preventing wrinkles that start to come as we age is never easy. I purchased their Agrimony Eye Cream to do just that. For $19.75, it's more expensive than drug store brands, but again, comparable to other similar natural or high-end products. This eye cream is meant to reduce dark circles, fine lines and uneven skin tones. It goes on smooth--more like an ointment than a cream, meaning it's a little more oily, but not in a bad way. It didn't clog my pores or cause any irritation and it helps me from looking like I just pulled an all-nighter.

These are just a select few products from the Gourmet Body Treats collection. Browse their site for tons of other options from hair care to baby care and more. One other fantastic thing about this company is that I've contacted them twice with questions and they were extremely quick to get back to me and very helpful as well. They are also very active on Facebook, so that is another way to communicate with them and keep up on their promotions. I don't get paid for these reviews, but when I find a company that really just does amazing work, I like to share it, so check out Gourmet Body Treats today! :-)

Gourmet Body Treats was kind enough to offer our readers a special discount of 11% off any purchase with coupon code GoingGreen11. The coupon won't expire till February 14th, 2011, so treat yourself or a loved one for Valentine's Day! In addition, anyone who uses the coupon for a purchase of $30 or more gets a free soap at random! Visit their site today to get your discount!

The holiday season is generally extremely busy for everyone. In fact, it has been so busy for me that I've been behind on my posting--sorry everyone! Since other blogs have covered holiday-themed issues such as real trees vs. fake or which gifts are most eco-conscious, I've decided to dedicate this post to a brand of cleaning products that has made my holiday cleaning way more convenient by offering a wide range of products at reasonable prices.

Whether you're cleaning up after the kids, pets, or even grandma, Method cleaning products has you covered. You'll find these natural products in stores such as Target alongside other familiar chemical-laden brands. Since the products work great, are better for you and the environment, and are competitively priced, they are an easy choice. 

Note: All images are courtesy of the methodhome.com site and all prices are retail as listed on the site.
WMXJFD7Z2S2K

Method offers so many different products that I can't say I have tried all of them, but I can tell you about the ones I use on a regular basis. First of all, the hand soap ($3.99) is excellent because you can buy refills in these bags that use less packaging ($6.49) and it's a great deal at the same time. The only drawback to the soap is that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which causes irritation in some people, but is such a common ingredient that I'm not completely surprised they use it.

Another product I use every day is the Daily Shower Spray ($4.49). Contrast to similar products that use bleach and other chemicals, this one is all natural with the scent of Ylang Ylang. You can also save money and packaging by purchasing it in a larger refill container ($6.49). Daily use in the shower helps prevent mold and mildew build-up.

For general cleaning like kitchen counters and shelves, I've had great luck with their Multi-Surface Cleaner ($3.99). The cucumber smell is perfect for the kitchen (and not too strong) and it works better than any other natural all-purpose cleaner I've used.

In the bathroom, I love their Le Scrub tub and tile cleaner ($5.49). It's non-abrasive, but has a little bit of grit to it, so it really does the job. I also use the Tub and Tile Flushable Wipes ($4.49). Much better for the environment than other throw-away wipes, these are easy to use and are perfect for cleaning the parts of the toilet aside from the inside of the bowl itself. They do also offer Lil' Bowl Blu toilet bowl cleaner ($5.49), but I have not tried that yet. (It's not because I don't clean the toilet, I just have a different brand I've been using :-)

For great-smelling dusting, the Method Good for Wood spray or biodegradable wipes (both $5.49) are perfect. Scented with almond, this is a great alternative to Pledge or Endust.

For general cleaning of floors, the Dilutable Cleaner ($3.99) is concentrated, so it lasts a long time and has a great citrus scent.

Those are just the products I've tried, but Method offers many others including laundry soap, dryer cloths, and a variety of products for babies amongst other things.

Method, as a company, is dedicated to providing safe, natural cleaning alternatives. Some of their areas of focus include:

• Creating products using safe and sustainable materials which are manufactured responsibly
• Using 100% recycled plastic for their packaging and other sustainable packaging practices
  
• Reducing the amount of carbon emitted and offsetting the remainder
• Using rail for transportation of goods (uses 1/4 less energy than trucks) where possible
• Creating a bio-diesel shipping program currently used for 33% of their shipping
  
• Local sourcing of materials
• No animal testing
• No animal products (vegan)
• Natural ingredients safe for people and pets
• Avoidance of dangerous ingredients common to standard cleaners
• Transparency in how they run their business
  

Overall, I highly recommend Method products because of their natural ingredients, green business practices, and the fact that they work great. Make your holiday cleaning a more pleasant experience with Method cleaning products!