A little Q & A … TELL it all!
May 11, 2010 by La Mama Naturale'
Filed under Interviews
Stay up to date on the latest posts. Subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Hello friends!
Today, I present you with an awesome interview from one of RYD’s newest sponsors …
Please welcome the The Eco Luxe Life shop! Yay!!
Sydne Garchick from “TELL” recently took some time out , to do a little Q & A , just for Recycle Your Day, readers …
Who is The Eco Luxe Life?
How did The Eco Luxe Life get started?
Life, really. My partners and I loved shopping but really had started to turn to greener products over the years, mostly for health reasons. The problem was that we really couldn’t find one location to find everything we could possibly want where we didn’t have to compromise on quality or style. We wanted the jewelry to be chic and fun, not necessarily hippie granola and made of hemp (although my entire opinion of hemp has completely changed after seeing some of our vendor’s products). We wanted the cosmetics to work as well as their toxic counterparts and our clothing and household needs to have less of an impact on our health and the environment. We searched and searched, but couldn’t find what we were looking for. So we decided to just make it ourselves! Girls love to be the envy of their friends and find new, cool products. We love that we can do it for a living!
What is The Eco Luxe Life’s mission?
Just make one change. I know that sounds cliche, but it really starts there. We all buy new sunscreen every Spring. Try an all natural one this year. When you run out of Windex, buy a plant based glass spray. We did this thing in our office called the Lipstick Test. The challenge is to use an all natural lip gloss or lipstick for two weeks and then try and go back to your original chemically filled one. We promise you will be surprised by the results! You’ll never buy a Chanel lip gloss again. No matter what you try or where you start, your body will thank you.
Fill us in on your “inTell” member program; why a $25 dollar fee?
When we began our quest, and to this day, we found that eco and green was not easily accessible in most local stores. For example, we are just seeing Seventh Generation take up space on our grocer’s shelves. This company has been around for many many years. So, you can only imagine what it could take small local companies to get their products out to the masses. Therefore, we have created a sample program that highlights all sorts of amazing eco products so you can have an eco boutique in your own home. The samples range the lifestyle spectrum so you can “try before you buy” and avoid spending money on products you aren’t sure about. We actually just about break even on the sample pack program. The sample packs are pretty expensive to ship because of their weight. So, after the shipping, and usually helping our vendors pay for samples to be made, we make only a few dollars for the hours and hours we spend packaging the products and acquiring them from our vendors.
Why is the Mother Earth important to The Eco Luxe Life gals?
Our parents always told us to treat others as we would like to be treated. We kind of feel the same way about the Earth. We wouldn’t go to a dinner party, trash the other person’s home and then leave. So, why would we do that to the planet? We have beautiful surroundings and it is important to us to keep them that way. Simple as that.
Just for kicks:
Probably me or Alex. We are the ones using the clotheslines and I am doing my best to reduce my consumption. I have started swapping my clothing with friends and fam and always make it to my local farmer’s market. I do my own manis and pedis these days with my non toxic kit and I have put about 20 miles on my car over the last three months. I hate to drive!
Please share a recent eco sin(s) with the readers…
I have been in DC over the past few weeks visiting my family. I was routing around my childhood bathroom looking for some sort of lotion after my shower and found a bottle of Clinique Happy. I sprayed it on myself and almost choked to death. That is what I get for trying to smell good the toxic way!
How did The Eco Luxe Life celebrate Earth Day?
We found it really hard to come up with some big promotion for Earth Day. Protecting the planet, to us, is about consuming less. So, we focused on education. We went to the movie premiere of No Impact Man, we attended a few charity events and we just really tried to raise awareness. We focused on encouraging people to make one small step towards a greener lifestyle which would hopefully be the start of a long journey.
AND…
now for the extra fun part!!!
The Eco Luxe Life Girls are kicking up this interview a notch by giving away a gift certificate worth $35 dollars!!
HOW TO WIN
Visit The Eco Luxe Life shop and tell me what your interests!
EXTRA ENTRIES:
Please be sure to leave a seperate comment for each entry!
* Tweet, tweet!
* Add my button to your blog;
* Join this site via Google Friend Connect;
* Subscribe to RYD emails;
Giveaway ends Wednesday May 19, 2010
Winner will be announced the following day.
Hope you enjoyed the interview!
Good luck!!
** WINNER, is Julia, from Easy Eco To Go!
Congrats, girlie!!
