The New York Auto Show of 2012 commenced today and runs until April 15th at the Jacob Javits Center. The 112-year-old automobile event highlights the best, brightest, and newest in car technology innovation. From debuting new models to conceptual cars
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Happy Green Month Everyone! Earth Day is officially on April 22, 2012. There is an awesome initiative called A Billion Acts of Green which helps quantify acts of green through an easy-to-use online registration tool.
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This is a favorite time of year across America…Spa Week!!! Hundreds of spas provide $50 treatments, which in some cases is just a fraction of the cost. Spa Week commences April 16th and ends 22nd
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On February 28th, Harlem Fashion Row hosted CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) CEO Steven Kolb for their Conversations series. I attended with one clear mission, which was to ask about the place of sustainability in fashion and its future.
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In my post Top 10 Resolutions to Green 2012 , one of the goals listed getting reusable straw and GlassDharma made it happen.

My first impression: these things are durable. I’m a clumsy gal at times and even when I dropped my decorated straw, it survived.
They are light weight, affordable, and would make great gifts for anyone. As a rule of thumb, I keep one in my purse at all times.

Click here to read the full review and enter!

S/3 Nesting Rectangular Bins, Natural
$49.00
$125.00 Retail
Click here to receive a $15 credit to shop on OneKingsLane.com

9-Piece Pompei Nested Bowl Set
$19.00
$47.00 Retail

This is a steal!
Click here to receive a $15 credit to shop on OneKingsLane.com

Rise Bowl, 10.75″
$25.00
$48.00 Retail

Click here to receive a $15 credit to shop on OneKingsLane.com

Sassy Spring 2-Set (left) | Glamour Girl 2-Set (right)
$9.95 on LovingEco
original $20.00


Classic Color 4-Set
$18.95 on LovingEco
original $40.00

Almond Cuticle Oil with Gingsing Root Extract Mini (left) | Speedy Dry Top Coat Mini (right)
$5.00 on LovingEco
original $10.00

Completely free of chemicals, these curtains are 100% recyclable, chlorine and PVC-free, and don’t require liners – so you can avoid that harsh smell that comes from the chemicals in plastic curtains. Motif options range from exotic prints to whimsical patterns, so you’re sure to find something to brighten up any bathroom.

NYFW F/W 12 :: Recap Part I

Fall/Winter 2012 was a whirlwind of fashion, events, bi-polar weather, and the NYFW sickness curse. This season, I wore myself out in the middle of fashion week which was a first.
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Beautiful Curls Products Review

My hair is going through a transition. I have been growing my hair in this style for more than 8 years. IT has been longer and I cut 8 inches about a year and a half ago.
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Eileen Fisher Creates Wearable Spring Sustainability

In a land of infinite fashion and many valiant attempts to infuse sustainable style into the world, not many have succeeded in creating a cohesive transition. For those of us who want to be eco-conscious and still maintain comfort and cuteness, Eileen Fisher has created an all around line that fulfills from creation to community.
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Happy New Year Everyone! It has been fairly quiet on this site for the last few months ans I’ll tell you why.

I have a new site!

Check out my new site www.yolisgreenliving.com where I will have more new posts and information to green your life. This site will now become a personal site for what I’m up to etc.

Starting next week, this current site with forward to the new site for a week or two. I’m excited and hope you will join me there.

Sugar is Sugar. The body processes most sugars in the same way. But what is paired with said sugar makes the difference. Let’s make a commitment to provide some treats that also give back to our kids. Here are some recommendations you can find at your local health food store and online!

Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
10-Pack :: $14.90 ::

Home Free Treats
I love Home Free Cookie Treats. They not only are allergy-free, but they are vegan meaning dairy and egg free, and they also have a delicious gluten-free line. Perfect for all the kiddies and grown ups with food allergies. I’ve had the vanilla, chocolate chip, and chocolate chocolate chip. I can’t tell the difference!

Gluten free mini chocolate chip single serve cookie packs (0.95 oz), box of 10 snack packs. Every pack contains 1/2 serving of whole grain, of the 3 daily recommended servings. And they come it other new flavors.

