Cali Green Hot Spot

Perhaps you're in the mood for a new taste of green. Well, you won't have to travel far (at least those of you in Culver City, California).

Akasha is an ecologically correct eatery located in a historic former hospital. Keep your eye out for the servers' Levi's Eco jeans.

Check out their very impressive green facts list:

FOOD
Sources: Farms, ranches and fisheries that are guided by the principles of sustainability, local produce whenever possible.

Standards: Natural and organic ingredients with no artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, trans fats, nitrates, hormones or antibiotics.

BEVVIES
Coffee & Tea: Fair trade and organic, locally-roasted.

Drinks: Many natural/organic juices and sodas.Water: In-house water purified and bottled with the Natura system.

Spirits, Wine & Beer: Many organic, sustainable and bio-dynamic selections on list.

BUILDING AND DÉCOR
Materials: American Clay, no VOC paint, sustainable insulation recycled ceiling material, reclaimed finishes, recycled glass tile, reclaimed barn wood recycled fiberglass insulation, beeswax finishes, local limestone.

Heating/Air Conditioning: Energy efficient units from Carrier, natural ventilation.

Lighting: High-efficiency choices, LEDs, metal halide, compact fluorescents.

Furniture: Organic leather, hemp fabric, sustainable wood.

Bathrooms: Reclaimed wood stalls, waterless urinals, auto shut off sinks, biodegradable soap, high post-consumer toilet paper / paper towels.

Equipment: Energy Star certified appliances.

Flooring: Natural ceramic tile made from sand.

Cleaning Products: 100% biodegradable products.

Dishwashing: 100% biodegradable products.

UNIFORMS
Jeans: Levis Eco 100% organic cotton jeans

Shirts & Tee Shirts: 100% organic cotton

Aprons: Hemp & recycled polyester

MENUS AND COLLATERAL
Menu Covers: Chip board menus designed by Taste Envy

Paper: Recycled content, post consumer waste paper from New Leaf Paper and other sustainable suppliers

PAPER GOODS
To-Go Hot Cups: : BagasseWare™ and Ecotainer™ biodegradable, compostable.

To-Go Cold Cups: NatureWorks™ PLA, biodegradable and compostable.To-Go

Cutlery: Wheatware™, biodegradable, made from wheat.Napkins/Bags: 100% recycled fiber, biodegradable and compostable.

Raw Ani Phyo

Ani Phyo is a famous raw foods chef. Why raw foods?

She says, "My belief is that illness is created by toxins we put into our bodies. Eating raw foods helps me detoxify, stay healthy, strong, fit, weigh my ideal weight, and look my best.

When I eat whole fresh organic foods, manufacturers can't sneak in chemicals, perservatives, artificial colors, flavorings, or other toxins into my food. I go straight to Mother Nature as my source for nutrient rich foods. I thrive on nutrifiying myself with the highest quality food I can get my hands on."

(It's the same with using safe organic skin care products on your body!)

Take a look at her YouTube page to learn how to 'cook' raw foods.

Eco Stiletto

Eco Stiletto is a site helping you and everyone to make their carbon foot-print the size of a Manolo Stiletto instead of a ginormous Ugg. The site offers tips and feature articles on green picks in Fashion, Beauty, and Parenting.

EcoStiletto.com was created by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, a writer, producer, and marketing consultant who focuses on sustainable fashion, beauty, lifestyle and parenting.

She co-founded GreenGirlGuide.com in May 2007 and launched EcoStiletto.com in June 2008, retaining archived GreenGirlGuide content.

New Ingredient in Products and On the Shelves

Lately several products have been popping on the shelves with a new ingredient: Tiger Grass.

Tiger Grass is an antiseptic herb, also known as gotu kola and centella asiatica. It is supposed to soothe wounds and lessen skin irritation.

If you want to read more about the herb, check it out on Organic India.

Gorgeously Green

Visit Gorgeously Green to get the answers you need in order to change your lifestyle to easy, simple, and fun. The site offers tips and resources for beauty questions, travel inquiries, and even exclusive coupons.

