Win Ecover’s Celebrate Earth Month Sweepstakes With A Trip To Hotel Mocking Bird Hill In Jamaica!

Apr 02, 2012 | By Maureen

It’s true: Ecover is celebrating Earth Month with a spectacular Jamaica vacation sweepstakes, starting today! Enter until April 30^th for your chance to win this 5-day/4-night getaway for two, featuring accommodations at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill: a 10-room eco-chic hideaway nestled in 6 ½ acres of lush tropical gardens on a forested hillside. Your neighbors? The enchanting town of Port Antonio, the Caribbean coast and the Blue Mountains!  Wow!

We are thrilled to offer such an amazing prize with our friends at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill. This sweet retreat offers panoramic mountain and ocean vistas that are just minutes away from sandy beaches. And we know Ecover fans will appreciate Hotel Mocking Bird Hill’s commitment to sustainability and its ethos of “guiltless indulgence.” The unspoiled location is ideal for a relaxing, eco-friendly vacation away from the main tourist centers. Check out the Hotel Mocking Bird Hill Facebook page to see more beautiful photos. Your prize includes the following:

• Round-trip coach-class air transportation to Jamaica for one winner and one guest from a major airport nearest the winner’s home.
• Round-trip ground transportation to/from airport/lodging.
• Four nights lodging at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, including daily full breakfast (one room, based on double occupancy).
• Hotel Mocking Bird Hill will also contribute two trees to be planted in the name of the winner and his/her guest, to honor Earth Month!

To enter, join us on our Facebook page, click on the trip sweepstakes tab, “like” Ecover and then follow the instructions. The winner will be selected at random on or about May 3^rd.

Good luck … and happy Earth Month from all of us at Ecover!

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Ecover Loves Carrots!

Mar 30, 2012 | By Deb

Carrots! Whether raw, roasted or sliced into a stir-fry – carrots are tasty, healthy and versatile! They’re great in a lunch bag and just as much at home on an elegant dinner plate. Moreover, they contain Vitamins A, E, C, K, and B6 along with potassium, niacin, and folate; these vitamins and minerals all help regulate blood sugar and improve the appearance of skin, hair, and nails. Carrots even promote colon health with their fiber count, and have a negligible amount of fat, and no cholesterol. Wow! So, today Ecover offers two recipes for making this already fabulous veggie even better!

Enjoy!

Glazed Carrots

Ingredients

1 pound carrots, approximately 7 medium, peeled and cut on the bias 1/4-inch thick
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
Heavy pinch kosher salt
1 cup good-quality ginger ale
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

In a 12-inch saute pan over medium heat, combine the carrots, butter, salt and ginger ale. Cover and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, remove the lid, stir, and reduce the heat to low. Cover again and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, add the chili powder and increase the heat to high. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the ginger ale is reduced to a glaze, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Pour into a serving dish and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve immediately.

Carrot & Parsnip Puree

Ingredients

4 lbs organic carrots, or from a local farm
2 lbs organic parsnips, or from a local farm
8 shallots, organic or locally raised
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon local honey
1/2 pint organic heavy cream
1/2 glass (4 oz) water
1 stick plus 2 Tbs sustainble butter
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
wax paper

Directions

Peel and cut up carrots, parsnips, shallots. In 8 quart pot, melt one stick organic butter. Sautee shallots in butter and add carrots, parsnips, 1/2 glass water.
Cover pot with buttered wax paper, butter-side down, with an x slit in paper to allow steam to escape. Cook vegetables for 20 to 30 minutes on low flame until soft and mushy. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed.
Add all ingredients in blender or food processor and puree. (If you use a blender, do it in batches.)

Image by Leeks ‘N’ Bounds via Flickr.com

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Ecover Looks At Innovative Living Designs Of The Future

Mar 28, 2012 | By Lindsay

Imagine living with your family in the middle of a busy city, and harvesting your own vegetables and tending to your own livestock. That’s part of the vision displayed by eVolvo Magazine, architecture and design journal, from their 2011 Skyscraper Competition. The annual competition recognizes superb ideas from designers all over the world that redefine skyscraper design for modern living.