Thank you to all those who entered and to TELL!
Stay tuned!
{Giveaway} Win a $25 Gift Certificate to The Soft Landing!!!
April 28, 2010 by La Mama Naturale'
Filed under Giveaway
**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**
Hola mi amigos and amigas!
How are ya?
Earth Month has just about come to an end and we are now basking in the Earth Day afterglow. What better way to end the last couple days of giving many props to Mother Nature with a giveaway!
Living ‘ la vida verde’ ( the green life) can be tough at times… especially when you’re making decisions for your little ones. With all the BPA scares and other toxic chemicals being dumped into plastics it’s no wonder there is online specialty stores like The Soft Landing that carry safer options for your tots AND for YOU.
When I first started learning about ” BPA, PVC phthalate & lead free” toys and such, I scoured the net looking for baby items that did not have such toxic backlashes. It turns out it was considered to be “green” because most items I found were made from natural elements. In the case of pesky plastic, though, it was much tougher to find alternatives. When I finally came across The Soft Landing I was in BPA/PCV FREE etc. heaven. Everything I needed all in one place! I was thrilled and tickled all at the same time.
When twitter came along, I immediately started following The Soft Landing to get their latest updates. After time, I’ve become good friends with the owner, Alicia Voorhies. It is such a pleasure to know her and support her online business.
The Soft Landing Store is the first of its kind, offering over 45 brands of 100% BPA, PVC and Phthalate-free products in one convenient place. Our goal is to take the headache out of making the switch to safer eating gear for busy parents.
Alicia’s store certainly took my headache away, that’s for sure!
AND… if you’ve had you’re doubts lately but aren’t sure what the alternatives are…
Let’s take another headache away, shall we!
Alicia has generously donated a $25.00 gift certificate to her store!!!
HOW TO WIN:
visit The Soft Landing and tell me what you’d be interested in!
:: Extra Entries ::
please leave a separate comment for each…
* tweet about this giveaway;
* follow this blog on Google Friend Connect;
* subscribe to this blog;
Giveaway ends, Friday, May 7, 2010!
Winner will be announced the following day.
Good luck, friends!
Lastly, as Alicia points out… “You shouldn’t have to be a rocket scientist to choose safer dishes and toys for your family.”
Love it!
Have a great day. 
update:
Sorry for the delay… we’ve been battling the sniffles!
Samantha (samnicole), you won the $25 gift certificate to The Soft Landing!
winner’s response to the giveaway question:
“I’d get some water bottles for sure! Stainless steel Nathan or the Camelbacks that are insulated!”
Congratulations, Samantha!
Look for an email from RYD.
Thanks to all who entered! Look for another fabulous giveaway this week!
{Giveaway} Organic Truffles from Coco-Zen!!!
April 10, 2010 by La Mama Naturale'
Filed under Giveaway
Happy weekend, folks!
It’s time to kick off Earth Month with a giveaway…
A SCRUMPTIOUS. DECADANT. CHOCOLATE GIVEAWAY!
Chocolate that will have you opening up your cupboards wishing for more.
Really!
It’s that good.
My fave organic, fair trade truffles are from Coco-Zen.
What is Coco-Zen?
It’s knowing that you are helping our planet and its people, because all our treats are made from organic and Fair Trade Certified chocolate.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to sample their new line of vegan truffles and ooh, la, la!
I was in LOVE. Seriously.
These boxes of truffles did NOT make it past three days in this house.
I ate two from the get go! *gulp*
Coco-Zen truffles aren’t bite size either… they’re ginormous!
Mmm!!! Delightful organic flavors like Chai, Mint & Orange, Dark Chocolate & Mint!
You’ll definitely “experience oneness” in these chocolates, FOR SURE.
The owner, Joyce, of Coco-Zen has graciously offered to giveaway
a 2 Tier To-Give set is yours with 2 chocolate flavors of your choice!!!
:: HOW TO WIN ::
visit Coco-Zen, have a look around, then comeback
and tell me what YOU would put into your shopping cart???
simple. easy & fun….
:: EXTRA ENTRIES ::
You must leave a separate comment for each, please!
* tweet;
* blog;
* stumble;
* follow RYD on google friend connect; (located in the right hand sidebar)
SOOOO delish, if you WIN!!!
This contest will close on Monday, April 19, 2010
Winner will be announced the following day.
Good luck!
