Solar Empower, Shit Salad, and Sustainable Death

Do-gooder or just a good actor? Damages and Bored to Death’s Ted Danson’s Interview on GQ left us confused! It appears the handsome, sometimes-vegan is concerned with “industrial overfishing and the toxic acidification of the seas” but then proceeds to order Nantucket bay scallops during his chit-chat. From GQ:

I’d read somewhere that he was a vegan. “Oh yeah, no, I’m an actor. Which means one week I’m vegan, the next I don’t know.”

He scans the menu. “I’ll have the California condor,” he says, nutcracker jaw lowering slightly to reveal a grin. “Or maybe the gorilla. How is the gorilla here?”

One thing’s for sure. Ted likes to flirt with controversial subjects. And since scallops don’t have brains or nervous systems, Ted, like Peter Singer, might not find too much objectionable about that. More recently, Singer changed his tune:

“… if they do feel pain, a meal of oysters or mussels would inflict pain on a considerable number of creatures.  Since it is so easy to avoid eating them, I now think it better to do so.” – Peter Singer, Author “Animal Liberation”

Matt & Nat is taking 40% off some of our favorite vegan, recycled men’s accessories. Blockhead, $141 at mattandnat.com

Gestation Crates.jpghttp://www.monroehumane.org/filefolder/Image/med_19672_battery-cages4.jpg

Will Ohio ban their cruelest forms of farming? According to Farm Sanctuary, battery cages, gestation crates, veal crates, downer cows, and effective euthanasia are the subject of a petition submitted to Ohio’s Attorney General in support of placing an anti-cruelty measure on the statewide November ballot. These measures seem to be sweeping the nation, and more than 600,000 registered Ohio voters signed the petition. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

ClamPere Lachaise

Think: Christopher Raeburn’s Affordable cousin, Worn Again jackets and accessories are made from the upcycled fabric of the Virgin Hot Air Balloon and decommissioned Eurostar train uniforms that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Solar PV ModulesThere’s nothing more satisfying than being a self-reliant nerd. If you’ve thought about going solar, but you’re more of a DIY kind of guy, consider taking an online training course in photovoltaic design and installation from the Solar Living Institute. Start up your own solar business, or simply empower your family or community with a less-devastating energy source.

If nothing else, you can become even more of a nerd and know-it-all.

Online Solar Training

http://www.sharedwaters.net/images/Ecoli.jpgWhat a Shitty Salad. Consumer Reports‘ latest tests of packaged leafy greens found fecal coliform bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and …poop. In some cases, these were at rather high levels. Why? Because most conventional farms and even most organic farms use slaughterhouse by-products like blood-meal, fish-meal, bone-meal, and feces to fertilize the soil. Even more reason to check out veganic farming, your local farmers market, and organic produce. And, duh, purchase as far away from the expiration ate as possible and rinse it off before you eat it – never trust those “triple washed” labels. Also, don’t blame the veggies! Blame the poop.

ECO FASHION FORWARD

Prepare for Vancuver Eco Fashion Week in March! If you’re up in that area, go to the Eco Fashion Forward Gala on Feb 19th. Buy Tickets.

Chocolate just got better. I know, who thought it was possible? Pioneering organic chocolate maker Green & Black’s (who has several vegan varieties) announced its commitment to move its entire chocolate range, worldwide, to Fair Trade – including the United States. Fifteen years ago Green & Black’s led the Fair Trade movement by launching Maya Gold – the first ever Fair Trade Certified product in the United Kingdom. Still, I think it’s bizarre that we have to label the good stuff, as opposed to putting a “warning: this product was made by underpaid, overworked slaves” label on all “conventional” products.

green coffin.

