Unfortunately, the entire world doesn’t have the same opportunities we have here.

In the rural areas of India and Nepal, where our artisans live, women have very limited choices in what they can do. A large majority of women live at or below the poverty line. They can work in factories (for slave wages), on a farm (doing backbreaking labor), or stay at home. The idea of having a good, safe job that pays well is completely foreign.

This is why we’re so grateful to be able to offer these women the opportunity to live a better life. Because we can offer them fair trade wages for the lovely bags, hats and scarves they make for us, these women can afford to live a vastly better life than they had before. They have money to send their children to better schools, or go to school themselves. They, and their families, eat higher quality food. They can afford warmer clothing, and heat for their homes.

I wanted to take just a minute today to highlight some of the amazing women we get to work with on a regular basis.

One of our artisans making a purse...

The Earth Divas’ Artisans…

1. Sabina Tamang

Sabina is an 18 year-old woman living in the Dhading District of Nepal. She is unmarried, and has only been working with Earth Divas for about 4 months.

In her words…

I have just started to get a hang of my job and the tricks of the trade. I feel that by the next year I will be able to do all the work by myself with no guidance.

2. Rukmani K C

Rukmani is 25 and lives in Naikap, in Nepal.

Right now Rukmani works 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. She’s going to school at night.

In her words…

I am very happy and satisfied with my work now. It was difficult working in the beginning but now it’s easy to work. I work as per the details that are provided to me. I work during the day and study at night.

3. Shova Bhandari

Shova is 25 and lives in the Tanahun District of Nepal.

She is married and has two young daughters. Her husband is in the Nepalese army. She’s been working with us here at Earth Divas for one year.

In her words…

I have two daughters studying in fifth and sixth grade. They are now big enough to take care of themselves thus its easer now for me to concentrate solely on my work. I love what I do and it helps me keep my mind and body occupied and busy.

Last Word…

I wish I could highlight every single woman we get to work with. They’re all amazing, and they face challenges every day that is hard for me to even conceptualize. And yet their spirit keeps fighting for a better life, and a better opportunity, for them and their families.

I went into a few ideas a couple of weeks ago, in “How to Green Your Wardrobe“. But, there are some laundry-specific ways we can lesson our impact on the environment, and save some money in the bargain!

Eco-Friendly Laundry…

According to Planet Green, up to 80% of our clothing’s lifecycle impact (how much our clothes will impact the environment over its lifetime) comes from washing and drying. So, our laundry is the best place to reduce our footprint and make our clothes more eco-friendly.

1. Use Natural Detergent

Traditional detergents contain phosphates. These phosphates, once they get out into the watershed, help foster algae blooms which suck oxygen out of lakes and rivers, harming fish and other wildlife.

You can eliminate your contribution to this by using natural detergents that are phosphate-free. I’m currently use the Kirkland Eco-Friendly HE Detergent by Costco. It’s phosphate-free, and a bargain to boot.

2. Use Less Detergent

Have you ever really looked at the measuring cap for your detergent? Most detergents come with measuring caps, at least a 1/2 cup deep. Brands give you a “fill line”, so you can measure out the proper amount of detergent.

But if you use their fill line, you’re using way, WAY more detergent than you really need to. The reason why brands want us to dump 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of detergent into the washer is so that we use more. And then we buy more (which, of course, is good for them!).

It does not take this much detergent to clean our clothes. I use about 3 Tablespoons for a full load. That’s it. And my clothes still get just as clean.

Using less detergent not only saves you money, but it also lessons the amount of detergent that goes into the watershed.

3. Stop Using Dryer Sheets

Many people use dryer sheets to make their clothes smell fresh and clean.

But the truth is that dryer sheets are actually really, really bad for us. Many contain chemicals that the EPA has classified as dangerous. As in, cancer-causing dangerous.

