Naturalpath

A Slice of Organic Life is a luminous book that not only offers wealth of information about Organic and Natural living, but is illustrated so beautifully that it could grace the top of your coffee table.

Edited by Sheherrazade Goldsmith, this book offers how to on everything from growing salad leaves in a window box to how to churn your own natural butter. This book is for not only for the country dwellers, but also offers information for urban dwellers as well. In the forward, Alice Water explains,

This beautifully illustrated book is a treasury of practical information. The projects that (Goldsmith) proposes are simple object lessons in ecology and conservation that not so long ago were part of our everyday education... Now, with the survival of the planet at stake, we need to relearn these basic lessons in sustainability.

I was walking down Midtown Manhattan and this store caught my eye. I have walked by it countless times but somehow it made an impression on me that day. I walked in and immediately liked the feel of it. It felt very Organic and Natural... and the products were not packaged flawlessly like some stores I go into. Everything felt raw and I felt like you can manage the products without some sales clerk breathing down your neck. I asked the sales girl if the products were cruelty free and she happily whipped out the brochure and gave it to me. Then she touted the company as not only being cruelty free but all the products were handmade. So I browsed and shopped and this superstar sales girl sold about $150 worth of stuff to me.

In an article published by the U.K. Economist, Recycling is indeed better for the Environment. In a research completed by the Technical University of Denmark and the Danish Topic Centre on Waste, in 83% of all programs that included recycling, it was concluded that recyling is better for the Environment. This debunks most of the dubious consumers on the issues on the effectiveness of recycling.

The researchers studied at least 200 different scenarios of recycling with that of burying or burning waste, and did a review of 55 life-cycle of a particular recycled products. The Environmental Protection agency estimates that recycling reduced United States carbon emission by 107,800 lbs in 2005.

I am also a former Ajax loving bleach loving gal. I love the smell of that powerful burn your nose smell because I know without a doubt that it did its job of kiling any dirt, bacteria and probably anything remotely living critter out there; however, like all good things. It's harmful not only for the environment but also to your family. This is especially true if you have pets or children who are very curious creatures. I also just received the Mrs Meyer's Clean Day Surface Scrub and it smells deelicious.... I got it in the Lemon Verbena and smells exactly like of one my favorite cream from L'Occitane (another great cruelty free and natural companies you might want to check out) They also have Lavender and Geranium if you prefer a different scent.

I have been feeling somewhat guilty because I have been using plastic bags to pick up Abby's you know what, because plastic seeps toxic chemicals to the environment and takes forever to biodegrade... but now I don't have to feel that way at all. I found these wonderful Spike's business bags that is fully biodegradable in 45 days. It's made out of corn and so it's all natural. It comes in perfect size to slip in your hand and pick up and flip over and enough room to twist and tie. It's perfect and inexpensive. You get 40 bags for $5.95.. That comes out to $.15 per bag. Incredible!

Eco-friendly store owner and green blogger, Mark Caserta was kind enough to do an interview with me on the Environment and its future. Mark and his wife, Samantha Delman-Caserta, opened their Brooklyn store, 3R Living in Spring 2004. Initially I was impressed with the the web design of their online store (the former art student in me always looks for great design) but then I became more impressed Mark's knowledge of green living and his dedication to sustainable living.

What is the concept of the store and how was it created?

Today I was watching the News which is a pretty rare occasion for me and the Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson was on the show talking about Environmental Responsibility. According to EPA, it is a responsibility of all human beings to care and protect the Environment. Green Consumerism is the new catch phrase that has taken hold in modern society. People are becoming more aware that the Earth can not continue to sustain the lifestyle we have become accustomed to. It is our social responsibility to care for our planet and teach the future generation to care for it also.

The first thing you can do is cut down on your automobile consumption. The EPA states that this is the number one contributor to Global Warming. One of the simplest things you can do is to not speed. Speeding means that more gas is being consumed. Also don't use your car as a storage facility. Take out your golf clubs before you head into work. Consider biking to work couple days a week. I had a friend who commuted to his law office everyday on his bicycle. He beat the traffic and always came home with a smile. Try walking sometime. Walking is one of the best way you can stay in shape and help the Environment. Another tip is to fill your gas up at night. Less emissions of gas and fumes. This is particularly important in the hotter months.

Hello, I just wanted to say welcome to my Natural Path Blog. I am the Founder and Editor of Jolly Green Girl Confidential.

I just wanted to talk about how I started my journey to become an Environmentalist and why I created a blog about Eco-friendly living. I am very excited about the Jolly Green Girl. I have been doing things for the Environment casually for about five or six years. Living in New York City and getting into Yoga has helped me become more aware of being Environmentally Conscious.

Believe it or not.. New York can be a very Green Place... There's almost a mandatory recycling program that's in the five boroughs.. and that's how I started recycling.. at first it was a chore sorting things out but then I decided that it was a good thing. Then I met few friends and roommates who were vegetarians or into organic stuff so I started going to vegetarian restaurants and I decided that I really liked it.. and organic seemed the way to go. New York City has the best resources for Organic lifestyle. They have Whole Foods thats cropping up all over the place as well as smaller Organic markets thats in almost every neighborhood.. Some more than others but my favorite is the Union Square Market where the farmers in the local region come to sell their products. Most are Organic and they are fabulous. It's so nice to get up in the morning and browse through the market with some Chai tea in your hand. As I became more into my yoga practice. I started to become more aware of the practice of "Ahimsa" which means non-violence. I noticed that almost everything was made of leather, fur and suede.. and I decided to cut down on buying products made of these. I noticed that a lot of companies still practice animal testing despite the fact that there were other alternatives. So I started looking at labels and slowly changed how I shopped. It was a gradual process that I barely noticed but here I am. I am not perfect. I did splurge on two leather bags last year and despite my best efforts; I couldn't go vegetarian.. but I am trying and that's a good thing.

Although there are many designers who insist on exploiting animals in the name of fashion; there is a growing trend of buying Eco-friendly products. Looking at the latest fashion magazines, there are beautiful models clad in clothes made out of fur, leather, and suede. All the latest must have accessories are all made of animal materials. (Hermes Ostrich Birken bag anyone?) It seems that these items have somehow become a status symbol that screams high fashion.

What's a girl to do?

I admit it's irresistible at times to resist and I do cave in to my fashion needs. But is it possible that we could become more sensitive to the fact that many animals are killed for such materials? Are there alternatives?