Oh Those Lips of Yours.....

When I think of all the things we do with our lips it amazes me that people don't take better care of them.  We kiss, lick, talk, eat, drink, smack, pout, smile and so much more, don't they deserve to be pampered? Enter Intelligent Nutrients, USDA certified Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss!  Imagine smooth Coconut, Carmel & Vanilla balanced with juicy Raspberry and sweet Agave, all food grade ingredients. IN does not mess around their team believes "Everything we put in and on our bodies must be nutritious and safe." stating "We report to the planet." Love it! This is a brand new line for IN and we are tickled to share it with our customers. Try the Lip Delivery Nutrition piece or indulge in the gloss in either Purple Maze or Clear Frosting. Pucker Up, Look Sexy and be Sustainable! Visit our gloss station and your lips will never be the same!

Bamboo Towels Make You Feel Like Royalty!

Nandina Towels are created through a unique process of spinning bamboo and organic cotton together to produce a product that is hypoallergenic and naturally mold and mildew resistant. They have the luster of silk and the feel of cashmere, but they are inherently strong and durable and will stand the test of time!

Please enjoy this Q & A with guest blogger David Eichberger

OGS: David, I heard you recently purchased a set of Nandina towels, is that correct?
David: I certainly did, yes.

OGS: Can you tell me what the towels are made of?
David: Organic Cotton and Bamboo

OGS: What made you decide to purchase these towels?
David: The softness, the quick drying and no mildew

OGS: Have you used your Nandina towels yet?
David: I have

OGS: How are they different from other towels you have used in the past?

David: They are much lighter, fluffier, they dry me off faster and very absorbent

OGS: How do you feel when you use a Nandina towel? What do you like best about them?

David: When I wrap myself in one the quality makes me feel like royalty!

OGS: Why should others consider purchasing a set of Nandina towels?

David: It is all about being eco-friendly but also the color offerings, no toxic dyes and I dry off quicker

OGS: Will you purchase another set of Nandina towels in the future?

David: Yes. Absolutely, I want to get rid of all my towels and use only Nandina towels

Thank you David for taking the time to tell us about Nandina, FutureFibers!

Lunatic Fringe

I just received my Restoration Hardware dream catalog and on the very first page is a letter from Gary Friedman, Chairman & Co-Chief Executive Officer. I don't usually read these letters, just want to get to the most fantastic furniture ever. I was captured by the title of his letter, "Every Movement has a Lunatic Fringe."  I would love to share excerpts from his letter because as a female entrepreneur and go-getter, believing that one person can make a difference, I really appreciate his thoughts and references.  He speaks of one of our greatest presidents Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt and quotes a proclamation from his famous speech in 1910 at the Sorbonne in Paris. He says,
 "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles.. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who at his worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never by with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat"
 Gary reflects that "He lived in the moment with a disdain for the status quo, an eye toward the future, fighting for his beliefs of a better tomorrow for all."
Are you on the Lunatic Fringe? I will be pleased to meet you there, fore that is where I reside and plan to stay forever!
Sherry

Why did the fox cross the road?

Why did the fox cross the road? Answer: To find a concrete free area to roam  I witnessed this firsthand this morning and it broke my heart, and brought about an epiphany that I believe will change my life forever. Let me elaborate before you judge me as being melodramatic. See I've lived on the Northwest side of Houston in the "burbs" for a quarter of a century and over time have see the terrain change rather drastically. I guess you could call it Urban Sprawl! The fox ran across 6 lanes of concrete this morning with fear and confusion allover it's furry face. That same road was once a dirt road that became a two lane road, then 4 then 6 lanes of pure tree and grass free highway, also known as Hwy 6 North. When as a newlyweds my husband and I moved to Copperfield it was a new community with only 1 Mexican restaurant, 1 seafood restaurant, a gas station and a Kroger. Life was simply perfect! When I saw that fox running for it's life this morning a single tear fell from my eye and my stomach ached. What have we done, I asked myself. I say "we" because all of us are responsible for wanting more, bigger, better, now, now, now! I was planning on stopping buy the store to buy a new top for this weekend. Did I need another black top? No. Do I have many black tops and a closet full of clothes most of which I never wear? Yes. I suddenly was not in the mood for shopping. Instead I wanted to turn around, pick up that wild fox (not recommended) and release him into an area lush with grass, trees, bushes and friends for him to play with...This is the part where you will think I am crazy, in that moment I decided  I would only carry recycled, up cycled, vintage clothing and accessories in my store. We have a wonderful new artist in our store named B. Artise who wrote the book, Born Again Vintage. Bridgett reconstructs old clothing to make it new and fashionable. I starting wondering wear my sewing machine was at home and all the great outfits I could make from all the tops, pants, dresses and skirts already existing in my closet and drawers. You are probably wondering what reconstructing clothes has to do with Urban Sprawl, and a wild fox crossing the road....well I will tell you that if we take the blinders off and start paying attention to our surroundings, what we buy, how we live our lives and how daily decision's we make CAN and DO make a difference in the world around us maybe the air will be cleaner, our water will be purer, our family will be healthier and the creatures that God put on this earth will be able to continue to roam, eat, and live as they were intended. That's all...just think about it!

