One of the best ways to save money and eat healthy is to have a garden. Even a small garden on a roof or balcony can give you a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables for very little effort. But any good gardener will tell you that keeping the garden watered is key to success. Using a hose or water can works very well but there are more efficient ways of watering that can save you money.

Drip Irrigation is a system of pipes that is worked through a garden and is designed to drip water directly on the roots of a plant instead of misting the top of a plant and hoping the water reaches the roots. The advantage of this type of system is you can use a significantly smaller amount of water directly to where the plant needs it. Water savings of up to 70% versus traditional watering are not unheard of.

One thing that deters people from this type of system is cost. It has been relatively expensive to buy all of the valves, hoses, lines and tapping the system into your existing house pipes to make it a viable alternative. That is not the case anymore. Orbit Irrigation Products now sells a low cost irrigation system that connect to your existing hose faucets at places like WalMart, Lowes, and Home Depot. For $30 you can get a Starter Drip Irrigation Kit for gardens and a 50 ft supply hose which will allow you to install a drip irrigation system for a garden as large as 50 square feet.

There are several advantages to this type of system over traditional irrigation systems which are usually installed underground. First, you don’t need to have a plumber or irrigation specialist install it for you. Just connect it to your hose faucet, lay the lines, and go. Second, since the lines are not buried it is easy to move and expand the system. If you are a renter, you can install and remove this system as needed. Or say you start with the garden and decide you want to add on sprinklers for your flowers or drip watering for your potted plants. With this system all you need to do is buy the hoses and parts to do that then just extend it to what you already have.

Finally, this type of system allows for all the features of a normal irrigation system with the flexibility to change. If you need a smaller system as time goes on, just reduce the number of pipes used. If you want to totally automate your watering, you can easily add a timer to the system. If you live in an apartment with only potted plants, you can connect the system to your washer connection and run the lines to your plants.

Drip Irrigation in a low cost form has finally come home in a way that everyone can enjoy. It makes your gardening life easier, saves you money on water bills, and won’t break the bank to install.

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Last June I wrote a blog post about my personal Green Guilt. The post detailed my eco-sins, and at the end of it I promised that I’d try and make some meaningful changes and work towards reducing the negative ecological impact I was causing with these actions. In the 9-months since publishing that post, I am happy to report that, all-in-all, I’ve done a pretty good job at changing my behaviors and lessening my impact on the Earth. So without further ado…

1. The first item on last year’s list was the fact that I was driving 500+ miles per week. Between my 70-mile daily commute and trips back and forth to visit friends, I drove 26,000 miles? in just one year’s time! And while I do drive a relatively fuel-efficient VW Jetta, keep its tires properly inflated and get the oil changed regularly, I drove more than double the national average. According to the EPA’s Household Emissions Calculator, my driving habits in 2008 produced a whooping 8.3 tons of CO₂ last year – 3.7 tons more than the average driver!

Since the beginning of 2009, I have made an effort to reduce how much I drive, and so far I’ve stuck to the plan. While I still have the same commute, I work at home 2-3 times each month, and I visit my far-flung friends less often during the week. I’ve also been taking fewer trips to visit my family (who live about 50 miles from my house), and am staying longer (often overnight) when I do visit. In making these minor changes, I’ve shaved off 500 miles a month from my total – and am producing 1.92 fewer tons of CO₂ annually.

2. Next on my list was my lack of recycling at work. Because my workplace does not participate in mandatory recycling (on any level), I would often toss my plastic bottles and paper into the garbage bin beneath my desk. Since June, we’ve not yet implemented an across-the-board recycling program in our offices, but I have started recycling more and more on my own. And having cut down on purchasing beverages packaged in plastic bottles, I’ve reduced the overall volume of what I consume. In terms of work, I also essentially stopped printing anything, started turning off my computer more often, and do more lunch-time carpooling with co-workers.

3. My next sin was the fact that I threw away all kinds of food. This one killed me. I would buy beautiful fruits and vegetables with the highest intentions, only to let them rot in the fridge while I ate with friends, in restaurants or not at all. Since June I’ve gotten a lot more careful about not wasting food. I’ve started buying smaller amounts of food, cooking at home, and making sure that my veggies are chopped up and ready to eat when I load them into the fridge.

