Honestly, besides the sound of the wind through trees, wind chimes are my favorite sound.  They remind me of the energy embodied in every atom, which connects us all. 

Some wind chimes are tacky.. and some remind you of Aunt Edna that lives in Marin, but others are stunning and make amazing sounds. I have one outside my bedroom that I love more than my, um, wardrobe? But that isn't saying much as I am tired of my wardrobe.  Ever just reach that point when you are like, "I hate this, and I hate this, and I would rather just stay in my PJ's than wear that?"  But I digress.

So that last thing I will say about wind chimes is that they are great for feng shui.  They help keep the good energy flowing.  Can you feel it?  I can.  I can also feel my cheap sweater itching me, but I digress.

Off to scout for some cool & affordable eco outfits... stay tuned! Jen

Okay, so as humans, I don't think we need meat like less evolved animals need meat.  That is just my evolutionary hunch.

And
Cricket confirms it.  When I feed her vegetarian treats, she seems a
bit bummed. She likes the IDEA of "crunch, crunch, yum, yum, isn't this
fun" but she really doesn't go crazy for vegi treats.  I do feed her
the  vegi treats from Raw Dog just so she doesn't get spoiled on the
Bison Jerky.  But if you want to see her go berserk for bison (doing
spins), check out this video collage.

And Froggy.  Dude he eats mice.  That's pretty meaty. 

Okay - off to go see my little beautiful meat-eating mongrels now.. yay! Jen

Wake up at 3:30 AM.  Decide there must be something to be stressed about, so check email on the Treo.  Erase 20 spam emails telling about raging stock predictions.  Make sure the tip went out.  Go back to sleep, fitfully.  Wake up at 5.  Decide there must NOW be something to be stressed about, so check email on the Treo.  Erase 20 more spam emails and try REALLY hard not to get sucked into the East Coast emails in the inbox.  Go back to sleep (maybe).  Get up a 6:30.  Turn on laptop while making coffee and shoveling some yogurt and muesli into your system.  Start to work while drinking copious amounts of really strong coffee.  11:00 - realize that you might pass out from hunger, you are shaking from caffeine overload, you haven’t showered or brushed your teeth, and you are still in your PJs.  Feel mildly embarrassed by this.  Start to walk toward bathroom to shower, but take the conference call ringing in your Bluetooth instead.  Shovel Clif Bar into your mouth while artfully muting your phone during said call.  2:30 – look up from email and IM and think “Damn. I REALLY need to shower.”  Walk toward bathroom again.  Phone rings again.  This time you mute the conference call while peeing, because you realize you haven’t had time to go to the bathroom yet.  As you flush, you discover that you really hadn’t muted the phone.  For some reason, this doesn’t embarrass you as much as the fact that you haven’t brushed your teeth yet.  And you STILL haven’t showered, but decide that you can at LEAST get dressed since just maybe today will be the day the cable guy actually decides to show up during the 4 hour afternoon window.  Eat another Clif Bar and a handful of almonds.  Write a tip about the importance of eating local, fresh produce in season and the benefits of getting your veggies.  Completely miss the irony of this, but later decide that you can at least drink some fizzy vitamin-packeted water and force-feed some nutrients into your body.  Wonder how you can get so hungry sitting on your butt all day in front of a glowing screen, fielding calls. 4 pm – start to jones a bit for a glass of wine, but think that maybe you should have an alcohol-free day today.  Take your mind of your wine need by trying to sell some ads.  Write a blog or 2.  Open a bottle of organic wine, thinking “I’ll just smell it.”  Clearly, that doesn’t work. Answer door (it’s NOT the cable guy).  It’s a friend who whisks you away and forces you go for a walk and then to eat something other than an energy bar.  Have a toast to your friend.

Lather, rinse, repeat (because, clearly, you need a shower).