http://www.b-artise.com/

Here's to the Crazy Ones.......

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in a square hole, the ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them, because they change things. They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who'll do it."

Apple Computer advertising, 9/27/97

Sergeant Sherry Eichberger, Original Guerilla Gardener, Mission Possible I 7/29/11

Safe Cosmetics Act 2011

My passion...safe, non-toxic personal care products for all! If other countries have banned 1,100 unsafe chemicals from their personal care products and the USA has only banned 8 we have a real problem.
The Safe Cosmetics Act 2011 was introduced by Representative Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill this past June 2011, which would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to ensure that personal care products such as shampoo and cosmetics are free of harmful ingredients.
The bill will do three important things:
1. Phase out ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental harm.
2. Require cosmetic companies to tell us everything that's in their products.
3. Set up a system to review the safety of cosmetic ingredients to ensure all cosmetics are safe for long and short term use.
Everyday cosmetic products including deodorants, colognes, lotions and even baby shampoo contain chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other health problems that are epidemic in our society.
Americans use an average of 10 personal care products each day, resulting in exposure to more than 126 unique chemicals. Toxic exposures from personal care products add to our daily dose of hazardous chemicals from air, water, food and other consumer products, and cosmetics chemicals have been found in our bodies, breast milk and even the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies.
SUPPORT THE SAFE COSMETICS ACT 2011 NOW!  For much more information go to http://www.safecosmetics.org/  make your voice heard...for yourself, your loved ones... and future generations to come!http://www.safecosmetics.org/section.php?id=74

SKINCANDO Combat Balm changing lives!

Rosacea, Eczema, Sand Flea bits, mosquito bites, burns, scratches, gun shot wounds all scream for Skincando's Combat Ready Balm.  Battlefield tested in 400 degree temps. in the deserts of the world, Combat Balm is the non-toxic Neosporin x 10 and gaining fans all over Houston and beyond. When I first met Skincando creator Sara Damelio on a visit to OGS last year she told me very directly without blinking an eye that "everybody needs this product!"  While she was in the store that day a beautiful, young OGS customer strolled in and heard Sara talking about her product and it's benefits. I left them talking about the customers battle with Rosacea, years of steroids, Dermatologist visits (and fees) while gaining not so great results. Sara told her to rub Combat Balm all over her face every day and see what happens. Weeks later that customer came by, walked over to the Combat Balm, then directly to the counter ready to make her purchase. I thought she really knows what she wants, then she said, "remember me? I have been using the Combat Balm regularly on my face and my Rosacea is almost gone! This product changed my life!" That my friends is just the first of many testimonials I have regarding this life changing product. Kate, a customer and mother of triplets has this to say about treating 2 out of her 3 with Eczema using Combat Balm. "After 3 years of a multitude of attempts and countless visits to the doctors we have found a natural product that performs as well as a steroid. Sherry at One Green Street introduced me to Combat Balm a bit more than a month ago. We apply it to my 2 children twice a day and their eczema is under control. They are comfortable and healthier as a result. We are so thankful!"  My family uses Combat Balm for EVERYTHING!  Whenever someone gets a bite, scratch, rash, acne, you name it one of us calls out "Where is the Combat Balm" or "Mom, can you put some Combat Balm on the sunburn on my back?" Throw away your after sun care, Neosporin and all other petroleum based, toxic products and give this product a whirl, you will be hooked forever!  Our soldiers in Afghanistan can't get enough of this miracle balm, it's a fighter just like them!
**Exciting footnote- We just received our 8 oz jars of Combat Balm for all our fans, we also sell Combat Ready Soap, Lip balm, and the NEW Combat Balm for kids and babies!

