Happy Thanksgiving!

(Thank you, My Owl Barn.)

To you and yours,

We are so entirely grateful to have readers. Thank you readers, thank you! Have a wonderful, joyous Thanksgiving (and don't fall asleep too early after eating all that turkey!)

<3
Lu & Am

Green Product: Feline Pine

I always seem to be trying out some new green/organic/sustainable/herbal product every week. This week, I've decided to review Feline Pine (I've recently gotten a kitteh!)

I purchased the Feline Pine Clumping litter (there's also a nugget, non-clumping version). So far this product works really well. The pine scent works wonderfully to neutralize any kitty poop or pee odor. There's only one small problem: it spreads over the floor like crazy. As soon as kitty gets out of her box - splash! Kitty litter all over the floor! Oh well, it's not a huge problem, I just have to clean up often. But I don't think I'll be getting this particular litter next kitty litter purchase!

~Am~

Green product: Zand's

I always seem to be trying out some new green/organic/sustainable/herbal product every week. This week, I've decided to review Zand's Lozenges (the beau & I have been sick a lot lately).

I love, love, love these lozenges. They are sweetened with brown rice syrup only and made of lots of yummy, healthy herbs and spices. We try to buy these whenever we're having a case of the sore throat. Zand's also makes lots of other herbal concoctions to help the ailing body. Try them out. I love that they're made with brown rice syrup instead of high fructose corn syrup, which isn't good for the body at all.

~Am~

Inspirational Green Blogger

There are so many people out there that love the same things as we, Lu-n-Am, do. And I am loving reading fellow green-living pursuer Pure Green Design's blog. She writes about daily musings, beautiful, sustainable design, DIY projects, living a eco-friendly life, and opening and running her own eco living store, called Sustain. I think she just may be my inspiration/guide to opening my own eco-friendly store. If she can open her own store at the age of 27 then can't I do it, too, in 2 1/2 years? :)

<3

DIY Wall Art

Hello Lu n' Am,

It's been a long time since I've visited you for a new post. I'm not even going to start with the excuses, lets just get to the post.

Martha Stewart of France has done it again.
Latest Project: Paint Samples on String inspired by boutique in downtown Knoxville:

-Cut little squares of colors (paint samples are perfect for this)
-Sew them onto a string,
-Hang them on from your ceiling or make a whole row of them.

Am and I have one of these fabulous decoration pieces hanging in our homes. I have zero sewing skills, but mom said this takes very little skills just patience, and the results are lovely!

and now I have a headboard for my bed. :)
Thanks mom!

Detail:
-Lu

Congrats to Lu & Mitch!

A huge congratulations goes out to Lu & her beau, excuse me - fiance!

The little Lu has gotten engaged to her boyfriend Mitchell Trueblood! So let's all give lots of cheers to the sweet couple!

Congrats! I love you two!
~Am~

WNCA

This week's featured Green Organization is the Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA). I was invited by a friend who volunteers there to go to a "food & presentation" event presented by the alliance last week, and I found the presentation to be very informative and the food delicious.

WNCA is a grassroots environmental organization that "empowers citizens to be advocates for livable communities and the natural environment of Western North Carolina." Their three main goals are "leading citizen advocacy on growth management; involving citizens in public lands protection; and protecting the region’s water supply."

~Am~

Preserve Toothbrush

I'm not sure if we've posted this before, but I was so excited about this purchase so I had to write about it! I just bought two Preserve Toothbrushes at Greenlife. If you haven't heard of them before, these toothbrushes are 100% made from recycled #5 plastics. One hundred percent! Exciting and awesome, no? Yes! Check them out, they really don't cost any more than regular name brand toothbrushes.

~Am~

Holiday Season

I've already started thinking about the holidays. I know, I'm nuts, right? Well the early bird catches the worm, and I'm hoping to eat lots of worms this winter (don't ask me where I got that from).

Of course handmade cards

Maybe some handmade wallets?

Or some ipod covers?

And I'm sure I can find somebody w/enough style in the kitchen to want a handmade apron

Get set, get ready, craft! Good luck on a crafty holiday season!
~Am~

The Littlest Birds

(Source.)

This is the home of my latest job. And I love it. Such cuteness all around. Let me give a small tour of the lovely place.

