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 an upcoming edition of Architectural Digest. The only issue I have is that a home valued at $5 million has to be bigger than the average home, which by the way is not eco-friendly, BUT, if you’re going to go bling, at least it’s nice when you do use reclaimed supplies and energy efficient features like the South Park fellas.

Image via: Jennifer Chait – picture drawn by her eight-year-old son Cedar during his “I’m obsessed with South Park stage” (AND before you all slam me, no I don’t let him watch the very inappropriate episodes; thanks.)

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South Park Tree Huggers – Who Knew!?

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 with the rest of your household recycling.

The scratcher/lounger retails for $8.99, and if it’s as durable as it looks, that’s a pretty good price compared to other cat scratching devices, such as a Turbo Scratcher (which leaves a big mess all over the floor) or even a scratching post (not very eco-friendly).

[image: properpet.com]

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Eco-Friendly Cat Scratcher

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 it! A beautiful way to present your favorite herbs for a meal or keep it in your kitchen for a little countertop chic. Of reclaimed mahogany wood with a food safe finish. Made in Brooklyn.

Spice Block – $48

The Spice block measures 9″ x 3 1/2″ x 2″. This would make a great gift, too.

Image credit: Green With Glamour.com

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Green Kitchen: Recycled Wood Spice Block

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

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Common Totes Contest

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 Grey Goose Vodka, Corona beer, etc.

Image credit: YAVA Glass

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Eco-Friendly Glassware from YAVA Glass

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 then provides you with shopping tips and home improvement ideas to get you started on a path to all-natural pet living.

All the ideas in the colorful, slick book are nontoxic and canine-friendly, and the pictures are cute too!

[image: amazon]

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Do You Have An Eco Dog?

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 – this woven platter has such a natural look to it. I’d love to use this while entertaining out on my patio.

Image credit: Kohl’s.com

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Eco-friendly Serveware On Sale at Kohls

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 new earth-friendly Ecorotic collection of all-natural and organic products, like the awesome Ooh La La Kit, shown at left.

Going green has never been sexier!

Image: Goodvibes.com

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Having an Eco-Rotic Earth Day

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 is an environmentally concerned bride, not a chance…try potato-based biodegradable forks.

It takes diligent planning, and maybe the whole affair can’t be eco-friendly…but somethings, surely can…I would start with the invitations: tree bark anyone?

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Eco-friendly Weddings Have Arrived