What’s in your dryer sheets? Here’s a list of chemicals, taken directly from NonToxic.com, that are often found in brand-name dryer sheets:

ALPHA-TERPHINEOL- Causes CNS disorders and is highly irritating to mucus membranes Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonia or even fatal edema. Can also cause excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache. Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact.
BENZYL ACETATE—Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer). From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough. In mice: hyperemia of the lungs. Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects. Also, do not flush to sewer (does this mean its ok for you to put all over your skin if it’s too dangerous to flush down the toilet)?
BENZYL ALCOHOL—Causes CNS disorders.  It is irritating to the upper respiratory tract causing “headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure.”
CAMPHOR—Causes CNS disorders. This product is on EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Symptoms: local irritant and CNS stimulant readily absorbed through body tissues causing irritation of eyes, nose and throat, dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions. Avoid inhalation of vapors.
CHLOROFORM- Toxic. It is an anesthetic and carcinogenic.. It is on EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do not breathe vapors. Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Inhalation can be fatal. Chronic effects of overexposure may include kidney and/or liver damage. Medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure: kidney disorders, liver disorders, heart disorders, skin disorders.

ETHYL ACETATE—Narcotic. This product is on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract…may cause headache and narcosis (stupor and may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys. Wash thoroughly after handling.
LIMONENE- Carcinogenic. Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer. Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking, and applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor.
LINALOOL- Narcotic. Causes DNS disorder, respiratory disturbances … Attracts bees. In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression, depressed heart activity development of respiratory disturbances leading to death.
PENTANE—Danger—Harmful if inhaled; extremely flammable. Keep away from heat. Avoid breathing vapor. Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Contact can cause eye irritation. Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis (skin rash).

Yep, many of these incredibly harmful chemicals are lurking in your dryer sheets. When these sheets are heated, these chemicals are applied to your clothes, when are then transferred to your skin.

You can add natural fragrance to your clothes simply by putting herbs like dried lavender and rosemary into a cloth bag, and putting it in the dryer. This is a much safer alternative to dryer sheets!

Last Word…

There  are many ways we can lesson our laundry’s impact on the environment, and make it safer for us. The FDA doesn’t regulate laundry detergents, or dryer sheets, so it’s up to us to make smart choices for ourselves, our families, and our environment.

Do you have any tips for making our laundry more eco friendly? If so, I’d love to hear them!

Image Courtesy LivGrn

Eco-fashion has really taken off lately. From hemp bags to bamboo socks to recycled ball gowns, it’s getting easier and easier to find repurposed, recycled, and sustainable clothing.

The problem, at least for me, is that it’s sometimes hard to find eco-friendly clothing that really and truly looks lived in. You know, the type of clothes you wear on rainy Sunday afternoons. The cozy-but-still-fashionable sweats, the skin-soft tees…these are the clothes I love wearing around the house.

Anyway, I really haven’t found an eco-clothing line that was affordable but still fit the fashionable-but-cozy criteria I wanted. Until today, when I discovered LivGrn.

LivGrn makes fashionable, comfortable eco-friendly clothing. The style is clean, fresh and modern, and perfect for hitting the gym, running errands or lazing around the house.

LivGrn’s line of clothing is green on several different levels.

• First, everything is made using organic cotton.

• Second, 10% of each sale goes to fund Global Green, a non-profit started by Brad Pitt, Cameran Diaz, and Leonardo di Caprio.

• Third, everything is manufactured right here in the U.S, leaving behind a very small carbon footprint.

What stands out about LivGrn is that they focus on fashion and sustainability equally. They know people want to help the environment, but they also want to look good too.

I love this line, and am definitely going to order a few pieces to try out. They look great and hip, and they definitely look as if they’d be uber-comfortable wearing around the house this summer.

What do you guys think? Are you digging this line? I’d love to hear!

We can, however, make Easter baskets for our friends and family that ARE kind to the environment. I’m talking about the trend this year of making earth-friendly, fair-trade Easter baskets.

