From the monthly archives:

February 2006

Maca: An Efficient Energizer & Aphrodisiac

February 28, 2006

Maca is becoming popular around the world as a tonic that enhances strength, fertility and energy. Maca (Lepidium meyennii) is grown in the Andes Mountains of Peru, it looks likes a large radish, and botanically it is indeed related to radishes and turnips. For approximately 2000 years maca has been an important traditional food in [...]

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The World’s First Soy Carpet

February 28, 2006

The world’s first soy carpet has been produced by an Australian company, Customweave. Frank Ricco, the developer of a luxury line of rugs and carpets, describes the texture as a combination of cashmere, velvet and alpaca. Like most other products made with soy, the fiber comes from the “waste” left after processing soy beans. China [...]

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A Paint Stripper Made From Corn

February 27, 2006

Conventional paint strippers are usually very toxic substances that you’d be better off not bringing into your home. But one company, Green Products, has created a bio-based paint stripper and solvent called aMAIZEing.

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Building Green: A Complete How-To Guide

February 27, 2006

This practical book is the first step-by-step green building guide we’ve seen. It is packed with photographs illustrating building techniques like Earth Plastering, Straw Bale Construction, Living Roofs, Cordwood Building and Cob Building. At over 600 pages, this hefty guide is useful for anyone wanting to see the nitty-gritty details of green building. The author’s [...]

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Efficient Moisturizer: Unrefined Shea Butter

February 24, 2006

Shea Butter is one of the most efficient skin moisturizers available. It is an organic product that protects against dry skin and sunburn. Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the Shea Karite tree, found in the tropical regions of West Africa. It is a sustainable resource and it requires no pesticides to grow.

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Very Efficient: Pocket Filter by Katadyn

February 23, 2006

This is a serious portable water filter from Katadyn. It’s efficient because it uses a ceramic filter, which will not let anything larger than 0.2 microns through. It also has a long life — it will filter up to 13,000 gallons before you need to replace the cartridge. The filter eliminates bacteria, viruses, cysts, protozoa, [...]

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Agave Nectar: Efficient Sweetener

February 23, 2006

Agave is that succulent from Mexico used to make tequila and mezcal. But agave nectar is also an efficient sweetener. The nectar is about 90% fructose. Unlike the crystalline form of fructose, which is refined primarily from corn, agave syrup is fructose in its natural form.

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A Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides

February 22, 2006

Consumer Reports recently published a guide (subscription required) detailing which fruit and vegetables contain the most pesticides. They recommend always buying organic when purchasing the following fruits and vegetables: Bell Peppers, Celery, Cherries, Grapes (imported), Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Red Raspberries, Spinach and Strawberries. Their report was based on the free Shopper’s Guide to [...]

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A Tofu Bear: Efficient

February 22, 2006

It’s a bear made out of tofu, and it feels like cashmere. Most bears are made with synthetic, petroleum-based materials. This one is spun with Soysilk, a by-product of tofu production. The bear has a home page and it’s available from Biltmore World Trade for $39.
Story via Treehugger.

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MetaEfficient: Hemp Socks

February 21, 2006

Hemp is the most efficient material for socks: it’s durable, it breathes better than all other plant fibers and it’s more resistant to bacteria than cotton. It’s also grown a environmentally sound manner without pesticides. All of these factors give it the edge in terms of sock efficiency. Usually, the hemp fiber is blended with [...]

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Efficient Clothes For Babies: Non-Toxic Newborn Gift Sets

February 16, 2006

Want a non-toxic gift set for a baby? Organic Wear USA sells organic gifts sets for babies. The product line tailored for newborns — the age when children are most susceptible to toxic additives.

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Slightly More Efficient: Target Begins Selling Bamboo Sheets and Towels

February 16, 2006

Target has begun selling bamboo sheets and towels. They are reasonably priced at $40 for a sheet set, and $20 for two towels. Unfortunately, the bamboo content is not all that high — 60% for the sheets and 40% for the towels, and the rest of the fabric is conventional cotton (which requires large amounts [...]

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Metaefficient: Trombe Walls

February 15, 2006

Incorporating a Trombe Wall into a house is one of the most efficient ways to capture the heat of the sun. They work in the mildest to the most severe of climates.
Basically, sunlight strikes the wall through a window, and the Trombe Wall heats up, causing warm air to flow into a room.

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The Perfect T-Shirt

February 15, 2006

What’s the perfect T-Shrit? Is it this one? Better Thinking, a product think-tank in the UK, has set a challenge to create a garment with world’s lowest eco-footprint, taking everything into consideration to create “‘The Perfect T-Shirt“. They’ve set up a forum to share ideas, knowledge and opinions. They also have a blog which tracks [...]

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Metaefficient: Merino Wool and Loden Wool Jackets

February 14, 2006

Merino wool qualifies as a metaefficient material. It’s softer than regular wool, resists wind, regulates body temperature, and warms better than any synthetic material.

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Efficient But Rare: Hemp Bath Towels

February 13, 2006

Hemp is more durable and resistant to mildew than pure cotton. It’s also more absorbent: hemp fiber can absorb 150% of its weight in water (as opposed to cotton, which can absorb about 100%). Yet hemp bath towels are difficult to find.

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MetaEfficient: Microgreens

February 8, 2006

Growing microgreens is a metaefficient way to have attractive, flavorful greens available for salads and garnishes. Top class restaurants use freshly cut microgreens to liven up their dishes. Microgreens are tiny plants, no more than 8 to 14 days old.

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Efficient Floor

February 8, 2006

Using stone to capture heat from the sun is metaefficient.

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Origami Tableware by Orikaso

February 7, 2006

Orikaso, a design firm in the U.K., has released these foldable polypropylene cups, bowls and plates for backpacking or travel. They can actually hold liquids without leaking.

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Green Hotels: Healthy Accomodation

February 1, 2006

From installing efficient lighting and air conditioning to featuring only locally sourced and organic ingredients on restaurant menus, many accommodations are actively pursuing sustainability. Green Seal and the Green Hotels Association promote this innovation in the lodging industry, and their web sites list green hotels on a state-by-state basis. You can find a list [...]

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