When I hear about an “Annual Sale” or “Outlet Sale”, I expect some big fat savings. So many stores enthusiastically name their sales like that when they would be better described as “some items are discounted a few bucks”. But hey, that’s marketing.

On the other hand, Gaiam’s 6th Annual Outlet Sale actually lives up to its name. This is the time of year that the eco-friendly retailer discounts the heck out of their slower selling items in order to make room for all the new goodies. The discounts are huge so the supplies are really limited.

There are big discounts in all categories (Eco Fashion, Home & Garden, Wellness, Fitness, etc.) but I’ve become partial to their simple eco-friendly clothing. This white boatneck hidden-zipper jacket made from organic cotton has got my name written all over it. The collar kills me it’s so cute. The Gaiam website has also gotten a bit of an overhaul and they recently added reviews and the ability to post a question about any product. For instance, one user asked what the length was of that rad boatneck jacket. Man, I love useful interactive website features like that. Anyway, the sale “ends” when the products start selling out so if you dig any of their outlet items, scoop them up now.

When you are looking for eco-friendly gifts Gaiam has a great selection of lifestyle products for those with a green heart. Right now, until the end of January they are having the Gaiam Green Sale 2008 with lots of organic bedding options up to 25% off their regular prices. Choose from organic cotton, organic hemp, and even organic buckwheat for proper spinal alignment and comfort.

BONUS COUPON: Get $10 off a $50+ purchase. Just use Coupon Code AP2P during checkout. Expires January 31st, 2008.

With 2008 just days away, many people are pondering New Year’s resolutions. There’s definitely something about a fresh calendar year that jump starts our desire to make positive changes. Being surrounded by friends, family, and co-workers who are also brainstorming ways to improve makes this an especially ideal time for such endeavors. Bonus!

Over the next week we will be exploring some of the most popular New Years resolutions in a new series of blog posts. Please be sure to come back again and let us know which of the featured resolutions that you will be committing to, or to suggest tips for sticking to new resolutions.

The most popular New Years resolution is always Get In Shape. There are countless ways to do this, and here are a few of my favorite tips and products.

For the Yoga Newbie: The Yoga for Beginner’s Kit from renowned yoga expect Rodney Yee contains everything you’ll need to get started with yoga. My favorite part is the marked yoga mat that shows you just where to place your feet and hands. And, if you do it regularly, “this 20-minute complete practice yields more benefits than a 90 minute yoga class once a week.” Yoga For Inflexible People is another good introductory DVD that is a user favorite. $30 & $10.99

When Space is Limited: You’ll be hard pressed to find a piece of exercise equipment that is smaller than the Mini Stepper with Resistance Cords. Taking up less than 2 square feet, it provides a no-impact, high-intensity, full body, strength and cardio workout. The built-in computer tracks time and steps, and since it’s so portable you can bring it to work and exercise while sitting at your desk. $69

Sexy Fit: Varying your routine is key in sticking to your exercise plan. If things get boring, try a DVD or class that will spice things up. I didn’t think I would enjoy the Aerobic Striptease DVD series, but I was pleasantly surprised when it actually turned out to be fun. The first 2 DVDs (“Aerobic Striptease” and “Fit To Strip”) make excellent additions to your overall workout plan, or would make great beginning points for those who are just beginning to exercise. Either way, you’re likely help you to feel more confident “in your skin”. For more sexy exercise options, check out the wildly popular Pole Dancing Kit! $34.99 & $99

I can’t say enough good things about instructional fitness videos: they are way more appealing to me than the gym. Plus, this winter weather doesn’t exactly compel most people to go outside. My fellow indoor fitness lovers will appreciate this final collection of exercise DVDs.

World Dance Inspired: This is a category near to my heart. There are movement styles from other countries that are so beautiful, exotic, unique, and sometimes quite sexy. Even better: If you feel you “can’t dance”, you may feel differently after trying one of these new styles. These titles are customer favorites, best sellers on Amazon, and are all on my To Buy/Rent DVD list.
L to R: Dance the Chakras, Bellydance Basics and Beyond, Bollyrobics Dance Workout, African Healing Dance and Hoopnotic Hoopdance Level 1 (PS- I’ve recently fallen in love with hula hooping for fun and fitness. Highly recommended.)

Photo by Cheryl Empey

It’s coming down to the wire to be able to get gifts to their place before the 25th, but thankfully online stores are helping out with free upgraded shipping, free shipping, and more coupons. Check out these stores for their gift guides and shipping deals.

Gaiam – FREE 2 Day Shipping on Any In-Stock Order with Coupon Code: FEDEX13. Offer only Valid Wednesday Dec 19th – expires Thursday, Dec 20th at 10:00 a.m. EST.

LittleMissMatched -10% off orders through December 24th with Coupon Code: AFHOL10. Very cute items with emphasis on miss matched pajamas, socks, and more!

