In Australia, the Eucalyptus tree is the primary source of food for Koalas. Research has found that unlike most animals, the Koala's Eucalyptus diet ensures that they do not have to worry about fleas, lice or other parasites!
Eucalyptus Essential Oil is so effective, potent, and versatile; it is no surprise that it's the most important ingredient in our 3-in-1 solution for your entire household.
All Natural EucoClean 3-in-1 harnesses the power of all-natural, pure Eucalyptus Essential Oil to effectively eliminate bugs, knock out tough grease and grime, AND freshen and purify your air conditioning system! You can't do THAT with your everyday bug spray!
This product not only can be used for bed bug prevention, but it is also a cleaner and and air purifier.
I find the bright green color of this product a bit suspect. Also, the above commercial is very annoying.
disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
If you are planning any holiday travel, whether by plane, train, or automobile, gopicnic makes it easy to eat well, both naturally and gluten-free. These ready-to-eat meals are all about convenience. They range in calories from about 400 to 500 calories, at least for the samples were sent.
A balanced meal featuring Wild Garden Hummus Dip, Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers, Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame, Sweet Perry Orchards Baja Blend Fruit & Nut Mix and an Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Square. All-Natural, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Kosher. 400 calories, 12g fiber, 25g protein. The food in GoPicnic meals contains no trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, no added MSG, and no artificial colors or flavors. Each item inside is individually packaged with full allergen and manufacturing warnings. No refrigeration, heating, or preparation required. Just open and enjoy.
A balanced meal featuring Sunbutter Sunflowerseed Spread, Crunchmaster Multi-Grain Crackers, Enjoy Life Seed & Fruit Trail Mix, Niagara Naturals Tropical Fruit Bites and an Enjoy Life Double Chocolate Cookie. All-Natural, Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Free of 7 Common Allergens including wheat, dairy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and egg. Also made without sulfites and casein. Contains no soy ingredients, but SunButter is made on equipment that also processes soy (a shared roaster that is cleaned thoroughly between processing products). 490 calories, 9g fiber, 12g protein. The food in GoPicnic meals contains no trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, no added MSG, and no artificial colors or flavors. Each item inside is individually packaged with full allergen and manufacturing warnings. No refrigeration, heating, or preparation required. Just open and enjoy!
I recognize the convenience of these products, but the problem with snack size packaging is it not very eco-friendly. Fortunately, the outer packaging that contains the snacks is made from 100% recycled fiber content (35% post-consumer material). I appreciate these products are natural, but they would be even better if organic.
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
The western world is hooked on flying, yet air travel remains a large contributor of greenhouse gases and thus climate change. Biofuels have been tested, but Virgin Atlantic is developing a unique solution which will hopefully be more practical. Yale Environment 360 explains:
Virgin Atlantic Airways has announced plans to fly commercial routes using a waste-based, synthetic gas fuel that produces half the carbon emissions of the typical jet fuel. Using technologies developed by partners LanzaTech and Swedish Biofuels, Virgin says it will capture and chemically treat gas waste from industrial steel production facilities into an ethanol that can be be converted into jet fuel. The company plans to run test flights in New Zealand within the next 18 months and begin commercial operations in China by 2014.
CoolFuel™ Valve: First ever dual-valve design offers an unrivaled range of flame control - simmer to boil with a twist of the flame adjuster.
Extra Wide Pot Supports: Three wide pot supports hold larger MSR pots or fry pans for gourmet cooking.
Multi-Fuel: Burns white gas, kerosene and unleaded auto fuel.
Compact: Folds to 1/3 of its working size for easy storage.
Remote Burner: Pioneered by MSR, the separate fuel bottle and pump keep the flame away from the fuel, which allows the use of a windscreen to make the stove burn hotter and more efficiently.
The Dragonfly has an adjustable flame, is extremely reliable, and doesn't become covered in black carbon with repeated use. I've owned two MSR Whisperlite International Liquid-Fuel Stove, which work great when new, but after the first year, require constant maintenance and are more finicky. After my second one failed on a backpacking trip requiring I take the whole thing apart, I decided it was time to upgrade to the Dragonfly. I love my new stove! It is definitely worth the couple extra ounces of weight and extra money for reliability and flame control.
