At Cypriana, we are always looking for new ways to go green and to offer green resources to share with our customers. Here are a few favorites:
The Green Guide – This National Geographic site offers “going green” facts, buying guides, informational articles and more.
National Green Pages – a directory of screened & approved green businesses
Climate Action – Green America’s Climate Action Campaign
Fair Trade Action – Economic action to create a just global economy for farmers and artisans
LEAF Certified – Labeling Ecologically Approved Fabrics (LEAF)
Responsible Shopper – An online guide to promoting a responsible economy
Cypriana Home – As an online retailer, we are proud to offer products for baby, bed and bath that are all-natural or organic.
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Shop our online store now for all-natural and organic products for baby, bed & bath!
Showing posts with label go green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label go green. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Making of a Green Mom
by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff
I’ve always been a pretty sustainably-minded person. My father is a professor at UCLA whose specialty is Native American literature; I grew up going to pow-wows and taking cross-country trips to the Badlands. My nickname in college was, embarrassingly, “Flower.”
But, like most of us, my eco-focus stopped at water conservation and recycling. I bought conventional cleaning products because that’s what I was used to—even though I saw the “natural” cleaners on the same shelf, I wrote their claims off as marketing rather than turning over the bottles and comparing the labels.
I didn’t really make the connection between the environmental impact of how I lived until I met Christopher Gavigan at Healthy Child Healthy World. I was nine months pregnant with my third child, and we met to discuss my how I could become involved with the organization once the baby was born.
We sat in his no-VOC painted office filled with oxygen-emitting plants and as he explained to me what his mission and focus was I basically had a panic attack. We talked about lead and VOCs in paint, furniture and carpets; I was in the process of remodeling my house and had been living and working as the workmen stripped old paint and installed new carpets. He told me about pesticides and how they work their way up the food chain; I vowed to eat less meat and make it organic, and to buy locally produced food as much as possible. I went home and got rid of all my chemical cleaning products after learning how much they contributed to indoor air pollution. When my baby was born, I took Christopher’s advice and used BPA-free bottles after breast-feeding. With the other two babies I had used disposable diapers; with this one I alternated between cloth, flushable inserts and chlorine-free disposables in a pinch.
I started doing my own research. And I quickly realized how much of an impact the things I bought for myself and my family have on the environment—and the marketplace. For example, most clothing is made of cotton, which is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world, accounting for 25 percent of all pesticides used in the U.S. according to the Sustainable Cotton Project. It takes an astounding one-third of a pound of pesticide to make one t-shirt and two-thirds to make a pair of jeans. (Dump a pound of flour into a bowl and keep that visual in mind the next time you go shopping.)
Let’s say one manufacturer makes the decision to buy conventional cotton, and a second manufacturer decides to make a similar t-shirt in organic cotton. They make the shirts, and put them side-by-side in a store. Now if everyone in that store has made the decision to not buy conventional cotton t-shirts but buy organic cotton instead, that regular cotton t-shirt will go unsold and the other will sell out. The next time the first manufacturer goes to make his shirts, hopefully he'll choose organic cotton. The organic cotton farmer will have more business. There will be more competition in organic cotton and the price will go down. And so on.
This analogy could be applied to food, makeup, furniture, clothing, cars—I was astounded at how simple and easy it was for me to think outside of the box when it came to shopping. Just putting a fresh perspective on it also helped me look closer at whether I truly needed something, or just wanted it. When I did end up in a shopping situation, I looked at labels and origin and typically ended up putting back on the rack what I might in the past have purchased.
So I stopped buying so much. And when I did, I tried to buy clean and green. Organic cotton denim. Paraben-free makeup. Recycled gold jewelry. Formaldehyde-free nail polish. When other women complimented me on what I was wearing, I told them, and typically they were amazed when they realized the eco-options that were out there. It’s no longer about granny panties and granola. Sustainable style is today’s haute couture.
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
I’ve always been a pretty sustainably-minded person. My father is a professor at UCLA whose specialty is Native American literature; I grew up going to pow-wows and taking cross-country trips to the Badlands. My nickname in college was, embarrassingly, “Flower.”
But, like most of us, my eco-focus stopped at water conservation and recycling. I bought conventional cleaning products because that’s what I was used to—even though I saw the “natural” cleaners on the same shelf, I wrote their claims off as marketing rather than turning over the bottles and comparing the labels.