Bombing Can Be A Good Thing!

I mean Seed Bombing of course....gosh, what were you thinking? I am a peaceful person! We recently bought a Seed Bomb vending machine from a company called GreenAid. It is a repurposed gumball machine that holds 350 seed bombs, each made of clay, compost and approx. 500 native Texas wildflower seeds. Just deposit 50 cents into our vending machine and you will instantly be the owner of (1) seed bomb! Fling it, sling it, throw it, plant it, and watch the beautification happen. You might be wondering which native Texas seeds are hand rolled into this unique bomb? Everything from Blue Sage to Purple Prairie Clover and Showy Evening Primrose.  You must come by and get yourself a seed bomb or two...once you are driving around Houston with seed bomb in hand you will be surprized how many grey spaces you will notice...medians, sidewalk cracks, vacant lots....Just do it, and feel good about bombing for once!

Piloxing with Anna

Today was a very momentous day for One Green Street! Today we held our first in store exercise class and it was not any old exercise class as One Green Street is not any old retail establishment! Anna Stump is one of only two individuals Piloxing certified in Houston and she was on hand to teach this interesting, exciting form of exercise to OGS patrons. Piloxing is a combination of Pilate's and Boxing, giving participants a fun but hardcore workout. This, our first day offering Piloxing, Anna and I were the only two Piloxing but had an absolute sweaty blast! www.Piloxing.com will explain for you the creator of this unique exercise and anything else you would like to know about it...in 30 minutes I was dripping sweat in our Healthy Home section when a thought occurred to me..."I am exercising in a store! How often can you shop, get a manicure & Pedicure, purchase the perfect one of a kind gift and have it wrapped and exercise all in the same space? We continue to offer additional layers to our already eco-friendly shopping experience.  You never know what might be happening when you take a walk down One Green Street but you can be sure it will be either good for you, good for the planet or both!!!!  Join us next week and every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. for Piloxing with Anna and you will become a true fan just like me!www.piloxing.com

Green Apps Unite!

I just started receiving E Magazine, The Environmental Magazine, and I am in LOVE! Everyone that cares about the condition of our health and our planet should subscribe to this magazine, I learn so much each and every issue! I would like to share an article titled App Happy by Lindsey Blomberg from the May/June 2011 issue. I talk all the time about the importance of voting with your dollars and the 4 apps I will mention can make that so much easier for us when we shop or educate ourselves on how and where to shop!
My favorite and have used it for a while is the
 Good Guide App- www.GoodGuide.com using your phones camera you can scan the bar code of whatever item you plan to purchase, and through a database covering everything from apparel to household cleaners to appliances, Good Guide will rank the product on measures of health, environment and social responsibility.
Animal-Free App - http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/animalfree/id357422989?mt=8  Animal products and byproducts are found in more than just the meat isle. Skin lotions can contain proteins from cow's neck ligaments, for example, listed simply as "elastin." This app will snuff out all the hidden animal products in the items you purchase and even list alternative animal-free products comparable to the one you are buying.
Fooducate App - www.Fooducate.com   If you want a better handle on ingredients, nutrition labels, marketing hype and health claims, this is the App for you! Currently only available for IPhones. Scan bar codes in the supermarket isles and they'll be matched to a list of more than 200,000 unique food products, allowing you to instantly assess real nutritional value.
Find Green App - www.3rdwhale.com/apps - If you are looking for a nearby organic coffee shop or restaurant- Find Green, a GPS enabled app available in the Android Market can point you in the right direction. Once you choose your category Find Green will pull up a map with directions to get your there, as well as detailed description of the business, including address and phone number.

So now it is time to get h(APP)y.
Sherry

My Trip to the EcoCleaners!

