ECOSiZE Me

Green Giveaway

Thank you for the comments on Our Favorite Green Things Giveaway. And, congratulations to Lori S., who is the winner of the set of 3 mini stainless steel food containers by Kids Konserve.

Ecostore USA Newsletter - Always worth the time to read

They are one of our favorite green things and we've blogged about them before. Ecostore USA's November newsletter is available here and it's always worth the time to read. Here at Ecosize Me, we believe in making a positive impact on our environment and we fancy those around us that believe the same. So this holiday weekend, kick back, read their newsletter, check out their site and be thankful for all that we have.

You won't want to miss their Share the Love:Holiday Sale. These items make great green holiday gifts. Turn your family and friends on to ecostore USA's plant and mineral based products and feel good that you are doing something especially green this holiday season.

Favorite Green Things Giveaway

The Kids Konserve team is sponsoring the first green giveaway on Ecosize Me. One winner will receive this set of 3 mini food grade stainless steel containers. This perfect size fits more than you think!  

Leave us a comment letting us know how you are going to be green this holiday season. One winner will be randomly chosen on November 30th.

Kids Konserve is offering all our readers a 15% coupon valid until November 30th. Enter coupon code: ecosize.

Kids Konserve Choose to Reuse

Kidskonserve.com had me at the "stainless steel mini food containers". They are perfectly green.

Thanks to my friend Marla's suggestion, I checked out their website and ordered both the mini food containers and the orange food kozies. Both items are now regular options for packing our waste-free lunches and they have been added to our favorite green things. Kidskonserve is a site you must check out.

The best part of the whole experience is that I was fortunate to have an inspiring conversation with Lynne Julian, one of the parnters of Kids Konserve. We talked about environmental awareness, education and responsibility. Lynne and Chance are using their experience, education and passion to make a positive impact on our environment and they are enabling kids and parents to do the same.

My overall rating: 3 out of 3 planets.

Ecostore USA

We like to share with you things that we find that are environmentally worthwhile. Sometimes they are things. And sometimes, they are places, people, stores or websites or blogs. In this case, it's one of our favorite green online stores. Take the time to check out Ecostore USA.

I first learned about Ecostore USA back in July. Lyne, who is VP of Operations for Ecostore USA, contacted me after she saw our segment on Fox 2 News. She felt there was a definite synergy between Ecostore USA and Ecosize ME. And, I'm so glad that she reached out to us.

I placed an order for some of their No Nasty Chemicals products. It was the least I could do reciprocate Lyne's effort in contacting Ecosize Me. It was also a good opportunity to follow through on my        Earth Day Resolutions. My initial order with Ecostore USA consisted of the Auto Dish Powder ($12), the Lemon Rinse Aid ($5.50) and the Laundry Liquid ($11). The quickest, best review I can give all three products is this: If I didn't know that I was using "green" products, I would have never known the difference! That for me is a great thing! Once I find a product that works and that I like, it's very dificult for me to make a change. I am always skeptical that the "other" products will not be able to measure up to my favorites.

The environmental benefits are added bonuses to the effectiveness of the Ecostore USA products. I don't worry about the environmental problems I'm contributing to or question the safety of my family's health when I use these products. I know they are safe for my family and the environment.

What I quickly discovered and what truly moved me was the sense of commitment to our environment and personal health that I found on the site. Ecostore USA is about more than selling products. Yes, it is a business and they sell products. Once you peruse their site, you will see what I mean. I am particularly partial to sites that give INFORMATION. Ecosize ME is all about environmental education and when another site or blog shares that same value, I am immediately attracted to them, in an environmental kind of way.

Ecostore USA keeps the consumer (you, me, us) informed. They tell you what chemicals they avoid and WHY! They tell you all about themselves and how they came to be. See for yourself. Take the time to browse their site. But be sure to read the What is Green tab as well.

If you feel so inclined (and I hope you will), place an order for their products. Throughout the month of September, you can take advantage of their BOGO sale online. Or you can seek out some of their products now available at your local Meijer store. You can find Laundry Liquid, Liquid Dish, Oxygen Whitener, Lemon Cream Cleanser, Citrus All Purpose Spray and Baby Care Products.

My overall rating: 3 out of 3 Planets

Recycled Plastic PJs

We believe that small steps are what lead to a lifetime of environmental change. At Ecosize Me, we like to show you just how small those steps can be.

As you will come to see, some of our most favorite green things are indeed recycled content. That's because it's the purchase of recycled content products that bring the recyclables from your bin full circle into new and completely different products.

In Avon's Campaign 18-2009 catalog, you will find on page 154 Recycled Coke Bottle Pant PJ set. Yes, these are actually made from recycled Coca Cola bottles. The fabric is super soft. The only (slight) drawback is that it's a little on the thin side. Nonetheless, it's one of our favorite green things and is one of our "props" in our environmental education programs. 

You can place your Recycled Plastic PJ order right here with us. Just send us an email with your contact information.

Ecostore USA sale

Ecostore USA is having a back to school sale...green up your house or kids dorm room for 1/2 the price. I recently placed an order and am anxious to try their products. Be sure to check out their site and read the "about" page for a history on the company.

http://www.ecostoreusa.com/

Green Online Shopping

I came across this website http://www.reusablebags.com/. This seems to truly be a great green business. The founders are dedicated to the cause...they "wake people up by being leaders in the reusables movement". They "change the status quo" by being a green grassroots organization. And best of all, they "walk the walk" and make a positive impact on our environment.

Reusablebags.com specializes in reusable products that include a wide variety of waste-free lunch items, beverage bottles, shopping bags and kitchen and home items. It is definitely worth a visit to their online store. You will find great items plus loads of important information on disposables in our society.

Reusable Jute Gift Bags

Gift bags have come along way. Their original purpose was one of convenience...to ease the pain-staking process of gift wrapping. The idea of reusing (paper) gift bags over again was an environmental bonus. Gift bags made of paper do tear and crease and become aesthetically unappealing and eventually have to be recycled (of course).

Reusable gift bags are beginning to sprout up. Toys R Us has a nice selection of reusable (polyethylene) gift bags that cost less than $2 each.

I also found these reusable jute gift bags at Target. $2.99/each and approximately 7 x 10 inches in size. "Re-using these bags helps save the planet one occasion at at time". A simple step in the green direction.

  

Microfiber Dusting Cloths: A Simple Solution

Generally, I'm not good with statistics. I like to know general numbers for comparison, particularly when they demonstrate staggering benefits for the environment. There are also plenty of times I am comfortable knowing that a choice I've made or action I've taken is environmentally-friendly without having any data for support. For example:

I have been using microfiber dusting cloths for several months now. In particular, I have found that they work extremely well for washing mirrors with a few squirts of your favorite glass cleaner. I also use them for cleaning windows, picture frames, tv screens and general dusting of end-tables. For these tasks, I have stopped using (disposable) paper towels. One of my "eco-vices" is my continued, and sometimes excessive use of paper towels. (Unfortunately, I love paper towels, regardless of whether they're made from virgin materials or recycled content). When I realized how well the dusting cloths work, especially on the mirrors and windows, I was pretty happy having found an environmentally-friendly alternative for some of my paper towel uses. When the cloths need washing, I throw them in with a load of towels. I'm not increasing the loads of laundry I do, but I am reducing the waste that we generate. I have no statistics for support, just a good feeling that I'm taking a small step in the green direction. Sometimes it just needs to be that simple.

(The microfiber dusting cloths are pricey, ranging between $2-$3 each. I've found them in the cleaning supply aisles at Target).