Vibrant Nation

Every year, the LOHAS Forum gathers together the top entrepreneurs, activists and thinkers in the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability movement. In addition to talks, panels, movies and networking, they've come up with one of the best gift bag routines in the business.

Large tables on two floors are filled with giveaways, showcasing this year's crop of offerings. In keeping with the spirit of the gathering, participants are invited to take only what they actually need and will use. For someone like me, attending my first LOHAS, this process of discrimination posed something of a challenge, as I recount in my blog entry, From good to greed.

That said, in the end, seven must-have items made the cut. Here they are:

1. Wellness Wand®
   Refreshing water on the go. A big theme at this year's LOHAS was weaning ourselves off of bottled water (especially oil-based plastic) which is one of the major new pollutants of our environment. The wand looks like a big, black ballpoint pen. You take it with you into restaurants, when traveling and whenever you are away from home, agitate the water you are served and the Wand protects you from the harmful effects of free radicals like chlorine and chloramines.


2. HyperG Pentel®
   Ultra smooth retractable gel rollers. These gel rollers look like ballpoint pens because that is, essentially, what they are...but with a twist. These are "triple safe," which means the ink is non-toxic, permanent (as in the signature on your check can't be erased) and earth safe, with its utilization of 57% recycled plastic, having earned the seal of "recycology."


3. Congo Bongo Tea: Fair Trade Certified ™
   Produced by SerendipiTea, Congo Bongo is a tasty mix of organic Indian black tea, coconut and mango. The taste is as righteous as the means of production.


4. EcoTools ™ Bamboo 5 Piece Brush Set
   Mineral powder, concealer, eye shading, and "Baby Kabuki" brushes in a hemp linen and cotton cosmetic bag. Who can resist having top-notch beauty tools featuring cruelty free bristles? Even the bamboo handles are earth friendly, since bamboo is from a highly sustainable plant.


5. Source Toothbrush
   Here's a product that will really help people in the green movement put their money where their mouth is: an all-natural toothbrush made from recycled dollar bills from the US treasury blended with recycled polypropylene. The head is replaceable, allowing you to use the handle indefinitely. A plus: left-handers can easily reverse the handle for increased comfort and efficiency.


6. ChicoBag
   Lightweight shopping bag fits into your blue jean pocket and unfolds to carry up to 25 pounds. The pretty bag, a tasteful burnt orange and brown, is made from recycled plastic bottles. (See number 1…)


7. Planeterra Bead Bracelet
   Pretty bracelets featuring beads on wire (mine is red and black with silver-colored separators) made by street kids in Cuzco, Peru. Travelers with a few hours, days or dollars to spare are invited to take voluntours to Planeterra Foundation projects to communities around the world in need.