Annie Chun

Do you shy away from packaged noodle bowls and other Asian foods because of the fat content? Or reluctantly eat that styrofoam cup of ramen at work because its quick and easy, but feel guilty about the nearly 20 grams of fat you've just consumed? Well put those feelings behind you! Annie Chun's is a company dedicated to all natural, healthy packaged Asian cuisine. The noodle soup bowls are 100% natural, vegan, and contain no msg or preservatives. And not only that, but it comes in a biodegradable bowl! 

Annie Chun's products are made in the USA, and besides soup bowls, also sell noodle bowls, noodle side dishes, and sushi wraps.  You can buy them in your local grocery store, on Amazon, or on Annie Chun's website.

They are also involved with 1bowl.org, which fights world hunger. When you visit 1bowl.org, you can click on the blue button to donate a meal and Annie Chun's will match that

Worm Factory

This may seem like a hardcore green step, but its really a simple way to be a little more green. You simply put worms with some bedding and food scraps in the bottom drawer. As the worms digest, they move up to the next drawer, leaving behind rich castings that would be great for your garden! At full operation, the Worm Factory houses up to 10 pounds of worms (thats about 12,000 worms!) and they can eat through 5-8 pounds of food each day. The Worm Factory is weather resistant, and made in the USA of recycled plastic. 

You can get the Worm Factory and an order of worms at magicworms.com.

Smart Car

You may have seen it by now, parked nose to the curb on a parallel parking street.The Smart Car, first seen at an auto show in Paris, has been brought to the US. Sales began here in January for this cute, 8' 10" long car that gets 42 miles to the gallon and starts at just $12,000 (if you want air conditioning you'll have to pay a little more) It also rated very highly for safety, despite its tiny size.

Interested? Get in line. This car was such a hit, they can't keep up! For $99, you can get put on the waiting list. 

localharvest.org

Concerned about eating organic, and also about being eco friendly? Try localharvest.org! There you can put in your city, zip code, or state, and can search from farms, restaurants, and community supported agriculture where you can get local, organic food. 

Buying local is a good choice for many reasons. You can actually go and visit the farm so you know exactly where your food comes from. While it may be an hour or so to travel to the farm, thats it! It won't be hauled across the country on a truck, it only travels as far as you do. It can also be healthier for you. Grass fed hens, who are allowed to graze in a pasture can contain up to 20 times more omega 3 fatty acids than the hens who are kept in tiny pens. They also have 10% less fat, 40% more vitamin A, and 34% less cholesterol. Beyond the amazing health benefits, you are also helping a local family business instead of a big corporation. How can you say no to all of that?

Try the site, and check out your local farms. 

Method Omop

Keep your floors clean and nontoxic with the Method omop (short for "oh, what a mop"). This kit is the ultimate in green cleaning. You get a non-toxic, biodegradable cleaner in a recycled plastic bottle, a washable microfiber cleaning pad, compostable sweeper dusters made from corn-based plastic, and a mop, all inside a box made of pressed bamboo and recycled paper that is compostable or recyclable. 

You can buy it online at method.com for $30 or you can also get it at stores like Target.

Eco-Friendly binder

With Back to School right around the corner, its time to start thinking about school supplies. So many school and office supplies are made of new paper and plastic, which are so bad for the environment, especially since most of them get thrown away so quickly.

This year, try these eco-friendly binders. They are made with 70% recycled post consumer content and have a reduced chemical content than regular binders. They are also 100% recyclable. 

You can find these binders at TheGreenOffice.com in 5 sizes, ranging from $2.84-$4.74. They also have many other eco-friendly school and office supplies.

Flip Flop Door Mat

Its summer, and with it being so nice out, you and your family are going in and out of the house all day, and likely tracking in a lot of dirt. Have them wipe their feet on a mat made of another summer staple- flip flops! At the factory, after the flip flop shape is stamped out, there is leftover material around it. These are being made into indestructible, one of a kind door mats. You can get them at VivaTerra.com for $29-$89.

