Patagonia Drifter Eco Friendly Shoe

Need a reliable shoe for your spring and summer adventures?  The new Patagonia Drifter shoe is perfect for summer hiking and travel.  It's classified as a shoe, not a hiking boot, but I think the killer traction makes it appropriate for the trails--it's definitely more of a boot.  Because it doesn't have a ton of ankle support, I wouldn't go backpacking with these, or hike difficult or rocky trails, but for moderate hiking, I think they're perfect.  They're a decent weight at 14 oz, and the mesh will help keep your feet cool in warmer weather.  Very little break-in time with these, comfort level is great, and they are good looking and super durable.   

They come in different colors, but I love the "cardamon," the red contrast is so cute, and gives it an school hiking boot vibe.  Recycled rubber Ecostep outsoles boast some beefy tread and feel very stable.  I also love the black contrast to the tan nubuck and the way the black comes up high--it makes your foot look smaller.  Speaking of smaller, I recommend you order up one half size.   My true size is 8.5 and I need a 9 in this shoe.  Patagonia is an environmentally responsible company that backs up their product. 

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LivOn Labs Vitamin C

There's a new way to get your vitamin C, and it's supposed to be more effective because of the way it's delivered.  It's called Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C, by LivOn Labs, and it contains "smart" lyposomal nano-spheres filled with vitamin C that are said to be easier for your body to absorb than when taken in other forms.  Here is an example of how nano-technology can be used in healthful pursuits.  I'm not a big supplement person, and I definitely think the best way to get your nutrition is from healthy organic food, but I was excited to try this, particularly for winter and for travel when I feel my immune system is taxed the most.

After my initial case, I bought two more cases of the stuff and I think it really helped my body to fight off some nasty bugs that were circulating the last couple of months.  I was convinced enough to keep buying it, and it's not cheap.  It costs about $30 a case, or $1 per packet, however, if it works then I think it's worth it.  For a long time, I was taking Emergen-C, but it contains sugar and I feel that the LivOn vitamin C is superior.  I've tried powders and capsules as well, but those can upset my stomach and this does not.  It really seems like it helps with my energy level as well as boosts my immune system.  I've read about people using this in extreme cases, such as mercury poisoning. 

Each packet contains 1000mg of vitamin C in a gel that is best taken in a liquid and swallowed.  You can just open the packet and pop it into your mouth, but it tastes terrible.  If you float it in liquid, you don't taste it and it's down with one gulp.  It's meant to be taken on an empty stomach for better absorption. Find it HERE. 

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TEVA Crank: When Shoe Laces are Cool

There comes a time when little details in your kid's fashion become important to them.  Like whether or not shoes have laces.  Personally, I prefer the non-lace shoes, but at some point, my son started associating that with "baby shoes" and demanded lace up shoes.  TEVA's Youth Crank is a great choice for a children's lace up shoe.  Teva in general is great because they are high quality and hard to wear out, but I love the Crank for it's good looks, particularly the black with contrasting cobalt blue laces.

My son says they're the best shoes he's ever had and that they are super comfortable.  I find they run true to size and hold up great.  If your child needs some shoes for summer, these would be a nice option.  And for those of you that prefer a non-laced shoe, the Charge is a great pick and doubles as a hiking shoe.  It's lightweight, breathable, and great looking.

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Grand Trunk Travel Comfort

Going anywhere for Spring Break this year?  Grand Trunk Goods can offer you some extra comfort on the plane (train, car, etc).  This Hooded Travel Pillow is made with memory foam and soft fleece.  Though it works just fine without the hood, it's a really nice option to have it there, and I've never seen a travel pillow with a hood, what a great idea.  It's perfect for airplanes, for shutting everyone out and creating your own little oasis.

If you're trying to watch an in-flight movie during the day and you have glare coming in--it can get pretty bright up there with open windows--you can pull the hood over and block a lot of that out so you can focus on what's in front of you.  Or you can pull it completely over your eyes for a nap.  It's instant privacy and wouldn't something like this be awesome on a crowded flight or the dreaded middle seat?

There's a little pocket on the side for your mp3 player, or ear buds/plugs.  It also makes for some cozy warmth on a cold plane, and when you doze off, the toggle closure keeps the pillow from shifting or falling off.  I think this would work great in the car and camping too.  The cover is removable for washing and it comes in a handy stuff sack with a grab handle and pull cord so you can easily attach it to one of your bags. You can watch a video HERE. 

