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With the kickoff of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada on the 12th of February, here are some fun facts about little things that the competition does to help the earth!
Reducing the Budget: While Beijing’s architectural masterpieces like the Birds Nest stadium and Water Cube were ridiculously cool, China spent over $40 billion on making Beijing ready for the games. Vancouver has only spent around $2 billion, with a lot of it going towards eco-friendly initiatives. Everything they build must have a purpose beyond the games. Instead of building a new stadium, Vancouver is remodeling the 25-year old BC Place Stadium, which will save them millions of dollars. Way to reuse Vancouver!
Transportation: One great step towards reducing the Olympics’ carbon footprint is reducing transportation. With over athletes in the city, the city is opening more lines on the Vancouver Sky Train and has opened the Canada Line rapid transit, which will connect the international airport quickly with downtown. There is also a bunch of hybrid and fuel efficient taxis. All of this will help to reduce traffic congestion with the massive flow of people in the area!
Housing: Every time a city is picked to host the games, one of the main things they have to build is housing for all of the athletes. Vancouver has created the Olympic Village in South East Creek that can hold 10,000 people. It certified with the LEED Gold by the US Green Building Council and half of the condos have green roofs. This means that they will be growing plants on the top of roofs. A set of the condos, called Millennium Water have solar panels on the rooftops to help cut back on energy consumption. After the games are over, the condos will be sustainability-minded apartments. Also, the planning of the Village will have walking paths and easy access to transit services to cut back on driving cars!
New facilities that will have lasting purpose: Of the new buildings being built, all will be converted over to public use after the games. The Hillcrest and Nat Bailey Stadium Park, which are curling rinks for the games, will later be converted to community centers and recreation parks that will include a gymnasium, library, ice hockey rink, curling rinks, and swimming pools. The old Trout Lake community center is being converted to ice rinks for the games and will become a public rink afterwards.
Medals made from recycled materials: The over 1,000 medals awarded at the games this year will be made from recycled circuit boards from old gadgets that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. They will be made by Teck Resources and the Royal Canadian Mint and will feature Aboriginal art by Corrine Hunt.
Coca –Cola goes Green: One of the main corporate sponsors, Coke, is becoming as eco-friendly as possible during the games. From coolers to uniforms, here are several of the different ways the company is committed to saving the earth:
- The 1,500 coolers will use eKOfresh technology that will nearly eliminate direct greenhouse gases and will help reduce indirect gases.
- Beverages will be delivered from hybrid vehicles from bottling facilities to the venues and once on the venue, only electric carts will be used.
- Recycling bins will be placed throughout all the venues to encourage recycling. They are reaching for nothing less than 100% of all bottles to be recycled.
- They’ve created a PlantBottle, which will be used for water and sparkling beverages.
- All of the staff’s uniforms, literally everything but underwear and shoes, will be made of recycled bottles.
Habitat Island: This island is just off the shores of the southeast Olympic Villages apartments. It’s a tiny island that is about the of a football field. Although man-made, the island is a plant and bird sanctuary that has the hopes of restoring a significant amount of shoreline to the area.
If you want anymore information on Vancouver’s quest for eco-friendly games, visit their website: http://www.vancouver2010.com/sustainability/
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Oh Valentine’s Day, how you creep up at the beginning of every year and put the pressure of finding the perfect way to tell people you love them. Never fear, friends, we have a great idea to simplify your Valentine’s Day – stay in, have some fun, and save yourself some cash!
First thing is first – get the gift now! No really, planning ahead will allow you to find a thoughtful gift that your sweetie will actually like instead of rushing at the last minute to find something that kinda works. It’s ok to stay away from the “typical” chocolates, flowers, and jewelry. Go for a unique gift or check out fair trade chocolate, eco-friendly or organic flowers, and ethical or recycled jewelry. Oh and ladies, don’t forget your man this year – they need to feel the love too!
