Lots of closet-cleansing challenges exist for the would-be wardrobe minimalist — but what if your clutter problem’s in the garage. Or kitchen? Or bookshelves? And worse, what if you’re so overwhelmed by the clutter in your place that you can’t get yourself to tackle it?

If you find yourself in this clutter conundrum, consider joining A Thing A Day: A basic uncluttering challenge that requires you to get rid of one thing a day.

This simple challenge was started simply — by a forum member at clutter-busting blog Unclutterer who just posted the challenge as a forum topic. The no-frills idea already has 59 people participating! They’ve gotten rid of everything from a “labor saving” tub scrubber (“It never worked very well-pads wouldn’t stay attached to velcro handle and it smelled funny”) to a too-heavy blanket (“once under it, you were pinned to the mattress”).

So try this reducing and reusing challenge for greener, leaner living this summer. Getting started is simple — Just start getting rid of one thing a day. You decide how many days you want to get rid of things. If you’re feeling generous, you might want to combine this with the 29 Day Giving Challenge and give away something useful or helpful for the next 29 days.

Earlier: Radical uncluttering: Getting rid of stuff in search of new adventures

Photo by chris.corwin

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The iPhone may not be on Environmental Working Group’s “Best Phones” list for avoiding cell phone radiation, but EWG’s still targeting iPhone users with its other consumer health initiatives. Not too long ago, EWG turned its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides into an iPhone app, making it easier for produce shoppers to avoid the most contaminated fruits and veggies. This week, EWG’s out with a new app — that helps shoppers pick safer sunscreens.

Called the EWG Sunscreen Buyer’s Guide, this new iPhone app lets you quickly look up a sunscreen brand you’re considering to get an overall score, as well as details on the type of protections it offers. Found a sunscreen that isn’t in EWG’s database? Then pull up EWG’s sun safety tips on the app to make sure the ingredients in the product aren’t dangerous or ineffective.

If, like me, you don’t have an iPhone, you’ll need to settle for the web version of EWG’s sunscreen guide — or donate $10 to the nonprofit to get a comparatively jankier bag tag with sunscreen information.

Of course, even the interactive iPhone app won’t be able to tell you how well the sunscreen works in real life. To find out whether a safer sunscreen will be too thick to rub on easily, too greasy for daily use, or too whitish, you’ll need to rely on the tester tubes in store — or my sunscreen reviews!

Earlier:
>> Sunumbra: A Safer sunscreen that won’t leave you looking pale
>> California Baby: Safe, effective, and pricy sunscreen
>> Caribbean Solutions Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard
>> Elemental Herbs Sunscreen Sport: Safe sun protection for the pinkish

Screenshots via EWG/iTunes

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A good sunscreen’s hard to find. Only eight percent of sunscreens on the market are safe and effective, according to Environmental Working Group — and many of the sunscreens that make up the minuscule eight percent leave behind a white pallor, making you look ghostly when enjoying the summer sun.

If avoiding that pallid hue has you avoiding better-for-you sunscreens, try Sunumbra sunscreen. This micronised zinc oxide sunscreen offers SPF 30+ protection and will not leave you any paler than you already may be. Plus, the sweetish-smelling lotion smooths on easily, unlike some of the thicker sunscreens that require a lot of work to spread over your skin.

Sunumbra sunscreen isn’t listed on Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen guide yet, but other micronized zinc oxide sunscreens are on EWG’s “Best Sunscreens” list — so long as their other ingredients are also safe. All of Sunumbra’s inactive ingredients get a “low hazard” score on EWG’s cosmetic safety database Skin Deep. In fact, many of the ingredients in Sunumbra are derived from antioxidant rich plants. The green rooibos extract i organic certified, while the kigelia and aloe ferox extracts are wild-sourced.

The one downside of Sunumbra sunscreen: The stuff goes on greasy — and gets absorbed by the skin rather slowly. This feature makes the sunscreen easy to put on, but also leaves the now-sunscreened person feeling a bit oily for a while.

