Green Living Tips for Exercise

At VannyBean, we like to toot the horns of the products we carry, as they are eco-cool. However, we want to be adding more on our blog about green living, in general. Indeed, we are retailers who love organic baby clothes and eco-friendly baby products, but we also love improving and exploring ways to treat the planet better in our daily lives. So, on this post, let us explore Green Living tips surrounding how we exercise.

GET OUTSIDE
First and foremost, GET OUTSIDE! A part of natural living and being "green" is getting out in it. Spending time outside will flourish your desire and understanding of the earth's many ecosystems and better enhance your knowledge of your local ecoystems. Look at places to explore on your local "parks & rec" website or visit state DNR (Department of Natural Resources) websites for places of beauty to get outside for solo time or with the babes. If you are with the babes, consider our Dreamer Ditto Manhattan Merge double jogging stroller, or look to buying used if need be. But definitely, GET OUTSIDE!

Yes, we know, we know, right now it's winter and so we must consider snow sports--this is a tough one in our household since we have an infant, but don't brush off the benefits of building snow forts & snow queens. Being in the fresh air, sun and trudging in the deep snow can lift spirits and burn calories at the same time. Otherwise, if you don't have your own equipment, consider renting equipment for a trek on the cross country skis, or if the snowfall calls for it--snowshoeing (our favorite)!

BE PVC FREE

Choose duffel bags or gym bags made from recycled plastic over petroleum-derived virgin polyester (PVC), like our Re-Run Fleurville bags, which are made from recycled plastic bottles. According to The Green Book by Elizabeth Rogers & Thomas M. Kostigen, if "1 percent of Americans who participate in outdoor activities each year were to purchase a sports bag made from recycled materials, more than 180,00 pounds of plastic could be diverted from the trash (p.109)." Is your Yoga Mat, PVC free also? Avoid Petroleum-derived plastic mats and go for those made from natural rubber, jute or cotton.

AVOID ALUMINUM

Avoid Aluminum--whether it's a ball bat, or the new bike you will use in the triathlon for whichyou are training. Aluminum is the most energy intensive of all materials manufactured in the U.S. So for ball bats--think of wood or bamboo. For bikes--check out the steel frames, especially those made from recycled steel.

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

Please recycle: Recycle your used bike tires-please. We can make many more products from our recycled bike tires, such as handbags and shoe soles and even more bicycle paths. According to The Green Book, "if one in fourteen American cyclists were to recycle his or her bicycle tires each year, the rubber saved could pave the current route of the Tour De France." Now that is Magnifique!