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

But how many times a year do we think about the foundation of our bed that we are sleeping on, breathing in every night, and how healthy it is? Usually unless a mattress is brand new or really old, we just don't think about it very much. It is just there waiting for us to sleep on it.

Well, I am inviting you to take a second look at your mattress. If indeed your mattress is no longer the support you need, and it is time to replace it, or if you are suffering from allergies or the common cold, you may want to reconsider the type of mattress you have and whether it is really healthy for you.

Keetsa Eco-Friendly Mattresses is a company that prides itself on leading the industry when it comes to eco-friendly mattresses for your home.

Here is what they say about themselves:

"Keetsa is committed to presenting a line of sleep products that has a minimum impact on your pocketbook and on the environment. We have innovated many changes resulting in a more eco-friendly product line and process. Keetsa continues to seek out new innovations to create sleep products that you and your family can purchase with confidence.

A majority of Keetsa products are made from recycled materials and our company's mission is geared towards making a better environment by cutting carbon footprint.

Because our mattresses are so durable and well designed, we are able to compress them in a box, which accounts for reduced shipping costs, smaller carbon footprint and no delivery trucks. Not just any mattress can be compressed!"

So if you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint, think of Keetsa Eco-Friendly Mattresses when it comes time to replace your old one.

Are You Sleeping on a Healthy Mattress? originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 25, 2012.

In our push to live greener, healthier lives, one of the things we need to do is remind ourselves to buy local and handmade items. Most of us are aware that buying local produce and baked goods means that by doing so our food is fresher because it didn't have to travel as far to get to us, picked when it is ripe, and the baked goods do not have the preservatives that grocery store items often do, because of extending the shelf life. So local foods are healthier and more wholesome that foods that travel. When we buy local, we also help our local economy, because the local vendors will spend the money we pay them locally also. This creates a healthy economic cycle.

What you may not realize that this is true of handmade or artist made items as well. When you buy an item directly from an artist who made it, or from the agent who sells it for them, you are paying the artist directly who will then use the money to pay their vendors to buy more supplies and create more work. The economic cycle is a much shorter one than if you buy a manufactured item. And often the manufactured items are from countries far away from yours, so that your purchase does not even infuse money into your own economy. Think about this when you purchase items this year for the holidays, for birthdays, or for Christmas, because you can support your local economy in several ways while keeping a healthier and greener lifestyle.

Here is an example:
The beautiful pottery above is made by a Cleveland, Ohio area woman, Tracy Shea, who hand makes every piece of pottery she makes. She makes a living from her ceramics work which is how she feeds her family. By buying her work you can own a piece of handmade work or give it as a gift, and she will take the money earned to feed her family locally, as well as use it to buy more supplies to make more pottery. A very economic cycle. The money goes directly from the buyer to the seller and right back to the economy with no middle men. If you would like to learn more about Tracy, you can click on the picture above which will take you to an article about her.

Moving Away from Manufactured and Towards Handmade originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 22, 2012.

I have been spending quite a bit of time lately exploring eBay's World of Good. It is a growing shopping mall for green gifts, and specialty items, and really fun to browse.

I recommend that you browse eBay's World of Good to see what they have to offer and bookmark some items for your friends and relatives. It is always good to know that you are contributing to the health and well being of your friends and family.

Here is one of my personal favorites this week:

Alex and Ani St. Christopher Bracelet
I think that I might have to get one of these for myself.

For my friends, this is a great gift:

Natural Handmade Balm for Dry Skin

To go directly to the World of Good website, click here.

Getting Frustrated Looking for Green Gifts? originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 20, 2012.

Green Nest is a very interesting company that specializes in organic green products for the home with a special emphasis on products to make your home cleaner and pollutant free. Green Nest has an entire line of air purifiers and non-toxic building products as well as home decor, bedding, and other general home products.

Air purifiers are especially helpful for people with allergies, and other immune system compromising disorders but they are also really great for any family. In the winter, when we are cooped up indoors breathing each other's air, it is much easier to catch colds and the flu. With an air purifier you can reduce that likelihood immensely.

Organic Eco-Chic Green Bathrobes originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 19, 2012.

