Green Your Pick-Me-Up: 7 Coffee Tips

Amid the workweek frenzy, lethargy is bound to slow even the most productive of us. As our energy dwindles, so can our efforts to live sustainably. This week on Green Life, we’ll offer pick-me-up tips as energizing as they are eco-friendly. First, we list some simple steps you can take toward a guilt-free cup of Joe. 

According to the National Coffee Association's 2013 online survey, about 83 percent of adults nationwide drink coffee. That averages to three cups a day per person, or 587 million cups, making the U.S. the world’s biggest coffee guzzler.

Most of us probably grab our morning Joe without thinking twice—even if we should. Reports of worker exploitation and habitat destruction in the coffee industry can make a humble latte both an environmentally and socially fraught purchase.   

Here’s how you can ensure your beans come from a farm that’s good for workers and the environment. 

Ditch the paper cup: Fifty-eight billion paper cups are thrown away each year, according to BetaCup. Although the cups’ plastic resin coating helps insulate our brew and prevent leaking, it also complicates recycling. Do your part to reduce paper waste, and opt for a reusable mug.  Bonus points if you choose a mug made of ceramic or stainless steel instead of plastic.

Forget paper filters: As long as you’re abandoning paper cups, why not forego paper filters, too? Instead of a traditional coffee pot, consider buying a French press, which doesn’t require a filter.  It’s also cheaper and makes more flavorful drinks. A reusable mesh filter is an option for those who already brew their Joe in a pot. Linda Green Homes offers an array of reusable filters for the gamut of coffee brewer brands.

Look for socially and environmentally responsible labeling: Next time you refill on coffee beans, make sure you choose bags bearing the following labels:

4 Cool Bike Accessories

It's Bike to Work Week, which means you have the perfect excuse to spruce up your bike with these unique accessories!

Wearable Bike Planter:  We've seen an old bike repurposed as a giant flower planter, but what if you could just strap a plant to your bike and take it with you on your daily adventures? Well, now you can! Check out this petite bike planter and other adorable planters that you can wear as accessories.

Bicycle Wine Rack/Beer Holder: We don't advise drinking and biking, but this gadget could come in handy if you're headed to a party or barbeque this spring. Don't bother trying to squeeze these beverages into your purse or bag, just head over to Etsy and get your bicycle wine rack or beer holder for under $30!

5 Weird and Wacky Bikes

While biking gains traction in cities across the country, especially as we celebrate Bike to Work Week, you might feel the urge to pedal your own path. While everyone else hops on their ten-speeds, stay ahead of the pack, and get into gear with these head-turning rides.       

Circular Bike:

Sure, the aptly named Circular Bike might not actually be mobile, but it sure makes a sweet statement piece. Artist Robert Wechsler built the canary-yellow, carousel-like contraption from nine salvaged bikes. The modular Circular Bike can be dismantled, moved, or reassembled altogether. It often sits in public places, where its wacky, whimsical appearance invites curious passersby for a giggle-inducing spin.  

Image by Robert Wechsler

Square-wheeled bike

6 Must-Have Resources for Cyclists

To continue our celebration of Bike to Work Week, we've collected a slew of info-packed articles to help you hit the road.

1.) How to Pick the Perfect Bike: We'll share six things you should know before buying a commuter bike.

2.) How to Deal with Bad Weather: If you're committed to year-round bike commuting, check out our tips for dealing with rain, snow, or cold weather.

3.) Tips for Female Cyclists: In the U.S., female cyclists are the minority on the road. Here's how we can change that.

4.) How to Become a Bike Commuter: Are you new to two-wheeled transport? Follow these seven steps to stay safe and comfortable on the road.

5.) How to Be More Productive: Research suggests that biking to work improves memory and the ability to multitask. Find out how much physical activity it takes to make an impact.

6.) Tips for Trail Biking: If you're not satisfied with weekday cycling, check out our advice for making the most of designated mountain trails.

