Wander Wet Bags
“Super cute, powerfully water-resistant, eco-friendly, wet swimsuit bags.” While these aren’t 100% natural, they are a lot less toxic than a vinyl bag. The owner wrote to me, “The waterproof lining is an eco-friendly polyurethane. It is laminated onto the poly knit fabric using thermo processing rather than using chemical solvents. This breathable and waterproof material is VOC, BPA, and lead free. The exterior lining is made from 100% cotton and is printed with organic inks.”
LunchSkins
Plastic-free sandwich and snack bags. There are two types. The recyclable and sealable paper sandwich bags are made from “all natural glassine (pure wood pulp) sourced from FSC-certified forests.” The reusable cloth bags (with zipper or Velcro closing) “are made from a quick drying fabric that is coated with a food-safe polyurethane liner. This unique high-quality fabric was originally manufactured for pastry bags used in bakeries, restaurants and home kitchens. Additionally, LunchSkins are grease-proof and moisture proof making them ideal for messy sandwiches and snacks…All LunchSkins products have been rigorously tested by independent, third-party labs for the presence of lead, Bisphenol-A (BPA), and phthalates to comply with FDA-approved food-safe standards and to ensure the safety, quality and integrity of our bags. LunchSkins meet all federal and state (including California) consumer product safety standards.”
Khala Cloths
Cloth alternative to plastic wrap. “We take organic cotton-hemp blend fabric and infuse it with either beeswax or 100% plant-based waxes and oils, all with natural tree resin…And when you are done using a Khala Cloth wax wrap, they are washable, reusable, and biodegradable.”
Manatee Bags
One simple bag for produce shopping and storage. Made from organic cotton and sustainable dyes. French seams, Machine washable.
WaterCheck
A variety of water test kits for both city and well water. Just choose your kit, send in a water sample, and get your results. NOTE: While it’s always a good idea to know what’s in your water, remember than water tests only show what’s in your water at the moment, and not over time. Because water quality can change, it’s always a good idea to filter your water for a wide spectrum of possible contaminants.
Fiesta Dinnerware
This brightly colored iconic dinnerware is free from lead and some colors are also free from cadmium. Here’s the list of cadmium-free colors (both retired and current): shamrock, chocolate, peacock, turquoise, cinnabar, plum, black, white, heather, lapis, sage, slate, cobalt, claret, mulberry. Statement from the manufacturer about being lead-free.
Cacoco Drinking Chocolate
I found this chocolate at my local farmer’s market. It’s different from any other I’ve seen because it’s WHOLE chocolate made from heirloom cacao grown in healthy soil. Virtually all other chocolate is processed and separated and then mixed together again. This chocolate takes the whole cacao beans as they are and grinds them, then “rather than the standard processed cocoa powder, cane sugar, and milk, we add all organic superfood herbs and spices [plus a bit of coconut sugar and Himalayan salt] to our fair trade chocolate blends for an amazing vitality elixir with anti-oxidants, minerals, and essential fatty acids, as well as a pharmacopeia of bliss inducing compounds that are most present in heirloom cacao varietals from healthy soil… CACOCO is the purest form of cacao directly sourced from beyond-organic farms, that not only improve the health of the environment but produce a chocolate that showcases the finer nuances of well maintained soil and cultivation and highlight the terroir of the region…We currently source all of our heirloom cacao from organic and regenerative farms in Ecuador. CACOCO is currently working in tandem with Terra Genesis International (TGI)* to build a regenerative network of businesses committed to rebuilding supply chains based on regenerative principles.” I tasted them all at the farmer’s market and liked the 80% Extra Dark best. This is not a powder, it’s more like a crumble that needs to be well-mixed.
Stem
Custom sofas built with your choice of materials—made in 4 weeks in Los Angeles. “None of our fabrics have fire retardants or stain finishes and we even offer 100% natural like cotton, hemp and wool, and some certified organic textiles as well..” This is a morph of the custom sofas that used to be at Viesso, by the original founders. “Realizing there is still so much more to do to disrupt the furniture industry, we knew it was time to break off our collection as its own brand.” Like Viesso, Stem lets you customize every aspect of your sofa, which gives you a lot of choice and requires that you make good choices. Standard materials are better than average but not really toxic-free, so skip those and go for the natural latex, organic cottons, They will send samples, and let you live with the finished sofa for 100 days. Free shipping (both ways if you return it). And they finance.
Pine Street Natural Interiors
This is the interior design website of my friend Rowena, who I have known for years. She knows absolutely everything about toxics in interior design products and carries only the most natural, organic and pure. “We strive to create beautiful, colorful, and environmentally friendly living spaces using healthy materials that are also socially responsible.” She carries furniture, beds and bedding, area rugs and carpeting, window coverings, upholstery fabrics, accents, lighting, outdoor furniture and accessories, nursery and children’s bedrooms and playroom, and beds and toys for pets. Also home office and storage.
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Listen to my interviews with Rowena Finegan, BBEC, Managing Partner and Interior Designer of Pine Street Natural Interiors |
Hnina Gourmet Artisan Chocolatier
Raw dark chocolate truffles and sprouted nuts & seeds gourmet treats, made by a French woman to address her need for pure, raw, dark chocolate and a gourmet experience. “we use 100% raw organic natural and unprocessed traceable ingredients originating from both local organic farms and the world’s best sources of fair-trade sustainable pure organic fair trade raw cacao, sprouted nuts, sprouted seeds, raw honey, pure maple, dates and pure organic vanilla beans.. The quality of each pure ingredient is the reason for the taste, healthy properties and overall quality of the finished product. We tolerate no GMOs or harmful pesticides; we use no refined processed sugar, soy lecithin or dairy, no colorants or preservatives, no palm oil, vegetable oil, high fructose syrup or corn syrup, no wax or other shining agents, many of which are often present in the most popular, even high end chocolates.
