Spotlight: AASHE-Connecting Sustainable Education Nationwide

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, or AASHE, is really making a big impact on the nation. AASHE is a membership driven–501(c)(3) institution that is leading the way in empowering sustainable colleges and universities by connecting and standardizing sustainability practice on campuses nationwide.

Being apart of the AASHE network grants resources, programs and professional development for those involved. The most important factor that AASHE contributes is its ability to unite colleges and universities that lead in sustainability transformation. By working with campus faculty, students, administrators and staff alike, they provide a professional home for sustainability in higher education.

There are two ways to get involved. As a student, AASHE offers a variety of professional development programs and resources to its members including conferences, webinars, workshops, conference calls and the wide network that it is connected to. As a business, it connects them with their communities and aligns themselves with green leaders by becoming a business partner.

More than anything, AASHE is designed to help higher education practice sustainability as a norm, not as an exception. They achieve this by encouraging collaborations and helping facilitate the generating and achievement of goals for the campus as a whole.

There are many ways of getting involved in AASHE. Whether you are a business looking to become a partner, or a student that is already a member of AASHE,  a student looking to getting their college involved, or a K-12 school—AASHE is attempting to connecting and transform the everyday standards of our educational system as we know it.

If you are interested in inquiring whether your school is or should be involved, please contact AASHE

Rebagz is Changing the World With Style

Each month, we highlight artists, companies and products that truly exemplify what the Organic Bug mission is all about. This month we have chosen to feature Rebagz Eco-Chic Handbags…a line of brightly colored durable totes, packs, handbags and wallets made from woven recycled juice packs, recycled nylon rice sacks, recycled paper and PET plastic.

It is incredible how easily trash can be transformed into an array of eco-chic fashion statements! One of our favorite pieces from the Rebagz collection is the super stylish Carry Anything Anywhere Bag and we want to share a chance to WIN one of these multi-purpose totes with our loyal Organic Bug friends.

To enter for a chance to win this coveted bag  (a $94 value) be sure to visit- How to Win!  Giveaway – Organic Bug – Rebagz Carry Anything Anywhere Bag – Ends 3/14/10

Here are some of the many reasons we love Rebagz! And, if you don’t already own one, you will definitely want one when you see how eco- and human-friendly the company is:

1.  Rebagz handbags are manufactured using fair trade guidelines: The manufacturer in the Philippines is committed to paying employees a fair wage and providing a safe and healthy work environment….in other words, this is a company that puts people first.  By supporting Rebagz, you are contributing to the financial well-being of the women they employ, along with their families and their community at large.

2.  Rebagz handbags are environmentally sustainable: Made using recycled juice packs, rice sacks, paper + PET plastic, each Rebagz design incorporates lots of eco-friendly materials. Even the loop and button closure on the Carry Anything Anywhere Bag is expertly crafted from woven recycled juice packs.

Recycling uses less energy, decreasing oil dependence; reduces landfill, curbing leaching of contaminants into the soil and water supply; and improves air quality through the reduction of toxic incinerator emissions.

3.  Rebagz handbags are well made and functional: The entire collection of Juicy Hand Woven bags are water resistant, easy to clean, and durable!  The Carry Anything Anywhere Bag is so versatile you’ll wonder what you ever did without one. Since it is unlined it can easily be wiped clean inside and out making it useful for just about anything: gardening, the beach, a gym bag, overnight bag, shopping bag, commuter tote, the list goes on & on!

4. There is a fabulous Rebagz Eco-Chic Handbag for every occasion: Beautiful detailing, vibrant, fashionable and functional are just some of the ways to describe these amazing creations. Larger bags are multi-purpose, mid-size bags are the perfect size for bopping around town and mini bags can do double time as wristlets or cosmetics travel bags!

Learn more about the talented Rebagz creator, Marty Stevens-Heebner, on our Rebagz Brands Page and hear Marty in her own words below!

