Yogachips by Yogavive Update
September 30, 2009 by Jennifer
I recently reviewed Yogachips by Yogavive, and they got a pretty good score, although I was questioning their ‘natural flavoring’. Oddly, the company got back to me stat about my concerns – rare, but I love that so here’s the update.
My concern was that their packaging noted only, “natural flavoring” a vague term at best, and at worst one that green folks are leery of (or should be). The company responded back in record time with this…
“Yogavive’s Apple Chips are made using only natural ingredients. Our Caramel, Peach and Strawberry varieties are what is called, “WONF” – with other natural flavors. These flavors are derived from wholly natural sources and are not chemically synthesized. For example, these natural flavors are made from fruit juices derived from real peaches and real strawberries, or sugar, for the Caramel variety.
These natural flavors are used only to enhance the product’s flavor, and not much different than your favorite fruit juice company mixing water with your fruit juice. Our natural flavors contain natural fruit extracts (WONF), water and minimal amounts of necessary food-grade ethyl alcohol, used as a base.
According to our French flavor supplier, “Flavor obtained through a simple mix of natural flavoring substances, and then natural extracts on alcoholic support, in accordance with EEC 88/388.”
In simpler terms, our flavors do NOT contain synthesized chemicals, only naturally derived components. Essentially, our Peach variety contains peach extracts and the Strawberry variety has strawberry… and so on.”
Also in update news the company just seriously revamped their website making it much easier to find a retailer which was another concern of mine. They even have online retailers posted. Nice.
I’m still not thrilled about the packaging, but I’m popping these up a point since the company got back to me – that almost NEVER happens. If you missed my first review of this healthy snack you can read it now – Yogachips by Yogavive.
Why don’t people live green?
September 29, 2009 by Jennifer
Last night I watched an advanced screening of No Impact Man, which I really liked for the most part (review soon) however, my boyfriend felt it lacked any sort of compelling content. He felt it was a movie mainly for people who are already living green not the general public. He noted that while No Impact Man was dull and not worth seeing (note: I didn’t agree) some documentaries like Super Size Me DO offer shocking facts and compelling content and therefore make people sit up and take notice and are very much worth viewing.
Obviously this conversation spun out of control with me on the side of green is compelling and my boyfriend saying um, no, not for most people. THEN he said, if you want to make green compelling to the general public, there should be a reality TV show where anti-green people have to live green to win a million bucks or something. Sigh.
The sad part is I’m not sure he’s wrong. I bet millions of people would tune in to a lame reality TV show where the reward for going green is cold hard cash. Does that defeat the purpose of living green? In my opinion yeah. To me there are compelling reasons to go green without someone waving cash in front of my face. Plus, not everyone would get that opportunity. Rewards for going green can’t always be about money, or something you can touch; it’s just not realistic.
BUT does everyone agree with me? Nope. Obviously not. Look at the eco-statistics – people are doing a horrible job when it comes to green living. Very few people recycle. Few people will give up their toxic cleaners for green and safe cleaners and I highly doubt that folks will cancel cable to save energy and get outside instead.
What is it about green that’s so hard for the majority of people to swallow?
I’ve been thinking about this and I think I’ve got some reasons rounded up, but before I post them, why not tell me what you think. Why don’t more people go green? How come living green doesn’t factor in for the majority of Americans?
What do you think?
[image via stock.xchng]
Green Product Review: Yogachips by Yogavive
September 27, 2009 by Jennifer
Today a snack you can pop into reusable lunch sacks or take on the go to the park or playgroup that offers crunch without the salt and calories of chips.
PRODUCT: Yogachips by Yogavive – Organic 100% apple chips in 5 different varieties including Original, Apple Cinnamon, Caramel, Peach and Strawberry. Yogachips are made using a two part drying process where the apples are oven baked and then popped to a light airy chip-like snack.
INGREDIENTS:
- Apple: Organic Fuji apples.
- Apple Cinnamon: Organic Fuji apples, organic cinnamon.
- Caramel: Organic Fuji apples, caramel flavor.
- Peach: Organic Fuji apples, peach flavor.
- Strawberry: Organic Fuji apples, natural strawberry flavor.