I stopped taking my clothes to the cleaners a couple of years ago knowing the toxins they use could make me and my family very sick. What did I do for 2 years? Well...only when necessary would I hang dry & break the iron out, but mostly would look a little wrinkly at times.Today I made a great discovery, EcoCleaners on Westheimer in Houston. I have driven by many times wondering if they really are "Eco" or just greenwashing, so I finally stopped in today with 3 dresses that I refuse to iron and would look horrible wrinkled. I entered with my mental checklist: 1.Cleanliness  2. Friendliness  3. Smells   4.Knowledgeable employees 5. authenticity  The result of my visit is 5 stars, a check for each mental category! Glenda and her assistant were very friendly and I immediately said. "Hello, It is my first time here, what makes you a Eco Cleaners?"
Glenda smiled and began to tell me they do NOT use Perc which most cleaners use and is a known carcinogen but instead they use Hydrocarbon which is a much safer choice. She said they have been in business for 12 years and are the only Eco-friendly cleaners in Houston. I told her she was very knowledgeable and she replied "I have been to workshops and classes on the dangers of Perc and how to work with non-toxic products in the cleaning business."  Wow! I was getting more and more impressed. Perchloroethylene ("perc") is a Volatile Organic Solvent that could not only be hazardous for us as customers but think about the employees who breathe this toxic solvant everyday!
Let's talk cost because some people are turned off before even investigating anything eco-friendly due to the myth that the cost is higher or even double. I asked Glenda how much my summer dress would cost me to clean minus the toxins :0) $7 was her reply! Hey, that is not bad, they even do men's shirts for 99 cents.
They just got a new customer in me and I hope you will check out the EcoCleaners near you, support local and make a healthy choice for you and your family!

A response worth noting!

I recently had a moment! I live my life 99.9% in a positive place, however when newsletter writing time came around recently I was experiencing that .1% not so positive! Honest, thoughtful but not too upbeat! I am sharing an email I received from a customer shortly after posting the newsletter and she made my day!  Of course I asked her permission to share!!!! Jamie, you give me HOPE!

"Sherry - I just read your email on the topic of whether Houston can go green. As a native Houstonian and avid environmentalist I certainly hope so. I just wanted to say thank you for your store (I shope there fairly often) and for trying to inspire others in Houston to work towards a common cause in making our city more sustainable. We couldn't do it without stores like yours! I don't know if you have considered advertising at some of the local Urban Harvest farmers market or not, or maybe you already do. In any case, it could be a good avenue to gain additional attention for the store. Many of the people I meet there are similarly concerned about their personal health and the environment. Hopefully by working together we can all make a difference. Thanks again!


Best,
Jamie Rawlinson

My favorite NEW product! Lucy B

A regular customer asked me recently, "so, what is your new store favorite?" I surprized myself when I replied without hesitation, "Lucy B Bronzing Shimmer Oil." I mean come on...Organic coconut, Jojoba & Sunflower oils infused with Australian Flower Essences.  I am pretty White if I do say so myself and when the warmer months come around so do the strapless dresses, tank tops and bathing suits that show a little more skin than this girl can handle without a little help....I do love the sun, but have less and less time to enjoy it, so what are my choices if I want to bronze myself and do no harm?  I have enjoyed my trips to Throwing Copper in Montrose where they do Organic Body Hueing, which is a wonderful, safe process and experience. However, for a quickie bronze, Lucy B has won my heart!  The tropic smell is Frangipani which means Plumeria a flower I happen to love both for the beauty and the smell.  This product is for all skin tones and once applied will take you on a journey through the tropics with the look, feel and smell.  Lucy B is in West Hollywood California....well of course it is....I feel like a movie star everytime I am wearing it!!!!

Guest Blogger Yuliana De La Rosa blogs in Spanish about The EcoLuxe Experience

Estoy muy orgullosa de participar en EcoLuxe Experience en la tienda de  One Green Street my tienda favorita que ofrece productos organicos, libre de quimicos desde maquillaje hasta colchones.

Cuando estuve en la escuela de cometologia fue dificil estar expuesta  la mayor parte del dia al olor  de acetona, acrilico y esmalte. Despues de buscar alternativas mas naturales encontre la respuesta perfecta para mis clientes y yo misma.

Utilizo productos 100% organicos en todos los tratamientos de manos y pies conocidos tambien como manicure y pedicure, esto para mi es muy importante ser conciente y evitar  usar productos que contienen diferentes sustancias quimicas y toxinas terriblemente malas para la salud, porque a lo largo del tiempo he aprendido que todas las sustancias que ponemos en nuestro cuerpo son absorbidas por el y los quimicos de estas sustancias nos afectan a corto o largo plazo.

