The Story of Stuff

It may take a while to download, but it's well worth the wait. It's a little over 20 minutes long, but you've GOT to watch it all! This video is excellent, and puts into words what I've been thinking for years (without all the data). We shop at Goodwill, garage sales, and thrift stores, and we sell our used clothes in our Bargain Basement, or donate them. We do sometimes buy things new, and I grimace, but slowly my children are learning that the commercials play up toys that often end up not being as fun as they look. I consider this an investment in helping them learn through doing rather than me lecturing them. Anyway, here's the video. Hope you get something out of it!

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard

Watch This if You Ever Stay in Hotels

Oh this is so gross. I'm already fairly leery when I enter a hotel room, but I never thought about the drinking glasses! Here is a video about hotels in/around Atlanta, GA that were not properly cleaning the drinking glasses, even when the next user would be a new guest. Unfortunately, the solution seemed to be providing plastic cups, which is just adding to our landfills, but I guess it's better than drinking from a glass that can give you a number of diseases.

Here is the video: http://tinyurl.com/2f8r2n

If you do frequent hotels, keep the bacteria and viruses at bay (not to mention allergens!) with an Airwise Air Purifier. And don't forget to pack your slippers!

Victory on Avastin

Breast Cancer Action (BCA) applauds yesterday's recommendation by a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee to deny approval of Avastin as a breast cancer drug for metastatic patients.

In a letter to the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC), BCA urged denial based on the fact that the drug's maker, biotech giant Genentech, did not provide data indicating that Avastin improved overall survival or quality of life.

By a 5-4 vote, the committee agreed, indicating that the toxic side effects outweighed the potential benefits of the drug. ODAC member and patient advocate Natalie Compagni Portis told the New York Times that she voted no because while it's painfully true that metastatic breast cancer isn't curable, "I don't think that means that we should just say, 'Well, here, try this,' if there isn't meaningful data to support it."

BCA Executive Director Barbara A. Brenner told the San Francisco Chronicle, "It's not necessarily a bad drug. We just don't know if it's a good drug." Brenner also criticized the estimated $100,000 a year price tag for Avastin.

BCA believes that a drug should increase overall survival or improve quality of life before being approved. Additionally, it should be more affordable than the available alternatives.The recommendation now goes to the FDA commissioner, who will make a decision in February. We will continue taking action--and asking you to do so--on the issue, so stay tuned.

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December at Eve's Best

December is here, and I just can't believe that the year is almost over! Where did it go? I remember adults telling me when I was little that when I grew up, time would fly. And I find myself telling my kids the same thing! It's so true!

The past few months, sales have skyrocketed, and I'm very grateful for each and every customer. It has been difficult keeping some items in stock, and while it's frustrating, it makes having a business so worth it!

A new product we have added recently is Stack and Stick Wooden Building Toys. These make perfect Christmas gifts for boys or girls. My daughter saw the pictures on my computer screen and immediately said, "I want that!" They are made in the USA, which is nice in light of the recent toy recalls. Feel free to use this coupon code to save $10 on your favorite set: CUST10. This coupon is only good through December 10, so don't drag your feet!

A couple of other products (that you can read about in older posts) include reusable bags and Tees for Change . You might also want to put some Soft Star Shoes under your tree this year. (I'll take some!)

But the most important thing we have to talk about this month is Think Right Now! International. Just visit Eve's Best and you will learn why this company is very important to what we do and our goal of living healthy. Start at the STOP sign, and read what we have learned that could change your life today in a BIG way. It has mine, and I'm excited about sharing it with others who are ready to live the life they deserve.

Oh! I almost forgot. We have a number of products on clearance and wanted to make sure that you grabbed a bargain or two. Here are some direct links to make it easier on you.

BabyLegs
bumGenius 2.0 One Size Diapers
GladRags
The Keeper Menstrual Cup
Knitted Washcloths
One Size Organic Cotton Diapers
Organic Cotton Nursing Top

We also have many items in our Bargain Basement for those TRUE bargain shoppers!

I think that is all for now, and I hope to keep up better in 2008! I'm sure it will zoom by just as quickly as 2007 did!

Reusable Grocery Bags

I am so glad that I was finally able to add reusable bags to our product line. I have been wanting to do this for so long, and I finally worked it out! We have both an organic cotton tote, and the famous "GreenBag" that works great, too. Once I loaded up the bags I was amazed at how much would fit inside! We also have lightweight organic cotton sacks for holding produce and other items. It is often difficult to market reusable items such as grocery bags and diapers, since most people don't have to live with or see on a daily basis where all that trash goes. Not to mention, grocery bags are "free" if you don't realize that you pay for it in other ways. But for people who care about the environment, (their environment and their children's environment) it makes sense to do what you can now. Not to mention, we are setting an excellent example for our children when we use reusable items. They often grow up to have the same habits their parents had, so why not teach them well? In any case, they will probably be required by law to furnish their own grocery bags, as I'm sure the next couple of decades will show the rest of the country catching up to the plastic bag ban in San Francisco.

Tees for Change

This company has a great idea: changing our attitudes, one tee at a time! Founded by Andreea in spring 2007, the idea came about when she was faced with negative responses to her desire for a home birth. "What if everything goes wrong?" she was asked over and over again.

