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The last article posted discussed green jobs and how to land one. It listed four interesting green employers and what makes them a green company. To go along with this theme, here is a list of five eco-friendly entrepreneurs that are doing big things. We love them because they are eco-friendly and because they are devoted to making their dreams come true. Check out these 5 eco-friendly entrepreneurs and why you need to know them.
1) Blake Mycoskie: Blake is a 32 year-old entrepreneur with a big heart. He is the founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes, Inc. Why does this California native have such a big heart? After traveling to Argentina in 2006 to learn how to play polo, he befriended many children there that were living each day without shoes on their feet. Blake knew he had to do something since walking is the main form of transportation in Argentina. After making his first couple thousand pairs of shoes he decided that for every pair purchased, TOMS would give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. This is what he termed the One for One. Since the beginnings of TOMS, an estimated 140,000 shoes have been given to children. For more TOMS info and to take a look at their stuff visit the website at, http://www.tomsshoes.com/
2) Chanell Scott: If you haven’t heard of this young eco-friendly entrepreneur you soon will. This 25 year-old eco-friendly fashionista hailing from Detroit, MI has launched her own eco-friendly online retail store, Guffly. Her slogan, “If eco-friendly and style made a lovechild they’d call it, ‘Guffly’” and if that doesn’t catch your attention then her products will. Selling one product a day her and her team feature eco-friendly and stylish products. Check out Guffly at, http://guffly.com/
3) Stephanie Bernstein: Bernstein is the owner of To-Go Ware. This company is focused on providing consumers with durable and reusable products for storing food and beverages. To-Go Ware answers life’s questions to being eco-friendly and being on-the-go. Tired of seeing how much plastic silverware was being thrown away, Bernstein has committed her time to making an eco-friendly alternative for earth friendly consumers. Being eco-friendly and convenient is what Bernstein is all about. Check her stuff out at, http://www.to-goware.com/
4) Jordan Contreras: Partnering with Chanell at Guffly.com, Contreras is also an eco-friendly consumer at heart and a green entrepreneur you need to know. After having difficulty finding men’s wear that is both eco-friendly and stylish, Contreras decided to do something about it. With Guffly he has been committed to finding eco stylish clothing for men and women and finding eco-friendly pet products and home décor. Not only can you check out their website at, http://guffly.com, their blog is also available at http://blog.guffly.com
5) Charisse McAuliffe: Founded in2006, McAuliffe has been dedicated to connecting people to eco-friendly resources. It originally was started as a Colorado-based non-profit but has since turned into a national network. Their goal is to be the most comprehensive and diverse resource available for people looking to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Their community is built on sharing ideas, educating one another and getting more involved in sustainability. If you want to be a part of this community be sure to check out her network at, http://www.gengreenlife.com/
Guffly is a one product per day online store and community featuring eco friendly products and fair trade lifestyle goods like home, pet, clothing, office and personal accessories. We know that people aren’t interested in ugly stuff, so you can bet Guffly’s green products are stylish, fun and attractive – eco stylish if you will. Shop the Daily Guff at http://www.guffly.com
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100% organic cotton shirt for men
So you’ve landed that green job that you’ve been wanting and now you are going to need some great eco-friendly clothing. Rather than purchasing eco-friendly clothing that is on the border of horrendous why not purchase clothing that is stylish and eco-friendly. This organic cotton shirt is sure to impress your boss and fellow co-workers at your green job. The cotton comes from an American farm that only uses natural fertilizers so there is little harm on the environment. This organic cotton men’s shirt is then colored with eco-friendly dyes. This eco-friendly men’s wear is a must have especially if you are looking for a green job or become a more earth friendly consumer.
Tell us what you think (1-5)
1= not interested at all and I am personally offended that you even suggested it
2= interesting…but not sold
3= I’m intrigued, I would consider making this item a part of my eco-friendly collection
4= How eco-chic of you!
5= WOW! If I don’t have this item in my life immediately I might seriously throw a fit
Would you purchase this item?
Would you like to see Guffly sell items like this one?
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On the hunt for a green job...
The recent buzz around town is about green jobs and finding green jobs. But what exactly is a green job? A green job is a job that provides a product or service that in turn allows consumers to consume less or produce more because of the utilization of the product or service provided. There are also green jobs that strive to be socially responsible and improve the environment. The Green Job Act of 2007 is a pilot program that is set to identify needed skills, develop training programs, and train workers for jobs in many different fields. Green jobs are said to build a strong middle class and provide people with new skills to help minimize damage to our environment. Green jobs are also said to reduce unemployment and poverty. Here is a list of 4 interesting green employers and why you should work for them.