For example, there is the Circular Symbiosis Tower, above, the vertical farm for livestock within a city. This avant-garde design consisted of spiraling platforms of grass fields where cows are free to roam. After 30 days of habiting the same pasture, they would rotate to the next level, so that other animals like chickens would then use the previous field until its grass has grown again.

 Skyscraper cube that design for Manhattan

We’re blown away by the innovation of each the architectural renderings; all the imagination, attention to sustainability and living in a changing world. We wonder if these images are the future of family living at its best; the architectural designs propose exciting solutions to green living space, urban living, and options for all lifestyles.

 Delhi Recycling Center

The winner of the competition, LO2P Delhi Recycling Center, revolutionizes living space and designs a cleaner air space. This design consisted of a giant wind turbine with a building wrapped around it – composed of old cars! The building was designed to function as a giant lung which would clean the air through several large-scale greenhouses that serve as filters. The waste heat and CO2 from the recycling center would be used to grow plants to produce bio-fuels!

Bravo to all of the contestants who proposed out-of-the-box skyscraper designs that would surely better our world.  The future is now!

Image one via treehugger.com
Images two and three via treehugger.com

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NBC’s Today Spreads The Word About The Power Of Ecover Laundry Powder ZERO!

Mar 26, 2012 | By Deb

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

On March 19^th, Today on NBC televised an in depth piece on one of our favorite topics: getting the laundry clean! The folks at Today asked the Good Housekeeping testers to see how a variety of laundry detergents worked on a plethora of stains … and, we are pleased to announce that Ecover did amazingly well!

As Today reported, the Good Housekeeping professionals tested a wide variety of laundry detergents on twenty different types of tough stains, including everything from gravy to lipstick to grass and blood.  After washing the stains in a variety of laundry detergents, including “one of [the] plant-based picks” Ecover Laundry Powder ZERO, the testers concluded that Ecover got the job done. “It did well!”

During the segment, Ecover’s Laundry Powder ZERO detergent was highlighted as one of the best performers. And since people do almost 400 loads of laundry per year, this is big news. In addition to Ecover’s effectiveness, Today also noted that the testers found the laundry detergents to be effective in cold water. So, if our customers want to save energy … using cold water is another great way to start!

Based on the Today segment, Ecover’s Laundry Powder ZERO is a top choice so we hope that more people will be interested in trying all of our powerful ecological cleaners for a clean that feels good!

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Tell Ecover How Does Your Garden Grow?

Mar 23, 2012 | By Deb

For those of us who like to work with our hands—and to enjoy the fruit of our labor—growing vegetables is a satisfying and worthwhile endeavor. It’s so satisfying to grow your own fresh veggies for your family’s dinner table.  With that in mind, Ecover would love to hear about your vegetable garden!

Growing vegetables at home is one of the best ways to eat locally and to maintain control over the produce you consume. Whether you choose to grow your veggies organically or not, planting and growing food has so many benefits. It’s inexpensive, it reduces your carbon footprint, and it teaches children where fruits and vegetables really come from. It may even encourage them to eat more!

Moreover, vegetables can be grown on any size plot and even in containers. So, whether you have acres upon acres or a rooftop patio, there’s room for a vegetable garden! And if you’re a beginner, don’t fret; books, websites and neighbors are full of helpful information. Bottom line: all it takes is some soil, a few seeds, water and sunshine!

So, tell us, what’s growing in your garden? Stop by our Facebook page and share a few photos or give us an update. We’d love to hear how your growing is going!

Image 1. by Amy C. Evans, Southern Foodways Alliance oral historian via Flickr.com
Image 2. by canarsiebk via Flickr.com
Image 3.  by sscornelius via Flickr.com

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Ecover Loves Eco Moms!

