Ralli and Rummi Save The World

A clothing line to love!

2011-01-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

Hello readers! Long time, I know.... I have someone for you to meet! Charlie Boots. Tell us a little about yourself, Charlie!

"I make clothing for my label, 'Charlie Boots' that is feminine, flattering and versatile.
Most garments are reversible so that there are two designs in one garment. They are
also couture finished with bound seams ensuring longevity. I do not believe in the
modern trend for throwaway fashion which is unsustainable and therefore unethical.

My pieces are designed to be classic pieces that can be treasured throughout the
seasons. I design garments that can also be worn throughout the year because of
their fabric and/or their ability to be layered with other items. Charlie Boots is about
creating very high quality, timeless, design-led wardrobe staples that have a clean
conscience.

I use idiosyncratic pattern cutting and finishing techniques that I discover in my
design exploration. These give details in a garment that you will not be found
elsewhere. If you add to this the vintage fabrics and a limit of ten items per design, it
is not an empty claim when I say that these garments are genuinely unique.
All of the fabrics I use are either fair-trade certified, organic, sustainable, vintage or
re-claimed. 95% of my fabrics are also bought in the UK.
My manufacturing is done in the UK and although that is costly, I know that every
person who has a hand in producing my garments is in a happy and safe environment
and is being paid fairly for the work they do."

we won't get it back...

2010-06-02T22:04:00.000-07:00

Hey you all. Sorry it's been so long since our last post. And this one is a doozy....

I can't get this terrible oil spill out of my head. I keep thinking, "We will never recover from this...."

Let's look at the stats:

It has been going on for 6 weeks now!

"So far more than 200km of Louisiana coast have been contaminated, triggering long-term fears for the region's already vulnerable coastal wetlands and native wildlife, including lucrative fishing grounds.

Scientists from the University of Miami released a study on Wednesday showing the oil slick's surface area had expanded to cover 24,435km sq of the Gulf - triple the size of satellite imagery from May 1."

-http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/06/20106332833368377.html

ok what can we do? Let's ride our bikes! Let's use our feet and legs! Pogo stick, jump rope, rollerblade, rollerskate, skateboard, scooter... PLEASE! We need to do all we can to boycott big oil companies. Because in all reality, our Earth can never bounce back from this. Humans have crossed the biggest line we have ever crossed.

Sun-tastic!

2010-02-16T18:37:00.000-08:00

Spring is fast approaching and Theresa and I can't wait for the sun! We are so impatient, that we are heading down to Newport Beach this weekend to catch the beautiful rays. In this week approaching our beach-cation, I though it would be appropriate to do a little post about the sunny (and dark side) of our wonderful sun.

Please check out these tips thanks to beauty-and-makeup-tips.com

Sun care is really about sun protection...Proactive attention to this approach is the best anti-aging skin care measure you could possibly take...whether you are fourteen or forty.

So, what do you need to know?

To begin with, here are eight QUICK KEY TIPS that address both issues of health and beauty and get you on your way to smart sun care.

Sun Care Tip #1: Over exposure to ultraviolet light is the cause of skin cell structural breakdown, and other physical deterioration.

When skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, both UVA and UVB rays stimulate melanin production which results in the "tan" we see. What we don't see is the increased activity of free radicals which breakdown the internal building blocks of the skin and the deeper down demise of collagen, the connective tissue of our skin responsible for maintaining support and elasticity.

Sun Care Tip #2: Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen for effective protection against all uv rays.

Research indicates that UVA rays are responsible for skin cancer and visible sun damage like skin breakdown, wrinkling and pigmentation problems. Whereas, UVB rays are behind sunburns.

Sun protection includes the application of proper SPF Broad Spectrum sunscreen or sunblock (shielding both UVA and UVB rays), wearing protective clothing, and UVA/UVB lens filter sunglasses.

Sun Care Tip #3: Make sure your broad spectrum sunscreen has these proven ingredients.

*These ingredients are proven to cover the full UVA/ UVB spectrum (not just part of a ray spectrum).

AVOBENZONE (Parsol 1789) which is a chemical sunblock (absorbs ultra violet rays).

Mexoryl Sx and Tinosorb S NEW!, effective chemical agents that provide full spectrum coverage of UVA plus other benefits.

TITANIUM DIOXIDE, ZINC OXIDE which are physical sunblocks (reflect ultra violet rays).

Sun Care Tip #4: SPF or Sun Protection Factor, indicates protection from sunburn or UVB rays.

This tip is reinforcing the important choice of a broad spectrum sunscreen, so ensure your sunscreen also protects you from UVA.

Sun Care Tip #5: Doubling your sun protection factor, does not necessarily double your protection from the sun.

With regards to SPF number, 15 provides about a 94 % shield from the sun's UVB rays. To double the SPF doesn't double your protection. In fact, an SPF of 30 only increases your shield to approximately 97 %. From there, higher SPFs provide only tiny percentile increases in protection, but you do start to build on the number of ingredients which can possibly irritate your skin.

Sun Care Tip #6: The American Academy of Dermatology says regular use of sunscreen before the age of 18 is very significant to lowering chance of skin cancer;

It is estimated that by the time we reach about 18 years of age we will have received 80% of our lifetime's sun exposure. Research is showing us that if we wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 regularly prior to the age of 18, the risk of "certain skin cancers" will be reduced by 78%.

Sun Care Tip #7: Sun protection goes beyond the use of sunscreen, and into the realm of good sun sense.

Beyond the regular use of a proper SPF broad spectrum (shielding both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen or sunblock. Proper sun protection also includes wearing protective clothing, UVA/UVB lens filter sunglasses and limiting direct sun exposure during its peak daytime hours (10am to 4 pm).

Sun Care Tip #8: The only "safe" tan is a fake tan.

Since the change in skin color we call a tan, is actually a reflection of sun damage, there really is no safely acquired tan...unless you use sunless tanning lotions. There are some fantastic formulations that effectively produce the look of a real tan.

Click here to browse organic tanning products to get that perfect healthy glow

New Year.... starting....NOW

2010-02-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

Hey all! It's been a while, I know. The holidays were crazy! Finally, things are starting to calm down and I can actually come up with my eco resolution for this year. Mine is to ride my bike to work and to run errands, and take public transportation everywhere I can. I want to not be in my car by myself unless I am going to pick someone up so we can carpool. I figure by doing this, I will save almost 2 gallons of gas a day! (Leave to the bay area for always having to commute) My round trip is 13 miles, which, when I ride my bike really only adds an extra half hour each way. The way I see it, is that I get an extra half hour, outside, to myself, while exercising! Which, face it, needs to be done after the holidays! And what is so wrong with taking it a little slow sometimes? Now I can feel better about doing my part- since the economy has been so rough, I haven't been able to support local and organic products as much as I would like, so this way, I save money while saving the earth!

Tell me what you are doing this year to help our mother!

Give gifts to people you don't know!

2009-12-23T11:25:00.000-08:00

ALTERNATIVE GIFTS INTERNATIONAL: The global mission of AGI is to send authentic, life-giving gifts to a needy world - gifts that build a partnership with people in crisis and that protect and preserve the earth's endangered environment.

ANGEL TREE: Angel Tree is a ministry of Prison Fellowship, delivering love in the form of Christmas gifts and a message of hope to children of prisoners.

CHRISTMAS WISH PROGRAMS: Christmas Wish Program, Inc. is a nonprofit organization run 100% by volunteers and donations. CWP is designed that way to let the public share in the joy of giving and the opportunity to help build a brighter future for local children.

CHRISTMAS CARD AID: Card Aid provides a unique service to charities and the general public to ensure that the profits from charity Christmas cards go to charity.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT FOUNDATION: Help needy children and families in the United States during the holiday season, and promote environmental stewardship throughout the year.

HOLIDAY PROJECT: The Holiday Project's mission is to enrich the experience of the holidays by arranging visits to people confined to nursing homes, hospitals and other institutions

MAKE A WISH: Make this holiday season special by helping a child's dream come true. Make a Wish's unique holiday donation options will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

MY TWO FRONT TEETH: My Two Front Teeth offers a personalized online gift-giving experience to aid underprivileged children. These children are selected through community organizations and allowed to individually pick their one holiday wish.

PLAN COMMUNITY OF CHILDREN : Give a gift to the people of Africa this Christmas and help reduce the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS.

SAMARITANS PURSE: Operation Christmas Child: This is a unique project of Samaritan's Purse that enables caring people to share God's love with hurting girls and boys in the far corners of the globe. Take an ordinary shoe box, fill it with toys and other presents, and you have an extraordinary gift for a child in need of joy and hope.

TOYS FOR TOTS: Donate a new toy or give a donation to help make Christmas a little brighter for a needy child in your community.

Thanks to All Things Christmas!

Please think of others this Christmas. In all this, one of the hardest times in our country, there are so many in need.

Christmas Packages

2009-12-13T14:35:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Oh man, Christmas came fast didn't it? Here are a few ideas to "green" your Xmas gift giving.

1. Don't forget your reusable bags when you go shopping for your loved ones. This is the time of year when the plastic bags used is through the roof!! So, whether it's at the mall or the grocery store- bring your own bags!

2. Creative ways to wrap your presents:

a. Old newspaper. You can dress it up by coloring in the pictures or high-lighting words to make a lovely poem for the recipient!

b. Have any old pillowcases you don't like any more? Pillowcases (or old sheets? cleaned of course!!) and a big bow can really brighten up under the tree.

c. What about paper bags? They are just another canvas for your creativity!!

d. Here is a cute idea I read on a blog from Creative Jewish Mom

You can actually make bows from old plastic bags! Just cut strips and bind them together in the center and voila!

Oh, and something I should mention. My sister and discovered a cool thing Aldo is doing. They have attached carrying handles to their shoe boxes so there is no need for a bag! And on top of that, the boxes are made 100% from recycled material. It's a small step, but in the right direction! Can you imagine if all shoes stores out there did that?

I hope this helps. Happy Holidays!!

The call to recycle

2009-11-21T17:45:00.001-08:00

Hey guys! Thanks for your comments. Sarah and I were especially excited about John from Cell Phone Recycling. So, we decided to post his link.

We buy used cell phones! Collect old cell phones for fundraisers!

Posted using ShareThis

Also, here is another great site. There are a whole bunch of useful tidbits of knowledge to be shared about cell phone waste.

http://recyclemycellphone.org/RMCP_factsheet.pdf

Here are a couple of examples of what you will find on the fact sheet:

Cell Phone Waste Facts and Figures

• The EPA estimates cell phones will be thrown away at a rate of 130 million a year by 2005

that equals 65,000 tons of waste containing toxic metals.

• There are more than 500 million used cell phones in the U.S. sitting in people's drawers or in

landfills.

• According to a study by the research group INFORM, early efforts by commercial and non-

profit corporations to recycle cell phones have led to the collection of only 2.5 million

phones from 1999 through early 2003. Thus, cell phones are currently being recycled at rate

of approximately 600,000 per year.

So, don't feel bad about wanting the new model every year- there are plenty of places where you can donate your cell phone to be recycled. It saves our planet from yet another source of toxic waste.

Tragic Plastic

2009-11-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

So, I'm reading Rolling Stone and I come upon an article about the Plastic problem in our world's oceans. According to them and other news sources, there is a plastic mass floating in our oceans double the size of Texas!! Most of it is broken down into tiny little pieces and outnumbers the amount of zooplankton- the world's most numerous organism. Now that's just horrible! I could not believe my eyes when I read this. We as consumers need to watch the amount of disposable things we buy. Most consumer products are made to be disposed of so we will keep spending money! So here are some ways you can help.

1.Buy recycled items or items made of post-consumer recycled materials

2. Bring your own coffee mug to the coffee shop

3. Eat at home instead of getting take-out

4. Play with your kids more instead of buying plastic toys they are just going to fall out of love with the next month (My dad used to make houses and space ships out of old boxes and then when we were done, he would recycle them)

5. Find creative re-use stores you can donate your old things to. There is a really great one on Telegraph in Oakland called "The Depot" You can bring anything there! From old fabric to toliet paper rolls and people buy them and use them again! The money goes to great causes too!

6. Eat locally grown food too, anytime you buy things that have been shipped, just remember all the packaging it takes- a lot of plastics!!

7. Bring your own shopping bags to the store- The amount of Plastic bags used in the country is astronomical!

As Americans, we have been raised in a culture of disposable things and it is time to stop. Our habits are killing everything around us. Do you think our ancestors really wanted us to think this world is disposable like everything else?

Food Scraps Get Good Rap

2009-10-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! I just want to tell why I love my new apartment in Oakland. It's close to Telegraph, I run into my friends at the grocery store, I can ride my bike to the store or take BART to work and I have access to food scrap recycling. YAY!!! It's so hard to have a compost when you live in a tiny apartment with no yard or garden to take care of, so I am super pleased that I have a trash bin specifically for food and yard waste. All this waste goes to a composting facility and provides compost for the city and county's soil needs. Isn't that awesome? Only thing not cool is the fruit fly population growing exponentially outside my window...... But I'll live with it if that means I am reducing my landfill waste!!!

Sealion Rescue!!!

2009-09-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I just posted an article about carbon foot prints, and I realize it has been a long time before that without a new post. So, I'm doing 2 in 1 day!

In July, my husband (Colin) and I went on a road trip with my parents up 101 to Oregon. We wanted to see the Redwoods and the Coast, so we made a few stops along the way to take in all the nature. My dad asked us to stop at a beach near Cresent City so he could take some pictures. The sand was still hot from the sun, but the day was overcast and the water was freezing. We took off our shoes and walked down the beach to stretch our legs. On our way back to the car, Colin was stopped by a lady with some sort of injured creature wrapped in a blanket. She asked him to help her by getting an animal carrier she had in the back of her truck. She revealed a baby sealion under the blanket and explained he was too heavy for her to carry.

So Colin and I ran to the truck to grab the carrier and raced back to the beach. Then we all watched as she gently placed him in the crate. We all grabbed a side of the crate and helped her carry him to the truck.

Of course, I asked her what organization she was with. I didn't want to assist someone with ill intentions. She said she was working with the North Coast Marine Mammal Center. You can visit their website or their actual center

424 Howe Dr

Crescent City, CA 95531

They rely on volunteers and donations for the majority of their work.

Just check out their website and see for yourself all the great work they do!

Here are some guidelines if you ever encounter a marine animal that needs rescue:

* DO NOT TOUCH beached mammals. These animals are sometimes aggressive and can inflict severe bites.
* Keep people and pets away.
* Do not disturb or chase them into the water. Animals may simply be resting and may not need help.
* Note the EXACT location, including landmarks, and CALL us as soon as possible at 707-465-MAML(6265).
* Harbor Seal Pups on the beach are NOT Abandoned!! Their mothers are off feeding and will soon return.
Please...Please... DO NOT go near them!!!

We Need To Lead

2009-09-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

A lot of us look at China or India and say- "hey these guys should really cut back! Look at all the pollution, look at all the waste..." The truth of the matter is that we are just seeing the consequences of the densely populated areas. In fact, each American, on average, produces 20 tons of carbon each year. EACH American! That is just crazy! There are a lot of factors- air travel, car travel, heating your house, cooling your house, etc... modern conveniences that most of the world doesn't even have. Most people in China have a carbon footprint of less than 4 tons a year and in India it's less than 2 tons a year. So to think each American contributes 10 tons a year more than most people in the world is just disgusting.

What can we do? Do we blame our affluent society? Do we blame our parents, our grandparents? Suave marketing campaigns that ensure cars outnumber people? The rich? Education? The government?

