50 Shades of Fantastic…

Yes, that is right this is a book review.  It may not have anything to do with being green except for the fact, the television is off so I am reducing the use of electricity therefore reducing my carbon footprint.  There I brought it all back to being green….

Any who, I have not sat down with a good book in sometime.  Everything I have been reading has been associated with one of my college classes so reading for the enjoyment of reading has not taken place.  Until….50 Shades of Grey. 

It could not be avoided any longer it was and still is on every reading list out there and on every discussion board.   Therefore, June 22^nd, I brought the trilogy home.  I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, the way the media has portrayed it as “porn” I wasn’t sure it would be a good read since “porn” generally is not well written…..shocker.   Well in my personal opinion, the book is very well written, very addicting, and very difficult to put down.  I started book one, 50 Shades of Grey Friday the 22^nd at seven in the evening only to finish by four in the morning Saturday.  I then willed myself to sleep only to wake and read the second book 50 Shades of Darker after breakfast and some mommy duties, finishing it by ten that night.  Finally, the next morning I started 50 Shades of Freed and finished late Sunday, in fact I think it was nearly one in the morning Monday.  Three books in nearly four days…not too bad.

Honestly speaking, I do not think the allure of the book has anything to do with the descriptive sex scenes (more on that in a moment).  I think it has to do with the fact it is about a very sad young man who falls hopelessly in love with a young woman who is equally head over heels.  It is the connection and addiction between the two that has all of us wanting to read more and know more about Christian and Anastasia.  As far as the descriptive sex, it is a book does it not need to be descriptive…it is not a movie, there are no visuals therefore it needs to be descriptive.  To class it as porn, I do not see it.  Erotic? Yes, yes it is.

I also think many women really love the book because of Christian Grey.  He is a no nonsense, take charge, in control guy who needs fixing.  Yes, women love a man that appears to have it all but is fundamentally screwed up and we want to be that woman who fixes him.  Plus, we really want a man who takes control, is in charge, a man’s man so to speak, wants to take care of us, and can’t live a moment without us.  Many feminists have complained about the nature of the book where the woman is being submissive to a man.  Get your panties out of a knot and don’t lose your hair..geez!  Allowing a man to be a man and being a little submissive in a mutually exclusive relationship does not take away from being a feminist or in control of our own destiny.  In fact, it is the submissive that has all the power…remember.  Now, now, I am not advocating we all run out and get into a BDSM relationship.  I am saying women who are complaining about a man having control, get over yourself.  Concessions and compromise are essential to any relationship, besides I think us woman have emasculated men long enough in an effort to be equal.  We can take control in every aspect of our lives, why not allow a man to have a little control too, our inner goddess deserves it!  Personally, it would be nice to have someone make decisions for me occasionally; it sure would take a load off!

Yes, there I said it, this feminist liberal likes and wants a man's man who is not afraid to take control, invade my space, obsess over me, love me completely, and want to take care of me...for shame!  Do not mistake this declaration as a sign of weakness or the desire to be in an abusive relationship!  Just sayin'...it takes a stronger woman to allow such a man to in her life.

In conclusion, overall, it is a very good, easy read.  Again, I was more drawn to the sad lost little boy known as Christian than the descriptive nature of the book.  It really is a story of what will you do for love, how far will you go for love, and unconditional love!

~Deanne

P.S.

If you are looking for books to read…now that Oprah has left us with no book club to follow.  Check out the New York bestseller list or Good Reads, they are a great start.  I like Good Reads because after you submit what books you have read and what type of books you like to read it will generate a recommendation list for you.

*image credit E L James

GasHole....wish I could take credit for that title!!!

Started this post over memorial day weekend only to find out it did not save or post when my PC decided to reboot itself...arrgg love hate technology!
 Any whoooo...second verse same as the first...in other words let us try it again....Now where was I???

A friend of itsok2bgreen turned me on this amazing documentary The Consequence of Oil by Global Access Media.  It was that documentary which drew me to their site but in all honesty I had to check out everything....love!  Mark Manning brings 20 years of experience in the offshore drilling operations.  As all, if not all I would be shocked, know I surely oppose offshore drilling, ANWR drilling...not when there are so many options to alternative fuel!!!  The gulf explosion was the largest oil disaster since the 1969 disaster that sparked and fueled (pardon the pun) Earth Day and the environmental movement.

The US government bought and paid for by the Oil companies want us to believe it is safe to return to the gulf, no harm, no foul, all has been cleaned up.  Instead BP just continues to pay off the local government surrounding the gulf and continue to send campaign contributions to our politicians to prevent legislation against offshore drilling.  All the while we see advertisement from BP with their local employees touting the cleanest vacation spot around.   They want us to believe the disaster is over because the fire is out and millions of gallons are no longer dumping into the ocean.  It is far from over, only the cover-up continues at the expense of humans, animals, marine life, organisms and an eco-system.  After viewing this documentary I decided to check out another documentary on how oil companies have us and our government by the gonads...GasHole (hence the title I cannot claim as my own.)

GasHole is a mind blowing look at a "crude conspiracy" (to borrow a pun from their title), it certainly gets you thinking about how oil companies have been dictating how we live our lives since 1862 when John D. Rockefeller began Standard Oil Company.  Let's just take a look at history, besides the dirty dealings John did to buy out competitors and price gouging.

In 1977 Shell Scientists (yes I said the oil company Shell) were able to take a 1947 Studebaker which weighs about the same as a Hummer change the engine with some designs they stole borrowed that made it get 149.95 miles per 1 gallon of gas!!!!  Yes that is right folks 1977 we had the technology already!!!!  What happened to this scientific break through??? Gone, even missing from the Library of Congress.  Why would that happen?  Uh, duh...what oil company would want any vehicle to be able to get more miles to the gallon, why would they want anyone to save money by buying less gas for their vehicle.  Errr duh!  Just sayin', I am all for profits and making a buck to two billion.  At who's expense...mine...yours...the environment...the future of our kids or their kids? 

Would an oil company want you to know how big of a disaster the Gulf really is or how their technologies for gaining access to more crude oil is toxic to our oceans and to our drinking water?   Would they want you to know that in 1970 there was a scientist/inventor that was able to get 1000 miles per gallon or that one inventor suddenly died along side a Nevada road when his patent to increase fuel and power effeciency was suddenly bought out by some company that later disposed of the technology?  Yes I know all if it sounds far fetched or consiracy theory like but I put nothing past the power of greed in people.   Money changes people and the thirst for more of it or power to control the market share over takes the desire for the greater good or corporate responsibility.

If anything watch GasHole just to see how the US government bends over for the oil companies in the 2005 Congressional Hearings.  Or view to see just how our pocket books have been stipped of our hard working money because inventions have been surpressed.   Inventions that not only make vehicles more fuel efficient but also better for the Environment.   You will be in shock...I love conspiracy theories as much as the next activist but this will really open your eyes and mind to get you thinking a little more about the choices you make each day!

~Deanne

So when you have a moment from all the things we try to shove into a day, check out The Concequence of Oil and if that doesn't excite or anger you check out the documentary GasHole while you are at it!!!  Both are family friendly and I highly advise having your kids watching these documentaries.   

*Global Access Media images
*GasHole image

love my pets...

Picture is a bit dark but it is one of my favs of the furry kids and not so furry kid. 

In my quest to get back to my vegetarian lifestyle I thought about my two dogs...Cocoa is the very dark image on the right and Lucky is the tan/white dog upper left.  Both are rescues, Cocoa is a pitbull that looks like Cesar Millan's dog Junior.  We rescued her when she was two from a family that was going to take her to the pound.  Lucky he is a pitbull mix, mixed with crazy as we say in this house, was also a rescue from a family who was taking him to the pound at 4 months because OH MY GOSH he pees a lot.  Hello - 4 month old puppies pee all the time it seems.  According to the vet he seemed to have sustained some head injuries.  I often wonder if he was hit because he had accidents in the house.  Anyway, I digress.  Of course the not so furry kid is my son.  They always sleep around him and yes in my home my dogs are very spoiled they enjoy the couch.

As I was saying about getting back to a healthier lifestyle, one I maintained for a number of years until I was out of work last year.  I suddenly felt compelled to eat like some crazed woman, believe me my health is paying the price for it and boy is it hard to get them pounds back off.  Any who, my dogs suffered because they were not getting healthy food they normally get either until recently.  I found this fantastic dog food that they both seem to love.



V-dog



Not only is the dog food vegan, nutritious and awesome it also comes in a compostable bag.  Look at that I even managed to get an Earth Day tip in with a product review, buy products that are compostable are a great green tip.  Plus buying healthy nutritious vegan dog food can reduce environmental impact that traditional dog food can produce.

Check it out your dogs will love it. This is not a paid post by the way....



Cocoa Bean and Lucky One

Here is Lucky who is 16 months and Cocoa who will be 5 in May enjoying their favorite past time sleeping!  They just came home from a 3 mile jog and decided it was nap time.  So today's tip while you are getting healthy and going green for Earth Month don't forget those furry friends who love you no matter your size, what clothes you own, the latest shoe you bought or what your status says on Facebook...they just want to love and please you unconditionally!

Now get out and play with your pets and if you do not have one go adopt one, our animal shelters across the US are over flowing with pets in need of homes. You don't have to adopt a puppy or kitty, older animals already have been potty trained and are not as hyper!

Have a wonderful weekend...see you next post with some tips on going green for Earth Day promise!

~Deanne

Deconstructing Supper

Just finished watching this short documentary about a restaurant owner going from not knowing what GMO's are to an all organic restaurant called Deconstructing Supper.  It was absolutely wonderful to see his transformation of not even knowing what a GMO is to becoming an all organic restaurant by the end of the documentary.  He went on his educational trek really making an effort to understand both sides from bioengineering to sustainable farming.

Check out this short film about the food you bring to your table for your family or at the diner.  You will walk away feeling a little more informed and ready to make a change.

~Deanne

Scary Mommy

I saw this lovely, refreshing blog, Scary Mommy on the news yesterday and it struck a chord with me.  I LOVE IT!!!

I am often struck by the amount of blogs run by mothers that want to perpetuate the illusion that mothers must be perfect, the house, perfect and the children absolutely perfect.  It is wonderful to read a real blog about real parental issues.  Many times I have sat in my home crying thinking I must be the most horrible mother of all times because I see other mothers who "appear" to have it all under control.  The house is never a mess, the kids are never a mess and they write these incredible blogs with words dripping of perfection and never a horrible moment.

I love her blog and so glad to have seen it on the news.  Mothers are under so much attack from this June Cleaver and Martha Stewart bombardment coupled with other mothers attacking them for not following the crowd!  We get so many people telling or shaming us into guilt from our doctors, from our employers to other moms that we often put on a pretend falsehood of perfection so no one knows how messy our lives as parents really are behind that vail.  I am tired of trying to keep up with the mothers who never look like they are messy, who always have full make-up and hair done with the latest fad of clothes on.  I am done trying to keep up with women who have all the help in the world and pretend they don't.  My home is lived in, it isn't always clean, it isn't always perfect, sometimes the dishes are in the sink until the next morning and sometimes I yell at my kid. 

In short, thank you for this honest look at mothering instead of another pretty blog describing all the does and don'ts of the latest thing to buy that will make you a better mother.  It is time we as women stop pretending being a mother is the best thing ever like some snow white cartoon with birds and flowers rising and falling as you sing and whistle.  We need to come together to support each other in our decisions as mothers and as women instead of ripping each other apart and gossiping about so and so when she walks without the latest designer shoes.

Food for thought from a single mother who is struggling like many others.

~Deanne

Composting....natures recycling program!

I have been trying to decide on composter.  I considered building my own out of used pallets but then I found my dogs like to dig and roll in it....they smell awful when I get them out.  This type of composter would work for me if I wasn't going to throw kitchen scraps, which attracts my dogs.  I will probably keep that design for larger scale composting if need be.  But then I remembered how much I love worms....yes I said it!  Worms are awesome! 