Cuando hablo acerca de los servicios que ofrezco la primer pregunta que recibo es acerca de el esmalte de unas (nail polish) Que marca de esmalte utilizo? La durabilidad y Calidad? Variedad de colores? My marca favorita es Priti Nails y  Priti Nails  removedor de esmalte a base de soya. Priti Nails es un esmalte no toxico, no contiene DBP, Toluene o Formaldehido,  cuenta con  una gran variedad de colores incluyendo algunos con brillo,  la durabilidad es buena comparado con  otros esmaltes  populares en en mercado,  pero my parte favorita,  priti nails es  un esmalte  seguro para que lo utilicen adultos y ninos.
Manicure Basico incluye  limado de unas,(nails) cuidado de cuticulas, masaje y esmaltado.
Pedicure Basico consiste en sumergir los pies  en una refrescante infusion  de aceites essenciales y sales de mar, te de arbol y menta,  siguiendo con el cuidado de cuticulas, remover piel seca, exfoliacion, un delicioso massaje y esmaltado.
Esto es por mencionar algunos de los diferentes servicios, algunos de estos incluyen extra masaje o fruta fresca.

Me apasiona tanto my trabajo que puedo continuar dia y noche hablando de esto, pero solo me queda mencionar que Ahora pueden recibir un manicure o pedicure con  productos 100% organicos y un servicio de alta calidad.

Estoy localizada dentro de la tienda One Green Street 5160 Buffalo Spdwy, Houston Tx 77005
 Citas (281)8889518 o yuliana@onegreenstreet.com  No olviden visitar la pagina de internet http://www.onegreenstreet.com/

Gabbing Green with Sherry: Can Houston Go Green?

I have to admit when I heard that the “Going Green with Yolanda Green” show was cancelled my heart skipped a beat! What? Are we going backwards or forwards with the “Green” movement? Yolanda has done so much to bring sustainable businesses, ideas and action to the forefront in Houstonians lives, how could this be happening? I have customers all the time visiting or moving from Colorado, Austin, LA and other “Green” cities, they are often surprised there are not more stores in Houston like One Green Street. Since opening the store I have met many wonderful people like myself, eager to change the world, especially Houston. We want to help people, we care for our friends, neighbors and the city we live in, we have educated ourselves on the dangers of certain chemicals in the food we eat, the products we put on our body and the air we breathe. I struggle daily with finding ways to let Houston know about One Green Street so that we can continue to grow, prosper and share all I have learned. I am a fighter but I cannot do it alone! When shows like “Going Green” get cancelled and “Green” businesses in Houston are fighting daily to stay around I think we need to take a closer look at which direction we are truly moving…and if Houston and Houstonians can really “Go Green.” If you believe in living a healthy lifestyle, that our planet and our people are suffering you obviously support One Green Street and our “Green” community. How can you then, help Houston and Houstonians realize the importance of “Going Green.” Vote with your dollars, use your voice, share your experiences, and patronize triple bottom line businesses on a regular basis. If each of you were to share your One Green Street experience with just one person, a big difference could be made in the future of our store and other’s like us. Let me be clear about something...my window washers make more money than I do a month. It is not as much about money for me as it is about creating value and inspiring change in my community and the world! I humbly say “I need your help!” It is time we put Houston on the map as a sustainable, healthy city where we, our children and our children’s children will live long, healthy, happy lives! Let’s move FORWARD, together!

Guest Blogger Tori Jade raps about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch!

Did you know that the state of Texas has a twin? It’s called "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch” and lies in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. Unlike the state of Texas that is populated with people, this so called island is populated with trash. Enough trash for it to be compared to the great state of Texas! Most of this patch is made up of plastic items, which float through our sewers and into the ocean where they meet up in the Pacific. Not only is this hurting us, but it is also hurting the animals of the ocean and the birds that venture above. Birds might mistake these floating trash items for food which inevitably will kill them afterwards. In order to prevent the growth of this patch, our world needs to pitch in and fix this mess. In order to do so we can do beach clean ups frequently and recycle as much as possible. This is a great devastation and a mind blower that I will share with friends and family.

The EcoLuxe Experience is BACK!