Making a Fair Trade Easter Basket

Making a fair trade easter basket isn’t hard or expensive to do. Ok, it’s probably going to cost more than those plastic-ladened baskets that Wal-Mart sells for $9.99. But, the quality is going to be about 1,000% better, and your conscience won’t be bother you. So, I think it’s worth it!

1. Buy Fair Trade Candy

You can get fair trade chocolate almost anywhere these days. Major chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s stock them, and most smaller natural health food stores will have some as well.

My favorite fair trade chocolate is Shaman Organic Chocolates. The profits earned by this company help support the Huichol people in South America. Shaman Chocolates has helped build schools and roads for these villages, and have even sent some girls to college through scholarships.

And I have to tell you, the chocolate is amazing. Please just do me a favor and order the Dark Chocolate with Green Tea and Ginger. It’s like a holy experience and you will not be sorry.

2. Add Fair Trade Gifts

Image Courtesy Inca Kids

Many people like to just do candy in their Easter baskets. Others like to go all out with presents. If you’re putting together a basket for kids, then head over to Inca Kids. They have a wonderful selection of fair trade toys.

You might also want to check out O’Bon. O’Bon makes eco-friendly school supplies, but in fun colors and designs that kids love.

I’ve used them, and they’re amazing! Their pencils are made from recycled newspapers, and their notebooks from banana pulp.

3. Choose an Eco-Friendly Basket or Container

Who said an Easter Basket has to be a basket?

You could put your fair trade goodies into one of our fair trade hemp backpacks. These hemp backpacks are super strong and work great for toting books around.

You could also consider putting your fair trade goodies into a picnic basket or something else you’re likely to reuse throughout the year.

4. Go With Natural Grass

Traditional plastic green grass will never decompose. So, why not go natural? You could use shredded paper, moss, or even colored construction paper.

5. Make Your Own Eggs

Why not skip the plastic eggs this year and make your own paper mache Easter Eggs for hunting? Kids love projects like this, and it would be a very fun way to get the more involved in the festivities.

Last Word…

It’s fairly easy to make a fair trade Easter basket. Yes, it does take a little extra work than just hitting Rite-Aid or Wal-Mart on your way home from work. But when you purchase fair trade products you’re doing much more than just giving your friends and family quality goodies. You’re helping support entire communities that really need the money they earn from your sale.

Image Courtesy Ramblers Way

I’ve been using Tom’s of Maine toothpaste and deodorant for years. Their line of eco-friendly personal care products is amazing, and because they don’t use many of the chemicals and additives that big name brands use, their products are also very healthy and safe.

Another thing I like about Tom’s is that the company itself is sustainable and socially conscious.

So, what does all this have to do with eco fashion?

Well, I just found out that Tom’s of Maine has started a sustainable wool clothing company called Ramblers Way.

This new clothing line gets big points in my book for several reasons.

1. It’s Humane

Ramblers Way doesn’t outsource their wool for this new clothing line. These sheep are raised on a farm in Kennebunk, Maine.

Right now, the herd is small enough so that they can bring them in each night for warmth, and to protect against predation. As the herd grows, however, Ramblers Way admits they won’t always be able to do this. But they will continue to herd them into a central corral at night for warmth and protection.

Ramblers Way also says that they use gentle combs and humane handling systems when fleecing and sorting the sheep.

2. It’s Sustainable

Ramblers Way sources everything they need domestically. They use an environmental enzyme to wash their fleeces, and their packaging is minimal and recyclable.

Their farm trucks are fueled with biofuels, and the farm generates its own renewable energy. Yahoo!

The Eco-Fashion Line

Ramblers Way is making superfine, super lush wool garments. The wool they’re using is such high quality that it feels nothing like the wool most of us are used to. It’s wicking, it’s breathable, and it’s incredibly soft.

The superfine American Rambouillet wool is so soft that they’re using it to make underwear and camisoles. Yep, think cashmere-softness here.

Right now, most of their line is very simple (but still stylish) undergarments. Camis, Henely long sleeve shirts, underwear, long johns, etc.  These can be used for hiking, biking, camping, or even to wear at home or under your work clothes.