4. When I would go out on the weekends, I used to leave NHPR playing on the radio (for the plants perhaps?). Now I simply don’t!

5. Another of my previous guilt-inducing actions was that I didn’t always being a reusable mug when filling up at the local coffee shop. I am proud to say that, since June, I’ve probably filled up with reusable mugs 95% of the times I’ve enjoyed java from my local coffee shops! If I leave the house without a mug I go back and get it! And in an effort to further reduce my waste, I try to reuse the paper bags that come with the scones that I so love (thanks Popovers!).

6. OK, so I do sometimes (though not as often) buy coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. When I do however (and it’s really only 2-3 times a month that I do), I have started going into the stores (instead of using the drive-through), and filling up with my reusable mugs.

7. Number 7 on my list was the fact that I liked to drive around with the windows open and the air conditioning on when it was hot outside. Honestly, it’s been cold for so long now that this seems like a moot point! And while I honestly can’t remember if I was still doing this at the end of the summer – I’m pretty sure I wasn’t. Most of my driving is on the highway, and it’s nearly impossible to be comfortable while doing 70 with the windows open.

8. The next item on my list dealt with my purchasing less-than-green clothes. In addition to the fact that I bought clothes made from synthetic fabrics, I would also buy goods manufactured by companies with sub-par eco-policies and processes. I’ve made some improvements in this area of my life, but my actions still aren’t as green as they could be.

My winter coat, ski hat and ski-pants are made by ecologically-conscious companies (The North Face, and Obermeyer), and about 50% of the clothes I’ve purchased since June have been second-hand. I will admit that I’ve bought a few Van Heusen shirts however, and their messaging on Corporate Responsibility includes one sentence on the preservation and improvement of the environment. I doubt the adorable Marc Fisher heels I bought last week are eco-friendly either!

9. Purchasing pre-packaged organic meals was another eco-sin on my list. And while I have reduced the amount of pre-packaged meals I’m buying (in large part because I’m cooking more), I still love Amy’s Kitchen organic meals – especially the Mattar Paneer! All I can say is, at least it’s organic!

10. Last but not least on my list was my love of Polar Seltzer and the countless plastic bottles produced through my freakish seltzer consumption. And while I am enjoying a bottle of the Black Cherry Seltzer as I type this, I have gone from drinking 2 bottles a day to about 2 bottles a month. The build-up of plastic bottle induced guilt was just too much, so I did what was right and put the bottles down.

While I can’t say I’ve changed all my bad habits and rid fully rid myself of green guilt, I think I’ve done a pretty good job of making changes that make a difference. I’m driving less, recycling more, reusing whenever possible, and remaining consciously aware of what I buy and how those products are sourced. My recycling bins have fewer plastic bottles kicking around, my closet is filling up with more second-hand treasures, and my plants seem perfectly content even though they no longer listen to NHPR when I leave the house.

Hope you’re having luck changing your habits too, and I would love to hear about the changes you’ve made for the planet!

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Earlier in the winter I posted an article about organic beers called Where to Find Great Organic Brews. Being that my parents are involved in the brewing industry, they were both excited that I’d written about organic beer and passed the link along to some of their friends and acquaintances who brew beer for a living.

One of the brewers my dad chatted with about my organic beer blog post was Hugh Sisson, Founder and General Partner of Baltimore’s Clipper City Brewing Company. Clipper City brews Oxford Organic Ales, and currently offers 2 award-winning organic brews – Oxford Class Organic Amber Ale and Oxford Organic Raspberry Wheat Beer.

After my parents returned home from a trip to Maryland, my dad mentioned that I’d overlooked Clipper City in my organic beer post, then pulled out three of their Raspberry Wheat Beer (I think the other three were absorbed by my dad as a “transportation tax”) – specially sent for my enjoyment by Hugh Sisson. I was dumbfounded – until that moment, no one had ever sent me anything (other than mail and comments, which I love) as a result of my blogging!

The beers, by the way, were delicious. The Raspberry Wheat Beer is light and fruity, with the berry taste lingering a moment after you swallow the brew. And while I savored the brews in the dead of New Hampshire’s winter, I tasted a hint of sunshine and endless summer days until I reached the bottom of the bottles. Clearly, receiving free bear hasn’t biased me at all!

