Earth Day : Not Just for TreeHuggers

You don't have to be a Tree hugger to appreciate Earth Day.

Earth Day, started in the '70s, is really just a day to call attention to: "Hey, you, yes, YOU, you can do a little something to be a more responsible human being". Let's not forget, that no matter what side of the aisle you sit on Global Warming, we cannot deny the fact that humans can help or hurt where they live.  Which picture below do you like?

Earth Day is Every Day. Every day we have a choice: do what's best or do what's easiest.  Let's be honest,   humans boil everything down to two things: money & time.   Check out the list below, most things on there do not require much more money, no more time, but there certainly is a better choice:

• letting water run while shaving or brushing teeth : vs : turn off the water til you need it
• Leaving the TV & lights on when you leave the room (for a long time) : vs : turning them off until you return
• tossing everything in the trash : vs : tossing recyclables in a bin (usually close to your trash can)
• idling your car in the bank line : vs : turning it off until you're ready to leave
• buying fancy coffee from standard growers that burn down rain forest to plant coffee plantations : vs : buying shade grown or earth-friendly coffee
• using whatever paper products (25% of trees are cut down for paper) : vs : buying 100% recycled content.  Now this one does cost a little more, but unless you are on a super-tight-uncomfortable budget, trust me, you can afford it.  Just start out with one product : paper towels, and move on from there.  Ever hear of rags?  No need to have Bounty clean up the gallon of milk that spilled; a rag will do it, rinse it & toss it in the dirty laundry,  it will be fine & it works.

I could go on & on with this list, from little money to more costly, but I think you get the picture.  

Earth Day is about every person can do something and each of those somethings will add up to major changes.  Did your Mom ever yell at you for throwing gum out of the car window? "If everyone did that, we would have gum everywhere!"  And you thought, "Holy cow, it was just a piece of gum, what's the big deal?"  Think about that now, as an adult, if that really did happen. That would be gross.  Piles & piles of chewed gum.  Now do you see...that's the power of a little thing, done by lots of people, having a big impact.  We can use those same actions for the powers of good, and not evil, and pick our "one thing" to do good for the earth.  Hey, it's where you live!

Check out this site for some great tips:

http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2011

Who Cares about Global Warming?

Oooh, to many people, those could be fighting words!  The problem with the fight over global warming right now is the debate itself:  Does the earth have natural heating up/cooling down phases (seems to)?  Is global warming caused by humans?  Did scientists exaggerate the facts?

Unless you are one of the aforementioned scientists on either side of the debate, there are many questions that we as "regular folk" will never be able to authoritatively answer.  But, our perspective here is this:  standing around arguing about how or who caused global warming is like arguing about who started the fire as you watch your house burn to the ground.  Clearly there are things we need to know and learn in order to fix them, but there are so many other things awry.  We much prefer the term "Global Quality".  There are a plethora of ways in which our industrialized world harms itself.  How we have "warmed" may be up for debate, but how we "are" is not.  Take a look at the Ganges:  polluted, with pockets of trash all over the place.  Madagascar's rainforest: 90% deforested.  Plastic bags littering the oceans and beaches covered in plastic pebbles. 

The above atrocities are preventable and reversible.  There is also a definite cause to all of the above: humans.  Perhaps we should concentrate more on the tangibles that we can see, focus on how to better those, while we debate the other.  Global warming is now so linked with the political machine, that it may be years before we make progress.  But, you can choose to stop using plastic  bags today.  We can choose to lessen our dependence on plastics today.  You can donate to an organization that is fighting to save the world's last remaining rain forests today
- and they are making headway in that fight.

We may not have all the answers, but we know we can chip in, lead the way and make a difference.

Earth Day Beauty Tips

Earth-friendly Beauty Bits

This is the last week before Earth Day and the EcoChics are thrilled!  Okay, this may
be an exaggeration, but hey, Earth Day is a great reminder to try a little harder to take
 care of where we live.  In honor of this, we're going to pass on a few thoughts this week
 for you to chew on.  In your beauty routine, consider:

• Switch to a real razor.  Disposable razors are cheap, but they don't shave well, nick your shins and clog landfills: about 2 billion a year are thrown out.
• Reuse your towels for a few days.  Unless you literally wiped dirt off your body with your towel, you should be safe re-using for a few days, saving water & electricity.
• Be kind to the critters and opt for "Not tested on animals".  Check for the symbol to verify your product is really cruelty free - 

• 
  
• Check out this link: http://www.leapingbunny.org/myths.php  We learned quite a few things that are pretty important and got a handy shopping guide!  

