This guest post was written by Kyle Simpson (shot bio below).  Though many of us are familiar with eco-friendly or green fashion, this post serves are a good reminder for all of us.

There are many ways in which you can enjoy an eco-friendly lifestyle. You can start eating organic fruits and vegetables that are grown without the use of harmful chemical pesticides and meats that are raised without hormones or antibiotics. And a green home can incorporate planet friendly building materials, a strong dependence on natural light, energy-saving appliances and electronics, and of course, a recycling center. You can even do your part to make the Earth greener by volunteering to plant trees, work at a community garden, or educate kids about the benefits of recycling, re-using, and renewing. However, one area that you may not have realized has the potential to go green is your fashion shopping. And here are a few ways you can get on board with all that is eco-chic for your wardrobe.

1. Clothing. Eco-friendly clothes are no longer limited to the sad-sack offerings of old. An entire industry has sprung up around the idea of fabrics that are not only sustainable and treated with low-impact dyes, but are also comfortable and on par with the fashions of the day. To that end, you can find a variety of options when it comes to feel, from organic cotton (including super-soft jersey) to hemp silk to bamboo fiber. Not only that, but famous designers like Stella McCartney and Linda Loudermilk offer full lines of eco-friendly fashions.
2. Shoes. If you thought eco friendly shoes came only in a small variety of cork sandals and hemp sneaks, you were so wrong. Green kicks can be found in every style a woman needs from pumps to boots to strappy high-heeled sandals. If you’re skeptical, check out the huge selection at Planet Shoes, and eco-friendly e-tailer, to find the green footwear you’ve been yearning for (even Crocs offers some cute wedges for summer!)
3. Accessories. From handbags to headbands to bangles and eyewear, you can accent your outfits in eco-friendly materials that will leave you looking and feeling great. You can find products made with eco-fabrics, humanely-treated animal leather (or leather substitutes), and even wood. Many companies also employ production processes that cut down on waste and recycle, in addition to donating a portion of proceeds to green organizations or charities.
4. Gas vs. electricity. There are two ways to shop. You can go to the store or do your browsing online. If you visit a physical outlet, you will burn fuel (unless you prefer mass transit) and support an industry that pumps tons of power into well-lit and outrageously air-conditioned malls. Certainly there are some items that need to be tried on in person, but most online stores offer a standard return policy (30 days) and by shopping online, you are using far less electricity.
5. Recycle. When you are ready to dump your old outfits, consider sending them off for a second life at a thrift shop that caters to homeless and battered women’s shelters. And when you go to buy, try out the other end of the recycled clothing spectrum by shopping for vintage pieces that give you a uniquely retro style.

Kyle Simpson writes for Medical Coding where you can find information on a career in medical billing and coding industry.

When my third child experienced chronic diaper rash, I didn’t know what to do. My other babies rarely had diaper rash problems and if they developed a rash, Desitin (one of the best diaper rash treatment and prevention creams, in my opinion) did the trick to cure it within hours. So when all else failed to cure my daughter’s diaper rash (including lots of communication with my wonderful pediatrician), I felt like breaking down. My daughter was so uncomfortable and the sight of the rash was just awful. Keeping her bare-bottomed, as suggested by many, was simply impractical. In the end, after 3 months of struggle, my pediatrician told me about a product called Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. It’s an amazing product that finally cured her poor little sore tushy. To this day, my pediatrician and I are still unsure about the cause of the rash and why it took so long to heal. Almost 4 years later, I believe that if I had tried more natural remedies, her rash would have cleared up quicker.

The following are natural remedy tips for how to deal with a stubborn-to-heal diaper rash. These tips have worked successfully for many moms and they’ll hopefully work for you, too. Note: ALWAYS consult with your pediatrician first for the best advice about how to cure your baby’s diaper rash. Sometimes a baby is sensitive or allergic to something a breast-feeding mother is eating or to a certain formula, and that could cause diaper rash. Your doctor can help you create a diet to test sensitivity, or may recommend switching formulas. (I did the diet thing: no gluten, no dairy, no gassy vegetables. It was a huge challenge and didn’t help the diaper rash go away.)