Brookstone – View Brookstone’s top Holiday gifts. Get 50% off the In-Out Blanket in a Bag – a $39.95 value, now only $19.99!

Buy Costumes – Get 25% OFF Christmas items (costumes, party supplies, decor, etc.) with the special Coupon Code: holi25.

The Succulent Wife – Just increased their last minute savings coupon to 15% OFF! Coupon Code: Merry15. Offer is valid now through 12/21. They have great gift ideas and lots of handmade artisan goods for those with an eco-friendly gift giving agenda.

Organic is one of our passions at Mable’s, and we’re always on the lookout on how we can help spread the word. I don’t want to play the fear card, but just stating the statistics is a scary thought. We’ve brought these up before, but it’s worth mentioning again. Did you know that about 1/3 pound of chemicals are used to grow and manufacture just 1 pound of cotton? And did you know that conventionally grown cotton is the most chemically treated crop in the world, using 1/4 of all toxic chemical pesticides produced each year?

We lay our bodies on our sheets about a third of our lives, which, from my point of view, is too much time spent with the most chemical-laden crop in the world. Thanks to the many online retailers soft organic sheets are an affordable nightly luxury that we should all enjoy.

Right now Gaiam is having an Organic Sheet Sale with prices as low as $40 per sheet. They also carry attractive printed organic sheets vs the standard solid white most retailers carry.

Viva Terra carries organic Pima cotton sheet sets in queen and king, as well as organic Duvet Covers. If you are in need of other sizes I’d head over to Design Public for their organic full fitted and flat sheets.

For the little ones, who probably benefit most from chemical-free sheets, Kee-Ka carries organic cotton baby bedding in solid colors and delicious cupcake patterns. Pair the sheets together with an organic blanket and your baby should be all set.

The creators of Holy Smokes fire starters are my favorite kind of recyclers: inventive, philanthropic, and a little cheeky. They’ve taken the remains of used church candles and combined it with wood fiber to create these aptly titled, scented, eco-friendly fire starters. On top of that, every purchase results in a donation to Habitat for Humanity.

While thousands of newspapers in the US are printed with non-toxic soy-based inks, it’s still not the industry standard. Many newspapers, as well as other printed materials like magazines and junk mail, are printed using petroleum-based inks which are toxic. If you use these items as kindling, you’re filling the air with toxic smoke that can irritate your eyes and lungs. Instead you can use just 1/4 stick of Holy Smokes to get logs going without all the toxic cooties. One package starts more than 30 fires, and you get a set of 2. Makes an excellent stocking stuffer.

$16

COUPON: Use coupon code AFD7 from now until December 31st, and get 12% off your order total. $4.95 flat rate shipping is also available all month long at Gaiam!

In the heirarchy of green products, those that cleverly solve two problems at once reign supreme. Not only is this wreath made from recycled plastic, but the lights are powered by a solar cell. To make a smart idea even smarter, it’s daylight-sensing and automatically turns the lights on or off so you don’t waste your solar charge. I’m not sure if it’s just proves that the manufacturer really knows their target market, or to play up the “hippie” allure, but you can choose from the traditional style or a peace sign shaped wreath.

$89

Gaiam also offers gift certificates so recipients can find their own perfect present.

Know anybody with a hand-forged nature inspired towel bar that’s made from recycled iron? Neither do we, and “one of a kind” is what this artistic bar is all about. Each one is hammered and shaped by a blacksmith, resulting in a totally unique piece of art. Put this piece of eco home decor in your bathroom, entryway or bedroom for a rustic or whimsical flare.

$99

Gaiam’s prices are already competitive for the eco-friendly niche products that they sell, but when they have their Annual Sale you can save an additional 20-75% off. Many of us don’t have the budget to purchase only green products, so this sale is an excellent opportunity to switch to organic cotton towels (50% off), compact fluorescent bulbs (up to 70% off), solar powered battery chargers (40% off), and the like. They also have a large yoga/Pilates & fitness section, which includes such steals as the Sports Conditioning Yoga Kit for just $19.99. It includes extra long yoga mat, foam brick, yoga strap, Sports Conditioning Mini Workouts instructional DVD, and Power Yoga Flexibility VHS. There’s also lots of yoga/fitness clothing on sale, such as the 80% off Yoga Top and the 62% off Yoga Pants

In the Decor & Furniture section there are these Recycled Luminaries (made by women in a rural Mexican village) that I’ve loved since they debuted Christmas 2005, and now you can snag them for 50% off.

Gaiam is perhaps my favorite green online store, and they believe that “…given a choice, people would choose a lifestyle that is healthy and life enhancing — for themselves, their families and the Earth… The Gaiam lifestyle is a vote for Media that Matters, individual wellness, and the sustainability of the Earth’s resources.” Now there’s a company I’m happy to spend my “dollar votes” at.