As Earth Day, April 22, approaches, it�s time to green your life, inside and out. Everyone knows about CFL light bulbs, low-flow showerheads and reusable grocery totes, but there�s lots of other ways to green up your world. Here are 10 items for the home and personal care that can make your life greener, cleaner and healthier.
Round the Green House
Good Air Day
Everyone at home can breathe easier with the energy efficient ultra-quiet Blueair Air Purifier, which continuously monitors and removes 99.97% of all airborne contaminants such as pollen, pet dander, mold spores, smoke and dust. The new E-series air purifiers come complete with a built-in digital display and remote control. Bed Bath and Beyond. Prices start at $449.95.
Green Wash
Clean your clothes using less detergent and no harsh chemicals with the Robby Wash Laundry Ball by Oransi, an eco-friendly and hypoallergenic laundry detergent ball that can do the work of 75 lbs. of traditional laundry detergent and lasts up to 12 months and is safe for baby�s laundry. Safe enough for newborn laundry. Oransi.com $32.95.
Great Good-for-You Snacks
Ice Ice Yummy
I scream, you scream, we all scream for alternatives to sugary treats and soft drinks for kids. Now there�s Power Ice, a delicious, healthy frozen snack that helps quench thirst and replace electrolytes with 0 grams of fat and cholesterol and no caffeine, high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. Lime Kicker and Orange Blast flavors come in packs of three for $1.99. Available at drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.
Happy Trails
Bear Naked Granola and Trail Mixes contain all-natural whole grains, fiber and protein for energy and nutrition that�s easily portable in two-ounce packs perfect for throwing in a backpack or jacket pocket for healthy boost on strolls, bikes, hikes or camping trips. For a special treat by the fireside, bake up some delicious Bear Naked Heavenly Chocolate S’mores. 12 oz. mixes from $3.50 to $5, 12 two-ounce bags $15. Available at grocery stores nationwide or bearnaked.com.
Strip Up
Kids can enjoy the taste of fresh fruit wherever they are with Stretch Island Fruit Strips. They�re easy to carry along on a stroll, shopping trips, at sports games or wherever you might want a nourishing snack. For a pick-me-up for moms and dads, organic FruitaBu Rolls Fruit Rolls by Stretch Island Fruit Co. offer a half serving of fruit and are perfect for a healthy deskside snack. As a bonus, your purchase of Stretch Island fruit snacks helps fund The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and �Fruit Tree 101�s� which as planted 1,000 fruit trees and shrubs at schools across the country. $12.99 for a 30-ct. pack of Stretch Island Fruit Strips or $.49 each. $3.60-$3.99 for box of six FruitaB� Rolls. Costco, Kroger, Walmart, Target or at stretchisland.com or fruitabu.com.
Naturally Healthy
The Nose Knows
Everyone from Oprah to the guy in the next cubicle extols the wonders of the neti pot, the drug-free way to clear stuffy sinuses, and SinuCleanse Neti Pot has done the nasal washing vessel one better by making it a clear blue plastic so that the user can easily see if the saline solution is fully mixed for proper use. For little noses, SinuCleanse Kid�s Mist provides quick relief with a gentle nasal spray safe for infants to relieve nasal discomfort. CVS. Walgreens. Both $14.99.
Now You�re Talking Cool
When tiny tots have sore throats, Children�s Throat Cooler offers icy relief in the form of a non-medicated frozen Grape or Strawberry treats that cool and sooth with immune-boosting ingredients including pure honey and Vitamin C. Sold in multi-packs of six pre-portioned single-serve .8 fl. oz/25 ml pouches. Ages 2+. CVS and Rite Aid. $3.99 to $4.99.
Best Foot Forward
Happy Feet
Made by hand, Soft Star shoes are crafted from natural materials to be light, roomy and breathable, by a wind- and solar-powered company committed not only to footwear that is flexible and comfort but to and local sourcing, biking to work, recycling and reusing. Styles for babies, like the Laguna Sandal ($42), to adults, like the Grippy Suede Roo Chocolate ($63). softstarshoes.com.