All kidding aside though, Clipper City makes eco-friendly beers that taste great and are certified organic by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. In addition to brewing organic beers, the brewery is committed to being a part of their local community, and has a stated mission of “bringing back the local brewery.” Stop by Clipper City if you’re in the Baltimore area, and be sure you treat yourself to one of the Oxford Organic Ales. If you can’t make it to the brewery, Clipper City Beers are sold all over the east coast, and as far west as Illinois. Sadly however, they’re not available in New Hampshire or Vermont…

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In my never-ending quest for the perfect t-shirt (one that’s funny, funky, perfectly political and sustainably manufactured), I’ve compiled yet another post full of shirts that I would love to own! My first t-shirt post, Expressing Your Inner Green, was a huge hit (and fun to write), so I thought it might be fun to find even more eco-friendly t-shirt sites and present people with some fun ideas for updating their wardrobe with the coolest tees around.

Based in Minneapolis, MN, Northern Sun is a 30-year old company that embraces environmental principles and passes their believes on in the form of organic t-shirts decorated with eco-slogans. In looking over their shirts, I found so many that I personally liked that I couldn’t choose just one to post here, so I’ve selected a few of my favorites to pass along.

This “Make Art Not War” design is by Shepard Fairey (the artist who created the ever-present iconic Obama image), and I actually first came across this image on the streets of Cambridge, MA. Fairey’s street art really spoke to me when I saw it, and I took several photographs that I eagerly passed along to friends and family. I really appreciate Fairey’s message of political dissent, and like the fact that his art is so accessible.

Northern Sun also makes this “Tree Hugging Dirt Worshiper” shirt, the bike-friendly Recycle Organic shirt (the bicycle design above), and a funky “Support Local” design that would look great on my favorite plant lover. Northern Sun organic t-shirts range in price from about $20-$30, can be purchased in wholesale batches, and are available in a range of colors and sizes.

The Naked Hippie is another eco-committed company, and uses recycled packaging, paper, receipts and frame board in the distribution of their organic t-shirts. The company only works with organically-certified vendors, and only uses materials and methods in the production of their products. And unlike any other store I’ve ever visited or found online, The Naked Hippie actively encourages its users to “Shop Naked!”

If you want a shirt that makes a statement about the need for a new energy policy in the US, you might? like The Naked Hippie’s “Go With the Wind” design. On sale and available via the company’s website? for $30, this t-shirt is made from 100% organic cotton and gets its message across rather effectively. I also really like the cow on the front of this “Hormone Free” tee,? and think it adds a bit of humor to the serious issue of Bovine Growth Hormones in our dairy products.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to express your political views, this Peace Dove T-Shirt from Shirt Magic of Lewiston, California may be just what you need. Available in 100% organic cotton or in a 55% hemp/45% cotton blend, this $15.00 t-shirt is printed with non-toxic inks and manufactured in sweatshop-free facilities. I especially appreciate Shirt Magic’s stance against using Plastisol Inks in their products, and like their overall eco-attitude toward manufacturing organic hemp and cotton products. In addition to t-shirts, Shirt Magic also sells hemp clothing (hoodies, socks, underwear, etc), and will screen print your designs on their cotton or hemp t-shirts.

If you have an interest in actually designing, and possibly talking about eco-friendly t-shirts, than definitely check out the Artevist website. According to the company’s “About Us” page, Artevist is ” for people who love T-shirts: wearing them, designing them, and talking about them.” The site has all kind of online community elements available to users too, and encourages people to get involved in the conversation and participate in making eco-statements with wearable art.

Community members are able to vote for user-submitted t-shirt designs, and winning designs are turned into the shirts sold on the site. I like this “Breathe” shirt by artist Luke Ramsey. Made from 100% organic cotton and printed using non-toxic inks, this shirt can be purchased for $30 and is a constant reminder to slow down, let go and remember to breathe.

Wearing eco-tees is a great way to make a statement about the importance of living sustainably and with eco-principles. Every time you buy organic you support companies that share your philosophies, and every dollar you spend on organic goods is a step toward a more sustainable future. Eco-tees take this message a step further, as you’re able to share your beliefs (and sometimes a laugh) with the people you encounter every day.