Last Word…

I’m excited about Tom’s new line of eco clothing.

My only question, which hasn’t been answered on the Ramblers Way site, is their winter shearing practices. Most sheep are sheared year-round for their wool. In cold climates, this means they’re left without a warm coat in the middle of winter. Many sheep suffer and die of exposure because of this practice.

I’m planning on writing Ramblers Way to see if they’re going to engage in this. When I find out, I’ll be sure to let you know!

But what I didn’t touch on was how we can make our current clothes more sustainable.

The amount of clothes we go through here in America is astonishing. According the Planet Green, the average American will throw out 68 lbs. of clothes each year.

Shocking right? All of us can do something to lessen our impact on the environment. And starting with our wardrobe is an easy way to make a big difference.

Here are some ideas:

1. Don’t Dry Clean

Things have gotten better in the dry cleaning industry, and there are even green dry cleaners out there (there’s one not two blocks from where I sit right now, writing this!). But, they still use chemicals. And many of these chemicals, like perc, are a known carcinogen.

You can green your wardrobe by not dry cleaning your clothes. Avoid buying them, and use Woolite at home instead.

2. Extend Your Wear Time

I don’t wash my jeans after one wear. I usually will go about 4-5 days before tossing them into the wash. And you know what? You can’t tell.

The average American family does about 400 loads of laundry per year. That’s a lot of water, and a lot of detergent going out into the environment. You can green your wardrobe simply by washing fewer loads and wearing your clothes just a bit longer.

3. Don’t Dry Your Clothes

Washing and drying your clothes puts the most wear and tear on them compared to anything else you do (unless, of course, you work on an oil rig).

About 5% of your energy bill goes to power your dryer. But you when you add that to the 87.5 million dryers in use here in the US, you can see that we’re using a whole lot of energy to dry our clothes.

You can reduce your carbon footprint, lower your energy bill, and extend the life of your clothes simply by line drying your clothes.

4. Buy Quality

Clothing that’s made using fair trade practices will almost always say so. If you’re buying clothes that are cheap, then they’re probably made in sweatshops or factories where the workers are paid bare minimum wages.

I know that many people are on a budget. But you can often find quality used clothes in consignment shops. Whenever you can, buy clothing that is fair trade or high quality. It will last longer, and you’ll get a bigger bang for your buck.

5. Have a Swap With Friends and Neighbors

If you have a group of friends who are roughly the same size as you, why not have a swap meet? This is a great way to get “new-old” clothes and freshen up your wardrobe.

6. Donate!

Have business clothing that you no longer want? Consider donating it to Dress For Success. This worthy organization provides business clothing to disadvantaged women all over the world. These women, who are often victims of poverty and/or abuse, use your professional clothing to go out and get a job.

Dress for Success is located in over 80 countries worldwide. You can visit their site here.

Last Word…

Many people don’t think about their clothing being “green”. But we can all make a huge difference simply by making different choices in how we shop for, clean, and dispose of our clothes.

The problem with most of our fabric and clothing today is most of us don’t have a real sense where it comes from, or what’s involved in making it. Learning the truth, however, can be a shock.

For instance, take a seemingly benign plant like cotton. Pretty harmless right? Well, cotton farming puts billions of dollars worth of pesticides into the air and groundwater each and ever year. These chemicals have been proven to sicken and even kill farmers, especially in less-developed countries.

What about wool? Up until I became a vegetarian I thought wool was completely fine. After all, the sheep are sheared and the hair grows back.

Well, what we don’t hear about is that most of the sheep are sheared multiple times per year (so the factory farms get more wool). The wool is the sheep’s coat. In colder regions many, many sheep die of exposure because they’re left without a coat to fend off the cold.

These are just two of the issues that stay under most people’s radar.

Here at Earth Divas we have tried to lesson our impact on these issues whenever we can. For instance, the wool we use in our bags comes from New Zealand. The Nepalese government buys wool in bulk from New Zealand, and then our artisans buy the wool from the government.

