Low VOC, No VOC, No Odor, or Stinky?

I recently started reading a Greenie blog called Green Living Q&A. The owner and editor, Debra, posts on a wide range of topics and although I had never commented before I have been an avid reader for the past couple of months since my sister introduced me to the site.

While catching up on blog reading, I came across a post where a reader had requested information regarding Acri Soy Grout Sealer and people’s impressions of it as a low VOC option. The reader went on to discuss a paint selection they had made long ago and how it had touted a no VOC claim but stunk to high heaven after it dried. (You can read the original question post here.)

As a decorative painter and Greenie this fueled me to post back a fairly lengthy comment with regards to the differences between VOC and odor as they are not the same.

“I don't have any familiarity with the grout sealer but am very curious to hear if anyone else does as tile is something we've considered doing and have looked into these types of grouts.

What I do know is that low VOC does not mean no odor when it comes to paint. VOC is the chemical gas that is released after or during the drying process, the odor is a separate beast all together and is not necessarily related to the environmental function of an item. An orange has an odor, a strong one at that, but it is pleasant & natural so it doesn't bother us. Just as an example.

As a painter & decorative finish artist my preference on paint (after trying MANY believe me!) has been either Benjamin Moore Eco-Spec or Sherwin Williams Harmony. They do still have an odor but the harmful chemicals will not linger as it dries. Benny just came out with Natura (no VOC even in the tints, no odor) that I haven't tried yet but plan to include in my arsenal. More expensive, true, but a far better quality paint and less harmful overall. Anyway, good luck with it!”

I imagine it is a common misconception in the world of building supplies, paint in particular, for consumers to think that reading ‘no VOC’ on the label means it won’t smell bad. That is not at all the case all the time.

Please also bear in mind that tinting paint will generally add VOCs to the latex base. So even if you are grabbing a 100% VOC free paint base off the shelf, the minute you ask the person at the counter to turn it into that beautiful color ‘Wildflower’, not only the colorants but, VOCs are added.

From all I’ve read, Home Depot sells an exclusive line called Freshaire Choice. A zero VOC paint, that apparently also makes use of 0% VOC in the tint as well, it is a considerable eco friendly option (recycled materials, soy based inks, even the paint chips can be recycled!). It is not a no odor paint however so bear that in mind when using it and ventilate properly while applying.

If I use Natura or Freshaire Choice to tint my ECOglaze, a truly safe finish will be applied. That’s kind of rad, I will definitely check it out.

I hope that my explanation helps to debunk the no VOC = no odor myth and that those interested in painting with no harmful gasses released (and also a less stinky environment) will shop wisely with a firm eye on the label of the item they’re buying.

Are there other paint options you love that are no VOC, low VOC, no odor or low odor that I may not have discussed here? Please share!

Wholly Guacamole and Salsa is Wholly Yummy!

Recently I was sent some salsa and guacamole from the company Wholly to taste test and review and these folks did impress me with their approach to natural ingredients and customer service. I had a sizeable concern regarding the packaging which was easily resolved.

Wholly shipped me samples of their new individual salsa snack cups in mild, medium, hot and garden fresca, as well as a box of their individually wrapped guacamole snack packs. Matt and I tucked in for dinner one night and he grabbed for a hot while I decided to try the garden fresca.

We both immediately noticed the salsa smelled delicious and Matt’s first reaction was that it was “quite good” and tasted very “fresh”. I read through the ingredients and that is likely due to the fact that there are no preservatives in their product. Same holds true for the guacamole and I was excited about this.

At only fifty calories per cup of salsa, and a fairly generous portion at that, it is certainly a healthier alternative when grabbing for a snack. The guacamole is a higher calorie content per pack (100) but it too was fresh tasting. We both noted it was a little flat compared to the homemade version but that it would be a fantastic base to jazz up with individually desired ingredients.

Now for the bummer news. We finished our snack cups only to discover that there was no recycling symbol on the bottom of these one time use items. Yikes. And because the cover is a peel back there would be no way to reuse these for any kind of small food storage. The larger packages of both salsa and guacamole (as well as the guacamole snack pack) are a thin plastic bag type with a peel back top while the salsa cups are hard PET based plastic.

This deflated my happiness as I truly feel that one time use items made from rigid plastic are a big environmental concern, especially when non-recyclable. So I reached out to the company and when I heard back they emphatically indicated that the cups are recyclable as it is “part of [our] manufacturing standards”. In fact the representative I got in touch with had not been aware the symbol was missing and sent her own inquiry to the cup manufacturer, thanking me for the head’s up.

