Sometimes having too many options can be a little overwhelming, but when entering the Pink Quartz Minerals shop I feel like a kid in a candy store! Doree is a one woman DIY powerhouse who makes a variety of all natural makeup, but she always makes time to create any item to your exact specifications. What color do you want that lip balm? How opaque do you want the color? Want to add a flavor? An all natural sweetener? How about customizing the label with any text you want? Even cooler, these options are standard and there is never an extra charge for them. I have been loving my marshmallow flavored, stevia sweetened, deep rose lip balm for months and I’m actually excited to order a few more.

As someone who really doesn’t wear much makeup – usually some tinted lip balm or mineral foundation – my affinity for Pink Quartz Minerals might seem surprising. Keep in mind though that I’m a really particular shopper; I always know just what I want… and what I don’t want.

Unlike most products out there, all of Doree’s handmade goodies are safe for your eyes, lips, skin, and face, which says a lot about how “natural” they really are. The ingredients consist of only 6 minerals (except the lip balms of course), and there are never any preservatives, chemicals, or animal-based ingredients. Everything is vegan friendly, and truly hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. I was visiting family recently and took a peek at the ingredients on my little sister’s sparkly lip balm set. Talk about night and day! There was a huge list of chemicals and it was petroleum based, too. Yuck! What bums me out is that makeup containing dangerous, junky ingredients is standard. Thank goodness for businesses like Pink Quartz Minerals who have integrity and create only safe and exquisite makeup items.

I also had the pleasure of trying the mineral foundation and the fabulous vegan kabuki brush. Both are amazing! I bought the sample kit to find the perfect shade for me, but you can also have a color custom blended. I’ve been asked so many times “Are you wearing makeup? Your skin looks so nice.” Could there be a better testimonial? During the visit to see my family, my mom tried the kabuki brush and could not stop raving. “It’s so much softer than the expensive one I bought and doesn’t shed all over the place either”. Since she doesn’t stop by this blog too often I’ll let you guys know that I’m going to order her a brush and sample kit, too

Unless you’re madly in love with your makeup and can identify all the ingredients on the label, I really encourage you to try some of the lovely handmade products from Pink Quartz Minerals. They’re safe, affordable, and bring out your natural beauty so you’ll look and feel like a million bucks.

SALE ENDS SUNDAY JULY 20th!

GreenLoop doesn’t fool around during their Summer Sale. It isn’t one of those sad “summer sales” where all the winter wear goes 10% off. They have discounted pretty much everything on their site at 20-70% off. If you’ve ever visited their store – or any green retailer for that matter – you’ve probably coveted lots of the sustainable, organic, recycled, Fair Trade eco fashion and accessories, but loathed the price tags. Honestly, they can be pretty ridiculous sometimes. But when they’re discounted up to 70% off, it’s a really smart time to pick up a few organic wardrobe cornerstones. Here are a few of my favorite picks;

• Stewart+Brown Organic Cotton Collar Scoop Shell
• Simple Green Organic/Recycled ‘Toe Stir’ Vegan Skimmers
• Anna Cohen Silky Soy Halter Dress

New items will be added all week long so check back every few days for fresh eco friendly fashion and accessories. And if you sign up for their newsletter, you will get a coupon for an additional 10% off. Shipping is always just $5 flat rate and it’s carbon neutral!

SALE ENDS SUNDAY JULY 20th!

Dan Piraro is a multi-talented guy, but he is probably best known for his off-beat cartoon strip, Bizarro. Although I had seen that cartoon in a few various places over the years, it wasn’t until I read about Dan in the debut issue of Herbivore Magazine that I began to take notice of his work. One particular area of his focus really caught my attention: animals. Outside of being a skilled illustrator and comic, Dan is also passionate about animal rights and isn’t shy about using his skills to raise awareness about it. His latest contribution is a bizarre and very cool looking shirt that he designed for Endangered Wear that gives 100% of the profits to Dan’s favorite farm animal sanctuary. There’s a limited run of 750 shirts being produced by indie shirt company Endangered Wear (limited runs are their specialty, hence the name). All of their designs are printed on made in the USA, sweatshop-free American Apparel t-shirts, too. Whether you’re a card carrying member of the Secret Society of Vegans like us (just kidding, they don’t issue cards), or just not a big fan of factory farming, this shirt is a fun way to spread the word and help animals. And honestly, how many shirts do you have that feature a retro-look piggy being flown to safety thanks to a flock of funky birds?
$22.95