Name: The Littlest Birds
Owners: Sonja & Allison
What: An organic and natural baby boutique.
Sells: Organic and locally-made clothing; baby carriers and slings; safe baby bottles & such; natural baby shoes; safe, lead and bpa-free baby toys; consignment clothing & such; natural cloth diapers; and lots more!

Some great brands they carry:
Simple Shoes
Livie & Luca
Ergobaby
Maya Wraps
Under The Nile
RolyPoly
Grimms Toys
Plans Toys
Born Free
Bum Genius
Happy Heiny

~Am~

I got a green job!

(Source)

Ok, I'm so super excited ya'll! I got another part time job, but this time it's so awesome and so what I want to do! It's working at a cute boutique called The Littlest Birds. This place sells natural and organic baby clothes and other baby items.

Exciting, right? Oh, it's in the oh-so-cute neighborhood of West Asheville! And it's ran by two super-awesome and super sweet ladies.

Plus, me & the beau found a new apt. and it's ours! Oh, what sweet bliss! :)
~Am~

An Etsy Green Guide

We're feeling a little Etsy crazy around here lately. Therefore, we present to you a green gift guide, courtesy of Etsy:

Olivia Newton John Coasters

Gardening Apron

Envelopes

Coffee Cup Sleeve

~Am~

Need a green writer?

(Guess which one is in need of a job more!)

Well if you do need a green writer then hire me to do it! Even if you don't need a writer specifically on green topics, I can still write for you. I've had beaucoup and beaucoup (lots and lots) of experience. Have an idea but don't know how to go about writing about it? Ask me! I can totally help you work out your writing dilemmas! I've been a writer for many years and an editor for nearly as long. So please, won't you take me on?

~Am~

King Corn!

I watched this documentary (thought it would appropriately themed since I am off to Iowa for a week) found it to be very informative and entertaining, I highly recommend it. We really are what we eat. and we eat a lot of corn, and I'm not talking natural corn on the cob.
Check it out:
-Lu

Green Angels in Charleston

Suffice it to say, our trip to Charleston wasn't the most eco-friendly trip. There was lots of driving and the campsite had limited recycling facilities. And there was lots of DEET used in the prevention of mosquitoes (but, OMG, it was so necessary - I got "et" up by those horrible little vamps).But, ya'll, we camped. Camped. No electricity involved. People don't really ever camp anymore, apparently. There weren't very many people located in the camping area of the park. But there were plenty of RVs.
We did our best and we had a heck of a good time. Many campfire adventures ensued every evening after the sun set.
~Am~

Lu-n-Am Bonding Time!

(Source.)

Lu and yours truly (Am) are only minutes away from leaving for Charleston! We haven't had a trip together in a hella long time and so we're both super-excited to get away for awhile and relax. We're going with both of our loved ones and another friend. That makes a total of five and we're car-pooling all the way to the beach (four hours away for me!). It will be a very comfy trip! ;)

We'll be back in four days with pics and stories to tell!

~Am~

Recycle your water filters

I was installing a Brita filter in our water filter the other day (it was waaay overdue, but those things can be so expensive!) and the beau asked what to with the old one. I said, I guess just throw it away. But he had a brilliant idea that showed my prowess has been rubbing off on him: why not recycle it?

So I did a little research and found this. So there are locations you can drop them off it to recycle, mostly the drop-off centers are located in Whole Foods stores. And there are none near me and if there are none near you, then this is what you can do: mail it off to a recycle center! So that's what I'm going to do, it'll probably cost me about a dollar or so to mail, but I think it's way worth it so it can be properly recycled! Don't you?

~Am~

Evan Healy

(Source.)

This is my new absolute favorite facial care line: EvanHealy.

I've always had trouble with acne. I had it terribly in my teens and now in my twenties I've had to battle with with because of the birth control pills I take. What I had been using had been working until two or three months ago when I started a new brand of pills and my face or my acne cream couldn't fight any longer and gave in miserably.

Yet on driving to my favorite grocery store, Greenlife, I decided that I would go forward and see what Greenlife's beauty department had in the line of acne medicine. I was in luck. Greenlife carries only organic and natural food and products and this includes their beauty products. After scanning over the products and finding what seemed to be the perfect choice for my problems (the EvanHealy line), I balked at its price. It was $30!!! Granted, what I found was a kit and had five products in it, but I just hoped that I didn't have to spend this too often.

