We’ve had the opportunity to review a Twaddle Shopper which, compared to anything else, is the best reusable shopping bag that we’ve ever used. Really. And trust us, we don’t have to say that.

Twaddle Shoppers are far more than your typical tote bag, for many reasons.

But first, we’ll outline the frustrations that we have with reusable bags in a mini manifesto:

1. They aren’t all eco-friendly

That’s true. Though their job description reduces waste and provides a reusable alternative to negate having to use so many plastic bags, not all reusable shopping and tote bags are eco-friendly themselves. Are the fabrics, dyes, and materials good for the environment? It is something you should keep in mind when doing the shopping for… well, something you’ll be doing more shopping with.

2. They get stinky, sticky, or loaded with germs

I have a pile of reusable bags from my local grocery store, and although they are good in most areas, they are made of a materials that just soaks in the grime. Yes, any bag can tap into those odours and stains, but my grocery store ones really suck them in. I don’t love it.

3. They aren’t durable

Listen, if I wanted a bag to rip when loaded with groceries, I would pay the 5 cents for a plastic one. Instead, I want to be able to load my bag with too many groceries and successfully have it stay in tact. Can we make that happen? Thanks.

4. They’re ugly

Okay, yes, aesthetics aren’t everything, but let’s be honest: they count for something. In the case of my reusable bags, they don’t have to be pretty, but darn it, they should be pretty appealing, at least.

But that’s pretty much it. There isn’t much else to dislike; after all, they’re just your average reusable shopping bag.

But then we found one that trumps them all, one that surpasses our expectations, and then some. One, well, that we really, really like.

Twaddle Shoppers.

Twaddle Shoppers are the next evolutionary step in your reusable shopping bags. This is because they combat (and surpass) all of the aforementioned issues, while still getting the job done.

The Twaddle Shopper is, indeed, eco-friendly. It’s fabric is entirely safe for the planet, and uses a special AirDye tecnology to help preserve the environment in the coloring process. AirDye is a revolutionary new process that dyes and prints textiles without using water. It also produces up to 84 percent fewer greenhouse gases, and 86% less energy.

In fact, the whole company is dedicated to making things a little bit greener. At Crypton, they believe that lives are interconnected with our community and environment, and because of this, we are in the midst of making the world that we want to live in.  They continually look at innovative solutions to reduce their eco-  footprint and, in turn, bring this to the consumer.

Their efforts include investing in renewable energy and carbon offsets, testing new eco-friendly items and ideas, using the best practices possible to reduce water and energy, use, emit less pollution, and reduce the use of packaging materials, and create recycling programs.

But back to the bag.

See, the thing with the Twaddle Shoppers is that they aren’t ever going to be stinky or disgusting. This is because they are stain, germ, and odor resistant. In fact, to clean it, most liquid spills can be blotted with a towel, and difficult stains can be spot cleaned with a simple mixture of soap and water. But everything else, really, just rolls right off. That’s because these bags are not only stain and bacteria resistant, but also contain a built-in moisture barrier that prevents liquids from penetrating the fabric.

Durability isn’t even a question here: to test it out, I loaded it with the heaviest groceries I could muster. Did it last? Yes. Does it last each time? Yes. The bag includes 20 by 24 inches of pure strength, perfect for whatever I want to stuff in the bag.

And finally, the biggest key to them all: it isn’t ugly. Not even close! It comes in five colours: Glow, Electric, Buzz Storm, Fire, all of which are swished and swirled with black. Just like their name, they feature the Power Lines design from artist Randy Twaddle.

If you are an avid grocery doer, and bring your own bags, this is definitely the shopper for you. Available from Crypton, these bags sell for $36 and are worth every penny.

www.cryptonfabric.com/Twaddle-Shopper.html

That is, it might have not been the choice until vegan author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau had anything to do with it.

Colleen began her affair with veganism at the age of 19, after reading John Robbins’ Diet for a New America. Turning away from her typical meat/dairy/egg diet, she founded Compassionate Cooks, soon becoming a voice for the animals who are never heard.

With a master’s degree in English Literature under her belt, Colleen continued to raise awareness on animal issues. This soon resulted in gigs on the Food Network, writing for VegNews Magazine, and contributing to National Public Radio. She also penned her first book, The Joy of Vegan Baking, which won VegNews Magazine’s “Cookbook of the Year.” (And just so you know, it’s amazing).

Now she’s launched her new cookbook, The Vegan Table: 200 Unforgettable Recipes for Entertaining Every Guest at Every Occasion, a celebration of recipes and menus for absolutely every occasion you can think of. From a romantic dinner for two to a holiday buffet, Colleen has it covered in a vibrant, mouth-watering collection.

