If you know me, you know I love to do bead work.  I just discovered Bead for Life.  I love it!  I'm thinking of hosting a bead party to help support them.

 www.beadforlifestore.org

Shopping “green” is not always an easy task. It only takes one trip to the supermarket to realize that companies—now more than ever—are making green marketing claims to sell their products. Phrases like “all natural,” “less packaging,” and “No GMOs” seem to take up more space on the supermarket displays than the products themselves. But it’s not always easy to tell which companies behind these products are “talking the talk” versus “walking the walk.” Truth be told, there’s probably a whole lot more talking out there than we’d like, but the good news is that many companies are starting the walk too. And for the environmentally-oriented mom, there’s a tool to help determine which ones are truly making a difference.

Climate Counts, a non-profit campaign that scores companies annually on their efforts to reverse climate change, is uncovering which companies are working to address their climate footprint. The Climate Counts Company Scorecard -- launched in June 2007 -- helps moms vote with their dollars by making climate-conscious purchasing choices in their everyday lives. What’s the goal? To put pressure on the world's most well-known companies to take the issue of climate change seriously. Climate Counts has currently evaluated 122 companies -- representing over 3000 different brands -- in fourteen major consumer sectors. Recently, Climate Counts scored the Toys & Kids Equipment sector to help you know what the makers of your children’s strollers, dollhouses, and diapers are doing to protect the long-term health of the planet your kid’s will someday inherit.

We know that you care about living sustainably. Check out their Company Scorecard to help make your purchasing decisions consistent with that goal. Download their free Pocket Shopping Guide for quick and easy information on-the-go.

 I heard about this on NPR and thought I would pass it on.....

I am happy to hear that "green" is going mainstream. There are some down sides to greening mass production that's done overseas ( as you will hear when you listen to this story), but I am still happy to hear about the direction we are slowly heading in.

  Zoe&Zac, the new "green" shoe collection from Payless Shoes, hit shelves last week on Monday, April 13. The collection offers shoes featuring organic cotton canvas, hemp, linen, EVA (non-PVC) foam beds, recycled rubber and water-based glues.

The entire collection for women and girls is offered at a budget friendly price of under $30. The packaging is also eco-smart and uses 100 percent recycled shoe boxes printed with soy-based inks.

Also, for every Zoe&Zac item bought, Payless will contribute $1 to The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Campaign.

Alice Walker Designs has put out an eco-friendly lunch tote that I think is great. It's stylish and durable and allows you to pack a lunch that will leave no waste behind. The lunch box is insulated to help keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. It includes full size cutlery (fork, knife and spoon) and a cloth reusable napkin which all attach securely to one side of the inside of the lunch tote. The tote also includes three food containers with leak proof lids sizes small, medium and large. these containers could easily hold 1-2 adult meals or 2-3 kid meals inside. A stainless steel water bottle is  provided with an insulated bottle holder and strap/ carabiner if you wanted to take it somewhere separately, for instance on a walk or hike.

 The lunch tote is lead free and vinyl free and comes with a removable shoulder strap that is great for parents who are carrying arm loads of "stuff" everywhere. It allows one to sling the lunch box strap around the shoulder or across the chest for easy carrying. 

Chic, cute, and hip all describe the look and design of this lunch tote. The tote I received has a bright green interior on one side with a zebra print on the other. The water bottle is zebra print and the cloth napkin has a bright green and white polka dot design. The outside can be monogrammed in your / your child's initials for a customized look. The outside front of the lunch tote also has a small plastic window for you to include your address or phone number in case you leave it somewhere, which if you are anything like me, happens on a regular basis : ). 

I highly recommend this product for adults use in taking their lunch to work,  and kids to use for school lunches. It's purpose and design are appropriate for use by all ages and it's style and function make it a great buy for oneself or as a nice gift idea for a child or friend/family member. 

This eco-tote makes packing lunch and caring for the Earth fun! 

For more information on the Eco-Tote, please visit their website on the link above.