ShoptoBeGreen.com Offers Organic, Natural & Sustainable Products

If you don't have a small family-owned green products retailer near you, you know have one online.

Shoptobegreen.com offers organic, natural and sustainable products for your body and your home. Many factors go into the careful selection of vendors and their products. They ask themselves,"Can this product reduce the public's use of petroleum products; lower landfill contribution either through bio-degradability, pre-cycle and recycle usage; and lowering chemical exposure by providing naturally made alternatives?"

They also prefer to carry products "made out of recycled materials created in an environmentally friendly way; like our reclaimed wood furniture, recycled water bottle felt pillows, and junk mail greeting cards. We also choose to carry a lot of products that are handmade by small family owned companies (like Tumbleweed Bead Co, GB Proudfoot, Decoylab and Beehive Kitchenware). One of the many reasons we love small companies is because their products tend to be handmade at the time you place your order so there are no large warehouses of inventory sucking up energy."

You can tell they've put a lot of thought into this:

"We look for items that can replace petroleum based products (like soy candles) and products that can help conserve energy usage (like LED lights and solar electronics). We carry jewelry made only from recycled metals and we will only carry antique or Canada mined diamonds so you can rest assured that it is not a conflict diamond. Our policy on products from outside of the US is to find companies that help reduce waste like Verterra’s biodegradable disposable kitchenware, Chaba reclaimed wood decor, and AquaOvo Therm-o glass bottle. We look for companies with Fair Trade policies such as our Pomiare Clayware, BeeHive Kitchenware Ceramics, and Himalayan salt lamps."

Not only is that a time-saver from shopping store to store, but it's a heartwarmer too - you can feel good about absolutely everything you purchase here. How great to support these smaller, independent producers!

I got to try Solay Wellness, for instance, which I'd never come across before. Their Whipped Body Butter is so luxurious and light, that I've been slathering all over my body ever since it arrived. And my skin has never been so soft! And the Detox Face Mask is the perfect way to combat a stressful day and/or damaged skin.

G.B. Proudfoot is another company I hadn't heard of and was thrilled to discover. Their Original Organic Lip Balm is not only soothing, it's got the most invigorating scent - ginger and orange - you'll want to eat it! For truly soft, renewed skin, their Tea with Lemon & Honey Scrub (pictured above) goes to work on ridding you of any dry skin and leaves behind rich, moist skin, all done with natural ingredients.

Not only is Shoptobegreen.com a fantastic place to shop for yourself, it makes gift-giving a breeze.

Shop now. Shop green. Shop responsibly.

Vermont Soap Organics Deep Cleans Without Toxic Chemicals

I am trying to rid our house of chemicals and go all natural wherever possible.

One of the first places I hit was underneath the skin where I store my house cleaners. A clean house is very important to me, but now that we have the option of cleaners that use natural ingredients instead of toxic chemicals, I want to replace everything under there.

The problem is, some natural cleaners just don't do the job well enough.

So I'm always on the lookout for something that doesn't just smell good or makes my appliances look good, but really gets in there and cleans.

Vermont Soap Organics produces "USDA Approved, Certified Organic alternatives to the chemical and detergent based personal care products now in general use," and their Farm & Ranch Multi-Surface Cleaner stands up to my vigourous testing.

I like that it works on everything in the bathroom and kitchen, it brings out a shine on the taps as well as the porcelain and countertops. I feel good knowing that its free of artificial preservatives, colours, fragrances alcohol and detergents too.

Not only that, it smells good. Using saponified  organic coconut, olive and jojoba oils, organic orange oil, tea tree and other natural essential oils, organic aloe and rosemary extract, you get that fresh, clean aroma without inhaling anything harmful.

But don't feel you can only use it on your room's surfaces - it works on all washable materials including wood, plastics, leather, cloth, people, pets, car interiors and much more (just be sure to test a small area prior to use).

So instead of having 5 bottles under the sink, have just the one. The good one.

Buy Farm & Ranch Multi-Surface Cleaner now.

XANGO’s Juni Gentle Body Bar Cleans Naturally

Do you know what's in your soap? Did you know that your body absorbs not just what you put into it, but what goes on it?

That's why you should be using XANGO’s Juni Gentle Body Bar. This all-natural soap uses a botanical-, not chemical-based formula that exfoliates and cleans your skin without stripping it of it's natural oils. That means that your skin stays soft both in and out of the water.

Mangosteens are known as a powerful fruit that you eat, but here in XANGO’s Juni Gentle Body Bar, a mangosteen infusion with pericarp oil calms and soothes your skin. It also gives it a healthy radiance that now that you're sporting shorter fashions, you'll really appreciate. And the addition of olive, safflower and coconut oils keep your skin nourished and hydrated. None of that dryness that you usually experience from bars of soap occurs. And a lovely, delicate fragrance wafts from the bar, thanks to ingredients such as orange oil and lavender.

I have heard that the soapy lather you are used to with soap bars is due to the use of chemicals, so that you could see that your soap was working away. But Juni gives a great, thick lather and there are no chemicals here!

Want peace of mind that you're not washing away your body's natural oils? Then get yourself the Juni Gentle Body Bar.

Bring Paradise Home Via Tautropfen's Jalë Orient Collection

I am not really a chocolates/candles/flowers kind of gal.

