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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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We all know that being eco-friendly is fun and easy but for some reason there are some people that haven’t caught on to this idea of saving the earth. Strange, yes, but pat yourself on the back for being a more earth friendly individual. You have decided to ride your bike whenever possible; you shop locally and use those cute reusable bags. Not only have you done this but you also shop for eco –friendly and fair trade products! You go you! But despite your efforts there is one place that probably hasn’t fulfilled your eco-friendly dreams and that of course is your job. If you are an eco-minded person, listen up for some quick tips on how to green your not so green job.
1) Recycle: You may work for a place that doesn’t recycle for whatever reason but don’t let this stop you from doing your part to save the planet. If your place of work doesn’t recycle start a recycling committee. As dorky as it sounds it will work! Find a few likeminded people and organize a recycle crew. Find a box to be used for recycling paper and each week trade off on who takes it home to be recycled with their personal recyclables. This way you are getting rid of those unwanted papers but still being the eco diva or divo that you always knew you wanted to be. Hey, you might even make a new friend!
2) Turn off the lights: You may work in an office that always has those huge lights on all the time. If it is at all possible turn those lights off and let the natural sunlight light up your office. This way you are cutting back on the energy needed to power them and refreshing your mind with some good old fashion sun. If this isn’t a possibility ask if you can turn off some of the lights. Turning on only half of them will also cut down on energy use and still light up the office.
3) Recycled Paper: Many offices use a lot of paper and if you want to green your job, be sure to suggest using recycled paper. Recycled paper has the same quality as traditional paper but it is better for the environment. If you suggest this you will be making a big stride to making your office greener.
4) Car pool: If riding your bike to work is not an option or is becoming less of an option because of the cold weather that is approaching, suggest to car pool with people that live nearby. Sure, this could be awkward at first if you don’t know the person that well but after a few car rides of awkward silence you will develop a relationship and an attitude for eco-friendly living. So, be brave and find that eco-friendly person in your office and ask them to jump in for a ride!
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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Name: Soy Miguel Scott
Owner: Chief Guffly Love Distributor, Chanell Scott
Birthday: May 4, 2008
Weight: 8.5 pounds
Favorite Snack: Chicken
Favorite Toy: Anything anyone else is playing with first!
Favorite Place Hang: Curled up under the covers at Chanell’s feet
Guffly Product Pick: Comfy Organic Pet Bed – it’s Soy tested and Pup approved!
Soy in a nutshell: At 1 year 5 months, Soy is the youngest (and smallest!) of the Guffly mascots. Don’t be fooled though, this little guy can hold his own and isn’t afraid to tell you about it! He likes to stay busy by patrolling the office, sitting on desks to look out the window, and finding the other dog’s toys to play with. At home, he enjoys watching TV and continuing his love/hate relationship with his grandmother. Believe it or not, this dog enjoys being rocked to sleep and willingly indulges his grandmother in this. Although Chanell is 99.9% sure Soy is a dog, we have yet to hear him bark – he attempts to speak English which comes out like a human saying meow. We’re glad to have the Soy dog with us to provide entertainment!
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Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave for a while you know that the it trend is to be green. Recycling, using less electricity in your home, and now buying clothing that doesn’t take a lot out of Mother Nature and still keeps you looking chic. The Spring 2010 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week definitely took a new route this year. From September 11 through the 17th, many designers showcased their work; many of whom are taking that extra effort to find earth friendly materials at a cheaper cost. Designers are starting to show that anyone can dress green no matter if you live in New York City or the North Pole. Here were some of the big green trends that were seen at fashion week and how you can get them:
- The Throwbacks: The boyfriend blazer, the motorcycle jacket, the suit vest, and the garden party dress. The old school is always reinventing itself in the new school. The great thing about these trends is they were all in style 10-20 years ago. More than likely you still have these items in your house somewhere. So run up to that attic and shake the dust off of those boxes! If you’re too young to remember, what the ‘80s were like the nearest thrift store or second hand shop is only a hop away. Often you will find things there that still have price tags on them or have never been used.
