South Park’s brash and somewhat over the top humor is not for everyone, but love em or hate em, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have one major likable trait that everyone can appreciate – they’re tree huggers. I know right?

Parker and Stone recently built an environmentally friendly mansion in western Colorado (Steamboat Springs). The $5 million home has eco-friendly features such as ceilings made of Douglas fir timbers salvaged from a rail trestle that once spanned Great Salt Lake, recycled carpet, in-floor radiant heating, and of course nature.
This pricey vacation getaway is going to be featured in …read more

With three cats in the house (and a litter of foster kittens!), I’m always on the look-out for neat new toys and tools that I think our felines will appreciate or benefit from, and these cat lounger/scratchers from Bergan are not only beneficial to cats, but they’re eco-friendly as well!

Made of 100% post consumer recycled materials, the scratcher, which resembles egg cartons, contains no glues or chemicals and is completely feline friendly. It can be scratched, shredded, slept on and played with, and when it’s reached the end of its lifespan it can be put out on the curb …read more

One of the other blogs that I write is a natural beauty blog. While looking for something beauty-related to write about for today, I found this Spice Block by Domestic Aesthetic.
It’s made from recycled wood and it’s a very unique accessory for the kitchen. I keep my Kosher Salt in a little glass bowl close to my stove. Twice I’ve knocked the little glass bowl to the floor. What a mess - glass everywhere. That would never happen with this gorgeous piece.  It’s a tool that is also art.
This spice block is so sexy, we want to store our jewelry in …read more

Do you have a flair for design?
Would you like to create eco-friendly totebags?
How about winning $300?
Common Totes wants to hear from you!

Common Totes is a new company that wants to promote good design and the eco-friendly life.  To do that, they’re asking for design for new totes.  You can vote on your favorite design and a new winner every month will win $300 and have their design printed onto a great shopping tote.
Want to get involved?  You can check out all the details at Common Totes.
image: Common Totes

YAVA Glass was a featured shop at Etsy this weekend. They offer eco-friendly glassware. “YAVA G l a s s specializes in taking recycled beverage bottles with screen-printed labels and converting them into decorative glassware.”
Here are some examples of what YAVA has available…

Recycled Rolling Rock Beer Bottle Coasters
Set of 4 for $30
These coasters are made from “kiln-fired” bottles. They measure 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches.

Recycled Bubble Up Soda Bottle Glasses
Set of 4 for $28
Set of bottle glasses measure 4.5 inches tall and can hold up 8 ounces of beverage.
More glasses, coasters, and spoonrests available in other recycled bottle styles including …read more

Looking for alternatives for conventional dog care? Check out Eco Dog: Healthy Living for Your Pet.

The 120-page book offers a bunch of planet-friendly, natural tips and how-tos, from how to make a lemon flea tonic or rosemary shampoo to how to make your own homemade dog jerky (no preservatives and you know exactly what’s in it!). It touches briefly on why it’s important to feed high-quality foods, and includes a recipe for a homemade meatloaf for dogs.
It also includes information on potential and hidden dangers with conventional pet foods and tools, but it doesn’t leave you on your own: it …read more

Kohl’s is one again having a great sale. I love Kohl’s. I can walk out my door and reach the closest one on foot within 5 minutes. That can be dangerous. If you aren’t lucky enough to live close to a Kohl’s, here are  a couple on-sale Serveware suggestions. Each is made of natural materials with a unique eco-friendly look and appeal. 

Summer Living® Bamboo Serveware
I love this bamboo tray and bowl. Bamboo is  a sustainable material so it’s good for the environment and will look sharp on your table.

Summer Living® Woven Water Hyacinth Chip & Dip Tray
So cool …read more

Do you think Earth Day and sex toys have nothing in common?
Guess again: “Sex is part of our lives, so any issue that concerns us out of the bedroom has implications inside it: if we recycle, buy local produce, watch our carbon use, and think ecologically in other ways, it makes sense to
do the same when we make sexual choices. Our well-being and that of the earth are connected, so consider where you can go Ecorotic!” says  Dr. Carol Queen, Good Vibrations‘ staff sexologist.
Just in time for Earth Day (cause it’s ALWAYS time for good toys), Good Vibrations has a …read more

I have written before about my interest in sound and effective earth-friendly products and environmental solutions.
Behold, dear readers, the mother load of all things green in this week’s New York Times.
Your planning your wedding and you wanted the best Tuna for your sushi-themed appetizers flown in from Japan? “Fuggeddaboudit”…that would be an abuse of fuel.
(…a little detail which might work to your advantage when thinking about how to get your in-laws in from Stockholm.)
You’ve dreamed of Vera Wang designing your dress? Nope…think vintage.
The finest silverware to accompany your elaborate place settings? If you or someone you know …read more