Better Dancer

Jinga shoes are really, really light. A pair weighs less than 300 grams! The minimalist construction allows for foot flexibility and a maximum level of movement that I never knew I was missing. I find myself compelled to do the “happy feet dance” whenever I slip these bad boys on. Through some ingenious engineering Jinga’s protective TPU sole has managed to achieve great wear, grease and temperature resistance. Plus, the sole is sticky enough to allow for quick movements, but has a sweet spot with just enough slip for my awesome spins. It was incredible to actually find myself feeling light and on time with the thumping samba music. Although designed as dance footwear with roots as a capoeira shoe, Jingas are super comfortable with and without socks and an interesting option for barefoot or minimalist running, exercise class or street walkin’. But, if you think that these shoes are for blending in, think again. Jinga’s beautiful design is hip enough for the dance floor whether you’re into salsa, street dance, Zumba, jazz, modern or Dance Dance Revolution. Jinga shoes are as versatile in function as they are in style. Any of the five thousand color schemes creates a rhythm and expression that’s all your own. They even make shoes for kids. So even though there’s no hope for my dancing career, but from six months on, your little one can be feather light and making all the right steps.

Better Priorities

Jinga captures and celebrates the animation and passion of the Brazilian Culture in its shoes, while working to make a positive social and environmental impact in the country. Through careful selection, Jinga fosters long term relationships with socially and environmentally conscious suppliers. These lasting relationships create stability and facilitate better processes for people and the planet. Through its commitment to fair and responsible business practice in Brazil, Jinga is able to have a concrete impact on many Brazilians’ lives. Currently, the company provides a percentage of its profits to partner with a Brazilian NGO, REDEH, and offer an out of school activity program for Brazil’s youth. Going forward, Jinga has committed to dedicating 25% of its net income to similar projects in Brazil.

Better Processes

In addition to its social efforts, Jinga makes the environment a top priority. The company was awarded the “Green Seal” by the Brazilian government for its environmental policies as well as the high standard of working conditions that exist in its factories. The company’s values are also clearly considered in Jinga’s planning and business practices. Jinga shoes are 100% vegan and made in Brazil using only materials that are sourced locally from suppliers with stated socio-environmental policies. Additionally, anything left after manufacturing is sent to a facility for recycling in an effort to reduce waste. In another partnership, as part of Amanha Mais Feliz’s Happier Tomorrow Project Jinga is recognized as an environmentally responsible footwear company thanks to its lean production philosophy. So, slip on a pair of these eco-shoes and revel in your new ability to “move as nature intended”. Lacing up a great pair of shoes could really change your day, but great shoes from a good, green company could change much more than your mood.

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Image Credit: Alina Jesien, Jinga

1. Skip the costume rush this autumn and throw a little creativity into the pot to make your own Halloween costumes. Often just things hiding in the back of your closet, your trash can, or a thrift store are bursting with possibilities. For inspiration check out these cardboard box ideas from Inhabitat.
2. Save your skin and the environment and paint on some organic, non-toxic makeup from Luna Organics.
3. A personal favorite of mine, and a tactic that I have employed more than once, Trail’s Edge offers up some interesting ways to use your outdoor gear to create a costume that was meant to go outside.
4. Inspire others and voice your opinion with an eco-message pumpkin. Try carving out the earth, a tree or the recycle sign.
5. Carry around a reusable tote or pillow case to hold your candy instead of a plastic bag. Those grocery bags were never big enough or strong enough to handle my loot anyways.
6. Hand out sustainable treats likes the fair trade chocolate gold coins from Divine or the unique and natural Ginger People Ginger Chews.
7. Set the mood with some eco decorations like these fair trade skeleton streamers that are handmade in Mexico.
8. O.K. I already said this, but there are so many great costume ideas! Here are some more from the Eco News Network.
9. The Green Girls offer instructions for making your own organic face paint for the true DIYers.
10. Watch one of these green Halloween movies from Alternative Consumer’s list to get you in the mood.
11. Browse Etsy for unique handmade costumes and beautiful decorations.
12. Try to find a Halloween costume swap in your area. Although National Costume Swap Day is October 8th, there are still many locations that have decided to hold their swaps later in the month.
13. EcoKaren talks about how she made her very own solar powered, reusable jack-o-lantern. No more pumpkin guts to clean up the next morning that always results in fist shaking and profanity.
14. Use a hand crank or solar powered flashlight for battery-free safety when the sun goes down.
15. Compost your used pumpkins and uneaten candy!
16. Carefully pack away decorations so you can use them again next year. R is for reuse.
17. Decorate with LED lights. They last forever and are incredibly energy efficient!
18. Do some reverse trick-or-treating by attaching a Global Exchange flier to some fair trade chocolate to build awareness about the problems facing the cocoa industry.
19. Skip the toxic paraffin wax candles in your jack-o-lanterns and look for organic, soy-based candles that last longer too.
20. Be resourceful with your pumpkins. Add some salt and bake the seeds. Cook the flesh. Here are ten ways to use a pumpkin for some inspiration.
21. Reuse candy wrappers for crafts. Make candy wrapper jewelry or cover the front of a journal.
22. Skip the candy all together and hand out useful items like soy-based crayons, seed packets or stickers of endangered animals.

