Refuse Plastic! Get Hip with Glass Dharma Drinking Straws

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* 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…

Simple Elegance

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;

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!

{Happy WW} Tot Fun: Planting an Herb Garden

Put a Little Green “umph” In Your VDay Plans: Natural Aphrodisiacs

Photo credit: Flickr creative commons

(Put a little “umph” or hump… whichever applies!)

Valentine’s day is on Sunday and you know what that means… lot’s of lovin’ will be going around.

Is it possible to green that area of your life, you ask? Why, yes it is!

Valentines day is all about LOVE so why not put a little eco in it…

If you find yourself one of those who just can’t resist all the candy hearts and red, pink and white decor …

perhaps, consider a few eco-friendly options for your loved one!

The Checklist

Flowers: Organic Bouquet or VeriFlora

Gifts: Check out Guffly or Etsy for some pretty eco rockin’ gifts!

OR make your own special something … felted mittens, jewelry; turn something old into something new, etc.

Treats/Food: Organic & Fair Trade if at all possible!

Green Condoms: Skip the latex and go for Natural Lamb

Lube: 3 words… Good Clean Love!

OR, you could just use straight up coconut oil /EVOO (I use it for a number of things!)

Skip the card: Say it all with your actions.

Now, how about a few natural aphrodisiacs to help set the mood or rather get in the mood!

An aphrodisiac is a substance such as food, drink, drug, scent or device that can arouse or induce feelings of sexual desire. Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty. Aphrodisiacs can be powerful as they trigger the release of chemicals in the brains which then stimulate certain organs.

I heart Better Nutrition magazine…

February’s issue has an interview with author Chris Kilham on how to boost libido and improve sexual health- naturally, or in non toxic fashion, if you will.

His new book,

Hot Plants; Nature’s Proven Sex Booster for Men and Woman

sounds very interesting…  I’ve already requested it at my local library. LOL! 

I’m all about doing things the natural way; even in the bedroom.

Natural Aphrodisiacs

- Chocolate: It’s the LOVE drug! Contains compounds that mimic the brains natural chemistry when we fall in love.

- Oysters: High in zinc which is considered the “sexy” mineral; important for healthy sexual function.

- Maca: Considered the King Kong of herbs in the aphrodisiac catagory!! A natural sex booster.

-  More Sexually Stimulating Foods: Mushrooms, Asparagus, Onions, Garlic, and Chili Peppers/ Banana, Fig, Pomegranate, Avocado

- Panax Ginseng: For men, nuff’ said!!

- Scents: Vanilla, Patchouli and Musk

- Touch: Skin is the largest organ and made up of many nerves… give your special someone a massage with coconut oil then to soak up the oil sprinkle on some cornstarch (for silky effect). It’s very relaxing and tingling at the same time. ooooh la, la!

So; skip the trip to Europe for the Spanish fly because these items for your sweetie could very well be in your own home.

Make this year’s Valentine’s day sustainable and eco sweet.

Peace & Love!

UPDATE:

Here are a few links that relate to this post!

Super Natural Mom discusses green romance;

Evergreen at the Happy Raw Kitchen has a wonderful breaky treat you can put together in minutes for your loved one on VDay;

Send an e card through the David Suzuki Foundation and a “generous donor” will match your donation;

What are you planning to do for your loved one?

Vlog: A Refillable Mug for Tea Drinkers!

Bringing a vlog at ya today… it’s all I had time for… and it’s something I’ve been saving for a rainy day (except, today the skies are clear for the first time in a week!)

I’ve written about Mighty Leaf tea in the past and just LOVE their tea (not being paid to say this- I promise!). The brew cup is great and I even take it with me to my local coffee shop!

the {upcycled & recycled} the flexy

Check out this eco inspired version of the Slinky!

I know what you’re thinking … how could this even stand up to it’s famed metallic counterpart (some are plastic now too…ewww!)? Well, according to the makers it will do everything the Slinky does and more. The flexy is made from recycled cardboard and biodegradable materials. I’ve already been thinking about the eco tot’s 3rd birthday and what we might get him. The flexy just made the list!

Find it at Uncommon Goods!

AND be sure look around…

lot’s of 50’s inspired nostalgia and goods for even the slightest shade of greenies & non greenies alike!

::also::

You have to take a look at this upcycled Vespa a gift from a grandfather to his grandson.

knocked my eco socks off!  

The Young & Sustainable: Owner of barley & birch, Kyle Smitley

I’m excited to announce today’s interview with Kyle Smitley! Kyle is a young, bright career woman who owns barley & birch; an eco chic kids clothing company. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of exchanging tweets and conversation (interview) with this down to earth gal and her passion for sustainability and concern for toxic exposure really stand out.

Wow! Making it in Inc. magazine and dubbed as “30 under 30: America’s Coolest Young Entrepreneurs”  how does that make you feel?
Read more

Review of RetroRazor + {Giveaway}

Howdy!  Boys & Girls! How are ya? Things are a bit busy ’round here! Which is why I’m LOVEN’ the new series. Gives me the chance to unload everything that’s been on my mind. It’s a mind spill, it’s brain waves, it’s {tidbits of green}!!

Okay, excuse my dorkyness today but I can’t help myself!

SO,  I told ya about the RetroRazor a few weeks back and NOW I’m ready to report! HOLY GREEN SHAVING… Honestly, I’m not amplifying this review because RetroRazor was kind enough to donate one…

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Recycle Your Day, America + Green Mom’s Carnival!

**Attention: GREEN MOM’S CARNIVAL at end of this post!

Ever wonder where the title Recycle Your Day came from? To make a long story short, in my opinion, recycling is one of the easiest forms to contribute in helping to save the planet and within our day we do what’s necessary to improve the planet from recycling to wearing your jeans over and over again. It all happens within our day and starts all over again the next. So, there you have it; the root of my reasoning in a nut shell.

Tomorrow is America Recycles Day. Do you have any plans to celebrate? Last year our local bowling alley had a recycling drive but this year it seems to be quiet. Nothing has been coordinated and of course by the time I checked in it was too late to plan anything. I don’t think I’m going to let this happen again next year. November 15th is actually a pretty significant day for me- not only is it America Recycle’s Day, but  it’s also my parent’s 34th anniversary and my sister’s 33rd birthday too!

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A Greener Shaving Solution: RetroRazor

Okay, so it’s been a month since I’ve discussed my experience about the Ditch the Disposables challenge. Just a reminder in case some of you are new… I challenged myself to do away with disposable razors. I’ve found the perfect solution too! My goal was to try and find an eco friendly wax of some sort…which I did come across at the Whole Foods Market.

It sounded like a great solution until I realized that it too was disposable in some way. After a few uses I’d have to buy a brand new box again. Plus, I’m still leaving trash behind (if not more)…wax paper- the tin the wax came in, the paper box etc. (all recyclable -but still!)  One method came with a plastic applicator just depending on how you wanted to apply it.

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8 Question’s for Derek Markham: The Natural Papa

Derek Markham is an environmental freelance writer, a father and a tree hugging dirt worshiper. His popular blog Natural Papa offers lessons on homebirth, fatherhood, and food. He also writes for many successful green websites such as EcoChildsPlay, Twilight Earth, Planet Green, and Blue Living Ideas to name a few! In his spare time he ride bicycles, goes bouldering and slacklining, and drink lots of organic coffee. Follow Derek on twitter and see what he’s up to: @DerekMarkham

I’ve always been a writer, but until last year, it was just for myself – filling lots of notebooks for future projects. When I started reading more blogs, I realized “Hey, I can do this too”, and because I saw so many mom blogs, I wanted to write for dads, specifically ‘eco-dads’ like myself. So I started a free blog on Blogger and started trying to put out a post each day about issues that I felt were pertinent to fathers.

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