Support the Green Party!
Date: August 1, 2008 | Category: Events, Lifestyle, Stores & Resources
The ecofab crew loves a great party. But all that celebrating can wreak havoc on the planet. Think about the paper plates, plastic utensils, latex balloons and plastic water bottles that typically wind up rotting in landfills. If you happen to live a few thousand miles east of New York, however, you can now have your cake and eat it too. (more…)
The Grass Is Greener in Napa
Date: July 30, 2008 | Category: Events, Lifestyle
Being a Bay Area native, I rarely make it out to wine country anymore - except to dine at my eco-ultimate eatery Ubuntu and take a yoga class upstairs. But now there’s a great reason to head north. On Saturday, August 2nd, the Think Green-World Music Festival will host a full-day event showcasing live bands, green businesses, workshops on sustainable living, an interactive kid’s area, plus organic eats and drinks all set against Napa’s picturesque backdrop.
Elsewhere on the Ecosphere …
Date: July 28, 2008 | Category: Events, Lifestyle, Stores & Resources
Here are today’s picks for what’s wow in green:
Pool Party!
Date: July 22, 2008 | Category: Events, Lifestyle, The Home, Travel & Leisure
On sweltering summer days, the solar-powered, salt water community pool in Marin County, California is the perfect spot for a little seasonal enjoyment. But not all pools are created equally. That doesn’t mean that you need to throw in the organic towel just yet.
While water is a natural wonder, human-made pools are not inherently earth-friendly. Filling and replenishing, artificially regulating temperature, running a pump and keeping it all clean are not only carbon-heavy, but potentially toxic. While we adore all things green, we draw the line when it comes to lime colored hair! And we can all do without the headaches of chlorine-induced migraines.
In our quest to save the beloved pool party, the ecofabulous crew has collected a treasure-trove of tips and resources to ensure your next aquatic fest makes an all-out eco-splash!
Zem and the Art of Water-Cycle Maintenance
Let’s work from the ground up: Whether you own a pool or you’re thinking of building one, there are a number of ways to mitigate the typical carbon and toxic overload. First off, it’s always greener to join a community pool (especially if it’s solar-powered) than to install one for private use. But if you’re short on local clubs or the pools in your area are intent on over-chlorinating, you might want to consider ‘pooling’ your resources with neighbors. Greenyour.com offers innovative suggestions on how to implement a collective aquatic plan. Remember, when it comes to going green, caring means sharing.
If you’ve already got a pool or you can’t live without one, here are some ways to be less of a drain on the planet:
1. Fill her up: Consider filling your pool with UV-filtered rainfall. To prevent water-loss from evaporation, put a lid on it when it’s not in use (see below).
2. Some like it hot: Try to incorporate southern-facing solar panels to heat your pool. If you’re in California, PG&E is helping California residents commit to solar energy as part of a statewide mandate to implement 3,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2017. Partnering with Sharp, PG&E installed solar panels to power AT&T Stadium. For more information on Sharp’s extensive line of solar panels, check here. Another alternative is to use an organic, biodegradable product called Flexible Solutions, which forms a liquid layer one molecule thick on top of the water to insulate and prevent evaporation. No need to remove before swimming. The liquid lid will safely reform itself once the water is still.
3. Keep it clean: Avoid use of Ju to the extent possible, since this has been associated with all sorts of illnesses, ranging from respiratory problems to cancer. More benign side effects include hair discoloration, skin irritation and nausea. While some suggest the use of salt or ozone products, it’s important to keep in mind that once you add sun and air to a saline mix, it produces chlorine. If you do use ozone or salt, be sure to keep the pool partially shaded and avoid excess heating. A much greener option is to install UV filtering and plant life plus a sub-layer of gravel. This creates an ecosystem (much like a flowing stream) to keep water clean. For more information on how to keep your pool naturally clean, visit ecosmartepool.com. If you reside across the pond, try mountainpools.co.uk. For UV filters, we recommend solardirect.com. Learn more about the advantages of a living pool, here.
4. Size matters: Contrary to popular wisdom, when it comes to pools, smaller is definitely better. If you’re interested in swimming laps, consider putting in a small lap pool instead of something requiring energy-zapping maintenance.