- The Green Shows: A first for this year, fashion week held The Green Shows: Eco Fashion Week. This event was held for two days and only showcased designers that were 100% eco-friendly. Most of these designers are underground or new, which is great because you’ll probably be the only person in your office building rocking their stuff. New things that designers are doing are recycling old fabrics and patterns from previous fashion lines. The idea of using paint is old; to dye garments many are using fruits and vegetables. Checking to make sure that the production factories are doing their best to provide a safe and healthy environment for their employees is one of the many reasons to check out these fashion lines. All of these artists are taking the extra step to make sure that the fashion they give to you is made by honest companies who are working hard to preserve the earth. So next time you think about taking a quick run to the mall, shop with these designers and others who are going green.
- I Shop Green: So you’ve decided to shop green. Great! You wake up one morning, get ready, grab your wallet as you head out of the door; but wait! Where can you go to get green clothing that is fierce? Check out online eco-friendly retailers for fashions from around the globe. Also, not only can you shop with your friends but shop in their closets too. You might not have that animal print dress you’ve been searching for but your best friend might. Host a swapping party and bring things that you no longer want or need to trade with your friends for items they have that you want. Trade those out-of-date neon leggings for something you really want for free. It’s great for saving cash and still getting something new.
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 www.guffly.com
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As a bright eyed senior in college I thought I knew it all. My time at the University of Michigan had me thinking I knew a lot about how the world worked and what my opinions were on the whole operation. That was the case until I took a class that, now that I look back on it, challenged every decision I had made until that point. That class taught me all about fair trade, and sadly the reality of what occurs when there ISN’T fair trade. Simply put, I had a rude awakening.
During the course we learned about the history of trade, specifically between the US and Mexico. I won’t bore you with the academic details though. Instead, I’ll skip to the part when we actually went to border cities in Mexico and got a hands on feel of how trade effects real people. I stayed with a woman and her family. Her home was two rooms made from concrete, one bedroom for her, her husband, and her son, and another for pretty much everything else. There was no running water, no heat, and spotty electricity. Despite this, she was maybe one of the most kind women I have ever met. She took in visitors like myself because that is what she had to do to get by in addition to making corn tortillas and selling them to her local community.
Her husband once worked in a factory for a US company who’s name I won’t mention. Even as one of the better maquiladoras (factories) in the area, the work conditions left a lot to be desired. He was searching for other work, but the city he and his family lived in was completely dominated by factories who didn’t pay enough to support a family with. He had no choice but to leave his family, his home, and his city to look for other work. Like many others in his situation, he debated taking the life threatening risk of entering the US without documentation in order to make ends meet.
There’s no way I could explain the grim reality faced by this whole group of people. Beyond the direct impact that maquiladoras have on the workers and their families, there is also a slew of negatives that the poverty they sustain contributes to – like drug and alchohol abuse, abandoned and abused children, and health related problems (all of which I encountered pretty closely by visiting a drug rehab center, an orphanage, and a health clinic). After seeing all these things that hurt my heart (literally, it ached…) I felt pretty hopeless. I knew that my buying decisions encouraged this and it made me feel pretty gross.
That’s when I knew I had to (1) make fair trade a part of my life as a consumer because I knew I couldn’t stop buying stuff altogther. So, I decided to buy less so that I could afford to buy stuff that supports people getting paid and treated fairly. And (2), figure out a way to tie my beliefs about fair trade to whatever it was that I would end up doing with my life.
That turned out to be the first little seed of Guffly being planted in my head. I’m happy I saw what I did, when I did. Though ignorance was bliss, doing something to encourage fair trade feels way better.
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It’s Fair Trade Week at Guffly and we think there’s no better way to celebrate than by directly supporting an entrepreneur who needs our help. Using Kiva (which we totally heart), Guffly will donate a micro loan but it’s your job to determine how much we’ll give!
We need everyone and their mama to retweet this post because for everyone new person who FOLLOWS US ON TWITTER or JOINS OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE by Saturday, September 13, 2009 and we’ll donate $1. Yep, that’s right…if 500 join and follow, then we’ll donate $500.
So, who do we want to donate a micro loan to? Her name is Amevi Adokanu and she currently needs $475. She “lives in the neighborhood of Totsi in Lomé. She is a traveling saleswoman of shoes for women and little girls. This business allows her to financially assist her husband, a cook, provide for their children’s needs. She sells her wares house to house, which means that she is well-known in many homes. Right now her stock is almost exhausted; it is for this reason that she is requesting a loan from the micro-finance group WAGES, in order to purchase 25 boxes of various styles of shoes for women and 30 boxes of shoes for children.” (Kiva.org)
If we exceed the amount she needs then we’ll find a second entrepreneur to lend to! So come on…when has doing something so HUGE been so easy? Join Guffly’s Facebook Fan Page or follow us on Twitter by Septemeber 13, 2009 so that you can help us help out Amevi.
