Somebody Should Do Something About That!

Are you guilty of having uttered these words? I was listening to the radio today and they brought up this same discussion. Why not put your words into action? That “somebody” should be you. Maybe it’s helping victims involved in disaster like Haiti or as simple as picking up litter off of the street. It takes people to inspire change and make a difference. You might think that your actions are small in the big scheme of things, but they really do make a difference.

Six years ago, we started ReBinder because we saw a need and wanted to be part of the solution. Having owned a hardware and software business for 12 years, we managed to collect a room full of plastic, three ring binders. The guilt set in when we realized that one day all these would make their way to a landfill.

Consider the bigger picture. We were one business of thousands contributing to the problem. We started dissecting how these toxic binders were made and decided to create a better mouse trap. In order to effectively recycle a traditional vinyl three ring binder required a load of tools and strength just to get down to removing a couple of the pieces that could be recycled but the plastic part would be around for thousands of years. The evolution turned into a binder with a recyclable cover made of recycled cardboard and ring metals that could easily be removed. Better yet, should your ReBinder cover ever need to be replaced, the ring metals and assembly can be easily installed into a replacement cover (at a fraction of the price of buying a new binder). That little idea turned into a profitable business that makes small changes every day. Not just from an environmental standpoint but we also work with a local disabled workforce that does the assembly of our ReBinders. Our product has given people with disabilities a job and confidence that they are making a difference.

This isn’t a plea to buy our products (though we’re confident you will love them), but more to be a leader by doing and watch as others follow your lead. Leaders bring in followers and create Tribes. Thank you for being part of our Tribe!

(This blog post is reprinted from the ReBinder website)

Britt

Making Mothers Day Exciting for the Mothers in your Life

Here is a chance to sidestep the traditional Mothers Day gift ideas.  Perhaps you are looking for something more exciting for that special person, your mom.

Sure, flowers and chocolates, sweets and champagne are great; actually, when you look around and pay attention to all the ads that recommend Mothers Day gifts you can always find something to please your mother, or grandmother, or mother-in law or whoever had anything to do with mothering you. 

In spite of gifts, what mothers want most of all is your recognition and your genuine love and attention.  Don't forget that, because that should come first. Don't forget to tell your mother how much she means to you.


Having said that, we have found a unique Mothers Day gift for the mom-on-the-go that is as practical as it is unusual. It is "green" because it minimizes the electrical grid from frequently uploading devices, using the sun as an alternative power source.  The Ultimate Green Store is offering the Solio Classic Universal Hybrid Charger in Silver (click on picture for details). It stores power from the sun or outlet to charge Mom's cell phone, pda, ipod & more.  Imagine your mother's surprise when she realizes she will never again run out of  "juice" as she can now charge up anytime from anywhere. 

Honor your mother with your love and with a green gift that truly makes her happy.

Happy Mother's Day!

Britt

A Unique Mothers Day Gift?

What makes your mother smile?

Let’s face it: your mother will have a smile on her face whatever you choose to honor her with for Mothers' Day. You may follow tradition by sending her flowers (nice), chocolate (also nice), or take her out to a really nice restaurant (if your budget allows). She’ll be happy.

Actually, what mothers – or grandmothers -- really want (I should know: I am one) is her family’s attention and recognition of what she does.


We found something that really makes a Statement with a unique Mothers Day gift, This mother’s day message finds its way deep inside her heart. She’ll never forget this! It’s called “Timeless Message in a Bottle” and it’s something she can enjoy forever and show off to her friends.


Flowers last about a week, Chocolate self-destructs, a Timeless Message in a Bottle lasts as long as she does. Just take a look and see if it fits for your mother. Then, watch the expression on your mother’s face when she reads your message inside the bottle and realizes how you have put your efforts into telling her how much you love and appreciate her.



Create happy family memories with this unique Mothers Day Gift.

Happy Mother's Day!

Britt

Go Green with Earth Day Specials

Earth Day is just around the corner. In fact, tomorrow our town is putting on a huge Earth Day Event and I am taking my 4 grandchildren with me to experience the full measure of it. Now, all we need is a nice day for it. Rain can wait.

In honor of Earth Day several of the companies we work with are offering coupons for discounts and freebies that we want you to know about. This is a good time to become serious about that green lifestyle and low or no carbon footprint and stock up on things that you need. Tell your family and friends how easy it is to be green.

