I've said it before, and I'll say it over and over again -- looking good and feeling good really do go hand in hand. I don't mean that dressing in cute clothes will make you happy (although I promise it won't hurt). Rather, if you feel good -- healthy, happy, optimistic -- it'll show.

Photo: shop.fila.com

I always feel better when my purchases support my beliefs, so when I heard that Fila had teamed up with AmericanForests.org, I was intrigued. Then, I found that not only had Fila made a one-year commitment with the nation's oldest and most respected non-profit dedicated to tree planting in the U.S. and globally, but they were also using eco-conscious fabrics in their Women's Personal Performance line. Sold!

The brand has incorporated the use of sustainable and recycled fibers, like soy, bamboo and recycled Polyester into their women's line. Initially launched in 2008, the line has proven that fashion, function and eco-friendliness can go hand in hand (uh, in hand). Don't even try to tell me you're not into the Fila Twist Back Yoga Tank ($58), or the Flower Sleeveless Muscle Tank ($50).

And yes, I realize that $50 for a top is more than you'd pay at, say, Target. And I know that's hard right now. But, consider this -- would you rather have one piece that supports a company that's incorporating sustainable practices and donating money to get more trees planted, or three pieces that don't?

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Most of us are adamant about keeping our bodies and minds healthy. But what about our surroundings? Doing your part and pitching in to help save our earth is just as important -- after all, what's the point of being fit if we don't have fresh air to breathe?

Now you can look good and save the earth at the same time. Prevention magazine recently assembled a list of their top eco-friendly fitness gear finds -- from wicking shirts made from coconut shells to shoes with recycled rubber soles, you're sure to find something that suits your workout and your budget. Check the list out over here.

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Fitness isn't just about body fat and muscle mass. For many of us, being fit inside counts, too, which means trying to make the best possible choices from day to day -- best for ourselves, our families, and our planet. And it can get tiring sometimes, trying to determine whether you're better off purchasing sustainable Product X from Company A or slightly-used organic Product Y from Company B, but sustainable shopping just got a bit easier with WorldofGood.com.

WorldOfGood.com is an Ebay community that strives to be "your source for everything People Positive and Eco Positive." They want to provide a place where people can "create positive change through commerce, as part of a global community."

More and more people are interested in the effects their purchases make -- knowing you're buying items that meet your philosophical needs can bring you great peace of mind. If you want to see just how big an impact simple spending habits make on the world at large, check out the Smart Cart quiz. You'll be amazed (and slightly horrified, if you're anything like me!).

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We planted our first vegetable garden this past spring and enjoyed it so much that we just spent the weekend doubling its size for next year. With a very small financial investment and a little bit of physical labor, we've been able to contribute fresh, healthy, organic foods to our menu and teach our kids some lessons about food production as well.

Rising food costs, food safety concerns, and an increased awareness about environmental issues have lead to an increase in backyard gardening. And some food activists are hoping to encourage that trend by putting an organic garden on one of the most well-known lawns in Amercia ... The White House.

When OnDayOne.org asked citizens to share their ideas for a better world, Eat the View shot quickly to the top. Eat the View is a program that advocates the placement of edible landscapes in high visibility places. You don't get much more visible than the White House! Activists hope that by promoting these kinds of gardens, backyard gardeners will again be encouraged to pull out their seeds and hoes. The idea is, if people start growing more of their own food, there will be less pollution created by food miles, pesticides, and waste.

So will the next President grow a garden at the White House? Time will tell. Sustainable practices aren't a new idea at the Presidential home; in 1917, President Wilson replaced power lawn mowers with a herd of sheep.

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Finding shoes that are easy on the environment is getting easier -- whether you're looking for running shoes, dress shoes, or just some sandals for kicking around town, you've got options.

Well, if you're an adult, anyway. It's a little more difficult to find eco-friendly shoe options for kids, but it's not impossible (and it's getting easier). In fact, this article at Divine Caroline lists options for kids' shoes. Patagonian, Timberland, and other companies have joined the good fight and are offering kids' shoes made with environmentally friendly products and packaged in a responsible and sustainable way.

And what if you have an environmentally conscious little ballerina? You can even find a vegan alternative ballet slipper. It might take a little more hunting for you to find shoes for your little ones with all these qualities, but isn't it worth it to know that your child's footprint isn't leaving an environmental footprint, too?

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Are you trying to live a greener lifestyle? Looking at your diet is a good place to start. Pesticides, food miles, and factory farms are three important issues when we talk about the environment, as are artificial additives, food diversity, and vegetarianism.

The Daily Green has an excellent 30-day guide to greening up your diet. For instance, you could eat one meal a week that comes 100% from local sources. You could buy organic fruits and vegetables, instead of the conventionally grown versions. You could shop at a farmer's market or CSA, find a source of compassionately grown meat, or even make meatless meals twice a week. Finally, you can read books on the subject like Michael Pollen's In Defense of Food and Alice Water's The Art of Simple Food.

Check out the rest of their suggestions and start eating a greener diet today.

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When it comes to being healthy the term "green" has more meanings these days than it used to. We can be healthier by incorporating more greens in our diet and the planet can be healthier by our efforts to be "greener" in an environmental sense. The Daily Green put together a plan on how we can work on both in just 5 days, and all things considered there's really no reason we shouldn't all give it a shot -- the steps are amazingly simple. Things like going meatless one day per week and learning to recognize sustainable food labels aren't too complicated (it's just learning to do them regularly, right?).


Via Lifehacker

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After you kick off those exercise shoes, why not lounge around in something comfy and environmentally friendly? Add a bag, some surf gear, and a hat and you'll be completely decked out in sustainable stuff.

It's a simple concept by a company calling itself yes, Simple. There's nothing over-built or over-hyped about the gazillion products sold by this green group. All items are 100 percent sustainable and are made using a method called Green Toe. It's not a magical formula, or a cure, according the company's website. It's just a compass that points to a bright green future. Using a scale of "good, better, best," each product is rated according to it's contribution to Mother Nature.

It's all very cool, the vision of this company, the trendy eco-sneaks available for men, women, and kids, the fact that these Simple products are made from bamboo, organic cotton, cork, and recycled car tires. Now that's what I call a fashion statement.

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Cute workout gear inspires me to exercise more. Cute workout gear made by a company dedicated to creating sustainable, environmentally responsible products... well that's inspiration to work out more and shop more.

Nau is a company to watch in the next few years. While other eco-forward apparel companies like Patagonia have been around for a while, Nau is unique because their products are more art and design-based. From using organic cottons and recycled corrugated cardboard mannequins, to choosing to make clothes in less trendy colors so they'll last longer, I like the mentality behind this company. Unfortunately, none of their products are for sale yet, but their website does have some interesting green-movement videos and a sneak peek at their Spring 2007 collection.

via: Coolhunting

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A new company in Silicon Valley is putting together nanotechnology with solar cells to create something special. Their name is Nanosolar.

The idea is to create the most efficient solar cells that are able to work at the tiniest "nano" level. Nanotechnology involves creating "machines" that are fully operational even though they are microscopic. Nanosolar has basically created solar cells that are so small you can't even see them.

So how do you install a microscopic solar cell on your roof? Well, that's where it gets interesting.