Keep it real. Unrealistic expectations and over the top plans can really fizzle if they don’t come to fruition. Let’s be realistic people, going out to dinner on Valentine’s day never seems to be as wonderful as you hoped it would be. Restaurants are crowded, the servers are grumpy about working, and it’s difficult to put out the vibe with hundreds of strangers around you. Make dinner at home, heck try cooking together for some more time together. Not sure what to make? Here’s what we think makes for a laid-back evening with your sweetie, friends or family:
German Cheddar and Beer Fondue
Image: Food Network
A simple recipe from Rachael Ray at the Food Network that is fun to eat – I mean come on people, we’re talking about cheesy delicious fondue! Pair it with a tasty salad to get your veggies and add a course.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 sack, 10 ounces, 2 1/2 cups, shredded sharp Cheddar, available on dairy aisle
1/4 to 1/3 pound, 4 to 6 ounces, Gruyere, shredded
1 rounded tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup German lager beer (or your favorite beer!)
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
A few drops hot sauce
A few drops Worcestershire sauce
For Serving:
1 1/2 pounds cubed or thick sliced and browned wursts: knock, brat or brot, etc.
1 package mini party franks (recommended: Boars Head)
1 head cauliflower, separated into florets
1 small jar mini Gherkin pickles, drained
1 small jar pickled onions, available on vegetable aisle
1 small, round loaf rye, pumpernickel or sour dough bread, cubed
Directions:
Combine cheeses in a bowl with flour. Add beer to a small pot and bring up to a bubble over medium heat. Reduce the heat to simmer and add cheese in handfuls. Stir constantly, melting the cheese in batches. Stir in a figure-eight pattern with wooden spoon. When the cheese has been incorporated fully, stir in the mustard, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Transfer fondue to warm fondue pot.
In a large skillet, bring 2-inches of water to a boil and blanch the cauliflower for 2 to 3 minutes, drain and arrange around the fondue pot.
In the same pan, bring the cooking water back to a boil and add the mini franks and sliced wursts. Cook, uncovered until all the liquid has evaporated. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan to crisp the casings. Pile wursts and dogs near fondue. Complete the dipping selections with dishes of pickles, onions and cubed bread.
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Glaze
Image: Whole Foods
Make this recipe from Whole Foods ahead of time and save yourself some stress the night of Valentine’s dinner. So simple and so delicious!
Serves 12
Ingredients:
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips or bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
1 cup (2 sticks) plus 3 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
1 1/4 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray, then line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper. Spray the paper with cooking spray, too, then set the pan aside.
Place two-thirds (8 ounces) of the chocolate and 1 cup (2 sticks) of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium low heat. Stirring often, melt chocolate with butter until completely blended. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. (Alternatively, you may use your microwave to melt the butter with the chocolate, if desired). Add sugar and mix well. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Sift cocoa into bowl and stir until just blended.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cake has risen and top has formed a thin crust. The cake should be just firm in the center when done. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate, removing sides of springform pan. Remove and discard parchment paper and set cake aside to cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the chocolate glaze. Melt remaining 4 ounces chocolate and 3 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, then stir in milk, honey and vanilla. Set aside to cool slightly.
When cake has cooled, pour glaze onto the center. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, very gently smooth glaze along the top and sides of the cake. Chill cake, uncovered, for 30 to 60 minutes before serving to set the glaze and make the cake easier to slice.
Now crack open your favorite bottle of organic wine, pop open a beer, or go all out and do champagne! Rent a movie and enjoy eachother’s company without the stress of a big Valentine’s Day to do!
Guffly loves any excuse for a celebrating and is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/
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Regardless of your team’s colors, going green for your Super Bowl party this year is a definite win. Simple changes to any party can benefit the Earth, from the invitations to the beverages there are greener alternatives than your average fare. You and your may even enjoy the eco-friendly options more than the standard fare! So get out there and throw the ultimate party with all the fixing’s with these great green party tips:
Invite the crowd – keep it simple and forget about those crazy paper invitations. A simple email will suffice (it IS football after all, isn’t it?!) or if you’re feeling fancy opt for the popular Evite option. Just enter the details, add email addresses and send it off. The added bonus is you will save on stamps too which means the Post Office isn’t giving off carbon emissions to deliver those envelopes!
Stock up on munchies – there is the typical football game fare and many of it can be more eco-friendly and healthier (you don’t have to tell anyone that part). Organic chicken wings with a natural, homemade sauce are just as finger licking good as the soggy ones you can carry out. Chili’s ingredients lend themselves to going organic and you can opt for grass fed beef as an added touch. Top it with organic onions, cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, whatever sounds good! If you cannot find an organic option, shopping local also makes a big difference. Buying from your local famer’s market is usually less expensive and can get you fresher products that haven’t traveled hundreds of miles, which is just gross anyway.