I myself just ordered a laundry dryer ball, actually two, because they are packaged two to a box. They are a great idea because they dry and soften your laundry in a toxin-free and environmentally safe way, save on energy and on chemical dryer sheets.

The coupons work like this: At the checkout counter you work your way through the normal routine process and at the end, where you put in your payment information, you put in the appropriate coupon code and click on the “apply” button (usually there is one) and that removes the cost of the item. The balance then should just show your shipping charge, but not the price of the item.



Switch over to our website right now; that's where you find the bargains.  Enjoy your shopping while you help save the Earth.

Britt

Bottled Water Costs Too Much

It costs too much in many ways. Ask yourself: Why am I buying bottled water? Is it because it’s “the cool” thing to do? Or, because you think it’s cleaner, as in less polluted, than your tap water? In many ways, bottled water is less regulated than tap water and thus the quality is at best unreliable. Obviously, safe drinking water is important to you.

The water piped into your house costs you almost nothing, whereas bottled water costs you anywhere from 30 cents to several dollars for a “to-go” 8-12 oz bottle. The environmental cost to manufacture the plastic bottles and later to dispose of them is almost astronomical. More and more as a society we become aware of how wasteful this process is and how heavily this adds to the carbon footprint we are supposed to lower.

There is a much simpler way to have safe drinking water. If you believe as we do, that tap water is utility, NOT drinking water, and you want to get the pollutants including the chlorine out before you drink or cook with tap water, the solution is very simple and costs considerably less than the questionable quality of bottled waters.

Our drinking water system purifies tap water right there on your sink deck! We fill up our stainless steel permanent bottles (17 oz capacity) before we leave the house for about 2cents a fill with sparkling clean, healthy water. Plastic is not an option anymore and neither is disposal, because our bottle becomes our constant companion.

The company we deal with offers a stainless steel drinking water system warranted for life, that guarantees safe, sparkling-clean drinking water with annual cartridge replacements. For a limited time the sale of a drinking water system comes with two H2O on the Go Stainless Steel Bottles or 1 Shower Filter

Cheers!


Britt

Building a "Greener" Mousetrap

They have a better idea!

ReBinder (re-Binder, get it?) saw a need and they did something about it.  Not only that, they let "green" be their guide.  "Green," as in reusing material, sustainability, environmental friendliness, all the way to
healthy employment practices and keeping junk out of landfills while manufacturing three-ring binders for schools and offices as.   We think this truly deserves the "green" label.

If you are a green business, check them out!  You'll feel good about it.

This is what they say, in their own words:

"Six years ago, we started ReBinder because we saw a need and wanted to be part of the solution. Having owned a hardware and software business for 12 years, we managed to collect a room full of plastic, three ring binders. The guilt set in when we realized that one day all these would make their way to a landfill. Consider the bigger picture. We were one business of thousands contributing to the problem. We started dissecting how these toxic binders were made and decided to create a better mouse trap. In order to effectively recycle a traditional vinyl three ring binder required a load of tools and strength just to get down to removing a couple of the pieces that could be recycled but the plastic part would be around for thousands of years. The evolution turned into a binder with a recyclable cover made of recycled cardboard and ring metals that could easily be removed. Better yet, should your ReBinder cover ever need to be replaced, the ring metals and assembly can be easily installed into a replacement cover (at a fraction of the price of buying a new binder). That little idea turned into a profitable business that makes small changes every day. Not just from an environmental standpoint but we also work with a local disabled workforce that does the assembly of our ReBinders. Our product has given people with disabilities a job and confidence that they are making a difference."



If you shop for a big company, a small one, a school or home office -- or even home school, consider going "green" with ReBinder.  You'll be so satisfied!

Finding the greenest for you,

Britt

Compostable Eating Utensils and Dinnerware?

Disposable dinnerware such as paper plates, plastic utensils, dishes and containers must have been invented in this practical USA and this practicality has circled the globe.

Having grown up in post-war Germany without such energy efficiency (mine: no washing dishes, no re-stacking into kitchen cabinets, etc) utensils, I thought this was truly progressive and I fully embraced it.

It’s time to think again what’s truly energy efficient here.

Now after years of piling spent eating utensils into the trash we realize that they multiply by the Billions and thus are choking our landfills by their sheer quantity and refusal to biodegrade. I shudder at every picnic and in every store where samples are served in little plastic containers. All this, multiplied thousands of times all over the world results in a huge amount of trash that countries have trouble finding a place for. And then, they sit there.