I didn’t really make the connection between the environmental impact of how I lived until I met Christopher Gavigan at Healthy Child Healthy World. I was nine months pregnant with my third child, and we met to discuss my how I could become involved with the organization once the baby was born.
We sat in his no-VOC painted office filled with oxygen-emitting plants and as he explained to me what his mission and focus was I basically had a panic attack. We talked about lead and VOCs in paint, furniture and carpets; I was in the process of remodeling my house and had been living and working as the workmen stripped old paint and installed new carpets. He told me about pesticides and how they work their way up the food chain; I vowed to eat less meat and make it organic, and to buy locally produced food as much as possible. I went home and got rid of all my chemical cleaning products after learning how much they contributed to indoor air pollution. When my baby was born, I took Christopher’s advice and used BPA-free bottles after breast-feeding. With the other two babies I had used disposable diapers; with this one I alternated between cloth, flushable inserts and chlorine-free disposables in a pinch.
I started doing my own research. And I quickly realized how much of an impact the things I bought for myself and my family have on the environment—and the marketplace. For example, most clothing is made of cotton, which is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world, accounting for 25 percent of all pesticides used in the U.S. according to the Sustainable Cotton Project. It takes an astounding one-third of a pound of pesticide to make one t-shirt and two-thirds to make a pair of jeans. (Dump a pound of flour into a bowl and keep that visual in mind the next time you go shopping.)
Let’s say one manufacturer makes the decision to buy conventional cotton, and a second manufacturer decides to make a similar t-shirt in organic cotton. They make the shirts, and put them side-by-side in a store. Now if everyone in that store has made the decision to not buy conventional cotton t-shirts but buy organic cotton instead, that regular cotton t-shirt will go unsold and the other will sell out. The next time the first manufacturer goes to make his shirts, hopefully he'll choose organic cotton. The organic cotton farmer will have more business. There will be more competition in organic cotton and the price will go down. And so on.
This analogy could be applied to food, makeup, furniture, clothing, cars—I was astounded at how simple and easy it was for me to think outside of the box when it came to shopping. Just putting a fresh perspective on it also helped me look closer at whether I truly needed something, or just wanted it. When I did end up in a shopping situation, I looked at labels and origin and typically ended up putting back on the rack what I might in the past have purchased.
So I stopped buying so much. And when I did, I tried to buy clean and green. Organic cotton denim. Paraben-free makeup. Recycled gold jewelry. Formaldehyde-free nail polish. When other women complimented me on what I was wearing, I told them, and typically they were amazed when they realized the eco-options that were out there. It’s no longer about granny panties and granola. Sustainable style is today’s haute couture.
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Saving the planet one orange peel at a time
Oranges are one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast. Did you ever wonder though, like I did, what can I do with these orange peels that would be more eco-friendly for the earth instead of just throwing them in the trash? There are a lot of great uses for an orange peel that you may not have thought of.Did you know you can use orange peels to clean your fingernails? Yeah, just turn over the peel where you'll find the soft white side and just dig your fingernails into it. It's a great way to clean out any dirt and grime and also add a nice citrusy smell.
Have you ever heard of a stock box? Well now you have and it's a great way to make vegetable broth with your orange peels. Just get a plastic bin and add any fruit or vegetable left overs, like your orange peels, to it and put it in the freezer. After your bin is full, add the contents to a soup pot covering it with water and boil it down You now have a great vegetable stock for soup or anything else like pilaf.
I have a coworker who loves to go camping so she would probably find this next orange peel idea very useful. You can use fresh orange peels to help you start a fire. Orange peels are loaded with highly flammable oil that will help you start your camp fire and make your campsite smell nice too!
If you have cats, you can use orange peels to keep them out of areas you don't want them to roam. They're not fans of the citric acid and oils in the peel so they'll shy away from them. Just leave them in areas you don't want your cats to go.
If you love the smell of citrus, you can dry out the peels to make sachets for yourself or as a nice gift. You can even use shreds of dried out orange peels in soap for a gentle abrasive as well as giving your soap a nice citrusy scent.
Overall, don't forget you can just throw your orange peels in a compost box. Definitely a great way to "green" your lifestyle. There are so many great ways to use an orange peel that you no longer need to just throw them in the trash. Remember, "reduce, reuse, recycle"!
Source: www.thegogreenblog.info
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Three Ways to Go Green This Spring!
