Green Eyed Shopper Sings:
by Tracy Metro
Rudolph the Green Nosed Reindeer...
Grumble:
Let’s face it, holiday shopping is a pain in the tuchas (for all of you non-Yiddish speakers out there: butt, tush, arse, hiney, rear). Honestly, it just doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for eco-gifts or trying to be economical with your shopping; it’s all stressful and can make this part of the year loathsome for many. What? Me -- hate shopping? Someone quick… check my temperature!
Goodness:
Bah humbug be gone because… I found tons and tons of eco-maginative gifts at the EcoGift Festival in Santa Monica, California, this last weekend. Here are 8 stress-free ideas (one for each day of Chanukah) on how to give green and not spend too much green, this year.
Go:
Coffee and loose tea drinkers unite!
What: Java & Health Tea Wands save teeth from stains while allowing on-the-go loose tea consumption.
Why it’s green: Using the wand eliminates use of those annoyingly wasteful plastic stirrers (HATE them) and straws; drinking loose tea eliminates paper consumption with the construction of tea bags; and the wand saves electricity since it promotes single serving usage – meaning less waste.
Cost: Only about $20 (in other word, 2 cups of coffee at Starbucks!).
My 2 Cents: Let’s be honest here, Lipton is so 1950 and you’re so 2009!
Chill baby, chill!
What: ChillPak helps cool your computer down and speed it up, all at the same time.
Why it’s green: Cooling a computer allows it to run faster thereby lasting longer which eliminates the need for new construction.
Cost: 25 mghz ($25)
My 2 Cents: X-Files actor, Dean Haglund, invented this cool savior and I think that’s just X-cellent.
You’re hot… I mean, your PLANET is hot!
What: Cool Planet Jewelry allows you to be hot while trying to help the planet be cool.
Why it’s green: 100% net proceeds go to orgs like NRDC, all of the metals used in the collection are from recycled materials thus eliminating more mining and their website is solar powered!
Cost: The collection starts at a mere $40 and goes on up to cha-ching!
My 2 Cents: That’s cool.
Play dough(n’t)
What: Eco Kids encourages kids to play with all natural, veggie, fruit and plant dyed art supplies that are gluten, dairy and soy free.
Why it’s green: Um, see the mouthful above!
Cost: Isn’t your child’s life priceless? Oh, well, products range from $14 - $30
My 2 Cents: Red rover, red rover… send some gluten, dairy and soy free dough over!
Baby you can light my fire!
What: Hybrid Light solar flashlight makes sure you don’t go bump in the night!
Why it’s Green: There’s no need to use heinously-wasteful batteries in this solar flashlight, as it holds 10 hours of “on” for over 3 years. There IS a backup battery just in case you’re a vampire who lives in a cave.
Cost: 25 watts ($25)
My 2 Cents: A waterproof, solar flashlight? Yeah, that’ll brighten up a nighttime pool party.
Ready, set, To-Go!
What: Eating on the go with To-Go Ware just got way stainless and way stylish!
Why it’s Green: Let’s see, no lunch bag, no paper, no gas needed to drive to pick up lunch, no disposable utensils, no kidding.
Cost: $20… that’s not a lot of bread.
My 2 Cents: I could just eat them up!
Who’s trashy now?
What: Wearing trash just got a whole lot sexier with Raecyclements handbags, backpacks and totes.
Why it’s Green: How many times have you heard one man’s trash? Well, here’s one more: One man’s trash.
Cost: Less than that the Vuitton. Anywhere between $26 - $130
My 2 Cents: Because you actually do need a place for YOUR 2 cents.
Hugs not drugs.
What: Give yourself a hug
Why it’s green: Hugs are carbon neutral.
Cost: This one’s a freebie… unless you count the price of that Xanax (er, I mean Kava Kava) that you’ll need for Christmas dinner with the family.
My 2 Cents: Love don’t cost a thing.
Tracy Metro (and yes, Metro IS her real name!) is a TV host who was eco-chic before eco and chic were even hyphenated! Wanna learn more about this eco-conut? Grab a fare card and go for a ride at www.tracymetro.com
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