Sexiest Luggage Ever

Tomorrow, I depart from the Ontario airport on an aeroplane to Palo Alto, California. My husband teaches Speech and Debate to junior highers at a local private school, and he gets to bring me along as co-chaperone of four junior highers who will be observing the annual Stanford debate tournament. Trips are even better when you don't have to pay for airfare or rooms.

Apart from the thrill of exploring new locales, I love traveling for the bags that I get to pack. To me, packing is an art form that I continue to develop with each trip that I take. Everything from the look and feel of the luggage to the way you arrange clothing creates the beautiful effect that I long to savor each time I travel. I roll my clothing, of course, and have a set of travel-sized, clear bottles that I fill with my toilette staples so that I don't waste money or clog landfills buying a travel-sized version of each product that I use.

If I really wanted to travel in green style, I'd invest in a set of upcycled, vintage luggage that would make me feel like Holly Golightly the minute I extracted it from the darkest recesses of my closet. Get Ready Set GO! is an etsy shop that has just the thing for my secret travel fantasy: gorgeous, upcycled vintage luggage oozing indie style. (As a bonus, you'll never mistake your luggage for anyone else's).

Here are the pieces you'll need to make travel a breeze!

1. Small suitcase, also known as a train case, for your shirts, socks, swimsuites, and that stuffed animal you always travel with...



1. You might also need a train case for your make-up, shampoo, lotion, and all that jazz...





3. Finally, you might also need a carry-on bag for all of those graphic novels, zines, and that travel blanket and pillow (you know you don't want to use that nasty pillow the airlines gives you). Obviously, you'll need some sort of messenger bag...



My next post will explore the wonderful world of travel-sized goods on etsy in case you're looking for the perfect body scrub to pack in your train case!

P.S. - For the uninitiated, upcycled means that someone has found a used, vintage item and either fixed it up, adding his/her own art to it (see the artsy designs on the luggage I featured), or repurposed it for something new.

DIY Cleansing Grains

As promised, I'm bringing you my super secret recipe on DIY Cleansing Grains. (And by super secret I mean anyone can figure it out). As belated as this post is, I think I deserve a break--a pair of clueless newlyweds preparing for the holidays is bound to spell disaster.

But without further ado...(drum roll please)

What You'll Need:

1. Organic Adzuki Beans

You can purchase organic adzuki beans online at iherb.com for $3.78 per 16 oz. or find them at a Whole Foods Market near you.



2. Coffee Grinder

If for some reason you do not own a coffee grinder (or do not like the idea of using your grinder for anything other than coffee), you can purchase one at any home goods store, including Macys; Bed, Bath, and Beyond; JC Penny; or Williams and Sonoma.



3. Mixing Spoon and Bowl

Pretty self-explanatory, right?

4. Any combination of the following ingredients

Unless you just want a basic, exfoliating scrub to add to your normal face wash (just add a sprinkle of adzuki bean powder to whatever face wash you normally use), you should add other ingredients in order to achieve your desired results. Here are some great options...

BENTONITE CLAY

Where to Find It - Like organic adzuki beans, bentonite clay can be found at any Whole Foods Market or Sprouts Farmers' Market.

Why You Should Consider It - Bentonite clay has skin softening and exfoliating properties and draws impurities from the body. You usually buy it in bulk quantities--but don't worry! It's super inexpensive and can be used not only as a facial cleansing powder but also as a face mask. If your skin is looking a little red and bumpy, just mix some of this clay with water and spread a thin layer on your face.



VARIOUS HERBS AND FLOWERS

Where to Find Them - www.mountainroseherbs.com (mentioned in my previous post on cleansing grains) is absolutely THE best site to find a wide variety of herbs and flowers in large quantities. You're supporting a really conscientious company when you purchase from them!



Why You Should Consider It - I add things like Matcha Green Tea Powder for antioxidants or Lavendar Flowers (run through the coffee grinder to make them into a powder) for soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. Adding lavendar flowers or green tea powder will make your cleansing grains smell divine and will add that extra somethin' somethin' to keep your skin happy and healthy.



5. Glass Jar with sifter lid

Glass is the most stable material you can use to store your cleansing grains. Unlike plastic, it won't contaminate your product and can be reused over and over again. This feature makes it more environmentally friendly, too!

