Archive for the ‘Sustainable Lifestyle’ Category

The 46664 Bangle. In support of the 46664 campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

The 46664 BangleThe 46664 Bangle design is striking and uplifting; the epitome of Style and Relevance.

We all know, (or we should), of the extraordinary man named Nelson Mandela and his remarkable historic journey from decades-long political-imprisonment to having received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, having become President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and to having led South Africa’s transition towards multi-racial democracy.

You probably didn’t know that “Four, Double Six, Six Four” was Mr. Mandela’s prison number; number 466, imprisoned in ‘64. Mr. Mandela’s legacy is redirected for a new struggle; originally launched to raise awareness about HIV AIDS, 46664 has now expanded its focus to champion Mr. Mandela’s broader humanitarian work.copper box _CTX5576 500x662copper on black_CTX2793 sml 500x424

The 46664 campaign focuses on global social issues such as poverty, hunger, unemployment, education, gender inequality, discrimination, and HIV AIDS prevention. The 46664 Bangle initiative aims to create jobs for the less fortunate and also spreads awareness of the 46664 campaign.

Each 46664 Bangle is fair trade handmade in South Africa of the highest quality pure copper, or silver, gold or platinum with a copper inlay. Each bangle bears a digital imprint of Mr. Mandela’s hand and his symbolic prison number. The Bangle program makes a positive impact through job creation and skills training while promoting a message of social responsibility.

In 2007, Rob Favole and the Elegant Roots team began turning a concept, an idea, into a social business, ElegantRoots.com designed specifically to serve people, planet, profits. In October 2008 — exactly the time that The Great Depression became a topic for current events discussion — ElegantRoots was launched as an online boutique offering design-forward jewelry and accessories For Her, For Him and furnishings For Home – and all of it is green, either eco-conscious, socially responsible, or both.

Silver 70x183 no background at 72 copyOne Elegant notion is that design-forward products, lovely in form and function, take on unsurpassed beauty with the luster of fair trade, social responsibility and eco-consciousness. And knowing the story of these more meaningful products enables consumers to align their purchases with their values.

Transparency brings some benefits of globalization to those who had previously been on the margins, or worse, had been victims of globalization’s press for cheap labor. And transparency allows consumers to “vote” with their dollars for greater meaning and the greater good.

The ElegantRoots.com team strives to help provide access to the wide US markets for such products while providing their creators with some measure of recognition through a commitment to transparency. Thus, for each product, Elegant Roots tells the story — the Roots — through “our 4 Ws” (who made it, where, from what, and, why, beyond its beauty and function, it is a worthy purchase), and our designer profiles. Everyone wins — from artisan, to customer, to recipient of an ElegantRoots.com gift — upon delivery of an item of greater meaning than even its beauty or soulful qualities.

Silver Box front 500x494ElegantRoots.com supports the 46664 campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation by offering the 46664 Bangle on a non-profit basis – that is, ElegantRoots.com makes no profit on its sale of the 46664 Bangle.

Your purchase of a 46664 Bangle signifies you have risen to the challenge; making a real difference in the lives of those at risk from HIV/AIDS. More than a one-time act of charity, your purchase changes lives, unleashes opportunities for entire communities, and cares for, educates and uplifts those affected by this pandemic.

It’s not JUST a fashion statement. Tell the world that ordinary people can make extraordinary contributions. Be part of the new legacy.

Hand silver2 266x400Each 46664 Bangle bears a digital imprint of Mr. Mandela’s palm, a reminder of his slogan, “It’s in our hands”, and an embrace from one of the world’s most inspiring men.

Now it’s in your hands.

Join Brad Pitt, Will Smith, ElegantRoots.com and many others around the world in support of the 46664 campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

ElegantRoots Teams with Turquoise Mtn: A Social Biz and a Not-For-Profit

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

On a 2004 state visit to Britain, Afghan President Hamid Karsai discussed with Prince Charles the imminent loss of Afghanistan’s traditional crafts and how revival of those arts would help renew a sense of national identity. Prince Charles, an aficionado of traditional arts, committed to help. He raised seed money for a charitable foundation and enlisted his friend (and former tutor to his sons), Rory Stewart, to lead the effort.places in between cover 150

As Executive Director, Stewart, (author of The Places In Between and now a Member of Parliament), shaped a 3-pronged mandate for the non-profit TM: regenerating Murad Khane, Kabul’s ancient art center; establishing artisan collectives to renew traditional Afghan arts and architecture, and spur sustainable development; and to establish schools.