I plan to use Sunumbra for times when a little greasiness isn’t an issue, like when I’m laying out reading a book on the beach. A 3.5-ounce tube costs $29.70 on Sunumbra’s website.

Earlier:
>> When SPFs lie: Only 8% of sunscreens are safe and effective
>> California Baby: Safe, effective, and pricy sunscreen
>> Caribbean Solutions Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard
>> Elemental Herbs Sunscreen Sport: Safe sun protection for the pinkish

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Fair trade shea butter, organic jojoba oil, and organic green tea leaves sound like ingredients to an eco-luxe beauty concoction, but those are just some of the natural ingredients that make up Elemental Herbs’ sunscreens. This green-minded company offers sunscreens that get a “low hazard” score of 2 on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetic safety database — made by combining organic and fair trade ingredients with non-nanoparticle zinc oxide.

Zinc oxide sunscreens tend to always leave me looking freakishly white — so I was eager to try out the tinted Elemental Herbs Sunscreen Sport with SPF 22. I slathered on the pinkish goo before heading out — for a 12 hour urban hike around Los Angeles, no less — one of the many practice walks planned by Dan Koppel for the then-upcoming Big Parade LA.

The long hike took all day, so I kept putting more sunscreen on every few hours — and turning curiously pinker. “Do I look human?” I finally asked Dan, to get a not particularly reassuring “We can tell you’re still Siel” reply. Hmmm….

Turns out, I was putting on a little too much sunscreen, using my usual slather on liberally technique. I read Elemental Herbs’ 3-part how-to-use info a little belatedly, post hike, to find out that I should have shaken the bottle more vigorously, started with just a dab, then rubbed it in well before adding more. I followed these instructions today, and do look a lot less like a pallid, pink extraterrestrial.

Which is to say that like most zinc oxide sunscreens with a good safety rating, Elemental Herbs does take more work to use, with all the shaking, rubbing, and incremental dabbing on. Since I sunscreen most every day for a run, the daily sunscreening can seem a bit of a chore. And even after all the work, the sunscreen still feels a bit greasy, sitting more on top of the skin and leaving me afraid of leaving faint pinkish streaks on everything I might brush by.

On the upside, I do really like Elemental Herbs’ commitment to using safe, effective sunscreen ingredients, as well as to organic and fair trade ingredients. The company’s also a member of 1% For the Planet and of Green America. A 3-ounce tube costs $19.39 at Elemental Herbs’ web store.

While Elemental Herbs’ sunscreen didn’t quite make it onto my sunscreen list, the company’s All Good Lips lip balms did. You may already be familiar with the original organic certified All Good Lips; now that balm’s available in SPF 12. Pick from Original, Cool Spearmint, or — my favorite — Sweet Tangerine. Each tube costs $3.50.

Earlier:
>> When SPFs lie: Only 8% of sunscreens are safe and effective
>> California Baby: Safe, effective, and pricy sunscreen
>> Caribbean Solutions Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard

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Use a bad sunscreen and you’ll not only get burned, literally, but also tainted with weird chemicals and other sketchy ingredients. That’s why every year, the green health nonprofit Environmental Working Group updates its Sunscreen Guide. And near the top of the list every year’s California Baby, whose sunscreen products always get a “low hazard” score of 0 or 1.

Luckily, this greener sunscreen’s both effective and easy to use. While many greener sunscreens have a reputation for turning users a slightly sickly, pallid hue, California Baby’s micronized titanium dioxide formula goes on quite clear and doesn’t leave you feeling sticky, making the product a good everyday sunscreen.

I recommend California Baby’s SPF 30+ Sunscreen with no fragrance, which, true to its word, has pretty much no scent. Once I made the mistake of grabbing the Citronella scent — The smell of this naturally fragranced sunscreen was so strong and only seemed to get stronger when I ran with it on — enough so that I got to the point where I’d actually cringe before putting the stuff on. Now, I read labels more carefully before buying a tube.