1. Always change your baby’s diaper promptly.

2. To prevent diaper rash, make sure the buttocks and genitals are dry before applying cream or ointment. Always apply a cream or ointment after using wipes to clean up a messy diaper. Try any of the following creams. For newborns and infants, only a pea-sized amount or less is necessary: A & D Ointment, Desitin or Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. Calendula, Vitamin E and Naturity Organic Diaper Balm have also been known to work well.

3. Try a baking soda wash for the rash area. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in half-cup cup of warm water. Slowly pour over your baby’s buttocks or spray it on with a spray bottle.

4. Forgo conventional baby wipes. Instead, clean the buttocks with water, mild natural soap and soft-cloth dry wipes.

5. Switch diaper brands or try a natural disposable diaper such as Seventh Generation or Mother Nature.

6. Consider cloth diapers.

7. Wash cloth diapers in unscented detergent only and double-rinse before drying. Additionally, consider a natural detergent or make your own.

8. Give your baby as much diaper-free time as possible.

There are several things to take into consideration when approaching an eco-friendly home remodeling project as big as a kitchen renovation. For starters, your space must be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Second, the products and services incorporated should be environmentally sound. Finally, your plan must adhere to your budget. Incorporating all of these directives is no easy feat. But it can be done if you know what to look for.

The portion of your kitchen that gets the most wear and tear is the counter top. It is subject to cutting, staining, scalding, and any number of other unpleasant mishaps, so it must be durable. To that effect, there are several green options. The least expensive tends to be recycled ceramic tile, coming in as low as $10/square foot (or even less if you shop around for discounts). Not only is it affordable, it can be a DIY project for the frugal homeowner and the options for customization are practically limitless (you can even get tile that looks like the granite and marble used in upscale designer kitchens). It’s heat, stain, and odor resistant, and it’s not too difficult to replace if it chips or cracks. Unfortunately, other green options carry a much heftier price tag (IceStone, while utilizing 100% recycled glass, comes in at about $100/square foot while concrete counter tops weigh in with a starting price of about $65/square foot). A cheaper option would be laminate with a price tag in the $25-$50/square foot range, but it may not look as nice as other surfaces.

In terms of cabinetry, the greenest (and cheapest) option is to keep what you have and simply spruce it up with a little paint, stain, or a new veneer. However, if you’re determined to replace outdated, unstable, or non-functional cupboards, consider a store that specializes in reclamation. Merchants that deal in recycled cabinets often do repairs before they sell, so you’re getting a product that’s practically new, and they are far less expensive than buying entirely new (plus, they go in your kitchen instead of a landfill).

And no eco-friendly kitchen is complete without energy-star appliances. While it’s true that these green must-haves can carry an astronomical price tag, they do save you on your energy bill, so over the course of time, you will get back some of your initial investment. Even better, however, are the rebates offered by your utility providers when you send in a copy of your receipt. Hooray for cash back! In addition, you may be eligible for a tax credit up to $1,500, so look at all of your options before you say no to new appliances.

Although it can be difficult to reconcile your affinity for green with a tight budget when it comes to remodeling, it can certainly be done. There are many options to be weighed, but finding affordable, eco-friendly products that give your kitchen the designer look you desire is not beyond the realm of possibility. A little research and price checking can go a long way towards helping you build the green kitchen of your dreams.

Jennifer Kardish is a communications coordinator at Discount Kitchen Cabinets. You can check out their free design tips for your kitchen and home.

Spring 2010 is approaching and there’s a lot of buzz around topics like the economy, taxation, global poverty, restoration in Haiti/Chile, and lastly, green awareness. With spring, Earth Day also draws nearer (April 22nd); as individuals, we must remember and realize the importance of global warming and all of its implications. Subsequent topics discussed as of late include space travel/burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and green building. As nations like Haiti and Chile prepare for rebuilding and new construction, there are many things to consider when advancing. Moving towards cleaner, greener infrastructure is vital in ensuring a successful restoration campaign.

