Kind words from our Etsy guests

"Hi Jack! I just wanted you to know that the reason I chose your shop over all of the others I looked at for soap, was because of your ethical practices. I'm sure I'll be shopping with you in the future! I was thrilled to find you here on Etsy! And thank you, for what you're doing for people and our planet!!
-- Peggy D., Bloomfield, NJ

*Thank you, Peggy.  The 5 Point low impact production has always been a dream of mine.  With improvements to the Solar Powered Studio, and continued support from my bio-sphere friends, I hope to set new standards for Corporate Responsibility and make every day matter as we work together to repair the damage that we've done.

Forage for local food

This little overlooked flower is often thought of as a pest or weed. It's not, you've just been missing out. Foraging for local food is a great way to get back in touch with what is edible. Dandelion greens (thick leaves) are delicious too in a salad or steamed. Make sure that you're foraging out of the range of weed killers and pesticides.

Fried dandelion blossoms

36-48 large dandelion blossoms
1 cup flour
1 cup ice water
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tblsp egg replacer

Remove as much of the dandelion stem and greenery as possible without damaging the blossom itself. Heat oil (I prefer coconut oil) in a skillet on medium high. Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Add ice water and stir. Blend in egg replacer. Use tongs to submerge dandelion blossoms in batter and drop in hot oil. Fry in shifts.

Building a better world through human power

Everything needed for human powered apps of bike cranks.  Generate your own electricity, get healthy and be a prepper.http://bit.ly/OqJVAp 



This is a free downloadable PDF on how to construct them. Definitely a keeper for preppers and folks that wish to be or become self sufficient.  http://bit.ly/M0LpQu

Ditching the bottle for a travel friendly shampoo in France

Ethically Engineered -- Vegan No Bottle Shampoo Bars got a little write up for the French magazine Réponse à Tout!
My No-Bottle Shampoo was featured: http://etsy.me/Kz18QR and can be seen below as the yellow lemon scented circular bars.

Je suis très heureux maintenant!

51 Ways to reduce plastic use

1. Bring your own cloth bags to the grocery store (or any store!).

2. Don't buy beverages bottles in plastic. Glass is great.

3. Carry your own reusable steel or ceramic beverage container. If they're too pricey, use a glass mason jar! Heavy, but cheap.

4. Don't get to-go coffee or hot drinks. Your drink lid and cup will live on for over 100 years! The lids and lining are plastic. Bring your own or ask for a ceramic, reusable cup.

5. Go to the farmer's market and purchase fresh fruits and veggies (not packaged in plastic).

6. Don't buy convenience foods packages in plastic.

7. Make your own bread.

8. Buy bread from bakeries that package in paper.

9. Clean with baking soda and vinegar instead of cleaners packaged in plastic.

10. Buy laundry detergent in boxes, not liquid in plastic containers.

11. Buy farm fresh eggs in reusable paper containers.

12. Get your cheese from the deli and place it in your own container (glass or a plastic one that you already have, don't waste what you already have!) or get it wrapped in paper.

13. Buy your meat from the deli and have it wrapped in paper.

14. Package your leftovers in corningware.

15. Bring your own containers to restaurants to package leftovers.

16. Use bar soap to wash your dishes. Dr. Bronner's is perfect.

17. Stop using deodorant or antiperspirant. It's not natural to prevent yourself from sweating. Use perfume in a glass bottle if you want a nice smell.

18. Do not use air fresheners. Light a candle or incense instead.

19. Store all your food in glass containers. If you purchase something bottled in glass, clean it and reuse it!

20. Buy bulk cereal, bring your own paper bags.

21. Buy tortilla chips packaged in paper bags.

22. Buy bulk coffee packaged in paper or in cans, or bring your own bags.

23. Buy milk in paper cartons.

24. Buy peanut butter that is packaged in glass containers.

25. Buy bar soap, not liquid body wash.

26. Compost your trash, reduce your use of plastic trash bags.

27. Line small trash bins in your house with paper bags.

28. When ordering drinks, say "no straw please!"

29. Buy real maple syrup (comes in glass bottles) we get ours at Trader Joes.

30. Buy toilet paper that is wrapped in paper, not plastic.

31. Don't use ziploc. If you need to keep things like half an onion (happens to us all the time!) use aluminum or waxy paper.

32. Use cloth rags for clean up around the house, no paper towels - reduces your trash and need for trash bags.

33. Use matches instead of plastic encased lighters. They usually give them to you for free at the liquor store.

34. Use cloth napkins. They feel nice and reduce your waste and use of plastic trash bags.

35. If you want a fun drink, buy chocolate milk in a carton or apple juice in glass bottle. You can also ferment your own drinks in glass mason jars.

36. Bring your own bag to all stores you shop in and say "no bag needed, thanks!"

37. Put empty cardboard boxes in your car to transport heavy items to and from your car without a bag.

38. Say "paper not plastic" at the grocery store.

39. Don't use plastic cutting boards. Use wood or glass.

40. Use baby bottles made of glass.

41. Use stainless steel sippy cups for kids.

42. Use cloth based toys for your pets, like catnip mice and soft squishy balls.

43. Buy cloth diapers. Many great varieties available and better for your baby. We fill a super bowl size hole every day with disposal diapers that will leach toxins into the environment for centuries to come.