The one major downside of California Baby — while these sunscreens are conveniently available at my local co-op and Whole Foods stores, the tubes are pretty expensive — and since I sunscreen most every day before going for a run, I go through the stuff pretty fast. At my co-op, a mere 2.9-ounce tube goes for $21.39 — which is why I waited until the members’ 10 percent discount month before snagging my latest tube.

Next time, I’ll probably shop California Baby’s online store. A 2.9-ounce tube is a little more affordable at $19.99, but more importantly, bigger tubes and even 19-oz pump bottles are available for heavy sunscreen users. Get a bigger bottle and cut down on waste while saving a little money too.

Earlier:
>> My review of Caribbean Solutions Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard, one of EWG’s recommended sunscreens
>> DIY sunscreen: Not a cool green idea

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Think your expensive sunscreen will protect your skin? Unlikely. Put on a hat and shirt and sit in the shade instead. That, basically, is the latest sunny advice from Environmental Working Group, a green health nonprofit that released its latest Sunscreen Guide earlier this week.

Store shelves may be crowded with numerous sunscreen brands boasting high SPF ratings, but most of those promises are bunk, according to EWG. In fact, only 8 percent beach and sport sunscreens on the market this season actually do what they claim.

What’s wrong with the other 92 percent? The issues range from creating consumer confusion to using ineffective or even dangerous ingredients. According to EWG, many sunscreens that list high SPF protection don’t protect against UVA radiation. Many people, however, look just at the SPF number and assume they’re good to go out — and stay out longer too, getting burned. People also put on only about a quarter of the sunscreen necessary to get full SPF benefits, leading to more burned skin. “In everyday practice, a product labeled SPF 100 really performs like SPF 3.2, an SPF 30 rating equates to a 2.3 and an SPF 15 translates to 2,” reports EWG.

If that’s not bad enough, some sunscreens may be downright dangerous. EWG’s warned about the use of oxybenzone — a hormone disruptor — in sunscreens in previous years. But this year, additional new concerns are being raised about a vitamin A compound called retinyl palmitate — found in a whopping 41 percent of sunscreens — because it’s suspected that the stuff may actually elevate skin cancer risk when used in sunscreens. Studies are as of yet inconclusive and an FDA investigation’s underway, but EWG’s recommending people opt for Vitamin A-free sunscreens to be on the safe side.

What’s a sun-loving environmentalist to do? The FDA’s supposed to revamp its regulations for sunscreens, with new rules planned to be issued next October. In the meantime, opt for one of the 39 greener and safer sunscreens recommended by EWG — and look for some eco-friendly hats and beachwear to wear while relaxing under the shade of your favorite palm tree.

Earlier:
>> My review of Caribbean Solutions Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard, one of EWG’s recommended sunscreens
>> DIY sunscreen: Not a cool green idea
>> EWG’s more sanguine 2009 Sunscreen Guide

Photo by Robert S. Donovan

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Not too long ago (okay, a year and a half ago — time flies when you’re blogging!), I shared my best eco and economical shoe-shopping tips for cute high heels. By going for quality, classic styles, then scoring bargains at consignment stores, pre-loved designer shoes can be had on the cheap — and are worth fixing up so you collect compliments year after fashionable year.

With comfy, everyday shoes though, thrifting and consignment shopping doesn’t come so easy, since most people wear sneakers and other casual shoes until they’re worn out. But while you’ll likely have to get these shoes new, you’ll be happy to know that many companies are working to put greener kicks out there for the uber-eco-conscious consumer. And some are quite stylish! Here are a few pairs to consider:

Simple Shoes Retire. Last year, I bought a pair of these Simple Shoes — with a “Stop Global Warming” tie-in — for $60. I logged on today to find that these greener kicks are now on sale for just $9.90! It appears that Simple Shoes is trying to get rid of this line — which bodes well for would-be eco-fashionistas who haven’t been able to afford Simple Shoes’ designs. The shoes are made with hemp and organic cotton, recycled PET, recycled car tire, and 100% post-consumer paper pulp foot forms. I love the comfy pair I got and still wear them all the time!

