Made from 100% natural products, Celestial Seasonings Green Tea is made of all that is good. Great flavor for good health, this Green Tea is smooth and satisfying. No strings, tags or staples, Celestial Seasonings’ unique pillow-style tea bag is made for the environmentally conscious and is not packaged in individual wrappers saving over 3.5 million pounds of waste from entering our landfills every year.

Serving over 1.6 billion cups of tea every year, Celestial Seasonings has been harvesting all-natural herbal teas since 1969.  All ingredients are grown around the world utilizing the philosophy of ethical trade practice, assuring fair market prices which spur local businesses, creating more jobs, empowering farmers and their communities.

Steeped in hot water (not boiling), you will experience the mild, delicately balanced taste and the healthy goodness that Celestial Seasonings aspires to create. For a special cold treat, try the iced tea recipe on the inside flap of the box, it is delicious.

Everyone knows about the ENERGY STAR rating that comes with household appliances, right? Well do you know what it means? ENERGY STAR is a governmental joint program with the Environmental Protection Agency. In 1992, the EPA introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed to promote energy efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In our business environs, ENERGY STAR has been a force behind more widespread use of innovations like more efficient lighting, power management systems for office equipment and low standby energy use.

As an example of the work it does, in one state, say, Pennsylvania, the ENERGY STAR qualified homes built in 2009 are equivalent to eliminating emissions from 772 vehicles, saving 4,668,300 lbs. of coal, planting 1,276 acres of trees and saving the environment of 9,155,475 lbs of carbon dioxide.

Taken from the most updated specification sheets, the number of qualified ENERGY STAR clothes washers is 478 and this includes almost all popular name brands such as; Whirlpool, Amana, Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, Maytag and Speed Queen. It doesn’t stop there; ratings include categories of appliances like air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, light bulbs, dishwashers, computers, etc….  The ENERGY STAR website features many tips on how to improve efficiency in your new home or with home improvements. You can take a virtual walk-through of an ENERGY STAR home and it will show you how to save energy and money in all areas. There are tips on how to select a contractor and downloads for maintaining your HVAC equipment and several other topics. Give the site a look and see how much information there is available to help you save energy and money!

I tried Origins Sunshine State  two weeks ago on vacation. I have to say that I liked it and will be buying more of it. It was an easy rub-in and smelled nice. I spent considerable amounts of time by the pool enjoying the sun and refreshing water. This sun screen did not fade and was not oily on my skin. It doesn’t leave a white-wash look to your face like some of the heavier zinc products. It contains mineral based products, vitamin E and Bisabolol, from Chamomile to soothe your sun exposed derma. With no harsh chemicals to react to, you skin will be soft, smooth and protected. Resistant to water and sweat, Origins is a great product that beckons you to try it out and do your part for our environment and yourself.

 Origins’  mission is to create quality natural skincare products using organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils. It is their commitment to protect the planet.

Most of the processes used in bamboo-made products are not always green. Factories are using harsh chemicals to turn the bamboo into a soft enough fiber to form it. To turn the bamboo into planks, they must use toxic glues and formaldehyde. As popular as bamboo is, most production facilities exist in China and are not regulated. To boost yields the trees are fertilized and sprayed with pesticides which defeat the whole purpose. That is the not-so good stuff.

Some of the greenest bamboo doesn’t come from monoculture plantations but, rather, from award winning operations such as Madagascar Bamboo, which harvests naturally occurring plants from the edges of farms. (The farmers used to think of the bamboo as a valueless annoyance.) This provides cash for crops which is given back to the farmer locally; it decreases pressure on forests, conserves rare hardwoods and is a sustainable product. When selecting bamboo products such as natural wood flooring, make sure you are using a company that is regulated, is helping out the local farmer and that the manufacturer is committed to social and environmental responsibility.

By Dena Fritz

Energizer LED Rechargeable Flashlight

With our active lifestyle, we use flashlights for many purposes several times a week. We are always disappointed that our flashlights die out after just a few uses. It seems that just when we need them most, they fail us and leave us with frustration. On weekends, we are frequently away, to our boat on the Chesapeake or to our daughter’s cabin in the mountains. When we travel, we are always in need of a flashlight to turn the power on, or to row across a creek, or just to walk in the dark. After fruitless searches for the most economical and green way to light our path, I found this handy little tool that runs 8 hours on one charge and gives off a bright white Nichia LED light. It has two levels of luminescence and is very lightweight. The best part about it is that it plugs in the wall to be recharged and does not use costly wasteful batteries that harm our environment. We liked them so much, we bought two! We carry them with us every weekend in our luggage and upon arrival of wherever we go; we just plug them in to ensure that they are always fully charged. When we get home, we plug them back in and viola! We have charged up flashlights in case of an at-home emergency. This flashlight really fits our way of life and we wouldn’t want to be without them. Using them is responsible and cost effective.

