The FlameDisk® can be used in any grill to cook a variety of foods. Just drop it in the bottom of the grill, peel the lid, and the FlameDisk® lights easily with one match. It’s ready to cook immediately. At the end of your grilling session there is no soot, ash, or dangerous hot coals. Simply remove the remaining aluminum shell from your grill and place it in the trash or recycling bin.

The FlameDisk® is easy to transport and store, making it great for tailgating, camping, boating, and day tripping. Finally, the FlameDisk® is much more eco-friendly than charcoal and lighter fluid because it features renewable ethanol. Ethanol is extremely clean burning and generates 90% fewer pollutants than charcoal. The FlameDisk®’s aluminum casing is also recyclable.

For more details and info on the Flame Disk click here.

Sound Earth

The great thing about their products is that they dont compromise on quality.

We manufacture environmentally friendly cleaning products with superior cleaning ability by carefully considering every aspect of production, including:

• using our products in our homes before we sell them to you for use in yours.
• refusing to engage in the abhorrent practice of animal testing in any stage of production.
• packaging and shipping in easily recycled materials.

Sound Earth has been around since 2003 and still running strong. They donate 10% of their profits to organizations who share their philosophy and belief system.

To see all the products they offer click here.

The PEG

, GPS, or iPod, and let your kinetic energy power up your gadgets while you walk. You can get an 80% charge in one hour through your own energy alone. Green and brilliant.

With the nPower^® PEG, you’ll enjoy never-ending entertainment, communication, and security. Used to charge handheld electronics, the nPower^® PEG is a small, lightweight device that allows you to create renewable energy while you walk or run.

Just place the PEG in your backpack, briefcase, or handbag, and plug it into your iPod, cell phone, or GPS. As you walk, the PEG harvests the kinetic energy that you’re already generating and converts it into usable power for recharging your handheld electronic devices.

The PEG is lightweight and easy to use, try it out today and see how it well it works, all that is required is your motion, no outlets for charging, just good old fashioned leg work.

Some stores have already begun to charge for their plastic shopping bags, and others are wanting to but there has been much controversy over whether these charges are acceptable or not. What are your thoughts?

I think we are the only country that doesn’t charge for shopping bags. In fact when I lived in Africa I thought it was strange that they charged for bags, people over there are way less fortunate than us and they still charge. But after I figured out the reasons behind it, I realized that its a great idea and with a little planning and getting used to taking bags with us to the grocery store, we would get used to it and we could be on our way to saving the planet and producing less toxic waste and that my friends is a very good thing!

abclocal.com has an article on California bill proposes charge for bags. Ikea charges 10 cents per bag and has charged for bags for many years. You can check out Ikeas FAQ section about Plastic bags cost the earth.

Some other articles to read:

New York Mayor proposes charge on plastic bags. Recently New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed that NYC begin charging shoppers 6 cents for each plastic bag issued at the register.

IKEA bans plastic bags.

Plastic Bag charging works.Charging for plastic bags at the supermarket works – people really do bring their own.

Kill Plastic Bags with Taxes: Look to Ireland. Ireland plastic bag usage drops dramatically after plastic bag taxes are instated.

So what do you think? Should all retailers start charging you for each plastic bag you use?

Ecohearth.com has an article on Unwrapping Wasteful Packaging. Also you should check out the Sustainable Packaging Coalition for the Indicators and Metrics Framework that they released recently.

Can we do something about this? Yes we can! Many companies have already begun to recycle old boxes and package their items in boxes that fit their products, not everyone is as thoughtless as this company above but we should be aware of the companies we do work with and their eco friendly or non-eco friendly practices. Ask questions, see if packages can be picked up or specifically ask them to send your products in appropriately sized boxes.

It seems that we tend to get a bit overly excited and throw a lot of stuff away when we could be saving or recycling. Christmas doesn’t have to be a wasteful time of year, lets keep the recycling going all year round. Teach your kids how to recycle too. Here are some tips to make this Christmas a recycled one.