44. Buy CDs packaged in cardboard sleeves or buy your music online.

45. Use junk mail and other paper to stuff into big packages to ship instead of bubble wrap or air filled plastic.

46. Use real silverware for parties instead of plastic.

47. Use rechargeable batteries to reduce buying batteries packaged in plastic.

48. Make a compost heap to reduce your food waste and put it back into the earth.

49. Use a reusable cloth bag or old fashioned steel lunch box to carry your lunch to work or school.

50. Make your own yogurt in glass mason jars. It's easy!

51. Spread the word! Tell people about the harmful chemicals in plastic, the pacific garbage patch and help reduce plastic use by example!

Source: http://www.squidoo.com/reduceplastic

Ditching the bottle for a travel friendly shampoo in France

Ethically Engineered -- Vegan No Bottle Shampoo Bars got a little write up for the French magazine Réponse à Tout!
My No-Bottle Shampoo was featured: http://etsy.me/Kz18QR

How do I recycle safety razor blades?

 

So you've made the switch from plastic razors to refillable double-edged safety razors!  Outstanding!  The plastic razors filling our landfills averages about 2 billion annually by EPA estimations.  That's a lot of needless waste.  Especially when you consider the cost of making them, and the carbon impact, or their leaching toxins.  

 

But how do you safely recycle the used safety blades after their use?  Those after the perfect wet shave have often relied upon what is called a Razor Bank.  They can still be found in stores but are mostly considered vintage items and often look like whimsical little porcelain jars shaped like a barber.  But you don't need these.  You need an enclosed tin that can easily be tossed in the recyling bin when it's full of old blades.

 

 

 

This project costs pennies and took approximately 20 minutes (plus drying time).

 

I stopped at my local grocery store and purchased a can of coconut milk.  Look for a tin can that you commonly would purchase and that contains only liquid (vegetable broth, tomato soup, etc) because you're going to pour that liquid out into a reusable container for later use in cooking and recipes.

 

Score the label carefully with a sharp knife. Please do use all cutting tools in a safe manner.  I do not recommend using your double edged razors to cut the label off the can.

 

After you score the label, simply unwrap the tin. 

 

Use a pencil, sharpie, or oil pencil to mark a line on the top of the unopened can.  This will be the slot that you use to drop old blades into the tin can.

 

Carefully use a chef's knife or tin shear to cut the slot in the top of the unopened can. 

 

NOTE: Face the cutting edge of the blade toward the center of the can in the direction you wish the slot to be cut. The backbone of the blade will force the cutting edge in the correct direction.

 

Gently move the knife back and forth once you have pierced the tin so that you open a nice wide slot and ensure that all sharp edges are safely tucked inside the tin can..

 

Drain the contents into your reusable container and put away for later use.  Rinse the tin by running hot water through the new slot you've made in the can. 

 

If you have label glue on the can, you can remove it with Goof Off or sometimes just peel it off with your fingernail.

 

As it is, your blade bank is now fully serviceable; however, you may want to decorate it.  Your choice.

 

If you do choose to paint it, may I suggest you use a low-, or zero-VOC paint, and make sure the area that you are working in is well ventilated.  Got to keep you clever and fierce! 

 

When the can dries, you can add lettering or put some bitchin' pin stripes on it.  Start adding your safety razors as they become dull, and once the tin is full, you can recycle the whole thing.  As our friend Dasha noted, this idea also works for recycling bottle caps and other common small household metals.

Have fun and Enjoy!!!After seeing a considerable number of threads recently regarding blade banks and disposing of spent razor blades I decided to show how to make a simple yet effective blade bank for under 50 cents. It is very easy, safe and ready for the recycle bin when full.

There are a few that can be purchased for a buck or two plus shipping or you could find some more fancy vintage banks in an antique shop or even Ebay but I would rather spend my money on razors and soaps. It’s great for the frugal (tight wad) shaver. I’ve heard of folks using glass jars which was really disturbing to me. Wet hands on glass do not go well together and as it gets full, it takes only a minor tap and the glass can shatter. 

 

This project cost 33 cents and took approximately 20 minutes minus drying time.

 

I stopped at my local grocery store and purchased 3 cans of store brand broth (liquid only) for a 1.00 as they were on sale.

 

Once home I scored the label carefully with a sharp knife. I thought about using a DE blade to do this (after all, this is B&B) but opted for the knife with as I just so happen to have this nice vintage Gillette Office razor knife, go figure!

 

After I scored the label I simply unwrapped the can. 

 

Using a pencil, I marked the top of the can where I wanted to make the slotted opening.

 

Now, with a large knife, (I choose this chef knife) I placed the tip on the end of the mark I had made.

 

I gently tapped the handle with the palm of my hand to cut or punch the slot in the top. 

