Ecco Bella

Yesterday, I went to our neighborhood natural/organic market and finally came across Ecco Bella!

I've been hee-hawing on throwing out my old makeup stash, only because I didn't know where to buy greener stuff. I mean, sure I can order online, but how on earth am I going to see whether or not the foundation matches my skin tone? There's only one way to do that - to have the products physically in front of you. Or at least, that's how I buy my cosmetics.

Anyway, thank the lucky stars, I discovered the natural/organic store in our town. And yes, they did have a makeup counter. So I kept putting on the foundation at the back of my hand to find the right shade. (And yes, I should pick natural. Linen and tan were way too dark for me.) Of course, I didn't buy anything at that moment. But at least I know the right shade of foundation for my skin. And where to buy it.

But that's not the end of it. When I got home, I headed straight to the sink to wash the gunk off my hand. To my surprise, all it took was water...yes, WATER...to clean it off!

Magical! Gone are the days when I have to use a greasy makeup remover. I can't wait to give Ecco Bella a serious try.

Green Getaways

Summer's lurking around the corner so if you've started looking for an eco-friendly vacation, check out the Environmentally Friendly Hotels website to search for green lodging. If you want a luxury hotel, booking through The Leading Hotels of the World website lets you off-set your energy usage.

Ball up

In place of dryer sheets, dryer balls are supposed to reduce drying time, lint and wrinkles, as well as soften your clothes. Treehugger has this good article about the hazards of using these dryer balls. Ideal Bite recommends wool dryer balls instead, and says tennis balls will work just as well.

Earth Hour in the Philippines is done!

So maybe I didn't get to properly do Earth Hour because I was on the road and on my way home, but it was ever a surprise to see that our mother sorta, kinda observed it; she lit candles and only had an electric fan on because it's scorching, and she left a light on downstairs so I don't fall on my face and break all my teeth going in the house. Our clocks at home must be running a few minutes ahead, because when we turned on the TV, the Earth Hour events all over the country were just getting ready to switch on the lights.

Now that right there is my problem. Earth Hour events? People gathering together in brightly-lit places prior to Earth Hour? Broadcasting during the supposed switch-off hour and updating viewers on Earth Hour events in the rest of the Philippines, then keeping up energy-sapping coverage once the lights have been turned back on? Seems like an odd exercise to me.

All in all, it seems like Earth Hour was more widely observed this year, with the cities of Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, among others, taking part.

Lights Off!

Earth Hour is tonight at 830 PM.

Review: Reusablebags.com ACME Bags

For one-stop reusable bag shopping convenience, consider ACME Bags™ - Reusable Shopping Bag Sampler Set from Reusablebags.com.

What does the sampler set include?

"Product Description
Includes 6 of our best-selling reusable shopping bags
Set features everything you need to eliminate accumulating unwanted plastic & paper bags
- 2 ACME Workhorses - unfolds from its own pouch to size of plastic grocery bag
- 2 ACME Earth Totes - heavy duty bags with a lifetime guarantee & modeled after paper grocery sacks
- 2 ACME Hemp Totes - versatile shoppers with both long & short handles
- Awesome value on a set that can save thousands of disposables over a lifetime
- Made with Fair Labor / Fair Wages"

Let's start off with the ACME Workhorse 1500
2" x 3" x 2" pouch
19" H x 16" W x 6" D unfolded

You can fold the Workhorse inside a pouch, which is attached to the bag, so there's no way to lose the pouch. Unfolded, it's the same size as your regular plastic bag. Happily, it doesn't tear as easily as plastic bags. One Workhorse carried one plastic bag's worth of groceries when we used it. Now the bags (we have two) are in our glove compartment, so it's handy.

Next is the ACME Earth Tote™
16" H x 12" W x 8" D
14" long handles (7" loop)

Of the three bags in this sampler set, this is my favorite. I love the neutral color. The bag looks and feels sturdy. It even lives up to its appearance. I don't know what else to say, except that I love this bag.

