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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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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
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Hello friends, lovers, and accomplices:
I am excited to write today because I have been inspired by our trip to the San Francisco Green Festival along with the random editorial/article writing opportunities I have been presented with lately. I was already in the mood to write more, and now seeing your faces and talking to y’all in person has got me really hyped up. I love that so many of you totally understand our perspective and are digging the great Guffly stuff we scout out. I also really enjoyed meeting new friends with great potential Guffs. Power to the producers, I support your endeavors! Your awesome ideas are why we got started in the first place.
So, what’s up in our world? We’re getting prepared for a few more shows, where we’ll set up a similar experience to that we had at Green Fest – lots of Guffs to touch and feel and our happy Guffly family to answer your questions and help you score the perfect gifts. More details to come rearding dates and locations so that you can come visit us if you are near they places we’ll play.
We’re also spending some serious time meeting new supplier friends and figuring out more ways to help one another. We’ll be out scouting new Gufflings (this might be my favorite use for our word) this weekend at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair. Intrigued? I knew you would be. Here’s the info from DUCF’s website: “The Detroit Urban Craft Fair is an annual event showcasing the work of 50+ independent artists and alternative crafters in one of the Midwest’s most industrial cities. As Michigan’s largest and most visible indie craft fair, DUCF serves as an entry point for the state’s alternative craft scene. The 2009 DUCF is November 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at The Majestic Theatre, located at 4120-4140 Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit.” I know, right up our alley! I’m crossing my fingers for eco friendly awesomeness, and I’m feeling lucky.
If you know of good people with cool product creations (ones with a heart of course – be it eco or fair) please send them our way. Likewise, tell us if there is something you want to see on Guffly. Have you been searching for a certain product and would prefer it to be eco friendly? Do you dream up ways to improve products by giving them a makeover of the green variety? Do you have a problem (like a need for serious winter boots because you refuse to have cold, wet feet again this winter…just as an example) and want to find the most functional, stylish, eco friendly way to solve it? Tell us and we will dig.
That’s all for now friends, but we’ll be posting a lot more updates about our lovechild in a series we’ll call… “Guffly in Real Life” (just thought of that…not bad for on the fly ey?) We’ll keep you better informed about our little world here in the heart of Detroit.
Lots of Guffly Love,
Chanell
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Have you heard of Green Festival? It’s a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America…and we’re going to be exhibiting at the upcoming San Francisco festival, November 13-15, 2009.
This is the world’s largest sustainability event that features the best of what’s green. According to Green Festivals you can, “enjoy more than 125 renowned authors, leaders and educators; great how-to workshops; cutting-edge films; fun activities for kids; organic beer and wine; delicious vegetarian cuisine and diverse live music. Shop in our unique marketplace of more than 350 eco-friendly businesses—everything from all-natural body care products and organic cotton clothing to Fair Trade gifts and beautiful kitchen tiles made from renewable resources.”
We’re mostly just excited to get out and meet our customers in person as well as establish new relationships with top-notch eco friendly suppliers. It’s going to be very exciting to be in San Francisco as a part of this great event! Come and visit us in Booth #129 in the Fair Trade section next to the Organic Foods Dining Area and just around the corner from the restrooms (you know you’re going to have to go eventually, might as well swing by and say hi). Our booth is going to be the Guffly website come to life! You’re going to be able to check out our products, play around, listen to some tunes, win some prizes, and purchase those must-have Guffs.
We have some FREE tickets to the Green Festival available to some lucky folks! All you need to do is leave a comment here with a link to your favorite Top Guff and why you love it. Piece of cake, right? You give us awesome feedback we give you free tickets to the Green Festival! Stay tuned to Twitter, Facebook, and right here on our blog for updates on what the Guffly team is up to in San Francisco…
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The leaves are changing and the weather is getting cold. Your kids are dreading that horrible moment when they need to pick up a bucket and a rake. That’s right folks it’s time for fall cleaning. Some of you may be setting aside a weekend to do some fall cleaning. Others may just want to get into a more eco-friendly cleaning habit. Cleaning doesn’t have to be a brutal chore; you can make it fun and eco-friendly for your entire household.
