If you are lucky enough to live in or around New York City, San Francisco or Los Angeles and are on the hunt for an all-natural hair salon, organic locavore restaurant, recycling center, green realtor, ecofashion boutique, or even, ahem, Earth-friendly burial services, the Greenopia guides are the one-stop guide to green businesses in your area. (I use the NYC guide all the time!)

Each business is leaf-rated from 1 to 4 leaves: more leaves mean the company is greener- the criteria for each category- restaurants and bars, salons, financial services, chocolatiers, green builders, and more, is different, so what makes a cafe get four leaves, and a dry cleaner are different. All the listed buildings have been vetted by Greenopia staff, and checked by the board of advisors in their area of specialty, so these are ratings you can really trust. Nobody pays to get listed in the books or the website.

In addition to being able to search tons of categories and listings in each of these cities (lots more cities coming soon), you can check out local and national green news and restaurant reviews in the Greenopia Eats It Up blog, the Green Gripes blog, which is all about how to solve those little green problems, and read through inspiring interviews of all sorts of cool green people like green media star Simran Sethi and raw food guru David Wolfe.

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.

Some days it seems like all the work I do on behalf of the animals, plants, insects and other life that make up all the beauty in my world is just a (pointless) drop in the bucket. Humans seems dead-set on destruction of this incredible jewel of a planet we’ve been given, and who am I to try to stop a clearly suicidal culture?

I’ve never known exactly what I want to do with my life- studying science, being in nature, and revelling in art are the things that give me the greatest joy. To me the intricacies of the sodium-potassium pump that resides in each of our cells, watching a sea turtle traverse an invisible ocean current, and listening to Beethoven’s 7th all bring a sense of overwhelming happiness and thankfulness for being alive. I have these moments quite often. Cacaphonous torrents of emotion that are akin to what I’m sure some people describe as ‘religious experiences’. As an atheist, I don’t believe in god, or gods, or even a generic supreme being or energetic force. But I do believe that I’m here to preserve and promote beauty. And the Earth is the most beautiful thing I know.

So when I’m feeling the burning sadness of knowing I only have a short time to love all of this, and the frustration of being so unable to communicate that to other people, I turn to my favorite artists. Ani DiFranco has been one of my mentors (though I’ve never met her) for at least ten years now and her songs give me strength and perspective when I need it most. Thanks Ani. Here’s the song that has given me courage on many difficult, beautiful days:

“Joyful Girl”

i do it for the joy it brings
because i’m a joyful girl
because the world owes me nothing
and we owe each other the world
i do it because it’s the least i can do
i do it because i learned it from you
i do it just because i want to
because I want to

everything i do is judged
and they mostly get it wrong
but oh well
‘cuz the bathroom mirror has not budged
and the woman who lives there can tell
the truth from the stuff that they say
and she looks me in the eye
and says would you prefer the easy way?
no, well o.k. then
don’t cry

and i wonder if everything i do
i do instead
of something i want to do more
the question fills my head
i know that there’s no grand plan here
this is just the way it goes
and when everything else seems unclear
i guess at least i know

i do it for the joy it brings…

Joyful Girl (Remix)

I must admit that in my house we might be thought to be a little lax when it comes to germs. I am not saying that we don’t wash our hands when we go to the bathroom or before we eat. We play in the yard digging for bugs and worms and get big slobbery kisses from our dog. We are not afraid of dirt, and follow the “five second rule”. That said, we are a very clean family. We focus on washing our hands to ensure that there is no, as my 2 year-old says, “durt” when we touch food.

Now, I have never been big on anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizer because I believe that we need to build up our immunity to bacteria and viruses to make us stronger. When the kids were infants I did use these types of cleaning products but now that they are older, these products are basically non-existent in our house.

So when I was asked to test out a new, natural, non-toxic hand sanitizer, I was little disinterested, but began a dialog with the company because I was willing to learn more. One of the key points of this new product was they do not use triclosan, a widely used anti-bacterial agent.

What is triclosan you ask? Well, this is what I learned, and it is not a pleasant story…

Triclosan is antimicrobial and antifungal pesticide that is used in a wide variety of products found in retail stores across the country including soaps, toothpastes, cosmetics, deodorants, personal care products, first aid, kitchenware, computer electronics, toys, plastics, paints and clothing. It is widely known as Microban which is infused into everything from cutting boards, pillows and shoes because it inhibits the growth of microbes, such as bacteria, mold and mildew. Ok, that does not sound that bad…yet.