Mar 21, 2012 | By Deb

Our blog featured a post in December about today’s “green” mothers. The same group that produced that study, The Social Studies Group, has now released a second report entitled “The Green Mom Eco-cosm Revisited,” which is well worth a look.

This study evaluated surveys from about 150 of these so called “green moms,” described as a “vigilant, ardent, curious and well-educated community, with a particularly sharp focus on [aspects] of environmentalism that relate directly and immediately to families.” The report states that the primary motivation for these “green” mothers is the health and welfare of families, and not necessarily the environment.

For Ecover, it’s reassuring to know that moms in the eco-cosm are first looking for products that are effective and work for their lifestyle expectations; the fact that Ecover products also help them keep their families away from toxins is fantastic – the icing on the cake. Ecological products that work bring value to the table and the best of both worlds.

Interestingly, the study found that a mother’s decision to purchase green products bore no correlation to income: “…the drive to live responsibly outranked pocketbook concerns.”

Another fascinating conclusion the report makes is that these women are actually greener in their real lives than their online presence suggests; “…for nearly every behavior measured, the number of people talking about it was less than the number of people actually doing it.” The authors touted this to be one of the cosm’s greatest strengths, as these discussions increase the adoption of “green behaviors [extending] into the lifestyles of mainstream families.”

We hope to hear more from the moms in the eco-cosm … and, that we’ll see the day when sustainability habits such as recycling, composting and cleaning with ecological products will be part of every family’s lifestyle!

Photo by Din! via Flickr

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Ecover Thinks Don Henley’s Environmentalism Is As Inspiring As His Music

Mar 19, 2012 | By Deb

From his performances of “Boys of Summer” and “End of the Innocence” to all the classics he wrote and played as part of the legendary band the Eagles, Don Henley has proven to be one of music’s greatest performers. In addition to being a talented drummer, songwriter and singer, Henley is also extremely committed to environmental causes like reserving land for the enjoyment of future generations. Maybe that’s why Rolling Stone named Henley one of the most “Eco Friendly Rockers,” and Ecover couldn’t agree more. Let’s take a look.

Don Henley founded the Walden Woods Project, working to promote and sustain the celebrated Walden Pond in Massachusetts. The project “preserves the land, literature and legacy of the quintessential American author, philosopher, and naturalist, Henry David Thoreau, to foster an ethic of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.” Thoreau wrote about the beauty of nature and of the role of man in this great universe…and of the dangers of destroying the beauty of nature. These ideals are near and dear to our hearts here at Ecover, and it’s wonderful to see someone of Henley’s stature making these efforts.

A view from the Walden Woods Project

Henley also founded the Caddo Lake Institute in Austin, Texas, where he was raised. Its mission is to protect “the ecological, cultural and economic integrity of Caddo Lake, its associated wetlands and surrounding plant and wildlife habitats.” The organization works to fund important ecological research and to protect the 26,000 acres of Texas wetland – and the state’s only natural lake. Thoreau would be proud!

With more people like Don Henley working for the planet, future generations will always know the beauty and pleasures of nature!

Image 1 via donhenleyonline.com
Image 2 via Waldenwoodsproject.org

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Ecover Loves Foods Colored Green Naturally On St. Patrick’s Day!

Mar 16, 2012 | By Maureen

What would St. Patrick’s Day be without a few festive green foods? Indeed, on March 17^th everything from bagels to beer is awash in Kelly Green as Americans celebrate their Irish heritage, or simply enjoy “being Irish for a day.” And while the color is certainly cheery, it is typically achieved with artificial food dyes – substances that continue to raise health concerns. Ecover takes a look at the latest research and some natural alternatives to getting your St. Patty’s cupcakes that perfect shade of green!

Debate over artificial dyes began in the 1970’s when a pediatric allergist in California found success in treating children with hyperactivity by eliminating certain foods from their diets – including those with artificial coloring. Synthetic dyes are found in many processed foods, as well as the little vials of food coloring in our home kitchens. In 2008, The Center for Science in the Public Interest petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration to ban these artificial dyes, or add warning labels. An FDA advisory panel finally concluded that there is no proof that artificially colored foods cause hyperactivity in most children, but acknowledged that some children with behavioral problems may experience worsening symptoms after eating foods with artificial coloring.