Weatherization Not-a-Happenin’

We’ve included a few blogs on Feed Your Eco explaining how to weatherize your home and the benefits of doing so. We’re not the only ones who understand the importance of this and that’s why $5 billion was allocated to weatherizing homes as part of the 2009 Recovery Act. However, according to a new report from the Energy Department’s inspector general, the program has barely gotten off the ground a year after it started and some of the larger states meet less than 2 percent of their three year goals.

These funds were allocated to help make low-income homes more energy efficient to save money and emissions all while stimulating the job market. “The job creation impact of what was considered to be one of the department’s most ‘shovel ready’ projects has not materialized,” the report said. An example of this takes place in New York where only 280 weatherization projects have been completed out of their 45,400 goal. This goal is projected over three years, but that means that less than 1 percent of the project has been completed, leaving only two more years for full execution.

Since the act included such an increase of funds from other years, state officials are claiming it’s hard to keep up with the increased budgets. “We went from a budget of $13 million for weatherizations to $327 million,” said Gordon Anderson, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. “So we needed to get a serious plan in place to assure that our agency and all our contractors had the adequate capacity to administer the funds.”

Hopefully this plan will happen fast and will be effectively implemented. Weatherizing homes is one of the easiest things we can do to save money and the planet, and of course, increase available jobs.

Mother Earth… Would You Be Mine?

Love… whether it’s exciting, fresh, eternal or simply just nonexistent, love deserves a day of recognition. This year, show your love of each other and your love for the earth by mixing red with green. Here are a few ways you can enjoy a relaxing, eco-fabulous Valentine’s Day:

If you’re going to love your honey like you love the planet, show it with flowers, make sure they are organic. Flowers grown organically are best for the environment because of the reduced toxic chemical usage, which creates a safer environment for the farmers and for our earth. Not to mention organic farms promote long term sustainability on farm lands which support the health of our planet. Be picky about where you buy your flowers because many flowers found at the supermarkets and other floral departments come from other countries. By doing this they are generating a larger carbon footprint since they have to import them by plane using large amounts of fuel and energy. Make sure to invest in socially responsible flower companies by buying organic or fair trade flowers. Sierra Eco is a fair trade flower company, which vows to change the world… one flower at a time. There are also ways to extend the life of your freshly cut flowers without the use of chemicals, here’s how.

Buy fair trade organic chocolate and pair it with your favorite organic fruits. Play your part in a more equitable trading partnership by purchase fair trade chocolate from companies like Divine. Look for chocolate that has a certification logo for Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, or some other indication on their packaging that assures the item to be produced both sustainably and ethically. Chocolate itself is considered and aphrodisiac and causes your brain to release serotonin which makes you feel like your falling in love, which means it’s clearly needed for Valentine’s day.

Finally, send love letters…online of course! Sending the ones you love e-greetings is a great way to reduce the need for paper consumption but still let people know that you are thinking about them. We like Evite or Punchbowl because of the variety of cool designs. Reducing the amount of cards you send drastically reduces your carbon footprint. This year, we challenge you to think outside the card stock and be considerate as to how your card sending impacts the environment as well as other traditional Valentine’s Day practices. This is the only earth we have, so let’s love it as much as we can. Happy Valentine’s Day

Simple Safety Protocols for DIY

Homemaking, healing and gardening: These are all such fundamental aspects of human life on this planet and are extremely important for that reason. The tools to create a more intentional and sustainable daily existence all stem from the tiny actions that we perform in our everyday lives. That being said, DIY projects should not be limited to people with a lot of time, space or experience. DIY is for everybody and creates a natural way to live on our own terms. However, it is important to remember that even natural formulas can hurt you. Here are a few things to keep in mind while participating in DIY projects, creating and using homemade remedies:

Natural does not mean Edible. Although compounds like borax and washing soda are more safe than most, if not all, the ingredients you will find in your local drugstore there are still some things that should not get into your body. Remember to wash your hands after mixing cleaners and clearly label the containers you keep them in. Check out this The Daily Green’s simple recipes for cheap green living, for more information on how to make your own green cleaning solutions.