Ultimately, it takes facts like this to make people think. We each have a brain that should be able to process how catastrophic these figures are. The responsibility is with each of us. Can you imagine if all Americans were able to get down to the emissions generated by our friends in India? We would go from about 6 billion tons a year (holy crap!) to 600 million tons a year. That would mean each person should focus on cutting their daily consumption by 10 times. It's hard to do, but there are so many solutions! Carpooling, rain harvesting, more blankets in your house instead of cranking up the heat, cooking at home instead of going out, recycling, composting, eating less meat and dairy (the industry is on the top of the list for waste and ecological damage) public transportation, riding your bike, walking, fixing leaky faucets, shorter and colder showers....the list goes on and on. So it's not like we don't have options out there to make us better children to our Mother Earth.

Something Worth Watching!

2009-08-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

Here's something to make you go..."Oh yeah! What DID happen?" This is a great documentary to refresh your memory. This was extremely jaw-dropping and aggravating. Please check it out.

Organic Spa

2009-07-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

Recently, I wrote about herbal body wraps, particularly from Avra Organic Spa. I just have to do another shout out to this wonderful establishment because I always get super surprises in my email inbox with deals and coupons galore! This spa really does want to spread the word through the world on healthy detoxification methods. So, I must insist, sign up for their newsletter. If you go to their site and sign up, you receive $30 off your first body wrap!

Here is a list of awesome services they provide

Herbal Body Wrap: Avra's signature service which tones skin, eliminates inflammation and water retention, gently detoxifies, and reduces cellulite..

Sudatonic Infrared Body Wrap: Increases metabolism and circulation. A powerful detoxifying process, perfect for those pushing through a weight loss plateau

Organic Skin Care: 90, 60, or 30 minute facial - skin cleansing, gentle exfoliation, and extraction, massage and moisturizing!

Colon Hydrotherapy: Detoxifies your whole system making it working better- critical to your overall heath and wellness!

Natural Waxing: done with a gentle, all-natural rose wax.

So, do yourself a favor and go to their website and sign up for their newsletter!

My favorite new dress

2009-07-28T15:14:00.001-07:00

So, I think my hips are placed higher on my body than most, and my calves seem extra short sometimes, so needless to say, I have a hard time finding a good length for dresses and a flattering waist line. This one has it all and it's so versitile! I would never get bored wearing it! thanks again Lara Miller!

:: 100% Certified Organic Cotton Voile

Lining: 94% Certified Organic Cotton + 6% Lycra

:: Low Impact Print

:: Made in Chicago, USA

all images courtesy of Embodies

We all recycle!!

2009-07-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

Just a cute pic I found at http://www.squidoo.com/eco-chic. Made me think. We all recycle, even if we don't think about it. As an older sister, I know my sister got a lot of hand-me-downs. Also, let's think about the positive energy we can give to the world over and over again. Give someone a hug, a smile, a kiss, a kind word! They will surely "recycle" it. Your goal today is to find as many things as you can to recycle. Bring things to the recycling plant, recycle your food scraps with compost, be nice to others, give clothes to thrift stores....you get the idea! If you have anymore suggestions, let us know!

Save the world while looking cute!

2009-07-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

Who says you have to sacrifice being fashionable for being green? Fashion should be creative and original. Does carrying around a plastic bag show off your personality? I don't think so!

Homemade Art!

2009-07-21T10:31:00.000-07:00

My art is now on etsy.com! A lot of it is painted on recycled materials, so don't worry, I am still trying to do my part. I hope you all will check it out. I just put some pieces up last night and there is still more to come!

Healthy Earth

2009-07-10T19:48:00.000-07:00

Two main reasons I voted for Obama in this election were his stance on health care and his promise to fund/encourage more environmentally forward programs and innovations. I told my parents, the simple fact of the matter is that we have to look forward to the future and if they wanted a greener, cleaner planet for their grandchildren, Obama was the way to go. Right now, there are a lot of connections being drawn between health care and pollution out there. I was approached by Bill Hawthorne with the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center (MAA Center) through one of our blog posts. He sent me some material on one specific connection between health problems and the pollution we put out in our environment every day. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lungs related to asbestos exposure. Here's a little about the MAA Center:

The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center has long been recognized as the web's leading organization for relevant and authoritative information regarding asbestos and health complications associated with asbestos exposure. Our organization is staffed entirely by writers and other developers who recognize the importance of building awareness in the fight against cancer. As nearly all of us have been touched at some point by cancer, we realize that sometimes the greatest resource we can provide is support and education.

Our organizational goal is to extend as much information as possible to those experiencing battling mesothelioma or other asbestos related disease. We are one hundred percent committed to providing the full spectrum of relevant and expert-researched information, from live clinical trials and other medical resources to the legal implications of asbestos exposures.

Here is a contribution by Bill himself:

Green Living: Improving Health Today and Tomorrow

Much attention has been paid in recent years to what seems to be a growing environmental conscience in the United States. Going green used to be considered expensive and a luxury for those who could afford the trend. Now it appears that we are learning that not only is adopting more environmentally conscious attitudes good for our economic situation, but also our….health? Yes, if we dig a bit deeper we can see that dirty industries and backwards policy is actually harming the health of the earth for our children and the health of her inhabitants today.

How Does Environmental Policy Affect Public Health?

There are two levels of health consequences associated with dirty industry, both direct and indirect. The direct consequences are examples like increased asthma rates in areas with high smog indices. Chlorofluorocarbon release into the atmosphere has shown to decrease the filter of direct sunlight on the planet, resulting in more concentrated ultraviolet light reaching the surface of the earth. Perhaps it is no surprise then that in countries with depleted atmospheric gas, skin cancer rates are among the highest in the world.

The indirect health consequences are harder to see immediately, but closer examination reveals that these are, in fact, perhaps the most hazardous. Bi-products of dirty and backwards industries, such as coal and oil processing, include cancer causing substances like asbestos and benzene. A U.K. study conducted in 2002 indicated that coal and oil industry workers are at a much higher risk of developing pleural mesothelioma (associated with asbestos exposure) and leukemia (traced to benzene and heavy-metal exposure). Dr. Valerie Rusch among many other doctors who specialize in this area understand that these are substances that can be directly traced to antiquated pre-regulation equipment in industries whose environmental hazards are even more inherent.

Can we really afford to continue on the path we were on before? Investment in clean industry means not a healthier planet for our children and grandchildren, but also a healthier place for us to live today.

--June 25, 2009 Written by Bill Hawthorne with the maacenter

I am thankful that Bill approached me because the state where Sarah and I grew up, Montana, has a town in particular really affected by Mesothelioma and asbestos related disorders. The EPA has been working with the townsfolk of Libby, MT closely since 1999 to clean up contamination and help stop the spread of the disease. Libby was added to the EPA's national priority list in 2002 because of all the contamination. So it makes my heart happy to have the MAA Center around and thank you, Bill, for sending the very informative material!

If you are concerned about asbestos contamination and it's health risks, you can visit MAA Center's website and you can also visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website for more info on the environmental clean up projects going on in our country.

Organic Spa

2009-06-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

So both Sarah and I have birthdays in May (2 tauruses growing up together, oh my!) Anyways, for my birthday this year, my husband bought me an organic herbal body wrap from Avra Organic Spa in San Francisco. I knew a little about it before hand, mainly that it reduces cellulite, can help you lose inches off your body, and detoxify. That was pretty much it. I didn't realize that it would be so relaxing for one, and that it doesn't dehydrate you. The simple fact is that the herbal wrap is there to add herbs to your skin that promote detoxification. It doesn't suck water out of you to get the desired weight/inch loss. That is a major bonus! Not to mention, the ingredients are all natural and organic. This spa has a mission to help people gain knowledge on different ways to detoxify the body. So, they do lots of specials, seminars and workshops. If you go online and join their mailing list, you can get $30 off your first wrap! Now that's a good deal. Even at the regular price, it is well worth it. 90 minutes of healthy relaxation and rejuvination, you can't beat that!

