the dirt on cleanliness

I'm not a germaphobe, but I know plenty of people who are. And producers of antibacterial soaps and chlorine bleach like to perpetuate the fears that these people have about dirtiness. Unfortunately, the chemicals that make these products "effective" can be harmful to your health.

Take triclosan, for example. This compound has been added to a lot of products in the last few years, from dish soap to toothpaste (treehugger has a good list here). Triclosan is not only a suspected carcinogen, it also can lead to antibacterial resistance. Just like with some antibiotics, antibacterials like triclosan and triclocarban work in a specific way to kill off bacteria. Over time, the bacteria mutate and become immune to the compounds. This has been demonstrated in a study examining triclosan's effect on bacteria such as resistant E coli.

Some believe that a slightly dirty home environment is better for one's immune system than a super clean home. There have even been studies linking overly hygienic environments to the development of allergies. And one study in rats helps support this "hygiene hypothesis."

So what does one do to stay clean in an unclean world?
Good old soap and water is just as effective as antibacterials.

Here are some recommendations:

• For the hands and body, I love Dr. Bronner's liquid soap (there's also a bar version)
• For the dishes, Seventh Generation and Ultra Citradish
• For the teeth, Tom's of Maine
• In place of chlorine bleach, Seventh Generation peroxide-based bleach
  

If your on the go and in a pinch and need a hand sanitizer, try one of these health-friendly options:

• CleanWell Natural Hand Sanitizer
• EO Organic Lavender Hand Spray
• Clean George in a bunch of scents

Side note: I wrongly badmouthed Purell while in Yellowstone (it was in all of the latrines) thinking it contained triclosan, but its active ingredient is ethyl alcohol (which doesn't have the baggage of triclosan, though I can't speak for its other ingredients).

amazing trip

There's so much to say about my travels, including all of the eco-analyzing I did while on the trip. We went from Yellowstone to Glacier to Waterton (in Canada) within 10 days. Saw so much wildlife, mountain ranges, lakes and streams, geothermal activity, and plant life. Such vast open spaces, both in the parks and out. In the next week, I'll be posting all of the goods, from the food we ate to the greenwashing we saw all around (and some genuine eco-efforts as well).

If you've ever thought about visiting this part of the country, I think this was the best time of year to do it (late June). It's an amazing and unforgettable experience.

Of course, the pictures ain't nothin' like the real thing, but you'll get the idea.

before i go

No one will be home to watch Letterman or to update the Netflix queue. There won't be anyone looking for a late night snack in the fridge or listening to iTunes on the stereo. The only life stirring (very slowly) will be the plants, unless our little mouse friend returns in our absence.

So there are a few things we need to do before we leave for vacation:

• Hold the mail
• Stop the weekend paper
• Unplug everything (powerstrips make this easier, at least until the whole house switch is available)
• Eat all the perishables in the fridge (this can require careful planning)
• Water the plants
• Close the windows
• Turn down the thermostat (in winter), turn off the A/C (in summer)
• Give the keys to a responsible friend

Did I miss anything?

waste less

This is a great idea: no waste. One company out to rid the world of trash is TerraCycle. They're using your old cookie wrappers, soda bottles, drink pouches, etc. to package their plant food products. Check it out.

clotheshorse eco-conscience

You know the era of conspicuous consumption is at risk of collapse when even the well-to-do are trawling consignment shops, albeit for designer goods. Here, Ruth La Ferla of the NY Times profiles the current prosperity of second-hand boutiques, such as Ina in NYC, and the fall of full-price fashion.

off to commune with nature

Air travel is probably my biggest eco-vice. But I can't help it. I love to travel to far-off places. Last year it was Italy (for vacation), South Africa (tagging along with my boyfriend on a work trip), and LA (another work trip). This year it's Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. How can one resist the natural splendor of our last great wilderness? And as I've mentioned before, I'm a sucker for animals -- I can't wait to have an encounter with some wild creatures, from a distance at least (a bit scared about the grizzlies and wildcats!)

We also needed to rent a car on this trip, to get us through the parks and go from one to the next. When I did my search for rental cars, I imagined we'd get some economical compact sedan, like a Ford Focus or something. I even had high hopes for a hybrid. None of these notions manifested in real life. Instead it was either a $3,500 pick-your-car rental, or a $1,400 SUV. And not just any SUV, a big-ass Chevy Suburban. Could it get any worse? I think I'll start crying in the rental agency when they hand over the keys. And I'll cry on the inside through the whole trip. How contradictory the whole debacle is, to enjoy the preservation of natural places while simultaneously mucking them up.

So what does one do to lessen their impact on a trip such as this? Of course there's carbon offsetting for the flight and SUV. And there are other no-brainers:

• Bringing out what we bring in, not leaving a string of Clif bar wrappers on the trail
• Sticking to the paths, not traipsing all over some endangered wildflowers or a marmot hole

And maybe the not-so-obvious things:

• When nature calls, we'll do our business at least 200 feet from a waterway, bury the unmentionables, and use natural TP (watch out for the poison oak!) (It's also recommended to carry out TP in a resealable plastic bag)
  
• We won't be camping or bathing outdoors, but if that were the case we'd use biodegradable soap like Campsuds 200 feet from a water source (or you can take the stance of this person who uses no products at all while camping)
  

Find out more about low-impact camping/hiking:

• US Scouting Service
• Backwoods Ethics by Laura and Guy Waterman

So as you might have guessed, I won't be posting anything while on this trip. The point is to get away from technology. There'll be a little hiatus, and I hope to be up and running again on Tuesday, June 24th. (And of course there will be pictures when I return!)

living off the health of the land

I'm a fan of Mark Bittman, the NY Times columnist, foodie, and minimalist chef. I'm even more enamored now that he's written about some practical advice about eating less meat. Without getting all political or ideological, he offers some easy tips on incorporating more healthy veggies and alternatives to meat in your meals. Here it is in today's Dining and Wine section of the Times.

Also in the Times, an answer to those who eschew organic because of the price: plant your own! That is if you've got the land, of course. Most of us city dwellers don't have the luxury of a patch of earth to dig into. But there are community gardens, if you're feeling so ambitious. If you do decide to start your own victory garden, you'll have to do some research. Here are some sources for organic vegetable gardening:

• Organic Garden Tips
• The Helpful Gardener
• Or subscribe to a magazine like Permaculture (save paper: they have an online subscription, too)

survive the summer swelter: part 2

Part 2 in a two-part series on how to handle the heat of summer. Catch part 1 here.

keep your cool

• Get into some responsible swimwear and hit the beach (Don't live near a body of water? Build a natural pool)
  
• Meadow bikini made from repurposed Lycra (from BTC elements, pictured right)
• Amanda bathing suit by Kelly B made with organic cotton
• Loomstate mens' board shorts
• Wetsuits made with responsible fabrics from Patagonia
  

• Wear lightweight fabrics
• For men: Patagonia A/C shirt
• For women: Stewart+Brown organic cotton dress
  

• Slip on some flip-flops
• Patagonia for men
  
• Chaco for women (partially made with recycled rubber)

eat (and drink) well

• Find pasture-raised meats in your neck of the woods on Eat Wild's database
• Find greenmarkets, CSAs, and more on localharvest.org
• BBQ with Cowboy Charcoal, a no-chemical charcoal
• Which is least impactful on the environment? Propane or charcoal? The debate continues
  
• More on my experiences with BBQ meat here
• Drink organic beers like Wolaver's, Eel River IPA, or one from Peak Brewing Co.
  

fight off the bugs

• Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellent
• JASON Quit Bugging Me (that's what I used to say to my brother growing up)

And you can carry all your summer essentials in this cute Organic Cotton Tote
Happy and Healthy Summer!

eco crüe

Ludacris and Tommy Lee compete to save the planet? Is this for real?
Yes, it is. Get the scoop here and here.

a greener h&m?

One of my favorite shops (before I boycott big chain stores) was H&M. Back in 2000 when I heard Hennes & Mauritz were making their US debut, I wrote to the company to find out the exact date. I remembered how great it was -- while spending the semester in London, a typical student, with holes in my pockets and moths sprouting from my wallet -- to discover clothes both adorable and affordable.

But then about a year ago my consumer conscience woke up.

So after reading the headline that H&M were to introduce more organic cotton into their clothing, I got a bit excited. Until I read the rest of the story. Check out the full story about H&M's enviro-responsibility, artfully broken down here. Looks like I'll have to hold off my return for a later date.

airing the dirty laundry

One of the easiest ways to move toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle is by changing the way you do laundry. And one of the first things I did was make the switch to biodegradable, petroleum-free laundry detergent, like Seventh Generation.

Here are some other low-impact laundry tactics:

• Washing clothes in cold water not only saves energy (in heating the water), it helps preserve the colors and fabrics over time

• Air drying clothes also saves tons of energy. Try one of these contraptions:
• rubber clothes line
• outdoor clothes dryer
• drying rack
• indoor retractable line

• Opting for CO2 cleaning instead of traditional dry cleaning is safer for you and the environment. Find CO2 cleaners in your area

• Handwashing with a non-toxic detergent is also a great alternative for your delicates like cashmere and wool
• The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo leaves sweaters soft and smelling nice without chemical residue

• Replacing an old washer and/or dryer also saves energy. Be sure to get one with an Energy Star rating
  

Coming soon to a laundromat near you?
Check out this new washing machine from the UK that uses only 1 cup of water for a load of wash. Though it does require all these little plastic chips to do the cleaning (good for about 100 washes). What would you do with them when they need replacing? Got any ideas?

more about the market

Fresh/local produce, fresh air, personal interactions with the farmers and producers of your food, and now another reason to love the greenmarket: good quality, pasture-raised & fed meats!
NY Mag does a rundown of the carnivorous offerings at the city's farmers markets here.

(Image: Grazin' Angus Acres Farm rib steak by Stewart Isbell, courtesy of NY mag)

survive the summer swelter: part 1

It's not even summer yet and it's in the high 90s along the Eastern Seaboard. What does one need to do to get by in this heat?

block the sun

• Keep your skin protected without nasty chemicals or oxybenzone (which has been linked to cancer) with these safe sunscreens:
• Keys soap SPF 30
• Badger SPF 15

• Use a hat to keep the harmful rays off your head and face
• For men (by Patagonia)
  
• For women (by Free People)
• For both (by Ex Officio)
  
• For baby (organic & fair trade)

stay hydrated

• Make sure you've got your water with you in one of these reusable beauties:
• Klean Kanteen
• Sigg (they've got a new hot/cold version to keep that water cold in the summer heat)

Stay tuned for Part 2 of survive the summer swelter with tips on how to keep your cool, eat well, and fight off the bugs...