Refuse Plastic! Get Hip with Glass Dharma Drinking Straws
March 10, 2010 by La Mama Naturale'
Filed under Natural & Heathly Lifestyle, Simple & Green Living
* Attention: Giveaway at the end of this post!
Hi everyone. Hope you enjoyed my interview with Beth.
Since were on the topic of plastic this week… did you know an Atlantic Garbage Patch was found recently (other than the Pacific Garbage Patch) ??!!
One more reason we should cut back on our use of sythentics; simply because plastic is forever, plastic does not biodegrade, and plastic is pesky (toxic)!
One of my biggest goals in this eco journey is attempting to live life with less plastic as Beth Terry does daily. Eliminating plastic from our lives can be challenging but also rewarding.
WHY
When you make the decision to REFUSE plastic, oceans are saved, wildlife and the planet IS spared; nature is protected.
When you think of everyday conveniences like water bottles, plastic bags, plastic utensils & cups, razors, diapers etc. What do you picture? A bunch of waste, right? We’re littering our landfills with these disposable conveniences and sometimes forget to think about their consequences and… sometimes it’s the small things that go unnoticed …
One of the most common plastic items getting tossed into the wastebasket are plastic straws. Since straws are made from polypropylene they happen to be toxic for the environment and to our health (AND as you all know, plastic is not biodegradable!!).
Tell Me More
You wouldn’t think plastic straws are a big deal until you consider this..
“As of March 2008, McDonald’s serves an average of 52 million meals PER DAY!”
and that’s just Mickey D’s… !!
Well, don’t cry your little eco heart out over it…because there happens to be a solution.
Glass Dharma is a Northern California based company who creates and designs hand blown glass drinking straws.
Cool, huh?
Now, I know what you’re thinking … glass straw? What if it breaks?
Don’t worry, because Glass Dharma has a lifetime guarantee against breakage.
This does NOT mean Glass Dharma straws are unbreakable!
It means if you happen to break your lovely glass straw, Glass Dharma will either replace or repair it (whichever applies).
To find out more about what they’re made from and learn more specifics, click here.
Glass is GROOVY
Glass Dharma sent us three eco friendly straws to review and I must say; it sure has made sippin’ beverages more fun (ie: green smoothies in our home!).
Here’s what they sent me…
Beautiful Bends
& a lil sipper with decorative dots…
unfortunately though, I allowed my son (2.5 yrs) to ting tang with the straw a bit to long and boom, bang… right to the floor it went. I’m talking within minutes of opening up the packages. I was so devastated. I contacted Glass Dharma right away to let them what happened and they kindly agreed to send me a new one (since the straw was for review purposes only I’m not planning to have them replace it).
Moral
You certainly want to keep an eye on you’re tater tots (children) while drinking from these straws. As with any curious child, they’ll want to tinker and these straws are after all made from GLASS so they will break… especially against our unforgiving tile!
Does this mean I’m against drinking from glass straws or will no longer allow my tots to drink from them?
Heck no! It means accidents happen; beware.
I LOVE, LOVE our Glass Dharma drinking straws and LOVE that it saves millions of straws from being tossed into a landfill.
We sip green smoothies on the daily around here and I’m always eager to add my new glass straw into my cup. Bend or no bend … they sip fantastically and are very easy to clean. Water rinses through them with no problems. You can stick them in the dishwasher and call it good.
Be sure to check the accessories available for your glass straw drinking needs.
I’ve been trying to be good about taking it with me everywhere by putting it back into the box it came in…
I just place it into my purse and go. You never know when a take-out situation might occur. lol!
Oh, and be sure to check out this handy tutorial on how to reuse the boxes, as your glass straw case. Genius.
{ GIVEAWAY TIME }
Glass Dharma is kindly offering a $25.00 gift certificate to one lucky reader!!!
You know you want one.
Comment to win!
That easy.
Extra Entries:
1. Leave a comment here telling me what accessory you’d like to have;
2. Share this giveaway on Facebook; ACK!
I completely forgot TOS rules for FB do NOT allow this option- MY BAD! If you’ve done so – no worries, I will apply the entry.
Sucky.
3. Tweet about this giveaway;
You must leave an additional comment for any extra entries!
Giveaway ends March 19th, 2010. Winner will be announced on the 20th!
GOOD LUCK
&
Happy weekend to you!
the {upcycled & recycled) Giveaway Winner!
October 20, 2009 by La Mama Naturale'
Filed under Uncategorized