"We aim to reconnect mainstream society with the natural world. Through the use of gentle detoxification programs, botanical medicine, and supportive beauty treatments, we treat the whole body to full rejuvenation. By celebrating organic beauty practices we bring the inner glow outward"- Avra Organic Spa

Down the toliet

2009-06-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

China was quite an experience. There are many experiences we have yet to share, but one particularly stuck out in my mind. I totally felt like a spoiled American over there. In most small towns and tourist sections, I felt gross and scared of what I might find in the next bathroom. And though I griped about the toliet situation the most--- they have what we call "squatters" and no toliet paper anywhere!!! I realized they are actually doing their part to save the planet...little by little. The squatters don't use as much water, and while it may be gross to think of, people don't flush paper down the pipes, they throw them in waste paper baskets. Not so great for the smell, but good for the water treatment/pipes. Where there are western style toliets, they each have two buttons for flushing. One for less water if there is not much to flush. I wouldn't wish squatters on anyone, but I would like to see more of these "pick your water amount" type of toliets in the US.

Something do do while we are away...

2009-05-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow is the big day! Sarah and I will not have too much time while we are in China to post new blogs, so here are a few sites you should look at while we are away:

For environmental news and what's happening globally:

Eco Blogs

Green Tech

Rainforest Action Network

For eco shopping and fashion!!

Get involved!!

(help undo the worst of the worst done by the Bush administration)

We Act

Global Response

There are so many more! We encourage you to look up some more great sites and comment on our page so we can help spread the love! And don't forget our large list of blogs and sites to keep you entertained for the three weeks while we are away.

Make a pledge!

2009-05-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

This site is amazing! Go to this link and you can pledge to do certain things every day to offset your carbon emissions! projectpolarbear

20th Anniversary

2009-05-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

As you know, Sarah and I are lucky enough to be going on a trip to China in less than a week. Throughout our stay, we are fortunate enough to gain a lot of cultural experience, but one so experience will stay with me for life. We will be in Tiananmen Square the day after the 20th anniversary of the protest that went so horribly wrong. On June 4, 1989, the government of China acted upon the protestors with brute force, killing hundreds by their numbers (241 dead according to government statistics), thousands according to the students and civilians (2-3 thousand). So lets all remember what happened that day, and keep the victims in our hearts. One way we can do that, and find out what happened in the eyes of a Chinese government official is to read his memoirs. After being under house arrest for 16 years, former Communist chief denounces the 1989 massacre and praises western style democracy. Here is an article courtesy of http://www.guardian.co.uk

The secretly recorded memoirs of the Chinese Communist party leader who was ousted for sympathising with the students during the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square have been released four years after his death.

In tapes secretly recorded during his 16 years under house arrest, Zhao Ziyang, the former head of the Communist party, denounced the killing of protesters as a "tragedy", and challenged the party's subsequent rejection of democratic reforms.

The tapes were smuggled out of China and will be published in English and Chinese this month – as Prisoner of the State: The secret Journal of Zhao Ziyang – days before the 20th anniversary of the massacre.

In them, he praised western-style democracy and insisted that the activists were not attempting to overthrow the system, according to extracts obtained by Reuters.

"On the night of June 3rd [1989], while sitting in the courtyard with my family, I heard intense gunfire," wrote Zhao, according to Reuters. "A tragedy to shock the world had not been averted."

He added: "I had said at the time that most people were only asking us to correct our flaws, not attempting to overthrow our political system."

Economic and political reforms had led to increasing struggles between hardliners and reformists in the party leadership. The 1989 demonstrations raised the stakes and pushed the arguments to their climax.

When Deng Xiaoping, who held power behind the scenes, backed hardliners and the leadership agreed to impose martial law, only Zhao dissented.

"I told myself that no matter what, I refused to become the [Communist party] general secretary who mobilised the military to crack down on students," he said in the memoirs.

He also looked to the future in his recordings, praising western parliamentary democracy, and warning: "If we don't move toward this goal, it will be impossible to resolve the abnormal conditions in China's market economy."

Zhao, who was kept under intense surveillance at his home after his downfall and whose excursions and visitors were vetted, recorded his memoirs in such secrecy that even family members were unaware of his project.

He recorded about 30 hours, on Peking Opera [school] and children's music tapes, in or around the year 2000. The 30 tapes were later smuggled out of China by three former high-ranking officials.

"People thought Zhao was probably broken and bitter and at the very least had so much surveillance there was no way he could have offered his final word on Tiananmen. But he had – and nobody knew," Adi Ignatius, one of the editors of the English language edition, told the Guardian.

"It will remind people that Tiananmen did not have to end up as it did; it was a power struggle at the top level – nothing to do with putting down a violent rebellion."

Concerns over news of the project leaking were so great that publishers Simon and Schuster listed it as Untitled by Anonymous in their catalogue.

"There was real concern about security, because if Chinese officials had found out early they would have used whatever means they had to make sure this didn't appear. It wasn't just commercial reasons," Ignatius added.

Although the book is certain to be banned on the mainland, Ignatius said he believed some of its content would spread through the internet or bootleg editions.

Bao Pu, the Hong Kong-based publisher of the book's Chinese edition and son of Zhao's former top aide, said: "There were no instructions [but] the fact he did this shows very clearly that he wanted his version of the story to survive.

"The material was very dense; he had actually prepared before he started recording and we think he had a draft [text] from as early as 1993."

He added: "I hope it will have a direct impact on politics in China; politicians are going to be reading this and reflecting."

Bao's father, Bao Tong, the most senior official jailed over the 1989 protests, told Reuters: "I think it will cause party members to reflect deeply. I think it's slightly more likely that senior leaders would read this book. It will give them a lot to think about, and cause them to think about the party's basic survival."

He said he was "100% certain" the voice on an audio recording was Zhao's. Reuters gave him earphones so he could listen to excerpts during an interview at a Beijing hotel restaurant, to which he was followed. He lives under round-the-clock surveillance in the Chinese capital. Zhao's family declined requests for interviews.

The memoirs will also shape the legacy of Deng. Although Zhao was nominally the highest-ranking party official, Deng remained in de facto control behind the scenes, as the leader among the party elders.

"Deng had always stood out among the party elders as the one who emphasised the means of dictatorship. He often reminded people about its usefulness," says Zhao, in a rebuttal of the idea that Deng was swayed by hardliners in 1989.

Deng's notions of democracy "were no more than empty words", he suggested, according to Reuters.

Ignatius said the book also showed the depth of Zhao's role in creating economic reforms for which Deng has received credit.

I week till China!!!!

2009-05-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

Quinoa: my new favorite grain

2009-05-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

So in my new found journey to be a vegan, I am having a great time researching the health benefits of all foods. Today, I am eating quinoa with some carrots and corn for lunch. Quinoa is an amazing food. A staple in the Incan diet 5000 years ago, Quinoa is full of phytonutrients, antioxidants AND can even help balance your blood sugar. It is an excellent source of fiber and protein, which is a good thing to tell people who ask- "where do you get your protein if you don't eat meat?" Quinoa is a seed related to the spinach family.

Here are some handy facts about the health benefits, courtesy of Body Ecology

Some of the nutrients in quinoa include:

Complete protein. Quinoa contains all 9 essential amino acids that are required by the body as building blocks for muscles.
Magnesium helps relax your muscles and blood vessels and effects blood pressure. Quinoa contains high levels of this vital nutrient.
Fiber. Quinoa is a wonderful way to ensure that you consume valuable fiber that eases elimination and tones your colon.
Manganese and copper. Quinoa is a good source of these minerals that act as antioxidants in your body to get rid of dangerous cancer and disease-causing substances.

Compared to other grains, quinoa is higher in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc than wheat, barley, or corn.²

Studies have shown that quinoa has documented health benefits too!

Quinoa, in its whole grain form, may be effective in preventing and treating these conditions:³

Artherosclerosis
Breast cancer
Diabetes
Insulin resistance

Researchers attribute the health benefits of quinoa to its complete nutritional makeup.

Quinoa is close to one of the most complete foods in nature because it contains amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.

Quinoa: A Body Ecology Grain

We recommend quinoa because it does not feed fungal and bacterial infections in your body (and doctors estimate that 8 in 10 Americans have fungal infections, like candia!)¹.

Quinoa has other qualities that make it an ideal "grain":

Quinoa acts as a prebiotic that feeds the microflora (good bacteria) in your intestines.
Quinoa is easily digested for optimal absorption of nutrients.
Quinoa is gluten-free and safe for those with gluten intolerance, people on a celiac diet, and for autistic children who follow the Body Ecology program for autism.