Entertaining Al Fresco
For shade by day and light by night, we recommend the innovative Solar Umbrella. Converting sunshine for six to eight hours of illumination (with the help of 4 rechargeable AA batteries), the UV-protected polyester (please note we are waiting for a Cradle to Cradle version) fabric also helps keep your skin protected from harmful rays. To take the sting out of bee season, Gaiam also offers a whimsical string of recycled glass behives, which harmlessly lures prey with simple sugar water.
If you don’t have guest-worthy outdoor furnishings, we suggest you explore yard sales and craigslist for second-hand items before considering a new purchase. If you do go for new, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified Eucalyptus is a fast-growing alternative. And because it is a jungle out there, the Safari Collection for kids from Pottery Barn is crafted from super hard FSC-certified Eucalyptus. For the slightly older set, we recommend the new eco-line of furnishings available at Plow and Hearth.
Here Comes the Sun
We don’t need to tell you how harmful those beautiful golden rays can be on skin, young and old. Slathering on UV protection is an absolute must. But sunscreens can be dangerous too if they’re made with toxic chemicals that seep into the skin and pool water. Here are a few all-time faves of the ecofab crew for putting the fun back in sunshine.
Juice Beauty understands the seductive charms of the sun. Their chemical-free mineral moisturizers come in a variety of SPF levels and are loaded with potent organic anti-oxidants, vitamins and essential nutrients. We’re particularly fond of the green apple body moisturizer in SPF 20, which is naturally fragrant and offers a powerful fruit cocktail of anti-aging peptides. The tinted moisturizer is the only lotion Zem feels safe applying from the chin up. It’s a must-have for keeping your complexion looking smooth and blemish-free.
Burt’s Bees Chemical Free SPF is one of our tried and true choices, effective and safe for kids and adults alike.
Ranked #1 by the Environmental Working Group, the Australian UV Natural sunscreen was introduced to us by none other than former mermaid Daryl Hannah. It’s still her number one pick!
Caribbean-sol offers an extensive line of head-to-toe biodegradable sunblock products (and tanning oils) for young and old.
For those with sensitive skin, Jason’s line of sun care products include moisturizing lip balms, ultra-sensitive kids’ creams and a full line of aftercare for those sultry summer afternoons when sun-worship is too hot to resist.
Above all else, we remind you to reapply often, especially after you swim.
She Wore an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Greenie Bamboo Tensel Soy Bikini
Remember when bathing suits were so “water-proof” they crinkled like grandma’s plastic-coated sofa? Thankfully, those days are past us…mostly. A whole new breed of eco-friendly suits will keep you looking hot, without warming the planet. Suits made from organic fibers like cotton, bamboo and hemp are fully biodegradable. We’ve also featured a few items made from recycled plastic, saving our landfills from reusable waste.
For classic ecofashionistas, check out the exclusive line of bikinis and one-piece maillots made out of certified organic cotton by San Francisco-based kellybcouture.com.
For those who dare to bare more, you’ll find sexy little bamboo and organic cotton numbers at Niksters, who contribute five percent of profits to global charities. Aaron Chang also offers a stylish selection made from organic cotton and natural fibers OR from recycled bottles. For sportier sorts, you’ll find athletic bikinis constructed from post-consumer recycled plastics at Fariesdance.com.
Our ecofab men won’t be left out to dry with hemp shorts that double as swimming trunks from Rawganique. Element boasts an edgy collection of men’s board shorts made from 100 percent recycled polyester. Quicksilver sells eco-board shorts made from organic cotton in two vibrant patterns.
For babies and kids, we’re sad to report that we couldn’t find a single eco-friendly designer of children’s bathing suits or reusable swim diapers. Please let us know if you locate something. And be sure to ask your favorite retailers to start carrying swim fashions for ecofab kids. In the meantime, we suggest you buy re-chic at stores like Goodwill (here is a locater for a store near you) or if you happen to be LA, try Eden’s Green Closet in Venice, CA. Fig Kids also offers a cute collection of organic cotton shorts and tank tops that will do in a pinch.
When it’s time to dry off, we strongly recommend towels made from organic and alternative fibers. Remember, if it takes a third of a pound of pesticides to make a conventional cotton T-shirt, imagine how much is used to produce a beach towel (especially considering their expanded size).