It never hurts to ask when unsure about these kinds of things as many of us might have thrown the cups away, not knowing they could be put in the recycle bin!

All in all I am super impressed with the company and their product and I am granting a Four Leaf Rating to Wholly!

With an eye on all things natural and excellent customer service Wholly really exhibits a positive human experience all around! ♥love♥

Sun Crystals are Sprinkling Weddings with Sweetness!

What could be better for a busy bride than to have every last detail of her wedding planned for her? Sun Crystals all natural sweetener wondered the same thing and tomorrow, October 22, 2009, these folks are going to help a whole bunch of “sweet couples” tie the knot or renew their marriage vows at Foley Square in NYC.

The campaign is a simple concept -- “To celebrate the introduction of the SUN CRYSTALS® Brand, the first all-natural, low-calorie sweetener that marries stevia and sugar cane, two plants nourished by the sun. The event also highlights the brand's commitment to environmental sustainability. McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, with its SUN CRYSTALS® Sweetener Product is a member of 1% For The Planet®, donating 1% of its sales this year to the American Solar Energy Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies in the U.S."

Get it? Marry, celebrate, commitment…it was an easy leap for Sun Crystals to bring the idea to light but the best part of all is the word “sun”.

The entire day’s events will be fully powered by rolling solar panels. Very cool!

Sun Crystals sent me the information on this event and I was thrilled to do a little write up on it but when I also received a sample of the product, well, I thought that was really sweet of them.

Get it? Sweet? Okay, okay, I know.

The sweetener is created by blending stevia and pure cane sugar, is 100% natural, low in calories (only 5 per packet as opposed to 15 in sugar) and boasts that only half as much is needed to do the job of sugar. On the back of the bag there is even a recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies and a claim that this is suitable for people with diabetes.

I am impressed that they are involved with 1% for the planet and that this year they are going with donation to solar energy as alternative energy sources will greatly assist with reducing climate change worldwide, allowing the sun to continue to help grow the very plants used to create this product.

The only information I could not find is if this product is sifted with bone char (so I am unsure as to its Vegan-ness) and whether or not the cane sugar is unbleached.

Overall I think what they are doing is sweet and I am granting a Four Leaf Rating to Sun Crystals!

Good luck with the nuptials tomorrow couples in NYC and thanks for keeping your eye on the Earth and its resources Sun Crystals! ♥love♥

The EcoBag Series -- Day One: Loofah-Art Kitchen Scrubber

We have all been there, on the stove sits a daunting pot with something burned/caked/cooked onto the bottom of it that our everyday sponge just will not handle. We do not want to waste the water it would take to soak it for hours and steel wool pads sometimes contain chemically enhanced detergents, so what should we do when trying to remove something so stubborn?

I recently received this Loofah-Art Scrubber from EcoBags and I must say, after using it a few times for just the very scenario described above I am in love with this little apple shaped cleaning tool!

Most recently I used it (with just a little water added to the cleaning pad itself) to remove some completely dried vegetable soup from a bowl and it took it off with no problems and little pressure. Rinsing the scrubber utilized far less water than soaking the bowl would have. Listed online for $3.99 the scrubber is completely biodegradable, since loofah is a plant, and the package indicates that the dye is vegetable based.

I liked reading that a portion of the proceeds from Loofah-Art sales help to support the funding of schools, medical care and decent living conditions in the countryside in India where they are created by independent farmers and fairly paid workers.

There are 55 different designs for both the shower or kitchen (on the Loofah-Art website, EcoBags shows different options based on availability) so there is likely one to fit in with any décor or preference. I love my apple; it was the perfect choice for Loofah-Art to allow EcoBags to send me to review as I have some apple items already hanging around my kitchen!

The scrubber dried relatively quickly but I will say it was a bit stiff to work with at first and slightly rough on my hands as I do not wear gloves when washing dishes by hand. Also, there is a minimum order of two scrubbers required on any of these, including the body loofah which retails for $14.99 and is substantially larger of an item (I found this slightly odd). I will definitely be curious to see how long the Scrubber lasts before it either begins to emit an odor or begins to break down.

Despite some personal preferences, this is definitely a more environmentally sound option than similarly designed nylon based versions, and I am awarding the Loofah-Art Kitchen Scrubber a Three Leaf Rating!

Not only is this product functional but it is attractive and eco-friendly! Nice work! ♥love♥

Coming up tomorrow -- the reusable Produce Bag

Eufora Hair Care Line Creates Beautiful Hair. Naturally?

