Organic | GreenCupboards Blog

back to school with greencupboards

Jul 102012

GreenCupboards wants to make your back to school shopping as hassle free as possible. By stocking up now on all your supplies, you can avoid the rush and relax the rest of summer! At GreenCupboards, you will find no lines and you can ask us as many questions as you need. Because organization is a key element to planning a successful year we want to make sure you have the tools to keep yourself on task as the school year kicks off. Here are some GreenCupboards products that may help point you in the right direction.

The ECOlunchbox Solo Cube is a modern take on a vintage style. This stainless steel lunchbox is reflective of the elementary school lunch pale. Unlike a paper sack, the ECOLunchbox is durable and will keep your mid-day meal safe. It is also dishwasher safe for an easy cleanup. Another plus is the Solo Cube is non-toxic. Check out the ECOlunchbox Solo Cube on GreenCupboards.

Stockmar Wax Crayons are great for kids of all ages. From toddlers to adults, these artist tools are both safe and can keep up with any creative demand. The giant wax crayons are designed for an easy grip and practical use. Some of the benefits of using wax crayons are that they will not crumble, stick to the paper, smudge, are non-toxic. They also smell great. These crayons could be your toddlers first and only set of crayons as the uses for them develop with the skill level of the artist. Check out Stockmar Wax Crayons on GreenCupboards.

Little Duck Organic Dried Fruit Snacks is brain food for the mid-day energy drought. These tasty treats are a much healthier alternative to anything you’d find in a vending machine. Whether you like apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries or mangos, Little Duck has them all and everything is organic. All little Duck Organic Dried Fruit Snacks are Gluten free with no added sugar. Check out the Little Duck Organic Dried Fruit snacks on GreenCupboards.

Burt’s Bees will keep your hands clean and fresh with their Natural Remedies Aloe & Hazel Hand Sanitizer. As kids go back to school, the germs will start to spread like wildfire. This hand sanitizer will kill 99.99 percent of the germs on your hands while the aloe and hazel will help to restore and rejuvenate your skin. All natural corn-based alcohol, vitamin rich aloe vera, and witch hazel are the ingredients responsible for keeping your skin healthy. Check out Burt’s Bees Natural Remedies Aloe & Witch Hazel Hand Sanitizer on GreenCupboards.

Planet Zak’s 16 oz. Stainless Steel Thermal Pop Lid Bottle is a great container to use for your morning coffee or tea. You can bring a beverage from home or get it filled up on the way to school or work at your local coffee stand. Planet Zak’s BPA free stainless steel thermal bottle is leak proof and requires a simple push of a button get a drink. The bottle is made from recycled stainless steel and can be re-recycled at the end of its life span! Check out Planet Zak’s 16 oz. Stainless Steel Thermal Pop Lid Bottle on GreenCupboards.

GreenCupboards hopes it can help you get on a greener, cleaner, and healthier start to the new school year!

why to buy organic sunscreen

Green Living No Responses »

May 092012

Aaron representing our Original Sprout vegan sunscreen.

We all like a deal. As shoppers, we all look for the biggest bang for our buck. Now that summer is just around the corner, stocking up on sunscreen is a necessity. But as you gear up for summer and start shopping for sunscreens, do you know what you are looking for? GreenCupboards specializes in providing the best eco-friendly, organic and vegan alternatives to mainstream sunscreens. We recognize that our sunscreens may cost a little bit more than the mainstream selection– but trust us when we say it is worth it. There are both health and environmental benefits to choosing sunscreens that are organic, vegan, biodegradable, gluten free, dairy free, BPA free and gmo/msg free.

If you buy an organic sunscreen, you can be assured that what you are putting on your skin is safe and natural. According to organic-sa.com: “Sunscreens made without organic ingredients contain chemical ingredients that can be as harmful to your skin as the sun itself.” Commercial sunscreens are full of chemicals that have the potential to leech into your skin and stay there– even after you wash the sunscreen off. The skin is the largest organ on your body and it is important to take care of it. Organic and vegan sunscreens are much better for you because they are naturally full of vitamins, minerals and herbs that are good for your skin.

You can also take it one step further and buy a vegan alternative which means the product contains no ingredients that come from an animal.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control “97% of Americans are contaminated with a widely-used sunscreen ingredient called oxybenzone that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage.” By purchasing organic sunscreen you can be assured that you’re not one of the 97% exposed to oxybenzone in their sunscreen.

Herbal remedies for the heart

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Nov 082011

full body health tea

I can’t get enough of green tea. It’s not just the warmth that washes over you when you pick up a hot cup or the grassy taste and smell; like most comfort foods have a tendency to do, green tea conjures good memories.

A couple years ago, I spent a rainy spring break at an abandoned summer camp with my teammates. Between practices we would come back to the only heated building, (which happened to serve as a cafeteria, game room, and meeting place for the entire week) cold and slightly soggy, we spent hours sitting at cafeteria tables putting together puzzles, playing cards, and studying.

I remember vividly the sense of relief that hit me when I entered that room. After 2 hours practicing in the rain, and a 2 minute cold shower, all I wanted to do was wrap myself in my sleeping bag and get to that warm room. The unlimited store of hot water and tea bags in the cafeteria served as the savior of our spring break. As we spent hours before, in between, and after practices in that cafeteria, we completely extinguished their supply of hot drinks by the end of the week. Previously a “sugar-holic”, this trip taught me to appreciate the wonder of pure warm liquid and the comfort of the simple things. Although it was wet, chaotic, and dramatic, it was one of the best team building exercises I had ever experienced.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but what I know now is that green tea doesn’t just provide comfort. The antioxidants in tea are similar to the ones in berries, red wine, and dark chocolate. These antioxidants have been said to help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. What if you could improve your health one cup at a time? Not bad, right?

When the cold winter sets in, or you find yourself caught in the rain (physically or metaphorically), tea may just be the thing to set you back on your feet.

Images:

http://www.walax.org/

http://www.healthy-green-tea.com/black-tea-vs-green-tea.html

Trader Voyage!

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Nov 072011

The Grand Opening

Yesterday I took a trip with some friends up to the newest hot spot in Spokane: Trader Joe’s!

I’d like to use this as an opportunity to give a shout out to the people in this community who are dedicated to eating organic. The shelves which were fully stocked with organic specialty items just a week ago are already being restocked after the mad rush of customers during the last five days.

When I arrived Trader Joe’s was still bustling with customers. I passed three girls who were on a mission to find the Trader Joe’s prepared pizza dough, and a man in an orange hard hat attempting to decide between two organic brands of granola. My friend, Anne, walked away with a giant purple eggplant with high hopes of making eggplant parmesan. Meanwhile an elderly woman dressed for the weather in a stylish polka-dot coat gushed to the checkout clerk about her favorite wine.

I was impressed by the prevalent theme of organic eating. A woman holding a small bottle of saffron shared a recipe for her favorite chicken dish. Everywhere, people were chatting and comparing organic goods.

Even though I had intended to come only as a spectator, I couldn’t resist all temptation. I left the store with my own organic hummus, three pears, a small spice jar of saffron, and a box of granola (which Mr. Construction Man recommended). I’ll be eating a special chicken dish tonight. And I’ll be returning to Trader Joe’s sometime very soon.

Images:

http://www.arlnow.com/2011/03/01/trader-joes-signs-lease-in-clarendon-finally/

http://blogs.orlandoweekly.com/index.php/2011/09/trader-joes-coming-to-florida/

Mushrooms as the new styrofoam?

Green Living 1 Response »

Oct 272011

Eben Bayer's sustainable plastic

I’ve been pondering the problem of plastics for the past few days and in my research I’ve discovered what some consider being the most menacing member of the plastic family.

Styrofoam.

Did you know that 20% of the waste in landfills is comprised of Styrofoam? I remember using this material at parties in grade school, at church brunches, and family gatherings. Styrofoam can support a whole meal, making cups, bowls, and plates. Not to mention my last computer came padded in Styrofoam packaging, and come to think of it, so did my TV.

Now consider this: Next time you sip out of a Styrofoam cup or take your new appliance out of the box, take a look at the white material in your hands. This packaging is going to last longer than you. When humans die, our bodies decompose and become part of the earth within the first 100 years. Any Styrofoam that you’ve encountered in your life will still be around long after you’ve been dead and buried.

It’s a disturbing thought. People talk about leaving behind a legacy. Is this the legacy of our generation?

Looking for something to reaffirm my faith in humanity I consulted TED Talks. Here I found Eben Bayer, a man who asks “Are Mushrooms the new plastic?”

Bayer says they could be. Using a part of the root system of mushrooms called Mycelium, Bayer and his collegues have been able to grow an insulating, fire resistant, vapor resistant alternative to plastic which can also absorb impact like Styrofoam. This organic material is compostable, which allows it to fit into the natural recycling system of the natural world. Bayer is proving that the great minds of our time are putting themselves to good use.

