Earth Friendly

I’m not really particular when it comes to a bath and shower combo. All I care about is having enough water to shower with. The house that I moved from had well water with a high iron content. It was so bad that our water softener system couldn’t even handle it. Anyway, sometimes the iron built up so bad that it clogged the shower head. I became accustomed to quick showers, because the tub was always orange (I hated using strong chemicals everyday on it), and the shower head was never the same).

Recently, my mom bought me a new shower head, which I felt was unnecessary since I now have city water. Now I worry about wasting water, because I get a massage on my back every time I shower. However, this particular shower head helps save water, and I’ve noticed that there are many others that are designed to do this. Some low flow shower heads you might want to check out include: Oygenics Elite 700, Delta, Evolve Roadrunner and Earth Massage.

Are you an active person who is always looking for the next hiking challenge? Well, braving the great outdoors is an exciting way to enjoy your free time, but do you have the right shoes to get you over the mountains and through the rough terrain? A versatile pair of hiking boots can support your adventures and take on different seasons too. Buying the right boots the first time around will prevent you from needing a different style for each season.

What is the difference between cross-trainers and hiking boots? Cross-trainers are more functional for lateral movement, but hiking boots stabilize your ankle and allow motion in the foot too. Although cross-trainers give you stability on uneven trails and debris, boots have larger treads that will do you well in spring, summer and fall. Plus, you will have more coverage, especially if you have to cross small streams in the chilly autumn weather.

The Berghaus Explorer Ridge GTX Walking Boots, which are leather boots made for wear during two and three seasons. These boots are made from full grain leather, but the shoe isn’t as heavy as traditional boots. On the bottom, the boots have aggressive lugs to give you the best traction. According to Webtogs, they have a special lacing system, which allows the shoe to expand when your feet swell during humid weather. The exterior GOR-TEX membrane keeps the shoe resistant to water, but it does allow moisture from your foot to escape. In order to support your ankle, the Ergonomic Holding System (EHS) provides top of the line stability.

Forget uncomfortable blisters and sore feet after a day in the woods, because these shoes are designed to hug your feet in all the right places. With the PU mid-sole that absorbs shock, you will be the only person in your hiking group who will not need a foot rub. Exploring the trails, woods and mountains around you is a great way to challenge your body and awaken your mind and having a versatile boot can save you the hassle of buying three different types of hiking shoes for each season.

Did you know that there is an eco-friendly way to pack your lunch? If you use traditional aluminum foil and plastic sandwich bags every day for work or school, it’s time you became enlightened.

There are a variety of Earth friendly that can keep your food fresh, cold or warm and sealed away. You might think that these products are inconvenient or time consuming. Instead of assuming, check out the products for yourself: Eco-friendly Ways to Pack Your Lunch.

Enjoying the outdoors is a part of summertime bliss, but you do have to watch out for potential dangers such as Lyme Disease. But what if you could kill the ticks in your backyard with the help of mice? Learn how to ward off ticks with less toxic pesticides: Green Ways to Prevent Lyme Disease.

Taking walks through a forest or up hills can be tough on your ankles and joints, but the scenery is worth it. Plus, the exercise may be much needed, especially if you were a couch potato during this past winter. So in order to enjoy the great outdoors this summer, you should have a great fitting pair of cross-training shoes.

What is the difference between cross-trainers and walking shoes? Walking shoes are built for the forward motion that your foot makes, while cross-trainers are more functional for lateral movement. For instance, when you’re walking hills or over tree sticks and stumps, your foot moves side-to-side. Because there is more pressure on your ankle, a cross-trainer often has a wider outsole. A cross-trainer is designed to provide stability and protection so you reduce your chance of twisting or breaking an ankle while your out for your morning walk.

According to Webtogs, the Hedgehog Trainer from The North Face has become a best seller, because it’s made for low-level trail walking and for running on hills. This shoe has various ways of protecting your feet from the potential hazards on trails such as uneven ground, sticks, stumps, brush, etc. For example, the exterior of the shoe has an abrasion-resistant synthetic nubuck and a breathable sandwich mesh on the top. Also, the interior of the shoe has Gore-Tex XCR lining. The outer materials protect your feet from debris, and the inner material keeps your feet dry. If you’re feet perspire often or you develop Athlete’s foot regularly, this may be the perfect shoe for you. In addition, the Hedgehog has an air bubble on the back of its heel, which can give you a bounce in your step. Who doesn’t need a spring in their step, especially when exercising?

Wearing the right pair of shoes for the type of activity you’re engaging in is important for your comfort and safety. Trails can have uneasy terrain, but shock absorbing outer soles with dependable traction can make the path a little easier to follow. Don’t forget that you should check the size of your foot and try on the shoes before purchasing them.

As you’re running out the door in the morning, do you grab a bottled water or a reusable water bottle? While choosing bottled water may seem more convenient and safer than your tap water, think again.

Regulations on bottled water vary, because the U.S. Pharmacopeia standards for purified and sterile water do not apply to carbonated, seltzer, sparkling, soda or tonic waters. So even though you’re drinking bottled water, you still need to be aware of where it came from and who certified the water’s quality. Instead of paying for potentially impure water, you can use a simple gadget that fits into your reusable water bottle, which filters out those bad tasting chemicals.

Guyot Designs created the TapGuard, which can serve as an alternative to bottled water. All you have to do is run the carbon pouch under water for one minute, slide it into the TapGuard, place the unit into your water bottle and drink clean, fresh water throughout the day. John Steed who is in charge of the environmental programs and logistics at Guyot Designs says, “It’s a pretty easy step for people to take if they want to be green.”

The TapGuard comes in three different colors: Tahoe Blue, Tangerine and Black. The unit comes with two replacement carbon filters, which is enough to filter 200 liters of water. The activated carbon is made in the U.S., and it is derived from coconut husks from the Philippines, which are heated up to over 1,000 degrees. The heat creates an oxygen deficient area, and tiny holes emerge on the carbon, which attract negative ions. Steed says, “[the carbon] is activated so something happens chemically and it reacts with chlorine to absorb the smell.”

On average, you will need to replace a 100-liter carbon cartridge every two to three months. The TapGuard removes 95 percent of chlorine, which is commonly used by water treatment plants. In addition, the unit also filters out iodine and other organic chemicals. So when you’re traveling in airports, heading to the gym or rushing to work, you can take your refillable water bottle with TapGuard along with you.

Using the TapGuard can save you money, but it can save the environment from being polluted with more plastic and carbon dioxide. Also, Steed says, “We try to make the packaging as minimal as possible.” This is done with 100 percent post-consumer recycled cardstock and soy-based inks. An added plus is that you can even send the product back to the company to be recycled, because Steed says, “our products are made in a way that’s easy to strip down.”

Guyot Designs have created many innovative products to make your life convenient and eco-friendly. The collapsible Squishy Bowls, which can be used for hot and cold foods, make an excellent companion to the TapGuard , especially if you have plans to go camping or hiking this summer.

I’ve been wondering when aluminum foil would become more eco-friendly, haven’t you? Well, Reynolds is now selling 100 percent recycled aluminum foil. With grilling season now in full force (especially with the exceptionally warm weather we’re having in Ohio), you no longer have to feel guilty when you steam your vegetables to perfection on the grill.

By entering Reynolds’ Go Silver Live Green Sweepstakes , you could win some amazing products. Every week a new winner will be selected, but there will only be one Grand Prize winner at the end of the contest. Regardless of whether you enter, make sure you start using eco-friendly aluminum foil.