However, according to Beyond Pesticides, a group dedicated to eliminating toxic and harmful pesticides from our environment, “Studies have increasingly linked one of the most common antimicrobial, triclosan (and its chemical cousin triclocarban), to a range of adverse health and environmental effects, from skin irritation, allergy susceptibility, bacterial and compounded antibiotic resistance, tainted water, and dioxin contamination to destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems.”

As explained on Wikipedia:

During wastewater treatment, a portion of triclosan is degraded while the remaining adsorbs to sewage sludge or exits the plant in wastewater effluent. In the environment, triclosan may be degraded by microorganisms or react with sunlight forming other compounds which may include chlorophenols and dioxin, or it may adsorb to particles that settle out of the water column and form sediment. Triclosan was found in Greifensee, a small lake in Switzerland, sediment that was over 30 years old, suggesting that triclosan is degraded or removed slowly in sediment.

Whoa….wait a minute, Triclosan degrades into dioxins and chlorophenols, both are known carcinogens. Studies have shown that ultraviolet light converts triclosan to dioxins and it is believed that sunlight could transform triclosan to dioxins naturally. Scientist at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA tested 16 products including soaps, lotions and body wash with triclosan and without. They discovered that the triclosan products reacted with chlorinated water to produce chloroform, another carcinogen. So this stuff breaks down into cancer causing agents. I think we’ll keep our hands a bit dirtier and live longer.

In a press release from the Environmental Working Group, the organization states:

Triclosan has been linked to cancer in lab animals, has been targeted for removal from some stores in Europe for its health and environmental risks, and the American Medical Association recommends against its use in the home. It is also linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, and low levels of triclosan may disrupt the thyroid hormone system. Thyroid hormones are essential to proper growth and development, particularly for brain growth in utero and during infancy.

Triclosan breaks down into very toxic chemicals, including a form of dioxin; methyl triclosan, which is acutely toxic to aquatic life; and chloroform, a carcinogen formed when triclosan mixes with tap water that has been treated with chlorine. Scientists surveyed 85 U.S. rivers and streams, and found traces of triclosan in more than half.

Just last month, Beyond Pesticides, along with Food and Water Watch, Greenpeace US, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and dozens of public health and environmental groups filed a comment/letter with the Environmental Protection Agency, urging the the agency to stop all non-medical use of triclosan because of its detrimental effects on our health and the environment. You can read the press release and comments submitted to the EPA by clicking here [PDF] and here [PDF].

As I mentioned, triclosan can be found in many, many everyday products. To see a detailed list of products and brands, check out the list on Beyond Pesticides by clicking here. Some very well known brands are on the list like Colgate Total toothpaste. Toothpaste? How scary is that? You are putting triclosan and therefore carcinogens directly into your mouth and your body! So rinse and spit, and now you have chloroform. The Colgate website touts: “Colgate Total® formula is so revolutionary it’s even patented. One of its active ingredients is triclosan, which is used to help prevent plaque and gingivitis. The formula’s copolymer enables triclosan to continue working in the mouth for 12 hours.” Great! So use this toothpaste and triclosan will stay in your mouth for 12 hours! That’s 12 more hours of exposure to a potential cancer causing agent than I want.
So how do we get rid of those unwanted germs when we really need to? Well let’s go back to that product I dismissed at first. It is called Clean Well made from Ingenium, a natural germ killing product derived from thyme and other essential oils. According to the company, Clean Well kills 99.99% of germs on contact including E. Coli, Salmonella, Staph (MRSA) and Pseudomonas. Clean Well is made from a renewable resource that is sustainably grown with no pesticides, irrigation or fertilizer and there are no toxic byproducts from the manufacturing process. Clean Well comes in a spray, as hand wipes and hand wash foam. So for when you have a house full of sick kids or are cooking with chicken and want to kill germs, you know can avoid triclosan.

To read more about triclosan check out the Environmental Working Group site where they give detailed information on the effects of triclosan on our health and the environment, what products contain triclosan and much, much more.