So, vegan or not, we should all be eating this seed!!

Plant-based Awakening

2009-04-30T23:29:00.000-07:00

I have just been awakened. I have seen the light. I always knew the animal product industry was bad, but I was given a podcast sampler of a woman who started Compassionate Cooks, I was shocked and appalled. How could I have missed all this? Me, the girl who listens to radio news hours non-stop, reads all about the goings-on in our world, has long discussions with intelligent people, sits online for hours reading about the state of our environment, and has several vegan friends!!!... Well, there is a lady out there who has saved me. Her name is Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. She debunks the myths of the vegetarian lifestyle and empowers us with compassion for living creatures and our planet to open up to the expansive lifestyle that is Veganism. I never thought I could do it. I have dabbled in vegetarianism for years, always bouncing back to habit-- meat and dairy and eggs. But no more! I can't stand by and support these industries no matter how humane and ethical they claim to be. Not when the logical, compassionate choice is to just go straight to the source and cut out the middle man. Go straight to the source of our nutrients- plants- and free these animals of the burden that is human pleasure and consumption. I will go into more detail with my journey in following blogs. This is a mere introduction to this exciting life style! I hope all of you can take something out of this experience. No one is asking you to do anything drastic, just do something. For me, this feels right and pure. To paraphrase something Colleen Patrick-Goudreau said in one of her recordings- To make a difference in the world, you have to do something different. And it seems crazy to me, after all the meat and animal products I have consumed, that the simpler, healthier way of living is now considered "different". But, holy crap, I am excited!!!

Love, Theresa

(image from the Compassionate Cooks website)

Kudos to Embodies!

2009-04-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

I must give a shout out to the store Embodies in Larkspur, CA. I do feature a lot of the clothes they carry because of the wide range of eco designers that are available at the store. So, not only is the store doing a world of good to support the green clothing industry, but the owner had a fundraiser on Friday last week to support Secondary Education for Girls' Advancement (SEGA), to develop a girls' secondary boarding school in Morogoro, Tanzania. SEGA is made up of a core group of four Tanzanian citizens and one American who are committed to improving the lives of Tanzanian girls. Because of this fundraiser, Embodies raised more than $2000 to send to Africa, all in one evening, and more pledges are on their way. Here is the website to find out more on SEGA.

Packing for China

2009-04-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, so my sister has a head start on me for the China trip, but I have been looking for the right shorts. I know it's going to be super hot there, so these should do the trick.

"These sexy new shorts are a spring and summer staple. Fashionable cuffs, internal front pockets, medium rise and gathers for a fun, flattering fit. Short but not-too-short length. Luxurious 55% Hemp, 45% Tencel fabric is unique blend of sustainable hemp and wood pulp fabrics resulting in the softest, smoothest, most comfortable garment possible. Eco-friendly bamboo button closure on waistband with zipper fly. Top-stitched throughout. Designed by Melissa Baswell and made sweatshop-free in the USA."

Clean Coal Fiasco

2009-04-27T18:54:00.000-07:00

Watch this video and tell me if this doesn't epitomize the Corporate way of doing things:

No matter how they dress it up, coal is never clean. Don't believe it! It is a rouse to distract forward thinking people from continuing on the road to clean energy. Keep doing what you are doing to save the earth!

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

Do something green today!

One for One

2009-04-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

"TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about." -Taken from tomsshoes.com

I love these shoes! Not only are they super stylish, they have an inspiring purpose behind them. These will never bring on shoppers guilt, so buy away and give shoes to children in need! Toms shoes are a must for China!!!

China here we come!

2009-04-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

We're going to China in less than two months! It's going to be hot hot hot! over there, so why not look it as well? Over the next few weeks we will be showcasing stylish and comfortable eco friendly fashions to pack for the trip. This bamboo knit jumper is definitely going to make it's way into my suitcase. You can find it here!

2009-03-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

www.buildanest.com

How recyclable are you?

2009-03-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

This gets you thinking about healthy/unhealthy choices you have made! It is my goal to become more recyclable by the end of the year.

Friendly Friday!

2009-03-13T10:51:00.000-07:00

This Friday we want to give a shout out to an amazing company called Build a Nest. This nonprofit organization supplies women in developing countries with loans to start their own creative businesses. From their website you can shop all the loan recipients' merchandise as well as great domestic designers. If buying from or donating to them doesn't feed your soul enough, they have many opportunities to volunteer! ikat scarf made my the Guatemala Weaving School

circles necklace made by bluebird

*all images taken from buildanest.com

Another reminder for these trying times!

2009-03-12T15:52:00.001-07:00

Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright

2009-03-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

In these tough times, it's hard not to stress. I find myself starting to freak out about what am I going to do if... who will be there when... filling in the blanks is endless. However, when I'm about ready to pull my hair out, I whisper a simple, seemingly obvious phrase to myself and it supplies me with an enormous amount of relief. "Everything will be alright."
When my boyfriend first introduced saying this phrase to me, I could have punched him! How can you just say that and be so calm about everything?! But after each panic situation blew over, I began to realize how true those simple words are.
Now I find myself taking more risks, stopping to appreciate the little things in life (like three little birds on my doorstep), and embracing my inner zen master. So when things are getting stressful in your life and you feel like you're drowning in a sea of hopeless, think of the genius of Bob ( and my boyfriend) and know-"Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright."
-Sarah
*Click on the title and listen to some much needed Bob Marley!

Friendly Friday!

2009-02-20T16:20:00.000-08:00

Time for another lovely item for our eco friendly fashionistas! What I am loving this week is the NOAH NS Shopper. It is such a great bag! I love the bird detail on it. And in case you were wondering- NOAH stands for NO Animals Harmed. These bags have a leather feel to them, but never use any leather/animal products. I am so in love with this bag. You can get it here!

Just because it's Natural...

2009-02-17T16:32:00.000-08:00

Ok, let's get this straight. Fur is not and never will be environmentally friendly. I just read an article that tried to put an eco-spin on the murderous fur industry.

Here's the argument:

Fur is all natural, renewable and always organic. The fur industry isn't allowed to trap endangered species, so in reality, no harm is being done to the environment. Synthetic furs use chemical that harm the environment and are poisonous to consumers.

Here's my rebuttle:

Fur is all natural, renewable and always organic BUT it's not environmentally friendly. I don't know how murder is considered "friendly". OK, here is my answer to those who rightly ask if I wear leather. Honestly, I do, but I also eat beef. Think about it. Until rabbits, minks, raccoons and other animals used for their fur are also on the meat market, I will never support the industry. Also, there is no way to stop endangered species from wandering into the traps by accident. As for the synthetics, there are loads of natural, non-poisonous options out there (organic cotton for example), you just have to look.

Call it what you will, fur will never be environmentally friendly. Natural does not mean good for the environment. Let's think about this....

Reduce Traffic and Air Pollution

2009-02-05T19:23:00.000-08:00

Hey! I know we are all in suspense on how this whole stimulus bill is going to go over. It's a lot of money for sure. All I know is sometimes the American public feels helpless on how the spending will actually play out. I also know a great way to help out and gain some control.

Sadly, for years our crazy government has spent around 9 times more on highway expansion projects than on transit projects. Thanks oil and road builder lobbyists! NOT.

What people don't realize is that creating more public transit gives America the potential to 19% more jobs than if we were to spend money on highways and roads. Don't get me wrong. You can't get around without roads. But all of our nation's roads need maintenance, we don't need new ones. If we expanded transit, there would be less cars on the road, thus eliminating the need to expand them.

Do me a favor everyone! Go visit California Public Interest Research Group's website. You can learn all about the campaign they are working on and give your support. It will make a world of difference!

Building Green

2009-01-24T22:14:00.000-08:00

Ok, here is another thing I would do if I had a lot of money lying around. I would build an eco house. And what luck! There is a company called Serious Materials. They manufacture this amazing sheet rock called EcoRock that produces 80% less carbon emission than standard sheet rock production. And considering dry wall/ sheet rock production accounts for 1% of all US consumption. That's a big step in shrinking our carbon footprint.