1) Greenpeace: Greenpeace is an organization founded in 1971 that peacefully exposes global environmental problems and thinks of creative ways to promote solutions to sustain our environment. They work in protecting the oceans and forests and fight to limit global warming and the spread of harmful toxins. In 2008 Greenpeace teamed up with Ben & Jerry’s to bring climate-friendly freezers to the US, this being one of their many accomplishments over the past 30 plus years. Greenpeace has offices worldwide. There are two offices located in the United States, one in Washington D.C. and the other in San Francisco, CA. Check out their website to learn more about this green company. http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/
2) EcoVentures International: This non-profit organization supports the development of sustainable communities and livelihoods. Through this organization they work with community members to become socially and environmentally committed practitioners and entrepreneurs of sustainable development. They are based in Washington D.C. and have many volunteer and internship opportunities for those that are committed to seeing a more sustainable environment. Here is the website to learn more about these opportunities. http://www.eco-ventures.org/
3) Green Roundtable: This independent non-profit’s mission is to mainstream green building and sustainable design. They promote and support healthy and environmentally sound building projects through outreach, education, policy advocacy and technical assistance. Since their launch in 1998 they have been working with building owners, engineers, community organizers along with other influential people to meet the needs of the community. You can learn more about this Boston, MA based non-profit at, http://www.greenroundtable.org/
4) Global Green USA: This non-profit was founded in 1994 and has been committed to addressing the global climate change and they have been primarily focused on creating green buildings and cities. Not only do they focus on addressing the problems of global climate change but they also offer green tips that make living an eco-friendly lifestyle easier. Check out what they have to offer eco-friendly minded people at, http://www.globalgreen.org/
Guffly is a one product per day online store and community featuring eco friendly products and fair trade lifestyle goods like home, pet, clothing, office and personal accessories. We know that people aren’t interested in ugly stuff, so you can bet Guffly’s green products are stylish, fun and attractive – eco stylish if you will. Shop the Daily Guff at http://www.guffly.com
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Being eco-friendly isn’t just for the modern day hippie anymore. There are many celebrities that have recognized the importance of being eco-friendly and are now spreading the word to the rest of the world. Here is a list of eco-friendly celebrities and why we love them.
1) Leonardo DiCaprio: If eco-friendly had a name and a face it would go by the name Leonardo DiCaprio. The 34 year old actor exudes what it means to be eco-friendly. He drives a hybrid car and has recently purchased and eco-friendly condo in New York City. What makes this home eco-friendly? The condo has a 24-hour fresh filtered air system, a water treatment facility and rotating solar panels. DiCaprio recognizes the environmental challenge we face because of global warming and has since committed to the environment. He also started the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 which supports environmental causes.
2) Adrian Grenier: This American actor, director, writer, and musician, best known for his role on Entourage, is the host of an eco-friendly series. On Planet Green Adrian Grenier will be hosting AlterEco, a show devoted to the eco-friendly lifestyle. He is backed by a team of green activist, experts and some close friends. The show will document him and his team renovating a 1920’s Spanish home in Los Feliz. The renovated home will be both green and sustainable. Be sure to check this show out to gather some eco-friendly renovating tips!
3) Natalie Portman: If you aren’t a Natalie Portman fan now, you will be soon! This 28 year old Israeli American actress has started her own eco-friendly fashion line. Portman has created a line of vegan shoes. These stylish and sexy shoes are made from alternative materials like faux leathers. Portman and her team of designers didn’t harm any animals in their construction. This eco-friendly vegan is not only environmentally conscious but also socially. She has been praised for her efforts in saving gorillas in Rwanda. Portman has raised the bar when it comes to being an eco-friendly and socially conscious celebrity.
4) Julia Roberts: This “Pretty Women” star has turned into an eco-friendly all-star. She and her husband drive an eco-friendly car, a Prius. She is also looking to build an entirely eco-friendly home in Malibu. Her inspiration to be more eco-friendly came from her children. That has inspired her to purchase more eco-friendly diapers for her young ones. She uses chlorine-free, non-toxic diapers for two of her children and a plastic-free, flushable diaper for another. The flushable diaper is a unique hybrid between cloth and disposables.
