Sustainable

Biodegradable Shoes

by Almira March 15, 2011

OAT Shoes. I’m almost certain that these would make a terrible meal…even if doused in brown sugar and milk, but biodegradable shoes are a cool idea.

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Cradle To Cradle

by Almira February 11, 2011

Architect and designer, William McDonough shares his views on the importance of green design, specifically from his book, Cradle To Cradle, for a TED Conference:

“Design is the first signal of human intentions. So what are our intentions?

How do we love all the children of all species for all time? …we start our designs with that question.”

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A Fashion Fast

by Almira February 9, 2011

In an effort to curb fast fashion and promote eco-fashion Kristy Powell began a her year-long commitment to a One Dress Protest. Yep, she will be wearing the same dress everyday for an entire year. She’s only on

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Valentine’s Day: Conflict-Free Diamond Jewelry

by Almira February 8, 2011

No blood diamonds here, just conflict-free diamond jewelry and recycled gold and platinum.

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H&M Conscious Collection

by Almira February 7, 2011

Using organic linen, Tencel, organic cotton, and recycled polyester, H&M is revamping its known business model for turning out cheap, disposable clothing to incorporate a zero-waste, conscious approach to garment production in the form of a sustainable clothing line.

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Make Your Own Oil

by Almira October 22, 2010

The Blest Machine is an at-home solution to excess trash, specifically plastic waste. Now, instead of throwing your plastic rubbish in a landfill, you can place it in your Blest Machine and have it converted with an electric heater into usable oil for your car, motorbike, or generator/broiler/stove. Cool! Another great feature: it doesn’t produce any CO2 or toxins!

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World’s Tallest Roses Are Also Sustainable: VeriFlora

by Almira August 13, 2010

VeriFlora is a sustainable farm that grows fair trade, certified organic roses in the mountains of Ecuador, with blooming stems that can reach the heights of 5-6 feet tall. The workers are compensated fairly and their children are provided with daycare and meals during the workday. We should have companies doing that here in the U.S.!

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A Living Dress!

by Almira August 12, 2010

Today’s Slow Fashion Inspiration: Living Clothes! Commissioned to create a piece for the Amsterdam Centre for Architecture (ARCAM), fashion designer Mattijs van Bergen and landscape architect Anouk Vogel crafted this dress out of wool and recycled bicycle inner tubes. The flowers are held in little vases that hold the flowers’ water.

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Big Ideas For A Small Planet (Season 3)

by Almira July 14, 2010

On a scale of 1 (gouge my eyes out) to 5 (enjoyed every moment), I rate it: FIVE STARS 13 episodes (Games doesn’t work on Netflix, so no-go on that one, but each episode is 25 minutes—so many nuggets of great information rolled into such a small amount of time! I realize this list is [...]

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The Backyard Homestead

by Almira July 13, 2010

This Month’s book review comes from The Backyard Homestead, edited by Carleen Madigan. On a scale of 1 (major qualms) to 5 (enjoyed every moment), I rate it: FIVE STARS Madigan claims that you can “Produce all the food you need in just a quarter of an acre!” and although I haven’t had the opportunity [...]

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Freecycle: Don’t Throw It Away, Give It Away!

by Almira July 12, 2010

Have something that’s in good condition that you’s like to sell or get rid of? Immediately, I think to give it to Goodwill or Craigslist it. Both great choices, but I didn’t know about option #3 until recently. Freecycle is a nonprofit movement to “keep good stuff out of landfills.” This network of people throughout [...]

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Introducing: The Media Club

by Almira July 7, 2010

Though it’s quite mid-summer, I thought I’d start start a little Media Club for those breezy hot days under a tree cuddled up with a nice read, as well as for those lovely nights watching an informative and inspiring documentaries.
SUMMER 2010 READING & VIEWING LIST:

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Introducing: The Healthy Republic Little Shop

by Almira July 7, 2010

From the gardening and homesteading to holistic healing, nutrition and fitness, you can find many of the Healthy Republic recommended reads at the Healthy Republic A-Store. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Since Amazon doesn’t carry everything—try The Little Green Book.
BOOK CATEGORIES:

Media Club: Summer Reading

Nutrition & Healing

Gardening

Fitness

Documentaries

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A Thrifters Love Affair

by Almira July 2, 2010

Inspired by the movie Julia & Julia, with Meryl Streep,—which I absolutely LOVED—Marisa decides to get inspired. Instead of cooking through the Julia Child Cookbook, she opted to combine something that she enjoys (shopping) with frugality in a year-long challenge: $365, 365 days, 365 dresses.

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