Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Holiday Updates!

Zehn Naturals headquarters has been crazy busy this month and we have definitely neglected this blog! We just wanted to bring you a new updates so we can keep you all posted. We have a few new stores we would like to announce:

Nature's Green Grocer

374 Union St. ~ Peterborough, NH 03458

(603) 924-2233

Now carrying a variety of our organic cotton t-shirts.

Brewbakers

97 Main St. ~ Keene, NH 03431

(603) 355-4844

Now carrying our Java Junkie t-shirt.

The Dump

22 South Street ~ Marcellus, NY 13108

(315) 673-3867

Now carrying a variety of our t-shirts.

Organization for Bat Conservation

39221 Woodward Ave. ~ Bloomfield, MI 48303
Now carrying Wendie Salmi's
design, Adopt A Bat.




We have been getting a ton of attention from other blog writers that are interested in reviewing our product and doing giveaways! We are pretty excit
ed that so many people out there just LOVE our t-shirts.

One blog is currently hosting a give away RIGHT NOW! You must hurry though - the contest ends tomorrow!

Here are a few lines from her review:
"
I recieved my "Save The Sea" tee and I could not get over how soft it was. I love it! They have so many fun tees to choose from. They also have totes / gift sets / and much more fun stuff."

Check it out here!



In the upcoming month, we will be launching a few new designs by Jennifer Wiechers. Jen is an amazingly talented artisan currently residing in Vermont. We are SO happy to be working with her! Keep an eye out for "Stillness" and "Flower Power" coming to you soon!


Hannah has also been busy creating new and exciting items during her free time for her Etsy shop! Hannah's etsy shop is the only place that you can find our Organic Cotton T-Shirts that are individually signed with her logo. She also started making these really cool Bamboo tile pendants.


(view this item here!)

(view this item here!)


Well, that is all for now folks! Tiea and Hannah sincerely wish you a wonderful, safe and prosperous holiday season!

Thanks for reading!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

A link between Pesticides and Western Disease

Hundreds of people genuinely ask us, “Why Organic? Why Organic Cotton? ” We used to think that 100% cotton was a good thing and we didn’t know how polluting (and therefore damaging) conventional cotton is. We now know why Organic is important – not only organic food but all things organic. We will start with definitions by Wikipedia Encyclopedia; http://en.wikipedia.org

Organic products are made according to certain production standards, meaning they are grown without the use of conventional pesticides and artificial fertilizers, free from contamination by human or industrial waste, and processed without ionizing radiation or food additives.[1] If livestock are involved, they must be reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones, and generally fed a healthy diet. In most countries, organic produce may not be genetically modified.

“A pesticide is a substance or mixture of substances used to kill a pest.[1] A pesticide may be a chemical substance, biological agent (such as a virus or bacteria), antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest. Pests include insects, plant pathogens, weeds, molluscs, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms) and microbes that compete with humans for food, destroy property, spread or are a vector for disease or cause a nuisance. Although there are some benefits to the use of pesticides, there are also drawbacks, such as potential toxicity to humans and other animals.”

Pesticides Impacting Public Health:

Many of the most common cotton pesticides are scientifically linked to serious health problems and toxicity in water, air and soil. The most toxic pesticide chemicals used on conventional cotton: Acephate, Aldicarb, Chlorpyrifos, Dicofol, Endosulfan, Metam Sodium, Oxamyl, Pearquat Dichloride, Phorate, Prometryn, Propargite http://www.sustainablecotton.org/html/resources/marketing.html

Environmental factors are key drivers in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, according to the authors of a new report, Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, released October 23rd 2008.

The full report, Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, was published jointly by Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Science and Environmental Health Network and is available online at: www.agehealthy.org

“Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as other chronic illnesses referred to in the report as the 'Western disease cluster'– diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome (each of these diseases in turn increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease) is being driven by dramatic alterations over the past 50 to 100 years in the U.S. food supply, an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, and exposure to toxic chemicals.”

“A large body of data links exposure to a variety of pesticides with increased risks for Parkinson’s disease. