A weekly roundup of EcoSalon’s top stories.

Just when you thought you might be destined to only meet men at dark, dingy bars that reek of Pabst Blue Ribbon, sex columnist Abigail Wick gives them the special sauce in her article Sex by Numbers: 5 Ways Yoga Can Keep Men Out of Bars. Her advice? Take a yoga class and become one with a healthy woman in a bamboo-floored room with Krishna music and temple bells. Dirty dogs can learn new tricks.

The fashion industry is one of the most wasteful cogs on the planet, yet we love it and buy clothes like, well, they’re going out of style. Can we learn to be conscious consumers? Can we fine tune a fashion program for ourselves that isn’t so wasteful? We are in agreement with writer Abigail Doan in Upping the Ante on the Ethical Fashion Frontier that the next step in ethical fashion just might start with being aware of the genius of place. We also put a whole hell of a lot of faith in you as a consumer that you can change – can you?

Even foodies are scared of things; not arugula or bok choy but bigger things like measuring tools. Anna Brones, our fearless food columnist for Foodie Underground, decides to throw care to the wind and take a cheese making class with a friend that requires her to do just that – pull out a measuring cup. Turns out kitchen tools can be fun in Foodie Underground: Fresh Cheese 101.

If you’ve ever had a sleeping partner with a dog or cat that sleeps with them, you may have been repulsed, annoyed, or thought less of them after the “sleeping” was over. I mean really, when the pet keeps you up all night, isn’t that a behavior problem you want to nip in the bud? Get a life and teach your pet they have their own place to sleep taking notes all the while reading Eco Luxe for Four Legged Furry People. Don’t worry, they’ll still be comfortable without your unshaven leg on them.

What have we learned about shopping from this recession? Our global economy has taken a beating and consumers everywhere are changing their buying habits which alters everything worldwide. We are more frugal, cautious and conscious, which makes sense when you realize how loose we’ve been for so long. Maybe we all forgot mom telling us there were kids starving in other countries and not to waste a thing – so we made the most of what we had. In No Easy Sell: 6 Traits of the Post-Recession Consumer, we get to suck up the fact that mom’s metaphor for not wasting was spot on.

The post The Friday 5: Old Dogs, New Tricks Edition appeared first on EcoSalon.

Earlier this month, Dog Gone Smart Pet Products launched the first completely biodegradable pet bed. Company founder Chris Onthank said, “Every year, millions of pet beds are discarded into the environment. Even the so-called green beds on the market today are mostly filled with plastic from recycled bottle tops that can take thousands of years to decompose.”

According to Onthank, the bed is made with certified organic cotton and bamboo. The fill is a material called kapok, which is an environmentally-friendly natural fiber. It’s an effective fill because its bitterness repels bacteria, microbes, and dust mites. Every component of the pet bed will begin to breakdown or decompose in the appropriate composting environment in 120 days, except the zippers – made of corn and other plant materials – which will begin to break down within 140 days.

The machine-washable bed is available in three colors: mushroom, sage, and green apple. You can picke one up for $119.95 for the smallest (24″x32″), $154.95 for the medium (28″x38″), and $199.95 for the largest (34″x46″).

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The dog days of summer are just around the corner and we’ve rounded up ten great, green dog beds for your hound to lounge away the hot afternoons. There’s something for every pooch – from no frills futons to prissy perches – nap time in the canine world never looked so good!

West Paw Design

1. The Eco Nap from West Paw Design is made in the USA from IntelliLoftâ„¢ fibers comprised of post consumer recycled plastic. If you opt for the Extra Large Eco Nap, you’ll divert 40 plastic bottles from reaching landfills. This mat comes in a variety of colors and is a nap pad, more than a bed. It is machine washable, so no need to worry if Fido drools during slumber!

2. The Eco Slumber Bed from the same company is for pooches who like a bit more pouf in their bed. It is also made from and filled with West Paw Design’s IntelliLoftâ„¢ fibers and features a zippered, removable cover over the pillow – both of which are machine washable.

3. The Organic Bumper Bed is a cushy circular dog bed with padding for your doggie to rest his head while getting some ZZZs. Made from the same eco fibers as the two beds above, it also features a zippered opening and is machine washable. It is available in cool colors that will easily mesh with home decor including Basil green, Stillwater blue and Huckleberry purple.

