Happy Customers

I just received an email from some happy customers. Kim Miller of Corona del Mar, California gave Suburban Shopping Systems to her family members for Christmas and they were a big hit. I of course think the shopping systems are great because I use it and know the benefits but it is nice to hear that others are having the same experience. Thank you for the positive feedback and the great picture!

Simple Peace wins Best Green Product Award 2008

Happy New Year!and a big thank you to everyone that made 2008 a success. Simple Peace had a great holiday season and are looking forward to a bright 2009. I have so much to be thankful for after making it through the first year. The opportunities of working and learning from some wonderful people made all of the hard work worth it. I worked my tail off, my husband and kids are proud of me and Simple Peace won "Best Green Product" Award in 2008. Better Shelter a local Newport Beach Green Building company established the "Green Awards" to recognize companies that are making a difference. That is exactly the mission of Simple Peace, make a clean, simple, green product and make a difference. May you all have a wonderful 2009. Peace be with you.

Cleaning: Body and Home

Over the last month I have made two new discoveries. One is a fabulous new company, Modern Mermaids that makes all natural cleaning products. They have a hand sanitizer that is all natural ingredients with a great minty clean smell. And the concentrated all purpose cleaner, I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw the mold disappear in front of my eyes. The second is Pangea Organics. Pangea has been around for awhile and I have purchased the product on and off but now I am sold. The story behind the company is amazing and the products are high quality. All of Pangeas ingredients are organic and fair trade. They work with Women for Women International helping women help themselves by growing a variety of herbs and ingredients. And if that is not good enough then all of their packaging is recycled,compostable, and full of seeds. You will either plant basil or spruce trees after soaking your soap box. Amazing.
www.modernmermaids.com
www.pangeaorganics.com

Opportunity Green Sustainable Business Conference

I spent the day yesterday at the Opportunity Green Sustainable Business Conference at UCLA. It was a collection of movers and shakers in the Green Business world. I was inspired professionally by many entrepreneurs that are making the world a better place with innovative environmentally friendly products. But the lifechanging inspiration came from Documentary Photographer Colin Finlay. I arrived late, I quickly found a seat. When I looked up and saw what was on the huge screen in front of me I was moved to tears. Colin Finlay spoke quietly of "Cause and Effect." Our everyday actions have an effect on the environment and the inhabitants of our earth each and every day. The images of starving children in Sudan and starving Polar Bears in the Arctic, amputees from land mines, poisoned families in West Virginia were not what I was expecting at the Green business conference but it has inspired to work harder and do more, to spread the word. I felt guilty of my life and the opportunities I have. For the organic food that I have an abundance of. I now feel that I urgently need to get involved. I want to write my officials, sponsor a fund raising event, help in any way I can. Lets make a positive effect. Please join me in spreading the word. Buy Finlay's books, show your friends, write your government officials, do whatever you can.

http://www.amazon.com/Darfur-Twenty-Years-Genocide-Sudan/dp/1576873854/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226286962&sr=1-3

Two new styles from Morocco

Two new bags are arriving this week from Morocco. The Tigmijjou artisan cooperative has been busy making new bags for Simple Peace. We are so excited to get these bags. They sent us samples at the beginning of the summer and we have been using them all Summer and can't wait to share them with everyone that has asked for one. The large magazine basket has been used around our house for a great picnic basket, toy storage, magazines, pool towels and toys, you name it. The wine basket has carried many bottles to and from dinners with friends. Both of these bags are great for the holidays.

Not all reusble bags are created equal

An Inconvenient Bag
The green giveaway of the moment -- the reusable shopping bag -- is a case study in how tricky it is to make products environmentally friendly.

Finally someone has written about the subject of reusable bags and how tricky it is to make products that are environmentally friendly. Please read http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122238422541876879.html?mod=todays_us_weekend_journal . Everyday I get people asking why my bags are so expensive. Unfortunately at this time there the cost of doing business in our back yard own country and a big cost in using clean material. Ellen Gamerman of the Wall Street Journal summed it up perfectly today when she addresses the hot "green" giveaway: the reusable shopping bags not so environmentally friendly problems. Those millions of bags that are .99 cents at Walmart, Home Depot and the neighborhood grocery store are recycled plastic bags! A plastic bag is a plastic bag! Please replace your plastic bags with cloth bags.