Keds Green Label. I don’t think I’ve actually worn Keds since junior high, but I guess these basics are still popular because new lines are still coming out! Keds Green Label launched in March this year, featuring greener classic Keds made of organic cotton and recycled rubber, in 6 colors that get their hues from non-toxic dyes.

If those basic colors don’t suit your style, you can get more colorful Keds designed by eco-fashion company Loomstate at Barneys New York. Pick from five designs, but be prepared to pay more for the branding ties. The one-color Keds Green Line shoes cost $55 a pair, while the Loomstate-Keds sold at Barneys cost $75 a pair.

TOMS Shoes. This eco-ethical company’s well-known for tying philanthropy into its business model: Buy a pair of TOMS shoes, and a pair of shoes will be given to a child in need! A few of TOMS’ styles are made of eco-friendly materials — hemp, recycled PET, and recycled rubber — though these can be a bit tough to find. Try looking for them at Whole Foods stores. Cost: $44 – $70 a pair.

New Balance 070. Environments who love the outdoors have a greener shoe option for light hiking and trail running. The New Balance 070, new this summer, are airy, comfy and light. Green features include textiles made with recycled content, water-based adhesives, rice husk fillers, and an “interlocking design” that’s said to reduce material waste during manufacturing. Cost: $79 a pair.

What shoes are you wearing this summer?

Top two photos by Simple Shoes, Keds; bottom two photos by Siel

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Once upon a time, I paid $50 for a pair of flipflops because they were the greenest pair I could find, proudly constructed out of eco-friendly jute, crepe rubber, and cork by a Cali company called Simple Shoes.

Now, those same flippies are on sale for $7.90 — with free shipping!

Once upon a time, I paid $60 for a pair of “Stop Global Warming” Simple Shoes slip ons, proud because they were made of hemp, organic cotton, recycled PET, recycled car tire, and 100% post consumer paper pulp. Plus $5 of what I spent went to StopGlobalWarming.org.

Now, the same “Retire” design shoes are on sale for $9.90! I could’ve sent $50 to StopGlobalWarming.org if I’d waited a year!

The great eco-shoe deals aren’t just for shoes I bought in the past for full price. Eco-thinking shoe company Simple Shoes is having a blowout sale on a whole bunch of designs, including the TOEtally boot made with organic cotton and a whole bunch of sandals too.

Got kids? Well now you can dress their feet in cute, tree-hugging shoes made with certified organic cotton uppers and linings, recycled PET and latex heels, and 100% post consumer paper pulp foot forms for the bargain price of $4.90. That’s right — A cute pair of very green shoes for your kids delivered for under $5!

Men too can get their versions of the Retire and Toe Foo shoes. Get ‘em before they’re sold out! Now you can no longer complain about how expensive green shoes are –

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Seek adventure and freedom? Willing to give up everything you own to bring those things in your life? No? Well then experience them vicariously via intrepid people who are de-stuff-ing their lives so they can travel light and free in pursuit of new adventures.

Meet Laura Crawford and Russ Roca of The Path Less Pedaled — a jewelry maker and photographer who are freeing themselves of the stuff that weighs them down — to travel by bike!

Paring down their lives to just what will fit on two bicycles, Laura and Russ are embarking on an extended bike tour throughout the US and beyond – with the goal of connecting with and collecting the stories of people who followed a calling to live their lives in unique ways.

The Path Less Pedaled’s the two’s blog, documenting both their journey and those of other “lives less ordinary – independent artisans and makers, small business proprietors, community activists and more.” In fact, if you consider your life less ordinary, contact the bicycling duo, who are actively seeking stories. You could become part of The Path Less Pedaled’s journey and story!