Encouraged by my beau, I asked one of the staff near the beauty counter and asked her for advice. She immediately pointed to the EvanHealy "Blemish" line. I told her my problem with the price and she pointed out a few others which she said had worked ok for her but that she had recently been using this EvanHealy line and it was working really well for her and that all the ingrediants in the line were recognizable and safe.

So I bought it. And I love it! The "Blemish" kit was supposed to last me 7-10 days but it's lasted me much longer. Here's what came in the kit:
-Tea Tree Gel Cleanser: This is a really light and refreshing lather, specially for blemished skin.
-Rosehip Treatment Facial Oil-Blue: This is for sensitive, irritated or oily skin. I mix it with the hydrosol. It has a nice light scent, as well.
-Orange Blossom Facial Tonic Hydrosol: This has a light, sweet smell and I mix it with the oil and rub on my face. It's made for all skin types.
-Blemish Treatment Roll-On: I use this handy roll-on to remedy specific acne areas. It's simple, I only wish it would dry quicker. It takes a while.
-Green Tea Clay: I haven't used this but I think I should. I've heard so many good things about clay and I'm excited to give it a try. It's to be used once a week.

One of my favorite things about using this line is the way I smell after I use it. I feel so refreshed. All the scents refresh me and my face's skin. If you want to make an investment in an amazing, effective, refreshing, and safe skin care line then go for EvanHealy. I think I'm going to try the clay mask right now!

~Am~

10 things...

...you can do right now to help the environment:

(From here.)

1. Drink water instead of soft drinks.
2. Drink filtered tap water instead of drinking from water bottles.
3. Use a BPA-free container or glass container to carry your water.
4. Use your bike instead of your car to run errands.
5. Recycle your plastics, paper, cardboard and aluminum.
6. Print documents on both sides of paper.
7. Use old blank pieces of paper to take notes and write messages.
8. Bring and use your own coffee mug at the coffee shop.
9. Avoid plastic bags: use tote or canvas bags when shopping.
10. Eat some locally-grown organic vegetables instead of the ones from the grocery store.

~Am~

Website of the Week

Hello Lu n' Am readers,

We have just received an e-mail from a representative of Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awarness Center, an organization recognized as the web's leading organization for relevant and authoritative information regarding asbestos and health complications associated with asbestos exposure.

The MAA Center regards high environmental and green presence as a critical part of their movement and promotes the use of sustainable green products, awareness of past buildings and preventative steps in avoiding asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

Be sure to check out their website as well as their blog in order to gain further knowledge on these important environmental and health issues.

Also, we are hopeful and excited about the possibility of a guest post from the public outreach assistant of the MAA Center, and we are very honored to be able to relay such valuable information to our readers.

Please be sure to check out these links:

- http://www.maacenter.org/

- http://www.maacenter.org/blog/


Hope you guys have a wonderful week and that your fourth of July celebration was a fantabulous one!

-Lucie

Happy 4th of July!

(Source.)

Happy Independence Day!
Love,
Lu, Am & Kimberly

VegWare

In preparation for you 4th of July festivities, I wanted to let you know about about a company that makes compostable and biodegrable tableware and cutlery, known as Vegware. It

-Is made from natural starch and fibers.
-Will not melt in hot liquids like some biodegrable products & can withstand high temperatures.

There are other neat facts about the Vegware line of products that you can find out about by going to their website. And tomorrow, when you're hanging out with your friends and family, celebrating the country and eating and drinking the day and night away, if you're using disposable items, think about using compostable and biodegradable items, like Vegware.

~Am~

Roof Gardens = Genius

Some of the perks according to this article (Toiture Truchon):
- Enhances building's appearance
- Adds space for tenant use and recreation
- One answer to the Urban Heat Island problem
- Stormwater management - retain 50%-90% of a typical rain fall on the roof


- Improves building's energy efficiency
- Processes airborne toxins and re-oxygenates the air
- Creates therapeutic and peaceful environments
- Total assembly warranted, from the deck up

I thought this video was interesting, there is tons of information on green roofs out there.