Corntainer Filtered Water Bottle

These brilliant little contraptions are filtered water bottles made from corn resin instead of plastic and petroleum. They contain carbon filters so that you can fill your bottle anywhere you go and end up with clean tasting water. You no longer have to buy a plastic bottle at the zoo when your carry-along bottle runs out. It is perfect for bikers or joggers who may run out of water along the way.

They are compostable, and will degrade in a commercial compost in 80 days. The corn is grown in the USA, and all the money spent to purchase the bottles stays in the USA. The corn polymer is also greenhouse gas neutral. 

These bottles are also reusable. How can they be reusable when they are compostable you ask? Well, compostable is different from biodegradable in that a compostable item needs heat and moisture to degrade, where as biodegradable items, such as fruits and vegetables, will rot and decompose even in your fridge. That being said, should you leave the bottle in your car on an extremely hot day, it could warp.

You can learn more about the Corntainer Filtered Water Bottle, or buy them on Amazon for $6.50 each. 

Organic Men's T-Shirt

These Cottonfield USA Crewneck Tee-shirts are grown and sewed in the USA, and are 100% Organic cotton. They are soft and comfortable, come in 4 colors, and cost only $20!

These shirts get an American tour as they come together. The cotton is grown on Organic cotton farms in Texas, California, and North Carolina, they are milled in North and South Carolina, are dyed in New Hampshire, and the fabric is cut and sewed in Boston, Massachusetts. Not only do they not have to travel far, but think of how many jobs they are providing in each of these states!

Grounds for Change

At GroundsforChange.com, you can find 17 different Fair Trade, 100% Organic coffee blends. Most of the coffee they sell is Shade Grown Coffee, which is better for the environment because it is allowed to grow underneath other trees, instead of having the area cleared out. This also loets local animals such as birds keep their habitats. 

Naturally occuring coffee bushes will only grow and thrive in the shade, and until 25 years ago, was the only way it was done. However, hybrids were developed that were placed in full sun, and were able to produce more coffee.

At Grounds for Change, they make sure it is done the old fashioned way for a number of reasons. Shade grown coffee shrubs actually live twice as long, and experts agree that the flavor is much better, and less bitter than full-sun coffee. They also provide homes to over 150 species of birds, who in recent years have been declining due to habitat loss.

Grounds for Change also offsets 100% of its non-renewable energy consumption and is a member of 1% For The Planet, donating 1% of total sales to organizations committed to improving our planet.

Prices are very reasonable, starting at $6.95 for an 8 oz bag and $41.95 for a 5 lb bag. They also sell sampler packs and other gifts.

Chopstick Folding Basket

Thats right, this basket is made entirely of recycled single-use wooden chopsticks! Don't worry, they've been sanitized. Great for fruit, keys, mail, bread, and folds flat for storage. It makes for a great conversation piece as well!

You can buy it at eco-artware.com for $25

New York Times Earrings

These pretty earrings are actually made from the plastic bag that carries the New York Times newspaper! The bag is twisted and wound into a spiral shape, and sewn togther with clear thread. The beads at the tops are glass and are recycled from vintage jewelry. 

You can get a pair at EarthFriendlyGoods for $28.50.

Walnut Sponge

This scrubber sponge is made in Ohio, and is made with organic walnut shells and 50% recycled materials, which includes paper, cardboard, and old, used clothes. 

There is a very small amount of glue in the sponge to hold it together, but the rest of the ingredients are biodegradable. Just cut the sponge into pieces when you're done!

You can buy these sponges for just $1.50 each at greenfeet.com!

Organic baby blanket

You want only the best for your baby, and this adorable cotton thermal recieving blanket is made with organically grown, pesticide free cotton. It is 30: x 40". It gets 4 1/2 stars on babiesrus.com and costs only $10!

