While many people think only of food when they think of going organic, it's important to note that often the chemicals in makeup can find their ways into our bodies too. Whether it's absorbed through sweat glands, or flat out ingested (how much lipstick do you think you eat every year?), getting organic make up can be just as important as finding organic food.
1) Physican's Formula
Physician's Formula is a great line which has dozens of products in it. Not only are the ingredients organic, the product is free of GMO's, is cruelty free, as well as being free of fragrance. While many earth friendly types absolutely love this line, that last item on their list is usually a sticking point. Cosmetics which are free of fragrances don't actually smell that great. If this isn't a concern for you, however, this is a line that comes highly recommended and is relatively inexpensive.
2) SukiColor
This makeup line's main advantage is probably the fact that you'll be able to pronounce most of its ingredients. Formulated primarily from things like essential oils, botanical extracts and pure mineral pigments, SukiColor provides an array of different products, from a creamy mineral foundation to versatile lip color. SukiColors products do seem to cater to the dry skin crowd, though, so those with oily or combination skin may want to proceed with caution.
3) Aveda Organic
Aveda has been a major player in the cosmetics market since the late seventies, and has always had a reputation for organic makeup. This is because its creator took inspiration from Ayuraveda, a branch of Hindu medicine. The fashion conscious would do well to look into this company for not just organic cosmetics, but also organic hair care products and other grooming needs. They're a bit pricey, but that kind of experience is worth the extra cost.
4) 100% Pure
The entire 100% pure line is organic, fair trade and vegan friendly. The colors in the product come from natural fruit pigments rather than mineral pigments, which can be nice for those with sensitive skin. 100% pure offers earth friendly makeup, skin care, shampoos and soaps. There is even a line of soaps directed at children with fun scents like Mint chocolate chip and strawberry.
5) Lavera
Lavera products are composed of herbs, flowers, and natural oils. For those who need an organic make up that performs like traditional brands, Lavera is one of the best providing full, long lasting coverage in natural tones and bright colors. Certain make up must-haves which are overlooked by other manufacturers are available here, such as lip liners. While they are a bit on the pricier end of the spectrum, they are by no means exorbitantly expensive.
As more and more evidence comes to light about the harsh chemicals that many women put on their skin, and the damaging effect these chemicals have, the demand for earth friendly makeup has increased. This demand has made these types of products cheaper and more accessible than ever before. Now you can do your part to look great while still protecting the planet.
Above image source: Flickr/vancouverfilmschool
Higher quality food is going to cost more, and that money goes to supporting earth friendly farmers. However, organic foods can be prohibitively expensive for some. While many are happy to pay the extra, knowing that it's going to a good cause, others may have trouble maintaining an organic lifestyle on their income. Here are a few ways to ease that financial burden.
Farmer's Markets
Farmer's Markets are vital in the organic living realm. While finding one may take some searching, you will likely be rewarded with not only cheaper produce, but a fresher product as well. The experience of a farmer's market cannot be beaten, and foodies everywhere will lose themselves at one. Those who deal with the farmer directly may also be able to haggle, which is much easier here than it is at a chain grocery. People who deal with the same farmer often may also create a relationship with that farmer, leading to deals on the items purchased most often.
Make Homemade Snacks
Organic versions of junk food favorites are a booming industry. Organic boxed dinners, frozen meals, and items like chips and candy flourish in the aisles of the organic section. The problem is, organic snack foods are expensive. Many of these items are easily replicated with the right recipe, and are much cheaper when made at home. Aside from cost factors, organic junk is still junk, and many organic snack foods have just as much salt, fat, and other undesirable ingredients as their non-organic counterparts. Stick to the basics in the organic section of your grocer.
Buy In Bulk And Preserve
Organic produce bought in bulk is usually much cheaper than buying in small quantities. However, you're not saving money if most of it goes bad before you use it. Various preservation techniques are coming back into vogue, and the materials and knowledge for these processes are readily available. Organic living is about more than just what you buy. By preserving your own food, you save money, learn a valuable skill, and get in touch with your roots. In addition to this, the earth friendliness of this practice is huge, saving tons of carbon emissions in transport every year.