I personally recommend visiting their Ecolicious portion of the site for gourmet recipes! And for all you eco-inspired moms out there check out Eco-Mom. There they have posted several products and items for your leisure, pleasure, and just for fun.

Not yet convinced? Perhaps if you watch Sophie Uliano, she could change your mind. To see the video click here.

Green Mom: Julia Roberts

Julia Robert's is America's Sweetheart, a loving mother of three, and an example to all mother's that living green is possible. 

She is making her own eco-friendly cleaning spray, so be expecting to see that out soon. She also keeps a journal on her environmental concerns, checks labels, and plants an organic garden.

For much of her lifestyle changes, she credits her yoga instructor Sophie Uliano.

Get Up & Do Something

For most of you, summer by now has become a bit dull. Well it's time to get up and do something. Check out this website which will definitely inspire you to get up and do something. Do Something is a website which believes that individuals have the power to make a difference. They provide tools and resources to help convert your ideas and energy into positive action.

Just a few of the celebrity supporters are Kristen Bell, The Jonas Brothers, and Rhianna.

Click here to watch the cool video!

When Pigs Fly... we get yummy chips

Flat Earth has proved to achieve the impossible, combining nutrition with superior yummy taste. I've attempted to eat more healthy and try various snacks that claim to pack all the best vitamins and benefits without lacking any of the flavor, however these are the first that I actually feel keep true to their statement.

They have six flavors to choose from; Apple Cinamon Grove, Peach Mango Paradise, Wild Berry Patch, Garlic and Herb Field, Farmland Cheddar, and Tangy Tomato Ranch. In their chips there is a half serving of fruits or veggies baked into every ounce of their crisps. And everyone knows you need a total of 9 servings of fruit and vegetables. It's great for kids and adults.

"They’re not impossible, they’re IMPOSSIBLY GOOD®."

Splash into Summer with Water Exercises

Summer is here in full fling and the weather just keeps heating up! But that doesn't mean that your workouts need to end. Although going for a jog at 3 in the afternoon during record highs or spending time in that humid, sweaty gym couldn't sound more unappealing, here's another option that many seem to overlook.

Work out in the Water!

Water exercises are the perfect way to work out under the sun without overheating. You can get a total body workout without even breaking a sweat. One of the great things about exercising in the water is that whether you are a veteran athlete or a fitness novice, anyone can perform the basic moves. Not to mention, it is a great way to burn calories, improve your strength and flexibility, tone-up, improve your cardiovascular system, and just get more fit overall. And for added fun, do these exercises with a friend, sister or mother who will challenge and push you even harder.

The Workout:

Cardio: Swim/Walk interval laps: Swim 1-2 laps (use any swim form you prefer: crawl, backstroke, etc). Walk 1-2 laps in the pool. Repeat sequence 4- 6 times.

Water Squats for Quads, Hams and Glutes: Stand in the water with feet about hip-width apart. Bend your knees slightly as you push your hips back as if you are sitting on a chair. Keep your knees behind your toes. Return to start position and repeat. The water provides extra resistance and makes this move more challenging.

For glutes: KICK! You can breeze around on a kickboard or hold onto the side of the pool, but the scissoring motion is great for the buttocks and hamstrings, and it indirectly tones the abdominals. What could be more fun than this?

For biceps: Bring your open hands to the side of each hip, palms forward, with your fingers close together. Exhale as you slowly bend at the elbow to bring your hands toward your shoulders.

For abs: Stand with your back to the side of the pool, holding onto the rim with your elbows. Keeping your knees unbent, slowly bring both legs up to a sitting position and hold it for ten seconds. Then bend at the knee to bring them down, repeating this as many times as you'd like to. Be careful to keep your back straight throughout this exercise.

For hips and glutes: Facing the edge of the pool, hold on with both hands and slowly bring one leg out to your side, keeping your back straight. Exhale while you bring it up as high as you comfortably can without turning at the ankle (this probably won't be as high as you could if you did turn your ankle). Bring it back down and repeat, doing a full set for each leg.

Important Note: You still need Water in the Water! Don't forget to drink water before and after your workout because you can still easily become dehydrated.