Help your pets go green

So you want to go green, and change your purchasing, living, and eating habits, but what about your pet? Here is an article from grist.org (an environmental news and commentary site) with some tips to making your pet more eco-friendly. In the article, it says that "if every pet toy sold each year were made of 100% recycled materials, according to The Green Book, it would save enough virgin materials to make a Frisbee more than two miles in diameter". Thats a lot of plastic!

Petsmart is carrying more and more organic pet products, including food, treats, and toys. Try this cat toy for only $4 or these dog treats for $3. They even sell recycled paper cat litter!

Vinyl Record Bowl

What a conversation piece! These bowls are made from unplayable vintage 33 rpm vinyl records. A mylar seal protects the record label and seals the spindle hole in the center. It cannot hold liquids or hot items but would be a great bowl for chips or pretzels.

You can buy them at eco-artware.com for $29.

Bamboo Disposable Dishes

Bambu has a line of single use plates and silverware that is made of 100% Certified Organic bamboo. It is FDA approved food safe and does not contain any bleaches or dyes. It is not recommended for the microwave or multiple uses, and after you throw it away, it biodegrades in 4-6 months. Bamboo is a good choice because it is sturdy, biodegradable, and is the fastest growing plant in the world. Bambu also donates over 1% of its profits to 1% For The Planet

These plates and silverware are perfect for entertaining without using your own dishes, or buying those yucky plastic ones! 

You can read more about Bambu's philosophy, and buy them at greenfeet.com. The plates come in 3 sizes, starting at $5.50 for 8 plates, and the silverware comes in a 24 pack (8 knives, forks, and spoons) for $7.95. Having a bigger party, such as a wedding or graduation party? You can also buy them in bulk.

Solar powered Shoji Lanterns

These colored lanterns look like the traditional paper lanterns, but are actually made of weather-resistant nylon. They have a solar panel on the top and an LED bulb inside. They are cordless are collapsible. On a full charge, they can provide 6-8 hours of light. 

They are $25 each, but you can get them for $23.50 if you buy 2 or more at gardeners.com

The Body Shop Sheer Lip Lustre

The Body Shop has just come out with 3 shades of sparkling, pearlescent lip colors to go along with their Summer Glow Trend Make-up Collection. 

They are infused with "white tea" fragrance, and contains Community Trade marula oil, Community Trade Organic camomile oil, and Community Trade Organic beeswax. The Body Shop is against animal testing.

You can buy them at your local Body Shop Store, or online 

for $15.50 each. 

You can also read more about their Community Trade program.

Camden Rose Wooden Rattle

Camden Rose is a small company in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They follow the European safety standards for toys, which are more strict than those in the USA. This rattle is made of cherry wood, and finished with beeswax. It is made by local Amish woodcrafters. 

Each one is unique, and has a beautiful, simple rattle sound that you just can't get from a plastic toy!

If you live near Ann Arbor, you can buy one at the Ann Arbor Whole Foods. If you don't, you can get it on Amazon or Palumba for $15.

Kashi Go Lean Waffles

The Kashi company has been a pioneer in eco friendly packaging. They have been using 100% recycled paperboard for its product packaging since the company was founded in 1984, and are continually making strides to be a low impact, Earth friendly company.

These whole grain waffles not only come in a recycled and recyclable box, but they are delicious, and good for you too! With 8 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, these low fat waffles are great with peanut butter or fresh fruit on top, and are a great way to start your day!

You can get them at your local health food store in Original 7 grain, Strawberry Flax, or Blueberry flavors.

Glow for Good Ball

This bouncy glow in the dark ball from Orbee-Tuff is made in the USA and is non-toxic and recyclable. It is also durable, rated for even the most aggressive chewers. To top that, 100% of the wholesale cost goes to the Planet Dog Foundation, which supports canine service programs. 

You can find them for $10 at ecopetlife.com.

Grow a note

This beautiful handcrafted stationery is made with recycled paper, and is embedded with wildflower seeds! They are blank inside to express any sentiment, and when you're done, you can put them outside, or inside in a pot and the paper will biodegrade as the seeds grow!