Little Ones Love Cleaning: By making cleaning fun, you can find yourself with a handy cleaning partner. Little kids love to clean the house. This gives them a sense of responsibility and importance in the family. It is never too young to start. Have small chores at first such as checking for loose trash and scraps of paper or dumping all of the trash bins in the house. Then you can move onto things like recycling and sorting laundry. Although your house may not be as clean as quickly if the little one is still in their toddler years, as they get older the work will be done quicker and more efficiently. There are plenty of “play” vacuums or housekeeping sets sold at toy stores that work just like the real thing and can help your little one learn to clean. One of the main reasons kids hate chores is because they are looked at as a chore and not something that’s fun and benefits the entire household. Make cleaning time fun by turning it into a game. Take turns assigning someone the task of being the DJ and let them blast their favorite tunes during cleaning time. Set up a reward system to teach children that with hard work come rewards.
Dump it: Walk around your house with a notepad in hand. Look at everything and ask yourself; has anyone used this in the past year? If not it’s time to let it go. Don’t be a hoarder! That shirt that you haven’t worn in two years could really benefit someone else. Shelters are always in need of donations. Everything from appliances to clothes can be donated or sold on sites like Craigslist.com and Ebay.com for money. Just make sure the clothes don’t have any stains or rips. It’s also a great idea to go through the medicine cabinet. Many households have medicine that they no longer use or that humidity has ruined. Check for expired expiration dates and for prescriptions that are unused and no longer needed. Flush unused meds that you no longer need down the toilet and stock up on medicines for colds and the flu. All of this should be done twice a year.
Mr. Fix It: Are you sure your house is insulated? If not you could be wasting a lot of money on heating bills. Audit your home. You can hire a professional or do it the old-fashioned way yourself. Take a candle and go around to all of the windows; if the flame wavers, there is cold air coming through. You can use tape, or caulk to insulate (make sure you use a putty knife to remove old caulk). Or you can use your kitchen plastic wrap stretched across the area that needs to be insulated and stuck in place with the heat of a blow dryer. You don’t need to hire a professional to clean the gutters after all the leaves have fallen. Take a bucket, trowel, and gloves to protect your hands; just make sure someone is holding the bottom of the ladder at all times for safety. It’s a good idea to clean the bug screens that protect your windows and doors to make sure your home has clean air. You can use the dust brush attachment on your vacuum to get the dust off.
Products to Use: There are so many toxins in so many cleaning products that people use in their homes everyday that aren’t safe. Just because it makes your house clean doesn’t mean that it’s a good chemical to have in or around your body. Less than a quarter of the cleaning products on the market have been tested for safe use in the home. Keep your cleaning products in a shelf that is far from reach for the little ones and away from the heat of a stove or radiator. There are a few items that are safer for your home and clean just as well as the toxins. Believe it or not, you can use baking soda to clean everything from your teeth to the oven (a known a fact); just add water. Cornstarch is great for cleaning windows, polishing furniture, and shampooing carpets and rugs. Although the smell is, strong vinegar is one of the best eco-friendly cleaning products you can use. It cleans fast and cuts through tough stains and mildew. Just be sure to make your vinegar cleaning solution with water, lemon juice and half of the solution vinegar.
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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It creeps up every year but the holiday decorations are going up in the mall, kids are already starting to write Christmas and Hanukah lists. That’s right, the holidays are coming. It may seem a little silly to some to start planning gifts and parties this early. Especially now when many of us will be put on a holiday budget for the first time due to the recession. But there is nothing wrong with having a holiday budget plan. By planning early for the holidays you can save a lot of money and you won’t have to trim down on as many activities as you thought you would. This is the perfect time to introduce someone close to you to an eco-friendly lifestyle or pick up on the habit yourself. These tips can get you started in the right direction
- Money Money Money: The first thing you need to do is sit down and figure out how much money you are willing to spend this holiday season. It doesn’t have to be a set number, due to sales and the price change of the holiday season it is due to change but you should have a range. $2,000-$2,500? $5,000-$6,000? Think about that now and don’t go over your budget. You do not have to spend a fortune to have a great holiday season.
