3 Eco Friendly Calendar Options for 2012

Need a calendar for 2012?  I use electronic calendars, but I still rely more on that paper calendar on the fridge.  My son and I love to set goals and then circle the dates for the days we acheived our goal.  For instance, every day I have a green juice, I highlight the date with a green highlighter.  For days we meditate, we circle that with a blue highlighter, and so forth.  It's fun to see all the green circles at the end of the month and gives you a sense of accomplishment.  It's nice to track your progress and it's fun to have a goal.  It could be anything, reading, running, doing a good deed, whatever you want to work on.

Check out this ENVIROMENTAL ART Calendar from Amber Lotus.  All of the Amber Lotus calendars are made from recycled paper and soy ink and they have a strong overall environmental policy (read here).  Environmental Art features  archives from greenmuseum.org, a non profit online gallery of environmental art.  Some are community based eco art installations which make a statement by incorporating objects from a clean-up, and some are more fleeting nature sculpture meant to be absorbed back into the environment.

WANDERLUST is another great option which features gorgeous photographs of Mother Nature and quotes from adventurers who embraced walking and the wild, like John Muir and Walt Whitman.  It's lovely inspiration to get out there and enjoy mother nature on foot and makes a beautiful presentation on the wall or fridge.

For Children, I love this LITTLE CRITTERS Calendar featuring artwork by Kate Endle.  These sweet images are perfect for little ones--my son loves having his own calendar and is fascinated by the passage of time.  He loves to anticipate holidays and special events and having a calendar puts it all into perspective for him.  Find this and many other eco friendly options HERE on the Amber Lotus website.

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Just in Time: THE TIPSY VEGAN

Need some ideas for your New Year's party?  The Tipsy Vegan is filled with recipes for those who want to crank up the festivities food-wise.   They're not drink recipes, they're food recipes, food with booze.  It's campy and is packed with colorful photos and illustrations making it fun to read and perfect for a hostess gift.  It would be fabulous for non vegans, and what an introduction to the genre!  The slightly naughty will love this.

I have not had a chance to try any recipes yet (see recipe below to try one yourself), and truth be told, I would likely omit the booze, but I am excited to try the Spicy Sesame Noodles and there are a couple of salads calling my name. The Baked and Loaded Acorn Squash sounds great for New Years Eve, doesn't it?  I love that this book puts an end to the idea that vegans are austere boring people and spices it up with some great humor and mischief.  Find it Here. 

Baked & Loaded Acorn Squash

Sweeten your winter suppers with this loaded squash that can’t help but warm you up from stem to stern when partnered with pears, granny smiths, nutmeg, cinnamon, and apple brandy.

4 acorn squash, halved, seeds and strings scooped out

3 tablespoons vegan margarine or extra-virgin olive oil

8 pears, peeled, cored, and diced

8 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced

1/4 cup Calvados brandy (apple brandy) or apple liqueur

Juice of 1 lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg

4 teaspoons cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the halved squash on a sheet pan, skin side down. If necessary, cut a slice from the rounded side to make the squash level. Place 1 teaspoon (or so) of the margarine in each half, cover with foil, and bake until squash has softened, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven.

Meanwhile, combine the diced pears and apples, and drizzle with the Calvados and lemon juice to prevent browning. Add nutmeg and cinnamon and stir until well mixed.  Spoon the mixture into squash halves, dividing evenly. Cover with foil and return to the oven. Bake until fruit is warmed through, about 15 minutes. Uncover and bake watchfully until slightly browned, about 5 minutes.  Yield: 8 SERVINGS

Image Credit: Amy Beadle Roth

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EL NATURALISTA BOOTS

Got some Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket?  Or perhaps you need some rockin cool boots for New Years?  You have to check out El Naturalista .  They are a Spanish shoe company that uses recycled and eco friendly materials and operates under a beautiful philosophy of respect for Mother Nature, world cultures, and life.  They are very artful in their methods and their designs are refreshing and colorful.  And most of all, from my experience, they are super comfortable.

These Iggradasil Boots were inspired from Nordic legend.  Each line by El Naturalista is taken from global mythologies, folklore and art.  The Iggradasil line harkens back to the Tree of Life.  Apparently in Finnish lore, the gods once planted a giant ash tree whose roots encompassed the world.  How they got these cool boots out of that story I can't tell you, but I love it.

The heel gives you height while adding extra cush, they are not boots you want to take off. They are utilitarian while still being sexy.  These are not clunky boots, and would be great with skirts and dresses and those who like a more feminine boot.  But they're not too feminine--they're really just right.

The outsole has an interesting texture and it's made from recycled industrial waste.  El Naturalista uses what they call a Frog Shock System to absorb impact and it works.  I like the contrast created by this flecked material and the body of the boot.

