ckane's blog

Natural and Herbal Flea Treatment for Pets

ckane — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

After a recent move to the South, we learned--and the poor dog learned-- that some strains of superfleas are becoming resistant to typical preventative chemical measures such as Frontline and Advantage.

Our Lab was tormented by an early-summer flea infestation for more than a month, as we tried Frontline, then Advantage (neither made a lick of difference), a flea collar, a natural spray, and baths with flea shampoo.

Reluctant to venture further into the chemical "solutions" if these already-strong chemical ones were proving useless (and most of which had an active ingredient classified by the EPA as a carcinogen!), I put in a few hours of research on the internet, and tried different combinations of the many herbal and natural solutions that animal lovers have been using since before there was such as thing as a flea bomb.

What I learned was that putting eucalyptus branches around the yard and home didn't seem to make the slightest difference (though it did make me feel like a witch). And misting the poor guy with diffused peppermint oil only made him smell minty fresh (this might be effective to deter the odd flea on a trip to the park, that's about it).

Here are the two most effective natural measures, in my observation:

1. Food-Grade Diatomaceous earth: I used Diatom Dust, both on the dog and his bedding areas. This powder, made from decomposed algae, dries out the fleas, killing them dead.

2. Nematodes: This solution, which entails releasing millions of parasites to your yard to feed on the flea larvae, sounded potentially quite grody. But really it was the simplest thing. The nematodes arrive embedded in a sponge, which you immerse in water, then simply sprinkle the water over your yard with a watering can. They'll crawl about til they find the baddies themselves and have a feast.

And the fleas are now gone. So long, suckers!

H&M Has More Sustainable Fabrics!

ckane — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Swedish-import clothing chain H&M hasn't just now jumped on the sustainable bandwagon, they began incorporating organic cotton in 2004 into some children's items and have eased into it ever since. Now, they're continuing with more organic cotton than ever (2,000 tons will be used this year, as opposed to 30 tons two years ago), as well as organic wool, recycled wool, and recycled polyester.

“We are now using organic cotton in all departments. We’re proud that we’re able to meet increased interest from our customers and at the same time contribute to the increased demand for organically grown cotton. Garments made from organic cotton include both fashion items and updated basics,” says H&M Head of Design Ann-Sofie Johansson.

The organic cotton they use is all certified by the Control Union , and the retailer is also a member of The Organic Exchange, which promotes the growth of the organic cotton industry. In addition to stimulating the growth of the organic cotton industry, which can take a few years for each individual farmer who makes the conversion, H&m also hopes to improve the growing methods for conventional cotton.

That does it: shopping it H&M is no longer a guilty pleasure.

Target's Organic Line, Going Soon

ckane — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Rogan Gregory's beach-safari organic cotton women's fashion collection for Target stores has gotten a mixed response since its debut on May 18. But if you're one of the ones who liked the designs, better get them now, because they're leaving stores June 28. The pieces, many of which have animal prints and incorporate a downtown-streetwear feel, range from $14.99 to $44.99, so actually, good luck finding anything left in stores or online by the end of this month.

Rogan is Target's 11th GO International designer, which is part of a program to bring designer fashion to the great unwashed masses. The New York City- based designer Gregory is also behind the orgainic cotton line Loomstate, as well as the EDUN collection, which aims to stimulate with employment in developing countries.

The GO line debuted at Barney's in New York, as well as in Beverly HIlls. The New York debut was attended by Felicity Huffman, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Smart, and Nicky Hilton, among other celebs. That's kind of cool for giving more cachet to the Target line, but no fair--this is limited-edition and those ladies can afford the usual steeply-priced organic stuff.

Image: Target

The Secret Energy Saver Even Bachelors Own!

ckane — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Ever since reading this article Microwave Ovens: the Curse of Convenience from Natural News.com, I swore off using the microwave. I'd only been using the microwave for reheating leftovers (and never nuking food when it's in plastic), but no more: I moved the toaster oven down from the top of the fridge and onto the counter, and I've been surprised to find myself using it every day since. It wasn't only for leftovers, though: I started firing up the toaster oven many other times when I would normally use the full-size oven. I realized this is a super-easy energy saver.