In 2007, Rob Favole and his team began turning a concept, an idea, into a social business, ElegantRoots.com designed specifically to serve people, planet, profits.

In October 2008 — exactly the time that The Great Depression became a topic for current events, ElegantRoots was launched as an online boutique offering design-forward jewelry and accessories For Her, For Him and furnishings For Home – and all of it is green, either eco-conscious, socially responsible, or both.

One Elegant notion is that traditional arts and artisan techniques when applied to updated designs can support traditional lifestyles around the globe, bringing some benefits of globalization to those who had previously been on the margins, or worse, had been victims of globalization’s press for cheap labor. Meilebag_iFan 500x646

The ElegantRoots.com team sees its place as helping to provide access to the wide US markets for artisans from outside as well as within the US. And to provide them some measure of recognition through a commitment to transparency. Thus, for each product, the Roots, or story, is presented through “our 4 Ws” (who made it, where, from what, and, why, beyond its beauty and function, it is a worthy purchase) and our designer profiles. This transparency also serves ElegantRoots.com customers, enabling an informed selection that allows them to align their purchases with their values. Everyone wins — from artisan, to customer, to recipient of an ElegantRoots.com gift — upon delivery of an item of greater meaning than even its beauty or soulful qualities.

Meanwhile … to achieve the revival of Afghan arts and the creation of a thriving art and design community, Rory Stewart brought in to Turquoise Mountain many talented volunteers – architects, urban planners, engineers, and artists. Pippa 100x133Among them was Pippa Small, renowned designer and anthropologist, whose design brilliance resulted in “Pippa Small for Turquoise Mountain”, a line designed around Afghanistan’s native raw gems. All TM’s products are hand-crafted in TM’s Kabul studios by master artisans using materials indigenous to Afghanistan.

Turquoise Mountain has restored many of Murad Khane’s historic buildings, employing many talented wood carvers and bringing life back to the arts center; has created the Institute for Traditional Afghan Arts to pass along the skills, create employment and preserve these arts; has created primary schools for children many of whom had never been to school before; and has created a girls’ school.Solitaire Rings 200x235

There could be no better match than that of Turquoise Mountain and ElegantRoots.com. TM’s vision is to revive and restore Afghanistan’s traditional arts and thereby revive Kabul’s art center. ElegRoo’s is to open the US market to artisan products made by applying traditional techniques to new designs to help preserve traditional lifestyles.

Ruby Double Drop on white iFan 500x702This year, Turquoise Mountain and ElegRoo have teamed up to bring the compelling jewelry designs of Pippa Small for Turquoise Mountain to the wide American market.

Wearing this hot designer jewelry with cool raw emeralds, rubies, amethysts or lapis promotes fair trade. Join Prince Charles, Pippa Small, Rory Stewart and the international community in remaking Afghanistan. And support our troops’ efforts to bring stability and security through economic development and opportunity.

TM has moved mountains in pursuit of these ends. Now you can help and wear the hottest pieces. Visit ElegantRoots.com and open the American market to Turquoise Mountain’s jewelry and silk.

Sexy, Shimmering, (Sustainable!) Silver

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Nothing shows off your summer glow like silver! Luminous and eye-catching, silver is simple and elegant enough to wear every day — from afternoons at the beach to evenings at the symphony. When the silver is recycled or produced in fair-labor/ conflict-free conditions, silver jewelry goes beyond beautiful.

ChardNecklace_A_350x350Here are some gorgeous, thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted silver baubles that we found for him and her: all friendly to the Earth and to its people and animals — and all frankly fabulous.

Smart Glass’ recycled Coke bottle-and-sterling silver jewelry is handcrafted, and no two pieces are exactly alike. Featured in fashion magazines and spotted on celebrities, these recrafted pieces are at once bold and delicate.

0103_1 Circle Pendant 150x150Elegant Roots is proud to be the first to offer C5’s Avenue Green collection of stunning recycled silver pieces. The “Circles” line, shown here, draws its inspiration from the Bronx Botanical Gardens, a haven of nature within a bustling urban environment. The result: sleek, modern lines with unpredictable design, all handcrafted in Bali.

Peace_Wisdom_A_TNSturdy brushed-silver dog tags by Pineapple Seed contain the Thai symbols for “peace” and “wisdom” hand-etched in clean, simple lines. Crafted in fair-labor conditions by artisans in Chiang Mai, this is a beautiful unisex gift with special meaning.

