(*Bring Your Own Bag)

Something exciting is afoot here in California: A new push to ban single-use retail plastic bags in favor of more Earth-friendly choices. Past efforts have met resistance from bag manufacturers and retailers, but a new State Senate bill (SB 405) is being officially supported by the California Grocers Association. And that’s a big deal!

The retailers’ group supports the ban because they say it would provide “consistency and predictability” for consumers, compared to the more than 70 local bans in place now that the group says can be confusing to shoppers and expensive for retailers to comply with. If the bill becomes law, stores would phase out the bags by January 1, 2015. Shoppers would bring their own reusable bags or pay about 10 cents each for paper. (Hawaii became the first – and still the only – state to ban the bags outright, in 2012.)

While some bags are recycled, most end up landfills, where they can blow away and end up in creeks and rivers. Many ultimately end up flowing to the sea and harming wildlife and marine animals. Reducing the amount of ALL kinds of disposable plastic we use is one of the easiest ways to help the Earth and its creatures.

For more information about how to reduce plastic waste, check out plasticpollutioncoalition.org.

Imagine a world without synthetic chemicals. Well, that is a bit extreme. It would rule out pharmaceuticals and many other “necessary” products. Nevertheless, that is the utopian image in the back of my mind when I choose to spend more money on organic food and goods. It’s that “saving the world” feeling I get that keeps me going the extra mile, literally, to the health food store instead of the closest grocery store.

I’m not supporting organics only because it’s healthier for my immediate family. In fact, I’m thinking of my bigger family, the bees, birds, deer, soil, fish, rivers and oceans who directly suffer from pesticide exposure.

Imagine if everyone shopped for consumables with the bigger picture in mind. Is furniture consumable? Yes, it’s earth food, as it will end up in there some day. Let’s feed it organic! It’s not hard to start with organic basics: food; personal care; clothes; beds and bedding.

Find an organic store near you at these links:

http://www.organicstorelocator.com/

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/list

“When we try to pick out anything by itself we find that it is bound fast by a thousand invisible cords that cannot be broken, to everything in the universe.” – John Muir’s journal, July 27, 1869

Moderation is my default setting. I’m always looking for that comfort zone: Love the heat and sun but must find shade; happy in the winter snow with enough gear to keep me warm; I eat whatever I feel like but not too much (mostly organic of course). This pattern has kept me happy as a clam and moderately healthy for years.

Sometimes I wonder if I might need to step it up and, you know, DETOX. It’s spring, no better time, right? I would do it if I had to… eat raw foods only or fresh juice for weeks, but that’s just not my thing. Remember this is me – medium me. If you enjoy a good spring cleanse all the more green power to you!!

Recently, I was listening to a health issues show on our local non-profit radio and the guest was a naturopathic practitioner who was answering callers’ questions. One question was, “what is a good detox diet?” Imagine my relief when she replied that she doesn’t recommend regular detox programs to people who are otherwise healthy. In fact good sleep was her remedy as our bodies go to work detoxifying at night, naturally. I’m thinking… sleep… I can do that. Not a problem.

That got me to thinking about my quality of sleep, which is now a priority to address with my newly found resources here at Lifekind. Here’s my realistic, long-term detox plan:

• Replace chemical bedding (automatically less toxins).
• Continue to sleep 7-9 full hours each night.
• Go to bed by 10:00 more often (according to Ayurvedic wisdom, an hour of sleep before midnight is equal to two hours after midnight. Also, the phase intended for detoxification is between 10pm and 2am.)

Here’s to your health!

{re-blog from OMI}

We are an organic company, so using organic products is a no-brainer for us.  But we have to remember that not everyone has the same immersion into the world of organics, and new parents need to know when it is essential to choose organic products.

This great info-graphic,  put together by our friends at Harmony Art, is a great visual aid for new parents, and puts the “how” and “why” of buying organic for your baby into an easy-to-digest graphic that takes away the guessing game:

To read about how this piece came together, be sure to check out Harmony Art’s blog.

Born and raised in Maine by a “back to the land,” naturalist mom, I had a pretty good start at living a healthy life. I eat primarily certified organic, non-GMO foods and enjoy the challenge of finding locally or regionally produced products. I reuse plastic bags (yes, I wash them!) and shop with my faithful cloth bags. I compost and recycle, and I’ve always used “natural” (or so I thought) body-care and household cleaning products. I’m doing pretty good, right?

Lifekind gives all of their (our!) new employees a gift basket with samples of the Naturally Safer laundry, cleaning, and personal-care products so we get a chance to try everything out before we recommend products to customers.  Both the castile bar soap and the liquid soap have become my new favorites– both feel silky and non-drying. After working at Lifekind for just two weeks, I now feel like I’m really moving back to the land, literally refreshed by the purest organic skin and hair products I’ve used in years.

My husband and I had planned to get a new bed in the near future – something really comfy – and were prepared to spend the money on a really good one. I’m so glad we didn’t just run down to the neighborhood mattress store and jump on (or sink into) some memory foam, because we might have been sucked in. I have a new awareness about the toxicity of the synthetic materials and chemicals in the old beds and bedding in my house, and it’s reminding me of what’s going to happen when they go “back to the land” – yikes!!

I’m already filtering Lifekind’s organic pillows and bedding into my life, and feel so great about it.  I look forward to starting this new chapter in my life with Lifekind.  Hopefully I’ll talk to you along the way!

Naomi is Lifekind’s newest team member, training to become a Product Specialist.  We hope you will welcome her the next time you call us!

Did you know that even though bedbugs keep evolving resistance to nasty pesticides, there is one thing that can stop them in their tracks?

Kidney bean leaves… apparently bed bugs get trapped by the microscopic hook-shaped hairs on the bean leaves, stopping the bugs from making it to your bed or furniture. (Listen to the Scientific American podcast here)

And even though scientists made a synthetic version of the kidney bean leaf, the synthetic leaf just trips the bugs up for a minute, instead of actually stopping the bugs like their natural counterpart does.

The bad news is that the leaves work best when they’re fresh, so those of us without a kidney bean plant in our backyards are still going to have to wait until we figure out a natural way to stop bed bugs.

Fortunately, bed bugs are repelled by natural rubber, which is the main ingredient in most of Lifekind’s organic mattresses.  And for those of you who don’t yet have a natural rubber mattress, or have a sensitivity to natural rubber, we have the organic cotton bed bug and dust mite barrier cover.

This organic cotton cover is made of tightly woven organic cotton that zips on over your mattress and prevents bed bugs and dust mites from penetrating the fabric, therefore protecting your mattress from nasty little critters.  The dust mite barrier covers are 100%-certified organic cotton and are machine washable.  Not only are they available in many different sizes to fit all mattresses, but we also make them for pillows, too.

The bed bug and dust mite barrier cover is, hands down, our best-selling item.  Not only do our Lifekind customers sleep better knowing their mattresses are protected, but the barrier covers have a second use:  they keep everything clean!  Our customers, even those who have natural rubber mattresses and pillows, swear by our barrier covers to protect their bedding from spills and stains. Double bonus, right?

Today, our new Spring 2013 catalog officially goes into effect.

If you normally get our catalogs in the mail, you should be receiving yours soon. I think it has an especially lovely cover, featuring cherry blossoms against a soft green background (see below/etc.). Within its pages you’ll find a few things that are new, including:

FREE SHIPPING on all regular-priced orders over $99

• Sale pricing of 50% off our new Diamond Jacquard Bedding Collection, 40% off Pure Sheet Sets, and 50% off crib skirts in either the Pleated or Swiss Dot style

• The same low pricing we instituted last year on our popular Euro mattress. It’s still just $2,495 for the queen size – $900 less than in 2011!

If you’re new to our catalog or haven’t received one in awhile, you can request one here or give us a call at 800-284-4983 and speak with one of our friendly product specialists. Until then, here’s wishing you a Happy Spring!

We celebrated with polar bear poetry and Klondike bars here at Lifekind.

How did you celebrate?

On the way to work today I heard a radio interview in which the author was discussing how many people are experiencing high levels of stress both at home and in the workplace. He emphasized the important role joy plays in our daily routines, which helps combat stress.

I am happy to know that a lot of other people are on the same quest as me: How to find joy in the workplace. I enjoyed Betty Bender’s quote:

“When people go to work, they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home.”

This would be me, since as any of my co-workers will tell you, I am an open book!  We spend a great deal of our time with the people we work with, so let’s make it fun and interesting!

Here are my favorite ways to feel more joy in the workplace:

* Take a walk around the building on your lunch break; getting a breath of fresh air is a good way to relieve stress and feel better.

* Do nice things for others, like leaving a chocolate on co-workers’ desks.

* Find reasons to be grateful. Write them on sticky notes and place them around your workspace.

* Do something you love every day, even if it is just something small, like read a blog that makes you smile or sing along with the radio.

* Play a game with your coworkers.  Our graphic designer renamed everyone in the office on National “Get a New Name Day“, and we had to figure out what everyone’s new name is  (I’m now Wakana!)  It was a great day to break up some of the post-White Sale craziness and share a few laughs with the people we spend our week days with.

* Notice positive aspects of co-workers and the contributions they make.  Share the love, and tell them the nice things you are thinking. According to Walt, “Attitude is everything!”  and sharing a good attitude can make all the difference in the world.

Valentine’s day, the day of love, is coming up on us real quick.  Instead of giving chocolates and flowers this year, why don’t you give your sweetie something that seems to hug her (or him) back?

Find the perfect gift with our top-10 best Valentine’s Day gifts from Lifekind:

1.  All-Season Wool Comforter:  February is a great month for snuggling, and what better way to do it than under our organic cotton and wool All-Season Comforter?

2. Body Pillow:  The best substitute if you can’t be there to spoon.  This generously sized body pillow gives her something to hug when you are away.

3. The Wooly: There’s nothing better than sinking into a fluffy bed at the end of the day, and our 3″ Wooly can make that happen. It’s handmade in our certified-organic factory, and is so comfy, you’ll just want to spend the day in bed cuddling.

4. Back Wrap with cover:  Heat this organic buckwheat-filled back wrap in the microwave, and put it around your shoulders to soothe away aches and pains.  Feels great after a day on the slopes, and it’s a great warm-up for the shoulder rub you’ll be giving her later.  She deserves it.

5. Shredded Rubber Pillow:  Hands down, our best-selling pillow.  The soft, responsive feel of the natural rubber, wrapped in organic wool, is the perfect place to rest your head….. It’s even customizable, so she can make it exactly to her liking.  Heck, get yourself one as well, so when she steals your pillow, at least she’ll be stealing a great pillow.

6. Silk and Fleece Throw Blanket: This is love in a blanket.  The wonderfully soft fleece feels amazing, and it’s trimmed with cruelty-free Peace Silk. This beautiful creamy blanket looks great with any decor, and feels even better with a bowl of popcorn on your lap and your arm around her shoulders for movie night.  (Pro Tip: Make it a romantic comedy.  You’ll thank me later.)

7. Organic Cotton Stuffed Bunny: If your Valentine is of the under-10 set, this heirloom-quality bunny is the perfect gift.  It’s sewn by hand, and is reminiscent of years past.  It’ll soon become the bedtime favorite, and your mini-Valentine is sure to love it.

8. Shower Dechorinator with Hand-Held Massage Kit: At the end of a long day, nothing feels better than a hot shower and some muscle relief.  This dechlorinator and hand-held showerhead massage could be just what the doctor ordered.

9. Spa Gift Bag: Everything your lady needs to feel pampered.  From bath soak to body polish, help your sweetheart feel great…so great, in fact, you won’t be able to keep your hands off her!

10. Body Care Gift Bag: Hey, you deserve something nice too–this gift bag is an assortment of our unscented body products.  You don’t have to share, but if you do, these products are great for both men and women.  Treat yourself and give her a reason to run her hands all over you. It’s a win-win in our book!