Each year, over 3 billion dry-cell household batteries are purchased in the United States. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, consumer batteries contribute more mercury and cadmium to municipal solid waste than any other source. Long-term exposure to heavy metals can lead to serious health problems. Cadmium can cause lung, circulatory system, or reproductive system damage. Mercury can damage the brain, kidneys, or fetuses, as well as cause genetic, neurological, or psychological disorders. Cadmium, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and zinc have each been linked to cancer, developmental disorders, and immune deficiency. So needless to say, the less we use them, the better and the better for our environment.

20 Mule Team Borax is a natural mineral that is used for multi-cleaning around the house as well as a laundry booster.  It is a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water, otherwise known as sodium tetraborate. It is found deep in the ground along with clay and other substances. It is of a white powdery consistency and dissolves easily in water. It was discovered over 4,000 years ago and is found in many places around the world, even close to the surface in Death Valley, California. In the home it has many uses (see below) but it is also used for industrial purpose. Borax is actually a natural mineral, but can be an irritant on skin, and shouldn’t be ingested. Borax can be used as a stain remover and a substitute for bleach. Borax can also be used to repel insects, although care should be used around pets and small children.

• Laundry – Makes your detergent work better.
• Kitchen - Helps make your China sparkle & eliminates kitchen odors.
• Bathroom – Helps remove stains and deodorizes.
• Porcelain – Porcelain enamel surfaces will sparkle.
• Fiberglass – Borax and warm water. Your surfaces will shine!
• Hard Water – Got hard water? You’ll get cleaner, fresher smelling clothing.
• Delicates – Delicate hand washables also benefit from the water. 
• Garbage Pails – Deodorize your garbage pails with 20 Mule Team®* Borax.
• Refrigerators – Lingering odors and spilled food can be washed away.
• Baby Clothes – Baby clothes and cloth diapers can smell just as fresh.
• Fine China – Rinse it in a solution 20 Mule Team®* Borax and warm water.
• Humidifiers – To help keep your humidifier free of odor, rinse before using. 
• Toilet Bowls – Is great at deodorizing, for the freshest bowl you’ve ever had.

For a free booklet on these and other uses of 20 Mule Team®* Borax, please contact The Dial Corporation – Consumer Information Center at 1-800-457-8739 or download the booklet from the internet purex.com

20 Mule Team®* Borax is harmless to washing machines, plumbing and septic tanks.  20 Mule Team®* Borax does not contain phosphates or chlorine.

In the spring, I was reading a website that had a sunblock rating test reviewing several natural sunblocks. One of the higher rated blocks that I decided to try was Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock.  Although this product contains one ingredient that isn’t necessarily the best, oxybenzone, it is missing its bosom buddy, octinoxate,  they are commonly found together. Instead, Aveeno Active Naturals contains Titanium Dioxide which is a white opaque pigment that is used to cover your skin and reflect the sun naturally as it is not a harsh chemical.

 When using these all natural sun protectors, I find that the apparent sticking point (no pun intended) is that they are difficult to rub into the skin and you feel like you stepped off the Twilight movie set! This sunblock however, is easier to rub in and smells good. It comes in a spray formula, a lotion and in all different SPF levels.

I love this product! This sunblock does not leave a film on your skin and it works. It’s safer for your skin and for our water. Contains Active Photobarrier Complex™ to provide long-lasting UVA/UVB protection from the sun. Plus, they include select ingredients such as natural soy and vitamins A, C, and E.

Recently, due to the cold weather forging forward, I brought my plants in from my cozy front porch, and something changed…I could breath better! My plants, quite literally, breathed life back into my place. Because plants give off oxygen, they improve the air quality in your home. All day we are subject to pollutants in the air we breath, and it’s quite refreshing to come home and take a deep breath of clean, fresh air instead.

Right now, many home stores (Lowe’s, Home Depot), greenhouses, and grocery stores are selling the last of their summer plants for far less than normal. You could pick up a palm or ficus tree for a fraction of the cost, and they will flourish inside your home year round. Also, your home will gain instant decor-ability with plants, as they look beautiful and are greener for your lungs!