We’re quite fond of the organic cotton and bamboo towels available through Sea Glass Organic. We also adore the flashy leopard print towels made by Rogan for Target in soft organic cotton. Last we heard, they were on back-order. So if they’re not in stock, keep on checking until they’re back by popular demand!
Now that you’re dry, you may want to don some loungewear. Surf Monk has a variety of cute cover-ups for the whole family made from bamboo fibers. And to round out your outfit, try a pair of fashionable flip-flops made from recycled materials. Begoodesigns sandals are made from 99% excess leather salvaged from such items as car seats and armchairs.
For Those Who Cycle Through Poolside Beverages
You may be wondering what this bike has to do with your eco-pool party. We’ll tell you. For all you fitness fiends who yearn to look buff in a bamboo bikini without burning fuel, we’ve got your answer right here.
This stationery or mobile bike transposes pedal power to fruit shakes while burning pesky calories. It’s also great for children’s pool parties, helping kids burn off extra energy while teaching them about rudimentary mechanics - if they can reach the pedals. We also have a hand-crank ice cream maker that will convert jelly arms to sweet cream before you can gasp (and/or curse) the lyrics to “I scream, you scream.”
As for what to serve, our naturally-sweetened soda of choice is Zevia, which comes in a variety of summery flavors like cola, twist, orange and ginger-root beer. And so long as you’ve got that blender whirring, why not mix up a batch of frozen organic green margaritas with Tommy’s Ultimate Margarita Mix made with organic cane sugar and agave nectar. It’s absolutely delicious with or without tequila! For the non-designated drivers, add some organic spiced rum made by fairly paid organic sugar cane farmers in Paraguay. For a really sweet sipper, combine Veev, our ecofab fave liquor made from acai berries, with the organic Lavender Lemon Drop mixer from Modmix. Garnish with fresh (local) mint and enjoy!
For eats, we suggest a refreshing organic, seasonal fruit salad from your farmer’s market along with grilled veggie kebabs. The omnivores on your guest list will be happy to know that an increasing number of ranchers are selling their products through farmers’ markets, natural food stores and farm stands. Check out Local Harvest to find a rancher in your area.
If you’re serious about going solar, consider this solar-powered portable oven made from post-consumer PET or plastic bottles and glass lids, which requires only the natural power of the sun for energy. These solar ovens have been successfully used by members of the Peace Corps through the world. For a full list of solar-powered cookers, check out solarcooking.org.
And don’t forget the biodegradable spudware to serve it on! Or if you’re feeling extra-chic, you can dine in style with Palm Plates!
Toys and Tunes
It’s hard to believe there are so few PVC-free, child-friendly toys on the market. We’re hoping by next summer our ecofab kids will be blowing water out of biodegradable, non-toxic noodles. For the time being, we managed to locate this durable canvas mattress that can be filled with up to 26 empty plastic liter bottles to keep it buoyant. The company is also working on creating a non-toxic children’s swimming aid that will be safe for busy hands and mouths.
If getting crafty floats your boat, why not turn some of those extra plastic bottles and laminated containers into water-worthy recycled floats and pool toys?
Of course, no pool party is complete without a rousing game of catch. Your kids will have a ball with these colorful Gertie balls, which are PVC-free and non-toxic. Although built for the beach, this recycled shovel and pail set (with a rake and a mud mold for extra fun) will keep enterprising aquatic explorers in the game.
Of course, it’s not a party without music. If you don’t happen to have a solar-charger to juice your boom box, this innovative radio requires only a crank of the hand and some rays to keep the grooves going long into the night. Say bye-bye to batteries and good day sunshine.
Just Add Water and Mix!
If you still find yourself in need of a little inspiration, check out some of the links below! Bottoms up!
- practicalenvironmentalist.com
- whiteapricot.com
- ecosmartepool.com
- www.poolandspa.com
- treehugger.com
- greenyour.com
- sierraclub.com
Dive into Summer with Zem Joaquin on KFOG!