The book is packed with tips and advice from her years of experience, all nestled among the delicious recipes and full-colour photographs. Whether you’re cooking for one or entertaining a crown, it’s a full-fledged guide for those who love simple and sensational recipes.

The book is helpfully organized by themed menus, including world cuisines with suggestions on combinations. Each chapter is separated into seasons, letting you take full advantage of local ingredients and fresh flavors.

Chapter one begins with Romantic Dinners for Two, offering soups to mains to desserts – and everything in between. Entice your senses with Braised Figs with Arugula, and finish it off with Love Potions, drinks designed to delight. As you move your way through each chapter, you’ll notice the eclectic mix of cuisine, highlighting world cultures and exotic dishes.

Chapters two and three deliver dishes for casual and formal entertaining, while chapter four outlines the perfect menus for any celebration. Holidays are highlighted next, with classics like Potato Latkes and Matzoh Ball Soup to creative crowd pleasures, like Butternut Squash Timbales and Savory Tofu Spread.

But the clincher is her chapter on the real parties – the buffets, appetizers and finger foods for a crowd. From Sweet Potato Pie to Grilled Corn on the cob, Colleen delights us with pizzas, desserts, chilis and all your party favourites.

In addition to all of the delicious recipes, the book is scattered with tips, ideas, techniques and facts. In the Zucchini Cakes, for example, she tells us in a Compassionate Cooks Tip how to grate the zucchini with ease. She also tells us in a Food Lore sidebar the history behind Old Bay Seasoning, which is used in the recipe. Other clever anecdotes include Foods for Romance (Aphrodisiacs), Bladders in my Booze?, and Survival Tips for Friends and Family of Vegans.

Having already loved Colleen’s The Joy of Vegan Baking, we’re thrilled with her second installment, The Vegan Table. Truly dedicated to making entertaining done with a flourish, her sophisticated and delicious recipes will appeal to all vegans and non-vegans alike.

According to Tappi, an association connecting paper making and forest practices, about 300 million metric tons of paper and paperboard are produced each year worldwide.

Frankly, we think that’s too much. That’s why we like companies that recycle. And paper companies that make paper products from recycled paper? Even better.

Ecojot delivers a tree-friendly response to this with their range of 100% post-consumer recycled paper products. The clever designs make you want to get creative, offering whimsical, nature-inspired designs for everything your writing requires.

Developed from an already thriving stationary company, Miragepaperco, the crew harnessed the  emerging eco-trend, developing a range that attuned to the times. Soon, the Canadian-based ecojot emerged, a marriage from the brainwork of sibling team Mark and Carolyn Gavin, with eye-catching prints with eco-savvy design.

We love when companies take an extra step to enhance their greenness, and ecojot is no exception. All of their paper and board is acid-free and chlorine-free; they harness vegetable-based inks and glues; and the paper and board is all acid- and chlorine-free.

They also keep the trees in mind; nary a new tree is used to make their paper, but they really take an extra eco-loving step by using a paper mill powered by biogas.

But it isn’t just keeping it recyclable and renewable that makes ecojot as green as they are. They are big supporters of Evergreen, a national non-profit organization dedicated to developing sustainable societies. A portion of their monthly proceeds supports Evergreen, too.

Principle designer Carolyn Gavin has developed reverberant, colourful designs, with twist of retro, a dab of nature, and a little geometric flair. Colour schemes of sky blues mingle with flashy fuchsias and sun-kissed yellows, each one with its own distinction, making it one-of-a-kind. They also add customization for companies, giving your business or organization a unique flair.

We especially love the Journals and Notebooks. Offered in three sizes, these hard covered, coil-bound books let you record your inner-most thoughts or your daily drivel. They conveniently lay flat when opened, and the heaviness of the paper doesn’t let markers or heavy inks seep through, allowing you to write on both sides. The two larger sizes are lined, keeping your orderly and organized when you just might not be feeling that way.

The rest of their line includes:

Agendas
These coil-bound books lay flat with ease, offering large spaces in their calenders to record the day’s events. We love the elastic that keeps it bound shut, an added bonus when you have to shove in a few to-do notes along teh way.

Calenders
The calenders are nearly a foot long and just a few inches wide, designed as a slim reminder board for your important dates, like your parent’s anniversary and your nephew’s birthday.

Cards
Their cards come in packs of a dozen (with envelopes in tow), flourished with their trademark designs on the front, and a blank inside for your personal messages. With all of the choices of designs, you can find your favourite match for your Spring luncheon with your friends or your cat’s birthday extravaganza. (Even the plastic bag that it comes in, by the way, is biodegradable, naturally derived from corn. Love it.)

Sketchbooks
Heavy duty sketching paper makes up this perfect pad for the budding artist or day-to-day doodler. They also offer a version for your kids’ masterpieces.

