Kiss My Face, an all-natural body care company, is setting out to make world peace not just a popular answer at a beauty pageant, but a reality. Partnering with Seeds of Peace, a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization that is dedicated to empowering young people in regions of conflict, Kiss My Face has created Peace Soap. Ten per cent of all profits from sales of the soap will go to the organization.

When Kiss My Face founders, Bob McLeod and Steve Byckiewicz, decided they wanted to produce a 100 per cent castile soap, the idea of Peace Soap came to mind. They called Seeds of Peace, whose vision of giving youth the opportunity to choose coexistence over conflict and hope over fear was a perfect match for Kiss My Face’s values. After hearing about the idea the organization happily jumped on board and together they hope to make the world a happier and healthier place.

“It is critical to us and to our consumers as we are in the business of changing the way people live and think,” says McLeod. “Whether it is with the products they use on their bodies everyday or with making the world a better place, our consumers have an open mind to building a better world.”

The fantastic thing about Peace Soap is that it has countless uses. The soap can be used for your body, relieving dry skin from head-to-toe, as well as your hair, the olive oil conditions and adds shine, but also for general cleaning including washing clothes or pets.

Kiss My Face founders hope that the benefits of all-natural body care products help people make that shift to organic living.

“Everyday we reinforce that natural and organic body care products are not only better for you, they really work and often much better than conventional products,” says McLeod.

The co-founders have heard countless stories of how natural products have changed people’s lives. “Whether it is the woman who had horrible sores in her mouth until she tried our natural toothpaste or the mother in Texas whose son couldn’t find anything that could help his scalp eczema except a horrible smelling prescription product. But when she tried our natural shampoo on his head, the problem went away.”

This June, make your contribution to world peace and pick up your very own Peace Soap. Peace Soap is available in the following flavors: Grassy Mint, Lavender Mandarin, Lemongrass Clary Sage and Pomegranate Acai for $9.99 (500 ML.) and $14.99 (1L.) beginning June 2010 at Whole Foods Market, KissMyFace.com and other stores where effective, natural products are sold.

It’s that time of year when we all get a taste of good weather and are reminded that summer is near. We break out our workout clothes, flip-flops and make-up to ensure when the sun comes out to stay, we’re ready to take advantage!

Given that today’s Earth Day, we thought we would share our favourite eco-friendly summer shopping tips!

Sandals

As the weather gets warmer, it’s time to say goodbye to socks and shoes. One of our favourite online retailers is planetshoes.com. The shoes are made using planet friendly ingredients like polyurethane and have already become a hit with celebrities like Drew Barrymore, who prefers the Earth brand, and Eva Longoria, who wears the Yellowbox brand. Click here to see which celebrities are wearing eco-friendly footwear!

Planet Shoes has a large selection of sandals and active footwear, for all your summertime beach and workout needs.

We recommend this sandal from Earth. It’s cute, comfy and very eco-friendly. The sandals are cushioned with biofoam, made from 70% recycled materials. And Earth uses negative heel technology, placing your toes slightly higher than the heel, providing a comfortable incline that helps burn more calories!

Also, check out Simple Shoes for vegan, hemp and organic footwear. They have a small, but exciting line of women’s sandals to get you pumped up for summer!

Nail Polish

With the socks coming off and sandals coming out of the closet, nails must look their best for all those prying eyes!  Some companies have started manufacturing green nail polish that is water-based, not solvent-based like traditional polish. Hundreds of retailers across Canada are now carrying Suncoat water-based long-lasting nail polish and natural nail polish remover. Coat your nails with your favourite shade, minus the nasty chemicals and toxins found in ordinary polish that can harm you and the environment.

Removing your polish with Suncoat all natural removers will keep your nails from drying out, help you avoid the nasty fumes from regular nail polish remover, plus the remover is biodegradable. The earth will thank you for making this beauty switch.

Our other fave companies are Peace Keeper Cause-Metics, whose products are available online or from many Canadian retailers, and Spirit Beauty Lounge, with a line of non-toxic nail products that can be purchased online.

You can also check out your local health food or organic products retailer to find more earth friendly nail products.

Clothing

Getting ready for summer with earth friendly clothing has never been easier. With the environment at the top of many people’s agendas, Canadian companies are sprouting up everywhere, carrying clothing made from environmentally friendly materials like organic cotton, hemp, soy, bamboo and more.

No matter the occasion, earth friendly wear is available from many companies, so you can be dolled up and feel good about what you’re wearing.

Efforts Hempwear carries hemp, soy, organic cotton and bamboo clothing. From evening dresses to under garments, they’re ready to make you an earth conscious fashionista.

We recommend their V-neck dress from Efforts, made almost entirely of bamboo.

Heading to the beach? We love the Kelly B couture eco-friendly swimwear collection, like their fun one-piece made from bamboo and organic cotton.

Our other favourite eco-friendly clothing suppliers include HT Naturals and Cottonfield Organic Cotton Clothing and Green is Black.

Getting in Shape
Perhaps the least fun part of getting ready for summer is getting our bodies back in bikini mode. But with environmentally friendly workout gear, we get a double treat. We can feel good about our bodily improvements, while also knowing we’ve been good to the planet.

The first step to a green workout is to get outside! Unplug your home workout machines and take advantage of your city’s walking trails, lakes, rivers and neighbourhoods. Shutting down the home gym for the spring and getting outside is perhaps the most important way that we can help the environment, while helping ourselves look great!

But, what will you wear on your green outdoor workout?

We recommend these organic cotton yoga pants from Gaiam.
Green products will have you feeling great about reducing your carbon footprint while at the same time, getting you closer to that bikini body you need for the lazy days of summer.