Green Brains and Ham

Bright Ideas

2009-11-03T07:44:00.001-08:00

What if power came at a cost to the individual?

The average American consumes 3383kwh of energy per year. That’s equivalent to leaving the light on in 4 rooms for a whole year. The simple flick of a switch allows us to power appliances and gadgets 24/7 without a thought to where it comes from and the cost to the environment.

For the lamp to work one breaks the top off, dissolves the powder, and uses their own blood to power a simple light. By creating a lamp that can only be used once, the user must consider when light is needed the most, forcing them to rethink how wasteful they are with energy, and how precious it is.

via miket

The Green Bride Guide

2009-02-22T15:17:00.001-08:00

So now that I've received a little bling for my ring finger (a sweet little conflict-free diamond from www.sarahperlis.com) it's time to start planning a wedding. Since I am making a decision to live my life as eco-friendly as possible, of course this will also apply to my wedding. My aunt gave me this book the other night and the little bit of it that I've read so far has been great. It seems to cover just about everything from the engagement to the honeymoon. One thing that I really like about it is that it includes multiple resources and websites to make searches for things such as vintage wedding dresses ten times easier. Each section is also broken up by price categories so it works with any budget. I'm going to highly suggest this book to anyone that's planning a wedding.

Self Conscious

2009-02-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

I love sensory experience and artistic expression in every aspect of my life, including on my face, in my hair, and covering my body. However, this has not always been coupled with care for my health or my environment. In fact, it apparently means I might get cancer and my precious commodity's production and packaging probably wasn't healthy for anything around me. I've been a makeup junkie blindly brushing carcinogenic concoctions onto every part of my body for too long.

So, a few weeks ago my beauty product collection underwent a major clean up thanks to a little help from the Cosmetics Database. The database "pairs ingredients in more than 41,000 products against 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases, making it the largest integrated data resource of its kind. Why did a small

nonprofit take on such a big project? Because the FDA doesn't require companies to test their own products for safety."

After researching every item in my cabinets I found most of them to be comprised of ingredients that are known to be toxic to my system.This left me with only handful of products that I deemed acceptable for use on my body. Below is a list of items that I've either kept or bought as replacements and have had pleasurable experiences with.

Fresh Start - by theplaidpony on Polyvore.com

Everyday Minerals only charges shipping for product samples. Thus far I have been extremely pleased with the results of their concealer, foundation, and eye shadow. The coverage is smooth and blends evenly.

Organic Wear Physician's Formula

makes a face sculpting, multitasking trio and eyeliner that can be purchased from most drug stores.

Burt's Bees Lip Gloss gives a boost of natural color and shimmer without being overbearing.

Befine makes the best lip serum I've ever purchased. It soothes, softens, and shines. Their facial cleanser is also the only one to date that has made my skin feel clean without being harsh.

Bunny Butt Apothecary Whipped Cream is a truly magical confection. It really is light and fluffy while still completely rich and nourishing. It seems to be the only cream capable of repairing my skin in the winter.

ME!bath Papaya Nectar Body Icing is every bit as delicious as the label claims with an "aroma of a Thai beach in Phuket where the fruity scent of papaya is mixed with the fresh ocean air and warm sand."

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Soap "tingles the body and clears the mind. Because therapeutically peppermint oil is a mild stimulant it increases vitality and clarity. All oils and essential oils are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program. Packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles."

Pure & Natural Body Wash

contains ingredients that are of 98% origin and has recyclable packaging.

Organix Revitalizing Pomegranate Green Tea Collection

has made my hair look healthy, feel strong, and smell lovely.
I opted for sulfate free hair products because of my personal practice of and

positive experience. Sulfates have been shown to strip hair of its natural oils by using a lathering and dehydrating detergent. Bubbles aren't going to clean your hair no matter how cute they are. Don't fall for the "sham in the poo."

Dear Birthday Fairy

2009-02-19T07:09:00.000-08:00

I am in organic love with this hoodie from Wearflock.

I believe it would also look fabulous with my new favorite object of shoe desire from Tom's.

TOMS Shoes.