For the rest of your body, I love their Travel Blanket.  It's made from eco friendly bamboo and is naturally anti bacterial and wicks away moisture.  It's a renewable, sustainable fabric and it's butter soft.  There's a pocket at the bottom to keep your feet cozy, which is great for the plane and it's a generous 70x40.  It weighs in at 16oz, and it's so worth this minimal weight on a freezing cold flight.

Like the pillow, it comes in a stuff sack with a grab handle at one end and a pull cord at the other and stuffs down to about the size of a Nalgene bottle.  You can easily clip it to your backpack or carry-on with a caribiner.

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What are Nanoparticles?

Have you heard that word a lot lately--nanoparticle?  I have.  I've even seen it on products stating they contain "no nanos."  So what are they?  Kind of just what they sound like--ultra fine particles, as in tiny, and measured in nanometers.  They've been around forever, and can be natural or man made, and they can be very advanced.  There are all sorts of exciting applications for nanotecnology, but many are warning that it's moving too fast to ensure medical and environmental safety. 

All sorts of consumer goods are utilzing "nano technology" these days, including food, clothing, and body products.  There are a ton of  nanoproducts and more on the way.  Why is this of concern?  Because we're not sure they're safe and they are not regulated.  Like the problems we have with bodycare companies being able to put pretty much anything they want in their products, often concealing carcinogens with words like "fragrance," products with nanotechnology can be protected as proprietary and may go undisclosed.  So while there could be exciting and wonderful applications, there is a darker side.  Food for instance--they're using nano technology with our food--it's in M&Ms and Poptarts (not that I consider those food, but you get the idea).  And as we've seen with the GMOs, this can be a scary prospect. 

Nanoparticles are able to pass the blood brain barrier, they're small enough to find their way into the body, bypassing our defense systems and building up.  They've been shown in animal studies to interrupt fertility and create abnormal cells.  They're chaotic and there is just too much that's unknown.  Read a fascinating article on the subject HERE. 


Image Credit: earthfirstnews

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Nantucket: Overland Equipment's Perfect Carry-on Personal Item

If you don't check bags when traveling, you know that you get one carry on and one "personal item."  Over the years I've used all sorts of bags for my personal item, from regular purses to small backpacks in a Goldilocks quest for just the right size.  If you're looking for a great carry-on personal item, you have to see the Nantucket Bag from Overland Equipment.  This has to be one of the best--if not the best--personal item bag I've ever seen.

Right off the bat, this bag has a pass-through sleeve that slips over your carry on suitcase---not super common and extremely handy.   You don't even see it when just carrying the bag, it's totally concealed and just looks like a regular tote. This makes the perfect match for your carry on, just slip it on and off as needed, no fumbling around at the airport.  It stays secure on your wheelie and your hands and arms are free and comfortable.  When you're on the plane, you'll have everything you need.

Inside the bag is the perfect amount of organization with pockets for sunglasses and electronics, and some padding for your laptop and/or tablet.  It has a zipper closure, so it keeps all your stuff secure--I'm surprised how many totes like this do not have a zipper feature and it's important.  There's a slip pocket on the front perfect for your cell phone so there's no fumbling around when you hear it ring. 

You can fit a ton of stuff in this bag--a laptop, tablet, small blanket, food, and more, I can't imagine needing anything bigger for your personal item.  Finally, the black is sleek and low profile, something I love in travel gear, though it does come in other colors.  You could also use the Nantucket as a tote for school, work, or the beach, it's a very versatile bag.  Find it HERE.

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Are Dolphins People?

A group of scientists are working on a "Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans," claiming that dolphins and whales have sufficient self awareness and intelligence to be given basic human rights.  No more whaling or keeping cetaceans in captivity for entertainment purposes.  Decades of research have led experts to conclude that cetaceans, though not human, have a level self awareness equal to that of humans (I would argue more in some cases).

"Dolphins are non-human persons," says professor Tom White who has authored a book on the subject, "a person needs to be an individual. If individuals count, then the deliberate killing of individuals of this sort is ethically the equivalent of deliberately killing a human being.  The captivity of beings of this sort, particularly in conditions that would not allow for a decent life, is ethically unacceptable; commercial whaling is ethically unacceptable.  We're saying the science has shown that individuality, consciousness, self awareness, is no longer a unique human property."  Works for me. Read more here. 

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