Olive Green Goods for Modern Dogs

4. How relaxed does the dog above look on the Hemp Oval Dog Bed? Makes me want to curl up next to him. Designed especially for larger dogs, this natural hemp dog bed features a clean and refined “linen” look. The background on the green nature of hemp from the site: “Hemp is a highly sustainable crop, grown without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides. Hemp can be grown in near drought conditions, which significantly reduces the drain on precious water resources. Hemp is also naturally very durable and strong, and resistant to abrasions, tears, mildew and sun exposure.” This bed is filled with super-loft recycled fibers made from soda pop bottles and may be machine washed and hung to dry.

5. The Oh Head Hemp Dog Bed, also from Olive Green Goods for Modern Dogs, comes in a bright orange hue with a hand-painted dog design that is hand-dyed using azo-free dyes. Featuring a 100 percent hemp canvas shell, this bed’s eco stats also include a removable and washable inner bag that is stuffed with a mixture of scrap foam and recycled poly-cotton otherwise destined for the landfill.

6. If you want your dog’s bed to rival your other household decor in sophistication and appeal, opt for the Herringbone Organic Dog Bed (shown above) which is made with stylish Variegated fabrics that are printed using GOTS approved inks, on 100 percent organic cotton canvas that is grown and woven in the USA. Function meets fashion with this bed, because the fabric is finished with an eco-friendly stain, water and moisture repellent that is also anti-microbial, mold and mildew resistant. Sweet little dog bones comprise the clever pattern on this shi-shi-la-la bed!

7. If you have a penchant for butterflies, share your affinity with your dog by giving him an Organic Flight Dog Bedoutfitted in whimsical silhouettes of butterflies set against a earl grey damask background. This 100 percent organic cotton bed is free of allergens, flame retardants and dangerous chemicals. The pillow inside is filled with an allergy free, eco-friendly green fiber, and the bed is completely machine washable. Just make sure house guests don’t confuse this pretty perch as a floor pillow for humans!

Dog Bed Street

8. The regal looking canine lording over his yard at the top of this post is sitting pretty in an Eco-Tech Orbit Bed. Made from Eco-Tech polar fleece fabric constructed from polyester fibers from recycled plastic soda bottles, it also features waterproof nylon, making it perfect for outdoor excursions and water retreats.

9. The Eco Futon Dog Bed offered at Dog Bed Street is for perfect for low-maintenance dogs who just want a soft place to land. Far from frumpy, it is overstuffed with recycled fiber and features the same Eco-Tech polar fleece mentioned above. Your green dog can rest easy knowing that this futon has diverted 20 plastic bottles from ending up in a landfill.

Greener Pup Beds

10. Greener Pup eco-friendly dog beds come in four different shapes to accommodate all types of dogs: round, rectangular and cuddle bug style round or rectangular, which feature a plush backing making them akin to an armchair or sofa. Beds come with a removable, washable cover that is made from recycled fabrics and the bed’s filling is made from 100 percent recycled plastic. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting a fabric cover – choices range from simple solids and subtle patterns to funky designs. Note: If you have a rescue dog, you can receive 25 percent off your purchase at Greener Pup Beds!

Images: Dog Bed Street, Olive Green Goods for Modern Dogs, Olive Green Goods for Modern Dogs

The post 10 Eco-Friendly Dog Beds for Hounds Who Like to Lounge appeared first on EcoSalon.

Just the other night I scolded my preteen daughter for kvetching about her minimal chores – setting the table and feeding Smokey and Audrey, our gluttonous pug and arthritic cat.

“Imagine if you lived on the prairie and had to churn your own butter and mold your own soap bars and sew your own petticoats and britches,” I said to my love child of the YouTube generation. It would be easier to get her attention if my face were a flat screen monitor.

Boy, they have it easy – not like us kids who had to walk several blocks to school on those monotonous clear and sunny L.A. mornings.

When you think of it, why not push your family to make soap and get handier during these here hard times? I’m no Laura Ingalls Wilder, but I’m always up for a craft project or two, especially fun ones to do with my girls.

Here is a list of some accessible green DIY projects that will conjure your homespun pioneer spirit:

1. Make your own coffee-scented soap.

Yes, wake up and smell the java with these bars suitable for vegans and latte fiends alike. The formula shuns synthetic additives like artificial fragrances that can have unhealthy side effects. The guide found on Greeniacs calls for the following ingredients:

“¢ 8 ounces (227 grams) soybean oil
“¢ 4 ounces (113 grams) coconut oil
“¢ 4 ounces (113 grams) olive oil
“¢ 5 ounces (142 grams) coffee (to be used instead of water)
“¢ 2 ounces (57 grams) lye

Apparently, the right amount of lye is the tricky part. The process demands wearing safety glasses, but it looks easy enough to pull off, sort of like making candles, and you can even make the soap in bulk. Check it out. It’s good clean fun.