Where to Find It - You can buy glass sifter jars in a variety of sizes. It all depends on how much product you plan to make. The Spice House
sells simple glass jars at reasonable prices, but you can also buy them at The Container Store. Look under KITCHEN / SPICE STORAGE.




DIRECTIONS

1. Grind up the adzuki beans until they are a fine, powder consistency.

2. Grind up any additional ingredients that are not already in a fine, powder form. For example, lavendar flowers are too bulky to be used as a facial cleansing grain whereas lavendar powder is already just right. Matcha green tea powder and bentonite clay already come in a fine, powder form.

3. Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix well.

4. You might want to use a funnel to add the ingredients to your reusable sifter jar unless you don't mind spills!

5. Place the sifter jar full of your personalized cleansing grains in your shower or restroom. When you're ready to clean your face, add water or your favorite face wash and scrub a dub dub!

Tip: Your cleansing grains can double as a deluxe face mask. Add honey to make a very rich, moisturizing mask that also kills acne-causing bacteria. (Ever wondered why you don't need to store honey in the fridge and yet it still stays fresh for ages?)

Green, Mean Cleansing Machine or the Magic of Face Cleansing Grains

As promised in my last post, I'm bringing you the best in non-toxic personal care products. But first, a quick note: non-toxic beauty (ie, cosmetics free from toxic chemicals) has a ripple-in-the-pond effect. Not only do your smart beauty choices save your body from harmful chemicals, but they also save the planet and your neighbor from the cumulative effects that these chemicals have.

When you use a shampoo or body wash or facial cleanser--or any other products, for that matter--the chemicals from these seemingly innocuous items get washed down the drain and accumulate in our water supply. In the not-too-distant future, I'll discuss some of the scary scientific research on the effects of the products we use on our population, including decreased sperm count in men. Yeah, like I said, scary.

But in an attempt to keep this post light, I'll fill you in on a great way to clean AND exfoliate the delicate skin on your face without spending too much money. Two words:

CLEANSING GRAINS

What they are: Cleansing grains can be composed of a variety of materials, but the important thing is that they come in powder form. In other words, cleansing grains are dry. You sprinkle some into the palm of your hand, add water, and scrub away!

Why they're great: When water is introduced to any formula, cosmetics producers generally add lots of chemicals to stabilize the ingredients and preserve them. By leaving water out of the picture, many innovative creators of skin care can leave out the nasty chemicals that act as preservatives. All you get is pure, unadulterated green bliss.

Where to get them: For those of you who aren't diy-ers, here are some great, inexpensive options.



MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS CLEANSING GRAINS

I love this product for the gentle whiff of rose petals that greets me every time I unscrew the lid and for the way it makes my skin feel baby soft. Mountain Rose Herbs designed these grains to tighten the skin, remove dead skin cells, and unclog pores--all of which are essential for clear, radiant skin.

Price: 2 oz. for $4.95 (and believe me, a little goes a very long way)

Bonus: Mountain Rose Herbs is a Zero Waste Company, meaning that they take extra steps to reduce their footprint on our precious planet. The company also became the first U.S. supplier of Fair Trade Certified medicinal herbs and has converted its entire operation to 100% renewable energy. To find out more about this amazing company's efforts at sustainability, visit www.mountainroseherbs.com.




ANGEL FACE BOTANICALS ORGANIC FACIAL CLEANSING GRAINS


Angel Face Botanicals (aka, Spa Goddess), another one of those amazing etsy shops, offers three types of organic facial cleansing grains.

The Organic Adzuki and Green Tea Cleansing Grains gently exfoliate, soothe, and rejuvenate, all with the added benefit of the antioxidants from green tea.

The Organic Ambrosia Cleaning Grains contain a mix of softening fruit extracts and detoxifying clays to cleanse pores.

Finally, the Organic Ayurvedic Cleansing Grains blend sandalwood, ashwagandha, citrus, and rose for healing, astringent, and antiseptic properties.

You can purchase a sample of all three for $6.00 on etsy. What a great way to discover which formula works best for your skin type!