"What if everything goes right?" she wondered.

Sharing a bit of her positive attitude on every tee shirt produced by Tees for Change, her positive impact doesn't stop there. Every shirt is made in "sweatshop-free" factories from 100% organic cotton, or 70% bamboo/ 30% organic cotton. Shirts are dyed using low-impact eco-friendly dyes and are screenprinted with non-toxic, water-based inks.

Whether you want to "choose happiness" or "seek balance" I'm sure you will find a t-shirt just right for you, or even for a gift! Share a little positivity and watch the world smile back at you!

Buying Used Items Conserves Natural Resources

I know this sounds really bad to some people, but I LOVE shopping in thrift stores! I don't get high from new, chemical laden clothes, and the next STEAL could be just around the corner! It's like a rush. Of course there are visits that produce nothing, even after hours of looking, but imagine the money that I save when I don't find anything.

I'm obviously not fashion conscious, and I'll never promise to boycott Old Navy or some of my other favorite stores, but when you stay at home for most of your existence, how fancy do your clothes really need to be? Comfort is key, and at thrift stores I've found some really nice Land's End, Gap, Eddie Bauer, Old Navy, LL Bean, and other great brand name clothing that lasted me a few more years. I've also found a TON of clothing for my children. In Gwinnett County where we once lived, there were four Goodwill stores near us, and they had the BEST selection in children's clothes. I also shopped at Kidsignments twice a year, and boy, do I miss those sales!

Between thrift stores, consignment sales, and garage sales, our clothing needs are fairly covered. But don't think I'm just cheap! I also shop these sales because it is important to me that we conserve resources. Every time you buy something used, you prevent a new item from being created. You get a perfectly good product, where the chemicals have been long washed out, and you get a good conscience because you have saved some money and helped the environment as well. This is important, especially considering that cotton requires a TON of pesticides to grow (yes, "ton" is a scientific expression!)

Since I am no longer able to sell our children's clothing at the Kidsignments sale, I have set up a Bargain Basement on my website where I sell their clothes and shoes which are still worth selling! In addition to the toddler girl and boy clothes, I have also added baby items, homeschooling items, books, and other things just lying around the house. Stop by and support our cause, and feel good about the money you save and the resources you are helping to conserve!

It's time to get serious about your health!

That is what I groaned to myself, lying in bed one night, trying to get rid of the abdominal pain after eating a couple of slices of Pizza Hut pan pizza. We usually get the thin crust, but we decided to get adventurous for some stupid reason. The pain eventually went away, just in time to have another slice the next day for lunch. "How stupid can I be?!" I wondered a couple of hours later when the same pain appeared. So I wrote off pan pizza, but a couple of days later, my stomach was still not happy, and a new tell-tale pain overrode the original pain: gall bladder pain.

When I was pregnant with my first baby almost 6 years ago, I remember the horrible pain that I had them ultrasound, which they said was completely normal. It went away after delivery, so I didn't think about it again. But now it was back. And knowing what the amount of fat in pan pizza had already done to me, I was certain that it had really messed up my gall bladder.

Before you go making assumptions about my weight and our eating habits, let me clarify some things. When we don't eat out, I'm pretty neurotic about eating organic foods, pasture fed beef, raw milk, and all the other stuff that you would consider about a healthy lifestyle. I have never in my life been overweight. As a matter of fact, I've been called "anorexic" numerous times and before my gall bladder attack, weighed 120 lbs. (I'm 5'6"). I was a competitive swimmer most of my life, and exercise has always been an important part of my routine. UNTIL...

Well, first kids came, and then the fatigue practically crippled me. When my second child was about 18 months, I decided to get back into shape. I did great! Then, one day I couldn't get out of bed. It took me about 6 weeks to recover, so I decided I was not able to exercise. That baby is now 4, and yes, it was over 2 years before I started exercising again after curing my fatigue problem.

So why the gall bladder problem? For the most part, the lack of exercise is a huge factor. Then there is the food that I eat that I shouldn't. The two scoops of ice cream before bed didn't help! But mostly, it's genetic. My father and just about everyone in his family has had their gall bladders removed. I'm not planning on losing an organ, so fear of that has been very helpful in helping me to eat the right foods!

It's been a couple of weeks, I guess, and I lost 5 lbs the first week. I don't plan on losing more, but I do plan on sticking with eating tons of fresh veggies, green apples, pears, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, etc. If you are wondering if you have gall bladder problems, check out Gall Bladder Attack and you will learn everything you need to know! A friend of mine had her gall bladder removed after having classic symptoms for over a year that her doctor never diagnosed as gall bladder problems. Go figure!

Kraft is Sued for Falsely Calling Capri Sun Drink 'All Natural'

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_3753.cfm

This is just one more example of mainstream companies trying to fool unguarded consumers. I just don't know where this is going to end. Between cloned animals, "all natural" ingredients, and genetically modified foods, I am afraid to eat normal, everyday foods at this point. While we get our meat, raw dairy, and eggs from a local farmer, our fruits and vegetables come from other places and now more than ever I know I've got to start my own garden this spring. Be careful with your purchases and read those labels! (And it goes without saying, read between the lines and doubt the label as well...)