Entries Tagged 'Eco Friendlly' ↓

Set of 3 Sandwich, Fruit and Snack, $24.00

Set of 5 Sandwich, Fruit, Veggie, Snack and suprise, $38.00

www.GrazeOrganic.Com

What are conflict diamonds, sometimes called blood diamonds?

Conflict diamonds, sometimes called blood diamonds, are diamonds that are sold to fund the unlawful and illegal operations of rebel, military and terrorist groups. Countries that have been most affected by conflict diamonds are Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo — all places where citizens have been terrorized, mutilated and killed by groups in control of the local diamond trade.

Wars in most of those areas have ended or at least decreased in intensity, but conflict diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire, in West Africa, and Liberia are still reaching the trade labeled as conflict-free diamonds.

In 2000, South African countries with a legitimate diamond trade began a campaign to track the origins of all rough diamonds, attempting to put a stop to blood diamond sales from known conflict areas. Their efforts eventually resulted in The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), an international effort to rid the world of conflict diamonds.

Kimberley Process Goals

The goals of the Kimberley Process are to document and track all rough diamonds entering a participating country, with shippers placing stones in tamper-proof shipping crates and providing enough detailed information about their origins to prove they did not originate in a conflict zone.

The KPCS isn’t fully operational among its members — probably normal for an agreement that involves the cooperation of dozens of governments and non-governmental agencies. Many countries haven’t even committed to the program.

The goals of the KPCS will take time to achieve, but what’s already been accomplished is significant. Because it’s a self-regulating program, additional controls are necessary to truly ensure that blood diamond trade is halted — or at least minimized.

How consumers can help stop blood diamond trade.

Retailers cannot guarantee that the diamond you purchase is not a conflict diamond. As consumers, we have the power to change that by demanding details about the diamonds we buy. Demanding proof that a diamond is conflict-free sends a powerful message to the world that we will not support an industry or nation that helps fund terror groups. Change won’t happen overnight, but it will happen if we are persistent.

Canadian diamonds – the Code of Conduct

Canada has made progress in identifying diamonds originating in its mines. The Voluntary Code of Conduct for Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims sets a standard for authentication of claims that a diamond is Canadian — and conflict free.

Adhering to The Code requires each company to initiate a paper trail that tracks a diamond’s progression from the mine to its retail destination. The Code also includes rules for proper handling, packing and marking of all diamonds that are represented as Canadian stones. Even with the guidelines, there’s no way to absolutely guarantee a diamond is Canadian, but the process definitely helps eliminate doubt.

The Canadian program is voluntary, so not all retailers participate. Those who do must provide consumers with:

• The diamond Identification Number
• The retailer’s name and address
• An invoice number and the date of the invoice
• The polished diamond description
• An explanation of the Code

A list of signatories of the Code is available online, naming retailers and wholesalers who are committed to following the Code’s procedures.

It’s difficult for most of us to imagine what life is like in countries where diamonds are the source of so much chaos and suffering, and the connection between terror and diamonds is not something that’s reported heavily in the press. The 2006 movie Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, should help make the issues more mainstream, if only temporarily.

Take some time to learn more about the problems that conflict diamonds create, then follow your heart the next time you shop for a diamond. – About.Com

Since recently changing out all my beauty products for  more organic and natural choices I discovered the wonderful company  called ‘Yes To Carrots’. Pictured  above is an ordinary facial cleansing cloth you might use to clean the day off your face, but packed with tons of chemicals.  Yes To Cucumbers Natural Glow Facial Towelettes gently remove dirt, sweat and makeup without the need to rinse! It’s an exfoliant, detoxifyer and rejuvenater all wrapped up in one on-the-go biodegradable wipe, keeping you free and fresh-faced. Most of the ingredients are certified organic, made with socially and environmentally responsible materials and of course the packaging is recyclable. Not only do they do a great job of cleaning your pores, but  its reasonably affordable (5.99)  and easy to find as they are sold at most Target Stores. And part of the proceeds go back to your community (See Below). You cant lose with a fabulous product like this.

