Feelgood Style

The Culprit:

Frigidaire Ultra-Quiet (but louder than my old Bosch) III

The Contenders:

A selection of readily-available eco dishwasher detergents

Having just moved into a lovely apartment with a brand new high-efficiency, low-water use dishwasher built in, I was really looking forward to just loading it up and letting it sit for 3 days until full, like I always do. This dishwasher is being compared against three others. One is a very cheap baseline model, another is over 10 years old, and the third is a brand new Bosch I used for a few years before moving.

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Solar power potential is active in many minds these days. It really makes sense for the yurt lifestyle, but creativity is required since you can’t rest solar panels on a fabric/vinyl yurt roof.

Here stands John M. Brown on his yurt site in Glenville, West Virginia. He is so kind to share his knowledge on a yurt blog that dates from August 2005 to March 2008. Not only are the pics, info and floor plans great, but see dear John’s solar electric block diagram from his FAQ page. Read the rest of this entry »

What a great new earth-friendly and stylish product!

Introducing FLOAA Dish-sposables made from sugarcane. Yet it’s not just the material that’s eco-inventive, but the design. The bowl’s cavity catches the excess incase you happen to pour too much food or water in it. Perfect to prevent messes, especially for travelers. They’re stack-able and reusable too. Read the rest of this entry »

In Folsom, California is a company that supplies tableware from plants. Leafware products are 100% biodegradable and compostable.

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There are a number of reasons to have single or several walls in a yurt, ‒ whether it be residential, commercial, or otherwise. And if you’ve been following the Yurt Living series, you know those walls are more like partitions, not flush with the ceiling. Sounds restricting, but actually not so. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the largest challenges for those of us who have been using natural and organic products for a while has been the obstacle of finding these responsible beauty care lines. If the “green movement” has done anything, it has opened doors for eco-friendly companies previously seen as niche to be distributed at mass retail.

While some may have objections to these big box retailers, such as WalMart, Target and even department stores, like Macy’s, recently, they have brought affordable organic and natural beauty options to the mass market. I’ve spent a few years covering luxury products and all natural spa treatments at luxe spas and boutiques, but with the shift in the economy, it’s really nice to be able to cover readily available and in some cases now, more affordable alternatives. Here is a list of where I have spied some of my favorite paraben-free, phalate free, organic, natural, etc. brands and products.

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Yesterday I heard a series of interviews with Americans about their holiday gift plans. Responses included phrases like “Wal-Mart,” “Gift Cards,” and “one big gift instead of 10 small ones.” Clearly, families everywhere are rethinking their gift-giving traditions. My own family has had The Talk about how this year we’ll have to reign in the spending; some relatives will have to forgo gifts altogether. Always, the discussion is heavy with sadness, resignation, even guilt.

If you’re in the same boat, there’s no need to be glum, chum! Instead of filling your brain with which big-box store is offering the best sale on crap you’re not even sure Aunt Deloris will like, use that cerebral space to get creative this season! I promise you, this year has the potential to be not only the most affordable, but also the most enjoyable one yet. How? By deciding as a family (or office group, book club, etc) on an eco-friendly/budget-friendly/helping people-friendly theme. Let me explain by throwing out a few examples: Read the rest of this entry »

All of us are trying to do our part in reducing unnecessary waste and, naturally, disposable plastic grocery bags are one of the items we’re cutting back on.  You may even have a few canvas totes you’ve already collected in the process.  But do your bags organize your grocery list for you?    (Read to bottom for 20% OFF)

I have recently discovered the Gro-Pak grocery bag system and I am absolutely in LOVE with this product line.  Made from 50% post-consumer PET products (plastic bottles), this grocery bag kit was designed by women who understand that functionality is what makes a good product GREAT.  This system makes the PERFECT holiday gift because it is functional, eco-friendly and anyone can use it.  Plus, with a wide range of prices, it can also make a great stocking stuffer due its compact nature.

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Within the Yurt Living series I’ve dabbled a bit on interiors. Rebecca MacKay’s book, Round Design: Modern Yurt Interiors was acknowledged as the closest thing to hiring a professional. Another book, Add Wheels To Your Furniture For Faster Cleaning by Lifehacker author Angus Kidman, was noted as a good idea. But that was it! I’ve been amazed at the lack of yurt interior designers.

So with determination, my search continues. But hey, ― maybe it’s not necessary? Read the rest of this entry »

It’s ironic I’m writing about windows while my yurt in the tropical rain forest of Hawaii is enduring the heaviest rainfall I’ve ever witnessed. The awnings are proving their worth well.

Why don’t I close the windows? Well, I’m getting there. It’s just that I don’t have a deck around my 3-foot elevated yurt and therefore a ladder is required. The picture tells the story. Read the rest of this entry »