Spa Eastman, Quebec: Spa Eastman is an award winner in the “Sustainable Tourism” category. Its waste management program diverts over 23 metric tons from landfills, which is equivalent to an 81% recycling rate. The implementation of the Reduction, Reinvestment, Recycling & Validation program [3RV] is done systematically and yields impressive results. Spa Eastman prides itself on paying particular attention to the source of food products: majority of the products are organic. Also, spa’s gardens provide the kitchen with organically grown herbs, edible flowers, sprouts, veggies and even berries.

Golden Door Spa, Scottsdale: The Golden Door Spa at Scottsdale’s Boulders Resort recently further expanded its menu of organic spa services to include new Eminence Organic Skin Care. This line of revolutionary products is created from all natural, organic ingredients. Some of the new and most popular organic services include a variety of organic scrubs with seasonal body soufflé “flavors” such as Pear & Green Apple (fall), Cranberry & Pomegranate (winter), Blueberry Soy (spring), and Cucumber Mint (summer). Nothing sounds more relaxing than a body scrub with nature’s natural scents!

Crystal Mountain Spa, Michigan: Crystal Spa has elevated the model for a green spa to a new level: the 18,500 square-foot facility was designed and built to minimize its impact on the environment while maximizing its efficiency and relaxation. The technologies and materials used in the process have enabled Crystal Mountain’s Crystal Spa to be the only LEED certified spa in the Midwest, and one of only six in the U.S. Talk about a step ahead!

For a complete list of some of the world’s most eco-friendly spas, click here. And don’t hesitate to do some research on your own: responsible relaxation is worth a little bit of work!

From a Konohana Family Farm brochure:

“Over 260 kinds of rice, grain, vegetables and so forth are grown on the fields of 13 hectares.
We also produce free-range chicken eggs, honey, goat milk, miso and soy sauce made by the traditional process and various kinds of processed goods such as pickles, rice cake and tea without any additive. Our produces and goods are sold to the neighbors and delivered anywhere in Japan. The Family has established a very safe and healthy eating habit, “Konohana vegetarian diet”. We eat fresh, seasonal produces full of lots of energy that are grown here. We do not eat any meat or fish.”

Kiss My Face is an all natural body care line made of organic products that ensure the best for you and Mother Earth. Kiss My Face proudly states their use of the purest ingredients, leaving no room for artificial colors, chemical additives, animal ingredients or the process of animal testing. For hair to feet— and everywhere in between— there is a Kiss My Face product to leave you sparkling and refreshed. For more information on the company and it’s products, store locations, coupons and online ordering, check out the Kiss My Face Web site. Treat yourself [and our planet] to a special treat and start using environmentally responsible beauty and body care products!

From the website:

“With seed funding and support provided by Disney, Fox, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros., the PGA, as part of its PGA Green Initiative, has developed this tool for the production and entertainment community to further its goal of integrating sustainable practices into its operations and reducing the environmental footprint within the production process.”

Fun fact: past carbon-neutral productions include “Syriana”, “An Inconvenient Truth”, “The Day After Tomorrow” and “Sweet Land”. To be considered a carbon-neutral production, producers must calculate their total carbon footprint (all energy expended–transportation of actors and crew, electricity used on set, materials/labor to make props and costuming, etc.) and then offset that total footprint by doing things like planting trees and investing in clean energy.

Australia’s leading fashion brand, Cylk, collaborated with such luxury retailers as Henri Bendel and Fred Segal to prove to the world that high-end fashion can be eco-friendly. Started in 2006, Cylk initially made clothes composed of 100% silk. Now, they have an entire ready-to-wear collection made of luxury blends that include super fine bamboo, silk and modal. While bamboo is a more well-known fabric, modal is made from the cellulose of beech trees.

The most unusual aspect of Cylk’s designs is their brilliant take on the current cut-out trend and fabric removal. This unique dress draws attention to the shoulders by removing fabric from the sleeves. Cylk has the perfect combination of eco-friendly and unique, designer fashion.

Cylk is the leader in seamless eco-chic bamboo fashion, and “combines high-end fashion with environmental awareness. With an aim to promote fair trade practices and discussion of sustainability issues, the Cylk philosophy is about caring for others, respecting nature, and working together to make the world a better place.” For more information regarding their environmental awareness philosophy and to view the whole collection, check out the Cylk Web site.

]]> http://blog.verdelifestyles.com/2010/08/22/eco-chic-fashion-brand-cylk-hits-high-end-retailers/feed/ 0 http://blog.verdelifestyles.com/2010/08/22/what-makes-green-consumers-tick/ http://blog.verdelifestyles.com/2010/08/22/what-makes-green-consumers-tick/#comments Sun, 22 Aug 2010 04:07:00 +0000 Marie http://blog.verdelifestyles.com/?p=899 How does the economic environment affect green consumers? (A “green consumer” is simply someone who buys/uses green products and services). The Green Confidence Index is a resource that gauges green consumers’ views, buying habits, and more. From GreenBiz.com:

“The Index measures Americans’ attitudes towards and confidence in how leaders and institutions are perceived to be addressing environmental issues, the adequacy of information available to them to make informed decisions, and their past and future purchases of green products.”

Interestingly, the monthly survey found that when participants were asked what company came to their minds when they thought of a “green” company, Walmart and Clorox beat out companies like Whole Foods and Seventh Generation.

Ever considered going off the grid? Building a small house with clay or and hay, powering it with renewable energy sources, growing your own food…this recent article from Salon is an interesting read about sustainable lifestyles off-the-grid in America. It’s also an interview with Nick Rosen, who wrote the book “Off The Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in Modern America”.

From the website:

“Baumraum is specialised in the planning and realisation of treehouses and other constructions in natural surroundings. We transform your individual ideas and wishes into ingenious and inspiring dwellings that combine versatility with craftsmanship of the highest quality and maximum safety standards. A major objective thereby is to handle the trees and their surroundings with the utmost care, ensuring their protection and preservation.”

We’ll pick our winner based on our favorite green tip or trick. What kinds of “tips or tricks” are we looking for? Anything that you’ve discovered makes living a green lifestyle easier day-to-day. This could include recycling tips, tips for saving electricity, water, or food, tricks for reusing or repurposing old junk laying around the house, etc.

Go here to learn more about our 2′ by 3′ bamboo rugs.

DIY projects with recycled materials save money and energy, and, best of all, can be tailored exactly to the needs of your home and your vision.