--Image by istockphoto/olaser

Charge Your Phone While Cycling

There are many reasons why biking to work rules. You save money, eliminate the stress of parking, get in a quick workout, and now, thanks to Aaron Latzke and David Delcourt, you can even charge your cell phone using kinetic energy generated from your ride! Yeah, we know, pretty awesome.

The Kickstarter campaign for the Siva Cycle Atom was launched a few weeks ago, and with only a few days left to pre-order, the project has already seen more than $110,000 pledged by 1,200 backers. Needless to say people are pretty excited. The Atom, which reportedly weighs about as much as a banana, is a small device that can be attached to the back wheel of your bicycle. While you pedal, the Siva Cycle Atom converts the kinetic energy into electronic energy that charges up the Atom. You can choose whether to charge your gadget (phone, ipod, etc.) directly while riding or store the energy generated in the battery pack to charge your electronics when you finish your ride. So as long as you have your bike, you can rest assured that you won't be caught without a battery charge.

For more information about the Siva Cycle Atom, check out the video below by the creators or head over to official Kickstarter project site. 

Discounted Bikes for Sierra Club Members

It's time to kick off Bike to Work Week, and this year we've got the perfect ride. That's right, we're talking about our very own limited-edition, not-available-forever Sierra Club bicycle.

Made by PUBLIC bikes, the leader in European-style rides, our custom bicycle is avaliable in two styles to fit the needs of every rider. The first option is PUBLIC's C7 model, which offers a step-thru "Dutch style" frame, ideal for riders wearing skirts or dresses. The PUBLIC V7 model, our second option, boasts a sloped diamond frame design. Both models come in bright grass-green and feature the Sierra Club's logo on the rear fender and head tube, as well as our slogan on either side of the down tube. Click here for more information on this nice ride and to get your own today.

How Rachel Carson Are You?

Rachel Carson grew up near a glue factory, was a bestselling author before her seminal Silent Spring, and is often called the "mother of the environmental movement."

Curious, empathetic, courageous, Carson pursued her dreams and her gut, ultimately shepherding hard truths into the national consciousness.

It's a lot of live up to, but check off the following simple facts to see how much you share with a person integral to our modern pursuit of a green life. (And if you haven't already, check out our John Muir quiz.)

The Rachel Carson Checklist

You ...

1. ... have a late May birthday.
2. ... hail from Pennsylvania.
3. ... got your love of nature from your mom.
4. ... grew up near a coal-fired power plant.
5. ... feel called to be a writer.
6. ... have been known as a bit of loner.
7. ... have studied English and biology.
8. ... have a degree in zoology.
9. ... have a deep affinity for the sea.
10. ... have had an article published in a newspaper or magazine.
11. ... have financially supported your parents and siblings.
12. ... work to encourage natural wonder in children.
13. ... have worked as an editor.
14. ... have worked as a marine biologist.
15. ... have worked for the federal government.
16. ... have testified before Congress.
17. ... avoid pesticides.
18. ... have been affected by breast cancer.
19. ... believe people are part of the natural world, not masters of it.
20. ... have read Silent Spring.
21. ... want to change the world.

Bonus point: Your middle name is Louise.

See how you scored:

6 Great Gifts for Moms

Love is unlimited, but money and time aren't always as abundant. With Mother's Day fast approaching, many of us are scrambling to find a gift that shows our love, but not our lack of resources. Whether you're restricted by a tight budget or you're just low on spare time, we've got a few gift ideas that will make your mom smile.

Gifts on the Go If you're flush with cash but don't have a second to spare, a few clicks will put one of these products en route to your mother.

• Order one of these five eco-friendly cellphone accessories. Extra points if you follow up with a phone call.

• Keep an on-the-go mom refreshed and healthy with one of these five BPA-free drink containers.

• Spread the love around by giving one of these upcycled gifts: Purchase a recycled candle holder that helps homeless mothers in Chicago or a recycled necklace that helps support impoverished Ugandan women.

