I was having a conversation with an artist friend of mine the other night who was lamenting that products that were “green” were either ugly or priced at a premium, making them out of reach for the average consumer. She also said it was difficult to buy these items at a premium price when the benefits, in terms of global warming, would not be felt in her lifetime but more likely by future generations. I had a certain sympathy for that point of view. However, I countered with, that from my perspective, everyone is concerned with the price of energy and one of our growing product categories is focused on energy conservation. Everyone likes to save money and personally I have found that by judiciously lowering consumption and using energy saving products, I have slashed my energy bill by at least a third to nearly a half over the previous year. I have only managed to achieve that in the condo where I live during the work week because I have control over the total usage. My husband and I live in another house at weekends and since energy conservation requires the cooperation from all family members, and my electricity guzzling husband likes to keep all lights blazing on all floors, the energy consumption at this home is more difficult to control. But I did manage to sneak in a couple of things that he would not notice including turning up the thermostat in summer because I know he hates to tamper with the controls! 

http://www.greenandmore.com/energy-efficient-products.html

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We have just launched a line of eco friendly household cleaners from Eco Discoveries and the initial feedback we are getting from testers is very positive. This line of household cleaners is both non-toxic and fragrance free, as well as being not too expensive. We will let you know more as our testers give us more specific evaluations.

Starting at $6.49.

http://www.greenandmore.com/non-toxic-natural-household-cleaners.html

If you cannot justify a tankless water heater, but want to save money on your hot water bills, a tried and true method is an insulating jacket for your water heater. This will save money when your water heater is on standby, Ours from Progressive will save between 4 to 9% of your hot water heating bills. Moreover, it is manufactured from at least 40% recycled materials, so it gets extra brownie points.

Just $79.99.

http://www.greenandmore.com/insulating-hot-water-heater-blanket-insulation.html 

These backpacks and lunch bags for the juniors in your family are oh-so-cute. Sufficiently so, that they are on my husband’s gift list for his grandchildren. Besides being cute, they are manufactured out of eco friendly materials.

Starting at $38.99.

http://www.greenandmore.com/dabbawalla-kids-back-packs-lunch-bags.html

If there is a baby in your family that is in line for a gift this holiday season, these organic towels with an animal head are totally adorable and very unusual. You will definitely score a hit with these with the baby’s mother.

Just $54.99.

http://www.greenandmore.com/bamboo-hugs-organic-baby-kids-bath-towels.html

Finding the right towel can be tricky. On the one hand, you need a towel which is thick enough to really absorb moisture, but I have also found that top quality thick towels can also be too stiff. So our organic towels I am pleased to say, really hit the right note, as they are ultra soft and absorbent at the same time. I might also say that my opinion is shared by the man of the house for whom organic in a towel is not so important as its softness and absorbency. I wish I could justify throwing out all our other towels and just use these ones as they make using a towel so much more pleasurable. My husband of course will use nothing else - I get to use up the other ones.

Set of 6 Just $129.95.

http://www.greenandmore.com/organic-bath-towels.html

One of the things that I abhor is spending money on some cloud like very lightweight comforter only to have it weighed down by a heavy weight duvet cover. The best way to avoid this is to have a silk duvet cover and shams which is surprisingly affordable. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and a silk duvet cover is unbelievably light weight. Moreover, I confess that resting one’s head on a silk covered pillow is one of life’s little pleasures. I have owned these silk duvet covers for 4 years, and flouted the manufacturer’s instructions by washing the duvet cover which comes out from my fancy front loading washer with no wrinkles, but it does not have any sheen unless I was to take my iron out of mothballs. Affordable silk sounds like a contradiction, but I think these silk duvet covers are a low priced luxury.

Starting at $289.95.

http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/be-ds-silk-duvet-bamboo.html
 

When I want a little extra warmth in winter, I turn to my silk fleece blanket which is also appreciated my Siamese cats who know a good thing when they feel it! This blanket is the simultaneously, the lightest and softest blanket I have ever owned. It is quite wonderful and I could not recommend it more highly.

Starting at $219.95.

http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/silk-fleece-blankets.html

A customer once returned a set of Legna sheets because the color did not match her décor. I confess to not being that upset as I had been dying for an excuse to use them in my own home. They turned out to be everything I had hoped them to be. The fabric which is made out of eco friendly wood pulp is incredibly soft and silky and best of all unlike silk it washes really well. Not only does it wash well but it comes out wrinkle free! Unless you iron your pillow cases and duvet cover, and I cannot be bothered, it will not be as shiny as when it was brand new, but is wonderfully soft. It strikes me that the fabric will be very durable and my set has been going for three years with no signs of wear yet.

Pillow Cases Start at $59.00.

http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/be-sdh-legna-seville.html
 

If you are a grandparent looking for an unusual gift for the grandkids or simply a doting parent you need look no further. These little chairs and table sets will delight the young child in your family- especially little girls. These sets are quite the work of art but are designed to please the younger generation who need a little special chair of their own.

Heirloom Quality Just $794.99.

http://www.greenandmore.com/whimsical-hand-painted-childrens-tables-and-chairs.html