Quench the thirst – it’s football folks and the main ingredient in football enjoyment is a delicious beverage. While you may have old standby beers, don’t be afraid to step out and try some of the organic beer on the market. If that’s not going to work for you opt for a local brewery’s ale – you might just like it! Try a growler or keg (go big or go home!) and have guests use pint glasses that can be washed and not thrown out. There are also many organic or local liquors, wines, and juices out there. Skip the soda and add sparkling water to some 100% fruit juice for a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink.
Don’t fumble – while it may seem easier to go with disposable plates, cups, and utensils think about the impact that has on our planet. Those things, especially the plastic and Styrofoam ones, sit in landfills and omit toxic gases for pretty much eternity. Use dishes, glasses, and silverware that can be washed to cut down on all the full garbage bags. They’re also sturdier for loading your plate up with tasty treats. If you simply must go with the disposable option look for corn based or other biodegradable products, Mother Nature will thank you and so will your great-great-great grandchildren.
Decor-what? – Why do people decorate for Super Bowl parties? While everyone is munching and watching the game or laughing at the halftime show, not one of your guests cares if you add paper footballs to your ceiling or have giant logos on the wall. Minimize waste and save yourself some time by forgoing decorations.
Live it up – have a blast with your friends and enjoy cheering on your team. Hopefully whoever you’re rooting for or have the $5 square on wins. Remember to ensure that your guests have safe rides home after the game. Encourage them to carpool (see that’s green too!) and have a DD. Call a cab or check out companies like The Designate. Everyone wants to go home and go to bed after a fete like this, make sure they get there!
Guffly loves any excuse for a party with friends and is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/
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Gas and electricity prices are always on the rise, not to mention that they are not very eco-friendly ways to heat your home during the winter. Instead of turning your thermostat up, consider these eco-conscious options that will keep you just as warm.
Insulation for your house is key
By having lots of insulation in your home, it will trap any heat that enters inside and keep it there. However, most insulation is toxin ridden that horrible for you and the earth. There are several different options for eco-friendly insulation, the most popular being cellulose. Cellulose is made out of 100% recycled newspaper /cardboard combination. Fiber glass insulation manufactures have starting using increasing amounts of recycled materials and recycled up to 40% more of material by weight than and other type of insulation. Other types of earth friendly insulations include those made of natural fibers like UltraTouch, which is made out of 85% post-industrial recycled natural fibers and is free of any toxins making it harm-free for the earth. Mineral wool that is formaldehyde free has recently become popular as well. Also, look for the GreenGuard Label when purchasing your insulation. This label certifies that formaldehyde levels are less than .05 per million particles of air, which is very clean. In general, the more you insulate your home, the less money you’ll have to spend on heating it up!
Cover all the Doors
Doors are notorious for letting cold air in from the cracks on the bottom of the door. A simple solution is to take an old towel or small blanket and roll it up length wise to cover the base of the door. This will stop any drafts from the outside from coming entering and will keep the heat inside. You can also buy “snake charmers” or draft guards, which do the exact same thing, but look a little nicer than an old towel.
Reverse The Ceiling Fan
Turn your fan to rotate clockwise and put it at a low speed. This will allow the warm air that is in your house to circulate, especially the heat coming from the oven, or wood burning fireplaces that don’t circulate heat very well.
Blanket, Blankets, Blankets
Simply put, if you use more blankets and turn down the heat, it will be a lot easier on your wallet, your health and your earth. Remember that there are many different green options to choose from when looking for that perfect blanket that will keep you nice and toasty:
- Organic Bamboo
- Organic Cotton
- Organic Wool
- Chlorine Free
- Dye Free
- Handmade
- Fair Trade
- Sweatshop Free
- Fleece made from 100% recycled plastic
- Recycled/Reclaimed fabric from old shirts, blanket, etc
Many popular stores have eco-friendly blanket options – read the labels and do your research. Or ask your favorite aunt if she is up for crocheting an awesome afghan, which you’re sure to have the rest of your life!