The U.S. Department of Energy confirms this hypothesis, saying: "A toaster oven uses a third to half as much energy as a fullsized oven." (Many other energy-saving tips from the DOE are available here.)

Cooking in the toaster oven also goes much faster. Obviously you won't be cooking any full-family lasagnes in there, but any time you need to, say, bake a marinade into your tofu or meat, or roast potato chunks for brunch, throw it in the Pyrex and pop it into the toaster oven.

Image: Home Depot

Eco Footwear Brand Terra Plana Wants You to Go Barefoot

ckane — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Well-made ethical footwear (and any other -wear) can be so prohibitively expensive, not to mention not even very attractively designed, that I wonder how well it really sells. How many disgruntled consumers just go to their local Payless and buy seven pairs of petrochemical confection for the same price of one pair from the eco brand? Not that I, uh, have ever done that, of course.

Ahem.

Considering that, this is pretty great news, from the Terra Plana website:

Due to extraordinary demand we are sold out of Vivo Barefoot in the USA. We are furiously making more shoes and will have more Vivo Barefoot available in July.

(I love picturing shoemakers furiously toiling away.)

Vivo Barefoot is Terra Plana's line based on the studies that have shownn that walking barefoot is best for the health of the body. (Put a what's-in-it -for-me spin on it, and products can sometimes become more popular.) The durable soles are supposedly so thin you can feel what kind of terrain you're walking on, just like if you were barefoot. The company aims to use as many recycled materials as they can, from parachutes to old coats to soiling materials (we don't know what that last one is, either). They also use chrome-free leathers, vegetable tanned leathers, recycled rubber soles, recycled foam foot beds, and and minimal glue.

Another probable contributor to the high demand: they are cute.

Avoid the Human Dangers of Kitty Litter Dust, Naturally

ckane — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:38:36 -0400

You may have never even considered this before going green, but there are real human dangers of kitty litter dust that you breathe in while changing the litter box. It's thought by some to be a carcinogen, which seems a damn unneccessary danger to bring into the home, and all for a task your kitty could just take care of in the dirt outside.

So here are three of the most commonly found alternatives, none of which will raise dangerous dust for you or your cat to inhale into your lungs.

1. Feline Pine Pellets: this is the standard alterna-litter and without question, the best. Made from pine tree scraps from lumber mills, it even smells a bit piney when you first put it in. It looks a bit like short pretzel sticks, so it does seem odd at first (but so would your clay-based, strip-mined "normal" litter if you had never used it before).

2. Yesterday's News: This one is Purina's recycled-newspaper version of Feline Pine. The bits are even shaped the same, except gray instead of a woody color. This works okay, but the Feline Pine is still preferable. It may have just been the piney scent I missed, or maybe it was slightly easier to deal with.

3.Swheat Scoop: This litter is made from naturally processed, biodegradable wheat. Sounds great to us, too, but in practice--it clumped into solid masses that stuck to the box. They want you to clean the litter box twice a day, and that's just a little too demanding for our world-saving schedule.

Offbeat Bride Tribe = Tips, Deals and Steals for Green Brides

ckane — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

If you're planning a green (or partially green) wedding, and are stumped about a specific aspect of the planning, I know of a free forum where almost 200 other like-minded brides can help answer your question. Nothing gets me more stoked to plan my wedding than the original Offbeat Bride site, but about 3000 of the blog's readers also participate in an interactive community on ning called the Offbeat Bride Tribe, or the OBT for short.

The OBT has a few groups of interest to green brides. The main one is Eco Brides, where 176 members have helped each other with planning everything from affordable organic wedding food (a question posed there by yours truly) to affordable eco wedding dresses (yes, it's a theme, this stuff ain't cheap) to how to explain the green theme to your guests, to debating silk vs real flowers. Another group, Wedding Swap. enables OBT members to give away or claim wedding supplies, decorations, or dresses. One photographer just starting out is donating her services via that group to fill up her portfolio. Some brides use Wedding Swap to give away or sell their dresses at a significant discount, so that's another potential dress source. Another group that may be of interest to green brides is the Outdoor Weddings, and then there are dozens more fun groups for tattooed brides, brides in combat boots, witchy brides, and so on.