Workbooks
Go to school in style with a slim design that can easily go with you to class and slide in the pages of your text book. Coming in a package or two, the colours complement each other, helping you stay  style-savvy, sustainable, and hopefully, smarter.

Ecowrap
When you want to brighten up a gift and newspaper won’t cut it as the gift wrap, their recycled wrapping alternatives are the perfect answer, with their matching recycled “ribbon” and party-perfect designs.

Folders
Make your filing cabinet a little more fun with their nature-inspired file folders. They come in twos, combining a solid colour with their trademark design, making you want to pull open the drawers to dig out old bills.

Not sure which to choose? We recommend the journal to start, with its simple lined paper that can be used for any of your needs.

The ecojot Journal

• 6×9-inches
• available in designs: ecoCOLORS, 3R’s
• 150 lined paged
• $17, with a percentage towards Evergreen

Visit them at www.ecojot.com

Oh, and no oven required.

No baking, no cooking, no doughs, no burning. Instead, Raw for Dessert is a myriad of immaculate no-bake treats.

Traditional baking can step aside, with what Cornbleet refers to as “the art of substitution.” But don’t let that worry you – the ingredients aren’t out of the ordinary. Instead, flour is swapped for ground nuts, dates and natural sweeteners for sugar, and coconut and avocado for cream and butter.

For those who don’t follow a completely strict raw diet, Cornbleet caters to them with substitutions and additions. For example, her decadent Chocolate Ice Cream features raw cocoa powder as an ingredient, however non-raw-foodists can substitute their regular cocoa powder.

Luckily for us (as readers and eaters), fruits are highlighted in their natural sweetness, enhancing them with just a few additions for everyday eating. Take the Classic Ambrosia, for example, bringing the fresh taste of oranges, bananas, and coconut together with just a touch of added sweetness – in addition to an offering of variations to the basic recipe.

Although justifying rich treats should never be an option, Cornbleet combinations do just that. Who can resist a decadent Knockout Brownie Sundae? We certainly can’t, and taking a look through the ingredients make it even better. Brazil nuts, for example are rich in fibre and selenium. The brownie and ganache highlights antioxidant-rich cocoa, and her use of walnuts delivers omega-3 goodness.

And we promise, this is just the beginning.

Just like in Raw Food Made Easy, Cornbleet delivers each recipe with ease. Fancy kitchen appliances, uncommon ingredients, and hours of preparation don’t make their appearance. Instead it’s a simple, focused and mouth-watering combination of everything you need to make drool-worthy desserts.

After a basic primer on ingredients, equipment, technique and knife skills (which anyone can master), the book launches into the pages of recipes. It begins with the Basics, outlining frostings, jams, crusts, and more, essential ingredients to many of the recipes to follow. Fruit Desserts comes next, highlighting nature’s bounty with crumbles, trifles and other delicious combinations. Blood Testing.

Next comes Sorbets, Ice Creams and Sundaes, with options such as basic Chocolate Ice Cream to fancier Cookies n’ Cream and Peach Melba.

This is followed by our favourite chapter, Cakes, Cookies and Bars, with a Spice Cake to showcase at the holidays, a Chocolate Lava Cake to win over anyone’s heart. It doesn’t end there; Pies and Tarts are next, making delicious use of fruits, chocolate, pumpkin and pecan.

The recipes end with Creamy Desserts then Candy, with puddings and fudge and everything in between.

What we love most is that you don’t have to be a vegan to love the book. You definitely don’t have to be a raw foodist. You just have to love desserts and treats featuring simple ingredients and directions with outstanding results.

We also love is the variety included, with local ingredients abundant, depending on the season. It’s the perfect time to try the Apple-Pear Crumble and the Winter Compote, both, we promise, are sure to please.

We love this book, and it’s perfect combination of decadence, simplicity, and (dare we admit) healthy.

To read our review on Raw Food Made Easy, click here.

To read more about author Jennifer Cornbleet, visit her at www.learnrawfood.com.

Seven years ago the first edition was launched, diving into the world of eco-friendly ideas for manufacturers, designers and those who were transitioning into sustainable design. It was a time when hybrids, biodegradable cleaners and tree-friendly flooring were nearly unknown.

Fast forward to 2009 and the revised edition. Sustainable production and consumption are married with contemporary design in this must-have guide to everyhing eco-friendly. The combination of increasing our well-being while reducing the impact on the planet are the two main concerns, all within a sourcebook showcasing hundreds of earth-friendly items.

ecoDesign is divided into three sections: Objects for Living, Objects for Working and Materials. Each of those, too, have a myriad of subcategories, covering everything from Lighting to Water Purification to Polymers.

Each design within the book is accompanied by a table and a description. The tables deliver the name and nationality of hte designer or manufacturer, the name and country of the manufacturer, the main materials, its eco-design strategies, and if it has won any awards.