5) Cameron Diaz: If you haven’t read her book by now, you certainly should. She has recently published an eco-friendly how-to book called “Green Book.” The book, as I’m sure you have guessed by now, offers ways to make your everyday life greener. From beauty products to household supplies, the Green Book offers 700 ways to make your life as eco-friendly as possible. Not only does she offer her own suggestions but she also features tips from Ellen DeGeneres, Will Ferrell, Martha Stewart and even Justin Timberlake. Check out this book and pick up some great tips!
Guffly is a one product per day online store and community featuring eco friendly products and fair trade lifestyle goods like home, pet, clothing, office and personal accessories. We know that people aren’t interested in ugly stuff, so you can bet Guffly’s green products are stylish, fun and attractive – eco stylish if you will. Shop the Daily Guff at http://www.guffly.com
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Organic cotton hoodie for earth friendly plus size women
Yesterday’s article discussed the lack of attractive eco-friendly fashion for plus size women. There aren’t many options out there for my full figured ladies and it has really been getting under my skin. So, this week’s Voice Your Vote I knew I had to find something that would satisfy the eco-friendly plus size fashionista. This organic cotton hoodie come in sizes ranging from S to XXL and comes in either pumice (pictured above) or graphite. It is also made from bamboo which makes it absorbent, hypoallergenic and of course very comfy. I think this hoodie is super cute and will definitely satisfy everyone’s’ flair for fashion.
Tell us what you think (1-5)
1= not interested at all and I am personally offended that you even suggested it
2= interesting…but not sold
3= I’m intrigued, I would consider making this item a part of my eco-friendly collection
4= How eco-chic of you!
5= WOW! If I don’t have this item in my life immediately I might seriously throw a fit
Would you purchase an eco-friendly hoodie like this one?
Would you like to see eco-friendly clothing that comes in plus sizes?
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Eco-friendly fashion is reaching an all time high and fashion-forward people couldn’t be more excited. It is great to see that people are interested in being eco-friendly and trendy. One thing that is missing, however, is eco-friendly plus size fashion. I heard finding eco-friendly plus size clothing is difficult but finding eco-friendly plus size fashion that is actually attractive is even harder. Many of the items out there are generally geared toward women smaller than a size 12/14 but where’s the love for the plus size (or as I like to say, “Full size”) women out there? It is important that plus size fashion also takes a turn toward eco-friendly wear.
Truth be told, there is plus size clothing out there that is eco-friendly but what fashionista do you know would be caught in a burlap sack? It’s seriously time to start paying attention to full figured women and their needs for eco-friendly and trendy fashion. When researching eco-friendly plus size fashion one either finds clothing that is actually cute but only goes up to a size 14 or it goes past a size 14 but isn’t as attractive as smaller sized clothing. We are really hoping that this isn’t the case and we would love to see more eco-friendly clothing for plus size girls and even guys. If you have any plus size earth friendly let us know! Here is what we found:
Etsy: Etsy is a good site for plus size women to find eco-friendly clothing. Since their clothing comes from independent retailers there is the opportunity for custom fitting your clothing if need be. Many of the designers work past the traditional “hippie style” eco-friendly clothing and instead make cute outfits from organic cotton and other earth friendly materials. It would be great to see more eco-friendly plus size clothing out there like what can be found on Etsy.
Rawganique: This site also has eco-friendly clothing for plus size people. Most of their stuff is pretty casual but it still more attractive than what is currently out there. Their clothing comes in true plus sizes which is great! It would be great to see some clothing that was more on the young professional side or everyday clothing.
Both of these sites have attractive eco-friendly clothing in plus sizes but we think there needs to be more. There is a lot of stylish eco-friendly fashion out there but mainly for those below a size 12/14. If you are aware of any plus size eco-friendly fashion out there be sure to let us know or if you feel the same please let us know as well. It is important that there is eco-friendly options for plus size women but it is even more important that these options satisfy the fashionista in everyone.
Guffly is a one product per day online store and community featuring eco friendly products and fair trade lifestyle goods like home, pet, clothing, office and personal accessories. We know that people aren’t interested in ugly stuff, so you can bet Guffly’s green products are stylish, fun and attractive – eco stylish if you will. Shop the Daily Guff at http://www.guffly.com.
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Just wanted to do a quick shout out to all of our loyal fans – we love you, we want to hear from you, and we want to meet you!