SS_Bracelet_A_TNThis gorgeous “Paia” bracelet by Stephen Estelle resembles luminescent drops of molten silver. Inspired by leaves, this striking design was handcrafted by a family of artisans whose lineage has been making jewelry for the maharajahs of Nepal for more than 400 years.

MensCuff_iFan 500x620RedStart has done it again with these Infinity Loop cuff links, a new take on the mathematical symbol for infinity. A contemporary design inspired by ancient symbolism, these distinctive sterling cuff links are part of RedStart’s “Stream” series, which follows the curves of flowing water.

Perfect to keep you in mind of the beach when you’re in the city on Wednesday.

Five (Good) Reasons to Switch to Organic Cotton

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Why take the time to seek out and pay a bit more for organic cotton when regular, run-of-the-mill cotton products are so easily available?

It all comes down to one thing … environment.

The cotton industry is among the world’s biggest users of pesticide. Cotton takes up only 3% of the world’s farmland, yet uses 25% of the world’s pesticides. That’s why choosing organic cotton products can make an exponentially bigger difference in terms of positive impact.

Organic cotton means less pesticide contamination for:

The Ecosystem. A whopping 90% of the pesticides sprayed on mass-produced cotton leaches into the soil, groundwater, and is released into the air.

People and Animals. All these pesticides in the earth are absorbed in turn by living creatures — in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, and in the plants we eat.

Our Food. Not only does pesticide contaminate our fruits, veggies and herbs — but food animals consume pesticide-tainted food and water. So their milk, meat, and eggs are tainted too.

Another problem is fertilizers: in the U.S., nearly a 1/3 pound of synthetic fertilizers is used to produce one pound of raw cotton. And nearly a pound of raw cotton goes into making a single tee-shirt.

Through leaching and runoff, synthetic fertilizers foul our freshwater habitats, wells, and rivers. And even before the BP oil gusher, the Gulf near New Orleans suffered an annual “dead spot” largely the result of fertilizer run-off from the farms along the Mississippi.

Organic farming instead uses natural fertilizers that nearly eliminate pollution, runoff, and leaching. We’re talking hug impact!

Switching to organic cotton also prevents:

Chemical Allergies and Illnesses. Non-organic cotton still has chemical residue from pesticides, and our skin absorbs these toxins. This can cause irritation, rashes, hives, breathing difficulties, eye problems and aggravation of other existing conditions. For people with sensitive skin, organic cotton is a godsend.

Research has shown that pesticides block our hormonal and endocrine systems, wreaking havoc with our health. And 47% of pesticides have been identified as potential cancer-causing agents.

Social Injustice. Cotton workers are traditionally among the most economically challenged populations, and suffer the most exposure to these harmful pesticides. In some countries, pregnant women, nursing mothers and even children work for cotton producers and suffer health and developmental problems as a result. Poor health is one of the factors that keeps impoverished people trapped in the cycle of poverty.

Here are some truly great organic-cotton products Elegant Roots has found:

Organic Cotton Baby Ensemble by Dimples

Handmade Extra Soft Organic Cotton Blanket by Marcel Miller

All of Elegant Roots’ gifts are wrapped free of charge with our eco-friendly gift wrap … which includes a lovely organic cotton ribbon!

Five Fantastic Eco-Friendly Gifts for Dad

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Father’s Day is just around the corner and we know it’s sometimes tough to find a high-quality gift that he will really love. So Elegant Roots has rounded up some fantastic, unique green gifts that will appeal to a variety of Dads of all ages. Check it out:

RetreadWallet_XRecycled Rubber Eco-Wallet by English Retreads — Dad’s always digging out his wallet for something — he might as well have a cool, dynamic and incredibly durable wallet like this! Made from the recycled rubber of inner tubes, this English Retreads wallet is a practical gift with a punch.

Prosperity_A_385x315Thai Silver “Prosperity” Dog Tag by Pineapple Seed — If you’re shopping for a young or young-at-heart dad with style and a sense of purpose, this rugged dog tag with the Thai word for “prosperity” is a one-of-a-kind Father’s Day gift he’ll wear every day. (The sterling-silver luster looks great against a summer tan!)

Estelle_Cuffs_XArtisan Labradorite & Sterling Silver Cufflinks by Stephen Estelle — Maybe he has a special event coming up, or maybe great cufflinks are part of his regular attire. Either way, these striking cufflinks, hand-crafted under fair-labor conditions by Nepali artisans, are exquisite reminders of what a fabulous Dad he really is.