Those germs don’t look so bad anymore….so are you gonna give up your anti-bacterial soaps, or are you gonna to keep on using triclosan-based products?

To read more of my post, check out my blog, Green Luvin’.

Sporting green “veg” t-shirts and a positive outlook, they call themselves The Vegetable Energy Group, but they’re known simply as the “Veggie Girls” for short. The five shown here, all 18 year-old college students – Caitlyn Arigo, Audrey Faber, Rachel Lucas, Alyssa Tennant, and Aubrey Wynn – are on a mission to educate people about the benefits of alternative fuels and have fun along the way. Via: Greencar.com

Have any fast-food chains started making biodiesel from their used cooking oil? Is it difficult to do yourself?
—Amy Howard, Indianapolis, IN

Finally there’s a healthier side to the American love affair with fried food. The 4.5 billion gallons of fry oil annually left over from making those delicious greasy snacks that clog our arteries and add pounds to our hips could also cleanly power more than 10 percent of the nation’s diesel engines—more than 528,000 cars—for a year.

Matthew Howe, senior vice-president of McDonald’s UK, announced in 2007 that the company’s British fleet of 155 delivery trucks would switch to running on recycled vegetable oil collected from approximately 900 of the chain’s restaurants. McDonald’s spokespeople declined to answer whether the chain is considering something similar in this country. No other fast-food chain has made such an announcement (yet).

Even if burger chains aren’t pumping French fry fuel out back, some savvy fast-food purveyors have begun to show how it can be done. Robert Tomey, a McDonald’s franchisee in Amory, Mississippi, uses fry oil from his four stores to power his own VW Beetle and a Ford pickup truck. In addition to saving waste, biodiesel also scores points for being biodegradable, for creating almost no sulfur emissions (which cause acid rain), and for cutting hydrocarbon and particulate pollution from regular diesel emissions by up to half. Tomey says it has improved the performance of his vehicles, too.

David Hackleman, an engineering professor at Oregon State University who has driven cross-country in his fry oil–powered Dodge truck, says making your own fuel is simple—and costs only about a dollar a gallon. In addition to fast-food eateries, he recommends collecting grease from brewpubs and Japanese restaurants. With the proper know-how, do-it-yourselfers like him make their own fuel by mixing the collected oil with alcohol and lye, starting a chemical reaction that takes about an hour and a half to create biodiesel. The by-products are glycerine, an ingredient used in handmade soaps, and potassium hydroxide, sometimes used as fertilizer on farm fields. If making your own biodiesel sounds daunting (lye is corrosive, and the fumes from the chemical reaction can be dangerous if inhaled), Hack-leman advises letting someone else do the work. “People can also buy biodiesel from a commercial source,” he says. “It’s easier and encourages the growth of business.”

Originally printed as Starre’s “Green Guru” column for Audubon Magazine.

Last night I was reading my favorite magazine, Orion. Bill McKibben was discussing the campaign 350. From the website:

350 is the red line for human beings, the most important number on the planet. The most recent science tells us that unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, we will cause huge and irreversible damage to the earth.

But solutions exist. All around the world, a movement is building to take on the climate crisis, to get humanity out of the danger zone and below 350. This movement is massive, it is diverse, and it is visionary. We are activists, scholars, and scientists. We are leaders in our businesses, our churches, our governments, and our schools. We are clean energy advocates, forward-thinking politicians, and fearless revolutionaries. And we are united around the world, driven to make our planet livable for all who come after us.

We are everywhere, and together we are unstoppable.

We are currently living at 387ppm. Scientists claim numbers could reach 450-550ppm which would mean disaster for life as we know it. Every time we turn on a car, a light, the heat, the stove, the television, the computer; we partake. Unless we are receiving our power solely from renewables, then we are using coal and oil. The 350 campaign is hoping to influence lawmakers, political leaders, and individuals to take action. One view has perpetuated the notion that climate change, such as what we are experiencing now, is normal, just as ice ages come and go. However, the real science is in and it is time to listen, regardless of partisan politics.