COST: $1.29 for a .35oz bag
ECO-PERKS:
- Certified Vegan, Kosher, Halal and Gluten-Free
- Certified organic by both USDA and EcoCert
PROS: Read more
Green Halloween is Coming Soon
Halloween, or more appropriately for tree hugging families, “green” Halloween is coming soon, so it’s time to get planning. Before we kick off this season, let’s take a look back at some previous green Halloween tips you can use.
- Buy Nothing New Halloween was an idea last year, but it still holds up as an excellent plan for this year.
- Green Halloween Costume Ideas
- Non-toxic face paints for Halloween
- Should you buy an organic pumpkin for Halloween?
- Green Your Halloween Party
TREATS:
- Oodles of Free Recycled Halloween Craft Ideas
- Recycled Autumn Kid Crafts
- DIY Refrigerator Magnets
- Nature Themed Autumn Craft
THIS YEAR:
There’s still time to enter the ChicoBag & Green Halloween’s 2nd Annual Trick-Or-Treat Bag Design Contest and get signed up for Fair Trade Reverse Trick-or-Treating.
Tomorrow is Green Sprouts & Other News
First a reminder – tomorrow is the Green Sprout Festival. If you’re in Oregon, or nearby Washington, it’ll be a great event. It kicks off at 10am and the fun lasts all day. See you there!
In other green news…
In commercialism news, the FDA bans clove cigarettes. You’d think I’d be on board, but eh, I’m not so much.
Green Baby Guide has the most adorable DIY doll TV set while Tiny Decor also has a DIY project – a super fly DIY Chalkboard Play Table.
Our old pal Peggy does a review of veggie-minded Quorn Chik’n Nuggets and also has an excellent, less green, but still relevant to green piece up, Would Taxing Soda Prevent Obesity?
If you’ve been wondering if Method cleaners are truly green then you’ll want to read, Are Method Home Products Truly ‘Green?’
COOLNESS – a wicked prefab garden greenroof office station. I NEED one.
How to reuse or recycle sunglasses – for those of you who don’t often sit on said glasses and kill them dead (um, that would be me).
Here’s a BIG ol’ problem with non-local book sellers.
It’s time for Fair Trade Reverse Trick-or-Treating!
I LOVE these new sustainable wood calendars.
GREEN GIVEAWAYS!
Over at EcoHuddle, I’m running not one, not two, but three killer green giveaways. You could win…
- An Envirosax Planet Green Tote Bag
- A cool new pair of New Balance Eco Collection Shoes
- Or even a very nice Organic Fair Trade Tea & Organic Sparkling Tea sampler pack
Last but not least, don’t forget to get signed up for Blog Action Day – an awesome day to discuss climate change.
Blog Action Day 2009 – Talk About Climate Change
Each year on October 15th, bloggers all over the world join together to discuss one agreed upon and important topic facing the world. In 2007 we blogged about the environment. In 2008 we discussed poverty. This year, Blog Action Day is asking bloggers to tackle climate change.
Blog Action Day is the brainchild of Collis Ta’eed, and the first year he managed to recruit 20,000 bloggers to all write on the same topic on the same day. It was an amazing event. This year it should be even bigger and better, and it’s always fun to see what various bloggers have to say on the same issue.
Blog Action Day is a major social media effort to get everyone talking about an important issue on one day. No matter your blog’s topic, you can participate. When bloggers come together to focus on one topic, it gives attention to that topic, exposes readers, and shows the world that we can tackle some big issues if we all focus our efforts together.
Any blogger, large or small can participate. Head over to the Blog Action Day site and register your blog, or blogs. I usually sign a bunch of my blogs up and this year, so far Tree Hugging Family is on board (of course) as well as Thrifty Mommy, Blisstree Green Living, and Best Green Home Tips.
On October 15th you can sit back and let everyone discuss climate change, or you can join in and actively participate in the conversation. I’m gonna say join in!
The Hybrid Cloth Diaper System
September 23, 2009 by Jennifer
This month we’ve been looking at alternatives to traditional disposable baby diapers. Next up on the list is the hybrid, or gDiaper.
gDiapers are a unique diaper hybrid in that they’re reusable, flushable and compostable. They’re composed of three elements a washable outer cotton layer (the little G pant) which comes in all sorts of cool designs and colors, a washable waterproof inner layer, and a flushable absorbing insert.
