If you live in an area of the country that gets cold in the winter, even if it doesn't snow, then you need to protect your skin from chapping, and drying out. This is not just a cosmetic issue, it is a health issue, because your skin protects your body from catching diseases. Healthy supple skin is important, and of course it also feels good.

I am the kind of person who forgets to put lotion or creams on during the day, and I don't like the way they feel on my hands while I am working, so it was difficult to find something that I could use on a regular basis and that I would want to use. After several years, I found The Body Shop's Body Butters. When they first came out, there weren't too many choices of scents, but it seems like every year now they come out with more. I like to use them after showering in the morning over moist sking, and sometimes in the evening before bed. They come in different skin types all the way to very dry, and they are never greasy. My personal favorite is the mango, but they have many floral, fruity, and natural scents. Best of all The Body Shop is an ethical, fair trade, and eco-friendly company and has been since its inception. Definitely a product to have on hand and a perfect gift for anyone. Totally worth every penny I have ever paid for it.

Keeping Your Skin Protected Against the Cold Weather originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 6, 2012.

Do you ever think about the fact that we are now raising the first green generation? Our kids are being brought up in a world that was different than the one we were brought up in. We need to teach them how to live a greener life than we were taught to live. It is a good thing that there are some excellent guides to help us out.

The Green Teen: The Eco-Friendly Teen's Guide to Saving the Planet

Jenn Savedge's book is packed with tips that teens can easily do to green up the world that they inhabit. Thee are also a few more challenging actions (like starting a school recycling program) for those ready to take their environmentalism up a notch. Jenn has done an impressive job creating a straightforwrd, well-organized reference book full of tips, resources and advice for eco-friendy teens. She not only explains the how's of going green; she explains the why's too, and helps teens to understand the importance of the part they can play in caring for the planet. - Robin Shreeves, Mother Nature Network

Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life

A thorough yet accessible manual on green living. Sivertsen and her teenage son draw on scientific findings, personal experience, and interviews with celebrities and teens to provide readers with environmentally responsible lifestyle alternatives, from organic cosmetics to natural kitchen cleaners to green career opportunities. The "Five Rs"—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Refuse—provide a framework for embracing an alternative to rampant consumerism. The book's incisive voice, using teen idioms, is accessible to those who have little or no background in environmental issues, yet the standards within will likewise engage readers already committed to being green. Though there is no index and the many pop-culture references may hinder the work's longevity, this volume will appeal to the target audience. Chapters are broken into frequent, user-friendly subheadings, and special interviews—many with energetic, activist teens—are clearly designated; decorative illustrations complement the text. Listings of green Web sites, charities, and organizations are included. In addition to being a handy, information-rich companion to Al Gore's  An Inconvenient Truth (Viking, 2007) and Laurie David and Cambria Gordon's Down-to-Earth Guide To Global Warming(Scholastic, 2007), Generation Green is also unique, for its central focus is not to explain the science behind current environmental challenges, but rather to reveal how young people can work to solve those problems in their everyday lives.—Farida S. Dowler, Mercer Island Library, WA

MySpace/OurPlanet: Change Is Possible

Geared toward teens, this collection of MySpace postings focuses on what readers can do in their daily activities, social lives, and communities to help the environment. Each chapter breaks down the setting into its individual components. For example, the chapter "Your Home, Your Planet" gives environmental hints for making one's room, bathroom, kitchen, and yard more eco-friendly. The modern layout, with green foliage on each page and purple and green font, as well as the slang, will be engaging for young adults. Highlighted boxes, located in most chapters, give facts about topics such as recycling, carbon dioxide, alternative fuels, alternative spring break, and television. The recycling box starts with, "Lose virginity: recycle" and contains facts about virgin materials saved by recycling newspapers, aluminum cans, glass containers, and plastic soda bottles. Myths and facts about the environment are explored. This book gives excellent suggestions for helping to help the environment, and is sure to encourage teen activism.—Teresa Moffett, Fulton High School, Knoxville, TN

Green Teens: Raising the Next Eco-Chic Generation originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 6, 2012.

Burt's Bees is an "Earth Friendly, Natural Personal Care Company." They create natural, Earth-friendly personal care products formulated to help you maximize your well-being and that of the world around you. Burt's Bees got their start back in 1984 in Maine, when Roxanne Quimby and Burt Shavitz teamed up selling candles made from the beeswax created as a by-product of Burt's honey business. Burt's Bees has grown up over the past several years and a lot has changed, but there are some things that never will: their recipes, their values and their natural way of doing things.

