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Look for Less: Ashley Greene
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Live eco-friendly with these products

I'll be the first to admit that I don't always think earth-friendly thoughts when it comes to the products I buy.

Except for my Birkenstocks and an occasional spin of "The Doors" in my CD player, I'm not that much of a hippie.

But in recent years, green living has become more hip than hippie. It's cool to care about the earth. So we've become consumers with a conscious, and as the demand for eco-friendly products is growing, so is the selection.

Is thinking-green becoming the new black? In honor of Earth Day on Sunday, I shopped around Sioux Falls to find out.

¥ Eco-friendly clothing has come a long way from burlap sacks and hemp sandals. These days, it's hard to tell the difference between something that's made from organic materials and something that's not. Take for instance this ultra-cute tee by Green 3 Apparel ($30) and cropped pants by Patagonia ($75) from the Great Outdoor Store. The T-shirt is made from 100 percent organic cotton. That's important because according to research by the Organic Trade Association, 25 percent of the world's insecticides and 10 percent of the world's pesticides are used to grow conventional cotton. The pants are made from a blend of organic cotton and hemp.

¥ Shop till you drop, but forget the plastic. Don't worry, I'm not talking about your credit card. I'm talking about those plastic bags that seem to multiply faster than bunnies when brought home and stashed under the sink. Make the commitment to reduce your plastic consumption by bringing along your own shopping bag, like this one made from recycled plastic bags ($18 at Ten Thousand Villages). It's cute, roomy and those handles aren't going to stretch and break when you buy too much.

¥ Sure, e-mail is great. But I love getting actual handwritten letters and cards in my mailbox. So recycled note cards, like these from Mudlark ($15.50 and $24.50 at Zandbroz) are a great addition to my stationery collection. Just be sure to continue the earth-friendly circle by recycling (or creatively reusing) the cards after they've been sent.

¥ You wouldn't use harsh chemicals on your body. So why use them in your home? Caldrea's line of luxury household cleaners, which I found at Zandbroz, includes laundry detergent ($17.95), stainless steel spray ($12) and a powdered scrub ($12). Everything is made with plant-derived ingredients and essential oils. Plus they're biodegradable and they smell good, too. It almost makes me want to clean my house.

¥ Bamboo is quickly spreading throughout the house. First, the hearty plant was heralded as terrific alternative to traditional hard woods. Bamboo, after all, reaches maturity in approximately four years, compared to 70 or more for a traditional tree. Cut it down and it will grow back quickly. But now bamboo is the fiber of choice for fabrics, too. Treat yourself to a luxurious set of towels from Nandina (washcloth, $15; hand towel, $29; and bath towel, $59 at Le Peacock). They're more absorbent and faster drying that ordinary cotton towels and they're as soft as cashmere.

¥ I don't know if there's a support group for lip gloss and chap stick addicts. Perhaps I should start one. I have tube after tube stashed nearly everywhere - in my purse, in the junk drawer in the kitchen, in my desk, in my pocket ... I don't want to take a chance on having dry lips! Not surprisingly, I've tried just about every brand on the market, and one of my favorites has always been Burt's Bees ($2.99 at Target). It goes on smooth, doesn't feel waxy and leaves a nice, kissable shine. Plus it gets bonus points for being made with all-natural ingredients and packaged in materials made partially from recycled goods.

Reach Janna Farley at jjfarley@argusleader.com

 

This chic and sporty thong, back, brown colored leather sandals from Chaco Naot Simple and othersgoes beautifully with casual wear, from Bermuda shorts to long cotton skirts. Ergonomically designed for comfort, the Switch features a combination fabric and leather upper and a soft, molded polyurethane footbed with excellent arch support for all-day wear. The sandal’s Vibram sole is ultra-light and offers durable traction on wet and dry surfaces

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