I know that there are a million other ways out there to green your Halloween. What are some of your ideas?

Follow Alina on Twitter for the latest good-green stuff in sports, fitness and outdoors!

Image Credit: Amazon, Luna Organics, EcoKaren, Peter Hughes

There are so many things that we like about Justin’s – all of their nut butters are made in small batches to preserve premium quality standards and fresh taste; they source local and organic ingredients as often as they can get their hands on them; they have innovative “knead & squeeze” packets that are easy to shove in pockets, briefcases, and lunch boxes; and they’re focused on sustainability and reducing their environmental impact and footprint.  The fact that they’re Rainforest Alliance Certified just puts the icing on the cake…or the chocolate on the nut, in this case.

Justin’s is not only delicious, they’re made with the highest quality and most healthful ingredients money can buy. And it shows in the nutritional benefits: each one of the delicious flavors has 6-7 grams of protein per serving and is completely free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, gluten and dairy. They’re also low in carbohydrates, completely vegetarian, and certified kosher. And if that’s not enough, the nutrient-rich almonds have been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. So if milk “does a body good” as they say, then Justin’s just might “do a body better!”

Founded as a cottage industry by Justin Gold in 2002, Justin’s has grown into a successful national brand with a loyal following of passionate customers.  Look for Justin’s at your local grocer or order their products online at Justin’s Online Store.  And while you’re at it, check out our mutual friends over at Conscious Alliance.  They’re partnering with bands we listen to every day to collect and distribute food to those in need.  Such a great concept, and we’re on board.

Portions of this review were taken from www.justinsnutbutter.com.

1. PETE Backpack

The PETE Backpack is made with recycled plastic reducing strain on new materials, plus the comfortable straps, useful zippered dividers and life-saving key holder make it hard to pass up.

2. NYC Messenger Bag

The NYC Messenger Bag proudly wears a hip cityscape that screams cool while the material made from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles and adjustable cross strap for biking add some major green cred.

3. Pike Messenger by Alchemy Goods

With a super functional separated section for your laptop and highly reflective safety tape, the Pike Messenger has all the essentials. Plus, this bag is made from up-cycled inner tubes and a recycled seat belt shoulder strap for extra green style.

4. Voltaic Converter Solar Backpack

With four watts of solar power the Converter Backpack is ready to charge your cell phone, mp3 player and laptop. Plus, even when that big ball in the sky isn’t available the battery stores up to 19 hours of talk time or 48 hours of music playback.

5. The Green Backpack

Well the name says it all. The Green Backpack is made from 65% recycled material that is lightweight and durable for all of your scholastic adventures. Thanks to the mp3 pocket and ear bud slit the tunes continue well after school.

6. Troubadour Tote

To go back to school in style check out the Troubadour Tote. Handmade in Seattle this vegan stylish bag is crafted from glazed cotton giving it a leather-like appearance that is vegan friendly and lead-free.

7. Glacier Backpack

Rugged and polished at the same time, the Glacier from Ecogear dons a moisture wicking mesh back and is made from recycled PET bottles and non-toxic dyes and materials.