I really find composting one of the best ways to reduce the amount of trash being sent to landfills which just adds to our loss of natural resources such as land for the use of a dump!  Not only is composting a fantastic option for reducing landfill waste it also saves you $$$ by no longer needing to buy fertilizer to enrich your soil.  Yes you need to add nutrients to your soil.  As you plants whether they are edible or non-edible plants they use the nutrients from the soil to grow.  To keep your plants (edible and non-edible alike) healthy, disease resistant and growing, use your own fertilizer made from your own yard waste and kitchen scraps.  At least you will know exactly what is going into your soil, chemicals or no chemicals...it comes from your home.

Okay, back on topic! I may have found a company who I will buy this fantastic worm composter unit from because of what they offer when you buy it and it is



 

And it has been

Here are some facts and features straight from their page:

Description:

Composting with worms allows you to turn kitchen scraps, paper waste and cardboard into nutrient-rich soil for your plants. The Worm Factory® 360 composting system makes the entire process quick and easy.

With a thermo siphon air flow design, the Worm Factory 360 increases the composting speed. Now you can produce compost much faster than traditional composting methods. Master Gardeners agree, worm castings are one of the richest forms of fertilizer that you can use.

The Worm Factory® 360 can be used indoors or outdoors allowing year round production. Now composting is no longer limited to backyards. The Worm Factory® 360 is odorless making it great for apartments, kitchens, garages, porches and more.

Unique Features:

• New Thermo Siphon Design
  How it works:
  • Air enters the base on all four sides
  • Worms burrow through the compost creating air passages
  • Rising heat and compost gases create a thermo siphon, pulling the air upwards through the trays
  • Air exits under all four sides of the lid
  • Allows 10 times more air circulation than similar composters.
• The Worm Factory® 360 has a standard 4-Tray size which is expandable up to 8 trays, giving it the largest volume of any home composter.
  
• Now only 1 step assembly out of the box.
  
• The redesigned lid converts to a handy stand for trays while harvesting the compost
  
• Included instructional DVD with step-by-step guide for managing your Worm Factory® 360.
  
• The accessory kit provides basic tools to make managing the Worm Factory® 360 easier.
  
• 20 year warranty.

How It Works:

Simply add a handful of worms and your organic waste to the bottom tray. The worms will start processing the food. Once the bottom tray is filled add another tray. The worms migrate upward to the newest food source leaving the bottom tray full of nutrient-rich compost.

As waste is broken down, moisture filters through the system, taking nutrient-rich particles with it. This makes it possible to harvest organic liquid fertilizer right from the spigot.

 

Features:

• Year-round production
• Odor free operation
• Small footprint at 18x18x14"
• Expandable up to 8 trays
• Easy to assemble and manage
• Built in "worm tea" collector tray and spigot for easy draining
• Includes a 16-page easy-to-use instructional booklet with photos and illustrations
• Comes with "Quick-Tips" lid for easy reference
• Houses eight to twelve thousand worms that consume 5-8lbs of food per week
• 20 year warranty on parts and workmanship
• Made in the U.S.A.
• Made with post consumer recycled materials.
• 30 year life expectancy.

Included:

• 4 Stacking Trays
• Collection Base
• 16-Page Instruction Book
• Ventilation "Quick Tips" Lid
• Coir Brick
• Worm Bedding
• Spigot
• Accessory Kit
• Instructional DVD

Great information....Right?  I think so! If you are interested in saving money, have rich yummy soil your plants will thank you for get yourself as many or as few as you like depending on your needs.  I know that I will buy two for sure!

Above all have fun, get some dirt under your nails and experiment with your yard.  what is the worst thing that could happen....something not grow? Oh well failure succeeded...try try again!!! 

Happy Gardening

~Deanne

What composting ideas are you trying? Leave me a comment I would love to hear all about them!!



Thneeds...is it a need or a want??

My son and I went to see The Lorax last weekend, being a Lorax enthusiast I was excited.  They did a wonderful job bringing the book to life however I would have loved to see more Lorax, Dr. Seuss limericks and message.

It missed the mark that consumerism, our quest for more stuff "thneeds", equals the destruction of the eco-system that we humans take part.  There were glimmers of the original Lorax book telling the tale of missing trees and bad air but not enough.  Of course I am not saying it had to be hard hitting, beat us over the head message but it should have been more.  Kids can absorb the message and the parents forced to watch it because they brought their kids need to get the message. 

