image from Kevin Dooley on flickr

We’ve had such nice weather these last few days! The air smells of creosote and the temperatures have lightened up. Our garden is really soaking it up and is super happy. These pictures were taken about a week or two ago and it feels like things have nearly doubled in size, especially the squash. I wish we had a rainwater harvesting system set up but at least we have done a few things like planting in low areas and making little berms around plants so they can retain the water they get. Happy Memorial Day weekend, everybody! Lets hope for more rain.

You’ve switched out your light bulbs to make your home more efficient, you’re using “green” cleaning products around your house, you’re buying locally grown organic produce to reduce your environmental impact. But what about your own body? You know what you put into your body is important but what you put on it can be just as important! There are many ingredients used in skin and haircare products that are just downright bad for you and for the environment. The best thing you can do is read the labels of the products you’re using and do a bit of research to see what is in them. The Cosmetics Database from the Environmental Working Group is a great resource to check ingredients or specific product types and their level of safety. Ok.. so once you check out your product and see that most conventional products are not safe for you, your family, or the Earth you will need something new. It can be hard to find great products.. you could go the DIY route and make some of your own, the Vegan Beauty Review has some excellent suggestions, or if you want the two birds with one stone route you can bring your old yucky products to be recycled and get a discount on new, environmentally and body-friendly products from Green with Envy Organic Hair Studio on April 22nd.

I love the concept (and the people) at Green with Envy Organic Hair Studio! Their non-toxic approach is refreshing and a model that more salons need to follow. On top of their day to day wonderful lack of harsh chemical products, LEED certified building, and fabulous staff they are having a cool event for Earth Day so I thought you should know. Whether you need a new look or just a trim, I can’t recommend them highly enough and it looks like Earth Day, April 22nd is the day to check them out! Also, they have a referral program so tell your friends and for each one that drops your name you get 20% off your next service, how cool is that?

Come Celebrate Earth Day in Style!

The entire month of April is dedicated to being eco-conscious, and on Earth Day, April 22nd, Green with Envy will help you do your part!

Bring in your old hair care products (especially those aerosol hairsprays) and we will recycle them and give you 25% off new, eco-friendly, organic products!

Also, join us for a “green” fashion show starting at 10:30pm to promote Green with Envy’s grand opening and our contribution to keeping the world beautiful.

• Read about my experience at Green with Envy Organic Hair Studio
• Visit the Green with Envy Hair website
  

Great info from Local First AZ.  Times are tough economically for most people, spending is down.  This is hard on everyone but particularly on small businesses.  If you are planning on doing some holiday shopping anyway choose locally owned businesses.  Supporting local small businesses is important and it is great to see when local officials bring attention to this.  Kudos to Mayor Phil Gordon and thanks to Local First for all they do to help the little guy!

Phoenix Mayor Proclaims ‘Buy Local Week!’
December 8th – 14th Focuses on Boosting Local Economy

As consumers head out to do their holiday shopping this year, Mayor Phil Gordon says “keep your money where your home is!”

The inaugural Buy Local Week represents a big step and tremendous act of support for LFA and all of our members.

“Consumers can make simple choices that will affect the long-term health of the city,” says Kimber Lanning, executive director of Local First Arizona.

“Local businesses throughout Phoenix have been an important part of the City’s economic development and in these challenging economic times, we are asking our residents to make buying decisions that can have a greater positive impact where they live,” said City of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon.

On Tuesday, December 2nd, a press conference will take place at the Light Rail Stop to officially announce and introduce Buy Local Week to local business owners, consumers and council members.

LOCAL FIRST IS ASKING FOR YOUR PRESENCE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE!!!

LET’S SHOW THE POWER IN NUMBERS.  BRING SIGNS & BANNERS FROM YOUR BUSINESSES!!

COME OUT, HAVE FUN & SHOW YOUR PASSION AND SUPPORT FOR BUY LOCAL WEEK!

Buy Local Week – Press Conference
Tuesday, December 2nd
10:30am
Light Rail Stop @ Central & Washington

To cheer on the local businesses that are the backbone of the economy, the entire Phoenix City Council has agreed to wear or bring an item to the press conference that was purchased at a local business in their district!

Happy Halloween!

Are you looking for the perfect place to celebrate this evening? One of our favorite cafes in town, Inside the Bungalow, just so happens to be having a costume party tonight where 100% of the proceeds go to charity! The event starts at 6pm and runs to 9pm at their enchanting Mesa location at Main and Robson (just East of Country Club). Click here for more info, we hope to see you there!

Click here to read our review of Inside the Bungalow and all about their fabulous food, tea, and efforts to be more “green.”

Still planning on staying home? Take the time to do some green crafting! Here is a fun way to keep yourself occupied and make your own decorations for Halloween without the big ecological impact of thousands of plastic bats and skulls. Make your own sugar skulls!