Gluten Free Mini Vanilla Cookies 10-Pack :: $12.49 ::	Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookie 12 Individually Wrapped :: $14.90 ::

Chocolate Chip Mini Cookies (NOT the gluten free ones)
8 pack :: $9.99 ::

To view the full line of cookies available, including large packs, visit Home Free Treats.

100% Organic Apple Chips, Caramel flavor :: special price below ::

Yogavive
I reviewed Yogavive Apple Chips last year ::click here for the full review:: There is an awesome offer below.that expires 10/31/2011 for a case of yogavive for all of their flavors which include original, cinnamon, caramel, peach, and strawberry.

Use Coupon Code 111001 to get 45% off retail price at $81.95 and free shipping. You get a case of 100 .35 ounce bags – each bag equivalent to one apple. They are only 35-Calories per Serving, 100% Organic, Certified Kosher, Halal, Vegan, Fat Free, no added sugar and Gluten Free. And the most important detail is that they are delicious. The Cinnamon flavor reminds me of apple pie.

EnviroKidz Organic Lemur Peanut Choco Drizzle Crispy Rice Bar
6 Pack :: $18.42 ::

Stretch Island Fruit Leather Variety Pack
48-Count, 0.5-Ounce Package :: $16.39 ::

Both Trader Joes and Whole Foods have their own private label conventional and organic fruit strips.

YummyEarth Organic Lollipops, Assorted Flavors
5-Pound Bag :: $27.64 ::

RiteAid may carry some inventory of these pops.

Annie’s Homegrown Berry Patch Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
5-Count Pouches (Pack of 4) :: $12.16 ::

There are always great deals online for eco-friendly and sustainable wares, from food to furniture. I choose to highlight some here from high end to eco-nomically friendly.

Lotus End Table :: $699 :: $1,295 Retail

Laurel Wall Bed :: $1,499-$1,999 :: $2,895-$3,795 Retail

These beauties of an end table and head board comes from Environment. The materials are from reclaimed peroba rosa wood and certified mahogany, collaborating with organizations such as the Tropical Rainforest Trust. Both are available at One Kings Lane for the next 2 days until the sale ends.

Dancing Penguin :: $14.99 :: $24.00 Retail

Ride-on Boat :: $72.99 :: $110.00 Retail

The green toys from Wondeworld are made from Rubberwood, which is promoted as an eco-friendly wood because it harvests from plantation trees that have already served a useful function. Both toys and more are available at Zulily until 10/20/2011 at 6am pdt.

MeSoap :: summer vacation | oatmeal cookie :: $3.85 :: $5.50 Retail

Who doesn’t love a good organic soap? MeSoap produces all natural, 85% organic, handmade artisan soap and today they are on sale at Pure Citizen at 30% off, available until Wednesday 10/19/2011.

Coupons.com
$0.75/1 Scotch-Brite® Scrub Sponge 3-pack or Larger (green)
$0.75/1 Snikiddy Snacks 4.0 oz bag or larger
$0.75/1 package of Truvia® natural sweetener
$0.75/1 Scotch-Brite™ Botanical Disinfecting Wipes
$1.00/1 Oregon Chai Product
$0.75/1 Sokenbicha product Sokenbicha – Zero Calorie Unsweetened Teas
$1.00/1 The Natural Dentist including Healthy Gums Rinse
$1.00/1 10.5oz Bottle of Organic Amazon Orange Juice®. Redeemable ONLY at Whole Foods Market. (insert zip code 07306)

