3 in 1 “Spork” + knife

We all know by now that disposables suck. Most of them are made of plastic, and wind up in the trash after a single use. But in the fast-paced world we live in, it is unrealistic to eliminate disposables and eating on the run (can you even imagine?). Enter the Spork Original from Light My Fire. Dishwasher safe and extremely durable (according to their website), the Spork Original reduces the need for three separate utensils.

To give credit where credit is due, my friend Mary Margaret had the idea for a knife fork (a “fife” or a “knork”) a couple years ago… I think we decided that having a knife blade (albeit a dull one) on the side of your fork was a little sketchy. That’s an accident just waiting to happen.

{via TreeHugger}

Laundry soap that grows on trees

Maggie’s Soap Nuts are an all natural alternative to commercial laundry detergent and fabric softener. Soap Nuts are the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry tree, and contain saponin – a natural cleanser that’s been used to clean clothes for thousands of years. 100% natural, effective, and safe (even for the most sensitive skin), Maggie’s Soap Nuts are sustainably harvested from India and Indonesia using no chemicals or pesticides.

Maggie’s Soap Nuts 10.5 oz box (36-50 loads), $18.99 at Better Life Goods; $10 at Whole Foods

Apple vs. Dell – who is greener?

Everyone’s talking about global warming, but what can you do about it? Companies and the things you buy from them have a huge impact on climate change. Some companies understand their impact on global warming and want to reduce it. But other companies aren’t even talking about it, and they should be. Non-profit organization Climate Counts is trying to raise awareness to hold companies and consumers accountable for our impact on global warming.

Climate Counts uses a 0-to-100 point scale and 22 criteria to rate and determine if companies have measured their climate footprint, reduced their impact on global warming, supported progressive climate legislation, and publicly disclosed their climate actions.

So who is greener – Apple or Dell? According to Climate Counts scorecard, Dell received a score of 41 while Apple received a pathetic 2. Clearly both companies have work to be done, but Dell is greener than Apple. Let Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs know that climate counts to you!

Spring cleaning with Mrs. Meyers

I picked up this cute “Spring Cleaning Kit” from Mrs. Meyer’s at World Market yesterday. The kit contains a countertop spray, all-purpose cleaner, window spray and dish soap in a delightful honeysuckle scent. The fresh summery scent made cleaning a bit more enjoyable today.

Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning supplies are made with natural essential oils, are biodegradable and phosphate-free. And, they don’t test on animals.

Honeysuckle Spring Cleaning Kit, $14.99 at worldmarket.com

Soy Candle

This white tea and ginger soy candle from Green With Glamour looks (and probably smells) delightful.

Why choose a soy candle? Soy candles last 50 percent longer, and burn cooler than traditional paraffin candles. Unlike paraffin wax — which is petroleum-based — soy wax is natural, non-toxic, and does not release CO2 when burned. Bonus: Soy candle spills are easy to clean — just use soap and water!

Soy candle, $23 at greenwithglamour.com

Did you know…

…that our skin absorbs up to 64 percent of what we put on it?

So, why not use products that are organic, natural and toxin-free? Juice Beauty products contain 95 percent certified organic ingredients, and use no pesticides, petroleum derivatives, artificial colors and dyes, or synthetic fragrances. Eco-friendly — and the packaging is gorgeous! The site also has a “product solution wizard” to help choose what products are best for your skin. What’s not to love

Bamboo cutting boards

When it’s time to replace your old kitchen cutting board, look for boards made from renewable resources (plastic is petroleum-derived) such as bamboo. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass, not a tree so it is sustainable and a great alternative to hardwoods, which take decades to mature.

Chef’s Resource, Sur La Table, and Crate and Barrel have some nice options.

Bamboo cutting board, $26.95 at Sur La Table

Recycled candy wrapper clutch

This clutch is so fun, and reminds me of those gum wrapper chains we used to make in grade school:

Clutch, $58 at uncommongoods.com

Produce ECOBAGS

We all know by know that plastic bags are bad…. so I’m trying to eliminate plastic bag usage from my life. I am super excited that the cotton produce bags I ordered from Ecobags arrived today… Yay! I’m looking forward to my next trip to the grocery store so I can use these instead of those crummy plastic ones!

Produce bags, 5 for $13 ecobags.com

Recycling bags

Design Within Reach has come up with a new take on recycling containers: recycling bags. The handled bags come in a set of 4, and are 2 ft x 2 ft x 3 ft — so they hold more recycling (meaning less trips to the recycling center for you!). Made of industrial-strength tarpaulin (a heavy double-warp fabric that is plastic-coated), the bags are waterproof and can be quickly washed out in the sink or outside with a garden hose.

Recycling bags – set of 4 for $22 at dwr.com