8. Timbuk2 Hidden Messenger

Whoa! Where did it go?! This super lightweight Hidden Messenger is made from 90% recycled PET bottles and is all about convenience. When not in use this bag stuffs into a palm-sized zipper pouch making it ready to go anywhere.

9. Ecoalf Spring Backpack

Talk about classic. The Spring Backpack is made of soft nylon from recycled discarded fishing nets, has a padded laptop sleeve and looks flawless.

10. Sakku Buddy Messenger Bag

Sakku Buddy, where solar meets style. With a battery that can store solar energy and unique Swiss style, you can feel good about the Buddy knowing that all emissions from production are offset by Sakku.

Now that you have your sustainable backpack, things are looking up. Don’t forget to complete your mission by adding a reusable lunch sack like Kids Konserve or Robot Lunch Bag. With a little preparation and eco-karma, who knows? It may be your best year yet!

Follow Alina on Twitter for the latest good-green stuff in sports, fitness and outdoors!

Image Credit: Bambeco, Green Backpack, Crystalyn Kae, Ecogear, Timbuk2, Ecoalf, Primecut, MorgueFile, Voltaic

ECO Logical Skin Care has challenged the norm and taken advantage of extensive studies performed in Australia, where skin cancer rates per capita are the highest in the world,  and where incredibly advanced research on sun exposure is heavily promoted. The result is one of the safest sunscreens around for you, your children and the environment.

ECO Sunscreen Protects You

ECO Sunscreen was given the highest overall score of 1 by the Environmental Working Group. The EWG is an independent research and information provider in the public health and environment sectors that works to expose threats to our health and the environment. ECO Sunscreen received this prestigious rating by keeping their sunscreen free of chemical UV absorbers, artificial preservatives and fragrances. ECO Logical uses only naturally and organically sourced, chemical-free ingredients that contribute to a sunscreen that is safe, balanced, antioxidant-rich, hypoallergenic and filled with nutritious support for your family’s skin. ECO Sunscreen uses non-whitening zinc to cut sun exposures as opposed to harmful chemicals found in many other sunscreens. ECO Logical offers this sun-blocker in three distinct formulas. The Face version is great under make-up and the non-greasy, non-comedogenic formula won’t clog your pores or weigh you down. ECO Sunscreen Body is best for all over protection and nourishment with antioxidants like green tea and grape seed. Finally, ECO Sunscreen Baby is filled with extra gentle moisturizers like shea butter and jojoba perfect for little ones or anyone with sensitive skin plus it has a no-sting eye benefit.

ECO Sunscreen Protects the Environment

While you’re slathering on protection you can also be helping to protect fragile marine life. ECO Sunscreen is the official sunscreen of the Surfrider Foundation, a powerful activist network committed to the protection of our oceans and beaches. ECO Sunscreen is biodegradable and lacks toxic UV absorbing chemicals that threaten marine life, including fragile corals. Plus, this zinc sunblock’s superior water resistance makes it a top choice for wave surfers everywhere. There is a lot of marine life out there, and it just happens to be maybe a little important in how things run around here. Do your part and choose a sunblock like ECO Sunscreen that is safe for you and the environment.

Follow Alina on Twitter for the latest good-green stuff in sports, fitness and outdoors!

Image Credit: ECO Logical Skin Care, Morgue File

That toy was special because it was wildly fun, cuddly or sparked our imagination . . . or was all three things at once.

In honor of those fond memories of our beloved childhood playthings, IzzitGreen has teamed up with Green Toys to offer Izzit readers the chance to win the company’s best selling, very popular, eco-friendly Recycling Truck.

Perfect for children ages 1 and up, the Recycling Truck is made from recycled milk containers, is BPA-free, has no metal axles and is made in the United States, in California to be exact. (See Izzit’s profile on the uber-green company, Green Toys, here.)

Do you know a child who would love to send the Recycling Truck rumbling around the house, through the grass outside or down the sidewalk?

Tell us about your favorite childhood toy in the comments section below by Friday, April 29 at noon EDT. The Izzit commenter who posts the best childhood toy story (as determined by Izzit staff) will receive a free Recycling Truck, which retails for $24.99, courtesy of Green Toys.

Image credit: Green Toys.