-Heather… off to celebrate the fact that I am on vacation and am NOT doing the above today…

One of the good things about being me is that when I get angrier, I actually get funnier.  Unfortunately for my own ego, my future career as a comedienne, and for the people around me, I’m not often angry.  And the truth is, I don’t get that angry about the things that matter.  The things that really matter – those things – I WORRY about.  I’m not a funny worrier.  I’m a crawl-under-the-covers-and-cry-and-never-sleep worrier.  So climate change and wars and famine and bad health… those things make me hide in bed and walk around as a sleep-deprived zombie, but they don’t really bring out my funny side.  (This is why I was cut off from watching nightly news a few years ago.)

Oh no - my angry/funny side is brought out by the truly trivial: boys, bad drivers and cable companies.  Accordingly, I’m a laugh-riot at the moment.  Seriously.  Would SOMEone please explain to me why there isn’t a cable or internet company on EARTH who can ever show up in a reasonable timeframe, on time, and actually get the thing done?  Can anyone else tell me why San Francisco drivers – contrary to public perception - are apparently a LOT more mean and nasty than those of us were in Brooklyn, while we dodged crater-sized potholes on the BQE?  As for boys… don’t even get me started on that subject, unless you want to be subjected to an earful of theories.

But one thing does make me angry and is not in the least funny – the fact that almost no one knows what’s in their lotions and potions.  Parabens?  They are just – quite simply – scary as hell.  I started to give them up after a freaky health issue last year.  I haven’t been able to get rid of them completely yet, but I’m getting there.  Same with formaldehyde products.

Seriously – go to your bathroom right now and pick up a bottle.  Just scan it.  Pick up another.  And another.  Count the times you see the word “paraben” included.  Usually toward the end of the ingredients list, and with methyl, propyl or butyl in front…

-Heather… off to yell at the cable company, flip off a bad driver and boil a bunny…

So I just had my old computer crap out, and Brett de Woody, our tech dude, is going to see if he can recycle it at Toshiba since I bought my new computer from them, and they have a buy-back deal where we can get $200 for my old laptop even though it is a Compaq - which is a great deal because it is going to take $500 to fix.

I had planned to have tried to return it and tell you all about the process by now, but Heather and I have traveling and Brett is trying to launch a new tip design by the time the Martha show airs (Oct 2) so alas, I will have to fill you in a bit later.  If you are curious, shoot me an email at jen@idealbite.com and I will make sure to send you each emails about the experience. (Okay, who are we kidding, the emails might come from an intern, but alas, that is just so every now and again I can actually get the ferg away from my computer.  Nevertheless, LYL.  - That's "love ya lots" in 8th grader language, which I dig.)

Off to dream of all the toxins we are saving by not sending my computer to the landfill and what we will do with the $200.  Hmm... I know... meet us at Plonk, Bozeman Biters!  - Jen

The following was written by Erica, part of the crew at Better World Club

Last week, Jen told you how she liked to stick her tongue out at Hummer drivers.

While Jen's actions may put them in their place, there's a bigger issue involving Hummer drivers, no irony intended. We at Better World Club have been wondering whether the theory that guys who drive Hummers are trying to make up for certain shortcomings is true. If you drive a Hummer and are reading, we'd love to hear evidence to the contrary, but until we do we'll keep believing the stereotype!

Better World is the nation’s greener—and cooler—auto club. Like Jen and Heather, we try to take out work—but not ourselves—seriously. In addition to the Hummer issue, there are some more serious questions we're thinking about. Lately, the topic of convo that's been on everyone's lips at BWC:

Why is everybody thinking in such small terms when it comes to fuel economy?

The auto companies are patting themselves on the back for making a few cars that reach 30 mpg. The environmental groups act as if 40 mpg is utopian. But we’re on the verge of much higher numbers. Toyota says that they are going to add plug-ins to their hybrids in 2009.  If so, we’re looking at 100 mpg, maybe more, if they do it right. What's the mpg necessary to get off imported oil? Certainly nothing as low as 30 or 40 mpg. But a higher mpg is achievable if consumers demand it. So we're all counting on you Biters - let the car manufacturers know what you're thinking - and let us know what you're thinking too. Just leave a comment or two in this blog - especially if you own a Hummer.

If you want more information on the effort to increase fuel mileage, click here.

