Hand in Hand

Following the steps of "buy a product and another is donated to the people in need," I discovered Hand in Hand and really got excited about their cause: for each soap you purchase, one is donated to those in need. It seems silly, but if you think about it, unfortunately, many people don't have enough money to buy hygienic products and many others get sick due to lack of proper hygiene. And for that reason, they have my support!

In addition to that, the soaps are eco-friendly, made ​​with natural and organic ingredients, recyclable packaging etc. The price, of course, is a bit higher than you would pay for a soap, but the product is great and the cause is even better!

Available at my beloved Anthropologie stores or Hand in Hand website.

California Baby

California Baby is an amazing line of products for babies (or anyone sensitive to chemicals) 100% natural that started with just one product that is popular even today - the Calming Shampoo & Bodywash - and it pleased so much that the company currently has a extensive catalog ranging from moisturizings and baby powders to aromatic sprays and bath oils.
The company is eco-friendly, uses recyclable packaging only, and its products are biodegradable, organic and totally natural. The prices are very affordable and you can find information about the products on their website which also offers tips and a blog.
They are so concerned about the environment and the products considered "natural" available on the supermarket shelves that the company actively participates in committees and associations that support natural products, sustainable enterprises and regulate the market.
Success well-deserved!

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle is a Mexican fast food chain that you can build your own burrito, taco or bowls.

With several stores in Los Angeles, they are different from other fast food chains simply because they are healthy! How come? Even though it is still fast food, the food is fresh, bought locally, and most of them are organics (40% of the beans used by them are organics). And everything is prepared in location. Nothing is pre-made!

The company is also concerned about the way animals are treated, so they only work with family farmers who raise the animals naturally, grain/grass fed, and no hormones nor additives.

The stores are packed, the service is fast and they are always trying different things (the website is very interesting and, through it, you can also place your orders). I've tried the burrito and I can say that you can notice the delicious taste of home cooking food!

As they say: "It's not just a burrito. It's a foiled-wrapped, hand-crafted, local farm supporting food culture changing cylinder of deliciousness".

Disposable and elegant

Concert's summer season is almost over here in the U.S. and one nice thing is that since you can take your own food to almost all the places, you end up finding lots of interesting things. And one of them is Joanne Hudson's disposable utensils made of bamboo and leaves.
Well made and high-quality, these disposables are 100% natural and biodegradable. The Verterra line (pictured below) is made ​​from fallen leaves that are cleaned and pressed, I mean, no tree is necessary to make the products. And they decompose in 60 days! Amazing, right?

You can have a party, a barbecue or a picnic with these disposables, since they also carry cutlery and plates of different sizes and shapes, trays and platters.

Chic and eco-friendly even when using disposable utensils!

Planet Aid

Planet Aid is an organization with a very good idea: they distribute big metal boxes for anyone to drop clothes and shoes off to be donated to people in need.
Here in Los Angeles, the yellow boxes are everywhere. And thanks to them, today there are many other companies that followed their steps and also provide this kind of service.
Planet Aid donates not only clothes, but through financial donations, they also help fighting poverty and diseases, and developing communities throughout the world.
What I love about this idea is that since it is very convinient, people can not anymore rely on excuses such as: "I have to get in the car to go to a donation center", "it is far," "the traffic is heavy" and so on, for not giving things away.

No excuse for doing good!

Eco-Chevron Gas Station

I never pay attention to gas stations, and when I do is not for a good reason. But one Chevron gas station here in Los Angeles caught my attention for the opposite: clean, beautiful (especially at night with the lights on), friendly attendants, good price and, believe me, eco-friendly. It seems kind of contradictory a gas station that is eco-friendly, but they realized people's concern about the environment and used it to its favor by creating a totally different gas station, with green roof (which means fully or partially covered by plants), solar panels, stainless steel columns, and they also use rainwater to water the plants. In addition to that, the gas pumps show green messages on their screens, ask if you want a receipt or not (to reduce paper usage) and you also can leave with your hands clean since scented wipes are available for the drivers. I loved the initiative and I am loyal customer!

Eco-Friendly

It's been a few years now that supermarkets have increased the supply of eco-friendly and sustainable products. Little by little I'm trying to give my best and have tested some dish soaps, hand soaps and multi-purpose cleaner from brands like Method, Mrs. Meyers, Seventh Generation and JR Watkins. And what I can say is that they are as good as the regular products (or even better for the skin), nice fragrances, and on top of that some still have beautiful packaging! These brands have extensive collections ranging from paper towels and laundry detergents to body lotions to diapers and wipes, and you can also buy refills - great way to save some bucks and not waste natural materials!