- Every Card You Write: It just might be a whole lot easier to go the e-card route. It saves time and money since a lot of e-card websites are free and allow you to make cards for up to 100 people. Plus it saves on paper. Make the card now, set the date to make sure the e-card is sent by email during the holidays and you’re done. Using recycled paper if you’re making your cards by hand is definitely the way to go.
- Trim the Tree: Buying a Christmas tree is hard work. There are so many to choose from! A new trend in the green community is to buy a living tree. It may not be as big as the ones you usually get but you can plant it in your backyard or local park after the holidays and reduce the carbon foot print. Try to avoid the artificial trees. They are usually made from non-renewable plastics and other toxins. If you have to go the artificial route there are ways to store your tree so that it may last for years and will keep you from buying a new one every December. Going to an organic Christmas tree farm may not be an option for all but if one is in your area you should look into it. Use LED lights or solar powered lights. They save power and your electricity bill will not be as high as those using traditional lights. Make homemade ornaments by doing origami or go collect pine cones and acorns outside and glue a little glitter on them.
- A Bundle of Gifts: Make a list of the people who you would like to send gifts to. Carry this list with you whenever you leave the house. As the holiday season approaches you never know when you might see a great sale on something that a loved one would like. If your budget is tight you can never go wrong with a homemade gift. Baked goods fill the stomach and warm the heart. Make a coupon book filled with tasks that you are willing to do for your loved one as a gift. Make a coupon for the kids allowing them to pick dinner or a family outing. Your husband might like a coupon for a free kiss and hug. You might want to donate to a college fund or start a 529 college savings plan for a child. Name a star after a sci-fi or astrology lover. Plant a tree in someone’s name. Make a donation to someone’s favorite charity in their name. There are countless ways to buy eco-friendly gifts. Donations can be done online and save time. You can always look to Guffly for great eco-friendly gifts. We have something that everyone can use.
- Make Space: More than likely your household has items that they no longer use that sit somewhere collecting dust. Now is a great time to go through those closets and pack up the clothes that are too small and the toys your kids no longer use. The closest and toy chests will be filled after the holidays. But you can donate your gently used items to places like the Salvation Army and the Red Cross where every donation is tax deductable. That way you’ll be getting some cash when you file your taxes and helping someone that is in need now.
Look for more eco-friendly tips and budget saving for the holidays coming from Guffly soon. Happy Holiday Planning!
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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Today’s throwback Lego My Recycled Cuff Links come from the talented designer Dave in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All the profits from his products go towards his college tuition! What’s better than scoring a cool pair of retro cuff links made of a favorite childhood toy and helping a guy get through college?! Maybe a “magically appear” shipping option but we’re working on that…
By taking something we all know and love (c’mon who doesn’t love Legos?!) and making them into a cool accessory, Dave has embraced an eco-friendly approach to design and we totally dig his products. Everyone deserves their own pair of these awesome cuff links – get your own…or get a pair for the man in your life (it’s never too early to start Christmas shopping 
) at the Daily Guff http://guffly.com/ AND we’re offering FREE shipping today because we’re cool like that.
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Really, what’s not to love about the Functional Reusable Lunch Box? Nancy of Good Sense Design brought the idea of a perfect lunch box to life thanks to her friend venting about not being able to find safe and effective containers for her children’s lunch. We think she really figured out a great product! The little containers on the inside are incredibly functional, oh so easy to clean, and are a lot of fun – we’re saying this is like an American-style bento box (Google bento box and you’ll totally pick up what we’re throwin’ down).
We think this lunch box is a perfect solution for adults and the kiddos of the world. It’s a neutral design in fun colors that has a strap which makes it so easy to carry. There literally is a little container for just about anything you would want to take to munch on. Plus you know bringing your own food in reusable containers is SO eco-friendly, kinder to your budget, and healthier on your waistline. Get it before it’s gone at the Daily Guff: http://www.guffly.com!
