Friday, August 31, 2012
Climate change is a very serious issue that will undoubtedly force us to shake up the status quo. But Surya proves that this doesn't have to mean the death of fun. In 2008 the owner, Mr. Charalambous, estimated that a packed dance floor could cover 60 percent of the club's energy needs. Let's hope this is one party that never ends!
Looking for the perfect eco-friendly fashion statement to get the party started? Check out our selection of stylish, low-impact clothing for men, women and children at StylishOrganicFamilyLiving.com!
Looking for the perfect eco-friendly fashion statement to get the party started? Check out our selection of stylish, low-impact clothing for men, women and children at StylishOrganicFamilyLiving.com!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
These days hand-held tablets are all the rage, but there are times when you will want to go hands-free.
Botanist's multifunctional iPad stand, available in solid maple and walnut, is beautifully designed to offer two viewing angles so that it can be used comfortably from either a seated or standing position. It also features dual sculpted trays to accommodate personal items such as USB keys and chargers.
If you're a multitasker (who isn't in today's world?) then you'll love the fact that it supports multiple devices side by side, such as an iPad and an iPhone.
This also makes for a great gift for the green tech lover in your life!
Monday, August 27, 2012
The most important thing to remember to keep your bamboo furniture like new is regular dusting. This will prevent dust from settling into the joints and make cleaning easier in the long run.
If you want to do a more thorough cleaning, use a rag or a sponge soaked in some warm soapy water to wipe it down. Make sure to avoid harsh chemicals or bleach as these have the potential to stain or discolour the finish. Dish soap is usually the best option for this task.
Once that's finished, rinse off your bamboo furniture with a clean wet rag or sponge to remove any left over soap and allow it to air dry. Afterwards you can apply a furniture oil that is specifically suited to bamboo or linseed oil to prevent it from drying out and cracking. This will also give your furniture a nice shine.
As with all furniture, make sure that spills and messes are cleaned immediately to avoid hard to remove stains or permanent damage. By following these easy steps you'll be able to enjoy your beautiful bamboo furniture for years to come!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Whether we are aware of it or not, these interactions result in countless services (such as breathable air) that we enjoy on a daily basis. Sadly, many of the Earth's precious ecosystems are in decline largely due to human activity.
Quite frankly, we should care about ecosystem services because we need them to live. In his book titled Natural Capitalism, the well respected environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author, Paul Hawken (1999), referenced the Biosphere 2 experiment to drive home this point. The experiment consisted of eight scientists living in a glass-enclosed structure for two years filled with artificially constructed ecosystems.
By the end of the two year period, the scientists reported oxygen levels in the air to be equivalent to a 17,500-foot altitude. In other words, until we figure out how to reproduce the services derived from naturally occurring ecosystems we need to protect the ones we've got so that we can continue to enjoy them for an indefinite period of time. I don't know about you, but the idea of living in a bubble doesn't really appeal to me.
Check out the Earth Times for a more in-depth explanation on ecosystems as well as some ideas for limiting environmental impact, including informed consumerism and planting your own garden.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Nothing feels better than stepping out of the shower and into an extra soft bathrobe. At Stylish Organic Family Living, we have plenty of designs to choose from, ranging from soft and plushy to sleek and sexy.
Whether you're treating yourself or searching for the perfect gift, you can't go wrong with one of our eco-friendly options.
My personal favourite is the EcoluxLace Kimono Wrap because it combines both style and comfort. Made from a luxurious blend of viscose from organic bamboo and spandex with just a hint of feminine lace, you're sure to feel fabulous in this cozy cover-up.
Or, if you're looking for something to get you through the looming colder months, we also carry plushy bamboo and organic combed cotton robes in a variety of eye-pleasing colours. These robes are rumoured to be so comfortable that you'll never want to take yours off!
Or, if you're looking for something to get you through the looming colder months, we also carry plushy bamboo and organic combed cotton robes in a variety of eye-pleasing colours. These robes are rumoured to be so comfortable that you'll never want to take yours off!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Removable wall decals can be a fun, creative and inexpensive way to instantly transform a room from boring to beautiful.
The fabulous designs that we carry through Stylish Organic Family Living are made by WallCandy, a US based company that specializes in products that are both safe for children as well as for the environment. All of their decals are made from non-toxic PVC Vinyl with a low tack adhesive that allows for their reuse without any damage to your walls. Styles range from just plain fun, such as the 'Rush Hour Wall Stickers', to the stylish and functional 'Chalkboard Decal – Rococo'.
For more great designs check out the Children's Wall Art section at StylishOrganicFamilyLiving.com!
The fabulous designs that we carry through Stylish Organic Family Living are made by WallCandy, a US based company that specializes in products that are both safe for children as well as for the environment. All of their decals are made from non-toxic PVC Vinyl with a low tack adhesive that allows for their reuse without any damage to your walls. Styles range from just plain fun, such as the 'Rush Hour Wall Stickers', to the stylish and functional 'Chalkboard Decal – Rococo'.
For more great designs check out the Children's Wall Art section at StylishOrganicFamilyLiving.com!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I spent the past weekend learning all about green beauty thanks to 'The Green Beauty Guide' by fashion writer, nutritionalist, and beauty maven Julie Gabriel. One of the topics she covered was whether or not we really need a moisturizer. As a person who never leaves the house without hand cream I find it hard to believe that anyone could live without it, but apparently some people do.
