July 31, 2007
Looking for ways to support sustainable farming and rainforest conservation -- all before you've even finished your breakfast? Really Natural reader (and Sustainable Harvest International summer intern Jessica Schessler just wrote in about a promotion from Stonyfield Farm and Sustainable Harvest International that will allow you to do just that.
Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) is a nonprofit organization that works with farmers in Central America to teach alternatives to slash and burn farming.
Since 1997, SHI has worked with nearly 1,000 families and 900 students in Honduras, Panama, Belize and Nicaragua to
* Plant more than 2,000,000 trees.
* Convert 6,000 acres to sustainable uses, thereby saving 30,000 acres from slash-and-burn destruction.
* Improve nutrition through the establishment of more than 200 organic vegetable gardens.
* Increase farm income up to 800%.
* Build165 wood-conserving stoves (saving 1,650 trees per year)
SHI's work saves rainforests; it also leaves the farmers and their families with enough organic crops to feed themselves and sell extra crops for income.
This summer, SHI has joined with Stonyfield Farm yogurt to raise money for their work. Through Stonyfield Farm's Bid with Your Lid program, SHI will receive $20,000 in donations, plus up to $40,000 more based on yogurt-eaters' votes. You can go to the Stonyfield Farm website and receive a coupon for a free yogurt, and at the same time cast a vote for Sustainable Harvest International. You can also redeem yogurt tops and cast one vote for each top you redeem (e.g. 10 tops equals 10 votes, 20 tops equals 20 votes, etc.)
We're big fans of Stonyfield Farm organic yogurt for breakfast -- with homemade granola and wheat germ or mixed into a smoothie. And we think Sustainable Harvest International is an organization worth supporting. So it's win-win.
Get your coupon for a free Stonyfield Farmyogurt and cast your vote for SHI.
Learn more about Sustainable Harvest International.
July 30, 2007
Victoria Holland, co-founder of
Little Green Star, just wrote to tell us about the company's line of organic cotton baby t-shirts, designed to inspire and educate -- and bring a smile to your eco-conscious face.
Shirts are emblazoned with cute graphics and statements like "Water Pollution Makes Me Crabby," "My Other Stroller is a Hybrid," and "My Dad Recycles More than Your Dad."
All shirts are printed on 100% organic cotton using non-toxic water-based ink. Too cute.
Available at Little Green Star.
July 27, 2007
We really want a solar charger for our iPod, iPhone, and other gadgets and gizmos we carry around. The Solio universal "hybrid" solar charger is powerful enough to charge all of your handheld electronic products at home or on the move. The Solio works by absorbing power from either four hours in the wall socket or 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight, and then storing the energy within its internal battery. Once the Solio's battery is full, you can use the unit to charge your cell phone, iPod, MP3 player, PDA, game player, GPS, fish finder, or digital camera, making it a powerful all-in-one battery charger.
At Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger
July 26, 2007
This self-powered radio offers AM and FM broadcasts. The integrated solar panel will generate enough power to operate the radio and charge the battery simultaneously when exposed to strong sunlight. When you aren't using it, the radio will charge itself up if left in the sun. In addition to being able to power itself with the solar panel, just 30 seconds of winding the hand crank on the back of the radio will provide about 35 minutes of power.
At Freeplay Energy RE1TB Eyemax AM/FM Radio
July 25, 2007
Emeco uses 80% recycled aluminum to create this chair. It's based on a classic Navy design, and because it uses recycled aluminum, that means less impact on the environment. Specially made stainless steel foot caps prevent scratching floors or snagging carpets, and if you can believe this - it's made in U.S.A.
At Design Within Reach
July 24, 2007
Having seen something similar over at Kitchen Contraptions so long ago, it's nice to see some more solar grills. This solar grill is built intentionally for grilling up hot dogs at boomerang competitions. Yes - boomerangs - those things you throw. This grill is solar powered--the thing is literally a glass box that catches sunlight bounced off a reflective Mylar panel and thus bathing the hot dogs in solar baking heat. Will this ignite a third option in the grilling wars? Gas, Charcoal, or Solar? Which one is better?
Via Gizmodo at Boom Chef Grill
July 23, 2007
We've been trying to figure out how to re-use the plastic bags we still get in our life. Sure you can use canvas bags for grocery shopping, but you can't avoid getting some amount of new plastic bags. One use is the lunch bag or even using them for storing fruit or other items on trips. The big problem - they're usually dirty after using them each time, but they can be washed and reused if you have a plastic bag dryer.
Simply wash bags with a bit of soap and warm water (if ziplock, we fill half way with water, seal and swish around) and rinse well. Simply hang bags over one of the dowels on the bag dryer to dry. If done at night, bags are dry in the morning. Washes up to 8 bags and one container at a time. Made entirely of wood, the base may be removed for portability and/or in order to hang the dryer from the metal eyelet located at the top of the center dowel.