EtcetraMedia_XSustainable Wool Laptop/Messenger Bag by Etcetera Media — Handmade from sustainable Blackstone Wool, this durable eco-bag in the classic messenger style can carry laptops, documents, office supplies, or anything else that goes in a “man bag.”  Quality is the name of the game here.

Handcrafted Zulu “Iquamba” Beer Basket by Nozipho — This water-tight basket, hand-woven by an African artisan, is designed to store Zulu beer. Sure, Dad can use it for that — or he can use it as a high-quality storage solution for home or office. Men who like organization and who care about their surroundings would appreciate this gorgeous, yet practical, museum-quality piece.Picture 2

World Environment Day

Friday, June 4th, 2010

World Environment Day (WED) is June 5. It began on that day in 1972 when the UN Conference on the Human Environment began. The First WED was celebrated on June 5, 1973. The day calls attention to the environment and is intended to stimulate political and public action. Each year WED is hosted by a different city/country, commemorating a different theme.

For 2010, the host is Rwanda and the theme is “Many Species. One Planet. One Future”, celebrating the thrilling diversity of life on Earth as part of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.

Around the globe people will hold all sorts of activities to recognize the day — while people of the US Gulf Coast regions fight the massive petroleum spew from BP’s mile-deep sea-bed well; while animals are tarred with the inescapable goo-tide; and wetlands are turned to sludge.

On this day, we can celebrate a traditional human interaction with the natural world that creates a thing of beauty and function — without any petroleum, no plastic, no chemical processing. AfricanBasket2_A_TN

The Zulu are one of only two peoples on the earth who create water-tight baskets. (The other are natives of Central America.) Zulu weavers use only grasses native to their KwaZulu-Natal homeland and local ilala palm, dyed using only natural, locally-derived vegetable dyes.

This weaving is traditional with the Zulu people, though was once a male-oriented skill. Different shaped baskets are designed for local beer, others for seeds, grains, greens, all purposes imaginable. But then the men were taken to work the mines and imported tin vessels replaced the baskets — the art nearly died out. In the early 70s, a missionary organized weaving classes after Sunday services and enlisted four female master weavers to teach at what became known as the Vukani workshops (named for the missionary). AfricanBasket1_A 385x305

Traditional skills were passed along; new designs and colors were created; an art form was saved that sustainably uses a few of the great diversity of earth’s species. Over the decades since, many weavers have reached Master-level status, had their work displayed in museums around the world and create astounding works of beauty.

Of the original four teachers at the Vukani workshops, one remains — and she still weaves. That living treasure of Zulu basketry is Laurentia Dlamini. AfricanBasket3_A 385x274

On World Environment Day, let’s celebrate the diversity of species on our earth — and the diversity of people and their creations without petroleum.

Can Buying a Purse Really Change the Planet?

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

We can think of at least five big reasons to answer YES to that question. While a purse (or necklace, or blanket) by itself wouldn’t do it, they’re an important part of the cycle.

How you spend your money is one of the most powerful ways you can make a statement or express your opinion. When you “buy with intent,” you support businesses working hard to pave the way for the environmentally and socially responsible world commerce we need, right now and for the future. And you send a signal to exploitative businesses that you, and your money, support better alternatives.

Let’s break it down:

1. Liberty and Social Justice for All. Let’s say you’re buying a basket woven by a master Zulu artisan, or a tote bag hand-crafted in Ethopia — you’re holding a bit of history. These pieces are contemporary items but made with traditional craftsmanship and practices that go back many generations. Nozipho Putting these exquisite pieces on the global market at fair-market prices keeps artisans all over the world busy, working under joyful conditions, and able to earn a good income. All that strengthens families and communities — and keeps these cultural arts alive.

2. Takin’ Care of (Eco-Friendly) Business. By supporting companies that use responsibly harvested products and practices; clean energy; non-toxic and organic materials; recycled packing materials; green buildings and vehicles, and other sustainable methods, you make it possible for ecologically responsible businesspeople to compete with mass-market competitors. And the more pressure is put on companies worldwide to “go green,” the better off we all are.