But I can't help but swoon over "the beguiling organic rose oil obtained from the hand-picked blossoms of the  fragrant Damascene Rose" in Tautropfen's Jalë  Orient Collection. The scent is just mind-blowingly alluring and exotic. And I have to say, now I'm completely spoiled because the fragrance of regular roses just became oh-so-ordinary. This scent is just so much deeper and richer.

The Tautropfen Jalë  Orient Collection gives you many enchanting options for creamy soft skin:

- Enchanting Rose Shower Emulsion uses the intoxicating rose oil blended with argan oil, making for a satiny, velvety wash that transforms the bathroom into a garden and your skin into a pampered, nourished wonder.

- Alluring Rose Soap gives your skin the same luscious feeling as the emulsion, but with the bar, you get dried rose petals on top and a swirl of colour through the soap. If you can manage to tear yourself away from it (just try to stop yourself from smelling it - I bet you can't), it makes a wonderful gift.

- Enchanting Rose Bath Cube comes two to a pack and they look similar to the soap, but are smaller and sqaure. Dried rose petals can be seen throughout these as well. So pretty! And just think about how rewarding it will be to come home after a long day and sink into a luxurious bath that drenches your skin in cocoa butter, organic shea butter and milk protein. Simply dissolve a cube while running your bath and in mere moments, your skin - and soul - will be restored to their natural beauty. Ahhh...

-Magical Rhassul Wash Clay -  Over the years, I've witnessed the incredible power of clay.  This ancient ritual can done on your both your hair and skin.  It's so easy: "Dissolve the Rhassul wash clay in warm water (first put water in a bowl, then mix in 3-4 tablespoons of wash clay), then leave it to thicken. Massage the viscous substance into the dampened hair, then leave it to do its work. Meanwhile, wash your body with the gel. Rinse off your hair and skin thoroughly with water." You'll be amazed at how clean and soft they feel after this opulent Moroccan Lava Clay treatment.

Tautropfen's Jalë  Orient Collection is anything but ordinary. Regular roses are just that - regular - from now on.

Make the Switch to All-Natural, Handcrafted Soap It Up Gourmet Soaps by Di

Recently, I realized that I had been buying some household, everyday products from the grocery or drugstore just because that's what I'd always done. But it would cost me less and be better for me and the earth if I bought natural products, so for the last few months, I've made the switch and I'm not going back!

For instance, instead of buying bars of chemical-ridden soap at the drugstore, I now look for natural ingredients and handcrafted by real folks, not machines.

Soap It Up are glycerin and goat's milk soaps that:

- are handcrafted and homemade

- are made of all natural ingredients

- are skin-safe

- are hypo-allergenic

- are available in different scents and varieties

- smell delicious

- look beautiful

- feel amazing (soft, moisturized skin is yours again!)

- are available for both men and women

- are insanely affordable!

I tried Beautiful, a perfume-scented glycerin soap made with palm and coconut oils.  Di came up with the perfect name, as it's the first word that comes to mind when you inhale the light, joyous scent. Also, the bar itself looks beautiful. The colour is like pink lemonade and really, what could be happier and more beautiful than that? This is one you'll buy over and over because it's absolutely perfect.

And Cherry Almond, a creamy goat's milk soap, is simply divine. It feels like you're bathing with moisturizer in one hand and a delectable pastry in the other. Now why would you want to buy drugstore soap when you can have this?

Shop the entire Soap It Up Collection and get gorgeous handmade soap that's good for you and will make you feel and smell good all day long!

Start the Week Off Right with Wembé Cleansing Bars!

I love the feeling of being invigorated in the shower in the morning. I find that the feeling of rejuvenation and exhilaration stays with me throughout much of the day.

Of course, all products are not equal.

Claiming to moisten, soften, lather, etc., some products can leave you feeling like you haven't showered at all.

With Wembé though, you'll feel clean from head to toe!

These big block cleansers are made with 100% natural and organic ingredients from the Amazonian forest. All soaps are made from organic, locally grown plants in Paraguay.

It's nice to know that what you're putting on your skin is good for you, isn't it? There is no silicone, petroleum products, parabens, sulfates, phenoxythanol, polyethylene glycol, synthetic fragrances or dye in their products, 94% of which are vegan.

You can use these bars on your face and/or body. Either way, you're going to love the clean, fresh feeling you get after lathering a thick foam and inhaling the deep scents.

The White Rose Cleansing Blend is made from actual rose petals and essential oils. What a luxury to be dousing yourself in roses every morning!

And mmmm mango. Tropical and exotic mango fruit not only makes everything smell incredible, but goes a long way in nourishing and moisturizing your skin with the Mango Cleansing Bar.

I am fascinated by the Green River Exfoliating Blend. It contains along with soap and butters, white sands from the Parana River so you feel like you've gone for a walk along the shore! This exfoliator is the perfect solution to a long day on your feet.

If you want something a little more vigourous, the Loofah Exfoliating Blend gets rid of your dry skin and poor circulation and invigorates your whole body. These ones come 3 to a pack, so you can share them with friends or keep your skin looking rosy and youthful and leave 'em wondering how you got that red-cheeked look!

My favourite has to be the Snow Cleansing Blend. It's the perfect thing for warm spring weather - chilled pure spring water mingles with mint and eucalyptus oils to give you a refreshing start to your day.

Of course, there are many, many more to choose from. And don't worry if you can't decide - just get the Variety Pack and try 'em all.

That's probably the best option. Because once you start using Wembé Cleansing Bars, you won't want to stop.