High Vibe

EARTH MATTERS Save Our Oceans

While the gulf oil spill will surely be catastrophic to the region's wildlife, there are still many things we can do to help save the future of our oceans! 

Join in the effort by taking the Save My Oceans pledge today!

EARTH MATTERS Empowering Children to Create a Better Tomorrow: Akamai Backyard

Watch the link above and then check out the full movie at http://akamaibackyard.com.  It is so out of this world awesome!!  Watching this video was one of the most moving moments I have ever had. This is how I would love to see all kids raised...what a wonderful world it would be if more sweet lessons like this one could be reproduced and spread!!

"Akamai Backyard" was inspired by another film, "Flow", that we talked about on the High Vibe Blog a few weeks back (see post here.)  If you haven't seen it yet, rent it soon.  This film is ahead of its time, and yet right on time. 

We CAN change the world through knowledge and empowerment. 

If you ever have the chance to make a film or help fund films like this, please do so.  (And if you happen to live in the Los Angeles area, please check out the benefit info below). 

The more we can spread the 'good word' of amazing projects like this being done, the more and more often it will happen, and our kids will learn that being connected to and caring for the 'land that sustains us' is not only necessary for our survival, but also fun AND fulfilling in a way that our consumption based culture can and will never be.

Akamai Backyard

Dagger

praise and be amazed

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EARTH MATTERS More Green for the New Year - Ecology and the Holidays!

The new year is right around the corner... We're prompted by the change in the calendar - and by the traditions surrounding that change - to reflect on our lives, and to consider changes we might like to introduce. Furthermore, if you're reading this blog, you're probably the kind of person who looks at the holidays and the way we celebrate them - including the shopping and consumption that frequently accompany them - and wonders how to make them more green. HighVibe's commitment to green goes way beyond the green juices we love so much and the beautiful green plants we have in the store: we're also passionate about making and keeping the planet as green and life-filled as possible. When you think about it, what more wonderful gift could you give than the gift of a more sustainable planet - for you, your loved ones and for future generations? To us, that kind of gift is truly what embodies the holiday spirit.

To that end, we wanted to bring a couple of store items to your attention, as well as an AMAZING website that you really have to see to believe! The site is www.storyofstuff.com, and it starts with a 20 minute story of, well, stuff - where it comes from, how it gets made and sold, and what happens to it. In an incredibly engaging and practical presentation, Annie Leonard takes us through the consumption cycle; explains its impact on the environment, local and global cultures; touches on its relationship with government and big business, and - thank heaven - concludes with some really meaningful resources to explore and tips to help make your life greener all around!

This site is particularly good for kids: visual, to the point, informative without being overwhelming, serious without being alarmist, and paced for the internet generation. It is in itself a fantastic gift of education that will really work, and work for the generation that will inherit our poor bruised but still beautiful planet. Here at HighVibe, the storyofstuff site has made us really question how we deal with our consumer waste, from double packaged products from our vendors to our recycling policy, and we're working to improve how we handle these things. There's no perfect answer, but true strength is partly about having the courage to do the best we can starting right now! Definitely check it out and forward to everyone you know!

It's serendipitous that we have just added a new product that goes right along with this site - our recycled bag bags! They are strong, stylin', and crocheted from plastic bags. How cool is that?! We loved them right off the bat and are super excited to have them in the store.

We also wanted to encourage the use of our gift certificate option. One of the things mentioned in the story of stuff site is the rate at which stuff is discarded. Did you know that only one percent of the stuff you buy is still around six months later? One way to cut down on this kind of waste is to avoid purchasing items that will be discarded... and one way to do that is to take the guesswork out of what somebody wants!

Finally, there are some great charity sites out there that need support. Giving to them is a wonderful investment in our planet and our future, and most have an option to donate in someone's honor, which makes that gesture doubly meaningful! We'd particularly like to point out Emergency USA and the Chandler Sky Foundation. Dagger has been personally involved with both of these charities for ten years and can vouch for their integrity and effectiveness.

Every little thing we do with mindfulness and gratitude - whether it's a carefully chosen and lovingly given present that you buy or make yourself, a waste-reducing certificate or bag, the gift of education, a prayer, a smile to a loved one or to a stranger - helps heal the planet and increase the physical and spiritual green of life.

Praise and be amazing!

EARTH MATTERS Easing Towards Green

Here at High Vibe, we're all about the green. Can't get enough! We have products for ANYONE interested in putting more green into their life: devoted raw foodists, vegans and vegetarians, or just someone looking for a healthy and tasty treat. We support people across the spectrum. We pride ourselves on being able to meet everyone where they're at and help them get to where they want to be.

I ran across this article in the Times last month and have been meaning to bring it to the blog for awhile now. I like it because I speak to many people and know many families who would love to shop organic, but the prospect of revamping their whole lives - and spending the money to do so - is just too daunting. This article provides some great tips on how to bring more organic items into your life in a manageable, bite-size step. I thought it was not only a really useful piece, but also a great indication of the growing awareness, acceptance and appreciation of organic foods, which a generally not only of higher quality, but also better for the environment. More green all around!

Even if you are primarily an organic consumer yourself - which many of our readers are - you, like me, probably know a lot of people who are interested in a more organic lifestyle and aren't sure where or how to start. This is a great way to get going!

Five Easy Ways to Go Organic by Tara Parker-Pope

"Switching to organic is tough for many families who don’t want to pay higher prices or give up their favorite foods. But by choosing organic versions of just a few foods that you eat often, you can increase the percentage of organic food in your diet without big changes to your shopping cart or your spending.The key is to be strategic in your organic purchases." Read more here...   

A few of our other favorite resources include these items, which make great gifts for anyone interested in learning more about going raw, or just getting more green into your life!

Baby Greens by Michaela Lynn and Michael Chrisemer. A live-food approach for children of all ages!

Green for Life by Victoria Boutenko. A unique yet simple and delicious strategy for boosting our nutritional levels. Green smoothies are nothing short of revolutionary!

Living on Live Food by Alissa Cohen. An up-close and personal session with Alissa Cohen on DVD!

Greens Can Save Your Life An inspiring and informative lecture by Victoria Boutenko on DVD