If you are pregnant, there are certain herbs and oils you should avoid. During pregnancy, it is extremely important that you are aware of what goes into your body. While most herbs are rather safe for an individual to take, there are quite a few that can cause certain problems for pregnant women. Because each pregnancy is different with its own precise details, the best way to use herbs during pregnancy is under a physician, midwife, herbalist, or a homeopathic doctor.

A great resource is the Herbal Encyclopedia. This site will tell you what herbs are recommended and herbs that should be avoided during the different stages pregnancy and development. Or you might find this article on herbal remedies for women to be useful.

For additional information on alternative medicine and herbs during pregnancy check out Herb Reference.

Know your Body!

Pay attention to your body when/if something is making you feel sick, itchy or just straight up uncomfortable. The whole point of DIY is to make you feel better, not worse. Take care of yourself and pay attention to your body and how it reacts. You can learn more about potential allergic reactions to herbal remedies at  the guide to herbal remedies.

Remember: plants have families

If you know you have specific allergies, you will obviously want to avoid using that herb.  However, do your research because a lot of herbs are closely related and you will want to avoid using any herb related to the one you’re allergic to, for cosmetic or medicinal purposes, otherwise you could experience an allergic reaction or worse. A great resource to help you learn more about plants and their families is the Online Botany Guide.

DIY is about making our lives intentional and perhaps more simple. It allows us to pay close attention to our bodies and the systems that we know are right for us. Not to mention you’ll spend less money and reduce packaging all while doing your part to keep our beautiful Earth natural

Breaking the Try-Cycle

This is the time of the year when we promise to do more  of one thing or less of another. We write reminders to ourselves, we tell our friends so they can hold us accountable, we enroll at a gym, we watch what we eat, and we do anything and everything to meet those New Year’s resolutions, except for the things that will actually get us there.But we know that more than half of all New Year’s Resolutions are not met within the first 3 months. This year, lets break the Try-Cycle.

First and foremost, saying one thing and doing another are completely different. You have to start with a plan. With that, you have to define what is being taken on or given up. Then ask yourself, why? What is this going to benefit and how much? This will get you to think about how you measure success.

-Start small. You don’t necessarily need it to be a small goal because it all depends on what it means to you. However, by small we mean, defined. With that being said, make only one defined goal because it’s hard to get what you want if you don’t even know what you want! Choose a goal that is meaningful to you. Internal motivation is going to be your biggest power play that will help you reach your end goal. Choose to take on or give up something that you know benefits YOU and possibly the people around you.

-Write yourself a letter. Visualize yourself having achieved your goal. How does it feel? Address it to yourself and date it and do not open it until that date. When you do this you are getting a dose of that feeling as though you have won and this will create a positive thought process which will kick start the momentum for success.

-Avoid absolutes. Studies have shown that resolutions fail when people vow to “never do that again”. Progress and growth toward an end goal is the healthiest way to go about reaching your goal. Quitting anything cold turkey could be the ultimate set up for failure.

-Treat yourself well and set up a reward process. It’s okay to be firm about how you’re going to achieve your goal but remember you are human. Don’t worry about the setbacks because in this situation, persistence is key. Reward yourself with things that will act as motivators. After all, you do deserve it.

-Write it down and think about how you measure success.  What are the pros and cons? What are the obstacles and how do you plan on getting over them? If and when you slip up, who is going to be your motivator to start back up again? Which brings me to my next and most important point…

-Tell everyone. With the support from your family and friends, anything is possible. There is absolutely no shame in not being able to keep your resolution without the help of others motivating you. Get a buddy, join an online community, zero in on a role model who you can aspire to be like. Use your resources and tell everyone you know, so they can hold you accountable and encourage you to meet your end goal.Ultimately, everything you do has to start with controlling what you are thinking, saying and doing. Hopefully, these things will help you think, say and do whatever needs to be done to achieve your goal. Good luck and remember to believe in yourself!

Shake That Thought, Give Yoga A Shot

We’ve heard it from every angle and we’ve read it on the cover of every magazine, the benefits of yoga and the myths of yoga. If you are a beginner or maybe a little bit skeptical of yoga, we can clear some common misconceptions up for you!

