Eco friendly products I’m loving:

I am always on the look out for the latest and greatest green minded products.  For example, I didn’t used to be much of a fan of IKEA, but this company deserves a second look for all their eco friendly products and veggie based food products.  In fact, the company has pledged that all plastic used in their products will be based on renewable or recycled material by 2030.

I love their reuseable plastic bags– they are available in a wide range of sizes.  I’m using them in my kids lunches, such a better option than plastic containers.  They are dishwasher safe but I usually rinse with a little soap and water.

 

Another line of products at IKEA are the bamboo top / glass storage containers:

 

Shampoo Bars

Wow!  love these bars… I’ve tried a few different brands and I would have to say my favorite is from LUSH but I have also found other great options at Central Market (JR Liggett’s) and on Amazon (Ethique).   If you are not familiar with Lush Cosmetics, they are all about the earth with “naked” packaging, no animal testing, all products are made from natural fresh materials, and no chemicals what so ever.  Think of all the plastic bottles you won’t use by switching over!!! I’ve ditched my bottled body wash for bars of soap, too. 

 

Are you using reuseable bags?  I hope so!  Consider a beautiful hand woven African basket or a Bohemian market bag for additional style and durability.  I bought the colorful African basket at Market Street, but there’s a good selection on Amazon that cost around $40.  I found the Bohemian Market basket www.thelittlemarket.com for about $70.  These baskets are quality and will last a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take it one step further by bringing your own produce bags with the weight of the bag stitched on it.  The set below is from www.simplyecology.com and costs $25.

I have also traded plastic wrap for bees wrap….a celephane alternative.  I found a 3 pack at Central Market for $19, but you can also order on Amazon.

 

I typically try and avoid straws all together, but my kids usually want one, so I carry a family set of bamboo straws in my pursue.  It comes in a pouch and they are dish washer safe.   You can get these on Amazon or a variety of green minded websites. 

I’ve also switched to bamboo utensils as an alternative to one-use plastic utensils.

 

 

 

 

 

Interested in green products? 

Here’s a list of some of my favorite online resources:

https://www.treehugger.com/

http://urbanhomestead.org/

https://www.goodnet.org

http://www.greenlivingonline.com/

https://buymeonce.com/