Last week my extended family gathered. A discussion arose, among friends and family, about the fictionalized nature of global warming and how it is simply a marketing campaign so people can sell “green” products. Greenwashing exists. We know this. But this conversation, dominated by one in particular, was reiterating a denial about what is happening. My young cousin, who is twenty and overheard the discussion, told me she wasn’t sure. We had a decent conversation about some examples of climate change, what greenwashing means, and environmentalism in general. The information is out there. Bill McKibben, Michael Pollan, Terry Tempest Williams, Treehugger, Grist, Adbusters, Huffington Post, ENN - just to name a few sources.

The Fashion Flipside show on Sunday on the Lower East Side of Manhattan was a blast- hundreds turned out to check out a fashion show that featured LES stores, many of which are eco-friendly.

Hairy Mary’s showed a bouquet of reconstructed dresses, and Kaight brought out the pretty, grown-up girl frocks. Lael, a new boutique that carries some ecofashions, showed us a string of reminders of why we love summer clothes (even when we don’t love summer). Daha Vintage, The Dressing Room and David Owens Vintage convinced me to renew my love for the hunt for preloved clothes - every one that survives is an original.

Photo by James Nova
Proving that this isn’t the first summer we’ve seen maxi dresses; this gorgeously patterned find is from the 70’s. (Daha Vintage) And yes, that’s me in the sunglasses seated at the left.

Photo by James Nova
Owner/designer Sharon (Hairy Mary’s) does a full-length and shorter version of this strapless lovely called in a variety of reused polyester fabrics.

Photo by Remy C.
Watercolor on a half a tab of LSD = the perfect summer dress print. (Lael)

Photo by James Nova
Porcelain-grey, pintucked bodice, full sleeves, short skirt? Victorian verisimilitude! (Kaight)

Photo by Remy C.
Striking architectural shoulders and sleeves prove organic cotton is supermod. (Kaight)

Photo by Remy C.
Dancing seems is an imperative while wearing this diaphanous dress. (Daha Vintage)

Photo by Remy C.
Fabulous sportswear-inspired bodysuit from The Dressing Room, a bar/shop where you can trade your old clothes for drinks– genius idea! (And note the homeless guy in the camo shirt on the left; he danced throughout the show and I give props to event organizers for letting him stay, proving that it still is NYC and it’s def. the LES!)

Photo by James Nova
Another pretty-pretty vintage lady reconstructed dress. (Hairy Mary’s).

Photo by James Nova
Neo-Grecian organic cotton dress that will show off your legs. (Kaight)

Photo by Remy C.
Sexy LBD (Kaight).

For more photos of the event (including the non-eco fashions AND fetishwear that walked the runway), check out RemyC’s page and James Nova’s Flickr stream.

This movie from the 1950’s shows Disney’s “House of the Future” which is totally kitted out in plastic EVERYthing. Ironic that here I am from 2008 writing about how to get plastic out of my life!

I haven’t picked up a plastic bag in weeks now*, and I’m looking for a new eco-challenge. I think a wholesale elimination of ALL plastic from my life could be a worthwhile next step towards the continuing greenification of my life.** Why plastic? Yes, it CAN be great (plastic medical devices save lives and plastic helps reduce the weight of cars so they’re more fuel-efficient), but mostly, it’s evil.

Reason 1: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area TWICE the size of the continental U.S. that’s filled with floating plastic debris. The smaller the plastic gets, the higher in the water column it floats, with marine life choking on the stuff. The source of the debris? North America and Asia (that’s you and me).

Reason 2: Plastic is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource that we’re spending millions of dollars and the lives and well-being of our fellow humans to obtain. Eight percent of oil worldwide goes to make plastics. My use increases demand.

Reason 3: Many plastics (we’re not even totally sure which ones yet) leach toxic chemicals into our environment (and us, especially fetuses) when they’re created, and into our bodies when we use them for food and beverage storage. Life is toxic enough without adding to it.

Instead of plastic storage containers, try: Glass ones. There are all kinds, from traditional round-shaped ones from Pyrex, but I like these square versions with frosted tops even better.

Instead of plastic produce bags try: Cloth or reusable ‘green’ bags (or none at all). Naturally-protected produce like bananas, oranges, apples, limes and avocados don’t need a bag- I never use them and my veggies aren’t suffering. Only leafy stuff and small fruits and veggies (cherries, brussels sprouts) really need to be bagged. I use the Evert-Fresh bags (but several companies make these now) because they keep produce fresh in the fridge way longer than supermarket produce babs. You can bring these to the market for those items that demand a carrier, and you can just rinse and reuse these. (I’ve had mine for four years now.) A friend of mine likes different-sized cloth bags which she throws in the laundry every now and again, so that’s another option.