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(3)(c) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everybody. It’s one of the many organizations playing its role in green progression. Heavy discussion lies on green topics, especially the more recent ones like space travel; others include deforestation, green crops, clothing, energy, and much more. It’s important that we as individuals/citizens stay up-to-date on important global topics like warming. As organizations like the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative), AFH (Architecture for Humanity), and the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) conducts sustainability campaigns and enforce strict green constraints, our world will continue to become a better, cleaner place. Machines behind the CGI, Doug Band and Former President Clinton have been pursuing an emission reduction plan in the San Francisco Bay area. Meanwhile, CEO of GEC (Globetrotters Engineering Corporation), Niranjan Shah, is underway with green building projects in Chicago, IL. Despite these few national examples, green infrastructure, particularly in places like Haiti, has become an integral part of restoration and construction.

This aligns with the implications of “economic viability” and long term sustainability, posing the questions, “Can Haiti really make it through all the costs of repair and reconstruction?” Infrastructure can take a toll on any economy, especially if the funds aren’t there. This goes hand in hand with meeting modern day LEED standards and approaching this in a “greener” sense. Organizations like Architecture for Humanity will make this possible. Architecture for Humanity (1999) is a nonprofit design services firm building “a more sustainable future through the power of professional design.” It was formulated through a group of building professionals whose overwhelming passion for construction drove them to provide a way for underdeveloped, suffering countries to rebuild. Through their dedication and hard work, these people will be able to not only create new buildings and infrastructure, but make them bigger, better, and greener.

To touch on just some of the things that AFH covers:

• Alleviating poverty and providing access to water, sanitation, power and essential services
• Bringing safe shelter to communities prone to disaster and displaced populations
• Rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas
• Mitigating the effects of rapid urbanization in unplanned settlements
• Creating spaces to meet the needs of those with disabilities and other at-risk populations
• Reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change

As polluters continue to buy their way out of Carbon Cuts globally, and large organizations continue to dump their waste into lakes, ponds and rivers, communities and must play their role in ensuring sustainability. Organizations like the CGI, AFH, and USGBC provide repercussion and policy change for acts such as. Most of the results from warming and climate change are miniscule and unnoticeable now, but our youth and earlier generations will experience firsthand the effects of pollutants and unsustainable efforts. Feel free to visit Earth Day to learn more about what you can do to support your world.

This is a guest post written by Brett Lindenberg an avid internet marketer from nether regions of Northwest Minnesota. When not trying to harness the power of Twitter (@brettlindenberg) he enjoys watching Brett Farve be a Viking.

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Batteries are the unappreciated purveyors of our connectivity obsessed society. We use them to power up our vehicles which enables us to travel long distances, on our wristwatches to be able to tell the time of day, on our laptops which allows us to use our precious computers even if there is no electrical power source, etc. Hey, we even use it on our cell phones which have become a necessity nowadays. Indeed, there is no denying that these batteries have made our lives easier. Let’s face it; we just can’t live without them.

The progress of technology has increased the demand for these batteries. There was a time when we only needed them for a number of tools and appliances that can be found in a typical home. A lot has changed since then. Now, the use of these batteries have increased to such an alarming rate that it has become a global concern.

There is a social responsibility attached to the use of household batteries. Batteries contain heavy metals that are harmful to the environment and to human beings. Improper disposal may lead to the contamination of our environment and cause harmful effects to us. Concerned groups and organizations have acknowledged the damaging effects of these heavy metals and how it could affect us in the future. It has paved the way for new laws to be passed in some areas of the world. How should we properly dispose of these batteries? Let us start with what we are not supposed to do.