When you make purchases, are you careful to buy goods that are ethically sourced, Fair Trade, certified organic or made in the USA? Are you conscious of the path your dollars take once you’ve handed them over to a sales clerk or entered your credit card number in an online site? Do you care about where all of the materials used to manufacture the things you buy come from? If you answered yes to these questions, than you’re already on the road to becoming an ethical consumer, and following the principles of ethical consumerism when spending your hard earned money.

According to Knowmore.org (a site dedicated to raising awareness of corporate abuses and directing grassroots action against unsustainable corporate practices), Ethical Consumerism is “…a movement toward corporate reform, through which individuals recognize their own role in systems of oppression, and take personal steps toward resistance and positive change.” Ethical Consumerism encourages people to recognize the significance of collectively organized individual actions, and use that power to alter the landscape of traditional economic systems.

Knowmore.org encourages this kind of thinking by offering an online space for like-minded individuals to exchange ideas and find resources focused on combating corporate abuses. One useful tool on the organization’s site is called “Behind the Logos.” Knowmore.org assigns an “ethical rating” to global corporations like Volkswagen, American Express and De Beers that’s meant to help people understand where the products they purchase are sourced and manufactured, and whether the companies making those products are doing so according to ethical principles. With one quick click, you can find out that AT&T received positive ratings for Worker’s Rights, Human Rights and Environmental Issues, but has areas of concern around their Political Influence and Business Ethics.

Another resource for those interested in Ethical Consumerism is the Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN), an international network of buyers dedicated to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing. The RPN is a member-based organization that provides consulting services and resources for paid members, but also publishes helpful guides for the everyday consumer. You can download Responsible Purchasing Guides that provide information about purchasing sustainable products, finding environmentally-conscious vendors, and working with governments to introduce eco-friendly goods into your state’s procurement policies.

If you’re interested in learning about European businesses, UK-based Ethical Consumer is an organization that researches the social and environmental records of companies, publishes free buyers guides, and scores companies based on how well they’ve incorporated ethics into their business models. You can become a member of Ethical Consumer to gain full access to their resources and services, otherwise you might have to pay a fee to access some of the research and information that’s on the organization’s website.

By educating yourself about the consumer choices you encounter on a daily basis, you take control over how you use your spending power to transform business practices and the greater economy. Once enough people realize that they can impact the process by only giving their money to ethical businesses, than real change can take place. If people continue letting big companies off the hook, and spend money with those businesses who practice socially irresponsible manufacturing, who invest their money (which is really your money) in corrupt organizations and governments, and who ignore the working conditions of their laborers, than those companies will keep on acting unethically.

Spend your money wisely and make sure you educate yourself before you open your wallet!

Work can be a tough place to stay warm – thermostats are often off limits, windows and doors can be drafty, and temperature zones don’t always make sense to the people actually working within them. So while my office is always toasty, my co-workers next door are always cold, regardless how high we set the thermometer.

Since most people aren’t able to control the temperature of their work environments, I’ve put together a list of clothes and cold-weather goods that you can use to keep toasty while dreaming of sandy beaches and flip flops as you work.

Keep Warm at Work With…

Hot Drinks for Cold Days – What better way to warm up your day than with a hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa – especially Fair Trade, Organic, or locally produced brands. Make an effort this year to stick to your eco-habits at home and at work by keeping environmentally friendly drinks in your desk to warm you up on those chilly winter afternoons. Personally, I like the Organic and Fair Trade teas from Portsmouth-based White Heron Tea. White Heron Tea offers 16 kinds of tea that meet both Organic and Fair Trade Certified standards. In addition to their Fair Trade tea selection, White Heron Tea sells a variety of Organic teas that include Chai, Jasmine, Pu-erh, and White Teas (among others). You can purchase White Heron Tea in shops around Portsmouth, NH, or via the company’s website.