Last but not the least, the ACME Lightweight Hemp Tote:
14.5" H x 11.5" W x 6.5" D
Long handles: 25" loop
Short handles: 8.5" loop



I've got to confess, I'm not a big fan of reusable tote bags. I'm not a tall person, so carrying a tote bag can be a bit of a problem. I'd like to carry it over my shoulder, but sometimes, the bag itself is too heavy for me that I'd want to carry it by hand. Maybe I'm the only one with such a dilemma, but there you go. Happily, the ACME Lightweight Hemp Tote Bag actually has two sets of handles – one set short and one set long. Now I can carry it by hand or over my shoulder, no problem. So maybe I'm not the only one with such a problem, after all.

What's great about these bags? Keeping them clean is easy. Just load them in your washing machine, wash it with cold water, and then drip dry. When I brought all three bags with me when I went shopping, I put the Workhorse and the Hemp Tote Bag inside the Earth Tote. When you need to put stuff in, you've got enough bags to pack the items in!

It's a good thing Reusablebags.com came up with this sampler set. Keep up the good work!

World Water Week

In honor of World Water Week, here are some tips from Seventh Generation on water conservation:

• If you have a water meter, check your home for hidden leaks. Take a reading, don't use the water for several hours, then check the meter again. If your new reading is higher, you've got a leak somewhere.
• Leaky faucets could be the cause so fix any you find. A faucet dripping just once per second will waste an incredible 2,700 gallons per year.
• Most faucets have aerators that mix air into tap water to reduce usage. If you don't have one of these inexpensive screw-on attachments, buy one at the hardware store.
• Retrofit your bathroom: Install low-flow showerheads and if your toilet is a water guzzler, replace it. Older toilets waste as much as 14,000 gallons per year vs. new water-saving models.
• If a new toilet is not an option, "convert" your commode to a water-saver by sealing a plastic jug of water or two and placing it in your toilet tank to displace some of the water there.
• Showers use less water than baths. Limit the showers in your home to five minutes each and you'll save even more!
• Don't run your faucet while you shave or brush your teeth. Teach your kids the same conservation ethic.
• Dishwashers are generally more efficient than hand-washing. If you own one, make sure to run it only when it's full, and don't bother rinsing dishes first in the sink. (Research shows this doesn't help!)
• Stop using your sink's garbage disposal. It needs a lot of water to work and wastes perfectly good compost!
• Rather than run your tap waiting for drinking water to get cold, keep a pitcher in your fridge. Similarly, install an instant hot water tap on your kitchen sink.
• When it's time to do laundry, make sure your washing machine is full. If it's a lightly soiled load, use the shortest wash cycle. Try to use bath towels more than once before washing them.
• Consider buying an energy-efficient front-loading washing machine.
• In the yard, cut your grass high in order to keep soil moist and promote deeper roots that will need less watering. Aerate your lawn by poking deep, nail-sized holes in it at roughly six-inch intervals. This will help water soak into the soil rather than run off the surface.
• Put an empty baking pan in your yard and measure rainfall. If you're getting at least an inch of rain per week and the weather isn't scorching, you probably don't need to water your lawn. If you do, water in the early morning before the day heats up to prevent wasteful evaporation, and make sure your sprinkler is hitting only lawn and not sidewalks or driveways.
• Use a rain barrel to collect gutter water for garden and houseplant use.
• Practice xeriscaping, the art of landscaping with regionally indigenous plants that don't need a lot of water. Use mulch wherever possible to help soils retain moisture and reduce the need for waterings.

Review: Envirosax Botanica Bag 2

Envirosax is based in San Diego, California. Last Saturday, I put to the test their Botanica Bag 2 ($8.50) from the Graphic Series eco-friendly bags. The bag I tried was literally green, complete with a leaf design.

But first, here's what the Envirosax website had to say about the Graphic Series bags:

"Lightweight polyester, portable, waterproof, and weighing just 1.4oz each, these groovy bags are available individually or as a series of 5 contained within a handy pouch. With reinforced seams, each surprisingly large bag can hold a weight the equivalent of two supermarket plastic bags.

Bag dimensions (unrolled) 19.5" x 16.5"
Bag dimensions (rolled-up) 4" x 1.5"
Weight capacity 44 lbs
Bag weight 1.4 oz"

Empty, it hardly weighs anything. Folded, it fits in my palm, so it can easily fit in your bag, your purse, your pocket. The Botanica Bag 2 is both colorful and eye-catching, adding that "oomph!" to your daily shopping routine.