Take the Your Stool 2, for example, an adaptable and multifunctional piece of furniture. This plywood creation can easily be assembled and re-assembled to what you need it as – be it a rocking horse or rocking chair. (see more at their website redesigndesign.org)

Or what about the Fab Tree Hab? A conceptual design/living strcuture that is supported by a reusable scaffold prefabricated using Computer Numeric Controlled Machines. The crew from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Human Ecology Design Team have developed dwellings that are an integral part of the ecological community. (read more from archinode.com).

The last section of the book is filled with Resources, covering everything from designers to strategies to an in-depth list of further reading.

Regardless if you’re seeking out inspiration for your next reno-project, or doing your best to stay planet-friendly in your business, ecoDesign is the perfect solution to all your sustainable, stylish eco-savvy needs.

Get it here: ecoDesign: The Sourcebook

Started by two sisters who grew up living and exploring nature at its finest, they soon developed an emotional connection with the environment that they could not ignore.

American Family Naturally strives to bring you the absolute best in eco-friendly goods, whether its clothing for men, women and baby, gear for your pet, or items for your home or car. All products they carry meet and exceed eco-expectations – and it shows through the quality that they carry.

Their bamboo towels are no exception. The high thread count and fine quality deliver an indulgence that is perfect for pampering. Made of 100% organic bamboo, it combines the bonuses of bamboo as a material, with a gorgeous and comfortable end result.

Bamboo, as we’ve often highlighted, is a renewable source with many positive health benefits. Those allergic and with sensitive skin can feel at ease with its hypo-allergenic properties, and it’s deceiving durability is thanks to rejecting mold and mildew. It’s also anti-microbial and anti-static, making it an all-around good choice for your go-to towel.

But what we like most is its ability to absorb. Despite its cashmere-like thinness, bamboo is sixty percent more absorbent than Egyptian cotton, which is often the towel material of choice.

We also love their variety of colours, all of which the towels retain wash after wash. Made with Oeko-tex 100 Class1 dyes – meaning harm-free – they are completely void of any additional pesticides and chemicals.  American Family Naturally ensures that what you’re getting is high quality and comfort with a greener twist.

Bath Towel
$27.95
55 x 27 x .5 inches / 1lb

Organic Bamboo Wash Cloth
$5.95
12 x .5 inches / 0.25lbs

Organic Bamboo Hand Towels
$15.95
30 x 20 x .5 inches / 0.5lbs

Available in black pearl, charcoal grey, chocolate brown, midnight blue, pearl white, roasted almond, sage green, soft pink, steel blue, storm grey, or our favorite, sunny yellow.

That’s why when we found this three pack of Neti Pot Salts, we loved the effectiveness, as well as the cost efficiency. For the average person, each bag will last for months… Months of clear sinuses, breathability, and nary an infection.

What makes Neti Pot Salts stand above the rest is that they are nearly 99.99% USP grade salt, meaning that is the highest possible purity salt that is commercially available.

It is also non-iodized, and contains absolutely no additives or anti-caking agents like others do. And just 1/4 teaspoon does the job.

If you haven’t ventured down the neti pot road yet, it’s time you do. Put away the sinus medication, say goodbye to clogged passages – and make sure you’re using the best ingredients possible.

Get your own Neti Pot Salts.

Yoga is the perfect combination for inner balance. It can strengthen your mind and body simultaneously, build vitality and tone in a way like no other can. It can also enlighten and build your spiritual self, taking you to a new depth that coincides with your deepest self.

Renowned yoga teacher, musician and author Wade Imre Morissette has captured these ideals in his new book Transformative Yoga: The Five Keys to Unlocking Inner Bliss. He reveals the key steps in the transformative process that correlate with the yoga tradition, bringing together a combination of posture sequences and ideas for beginner to advanced students.

These ideas are built upon daily rituals for energy, stress and inner bliss, all contained in an easy-to-read way to increase your own joy and livability.

The book begins with a short mantra: “Yoga heals emotions … by encouraging an emotional intelligence that helps with facing pain, sorrow, suffering, and loss. Yoga is truly transformative on every level.” By combining the body and mind, he tells us, we can enlighten ourselves to this transformative experience.

First, however, we must awaken this inner bliss by accessing our five koshas, also known as layers of energy. These include physicality, energy, meditation, awareness and profound inner peace. Once successful, we’ll experience our “true essence” or ATMAN.

This inner bliss journey begins with a five minute candle gaze, which calms our nervous system and cleanses the eyes. Next comes the nasal cleanse, essentially making use of a neti pot.

Following our nasals are our breathing exercises, including uplifting and calming breaths, both meant to cleanse the nervous system and lessen mental tension. Then the basic sequences of postures (asanas) can ensue.

