Green goodies galore :: An EDGE Holiday Gift Guide
Eco-rotic!
Chances are that you and the people on your gift list have never heard of Topco Sales, but if you’ve bought an "adult novelty product" in the last 30 years or so, you’re likely familiar with their products. The leading manufacturer of "sex toys, adult novelties, pleasure products and personal care cosmetics," Topco Sales is the company behind names like Bottoms Up, grrl Toyz, X-Rated and My First. (Don’t pretend like you don’t know...)
It turns out that the company’s not only responsible for many of the pleasurably moans and groans you may have heard (or made), they’re also environmentally responsible as well. This year Topco announced a company-wide ’Commitment to Green’ initiatives, including extensive recycling, water filtration, solar energy usage, and a handful of other ways of reducing their carbon footprint. As far as gifts go, their line of Glass Sex Toys have become increasingly popular as more and more people are becoming aware of the environmental impact of ’getting it on.’ (For some fun tongue-in-cheek info on this, check out this blog.)
You can find a selection of glass toys at 69AdultToys.com. For more info on the company’s green initiatives, click here.
Eat your vegetables... then put them on your face!
When your mom told you that vegetables were good for you, she was likely talking about eating them, not putting them on your face. It turns out, however, that the same vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that benefit the body from within, also do an excellent job of treating it from the outside. The first skincare range formulated with active vegetable ingredients, the Vegetable(s) skincare line is pure, simple and nourishing- perfect for eco-friendly folk looking to hold on to their youthful look!
Made with vegetable extracts - but withOUT parabens, perfume or phenoxyethanol - the products in the Vegetable(s) line are meant to nourish skin much like fresh veggies nourish the body. The lotions, serums, and such all smell delicious, and feel even better. In fact, you may be tempted to take a nibble, but try to resist!
For more info, go to www.VegetablesBeauty.com
An eco-classic :: updated and SUPER strong...
I know what you’re thinking: "we’ve all got reusable shopping bags." Well, you don’t have this one- and you should. Here’s why:
Weighing in at just 1.7-oz, Sea to Summit’s Ultra-Sil Shopping Bag is likely the lightest full-size reusable tote you’ll ever own- and it’s certainly the strongest. Made from an environmentally friendly siliconised coated fabric, the Ultra-Sil is durable, water-resistant, and able to hold more than 285 pounds, yet it folds up into a 2.5" x 1" pack that not only easily fits in the palm of your hand, it can be clipped to a keying to avoid the "I forgot my bag in the car" moment. Perfect for grocery shopping, it’ll easily hold a few gallons of milk, multiple six-packs, or a week’s worth of produce from the farmer’s market.
Of course that’s not all it’s good for. Given its strength and durability it also makes a great beach bag or makeshift gym bag, and it’s perfect for hikes, camping, and any other activity involving dirt, water, and the need to carry things. It’s spill, leak and mess resistant, tucks into its own tiny pocket, and at just $18, makes a perfect - and budget-friendly - gift for anyone on your list.
The Ultra-Sil is available in gold, red, blue, green and gray. Go to www.SeaToSummit.com to find a store near you, or buy online at Amazon.com
Eco-friendly vegan (and delicious!) chocolate
Although I’m a vegetarian, mention the words "vegan" and "chocolate" in the same sentence and you’re likely going to get the gay eye roll and possibly the say it to the hand as well. I grew up in Seattle, so even though I look fabulously "LA," underneath the designer clothes I’m a total tree-hugger. But vegan chocolate? Never liked it.
Until now.
I don’t know what the secret is behind Nicobella Organic Vegan Chocolates, and frankly I don’t much care. What I do know is that these little babies are some of the best damn chocolates I’ve ever tried- vegan or otherwise. About the only thing I don’t like is the fact that I didn’t get more of them. A strong proponent of Fair Trade and sustainability, Nicobella partnered with Theo Fair Trade and Organic Chocolate (a Seattle-based company, coincidentally) to create their dark chocolate truffles. The partnership has resulted in fabulously rich and delicious treats that not only benefit you and your taste buds, but also the planet.
Each 6-piece assortment box contains one Blueberry Almond, one Ginger Green Tea, one Pumpkin Chai, one Sunflower Banana Butter, one Walnut Flaxseed, and one Pure Cocoa Bliss. We’d tell you our favorite, but if we picked just one we’d be lying; we love them all.
The six-piece assortment box is available at www.AbesMarket.com for $15.
Last page :: stocking stuffers!
