Super Eco

Photo credit: Dan O'Halloran

This weekend the Go Green Expo came to Los Angeles. I volunteered to check it out for Super Eco, and brought my kids along for the fun. Upon entering the L.A. Convention Center, we saw a huge biodome in the center of the hall that looked like the Earth. My kids immediately ran into it where they found corrugated cardboard pulled out like an accordion to use as seats. A live band played and a multimedia presentation about the convention's sponsor, Perf Go Green, was screened.

After picking up their biodegradable dog poo bags, we hit the aisles looking for ideas and products that would help us live a more sustainable existence and discovered some interesting treasures.

Rejuviebagz takes kid's juice packs and makes them into stylish, colorful handbags and purses. We saw a lot of clothing made from bamboo, but the refashioned juice box accessories were the most unique items we encountered. Fashioned by a woman's co-op in the Phillipines, these items are under the Fair Trade agreement. My two kids (who are juice-a-holics) were thrilled to realize that their throwaway packaging could be transformed into these bright products.

Photo credit: Trenttsd on Flickr

You love your man dearly, but not as much as he loves his harsh chemical cleaners, degreasers and paints. There may even be a shed or garage that's a shrine to the worst petroleum-based, eco-killing, allergy-causing chemicals that have ever been devised by morally questionable international corporations. What's an environmentally conscious wife to do? I have three tips to help you pry those extra large bottles of environmental death out of his hands and replace them with eco-friendly alternatives that still get the job done.

1. Reward him. Men are simple creatures really. Give us what we want and we'll give you what you want. And what do we want? Sex tops the list. Sex in a new room, in a new position, at a new time a day, it's all good. Other incentives that will work include: allow us time with our guy friends (without guilting us that we aren't spending enough time with our own family); no-distraction sports watching; and letting us win an argument. Ok, that last one was asking a bit much, but you get the idea.

Photo credit: Trialsnerrors, Flickr

Many laundry products say they are "green" or "environmentally friendly." But those claims can mean anything the manufacturer wants it to. Is it manufactured with no harsh chemicals? Are the containers made out of recycled materials? Is the detergent concentrated to save on water? Check out our comparison chart of popular "green" laundry detergents and comment below with any questions or comments you have.