Sources:

http://www.ted.com/talks/eben_bayer_are_mushrooms_the_new_plastic.html

http://the-green-campaign.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-you-should-know-about-styrofoam.html

http://www.highcountryconservation.org/pdf/The%20Facts%20on%20Styrofoam.pdf

Images:

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-styrofoam-cup-image14196359

http://www.motherboard.tv/2010/12/2/now-mushrooms-can-be-turned-into-plastic

Greenie Guru Juice

Green Living No Responses »

Aug 022011

Greenie Guru Juice

Greenie Guru Juice:

Here’s a Guru creation that’ll put your taste buds in Nirvana. Straight from the scribbling hands of the GreenCupboards CreativeCave, feast your slurp on this superfood concoction:

- ¼ cup organic blackberries

- ¼ organic raspberries

- 4 tbs. greek yogurt

- ¾ cup pomegranate blueberry juice

- 6 small wheatgrass ice cubes

- 2 tsp. flaxseed

- ¼ cup spinach

Purée to perfection, and enjoy!

Badger Powerfully Pure Body Care

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Jun 072011

Powerfully Pure

The sun, age, and even certain lotions cause our skin to wear, and dry. It is impossible to protect your skin at all times, unless you’re bubble boy, but you can restore it using natural lotions, balms, oils, and the ever important sun screens.

With summer coming into full bloom, Greencupboards.com would like to recognize Badger health care products. Badger products consist of Certified USDA Organic ingredients; the most wholesome, organic, healthy, and safe ingredients. You will not find any chemicals, synthetics, parabens, or GMOs in Badger products.

The Badger Startup Story:*

Bill Whyte was a carpenter by trade and an herbalist by avocation. He could never find a product to heal his rough, dry, cracked hands—the result of daily hard work in the tough New Hampshire winters. Bill whipped up a batch of the original Healing Balm in his kitchen using Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax, Castor Oil, Aloe Vera and Essential Oil of Sweet Birch—a traditional New England herbal remedy.

Today Badger is run by a team of about 40 people and has been going strong since the company started in 1995.

Currently all Badger Products are 100% natural, meaning all the ingredients come from natural sources and are not chemically processed. Badger supports organic farming and all of their products contain certified organic ingredients. Badger Headquarters, known as the Badger Mines, is located in Gilsum, New Hampshire and uses local resources whenever possible. Recycling is the forefront of the Badger business. They say on their website that even the Styrofoam packing peanuts get recycled. To learn more about the Badger ingredients and recycling efforts click, HERE.

Badger Business Principles:*

Individual responsibility in a team concept
Personal and caring approach in communications
Supporting organic, sustainable agriculture through our purchasing practices
A business environment that is respectful and supportive of all employees, and of the people we serve
Personal and social healing through our charitable giving
Environmental responsibility
Honesty and integrity in our business practices
Fun is good
Generosity

If your bathroom cupboards are not stocked and prepared for the summer sun, or the winter cold, make sure to check out Badger balms, oils, and sunscreens at Greencupboards.com. Greencupboards strives, much like Badger, to provide the most environmentally and health friendly supplies available on the market today. Greencupboards is proud to provide Badger products and testify to their healthy greenness.

Badger on Greencupboards.com

To learn about Badger community involvement

* pulled from http://www.badgerbalm.com/default.aspx

Images: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=120780811294799

http://www.liquidyogaandsurf.com/2010/03/

Biodegradable… We All Are

What's Hot No Responses »

Apr 272011

The Memento Water Urn

That’s right, you are 100% biodegradable! How green is that! Unfortunately not all burials emphasize the biodegradable factor of the human body. For centuries humans have found various ways to dispose of our dead, from wrapping them up like mummies and burying them in pyramids, to burning them in boats, to burying them in caskets, and in some cultures the dead are actually eaten.

Some people now days want their deaths to highlight their actual place in the grand scheme of things, as dust. From dust we are made and to dust we will return holds true for these innovative burial designs.

The Memento urn is a water burial capsule designed to hold cremated remains. The Memento is filled with ashes to be released by loved ones in an ocean or lake. At first the container will float gracefully away then as waves splash over the urn it will gradually fill with water and begin to descend. The bodily remains of the departed will settle on the ocean floor like a seed. The entire container will begin to biodegrade thus putting everything back into the hands of creation.

The Spiritree Planter

The Spiritree is another ecological design that lets the memory of your loved one flourish into new life before your eyes. One fully organic biodegradable disk is covered with cremated remains and is planted in the ground. Over the top of the organic disk is placed a ceramic disk. The idea is to plant a seed in the organic disk so that it feeds off the calcium of the biodegrading remains. The ceramic disk simply keeps all the remains together until they are absorbed. The ceramic disk is broken giving way to a new spirit sapling. The Spiritree will grow and grow and you can think about the spirit in the tree when you take care of it.

The most basic biodegradable urns are simply a container to hold cremated remains to be buried and naturally biodegraded. These containers are made out of all sorts of organic products and come in all shapes and sizes.

