The classic shape and pure white of calla lilies have set an elegant tone at many a wedding and inspired artists like Georgia O’Keefe. They also inspired Ecuadorian growers Juan Escobar and John Kenyon.

At their farm high in the cloud forest northwest of Quito, they specialize in long-stemmed callas, grown organically and biodynamically—the perfect things to bring the pristine look of spring into a home. Read more

Additional Info:

• Learn more about organic callas and biodynamics
• See tips on how to bring out the beauty of calla lilies

Organic Style’s new line of baby essentials charmed Cherie Trombley—our fashion expert—as soon as she saw them: “The bedding tells enchanting stories that can decorate a room with two themes: our forest theme features Thor the chipmunk and his woodland friends, bluebird, deer, bunny and little mouse. Our jungle theme features Jingo the monkey and his wildlife friends, hippo, giraffe, lion and elephant. Parents can be assured that their precious little ones will be surrounded by fabrics that are healthy, luxurious and fun.”

The baby items are made of 100% organic cotton from India: terry for towels, bibs and some blankets; woven cotton for crib blankets, bumpers and shams; cotton knit for t-shirts and jumpers. Each piece is expertly embroidered, a craft that traditionally is done by men in the Hindu culture.

• Readers of Organic Style's new online magazine have a lot to say: “I am so glad to see OS back in print.  I was bummed when the mag stopped printing …”. “ I love it”… See more comments here.
• Catch this! PBS Frontline/World looked into the growing of organic roses. See the video here.
• Organic Style has been making news: Eco-flowers in the New York Times. Roses on the cover of Audubon Magazine. Tempting chocolates on MSN. For more newsmakers, click here.

In the poor tribal communities of India, a cow can change lives and save lives. It can provide milk, extra income, and bio-materials for the burgeoning business of organic cotton growing. Coyuchi, the California-based bedding company, and Chetna, the Indian organic farming cooperative, have teamed up for the laudable new “Cows for India” program—which initially aims to help villagers acquire 91 cows and build 10 cow sheds in six villages in the state of Andhra Pradesh, a center of organic cotton growing. 

Christine Nielson, founder of Coyuchi and initiator of “Cows for India”, says: “I have a great interest in organic gardening and the part of biodynamic farming that views the farm as a whole, self-nourishing organism. This approach is vital in India, and deeply appealing to me, as are the beautiful, well-cared-for, even decorated cows one sees in villages everywhere.” 

To donate or to learn more about “Cows for India”, see ABC Home and Planet Foundation.

For more about organic cotton, see “Hope and Luxury” in Organic Style’s premier issue.

Quick Tip: Take a big bite out of your energy bill!
Installing a programmable thermostat helps reduce pollutants. You can set it to use less A/C or heat while you’re sleeping or at work.  Once installed, it will save about 1,800 pounds of air-polluting CO2 per year and up to $150 per year on your energy bill. Plus, it’s lazy-proof, so you have no excuses! Learn More

This month’s Quick Tip is brought to you by our partner Ideal Bite: a Sassier Shade of Green. (Ideal Bite offers bite-size ideas for light-green living. The daily tips are fun, free, and peppered with information and actionable links. See why everyone is biting!)

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