Links and Articles to check out:

-" Green Roofs are All the Rage"
-GreenRoofs.com"
-Chicago Green Roofs

-Lu

EcoSmart, update

Here's another update, peeps. This time it's on a product called EcoSmart, which we originally received to try out back in January (read that post here). EcoSmart is a bug spray that is reported to be made of natural ingredients and to effectively kill pesky bugs, like ants, spiders or roaches.

I didn't think I would have to use it, we have never had much a bug problem. But lo and behold this spring has been different. Many spiders and ants and have tried invading our hole-infested apartment so far and after having many philosophical discussions with myself my eek-factor won out and I started spraying the invaders.

The product claims you know it's working when you smell it's fresh spray. I have to say, it smells quite good - very fresh and invigorating. It killed the invaders very quickly and the smelled lingered for quite some time. It was also a very easy cleanup afterward with just a swipe of a wet cloth.

So do I recommend EcoSmart? Yes. If you are in need a natural, clean-smelling, easy and effective bug spray then go for EcoSmart.

~Am~

Fresh Wave, update

(Pic via flickr.)

After three months of using Fresh Wave products in my home (click here to see our first post about the products), I thought it pertinent to give our readers an update on how they worked for me.

Spray: We keep the spray right by the toilet, which is the perfect area to keep clean and fresh smelling. Whenever there's a stink, we sprayed a couple times and voila, a pine-scented bathroom.
Soy Candle: I usually light this candle every evening after supper to kill any smells that may come from the after-meal cleanup or from the trash can. Works great, smells great - my only complaint is that the smoke makes the candle container particularly black.
Crystal Gel: I'm not so sure about this one...it was supposed to contain and prevent smells in the area placed. I've had this gel in our moldy, dank bathroom ever since I received the product, and I have to say - the place is still pretty moldy and dank smelling.

So two pluses and one minus for Fresh Wave. I'd recommend their spray and soy candle but remain unsure about their crystal gel.

~Am~

RIP herbs.

Sadly, my herbs that I was so excited about (read previous post) have been taken over by these things.and when I say taken over...i mean freaking taken over.

Dear Armadillium Vulgare leader,

I know you that you think you're real cool because you are the only crustaceans who live on land and perform valuable jobs for our environment... But you have super grossed me out and murdered my herbs. I don't like you.

Sincererly, Lucie

P.S. I am grossed out and will let you live there in peace, until I find someone brave enough to evict you from my cool reusable biodegradable pots.


ugh.
first attempt at growing my own herb garden----> FAIL

Mistake: I placed the pots on the ground outside on my wee patio too close to soil and foliage where these little guys hangout.

Solio

I received a Solio solar charger just a few weeks ago...and I was so excited - it was like it was Christmas all over again! I had first discovered these solar charges months ago, but I a little while ago I got the opportunity to get one - for free! And so I jumped for it!



Name: Solio
Function: To charge your electronics via the sun! After the device has spent some time hanging out in the sun, all you have to do is plug it in to your electronic device (cell phone, MP3 player, GPS, PDA, digital camera or portable game system) and it watch it charge! It's quite small and very light weight, so it's something you can take anywhere you go, making it oh-so-super-handy. (P.S. it's so cool even the president uses it!) Despite me receiving this for free, I think it would be worth the investment to save the energy you normally use charging the seemingly neverending stash of tiny electionics.

~Am~

Juice Beauty

We've previously posted about the dangers of most beauty products that are out there. Juice beauty is a line of skin care products made from organic solutions. I stumbled upon some of their products at ROSS (yes, ROSS is a wonderful place to find unique skin care products for super super cheap)


So far I've really enjoyed their 3 step solution (The cleanser, antioxidant serum, and moisturizer) . They also have an interesting blog not only related to their beauty line but to ways of living a greener life and having a greener future.

Links to Check Out:
-Juice Beauty Blog
-Juice Beauty;s Official Website
-http://www.juiceorganics.com/ (Juice Organics is a line of products from Juice Beauty, but much more affordable and still free of harsh paraben preservatives, synthetic fragrances, petroleum derivatives, artificial dyes, harsh sulfates, and phthalates or toluene. contains 100% vegetarian ingredients)

-Lu

Connect2Earth

After a month-long hiatus (sorry!) lu-n-am is back. And now we'll be back with a vengeance [the latest in our movie series ;)]

Today's post is about a website that I had heard about a couple of months ago but have just now gotten up the energy to look more in to.