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Are we the only one’s creeped out by the greening of the funeral industry? Creating a convenient one-stop shop for eco-friendly home & garden, office and building products, Ellie’s Eco Home Store opened its doors for sustainable business in November 2008. Today, Ellie’s announces a partnership with Natural Transitions, a local non-profit resource, and Nature’s Casket, a manufacturer of eco-friendly caskets made from Colorado beetle-kill pine.  “In a typical 10-acre section of cemetery, the grounds contain enough coffin wood to construct 40 houses, nearly 1,000 tons of casket steel, 20,000 tons of vault concrete, and enough toxic embalming fluid to fill a backyard swimming pool, which eventually leaches into ground water, according to the book Grave Matters, written in 2007 by Mark Harris” says Steve Savage, Ellie’s President and Founder.

I mean, it’s a totally valid concern considering that since everyone dies, there is only so much land to go around and eventually the Earth could be one giant graveyard. Is a low-impact death in your future?

Stolen Transmission! Girlie Girl Army

Chloe Jo Berman

Chloé Jo of the Girly Girl Army is the queen of green. This hot Jewess has taken on New York City with style, sass, and sexy dissent. Who says you can’t save the world while looking hot? Chloé Jo sends out the most amazing weekly newsletters covering everything from fashion, food, travel, health, recipes and tips, to alerts, gossip , and sample sale low-downs – and it’s not just for the ladies!

I am obsessed with this newsletter – and If you haven’t signed up for it yet (dummy!) here is a taste of what you’re missing. This week’s newsletter:

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Newsletter

GIRLIE GIRL NEWS. For the fashionably conscious.
Welcome to the GirlieGirl Army Newsletter. A weekly shout out of what you need to know.
Site. Myspace. Facebook. Join the list or update your info.

**** Pretty please scroll to the wee bottom of this email to view our ADOPTABLE PETS OF THE WEEK. These animals are all in emergency states of needing rescue. Many are purebreds and all are friendly loving angels. We have a list of pups and cats in most of our cities and others so please see below and please forward this email to anyone you think may be able to open their hearts to adoption or fostering. You fashion nuts will enjoy our sample sale listings below.

ON OUR GLAMAZON RADAR THIS WEEK:

  • Interview with raw foods goddess Gabrielle Brick, and tips on her perfect 10 bod!
  • Say it aint so! PUMPKIN PIE BROWNIES. Meet the recipe to your downfall here.
  • In preparation for the Republican National Convention, the FBI is soliciting informants to keep tabs on local protest groups (like veggie potluck dinners!): Moles Wanted; read more
  • This great blog: http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/ gives you an entire literary story in simply six sentences. Perfect for the wannabe intellectual with limited time! Six Sentences
  • You absolutely MUST check out this article with incredible pictures of one of Earth’s last uncontacted tribes firing bows and arrows. They have never had outside human contact and have been in the rainforest nearly 10,000 years! Enlarge
  • Somewhere between the summer staple of a bathing suit and a pair of shorts lies the most adorable piece of sportswear ever invented: the playsuit. Check out this collection of flirty suits that will beat the heat and keep you stylishly cool.Playsuit from Hatfeathers Vintage.
  • Summertime, and the boozings heavy! RightRides offers women free, safe, late-night rides home to reduce assault in 35 NYC neighborhoods.
  • See the world through the eyes of Gilbert & George with these life size retro glasses made into a fun necklace. The Gilbert & George signature is etched on a gin bottle tag at the clasp for authenticity.
  • How to Make Ethanol in Your Own Backyard; Its like Making Wine in the Garage.
  • Coco Irene is a darling new clothing line inspired by vintage cinema and effortless chic.
  • Sea glass begins its journey as refuse glass that was broken then discarded into the sea. The piece is swept and carried as powerful elements of sand, tide, water and weather perform their renewing work over time and terrain. The colorful jewel washes up on the shore and this fab n crafty etsy seller makes gorgeous, simple silver jewels out of it. Like this gorgeous ring named The Mermaid Tear which makes me want it asap.
  • BEACH COMBED SEA GLASS RING - Rare Yellow Drop - Mermaid Tear - Size 7.25