I for one love the reference to "Too Big Too Fail"...made me giggle, unfortunately no other parent in the audience that day seemed to grasp it!!!  My son, however cried when the animals lost their home, he got angry at the movie goers for leaving loads of trash behind and he asked me on the way to our car, "is that why you ask me do I need it or want it when I ask to get something at the store?"  So for my son, he got the message loud and clear.

All in all, I love The Lorax!  It was that wonderful Dr. Seuss book turned black and white cartoon who inspired me to love the planet because if you take care of the earth it will take care of you.  Dr. Seuss was ahead of his time, ahead of any green movement and maybe even the starter of it all!

Thank you Dr. Seuss!

~Deanne

Jazzy Vegetarian



I have been watching more and more PBS programming as of late.  I do not use cable or direct TV to receive programming because I see it as a waste of money.....so many channels no real content.  Well regular network programming has seemed to become much of the same, all contest, competition and reality shows too.  So back to good ol' PBS!

I happened to fall upon a time slot one evening and found this fantastic little cooking show Jazzy Vegetarian.  Now weather you are a vegetarian, hard core vegan or a meat eater this show will help you enjoy making delicious alternatives to your everyday carnivore centered meal.  Even if you decide that you are just incorporating one day or two days or even maybe three days a week to a healthier side of cooking this is the place to stop. 

Of course the day I happened to find her programming it was all about Chocolate!! My all time fav!  What a show that day...yummy!  Her recipes are easy to follow and easy to make at home.  No big time production with a ton of steps involved...even the most hard core meat eater would enjoy it!

Check it out on PBS...here is the link and find your local station times.

Of course here is her website Jazzy Vegetarian.

Check it out...you will be pleased I assure you.

~Deanne

discoloration update...

This past August I wrote about some discoloration that appeared on my face during the last month of my pregnancy (8 years ago now).  I am tired of trying to cover it up with make-up and could not afford to see a dermatologist to help.  The marks are on both sides of my face starting on the outer cheek bone and moves up to the outer portion of my forehead.  It kind of looks like freckles that are merging together.

As I stated in my previous post I am an avid sunscreen user since about the age 20.  I will be the first to admit like many of my friends my age as a child and teen sunscreen was a foul word.   However, I have decided to try this product by Alba and I did only use the night cream not the day and night so the results could be different had I used both.

I will say I am still using the night cream but I have not noticed any change in the marks on my face.  I did take photos over a 5 week period and it can be hard to see the marks in the photos.  The product however made my skin feel very soft and hydrated but it did cause me to break out the first 2 to 3 weeks.

WEEK 1

You can just see the darkening on my cheek bone.

Here you can see the mark on the outer 1/3 of my eye.

Kind of see the darkening on my cheek.

You can see the marks far better when there are no lights shining on it.

Look above my eyebrow you can see the splotchy marks and how it moves down past my eye then on my cheek.

Another view.

WEEK 2

I tried to be sure I took the exact same shots as above for week 2, 3, 4 and 5.

I see no improvement in the discoloration.

WEEK 3

None of the pictures turned out....completely bummed!

WEEK 4

Still no change in the marks and my skin is recovering from breakouts that started after the first week I started using the night cream.

WEEK 5

Still no change in the discoloration however my overall skin texture, hydration and tone has greatly improved.

I am still using the product because well the jar is not empty, I hate wasting it.  I am considering getting the day cream and trying both together to hope the dark marks on my face with appear lighter.  I may just have to some day pay for a dermatologist to try microdermabrasion instead.

Sadly I am disappointed. :-[

~Deanne

*alba botanica

Portable Solar Power...ah yeah!

FTL Solar

Can I just say how much I love this company?? Love love love!

They are made in the USA, they support our troops and they are environmental eco-friendly.  I wish I was as inventive and creative as their developers.

Well I will let them tell you...directly from their site:

 

"FTL Solar, founded in 2006, is the world’s leading manufacturer of integrated solar structures and fabrics. Commercial, military and disaster relief organizations depend upon FTL Solar’s lightweight, portable and flexible structures for a scalable, sustainable and secure source of renewable power and shelter.