The website: Connect2Earth
What it's about: An online community made for greenies just like you and me. It's a place where everyone can come together to discuss important environmental issues and how we are going about solving these issues. Along with the community space for for having these important conversations, the website also hold contests for members to participate in that are connected with important world environmental events.

So go check them out. I have an account there now and so far - so cool. :)
~Am~

Making a difference on vacation

(Via flickr.)

I will be going, in a few short days, to the beach with a couple of friends. While there, I'm going to do my darnedest to be as eco-friendly as possible. Here are some things that I'm going to do to reduce my waste on the trip:

-Use personal water bottle instead of purchasing water bottles
-Use personal coffee cup instead of using the horrible non-recycle to-go cups
-Bring tote bags for shopping instead of using plastic store bags
-Use container from home for left overs instead of styrofoam containers
-Pick up trash that isn't mine on the beaches I visit

~Am~

Celebrate the Earth!

Hey guys and gals! It's Earth Day! So go outside, play in the sun, jump in a lake, plant a tree, smile with the sun! Go celebrate this wonderful planet we're living on and show it some love!

(From we heart it.)

~Lots of Love~
Lu, Am & Kimberly

Earth Day!

Oh yes - it's our day! The day we wait for every year: Earth Day! Ok, it's not today - but tomorrow and we're excited!

(From we heart it.)

Here in Asheville, NC we consider ourselves to be pretty Earth and eco friendly, and we have a joyous time on Earth Day. We have celebrations before, on, and after Earth Day.

To see what goes down in the A-Ville for Earth Day, look below:
-MountainXpress
-Other celebrations

What does your city do for this glorious day? We'd love to know!

~Am

Wow, guys

Sorry. We haven't posted since the 2nd of April. We're truly sorry. We've been slacking. We've been tired. We've been...well we've been living our lives.

(From we_heart_it.)

Lu's been...finishing up her semester. This isn't her last one, but almost. She'll be graduating in December.

Am's been...trying to establish a writing career via various freelancing sites and doing some writing for whoever will take her.

All the while, we've been trying to stay green. It's pretty successful most of the time. We try to do our best.

What have you been doing?
~Am

On/Off

Earth Hour 2009



This is so awesome, check out this link and click on the picture to watch the before and and during Earth Hour throughout the world.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/earth_hour_2009.html

-lu

DIY creative living.

So I wrote about this in my other blog, but I thought I would share with Lu n' Am readers... because we're all about some creative ideas and projects.

Make your own holiday banners, birthday banners, welcome home, happy _____ day banner....

or even better make a banner for a special someone today and surprise them..just because you love them.

These are very easy to make and take very little time. I made one for my mom for her birthday just this week.

1.Just find the letters that you want...the internet or magazines are a good place to look. I used Google image search and typed: letter H or Letter A, whatever letter or symbol you need...and tons of letter images came up. searching for extra little images or cliparts that have to do with your theme is also a good idea. (for example I printed a picture of a cupcake and balloons)

2.Print them out, cut them out.

3.Glue them on sturdier paper (i used colored note cards)

4.Tape them on a string or ribbon.

and Voila! you have yourself a very cute and personalized banner. and of course don't forget to reuse them for the next occasion. ;)

-Lu

P.S. My herbs are growing! :)

Testing my Green Thumb

I am very excited because I have just planted for the very first time, little lavender seedlings, chives, parsley, and sweet basil. I am new at this, and also super impatient & excited to see the first hints of a live plant growing in my apt. (-I will be devastated if they never grow :(
I will be making cute little labels for each pot, and probably be naming them (I know...strange). Our little money tree is Edward, he is strong and healthy despite his recent battle with plant cancer (rotting trunk)... I think we were overfeeding him.

If this works out, I am hoping to start a mini garden on my very wee patio.

The am also very excited about the cute natural fiber pots I stumbled upon. The brand is called Ecomaxx and these cute and colorful little pots are made from natural plant fiber materials (bamboo fiber, rice straw, wheat straw, and corn stalk) meaning they are 100% biodegradable.
They were also 0.99$...and cheap is always a plus.
Lucie= excited