When we go backpacking, we always take day hikes that require a smaller pack for lunch and water. I have hip problems, so most fanny packs annoy me and I prefer a daypack. I recently purchased the Mountainsmith Swift II Recycled Lumbar Pack for my daughter, and I was surprised at how comfortable it is.
fleece
Removable shoulder strap and air mesh foam back panel; tuck-away waistbelt; two water bottle pockets and elastic rigging
Made from 100 percent recycled ReDuraTM PET fabric
Zippered main compartment, interior zippered hanging pocket, zippered front panel with key clip
Bright yellow lining promotes visibility and 3M reflective highlights
Removable shoulder strap. Fleece-lined eyewear pocket with cord port. Internal organizational dividers. Front panel water resistant zipper.
This is a smaller fanny pack for long day hikes, as it would be challenging to fill it with all you need; however, the size makes sure you don't overload it and put extra strain on your hips and lower back.
This is also a great fanny pack for traveling and not looking like a geek!
I recently found myself needing a place to stay in the Redding, CA area, one of my least favorite places in the world, and was dreading the night. I searched on my phone for hotel rates using the Kayak app and was pleased to discover the Gaia Shasta Hotel and Spa located in Anderson. I've known about this hotel for awhile, but as it is about ten miles from Redding, if was off my radar of options in my mental search. Not only was my experience at the Gaia extremely pleasant, it was $40 cheaper a night than comparable three star hotels in the area.
We tread lightly at Gaia Shasta Hotel. Our progressive approach to environmental sustainability pairs beautifully with our beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites. Carpet and bathroom tiles are made from recycled materials. Luxurious linens and towels are made of high-quality, long lasting fibers. Solar power helps conserve energy. Recycle bins cut down on landfill waste. Large windows invite natural light while providing amazing views of the outdoors.
The rooms are comfortably large, and the restaurant was very good, although there were only a couple vegetarian options on the menu. The lobby features displays of current power and water usage, and a pedal powered surrey is available to rent, although I don't know where you would go on it. There were swans nesting in the hallways with warning signs they could be aggressive. The bathroom featured bulk shampoo, conditioner, and soap, as well as dual flush toilets. The tubular skylight in the bathroom was a great touch for morning light. Recycling bins were in the rooms and hallways.
There were a few things I did find disappointing about the Gaia, but compared to a normal hotel, I can't really complain. The vending machines were full of classic junk food. I would expect a green hotel to feature healthy food and drink choices. Although I was very pleased the windows actually opened, my room faced I-5, so the noise was too much to let in the fresh air all night. I also would have expected organic sheets and towels, as well as coffee (it was fair trade) in the rooms of a green hotel.
I've seen this hotel pop up before in searches for Bay Area accommodations, but it is really far from all the hub bub. It's location is a bit odd, as it is over an hour to Mt. Shasta, but if you need to stay in the Redding area, this is the place! The Gaia made my difficult journey to Redding much more pleasant!
You've probably seen these cups before; they always make me do a double take. Looking exactly like a disposable coffee cup, I'm Not a Paper Cup makes a statement.
The original "I'm Not a Paper Cup" is the eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper or styrofoam coffee cups. It features a durable double-walled layer of thermal porcelain and a silicone top, both of which are dishwasher and microwave safe. The cup is 100% non-toxic and reusable. Holds up to 10 ounces.
One thing I like about the I'm Not a Paper Cup, besides the obvious message, is coffee joints know exactly how to make a latte or cappuccino in it. I've been frustrated on numerous occasions when baristas insist on making my soy latte in a paper cup, then pouring it into my stainless steel coffee mug because they don't know its size for the proportion of milk to espresso. It completely defeats the purpose of using a reusable cup, and I never win the argument.
I also think that porcelain is probably a safer material for hot beverages than China sourced stainless steel. I think this is also true for the lid (silicone vs. plastic).
Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.
Would you want to stay in a hotel made of garbage?
The Beach Garbage Hotel has opened in Madrid. The walls are covered with garbage that has washed up from tides on European beaches. The BBC reports:
German artist Ha Schult built the five-bedroom hotel in the central Plaza de Callao as part of the city's hosting of the International Tourism Fair (Fitur).
Schult said he hoped to draw attention to the massive amount of waste generated by mass tourism in Europe.