Our products generate power anywhere on earth where there is direct or diffuse sunlight and can operate maintenance free for up to ten years. Clients adapt FTL’s power generating structures to a variety of uses, from small temporary installations that power laptops, cell phones, water purification and sanitation systems, to large scale installations used for rooftops, parking lots and solar farms. Our products are solutions-neutral, and can easily integrate advances in the photovoltaic technology.

FTL Solar, LLC is a 100% vertically integrated company offering design financing, engineering, consulting services; installation and maintenance services on an international scale."

They are amazing, the portable solar charging products they provide for the smallest device like a cell phone to providing portable power for the US Military.   If it is good enough for the Military it is good enough for me!



I am really quite eager to try their products...would love to see if they could have portable items to charge an electric vehicle???

~Deanne

just some things I have tried....

I am always trying to new items and things that just make me happy to know they are all natural and/or organic. These little goodies just make me giddy! Some I just want to order daily...if I could!

Source: gleegum.com via Deanne on Pinterest

Glee Gum not only has yummy all natural gum but has these fun kits to buy and use with your kids...oh yes I will be using the chocolate kit with my son.


Source: gleegum.com via Deanne on Pinterest

My son and I enjoy each and every one of these flavors! Not to mention Aspartame free! Terrible little chemical found in all sorts of things.

Of course I am always on the look out for all natural personal care products, preferably organic, but on occasion I will settle for natural when I see the list of ingredients.

Source: foreue.com via Deanne on Pinterest

Foreue has a tag line on the web site that says "100% recognizable ingredients." When you read what is actually in the products you feel safe trying their products. I prefer vegan personal care products, the idea an animal had to die just so I have great hair, smooth skin or whatever...just eeewww (to quote Jimmy Fallon's late night character eeeeww).  My personal fav is the Lavender room freshener.....sooooo relaxing!

Source: purpleprairie.com via Deanne on Pinterest

Purple Prairie makes me happy because it came from a Mom with a need that wasn't being fulfilled by the current market. So she made her own.

I really enjoy the soy candles. I re-use the tins for other things in the house. I am wondering if she would take them back to re-use herself and give the consumer a discount on another product.


Last but not least.....I LOVE TEA!



Source: konitea.com via Deanne on Pinterest

As I said above I love tea, but not always sure what tea to try or buy what sounds good. This lovely tea company Koni tea has an amazing site just to help you through the myriad of teas. Tea can be relaxing hot and refreshing cold!

And FINALLY.....



Source: consciousbox.com via Deanne on Pinterest

For those who just would like to receive a monthly box of fantastically natural and/or organic items comes this fantastic company. You get to discover a new ethical businesses and the purest of brands. What a way to get introduced to products you just do not have time to research on the net each day, plus they have so many gift ideas too!

Enjoy one or them all!

~Deanne



Cleaning...

I will be the first to admit, cleaning is not a chore I care for because it just well yuck! However, a dirty smelly house much much worse!  Right?!  The cleaning products most homes use are so incredibly toxic that a face mask should be worn, really.  Not to mention the chemicals being sent down the drain just ends up in our steams, lakes, oceans and even back in our drinking water.

I have been using many eco-friendly products that actually do their job.  Each time I try another eco-friendly product I always end up returning to Method!

I know I have mentioned them before but there was this nifty little new product I must discuss!

I do not know what employee of Method thought of this amazing little creature but they are GENIUS!

First I love the sponge holder at the top.

Second I use this just about everywhere because the cleaner does not run.  It is so nice and thick I even use it as a toilet cleaner because it stays put right under the rim soaking away.  A little goes a very long way!

Third...the smell! Oh so yummy, not at all like traditional cleaners.

I will be honest I have found only one item so far I cannot get behind and jump for joy!

I have been trying this product for sometime now with no success.  It does clean the plates but it leaves behind a white filmy residue.  Maybe it is because I have hard water, I don't know.  I just can't seem to get it to rinse clear at all.  I have to re-wash and this eco-friendly mama does not like to waste water to re-rinse dishes!

What eco-friendly cleaning products have you tried?