A descending Memento

There is really no need to add any waste to this world after death, for death is the end of the circle of life and it is a time where that person re-enters the circle in a different form. I don’t think a gold trimmed casket does anything more for the dead or the grieving than a more modest container can do. And as far as I know the ancient pharaohs of Egypt have not come back to claim their temples and asked, “Where’s all my stuff?”

Sources:

http://www.passagesinternational.com/biodegradable-urns/water-urns/memento-urn

http://en.red-dot.org/2839.html?&cHash=2110046dd4470767d7fb74e3a6a7f096&detail=6943

http://davidreport.com/201103/biodegradable-urn-red-dot-award/

Images:

http://www.passagesinternational.com/biodegradable-urns/water-urns/memento-urn

http://en.red-dot.org/2839.html?&cHash=2110046dd4470767d7fb74e3a6a7f096&detail=6943

http://davidreport.com/201103/biodegradable-urn-red-dot-award/

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2010/01/07/death-by-design/

Factory verses Farm

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Apr 072011

180 day old McDonalds Meal: looking the same as it was out of the bag..

Mcdonalds burgers and fries have proved to hold off decomposition for six months. The lack of decomposition has experts looking into the actual nutritional value of Mcdonalds food and the preservatives used in it. Is the preservation of the burger and fries a good thing, or is it just unnatural?

In 2010, Mark Haub, a professor of nutrition, went on a “convenience store diet” made up of Hostess, Little Debbies, and Doritos. In two months he lost 27 pounds proving “That in weight loss, pure calorie counting is what matters most – not the nutritional value of the food.”

Salley Davies, a Manhattan resident, conducted a Mcdonalds expirment: She bought a meal and photographed it every day over the course of six months, noticing the lack of decomposition taking place.

According to the findings of the convenience store diet, the nutritional value of Davies Mcdonalds shouldn’t matter at all, nor should the fact that it fails to decompose, only calorie count should define nutritional value, right?

Twinkies are often incorrectly thought to have a long shelf. Twinkies can only last for about 25-40 days on a shelf before the uncooked spongy material will decompose. What does this say about the Twinkie? Is it healthier than the Mcdonalds meal?

Margarine will not decompose, it will not grow mold, it will not smell, and it will not attract flies- Much like the Mcdonalds meal. So then what is the nutritional value of margarine if there is any at all? There are calories in margarine, so by eating it you could be sustained- with 0g of protein and 0g of carbohydrates, you could theoretically lose weight by counting the amount of calories ingested off of margarine alone.

Super Size Me is a documentary where Morgan Spurock another New Yorker goes for 30 days eating nothing but Mcdonalds. In that time he gained 25 pounds and both his cholesterol and blood pressure skyrocketed. What if Spurock had counted calories during those 30 days? Could he have eaten healthily?

“That’s where the head scratching comes… What does that mean? Does that mean I’m healthier? Or does it mean how we define health from a biology standpoint, that we’re missing something?” These are the questions Mark Haub asks, after losing 27 pounds on a convenience store diet.

So, the question remains: what is a healthy diet?

Is healthy being slim and trim? Or is health a result of a mindful balance of substance coupled with exercise?

I think in the end it comes down to nature. Will man ever be able to create a “healthier” food than what nature has already provided?

At Puristat.com, a digestive wellness site, I found a passage that provided me with some answers:

Non-Foods Consist of:

“Processed food is made from real food that has been put through devitalizing chemical processes and is infused with chemicals and preservatives. Beef jerky, canned tea, jam, hot dogs, and low-fat yogurt with sugar or aspartame are a few examples of processed food.

Junk foods contain very little real food. They’re made of devitalized processed food, hydrogenated fats, chemicals, and preservatives, and include anything made with refined white flour. Canned breakfast drinks, cold/sugary cereals, doughnuts, drive-through foods, and soda are examples of junk foods.

Fake foods are made primarily of chemicals, and often contain gums and sugar fillers. Examples include bacon bits, bottled salad dressing, dehydrated soups, and instant coffee.

Energy Output > Exceeds Nutritional Input

These non-foods have one thing in common: it costs your body a great deal more to digest, absorb, and eliminate them than they offer your body in nutritional value – an extremely poor return on your investment that leaves your body sluggish and depleted.”

We are a generation of convenient, fast, and long lasting food eaters- yet that “convenience” is at a cost to health. Health not measured in pounds or calories, but in well-rounded, natural diet. That is why there is such a trend today to go organic, despite the often inflated cost of natural organic foods, those foods are not taking the bodily toll that processed foods do. In essence, natural food does what food should do: it nourishes. Processed/ junk/ fake food can fill you up but it’s not really making your body functional. In the long term not eating natural food can manifest itself in diseases like diabetes, heart failure, and could turn into obesity.

So watch your health, not in the mirror, but in what you put into yourself. And remember, you didn’t come from a factory and neither should your food.