July 2018: Articles and Adventures

Hello summertime friends! We’ve been super busy here at EcoKarma in June & July and are happy to share a content rich News & Updates post with you to end the month.

If you want to be first to hear what’s going on, an also gain access to coupons and deals on new and exciting products and brands, sign up for our newsletter below.

Already subscribed? This blog post is an expansion of the newsletter you received this month, so you might still find something new here.

[line]

[et_bloom_inline optin_id=optin_5]

[line]

What’s New At Eco Karma?

In our blog today, we wanted to share a TON of fresh articles that we’ve published over the past 6 weeks. Topics range from Reusable Straws to Organic Baby Clothes and Push Mowers! 

Also, since it is mid year, we’ve taken some time to update a few of our high trafficked and most popular articles to be more current. Check them out for newly written sections, products, reviews- and more!

Another thing we’d like to share with you, is that from this month forward, we will be giving 2% of our monthly revenue as a site to the Save The Bee movement founded by Glory Bee, in Eugene, OR. Ray, our creator, lives in Eugene and has seen the awesome things Glory Bee has done in the community and beyond to help educate about harmful pesticides and ways that you can help promote Honey Bee health in your own backyard!

If you’re in the PNW area, stay tuned for information about events that Glory Bee’s: Save The Bee foundation will be putting on to help raise money and awareness for their movement. To learn more about what they do, visit www.savethebee.org.

The Buzz

Here are some of our latest articles that have been published or updated recently. 

New Articles

Up first, quick summaries of our latest articles! We think at least a few of these will be worth your click through. 

Ditch the Disposable

[column type=”1/2″][/column] [column type=”1/2″ last=”true”]Last month we featured an article from EcoWatch covering the Straw Ban that Seattle, WA implemented as of July 1st. To follow it up, we’ve got a list of the 10 Best Reusable Straws that you should give a try instead of disposables. Read the article and see our choices! We’ve included a variety of different straws made from materials such as glass, stainless steel, bamboo, and silicone. [/column][gap size=”300px”]

Going Organic: Baby Edition

[column type=”1/2″]Our very own Ray is expecting her first baby this November! She’s become a lot more interested in finding the best options for her family- and one thing that piqued her interest lately was Organic Baby Clothes. Check out her research and picks for the Best Organic Baby Clothes Brands. It’s too cute not to scroll through, we promise. She’s featured information about each brand, along with a few of her must have items. [/column] [column type=”1/2″ last=”true”][/column][gap size=”250px”]

Coffee Is My Birthstone

[column type=”1/2″][/column] [column type=”1/2″ last=”true”]In the Pacific Northwest, coffee is more than just a beverage- it’s a way of life. More than just good flavor, having Ethically Sourced coffee is becoming a big priority to enthusiasts and commonfolk alike. In this article we feature brand suggestions for the Best Fair Trade Coffee– including Oregon’s very own Stumptown Roasters. The picks are all great tasting and affordable. Many of them make more varieties than we can count. [/column][gap size=”300px”]

Vegan Cookbooks for Beginners and Experienced Home Chefs

[column type=”1/2″]Just published on 7/26, our latest article is getting into some delicious recipes with the Vegan Cookbooks from a variety of authors. Veganism is a lifestyle with a incredibly small carbon footprint, and it’s becoming more and more popular. We love the idea of integrating Vegan recipes into your lifestyle, even if you can’t 100% make the switch. To learn more check out our book reviews and ideas![/column] [column type=”1/2″ last=”true”][/column][gap size=”250px”]

Making Mowing More Sustainable

[column type=”1/2″][/column] [column type=”1/2″ last=”true”]Another recent post is inspired by everyone’s favorite seasonal chore- mowing the lawn. While electric lawn mowers are a great low emission option for many, a cheaper route would be to go with a Push Mower. Trust us, they don’t make them like they used to. The mowers we’ve featured are lightweight, easy to maneuver, and come in a variety of sizes and blades to best fit your lawn in a more sustainable way. Read more here.  [/column][gap size=”250px”]