Zero waste wrapping paper – Why not take a deep breath and open your gifts nicely so you can save your wrapping paper for next year? Fold your bags, tissue and paper so you can have an assortment to use all year long.

Save or Recycle – When a gift is open, either recycle the box it came in and wrapping paper(if your not saving it) or save the box for a few months in case you need to return the item and then recycle.

Christmas Cards – You can always keep save your Christmas cards for crafts/cards  next year or put into your recycle bin right away.

Christmas Dinner – You can even recycle your Christmas dinner. Don’t waste your leftovers, save up your turkey for curry or stew, treat your pets to a Christmas meal or compost your vegetable trimmings and left over vegetables.

Sterling Silver Stackable Rings: The artisans who hand make these sterling silver rings are paid fairly in the local context and are pre-paid 50% up front so they don’t need to use their own resources to purchase raw materials.

Organica’s Weekend Scarf: Hand-woven and made by women artisans using 100% non-violent, natural silk. The purchase of beautiful Tasar silk (indigenous to India) has far reaching impact on the environment and on livelihoods of the rural poor.

Bamboo 5 Piece Brush Set: This earth-friendly brush set is packed with the 4 high-quality brushes and, it shows respect for the planet. Bamboo handles, Synthetic taklon bristles that are 100% cruelty free, Sleek ferrule made from recycled aluminum and the cosmetic case is made from natural cotton and hemp.

Below is a list of great green gifts for that hard-to-buy-for guy in your life.

Tree Hugger Tee’s – Free shipping on orders over $50. Each 100% organic cotton tee costs $25. and they have a bunch of fun ones to choose from.

Recycled Necktie & Suit Wallets from Uncommon Goods – Recycled neckties and suits turn into wallets for the eco-friendly man.

Shake and Shine Flashlight – Handy little no-battery emergency flashlight is extremely bright and reliable. It never needs batteries and generates power by converting mechanical energy (shaking) into electrical energy to power the light.

Bike Chain Bottle Opener – Uncap your favorite beverage with this bottle opener made of recycled bike chain.

Adorable Sock Monkey from Maggie's Functional Organics

Well over at Eco Child’s Play they have a long list of Eco-friendly presents and stocking stuffers for under $30. Which is such a huge help in these economically hard times.

Natural Paint from Clementine Art

From Art Supplies to Stuffed Animals and Blocks. You can find a plethora of Eco-friendly children’s gifts in this list, they haven’t missed a think. Check it out for yourself and you are sure to find what you need.

]]> http://www.greenglancy.com/green-kids-gifts-on-a-budget/feed/ 0 http://www.greenglancy.com/green-christmas-gifts-for-the-chef/ http://www.greenglancy.com/green-christmas-gifts-for-the-chef/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:05:57 +0000 Deanna http://www.greenglancy.com/?p=2947 If you have a chef in your family, someone who loves food and loves to cook, check out the list below of 6 wonderful, green, Eco-friendly Christmas gifts for the food lover in your life.

1. Duo Pressure Cooker from Fagor – This contemporary update on the classic pressure cooker recycles stainless steel in streamlined modern design with high-functioning performance.
2. The Organic Wine Company Monthly Wine Club – Each month, they will send you a selection of 3 wines from our collection. New vintages or interesting, but rare wines will be offered in priority to expand your horizons!
3. Cast Iron Skillet from Lodge Logic – Its legendary cooking performance keeps it on the list of kitchen essentials for great chefs and home kitchens alike. And check out their Eco-responsibility practices.
4. Organic Spice Collection – Each spice can contains 12 one-teaspoon packets. These flavorful organic herbs complement the global cuisines of today’s kitchen. Includes, Basil, Dill Weed, Oregano, Rosemary, Tarragon and Thyme.
5. Green Your Kitchen – Includes everything you need to green your kitchen and replace those non green items that you have been keeping around.
6. Bamboo Salad Bowls – 100% organically-grown bamboo, non-toxic adhesive, natural food-safe wood oil. These bowls are made from vertical-grain bamboo, which makes them not only beautiful, but also extremely durable. They do not impart or absorb flavors.