  • Why Gwyneth Paltrow’s favorite bakery may just be the hippest and cutest little bake shop in from Bethlehem (no worries, they deliver everywhere!!)
  • A new kind of activism; http://www.guerrillagardening.org/.
  • On Guerrilla Gardening
  • Summer reading alert: The Boss of You: everything a woman needs to know to start, run and maintain her own business (Seal Press) is now available at Amazon.com, or better yet your local independent bookseller.
  • For the hot mamas and dapper daddies; When Dr. Lucy Gibney learned that her child suffered from severe food allergies, she developed a line of tasty, allergen-free cookies that every kid can enjoy.
  • delicious chocolate chip cookie

  • Killer summer tour peddling its fun across the nation: The TRUE COLORS tour benefits wonderful HRC and PFLAG. Not only is it benefit tour for a great cause – it’s a dreamy line up for us children of the 80’s with Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, Rosie O’Donnell, Joan Armatrading, Regina Spektor, Joan Jett, The Indigo Girls, Tegan & Sara, and SO many others killing us softly with their songs! Who wouldn’t want to spend a summer night dancing and rejoicing with the likes of them? Buy tix now, slowpoke.
  • For healthy folks and vegans looking to grill out (sans flesh); buy a pile of Field Roast meats. They are the most authentic grain based meats we’ve ever encountered and are delish times a million. See a list of where to buy ‘em here: http://www.fieldroast.com. Whole foods does carry the line. You will fall in love!
  • The best natural cures for a tummy ache!
  • The Indigestion Cure

  • Free this sweet dog who has lived in a cage for 16 years. Take action now
  • The journal Nature, and the NYT today displayed a cold-hard celebration of vivisection at University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. What they do to monkeys (our closest relatives) for the sake of fake science is sickening, and should rile up even an animal neutral person. See these sick experiments.
  • Chris Burden choreographed a performance art piece in which he had an assistant fire a single shot to his left arm. Is this art?
  • Portland gals n’ guys will want to hit this dinner event where Post Punk Kitchen diva Isa Chandra Moskowitz will be at the stove!
  • Organic Whole Foods veggies… come from China?!?! Watch the story.
  • Nearly everyone’s life has been touched by cancer in some way. Now you have an opportunity to have a positive impact on the fight against cancer with an organization that fights cancer with compassion. Everyone should check out this site; www.cancerproject.org.
  • Ted Danson reps for the fishies.
  • Hybrid Jaguars are on the way! You can sleep easy now
  • Gorgeous in green and gold, this vintage begonia leaf necklace, cast from pure brass, takes center stage on copper chain. A beautiful gift for $36!
  • Great tips for antiquing (East Coasters interested in visiting Farm Sanctuary should know there is fabulous flea markets five minutes from the farm!)
  • Harry Shearer breaks down 935 tales we were told according to The Center for Public Integrity. Creeps us out.
  • Joe Lieberman Vows To Blow Up The Internet.
  • New York‘s annual celebration of great theater from New York, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain called TeatroStageFest in June looks like a great event with Jon Leguizamo rocking the stage as only he can do.
  • Take action against the inhumane dog cull in India. The state of Kerala in southern India is a popular tourist destination known for its sandy beaches, tropical lagoons and diverse wildlife. Unfortunately, Kerala is also known for their ongoing dog culls. Culling, or reducing population numbers using methods such as poisoning and clubbing, is not only inhumane, but also ineffective at combating rabies and other diseases. We need your help to send a message to the government of Kerala that culling is unacceptable and must stop. Read more and take action.
  • Los Angelenos: Sarah and Laban opened up this delicious veg junk food spot that must be checked out! Go check it out and support… it’s yummy vegan junk food. You’ll love it, and can peep your future ex boyf/girl while you wait for your milkshake.
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  • Give your bff a subscription to the cookie of the month club!

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