PetSugar

The Green Life Wants You to Recycle That Old Gear

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:14 -0700

Instead of throwing that gear out, check out where OnSugar blog The Green Life goes to recycle her old mats, shoes, and workout clothing.Workout wear gets beat up and worn out quickly. Follow Women's Health's recent tips on giving your gear a second life:

Recycle your shoes through Nike Reuse a Shoe program.

Recycle any Patagonia clothing.

Recycle or donate yoga mats through the Recycle Your Mat initiative.

Go green. It does a body good.

Want to see more eco-friendly tips on green living? Start following The Green Life or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be posted here on FitSugar!

Get Into Spring With the Solar-Powered MZH-1200 iPhone Charger

GeekSugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:30:44 -0700

Even though the official date is a few days away, it's already Spring at Sugar HQ! I'm loving how sunny it is, especially since it means that all my solar-powered gadgets are gonna get their fill of all-natural juice.

Adding to the list of solar-powered gizmos is Muzatch's MZH-1200 iPhone Power Station ($50). At about half the size of an iPhone and weighing in at a mere 9.8 ounces, it's perfectly sized for travel. A drawback for some and a plus for others is that the MZH-1200 is powered entirely by solar energy. Not bad if you're trying to reduce your carbon footprint, but not good if you get stuck in the dark with it. Probably best to keep this baby in the sunlight whenever possible.

Find out how the MZH-1200 works when you read more.

It's easy enough to use: plug it right into the charge port of your iPhone, and four LED lights indicate that it is in charge mode. The MZH-1200 contains a 1,000mAh battery, and at full throttle, it brings your battery life to the halfway mark. Not ideal if you run out of juice on the daily, but, hey, sometimes we gotta make sacrifices for the planet! The retro-looking design is available in blue, black, silver, white, and green and is iPod compatible.

AT&T Goes Green With the ZERO Charger

GeekSugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:30:41 -0700

Growing tired of wasting energy on vampire power suckers, AT&T introduced its new eco-friendly ZERO charger today. Just in time for a Spring gadget overhaul, this charger senses when a cell phone is not plugged in and shuts down automatically. The ZERO will stop pulling power and eliminate power waste (just like the concept Switch Outlet that lets you manually turn off the power that flows to your electronic devices) but you don't have to flip any switches or turn any dials - it does everything on its own. Plus, the USB connector ensures that you can use the ZERO for all of your USB-friendly gadget-charging needs.

The ZERO charger will be available in May, and you can sign up to be alerted when it hits the market.

Fandango Debuts Mobile Ticketing

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:45:34 -0700

I'm loving the paperless ticketing trend! From airlines to movie theaters, companies are scrapping wasteful paper tickets in favor of eco-friendly paperless ticketing. Fandango already has apps for iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Pre, and Android (find them all on the Fandango site), and now it's taking it a step further, offering mobile tickets at several theaters across the country. Find out how it works after the break.

Gisele Bündchen Launches Eco-Friendly Skincare Line

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:00:40 -0700

Can a $70 skin cream make us look like Gisele Bündchen? Probably not, but its eco-friendly bent could make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Today, the supermodel launches Sejaa, a 100-percent natural line by every stretch of the imagination, from the manufacturing process (windpower) down to the soy-based VOC-free inks used on the packaging.

Gisele, who was recently named the UN's Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment Program, decided upon the brand's name as a play on the word seja, meaning "to be" in Portuguese, her first language. The extra "a" was added at the end because "words have a vibration, and aaah! is an exhalation, what you feel when you let go," she told Vogue.

The three-product line, which is sold solely on the brand's website, consists of a Day Cream, Night Cream ($70), and Mud Mask ($56). It also features a Pure Skincare Kit ($120), which includes a two-ounce jar of each product, a spa towel, and a mud applicator. Find out what else the model had to say about her new endeavor when you read more.

How-To: Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0700

It's not always easy being green - or clean. Combining the two can be downright impossible, but making your own products can cut chemicals, crud, and cost. I simplify things even more by using one all-purpose cleanser nearly everywhere in my pad.

To make the cleaner, just combine equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Before storing, label and date your homemade mixture. It should be good indefinitely, but it doesn't hurt to mix up a fresh batch every couple of months.

Spring cleaning on the mind? Other DIY options include a heavy duty surface cleanser, a window solution, and a tub and tile scrubber.

Eco Couture Maternity Wedding Dresses

LilSugar — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0700

A bride wants to look her best even if she's got a burgeoning belly. Mamas-to-be can look stunning on their big day and make the world a better place for their impending babes by wearing eco-conscious wedding dresses. Santa Barbara designer Jessica Iverson creates breathtaking maternity gowns using natural fabrics that have enough give for a soon-to-be mom and her babe to breathe as they take to the aisle. Check out the extensive selection of beautiful garments that celebrate women's figures without sacrificing fashion.

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Consumer Reports Files Petition Over Industry Misuse of "Organic"

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:23 -0800

Today, the publisher of Consumer Reports and the Organic Consumers Association filed a petition with the Federal Trade Commission. They're asking for action against the widespread false use of the word "organic" on beauty, skin care, and personal care products.

Makes sense, since many beauty products claim to be organic or natural when they're actually nothing of the sort. The OCA is also concerned that by blatantly misusing the word "organic," irresponsible personal care companies are destroying consumer trust in the idea of organics as a whole.

What do you think? Should cosmetic and personal care companies be held to the same standard as farmers and manufacturers? And do you trust the term "organic" less because of the way it's thrown around?

Source

Do You Belong to a CSA?

YumSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:45:20 -0800

The Atlantic finally broached a rather touchy question I have quietly wondered for a long, long time: are CSAs a ripoff? In case you aren't familiar with a CSA, short for "community supported agriculture," it's basically a service wherein you buy a subscription of locally grown or raised produce, eggs, or meat and receive a share every month. I know the concept furthers the idea of good, clean, and fair food - yet at the same time, I've always found the prices to be outrageous and, quite frankly, beyond my means. I'd rather just head to the farmers market. What about you?

Source: Flickr User erin.kkr

Spring Cleaning: 5 Kitchen Items to Double as Pet-Friendly Cleansers

PetSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:30:05 -0800

When life hands you lemons, you . . . create a DIY solution! See my five ideas for all-natural, pet-friendly aids to keep your home clean and green!
Source: Jupiter Images

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