by Marina Hanes

Fancy, Green Feet

The snow is finally melting and milder temperatures are setting in, and you can find inner peace knowing that you will no longer have to be cooped up inside. Begin spring with a fresh step by buying a comfortable and cruelty-free walking shoe. Non-leather shoes can be just as stylish as the leather ones you find at the mall, but you don’t have to feel guilty for wearing them. Athletic-inspired Mary Jane shoes are adorable and functional…plus, they come in a variety of colors with unique button closures, bamboo lining and recycled tire outsoles. For a sexier look, check out the vegan platform pumps with a zebra pattern. Go to vegetarianshowsandbags.com.

Eco-Driving

Looking for a fuel-efficient car but don’t know which one to choose? Well, now is the time to buy a new vehicle, because the economy is down and we need to support hybrids over other cars like the Hummer. In 2008, sales for the Hummer were down by 50.9 percent, but GM sold 2,555 of their hybrid models. Other options include the 2009 Prius hybrid, which Toyota will be offering rebates on. The Prius starts at $22,000 and gets an estimated 48/45 miles per gallon. Or maybe you will want to hold off to buy one of the electric cars that will be available this year. More info at autobloggreen.com.

Pocketing the Green

One of the best things about living an eco-friendly lifestyle is that you save money in the process. At Frugal for Life, you can learn ways to cook and entertain your family less expensively. Maybe you’ve noticed certain food products like milk have gone up in price. In order to counter this, the site suggests buying milk in bulk when it’s on sale and freezing it. Who knew you could freeze milk? Their list of 25 ways to save money and the planet include borrowing books or videos from the library, washing clothes in cold water and taking lunch to work.

Follow the Leader

In New York City, there is a family who tries to live “off the grid.” Colin Beavan and family have gone so far as to give up toilet paper. Their life is an experiment. Sometimes they have success and sometimes failure, but you can follow along and learn from their experiences. Beavan also blogs about other communities that are striving for sustainable living. A video on a Los Angeles eco-village explains what this type of movement is all about and how the residents here are working hard to make less of an impact. See noimactman.com.