 

NOTE: Face the cutting edge of the blade toward the center of the can in the direction you wish the slot to be cut. The backbone of the blade will force the cutting edge in the correct direction.

 

I moved the blade slightly from side to side so I was insured the edges of the slot rolled under so there would be no shape edges, and removed the knife to reveal a nice, clean slot.

 

I then drained the contents of the can in a bowl to save it for use at a later time.

This may take a couple minutes and you may need to shake the can to help drain. I then rinsed the can with some hot water. (Necessary? I don’t know but I did it anyway).

 

At this point you may find some label glue residue. I simple used a little Goof Off and a paper towel and cleaned it right off. If you don’t have any Goof Off or something comparable, you can soak the can in hot water for about 5 minutes and it will wipe right away.

 

At this point your blade bank is ready to go or if you’re like me, you might want to dress it up some and paint it.

I found some spray paint leftover from another project I had done some time ago and opted to use it. I was a light tan with actually was used to paint the heater cover in my bathroom so it made for a nice match but you can use any color you enjoy. After all, you’re making it for you.

I took a paperclip (bent into a hook shape) and tied it to a piece of string to allow it to hang for spraying and drying.

 

Make sure when spraying you are in a well-ventilated area. I choose to spray mine right out in the back yard hang from a tree branch.

 

Once the bank is dry (I used 1 hour paint) you can either use it as it is or take it yet another step and add other things to further customize your bank.

While the bank was drying I rummaged around the house to see what I could find to trick out my new bank. I found some ¼” vinyl artist tape that I had used for some signs and a little gold leaf paint for lettering (BTW, I really suck at lettering).

 

After a couple more minutes my bank is done. It may not be a fancy as a store bought bank yet for under 50 cents it’s going to do just fine. It will hold a few years worth of spent blades and I don’t need to worry about anyone getting hurt by them, and it’s totally green!!!

 

Have fun and Enjoy!!!After seeing a considerable number of threads recently regarding blade banks and disposing of spent razor blades I decided to show how to make a simple yet effective blade bank for under 50 cents. It is very easy, safe and ready for the recycle bin when full.

There are a few that can be purchased for a buck or two plus shipping or you could find some more fancy vintage banks in an antique shop or even Ebay but I would rather spend my money on razors and soaps. It’s great for the frugal (tight wad) shaver. I’ve heard of folks using glass jars which was really disturbing to me. Wet hands on glass do not go well together and as it gets full, it takes only a minor tap and the glass can shatter. 

 

This project cost 33 cents and took approximately 20 minutes minus drying time.

 

I stopped at my local grocery store and purchased 3 cans of store brand broth (liquid only) for a 1.00 as they were on sale.

 

Once home I scored the label carefully with a sharp knife. I thought about using a DE blade to do this (after all, this is B&B) but opted for the knife with as I just so happen to have this nice vintage Gillette Office razor knife, go figure!

 

After I scored the label I simply unwrapped the can. 

 

Using a pencil, I marked the top of the can where I wanted to make the slotted opening.

 

Now, with a large knife, (I choose this chef knife) I placed the tip on the end of the mark I had made.

 

I gently tapped the handle with the palm of my hand to cut or punch the slot in the top. 

 

NOTE: Face the cutting edge of the blade toward the center of the can in the direction you wish the slot to be cut. The backbone of the blade will force the cutting edge in the correct direction.

 

I moved the blade slightly from side to side so I was insured the edges of the slot rolled under so there would be no shape edges, and removed the knife to reveal a nice, clean slot.

 

I then drained the contents of the can in a bowl to save it for use at a later time.

This may take a couple minutes and you may need to shake the can to help drain. I then rinsed the can with some hot water. (Necessary? I don’t know but I did it anyway).

 

At this point you may find some label glue residue. I simple used a little Goof Off and a paper towel and cleaned it right off. If you don’t have any Goof Off or something comparable, you can soak the can in hot water for about 5 minutes and it will wipe right away.

 

At this point your blade bank is ready to go or if you’re like me, you might want to dress it up some and paint it.

I found some spray paint leftover from another project I had done some time ago and opted to use it. I was a light tan with actually was used to paint the heater cover in my bathroom so it made for a nice match but you can use any color you enjoy. After all, you’re making it for you.

I took a paperclip (bent into a hook shape) and tied it to a piece of string to allow it to hang for spraying and drying.

 

Make sure when spraying you are in a well-ventilated area. I choose to spray mine right out in the back yard hang from a tree branch.

 

Once the bank is dry (I used 1 hour paint) you can either use it as it is or take it yet another step and add other things to further customize your bank.

While the bank was drying I rummaged around the house to see what I could find to trick out my new bank. I found some ¼” vinyl artist tape that I had used for some signs and a little gold leaf paint for lettering (BTW, I really suck at lettering).

 

After a couple more minutes my bank is done. It may not be a fancy as a store bought bank yet for under 50 cents it’s going to do just fine. It will hold a few years worth of spent blades and I don’t need to worry about anyone getting hurt by them, and it’s totally green!!!

 

Have fun and Enjoy!!!