Currently, Laura and Russ are still at their Long Beach apartment, slowly getting rid of their stuff by giving it away to charity, selling it on Craigslist, and seeking stuff-takers on their blog. Anyone want a very cute Eeyore, who’s been Laura’s friend for a decade?

This “get rid of all your stuff and follow your own adventure” dealio isn’t just a bizarro idea dreamed up by crazy Californians. Meet Megan Deal, a graphic designer in Detroit and the brains behind Pay no less than $.01, a site described as “one part stoop sale and one part personal experiment” (via Mickipedia). Like Laura and Russ, Megan’s getting rid of almost all of her stuff — everything except what’ll fit into 1 bag (it’s unclear how big this single bag is).

Why? Megan’s moving to Greensboro, Alabama come June 1 to work with a community-oriented design lab located on the campus of Hale Empowerment and Revitalization Organization, which “supports sustainable housing development and positive change for over 400 families a year in impoverished Hale County.” Writes Megan: “In preparation for total immersion into the Greensboro community, I am selling everything that I own…. By ridding myself of these possessions, I aim to both lighten my travel load and remove the obtrusive clutter from my everyday life.”

Visit Pay no less than $.01 to browse what Megan’s selling — and for the chance to own some of it. The items range from the eco-useful — like a stainless steel thermos — to somewhat less utilitarian stuff like “three incredibly small and useless glasses” or a single fat knitting needle. You can then make a donation of your choosing for the object of your desire — those outside Detroit will need to negotiate shipping fees — with the money going to Megan’s travel and living expenses.

Laura, Russ, and Megan aren’t the first to use the web for their radical stuff-cleanse. Back in 2001, one John Freyer launched Allmylifeforsale.com, which catalogued his sell-off of almost everything he owned on eBay — down to the domain name Allmylifeforsale.com itself, snapped up by the University of Iowa, Museum of Art. John not only sold his stuff but tracked them, asking for follow-up stories from buyers and even going on a road trip to visit some of them — before publishing a book about his work.

You may not be as radical as these three — but still be interested in getting more enjoyment out of life by getting rid of “stuff” that weighs you down — a move that also has nice environmental benefits. Some links to help you on your de-stuff-ing adventures:

>> Unclutterer. Erin Doland’s the editor in chief of this blog, which is “about streamlining your space and your possessions so that you can be more efficient at work and enjoy a more relaxing and serene environment at home.”

>> 29 Gifts. Created by Cami Walker, 29 Gifts lets you sign up to simply give one thing away each day for 29 days. I’ve taken this challenge — twice!

>> Tiny Choices. Karina Tipton and Jenn Sturiale have lots of tiny tips for streamlining your life both for your sanity and for the environment. The girls encourage you to pack light and pack smart while traveling, just like Laura, Russ, and Megan!

Earlier: An Anti-capitalist video guide to happiness

Top two photos via pathlesspedaled.com; screenshot via goodbyewafflemaker.com

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>> Does the flying spaghetti monster haunt your dreams, urging you to give away 29 things and follow where its tentacles lead? A psychologist’s found dreams get more bizarro as local geomagnetic activity gets more intense.

>> Stop praying for a daughter and just move to the tropics. “A global survey of birth data shows that more girls are born there than anywhere else. The work is the first to demonstrate that latitude affects the sex of human babies.”

>> Still hung up about the “infamous illegal, but not penalized, ‘Hand of God’ soccer goal from the 1986 International Federation of Associated Football (FIFA) World Cup”? I’m not, because I had no knowledge of this event until I got the invite for Trying the Hand of God, a party at MOCA put together by Knifeandfork, a local artist collective. The FREE event — with DJs, performances, and chances to “play the role of Diego Maradona, the Argentine soccer legend” — happens Thurs., April 2, 7 pm – 10 pm at MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

Image via moca.org

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