Cool Mugs for Hot Drinks – Once you’ve procured your Organically-grown, Fair Trade brews, you’ll need a mug to match. These $20 travel mugs from I’m Organic are made from corn and oatmeal (not plastic), and printed with vegetable-based inks. The mugs are 100% biodegradable, and will actually break down in 2 months if tossed into a functional compost pile. I’m Organic sells mugs with 3 different pictures on front, including one that says, Kiss Me – I’m Organic. If you’re looking for a more traditional vessel from which to drink your tea, you might like this Eco Tea Mug (shown at left) from Art of Tea. Made from 100% renewable corn plastic, this stylish mug is microwave-safe, manufactured in the US, and can be purchased for the bargain price of $4.95.

Warm Your Space with Portable Heaters – If hot drinks don’t keep you toasty enough over the course of your workday, you might consider bringing in a portable space heater to achieve a comfortable temperature while on the job. If you don’t need to heat a large space, the Honeywell QuickHeat Low Profile Convection Heater (HZ-617) may be an ideal heater for you. This $90 convection heater comes with an adjustable thermostat so you can maintain a consistent temperature. The HZ-617 has 2 heating options from which to choose – turn on the Quick Heat source for a blast of hot air, or use the natural convection heater to maintain a consistent temperature over time.

When All Else Fails Put on a Sweater – If you’ve tried hot drinks and space heaters to stay warm at work, but you’re still chilly, you can always layer up and apply Jimmy Carter’s words of wisdom by putting on a sweater. Made from 100% certified organic hemp, the Rainbow Hooded Sweater (shown at right) from Rawganique retails for $78-$84 and designed to suite both men and women. If you don’t have the cash for a new sweater, you can always just wear the ones you already own – regardless of how the fabrics they’re made of were sourced. You don’t always need to buy new eco-friendly items if you already own perfectly good products. Buying used sweaters is another affordable way to reduce the demand for new products and reuse those that already exist.

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I went looking for organic beer a few days ago and realized that my grocery store only carries 2 varieties (Peak Organic and Wolaver’s). Because of this, I thought I might provide a public service by doing a round up of some great organic beers available in the US. I’ve tracked down a few of my favorites as well as a few brews I’ve not yet had the good fortune to sample. Hope this helps next time you’re looking for the perfect organic brew and not sure which to buy!

The idea to write this post actually originated with a 6-pack of Peak Pale Ale I picked up at the grocery store last week. Brewed in Portland, Maine by Peak Organic Brewing Company, I can conclusively state that Peak Pale Ale is tasty, full-flavored and a pleasure to drink. The Peak Organic Brewing Company was launched in 1998 with a mission to “make the world’s most delicious beers, and to make them in a way that we can feel good about.” Today, the company uses locally-sourced ingredients in the production of their beers, and maintains a business philosophy that includes sustainable and environmental principles in the brewing of their beers.

Wolaver’s has been making certified organic ales since 1997, and is committed to “making the best beers in the most ecologically sound way.” Located in MIddlebury, Vermont, Wolaver’s brews 7 different organic beers including their seasonal Will Stevens Pumpkin Ale, and 10th Anniversary Farmhouse Ale. I’ve had the pleasure of sampling Wolaver’s, and I can definitely say that these guys make good beer! In addition to using the freshest, most natural ingredients available, Wolaver’s also donates a percentage of their profits to the Organic Farming Research Foundation, and is a long-time supporter of sustainable brewing.

The Eel River Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Fortuna, California, and holds the distinction of crafting the first ever certified organic beer, and of being the first certified organic brewery in the country. And while I can’t exactly recall ever having consumed Eel River beer (hey, it’s hard to keep track), the fact that they’ve won tons of awards for their products is indicative of the quality and taste of their beers. The company makes 7 USDA Certified Organic brews, and ships them all over the country. If you want to try some on your own, make sure you check their map to see if you can buy Eel River beers in your state!

Green Lakes Organic Ale is brewed by the Bend, Oregon brewers at Deschutes Brewery, and made using Salmon-Safe certified organic hops in an Oregon Tilth certified 50-barrel brew house. The brewery was certified organic after brewing 20,000 batches of beer, and now meets the National Organic Program standards. By using Salmon-Safe certified Sterling hops, Deschutes Brewery is helping create a safer future for the wildlife living downstream these sustainably hops fields, and bringing us an eco-friendly brew in the process.