Mambo Sprouts
$1.00/1 CLIF Kid Zbar or CLIF Kid Zbar Crispy 6-pack
$1.00/1 Box of CLIF Crunch Granola Bars
$1.00/1 R. W. Knudsen Family Just Juice® ($2.99 minimum purchase)
$0.75/1 Rudi’s Organic Bakery Bread
$1.00/1 Organic Valley Half Gallon Orange Juice
$0.75/1 Lundberg Family Farms Brown Rice Pasta
$1.00/1 Country Choice Organic Product
$0.55/1 San-J Gluten Free Asian Cooking Sauce or Salad Dressing
$1.00/1 Earth Balance Organic Coconut Spread
$0.75/1 Santa Cruz Organic 32 oz. Juice ($1.99 minimum purchase)
$1.00/1 Bag or Box of Crunchmaster® Crackers
$1.00/1 Bottle of ECOVER Hard Surface Cleaners
$1.00/1 Xlear Nasal Spray or Kid’s Xlear Nasal Spray

Whole Foods (can only be used at Whole Foods) September|October Newsletter
(There are print copies available in Whole Foods Stores)
$2.00/1 pound or more Mediterranean Crunch Salad (maximum discount $2.00)
$0.50/1 365 Everyday Value Pitted (black) Olives: Medium, Large or Jumbo
$1.00/1 12-oz bottle 365 Everyday Value Grade A Maple Syrup: Dark or Medium Amber
$1.00/1 25-oz jar 365 Everyday Value Organic Pasta Sauce
$1.00/1 14-oz jar 365 Everyday Value Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil
$1.00/1 64-oz jug 365 Everyday Value Distilled White Vinegar
$1.00/1 Candle Cafe Frozen Entree
$1.00/3 CLIF, CLIF BUILDER’S or CLIF MOJO Bars (mix and match okay)
$1.00/1 DeBoles Pasta
$1.00/1 64-oz Earth Balance Organic Soymilk
$1.00/1 Earth’s Best Frozen Product
$1.00/1 Ethnic Gourmet Frozen Entree, 9 oz or larger
$5.00/1 Garden of Life Vitamin Code 120 ct or 240 ct (Excludes Vitamin Code Liquid, Vitamin Code Kids or Single Nutrient Formulas)
$5.00/1 Garden of Life RAW Meal or RAW Protein Powder
$1.00/1 Imagine Soup, Broth, Stock or Gravy
$1.00/1 12-oz bag Bear Naked Granola
$1.00/1 method item
$1.00/1 MI-DEL Product
$1.00/2 Muir Glen Products
$1.50/2 EnviroKidz Gluten Free Organic Cereal or Bars or Nature’s Path Organic Frozen Waffles
$1.00/2 packs RESCUE Gum
$0.55/1 San-J Asian Cooking Sauce or Salad Dressing
$2.00/1 Spectrum Essentials Product
$0.75/1 32-oz Cup Stonyfield Organic Yogurt (they make soy yogurt)
$1.00/1 Stonyfield Organic Yogurt 4-pack (excludes Oikos, YoBaby, YoToddler and YoKids)
$0.50/1 Bar thinkThin or thinkThin crunch
$2.00/1 Kyolic, Kyo-Green, Kyo-Dophilus or Moducare Product
$1.00/1 CLIF Kid ZBar 6-pack

HealthESavers
75¢/1 any Tofurky Product or Turtle Island
Foods Tempeh
$2.00/1 Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Juice
$0.50/1 thinkThin or thinkThin Crunch Bar
$2.00/1 Any Earth Science Product

Target
$0.50/2 12-oz. or larger Hunt’s canned tomato items
$1.00/1 8-oz. Burt’s Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate sugar scrub
$1.00/2 Archer Farms® chips (organic varieties available)
$1.00/1 Boca frozen meatless item
$1.00/1 Select Tazo tea items
$1.50/1 purchase of both Archer Farms® pasta sauce and dry pasta (organic varieties available)
$1.50/1 Select GE light bulb packs
$1.00/3 Market Pantry® dry pastas (organic varieties available)

SmartSource
$2.00/1 Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Sucanat, 16 oz or 32 oz.
$1.00/1 Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Stevia in 35 or 75 count packs.
$1.00/1 Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Raw or Amber Honey
$1.00/1 any Mean Green Cleaning Product 32oz. Or larger
$1.00/1 Wholly Guacamole or Wholly Salsa