Instead of plastic wrap try: A dish! (My father who lives in Australia actually taught me this one-thanks Dad!) Instead of putting plastic over a plate of leftovers, just use another dish of the same size or smaller. Want to be able to see what’s under there? Use a clear glass plate. For bowls, use teacup saucers (you can find these a goodwill for pennies. Food will stay moist and protected sans plastic, and the plates are reusable forever.

Instead of plastic baggies try: Wax paper bags or a cloth napkin.
This is a toughie. Sometimes there’s nothing like a sealable plastic bag- for something mushy or potentially messy- if I have to, I use mine over and over until they die so I don’t buy more than a box of these every couple years, if that. But for drier items (sandwiches, fruit, cut veggies) a wax paper bag will keep moisture in and it will eventually biodegrade (unlike plastic). I use a cloth napkin for short-term transport of homemade burritos, sandwiches and veggies which won’t leak much but need a bit of protection. I can use it as a napkin while eating; plastic, not so much.

Instead of plastic silverware, try: Bringing your own.
I carry my own utensils- or I should say utensil- with me: the Aussie splayde is perfect, but a spork works too, so I never need to use plastic. You could also try a set of collapsible chopsticks (I find a need a spoon more often than a fork, but think about what you eat and what works for you).

*The key to avoiding plastic bags is to carry an oversized bag so you always have a place for small items, keeping a fold-up reusable bag like Envirosax in your bigger bag, and leaving your canvas bags for grocery shopping in the car so you’re always prepared.

** So far I’ve switched to 75% organic food in my home, I drive only on the weekends, I’ve gotten a super-efficient furnace, use only low-VOC paints, compost food scraps, grow my own veggies and herbs, buy from my local farmer’s market from April-October, adopted all my animals, buy more than half my clothes and shoes from sustainable companies (see my blog, Eco Chick for a listing), take the train instead of flying, switched from a desktop to a laptop (they use 90% less power), bought a water and energy efficient new washer, and line-dry my clothes whenever possible. I’ve been vegetarian for 15 years, so that’s not recent, but it still counts!

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.

Check out what Kelly has to say about the Lexus Hybrid Living Suite she decorated in Washington, D.C.’s Fairmont Hotel.

The fabulous and accomplished Kelly LaPlante’s gorgeous first book, Ecologique, is a breath of fresh air. For several years now, ecofriendly decorating has had a definite aura of cool modernism, as if there was only one way to design a green interior, and that’s with lots of (sustainable wooden) cubes. LaPlante has different ideas. As she writes in the introduction, “Reconsider what you think you know about “the green look” — bamboo flooring, modular furniture, neutral colors, and all other icons of the sustainable design movement. Green is a standard, not a style.”

LaPlante proves that you can foster any style sustainably, by showcasing a pretty wide variety of decorating challenges she has take on over the last few years.

There’s the electric-car driving California politician’s office done up 50’s retro style, (with vintage typewriter to add interest and a houndstooth print rug made from recycled and recyclable carpet tiles), and the themed eco-cottages in Venice Beach gussied up with restored and creatively used antiques, recycled polyester fabric-covered sofas, and art by locals.

And then there’s the celebrity homes; Ally Sheedy’s Manhattan apartment that’s painted with low-VOC coral paint, edged-up with Sheedy’s own guerilla girl poster collection and mellowed out with antiques. Amy Smart’s sunroom is now complete with an organic cotton-covered sofa and vegetable-dyed area rug, and Michael Rappaport’s restored junk-store ‘tombstone chair’ which finishes off his Barton Fink-inspired bedroom.

You have to see these gorgeous spaces to believe them, each unique to the people who live in them, each one compelling in visual presentation but still completely livable.

Ecologique book cover

In LaPlante’s own words, “Ecologique is an invitation to apply a sustainable approach to your own sense of style, and to feel good doing it.” 100% of the books net proceeds benefit Global Green USA and The Blank Theatre in Los Angeles.

Ecoloqgique is available for order at Kelly LaPlante’s website.