Another factor to consider – the environmental impact of those brilliant colors, which are derived from petroleum products. A healthier choice for your family and the planet are natural colorings that you can make yourself or purchase. The color may not be as vibrant as the fake stuff, but we say colors found in nature are prettier anyway! And this St. Pat’s day, try making treats with naturally green ingredients, such as these Madeleine cookies made with Matcha powder!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day – and here’s to being green while going green!

Photo by Matthew Bland via Flickr.com

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Win One Of Two Great Prizes In Ecover’s Springtime Sweepstakes!

Mar 14, 2012 | By Maureen

Spring is in the air (and the bathroom!) with our latest Ecover sweepstakes! Enter now through March 19^th for your chance to win one of two fantastic prizes. The first is courtesy of our friends at LOOP who make fine organic cotton bed and bath linens; the second prize features six Ecover products, perfect for maintaining springtime-fresh bathrooms and linens!

Check out the details: the first lucky winner receives 2 sets of LOOP Turkish Organic Cotton Towels (2 wash cloths, 2 hand towels, and 2 bath towels). Long-fiber Turkish cotton makes these towels soft, full and super-absorbent. Expert weavers use 100 percent cotton fiber, low-impact dyes and superior finishing and sewing to ensure years of soft and warm enjoyment! And we love the fact that all LOOP production processes are free from harmful chemicals, so the end product is certified to the highest set of standards for organic textiles (GOTS).  Choose from a sophisticated modern color palette: sandstone, white, sea glass, or mountain ridge. Total value: $128, plus shipping.

Inspired to shop for luxurious organic textiles? Check out LOOP’s sateen sheets, duvet covers and pillow shams, as well as a selection of beautifully textured woven blankets and accent pillows.

A second lucky sweepstakes winner will receive the following full-size Ecover products with a total value of $45:

• Bathroom Cleaner 
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Limescale Remover 
• Hand Soap 
• Hand Soap Refill 
• Laundry Liquid 2.5x Concentrate Sunny Day

To enter, “like” us on Facebook, then click on the sweepstakes tab to the left under our profile picture and follow the instructions. The sweepstakes ends at midnight on March 19^th, and the two winners will be selected at random on March 20^th!

Good luck … and happy spring!

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Ecover’s Natural Cleaning ‘Recipes’ Include A Dash Of Science!

Mar 12, 2012 | By Maureen

Natural Home and Garden recently came out with a fantastic list of cleaning recipes you can make at home with natural ingredients and essential oils. Ecover understands that many people who appreciate natural cleaning solutions simply don’t have the time to make their own products. So we were delighted to see that the Natural Home editors also included a list of ready-made nontoxic cleaners – with Ecover right in the mix!

We think our products are as close to what you would make yourself as possible, enhanced by some serious scientific know-how that takes DIY cleaning power up a few notches! In fact, Ecover has 31 years of experience developing not only super-effective natural cleaners, but also more energy-efficient production processes and sustainable factories. We know that you appreciate that – and the convenience of purchasing cleaning products on line or right off the shelf. And we never stop striving to improve on the mineral and plant-based ingredients in our products.

All that being said, it’s also great to know how to make your own cleaning solution, and if you’re so inclined – go for it! Having on hand a combination of homemade cleaners and Ecover standbys just might be the perfect way to meet all your housecleaning needs. One Natural Home recipe that jumped out at us: “ready-when-you-need-‘em kitchen wipes.” Simply fill a jar with old pieces of cloth and add 1 cup water, 1 ounce liquid castile soap, and 6 to 8 drops of your favorite essential oil. What a great way to use old T-shirts or cloth diapers!

Have fun experimenting with different cleaning recipes … but rest assured that Ecover is always there with the right ingredients list to tackle your toughest household chores!

Photo by Thomas Gibson via Natural Home and Garden

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