Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Get a Dose of Humor with your Green News at EarthFirst.com

If you’re not already reading EarthFirst.com every day, you’re missing out.  And I’m not just saying that because I’m the snarky green blog’s lead writer.  It’s the best place on the web to get your green news served up with some humor, sarcasm and goofy cartoons.  Created and run by a cast of characters that believes green can be funny, cool and exciting, EarthFirst (not associated with activist group EarthFirst!) doesn’t shy away from calling out greenwashers and foes of the environment.

There are a lot of doom-and-gloom stories out there in the green news world, and while you’ll certainly find dramatic topics like ‘7 Reasons You Should be Losing Sleep Tonight’ and ‘9 Natural Disasters Throughout the Ages’ on EarthFirst, you’ll also find the latest green gadgets, weirdest eco-inventions, funny illustrated go-green tips and original cartoons by EarthFirst’s own Jerry King.  Among the blog’s unique categories are ‘Haters’, which exposes people attempting to derail positive change, and ‘EarthFirstU’, which highlights all the green goings-on at colleges and universities throughout North America.

We at EarthFirst.com aren’t afraid to call out folks doing the wrong thing, and heap praise on those working hard to further green causes.  We’ve caught greenwashers attempting to use the environmental movement to market their shady products and services, and berated politicians for taking the side of greedy corporations and their lobbyists.  One need only peruse posts tagged ‘jerkass’ to see what I mean – stories to which this tag has been applied include ‘Senate Fails Again to Renew Key Energy Credit’ and ‘HP Over-Packages to Epic Proportions’.

EarthFirst also highlights the good being done in the world, including the series ‘Who’s Who in Green’ (which has featured Eco Chick’s own Starre Vartan, Olivia Zaleski and Summer Rayne Oakes!) and ‘Featured Change Agents’, which calls attention to environmental activists and their pet projects.

So head on over to EarthFirst.com and check out the videos, book reviews, analyses of the ‘green-ness’ of the original Star Wars trilogy and controversial takes on topics like ‘Why You’re a Global Warming Denier’.  If you spit your coffee all over your computer screen reading EarthFirst’s latest posts while enjoying your breakfast, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Eating Healthy on the Road – Avoid Processed Junk!

What to do when you’re traveling and need to stop for a bite to eat, and the healthiest thing available is a microwaved veggie burger from a fast food joint?  I find myself in this dilemma all the time, frustratingly enough.  For the majority of us, healthy and organic fast food places just aren’t an option because they simply don’t exist across most of the country.  It’s especially hard for those of us who are vegetarian or vegan.  We find ourselves snacking on a wilted, flavorless salad or a package of french fries for lack of anything else.

Until more restaurants pop up that are both healthy and fast, your best choice is still to pack your own food.  The idea is to choose healthy items that will hold up to travel.  What you choose does depend a bit on how far you’re going and whether you’ll be able to replenish the ice in your cooler (or if you’ll have a cooler at all).  Fruit and nut bars, crackers with sliced hard cheeses, dried fruit, veggie sticks and dark chocolate hold up well and will give you the energy you need.  Sure, airlines offer those little packs of pretzels and peanuts, but remember – they’re loaded with preservatives and other nasty stuff.  You’re better off having control over what you’re eating.

I packed my own meal last year for an international plane trip, and once I saw the nasty little plastic tray of unidentifiable ‘food’ the airline called a vegetarian meal, I was really glad I did.   I made myself a little Caprese sub – fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil on a baguette – and packed it in a small soft-sided cooler.  I also had some almonds and fruit in my carry-on bag.  Remember the TSA rules about liquids – you won’t be able to get anything over 3 ounces past security, even peanut butter or salad dressing.  Packages under 3 ounces can be included in your quart-size bag of liquids.  Bring your Sigg or other reusable container (empty) and fill it when you get past the gates.

Some suggestions for full-on meals include pasta salad, hummus wraps, pita pockets full of veggies and cheese, or bagel sandwiches.  Some travelers go gourmet with cucumber, dill and goat-cheese stuffed croissants, or soba noodle salad with mushrooms, green onions and ginger-lime dressing.  These ideas sound a lot better than the boring meals offered by the airline already, don’t they?

Another idea is to pack a Japanese obento, or bento box.  Though it’s a bit large – and plastic – the Laptop Lunch Kit is popular with travelers for its modular design and reusability.  Options for bento boxes are virtually limitless – you could go with traditional Japanese food, or just fill them with whatever you like.

Hopefully these tips will help you out next time you’re on the road, whether you’re just driving a few hours to visit family or jetting across the globe.  Happy travels!

Photos by Flicker users sporkist and Joi

Body Sugaring – Natural, Green Hair Removal

There are plenty of eco chicks out there perfectly comfortable with showing off their naturally hairy legs and underarms. I’m not one of them. While I wish I could be so carefree about it, I’m not quite that low maintenance. So, for the longest time I have sought the best hair removal methods that didn’t involve too many chemicals or disposables.