Our launch is just around the corner in the beginning of August, can you believe it!? We are so excited to get the Daily Guff up and running! In the meantime, we’re hoping to connect more with our green community…
Our rockin' new tees!
Guffly will be at the Ann Arbor Art Fair this Saturday, July 18. Look for the team in awesome Guffly t-shirts (props to VG Kids in Ypsi for printing some awesome organic t-shirts!) and a wagon full of fun! We’ll be giving out good Karma and doing a raffle for some great eco-friendly products! Most importantly Guffly wants to connect with YOU! We want to know what you think, what kind of products you’re looking for, and what being eco-stylish means to you.
If you can’t make it out to the art fair remember you can always connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, FriendFeed, Myspace, or email us! We’ll also be out and about to meet with you at various events including Green Drinks Detroit on July 22 where Guffly is the night’s sponsor!
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Going organic doesn't have to break the piggy bank
The last article posted started a discussion about organic food. It answered many of the questions that people have in regards to organic food and what all the jargon means. Today’s article will discuss some of the ways to go organic on a budget. Since we are in such hard financial times, some find going organic to be financially difficult but with 5 simple steps going organic is easy.
1) Start Simple: Instead of jumping into eating organic all at once, make small changes and gradually become the organic eater you want to be. Starting simple is a great way of saving money and knowing just how much you will be spending when it shopping organic. Try to purchase your staples first and then your other foods. Buy organic milk, organic cheese and organic juices. Buying these items first will give you a feel for how much money you will be spending each month on organic food.
2) Shop and Compare: Do some research. Instead of buying the first organic food product you see make sure you know how much it will be at a different store. This could be the difference of 10 cents but in the long run could save you a fist full of dollars. When comparison shopping you will have a better feel for what stores have cheaper items and will make buying organic products easier.
3) Cook at home: Instead of going to restaurants that specialize in organic food, take the time to prepare your own organic meals. Creating your own organic dishes is fun and will save you lots of money. Even prepackaged organic meals are more expensive so copy their recipes and try making it own your own. Cooking more allows you to save money and be organic at the same time. If there are organic restaurants that you just cannot live without try going there once every two weeks or so and see how much money you save!
4) Buy in bulk: Once you have established yourself as a full-fledged organic eater, start to buy in bulk. Buying in bulk can save money and cuts down on making several trips to the market. By purchasing items such as organic flour, organic nuts and organic beans in bulk you are more likely to stay committed to eating mostly, if not all, organic.
5) Organic dinner parties: Gather some like-minded friends and have a dinner party! This is a great way to save money and learn great new recipes. If you have a favorite dish share it with others and they will be able to offer other organic dishes for you to try. It’s like the green drinks of eating. So, next time you are struggling to think of something new to make or haven’t gone to the market in a while gather some friends for good food and good conversations.
If you are still exploring eating organic, make sure to find grocery stores that have organic options. This is a great way to ease into the organic lifestyle. Also, be sure to find farmer markets that take place in or around your area.
Guffly is a one product per day online store and community featuring eco friendly products and fair trade lifestyle goods like home, pet, clothing, office and personal accessories. We know that people aren’t interested in ugly stuff, so you can bet Guffly’s green products are stylish, fun and attractive – eco stylish if you will. Shop the Daily Guff at http://www.guffly.com
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With warm weather here, it’s time to bring out the summer dresses! Few things are as comfy as a cotton dress on a hot day – why not go with an organic cotton dress? Figuring (per normal) I would only find moo moo or sack-like dresses made from something organic, I came across this cute maxi dress! It’s made of organic supima jersey, a 100% certified organic material. Awesome! Great material, great color, great style – I’ll take one please.
The cute maxi dresses you see around are so great and so functional. They’re easy to pack when you’re traveling and you can easily move around and do your thing without worrying about your dress flying up…unless you’re into that impromptu Marilyn Monroe thing, then I’ll leave that to you.
So would you wear this to a summer BBQ? To the beach? Out and about around town? Is it important to you to find not only eco-friendly but stylish clothes?
Tell us what you think: (1-5)
1= not interested at all and I am personally offended that you even suggested it
2= interesting…but not sold
3= I’m intrigued, I would consider making this item a part of my eco-friendly collection
4= How eco-chic of you!
5= WOW! If I don’t have this item in my life immediately I might seriously throw a fit
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Mmm...organic salad!