• 98.7% Natural
• Biodegradable & FSC Certified
• Dermatologically & Opthalmologically Tested
• Oil-free, non-comedoenic, hypoallergenic

A portion of proceeds from every Yes To product goes toward the Yes To Seed Fund – giving kids fun and engaging ways to connect with Mother Nature and teaching them to lead healthier lifestyles.

OBJECTIVES

• Create innovative, fun, and educational ways for kids to spend time outside, learn about organic gardens and food sources, and learn to lead healthier lifestyles
• Provide schools with the tools necessary to build self-sustaining, environmentally-sound gardens, around which educators can build curriculum and experiential learning
• Fight childhood obesity by teaching kids about nutritional food sources, the importance of balanced diets, and giving them hands on experience creating healthy food and nutrient-rich meals.
• Build connections between kids and their communities through mentorship programs with community leaders and organic food restaurants

www.YesToCarrots.Com

Introducing a toothbrush that not only cleans your teeth, but minimizes your impact on the environment. The design includes a curved handle for those hard-to-reach places and a three-level bristle arrangement to massage your gums. And while the bristles are brand new, the coolest part is the handle is made from recycled yogurt cups and is BPA Free. Preserve Toothbrushes are not only made from recyclable materials, but they also have a Mail Back system. The Mail Back Pack is a revolutionary approach to packaging, the lightweight package doubles as a return envelope. Just pop your old used Preserve toothbrush inside and send it back to us for recycling free of shipping charges.

Since Dentist recommend you change toothbrushes every months. You can say goodbye to that toothbrush and shopping lists with Preserve’s subscription program. Every three months, a new Preserve Toothbrush is delivered to your door. Each subscription order contains one Preserve Toothbrush which is delivered to your door every three months for one year (four toothbrushes total with one travel case). – THE WIFE

Preserve toothbrushes are incredibly affordable $2.99 each or the subscription program for $13.00, They come in 5 different colors with bristles ranging in Ultra Soft, Soft and Medium.

www.PreserveProducts.Com

Since Today is Earth Day, I’ve decided to kick things off with an easy way for you WIVES to switch to Eco Friendly and Organic or All Natural Products.

Is your Oral Hygiene Green? Photographed above is an ordinary toothpaste brand you would find in any household. Toothpaste is a controversial issue because of two ingredients that some say are harmful: Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) and Fluoride.  SLS is a foaming agent that is derived from coconut oil, It is used in brake fluid and anti freeze and also in a huge variety if skin care products, including toothpaste, shampoo, bubble bath and soap.  It is not only a proven skin irritant but also known to be a carcinogenic. SLS is also linked to causing canker sores. Also floating around in that little tube of toothpaste is Hydrated Silica, Lead is a neurotoxin and a naturally occurring contaminant of Hydrated Silica. And chances are if your brushing with blue colored toothpaste that it has FD&C Blue, which is Coal Tar based dye.

Below is a great alternative and all natural toothpaste by Toms of Maine. Lets start with the packaging, All products are packed in environmentally sustainable  post consumer recycled paper board and are printed with vegetable based inks. All plastics used by the company can be recycled (#5 polypropylene) and or packaged with biodegradable cellulose. Tom’s of Maine offers a variety of Toothpaste for everyone. Weather your looking for a fluoride free toothpaste or an SLS Free toothpaste, They’ve got what your looking for. They believe and use sustainable farming, absolutely no testing on animals and reject anything artificial. Best of all Toms of Maine is available at all Pharmacies, Target, and Whole Foods and costs the same as any other regular toothpaste. Why wouldn’t you switch! – THE WIFE

*And the easiest  way to be environmentally kind is to turn off the faucet while your brushing!
www.TomsofMaine.Com

A Greener Firelog

While flipping through an engineering textbook, a tiny fact with huge implications caught inventor Rod Sprules’s eye: coffee grounds have more energy capacity than cordwood when combusted.

Java-Log® Firelog advantages include: