posted by Tao

“Be such a man and live such a life that if everyone lived like you, this would be God’s paradise on Earth.”

–Ed Trinka, Doorman since 1963 at the Ritz Hotel in NYC

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

I’ve given away my weakness for Winter holidays, but when it comes to birthdays, I can be a real Scrooge. If anyone should get special treatment on my birthday, it’s my mom – she did all the work. Well, o.k., my twin sister deserves a shout out. But beyond that, birthday presents and celebrations are for kids and family and even then, I’m hoping we can learn to tone it down a bit and not let the buy-stuff-virus take over.

I think we can all admit that mainstream toys are greatly overrated and kids have far too many of them. But, when you can’t resist, toys for little ones are finding a good for the world niche – supporting Fair Trade practices and made from sustainable or recycled materials which are non-toxic for earth and tots. It’s all out there. Check out your local stores first and then try Ecomall.com or Surprise.com to scan a huge selection from all over the globe.

As for the grown-ups, I have to tell my friends that I probably won’t remember their birthdays, the good news being that I don’t expect them to acknowledge or remember mine. I even try to keep the date secret so all pressure is off. Even cards and flowers are old news. I enjoy celebrating and spreading good cheer as much as anyone – I’d just like to see it done with a creative force rather than a consumer one.

There are many worthy gift-giving occasions, so go for edibles or consumables like chocolate, soap, candles or some homemade pickles. Shop at your farmer’s markets or co-op and you’ll find tasty treats (in minimal or zero packaging) that may otherwise not make it to your friend’s table. Whatever it is, make it Local/Fair Trade and/or Organic and you’ve given an even bigger gift that creates awareness and reaches far and wide. Check out our friends at Trade As One for unique, handcrafted Fair Trade gifts.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

I’ve been eating, drinking, sleeping, sharing, reading, thinking and celebrating sustainability (throw in a little fretting, too) for so long that sometimes I take things for granted – like the information that I’ve collected over a decade that keeps me in the green groove. Each time I’ve learned something new that I can do or change to make a difference in my health and my world, it’s a bigger and better rush than a king-sized espresso – and I can’t wait to tell others. If some of these ideas are old news to you, indulge me by simply passing it on to someone who may not have yet heard.

Did you know? Paraffin candles are a non-renewable waste-product of the petroleum industry. That’s why they are toxic and that’s why they are cheap. The petroleum in the wax releases toxins and most of the wicks are made with lead, which also leaches into the air when burned. This petrol-toxic soot stains walls and contaminates our lungs and tissues. Don’t buy them, don’t burn them. Nature provides a beautiful and better alternative in Beeswax. (How do the bees do it? Find out here.)

It’s not hard to understand that beeswax candles are “natural” but the good news only starts there. Beeswax candles and their lead-free cotton wicks give off the same bright light spectrum as the sun, rather than the “disorganized” light from paraffin that can cause eye strain. Beeswax is naturally and subtly scented by the honey and flower nectar that the bees eat. Beeswax not only burns longer but emits healthy negative ions which actually clean the air and potentially energize the body.

You’ll find a wealth of sources for natural beeswax candles both online and in health stores. Remember to buy local when available and support your small farmers. Bee Well!

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

I have a confession – I left out one item that I wanted to order from Real Goods on yesterday’s list. I’ve been struggling with the indulgence of it, since it serves no purpose besides being merry and bright. In the end, I happily bought one of my first “new” items of the year – one long, colorful string of LED holiday lights.

I escaped the nonsense of consumer “Holidayism” awhile ago, forgoing the traditional living tree, shopping for anything non-consumable, overeating, mailing cards and using gift wrap (not necessarily in that order). The result? I’ve since experienced many calm, meaningful and creative holiday seasons – filled with the actual “peace and goodwill” that disappeared with the invention of the mega mall.

It’s been especially fun giving different green gifts each year. Thrift stores are always an option – they are full of surprises and treasures this time of year. I’ve made dream pillows and boxes of original poems. I’ve given edibles like Fair Trade and Organic coffee, chocolate and tea. I’ve donated to Heifer International. I given pet sitting services and lunch dates. In fact, I’m no longer stumped about what to give – when I keep “Peace on Earth” in mind, the ideas just keep coming.

It’s also been fun ‘sprucing’ up the house with sustainability in mind. One year, I collected a trunk load of pine boughs that had fallen to the ground in a December ice storm, enough to fill every corner of the house and decorate my yoga studio. It smelled great for a long while and I did my part in cleaning up on my block. Another year, I hung pine cones covered with peanut butter and bird seeds outside my windows. Another time, I made a huge wreath out of coat hangers and dried branches, decorated it with vintage silver and gold ball ornaments and hung it on a rope from my ceiling, where it moved and glittered in the sunlight. At night, it’s beeswax candles – besides being sustainable and lead-free, they clean the air and smell great.

I admit that I’ve missed a few good, old-fashioned colored lights – the problem being that they suck up energy and you end up throwing them out and buying more. Bah, Humbug. But, I’ve found my LEDs and I’m pretty jolly now. I will still be certain to light them only when I’m there to enjoy it so they will last for years to come.

Oops. Even a Pagan like me got suckered into thinking about the holidays REAL early after looking through the REAL GOODS catalog. Oh well – It’s a Wonderful Life!

REAL GOODS has been a resource and provider of all things sustainable and green – from garden supplies to household cleaners and from bamboo socks to educational toys to light bulbs and all the way to water filter systems, solar gadgets, composting toilets – and more since 1978. They’ve been saying it for a long time and it looks like we’re finally catching on. This from President and Founder, John Schaeffer:

“I’m struck by the acceleration of change in the last 12 months. All of a sudden the environmental message has caught on and everyone and everything seeks to be “green.” What a refreshing change! Our species is finally peeking beyond the veil of denial to see that we can’t put off reducing our carbon foot-print any longer – not for a year or a decade. [It is contended that] we must reduce our CO2 emmissions 90 percent by 2030 if we are to stabilize our climate at a tolerable 2 degree C temperature rise. The good news is this is not only possible, it’s easy to tackle your own direct footprint” [with the information, resources and products now widely available.]

I don’t know about you, but I’m inspired and challenged. Most of what I write about on this blog describes ways to CHANGE – our thinking, our habits, our attitudes, our perspective, what and how much we buy. The REAL GOODS catalog was like watching a good movie with a happy ending. Sure, we don’t need all of the latest and greatest green items out there – buying less stuff in general is part of the environmental equation. But, we most of them are eye-opening alternatives to things we do need and use regularly and will keep overall consumption more mindful and minimal.

I”m looking forward to the day when I can utilize the solar system and water pumps they offer, but for now, this is my order:

Bee Condo, made from reclaimed fir posts – I’ve welcomed the orchard mason bees each year, and now they have a safe residence besides the wood on my house.

Wildflower Seedballz - a simple way to spread beautiful wildflowers and promote local bee pollination. In fact, I’m ordering several of these for gifts.

Bamboo Socks – as you know, I love and depend on Maggies Organics cotton socks, but these moisture wicking bamboo socks will be great for hiking.

CFL Dimmer Bulbs – I haven’t used my overhead lights much because I couldn’t find a CFL that works in a dimmer. Well, here they are!

Plastic Bag Dryer – actually, I have this same one and I love it. I don’t collect many plastic bags anymore, but it allows me to conveniently rinse and reuse plastic wrap many times over. (I’ve made one box of wrap last a whole year!) So, I ordered another as a gift for a friend.

Laundry Soap – I’ve been using various biodegradable laundry soaps for a decade, but this Laundry soda is super concentrated – one tablespoon per load – that’s efficient packaging!

I don’t get out much (shopping, that is), but I have to admit, but this makes me giddy!