I am so excited to announce that the EcoLuxe Experience brought to you by EcoLuxe Organic Spa is BACK at One Green Street. Make your appointment now for an eco-friendly, organic manicure, pedicure or spa treatment. Yuliana De La Rosa is a licsensed manicurist and she is taking appointments for Friday afternoons and Saturdays. What a great eco-friendly gift idea, treat someone you love and care about to a safe ecoluxe experience today. EcoLuxe mani's and pedi's are not just for women, our products are so safe and sexy treat your man to and organic gift. Do you have a pretty princess? Yuliana uses Priti Nails/
Priti Princess line for your sweet little one....don't want those pesky chemicals on our little angels do we? How about a mother/Daughter appointment? Here is Yuliana's luscious list of luxury treatments:
Basic Manicure: $22
Tea Tree Manicure: $29
Essential Pedicure: $30
Coconut Lime Pedicure: $36
Muscle Mender Spa: $42
Lavender Vanilla Spa: $53
Grapefruit Mint Spa: $65

Kids Spa
Fancy Fingers: $15
Fun Feet: $22

Additional Services:
Add Foot Mask: $10
Polish Change: $12
French Manicure:$5

call 281-888-9518 to book your appointment

I am NOT my hair! (feeling a little light headed)

My hair has not been this long in forever! Ponytails, braids, updo's all in my repertoire lately. However, it is getting warmer and it seems to take soooo long to do my hair in the morning I thought maybe it is time for a change. I was voted "Best Hair" in 9th grade, when I met my husband 25 years ago, one side of my head was shaved and the other was long, I have permed, cut, shaved and everything else you can think of over the years. My hairdresser says I am one of the few people she can give a new hairstyle to that actually can recreate the style she cut..usually people seeking a major change end up styling their new cut to look like the old style (go figure)
Well, I decided it is time for a change, short, flirty, fun here I come...so the morning of my appointment I decide to where ponytails to work for the last time. My husband says "Awwww. I am going to miss those ponytails, I love them." When I arrived home that night with my new short do I presented him with my freshly cut ponytails!!! ( I am so clever, I can hardly stand it, see pic of me holding up my freshly cut ponies) I love my new short do! He loves it...but others...not so much! "Why did you cut your hair, it was getting so long!" "I am real funny about hair, I like long hair" blah, blah, blah...I want to scream "I AM NOT MY HAIR!" It is only hair and it grows back...I am still the same fun, smart, cool girl just with shorter hair...duh! There are so many things we cannot change about ourselves, eyes, ears, feet, etc so why not have a little fun with our hair? If you are bored with your hair lately...take a page out of my book and cut if OFF! Then start using our Intelligent Nutrients line of Haircare products that are safe, non toxic and organic....you will be miles aHEAD of the rest! Trust me!

What Makes Nail Polish Toxic?

I remember my mom's nails...she was a hard working stay at home mom so they were rarely painted, cleaning, washing, gardening, it just wasn't worth doing it on regular basis. However, once in a while she would treat herself and bring out her plastic two sided carrier with the handle in the middle filled with a variety of nail polishes, removers, files etc....I always knew when mom was treating herself because I could smell her before I could see her! Fast forward to today and I realize sadly that Mom's treat was actually a very TOXIC experience!
Owning an Organic Lifestyle store has opened my eyes to so many frightening realizations, one of them being the toxins in nail polish, so now that we know what we know why Does This Matter? What are the toxins? How could they affect us? check this out and share it with everyone you know and love!

-TOLUENE which causes rapid, shallow breathing, chemical pneumonia,
blurred vision, dry, cracked skin, and drowsiness also effects the kidneys
and the nervous system. It may also cause an exaggerated feeling of
well-being, headache, staggering tremors, and convulsions.

-FORMALDEHYDE is a strong allergen and irritant to which humans have
a very low odor threshold, also a known carcinogen. It increases airway
resistance when inhaled, probably because of local irritation and release of
inflammatory mediators. Additionally, formaldehyde is a strong contact allergen.
Acute and chronic dermatitis was once a common complaint in the beauty
parlor industry because of using formaldehyde in fingernail finishes.


-DIBUTYL PHTHALATE (DBP) which are linked to reproduction system
problems and underdeveloped genitals in newborn boys.

The nail polish line we carry is called Priti Nails out of New York City and you will not find any of the above toxins in their products! If you are looking for an eco-friendly gift idea, this one has safe and sexy written all over it!

What Does Shade Grown Coffee Mean Anyway?