Remember to bundle up outside!
Layers are a necessity for blizzard -like conditions and having a warm jacket is the best start. Many eco-conscious companies are taking great strides in producing winter gear made from everything from bamboo to coconut husks. There are even jackets out there that can “grow” with your kid – which means less jackets and less waste. The ultimate in winter gear is thermal underwear. It is another must have for staying warm in freezing temperatures. Look for performance underwear that will keep moisture away from your skin while keeping you warm.
Guffly is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each and every weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/
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In many areas of the country, it is cold, snowy and grey. It can be difficult to find ways to get out of the house – much less be motivated to leave your cozy home! It really doesn’t have to be that way, the winter is a great time to get out, get active and have some fun. There are some incredibly fun options that you can only do in the winter, so don’t miss your chance!
If you like to hike in warmer weather then a great transition is snow shoeing. It’s very similar to simply hiking but you have some fun shoes to help you navigate through the snow easier. Many people say that if you can walk you can go snowshoeing. While it may not be exactly that simple, it won’t be difficult to adjust your walking a little to get into the groove. This activity can allow you to go more places in the winter than you would by just hiking or cross country skiing. It’s a great opportunity to get out, exercise the dog, and get some beautiful winter photos.
Skiing and snowboarding might be the first things that come to mind when you think of winter activities. Both are a great way to get out and burn some calories while having fun with friends. If you’ve never gone before there is equipment that you can rent at most ski resorts or hills. There are generally also lessons taught by professionals. Don’t be intimidated and stay on the slopes that make you feel the most comfortable. Just being at the ski resort can be an experience in and of itself so take some time to look around, enjoy the scenery, and people watch!
The fun part about winter is when cities take advantage of the cold weather and create outdoor ice skating rinks. While you can ice skate year round, there really is something special about skating outside. You keep yourself warm and if it’s located in a downtown area you can admire the skyscrapers are you’re zooming around the rink.
It’s a perfect time to embrace your inner child! Building snow forts, creating mazes, snowman building, and good ol’ snow ball fights are all great ways to use the snow and burn calories at the same time. Even if you don’t have kids to run around with, these can be fun for adults too. Dress warm and enjoy the nature made play material that falls from the sky. Watch out for those icy snowballs and be sure to have some mulled wine, Irish coffees, and hot cocoa ready for when you head back inside.
If you would like to stay close to home it’s easy to feed the birds in your yard, go back inside with some hot cocoa, and enjoy watching the birds from the comfort of your home. During the winter it can be harder for non-migrating birds to find food so not only will they appreciate it but, you will be rewarded with a front row seat to some awesome bird watching.
Guffly is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each and every weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/
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With the holidays just ending, don’t we all wish we could just continue our vacations? Especially in light of deep freeze and snow the Midwest is getting. Here are some of the best and most creative eco-friendly ways to think about escaping the piling snow and the daily grind at work.
Tree Top Vacation Rentals:
When you rent a bamboo “hooch” in Rincon, Puerto Rico you will get your very own tree house in the jungle. The homes start at $100 per night you will have a fully equipped kitchenette that is solar powered with a separate bathroom hooch with a flush toilet and hot water that is powered by a solar heater. Then man who owns them is called Jo Sheer and when you vacation in the hooches, you will have his 12 acres of jungle to explore by hiking and biking. Talk about a kid’s dream tree house come true! Visit their website for more information about the different hooches and reservations.
Eco-friendly spas:
If roughing in out in the wilderness is not your thing then try a green spa! The Green Spa Network has a directory of spas around the country that have committed themselves to being natural. The benefits of going to one of these spas are endless, as you will cleanse and relax yourself by going all natural. These spas will offer naturally made products to be pampered so all the creams and lotions used will contain only natural botanicals. The food will be food free of artificial ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils and corn syrups. Also, these spas will be surrounded by nature and will have many nature related activities, such as hiking or mediation and yoga outdoors, which will help when wanting to forget about the chaotic city-life.
