Co-op America Approved!

We received some great news at Natural Heights this week...we are now approved by Co-op America! Co-op America is a national non-profit organization based in Washington DC, dedicated to promoting social justice and environmental sustainability. In order to become approved, businesses must complete a lengthly application process and answer detailed follow-up questions. The whole process took about three months, and we are very excited to now become an approved member!

There are many more things we'd like to accomplish on this road to sustainability but this is a wonderful acknowledgment of all we've accomplished so far!

Switching to Green Energy

You may have noticed our new green energy logos at the top of our website this week. We've actually been "green" for quite a while, but after getting some fancy logos from our suppliers, we're now able to share the news with the rest of the world. In fact, if you click on each of the logos, it gives you info on green energy or green hosting and what it's all about.

If you'd like to switch to green energy for your own home or business, it's easy! Just click on our Accent Energy logo if you're a current Accent Energy customer, and you can sign up right there! If you use another energy supplier, just go to their website and search for "green power". You should be able to sign up on the web, or call to make the change.

The only difference you'll notice is a slight increase in your monthly energy bill. The nice thing is, you'll get a little refund check once a year for using green power, so most of the extra cost is balanced out.

So make a statement today about your environmental values. Let the energy companies know that you appreciate an energy supply that's gentle on the earth. The more demand they get, the greater the message. It all adds up!

Herbal Care for Summer

Now that the official start of summer is just days away, it's a great time to stock up on some summertime herbal care. Perfect for treating all of your summertime maladies – bug bites, sunburns, heat stroke – herbal remedies are the only way to go to avoid harsh chemical ingredients.

Let’s start with bug bites. First and foremost you want to avoid them, so stock up on some Badger Anti-Bug Balm or Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent. Testing in my own backyard proved them to be more effective than other products containing Deet! And for after-bite care, treat yourself to some aloe vera, or Dr. Burt’s Res-Q Ointment.

Prevention should be first and foremost when it comes to sunburn, too. Nature’s Gate sun block comes in several different varieties for all of your sun care needs and withstood even the harshest rays on our customers’ trips to Mexico and the Bahamas! For a completely natural sun care alternative, check out Badger sun block for adults, children, and babies. Their formula is water resistant and is good for both face and body. For after sun care, smooth on more aloe vera, or salves containing calendula to calm and sooth sunburned skin.

And finally, keep yourself cool this summer by staying well hydrated with water, and keep a bottle of toning mist or Herban Essentials towelettes close at hand. Pangea Organics toning mist is formulated with hints of citrus and herbs to cool and refresh your skin anytime, anywhere. And Herban Essentials makes it even more convenient to freshen anywhere with their individually wrapped, herbal infused towelettes.

So stop by Natural Heights and stock up while supplies last!

Happy Summer!

Natural Heights named neighborhood pick!

The Summer 2007 Heart of Brooklyn calendar is out and Natural Heights has been named a neighborhood pick in their Keep it Local campaign! Chosen for our Slope Suds Sugar Scrub which is also made locally, the calendar goes out to a wide audience of local businesses for distribution to their customers.

The Keep it Local campaign is sponsored by American Express, and every time you use your card at participating businesses this summer, they'll donate $1 to the Heart of Brooklyn. Now there's a triple bottom line...buy locally made products, at a store that's locally owned and operated, and donate $1 back to your community.

Happy shopping!

Zero Waste

Do you wish it were easier to decrease your environmental impact? Striving for zero-waste is one way, but when companies load up on the packaging, it can make it difficult to achieve this goal.

Enter Pangea Organics, with the very first plantable packaging on the market. Their entire facial care line is not only pure and effective, but the glass bottles make for easy recycling and the package can be planted in your garden or a sunny windowsill. Made from 100% post consumer waste and organic seeds like sweet basil, why not turn your next purchase into seasoning for your next meal? :o)

Instructions:
1. Slip off label
2. Soak the box in water for 1 minute
3. Plant in the earth or a pot with potting soil where it will receive plenty of sunlight

Don't have potting soil? Not to worry! You can pick up a container of Wonder Soil to bring home with you.