Hurray for the Green Revolution to come up with alternatives. Now we can have the convenience of disposable dinnerware and the eco-friendliness of true disposability and reusability with compostable and biodegradable plates, forks, knives, spoons, cups, bowls, etc. When you use these eco friendly products you accomplish 2 strokes in one:

• You move away from plastic (bad, bad stuff!) because the biodegradable eating utensils are made from renewable sources, such as bamboo, rice, sugarcane, potatoes, corn and willow fibers and are manufactured using zero-emission technology where all waste is recycled back into the system, leaving no waste;

• Your used eating utensils go into your compost pile (along with the food you didn’t like) or into your recycle bin for city pickup (without the food scraps!)

It all ends up to lots of energy efficiency on the front and the back-end.

Let’s Go Green has a wide selection of disposable table and eating utensils that also have the added benefit of being

• Grease and cut resistant,

• Microwave safe

• Freezer safe

• Sturdy – no need to double up!

…. And they have much, much more green products you would use all over your home. You’ll see when you visit their site. Let’s Go Green is a one-stop shopping area for eco-friendly products for your home and office.

But the best part, as you are satisfying your needs for eco friendly products, is the 20% discount you get by using this button. The code EHW20 at the check-out counter makes that happen. Don’t forget that code!

Happy Shopping and don't forget EHW20 at the checkout counter!


Britt

Animal Communication: Valentine's Day for the Dogs?

Valentine’s Day has come and gone.
Doggone!
But, you know what?

Dogs and pets don’t know about Valentine, nor do they care. What they do care about is being loved; and they want to be loved all the time – every day! Love is what they give and what they want to get in return. You might say every day is Valentine from their point of view!

Val Heart knows how to communicate with your animals and she teaches you to learn to talk with them and find out what they are trying to tell you. Even though you may already have a close connection to your pet, as an “animal whisperer” Val has secrets to teach you to help you be in closer communication with your pet.

For the past 16 years she has worked with 1000s of horses, dogs and other animals throughout the world to improve the quality of their lives using advanced animal communication skills and alternative healing methods. Now she created a step-by-step animal communication home study course to teach you what she knows about animal communication so you can improve the quality of your life and the lives of your animal friends with this critically important skill all animal lovers need to know.
Read more about her animal communication home study course ….

Britt

Great Gifts are Forever

Well, folks, if you haven’t yet selected that great gift for your Valentine from our green gifts selections, you have missed the boat!

The good news is, you can brighten any day with a Valentine flavor! Any day can be a gift day that says hey, I think you are terrific or just be honest and say : I love you! Imagine what that will do for your overall relationship!

For now, we are going to leave up our Celebrate Valentine’s Day site for those with after-thoughts. If you are hit with a “I wish I had paid more attention to _________(fill in the blank)” – well, you have some recourse. There are some great gifts to choose from.

Go for the smile,

Britt

Romantic Gift Ideas for Valentine

You will love this: I am so excited and happy to share these romantic gift ideas with you, today, as we approach the season of love. Really, at Timeless Message I discovered one of the most endearing romantic gift ideas I can imagine.



Chocolate and flowers are traditional gifts that are welcome, but you know what? Chocolates have a way of disappearing and flowers die after a while. A Timeless Message in a Bottle lasts throughout thick and thin, ups and downs of life as a memento of your love, devotion and appreciation for a special person. Valentine’s Day, is, of course, a time to exchange love messages and a Timeless Message in a Bottle is about as romantic as you can get and has the staying power of the gift that keeps on giving.

You are no doubt familiar with the countless stories of messages in bottles that have been dropped into lakes, rivers and oceans that eventually washed ashore to be found, sometimes with happy consequences. Such is the story of Paolina and Ake Viking who were married in Sicily in the autumn of 1958, thanks to a far-traveling bottle. Two years earlier Ake, a bored young Swedish sailor on a ship far out at sea, had dropped a bottle overboard with a message asking any pretty girl who found it to write. Paolina’s father, a Sicilian fisherman, picked it up and passed it to his daughter for a joke. Continuing the joke, Paolina sent off a note to the young sailor, and the correspondence quickly grew warmer. Ake visited Sicily, and the marriage followed their first meeting.

Fun story, but every message is different and you have choices as to the love message you want to send. Timeless Message has over 40 pre-written messages to choose from, or you can allow your own muse to take flight. Either will make for a romantic gift idea sure to be treasured far into the future.

