Klean Kanteen
The original BPA-free stainless steel water bottles are by Klean Kanteen. They started in 2004 as an alternative to plastic and lined aluminum bottles. Plastic bottles and the epoxy lining of aluminum bottles contain BPA (Bisphenol-A) which is a synthetic estrogen causing several health concerns.
I’ve talked to some people who said they tried other stainless steel water bottles and it had a metallic taste. I’ve been using a Klean Kanteen for a few years and I never noticed any taste at all. It tastes clean and crisp!
I really like the new Klean Kanteen reflect (pictured below). They are purely steel + silicone + bamboo. No paint or plastic. I totally want to get one, but I already have 3 kanteens.
Klean Kanteens come in several sizes, colors, caps, and mouth openings to choose from. They also make insulated bottles, baby bottles and wine carafes. I have used the same bottle for a few years and I don’t have any dings in it. They are light weight, highly rust resistant and will last a long time. Check out their site for all of their products.
Strawesome
Post By Stacy Rockwood of Eco-Napkins
Are you addicted or even just a fan of drinking things through straws? I am. Smoothies especially! When I imagine how many plastic single use straws I’ve used in my lifetime and will use in the future, I suddenly feel a pang of guilt. I mentally gag on the enormity of the waste; choking, swimming through a pool of discarded single use plastic straws.
Recently, I discovered an amazing company called Strawesome. They are a family-owned and operated business in Michigan. They artistically hand-make environmentally friendly reusable straws from borosilicate glass ((toxin-free, no BPAs, phthalates, etc). This is the same type of super strong non-breakable glass that Pyrex is made from (it’s even used on the Space Shuttle).
Strawesome straws come in a huge variety of sizes, both lengths and widths. They also come straight, bent, decorated, plain or colored. They range from small thin cocktail straws to long thick smoothie straws. They even take custom orders for different sizes or styles. They also take straw orders for wedding favors, corporate gifts, etc.
Strawesome has a lifetime guarantee against accidental breakage! All you have to do is go on-line and request a replacement straw. Strawesome straws are also microwave and dishwasher safe. You can order a special $2.00 cleaning brush to go with them (or just rinse them through with hot water). They are creative functional art that is eco-friendly, safe and fun. We love ours and look forward to giving them as unique gifts as well!
This is one of the easiest ways to cut down on a single-use trash item and replace it with a classy reusable one! Make the switch today; claim your awesome straw at Strawesome!
Website: http://www.strawesome.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Strawesome
Zak Designs Confetti Assorted Bright Mixing Bowls
I wanted these for a long time and a few years ago I finally got them. I absolutely love them and use them all the time. They are great for mixing or putting snacks in like popcorn. They are made from Recycled melamine and have a vintage 50’s look. These colorful bowls are a lot of fun!
snackTAXI
Post by Stacy Rockwood of Eco-Napkins
Get the groove on. Now run your fingers down the line. Click, snap. Did the yellow and blue make green seal? Or maybe you have the pink and blue make purple double zipper seal? What goodies do you put in your Ziploc or generic brand plastic baggies? Foods, travel soaps, trinkets or save-it-for later whatnots? I put everything in plastic baggies. They are safe, leak-proof and protect from the outside world. Who doesn’t love the simple, yet dynamic function of a Ziploc bag?
But, they’re single use plastic. I tried to be more environmentally conscious by washing and reusing my plastic baggies until they had micro holes in them or until the peanut butter honey sandwich smears just couldn’t be washed out. Then, I found something better! snackTAXI. This product had all the qualities of a Ziploc plastic bag, without the waste factor. The peanut butter honey goo also easily washed off over and over! snackTAXI is the original reusable snack and sandwich bag company (since 2003). Their bags are durable, adorable and affordable. They cured me of my addiction to wasteful Ziploc bags.
snackTAXI bags are lined with nylon on the inside and extremely easy to wash. All of their materials are lead, phthalate and BPA free. The outside is made of a large selection of cotton prints. The company will soon offer organic cotton and they are working on acquiring recycled nylon for the inside lining. They fold over and close securely with Velcro. Therefore, that dependable security seal ‘click, snap’ sound is replaced with the distinctive, yet titillating, ‘ripping’ sound.
Challenge yourself to try something new. Instead of buying a box of 40 plastic throw away items, buy one single product that you can reuse over and over. You will feel really good about it because your expenses overall will be less and so will your ecological footprint!
snackTAXI, “food movers for a happy planet!” Check them out at the links below:
snackTAXI: http://www.snacktaxi.com/
snackTaxi’s fundraising program for schools: http://fundraising.snacktaxi.com/
snackTAXI’s on a mission (item purchase supports specific organizations): http://www.snacktaxi.com/TAXIs-on-a-mission.html
Shatter Resistant Glass Baby Bottle
These days we have learned that BPA (Bisphenol A) from plastic can be harmful to our health. It leaches chemicals and it can cause birth defects!
I discovered this company called 5 Phases at the Go Green Expo last month. The mom who started the company did so, because her baby was diagnosed with a birth defect. After thorough research of BPA and phthalates she knew she needed to act fast and start this company. She didn’t want other mothers to go through this and created a shatter resistant glass baby bottle.
Their unique patented design helps glass resist shattering but will contain the glass if shattering should occur. The outer sleeve is made of plastic with a glass insert and is BPA, phthalate, and PVC free. The glass inserts are interchangeable and they use vented silicone nipples. These bottles are very affordable and convenient. Isn’t your baby’s health worth it? Check out the 5 phases website for more info.