"I created the Beach Garbage Hotel because the oceans of our planet are the biggest garbage dump," he told the AFP news agency.
If we had to reside with our garbage on our walls at home, we might produce less.
Even if they don't have their sea legs, fans of vegetarian cooking will want to give this volume a look. Innovative takes on familiar themes dominate this compilation of more than 100 popular dishes served on Costa Cruise Lines' Taste of Health cruises, like the Seitan Paella and the playful Sushi Salad, in which shiitake mushrooms and tofu get tossed with seasoned brown rice and nori. Natural foods expert Pukel and chef Hanna offer clear instructions for preparation, but offer little background on their choice of ingredients; instead, it's assumed that the reader is familiar with arame, shoyu, kombu and lotus root.
I don't find this cookbook as aesthetically pleasing as others. There are no beautiful photographs of the dishes, and the nautical theme is a little strange for a vegetarian cookbook (I had to keep reminding myself this was not a seafood cookbook); however, from vegetable fritters with cilantro dipping sauce to winter root vegetable stew, there are plenty of recipes to make your mouth water whether on land or sea!
Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.
After many years of wanting one, I finally bought a 100% Premium Silk Sleeping Bag Liner. This sleeping bag liner can also be used as a travel sheet too. Made from luxurious silk, this liner is a comforting bonus when camping!
The Sea To Summit 100% Premium Silk Sleeping Bag Liner not only feels luxurious, it provides a layer of protection between you and sketchy hostel or budget hotel mattresses. Thanks to its high quality, machine-washable, ripstop silk, this sleeping bag liner packs down into its own tiny stuff sack and weighs less than a can of soda, so you can easily take it traveling or backpacking. On cold, clear nights under the stars, layer it in your sleeping bag to add up to 10 degrees of warmth to your bag's temperature rating
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This silk liner comes with a lifetime warranty! It also eliminates the need to own a warmer zero degree sleeping bag.
Now that my children are getting older, I am getting the itch to travel abroad. I also attend a lot of music festivals and find I need something to keep my important items close to my body while I dance without worrying they will be stolen. Recently, I purchased the Eagle Creek Travel Gear Undercover Silk Neck Pouch. Made from 100% natural silk in Vietnam, this little pouch is perfect for you passport, ID, money, plane or concert tickets, etc. It even fits my iPhone! This silk pouch can be worn over or under your clothes and is much less obvious and secure than the fanny packs you usually see tourists wearing.
The airline industry is often targeted for its excessive greenhouse gas emissions, Vermont is trying to make one of its airports more eco-friendly. Heritage Aviation at Burlington International has installed its first wind turbine and 120 solar panels. UPI reports:
"We're proud to be on the leading edge of energy efficiency, corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship, in our region and in the aviation industry," said Christopher Hill, president of Heritage Aviation.
Heritage Aviation is the sole fixed base operator at Burlington International Airport. Hangars and other facilities at the airport include rainwater collection systems and one of the largest so-called green roofs in New England.
Lake Tahoe, a popular tourist destination straddling the Nevada and California border, may be in for a lot of restoration funding. Introduced today by senators from Nevada and California, the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act expansion would "improve water quality, restore lake clarity, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species at the lake, in addition to other environmental restoration efforts." According to the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza, specifically the money would go towards:
$72 million in stormwater management and watershed restoration projects.
$136 million for priority restoration projects.
$136 million for forest fuels reduction projects.
$20 million to prevent the introduction of new invasive species, ongoing watercraft inspections and removal of existing aquatic invasive species.
$20 million for reintroduction of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.
$30 million for scientific programs and research which will produce information on long-term trends in the Basin and inform the most cost-effective projects.
Authorized funding for public outreach and education.
Lake Tahoe has been plagued by forest fires and mtbe contamination in recent years, among other environmental degradations. This lake formed during the ice ages is a national treasure that should be preserved and protected.
The Maldives, which aims to be the first carbon-neutral nation in the world, will begin charging tourists a climate tax. Vacationers to this Indian Ocean archipelago will pay $3 a day. The money will be used for renewable energy projects in the Maldives. President Nasheed has also proposed a relocation fund for residents of the island should rising oceans due to climate change obliterate the nation.
Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite with All Natural Euroclean
After many years of wanting one, I finally bought a 
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