A few weeks back I was planning to color my hair as I usually do and Matt remarked that this was my number one environmental impact. I defended myself at the time but it really got me thinking about what products I use, how many of them have unnatural ingredients and what percentage of these products go directly onto my head. I was blown away by the actual number (7!) as I always try my best to be a lower maintenance kind of gal.

I started wondering what could be done, what I could change and where I could find it.

So when I received some hair care products from Eufora boasting natural based ingredients, my split ends came together and cheered!

Eufora’s hair care line consists of twenty four products under just four categories: shampoo, conditioner, styling & finishing. Because I do color my hair, use product just about every day, but only wash it a couple times a week, I am using the products featured in the photo above (Urgent Repair Shampoo, Fortifi Strengthening Spray, Piece Works Defining Paste and Elevate Finishing Spray).

Right away I notice the smell. The shampoo is vibrant with peppermint and the paste has almost a bubblegum undertone but is not a little girl product at all. The strengthening and finishing sprays did not have a uniquely defining aroma.

One of the boasts of the company is that they do not use any “fluff” ingredients. The first difference is that water is not the main ingredient, Aloe Vera gel is. Known for its healing properties, this gel is going to benefit the hair and skin. Per their website, additional ingredients include essential oils and botanicals but do not include “synthetic fragrances, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, carcinogenic or suspected carcinogenic ingredients”. Nice!

So I grabbed the shampoo bottle to verify their claims by checking out the list of ingredients. I must admit I was a little overwhelmed with the list; upon reading the information online I imagined this list would be considerably shorter and contain mostly things I recognized.

The first ingredient was indeed aloe but the second (sodium cocoyl isethionate) was something I had never heard of. The fourth ingredient made me sit up and take notice -- sodium lauryl sulfoacetate. Now I was confused, had they not claimed this was a missing ingredient from their products? I figured perhaps it was different as many times similarly named ingredients can be confused with each other so I began some research.

In looking up Sodium Laureth Sulfate (the ingredient claimed not to be found in Eufora’s products) on Wikipedia I discovered that it is deemed a detergent and foaming agent but that its alternate names did not include sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (the ingredient that is in the shampoo).

In looking up sodium lauryl sulfoacetate Wiki asked if I meant sodium lauryl sulfonate, so I clicked it and was then asked if I meant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Upon clicking on this link I was brought to a page describing an “anionic surfactant” commonly used in car wash soap or engine degreaser.

Now I was really confused and continued reading where I was told that although SLS has not been proven to be carcinogenic when used in this manner (shampoo as an example), health concerns have been published regarding this powerful surfactant such as skin hypersensitivity.

Were these the same ingredient or was there simply no information anywhere online regarding sodium lauryl sulfoacetate?

I began to question the validity of the “no fluff” claim and wondered just what ingredients would be a benefit to my head or scalp? There were a total of 47 ingredients in the shampoo.

As a comparison I grabbed my Garnier Fructis Fortifying Shampoo to review the list of their ingredients. Sodium Laureth Sulfate and SLS were both ingredients this shampoo as well.

I am hesitant to grant a Leaf Rating to Eufora or the products I have tested here simply because I feel that a whole slew more research needs to be done with regard to each and every ingredient in their products and I know that will take a rather lengthy time. I will be reaching out as well as doing my own independent research on this concern and will be back with more information, and hopefully a review, later.

In the meantime, this was a great lesson learned that I should be far more cognizant of the products I am shopping for and that a little time spent researching can mean decades of benefit to not only the planet but myself and my family as well.

Vlaskaas Cheese from Beemster is Yummy for a Great Cause

I recently had a block of Vlaskaas cheese from Beemster (a company based in Holland) shipped to me to test, research and review and as a self proclaimed cheese lover I might have already been slightly biased when it arrived at my doorstep. But I put my personal love for milk protein aside and vowed to be completely professional on this review.

The first thing I noticed was the pink ribbon on the package and included blurb that for every pound of Vlaskaas sold between September 15 - October 31, Beemster would donate $.50 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. They also guarantee the minimum donation to be $10,000. I was impressed by their effort to support such a worthy cause in the fight against Breast Cancer.

Next thing that jumped out was the fact that this cheese is 100% all natural ingredients -- cow’s milk, salt, cheese cultures, rennet and annatto -- just six ingredients keeps the cheese in its purest form.