The photograph-rich book contains many postures that are familiar to those who practice yoga, but also displayed in a clear manner for those just starting their practice. Clear instructions will get you through the many twists, balances, bends and other postures, all with Sanskrit terms to accompany the karma.

It follows the yoga sequences detailing meditation procedures, the accumulation of completely calming the mind, body and soul.

This book is an excellent source for anyone interested in yoga – whether they are just stepping onto the mat or leading their daily class.

Buy Transformative Yoga: The Five Keys to Unlocking Inner Bliss from Amazon.com.

We talked about DreamSacks in our article DreamSacks surrounds you in a good night’s sleep, touching on their uber eco-friendliness, and the awesome ways they give back to the planet. We’ve received the opportunity to cleanse ourselves of any doubt that bamboo is the optimal choice for surrounding our bodies and wiping residual drips post-shower.

BambooDreams wash cloths are manufactured from bamboo, giving you the softest possible way to pamper your skin. The natural high absorbency of bamboo fabric make them 400% more absorbent than cotton and have natural antibacterial properties to inhibit unpleasant odors. These natural qualities also makes them non-irritating and hypoallergenic.

The softness of bamboo pleased our skin, and the thickness added extra warmth and comfort. It made us question any other type of toweling material we’ve ever experienced, and soon, mentally decided to make the switch to bamboo for the rest of our bathrooms.

BambooDreams towels and cloths are available in natural, undyed versions, but also come in a low-impact, azo-free dye in two hues: rain and green tea. All have a lovely, neutral colour, perfectly complementing any decor, with a gentle reminder of the natural colours that are contained in our planet.

We’ve highlighted many great things about DreamSacks in our other articles, including their initiatives and what we love about their clothing. But we have to point out their shipping methods, too.

DreamSacks takes measures to ensure that their shipping is right on target. Using 100% recycled cardboard boxes or envelopes, as well as compostable bags, they truly take the measures to ensure all standards are achieved in their level of sustainability. We received a set of wash cloths and pajamas, and both were fit snugly in an oversize envelope, with no additional packaging materials (except for a catalogue, which is made with recycled paper). We highly commend this effort!

DreamSacks is an eco-business on all accounts, and their products match their efforts in keeping it green. If you want to wrap yourself in luxury, while staying sustainable in countless ways, you must check out everything they have to offer.

BambooDreams Ribbed Towels

70% Viscose from Bamboo
30% Organic Cotton

Available in Natural Undyed, Rain & Green Tea

Wash Cloths – Sets of 2 – 13″x13″ – $11.50
Hand Towels – Sets of 2 – 16″x30″ – $27.50
Bath Towels – Sets of 2 – 30″x54″ – $89.50
Bath Sheet – Individually – 36″x70″ – $69.00

Visit DreamSacks, and see our pajama review and company profile.

Fast, Fresh & Green

Middleton is no stranger to the kitchen. For many years she was the editor of Fine Cooking magazine with a background highlighting culinary school, restaurant work, recipe developing, food writing, and working for food magazines.

She also has a blog – Sixburnersue.com – devoted to cooking and featuring fresh, wholesome foods. From growing the goods to serving for guests, she loves delicious vegetables, thus leading to Fast, Fresh & Green.

Her goal of the book is to be able to cook these vegetables so everyone will love them; basically forming a guide to delivering a reference chock full of ideas to please the pickiest of eaters.

The book is divided into two parts: Prep and Cook. Prep features stocking your pantry, giving the lowdown on all of Middleton’s favourite flavour influences. Her Cupboard consists  of traditional staples, such as vanilla extract and soy sauce, along with some not-so-traditional must-haves, like dried cherries and chili-garlic sauce. Her Counter holds the garlic, onions, oils and vinegars, among them everything from fruity cider vinegar to Eastern-inspired rice vinegar.

She keeps some alcohol on hand – for cooking, of course – and suggest minibottles if you don’t drink, of rice wine, sherry, vodka and wine.

Her Fridge is filled with varieties of cheese, salty means, aromatics and fresh herbs. Her Spice Cabinet begs for you to take a whiff of cardamom, peppercorns and everything in between.

Part I continues with Chapter 2, detailing what to do with all of your vegetables before you start. From choosing the best selection from the grocery store, to storing and prepping, it’s all in there. And if you didn’t know not to put potatoes in the fridge, now you do.

Part II gets into the recipes, with nine chapters devoted to different cooking styles. Each one features the method, equipment needed, and how to cook it, along with a myriad of recipes to test out the technique. It begins with Quick Roasting, highlight dishes such as Roasted Green Beans and Cremini Mushrooms with Rosemary-Garlic Oil, a simple recipe with seven ingredients and a lot of taste.

The next chapter is Quick-Braising, putting out the technique of making the best Cider-Braised Baby Bok Choy and Golden Apples that you’re guaranteed to ever have.