So that isn't even a joke because it is so stupid.  What is funny is when a fellow Montanan invites me to dinner, and they say, "so, we know you are a vegetarian, so we are having chicken."  Then I have a big laugh, at least on the inside. Well, I laugh until I am staring down this poor, dirty dead bird on my plate.  And I am forced with the decision of whether or not to take one for the politeness team, or to take this as an opp to educate people on what vegetarianism is, and why people are.  What would you do?

Off to do the chicken dance to pay homage to all the times I took one for the team - Jen

Years ago, I was living with a boyfriend, and I learned that there are just some things that I don't want to do that - by and large - men do exceedingly well:

• Opening Champagne(I don't mind doing this one, I just think it's incredibly sexy when a guy opens it)
• Cooking Breakfast
• Taking out Trash
• Pouring Wine (even if not champagne) and Making Cocktails
• Grilling Anything
• Absolutely Anything to do with Boats - rowing, launching, tying up (of course, I CAN do all of these... I just really love to watch a guy doing it)
• Cleaning Floors

It's that last one that gets me every time.  I HATE to clean floors.  I will clean every other thing in the house, but floors kill me.  In fact, unless pressed, I will live in complete floor squalor for months on end in order not to have to sweep, vacuum or mop.

And sooner or later, I figure the guy will just get it done anyway.

-Heather... off to make a list of all the things I do to compensate for NOT doing the above... ;)

During
a recent meeting with a green cleaning company that sells its products
at Target, I got into a discussion about how "accessibility" is often
the missing piece of the greening puzzle.  After all, it
DOES seem a little odd to live a green lifestyle by ordering single
versions of everything off the internet and having them shipped to you.  You might take the petroleum products out of the cleaners, but how much did you use to get it to your door?

So
the fact that big box retailers might be greening their images by
stocking more and green products doesn't actually stress me out as much
as it does some.  I'm not quick to jump up with accusations of "greenwashing" (even as I choose NOT to shop at those stores myself).  Quite simply, I love the fact that my mom can buy good green cleaners in stores she can get to.

So regardless of what you think about big box stores, take some time to fill out their online comment forms:

• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Costco
• Home Depot
• Kmart
• Office Depot
• Petsmart
• Target
• Toys R Us
• Wal-Mart

The
more they hear that we want it, the more likely it'll be that you'll
start seeing all your favorite green products on the shelves.  And if you continually request more green corporate practices, believe me: they will stand up and take note.

-Heather... off to sleep after a whirlwind weekend in NYC...

Please add on your games to this starter list:

1. Sticking your tongue out at Hummers. (The best is when you look cute and the dude at the wheel is looking at you thinking he is looking hot and then when he gets close enough he sees you are sticking out your tongue in disgust. Ha! it kills me. Really makes my day more than it should. Anywhoo.)

2. Trying to not break when you see a red light... if you could just coast all the way up to it, and by the time you get close to the car in front of you, the light is green and cars are moving. Ah! Just think of the gas and brake bads saved!  (Same goes for game in stop and go traffic... normalize the stop start baby... kick it into low gear and cruise. Yes, you are that cool.)

3. Others?

(Off to coast my way on down to a NYC watering hole... been a long day on the M.S. set... jb)

So there always has to be an early product that really serves as a wide-spread Beta for what's to come.  And then all the eager beavers out there (known as "early adopters" in marketing speak) rush to buy the newest thing to be invented.  My Dad is one actually... I can't tell you how many laptops and Treos I have received from him... he always has to have the lightest laptop first, or the first Treo video phone first.  Then another comes out that is better, and voila! I get styled.

Anyway, long way of saying that I am not going to get a GEM. I am not an early adopter so into technology or with loads of disposable income. Not to mention, I did the savings calculations with its nifty calculator on the website and it saves me $700 a year - which I would gladly pay to be able to speed around the highways of MT.  I mean, my barn is 15 miles away, and so that would cost me an extra 20+ minutes to get there, so about 45 min. r/t. extra time spent.