~Deanne

Preserve: Nothing wasted. Everything gained. Made in USA!

Kitchen products

Storage products

Your berries will love you!

Cool sandwich container that can even handle the larger slices!

Oh yes toothpicks!

Last but certainly not least razors and toothbrushes.

I have commented and reviewed this company before but I love them so much I just had to speak about them again now that I have used even more of their goods!

But first here are some words copied directly from their own website.

Preserve Products

Preserve® makes stylish, high performance, eco-friendly products for your home. As a company, we strive to combine socially and environmentally responsible business practices with groundbreaking design to create products that people feel good about having in their homes. We believe that choosing eco-friendly products doesn't mean having to sacrifice quality, price, or performance.

In 1996, founder and president Eric Hudson was committed to the need to use our earth's resources more efficiently and responsibly. The developing plastic recycling market represented a great new opportunity to reuse our earth's resources (plastics are made from oil and natural gas—making up roughly 9% of the world's petroleum usage). However, at the time that Preserve was formed, there was a lot of concern that recyclables were not necessarily turning into new products. Seeing an opportunity, Eric started Preserve to reuse Earth's precious resources and turn them back into products that people wanted. He worked with dentists, scientists and engineers to create Preserve's first high-quality product from recycled plastics—the Preserve Toothbrush. Since then, Preserve has grown into a dynamic, green lifestyle company offering a range of everyday products for almost every room in your home. Using innovative methods, we turn used materials into razors, colanders, cutting boards, tableware and more!

As we grow, our core principles remain the same

• Preserve products are made from 100% recycled plastics and 100% post-consumer paper. By using recycled materials, we save energy, preserve natural resources and create an incentive for communities to recycle.
• All of our plastic products are recyclable, either through our postage-paid labels and mailers (toothbrushes and razor handles) or at the curb in communities that recycle #5 plastic.
• We make our products in the USA, so that we can ship them shorter distances, using less fuel and limiting our environmental footprint.
• We don't test on animals. Period.
• Preserve products are made to last—and to look good doing it.

The Preserve team is made up of 11 people and a host of talented interns who bike, walk, train, and drive (some in hybrid cars) to our office outside of Boston intent on bringing Preserve and our mission into more homes everyday.

Learn more about Preserve's Earth Efforts.

Their Principles

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Those are the principles that have driven our company since 1996 and that motivate us to encourage more households to choose our 100% recycled and recyclable products over conventional products.

Our plastic products are made from #5 polypropylene plastic collected from individuals via our Gimme 5 program and from companies like Stonyfield Farm®. We take this plastic, sort it, clean it, test it, recycle it, and turn it into new Preserve products.

Choosing Preserve Plastic (in the form of a toothbrush or razor, for example) means a sizeable reduction in greenhouse gases emitted, and significantly less water, energy, oil, natural gas, and coal used in making plastic.

How much of a difference? Preserve plastic requires:

• At least 54% less water than virgin polypropylene
• At least 64% less greenhouse gases (in CO₂ equivalents) than virgin polypropylene
• At least 75% less oil than virgin polypropylene
• At least 48% less coal than virgin polypropylene
• At least 77% less natural gas than virgin polypropylene
• At least 46% less electricity than virgin polypropylene 

What an amazing USA based company!  I am constantly on the lookout for companies that provide a solution to reducing waste and Made in the USA.  Not because I don't believe in importing goods, I am a proud environmentalist American doing my part to promote USA companies!

As you can see by the labels below they only take plastics with the #5 (I would love them to take all the #'s) because most states still do not recycle #5.   Their products are BPA free, so important, dishwasher safe and of course recyclable.

Sadly I must say my state (my state is so backwards on many things)  has no locations for Preserve's Gimme5 program so I personally send Preserve they #5 items.  I am trying to get my son's school district to have the bins in their lunchrooms or part of their school fundraising program.  Think about the amount of recyclable items a school wastes not just plastic so why not get our kids on board with recycling from kindergarten on!

I hope you give them a chance to win you over too and grow their company from 11 wonderful staff members to 100's!  Please support this fantastic company and try to get your kids school to use their recycle bins too!

~Deanne