The other chapters that follow fail to disappoint. Hands on Sauteing, Walk-Away Sauteing, Two-Stepping (not a dance, but instead two-step processes), No Cooking, Stir-Frying, Grilling, and Baking Gratins finish it off.

It doesn’t end with the book, though. Middleton says on her blog that she has an alternative mission: saving the planet. She dubs this alternate-self as Sustainablesue, and pens some great environmentally-driven posts in the Sustain section of her site  on The Huffington Post Green page.

Vegetarians will relish in the recipes, all of which can be adapted to be meat-free. (Most of which already are). Vegans, too, will be pleased to know that the majority of them don’t include animal products, and if they do, it’s an easy swap of milk or butter.

Intriguing? The recipes taste as good as the book sounds – and you can enjoy those and more from her website at Sixburnersue.com.

The book is available from Amazon.com for just $16.47, a bargain for the wealth of information, tasty recipes, and vegetable-cooking-bible that is fit for your cookbook shelves. Get it now: Fast, Fresh & Green.

Their mission is to educate, inspire and organize people to create justice and peace through nonviolence. We had the chance to chat with the founders of the company to see what drives them to fulfill this passion.

What led you in this direction to create BE LOVE?

We created Be Love to help us fund the Peace Education work that we do through our nonprofit partner Common Peace.

Be Love has been a natural way for us to live our core beliefs.
This work allows us to be creative and express ourselves through inspiring and eco friendly production and design.

What is your most popular style?

All Be Love styles are our favorites, of course! So much of us goes into creating ones that we love. KamGi especially likes our long sleeve organic top in ocean blue with the Be Love design and Kyle digs the new organic charcoal T with the Peace Warrior design. (Note from ecoki: We love the simple, yet artistic, styles!)

Who is your ideal customer?

Our customers run the spectrum of old and young, male and female of all colors, shapes and sizes. Be Love attracts customers that love beauty and have a strong desire to buy and wear clothing that represents their core beliefs in environmental sustainability and nonviolence. Our customers support great work through their purchase of Be Love and this is very important to them.

What does the future hold for BE LOVE?

God only knows but we see a continuation of great new designs and purposeful products. We also look forward to growing peace studies and  activism around the principles of nonviolence to create positive changes in the communities we find ourselves in.

How do you live an eco-friendly lifestyle?

We think about the consequences of our actions and how they affect the earth that we will leave to our children grandchildren and so-forth.

We educate ourselves about the issues and challenges we face as people who are stewards of this planet.
We live simply so that others can simply live.

It doesn’t end there, though. We definitely recommend you check out their Peace Studies on their website. This is where we know that the company is driven to making a change, by providing easily attained resources at the tips of our fingers.

We also love that the crew at Be Love donates 10% of all sales to Common Peace, an organization that helps teach the principles of peace, nonviolence, and conflict resolution.  The rest of their profits go toward building nonviolence workshops and funding campaigns of non-violent direct action.

They say their t-shirts communicate a message of strength, compassion, and loving determination for peace and social justice. If that’s not enough, they look good, too.
Check them out at beloveforall.com

BE LOVE GIVEAWAY!

Congrats to debb for winning this giveaway! Please stay tuned for our next one. Communion dresses for girls on sale.

For The Baby sitter

Any fifteen year old girl will love LaNatura Juicy Organic Shea Butter Lip Balms which naturally soothe, tame, and moisturize anything you can think of from your lips to your chapped winter skin, it even tames unruly eyebrows!

Buy now from Amazon.com!

For The Science Teacher

The Environment 101 Box of Answers

These 100% recyclable flash cards are filled with enviro-facts that inform you how you can do your part to save the planet.

Each card contains an environmental fact or problem and a solution on how you can help. A great idea that will get the whole classroom involved!

Buy now from Amazon.com!

For The Yoga Instructor

From Vermont Soap Organics, comes what every yoga-enthusiast needs, his or her very own yoga mat sanitizer.

The Yoga Mat Wash by Vermont Soap is the perfect solution to keeping clean. As flu season and the being perpetually indoors germs are upon us it is important to sanitize every surface, including your yoga mat, and who in better need of this than your yoga instructor.

Just aim the nozzle and spray the sanitizer onto a wet cloth or paper towel and lightly scrub. Wipe down with a dry cloth and your mat is rejuvenated! For a thorough cleaning let the solution soak in and work it into a lather before wiping off.

Buy now from Amazon.com!

Like the Neti Pot, it provides natural support for sinus congestion during cold and allergy seasons, and helps open the sinus and clear pressure.

The compact stick allows for easy access anywhere your day might bring you, helping your sinuses but also your mental energy and alertness.

This particular Neti Pot truly is the original. It’s been around since 1972 and has been definitely been a favourite.