We carry Grounds for Change coffee at One Green Street and we love it! Grounds for Change is USDA Certified Organic, Fair Trade and Shade Grown. I totally get the first two attributes but had to do my research and talk to Kelsey at GFC to get the skinny on what "Shade Grown" really means. This is what they said:
Why Shade Grown Coffee Is Important
Written by Grounds for Change for ENN.com

A shade grown coffee farmer stands in his coffee plot laced with orange, avocado, lime and scattered high-canopy trees. Birdsong rains down from above and the rustle of animals in the twigs and fallen leaves surrounds him on all sides. Dappled sunlight filters down and glints off the glossy green leaves of his mature coffee shrubs.

This vision is in sharp contrast to the sun-baked, acidified soil and relative silence found on standard full-sun coffee plantations, which must clear-cut the forest and use large quantities of toxic fertilizers and pesticides to keep their full-sun coffee productive.

Coffee is a shade-loving shrub and naturally-occurring varieties can only be cultivated under a canopy of shade trees. What we now refer to as "shade grown coffee" was the only way coffee was cultivated until 25 years ago, when new full-sun hybrids were developed that produced substantially higher yields for coffee farmers and allowed the creation of massive agribusiness-style plantations, which were not economically viable prior to this time.

The increased yields of full-sun coffee come at the expense of the environment, the flavor of the coffee itself and of migratory bird populations, which have been decimated in the last 25 years.

Today I am sampling a new blend to OGS, Mexico "Cafe Femenino" a medium roast grown by Women!!!! I love what this company is doing and the care and thought that goes into everything they do!!! Come by and sample some for yourself!

Me & My BHAG

Do you have a BHAG? You know...a Big Hairy Audacious Goal or Goals! I have always thought outside of the box since a very young age, mom always told me that I was great and could do anything and be anything. Did your parents tell you the same thing? Did you believe them? When I told friends, family and other aquaintances that I wanted to open an Organic Lifestyle store where anyone that wanted to purchase eco-friendly products could come, shop, learn and stay a while to visit, sip coffee or tea and feel like they are part of a family, I got mixed reviews. You don't have retail experience! What if it doesn't work? Do you have a background in business? An Organic store in Houston????? I kept an eye on my BHAG because one thing I know for sure is that DOUBT is a dream killer and I was not about to let that 5 letter word get in my way, no matter what people threw at me! It has been over a year since we opened our doors at One Green Street and I am already focusing on my next BHAG...bringing environmentally friendly goods to the masses! I would love it if you would share your BHAG with me....if you don't have one...get one.. remember you are either in the bleachers or on the field it is your choice!!!!

Future Friendly....HUH!

I laughed out loud the other day when a popular laundry detergent ran a commercial touting their product as "Future Friendly" because they have reduced their packaging by 25%! Wow, that would be a great story except for the fact that millions of people use this popular laundry detergent everyday and it contains toxic chemicals such as Ethanolamine!!!! Look up the word "toxic" and you will see first and foremost that toxins damage Organisms amoung other nasty side effects. Green Washing! I talk about this often because large companies gain our trust but don't tell us the whole truth! What is "Future Friendly" about washing your clothes, your babies clothes in toxins? We wash, dry and wear these items that touch our skin and possibly leach into our pores causing us who knows what damage....won't be a very "friendly" future if their product makes us sick or worst yet gives us a long term or life threatening illness! Be cautious friends, don't be fooled, be informed!

Look what is in my Beauty Bag!

Well, I was waiting in the Dentist office last week with a major toothache and dug into my purse pulled out my "Beauty" bag and started laying the contents out on the chair. My husband was watching me with curiousity and said "what in the heck are you doing?" I said I want to show my friends all I need, want and feel comfortable carrying in my purse to help me look fresh, feel good and be healthy on a daily basis. So I snapped a picture with my phone while other patients stared at me puzzled. Here is that photo....the contents of my Beauty Bag are:
Mini Combat Balm- for cuts, scratches, burns...anything you would put neosporin on.
Combat Ready Lip Balm-When I want my lips to heal and when I need to kick somebody's ass!
W3ll People Paganist-My power piece! Lip balm for my sexy side.
W3ll People Nudist #1 & #4 when I want a little color in my lips.
Tsi-La- Kesu perfume, a mysterious and provocative blend of 100% pure plant essences.Yes. I am mysterious and provocative. Perfect perfume for me! All in my Fuz bag made from factory felt scraps~!
Well, that's all I need....what's in your Beauty Bag?

