World Turtle Day!

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” ~Lao Tzu

This past week I was driving home from work and noticed something very small moving in the road.  As I got closer, I realized it was a tiny turtle attempting to cross the road during rush hour.  Now, if this sounds familiar, you are correct.  This has happened to me before and I did indeed blog about it.  But given the fact today is World Turtle Day, I decided to write about it again!

So I come to a complete stop and hop out of my car despite the traffic.  The person in the car behind me got really mad, swerved around me and gave me a dirty look as he drove by.  Since I wasn’t sure how to handle a turtle the first time this happened, I had looked it up and knew it’s best to just pick up the little guy by the bottom of his shell and help him finish crossing the street in the direction he was traveling.

Evidently, if you don’t put them down in the direction they were traveling, they will turn around and try again.  Good to know, because I’m not sure if the other drivers down the way would be willing to stop and help!  I know we are all in a hurry, but I simply don’t get why people don’t stop for animals crossing the road.  They are a living, breathing beings and have just as much of a right to be here as you and me do!  Have a little patience!

I was reading an article from TreeHugger.com today, and it said: “Of the 207 species of turtle and tortoise alive today, 129 of them are listed by IUCN as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. That's an incredibly 62% of species! Though these species wear a suit of armor, they are incredible fragile and in need of protection by humans, from humans.”

Something to think about it!  And perhaps the next time you see one struggling to cross a busy road, you will be a friend to these vulnerable creatures who are in need of our help! :)

Until next time...


Namaste

MI Earth Day Fest

“If one way be better than another, that you may be sure is Nature's way.” ~Aristotle

Free to be yoga tees® is incredibly excited to attend this year’s MI Earth Day Fest, taking place in downtown Rochester (Third and Water Street) from Friday, April 26 thru Sunday, April 28.

The event, Michigan’s premier green and healthy living celebration, is a great community event highlighting the success of hundreds of local businesses and community groups that strive to ‘Make Every Day Earth Day’.

The MI Earth Day Fest will offer a wide variety of fun, informative, earth-friendly activities including:  green/wellness exhibits and activities, world-class presentations, organic food, farmers market, kids corner arts and activities, farm fun area, strawbale and rock climb, stage and street entertainment, contests and prizes, free wellness programs and massage, and Connections Cafe roundtables. Discover healthy, green alternatives in food, wellness, energy, transportation, gifts, personal care, art work, home, garden, finances and more.

Dates/Hours:
Friday, April 26 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 28 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The event is FREE and fun for all ages!  For more information on the event, visit www.migreenteam.com

We hope you come and visit the free to be yoga tees® tent and celebrate Earth Day with us!  (We will be located in booth a1.)  We’ll have a wide selection of free to be yoga tees® available for purchase.  All free to be yoga tees® styles are earth-friendly--made from sustainable fabrics with low-impact dyes, free from chemicals and custom designs printed with water-based ink.  What better place to highlight our tees than at event that celebrates the eco-friendly philosophy!  We hope to see you there!

Until next time...

Namaste

Earth Day 2013

“I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.”  ~E.B. White

Earth Day is almost here, and we’re pretty excited here at free to be yoga tees®!

As you know, free to be yoga tees® prides itself on carrying eco-friendly tees for women and men.  All of our styles are made from sustainable fabrics with low-impact dyes, no chemicals, and custom design work printed with water-based ink.

In addition, free to be yoga tees® are proudly made in the USA, which believe it or not, is better for the environment!

According to the Made in the USA Challenge blog: “Companies that keep their manufacturing in the US are subject to EPA regulations to help protect the land, air and water. Additionally, a made in the USA product’s carbon footprint is smaller because it has less distance to travel.” (madeinusachallenge.com)

With that said, free to be yoga tees® is celebrating Earth Day ALL WEEKEND long by offering our loyal fans and customers FREE SHIPPING!

Shop freetobeyogatees.com 24/7 and enjoy FREE SHIPPING this Friday, April 19 thru 11:59 p.m. on Earth Day (this Monday, April 22).

Until next time...make every day Earth Day! :)

Namaste

Made in America Roadshow

“If you take advantage of everything America has to offer, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.”  ~Geraldine Ferraro

Free to be yoga tees® is excited to take part in the Made in America Roadshow, happening at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi April 12-14.

The traveling roadshow will exclusively feature American made products and services from all across the country.  As a small business that prides itself on being ‘Made in the USA,’ free to be yoga tees® is thrilled this event will be making a stop in Metro Detroit.

The event will feature American made clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, furniture, home decor, food, arts and crafts, wineries, breweries, vacation resorts, celebrity appearances and more.

Dates/Times:
Friday, April 12:  4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 13:  10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 14:  11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for seniors, and children 12 and under AND veterans and active duty military* are FREE! (*with identification).   For more information, visit www.miaroadshows.com!
 