Elliott Bay Brewing in Seattle, Washington uses 100% organic barley to brew their signature craft beers. With a 7 barrel (or 200 gallon) capacity, Elliott Bay Brewing makes a fresh batch of organic beer weekly and serves it in their Brewery/Pub in West Seattle and in their Brewpub in Burien. You can find a list of their year-round and seasonal beers here, or stop by for a fresh one if you’re in the neighborhood!

Located in Olympia, Washington, Fish Brewing Company is a locally-owned craft brewery that produces authentic British-style organic ales and German style lagers for beer lovers. When visiting the brewery you have your choice of three organic ales – Organic Amber Ale, Organic India Pale Ale, and Wild Salmon Organic Pale Ale. Each beer is certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the USDA, and the National Organic Program. Finding bottled Fish Tale beers might be difficult outside of Washington State, but as winners of multiple NABA awards, you’re probably wise to snap up any bottles you find on your liquor store shelves!

To learn more about organic beer and breweries, check out Roger Protz’s The Organic Beer Guide from the Carlton Publishing Group.

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I know that I’ve written a lot recently about eco-friendly winter-wear(long underwear, gear, boots), but with winter lasting so long and being so cold (and snowy), you can always use another pair of gloves or socks, an extra hat to keep in the car, or ski pants for outdoor activities. Seeing as it’s January and I have no immediate plans for a warm weather vacation, I’m apt to write about what’s on my mind and what I could use to keep me a little toastier on these chilly evenings and even colder mornings (can you tell I just can’t get warm)!

Keep Warm at Home

Blankets – Each of these DreamSacks Silk Filled Comforters are handmade by 4 women who sit together and hand stretch layer after layer of silk fibers to create the comforters’ silk fillings. According to the company’s website, the silk adjusts to your body’s temperature and provides an extra layer of warmth so you drift off to sleep feeling as if you’re wrapped in a silk cloud. While pricey at $480 a piece, I have to admit that I would buy one of these comforters if I had the extra cash lying around! If you can’t afford one of their comforters, you might consider a Silk Fleece Blanket (starting at $99) instead.

Pajamas – I love that this SheAndMe 100% organic cotton Little Green Riding Hood comes equip with a hoodie – it shows the designers understand what it’s like to live in buildings that lack adequate insulation! Paired with these 100% be organic Everyday Lounge Pants you’re sure to keep warm and look cute to boot! Both items are made in the USA, and are relatively affordable ($95 for the hoodie and $68 for the bottoms).

Sheets – If it’s affordable and organic that you’re looking for, you might want to check out Target’s Organic Sheet Sets. Made from 100% organic cotton, these sheets are available in Sage Green, and range in price from $10.50-$42.00. For slightly more luxourious organic sheets, you might consider West Elm’s Organic Cotton Frayed-Edge Sheet Sets. These sheets have a 230-thread count and can be purchased for between $79 and $119 per set (includes a flat & fitted sheet, plus 2 pillowcases).

Slippers – According to the ‘disclaimer’ on Viva Terra’s website, you shouldn’t try these slippers on first if you’re intending on giving them as a gift – they’re that comfortable! Hand assembled and knit by a group of indigenous people in South America, these Cozy Knit Slipper Booties look to be well-worth their $58 price tag. I also like the looks of these Acorn Cozy Booties – vegan slippers that are made with memory foam mid-soles and weatherproof out-soles so your toes stay dry when you run out to start your car or grab the mail in your slippers!

Notice how limited my world view is when it comes to keeping warm! I haven’t included any hardcore winter athletic gear here, as I’m mostly concerned with finding eco-goods that can keep you warm when you’re not intentionally putting yourself in situations where being cold is part of the plan (i.e. snowshoeing, bike riding, winter surfing and skiing).

Stay tuned – I have 2 more posts planned to help you find great eco-goods that will keep you warm outside (gloves, hats, etc), and at work – because life is too short to be cold all winter long!

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I know that long underwear isn’t the sexiest or most exciting thing out there – but on nights like tonight (it’s about 15 degrees and windy outside, and I’m sitting here watch huge trucks haul snow around my town) – long johns are the greatest product ever made! And since winter here lasts forever (well, not really – I’d rather be here than in Alaska!) – I try to buy several different kinds of long underwear to last me through the season.

