An aluminum can costs about a cent. Almost worthless, so it’s easy to toss it in the trash. It’s like a magic trick, if you think about it. The thousands of stages in the manufacturing process, the material costs and the human stories, disappear into the air when we only have to spend a cent.
 

It’s how environmental catastrophes happen. We can’t see how unsustainable some products really are – because when they come in packs of 10 for a buck, who would be crazy enough to sell our planet off so cheaply? Separating

…

Here’s one way you definitely don’t want to be “perc’d” up. Tetrachloroethylene or perc (from “perchloroethylene”) is a recognised menace, and for all our sakes we need to steer clear of it when we’re dry cleaning. Lighter Footstep has a handy 11-point guide to alternatives that nicely complements Sarah’s suggestion that wet cleaning is the healthy way forward.

Christmas is just round the corner – and right now, there’s no such thing as too many gift ideas. So here’s …

Feeling a little heavy after the Thanksgiving food frenzy? Here’s a hot, nourishing, spicy soup that will take out a few of those leftovers and wake up your taste buds with the bright flavors of chilis, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, and other snappy garnishes. This is the way you’ll want to eat the day after Thanksgiving. And it’s easy.

Serves 4 for a first course, two for a meal

• 4 Cups homemade turkey broth or canned organic chicken broth
• 1-2 large garlic cloves, crushed into a pulp with a mortar and pestle
• 2-3 tablespoons Ancho or

…

Those piles of leaves that line the streets when the trees go bare were once a form of childhood amusement. I remember running, jumping and letting their fluffiness break my fall countless times for hours on end.

But, now this sight just makes me sad. With all of the waste that we create, it’s cases like this where we need to change our ways. This year, mulch your leaves instead of bagging them for the trash collector – you’ll find that it’s actually a lot easier than raking. In fact, all you have to …

Still trying to convince some friends to hop on the eco train? Maybe parents who are too set in their ways to go green? With the holidays rapidly approaching, it’s the perfect time to show them the stylish side of sustainable with these fabulous gift ideas!

Does one of your gal pals need an upgrade from her no-frills  jewelry mug? Both decorative and functional, the Jewelry Tree of Life is crafted from recycled metal to resemble this profound ancient symbol.

Know people who don’t tolerate …

Note: this is a post by Kate Carter, one of our pals at the fabulous Divine Caroline.

For years, I’ve felt obligated to say I like yoga. Who doesn’t like it? It’s the cool thing to do. Soul-enriching exercise. Stretchy pants. Hollywood endorsements. Hip and calm. But after enrolling in three different classes and enduring hours that felt like years, I am stopping my lies: I hate yoga.

I hate the way the teachers speak in breathy whispers. I want them to speak up, because when I’m in the downward dog …

Okay, Listen up Daddy-O’s. Raise your coconut shells if you’ve grooved on the following: The Tonga Room at the San Francisco Fairmont and its sporadic fake rainshowers; The Audio-Aniamatronic Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland; And any of the surviving Trader Vic’s Restaurant (Beverly Hills, Vegas, Emeryville).

If your hand is up, then it wasn’t the grub (rarely is) but the kitschy props (nets, fish, spears, bamboo, totems) that floated your Bahama Mamas. Let’s face it, jungle fever has a place in design, as resurrected in the new decor book, Tiki Modern, by Sven …

Born in Taiwan and raised both there and in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ann Chen possesses an East meets West design sensibility. She subscribes to vintage conceptualization cast into modern idealism, using only sustainable, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free materials. Torn up, crossed, twisted, and reconstructed, Ann has created a simple t-shirt collection that packs a lot of punch. Clearly influenced by Asian street style, her line is also reminiscent of 80s America – truly a cross of disparate tastes.

If Ann Chen piques your fashion interest, you can snatch up her unique …