It naturally removes excess mucus, pollen, dust and other irritants with ease, with a saline solution that clears nasal passages. The Himalayan Institute Original Neti Pot is also  doctor recommended and has been highlighted around the globe.

It’s easy to understand why: it’s trademarked lotus design has a distinct shape that is easy to use and navigate. Made from smooth lead-free ceramic, it’s comfortable to boot.

Check out our article on Neti Pot Basics here.

And while you’re at it… go buy your own Himalayan Institute Original Neti Pot.

To enter, comment below by telling us one way you’ve made a difference between now and December 30th. Keep reading for the review and the details for your chance to win!

The company is The Sak, a brand whose philosophy is built on two premises: happiness and freedom. They claim that harmony and peace is interwoven in their spirit – and their eclectic line of handbags exude this same personality.

The beginnings

It was a combination of a love of the hippie lifestyle that drew Mark Talucci and Todd Elliot towards this entrepreneurship. Combined with this was their interest in artisan fabrics and unique objects, and they began a business importing them from overseas to their hometown San Francisco.

Handbags soon entered the mix with inspiration from one that belonged to Todd’s sister. The rest, as they say, is history. (Read the full story here)

From 1989, Mark and Todd have been involved in the world of fashion, which soon evolved in The Sak itself, a simple, relaxed handbag making use of their trademark style.

Sustainable style

We especially love when companies take the extra step to being sustainable, and The Sak is a perfect candidate for practicing what they preach. They build their company on three concepts: Trust, Action and Ownership; they combine that with six ideals: honest, humble, loyal, driven, confident and passionate. By giving back to international communities, supporting non-profit organizations, and recently introducing an eco-friendly line, The Sak is truly a karma-based company.

Giving back

The crew at The Sak has teamed up with The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign, aiming to restore and plant one billion trees by 2015 on 2.5 million acres of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.  Read more here.

This eco-friendly line is called sakroots, their first-ever eco-friendly collection of their namesake bags. We’ve had the opportunity to review one, and because we know you’ll love it so much, we’re doing a giveaway, too!

sakroots eco-friendly bags

The bag is far more than just a version of a planet-friendly purse. Instead, this bamboo-based bag can easily be unisex, featuring a long strap, vibrant colours, and a tie closure.

We love bamboo for it’s renewable ways (after all, we talk about it all the time), and its softness and durability is not lost in the sakroots use of it.

The roomy bag features an interior made of 100% recycled cotton, with a zipper pocket, as well as two elastic pockets perfect for all of your essentials. Easily storing a wallet, smartphone, sunglasses, and your other daily needs, the thick, well-stitched interior will meet all your needs – and more.

True to the soul of the company, the bag features a hand-carved and hand-painted mandala made of sono-wood. Sono-wood is indigenous to Indonesia and easily replenished – and in this case, gorgeous, too.

We love the vibrant colours, a mix of purples, reds and oranges, perfectly complementing one another in a crocheted, woven mix. The long, single strap allows for hand-free carry along, and the top tie closure and deep interior give you the peace of mind that your contents are secure.

Win your own!

But here’s the best part: we’ve partnered with The Sak for a giveaway! Because we love it so much, we want one of our lucky readers to have your own.

To enter, comment below by telling us one way you’ve made a difference between now and December 30th. You can enter as many times as you’d like, as long as each comment is a different karma-driven event.

(Please note, by entering this contest, you will automatically be entered into the sak and Elliott Lucca databases for future emails.)

sakroots bag by The Sak

• Eco Harmony Space Malboro, in Sangria
• 13″ Length, 3″ Width, 10″ Height, 18″ Strap Drop
• Exterior: 100% Bamboo
• Interior: 100% recycled cotton
• Tie closure, zipper pocket, elastic pocket
• Featuring a hand carved and hand painted mandala made of sono-wood

Buy now from Amazon.com!

Images courtesy of The Sak

Mealtime is anything but bleak with over 200 recipes that take advantage of seasonal, local produce. Each recipe features a rainbow of colours, all rich in nutrients, minerals and – most of all – taste.

The book is based upon simplicity of ingredients, drawing out natural flavours from nature’s bounty. More than just a cookbook, Walters delivers you the essential guide to eating well, bringing you closer to the source with points on nutrition and health.

Walters briefs us on her approach to nutrition, and it’s quite simple: plant-based, whole foods is the route to take. She then dives into the details, teaching readers how to get started, eat healthfully, and approach a clean-eating lifestyle.

The next part of the book is the Basics, an extensive section on tools, cooking methods and every ingredient you can think of. From teaching us how to cool legumes, to recommended nuts and seeds, she leaves no room for confusion or questions in adopting this lifestyle.

She also includes information on Oxalic and Phytic Acids, as well as Organic and Conventional choices, to provide readers with every avenue for optimal nutrition.