The insert works to absorb liquids, and to manage this contains SAP, that possible toxin I mentioned in the Non-Biodegradable Eco-Disposable Diapers post. gDiaper of course takes the approach that SAP is non-toxic and safe, but the verdict is still out on that one. Still, because it’s compostable, this is a greener option than disposable diapers and meets the leery of cloth diaper users half way.
You really should check around before using these though. I’ve heard plenty of mixed reviews. Love, hate, and all sorts of in-between opinions abound. Plus gDiapers cost more than other disposable alternatives.
Learn more:
See an in-depth review of gDiapers.
If you want to hear what dozens of mamas think of gDiapers check out Green Baby Guide. They asked and boy did readers talk… and talk… and talk!
Visit gDiapers to learn more.
All-in-one cloth reusable diapers
September 22, 2009 by Jennifer
This month we’ve been looking at alternatives to traditional disposable baby diapers. Of all the reusables, all-in-one types are one of the best, in my opinion because they’re affordable, reusable, and offer quick and easy on and off diaper changes.
There’s a large array of all-in-one type cloth diapers for those who don’t want to go the prefold route. These diapers are completely reusable, include some sort of side attachable i.e. Velcro or snaps, and don’t need to be folded because they come ready to wear. Basically you buy a diaper, put it on your baby, take it off, wash it, repeat. The image above, of a Bum Genius all-in-one, is a good basic example of what a diaper like this includes.
Overall these are likely almost the most eco-friendly choice you can make. I say almost because prefold win on reuse. Once you’re done using prefolds you can use them as cleaning rags, while these shaped cloth diapers won’t work as well in that respect. However, all-in-one cloth diapers are still long lasting (through more than one baby) and are a super green choice.
Variations on all-in-ones: You can find all-in-one cloth diapers in fabrics like organic cotton, regular cotton, bamboo, and hemp. They also come in a wide array of great colors and designs and are even available in swimming styles for littles who like to hit the beach or pool. They come with a variety of closures but never pins. Some have extra inserts to make them less likely to leak, and some you can get covers for to change the look.
Affordable Green Toy Review by Cedar
September 21, 2009 by Jennifer
As a green blogger, it’s frustrating because I work for more than one green client. Sometimes I’ll post something elsewhere that I KNOW Tree Hugging Readers would adore. That happened today, but since I think you’ll be interested, I’m going to send you away for the day.
The review is of Citiblocs – a totally green, super fun, and best of all, affordable green building toy. Cedar loved them, and if you’ve got little ones, this item is a must consider toy for the upcoming holiday season. Seriously, kits start at just $15 and are a cool family activity. Plus they really work your brain. You can build twisty structures, straight structures, long and tall structures, and crazy intricate patterned structures. See some of the cool things you can build below, then check out the review.
Read the review: ‘CitiBlocs’ Eco-Friendly Building Blocks: A Kid Tested Review
Green Product Review: Excellent Green Stocking Stuffer!
September 20, 2009 by Jennifer
Today I’ve got a product review for you that will make the perfect green stocking stuffer, a great housewarming gift, or even just a nice, “I’m thinking about you” gift.
PRODUCT: Simple Steps Deck Healthy Home. Healthy Planet. 50 Easy Actions by the Natural Resources Defense Council (Chronicle Books; August, 2009).
COST: $14.95
ABOUT THE DECK:
Simple Steps is a sweet little deck of 3-3/4 x 5-1/2 in cards (51 in all). There’s a hole punch at the top of the deck and it’s tied shut with a black ribbon, which of course holds the cards together. The cards do not come in a box, but rather a wrap around cardboard holder or bellyband. You can use the ribbon to hang the deck anywhere you like – say in the kitchen.
The entire deck and belly band are printed on recycled paper with soy based inks.
The deck is organized room by room, with plenty of green solutions for the entire house, both inside and out. Rooms covered include: kitchen, living room, home office, bathroom and laundry, children’s rooms, and garage and garden.
WHAT I THINK: Read more