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photo © rider thompson
As heavy eyed people all across the country woke up to find out the time had moved forward on Sunday, few realize the jump has eco-friendly origins. Spring forward, fall back. We know the drill. But does the clock-switch across America actually save energy? Not if everyone takes the extra hour of sunlight and spends it at the mall.
The Only Natural Pet Store is a Colorado based Pet Store that is making a splash online offering people nationwide a one stop source for natural and organic pet products. Couple things we like about these guys right off the bat 1) They buy 100% Green wind energy to offset their company's electricity use on the grid (just like we do from People's Power and Light). 2) their packaging is minimal and reused when they can and their boxes are stuffed with packing peanuts made out of 100% cornstarch (see photo above) which means you can discard them in the compost bin or simply wash them down the drain.
The selection of pet products at Only Natural Pet Store is large with a wide range of choices for both dogs and cats. Their selection is chosen to offer healthy, natural pet care products that are consistent with a holistic approach to pet health. All of the products they offer are natural. On a recent order we were pleased the items arrived quickly and the pricing is less than what you will find at the large pet stores nationwide, with shipping you are paying about the same price - the difference is the selection of natural products is huge at Only Natural Pet Store. Many of the products they have in their inventory are difficult to find locally so their online store provides an source for the pet owner determined to provide natural products to their pets. Their selection of holistic medicines and remedies is also quite impressive. On a recent order we got some organic cat treat and natural hairball remedy - a welcome find compared to the normal petroleum-based ones available at most places.
On a side note we also like the fact the Only Natural Pet Store offers shipping by USPS (United States Postal Service) their priority mail is fast and efficient - we support USPS. We are not impressed with UPS lately, personal experience with UPS along with feedback from readers highlight a number of problems from long shipping times to them refusing to leave items at residences. We are also concerned they are trying to steer people towards their new feature at UPS Stores where they will "sign" for your packages if your not home. So we support businesses that offer consumers a choice with shipping options. We especially like USPS and DHL.
image © rider thompson
BY KRISTEN HOGAN
Growing up, I was embarrassed to have asthma. When I was having an attack, it made me feel weak physically which translated into feeling weak emotionally. The reason for this is how my family responded to me having asthma- as a tremendous inconvenience. That being the case, for years I suffered in ways that I did not need to. Not being able to breathe well most of the time was something that became normal in my daily life. When I say this, I do not mean that I was having asthma attacks on a daily basis, but that I constantly felt like my breathing was constricted. That I was not breathing to full capacity. At times I have asked myself, “is there a right way and wrong way to breathe”, and perhaps the problem is that I am not breathing properly. I will get back to that at a later date
Only within the last few years have I come to realize that this does not have to be the case. I came to the conclusion that I can take active steps in order to control my asthma. What I thought was completely out of my control, now I know is not. I would like to share some of the steps I have taken to figure out what was triggering my asthma and how I went about changing in accordance to these discoveries.
The first step I took was writing in a food journal. Okay, here me out on this. It is a pain, I will acknowledge that. It is just another thing to remember along with “did I lock the door when I left the house this morning” and “do I have anything in the house to make dinner with”. What I suggest is to buy a notebook that looks nice so that you will want to bring it out to write in. Also, it should be small so that you can take it places. Finally, it should be exclusively used as a food journal. This last part I cannot explain… it just seems to work better. Maybe it’s a psychological thing, I don’t know.
Anyways, this whole journal keeping thing was a big step for me since I have never kept any type of journal in my life and it took me some time to write in it every day and without “forgetting” everything that I ate/ drank. Let me tell you, this journal not only helped me keep my asthma in check, but was also is a great way to honestly look at what I eat and drink during the course of the day. For instance, having a coffee shop on each block in Rhode Island (where I was living at the time) was bad on my wallet. I have come to realize how much money I have spent over the years buying coffee. It is sinful. Anyway back to asthma, I realized that I ate at fast food restaurants on a bi-weekly basis. Since going to fast food joints was a frequent occurrence, but not so frequent that it would be a desperate struggle each day, the first step I took was to stop eating at these places. I immediately noticed a difference. First, generally speaking, I began to breather easier. Second, I realized that I really did not like fast food. Wow, so far this journal is really paying off. I knew that this was the first of many steps of figuring out how much food impacts how well I breathe. I also realized that although this very step was relatively easy… future changes may be much more difficult.