We’ve tried to track where the wool actually comes from in New Zealand. We wanted to see if the animals were being raised ethically and humanely. But it wasn’t possible to find out where our specific wool was coming from. My comfort is that it doesn’t get that cold in New Zealand, so the sheep are probably ok.

My point here is that it isn’t always possible to buy 100% ethical clothing and accessories. Our goal at Earth Divas is to be as ethical and transparent as we can about what we’re doing. Even then, because of issues like wool sourcing, we can’t get there all the time.

But, we, and other retailers and consumers, can get close. For instance, buying fair trade is a huge step in the right direction. Using recycled wool and cotton, like we do in many of our bags, is another step. Making bags and clothing out of bamboo and hemp is yet another.

All of these tiny steps take us in the right direction towards a more ethical, sustainable future.

Here are some other ideas:

• Avoid plastics whenever you can.
• Buy organic whenever possible.
• Recycled or “upcycled” materials lesson the impact.
• Look for fair trade clothing and accessories.
• Go with sustainable fabrics like bamboo and hemp.

It’s near impossible to wear 100% ethical clothing and accessories all the time. Trust me, I’ve tried, and I nearly drove myself crazy. Finally I realized that we can only do the best we can.

So, that’s what we do here at Earth Divas. We use sustainable fabrics like hemp. We use upcycled fabrics like cotton and silk. We provide our artisans with fair trade, livable wages. And we plan to do more in the future.

It’s all about doing the best we can!

As you can imagine, however, I was thrilled to learn about it, especially since fair trade wine is still fairly new here in the States.

How big is fair trade wine?

Well, retailing magazine Off License News reports that even with the recession, fair trade wine sales have increased over 89% in the UK since last year. Here in the States fair trade wine is still in its infancy, but like everything else fair trade, its reputation is growing.

Why Fair Trade Wine?

Most wines are expensive enough as it is. Why should we pay a bit more for fair trade wine?

First, fair trade wine is usually the same price as their non-fair trade counterparts. So, you don’t really end up paying more for it. A good example is Etica Wines. Their fair trade wine is priced $9-$13 per bottle. That’s pretty affordable for a great bottle of wine.

Second, it’s important to drink fair trade wine because it means the grapes were grown and harvested by people who were paid a fair wage for their efforts. This is especially important when wine is grown in countries like Chile, Argentina, and South Africa. These fair wages create a ripple effect in local communities, bringing positive change to entire villages.

When you support fair trade wineries you’re also helping support the elimination of forced child labor. Fair trade wineries are expressly forbidden from using child workers.

Fair trade wineries are also forbidden from using harmful agrochemicals. They use sustainable farming methods, which are much gentler on the Earth.

What to Look For In Fair Trade Wine

When you go to buy a fair trade wine, make sure it’s certified by TransFair USA. This organization is responsible for certifying all fair trade products in the US.

The logo on the right will be featured somewhere on the bottle if it’s truly a fair trade wine.

Fair Trade Wines To Look For…

Here are some great wineries currently making fair trade wines:

• Etica Wines

• La Riojana

• Organic Wine Trade Company

Whatever gift I decide on, I always make sure that it’s eco-friendly or fair trade. Eco friendly and fair trade Mother’s Day gifts are going to be a big hit this year, so I thought I’d start early and highlight some of my favorite pics.

Eco-Friendly/Fair-Trade Mother’s Day Gifts

1. Fair Trade Tegua Necklace

This is my favorite necklace we have on the site!

This fair trade tegua necklace sells for $23.99, and would make a lovely, unique gift for Mother’s Day.

2. Handmade Fair Trade Belts

Image courtesy Twine.com

These amazing handmade belts are so unique!

They’re made by a woman’s co-op in Peru. They’re fair trade, so you can rest easy knowing that these women received a fair wage for making these lovely belts.

You can find these handwoven belts at Twine.com.