The cool thing about this awesome innovation is that it costs about the same as regular dry wall.

Man, I never thought in my life I would be excited about dry wall... But I am! And I hope you all spread the word!

How does Serious Materials do it? How do they cut 80% of CO2 emission? Well, let's give a brief chemistry lesson. The main ingredient of standard drywall is gypsum. In drywall, the gypsum is sandwiched between special paper. Now, it's not like they can just super glue the paper to the gypsum. They have to cook it. Long story short, the high heat produces a lot of CO2 Now, the cool thing about EcoRock, is that it doesn't use gypsum! It is made out of 80% recycled post-consumer waste from steel and cement plants. Plus, it's naturally cured and dried, so none of that nasty cooking process like with the gypsum. EcoRock can safely be disposed of, unlike gypsum, however, Serious Materials encourages you to recycle it, and it can be made into more building supplies. Or, it can be used as a pH additive for soil. Holy cats!!! This stuff is amazing.

If you are building a house, use this stuff! Not only is it good for the environment, but it also outperforms other mold-resistant drywall by 50%. That's just one of the benefits for your home. Check out Serious Material's website and they will tell you the rest.

Catch Up!

2009-01-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

Why hello hello! I am sorry it's been so long. The holidays are exhausting! I hope everyone had a lovely time. I'm going to pick 4 items for this week to feature.

1. Prairie Underground Short Cloak Hoodie: What a great piece! An unusual, yet stunning hood that looks great up or down! The gorgeous cloak hood doubles as a shawl collar that lays beautifully over the shoulders. The feminine lines of the jacket will surely flatter your body with a closer fit through the bust and a flare at the hip line. Made in Seattle, USA

2. Les Fees de Bengale Poivre Lingerie Set: The elegant butterflies really make this set! Very comfortable! Bra has the embroidered racer-back butterfly detail and panties have the butterfly detail on each side at the hip. Les Fees de Bengale offers original patterns, in limited edition, giving you the opportunity to escape, emphasize your femininity; dress up fairy like...
100% Organic cotton jersey, designed in France, and made in India, in a social program cooperative, intended to improve the living conditions of the most disadvantaged women in India.

3. Kris Nations Medium Hoops Silver, Simple Square Hoops Silver, Hoop and Cascade Earrings:
Recycled Sterling Silver and Hand made in San Francisco. These earrings are so lightweight and classy. I love them and you surely will too!

4.Form & Fauna Navy Racer Shoe: What a super shoe. I am so in to these! They are just retro enough to look like you're wearing your mother's shoes from long ago, but they have a contemporary edge that makes them unique everuwhere you go! The riveted detailing helps air flow to the foot and the plush eco liner is incredibly comfortable!

Enjoy!
Please support small businesses.
You can find all these items here!
all images courtesy of embodies.com

Holiday Gift Idea

2008-12-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

Clean water is a human right. We don't think about that much when we get in the shower every morning, or fill up a glass to take some vitamins or wash down breakfast. All around the world, even in the USA, we are running out of drinkable water. So what can we do? Right now, the first step is to educate yourself and others on the global water crisis. Here is a wonderful opportunity to do that. Embodies online boutique is offering the "Water is a Human Right" gift set. It includes Maude Barlow's new book Blue Covenant:The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water and a Linda Loudermilk "Water is a Human Right" necklace. When you buy this set, all proceeds go to Barlow's nonprofit organization to fight for clean water.

"The global water crisis is the first face of climate change. Protecting our water sources is as crucial as curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Maude Barlow has for decades been a leading voice for water sustainability and justice. In Blue Covenant, she shows us the way." --David Suzuki

"Water remains the unseen crisis of our time. Blue Covenant chronicles how ordinary (and some not-so-ordinary) individuals are fighting to restore the right to pure water and return some semblance of grace and justice to the people of the world." -- Paul Hawken

The sterling silver necklace by Linda Loudermilk is named "Water is a Human Right". The necklace can be purchased either with a silver chain or leather cord.

Embodies is thrilled to offer this gift set and donate all proceeds to the Blue Planet Project, founded by the author Maude Barlow. The Blue Planet Project is a global initiative working with partners around the world to achieve the goal of water justice now. To learn more,http://www.blueplanetproject.net/

So help out the world and give a gift that really gives back.

Double your pleasure with Sustainablilty!

2008-12-05T13:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, since I missed last Saturday, and I am busy tomorrow, I am doing a double feature of sustainable clothing today! A little different, but super fun! First item: Pozu Elm Boot. Oh man I love these boots. Super comfy, you can wear them tall or short by rolling down the top, and they are completely adorable! The boots are based on the ingenious 60% coconut husk and 40% natural latex rubber foot mattress that gradually moulds to the shape of your foot. The leather is reclaimed animal hides tanned with vegetable oil, not those icky, toxic chemicals most leather is tanned with. The moulded sole is made of 100% natural latex rubber with rice husks and has embedded the Yeats quote "Tread softly because you tread on my dreams...". You'll receive your boots in a 100% recycled cardboard box. Kudos to Po-Zu for addressing being eco from product to packaging!

And now, for those of us blessed with not to harsh fall and winter weather- the Bahar Shapar Cloche Pant. It's all in the weaving, baby. What a classy way to wear shorts! A rich basket-weave tweed in the shades of the ocean and 100% ahimsa silk. You can wear them with boots, or flats, or dress them up with a cute top and heels. These Pants are just lovely.

(all images courtesy of embodies)

you can get these great gifts at embodies.com

Sustainable Saturday!!!

2008-11-22T18:11:00.000-08:00

Hello! Wow, this week went by fast. And you know what beautiful piece I can't stop thinking about this week? The Habitude Copper Hemp Silk Dress. It is stunning! The shine, the color, the cut, the fabric. It is 60% hemp and 40% silk and made in the USA. It looks great as a dress, or dress it down with a pair of jeans. It looks good on pretty much all body shapes too! It's a perfect addition to anyone's fall wardrobe. (Better get it quick before winter...hell, it looks good in all seasons!) You can buy it online here. Check out habitude's site for more great stuff from them!

all images courtesy of embodies.com

If I had a million dollars...

2008-11-18T16:25:00.000-08:00

I am betting I am not the only one who asks myself "What would I do with a million dollars?" First of all, I would pay off the students loans, throw my friends and family a big party, put some in savings, buy a house (maybe...with this market?) and definitely buy some sort of green car. Which one? They are gaining popularity and becoming more and more stylish every day. Well, I guess my favorite, but least practical is The Smart Car- or specifically, the 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe. I just love this little car! Can you imagine how much parking there would be if we all had one of these tiny automobiles? Not so great for packing up and going on a long roadtrip--not much room I have to say. It's 106.1 inches long, about 61 inches wide, and starts at around $12,000. In tests done by caranddriver.com, it didn't quite get the 50 mpg it boasts, more like 32...same as my Hyundai. hmmmm.... but less space taken up on the streets!

Ok, now here is a super sporty car coming out from Honda. It's set to come out in 2010- the new Honda CR-Z. "The CR-Z, or Compact Renaissance Zero, is a lightweight hybrid sports car that combines green credentials and exciting driving." (businessweek.com)

But you know what? I am a simple girl and pretty sure I was born 50 years too late, so what I would most likely do is buy a crazy hippie van and convert it to run on used fry oil from fast food joints. Ahh! Livin' the dream

Sustainable Saturday!!! well....

2008-11-15T23:58:00.000-08:00

Wow! Well, let me first start off by saying sorry! This post has become a sustainable sunday post. I had such a busy day! I was acting in a student film from 6:30 am until 5:45pm and then I raced home, picked up my husband and we booked it to Santa Rosa where we saw Joan Baez on the 50th anniversary of the beginning of her career. And all I can say is wow. Joan, first of all, you look amazing and I am amazed that you started writing such prolific pieces at such a young age, and that it is hard to believe just by looking at you that you can have a 50th anniversary of anything! And most of all, my spirit feels higher than the heavens. You lifted me up beyond my wildest dreams. If I could just achieve one ounce of what you have, I would die happy.

