5 (Green) Things We Love

This week we’re keeping it simple. We like these things—not because they’re green, but because they’re awesome. We think you’ll like them too.

THE LOVE BOTTLE

The Rock Star Bottle, $16-$19

Word Bands, $2 Each

It’s a water bottle you can accessorize, a reusable glass bottle you can write on, wrap thick colorful rubber bands inscribed with uplifting words around, add waterproof stickers to, and it has a ceramic swing-top lid that creates a water-tight seal (which also gives it a vintage message-in-a-bottle look that makes us really happy). You can even add a hot pink or black shoulder carrier/cooler to make it extra fancy. Of course, it’s chemical-free, that’s a given. But the Love Bottle gurus take it a lot further than that. They want you to look at your water as the light hits the glass and be able to appreciate it.

Believing words and pictures carry energy that ‘supercharges’ it, the idea is that if you feel good when you look at your bottle, you will feel great drinking from it.

The bottles come in 14 designs or blank. If you have an idea for a design, submit it on their website. If your design is selected you’ll get 24 of your bottles  free and a $75 credit. Bottles run from $16-$19; carriers, $16-$18; and accessories, 25 cents-$10.

UJEANS, SIZE: PERFECT

It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of super low-rise or high-waisted mom pants, UJeans guarantees their jeans will fit you perfectly, whoever you are. They use 11 of your own body measurements to literally tailor fit them to your body. You even get to design them down to the number of belt loops. They are sustainably made, using green coloring techniques, natural enzymes and minerals rather than harsh chemicals, and will run you $140. Visit http://www.ujeans.com/my-tape.html to have a free tailor’s tape and step-by-step design book sent to you.

ECO LUNCH BOX KIT

We love sporks. When we get married we want a full set of the fork/spoon combo in sterling (like these, but a little less dangerous looking). This lunchbox kit by Ecolunchbox is 100 percent plastic-free, waste-free, lead-free, BPA-free, PVC-free and vinyl-free–and it comes with a 2-sided sustainable bamboo spork. In other words, it’s a healthy way to green your lunch. It’s also really cute. The ECOlunchbox Kit comes with a lunchbag, a stainless steel food container, three matching napkins and the spork. It’s handmade, machine washable and sewn from fabrics that are hand block printed by artisans in India. It’s fully reversible and adjustable to fit children and adults. It converts to a backpack, sling bag, shoulder bag and hip bag. And it probably does anything else you can think of, but we’re going to stop here. Check them out at http://www.ecolunchboxes.com. $30-$45.

IN THE BAGGU

Whether it’s to pack your goods at the food store or to haul your random necessities on the subway, to the beach or back to school, these bags are amazing in their simplicity. Dressed up or dressed down, guys, girls, and everyone in between, you can take them anywhere on any occasion. Baggu is a small team of designers, and entrepreneurs, founded on the principle that good design should be functional, beautiful and affordable. They believe in “bright colors, high style, quality materials, and economy of use” and say using one Baggu for one year replaces 300 to 700 disposable bags. Each bag comes in a little pouch and folds up small enough to fit in your pocket. So when you need a bag, you have one. They’re $3-$8 each, and a $5 drawstring bag will hold up to 10 of them on your next shopping trp. Visit www.baggubag.com to see the whole line–small, huge, striped, patterned, plain–and when you’re done with your bag send it back to the company for recycling and you’ll get a $1 credit on your next Baggu.

Mrs. May’s Vegan Trio Bars

Cashews, almonds, pistachios, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dates, raisins, rice malt, natural flavors, evaporated cane juice and sea salt. Blueberry, strawberry, cranberry, and tropical varieties. Vegan. Non-GMO. Cholesterol-free. Dairy-free. Wheat-free. Gluten-free. Zero trans fat. 230 calories. No artificial colors or flavors. And they don’t taste like cardboard. You can find Mrs. May’s Bars at any Costco or BJ’s. Price varies.

Know of a product that’s great and green?

Let us know.

Email jgallucci@longislandpress.com.