The leather is treated with river rocks and in an ecologically conscious manner.  If you look closely, you will see variations in the grain from this natural process.  These boots zip on the side and also have laces in the back so you can customize your fit.

If you need them for a New Year's party, you can find them on Zappos (currently on Sale I might add) and get them in plenty of time.  Have a look HERE.

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Solay Fair Trade Himalaya Salt Lamp

Salt therapy has been used for centuries (think salt baths, neti pots, etc) but the Salt Lamp has to be the most beautiful way to utilize the healing benefits of salt.  Salt lamps radiate a warm negative ionizing glow that is said to be great for congestion, allergies, and cleaning the air.  In person, the lamp is very calming and creates a cozy ambiance.  The simple base goes with different decor and kind of disappears so that the focus is on the beautiful variations in the Himalaya salt rock.  It comes with the cord to plug in and a light bulb.  The on/off switch is quality, and located on the cord which is nice if you have it on your nightstand, you can just reach over and flip it on or off without a big reach.

The obvious place for one of these is the bedroom, but I think it would be wonderful in the workplace to keep energy levels up and to enhance the atmosphere, and reduce pollution from electro magnetic frequencies from computers, wifi and whatnot.  They are said to enhance concentration and to aid in meditation.  I think it would also make a very cool night light in a child's bedroom.  If you have a big enough bathroom with counter space, I think it would be so soothing to look at while soaking in a bath (and doesn't that sound nice right about now).

You can find your own salt lamp right here on the Greenwala Marketplace.  They come in three sizes, one being an aromatherapy lamp, to suit your needs.  And be sure to enter the giveaway HERE.  

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Icebreaker

Looking for some wool clothing to keep you warm this winter?  Icebreaker offers some modern styles that will keep you cozy.  I love their Realfleece.  It's a natural alternative to the synthetic fleeces out there and it breathes, regulates body temperature and does not retain odor, it's perfect for travel and outdoor activities.

Sophisticated styles and a great ethical policy set Icebreaker apart from your average wool clothing.  For starters, they have a wonderful environmental and animal welfare policy.  The animals are well fed, free range, and there is no muelsing.  You can trace the origins of each garment with the BAA Code.

Check out this elegant Igloo Hood.  It's sleek with clean flattering lines, the neckline is especially pretty.  It's very tailored and I find it runs small so consider sizing up with this.  It's soft, no itch like you find with some wools, and it's very warm.  The long length lets it function as a jacket, and paired with gloves and a hat will see you through some cold weather while allowing you to remain mobile.  It's a nice, versatile year round piece.

For kids, I like the Camper Hoody.  It's well made to withstand some heavy duty play.  This is something that will easily be passed down from kid to kid and the design is classic, it won't be going out of style.

Find these and other toasty Icebreaker clothes HERE on their website. They offer free shipping and free returns so you can get your sizing right.  Once you try it, you are likely to want more.  Hint:  I found some crazy good Icebreaker deals on Amazon.

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Acorn Fuzzy Tex Slippers

Need a last minute comfort gift?  How about just some straight up comfort?  For You.  These fun fuzzy slipper socks from Acorn feel like heaven on tired feet, and they are warm.  There's memory foam padding on the inside for extra luxury and rubber soles so you can run out to the mailbox if you need to.  I love the gray, but they come in other colors and patterns as well.  These and some hot tea spell bliss to me and I think they are a wonderful gift, and a great last minute gift even online thanks to Zappos.  Find them on the Acorn site, Sundance (who has been offering promos), and Zappos (who can get them to you over night).

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21 Drops: Great Alternative to Perfume

If you are tempted to buy perfume for the holidays, remember that perfume contains carcinogens and irritants that can harm the wearer and people around them.  Personally, I despise the stuff and get an immediate migraine from being around it.  When someone goes to hug you and they are wearing perfume or cologne, you're stuck with that smell all day, and for people like me, we have to go and get a shower to escape the smell.  I could go on and on about how much I hate perfume, the chemical stuff.  And the more I talk openly about this, the more I realize I am not alone.

But I do like fragrance that comes from plants and flowers.  Essential oils are a different story.  They can be soothing, invigorating, and detoxifying.  They can create a mood, and they can lift a weary spirit.  21 Drops has some interesting formulas and fabulous packaging that would be great for gifts.  It's very modern, I love the colors and the the number graphics on the bottles.

The 21st Century Survival Kit provides aromatherapeutic support for life in our fast paced world which includes oils to Uplift, to help you Sleep and De-Stress.  It probably wouldn't be too hard to think of someone who could use this.  They use organic and wildcrafted essential oils, find them Here.

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