Ok, now for the sustainable fun! This week, I am journeying back to Lara Miller. She just amazes me time and time again. This new piece is stunning. Made of hand-loomed bamboo, this dress flows and moves with every step and motion of your body. As far as I am concerned, it is flawless. It's full name is the Lara Miller Mitri dress. You can get it in bone or onyx. It has a beautiful cut in the back that really showcases, well, your back. You can wrap the straps around any which way. Lara has really set the bar high for high fashion in the eco clothing world. I know the bar will only get higher with her creativity. You can get this dress online here!

Repeal Prop 8!

2008-11-14T14:59:00.000-08:00

I hope that all my readers are on the same page as me when it comes to Prop 8 and how horrible it is that it passed. I believe we should never take the right away from people who love each other to marry. I can't imagine how hurt and degraded I would feel if someone told me that I couldn't marry. It is not fair that simply because I am straight, I get to enjoy this civil right while others suffer. Here are a few reasons why I think this proposition should have never passed:

1. Separation of Church and State- The fact that one of the major beneficiaries of Prop 8 was a church!! outrages me. This is not a matter of religious belief, religious morals, or doctrine. This is a legal matter. There are laws out there that are supposed to protect us from this kind of thing. No one has the right to impose upon others their religious beliefs. If you think being gay is immoral, that is your opinion- it does not give you a right to get involved with state matters when the heart of your opinion comes from religion.

2. Our country's progress in civil rights- Through out our country's history, we have struggled with unfair and unjust laws placed upon people because of their status, race or sex. Don't you think it is time to see people as people? Fellow Americans as fellow Americans? It is time to move on.

3. Why is it your business?- Hey, I don't like raunchy public display of affection as much as the other guy. Nothing bothers me more than two people mackin' on each other in public. That is rude. But I am not going to go up to the people and tell them to knock it off, because I am sure they keep their really raunchy stuff for behind closed doors. I don't want to know and strangers don't just come up to me on the street and tell me what a wild romp in the sack they had last night. Do the people for Prop 8 think that the right for gays and lesbians to marry will bring everything out in the open? Do they think public display of affection will become an out of control orgy? I don't get the rationale. It is none of your business!!!! Married couples have their marital duties and it is not anyone else's job to sit around and think about what they are doing in the comfort of their own home. Remember, people are people. Gays and lesbians are people! We are all people! Let everyone be.

4. The "sanctity of marriage"- Right now, I think the statistics for a marriage to survive is only 50/50. What are we holding on to? I know that all the people who got the right to marry snatched away want to be married sooo bad that their marriages chances for survival is probably greater! And "sanctity"- that just brings me back to the religious thing. That is a religious sacrament. So if these closed minded churches don't like gay marriage, sadly they can stop it from happening in their own buildings. But in no way should they ever stop it from happening in a court house, or in some other LEGAL way. I don't know how many people are in miserable marriages and stay in them because their church doesn't believe in divorce. Should we as a nation sanctify horrible straight marriages just to make our point? NO!

To sum it up- I think everyone should be treated equally. This is a matter of people and people. Nothing else. To anyone who voted for prop 8: you are my countrymen/women. I believe we can stand together on this once we wade past all the discrimination and close-mindedness. Do you remember when blacks couldn't marry whites? When Americans had slaves, the slaves couldn't even marry each other? Remember when women couldn't vote? And yet, there are some women out there that used their hard-earned right to vote against their fellow citizens when they have done nothing wrong. As a person, I have flaws- everyone does. But I will never let anyone's flaws or quirks, or personality, or essence or being ever sway me into voting against anyone's civil rights. I sincerely wish that I will be returned the same liberty. And I hope that we will all learn from the mistakes we made in the past and move on to better things.

You can sign the petition to overturn the proposition here

Or, if I was wasn't convincing- please watch this

Sustainable Saturday!!!

2008-11-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

(all pictures are from embodies.com)

Hey hey! It's another Saturday and time for the feature of the week. This week, I picked Loyale Organic Cotton Fur Throw. The cotton is so soft and cozy, it feels like you are wrapped up in a polar bear. But it is 100% organic cotton, no polar bears, or any animal for that matter, were harmed. It is made in the USA- New York to be exact- and you can get it online at Embodies. Now that the weather out there is getting a bit chilly, why not wrap yourself in something that promotes ethical production? If you ask me, it's the perfect gift!

Happy Obama Day!

2008-11-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

Victory!

Sustainable Saturday!!!

2008-11-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

(photos courtesy of embodies.com)

Welcome! It is the 2nd installment of Sustainable Saturdays. This week I am featuring Deborah Lindquist's Peace Silk Trousers. Why are they so great for the environment? Well, I will tell you! They are made of peace silk, or vegetarian silk. This process of getting the silk allows for the silk worm to live out it's full life cycle, unlike the conventional way where the silk worms get boiled alive to get their silk. The silk is actually a lot fluffier with this process. I love these pants! They are comfortable and produced ethically.

You can get these pants online at www.embodies.com You can also check out Deborah's site for store locations.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

2008-10-31T06:38:00.000-07:00

Have a good, safe, Halloween! Beware the full moon!

From yogurt to.....

2008-10-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

OK, so I just have to do a quick little shout out to Preserve Everyday. What an amazing company! They make all their products from 100% recycled plastic and then...the kicker! They give you a postage paid package to send back your used items to be re-recycled! YAY!! I had a similar idea last year when I was talking to some friends. I thought it would be fabulous if somehow you could send shampoo, lotion, body wash bottles etc. back to the companies you bought them from so they could reuse them! Man, if someone could help me get that off the ground, it might actually work! And since Preserve Everyday already broke ground on the idea, it might be easier to break into it myself. hmmmmmmm the wheels are turning. hmmmmmmmmm.

Healthy Halloween!

2008-10-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

Now, it might be a given, since I have a BA in Theatre, but I love Halloween!!!!! Getting dressed up, acting crazy all night, and don't get me started on the free candy. But, I think an important issue has arisen. We never worried about this when I was a kid, but I wish we had. Ok, I am borrowing a little bit, but I think with all the toxins out there it is important to look for natural alternatives for colored face paints. Here is a basic recipe that you can add natural dyes to: (from supereco)

1 tsp. of corn starch

1/2 tsp. cold cream

1/2 tsp. water

Now how do you get the perfect color?

Please, be careful. Just because it's natural doesn't mean you can't be irritated by it. If you have pollen allergies, some plants might not be such a good idea. Also, these dyes are all plant-based, so food based allergies should be considered too. (certain vegetables and such)

GREEN:

grass
artichokes
spinach

BLUE-PURPLE:

red cabbage
grapes
blueberries
blackberries

RED:

dandelion root
beets
chokecherries

PINK:

strawberries
cherries
roses
raspberries

BROWN:

coffee grounds
tea bags

ORANGE:

Turmeric

Also, my husband, being a film guy, makes lots of fake blood. The easiest and most popular recipe is cornstarch a red food coloring. Another is the strawberry and chocolate syrups for milk. Mix them together until the desired consistency. You can also add chunky peanut butter for gore effects.

Let's just hope your kid (or you) gets good candy, otherwise these blood recipes might be the midnight snack!

Have a safe, healthy halloween!

It's Coming!

2008-10-27T12:26:00.001-07:00

it's almost time to vote!!!

get excited people!

It's Sustainable Saturday!

2008-10-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

(images from www.embodies.com )

That's right folks! Today is the first of many Sustainable Saturdays ! This is the day I feature a favorite eco-clothing item from my favorite eco store, Embodies. I'll tell you all about it! Today, I chose the Lara Miller Eva Flip. This is so versatile! You can wear it right-side and inside-out to get the different weaving on the neckline and wrist lines. Then, you can flip it upside down to make the length longer or shorter! And once it's upside down you can flip it inside out! So basically, you can wear it 4 different ways. It's hand-loomed bamboo like the majority of Lara's clothing, so it's beautiful and eco-tastic!