For all of you resourceful green divas, stay tuned for my next post on diy cleansing grains. For those of you who've decided to take the plunge and purchase your own grains, enjoy!

The Make-up Talk

Our education in personal care products is about as lacking as your average sex ed for elementary children: we get most of our information by word of mouth or, worse yet, magazines.

And just like some parents spread the myth that babies are delivered via stork to mysterious cabbage patches, cosmetics companies would have you believe that the chemicals in their products are 100% safe and effective.

Thanks to an astounding lack of information, we never wise up to the fact that maybe, just maybe, companies lie, twist the truth, and practice deception to get us to do the one thing they need to survive in this rough economy--buy their products, of course.

Unfortunately, studies have shown that many chemicals commonly used in popular cosmetic brands are not only toxic but also ineffective. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) keeps track of these chemicals, and which companies are using them, on its website. But just to spread the wealth of information now available on the web, I've compiled a list of some of the worst offenders in the beauty industry. Questions? Check the EWG website for extensive information on each chemical and lists of medical references OR leave me a comment.


1.BHA - A fragrance and antioxidant ingredient used in cosmetics and personal care products, BHA received a 10 on the EWG's hazard rating and earns the dubious distinction of one of the most toxic ingredients. Most unsettling is that the EU banned this fragrance due to its toxicity.

2. Parabens - Often listed as methylparaben, butylparaben, and other variations, parabens have been linked to breast cancers in numerous studies. Aware of consumer concerns, many companies now list their products as "Paraben Free," but make sure you read the label to check for other nasties.

3. Coal Tar - The EU has banned coal tar since 2004--and for good reason. Used to stop itching and control eczema, coal tar is, according to cancer research, a carcinogen to humans. Look for it in shampoos and hair dyes.

4. Anything that has a DEA at the end - Common in all sorts of personal care products, this chemical can be absorbed through the skin and create carcinogenic compounds post-absorption.

5. Formaldehyde - Yep, you got it. This stuff preserves dead bodies. But live ones? This lovely chemical is considered a possible human carcinogen, may trigger asthma, irritates eyes and the upper respiratory tract, can damage DNA, and is banned by the European Union. If you've ever dissected a critter in science, you've probably smelled the stuff. Might explain why they add toxic (but very strong) fragrances to so many products. Something has to combat that odor...

6. Talc - Watch out for this one, ladies. Women from the 1950s powdered their unmentionable parts with this powder-like substance. Today, we know it to be a proven carcinogen linked to ovarian cancer. Chemically, it resembles asbestos. Make sure to let new mommies know that they should check their baby powder for safe ingredients (cornstarch works beautifully), and beware of products that claim to be healthy and organic but contain talc!

7. Petrolatum - Just because I hate the petrochemical industry, I'm listing this particular variety of petrochemical, often added to lipsticks and glosses to make lips shine and facial creams to "soften" the skin. It's also linked to cancer and was banned by the EU.

8. Sodium Laureth/Sodium Laurel Sulfate - I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair...Wait a second, where did all of those suds come from? Sulfates are the dandies that make products like shampoo and bath gel suds up when you're in the shower. For some reason, Americans equate suds with cleanliness. Unfortunately, sulfates also strip the hair and skin of the protective, moisturizing oils it produces naturally and also allows dangerous chemicals to penetrate more readily and reach the bloodstream. Yikes.

That's all for now, folks. The best way to find out which of your cosmetics are toxic is to research your favorite brands on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. It takes practice, but reading labels is one of the best ways to become an expert in ingredients and an important skill for shopping expeditions.

In the meantime, I'll be posting articles on some safe, green, organic products that I've tested as well as cleansers and moisturizers you can make yourself on a budget!

Yaba Daba Doo! and Lunch

by Michelle Hadley-Ambord

Like Fred Flintstone, I eagerly await the whistle that blows at high noon and signals my lunchtime break. Okay, so the whistle might only exist in my head, and it sounds more like the grumblings of my stomach than a stone-aged lunch bell. Still, who can deny the needs of the belly?

I think that we can all be grown-ups and admit that packing a lunch is friendlier to the environment, our wallets, and our waistlines than eating out.