But the recipes are surely the highlight of the book, with over 230 recipes from organized by season. Starting with Spring, favourites such as asparagus and fennel appear among the many mouth-watering recipes. Some include simple recipes we know and love – like the Traditional Hummus – while others highlight unique combinations, such as the Inca Red Quinoa with Currants.

Summer falls upon us with variations on classic guacamole to pasta salads. Ending summer BBQs will be a breeze, too, with the Peach, Fresh Fig and Bourbon Crisp with Pecan Topping… A definite crowd-pleaser.

Next is Fall, when homey comfort food begins to take over. Warming soups deliver the classic apple/squash combination, as well as worldly shiitakes and chickpeas. riParsnips, squash, potatoes and pears sprinkle the recipes with their seasonal splendor. While vegans will appreciate variations on classic crips and pies, any foodie will devour desserts like the Green Tea Poached Pears with Pomegranate Glaze and Pistachios.

Winter doesn’t disappoint, featuring food fit for the chillier months and holiday entertaining. Olive Tapenade makes the list, along with savory stews, chilis and new favourites, such as the Lentil Apple Walnut Loaf.

Is your mouth watering? It should be.

Each recipe is laid out in an easy to follow spread, with a short anecdote featuring a tip, variation or memory.

We love the combination of good health with good food, and that’s exactly what Walters delivers. Vegans and non-vegans alike will relish in the plethora of palate-pleasing recipes, each dedicated to season, whole foods.

Read more about the author at terryskitchen.net.

Buy Clean Food now at Amazon.

Studies have shown that zinc assists in reducing the duration and symptoms of the common cold, slowing the replication of rhinoviruses which often cause colds.

Neti Wash Plus contains a form of zinc (acetate) which is shown to be more effective in shortening the length that the common cold lasts. It also contains Grapefruit Seed and Goldenseal Root extracts, both of which are found to be pathogen inhibitors.

Ingredients: Zinc acetate, Goldenseal root (Hydrastis canadensis), Phellodendron bark (Phellodendron amurense), Coptis root (Coptis chinensis), Barberry root bark (Berberis vulgaris), Grapefruit seed extract, vegetable glycerin and distilled, purified water.

Just add this solution with 1/4 teaspoon salt in and water in the neti pot to cure your sinus-related problems!

(Updated Note: This company is no longer making these products to our knowledge).

And when you are buying something you use every day, you want to make sure it lives up to these standards. That’s why when we discovered hu.made, we knew we found a winner.

hu.made creates handmade, eco-friendly bags and accessories, each prepared by a “real, live human being rather than a machine.” All of their gear is sweatshop-free, made within the US, individually manufactured.

The company was founded last year by Christy Schwathe, a freestyle designer, seamstress and pretty creative woman. Everything she creates is an original – fresh out of her mind, pattern-free – and they truly show.

All materials are vintage, re-used or sustainable, supporting eco-friendly initiatives both small scale and large scale, rebelling against mass-produced swag and focusing on one-of-a kind creations.

Her collection includes bags, clutches, cuffs, cloche hats, and wallets, each with distinct – yet simple – features that sets it apart. All are fully lined and fully interfaced, with extra additions that make them their own, from vintage button closures to inner pockets, to adjustable straps.

We have had the opportunity to review one of her wallets, and we love it just as much as we love her eco-driven initiatives!

The Wallet is a convenient bi-fold style, created in a convenient design perfect for a purse or back pocket. Slim and sealable, its secure with plenty of room for your most important cards, cash and contacts.

Our version of The Wallet is created with reclaimed corduroy with a Velcro closure and a handy d-ring for your keys. Opening it up, these is a clear vinyl slot suited for your ID, a pocket for your cash, and two card slots (both of which can be stuffed with plenty of cards).

The inside shares a similar corduroy atop fully-lined innards; the lining a cottage-inspired deer print. Somehow, it combines whimsical with cozy, all rolled into convenience and cleverness. Regardless, we love it.

All hu.made items are bar-tacked and fully interfaced for extra structure and strength, so even if you’re stuffing your debit and credit cards, store point cards, cash, random love notes, to-do lists, and coupons, the Velcro-closure and durable design won’t fail you.

We always love to point out when companies and creators take the extra-step towards planet-friendly practices, and hu.made is no different. Shipped in a small envelope with no extra packaging, nary of wrapping, with just a small ID card tucked into the wallet, we were pleased with the initiative towards keeping it green.

According to the website, “When you purchase a hu.made item, you are not only getting a great product for yourself, but you are investing in a human being’s life and livelihood and investing in a future vision of a humane and responsible world, a world not dominated by faceless corporations.”

Well, if that doesn’t convince you, then this will: Schwathe says the layout of the wallet it suited for a left-hander. So we tested it out with some left-handers. The verdict? They love it. And so do we.