Gifts on a Budget If your pockets are empty but you're full of creativity, go the DIY route this year.

Dialed In

Smartphones have become our mailboxes, maps, cameras, clocks, calendars, books, and music players. In that spirit of multipurpose minimalism, we went on the hunt for some eco-friendly cell accessories. 

Whether you're pumping reggae or Rachmaninoff, the durable Zion In-Ear Headphones from HOUSE OF MARLEY keep the bass deep and the beats clean. If a call interrupts your groove, answer via a center button and mic embedded onto the Rasta-threaded cord.These earbuds are made from sustainable wood and recyclable aluminum  and come packaged in recycled paper and plastic. The audio-goods company, created in partnership with Bob Marley’s family, donates 5% of its profits to 1Love, a nonprofit that funds green initiatives. $100

Finally, a way to charge up while backcountry camping: With the CampStove from BIOLITE, you can warm your hands on the same fire that charges your phone. The 33-ounce thermoelectric gadget needs no gas. Just stuff in some twigs, set 'em on fire, and plug in. $130

A splash of water can make a smartphone dumb. Keep yours high and dry by strapping it into the nylon ProCase by 

T-REIGN. The rugged cocoon is made via a zero-waste manufacturing process by a company that recently switched its packaging to be more minimal. $35

The Guide 10 Plus Adventure Kit from GOAL ZERO, a company that claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of portable solar products, charges your phone (or tablet) anytime the sun shines. After dark, juice up with the kit's four rechargeable batteries — they come in a pack that doubles as an LED flashlight. $120

A phone case may seem like just another unnecessary thing to buy. But when you consider that a naked cell is much more likely to break than a protected one (remember, its outsides are made of glass), a cover starts to look like an ecological investment. The slim, stylish, and biodegradable Interchangeable iPhone 5 Case from INNOVEZ sports bright-colored style and two layers of buffering to prevent an early death knell for your cell. If you haven’t upgraded to the 5 yet, don’t worry: Innovez makes degradable cases for all versions of the iPhone. $25

--Avital Andrews

Schmear Campaign: The Best Eco-Spreads

Spreads have come a long way from the days of instant-soup packets mixed with sour cream. Animate your Ak-Mak with these eco-friendly slathers. 

The Sweet and Spicy Black Bean Hummus from EAT WELL ENJOY LIFE is a low-fat pate made with corn, pineapple, red peppers, pecans, chipotle chilies, and a medley of spices, all without GMOs. Michelle Dudash, a Cordon Bleu-certified chef and registered dietician who wrote Clean Eating for Busy Families, loves this particular flavor and admires the brand for its unique taste combinations and eco-values: The PET plastic packaging is easily recyclable, and the paperless company recycles all of its waste. About $5 for 10 ounces

JUSTIN'S Honey Almond Butter, creamy and sweet, goes perfectly on everything from rice cakes to bananas, says Amie Valpone, a Manhattan nutritionist who runs the Healthy Apple blog. To give the butter texture, she sometimes sprinkles it with ground flaxseed. The spread is high in protein, comes in a recycled-plastic, BPA-free jar, and doesn't have genetically modified anything — the only ingredients are California-grown almonds, sugar, honey, sea salt, and palm oil, which the company sources from a sustainable farm. Justin's uses mostly organic ingredients. About $9 for 16 ounces

The Premium Organic Sesame Butter from GOLDEN MILLSTONE is made from just a single rare ingredient: sesame seeds harvested by small organic farms in Ethiopia, slow-roasted at temperatures low enough to qualify them as a raw food, then ground on a 90-year-old millstone. The nutty, nutritious spread is packed with those fatty acids that are hard for vegetarians to get, plus protein and antioxidants. Use the sesame butter right out of the glass jar as you would peanut butter, or mix it into dips, smoothies, or salad dressings. $8 for 14 ounces