We live for this stuff.
xoxo,
The Guffly Crew
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There is a recent buzz surrounding fair trade and living a fair trade lifestyle. If you are still confused about what fair trade really means check out this Guffly article that provides you with the ins and outs of what fair trade really means. If you have read the article before here is an article that will provide you with ways to incorporate fair trade living into your own life.
1) Fair trade coffee: This is the most common fair trade item people think about when fair trade comes to mind. This is because the treatment of coffee producers hasn’t always been the best in the past and even today but with buying fair trade coffee you can be sure that the workers are being paid fair wages and are able to work in acceptable conditions. Since coffee is a major consumption for Americans, it is important that small farmers are the ones producing coffee for a fair wage.
2) Fair trade jewelry: Jewelry is a great way to begin buying fair trade. By buying fair trade jewelry you know that the artisans are able to express their creative genius while still being paid a fair and livable wage. Many of the fair trade artisans that make jewelry wouldn’t otherwise have a link to the US market place or any marketplace for that matter. With fair trade jewelry artisans and consumers are able to enjoy unique pieces that are sure to draw attention and create conversation.
3) Fair trade beauty products: Another way to live a fair trade lifestyle is to purchase fair trade beauty and body products. Whole Foods is one place where you can find these fair trade products. Their fair trade products ensure that people are purchasing products that are good for the consumer, the community and the world. These products which are a part of the Whole Planet Foundation, tries their best in the fight against poverty. Their aim is to work with the poor in developing countries and create wealth is emerging economies. So, if you are looking to really make a difference be sure to purchase fair trade products at Whole Foods and one percent of the total retail price will go to the Whole Planet Foundation.
4) Fair trade crafts: Fair trade crafts are yet another fair trade item that you can purchase if you are interested in seeing workers earn a fair and livable wage. Many crafts include beautiful and unique pottery, stationery, instruments, and even toys. These crafts and their artisans can be found all over the globe and purchasing fair trade craft items is a great way to encourage and support their work.
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 www.guffly.com
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One of our recent articles offer suggestions for eco-friendly date ideas and are sure to be helpful. One of the suggestions is to cook an organic meal. Cooking an organic meal with a significant other is a great way to be eco-friendly and get to know each other. Another great way to be eco-friendly and experience a green date is to go to organic and vegan restaurants. Here is a list of some restaurants that specialize in organic and vegan dishes.
1) The Organic Grill: This cute little organic place is located in New York City and is sure to satisfy your need for organic food. Their foods, drinks, pastries, and desserts are prepared using clean and sustainable materials. They also support local growers, which is great! They have a vegan, wheat-free blueberry buckwheat pancakes that sound delicious. Not only do they serve breakfast but they also have dinner and desserts that are also vegan. So, next time you are in NYC or looking for a vegan dish check out The Organic Grill!
2) Vegan Garden Restaurant: VG is located in Seattle and their menu sounds very appetizing. They specialize in noodle dishes and soups and all of it is vegan. The food there puts a new twist on old dishes. Instead of chicken nuggets, they have vegetarian chicken nuggets. All the dishes are reasonably priced and look great. Be sure to try one of their vegan desserts when you are in Seattle.
3) Lake Side Café: This café is Chicago’s only fully vegetarian and vegan organic restaurant. They specialize in vegetarian and vegan dishes and use nearly 100% preservative and chemical-free ingredients making them not only organic but also eco-friendly. The best thing about Lake Side Café is the summer and fall cooking classes that they offer. This is a great date idea for those that are interested in organic and vegetarian eating. Check out Chicago’s Lake Side Café.
4) Golden Gate Café: This Detroit based café is a local favorite for earth friendly people. Their mission is to provide a vibrant meeting space for people in the community. Their cozy atmosphere is what brings people there but their food is what will keep you there. Not only do they offer delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes but they also host events. They host a drum circle every Wednesday night and open mic every Thursday. Come experience the sites, sounds and delicious organic food of Detroit at the Golden Gate Café.