Spring is a time of renewal…new plants are bursting from the ground, animals are giving birth to their young, and the fresh air and sunshine add a little extra bounce to our steps. That’s why this time of year is a great time to think of ways to bring spring into your life year round. Here are three ways to “go green” this season and throughout the year:
1) Use all natural body products: When shopping for personal care items, choose items that are made from natural plant-based ingredients. Look for these certifications – The Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA), Ecocert, BDIH, USDA Certified Organic, the Natural Products Association and the Leaping Bunny label – to ensure quality, all-natural products.
2) Trade in your current toilet for a water-saving model with the EPA’s WaterSense Label on it. These toilets use no more than 1.28 gallons of water per flush, dramatically reducing your home’s water usage each year.
3) Replace your table linens with organic fabric table cloths. Conventionally-grown cotton often contains pesticides which can be harmful. Instead, exchange your old cotton linens for organic table linens. You’ll find that they are not only healthier to use, but they are just as attractive as traditional fabrics.
With a little creativity and ingenuity, you can transform your life into a “green one.” You can feel good about your choices. Your neighbors and the environment will thank you.
Go green this spring!
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
1) Use all natural body products: When shopping for personal care items, choose items that are made from natural plant-based ingredients. Look for these certifications – The Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA), Ecocert, BDIH, USDA Certified Organic, the Natural Products Association and the Leaping Bunny label – to ensure quality, all-natural products.
2) Trade in your current toilet for a water-saving model with the EPA’s WaterSense Label on it. These toilets use no more than 1.28 gallons of water per flush, dramatically reducing your home’s water usage each year.
3) Replace your table linens with organic fabric table cloths. Conventionally-grown cotton often contains pesticides which can be harmful. Instead, exchange your old cotton linens for organic table linens. You’ll find that they are not only healthier to use, but they are just as attractive as traditional fabrics.
With a little creativity and ingenuity, you can transform your life into a “green one.” You can feel good about your choices. Your neighbors and the environment will thank you.
Go green this spring!
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Monday, April 20, 2009
Great Green Careers - Jobs for a Greener World
Visit Great Green Careers. We have green jobs in every area – from solar installers to ecologists! Post your resume and get in front of green employers now. Set up job alerts to have updates about job openings mailed directly to your inbox. Track and save your job applications and much more.
Despite the current recession, there are more green job opportunities now than ever before, including hot careers in wind power, HVAC, environmental engineering, transportation, facilities retrofitting and more. You can find the opportunity you want today at Great Green Careers.
Great Green Careers was created by Natural Home to help you find meaningful work in the new green economy. All job seeker services are absolutely free. And remember, if you post your resume in the next 30 days, we’ll send you a complimentary copy of Finding a Green Collar Job, our new e-book!
So what are you waiting for? Go to Great Green Careers today and start your green career!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Five Ways to "Go Green" at Home
If “going green” is one of your New Year’s resolutions, consider eco-friendly home furnishings and décor. Cypriana has a selection of products that fit the organic, natural, and chemical-free criteria you are seeking!
We suggest:
1. Custom slipcovers and embroidered pillows can be custom tailored from organic fabrics to match your décor.
2. DreamSacks® bedding (sheets, pillowcases, comforters, duvet covers and more) make going green effortless and oh-so-soft.
3. Nandina® towels are made of an exclusive blend of pesticide-free bamboo and organic cotton and are a lavish, eco-friendly indulgence.
4. Running Wild Spirit soaps and lotions, handmade in Washington, reduce the carbon footprint of your gift and support the local economy.
5. Ecobaby bedding and mattresses are chemical-free, organic and natural alternatives to traditional mattresses.
Cypriana makes it is easy to go green!
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
We suggest:
1. Custom slipcovers and embroidered pillows can be custom tailored from organic fabrics to match your décor.
2. DreamSacks® bedding (sheets, pillowcases, comforters, duvet covers and more) make going green effortless and oh-so-soft.
3. Nandina® towels are made of an exclusive blend of pesticide-free bamboo and organic cotton and are a lavish, eco-friendly indulgence.
4. Running Wild Spirit soaps and lotions, handmade in Washington, reduce the carbon footprint of your gift and support the local economy.
5. Ecobaby bedding and mattresses are chemical-free, organic and natural alternatives to traditional mattresses.
Cypriana makes it is easy to go green!