2009-02-16T18:59:00.000-08:00

I've put myself on a sort of spending hiatus for a while. Mostly because I've been on an extremely tight budget for a few months now and will continue to be on one for several more months. This means I don't buy anything for myself that isn't absolutely necessary. However, that doesn't mean I don't accept gifts.

My birthday was a few weeks ago and one thing I had asked for was a pair of TOMS shoes. I had heard of these shoes a year or so earlier at church where they were encouraging people to buy pairs of the plain canvas sort and get together to decorate them as a group activity. Which may seem odd unless you knew the program behind TOMS shoes: for every pair that you purchase, another pair is sent to a child in need. TOMS shoes are also manufactured in fair labor conditions and pay fair wages.

I got my TOMS for my birthday and I absolutely love them. They're extremely comfortable, very much my style, and I'm happy to know that they helped someone in need.
(http://www.tomsshoes.com)

Vegetable Hair Dye

2009-02-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

The sole purpose of this blog is to share with all of you our/my experiences with trying to be green, trying to eat healthy, trying to keep a healthy and disease free body, trying to keep a healthy mind.

With that being said....I am a hair dying freak. I can not keep the same hair color for more than 6 months. My wonderful seestor can attest to this. With my disorder usually follows harish chemicals that burn your eyes and skin.

Well....behold the below photo.

I bought this product last week and it's been staring at me from my bathroom window sill. Taunting me. Telling me to not be scared...It's vegetable dye.

I mustered up the courage last night.

The pros:
1. No odor
2. No smell
3. No stinging eyes

The cons:
1. No color change
2. Insane itching
3. It cost $15.94

In closing, I won't purchase this product again.

Green Pants for Your Ham

2009-02-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

"If you don't know what's in your knickers, should you be wearing them?"

I'm happy to share a few alternatives to the issues brought to light on the runway in this video. You can also snag more information on their website.

Left to right, top to bottom:
1. Enamore Bedrock Betty Camisole and Knicker Set
2. ClareBare Tailfeather Bustle Bloomers
3. G=9.8 French Lingerie
4. Sandmaiden bamboo and organic cotton panty with lace trim and matching lace triangle bra
5. Urban Fox
6. Sandmaiden Modal/Wool jersey dolman sleeve tie up top and panty
7. Pants to Poverty Green Pants
8. Eco-Boudoir French Knickers
9. Toasty Boys

Cosmetics that are good for the soul and body

2009-02-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

I have a burning desire to color my hair...this happens quite often. I get bored and feel the need for change.

Anywho. A friend of mine turned me on to Lush.

Check it out in all it's glory...wonderful glory.

They are stocked full of good for the body henna(hair dye for me), fragrance, makeup, shampoo and so much more.

Enter your zip in the store locator and take a road trip.

lush.com

Organic Boquet.

2009-02-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

So I wanted to post something here that was Valentine's Day related as I'm sure many people are wanting to do something special for their loved ones or friends. In my search for such a thing, I came across a site and I thought that it was definitely worth sharing. Organic Boquet.com is a en eco-friendly florist.

At Organic Bouquet, we aim high in everything we do. We partner with artisans and growers who adhere to rigorous U.S. and international standards of sustainability. We obtain our products from companies who provide safe and just working conditions and a livable wage. And, in a continuous effort to tread a little lighter on the planet, we are always aiming to improve.

You can read more details about their eco-friendly business on their website. On top of having really gorgeous boquets, they feature a selection of charitable boquets in which 5% of your purchase goes towards the charity featured. I would be delighted to receive something like this.

2009-01-30T20:42:00.000-08:00

The following posts to this brand-spankin-new blog will be from 3 girls making a conscious group effort to live whole, healthy, toxin-free lives while also being environmentally responsible. We are tired of being misinformed and malnourished inside and out. Our government, health care providers, food producers, and product peddlers can't always be trusted to recommend or regulate completely safe or healthy choices. And although zombies are entertaining, we don't want to behave as such in our personal lives, acting without a conscious. It's up to us to make educated decisions in all aspects of our lives. Our efforts here are intended to inform and inspire. We hope you enjoy.