Made In America Roadshows invites you to play a part in the economic restoration by building relationships between American manufacturers, service providers, and consumers. They believe the people who produce and manufacture in the USA nurture America’s commerce, industry, welfare, and pride.

Free to be yoga tees® could not agree more!  Hope to see you at the event--we will be showcased in the Art-is-in Market booth.

Until next time...

Namaste

The eco tote is here!

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” ~John Muir

I’m excited to tell you about the newest addition to free to be yoga tees®--it’s an earth-friendly tote that’s proudly made in the USA--and just in time for Earth Day!

The ‘free to be eco tote’ features Gandhi’s “Be the change” quote on one side, and environmental facts on the impact of using a reusable bag on the other.

The new ‘free to be eco tote’ is made from a blend of 80% recycled cotton and 20% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.  The tote, which comes in an earthy natural color, is great for running errands, a trip to the farmer’s market, and more!

According to the Council for Textile Recycling, 25,000 tons of new textile fiber is disposed of by North American spinning mills, weavers and fabric manufacturers each year.  Recycled cotton is recovered cotton that would be wasted during the spinning, weaving and cutting processes.  Up to 40% of cotton grown is wasted between the harvest and the manufacture of garments.  In the past, this waste went directly to landfills.

Why use a reusable bag?  Here are some facts that may make you think twice!

-Americans use about 100 billion shopping bags annually.

-At least 12 million barrels of oil are used per year in the 
manufacture of those plastic grocery bags.

-Approximately 5% of plastic grocery bags are recycled in the U.S.

-A single plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to degrade in a landfill.

-10% of the plastic produced every year worldwide ends up in the ocean.  70% of which finds its way to the ocean floor, where it will likely never degrade.

-Every square mile of ocean has about 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in it.

-It's estimated that 1 million birds and thousands of turtles and other sea animals die each year after ingesting discarded plastic bags.

(Sources:  Environmental Protection Agency, National Wildlife Federation,The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Mother Nature Network, Reuseit.com)

If we all made a pledge to start using reusable bags more often, just imagine the impact we could have!  To learn more or purchase a ‘free to be eco tote,’ visit freetobeyogatees.com

Until next time...

Namaste

an eye-opener

“If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man.  All things are connected.  Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.”  ~Chief Seattle

A friend recently passed along a link to me--it’s a trailer for a documentary that is scheduled to come out later this year.  The film explores the devastating effects trash has on wildlife, in particular a large sea bird called Laysan Albatross.

I encourage you to watch the trailer, less than four minutes long.  While it’s a little disturbing, it’s also reality--and will open your eyes to a problem that deserves far greater attention.

Click here to watch the trailer.

After watching this, and exploring online, I found some startling statistics that I thought were worth sharing.

*Every square mile of the ocean has about 46,000 pieces of floating plastic in it.

*10% of the plastic produced every year worldwide ends up in the ocean. 70% of which finds its way  to the ocean floor, where it will likely never degrade.

*Marine animals and sea birds mistake plastic refuge as food, which can result in deadly consequences.

That same day, after doing this research, I took a walk around my neighborhood, and was horrified by how much trash I found along the side of the road during my 20 minute stroll.  How do we fix this problem?  Is it so difficult to properly dispose of trash--and furthermore, recycle items such as plastic bags and bottles?

Something to think about...something certainly needs to change.

Until next time...

Namaste

baby, it’s cold outside

“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” ~Karen Kaiser Clark

Have you heard?  New free to be yoga tees® styles have arrived!

The new additions include super cozy sweatshirts to keep you warm during this cold winter, plus the exciting new free to be baby line.  And lets not forget the brand new women’s baby-rib ‘be the change’ tank in aster blue--the perfect reminder that spring is right around the corner!

The new unisex eco hoodie, featuring the ‘peace love detroit’ design is guaranteed to keep you warm during these chilly winter days.  Made from a blend of organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles, the hoodie is available in heather coal in small thru extra large.

Another exciting addition to the collection is the introduction of free to be baby!  The brand new long sleeve infant one piece, made from 100% organic cotton, comes in canary which is great for a baby boy or girl.  Available sizes include 3-6 months, 6-12 months and 12-18 months, and features the ‘peace love detroit’ design.

And last but not least, a free to be favorite is now available in a fresh new color just in time for spring:  aster blue (which can best be described as a purplish-blue.).  The women’s baby-rib tank top, made from a blend of organic bamboo/organic cotton/lycra comes in sizes small thru large.

All of these styles are eco-friendly, proudly  made in the USA and on sale now.  Visit freetobeyogatees.com to shop these new styles and the entire free to be yoga tees® collection.

Until next time...

Namaste