While reading through the story about the inception of this cheese I learned that it was invented as a snack for workers during the celebration time of the harvesting of flax. The recipe is the oldest in the line but was introduced the most recently as it was revived in about 2004 when the festival was also reborn. The literal translation of Vlaskaas is Flax Cheese.

Their pastures are 100% pesticide free and along with companies like Ben & Jerry’s, Beemster is part of the Caring Dairy program. The program includes efforts to provide enhanced love and, well, care for their cows. They have opened up the available space each animal has to move while inside (including the ability to simply lounge and relax), allow the animals to range freely among the pastures and just generally treat their cows with love and respect. Cool!

It also does not hurt that it was amazing on top of our vegetarian chipotle chili the other night and even better naked on wheat crisp crackers a few days later. Cheese does not usually last long in our house but this one seemed to go particularly quickly.

With only six cheeses in their line Beemster is able to consistently focus on the treatment of their animals, as well as the quality of their cheese, and by donating time and monies earned to such fantastic charitable organizations they certainly had no trouble impressing me. With all of this said I am granting Beemster Vlaskaas a Four Leaf Rating!

Next time I am in the cheese aisle you can be sure I will keep an eye out for Vlaskaas; keep up the great work Beemster! ♥love♥

Organic Agave Nectar at the Liquor Store?

While shopping recently for a bottle of tequila for our vacation, the sales person at Sav Mor Liquors in Medford said he knew there must be Milagro tequila because they have the organic stuff. I was not at all sure what he meant at first but after locating my bottle of liquor he was walking up to the register with me when he pointed at a display he said:

“This is why I knew we must have the Milagro tequila.”

My jaw almost hit the floor as he pointed out organic agave nectar in a glass bottle, corked and 12.7 ounces. What really impressed me was the fact that the bottle was only $4.99!

I tried to recall what I had spent the last time I bought agave (blue) at Whole Foods and I want to say it was in the neighborhood of $8 for 11.75 ounces in a plastic bottle.

Agave is a sweetener I was introduced to by a slew of different people but most notably my friend Ginger who uses it in a large array of her recipes. It is a wonderful substitute for honey or sugar and I have found it is so yummy on pancakes with a little sprinkle of cinnamon instead of maple syrup. The calorie content is lower than all of the above; agave is also created from a plant.

For anyone having trouble locating basic agave nectar (like I was) sometimes these things can be found in the most unconventional of places so don’t discount a liquor store next time you are shopping for this yummy sweetener.

I fully intend to give this a real an honest review but I do not want to open it until it is going to be used and I still have some of the other bottle left. Keep an eye out though because Milagro is high on the list of favorite tequila brands so I imagine the nectar is going to be simply delicious!

Eco Fashion Friday Featured Company the Andean Collection

The Andean Collection is a collaborative effort of jewelry designer Amanda Judge and the artisans who utilize sustainable materials from the jungles of South America to create one of a kind items that are simply, out of this world, cool.

This socially conscious company not only fairly compensates its artists for their work, but allows them to take part in a profit sharing program where they become part owners of the organization as well. Right on!

When my Classic Tagua bracelet in the color grape arrived in the mail my jaw literally hit the ground. Created from the harvested tagua nut (a renewable resource growing on the outside of the ivory-nut palm tree, not harvested until after it has fallen), I was immediately impressed with the durability of the beads. Because of the inherent strength of this material it can be carved and polished to achieve a beautiful sheen.

It takes dye remarkably well and comes in 13 colors (three are currently sold out). All dyes used are designed for use on textiles and are non-toxic as well as environmentally safe. In addition to this every last drop of material is utilized either as jewelry, feed for animals, as fertilizer or even as fuel in kiln style ovens.

These bracelets do double duty, not only does their sale provide income to the artists who create them but because they reside within the rainforest, selling these beads is a way to stop further razing of this precious resource as well.

In addition to the tagua, there are five other sustainable materials utilized in the Andean Collection - coconut, Açaí berries, huayruro seeds, jaboncillo seeds and Pambil seeds.

The best part of all? The bulk of the collection is well under $50. The tagua is only $18; well worth the cost! Similar synthetic versions would likely be more expensive and would not come close to the unique appearance of this naturally occurring material.

In addition to the materials, the company as a whole is striving to lower their carbon footprint by recycling, using recycled paper for marketing materials and tags, using energy efficient lighting and they will also continue Fair Trade practices.

With such a strong eye on providing not only a beautiful product, but an environmentally and socially conscious one as well, I am granting Andean Collection a Four Leaf Rating!

It is great to see a local company persevering in such a human friendly way, keep up the trend! ♥love♥