Green Cruises:
Cruises are huge source of waste and carbon dioxide emissions. Most ships use the filthiest and cheapest fuel oil to not only runs the ship, but to power the ship’s many amenities like the pools, restaurants, nightclubs etc. Also, with massive amounts of people on the boats, there is an estimated 210,000 gallons of sewage alone not including the hazardous wastes and other sewage runoffs from sinks and baths according to the Friends of the Earth environmental organization. Thankfully, some cruise lines are offering some eco-friendly solutions. Holland America’s Alaskan cruise ship named Zaandarn has put in a million dollar saltwater “scrubber” to detoxify the engine’s emissions. Australia’s Clean Cruising promises to plant a tree to make the voyage carbon-neutral, free of charge. Celebrity Cruises’ new ship called Celebrity Solstice not only has a fuel efficient design including an aerodynamic structure and the increased use of windows that reduce heat transfer, but also is using 216 solar panels to power elevators and LED lights. Other cruise lines like Disney and Royal Caribbean have created plans to reduce wastes that the ships send overboard and therefore everything is reused.
Eco-friendly hotels near popular vacations:
If none of these destinations suit your fancy and you just want to visit a popular destination. Then check out It’s a Green World, which has an easy to use directory to search for eco-friendly hotels for in many different states in countries, many near popular destinations for mom, dad, or the entire family.
Guffly is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each and every weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/.
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Life is messy. Spills, constant maintenance, muddy paw prints and chaos happen. While it might be your first instinct to grab the standard cleaner to attend to the daily grime of life, there are many options that are more natural, earth-friendly, and probably already in your home. The average American uses about 40 pounds of toxic household cleaning products each year. These cleaning products contain dangerous ingredients, including neurotoxins to heavy metals, and other agents that cause or contribute to cancer, respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and this list could go on. Make simple switches in your home to ensure the happiness and healthiness of your family and the environment around you.
Baking soda is the superhero of cleaning. Baking soda works well solo or combined with other simple ingredients like vinegar. Most people already know about placing an open box in your refrigerator to keep it fresh. It’s best to replace that little box every 3 months and you can actually dispose of it down the sink drain without worrying about what it will do to water and the animals living in it. A lesser-known use but equally full of superhero power is a dusting of baking soda on your cutting boards draw out odor and stains. Just dust, leave for about 15 minutes or so and then rinse. Piece of cake…think of all those bamboo cutting boards you could give new life! Speaking of cutting boards all that produce that you chop can be cleaned with a sprinkling of baking soda in a bowl of water, soak, and rinse.
Vinegar, as mentioned above, is another cleaning product that holds great bang for its buck. Spray it on countertops, let sit, and wipe off to get rid of stains. Substitute vinegar for your average glass cleaner (extra points for using newspaper – no streaks!) for a streak free shine. You can even pour this full strength on unwanted grass growing on your walks and sideways since it’s much nicer than any chemical weeds-no-more product. This wonder liquid also relieves itching from insect bites or stings, even sunburns!
Lemon juice is yet another natural tool to help you clean your home. It can get rid of annoying soap scum and the hard water deposits that go along with it. Combine lemon juice with the baking soda and vinegar mentioned above and you have a powerful cleaning paste. Or maybe you already used the lemon in your vodka tonic – no worries, you can put the peels down the garbage disposal to keep it so fresh and so clean.
Salt plays really well with these other natural cleaning products. Mix with some vinegar for an all-purpose cleaner around the house but not for gentle surfaces like marble. Salt and lemon juice work wonders to clean metals particularly brass and pewter – just be sure to rinse well, it’s powerful stuff. Bust out the salt if you’ve spilled your favorite Merlot on your favorite shirt. Put some salt on the area ASAP and it should absorb the wine before it sets and stains. Then wash as soon as you can.
Plus you should make sure you’re taking care of yourself after toiling away around the house. Treat your hands to a moisture treatment by microwaving a small bowl of olive oil and soaking them. For an added bonus, you can add some sugar and make it a scrub.
Guffly is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each and every weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/
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It is a new year and in our society, a lot is happening this time of year. People are resolving to do things, checks are written with the wrong year, people go back to work to the normal grind, and in many parts of the country we’re entering some of the coldest months of the year. Nevertheless, we push forward with our lives and seek to be maybe just a bit better than we did last year.
For some it is all about the resolutions and more power to them. But the reality is after 6 months only 46% of American adults are still sticking with it. Let’s be real here people, make small goals for yourself and be excited when you achieve them. Practical goals like working on your budget, seeking personal and professional improvement outlets, using reusable bags at the grocery store, smiling at strangers are easily achievable all year long.