Debbie Does Hollywood Up with a New Eco Boutique

ckane — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Environmentally conscious fashion designer Deborah Lindquist, who is renowned for her recycled cashmere creations and her bustier-incorporating wedding dresses, just opened a boutique in Toluca Lake. Ecorazzi has photos from the opening here. Lindquist's designs have been spotted on stars from the (animal unfriendly, fur-wearing) Sharon Stone to (animal-friendly, fur-eschewing) Pink, as well as Gwen Stefani, Keyshia Cole, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, Jessica Simpson, and Charlize Theron. Her designs use recycled fabrics like repurposed saris and kimonos, and vintage scarves, as well as hemp, organic cotton, and organic wool.

At that premiere was Gorgeously Green author Sophie Uliano, who told Ecorazzi, “I save my money and buy one unique piece, like Deborah Lindquist, and it will be a timeless classic.” She's echoing an old-fashioned yet timely sentiment that iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has been trying to tell everyone lately. To paraphrase, instead of buying so many disposable clothes, just choose a few well-made pieces that look great on you. You will spend more, but they will last longer.

Image: Econouveau

Green Moving Tips to Try or DIY

ckane — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Anyone who has moved knows there's no better time to get rid of the ridiculous amount of stuff you have accumulated before you move. Trust us.

TRY: You've heard about it before, but oh, just sign up already: freecycle lets you give away your unwanted items to people who do want them. Then you can also use this free service in your new home to snag patio furniture, planters, what have you.

DIY: Throw an old-fashioned yard sale—it's one of the most established forms of recycling, and it’s one that pays. Donate everything that doesn’t sell to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or charity shops.

PACKING:

TRY: Earth Friendly Moving: This is a service that allows you to rent their boxes (they use the "Recopak, pictured) so you don’t have to buy new ones--they call it "do it yourself."

DIY: But this is even more do-it-yourself: There’s no reason to buy new boxes from your moving company when businesses all around you are throwing them away. Go into local liquor stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets to find out what day of the week they get rid of their boxes; then let them know you’ll come in that day to pick them up. Liquor stores may also be able to provide you with sturdy wooden wine crates, which are great for packing breakables like dishes and (duh) wine. Plastic bubble wrap? Hopefully you’ve saved the stuff that comes to you around other items, and you can reserve it for your most delicate breakables. Use your sheets, towels, and blankets to pad furniture and breakables. All those plastic bags you’re hoarding to reuse make great cushioning for inside boxes. Newspapers are another readily available, not to mention recyclable packing material. Pad the bottom of your box in a jiffy by twisting a double sheet of paper and laying it diagonally across the bottom, then put another one across the opposite diagonal, making an X.

MOVING/TRUCK RENTAL COMPANIES

Try: Go Green Moving Solutions, which uses low-emisson biodiesel trucks and recycled cotton moving pads, among other innovations.It's a Southern California company, but hopefully more like this will be springing up.
DIY: A flawed solution, maybe: carbon offsets, the kind that improve your new home: plant some trees!

Sex and the City Lingerie Line Uses Bamboo

ckane — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:36:09 -0400

The media blitz surrounding the "Sex and the City" movie has been relentless, and until now RiverWired was one of the only sites on the Internet that hadn't mentioned it. Until now! But there is a green angle.

Cosabella is a lingerie line featured regularly throughout the HBO series, like in bedroom scenes when Carrie wore bras to honor her no-nudity clause. Just in time for the movie, Cosabella has released a "Sex & the City"-inspired line (with no overt references to the show, just the personalities of the characters, and the tags inside the undies). The line has looks named for each of the four main characters, and the comparatively modest Charlotte line uses bamboo fabric. The press release describes Charlotte's line as "more like typical sleepwear - since she seems like the most likely candidate to actually lounge at home in her pajamas."

Figures they'd give the eco line to the lamest character. But it's cool that they did include the bamboo fabric.

Also in the same press release--HBO's VP of licensing and retail mentions efforts to be eco-friendly with their other S&TC merch.

Image: The Lingerie Post