Confused about what is organic and what is not? No worries, there is a lot of information and classifications that makes it a bit confusing to know what is truly organic. There are many lingering questions when it comes to organic food like, what makes it organic and is it safer than conventional foods? These unanswered questions are some of the reason why people are still purchasing conventionally produced foods instead or organic foods. Here are the answers to some of these lingering questions.
What makes a food organic? When a product is organic, it is referring to the way in which it was produced. With organic food, farmers do not use conventional methods of fertilization or preventing livestock disease. Instead of using weed killers, organic farmers may use manure or other natural fertilizers to hinder weed growth. Using such methods reduces pollution and conserves water and soil.
How do I know if my food is organic? When at the market the only way to know that your food is organic is by a label produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). When the USDA sticker appears on your food you can rest assure that is has past governmental standards and is certified organic. So, if you go to purchase food that claims to be organic, if it does not have the USDA sticker you can be sure they are green washing. (See our post on Decoding Greenwashing) The USDA sticker provides consumers with the comfort of knowing that the food was produced and processed according the USDA standards and is at least 95% of the food’s ingredients are organically produced.
100% organic vs. organic vs. made with organic ingredients? This is where many people get confused about how organic their food is. When products say they are 100% organic this means that the product is completely organic or made of all organic ingredients. When it simply says organic, this means that the product is at least 95% organic. When a product says, made with organic ingredients, it means that 70% of the ingredients are organic. These products cannot bare the organic seal.
My product says ‘All-Natural’, does this mean it’s organic? When a product says it is all-natural it means that less than 70% of the product is organic. They cannot use the words organic on the product label so words like “all-natural” and “hormone-free” are used instead.
Is organic food better for me? It is hard to answer this question because it is still be debated. There are some out there that say because there are no pesticides being used it is safer, less pesticides being used on food the less there are going into the body. However, some say that there are natural toxins making its way into organic foods. There is still a lot of research needed in order to conclude which is better when it comes to pesticides and natural toxins. In terms of nutrients, some claim that organic foods contain higher levels of vitamin C, certain minerals and antioxidants. These are small increases and up to the consumer to decide if, these small differences will make a larger impact on their overall health.
Guffly is a one product per day online store and community featuring eco friendly products and fair trade lifestyle goods like home, pet, clothing, office and personal accessories. We know that people aren’t interested in ugly stuff, so you can bet Guffly’s green products are stylish, fun and attractive – eco stylish if you will. Shop the Daily Guff at http://www.guffly.com
1) Blake Mycoskie: Blake is a 32 year-old entrepreneur with a big heart. He is the founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes, Inc. Why does this California native have such a big heart? After traveling to Argentina in 2006 to learn how to play polo, he befriended many children there that were living each day without shoes on their feet. Blake knew he had to do something since walking is the main form of transportation in Argentina. After making his first couple thousand pairs of shoes he decided that for every pair purchased, TOMS would give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. This is what he termed the One for One. Since the beginnings of TOMS, an estimated 140,000 shoes have been given to children. For more TOMS info and to take a look at their stuff visit the website at, http://www.tomsshoes.com/
2) Chanell Scott: If you haven’t heard of this young eco-friendly entrepreneur you soon will. This 25 year-old eco-friendly fashionista hailing from Detroit, MI has launched her own eco-friendly online retail store, Guffly. Her slogan, “If eco-friendly and style made a lovechild they’d call it, ‘Guffly’” and if that doesn’t catch your attention then her products will. Selling one product a day her and her team feature eco-friendly and stylish products. Check out Guffly at, http://guffly.com/
4) Jordan Contreras: Partnering with Chanell at Guffly.com, Contreras is also an eco-friendly consumer at heart and a green entrepreneur you need to know. After having difficulty finding men’s wear that is both eco-friendly and stylish, Contreras decided to do something about it. With Guffly he has been committed to finding eco stylish clothing for men and women and finding eco-friendly pet products and home décor. Not only can you check out their website at, http://guffly.com, their blog is also available at http://blog.guffly.com
5) Charisse McAuliffe: Founded in2006, McAuliffe has been dedicated to connecting people to eco-friendly resources. It originally was started as a Colorado-based non-profit but has since turned into a national network. Their goal is to be the most comprehensive and diverse resource available for people looking to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Their community is built on sharing ideas, educating one another and getting more involved in sustainability. If you want to be a part of this community be sure to check out her network at, http://www.gengreenlife.com/