Purchase In Season
One of the biggest challenges in the organic lifestyle is learning earth's natural cycles. Many shoppers have become accustomed to getting whatever fruits and vegetables they want year round. However, many of these items are either imported from far away, which creates a lot of carbon emissions as well as higher prices, or they are produced in a hothouse, which is much more expensive for farmers. A smart organic shopper knows when their favorite plants are ready to harvest, and buys at that time, preserving any extra for later.
While organic living may seem like a huge financial commitment, making smart choices and being willing to put in a little extra work can help defray a lot of the costs. With the Internet at your fingertips, the necessary learning process for putting these tips into action is easy, so start your organic lifestyle today.
As more and more people switch to more eco friendly cars, sales are on the rise. In 2012, the sales of environmentally friendly cars rose 41 percent from the year before, and plug-in cars more than doubled. The trend has been going strong for several years and is only expected to continue in 2013. These are the eco friendly cars to watch out for as they quickly jump up on the sales charts.
Chevrolet Volt
Since 2011, sales on the Chevrolet Volt have been steadily climbing upward. In 2012, the Volt topped out at 23,461 units sold, an astronomical 206 percent increase from 2011. As of March 2013, sales have seen a slight decline in the market, possibly due to the increased amount of competition, but projections see the Volt to restart its steady increase to maintain its position as the number one selling plug-in car on the market. As one of the most fuel efficient hybrid vehicles available, the Volt has the staying power to last at the top.
Nissan LEAF
The Nissan LEAF hit a big milestone last year as the electric car to hit 50,000 units sold. Although sales for the LEAF started out slowly in 2013 with only 656 units sold in February, March saw an impressive comeback of 2,236 sales, almost doubling that of the Volt. 2012 was a slow start for the LEAF with a year-to-date (YTD) count in March of only 733 units sold; 2013, on the other hand, saw a huge increase to 3,539 units sold by the end of March. This is likely due in part to GM moving the manufacturing of the LEAF to Tennessee and finally getting things moving there.
Tesla Model S
With an extended range of 265 miles between charges, the Tesla Model S is the plug-in car most likely to gain mainstream success. Already in March 2013, the sales on the Model S have doubled those of the entire year in 2012 at 4,750 units sold. Even the sales numbers from February 2013 to March 2013 have doubled, exceeding projected targets. Tesla itself forecasts a record-breaking 20,000 units delivered in 2013, making it look like this may be a great year for the Model S.
Toyota Prius
The Prius has made a big impact on the way we look at hybrid cars since it came to the market in 2000. Since then, the Prius has sold over 5 million units and holds its place as the third highest selling car in America. In 2012 alone, Toyota sold almost a quarter million of the model, but as gas prices begin to decline, so do Prius sales. Experts predict, however, that the Prius is not a passing trend and is here to stay; just as the sale of large trucks and SUVs are hurt by the rise of gas prices, the sale of hybrid cars is hurt when they lower as people worry less about fuel economy.
Ford Fusion Hybrid
In February 2013, the Ford Fusion Hybrid saw the best sales it has had since being introduced in 2006. At 27,875 units sold, numbers are up 28 percent from February 2012, and Ford is expecting the numbers to keep climbing to record-breaking heights by the end of the year. In California, the largest passenger vehicle market in America, the Fusion Hybrid is seeing the strongest momentum and fastest sales than any other vehicle. As the Ford Fusion Hybrid continues to gain popularity, not only in the United States but internationally as well, we may see it rivaling the Prius as the number one hybrid car.
The new innovations in automotive technology and the ever growing need to seek out alternative fuel sources mean that hybrid and electric cars will only continue to gain popularity. With each passing year, it is expected that more and more eco friendly cars will be climbing in the ranks as care for the environment and greenhouse gas emissions rise in priority.
Above image source: Flickr/BinaryApe
These days, more people are becoming aware of the health benefits that are associated with eating organic food. Not only do organic vegetables and fruit contain far more goodness and nutrition than food grown on factory farms, they also have a lot more flavor than other foods. As a result, the organic food delivery service industry has grown substantially over the past few years.
Growing Awareness of what we Consume
Over the years, so many of us have grown too used to purchasing the cheapest produce we can find without giving a thought to the condition or quality of it. However, more folks are doing their own research and learning about the risks associated with consuming foods, which may be genetically modified or sprayed with harmful pesticide products. This has resulted in more consumers who are changing their buying habits and consuming more organic food than ever before.
Delivery as a form of Convenience
Although more consumers are choosing to eat organic vegetables and fruit, not all of them have the time to shop for these essential grocery items. This is where a reputable organic supply and delivery service becomes crucial. Not only will they be able to deliver organic food items that a customer requests, but they are also able to source them. This saves consumers both time and money because very few families know where to search for the best quality organic produce. Having produce delivered means that consumers can also spend more time doing other things that are important to them.
Other Benefits of an Organic Diet
Although many people are under the impression that there is little to no difference between the nutritional values of organic vegetables versus those that are produced conventionally, this is not true. A higher nutritional value and tastier crops result in consumers eating more healthy foods, which in turn results in them being far healthier overall. People who are healthy are happy, which results in a substantially improved quality of life overall. Owing to the fact that organic food has more flavor than conventional food, it is often also easier to get children to eat it. This gets them into healthy consumption habits from a young age.
Feeding the World one Organic crop at a Time
More and more research is showing that food that is grown organically is not only far healthier, but it is also resulting in larger crop yields than those produced from genetically-modified seeds. Once more farmers are able to switch to organic methods of growing their crops, fewer of the world’s population will go hungry. Although organic food may be a little more expensive to purchase, if more farmers resort to organic crops, it will eventually become easier for everyone to afford a healthy meal.
By using the services of an organic food delivery company, you can be assured that your family will not only have more tasty meals to choose from, they will also have better levels of health than ever before.
Above image source: Flickr/Creative Commons/Commodore Gandalf Cunningham
The terms natural and organic are becoming increasingly common as people wake up to the importance of organic products. In this age of information, the benefits of organic products are easy to find and share with friends and family. The dangers of products that are not organic are also a concern that many people share as they attempt to stay healthy.
Increase in Education
As people access more information via the Internet and daily news reports, they are becoming more aware of the benefits of organic products. They may also seek counsel from their doctor, dietician or personal trainer regarding good foods to eat. Individuals who previously did not know about pesticides being used on their produce are now very much aware of these harms and work to avoid them when shopping for groceries. Many people also believe that the invention of fast food and factory farming has robbed humankind of the simple, organic farming that our ancestors used to bring healthy meals to the table.
Desire for Health
Consumers are realizing that chemicals, pesticides and other additives are sometimes harmful to your health. Many chemicals that are banned in various countries throughout the world are legally used on food in the United States, prompting citizens to be wary of the food that they purchase. More and more studies are published highlighting the dangers of these pesticides, encouraging parents of young children especially to move to a diet that does not hinder growth and development. Couples and singles are also adopting organic lifestyles in order to help protect their health.
Environmental Awareness
More and more people are concerned about the environment and wish to purchase foods that leave the smallest carbon footprint possible. Local, organic foods are a big focus of the environmental movement. Many environmentalists fight engineered foods, pesticides and other unnatural ways of producing food. Organic produce supporters are even growing their own food and creating community gardens to help support environmental efforts and keep food local and healthy. Using recycled materials such as wood pallets for raised gardens or toilet paper tubes for planting herbs and vegetable starters are common strategies for growing organic food.
Availability
Organic items of interest are popping up in stores everywhere, whether they are health food stores, grocery stores or super-centers This prompts buyers to question the difference between them and products that are not labeled organic. These products are not limited to foods, though foods are the most common item that people are concerned about. Other organic items of interest include clothing, personal care products, cleaning products and many other items. Many people are also creating their own cleaners and personal care products, such as facial scrub and laundry detergent, to ensure their safety and eco-friendliness.
While some experts say that buying some products in their organic form is more important than others, an organic lifestyle can be beneficial to anyone. It helps foster a healthier diet and many health practitioners claim it resolves problematic health issues, such as behavior problems in children. Some say that organic eating also helps fight cancer.
Kitchens can have been known to harbor some of the nastiest germs in the house. Although there is a wide range of chemicals that are generally used to keep kitchens clean, this is not your safest or healthiest option. In fact, there are many non-toxic cleaning products that will leave your kitchen cleaner than ever before.