However, the one part of me that is drawn to it is my love of golf carts. We used to sneak golf carts out when on beach VKs and rip up the greens. I know, bad. But it was so fun! So if I were rich or lived on a golf course I would be an early adopter of this and support the cause.  But for now, my Jetta, my horse, my bike, and my legs will get me where I need to go.

So here's a shout out to you early adopters... especially you, my dear not-so-old Dad!

Off to check to see if my Pops would be interested in a GEM... he is an early adopter and lives on a golf course afterall... I just may have a GEM yet... Jen

Hey all, wanted to introduce you to the latest Bite team member - my new '76 Benz biodiesel. God bless her, she needs a name.

Course Jen said I need to name her Ida ("As in IDA got a nicer car if I didn't go in debt to start the Bite"). Personally, I think this makes Ida self-conscious and sad, so I think she might need a new name.

So, opening it up to you all. She's white (but used to be blue) with red seats... ideas, anyone?

-Heather... off to drink margaritas at the Ramp...

It is utterly disgusting how much waste is created by moving.  As I sit here in the midst of books strewn about my office floor, I'm a bit embarrassed by the sheer amount of STUFF that I have. Although, I gotta say - I did give away all my boxes and packing papers on Craigslist, so I'm feeling a little smug about that. (Next time you move - seriously - do this.)

But really... it's an utter disgrace that I have this many books and all these THINGS.  So, in recompense, I guilted myself into thinking I'd survive without a car in order to offset my move.  I even had fantasies of tuning up my bike and riding it everywhere.

Well, I had those fantasies for about a minute... until I realized that Portrero Hill is, well, really, really REALLY steep.  No bike for me.  (Did I mention this is a steep-%!$ hill?)

So yes, I am in the market for a biodiesel convert.  Saw a great one on Sunday - fingers crossed there.  If you know of any on the market for a song, give a shout, since I want a pimped out 70s ride with biodiesel and a wooden steering wheel.

-Heather... off for a walk on these knee-knocking steep hills...

One of the great joys of my job is that I get to decide on editorial - what gets published when, who writes the blog, etc...

So it's no coincidence that this whole week is devoted to the car and issues surrounding autos.  See, with this Bay Area move - after not needing one for years - I need a car again, and this is the week I start shopping.

So what does a green girl do?  Hybrids are great, and they are practically CRAWLING all over the hills of San Francisco, but ultimately, it seems a little crazy to me to buy a brand-new car - even if it is a hybrid - when they are just going to come out with better and better models in the next couple of years.  I am not one of those people who approaches vehicle purchases like a mobile phone - expecting to upgrade every 18 months.  But I want the gas mileage.

The main problem for me with the hybrid is that I'm still relying on fossil fuels.  Yes, there are a whole host of issues around biodiesel, I get that (stay tuned tomorrow).  Yes, I can take it to CalCars and pay to have them convert me to an electric-hybrid combo, and I'd get 100+ mpg (but forego trunk space).  But ultimately, I like the idea of getting around - with comfort and style and warmth and room - without burning petroleum reserves. 

It lets me save the oil for my plane flights and wine importation.

-Heather... off to see a '76 converted biodiesel Benz.  White with red leather seats... wish me luck...

Rarely do I get high on my green horse... but I seriously thought myself so clever when as a teenager shopping with my mom I would answer "neither" to the baggers and then whip out my duffle bag.

However, I am FAR from eco perfect.  To prove that, I took this quiz, called My FootPrint, which tells you just how many planets we would need if everyone on the planet lived like you do.  As I walked down this path to eco-enlightment via a computer tool, I became excited to see my results -- I guess getting a little high on my green horse.  I don’t eat meat; I recycle; I drive a 25 mpg Jetta  only when horseback won’t get me there; and of course - I don’t choose between paper or plastic because I bring my own bag to the supermarket.  I welcomed the opportunity to assess my ecological footprint.   

The results are displayed like this:  "if everyone lived like you, we would need __ planets." My score, in large thanks to air travel, is 3.9 planets!  I found a shallow ‘victory’ for at least coming in below the average ecological footprint in the US:  6 planets. 

