Green Living: Memorial Day and Mother's Day

I recently had a chance to interview SIERRA's Lifestyle Editor for tips on eco-friendly May celebrations.

1) Without a lot of time left, how can last-minute shoppers still find good eco-friendly gifts for Mom?

Sponsoring a Wild Place is a quick, easy way to let mom know that you love her and the planet.  

2) What are some environmentally friendly ways that families can honor Mom on Mother's Day?

Potted plants are great gifts because they last longer than cut flowers and they improve indoor air quality. Membership to a CSA is another gift that keeps giving -- all year, mom will receive deliveries of fresh, seasonal veggies from local farmers. 

3) Memorial Day is coming up soon - do you have any tips for things families can do to reduce their impact on the environment?

To honor our servicemen and women on Memorial Day, pledge to leave the car at home. Bike or walk to a local park where you can enjoy the outdoors without burning fossil fuels.   

You can find lots more eco-friendly gift suggestions here.

Buying Green: Pure Matters Vitamins and Supplements

I recently had a chance to try out two products from Pure Matters. Pure Matters is a company that makes vitamins, minerals, and other supplements from wholesome, 100% natural ingredients with no fillers or artificial flavors. They have a wide range of products - pretty much every supplement you can think of. The products are easy to find, too - at their own online store. They choose to sell this way because it simplifies their distribution and keeps costs low. The website is easy to use, with clear menus to help you find exactly what you're looking for - or you can search for specific products or products tailored to specific conditions, such as heart health, strength training, energy and endurance, and more.

As a whole, the company strives to be socially conscious, including the partners they work with, such as JS McCarthy Printers, which uses paper manufactured from post consumer recycled fiber and operates the entire facility on wind generated energy; New Leaf Printers, which offers a wide selection of coated, uncoated and office papers, many with 100% post-consumer recycled content and Forest Stewardship Council certification, and EarthFirst®, which creates environmentally friendly plastic films.


I got to try out a digestive health supplement - complete biotic with prebiotics and probiotics to help support healthy bacteria and a smoothly functioning digestive tract; as well as a sugar-free multi-vitamin for kids. I'd buy the multi again in a heartbeat. It tastes good, even without added sugar, and they're cute, so it's easy to get my picky eaters to eat them. They're also vegetarian and gluten-free, so if you have those dietary restrictions you can still use them. I don't have significant digestive issues, so I don't know that I'd buy the biotic again for myself, although perhaps for my husband!


Disclosure: I received complimentary products from Pure Matters in exchange for this review.