Don’t:

• Do not keep dead batteries in battery compartments. A dead battery is a useless battery.
Delaying the disposal of these batteries may lead to leaks which are harmful if a person
comes into direct contact with the leak.
• Do not dispose batteries in the trash.
• Do not expose batteries to open flames. It may cause it to explode.
• Do not attempt to disassemble a battery. Doing so might expose you to its harmful
contents.

Do:

• Follow the instructions printed on the battery packaging or the battery itself.
• See if your local store is a drop-off point for used batteries. Some stores are designated
drop-off point’s set-up to collect the batteries. They in turn bring it to a proper battery
disposal/recycling facility.
• Check-out local laws on proper battery disposal. Chances are they have a program set-up
for this.

If you live in the U.S., please visit http://www.batteryrecycling.com/. They recycle all battery types anywhere in the country.

Let’s do what we can to help save the environment by disposing our batteries the right way.

Diane Kennedy Serene Pant

Amy DuFault has been writing about fashion and design for ten years at such publications as Boston Magazine, Coastal Living and Bluefly.com as well as appearing on ABC’s Emmy award-winning Boston news magazine Chronicle and NBC’s Style File as a fashion expert.

Currently she works as lead fashion writer for ecosalon where she writes about trends, news and designers who continue to amaze her.

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I’ve been working in women’s retail for years and because I work with higher-end brands I always get the question, “Why don’t they design for larger women?”

To which I can only shrug my shoulders, uncertain myself.

Thankfully, some sustainable fashion designers are taking the lead and doing it with some great styling as one of the biggest complaints about plus-size clothing is that they always make it frumpy. Maternity moms might be tempted to say the same, but the eco-industry has treated them much better than plus-sized women when it comes to styling, affordability and access.

Designers like Diane Kennedy, Lundstrom and Spun have found the right recipe to flatter even the fullest figure with ruching, bias cuts, wraps dresses and smart layers – looks anyone would want.

A few styling tricks, while you’re here: never cover with more material than you need and once you do find a great line, start building a staple wardrobe with pieces you love and rid yourself of all the frump you don’t.

For more great eco-designers, online shopping sites and venues for plus-sized women, check out a great list at greengrechen.

Photo credit: René Ehrhardt

This article is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of Physical Therapy Assistant degrees at her blog Physical Therapy Blog. She welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: katsanders25@gmail.com.

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A wedding signifies the beginning of a lifelong union, a relationship that should stand the test of time and tribulations. And when you join the person you love in matrimony, it’s time to spare a thought to the world that sustains us all and gives us a planet to call home. Should the commencement of a new life for us spell doom to the earth through global warming and pollution? Is it not a better and more ethical option to celebrate our new relationship by pledging to do what it takes to save the earth and its almost-depleted resources? If your big day is in the offing, here’s how you can make green the theme of your wedding celebration:

• Hold all your events in one location. This way, you and your guest avoid having to drive to and from the location of each event.
• Hold the wedding at a location that is close to most of or all your guests.
• Go organic when it comes to food even though it may be more expensive. Use local produce and poultry to minimize your carbon footprint.
• Use biodegradable materials for your crockery and cutlery.
• Use recycled materials for your decorations.
• If you want to go the traditional way and send out regular invitations, use recycled paper (handmade paper makes very stylish statements) with eco-friendly ink. If you want to avoid paper altogether, use email to send out your invites.
• Invest in clothing and accessories that are reusable, especially for your bridesmaids and other members of the wedding party. Most bridesmaids and flower girls are clad in outfits that are never going to be used again because they’re really impractical.
• Use flowers that are in season and grown locally.
• Buy your ring from jewelers who do not deal in “blood” diamonds that have been illegally mined in Africa. Or better still, use old and antique jewelry that has been passed down from generation to generation to pledge your love for each other.
• Go digital when recording memories of your special day; store your photos in an online album instead of having them printed.
• Go on a green honeymoon to an eco-friendly resort or somewhere close home that does not require you to fly.

