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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There is no shortage of various styles on the market with new-fangled designs and supports. I don't own one, but I make it a habit to give hammocks a whirl whenever I have the opportunity. I still remember lounging in one with my husband on the Big Island of Hawaii under the moonlight at the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort after completing the Kona Marathon earlier that day in 2002.

But certainly one does not need to complete a marathon, visit an island or stay at a resort to make use of this lovely time-tested practice. I recently had the opportunity to make use of a hammock with my daughter in my brother-in-law's back yard in Northern California. It was the traditional woven style that allows gravity to force all of your muscles into relaxation. They are the best kind, I think. Since then, I've been scouting my yard for a good spot. I think I've found one in between two solid trees in the back. Just in time to enjoy the pleasant Fall temps and foliage.

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Two quick questions for you ...

1) Would you like to help the environment by having someone plant five to ten trees on your behalf?

2 Would you like to stop receiving 90 percent of the junk mail you receive?

If you answered Yes to both of those questions, you should definitely look into GreenDimes.com, an eco-conscious company that was formed to help put an end to the resource-wasting practice of sending worthless paper mail advertisements to homes across the country. For only $20, GreenMail.com will remove your name from mailing lists and make sure, through a monthly monitoring system, that the pile of junk mail you receive is reduced by 90 percent. Plus, as stated before, by signing up to GreenDimes.com, they will plant five to ten trees on your behalf.

Also, in case you don't feel like shelling out the $20 bucks right now, you can also join GreenDimes.com for free and still help remove your name from junk mailing lists.

And lastly, just to put the true wastefulness of junk mail into perspective, here are some facts sourced from the Native Forest Network:

• The average person gets only 1.5 personal letters each week, compared to 10.8 pieces of junk mail.
  
• Each person will receive almost 560 pieces of junk mail this year.
  
• That's 4.5 million tons of junk mail produced each year!
  
• 44% of all junk mail is thrown in the trash, unopened and unread.
  
• Approximately 40% of the solid mass that makes up our landfills is paper and paperboard waste.
  
• By the year 2010, it is predicted to make up about 48%.
  
• 100 million trees are ground up each year to produce junk mail.
  
• Lists of names and addresses used in bulk mailings are in mass data-collection networks, compiled from phone books, warranty cards, and charity donations (to name a few).
  
• Your name is typically worth 3 to 20 cents each time it is sold.

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