An organic Easter basket can be a simple thing to put together. Here are some tips for pulling together green, recycled and organic components for the basket:

The Basket

The most important part of the Easter basket is, well, the basket. Handwoven is your best bet.

Ten Thousand Villages, an organization that sells fair trade handmade gifts from “thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 developing countries,” has a two-handled, oval date palm basket which could work nicely as an Easter basket. Ten Thousand Villages “encourages artisans partners to use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources and recycled materials to ensure each product has been crafted responsibly.”

The retailer Bellacor also offers a mini quilter’s basket, made by Eco Displayware, a company which produces “only eco-friendly products . . . made from sustainable materials (all are either biodegradable or recyclable.).”

The Grass

The plastic grasses sold in bulk in neon pinks, purples, greens and blues may add some color to your basket, but they will also permanently add color to the landfill they’ll end up in.

Instead, try stuffing your basket with the biodegradable “grass.” Century Novelty sells biodegradable Easter Basket grass by the bag.

Nashville Wraps also sells eco-friendly “Green Way” Recycled Color Tissue Shreds made from 100 percent recycled tissue shred by the bag in a wide variety of spring-like colors.

The Eggs

What would an Easter basket be without eggs? Start off with all natural, cage-free, hormone- and antibiotic-free white eggs like these from Nature’s Yoke. Organic white eggs are difficult to find, but look for cartons with labels like “Certified Humane,” ”Certified Organic” or “SlowFood USA.”

Egg dying is one of the best parts of the Easter season. Methods abound for naturally coloring your eggs with ingredients from your local produce shelf. If you want to color an egg pink, hardboil the eggs with some beets. Want yellow? Throw lemon peels into the boiling water with the eggs. Toss in spinach while hardboiling to get green. Mix in about one tablespoon of vinegar to make the color take. Let the eggs soak a while for richer colors.

You could even add all-natural patterns to your eggs. Pick some ferns or leaves with pretty patterns. Grab an old pair of nylons or cheesecloth, lay the decorations on the egg and wrap it all together tightly inside the nylon/cheesecloth. Boil with peels of a red onion and a tablespoon of vinegar for about 30 minutes. Let them dry, unwrap them and enjoy your beautiful, rustic Easter egg.

The Chocolate

Looking for the classic chocolate Easter bunny? Izzit found some organic options.

Burlington, Vermont-based Lake Champlain chocolatiers make a 5.5 inch organic chocolate bunny in either dark chocolate or milk chocolate. Both versions are USDA certified organic and wrapped in “compostable cellophane gift bags and tied with a festive ribbon woven from yarn made with recycled bottles,” the company says.  

A vegan option is offered by Vegan Essentials in the form of a 6.8 ounce, solid,  organic dark chocolate Easter bunny.

Organic Jelly Beans and Lollipops

Can’t forget about the jelly beans, now can we?

Illinois-based Surf Sweets makes USDA certified organic gummy candies and jelly beans from organic fruit juice and sweeteners that are free of corn syrup, GMOs and artificial colors. Their jelly beans come in cherry, grapefruit, grape, lemon, strawberry and orange flavors.

Looking for some lollipops? The Natural Candy Store sells USDA certified organic, high fructose-free lollipops — made by the Massachusetts-based Strawberry Hill Confectionery – which come in cute Easter shapes, like the orange flavored bunny, the lemon flavored duck and the green apple flavored Easter egg.

Vegan Peeps

What about the classic marshmallow Peeps? Well, a company named Chicago Soydairy makes a vegan version of them called, Dandies Tweets. Chicago Soydairy also has a number of eco-friendly initiatives at its manufacturing facility for which they buy green energy credits and recycle 80 percent of their waste, according to the company’s web site.

Their orange flavored bunnies and lemon  flavored chicks are sold via Vegan Essentials and come in packs of three.

Organic Stuffed Bunny

One last addition to your playful Easter basket could come in the form of one of Mary Meyer’s adorable Organic Little Sprouts bunnies.

Then, after all this green, eco-goodness, the only footsteps left this Easter will be those of the Bunny. 

By Stephanie M. McPherson

Image credits : ImagesfromBulgaria.com/Creative Commons, Ten Thousand Villages,  Nashville Wraps, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Surf Sweets, Chicago Soydairy/Vegan Essentials, Mary Meyer Toys.