Date: July 21, 2008 | Category: Events, Lifestyle
This Wednesday, July 23, at 8:10 AM (PST), Zem will be reviewing some of her tips for throwing an ecofabulous summer party. Feel free to email us questions or, better yet, call in and chat live with Zem. Join us at KFOG 104.5 FM or listen online! You can even TIVO it.
This Party is Gonna be GOOD
Date: July 16, 2008 | Category: Events, Lifestyle
By now, you may have heard that GOOD is one great mag. Not only do they publish enlightening and informative articles, but they print them on 30 percent post-consumer materials--EcoLogo certified–manufactured with Biogas Energy. What’s more, 100 percent of the $20 subscription is donated to the charity of your choice - yes, 100%!
But GOOD’s got it going on in other ways too. The second annual “Choose GOOD” Block Party is just around the corner, this Sunday in San Francisco. From 1 pm-8 pm, 111 Minna will play host to folks of all ages who want to “live well and do good,” featuring tons of activities from rum tasting to a ping pong tournament (now, if that doesn’t do it …) to live T-shirt screen-printing (… this will!), plus live performances on an outdoor, solar-powered stage. Ecofabulistas can RSVP here (a subscription garners you entry).
We’ve Outgrown our Nest!
Date: July 11, 2008 | Category: Events, Lifestyle
I started the ecofabulous blog a few years ago to share my thoughts on
green living with friends and colleagues. It’s been incredibly inspiring to see “green”
evolve from an alternative movement to a core element of innovation. In concert with this growth, the ecofabulous crew is undertaking a redesign to bring you more daily content in a fresh,
entertaining format. We’re also introducing some exciting new features,
including my personal “Eco-IT list,” which offers a weekly round-up of
my favorite products in the ecosphere. Of course, our mission remains the same: to be the trusted authority on sustainable, sexy stuff.
Attention Green Shoppers…
Date: July 11, 2008 | Category: Events, Fashion
Say au revoir to couture prices and clear some space in your ecofab closet! Greenloop’s annual summer sale begins TODAY!
The sustainable online retailer is offering up to 70% off on today’s hottest green fashions, including Stewart + Brown, Loomstate, Edun and, my personal fave, Linda Loudermilk. The ten-day sale showcases scores of deals that definitely rate ecofabulous approval. Just this morning, I picked up a pair of Edun “Eclipse” jeans for only $105, down from $175 and three Loomstate cotton graphic tees for only $35 each! And, with my mother’s birthday fast approaching, I’ve selected the cream of the crop: the Passenger Pigeon Retro ‘Dinghy’ dress (featured here). Originally $212 marked down to $106, this fresh and funky design is a versatile addition to your summer wardrobe. Add some wedges, wayfarers and a red hobo bag; you’ll be the envy of all ecofashionistas in town!–Best, Omar
Club-Hopping for Carbon Offsets
Date: July 11, 2008 | Category: Events, Lifestyle
If you happen to be in King’s Cross this weekend, hop on over to Surya, London’s new eco-friendly nightclub. Opening July 10th, folks who come by foot, bike or tube (i.e., the underground) can skip the cover charge. To enter, you’ll need to sign a personal pledge to try and halt global warming. The floor of the nightclub generates energy, so the more you bounce the less carbon you burn. Owners project that on a good night, dancers will generate up to 60% of the energy required to power the entire club.
Once inside, Surya offers organic drinks served in biodegradable cups. The sponsoring company, Club4Climate, plans to offset carbon emissions by planting one million trees by 2010. Alas, Surya is not sustainable. But Club Watt, opening in the Netherlands in September, will earn that distinguished title. All in all, we think this eco-friendly trend is cause for a little night music.
Happy Independence Day!
Date: July 4, 2008 | Category: Events, Lifestyle
Team ecofab is taking the day off to reflect upon what it means to be independent, though we are really all interdependent. I am flying to Iceland to meet William McDonough and a host of thought leaders from various parts of the world. Very soon we will be unveiling a whole new look and feel, so keep your eyes peeled to see all of the new features. Have a wonderful long weekend! I’ll post you some Icelandic love. Too bad the plane isn’t running on hydrogen like some of the cars there (geothermally energized, of course).
About EcoFabulous
Founded by green design guru Zem Joaquin, ecofabulous.com is the online destination for sexy, sustainable style.
Learn More