Five Ways to Be GREEN and Beautiful

Many people are paying more attention to what they put in their bodies, choosing organic foods and shopping at their local farmers’ market.  However, it is just as important to consider what’s put on the body.  Sustainable clothing companies, like EcoChics Earthwear, provide beautiful, organic clothing that’s good for you and the planet.  They are among the leaders in fashionable, green casual-wear and proudly give a portion of their annual profits to support American Forests.  The co-founders of EcoChics Earthwear, also encourage people to consider green beauty, because what’s put on your face, hair, and skin is also important.  While it’s almost impossible for an entire product line to be 100% natural, the rise in consumer demand is causing more and more companies to replace chemical ingredients with natural alternatives.  There are now many green beauty options that are better for your body and the environment.

The 2EcoChics suggest the following five ways to be GREEN and beautiful:

1. Ayurveda is an ancient method of health and healing which originated in India and is practiced all over the world.  Authentic Ayurvedic products and treatments require pure ingredients so their skin and body-care lines are considered among the most natural.  The 2EcoChics love Kama Ayurveda Rejuvenating Body Treatment, which is packed with wild cherry, whey, and sesame oil.  It improves skin tone naturally.   Another popular Ayurvendic treatment is the Pratima Turmeric Cream/Mask which uses the antibacterial herb to restore complexions.

2. Organic skincare brands help keep toxic chemicals out of the soil and water, as well as off our skin.  Look for brands that contain individual ingredients labeled, "certified organic" which means their source was grown naturally.  The 2EcoChics like Origins Organics Silkening Body Spritz made from soy lecithin and sunflower oil and Eminence Organic Skin Care for toning with a natural lemon citrus twist. 

3. Biodynamic beauty products benefit from the uber-ingredients which come from this “original organic” method of farming.  Biodynamic farming follows the natural rhythms of nature to cultivate fertile soil that is rich in nutrients.  It yields the healthiest of produce and most potent beauty ingredients.  Among the best of biodynamic beauty companies is Jurlique, who offers many green choices. One of the 2EcoChics favorites is Jurlique’s Citrus Hand Cream made from biodynamic chamomile, marshmallow, and calendula.  Dr. Hauschka’s Moisturizing Mask also contains biodynamic shea butter for a fabulous natural glow.   

4. Paraben and Sulfate-Free is something else to look out for when shopping for green cosmetics and skincare. Ingredients with methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-paraben are frequently put into cosmetics as a preservative.  However, just because it can sit longer on the shelf doesn’t mean you want to put in on your face. Natural, paraben-free alternatives are beta-carotene, geranium, and even spearmint oil (which also smells wonderful).  The 2EcoChics are fans of Aveda products, especially the Outer Peace Cooling Masque.  Sulfates are used mostly as a sudsing agent that helps remove dirt and oils from hair and skin but are also known topical irritants.  Greener choices are Dr. Alkaitis Organic Shampoo, which uses sage, horsetail, and Aztec marigold, and Ren Neroli and Grapfruit Body Wash. 

5. Vegan is both a diet and lifestyle whose primary philosophy protects animals and the environment.  If a product has a vegan label, its formulation uses no animal-derived ingredients.  However, being called Vegan doesn’t necessarily mean its ingredients are organic.  A Green Vegan beauty product to try is Osea Skin Care Advanced Protection Cream. It uses natural plant material to stimulate collagen production for an organic and vegan approach to anti-aging skincare. When traveling, the 2EcoChics relay on Essensa Juniper Body Gel that fights jet lag with an energizing mix of cypress, juniper, and organic calendula. 

If you have any green beauty products you love – tell the 2EcoChics!  Send us your suggestions and we’ll give our beautiful green fans a special shout-out on Facebook and Twitter.