You heard it phrased a million different ways last year: green is the new black. 2007 was definitely an amazing year for advances in the “green” lifestyle. Information, organizations, and products that help us reduce our global footprint popped up everywhere! Whether you switched to a hybrid vehicle or didn’t have a chance to “go green” last year, there are lots of ways to easily transition to a more eco-friendly way of life. Here are a few of the biggest, yet easiest and most affordable green ideas;

Food
Surprisingly, what we eat has more impact on the environment than the kind of vehicle we drive! The 100 Mile Diet blew up in 2007, bringing much needed attention to the effects of transporting food rather than buying locally. Combine this knowledge with A Few More Inconvenient Truths and we’ve got a recipe for the most eco-friendly diet possible. According to an article from Earth Save called 100 Mile Diet Not Quite Right (PDF file):

“Take the intentions of the 100 Mile Diet authors to heart, but be careful about it. Make sure that the foods you choose are plant-based, seasonal and organic. Don’t drive great distances to get it. And, like Smith and MacKinnon, grow what you can yourself. In the long run, the whole world will be much the better for it.”

Clothes
Here’s a fun way to make a stylish and eco-friendly change: update your closet. When the time comes to replace any part of your wardrobe- from shoes to jeans to accessories- look for sustainable style. According to the Organic Consumers Association, “Cotton accounts for 50% of the world’s fiber needs, 24% of the world’s insecticide market and 11% of sale of global pesticides, making cotton the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet.”
Because of their selection, The Green Loop is my favorite source for sustainable, sweatshop-free clothing and accessories. Their prices are a little out of reach for some, but they are fantastic for inspiration and for a few key splurge items. Amazon actually has a growing selection of more affordable organic clothes, as does eBay and even Zappos. Want more purchasing options? Check out Of The Earth’s awesome retailer links page.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Upcycle?
This is a broader concept that challenges us to integrate green ideals into every area of our lives. You’re probably familiar with the first 3 concepts, but “upcycling” is quickly gaining momentum in the handmade community. Etsy has a great article that discusses how everyone can learn to “repurpose” trash-bound items into something useful. Not only can you upcycle your own goods, but you can also purchase products that are made of upcycled or recycled material. Definitely check out Neurasthenia’s Recycled Wearables, epositive, and EtsyTrashion.

Have you decided to go green in 2008? We’d love to hear your experiences and tips; please leave us a comment!

Hippocrates was right on the money when he said “let food be thy medicine”. We know that what we put in our bodies is responsible (at least in part) for how we feel, and that how we raise and prepare our food is responsible for the state of the environment. But how do we go about lessening our “global footprint” on the earth while eating foods that are both nourishing and satisfying?

Increasing your intake of organic fruits and veggies with vegetarian, vegan, or raw meals is a great way to start. You don’t have to be a full-time vegetarian to reap the benefits either. Reducing the amount of pre-packaged foods and animal products that you eat is far easier on the earth and your body. The only question left then is, will I enjoy the taste? You better believe it! In a hands-on cooking class designed for beginners and budding chefs alike, you’ll learn to make delicious plant-based meals that will impress and satiate everyone. After the courses you will understand the basics of creating fast, healthy, yummy recipes, allowing you to align your diet with your green ideals. An excellent gift for yourself or anyone who wants to eat better and feel better.

Raw Cuisine (L.A. or Miami) $270-370
Vegetarian Cooking (L.A.or O.C.) $305

Chocolate has long held it’s place as a staple gift that just about anybody will enjoy. Big name brand chocolates don’t bring smiles to earth friendly people like organic and fair trade labeled chocolates do. Green & Black’s is a brand that cares about where their chocolate comes from and their dark chocolate flavors make for some delicious gift box sets.

Mable’s favorites are;
- Green & Black’s Organic Maya Gold Squares – 27 individually wrapped bite size squares of organic dark chocolate with orange and spices. This product carries the Fair Trade mark.
- Green & Black’s Organic Dark Mint Chocolate – 27 individually wrapped bite sized squares of dark mint chocolate.

Mable’s also strongly recommends The Vegan Collection gift set from Endangered Species Chocolate. These chocolates are ethically traded and 10 percent of their net profits are donated to help support species, habitat and humanity.