But only an act of heaven can inspire me to get it together enough to prepare a lunch that my very refined tastes (read: I've been eating sugary treats and restaurant-prepared junk food for so long that I need some seriously tasty home-cooked options to wean me off my addiction) can tolerate.

So it was written, and so it shall be: etsy's The Patty Pan Shop brings divine inspiration in the form of a ridiculously cute lunchbox that makes packing a lunch seem anything but a chore. Her creations come in a variety of fun designs and cater to the crowd that prefers a lunchbox more akin to a purse...



as well as those who would rather kick it old school like they did in fifth grade with the rugged lunch sack...



Made with insulated lining, they'll keep the cold things chilly and the hot things, well, hot.



Lest we forget the icing on the proverbial cake, The Patty Pan Shop also makes coordinating snack bags for gold fishes, carrot sticks, or pre-historic rocks--you know, whatever you like to munch on when your blood sugar starts to plummet.



If I got one of these for Christmas (hint, hint), I'd just have to cook up something to pack inside of it. Any suggestions?

For the Starbucks Fans

As much as I try to fight off my Starbucks addiction, I just can't seem to go a day without delighting in their spicy Chai Tea Lattes or their cheerily seasonal Peppermint Mochas. I'm sure that each drink packs some unholy number of calories, but what Michelle doesn't know won't hurt her. I hope.



Although I invested in a reusable mug to check my contribution to landfill pollution, I must confess that it's not always with me when the Starbucks cravings take over. (Might have something to do with the fact that it's not always clean.) If nothing else, I can at least stash a cute cup cozy in my bag so I don't have to use one of the cup sleeves that Starbucks provides. The downside: they're so adorable that they make me want to get a Starbucks just so I can enjoy how utterly fabulous they look on my cup!

Some of my favorite options, courtesy of etsy's talented:

Green Pockets makes brightly-colored, mod-looking cup sleeves out of vintage fabrics. I love the button embellishments.



Stitchella, featured in Scout Magazine, creates cup cozies with merino wool and prints trendy images like bicycles or sparrows on them using non-toxic ink.



I already bought four cup cozies at Jenco13's BOGO sale as stocking stuffers. Hers are crocheted from a machine-washable yarn and come in a variety of extremely attractive colors. The hubby mentioned today that the Country Rose-colored cozy that I claimed for myself (and tested on a Peppermint Mocha) coordinated with Starbucks' holiday cup.



For a couple extra bucks, you can add buttons or a fun flower to your cozy.



While you're picking out your own cup cozy, you may as well stock up on Christmas gifts for friends and co-workers. In the meantime, I have my eye on a ceramic travel mug by A Piece by Denise.



Maybe if I had this purple beauty, I wouldn't forget to bring it with me. But then what would I do with my cup cozy?

Before you stock up at Target, try Etsy!

You're running low on cotton pads for your daily beauty routine (if you run out, you might be sleeping in your eye make-up), and your kitchen floor has started to look a bit sketchy ever since you ran out of Swiffer pads. Time for a trip to Target, you think. But wait--before you rummage for your keys, you might consider etsy, the hippest online shopping resource around.

Etsy brings you handmade goods from talented individuals around the country who would otherwise go unnoticed. Case in point: Picnic Basket Crafts, an eco-friendly etsy shop that offers "Down to Earth Decadence," sells eco-conscious alternatives to the round cotton pads that you probably use to remove your make-up and apply face toner on a daily basis. As if the waste wasn't problem enough, standard cotton pads--unlike their organic cousins--are made from cotton that's treated with toxic chemicals.

Picnic Basket Crafts offers cotton rounds made from materials like bamboo or flannel. Usually sold by the dozen, they are machine-washable. Since they're so small, you can toss them in with whatever load you happen to be doing next. As an added bonus, bamboo is anti-microbial--a perfect characteristic for anything you're putting on your face. While they cost more than a pack of disposable cotton rounds (Approximately $11 for a pack of twelve), you'll save in the end if you take care of them and use them for years to come.



While you're at it, you can pick up some reusable Dry or Damp Mopping Pads to Fit Your Standard Swiffer Sweeper. You just soak your pad with your cleaner of choice (hopefully it's eco-friendly and non-toxic) and attach it to your Swiffer sweeper.