And guess what? I'm not being totally biased. I looked online and Embodies is the only online store that carries this piece.

You can go to Lara Miller's website and check out what stores in your area carry her line

Join me next Saturday for another great sustainable fashion piece!

Cotton Danger!

2008-10-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

Oh cotton, the fabric of our lives.....or the fabric of poison? It's no secret cotton is the major plant fiber out there for the fabric/textiles industry. But what are they not telling you? The commercials show people running through happy, sunny fields with fabric flowing on clothes lines and couples cuddling under their cotton sheets. The image is beautiful, but conventional cotton farming is not. Here are a few tid bits about this seemingly harmless crop.

Cotton uses around 25% of all insecticides and approximately 10% of the pesticides in the whole world!
One t-shirt takes 1/3lb. of pesticides and fertilizers
Problems with pesticides: they reduce the fertility of the soil, pollute water, poison livestock and wild animals in the area, and reduce biodiversity in the surrounding areas!

(Source: Pesticide Action Network North America)

Now, what are some alternatives?

Hemp doesn't need pesticides because it naturally repels pests. Also, since it is a weed, there isn't much use for fertilizers. It is one of the strongest, most durable plant fibers out there!
You can make clothes out of hemp, bamboo, algae, wood pulp, recycled pop bottles, flax, peace silk (a silk in which does not kill the silk worm)...and so much more!!!
Bamboo is a great fiber because it grows so quickly it is highly sustainable

Now, it is super important to not always assume just because the label says it's 100% natural, or organic, or eco that it is. The "natural"some companies are referring to are not always safe. (Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance, for example)

Do your research!!!!

Some clothing companies make a good effort, but then require their clothing be dry-cleaned. Now that doesn't seem very eco to me.

I know, there are probably things in every "eco" line of clothes that make it not so eco. After all, it takes all sorts of natural resources to do anything these days. All I am saying is, that it is very important to feel comfortable in your clothes and be healthy. Researching clothing lines and factories will help you with you journey.

I am still a "newbie" when it comes to this stuff, but I am very passionate. Of course I still wear conventionally made clothes. I'm not about to throw out clothes I bought before I was informed. But now, I have decided to not buy anymore. Lets re-use! Lets recycle! Let's preserve!!! Let's get rid of the poisons in our fields!!! Who's with me?

In Defense of Food- Michael Pollan's Great Idea

2008-10-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

I was listening to NPR yesterday, wait, the day before. And a man named Michael Pollan was being interviewed because of his breakthrough ideas on the availability of natural foods and how important it is for our country to focus on new ways to eat healthy and provide good foods around the nation. Now, you can go to his site here and read up on his ingenious ideas. But one thing in particular struck my fancy. He has written an open-ended letter to the new president (whoever it may be) and asked for part of the White House lawn to become the White House Garden and have all organic, pesticide free foods right out the front door. I think that is brilliant! What a way to set a good example to the people out there who think McDonald's and big chain grocery stores are the last resort. We need to support local growers. We need to get the pesticides out of our foods. We need a president to set a good example to keep American healthy. Michael Pollan- you are a breath of fresh air

Sing

2008-10-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

Today, I thought you all possibly would like to hear some of my music. I record some of it myself and some in basements, friend's dorm rooms and apartments. I hope you like it.

www.myspace.com/theresakelly

the beautiful red-head was my partner in crime in the Washington music scene. We played together all the time. Almost for the whole 5 years I lived in Washington.

We had a band called FairIesa.

You can check out our music too. Of course, these recordings are from the time before we had a drummer (Eric) and we used my MIDI-1700 synthesizer. Oh yeah.

www.myspace.com/fairesa

Eco Store of Epic Proportions

2008-10-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

I want everyone to check out this site! www.embodies.com. I will probably write about it a lot, but I assure you, you will never get tired of it! It is my favorite store ever. Located in Larkspur, CA (oh so close to my town) and they have a website! Here are some great pics from some of their ads and website.

The jeans in the picture are Good Society Jeans (the ones I raved about in the previous blog), the blue shirt is a Lara Miller piece and the copper beauty is by Habitude.

Aren't they beautiful????? Can you see why I love this place?

First post and it's a doosy!

2008-10-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Born and raised in Montana by a teacher and a small business owner, I grew up learning the value of hard-earned money. Although I never knew it, we were not that well off for most of my childhood. My parents gave me skills in knowing what was a good deal, and not only that, what was worth buying. That philosophy stuck with me. What is worth buying? Do I really need another pair of shoes? How about another t-shirt with a funny picture on it? Am I really going to wear those polka-dot socks with ruffles I thought were soooooo cute?

Through my high school and college years, I got pretty good at haphazardly justifying what was worth buying. But recently, after graduating college, getting married, and making the move to the Bay area, i looked at my wardrobe and thought, "Enough is enough!" I have enough clothes to last me until the Republicans finally acknowledge global warming. I don't need to buy anymore! Even if that "to-die-for skirt" goes on 75% clearance. Know why? I have finally found what is worth buying; clothes that make a difference. "How can clothes make a difference?" you ask. That's where we as consumers are really important. There are several lines of clothing out there that are ethically made, or that use organic cotton, or sustainable fibers. Hemp, bamboo, peace silk. pesticide free linen; all are important revelations in the clothing industry.

But, hey, the small-town girl inside of me is screaming, "How can you spend $80 on a tank top?!?" Now that I am an adult, I rationally answer back, "I haven't bought any clothing I don't need, thus I have saved the probable $80 I would've spent on useless, albeit, super-cool leg-warmers, cheap shirts that don't fit me right, and any amount of other items made with a mystery fabric that will ultimately give me some sort of a rash. I would rather buy one article of clothing that comes from a source I know about (there are loads of lines produced in the USA!), from a company with the same mind-set as me."

I feel somewhat as if I have multiple personalities.......

So where can you start? First and foremost, do you research. There are plenty of green-washers out there looking to make a quick buck. Secondly: lay out a budget on what you are will to spend on eco clothing. It's ok to start small. Thirdly: (a) look for small businesses that offer what you are looking for. The smaller the business, the more likely it is to focus on individual products. Also, there is a greater possibility you can talk directly to the owner or buyer of the products, thus expanding your knowledge on the subject. (b) Go through your own closet to assess what type of clothing it is you are looking for, what you actually need to buy, and what you can get rid of. (recycle them to other places please!!!!) to make room for your new, healthy clothing.

Here is a list of my favorite lines that will get you on your way as a green shopper:

1. Prairie Underground- based out of Seattle, this company provides beautiful eco clothing in very unique styles

2. Perfectly Imperfect- such soft fabric, i could wrap myself in all their clothes and sleep forever. Based out of L.A.

3. Good Society- I have never felt so good in a pair of jeans before I got these! Hand-sewn, fairly-traded, 100% organic, and ethically produced... these jeans ROCK!

4. Lara Miller- The art of hand-loomed bamboo never looked so good! Based in Chicago, her motto is "wear it your way" and you completely can! Really righteous, elegant clothing that can be flipped, flopped, upside-down and inside-out.

Here are some online stores and blogs you can check out to further you "eco education" (or eco-cation I like to call it)

1. www.embodies.com - A perfect example of the small business I was talking about! Knowledgeable owner and great products

2. www.whiteapricot.com - beautiful site with a beautiful mindset

3. www.treehugger.com - loads of links, articles, tips, and blogs for the eco conscious

4. www.alternativeconsumer.com - a great site showing how you can make being green you lifestyle

Ultimately, it is our duty as citizens of our majestic Earth to do everything in our power to preserve all things good about it. We want all of it to be available for future generations. It is so important to bring the dangers of conventional cotton farming and clothing production to light. The pesticides used are major carcinogens, not to mention most of the synthetic dyes in our clothes, and it is frightening to think we have been wearing these poisons almost every day of our lives! As Americans, who are know for throwing our money about from time to time (even I, with so little to my name), we have a huge influence on what gets produced because of our dollar. So lets throw our money around at some ethical companies and build them up so being and buying green will only get easier.