Figure out what inspires YOU! Give yourself a theme song for the coming year. Go organic! Read that book you find intriguing. Or maybe it’s finally time to check out that yoga class you’ve been thinking about – heck, grab a friend and find peace together. When you can concentrate on making changes toward an ultimate goal that makes you feel warm and fuzzy, you’re much more likely to succeed and truly make changes.
Consider purging unnecessary items from your life. Now this is open to whatever interpretation works best for your lifestyle – you can literally get rid of all items that aren’t necessary to your existence or what most of us could benefit from is getting rid of the old and some of the unnecessary. Many of us have more clothes that we know what to do with. Same goes for things that sit in the garage, basement or attic forever and ever. If you haven’t used it in a year and have no plan to do so then get rid of it! Don’t toss it into landfills though, donate to local charities (they’re even taking cars these days); give more sentimental items to family or friends, and recycle what you can. Getting rid of the clutter is a great way to add a little Zen to your life.
Appreciate what’s around you – and what’s out there in the rest of world too. It can be so easy to function in your own little bubble and a great way to experience new things is to pop that bubble! Check out a new park, sample a new cuisine, be grateful for what is in your life, and even thank that stranger that just held open the door while you were juggling your latte and Blackberry. Simple things can make your day or year pretty darn fantastic.
They say life is short so don’t take it for granted and it’s safe to say that many of us can look back at the last 10 years and wish things may have went down in a different way. But there’s no use in that really because you should be striving to just make what’s ahead the best it can be. Cheers to that!
Guffly is your source for stylish products and unique gifts that ease your shopping conscience by being eco friendly or fair trade. The website features one new Daily Guff at an extra affordable price each and every weekday. Guffly features creative goods ranging from personal accessories, home goods, clothing, office & desk accessories, to pet accessories. The team happens to think that making stylish and modern purchasing decisions doesn’t have to mean using excess resources, filling up landfills, or relying on unfair labor. Check Guffly out at http://guffly.com/
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With the New Year nearly here we all start thinking about what changes we want to make. Fresh on your mind is probably all the delicious treats you were eating over the holidays! Next stop, an excercising New Year’s resolution. But, it is hard to exercise. There is that stupid scale, the food points, and those crazy machines. Nevertheless, you look around and everyone seems to be doing it these days. How do those people who work out all the time do it? After a while, you just get bored or lose hope. The number one way is to get in a healthy habit; find the exercise and diet plan that works for you. It’s even better if you can work some healthy habits for the earth into your workout plan too. It’s not as hard as television makes it out to be. Don’t think of it as just something to do to look good for the summer but something that can improve your life! Healthy habits create a longer life; and we all want that, right?
Get Out: if you cannot afford a gym membership, it may seem like you have limited options for staying fit. The gyms haven’t taken up all of the space in the world. Exercising outside is still a great option. When you’re working inside it takes a lot of electricity to break a sweat. But when you’re working out in the outdoors the only manpower is you. You build up your cardio a lot faster and can train to go longer a lot easier. Don’t like running? That’s ok. Try walking at first and gradually go from walking to jogging to running. Is there a park in your area? Sounds like a great place to do lunges. When you’re going to work park the car half a mile or a mile away and get a quick 15-minute workout at the start of your day. When riding the bus get off a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way.
Trying New Things: You think you can’t stick to an exercise plan? It’s all in your head. You need to connect your body with your mind and put them both into a positive place that says “Yes I Can!” Try Pilates. 
Sounds like something weak and girly doesn’t it? It’s far from that. Do you have an aching back or not-so-strong core? Those are the focuses of Pilates. If you want an exercise that not only works out different parts of your body but also has you, walking away feeling rejuvenated than Yoga is calling your name. Through poses inspired by the animals of the earth, it unites the body with the spirit. There is no one way to do yoga but thousands! Both of these exercise forms focus on the mind connecting with the body. Many people around the world consider these to not just be forms of exercise but a discipline, so it’s great for people who want to find an exercise plan to stick to. If you feel like you’re likely to quit after a short time find an exercise buddy or join a class. If you don’t live in a city, it might take a little research to find a licensed trainer or a trainer certified DVD in your area but it will be well worth the search.
