Gloria's Green

An eco-conscious chef has taken advantage of his wife's breast, but not in the way my first few words lead you to believe. Instead he is using milk she extracted from her breastfeeding breast and making it into cheese he serves at his restaurant. Shocking? Disgusting? Bizarre? You be the judge.

Concrete sidewalks can make a walk around the neighborhood a pleasant experience, unless the sidewalks are cracked, broken and lifted by tree roots. Then they become dangerous to walk on. Sidewalk repairs require intensive labor, money and sometimes the removal of trees and their invasive roots, but with Terrewalks trees, money and labor are saved.

If you have ever turned a compost pile you understand how hot it can get inside the pile as it decomposes. You can feel and sometimes see the heat rise as you turn the pile. A Japanese design firm called Bakoko has taken note of this heat, which can reach up to temperatures of 120 degrees F, and come up with a way to capture that heat to warm up a room.

There are so many things that end up in the trash that could be put to good use again with a little imagination. A tire is a perfect example. A tire could be made into accessories, gardening pots, children's swings furniture and even art. From simple to extravagant check out these innovative uses for old tires.

I've always told my husband I prefer a potted plant to cut flowers any day. Potted plants last longer, bloom longer and are far more eco-friendly than cut flowers. So when I came across a link for magic beans with a message of love I was naturally excited.

Some people like fancy jewelry. Some people like plants. So, what does one get a person that loves both for Valentine's Day? You could get her the same old unsustainable diamond ring and a bouquet of flowers or you could prove to her that your love for her is green and always growing with a growing ring.

Sometimes there are images you come across online you wish you would have never seen, like a skinny hairy man in uncomfortable boxers made out of recycled circuit boards. Unfortunately, instead of turning away you realize you need to know why and who created this eyesore.

If you know me well you know I'm a fan of trash to treasure art. This particular list of art is unique and elegant jewelry made from recycled materials like: piano strings, clocks, bottle caps, broken china and knitting needles. It's the type of eco-jewelry your eco-friendly Valentine will appreciate.

As a parent, have you ever noticed how your kids starts running around early in the morning and are still running around in the late evening? It's amazing isn't it? Are they really little, "balls of energy"? Wouldn't it be even more amazing if we could harness that energy and use it to power...a flashlight?

On January 14, 2010, shortly after the terrible earthquake in Haiti, ReCellular announced their disaster relief program and partnership with the American Red Cross. Not only will this innovative program fund help to thousands of people in Haiti, it will also keep old cell phones out of the landfill. It's an easy, eco-friendly and inexpensive way for anyone to help.