Comfortable, Cheaper, and More Environmentally Friendly: Reusable Pads

[column type=”1/2″]As a follow up to last month’s feature on the Menstrual Cup- here we have all of the best options for reusable pads. Not only are they affordable, comfortable, and easy to clean, but easy to make as well. If you’re a DIYer, make sure to check out our video and links section with references to some free patterns and “how to’s” on making your own reusable pads. [/column] [column type=”1/2″ last=”true”][/column][gap size=”250px”]

Sleep Easy on Organic Sheets

[column type=”1/2″][/column] [column type=”1/2″ last=”true”]If you’re interested in putting organic clothes on your baby, or eating only organic, we recommend making the switch to 100% organic sheets as well. After all, a large amount of your life is spent in bed. Wouldn’t you want that place to be not only cozy, but also as clean as possible? Check out our list of the best options, ranging in price and quality to fit your needs.[/column][gap size=”250px”]

Updated Content

These articles are some of EcoKarma’s most popular and well trafficked posts. We try to keep our content updated, especially if it’s well loved. This month we’ve refreshed the following pages with new links, products, and information. Enjoy!

[icon_list style=”font-size:24px;”] [icon_list_item style=”color: green;” type=”leaf”]Food Dehydrators: Read our reviews and browse our comparison chart of the best food dehydrators on the market. [/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item style=”color: green;” type=”leaf”]Portable Solar Chargers: If you’re a hiking or camping enthusiast like many of us, a portable solar charger should be on your list of must have gear. Find the best options here.[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item style=”color: green;” type=”leaf”]Composters: Gardening enthusiast? Zero Waste enthusiast? A high quality composter should be at the top of your shopping list. Check out our suggestions, as well as some tips on how to start composting this summer![/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item style=”color: green;” type=”leaf”]Juicers: Cleansing for summer is a common practice, plus who doesn’t want a glass of fresh squeezed fruit juice on a hot afternoon? If you want to get into juicing, find the best and the brightest appliances in this article. [/icon_list_item][icon_list_item style=”color: green;” type=”leaf”]Blenders Galore: on that note, the only thing better than a cold glass of juice on a hot day, is a freshly blended smoothie. If your current blender isn’t up to snuff, or you don’t have one at all- start here. [/icon_list_item][/icon_list]

Shareables

Here are some of our favorite articles from around the web, along with our hot takes on the issues and topics they address.

Hawaii’s Ban on Sunscreen that is Harmful to Coral Reefs

This month, we’ve got one thing on our mind- sunscreen. As we talked about in our own article, most sunscreen options on the market are contributing to the degradation of coral reefs. Common brands and options contain ingredients that are bleaching coral, and also contaminating our Earth’s water supply.

Thankfully, the state of Hawaii is taking drastic steps to help prevent the problem from becoming irreversible. As of 2021, all sunscreen will be banned unless it is certified Reef Safe! Click here to read the news release from AccuWeather.

Why The Time Delay?

There is a delay on the policy implementation. They’ve done this in order to allow the market and tourism industry to catch up. The policy will not take effect for another two and half years. We hope that by this time, other states and countries begin to follow suit. If you’ve been to Hawaii lately, it’s likely that you’ve seen signs advising you to use reef safe sunscreen.

Many snorkeling and touring companies have begun to ban the use of harmful sunscreens and lotions during their tours. Some even provide safer options instead.

When we heard the news we were overjoyed and we hope you will be, too!

Ray’s Footprint

If you came from our Subscriber Newsletter to see more of Ray’s Alaska travels in July- click here!

[content_band style=”color: #fff;” bg_color=”#83c081″ border=”all” inner_container=”true”] [custom_headline style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h2″]What’s Coming this Month?[/custom_headline]We’ve got some great pieces coming to you in early August. Be on the lookout for Organic Bug Spray to take on your next outdoor excursion! Keep your eyes peeled for updated content throughout the month.

Have you found an article that you want us to check out? What about a product or brand that you’re just obsessed with that we should check out? Please contact us with any content ideas, questions and concerns. You might even become a feature in an FAQ, Blog Post, or Product Review section![/content_band]