There seems to be a popular misconception that you have to be flexible to do yoga. Sure, yoga has a lot to do with flexibility but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from trying it even if you don’t consider yourself flexible. If you are a beginner, you should start in a beginner’s class, that way you can ease your body into the idea of performing the new yoga moves. Yoga is an individual practice, not a team sport, so your level may be different than that of your friends, remember this is okay! Flexibility from yoga comes with time. You have to begin somewhere so just be patient and consistent and you might surprise yourself at how quickly you will see and feel the results. Some gravitate towards yoga because it is assumed as the new found religion, while others steer clear from it because of any perceived religious affiliations. Either way, yoga should be looked at as a practice to calm the mind, body and soul. Yoga itself is not a religion. It should be looked at as a self meditating practice, to self reflect, to feel the silence of the body and most importantly, to breathe which many of us sometimes forget to do.

Another myth is that yoga is an expensive hobby. It can actually be one of the most inexpensive forms of exercise, if you want it to be! Whether you are in a yoga studio, a park or even in your own home, yoga is yoga. It shouldn’t matter where you are doing it, as long as you are doing it. Think about it, you may be spending 20-60 a month on a gym membership when you can practice yoga for free in your backyard! Not to mention all the energy you are saving by not using heavy powered machines as a part of your daily workout.Many assume that yoga will not give you a workout because it is not considered cardiovascular activity. However, it is a different type of work out, which still gets your heart rate dancing. It is also very good for your heart and lungs as you learn how to inhale and exhale properly.

So bottoms up to a healthy you in 2010. Now that the misconceptions have been cleared up you can be on your way to one of the most invigorating and relaxing workouts your body deserves!

The most important piece s of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind

- Rodney Yee

If you need any yoga equipment, we have a variety of great eco friendly yoga products! Check them out!

Top Green Must Reads

Top Green Books There isn’t a better way to spend some time inside and out of the cold this winter by catching up on some reading. There are lots of great green books out there, but here are a few of my favorites, and if you haven’t read them, you must do it soon!

“Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things” by William McDonough, Michael Braungart – Cradle to Cradle maps the lineaments of McDonough and Braungart’s new design paradigm, offering practical steps on how to innovate within today’s economic environment. Part social history, part green business primer, part design manual, the book makes plain that the re-invention of human industry is not only within our grasp, it is our best hope for a future of sustaining prosperity.

“ Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage” by Daniel Etsy and Andrew Winston – If you are someone at a decision making level in your company, no matter what industry, this is a must read. It’s the new Bible of green business.

“The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems” by Van Jones –Coined “the definitive green jobs book,” it discusses where Jones sees potential for growth and how he would like to see the new “Green Collar Economy” produce high paying jobs for those who are in poverty.

“The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time” by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen – I got the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth last summer and she is an amazing woman. This books helps any and everyone make little changes in their homes and lives that they might not have ever thought of. If you know of someone that is curious about “going green” on one level or another, get this book for them, it will help immensely!

“Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman” by Yvon Chouinard – This book shows how a company should be ran from the words of the founder of Patagonia, which is one of the earth’s most interesting and inspiring companies. A must read.

“Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World” by Diaen MacEachern – I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting Diane and she is an amazing woman. Her message in this book is simple but revolutionary. If women change the way they spend their money, they can help solve the environmental crisis – and protect themselves and their families, too. Why women? Because women spend $.85 of every dollar in the marketplace.

“Worldchanging: A User’s Guide for the 21st Century” by Alex Steffen (Author), Al Gore (Foreword), Bruce Sterling (Introduction) From consumer consciousness to a new vision for industry; non-toxic homes to refugee shelters; microfinance to effective philanthropy; socially responsible investing to starting a green business; citizen media to human rights; ecological economics to climate change, this is the most comprehensive, cutting-edge overview to date of what’s possible in the near future — if we decide to make it so.

“The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability” by Paul Hawken – This book outlines the environmentally destructive aspects of many current business practices, but offers the vision of businesses adopting new practices to promote environmental restoration.

“Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life” by Sophie Uliano – I received this book for Christmas last year and I absolutely love it! Ladies, you can learn so much about your skin care products and makeup through this book. Be Gorgeous, and Green!

“The Better World Shopping Guide: Every Dollar Makes a Difference” by Ellis Jones This is one of the best little books you can buy to learn which companies are safe on the planet, and which ones aren’t. They highlight anything from breweries to credit card companies to hair care products. It’s great to always keep around you to know if you should buy from a company or not, and why.

Tis the Season to be Stressed Out

Tis the Season to be stressed out, fa la la la la la la laa. But I am here to remind you that it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes we become so overwhelmed with big picture stresses like Christmas parties, family vacations, bills, work schedules, money, buying presents, cooking, etc (and the list goes on and on and on…). This Holiday season try to remind yourself that just because you are facing a problem doesn’t mean you have to be one for the people around you. Try to maintain a healthy physical and mental state of mind this Holiday season. Here are a few things I recommend:

Cozy up with some green tea and lose yourself in a good book

Go for a run! Release those endorphins and you will immediately feel better after you work out your daily stresses

Drink a cup of warm vanilla milk, it soothes the soul

Enjoy your surroundings and mother nature. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful world; breathe in the fresh air and be thankful

Sing. Belt your favorite song loudly, badly, off key, in the car, wherever-however

Slow down. Take a moment to look around you and find beauty in your surroundings. You will see that the little things are enough to make you smile

Bake some holiday cookies

Be kind and polite and you’ll find that you just might receive it in return

Take the dog for a walk. Nothing will entertain you more than watching your dog try to mark its territory on every single fire hydrant

Be present. Turn off your cell phone and computer for awhile

Take a power nap with your head at the other end of the bed

Indulge in your guilty pleasures

Choose happiness, gratitude and a positive behavior

Play hooky J (you deserve it every once and awhile)

Take a warm shower before bed to help calm your nerves so you are able to get a good nights’ sleep

Volunteer at a local organization, good for the heart, mind, body and soul

Practice Yoga and breathe deep

Listen to some good music… Pandora Christmas Station will surely get you back in the Christmas spirit

More importantly, remind yourself what the Holiday season is really about. Hopefully once you have given yourself time away from a stressful situation you can look back and realize it may not have been as stressful as you first thought it was. So, when you feel yourself slipping into a bad mood, try and think positive and remind yourself… it’s all good

Fair Trade 101

A lot of people wonder how fair trade is mixed in with the green attitude and sustainable lifestyle. According to Wikipedia’s definition, “fair trade is an organized social movement and market based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries and promote sustainability”. If you haven’t experienced any A-HA moments yet trying to understand fair trade system, don’t worry, we’re about to dive a little deeper.

My best definition would be along the lines of paying a just and fair amount for products rather than taking advantage of the economic situation of where that product is coming from.  It is a system of trade where living wages and employment opportunities are offered for the goods that are produced in developing countries. Fair trade is an equal exchange program where the money you pay for a product reaches the communities delivering it. Basically, it is a way for you to know that the money you are spend on products of fair trade are not being intercepted by middlemen but actually reach the people growing it.  Take a look at the Equal Exchange Coffee Chain image; the distribution of money will make more sense.

Goods, such as chocolate or coffee can be certified by fair trade by organizations like Fair Trade Labeling Organization which affiliates in 17 countries. Producers partner up with international organizations that help them build better skills to market and sell goods. All products that meet fair trade standards do so under strict values that will benefit the people and country the products come from.

So now that you know a little bit more about fair trade products, look for them in your local supermarket, food co-op or café. Perhaps you work somewhere where you can support fair trade products and we highly encourage you to do so. Remember that your actions as a buyer support or discourage actions by businesses. By becoming a conscious consumer you are making the decision to provide better standards of living for artisans all over the world, which is especially important in developing countries.

Plus, it is just another way of knowing that the businesses you support are doing their part in creating a better tomorrow for people who may less fortunate. Hopefully, this helps you understand the need to support fair trade and what it does for our interdependent earth, look for the Fair Trade icon for products that are committed to helping developing countries.

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