The good people who make Icebreaker products sent me an email about their products back in November. I wasn’t ready to write about eco-long johns at the time, and saved the email for future reference. In looking over their product line, I wish now that I’d ordered one of these Delta Scoop long sleeved shirts (to the right). Icebreaker uses all natural merino gathered from 30 New Zealand farmers to make the Nature Ultralight fabric from which their clothing is produced. The company is passionate about the wool they buy to make their clothing, and even discusses how purchasing inferior merino in the past almost put them out of business! Fortunately for us, the company prevailed and is still making their luxurious wool clothing.

If you’re looking for cold-weather athletic gear, consider the Midweight Rapid Leggings for men or women – these leggings enable you to stay warm, dry and comfortable when you’re running, biking or hiking in chilly temperatures, while their articulated knees give you extra freedom of movement. The Bodyfit Active Base Layer for men (below on the right) and the Olympia Crewe for women are the perfect complements to the leggings, and are both rated for cold to very cold conditions.

Icebreaker is committed to manufacturing sustainable products, to the welfare of the animals from which they source their merino, to an ethical manufacturing process, to maintaining a transparent supply chain, and to buying merino from local farmers with whom they have long-term relationships. And if you’re looking for something other than long johns, Icebreaker also makes merino wool socks for all seasons, and as well as athletic gear and accessories for men, women and children.

Cuddl Duds is another eco-retailer that is making sustainable long underwear to keep us warm on chilly nights. If you’re looking for traditional long underwear with an eco-twist, you might like their eco-bamboo Scoop Neck Long Sleeve Shirt. At $28 this shirt is affordable and sustainable, and is finished with a gray stripe and ribbon that add a feminine touch to the practical garment. You can also grab matching Long Pants or a Tank Top to complete your winter wardrobe.

Other excellent sources for environmentally friendly all-weather long underwear and layering garments include gear companies like REI, The North Face, Patagonia and Marmot. Look for all natural merino wool baselayers for men and women on the North Face website, and Marmot Upcycle underwear that’s made from natural, organic, recycled and discarded materials. Even though Upcycle goods are made using materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, there’s no way you could tell when you are wearing midweight crews and midweight bottoms created using this revolutionary technology.

Hopefully you can find something here that’ll help on these frigid winter nights and keep you cozy all season.

I’m a girl’s girl when it comes to cosmetics, bath lotions, perfumes and lotions. I have been known to run to stores when they are giving away free samples or purchase bonuses.

Unfortunately, genetics also blessed me with extremely sensitive skin. I have psoriasis, and frequently lotions and perfumes either cause me to break out into hives, or itch like a dog with fleas. As both itching and hives being extremely unattractive, I looked into natural and organic cosmetics a few years ago to solve my issues. I always had a negative image of the Body Shop caused by an Ex with a love of Tea Tree Oil. I still hate the smell of Tea Tree oil years later.

However, when I moved to Vermont, which is big-box store challenged as a state, there are very few global companies that manage to get a foothold in the local economy. The Body Shop is one of them. I wandered in out of desperation one day and discovered all of this beautifully scented stuff that upon application, didn’t make me itch like a demon. So I started a few bottles at a time. First I tried the body butters which are lotions made from all natural ingredients and harvested using free trade practices. The Vitamin E Body Butter is heaven-sent for psoriasis sufferers. Second, I tried the soaps, and like all products, are packaged in containers that can be 100% recycled. Then the makeup got a test drive, and besides stopping blemishes, it looks as good on as anything the high-end designer stores sell on shiny glass counters. My only complaint about the Body Shop is that the price points for most of the products that they produce are very high. But then I realize the lack of harsh chemicals and the ability to send soap residue down the drain without harming wildlife and filling our lakes and oceans with tiny plastic exfoliating beads makes the price much more attractive!

There is something to be said about not scrubbing and soothing your skin with harsh chemicals after all.

Since the products are more expensive, I tend to purchase less and choose wisely. Testers are available in every store for all of their products as well.

And here is the clincher – to use “green” products, you don’t have to head to the woods and rub yourself with aloe leaves. Just purchasing wisely and from stores that have a commitment to ending global warning and providing smart packaging is a leap into the right direction. Purchasing power is one of the best ways to achieve political power.

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