1. The Risk of Chemical Contamination
Although it is thought to be safer to wipe kitchen surfaces down with a chemical cleaner, you may actually be putting your family’s health at risk. There will always be a chemical residue that is left behind afterwards, and this residue stands a very good chance of getting into your food. Chemicals were not intended for human or animal consumption, so these could make you or a family member ill, especially if you are sensitive to chemical products.
2. They can be Absorbed into your Body
By using organic cleaning products instead of chemical cleaners, you reduce the risk of chemicals being absorbed into your body through your skin or nasal passages while cleaning. Although many chemical cleaners claim to be safe, they can often cause symptoms such as nausea, headaches and fatigue when used, especially in smaller spaces such as kitchens.
3. The risk of Damage to work Surfaces
By switching to non-toxic cleaning products, there is also far less chance of expensive work surfaces such as marble or granite being damaged. This is because most organic cleaning products contain gentle ingredients that will not harm most working surfaces. It is however wise to read the instructions on the product container prior to use.
4. Children or Pets may come into Contact with Them
Another excellent reason to switch to non-toxic cleaning products is that your children or pets may come into contact with your chemical cleaners and ingest them. By using organic cleaning products, you will be able to reduce the risk of children or animals being exposed to harmful chemicals that can even cause death in some cases.
5. They may Contain Harmful Propellants
Most chemical spray cleaners are not only harmful themselves; they also contain propellant gases, which are harmful to the ozone layer. We may be doing our part for the environment by eating organic foods, but we also need to ensure that other products we use will not contribute to harming our environment.
6. They can be More Expensive
Although it is often thought that organic cleaning products are expensive, this is not always true. In many cases, their chemical counterparts can actually cost more. Many of the non-toxic cleaning products on the market today are able to be diluted, which means that they will last longer while still being just as effective as any chemical cleaner will.
The good news is that there are now many organic cleaning products on the market for informed consumers to choose from. These products are not only safe to use, but are also far more affordable than ever before.
More and more people are becoming concerned about the dangerous chemicals found in many household cleaners. As a result, all natural cleaning products are becoming more commonplace. Buying all natural cleaners at the store can sometimes be expensive, but fortunately, you can easily make them at home with only a few simple and inexpensive ingredients.
Window Cleaner
To make a safe and effective window cleaner, all that’s needed is some white vinegar and distilled water. Mix equal parts of these two ingredients together in an empty spray bottle and shake well to mix. If the smell of the vinegar is offensive, a few drops of any essential oil can be added to give the cleaner a more pleasant aroma. Some good ones to try are lavender, tea tree oil and juniper.
Furniture Polish
To make pleasant smelling furniture polish that won’t leave a sticky residue behind, all you need is some olive oil and lemon juice. Mix equal parts of these two ingredients together and then place in a spray bottle. Before using, you may need to shake the bottle a few times in order to ensure it is well mixed. You can either spray this mixture directly on your furniture or spritz a lint-free cloth with it and then wipe your furniture.
Carpet Cleaner
One of the best natural cleaning products to try is homemade carpet cleaner since harsh chemicals from commercial cleaners can get deep into your carpet fibers and cause health problems. Simply mix two cups of white vinegar with one gallon of distilled water in a cleaning bucket. Add ½ cup of powdered Borax or washing soda to this mixture and stir well. Store in a gallon jug until needed and then add directly to the tank of your carpet-cleaning machine. If you’d like, you can also add a few tablespoons of baking soda to help eliminate carpet odors.
Dish Soap
Dish soap is one of the easiest all natural cleaning products to make and it can also be used to create other cleaners. Simply mix two cups of liquid castile soap with one cup of water in an empty squirt bottle. Add a few drops of a scented essential oil such as lemon or lavender to give the mixture a nice scent. Shake these ingredients well to mix and then it is ready to use. This soap does not have a lathering agent, which means it will not create foam like other types of dish soap, so you must be careful not to use more than necessary.
Sink or Bathtub Scrubber
Take a few drops of your natural dish soap, a cup of baking soda and a tablespoon of white vinegar. Mix these three ingredients together to make a paste that can be used to scrub sinks and bathtubs. Simply place the mixture on a wet sponge and then clean as usual. You should mix this product as needed, since it can easily dry out even when stored in an airtight container.
All natural cleaning products are not only easy to make, but they are inexpensive as effective as well. Since there are so many advantages to using all natural cleaners, making the switch from traditional products can be easy for everyone to do.