One of these options is starch-based plastics that are developed from renewable, biomass sources such as corn or potatoes. However, biodegradable, starch-based plastics only break down into smaller pieces which means that they will never totally disappear. Plus, starch-based plastics are affected by light and heat making them somewhat less idea for sturdy consumer products.

In light of these drawbacks, an innovative water bottle company has decided to explore another option. After much research and testing, the California-based BioGreen Bottles settled on their ideal combination:

Their BioGreen Bottles are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) along with a non-toxic, organic additive the company calls an ”EcoPure additive.” These components make BioGreen Bottles biodegradable, recyclable, BPA-free and FDA food safe. In addition, the bottles are not affected by heat or light and are, in fact, made of recycled materials themselves.

EcoPure

The EcoPure additive in the BioGreen bottles is organic, non-starch, non-toxic and eco-friendly. It functions by accelerating the biodegradation cycle that occurs in a typical landfill environment. This means that BioGreen bottles will not begin degrading until they are in an active microbial environment such as a landfill or compost. Once in one of these environments the process takes about one to five years.

After the decaying process, all that is left behind by EcoPure is biomass and biogas. Plus, the biomass can even then be used to enrich the soil to grow new plants, a win-win.

EcoPure supports the best of both worlds. Consumers can continue to enjoy the safety and convenience of plastic without leaving a mess behind for their grandchildren. While manufacturers can maintain their current manufacturing process by simply mixing EcoPure in with their primary resin much like a color.

BioGreen offers several eco-friendly water bottle options at great prices, all of which enjoy the benefits of this new greener plastic as well as being top-shelf dishwasher safe and made domestically in the United States.

Sport Bottles

These bike-ready BioGreen sport bottles offer a convenient duo-flow cap that is completely leak-proof. The wide-mouth opening makes these bottles easy to fill with liquids and ice.

These bottles are available in both a 20 ounce size and a 26 ounce size.

Hollywood Bottles

This stylish, 30 ounce Hollywood bottle sports a unique and beautiful shape, that is easy to hold while running or hiking. It comes in five colors and four designs.

Mini 14

Don’t underestimate this sidekick. The 14 ounce bottle is perfect for your kid’s lunch bag and backpack, with great eco-art designs to make learning about the environment fun.

Make sure that your bike or gym bag is properly equipped with some eco-hydration as you pump up your active lifestyle. If you find it lacking, an easy to squeeze BioGreen bottle might be just what you need.

Image credits: BioGreen Bottles.

So what to do if you’re a green, organic type of person who wants to be eco-conscious as you celebrate Passover? IzzitGreen’s got some suggestions for you:

Organic Matzo

You eat a lot of matzo during Passover week, not just during Seder dinners. And if you want to go the organic route, you’ve got a few options.

A couple of matzo makers specialize in Passover fare using organic spelt: The New Jersey-based Matzah Online sells 100 percent certified, organic spelt, handmade matzo. Haddar also has an organic, whole grain spelt matzo that it sells which is Kosher for Passover.

Another option comes from Whole Foods which sell Aziz organic Passover matzo, made from organic whole wheat and is certified USDA organic.

If you like to cook/bake with matzo meal for your Passover week dishes, Kemach offers organic matzo meal that’s Kosher for Passover, made from whole grain organic spelt and certified USDA organic.

For your matzo ball soup — which, of course, won’t be as good as Bubbie’s — Shibolim sells an organic whole grain matzo ball mix. You can also use organic, free range, low sodium chicken broth from Imagine Foods which is Kosher for Passover.

Organic Beef Brisket

Looking for your brisket to be “green” as well? Izzit found a couple of retailers selling brisket, organic style:

Rocky Mountain Organic Meats sells organic, grass-fed beef brisket roasts that have been smoked with mesquite, apple or hickory wood.

Park East Kosher, a New York City-based Kosher butcher shop, will ship its organic brisket to you in time for your Seder feast.

The Seder Plate

When it comes to the ingredients for the Seder plate – a hardboiled egg, bitter herbs like horseradish, a shank bone, charoset (apple mixture), a vegetable and lettuce – there are plenty of opportunities for you to green them up and not just by using organic vegetables and by making your hardboiled egg of the free range, organic type.