Pump Some Iron: You don’t like exercising but feel really bad about the environment using the big machines? There are other ways to exercise at home or in the gym. Pump some iron instead of using the machine; you wouldn’t believe how many exercises you can do with a few weights, dumbbells, or kettle bells. Just make sure you’re exercising the right way, you don’t want to pull a muscle by trying these inexperienced on your own. There are items from your childhood that can help too. Remember the jump rope? You can skip around the house or around the block. It might also be a great idea to invest in self-powered machines instead of electrical. Spinning bikes and rowing machines that don’t run on electricity are great.
Dress for a Sweat: When thinking about which exercise clothes to buy think about fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, or other natural fibers. Many major manufacturers are starting to make clothing from recycled fabrics; everything from sneakers to sweatbands. When you’ve worn out your exercise clothing, you don’t have to throw it away. Since 1993 Nike’s program Reuse-A-Shoe has collected sneakers to make basketball courts, playground floors, tennis courts, and running tracks for communities in need around the world. More than likely, there is a center or playground near you that is made from recycled sneakers. Companies like Patagonia want the clothes that you buy from them back so that they can be recycled and made into something else. Anything in your closet that is decent but you just don’t want to wear anymore should be sold at a consignment shop or given away to charities or friends. Donate your bad clothes to a local quilting club or to an animal shelter to make bedding for animals in need. You can see if the recycling center in your area recycles clothes or knows of a place where you can.
Guffly is a one product per day online store 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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It seems like year after year flies by and you are constantly striving to better yourself and how you interact with the world. The transition from 2009 to 2010 is no different –it has become crucial to look at your environmental impact and some people look to New Year’s Resolutions as their motivators. While some Resolutions, like giving up chocolate, are just crazy talk that usually is forgotten around the second week of February resolving to make a smaller footprint on our planet is a no-brainer smart decision.
Here are some great suggestions on simple ways to green up your lifestyle a bit without feeling as if you’re really sacrificing:
Recycle Everything You Can – Yes, yes…recycling is still as important as ever and chances are it will be for the rest of our lives. Studies show that 60% to 75% of garbage in landfills can be recycled. That means that if everybody recycled, we’d have 60% to 75% less garbage in our landfills, and we’d need at least that much less land for garbage disposal.
Ditch the Plastic Water Bottles – People in the U.S. throw away 2.5 million plastic water bottles in a hour. Now that’s embarrassing! With so many options of reusable water bottles out there, it’s not difficult to find one that works for your lifestyle – get two and rotate them. It’s a piece of cake to walk down the hall to the drinking fountain at work and fill it up.
Bring Your Own Bags – Many stores even offer discounts when you bring your bags! That’s even easier than clipping coupons and there are many great reusable tote options to choose from. Consider not only having grocery bags on hand but also bags for when your clothes, home, or pet shopping and even reusable produce bags. Leave a couple in your car for whenever you might need them and feel good by cutting down on your plastic (aka oil) use.
Keep the Washer on Cold – According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water.” That’s no joke. Additionally, washing your clothes in cold water can be better for the fabric too! It’s a simple switch.
Buy Smart, Buy Local – How was that TV made? Where does that potato come from? Through purchasing items that are made with sound, fair trade, eco-friendly manufacturing practices you are supporting the companies that are supporting change in a real way. Also, whenever possible choose local products – it stimulates your local economy, builds relationships in the community and as an added bonus, if you’re purchasing food you’re going to be getting the freshest stuff out there!
Power Strips For the Win – Chances are many of your electronics around the home and office are already plugged into power strips – good thinking. Turn the whole strip off when you’re not using the devices connected to it to avoid phantom energy use. Just remember to group items on the strips in a way that makes sense for how you use them.
Even if each person made a solid effort to do just one or two of these ideas a difference can be made. Living a more eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to be a hippie, rich or Al Gore – you can choose simple modifications to your lifestyle that are kind to the environment without feeling like you’re sacrificing anything. You may also notice that your bank account feels a little fluffier since things like bottled water and energy bills can really add up! Try it – you might just like it and when you do, tell your friends!
Guffly is a one product per day online store 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
