7 Awesome Kitchen Items

Do you love to cook? I do too! But As the population’s effect on the planet intensifies, it is more important than ever to use products with eco-friendly features that allow us to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

When most people think of “green” in the kitchen, they often think of the big things, like an eco-friendly remodel of countertops and bamboo floors, even maybe we look towards energy efficiency with Energy Star-rated appliances and compact fluorescent light bulbs.

But, there are actually many small ways that we can begin with to improve the eco-impact of our kitchens. Alia Akkam, a contributing editor of food & festivities at Organic Spa Magazine put together this amazing list of cool and environmentally responsible choices for your kitchen.

MUBAMBOO DISH TOWELS

Soft, absorbent MUbamboo dishtowels are made with 100 percent sustainable woven bamboo and are 100 percent biodegradable. Available in happy colors like lime and aqua, MUbamboo uses eco-friendly dyes. www.mukitchen.com

LA CHAMBA COOKWARE

In Half Moon Bay, California, My Toque carries La Chamba Cookware from Colombia. Handmade from clay that contains mica, this cookware line-including our favorite, the sturdy casserole dish, perfect for baked chicken-can really withstand high heat. All pieces are hand-burnished, not glazed, so they're also toxin-free. www.mytoque.com

ZAK TUMBLERS

The next time you've got a hankering for juice, pour some into one of Zak's whimsical Confetti tumblers made from recycled melamine. The set features cups in bright kiwi, turquoise, magenta, and orange hues. www.zak.com

BAMBU KITCHEN CANDLE

You may know Bambu for its beautiful cutting boards and bowls made of bamboo laminates, but they also have a quality candle in their portfolio. The kitchen candle, strong enough to camouflage the lingering smell of that accidentally burned chicken or the trash that has yet to be taken out, is made with U.S. grown soybeans infused with bamboo essence. It also features an all-cotton wick. www.bambuhome.com

VIVATERRA FLATWARE

VivaTerra's stainless steel "Twig" carved flatware introduces a touch of Zen to the dinner table. www.vivaterra.com

GREEN PAN COOKWARE

Green Pan with Thermolon, the first PTFE-free non-stick cookware on the market, requires less energy to rack up a high temperature and reduces carbon emissions. Must-have staple: the versatile Stockholm black aluminum non-stick fry pan. www.green-pan.com

TWIST DISH DUMPLING

Soaked the brownie pan overnight and it's still crusty? Turn to the Twist Dish Dumpling for help. This chunky biodegradable sponge is dye-free and packed in an agave wrapper. www.twistclean.com

Photo Credit: Organic Spa Magazine

Spice up with Sexy Eco-friendly Lingerie

Eco-lingerie keeps getting more gorgeous and sexy thanks to several designers that continue to offer the most delectable lingerie pieces you can imagine, crafted from completely sustainable fabric made from soy, milk, and other sustainable materials in addition to organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and silk to make amazing eco-sexy lingerie. And if you think eco-lingerie is boring, think again! Below, you’ll find a few of my favorites and great examples of how green can be spicy!

Love Nature
This Eco-chic Italian lingerie by emerging designer Love Nature is mainly made with biological, natural, anallergic, not chemically treated fibers and is packed and promoted using recycled tools. Love Nature’s feminine Fall Line which includes this adorable Aurora Bra Set(picture left) is available at Noblivity.com and the collection is filled with just as beautiful lace pajamas, bra and panty sets, camisoles and hipsters.

Enamore
I love that this Enamore's designs are sexy, playful and influenced by the 1950's pin-ups. To release your inner pin-up girl, I suggest the flirty animal print Bedrock Bra and Short Set(picture right) made from a stretchy bamboo jersey trimmed with black edging and flamingo pink satin bows. This set also comes with a matching sleep mask packaged in their striped recycled card gift box lined with tissue paper and tied with a chocolate satin bow. You can find more of these items at Enamore.com

Eberjey
This flirty and delicate set created by Eberjey is the Natural Woman Cami and Pant Set (picture left). This 100% organic cotton cami set features a soft white color and beautiful lacey details that will make you feel sexy, beautiful and feminine – and eco-friendly!



Coco De Mer
Coco De Mer Is a sexy UK store that sells luxury eco-lingerie and other products with a high end luxury price tag. But lets say you are on your honeymoon?...well it might be worth it to have something incredibly special. So unleash your kinky side with some of Coco De Mer's hottest styles this season like this Simone piece (picture right). Coco de Mer makes all their products with the consideration of environmental and human rights by investing in the talents of local artisans, fair trade labor and seeking out companies using small projects and cottage industries instead of sweatshops.


Spreegirl
Spreegirl’s philosophy of “It’s not just sleepwear, it’s fashion” is evident throughout their adorable collections. The retro modern looks are made up of bright colors and patterns, perfect for girls who are just as stylish at home as they are when out and about. Be careful when browsing because not everything is green. But the line does pieces in hemp, bamboo and coconut like this New Rave Kimono Robe (picture left)made of bamboo with color blocking detail and tie belt at the waist. You can also pair this robe with one of their sexy bamboo bras. I like that their designs are super cute, sexy and great for the planet.

Urban Fox
Urban Fox makes a beautiful, sexy and modern lingerie line for the hip urbanite. This eco-fabulous line combine 1940s style with modern sustainable materials like bamboo, tagua nut buttons and natural rubber. I specially adore just about any of their candy-color stocking sets with their burlesque-style seams and matching boy-shorts bottoms,oh so super sexy! (picture right). All products are designed, dyed and hand-sewn in the U.S.A.

Let me know what you think. What 's you favorite eco-friendly lingerie piece? Share with us!

photo credit: eco fashion world (first photo above)

Modern green designs from MIO

I love this The Bendant Lamp designed by Jamie Salm from MIO. Its a flat-packed chandelier composed of a series of leaf-like shades surrounding a central fixture. You can bend the shades up or down and create unique light and shadow arrangements. Material and process guide the Bendant Lamp's design, making it a true example of eco-centric design. The size of the lamp, shape of the cuts and flat packaging are a result of material and manufacturing efficiencies. In addition, the lamp welcomes the user as co-designer pushing the boundaries of design and self-assembly.

MIO is a Philadelphia-based company that makes sustainable and innovative designs from from unique wall coverings and lighting to furniture and accessories. The company successfully incorporates green practices into all facets of production and distribution, catering to group of devoted followers who seek out their socially and environmentally responsible products.

Photo credit: MIO