So basically, my first suggestion is to start small. It will take some time to understand all of the things that effect your breathing. Therefore, start with something you are relatively comfortable with letting go, because you will be more likely to stick with “the plan” as a whole. There are obvious exceptions to this of course. If you eat something, and have a full blown asthma attack from it…. don’t eat it again. Ever.
UPDATED 10/26/07 - See our story on Merrick Bamboo Hangers discovered this week at Target
Earthsaver hangers are made from 100% corn - yet they look and feel like traditional plastic clothing hangers. Made by Merrick as an environmentally sound alternative to petroleum-based plastic these hangers offer consumers an eco-friendly alternative. The corn for the hangers comes from renewable resources all grown by farmers in the US and is 100% compostable. The hangers are also made in the USA.
The earthsaver hangers are an innovative product one that certainly warrants some attention. There is no question we have endless amounts of corn in the United States, so a product like this that can use some of that corn makes sense. Is it a viable alternative to petroleum-based plastic hangers that exist in the billions in this country? I believe so and I would expect more products like this to appear on the market in the upcoming years.
In a related interesting move, Walmart stores are carrying the earthsaver hangers and offering them for about $3.50 for five of them. The earthsaver hangers differ in appearance from the inexpensive plastic hangers they replace. Their design is rather innovative holding clothes better than the traditional basic plastic hangers. Merrick calls the style a "heavy shirt" design.
Check Rajeev Singh's blog for some additional commentary on these hangers. He raises some interesting points, namely that information and publicity related to this product are virtually nonexistent. This is an interesting observation because its the type of product you'd think a company like Walmart would make an example of to show they are "green." There may be a supply issue on these and it is unknown if they are carried by all Walmart stores or being tested in certain stores. In addition the product's manufacturer Merrick provides no information on these hangers on their own company website... which is odd.
image © rider thompson
Image is everything today, if you don't believe that statement, just look at the lengths the companies who produce the artificial sweetener Splenda® are going to control potentially negative information on their product. Tate & Lyle, manufacturer of Splenda®, along with its US based co-developer Johnson & Johnson have bought up potentially negative domain names by the hundreds. The three top level .com domain names mentioned above sound like something out of a medical examiners post mortem but they are actually domain names owned by the sweeteners own makers. Why?
Realizing how times have changed and how now a simple Google search can yield consumers a wealth of information on a particular product both good and bad it appears Tate & Lyle and Johnson & Johnson are taking steps to control potentially negative information by buying domain names that could be used to post such information. Is it brilliant corporate strategy or a plan that could backfire tremendously down the road? Are the makers of Splenda® outwitting potential critics, or are they themselves documenting their own products’ shortcomings and risks by buying these domain names?
Continue reading "Makers of Splenda buy Hundreds of Negative Domain Names " »
Three products from Trader Joe's stores have found their way into my life on a daily basis. Now mind you these may not be the most exciting products but I use each of them every day and collectively they all cost less than $9 and last me a long time. The three products are Trader Joe's All Natural Anti-Cavity Toothpaste, Trader Joe's unscented deodorant and Trader Joe's Pure Castile Soap.
Trader Joe's All Natural Anti-Cavity Toothpaste with Baking Soda & Fluoride uses natural ingredients like hydrated silica and Essential Oil of Peppermint to form a gentle great tasting tooth paste that doesn't harm the enamel of your teeth. Made with no artificial sweeteners (like saccharin), No Sodium Laurel Sulfate and No Propylene Glycol this toothpaste is safe, basic, effective and cheap what else do you want?
Trader Joe's unscented deodorant is hands down the best natural deodorant I have ever used. I have tried many of them believe me in my quest to get away from the large amount of chemicals found in most of the conventional deodorants on the market, especially antiperspirant deodorants. This deodorant is paraben and aluminum free and is actually made with cotton fibers to fight wetness by absorbing moisture. Hands down this is my favorite product I just love it and its made in Canada.
