Posted on February 28th, 2008
For many of us, it’s been a while since we walked the world in the hair color we were born with. You might be legally blonde, brunette, burgundy or black, but at what cost to your health and the environment? Chemical hair dye ingredients contribute to both environmental pollution and a variety of health problems. Studies have linked the use of hair dyes to an increase in bladder cancer, dermatitis, depigmentation, rheumatoid arthritis and respiratory ailments. Here’s why: All permanent hair dyes are made up of two components -- color and developer. The developer contains hydrogen peroxide and ammonia to modify the molecular structure of the hair shaft and allow the large color ...
Posted on February 26th, 2008
Trying to quit smoking? Good for you! That’s one tough New Year’s resolution… We all know that smoking is bad for your health, but did you know it’s bad for the environment too? Yep. Those sneaky cigarette companies aren’t just throwing in additives that are harmful to you, but are harmful to nature as well. Each time you light up, you’re sending up to 4,000 chemicals into the atmosphere – things like formaldehyde, benzene and hydrogen cyanide, which are all air-polluting, smog- inducing VOC’s. In addition to the toxic smoke, tobacco farming is pretty shady too. Almost 500 different types of pesticides are used to protect U.S. crops from bugs, and ...
Posted on February 20th, 2008
If you're um, passionate about pregnancy and disease prevention, you'll be interested to learn that February is National Condom Month in the United States. Taking a cue from The American Social Health Association (ASHA), which has designated February as the official month to educate folks about condoms, we'd like to remind you sexy green readers that condoms should never be flushed down the toilet where they'll end up in the water system. According to the Ocean Conservancy, condoms, along with certain other types of trash, cover the coral reefs and smother sea grass and other bottom dwellers. The United States Environmental Protection Agency also has expressed concerns that many animals might mistake them for food! The ...
Posted on November 25th, 2007
So your best jeans finally bit the dust and the moths made a meal out of the sweater Granny knit you. Rather than giving your memories the heave hoe, recycle them into a fashionably unique quilt. Pair worn out duds (your prom dress, wedding gown, the leisure suit you grew out of, your baby blanket) with scrap fabric, old scarves, patterned textiles and vintage prints and decorate with bits of ribbon or lone buttons. Learn a beautiful new craft, make a lasting heirloom and spend cold nights (because you’re in the habit of turning the thermostat down a notch or two, wink, wink) snuggled under a blanket of your favorite things.
Posted on November 23rd, 2007
Nothing helps protect you from a November chill quite like fleece. Fleece jackets, vests, pants, socks and blankets are a great way to stay warm without bulking up or turning on the heat. Fleece products are now available in “green”, also known as eco-fleece and ecospun. These alternatives are earth-friendly because they’re made from 70% recycled soda bottles. Eco-fleece is wonderfully soft and provides superior warmth with minimal weight, while wicking away moisture. If you’re still sporting your regular fleece, great! It’s always better to continue to use what you have than to buy new. When your old polar-fleece gets too worn to wear, consider recycling it.
Patagonia recycles many of ...
Posted on October 16th, 2007
Is your favorite pair of jeans starting to wear through at the knees? Or maybe a small tear is getting bigger with every wash? Stop the insanity before it spreads further with a patch. Most craft (and even some grocery) stores sell ready-made patches that you can iron on in a matter of seconds. Just cut the patch a little bigger than the hole, turn your jeans inside out, line up your patch, iron back and forth for 60 seconds - and viola! You've just made your own chic distressed jeans for a couple bucks and you can sport your sexy pair for a whole lot longer.
Posted on August 13th, 2007
What’s the easiest way to get out of laundry duty? Re wear your clothes before piling up the hamper. Maybe it sounds a little sketchy but really, unless you’ve been playing in the mud, hanging out in a smoky bar or sweating buckets, you should be able to get at least two wears out of everything (okay, okay socks and undies are a definite exception). You can get a lot of mileage out of sweaters and coats and don’t your best jeans always feel better a few wears in? Give your wallet, the washer and dryer, your clothes and your busy schedule a break and take that old favorite for another spin.
Posted on August 11th, 2007
Oh those lovely locks. You spent forever growing them out, tediously conditioning and caring for every follicle….but perhaps you're ready for a change in hairstyle? If you’re stoked on going short, consider donating your hair.
Locks of Love is a great program organized to make your donated hair into quality prosthetics for children (under 18) who suffered from a medical condition that has left them lock-less so your hair will continue to live on instead of ending up in a trash bin at the salon. Now that's one sexy way to style your hair!