Burt's Bees has products for the entire family, but I just love their baby care products especially formulated for baby's precious skin. These gentle, creams, powders and lotions are packed with a bundle of natural ingredients for your bundle of joy.

Burt’s Bees Baby Basket originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 5, 2012.

Eco-Chic Gifts Under $25: Hand Carved Fair Trade Assorted Gourd Bowl originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 5, 2012.

The first choice is this wonderful handmade knit hat from Concious Clothing.

The hat is handmade from 100% all natural, hand spun, hand dyed lambswool, lined in polar fleece for a super warm and soft fit, and made in my favorite colors, blue, turquoise, and black. Best of all, it is only $20.00 and fair trade. Read more about this gift here.

Eco-Chic Gifts Under $25: Knit Hat originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 4, 2012.

One of the most clever companies I have come across lately in my research for eco-chic green products is English Retreads.

In their own words:

"At English Retreads, we turn recycling into a bold fashion statement with our unique handbags and accessories. Designed specifically for conscientious consumers and savvy fashionistas, each one-of-a-kind English Retreads product is handcrafted from reclaimed truck inner tubes—right here in Boulder, Colorado.

One hundred percent vegan, our materials are an ecologically sound alternative to animal products. And even though our bags are designed to keep on truckin' forever, it's always good to buy a spare. Following in the tire tracks of Henry Ford's original Model T, English Retreads are available in any color you want—as long as it's black!"

English Retreads gets the inner tubes from truck stops in the Boulder, Colorado area where they are located. And the bags are really cute, and can take a lot of wear and tear.

English Retreads-Recycling Rubber Tires originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 4, 2012.

Green weddings have become so popular that there are many terrific reference books to help you plan. And whatever you decide on how green to make your wedding, just knowing that there is support available is really helpful.

One of the best green wedding resources is The Green Bride Guide: How to Create an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget. This book has gotten really good reviews. It is easy to use, and can be read in any order which makes it handy for your planning. Whether you want to include just a few green elements in your decor or have a carbon-neutral wedding with local organic food and a peace silk dress, you'll find the resources you need to pull it off with panache. And you can plan a gorgeous green event on any budget - the author offers options in every price category.

Paired with a website and complete with vendor worksheets, The Green Bride Guide is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in planning an elegant, exciting, eco-friendly wedding.

For more eco-chic green wedding resources, follow this link.

Planning a Green Wedding originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 3, 2012.

Did You Know? Eco-Chic Green Fact #8 originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 3, 2012.

One place to start is with a True Green Laundry Washing Kit.

The True Green Laundry Washing Kit includes the green products below:

The Truegreen Laundry Washing Ball is an Extremely Earth Friendly and People Friendly Product that DOES NOT contain harmful synthetic detergents, perfumes, dyes or oils.

The Washing Ball cleans your clothes without bleach or detergents in cold water. You will be amazed at how bright your whites will be.

The Laundry Washing Ball is cheaper than detergents and bleach and much more convenient.

The Dryer Ball lifts and separates laundry so air can circulate more freely.

1. Reduces ironing, static and creases

2. Reduces drying time by 25%

3. Naturally softens fabrics

4. Non Toxic-no chemicals

5. Will last approximately 6 months

The Dryer Balls are re-usable, just leave them in your dryer and enjoy their benefits time and time again.

Wash Your Eco-Chic Green Clothing in a Green Laundry Washing Kit originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 2, 2012.

Clean House Clean Planet

"I was thrilled to stumble across Karen Logan's book shortly after my son was born. I started to avoid cleaning because I detested using most household cleaners due to the harsh chemicals. I was also very concerned about my son's second-hand exposure or worse - possible direct contact. Karen's book educated me about the hazards of commericial cleaners and then taught me how to make my own simple and safe cleaners right in my kitchen. This information showed me that harsh cleaners are unnecessary and more important what natural products would produce similar results. Making my own products is also entertaining and educational for my toddler who is now able to "help" clean and I don't waste precious naptime on toilet bowls and bath tubs! Her receipes are very easy to follow and are effective!!! I gave away all my commericial products almost two years ago and have not gone back to one of them. It's so comforting to know that my family is no longer exposed to harmful cleaners and we are doing our part in protecting the environment."

This books is a great resource in combination with How to Grow Fresh Air.

Clean House, Clean Planet: Clean Your House for Pennies a Day, the Safe, Nontoxic Way originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 2, 2012.