Beyond this pointing to the fact that we can't smooth out the world's inequalities by making the poor much richer (because if everybody lived like the average American it really would take 6 planets to meet all our needs), it told me that we all have to find a big bang for the buck way to travel in class… green class.  So, now I am committed to offsetting my air travel emissions.  Emission offsetting means that you purchase a corresponding number of trees or clean energy credits to neutralize your carbon contribution from your flight.  But that is a different tip.

Off to order reusable, sassy shopping bags for Ideal Bite... let me know if you want to preorder one... they are going to rock. - Jen

Sometimes I just need to vent, which should appease some of you darker greenies...

Okay, seriously, how lazy can we be?  Why can't we do some very simple "carrot & stick" measures to help move our race out of temporary moments of pure stupidity?  For example, all grocery stores should charge for their bags.  When Ireland's government imposed a .15 / bag, the use of plastic bags dropped 90%. DUH.  (Clearly, this would be a "stick" - whereas giving people refunds for bringing their own bag, a "carrot" is not enough motivation in this case, but could work in other areas.)

As my British wanna-be-Kiwi friend Paul says, "it is no coincidence that the European government levies enormous taxes on petrol and there are no Hummers there."

Anyway, like I said, I just had to rant. I get upset when we bypass amazingly easy solutions infavor of pure gluttony. 

So on a positive note, I discovered BHappy Bags (or they discovered us, really) and this is the first bag that I really enjoy taking shopping... it is the perfect shape (depth and width wise), and has a sassy design.  Sure, it isn't made of organic cotton, but in the end, not using plastic or paper bags when I shop outweighs the fact that it isn't organic. I am working with the lovely ladies that started BHappy Bags on a signature Biter bag... the hunt for durable, fun patterned, organic cloth is on!

Off to admire my growing bag collection... Jen

OK, today's blog is supposed to be on hemp, and I DO love hemp. (And if you want to get some, I recommend Nutiva).

But for now, let me wax poetic about my Treo...

See, I am trapped in an internet-free hell at the moment (it is called my new place and no connection til thursday). But... treo has saved the day. in fact, this whole entry is being thumb-typed on my TreoLove.

My friend, Andrew, runs a blog devoted to the worship of all things Treo. I used to think he was nuts.

Now, I know better...

Check him out at Treonauts.com. (Oh, and of course please also tells us of your love of hemp...)

-Heather... off to figure out if I can italicize on this thing...

As I sit in the middle of boxes in my new place, I am profoundly embarrassed by a number of things:

1.  How much stuff I have.
2.  How wasteful the entire process of moving is (although I did give away my boxes and papers on Craigslist).
3.  How thrilled I am to have my lotion back.

Honestly, I have a lotion problem.  I love it.  I love the smell, the feel... and in the past year, I have unearthed some extraordinary treasures:

Blooming Lotus
TerraNova
Nutiva Coconut Oil
Max Green

Sigh... honestly.  It's like being an addict in a crack den - me, unpacking my bathroom boxes.

-Heather... off to figure out the recycling pickup schedule...

For years, I didn't know how much I loved clothes.  Oh, I loved earrings.  No doubt about that in anyone's mind.  But the clothes bug - that bit me much later.

So Greenloop has come along at a nice time for me - at the intersection of a love of sustainability and a love of fashion.  And we've been chatting with Aysia since we first started as a business, so it feels good to see how far they've come in such a short period of time.

And if you check out their site, you'll see that a good many of the products and brands that we constantly recommend here on the Bite each day are all already there in one place.  Some faves: John Masters, HER Design, GreenToe, Miessence, Loomstate, Trillian...

As for me, I am all about their current clearance options, and want pretty much everything except the bathing suits on this page: http://www.thegreenloop.com/Eco_Fashion_clearance_Huge_savings_on_green_fashion_s/236.htm

Feel free to use it as a gift buying guide for Heather, friends and fam...

-Heather... off to buy that Loyale dress if I think it can get here in time for Italy...