Individual Brands
$.75/1 Spritzer Coupon

Coupons off Biokleen Products

It is one of my favorite times of year again, the NY Coalition for Healthy School Food Fall Gala. I have been on the jr board for the Coalition for three years and served as the Catering Director for almost 5 years (I think). Just to tell you a bit about NYCHSF:

The New York Coalition for Healthy School Food (NYCHSF) is a statewide nonprofit that works to improve the health and well-being of New York’s students by advocating for healthy plant-based foods, including local and organic where possible, farm to school programs, school gardens, the elimination of unhealthy competitive foods in all areas of the school (not just the cafeteria), comprehensive nutrition policy, and education to create food- and health-literate students.

If you believe in changing the school food system, are a foodie, love gift bags, or all of the above, come out and support. Below is the invite with all the details. Click on the invite to purchase and register. Fashion, Food, and Fab people; you can’t lose. And I will even a few good nibbles for the event with some of the best in the vegan food game from my mentor Chef Fran Costigan, queen of vegan desserts and master chocolatier, Chef Laura Dardi, Chef Ella Nemcova of the Regal Vegan, and Candle 79 + over 15 other restaurants!

The original article was published via OneGreenPlanet.org

From freshman fifteen to late night study sessions, college is a Mecca of poor food choices, overindulging, and eating at all hours of the day. I recently volunteered for the computer department at my alma mater for the freshman computer handout. We were stationed in the lower level of the cafeteria. I was curious, have food options progressed in over 5 years to accommodate the multitude of dietary scenarios? While there were a few options such as a gluten-free station and granary, which offers one vegan dish and vegetables, comparatively, still slim pickings.

We will now teleport over to the state of Texas, known for big hair, big cowboy hats, and big meat eaters. Yet, one university has set a standard that many should surely follow. The University of North Texas introduced an all vegan cafeteria, Mean Greens. Finally, here is a school that listened to the numerous requests of all to have more vegan and vegetarian options. The dining services of the university realized with five dining halls, that they had the option to diversify.

“We feature a mix of over 20 different entrees and sides daily along with a Vegan sushi bar, Panini Station, Pizza/Pasta station, Fresh grilled veggies, Rotisserie Corn and an assortment of Vegan Desserts,” said Ken Botts, Special Projects Manager of Dining Services. “What we have done by design is create menu options that focus on fresh whole ingredients that contain plenty of; plant protein, calcium, vitamin d, iron and vitamin b-12. You will find that a meal at Mean Greens is more nutritionally complete then the typical burger, fries and a soda type of meal.”

The changes at UNT are a true reflection of a national movement and advocacy to offer healthier foods in cafeterias. The collective feedback through their UNT Dining Services Facebook page, monthly student run food advisory committee, and student secret shoppers, supported the creation of the new dining hall. “Just want to say that I have really enjoyed the new Mean Greens. I have been a (lacto-ovo) vegetarian since 2002 and really enjoy the exclusively vegan selection at Mean Greens. I typically eat lunch at Mean Greens several times per week and really look forward to the all-vegan fare,” said Alyssa Ferrer, student.

Sustainability practices including recycling are extended throughout the dining experience. Sourcing local foods, having a tray-less cafeteria, which cuts down on pre and post-consumer waste by 40%. They have cut daily deliveries from 18 trucks every other day to one. According to the university, the ingredients are more costly but because of the increase in business from off campus visitors and increased sales of meal plans, it balances out. There is also less food waste as a result of the tray-less dining because diners only take what they can eat which results in additional savings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 12.5 million children and teens are obese. The food lessons learned in conventional cafeterias transition over to the university level. UNT is creating a new custom that more universities and educational institutions should follow. Here is a shining example that parents, faculty/staff, and students can use to petition their own educational institutions for living in the realm of vegan food possibilities.

“The food is GREAT,” said Nicole Cocco, a UNT employee. “I couldn’t even tell nor did I care that there was no animal anything in my lunch, and the apple cobbler was TO DIE FOR. (They) did an amazing job, and I still haven’t found another college or university that has gone that extra mile.”