As it turns out, Ms. Gabriel and I see eye to eye on this matter. She explained that everyone should use a moisturizer regardless of what their skin's condition is. Moisturizers help by forming “a film on your skin that reinforces the barrier ability of the epidermis, helping to prevent transepidermal water loss. They contain certain ingredients that attract moisture from the environment, and they contain healing substances that soothe irritations and neutralize free radicals” (Gabriel, 2008, p. 186). FYI, free radicals are the organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and possibly some diseases.
For luxury on the go, check out this collection of travel sized body lotions, body butter and soap for only $25. The Piper Tate Luxury OnThe Go kit includes:
As it turns out, Ms. Gabriel and I see eye to eye on this matter. She explained that everyone should use a moisturizer regardless of what their skin's condition is. Moisturizers help by forming “a film on your skin that reinforces the barrier ability of the epidermis, helping to prevent transepidermal water loss. They contain certain ingredients that attract moisture from the environment, and they contain healing substances that soothe irritations and neutralize free radicals” (Gabriel, 2008, p. 186). FYI, free radicals are the organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and possibly some diseases.
That being said, there is not much point in moisturizing if the moisturizer you use is full of chemicals and preservatives such as parabens. According to Gabriel (2008), parabens have been proven to accumulate in the human body through repeat exposure. “In a 2004 study, tests found parabens in breast cancer tumours in nineteen out of twenty women with breast cancer (Darbre et al. 2004)” (p. 28). Although the study was very small it proved the ability of parabens to penetrate the skin and accumulate in living tissue.
The best way to avoid these unwanted additives is make your own beauty products. However, if you're pressed for time there are a number of safe options available. Piper Tate body-care products are a great way to go because they are handcrafted with organic, local and sustainable ingredients. Just as importantly, they are phthalates, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum, wax, sulfate and paraben free.
For luxury on the go, check out this collection of travel sized body lotions, body butter and soap for only $25. The Piper Tate Luxury OnThe Go kit includes:- Piper Tate Mandarin & Honey Body Lotion (2 fl. oz.)
- Piper Tate Italian Bergamot & Pink Grapefruit Body Lotion (2 fl. oz.)
- Piper Tate Mandarin & Honey Body Butter (1 oz.)
- Piper Tate Italian Bergamot & Pink Grapefruit Body Butter (1 oz.)
- Piper Tate Bergamot and Sweet Orange Blossom Soap (2 oz.)
Thursday, August 09, 2012
My mom recently purchased a pair of Jonano’s Page Boy Shorts from Stylish Organic Family Living and she’s been living in them ever since! She loves them because they look great and because they’re so comfortable. Made from a blend of machine washable viscose from organic bamboo and organic cotton spandex, the fabric has a nice stretch to it making these shorts the perfect choice for virtually any activity. Yoga, biking, running errands, or just plain relaxing, Jonano’s Page Boy Shorts are the way to go.
My mother is really the perfect person to put them to the test, too, because she is one of the most active and dynamic people I know!
Monday, August 06, 2012
Have you ever heard someone refer to a ‘closed loop’ production system and wondered what they meant? According to a joint report drafted by the Society for Organizational Learning, The Sustainability Institute, and the Rocky Mountain Institute (2000), a closed loop production system “is focused on the elimination of waste in the system.
Such production models seek to emulate nature, where waste from any system is food for another system”. In other words, any waste as a result of making the original product is captured and re-integrated into the production cycle for the creation of something else.
Such production models seek to emulate nature, where waste from any system is food for another system”. In other words, any waste as a result of making the original product is captured and re-integrated into the production cycle for the creation of something else.
For example, plants operate based on a closed loop production cycle. They draw their nutrients from the soil and sun (both renewable) and use these to grow and reproduce. Any dead leaves or the like (which could be considered as a type of waste) fall to the ground which are then broken down in the soil to provide new nutrients for new plant growth. Also, the oxygen they produce during photosynthesis is beneficial to the animal kingdom, so nothing ever gets wasted.
Legaré Furniture is a great example of a company that is moving towards a closed loop production system. Their sustainable line of bamboo furniture has an eco friendly ‘carbonized’ finish that is produced by a non-toxic kiln process that uses the waste material from the making of the plywood for its heat source. It’s such a simple concept, but it just goes to show how a little innovation can really go a long way in terms of protecting the environment.
Reference:
Society for Organizational Learning, The Sustainability Institute & Rocky Mountain Institute. (2000). Systems thinking primer for natural capitalism: The four basic shifts. Retrieved from http://www.sustainer.org/pubs/Seville.Nat.Cap.html
Friday, August 03, 2012
Unfortunately, Meadows passed away in 2001 before she was able to complete the last book she was working on called Thinking in Systems. Meadows also wrote or co-wrote Harvesting One Hundredfold: Key Concepts and Case Studies in Environmental Education, The Global Citizen, Toward Global Equilibrium, Beyond the Limits, Limits to Growth: The 30 Year Update, The Dynamics of Growth in a Finite World, Groping in the Dark: The First Decade of Global Modelling, and The Electronic Oracle: Computer Models and Social Decisions.
Meadows’ work reminds us of the importance of living in harmony with nature as well as the importance of living in harmony with one another. She was a true champion of sustainability and one of my personal heroes. For anyone interested in leaning about the principles of sustainable development, her work is an excellent place to start. Happy reading!
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