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The importance of a chemical-free crib mattress
No single other purchase for an infant will make as great an impact in the well-being of a baby than his or her crib mattress. Typically used until a newborn infant reaches toddlerhood, crib mattresses are heavily utilized as the child sleeps for 10 to 14 hours per day. While sleeping, a newborn’s still developing and fragile respiratory system is usually separated only by a crib sheet or mattress pad from the surface of the mattress, where traditional mattresses can leech out residual chemicals from the manufacturing process. These chemicals include phthalates, recently banned from plastic baby bottles, teethers, and toys, and a class of compounds called PBDEs, commonly used as fire retardants, but which have been banned in 11 states due to their deleterious health effects in animal studies.
Cypriana is proud to offer parents a safe mattress alternative – Ecobaby mattresses. Our Ecobaby mattresses are comprised of organic and chemical-free cotton, wool, and rubber core and exceed California flame retardant guidelines. Cypriana carries a 6-inch thick Ecobaby Innerspring mattress and a 5-inch thick Ecobaby natural rubber core mattress, each layered with organic cotton and organically-processed wool batting. These superior, natural materials are better able to ventilate heat and provide optimal comfort compared to synthetic materials, while providing a safe, toxin-free sleeping environment for your baby.
In addition, Cypriana offers mattress pads, crib bumpers, covers, sheets, towels, blankets and more. Go green for baby’s sake!
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Now with layaway, gift registries and gift cards
Cypriana is proud to offer parents a safe mattress alternative – Ecobaby mattresses. Our Ecobaby mattresses are comprised of organic and chemical-free cotton, wool, and rubber core and exceed California flame retardant guidelines. Cypriana carries a 6-inch thick Ecobaby Innerspring mattress and a 5-inch thick Ecobaby natural rubber core mattress, each layered with organic cotton and organically-processed wool batting. These superior, natural materials are better able to ventilate heat and provide optimal comfort compared to synthetic materials, while providing a safe, toxin-free sleeping environment for your baby.
In addition, Cypriana offers mattress pads, crib bumpers, covers, sheets, towels, blankets and more. Go green for baby’s sake!
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Now with layaway, gift registries and gift cards
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Green Gifts for Everyone on Your List!
Give “green” gifts this Christmas to surprise everyone on your list with delightfully natural and organic products from Cypriana. Here are some great gift ideas that are good for you and the environment!
DreamSacks® bedding: Our luxurious DreamSacks® sheets, pillow shams and throws are wonderfully soft and pesticide free. Made from bamboo, this luxurious bedding comes in your choice of white, chocolate, natural, blue and green. Once you’ve felt bamboo bedding against your skin, nothing else will do.
Nandina towels®: Made from a natural blend of certified organic cotton and plantation-grown bamboo, Nandina towels® are naturally hypoallergenic, anti-microbial and eco-friendly. Cypriana offers the plush towels in several sizes and styles and in dozens of colors. These towel sets make lovely gifts.
Under the Nile® babywear: Surprise the expectant mother on your list with organic gifts for baby. Made with 100% certified Egyptian cotton, our Under the Nile® line features adorable baby gowns, one and two-piece outfits, towels, bibs and more.
Do you have a hard-to-buy-for shopper on your list? No problem. We’ll make it easy for you. Choose a Cypriana gift card so the shoppers on your gift list can make their own selections. Available in varying denominations. Avoid the mall rush and stop by Cypriana for your shopping today! We’ll show you how easy it is to be green.
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Now with layaway, gift registries and gift cards
DreamSacks® bedding: Our luxurious DreamSacks® sheets, pillow shams and throws are wonderfully soft and pesticide free. Made from bamboo, this luxurious bedding comes in your choice of white, chocolate, natural, blue and green. Once you’ve felt bamboo bedding against your skin, nothing else will do.
Nandina towels®: Made from a natural blend of certified organic cotton and plantation-grown bamboo, Nandina towels® are naturally hypoallergenic, anti-microbial and eco-friendly. Cypriana offers the plush towels in several sizes and styles and in dozens of colors. These towel sets make lovely gifts.
Under the Nile® babywear: Surprise the expectant mother on your list with organic gifts for baby. Made with 100% certified Egyptian cotton, our Under the Nile® line features adorable baby gowns, one and two-piece outfits, towels, bibs and more.
Do you have a hard-to-buy-for shopper on your list? No problem. We’ll make it easy for you. Choose a Cypriana gift card so the shoppers on your gift list can make their own selections. Available in varying denominations. Avoid the mall rush and stop by Cypriana for your shopping today! We’ll show you how easy it is to be green.
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Now with layaway, gift registries and gift cards
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