I brought it with me when I went to buy produce. Of course, not only did it generate questions from other female shoppers, it also stood up to the challenge of carrying the produce I bought.

Now, the bag is made of polyester. I don't know whether or not the verdict is out on how eco-friendly polyester is, but there is such a thing as recycled polyester, which, in my book, makes it better. I did send an e-mail to Envirosax to ask about the polyester they use. Here's what I learned:

"It is actually made from virgin polyester which is not recycled. The reason we make it out of this material is because it is in its strongest form which can hold up to 45 pounds. Also makes it easier to roll. It is a give and take as most people forget the big canvas bag and end up n the grocery line having to use a plastic bag. The compact size of our bags allows people to always have them with them because they can carry them in their purse or back pack."

Anyway, the price, the color, the convenience, the portability, the fashion "oomph!" and the green-ness all add up to make Envirosax Botanica Bag 2 a worthwhile buy.

Iron Pan

I've taken to using stainless steel cookware but I read that another safe, non-stick alternative to carcinogenic Teflon is cast iron cookware. It also has the benefit of adding iron to your food. You still have to "treat" or "season" the pans though to make it non-stick. Here's a how-to link.

Review: 1 Bag at a Time Standard Shopping Bag

Here's the first bag that I tried and tested in my series of reusable bag reviews. Check out 1 Bag at a Time, a woman-owned business (Ms. Lisa Foster) based in Los Angeles, CA.

I tested their black Standard Shopping Bag this weekend when we went grocery shopping.

Here are some basic info on the bag itself:
- made of 100% polypropylene
- dimensions: 14"H x 12"W x 8" gusset
- machine washable


Now here's what I think: the bag is well-made, and yes, based on the material, it will be easy to clean. Happily, it also comes in different colors. It's wide, so putting in your items shouldn't be an exercise in desperation. Even their product tag has something to say. A smart move. The shopping bag is similar to the Stop and Shop reusable bag that I frequently use, which made me wonder if 1 Bag at a Time supplies Stop and Shop with their bags.

According to their website:

"# Each bag holds the equivalent load of 3-4 plastic bags or 2 paper bags.
# 4 or 5 of our bags will hold the contents of a completely filled grocery cart."

I didn't try to put 4 plastic bags' worth of groceries inside, but I did put in one box of 12 oz Kellogg's Corn Flakes, one box of 16.5 oz Cocoa Krispies, one container of 42 oz Oats, and 2 loaves of bread. They all fit inside.

1 Bag at a Time also offers a 100% Organic Jute Shopping Bag (organic AND biodegradable). They even advise customers to plant it in their gardens after the bag has outlived its usefulness. Really interesting. It makes me want to try it.

Good job, 1 Bag at a Time for your Standard Shopping Bag!

Earth Hour in Manila

On my drive from Quezon City to Manila yesterday, I discovered that there were posters a-plenty advertising Earth Hour on March 28. It was a surprise, especially because Earth Hour hasn't been seriously observed here, so it's good that people will be more aware of it. On the other hand, maybe the Metro Manila Development Authority, which proclaims that it "has the energy to support Earth Hour," should've been more sensitive to the environment by, oh, I don't know, not using too many of those posters.

All about reusable bags

Reusable bags. There's a lot out there. What to choose?

I will be posting my reviews of reusable bags from four different companies: 1 Bag at a Time, Earthwise Bag Company, Inc., Envirosax and Reusablebags.com.

In fact, there will probably be more reviews of reusable bags from other companies. Stay tuned!

Wishy Washy

I was so happy when I found this All Natural Veggie Wash at a local organic supermarket. The water in my place has high amounts of chlorine so I've been paranoid about washing produce and other food items. Of course, Ideal Bite had to come and rain on my parade (but in a good way). They recommend simply using white vinegar and water:

Mix water to white vinegar 3:1 in a spray bottle (if you've already got a bottle of the premade stuff, use it up and reuse the sprayer). Rinse with water after you spray.

Totally Tubular

I never even thought of recycling toilet paper tubes. The World Environment Organization accepts donations of these items. DLTK also has suggestions on how to use the tubes for arts and crafts. I wonder if paper towel tubes can also be recycled.