For the bitter herbs, otherwise known as horseradish, you could sample some organic horseradish made by the California-based Organic Horseradish Company, which claims it’s famous for its hot, they call it “volcanic,” horseradish.

Another Seder plate star is a sweet dish called Charoset (or haroset), made with apples and nuts. It’s easy to convert this to an organic version by using organic apples, organic walnuts and organic honey.

Organic, Passover-Themed Apparel

Looking to get the young ones at your Passover gathering a little something to celebrate the holiday?

Jewish Shirts and Gifts sells an infant onesie made from 100 percent organic cotton that offers a wry sense of humor when it comes to all the matzo eating with its “Got Matzo?” design. CafePress also sells a Passover-themed matzo T-shirt for toddlers made from 100 percent organic cotton.

Image credits: MatzahOnline, All in Kosher,  Amazon.com/Rocky Mountain Organic Meats, Organic Horseradish Company, Lara Ferroni/Epicurious., CafePress.

Green Toys Inc. is one example of a company that is creating products that are fitting the demand of a growing number of consumers. Founded in 2007 by Robert von Goeben and Laurie Hyman, Green Toys sells toys ranging from blocks, chef and kitchen sets and outdoor toys (flying discs, planting kits, jump rope), to baby toys and toy vehicles, all of which are made from recycled materials.

“Green Toys Inc. provides consumers with environmentally friendly and safe products while making efforts to improve and preserve the world around us,” von Goeben, Green Toys’ president and co-founder told IzzitGreen.

“Green Toys products and raw materials are tested by independent third party labs that have been accredited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission,” von Goeben added. “These extensive tests ensure mechanical safety as well as chemical compliance against BPA, phthalates, etc.”

Best Seller: The Recycling Truck

The San Francisco-based company produces toys that are made in the United States, the majority of them in California. Green Toys uses recycled milk containers for the majority of their toys, including their most popular toy, the Recycling Truck, which not only provides fun, but a learning experience.

The Recycling Truck ($24.00, ages 1+) was launched in 2009 and is made with 100 percent plastic milk containers, is non-toxic and BPA-free. The toy teaches children how to do their part in protecting the environment. The truck has a movable recycling bed, a rear door that opens and closes, and no metal axles.

“[The Recycling Truck] may now be the best-known eco-toy on the planet,” von Goeben said. “Toy stores around the world make it the centerpiece of their eco-friendly product displays.”

Recycled Packaging, No Plastic

Green Toys strives to limit toy packaging. The trucks, kitchen sets and baby toys are tucked inside packaging made from recycled corrugated boxes and are themselves 100 percent recyclable. Plastic and cellophane isn’t used, the company says.

But all this eco-friendly production does increase the price of the products. To make a product 100 percent eco-friendly and produce it in a safe, non-hazardous domestic factory does make things more expensive, according to von Goeben. Though many people believe the cost is worth it.

“Customers have told us they would gladly pay extra for the peace of mind that their products are made in California, a state with some of the most stringent worker safety and environmental laws in the world,” von Goeben said. “Plus, our business is growing rapidly, so demand is definitely not an issue.”

The number of companies that produce eco-friendly toys, like Green Toys, is limited, but on the rise. They’re not just available online anymore, but at stores like Target, Wal-Mart and Toys R Us.

What to Look for in ‘Green’ Toys

Consumers need to be cautious. “When you look into the true credentials of many green products on the market, you will see that very few of them are the real deal when it comes to sustainability,” added von Goeben. “What we do is very unique.”

According to the Eco-Toy Alliance – Green Toys and three other companies are in the Alliance together — there are five main categories that make a toy eco-friendly:

1. It’s made of organic materials such as cotton, natural fiber filling, plant and mineral dyes.
2. It’s composed of recycled materials.
3. It’s made from wood that is plantation-grown, such as rubberwood.
4. It’s battery-free.
5. It will make children play on their own.

Green Toys products are available on the company’s web site and Facebook page, Amazon.com and from various retail stores including Pottery Barn and Barnes & Noble.

By Melissa Turtinen

Image credits: Pottery Barn, Green Toys, Barnes & Noble.