They sell for $65.

3. Fair Trade Gift Basket

Here’s an idea…why not make your mom an awesome gift basket full of fair trade goodies?

You could put in fair trade/equal exchange: coffee, chocolate, tea, jewelry, almonds, cranberries, and soaps. This would give your mom lots of little goodies to pick at and try out.

I’ve seen several of these online selling for $100 or more, but you could put one together yourself for far less, I think.

4. Miessence Skin Care Products

Did you know that the FDA doesn’t regulate the chemicals that go into every day products like facial wash, deodorant, shampoo, and shower gel?

I know, I was shocked too. I was even more shocked when I discovered the Cosmetic Safety Database. The CSD is a non-profit group of scientists that started testing the chemicals in our everyday personal care products. They created this wonderful database that allows you to see exactly what’s in these products, and what negative effects (like cancer, infertility, developmental toxicity, etc.)

If you head over there to look up the products you’re currently using, I guarantee you’ll be shocked at just how bad they are for you.

So, what’s this have to do with Mother’s Day? Well, I’m getting there!

Miessence is a skin care line that has one of the healthiest scores on the Cosmetic Safety Database. Their products are so natural, with so few ingredients, that you can actually eat them. Yep, this is food-grade, organic skin care at its finest.

I’ve personally used the MiEssence line, and I can tell you that it’s amazing. My skin looked wonderful after the first week. These products are scented only with natural ingredients and essential oils, so the fragrances are very soothing and wonderful.

A Miessence trial package would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift.

5. Kashmir Wool Crewel Work Bag

This is a bag we have available right now at Earth Divas, and it’s one of my favorites!

The amazing handwoven wool bag is made by a woman’s co-op in Kashmir. It has a large wooden handle, and the body is made from cotton and wool. The handwoven floral design is edge in black for contrast, and it would make a wonderful bag for spring and summer.

Bamboo, Courtesy of Wikipedia

Did you know that bamboo can grow up to 4 ft per day?

No, I promise that’s not a typo. That’s four feet. Per day. Which is why it’s probably one of the most sustainable plants on Earth.

Amazing Bamboo…

This amazing plant is used as a building material, as a musical instrument, as fabric, in medicine, and as a food source for people and animals.

Technically, bamboo is classified as a grass, not a tree. And bamboo wasn’t used in fabric until the 20th century (thanks China!).

Bamboo in Textiles…

Bamboo looks very similar to cotton before it’s turned into a fabric. But it has several benefits that cotton doesn’t have.

First, bamboo is excellent for wicking moisture away from your skin. If you want to stay dry, a bamboo shirt or pair of socks will work far better than cotton.

Second, bamboo has amazing anti-microbial properties. This means that it naturally resists molds and fungus. This is good news, especially if you have bamboo clothing for workouts and runs. It also helps kills bacteria on your own skin, which means you don’t get as stinky yourself!

Another benefit to bamboo is its sustainability. Because it’s so fast growing (maturing in just 3-4 months), it’s easy to get a large harvest in a short amount of time. And, bamboo doesn’t need pesticides and chemicals to thrive like cotton does. So, there are no ill-effects on the environment.

Bamboo is often used in fair trade fabrics because it grows in many third-world countries. This means that when you buy fair-trade bamboo clothing or gifts, you’re helping support people who really need it.

It’s also an incredibly soft fabric. I’ve got on a pair of bamboo socks as I write this, and they’re definitely my favorite pair. The reason is because bamboo feels like a perfect blend between silk and cotton.

Bamboo is also hypo-allergenic. So if you’re allergic to some fabrics like wool or nylon, you’re not going to be allergic to bamboo.

Last Word…

I could go on, but you get the picture. Bamboo truly is an amazing fabric, and many of today’s cutting-edge designers are using this plant to make their clothing lines more eco-friendly. Next time you have the option of buying bamboo fabric or buying cotton fabric, give bamboo a try. You might end up loving it more than cotton (I sure did!)