(photo from here)

The Last Straw

When going to restaurants, I've also noticed how wasteful it can be to use straws for drinking. Again, the germaphobe in me isn't too keen on drinking straight from the glass but I found this great tip from Ideal Bite: reusable straws! Who knew they made glass or stainless steel straws?!

Paper trail

I am somewhat of a germaphobe, so I don't really like re-using sponges and towels. I slept over at Cecile's last night, made myself some breakfast this morning and washed the dishes. I dried them with paper towels and got into thinking how much I rely on paper towels instead of using reusable/washable dish towels. I buy chlorine free paper products made from recycled material but I'm not sure that's enough to assuage my guilt. I'll have to start changing my wasteful paper ways.

Don't be Clingy

Winter's almost over, but static cling from your clothes may still be a problem. We all use fabric softeners and dryer sheets, but I found these tips from Seventh Generation's Sue H.:

• Don't overdry your clothes.
• Don't overload the dryer.
• Set it at the minimum temperature and amount of time you think the clothes will need.

Following these tips can also reduce your energy expenditure and carbon footprint, while saving you some money on electric bills.

Just Say No

I've stopped getting receipts at the gas pump or at ATM machines. We all end up throwing them out anyway. Save paper and check all your transactions on your bank's website. Plus it scares me when someone leaves a receipt at the pump or in the bank. I'm sure unscrupulous people will find a way to hack into your account and steal your money or identity.

I love Stop & Shop!

Stop & Shop makes recycling easier and they even give you a 5-cent refund per bag that you reuse! You can bring your own reusable bags, or reuse your paper and plastic bags. If somehow your house is crammed full of plastic bags (it tends to happen, you know), Stop & Shop even has a bin to collect the plastic bags!

That's one of the reasons why I love Stop & Shop. More on the other reasons sometime...


Logo from Stop & Shop's website

Virtual March

The Pickens Plan has organized a Virtual March on Washington from 01 to 03 April 2009. The New Energy Army will call, fax and email Congressional members to draw attention to the need for alternative energy sources and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. This energy policy was initiated by businessman T. Boone Pickens.

Click here to join the Virtual March.

"Poll: How Green Could You Be?"

To all our readers out there, check out the National Trust for Historic Preservation's reader poll "How Green Could You Be?".

They want to know what projects we, ordinary folks, will likely do "if stronger tax incentives were in place".

Hop on over to the "How Green Could You Be?" poll and let them know what you think. I know I did.

Counter that

If you're renovating your kitchen and thinking about putting in those anti-microbial countertops, think twice. Seventh Generation's Science Man says they are health hazards.

"Anti-microbial counter tops are an interesting new approach to controlling microorganisms. The antimicrobial compounds used in these counter tops are required to be registered with the EPA as antimicrobial pesticides and, as such, are required to have substantial data to support their antimicrobial claims.

However, the issue with these products is not whether or not they are effective, but the fact that the active ingredient is typically Triclosan which is believed by many to be a human, animal and environmental health hazard. Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that can be converted by sunlight or chlorinated tap water into toxic dioxins, which according to the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are "reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens". In addition, Triclosan has been found in the breast milk and blood plasma of randomly selected Swedish Triclosan users as well as in their babies, so the chemical is able to be absorbed systemically.[4-6]

From an environmental perspective, Triclosan and its degradation byproducts are persistent in wastewaters and marine sediments, bioaccumulate, and are harmful to aquatic animal species.[7-10]. Basically, the benefit that you get from an anti-microbial countertop is that the anti-microbial is working all of the time. An important question is whether or not this "24-hour" germ killing is really a benefit, as there are spot usage sanitizers and disinfectants on the market that use natural anti-microbial ingredients like lactic acid, citric acid, and thyme oil which do not have these disadvantages."

Don't Tell me Lies

If you get the Fine Living Network on your television, you'll be able to watch Seventh Generation's President Jeffrey Hollander in his Earth Day TV special, Big Green Lies at 9 PM.

What's in a name?

Greendimes has changed its name to Tonic Mailstopper. No change in services. They'll still stop your junk mail and plant 5 trees in your name when you become a member.