At Plastic Bag Dryer
July 20, 2007
Spice up your patio or hot tub area with these solar powered lanterns, The Soji solar powered lanterns are perfect for placing around your outdoor living area while entertaining guests or just enjoying a private evening on your deck or patio. The Soji Lanterns are available in four vibrant colours and can be hung or used as a tabletop display, the choice is yours.
During the day the solar panel collects sunlight and charges the AAA battery, then as daylight turns to dusk a photo sensor automatically turns on the lantern. The Soji Lantern will continue to glow for hours into the night and will then recharge itself the next day. Each Soji Lantern is 12 in diameter and is constructed of sturdy nylon for year round use.
At Soji Lantern
July 19, 2007
In keeping with our "solar powered garden" theory, this Solar powered Floating Pond Lily made from resin includes panel and pump kit and anchoring net for use in ponds or fountains. You just have to wait for a Sunny day and the water will shoot out from the floating lily.
At Smart Solar Floating Pond Lily
July 18, 2007
This fountain is definitely for the birds. Direct sunlight transforms this large Fountain / Birdbath into a freestanding, recirculating fountain. With carved turtles, leaves and dragonflies on the podium and basin adding to the overall charm, birds and birdwatchers alike will enjoy it for seasons to come. Approximately 29" tall with the basin being 21" across.
At Country Gardens Solar Birdbath Fountain
July 17, 2007
Looking to grow something in a rather different manner? The EcoGrower incorporates an air driven “spider” drip system and uses the a revolutionary hexagonal reservoir with removable six inch lid inserts. Each lid insert will accommodate one 6” net pot that can easily grow very large plants.
In keeping with their commitment to the environment, General Hydroponics will soon release versions of the EcoGrower that will operate with electricity recovered from solar panels.
At Eco Grower
July 16, 2007
Made out of recycled plastic bottles (the fabric is called "ecospun"), you can carry your organic goodies in style. Just think, next time you are asked, "paper or plastic?" you sassy thing, you get to say "neither! I BYOB."
Plastic Bag Eco-Facts:
- Worldwide, over one million plastic bags are used EVERY MINUTE.
- In the US, about 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees go to producing plastic and paper bags each year.
- About 4 billion plastic bags end up as litter each year.
At Ideal Bite - Biter Gear - Biter Bags:
July 14, 2007
You've got to love an environmentally friendly and non-animal tested razor (that's non-animal if you also don't count my face.) Preserve’s new triple blade razor brings high-performance to the environment-friendly razor product line.The patent-pending handle is made from recycled materials and is completely recyclable. The package is made from renewable wood sources and is reusable as a travel case.
- Triple blades provide a smooth, close shave
- Handle is made from 100% recycled plastic, including 65% of recycled Stonyfield Farm® yogurt cups
- Innovative, one-piece handle design
- reduces resources consumed in
- manufacturing
- Ergonomic handle with contours and
- gripping regions enhances performance and control
- No animal testing
At Preserve Razor Recyclable - Recycline, Inc.
July 9, 2007
Okay, U.K. readers, I'm jealous.
By Nature sent an email to let us know that
La Queue du Chat's fall baby collection is available, and it's about as cute as can be.
The clothes and baby accessories are fair trade, made in India of organic cotton. The animal graphics are completely adorable.
La Queue du Chat baby clothes available at By Nature.
July 6, 2007
She's got the whole world in her hands,
She's got the whole world in her hands,
She's got the whole world in her hands,
She's got the whole world in her hands.
Hey, why not? Whole World, the popular children's song, released as a book and CD set with singing by Fred Penner and illustrations by Christopher Corr.
The book includes tips on making the world a better place. A portion of proceeds benefit global environmental conservation.
Buy the Whole World book and CD set.
July 5, 2007
Getting excited for Live Earth? Want to tell your friends about it?
The folks at Barefoot Books have developed a free e-card so you can do just that. The card includes content from the new book Whole World and includes eco-tips for making the world greener. A percentage of book sales benefits global conservation.
Get the e-card. Buy Whole World.
July 3, 2007
Back in May, we wrote about Simple Soynut Butter. The kind folks at Simple Food just sent us some samples. We've got the full spectrum of flavors: Cinnamon Sugar, Slightly Sweet, Sea Salted, and Chocolate.
Stay tuned for our review.
Available at Simple Food.
July 2, 2007
Ecorazzi just posted reviews of some big eco-friendly bags for fall. Part fashion statement, part practical storage.
I like the aluminum tab messenger bag made from recycled poptops (left) from Hip and Zen and the vinyl bag made from recycled billboards and seatbelt straps from VyandElle (right).
Via Ecorazzi.
Sustainable Harvest International - Stonyfield Yogurt Promotion
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