3. Love Your Mother (Earth) And All The Critters. Companies that work with cruelty-free products, non-toxic dyes, humanely harvested materials, recycled ingredients, and other low- or no-impact elements … need your love! As more demand is created for products like this, more companies will respond — until cruelty-free and non-toxic becomes the standard. We can live beautifully with recycled, sustainable products that don’t harm animals or our planet. Want proof? Just check out our elegant jewelry or luxury travel sets, or feather-light, cashmere-soft scarves. BeSweet_Shawl_A_385x376

4. Joy, Baby, Joy — The very nature of artisan and hand-crafted items demands that they are made with care, by someone involved and engaged in what they are crafting. If it’s too hippie-trippy to say that items made with love are imbued with a very cool and special energy — than I guess we’re a bunch of raging hippies over here, because they really are. Whether it’s a necklace you wear or a glass ornament you display — if love went into an item, it is always apparent. This is something that simply can’t be found in a mass-produced gift. orbs in bowl 287x357 at 72

5. A Healthier You, Too — Buying organic, sustainable, responsibly harvested and non-toxic products doesn’t just benefit Mother Earth … it makes you healthier, too. There’s too much evidence to name here that points to the fact that industrial dyes, pesticides, hormones, and other chemicals are harmful to human health and wellness (but this is a good site on the subject). A fully healthy lifestyle requires us to use products that don’t compromise our health or sag our energy.

RetreadsPurse_A_385x364 You and your dollars are key to the process of saving the planet — one purse at a time.

Can’t Eco and Socially Just Gifts Cost Less?

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

On September 27, Sami Grover wrote about Elegant Roots on Treehugger.com. Sami’s headline is “Elegant Roots: Green Doesn’t (Always) Come Cheap”.

Apparently, having been burned repeatedly by criticism of the “pricey-ness” of some green products, Sami felt compelled to an anticipatory rant in response using, as her subject, our $69 handmade, organic stuffed Penguin. Penguin by Dwelling.penguin_a_72-4x5

Sami concludes: “It seems to me that if someone is going to spend $60 on toys, then buying one or two well-made, safe and sustainable items beats filling up the toy chest with lead paint and plastic crap. (Not to mention there are plenty of ‘luxury’ toys out there that don’t carry such green credentials…)”

We, at ElegantRoots.com, agree wholeheartedly and appreciate greatly Sami’s endorsement. And we agree emphatically that people should Buy Less But Buy Better. As she suggests, there may be some “green” alternatives in a lower price range. But there are other issues at play here.

Social Justice and soulfulness. We offer things that are handmade — touched by the hand and spirit of the artisan. No machine-turned-out toy can match the feel. And, unlike the Wal-Mart ilk, ElegantRoots.com does not squeeze price concessions from the artisans. A fair price for a handmade item is what we’re all about. If a handmade, organic stuffed animal were to sell for half the price, who would bite it on that transaction? The artisan.

I guarantee a “similar” toy can be made in a sweatshop factory in China for a lower price. And who bites it on that transaction. The sweatshop indentured servant.

ElegantRoots.com exists to help create and sustain a market for artisan products that use traditional skills to create marketable designs (Penguins are not a traditional subject in Kenya). If there is no market for these products, traditional skills become economically nonviable. Traditional lifestyles are lost as people are forced to overcrowded cities to join the ranks of the displaced, dependent on sweatshops.

So, when people complain about the prices, what do they really want? Do they want social enterprises like ElegantRoots.com not to exist? Do they want the artisans in developing economies to get squeezed to the bone on prices in order to try to compete with sweatshops? Do they want only “cheap” plastic stuff that winds up in the dump?

kk-knitters-045-72-5x5 Bottom line, you get what you pay for. If you want a product created by hand by some one person with pride and care, working in a joyful community of women receiving fair trade prices, a Penguin from the Critter Knitters of rural Kenya is the perfect choice. Penguin from Critter Knitters

kimochidoll_a_72-4x5 The same applies within the borders of the US. If you want a limited edition Kimochi “emotions” doll made by hand in the US by a noted doll artist, Cody Thompson, shop at ElegantRoots.com.

You’ll be glad you did. So will the artisan somewhere (and we tell you where) who, because a market exists, can pursue his/her art and be independent.

And it all comes wrapped in our nonpareil, signature, and COMPLIMENTARY, eco-conscious gift wrap.

Later.