This book is so much fun, even the cover is interesting:

Eco Books: Inventive Projects from the Recycling Bin

Here are 40 innovative book-making ideas using recycled and green materials! More than just earth-friendly, they’re also beautiful, clever, and witty, stitched with traditional binding techniques. Egg cartons, wood, beer cans, and cassette tapes morph into covers, while brown bags, coffee filters, and discarded newspapers are transformed into pages. Create a boxed set of cereal box books, an exposed stitch sketchbook out of cardboard and remnants, and even a faux leather journal made from teabags.

In addition to how-to drawings, close-up detail photographs, and simple stitch diagrams, a gallery of eco-books from an international roster of artists provides inspiration.

Re-Bound: Creating Handmade Books from Recycled and Repurposed Materials
Re-Bound is a beautiful book on bookbinding with a fun green twist-all the projects use recycled and upcycled materials. This book shows you how to take everyday materials from around the house, flea markets, thrift stores, and hardware stores and turn them into clever and eye-catching hand-made books.

Rejuvenated Jewels: New Designs from Vintage Treasures
In this book, readers learn where to find fabulous vintage jewelry, beads, and artifacts, and how to create stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using these amazing finds. Rhinestone beads and clasps, mercury glass beads, oxidized metal chains, rosary beads, tiny book charms and more are retooled into fabulous statement pieces that can be worn every day.

Semiprecious Salvage: Creating Found Art Jewelry
Semiprecious Salvage shows readers how to think beyond the techniques taught in traditional beading and jewelry books in order to create found art jewelry. Mixed-media applications like sewing, plasterwork and altering found objects tie together to create jewelry pieces such as brooches, pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and belts. In addition to thought-provoking stories on the origination of some of the found items, Stephanie provides the reader with practical jewelry-making techniques that they can incorporate into their own inspired pieces. A simple, organic approach gives the reader limitless ideas for crafting their own jewelry as well as ideas for locating found items whether it be on a nature walk, one's travels or in the comforts of home.

Each one of these books would be a terrific gift for someone creative on your list.  And there are more similar books.  If you click through the links for each book you will find more books listed underneath each main title on Amazon.

Eco-Chic Green Gifts for Under $25: How to Recycle Project Books originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 18, 2012.

Cariboo's line of furniture is very simple, sleek and modern looking and entirely functional. I would have loved to have had something like this in my home when I had my babies. Not only that, but they are made from sustainable wood.

"Cariboo is a line of children's furniture that showcases elegant design with practical features. Designed and made in New Zealand, the Cariboo line is constructed of sustainable Radiata wood. The coordinating bassinets and changing tables blend easily with the most stylish home decor. Each piece will be a striking addition to any nursery or master bedroom."

Cariboo Classic Changing Table
The timeless beauty of the Cariboo Classic Changing Table adds a touch of class to any nursery. The Classic Changing Table also has long term use as a stand for toys or books when a changing table is no longer needed. The Classic Changing Table is environmentally friendly, made from sustainable New Zealand Radiata wood. Comes complete with a changing table pad and fitted toweling cover.

Specifications:

* Dimensions: 35" H x 32" D x 33" L
* Weight Limit: 45 lbs
Cariboo Folding Bassinet

The Cariboo Folding Bassinet is perfect for parents with little room to spare. Stylish and functional at the same time, this bassinet folds flat for easy storage or travel.

The Folding Bassinet is environmentally friendly, made from sustainable New Zealand Radiata wood. The stain is lead free and all materials are non-toxic and PBDE free.

Available in Teak or Mahogany.

Specifications:

* Dimensions: 36" H x 27.5" D x 34" L
* Weight Limit 22 lbs.

You can purchase these and many other eco-friendly baby items at BabyEarth.

Incoming search terms:

• master bedroom and nursery

Sustainable Cariboo Baby Furniture for Your Nursery originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 16, 2012.

If you are a fan of local history or green living, then you should get to know the work of a local Cleveland, Ohio company called A Piece of Cleveland.

A Piece of Cleveland or APOC, is a both a company and a mission. This group is creating a demand for recycled wood in Cleveland, Ohio by creating beautiful wood furniture, accessories, and custom furnishings all out of wood from deconstructed buildings.

For more information on A Piece of Cleveland, follow this link.

