It’s Possible to BE Green Without Looking Green

I get totally depressed when I go shopping and I’ve come to realize lately that I don’t think that’s the desired effect. (Shopping is supposed to make me feel good, right?) Every time I find something I totally adore and just HAVE to have, I check the label and it’s either made from some animal product, something toxic or in a sweatshop in China. So, I’ve continually fallen on my fallback wardrobe of tees, jeans and canvas sneakers.

But one can only tolerate so many years of dressing like a boy and I just can’t do the hippie/hemp/tie-dye thing, so lately I’ve taken more time to get to know fashion, what I really like about it and where I can find the looks I like that are made in a way I can support. Here’s a list of four of my most recent favorite finds:

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How Green is Your Produce?

One of the things that worries me greatly about all this recession hype is that people will buy into the myth that going green is expensive and they’ll put off their green efforts until the economy is more stable. I won’t lie and say that myth has no truth to it; greening your home from top to bottom can be pricey. But, you don’t have to completely redo your home to go green. One of the most important things to remember about being green is that minimalism is often key, and with minimalism comes savings of resources both physical and financial. Being green is often as simple as one word: less. Do less. Buy less. It’s all about finding new, more efficient ways to do the things you’re already doing.

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Frito-Lay Has New Green Fleet, but We Know Which Green They’re After

I just Googled “Frito-Lay makes people fat.” That’s right. I did that. My search results didn’t really turn up exactly what I had hoped, but I still know that those keywords are the truth. I bet you do, too.

Judging by that statement, I’m sure you’re now plenty aware that I’m no fan of PepsiCo owned Frito-Lay. In my opinion, the food giant is right up there with McDonald’s when it comes to negligently contributing to America’s obesity epidemic. Nope, not a fan.

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You Can Grow Your Own Fruit – No, Really

For those of us in the northern hemisphere who are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of snowfall, it seems like the growing season is a hell of a long way off. Well, not really. In fact, the start of the growing season is only just around the corner. And there are so many reasons as to why you should make 2009 the year that you made the switch to growing your own fruit.

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13 Corporate Giants in the Green Revolution

Corporate America is quickly joining the green revolution. I’ve talked before about my issues with the trendiness of being green, but if trendiness is a means to power this revolution, I’m all for it.

The good news when it comes to corporate greening is that there usually is some substance behind the hype. That’s because the numbers add up. Corporations are putting it down on paper and realizing that green practices will make operations more efficient and save money in the long run (not to mention make money by attracting environmentally conscious customers).

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Can Obama Green the White House?

President Jimmy Carter may not be known for much, but back in 1979, he actually did something unheard of and extremely progressive — he had solar panels installed on the roof of the White House. President Carter took the first and most important initiative to green the White House, and its one that other presidents and first families have slowly begun to follow.

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Esurance Sets the Bar for Eco-Minded Insurance Companies

I remember the first time I saw an Esurance ad on television. The ad didn’t stick out to me because of killer branding or intense concept, though. It stuck out simply because I thought, “Big whoop.” An insurance company branded totally on the fact that you can take care of everything online? I’ve been with Geico since I could drive a car and have never once made a phone call or filled out a piece of paper.

I don’t think Esurance has crossed my mind once since that day I first saw their ad until today. As I was flipping through my new favorite mag, Ready Made, I came across an Esurance print ad. “You care about the planet,” it touted. “So do we.” The message successfully reeled me in and as I continued to read the rest of the full page spread, I began to give Esurance a second thought.

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