I'm soooo wabi-sabi

I like to call my knitting skills "Wabi Sabi" because when I drop a stitch I keep going..when my finished product is mishapin, crooked, and goes from wide to narrow I don't fret! There is beauty in imperfection. That is the Japanese principle of wabi-sabi which values cracks and scratches over a shiny facade. Leonard Koren, author of a book on wabi-sabi, give this advice: "Pare down to the essence, but don't remove the poetry. Keep things clean and unencumbered but don't sterilize." I love that! My mom used to say, "Sherry you really don't like tedious tasks do you?" Nope! My husband says,"so you can do things in half the time that I can but when I do it, the job is done perfectly!" So? I have no use for perfection...there is too much living to do, too many things to marvel at, places to go. Don't get me wrong, I admire people that are really good, experts maybe, at what they do whether at work or play, it's just not me! I am perfectly, unperfectly wabi-sabi and proud of it. What about you? I probably mispelled a word in this post....not worried.. you will figure it out.

Where is Your Money Going?

I challenge you to take this Buy Local Quiz and see where your dollars are going. Are they staying in your city? Going to China? India? or an unknown abyss? When we buy local (within 100 miles of our homestead)the money we spend stays in our city and boosts the economy which means more jobs, a happier city, less crime and poverty. This mini quiz is meant to make you think about where you are shopping and how it might affect your environment. I hope after taking this quiz you will be more conscience of the restaurants you eat at, where you buy your toiletries, gifts etc. Here are my top 10 favorite Local businesses in Houston.
1.One Green Street
2.Michaels Cookie Jar
3.Supple Skin Boutique
4.Mark McDaniel Accounting
5.Abejas
6.Zpizza
7.Buffalo Grille
8.Retna Media
9.Queen of Hair
10.Suk Ross

and now....the quiz :0)

1. When was the last time you shopped local?
2. What was the name of the Local Business?
3. What did you buy?
4. How many times in the last 30 days have you patronized a local business?
5. List 3 local businesses that you patronized in the last 30 days.

A Closer Look Inside One Green Street

I believe that the greatest most successful companies in the world are able to define their "Culture" the core values that they live and work by on a daily basis. The core values that not only affect the business owner and employees but their customers, vendors, and the whole community at large. In most businesses this is not associated with the bottom line but for us it is!! We believe that how you work and play, and how you treat people will affect your bottom line, either in a positive or a negative way. I decided today to share our Core Values here at One Green Street with our blog followers. Please read, absorb and hold us accountable at every turn.
1 Amaze Customers
2.Embrace Change & Drive Change
3.Create Fun(Smile & Laugh)
4.Pursue Growth & Learning (Read & Listen)
5.Build Open Honest Relationships w/ Communication
6.Build a positive team & family spirit
7.Be passionate & determined
8.Be Humble
9.Be adventurous,creative & open minded
10.Enhance/Support our community

Up Cycle your Life in 2011

I am a big fan of up cycling. We carry items in our Full Circle Fashion area that are up cycled and people always ask me “what does up cycling mean?” I tell them that when something is up cycled it means that the integrity of the original item is kept intact; however the item is embellished, to make it more current, fun, and interesting. Everything Old is New again, the saying goes and with up cycling that certainly is true. I was thinking….what if we could up cycle our lives? Stay true to your self but embellish your life so that you are more current, fun and interesting? I challenge all of you to do that in 2011, make some positive changes to yourself, your wardrobe, and your habits. That hat you love in the window but it just isn’t “YOU”, that glitter nail polish or eye shadow you’re admiring from afar but say “I am too old for glitter.” Get that glitter mama!!!!! Guys, your not a zip down the front sweater guy or never used that gel/mouse stuff, your just not comfortable, it’s not “YOU.” Gel that hair dude!!!!!!!!!! Have fun this year, take risks, step out of your comfort zone, life is too damn short not to! Here comes the plug…wait for it…..One Green Street is full of one of a kind unique finds for both men and women, why not stop by and let me help you up cycle your life this year! I would be happy to make suggestions and share my thoughts and ideas with you…it’s a safe zone here…I promise! Happy NEW (they call it NEW for a reason) Year to all my dear OGS Friends and Family.