Tuesday Tracts: Social Enterprise — A Fish Story

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Ordinarily, we write these Tuesday Tracts to feature people who promote social justice through enterprise.Elegant Roots Blog

Today, though, it’s about the nature of social enterprise. Social enterprise blurs the distinction between “not-for-profit” and “for profit” entities. For-profit social enterprises, though organized to realize a profit, are not organized to maximize profit. Rather, the moving force is the notion that commercial viability through the opening of markets for economically marginalized people creates a strong, resilient and vibrant level of security and stability that improve all facets of life: nutrition, health, independence, education, etc.besweetxhosa_artisans-2-at-721

The elegant notion at ElegantRoots.com, from which we take our name, is that a people’s traditional arts when applied to a commercially viable design creates a win-win for artisan and recipient. But only when a market can be opened and maintained for the resulting product. The artisan wins, enjoying a traditional lifestyle and a growing independence, rather than being forced into the ever growing but not sustaining large urban sprawls. The purchaser wins by having a nonpareil product from the touch of an artisan’s hand. elcorazon_b-72-4x41

Creating a market for these products extends the benefits of globalization to people who have been otherwise left out.

But I promised you a fish story.

You know the old proverb: give a person a fish and you feed her for one day, teach a person to fish and you feed him for a lifetime…. Well, social enterprise pushes this further: Buy fish from a person at a fair price and you improve lives in a community immeasurably in innumerable ways beyond a full stomach.

Especially when you apply the long tail of the internet. E-commerce is the perfect way to create a market big enough for these wonderful, but specialty products.

Where do the social enterprisers come from? Typically, some event gives them exposure to a need and they organize their lives to fill it. That’s the story of Richard Speedy of Julio Pagliani bringing to an updated world the jewelry beading of the indigenous Tarahumara of Mexico’s Sierra Madre. It’s the story of Nadine Storyk Curtis of Be Sweet bringing to the world scarves and shawls from the mohair textile traditions alive in women’s collectives in South Africa. And of Marie So and Carol Chyau of Shokay International creating a luxury market for the incredibly soft yak-down produced by Tibetan herders.community-picture-72dpi

And the same is true for next week’s Tuesday Tracts featured social entrepreneur, Ellen Dorsch of Creative Women, bringing to the international market the textile skills of women of Ethiopia, Swaziland, and now, Afghanistan.

This is what ElegantRoots.com is founded on. We exist to extend the market for the Tarahumara of Mexico, for the South African women, for the Tibetan herders of western China, for the last family-run cotton mill in the USA, for jewelry designers who work with recycled materials, for all the artisans …. for people, planet, profit for all — the Triple Bottom Line.

Later.copy-small-box-row

Don’t Make Eco-Perfect the Enemy of Eco-Good

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Twitter led me to an interesting blog likening environmentalism to religion: “Green Angst: why being green is like being religious”: The Clean Hippie

“This blog is supposed to be about being green and being normal at the same time. But a true environmentalist doesn’t buy anything but necessities. I’m sorry, but I like to shop, to blow dry my hair, to indulge in fried food every once in a while with friends!

“I don’t know how to do this yet, to walk that line. It’s what I’m going to have to work through. And that is what this whole blog is about!”

I couldn’t resist throwing my two cents in on this. Here’s my comment:

As far as being green and being normal — There’s no such thing as a No Impact life. Anybody who has a cell phone, a computer, has a book published, who eats, etc., has an impact. No Impact can only be a euphemism for a Sustainable Impact Life. Check out Daniel Goleman’s Ecological Intelligence. [and check out the series of blogs here about Ecological Intelligence] Most impacts are hidden from us.

Bottom line — there’s no reason you can’t blow dry your hair. Don’t let yourself be hostage to the imagined judgmental reaction of somebody who is probably carrying a fully charged iPhone and laptop, etc., who takes a hot shower, even if he/she only takes public transportation, or only rides a bike, these all cause an Impact.

And enjoy some fried foods once in a while with friends. Nutritional science has not finally determined even such things as the health effects of saturated fats. Just do it in moderation — once in a while. In some restaurants, in a nod to transparency, they’ll even disclose what kid of oil they use. Go to those restaurants — patronizing the ones with transparency is having a positive impact.

We designed Elegant Roots struggling with exactly these issues. ElegRoo Values. Our motto is: Buy Less But Buy Better. When you shop, if you “vote” with your dollars for purchases that align with your values, you will be encouraging manufacturers to improve their products. And you will be rewarding those who are doing good things.

Those manufacturers are often small and they are pursuing a green or socially responsible vision and they need the support. Hence, you’re Buying Better. Supporting the visions of eco and socially responsible artisans/designers/small businesses is our mission at Elegant Roots. And we present their products with transparency, so shoppers can make informed choices. Check out our Designer Profiles. That’s why we present Gifts with Style and Relevance.

We shouldn’t make the perfect the enemy of the good — in other words, take steps to do better, recognizing that no one who is breathing can be perfect. But the better we do, multiplied by, say, a billion, makes a big impact.

Later.