A Piece of Cleveland–Recycling Building Materials originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 14, 2012.

From babyearth.com:
Babies grow up quickly and your beloved car seats, strollers, swings and highchairs end up as junk, collecting dust in the garage. Sadly, many of these items are thrown away, ending up in landfills. Well, not anymore. That’s why we’ve launched BabyEarth RENEW, a hassle-free baby gear recycling program.

The program is simple. If you’re done with your car seat, stroller or high chair, send it to us. We’ll make sure everything is properly disassembled and all usable parts are sent to accredited recycling centers. For example, fabrics will be shipped to developing countries, and metal, plastic and foam will be used for construction projects. In the spirit of renewing, if the item is in excellent condition it will be donated to and enjoyed by another family who needs it.

While you are on the site, you can also check out BabyEarth's eco-friendly baby products like this organic mattress below:

Naturepedic Quilted Organic Cotton Deluxe Crib Mattress

BabyEarth RENEW–Recycle Your Baby Gear originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 14, 2012.

The company is Green Nest, and they specialize in what I would call Eco-Chic Green Feng Shui for home or office. They have mostly home decor items that are eco-friendly and designed to dilute the chemical, and harsh synthetics that bother people who are more sensitive. However, surrounding ourselves with healthy decor does not have to wait for when we are sick.

The Gift of Health

The Gift of Health - $ 89.99
A wonderful gift for anyone! Mom's & dad's, family, friends, housewarming or coworkers will love this gift packed with health. The beautiful basket is conveniently shrink wrapped and ready to give as a gift. The Gift of Health has a potential total value of over $170. Gift of health includes: A.) Learn to Create a Healthy Home! by Ron & Lisa Beres: $19.95 Value Audio CD Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? This is a question millions of Americans are starting to ask themselves in today's toxic world. With so many diseases on the rise, it is not just our diets that we must be concerned with anymore. Our home should be a safe haven where our bodies rest and recuperate, but unfortunately, a myriad of toxins are abundant and most people are unaware of their existence. There IS something you can do about it. Join Ron and Lisa Beres as they take you through a journey of identifying and eliminating these dangerous toxins and learn to create a healthy home for you and your loved ones TODAY!

Gift Boxed Contemporary Tumblers

Gift Boxed Contemporary Tumblers - $ 15.25
Introducing our 100% natural hand-poured Gift Boxed Contemporary Tumblers filled to the brim with aromas of life! Our soy candles contain no petroleum by-products (unlike paraffin), lead, carcinogens. Our soy candles are completely non-toxic and environmentally-friendly. · 100% vegetable, made with Pure Soybean oil. · All NATURAL and biodegradable. · Manufactured meeting FDA and Kosher standards. · Contain NO petroleum, paraffin or beeswax products. · Contain NO pesticides and NO herbicides. · Contain NO toxic materials. · Contain NO Genetically Modified Material. · No Animal Testing.

Another thing that Green Nest specializes in is air and water purification and filtration systems.

Rhino EQ-300 Whole House Water Filtration

Rhino EQ-300 Whole House Water Filtration - $ 799.00
The EQ-300 effectively reduces chlorine, bad taste, and odor in all the municipally treated water or water deemed safe by local health authorities that enter your home. you can rest assured that your family is getting the highest quality drinking, bathing and cleaning water available today.

If you have allergies or react to the environment of your home, you may want to consider purifying your water and air, and looking for other things in your home environment that you are sensitive to. Green Nest has a lot of information on their website and live people to help you answer questions about allergens, and sensitivity.

HealthMate Plus Air Filtration System

HealthMate Plus Air Filtration System - $ 549.99
Healthmate™: Specialty air cleaner with 60 sq. ft. of medical HEPA, certified to remove 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns and larger. Contains 15 pounds of granular carbon and zeolite for the adsorption of odors, gasses and chemicals. Stands 23” tall and 14.5” wide. Effectively cleans an area of 1500 sq. ft. (with normal ceiling heights). The HealthMate Plus includes FREE GROUND SHIPPING for order deliveries in the Continental United States!

For more information, contact Green Nest.

Eco-Chic Green Gift Sets for All Occasions originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on January 12, 2012.