Green Living Web Highlights: Vegetarian Shoes, Green Car Choices, Saving with the Eco-Lifestyle, No Impact Living
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.
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What’s your poison? To help you keep celebrating the New Year, 
Starting a greener lifestyle can be difficult, but beginning with simple changes can make the transition less overwhelming. For example, stop taking ATM receipts, request paperless statements and bring your own bag when you grocery shop. These tips and others can be found at EcoHearth, a new website dedicated to eco-news and products to make you more aware and sustainable. There is even an Eco Shop where you can buy a solar charger to power your iPod and iPhone wherever you are as long as you can capture the sun’s rays. See 
Unique handmade jewelry is often hard to find, and when you’re looking for natural pieces inspired by nature, it can be even more challenging. However, Moonrise Jewelry creates their pieces by hand in Virginia, and currently they are featuring their real orchid necklaces preserved at their peak bloom. The turquoise and plum colors in the Turtle Bay orchid necklace makes for a head turning statement, and the St. Kitts is a simple necklace perfect for everyday or for work. See 
Even though the holidays are behind us, you still have to think about the gift giving events that are coming up. Mother’s Day is in May, and you might start receiving invitations to bridal and baby showers, birthdays, graduations, etc. What are you going to use to wrap all of those presents? According to the Sierra Club, if every family in the U.S. wrapped at least three gifts in reused materials, 45,000 football fields could be covered with the paper that was saved. Fabric Wrapper creates eco-friendly gift bags, wrapping paper and other products from reusable fabric material. Plus, 1% from every purchase is donated to environmental organizations. See 
What do you know about geothermal, wind or hydrogen energy? 
Do you try to be an eco-conscious mom? Are you often looking for alternatives to the traditional home cleaners, because you worry about how the chemicals affect your children? A mom who knows what it’s like to juggle your personal life with raising children is the creator and writer of 
Are you looking for eco-friendly jobs or the latest green news on travel, architecture, cars, fashion and beauty? Tree Hugger is a comprehensive green site that can help you get informed on the environmental issues you care about. You can also look into the lives of other environmentalists by watching some video eco-tips. Tree Hugger’s readers have sent in videos showing their green habits and green hacks (renovations). You can learn how to make recycled paper, how to teach children to compost and various other ways to be more sustainable.
Take the Drive Smarter Challenge by entering basic information about your car’s make, model and year. By following the six money saving tips that are presented, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars per year. For example, did you know that you could save up to 20 gallons of gasoline annually by keeping your tires properly inflated? Also, if you’re an aggressive driver, taming your jackrabbit starts at green lights can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent. After you challenge yourself, challenge a friend and receive coupons to AutoZone. Go go 
National Geographic has launched a Green Guide, which provides various tips on how to be environmentally conscious. Whether you are building a new home or renovating a current one, there are buying guides to help you make more eco-friendly decisions about certain materials. Or if you have children going back to school, there is a feature on how to keep the classroom pollution free. Maybe you already know ways to be green, so test your knowledge by completing a quiz on saving gas or seasonal foods. If you are not sure how to deal with plastic and household cleaners, ask a question or see if it has already been answered in the Just Ask section of the guide. Go to 
I believe that picnics can be had at any time during the year. Indoors or out. Annie B. Bond of Care2.com offers ten alternatives to using plastic for your picnic. Most of her suggestions lean toward using stainless steel, but whatever material you decide to use, make sure it is reusable. Her article can be found at 
Eco fashion used to be limited to a few brands. Dressing Green has become easier with an array of designers offering better and better selection particularly for the fashion conscience. Several online retailers have stepped into the Greenlight offering one of a kind trendy fashion, accessories and jewelry. Some even donate a portion of their proceeds to further Green causes. Here are some of the best…
Investing in your future? Saving for your retirement? There are diverse ways to fulfill your dreams and get your money working for you. Investing in companies that produce green resources or have green practices is one way to secure your future by getting in on the green. 
I love a great party and I always start the recycling during the event. Putting out more recycling bins than trash cans helps guests get into the act and leaves less mess to clean up later. That’s me. dvGreen, is the brainchild of Danielle Venokur, former Television Producer and witness to many Hollywood wrap parties. dvGreen, is a green event planning service. Some of their practices include donating leftovers, recycling & composting, and using sustainable decor elements. They plan weddings, bat mitvahs, birthdays and other special events. They also offer consultations if you are doing it yourself. Find out more 