2. Homemade Dog Shampoo commands us to take better care of our pets.

The problem: most pet shampoos contain the same chemicals as products made for people, including parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and fragrances not found in nature. This option by Melissa Breyer at Care2 includes glycerin, apple cider vinegar, natural dish soap like Seventh Generation and plain old water. If you can shake it, you can make it.

3. Chopstick Birdhouse from those take-out Chinese dinners.

Architect Michelle Kaufmann provides the blueprint and walks you through the construction on this video. The idea would please Jane and Michael Banks of Mary Poppins, as well as all of those birds in your garden whose nests are so bare. I found out about this great project via CasaSugar.

Building a better green birdhouse:

• Chopsticks
• Non-toxic exterior glue
• String or wire

4. Patchwork Pet Bed recycle old sweaters and pillows.

This cushion fetched at Apartment Therapy is so decorative and adorable, Smokey and Audrey would no doubt fight over who has dibs when watching reruns of The Office in the living room. Here is what you need. Follow the link to sew for little baby, the one who always runs to you when it’s time for supper.

Bed Basics

“¢ an assortment of old sweaters (at least 50% animal fiber such as wool, alpaca, cashmere, etc.)
“¢ an old pillow
“¢ scrap paper and tape
“¢ ruler
“¢ scissors and/or rotary cutter
“¢ pins
“¢ access to a washer, dryer, and sewing machine

5. Cloth Fabric tote bag pattern.

Forgo the plastic and make yourself a reversible “Tee-shirt bag” using this pattern from Etsy. It’s only $4.50 and you probably have all the materials you need at home, selecting an old shirt or other garment, perhaps a vintage dress. I love the pink print at the top of this page. Friends will be putting in their orders and you could make some extra income to stash in your own bag.

6. Blend your own shampoo.

Rather lather like Willa Cather? Say no to acid and follow the squeaky clean directions provided by Anne Marie, Helmmenstine, Ph.D at About, who argues if the pH in conventional shampoo (alkaline) tis too high, the sulfur bridges in the hair keratin can break, damaging your pretty do.

Her homespun recipe for making your own gentle shampoo (olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, etc.) is chemically a liquid soap with the exception of vegetable shortening instead of animal fat and a small amount of alcohol and glycerine added during the process. She recommends making it in a well-ventilated room or outdoors, and be sure to read all of the safety precautions on the ingredients.

7. Sewing green organic clothing.

The book Sewing Green by renowned felter and green crafter, Betz White, is a how-to of cool stitchery, from wrap skirts and lunch totes to cashmere slippers and vintage fabric napkins. This is the DIY source for sewers looking to craft garments as stunning as those found in favorite boutiques and online stores.

8. Create your own eye pillow.

Sometimes you just cannot be bothered (see Holly Golightly) and that’s where the DIY Couch Potato Eye Pillow Kit comes in handy. All the steps you need to cut, sew, and lounge are available for $15. Naturally, the sweet find is from Etsy. The kit features Scarlet Fig’s exclusive couch design fabric and you can apparently cure the pattern out in 20 minutes, fill the pillow with dried lavender, apply to eyes, then rest. Also makes a groovy gift.

9. Stitch your own reusable sanitary napkins.

I’ve enlightened you about these before and thought they are great to add to this list, since they aren’t as high-maintenance as one of my friends thinks (she rolled her eyes at the notion of DIY pads, saying, “You have to draw the line, somewhere.”) Here is the how-to from Hillbilly Housewife (look out Miley!) who says she got the information about homemade cloth menstrual pads on a Christian Ladies’ message board in 2002.

She makes her own on her sewing machine and has been a convert to the homespun approach. Our own Sarah Irani says she has been wearing them for years!

10. Design and make your own wedding runner.

This is exclusive from the Luanne Bradley design file of custom art projects for your wedding (because you have so much time on your hands to take on an extra project). But really, this element added so much to my own beautiful wedding at the SF Fairmont and I have lasting memories with the treasured fabric.

I simply bought yardage of cotton canvas at an art supply store (about 20 feet of it) and hired an artist friend to paint an Italian motif with cherubs and flowers, as well as a poem. She spread the fabric down the entire length of the hall outside my old apartment to paint the runner. The good news is it lives on after the wedding. I stretched the first part of the canvas which now hangs as art over my bed, and the rest of the fabric is in storage to be used for upholstery, curtains or for my daughters to have some day.

The post Tap Your Inner Prairie Child with These Green DIY Projects appeared first on EcoSalon.