Just imagine the smile on your “Valentine’s” face upon receiving such a thoughtful romantic gift. You can always add some chocolate as well for the traditional touch. That would make it something for within and something to hold on to. Nice unique gift idea, don’t you agree?

I hope this and other valentine goodies will make this season fun for you.

Britt

Compost Your EATware.

When I see, at parties large and small, the multitude of  disposable paper plates and plastic plates and utensils that get thrown into the garbage, I cringe.  Multiply this by paper and plastic ware in fast food eateries all over the country, every day, and you begin to understand the plight of landfills!  Change has to happen.

Let's Go Green is a "green" delight.  You'll find a lot of green items that you use daily, but what I am most impressed with, is their "green" EATware, such as plates, cups, bowls, spoons & forks & knives, etc.  "EAT", incidentally, stands for Environment Appropriate Tableware -- a neat play on words, don't you think?

All EATware is bio-degradable and compostable, suitable for hot and cold food, microwavable and steamer-safe, and, of course, totally non-toxic. It's a green idea made entirely from renewable sources, such as bamboo, rice, sugarcane & willow fibers; it's manufacturing process is such that no toxic emissions are left behind.  Any minimal waste from the manufacturing process is recycled back into the system.

Let's Go Green wants you to become familiar with all their green products, from their LED night lights to BPA-free water bottles to eco-friendly cleaning products and toilet paper.  Everyday stuff for cool people who care about the environment and want to leave a smaller footprint.

Just make sure you enter the coupon code of EHW20 at the checkout counter in order to save 20% on your order.  That means, anything you accumulate in the store, not only the EATware, is eligible for the 20% discount!

Because we strive to bring you the greenest user items, lets go green,

Britt

Remember:  EHW20 at the checkout counter

Weight Control - The Ultimate Solution

This year I swore off New Year's resolutions -- especially about weight loss. Sure, I am desperate and have tried and failed before. Let's just say, losing weight is an emotional roller-coaster, because my body likes food.

Just now this weight control method comes to my attention, and it compels me to take a new look and I thought this would appeal to you as well.

This may or may not be a "green thing," as "green" is the category we want to address with this blog, but then again, you'll be the judge! Maybe you'll judge it even greener than green ….

My friend, Dr. Robert Anthony, a very successful hypnotist and psychotherapist with a world-wide reputaiton, is looking for 500 people to test his revolutionary Zero Resistance Weight Release Program -- at no risk!

He assured me that his beak-through weight control program will let me and you lose weight with no dieting, no pills or willpower and you can combine it with your current workout regimen if you are already involved in one.


What's the catch? Dr.Anthony puts a ridiculously low price on this -- for the month of January only, -- a price hugely discounted from its regular price. He needs success stories to give him testimonials he can use in his advertising campaign. It excites me to think about giving him my testimonial of having achieved my ideal weight!

You can check it out to see if Dr. Anthony's Zero Resistence Weight Release Program could help you conquer this weight loss "thing" once and for all! Wouldn't that be worth it? I know I will.

Let me know how it works out for you.

Britt

Saying "Thank You" in Style with Notes from EcoPaper

Today is the 15th day of the New Year; we all know that time is marching on .

Have you written all your thank-you notes from the gifts you received at Christmas?

If you really want to make a statement with your thank-yous that goes beyond mere acknowledgement, begin by taking a fun stroll through the EcoPaper.com "store" and look at all the delightful notes and journals (they make a nice present, too!). They practically smile at you. When you order their paper items you save the Earth while saving money.

Making your selection now is very timely because when you order between January 18-24, 2010, during their 'I HAVE A DREAM' PROMOTION" in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., you save 20% off on all regular priced items. The code MLK20 qualifies you for the promotion, so don't forget to use that at the checkout counter.

Costa Rica's Natural Ecopaper is made from post consumer paper waste (old paper) and agricultural waste from coffee, tobacco and bananas. It is smooth, acid-free, durable, chemical-free and produced in an eco-friendly manner that saves the environment, such as leaving trees intact.

By etiquette you have all of January (well, I am stretching that a bit) to acknowledge Holiday Gifts. Your gratitude will be memorable on Ecopaper notes.

Don't forget the MLK20 code for 20% discount on your order.

Note on,

Britt

Learn to Talk to Your Animals

I found someone who makes a huge difference in the lives of animals and their human friends since 1993. Val Heart is an Expert Animal Communicator who has worked with over 6,200 animals to date!

Your animals, be they dogs, cats, horses or others, are your friends and family members and knowing how to communicate with them, really understand what their joys and pains are, makes for a harmonious and enjoyable relationship.