Most of these measures don’t require you to go out of the way to do something positive for the earth. So when you think wedding, think green instead of white.

Chic Handbags for Vegans

This post is written by Grechen Cohen

Grechen Cohen is an online shopping addict who created a successful business around making online shopping easier & more fun for everyone. Grechen started with Grechen’s Closet in 2004, an online women’s shopping magazine, and branched out to include three more web-properties, including an eco-fashion & lifestyle blog, Green Grechen, dedicated to showcasing the best independent eco-designers and boutiques, as well as discussing the important issues surrounding conscious consumption: knowing everything you can about the products you buy and supporting ethical and environmentally friendly businesses.

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The Cost of Eco-Fashion

The latest collections from eco-friendly designers prove how far eco-fashion has come; if you wanted to, you could fill your entire wardrobe ONLY with environmentally sustainable clothing, shoes & bags. And I’m not talking about boxy dresses and hemp rope sandals. Today’s eco-fashion is gorgeous recycled leather or “vegan” leather handbags, lovely canvas or recycled plastic sandals, and beautiful bamboo dresses (bamboo is a great material for dresses – it drapes wonderfully, is forgiving, and so soft to wear).

And eco-fashion now isn’t only about the alternative materials items are made from – it’s taking into consideration the whole picture. From the way the raw materials are grown and the people who harvest it, to the business practices of all the companies involved from beginning to final product (including the boutique that sells it), eco-fashion is about ethical consumerism. Money is power, and as consumers we can use that power to affect positive change and better lives all over the world.

But, if you’ve spent any time looking at some eco-friendly fashion, you’ve probably asked, “why does it cost so much?” Honestly, there’s no specific answer as to why it tends to cost more, but there are some characteristics of eco-fashion that make it so:

* It takes more time (3 years) and energy to convert a conventional cotton crop to an organic one

* NOT paying sweatshop labor prices costs designers much more. Designers who engage in fair trade practicesmake sure that every worker from the beginning to the end is paid fairly and works under suitable working conditions.

* Eco-fashion is still not as available as “conventional” fashion. There is significant demand for eco-friendly clothing, shoes & accessories, and until supply can catch up with it, and there are more competitors in the market, prices will remain higher.

* If you buy your eco-fashion from an independent designer or smaller boutique, you’re likely purchasing items made locally, in limited quantities, possibly handmade, and from companies who engage in ethical business practices. It’s the right way to do business, but it’s not always the cheapest

* Some companies, like EDUN, produce their clothing in developing countries as a way to drive sustainable employment and lift their citizens out of poverty. This can have significant costs up front, but the benefits are well worth it.

* I also believe that designers/retail stores have taken advantage of all the “green” hype the last several years and have basically charged whatever they wanted for their organic cotton/bamboo/hemp products. And we bought them! Now that consumers don’t have as much disposable income, it’s my opinion that prices will come down to a more realistic level, and then start lower than they did before.

So…what’s a girl to do? How can you make it easier on your wallet to support your environmental and ethical beliefs and be more eco-fashionable? I’ll tell you!!

* Even though I mentioned ethical consumerism before, being eco-fashionable isn’t all about consuming new items. Buying vintage/used is eco-friendly. As is swapping, making your own clothes, and shopping your closet: don’t forget about what you already have! Maybe you can alter it, or turn it into something you would wear more often.

* Although this may sound counter-intuitive, choose quality over quantity, and be willing to pay more up front. Choosing one more expensive, superior quality item that will last many years, over 10 items made to last only a few seasons is much more wallet-friendly AND environmentally-friendly!

* Shop online. I’m admittedly biased on this – I ONLY shop for clothing/bags/shoes online – but it’s nearly always cheaper…especially if you know where to look! Not only can save a little money by not paying sales tax (in some states), most online boutiques have free shipping now, and many offer exclusive discount codes. With a little searching, you can find all of the same designers sold in the clothing section at Whole Foods (like Under the Canopy) online, and for much less than retail price.