My usual weapon of choice is a razor with disposable blades, since it at least doesn’t involve tossing a hunk of plastic into the trash every few days. But, I wondered if there was something better out there… something that would leave my legs smoother for longer. Thus began my experimentation with body sugaring.

Body sugaring is an ancient art that has been used for thousands of years – it was the favored hair removal method of the ancient Egyptians. It’s a paste normally made up of sugar, lemon juice, honey or molasses. It’s used much the same way as wax, where a paper or fabric strip is used to remove the hair. It’s said to be less painful than waxing, because the mixture only sticks to the hair, not the skin. Plus, since body sugar is washable, it’s easier to use than wax – it comes right off in the shower.

Some women make their own body sugar at home, but I wasn’t quite up to that task yet – if you don’t get the mixture just right, it won’t work. So I went with Parissa Body Sugar Chamomile Hair Remover, which contains chamomile for its skin-soothing properties.

My experience with it was… interesting. Your mileage may vary. I have super-sensitive skin, so my attempts at removing hair even on what I thought would be a relatively hardy area – my shins – was painful and resulted in angry red bumps that didn’t go away for days. But, I think that problem may also be related to the fact that I’m a newbie – most Parissa users report being extremely happy with the product. The two most important tips to avoid excess irritation seem to be keeping the application thin and pulling the skin very taut while removing the strips.

The pros: One jar can last a really long time, and I discovered that you can wash and re-use the strips, which is great. It’s way cheaper than going to a salon. The ingredients are simple and natural, and it’s fragrance free. The whole process is fairly easy.

The cons: If you have sensitive skin or aren’t up to yanking the strips yourself, you may want to stick with shaving or go to a professional aesthetician. As with waxing, you have to let the hair grow out to at least ¼” inch in between removal sessions.

I’m going to continue using it for a while to see if I can improve my technique, but if I fail to get over the squick factor of pulling the strips off myself, I’ll stick with my trusty razor. Does anyone out there have experience with sugaring yourself and want to share some tips?

Sandmaiden Eco-Friendly Handmade Loungewear, Sleepwear and Lingerie

Pictured above: Bamboo and Organic Cotton Jersey Camisole and Pant- $90; Bamboo/Organic Cotton Knit Flutter Bed Jacket or Wrap – $72

Fall is right around the corner – I’m already fantasizing about colorful leaves, cool breezes, pumpkins and cinnamon. It’s my favorite time of year, and especially at this tail-end of summer when I’m still sweating most of the day, it can’t come fast enough. So, I’m already thinking about curling up with a book and a mug of hot cocoa wearing some cozy organic cotton and bamboo pajamas.

One company I’ve got my eye on is Sandmaiden, an Etsy.com seller who creates beautiful hand-dyed sleepwear, loungewear and fine lingerie that’s as beautiful as it is comfortable. They’ve also got some stylish basics like cowl-neck tops and great little dresses. Check out some of the gorgeous designs!

From left: Bamboo Lycra racerback tank – $42 + Gathered Tap Pant – $24; Bamboo and Organic Cotton A-Line Chemise with Belt – $66

From left: Soy and Organic Cotton Jersey Belted V-Dress – $66; Soy and Organic Cotton Jersey Maternity Tie Top – $48

If you haven’t already checked out Etsy.com, take a look around – never have I had such a happy online revelation as when I found this market where sellers offer handmade and vintage goods. It’s amazing what you can find there – and it’s the perfect place to do some eco-friendly holiday shopping! There’s truly something for everyone.

Amla – Ayurvedic Treatment for Glossy Hair and Smooth Skin

Amla, known in America as Indian gooseberry, has long been used in India for a variety of health and beauty effects. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of Indian beauty, and it’s one of the ways women there keep their hair so shiny and strong (aside from fabulous genetics, of course).  It’s packed with vitamin C, so it also helps break up dead skin cells to reveal a smooth, bright complexion.

The Henna for Hair website, which recommends adding amla to your henna mixture if you want cooler-toned results, describes amla as a tan powder with an acidic astringent smell “like a combination of raw cranberries and oak tree bark”.  It’s available both as a powder, and dissolved in oil.

The fruit of this plant is believed to enhance hair growth by stimulating the scalp, so it’s often recommended for women suffering from thinning hair.  It’s also said to enhance wave and curl.   For use as a scalp massage oil or deep conditioner, mix powdered amla with coconut or sesame oil.  To add volume, mix the powder with enough water to make a paste the consistency of yogurt and let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow the powder to dissolve.  Apply it to your hair, let it soak in for a few minutes and then rinse.

For use as an exfoliating face scrub, simply mix some of the powder with enough hot water to form a paste and let it sit for 15 minutes.  Scrub your skin with the paste, let it sit for a minute and then rinse.

There are many amla hair oils available, but they usually have unnecessary additives like harsh fragrances added to mask the natural scent of the amla.  If you’d prefer oil to powder, FromNatureWithLove.com has a nice unscented version.