Val has created a revolutionary new home study course that will jump start you on the journey to learning to communicate with your animals – The Val Heart Method™ of Learning Animal Communication – the Introducing Animal Communication Home Study Course.

Seriously, imagine what it would be like to be able to know what your animal friends are really thinking and feeling! You may be able to:

· Get to the root cause of a pain issue.

· Find out what is causing bad behavior – you may be surprised by what you learn from your animal friends!

· Let your animals know about big changes coming up in your home or life.

· If you are trying to make the decision to euthanize you can make this decision together with your animal, and be able to get the closure you both may need.

· Save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on vet bills by talking with your animal first to determine what the real issue is, they may be mirroring an issue that you have!

· We all have the ability to communicate without words, but instead to communicate with imagery, focus, energetic flow, intention and feelings. We were born knowing how to do this, but many of us have simply forgotten how.

Val designed this course as a tool to help animal lovers remember how it is to communicate without words. You may or may not realize that any conversation you have with another person is actually 90% non-verbal. You are more skilled at silent communication than you realize. Val can help you develop your silent communication skills, it’s easier than you think!

Say, you can tell that your animal friend is not feeling well and you lament that he can't tell you what's hurting him. Wouldn't it be great to be able to get to the root of his pain? How can you find out what is really going on with your animals unless you communicate directly with them?

Animals are exceptional creatures, they are always trying to communicate with you. They are happy to share how they feel, what works for them or does not work, whether they are in pain or are confused. They often have messages for you to help you improve your life, sharing insightful wisdom from their unique perspective and viewpoint. When things go wrong for them, they try to tell you that too!

There is a way for you to easily start on the path to learning the language that will allow you to understand your animals in a much more meaningful way.

I highly recommend you get your copy of Val Heart’s new Home Study Course today! You have immediate access to her program when you purchase it. Click here for details.

Be well, you and your pet,

Britt

Tattooing a Child for Safety?

Really, I never suspected I'd be in favor of tattooing a child.

Now that I have seen the clever idea to temporarily tat a child to bring it back from being lost, I think it's a wonderfully clever idea. I wish I had had that when my children were little.

You may never have experienced it personally, but you probably did vicariously:  a child getting separated for its parents at a shopping mall or airport, wandering away from the hand that lets go just for a second. Kids are curious and get easily distracted, leaving a parent terrified with fear and anxiety. 

As a parent, would it give you a sense of security to know that your child is wearing a temporary tattoo with a telephone number? Not that this would spell ABSOLUTE safety, but most finders of children are anxious to return a lost child to its parents or care givers. Identification makes that possible.

Does your child have a food allergy? … need some special attention? ….Just personalize a tattoo and relax!

If you have small children or grandchildren, or you know someone who does, this will make a thoughtful and potentially anxiety-saving gift. Take a look at the various designs and uses of these temporary tattoo child identification devices. Kids love it and are proud of being thus tagged; parents breathe a little easier, because the safety of a child means everything!

Another great idea in action,
Britt

Skip High Into The New Year

New Year Resolutions usually call for losing weight, working smarter, using time more wisely or getting your finances in order. Seldom does someone say "I want to clear my emotional channels" so that all the aspirations you have will flow more easily and help you realize your goals.

Yet, clearing up the past frees you to move ahead and make your mark in the new year, now 2010. Isn't that what you want? You have dreams and aspirations and bringing them into reality is the stuff of your dream castle in the sky. Forget the mistakes you made, forget the fear of failure, the worry and instead purge the baggage you may be carrying. Leave that behind. Clearing up the past can give you the energy to delve into the future as a free spirit.

That's good, and that's exactly what the folks at Charming Health are good at. They work with Bach Flower Therapy and they know how to balance emotions and eliminate those emotions that no longer serve you well, so that they won't drag you down any longer.

Wishing you a great 2010 and the realization of your dreams,



Britt

Happy New Year!

The "green" trend will continue into 2010 and will get bigger and permeate everything we use and do. Our desire is to bring you a variety of every day user items that empower you to be healthy within and in your environment.

Together we can make a difference in greening the Earth and honoring our Mother Nature.

We wish all of you a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. We invite you to stop in with us often, because we strive to bring you new things, bargains and hopefully some good cheer on top of that.


We invite you to leave us comments, let us know what you want to see and we will comply with anything that is legal, family-friendly and within our "green" mission.

Britt