Perhaps the best overall bargain is Trader Joe's Pure Castile Soap which comes in a 16oz bottle for $2.99 try finding Dr. Bonners for that. TJs Pure Castile Soap has a peppermint scent to it containing oils of peppermint, olive and coconut as well as aloe vera. Contains no animal products of any kind - I use it every day in the shower its just fantastic. It can also be used as a regular hand soap, shampoo, fruit wash, general use cleaner in the kitchen for scrubbing pots and pans etc. I cannot recommend this product enough and at the price its one of the best values out there.
Now good news - Trader Joe's stores are located across the country these products are available nationwide so check them out.
photo © whole foods
BY ALEXANDER HOGAN
I don’t eat beef. Don’t get excited. It’s not a religious thing. It’s not a political thing. I just flat out don’t like the taste and texture of beef. I grew up in Kansas City, for some the Blues and BBQ capital of the Midwest. So take Mid-80s/Midwestern Masculinity and a boy who loves seafood and well you do the math on my childhood. Kansas Citians, who are honest with themselves, recognize that the only thing more difficult than finding good seafood in the city is finding an apartment in the newly revitalized downtown without drug-addicted, bass-booming neighbors. Difficult, but not impossible my pretties.
So let’s get serious here for a minute. Shellfish is easy to find in the area and you can acquire edible shellfish at any number of restaurants and local markets. The real problem is fish and if you say Trout… well get real! I sincerely believe that the only place to get fresh fish like Tuna, Tilapia and such is at the Whole Foods counter around 90th & Metcalf in Overland Park. They go to great lengths to make sure their seafood only comes from sources that use sustainable, ethical harvesting techniques.
Dining out offers an array of seafood experiences (not all good). Now I mean it should go without saying that when you go to a sushi bar in a town and find the vast majority of the maki to be deep fried that you’re in deep $#@%. It seems everyone wants you to go to Jun’s or Sushi Gin in this city. I am truly convinced this is only because of the aggressive ad campaigns these two places have mounted. Last time I was at Jun’s a woman grabbed me by the shoulder and began screaming incoherently at me. I also believe from the smell that she soiled her pants, although that fact was never confirmed. Now I do not mean to be insensitive to people who crap their pants and freak out in the middle of restaurants, but it was a miserable meal. To make things worse the staff did not seem to feel this incident required them to compensate me in anyway. I will admit even a free appetizer might have warmed my heart. C’est la vie!
The place to get sushi in the metro is actually Ichiban Sushi at 11809 College Blvd Overland Park, KS 66210. This Korean-run sushi house is truly a pleasure. They have a diverse menu and a pleasant modern atmosphere. Ichiban has one of the largest selections of maki in the area. I’ll mention briefly that right next door to Ichiban is one of the best Chinese restaurants around…a topic for another day.
If sushi isn’t your thing. Fine. Let’s go European. A lot of people will cite McCormick & Schmick’s but I have to be honest. I have experienced fabulous meals and mediocre meals there. Overcooked, dry fish is the biggest problem in this city. Frankly the “I want my meat dead” mentality of some of the residents is as much to blame as some the macho “grill-master” or meth-freak cooks that often inhabit kitchens in the city. All Kansas Citians know that meth-addicted cooks are far of an issue than cockroaches in this city. Perhaps its because we lack any exterminator service for this problem. If you’re going fish and you value freshness and taste there are really only three locations for consistency. 1) Le Fou Frog – a delightful French restaurant near the city market 2) Lidia’s – in the crossroads 3) Pot Pie’s in Westport where Spivey Norman’s used to be (for all those old punks and rivets who remember back when) What ever happened to Linda anyway? Is she still out there dating 20 year olds with her manic panic hair?
This conditioner made by North Carolina based Burt's Bees is a great natural alternative to conventional conditioners. Its made to naturally moisturize, condition and repair even the driest, most damaged hair leaving it soft, silky and beautiful. Raspberry, Marula and Brazil Nut Oils quickly penetrate hair for deep, lasting conditioning that will strengthen and protect hair without product build-up. An excellent choice for people with long, curly or dry hair.
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