Gift boxes are $13.90 each

With summer days fast becoming just a memory, I long for ways to keep a bit of the season with me year-round. Just about all of my favorite hallmarks of summer aren’t really as enjoyable when the weather turns: popsicles, bikinis, flip-flops… they’re just not the same without the hot summer sun working its magic. But LUSH has heard my plea and created a new product that is scented like coconut suntan lotion! It won’t get a chance to prove the full extent of its powers during fall, but their Coconut Deodorant Powder will still keep me dry and smelling like a day at the beach even in sweater weather. LUSH has been selling their line of deodorant bars for some time, but this is their first line of deodorant powders. Also available are Mr. T, Powder Puff, and Powdry (all vegan-friendly).

For those of you still using antiperspirant, let’s summarize why LUSH makes alternatives, and why so many people are making the switch. Aluminum (the key ingredient in all antiperspirants) is believed to cause cancer and Alzheimer’s, and it is the ingredient that prohibits your body from sweating. It clogs your pores and causes the skin to become dry since the glands can’t sweat. While this does reduce sweating, it also makes your underarm skin dry and aggravated. Aluminum is also notorious for yellowing clothing. Deodorants (opposed to antiperspirants), like LUSH’s powders, use yummy scented essential oils to fight odor-causing bacteria, microfine powders to absorb wetness and odors, and plant-based oils to moisturize your delicate underarm skin. When I learned these facts several years ago I ditched antiperspirants for good and am very pleased with deodorants from natural brands like LUSH. I’ve discussed this topic a lot online and the consensus (which I agree with) is that deodorants work and smell great, but if you tend to sweat heavily then you may not be pleased with the results. (During California heat waves I sometimes miss my old antiperspirant!) Deodorants do take some getting used to, but after a brief transition period you will see and feel your underarms becoming softer and less irritated and many people even say they seem to sweat less. Not a bad deal, especially when you get to smell like coconut suntan lotion in the process.

2008 Update: I finally tried the Coconut scented deodorant powder! It smells like an absolute dream: just like tropical suntan lotion out of the container, and then like toasted coconut when it comes in contact with skin. The delicious scent is the best part though, as the sweat-absorbing leaves a bit to be desired. Great for cooler months, but definitely won’t cut it in the summer.

As anyone who has tried their products knows, LUSH Cosmetics is a brand that borders on being magical. Their firm commitment to “making effective products out of fresh organic fruit and vegetables” has established them as a worldwide leader for natural bath products, and they have countless devotees as a result. As I’ve written on Mable’s before, I’m a total LUSH lover. It’s essential to me that I understand every ingredient that I put on (and in) my body, and LUSH makes that a snap. Their ingredients are mostly organic, and they never use animal testing, and the absolute best part is that they work! It’s also pretty cool that everything is handcrafted, so if you’re hankering for amazing handmade natural soap you don’t have to make it yourself.

As a smaller, adventurous company, LUSH is always adding new products to their catalog and tweaking them with the input of their customers. I’d like to make it a regular feature to spotlight their newest and yummiest looking items, so here’s the first installment. First up is a bubble bar slice (aka: solid bubble bath) called Pop in the Bath, which users have described as “Floral, yes. But not overly. Definitely sweet but earthy enough to not be cloying. A real charmer.” It comes in 4 different colors (randomly selected for you) with a sweet little flower on top.

The Green Day bubble bar slice is for those of us who enjoy more earthy scents, and this one has been described as “grassy yet exotic” and “fresh and clean” smelling. It comes in an electric green shade (made from natural ingredients, NO dyes) that colors your bath water a soothing shade of lighter green.

If you’re part of the sweet tooth crew (I’m the founding member so I’ll vouch for this one), The Comforter is the bubble bar for you. It’s “incredibly sweet… very strawberry scented” and is a beautiful swirl of pink and white. It’s so named because it’s supposed to “wrap you up in a cozy pink blanket of bubbles”, and like all LUSH bubble bars, the bubbles do go a loooong way. Like Pop in the Bath and Green Day, The Comforter is made without unnecessary animal ingredients and is vegan-friendly.

There are also some other new (non bubble bar) items available, including the 100% organic and natural Happy Talk lip balm and Hard Shampoo Bar for places with hard water. LUSH, you creative bunch!