You can buy 4 cards (which come with recycled, seedless envelopes) for $16 at icountformyearth.com

Weed Wacker Basket

These cute baskets are fair trade, and are made by senior citizens in Chinat Province in Thailand. They are handwoven from water hyacinth, which is a fast growing weed that is choking waterways in Thailand. They help control the weeds, give the elderly a source of income, and being handmade means that it is just one less uniform basket made in a factory. 

Click here to learn more about ThaiCraft and visit www.originalgood.com to buy a basket for $20.

The Patriot Pen

The Patriot Pen from O'BON is different from other pens because its barrel is made of recycled newspaper, which reduces its plastic content by 50%. It has spiffy designs and comes in either black, red, or blue ink.

You can buy a pack of 50 at myobon.com for $25.

Organic cotton sheets

We use cotton for everything-clothing, towels, and sheets, and also disposable diapers and feminine products. According to aboutorganiccotton.org, cotton makes up half of the world's textile sales. So why should we be using organic cotton? Conventionally grown cotton uses 25% of insecticides and 10% of pesticides used in the entire world! It takes about 1/3 of a pound of pesticide and fertilizers just to get the cotton for 1 t-shirt! That's a lot of chemicals...

Go to aboutorganiccotton.org to read more about conventional vs. organic cotton, and be sure to visit harmonyart.com to see a more detailed comparison between the two.

Many stores such as Target are beginning to carry organic cotton products, or you can check out www.gaiam.com, or www.underthecanopy.com

A good place to start could be with these beautiful Gaiam 100% organic cotton sheets. They are colored with low eco-impact dyes and finished without chlorine bleach or chemical softeners, and start at $40. 

Burt's Bees 100% natural sunscreen

We still have a lot of hot summer days ahead of us and we need to remember to protect our skin. Most sunscreens are full of chemicals that pollute the water, and also get absorbed into your body. Burt's Bees has a 100% natural sunscreen that uses titanium dioxide, a natural mineral, which reflects light and blocks the sun from harming your skin. Unlike chemically laden sunscreens, you can go outside immediately after putting it on and it will already be protecting your skin. 

You can find it at many stores, or at Burt's Bees for $15

100% Recycled Aluminum Foil

 If You Care Aluminum Foil is 100% recycled, and can be re-recycled again and again. How do you recycle aluminum foil you ask? Its easier than you think! Simply rinse off any food stuck to it, and put it in the same recycling container you put aluminum cans. 

Recycled foil exactly the same as regular foil, but it only takes 5% of the energy it would take to make a new roll. 

You can read more about it and see other products at IfYouCare.com  You can find this foil for under $5 at Whole Foods, or buy it in bulk on Amazon. 

Green Toys Sand Play Set

Made entirely in California, Green Toys uses recycled milk jugs to make plastic toys. The soft colors are so cute, and made with strict safety standards. They are BPA free, and are even packaged in recycled cardboard! Perfect for Earth friendly summer fun!

You can go to Green Toys to search for store locations. 

They can also be purchased at ChildTrek.com

and cost about $20

Degradable trash bags

These 13 gallon bags are just like regular plastic trash bags, except that they completely degrade in 12 to 24 months.

You can get 200 bags for $29.99 at www.letsgogreen.biz.

Preserve Toothbrush

The handle of this toothbrush is made from 100% recycled plastic, including Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups!

It comes with a reusable travel case, and a postage paid label that when you're done with your toothbrush, you can send it back to be re-processed into 'plastic lumber', which is used to make picnic tables and decks.

They are available in medium, soft, and ultrasoft bristles.

Also available is the Preserve Jr. for kids, which is designed for children ages 2-8, and the handle is also made from 100% recycled plastic, including yogurt cups. 

Preserve Jr. has teamed up with the National Wildlife Federation and showcases endangered species on their toothbrush packaging to educate children about protecting our wildlife. 

These also come with a postage-paid label to be sent back and turned into something else.

They are available at Trader Joes, and Target, as well as on the website www.recycline.com for under $3 each.