Next time you are searching for a good organic, vegetarian or vegan meal be sure to check out these places. These restaurants are just a few of the places that specialize in this style of food.
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://guffly.com/
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As summer is winding to an end all the fun outdoor summer activities will have to end but that doesn’t mean you can’t still play some eco-friendly games. Board games and crafts are fun can also be eco-friendly! Soon it will be time to pack away that recycled milk carton Frisbee and hang up your bicycle for eco-friendly traveling but here are some great eco-friendly games you are sure to love during the fall and winter months. Enjoy!
1) Earthopoly: If you haven’t guessed this game is a twist on the old monopoly game we all loved and played back in the day. This game was designed by Cincinnati-based games manufacturer, Late for the Sky. This board game is similar to monopoly but is instead eco-friendly. How is this game eco-friendly you ask? Well, the entire game is made from either recycled materials or biodegradable materials, even down to the board game. The game pieces are made from completely recyclable materials and the plays wrapping is made from a film that is a bio-plastic. In the game each player is responsible for global landmarks and charges other players carbon credits. These accumulated carbon credits turn into clean air and then help fight against global warming. The player with the most clean air points wins! This eco-conscious game is both fun and informative!
2) Eco Dough: When was the last time you played with play dough? Probably a long time ago but there is no better time to brush up on your old play dough skills than right now. There is now eco-friendly play dough that can be enjoyed by the youngsters and their eco-friendly parents. The eco-dough is an all natural alternative to the old favorite. The eco-dough is made with plant, fruit and vegetable extracts. This means there are no chemicals, artificial dyes or metals making it super safe for both kids and adults. Not only is the dough eco-friendly but the packaging is as well. The containers are made from cornstarch and are 100% compostable. Try this eco-friendly dough and experience the fun and excitement of your childhood all of again!
3) Eco Finger Paints: Finger painting is fun no matter what age you are! There are new finger paints that are both fun and eco-friendly. They are made from all natural ingredients! All you have to do is take the eco-friendly powder and mix in water on a 1:1 ratio. This way you can make your own consistency. These exciting colors are sure to spark the eco-friendly child in all of us!
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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So you met that special someone and want to spend an eco-friendly afternoon with them but what should you do? Try putting a new twist on some old favorites. Having an eco-friendly date is the bee’s knees and is sure to inspire the eco-friendly person in all of us. So, next time you are with your significant other or newest love interest try these five eco-friendly date ideas and you will for sure have a great time!
Bike Ride: Bike rides are a great eco-friendly idea and is a perfect date idea. Whether you are going tandem together or solo going on a bike ride is a great way to enjoy another person in an eco-friendly way. It is a great way to burn calories and explore new areas of town. So, when thinking of something to do with your special friend, jump on that bike and hit the town. Don’t forget your helmet!
Cook an organic meal: Cooking an organic meal is the best way to get to know someone or spark that old flame. This date idea is great because it’s fun, eco-friendly and delicious! Next time you are thinking about what to do on your date go to a farmer’s market or your own garden and pick some fresh organic veggies and other cooking necessities and stir up a nice organic meal. Try making a fresh salad with all the goodies or a vegan pasta dish. Whatever you make it is sure to be delicious and eco-friendly.
Volunteer together: Giving back to society has never been sexier. If you’re stumped for a date idea try taking your date out to volunteer and see how they interact with the rest of society. Volunteering is great to do solo but even more exciting when you have a partner to enjoy the experience with. Whether you are into volunteering at a soup kitchen or cleaning up the highway volunteering is a fun and easy date idea that can be eco-friendly and exciting.
Play a board game: Who doesn’t love a good board game? That is why inviting your date over for a game of scrabble or apples to apples is a great eco-friendly date idea. Stay the night in and play these or many other board games. It is a great way to spark a conversation and get to know your date. With the low cost and little need for extra energy this is a great eco-friendly date idea. Grab your earth friendly counterpart and enjoy a nice evening of playing board games.
Go Canoeing: Instead of driving to a restaurant or a movie take a canoe ride down a local river! This eco-friendly date idea is fun and adventurous. Grab your date and hit the water and see just how eco-friendly you both are. If you’re up for it canoe around the lake or river and then have a nice day at the park if possible. This is a great idea for an eco-friendly date and is sure to impress your date!
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/
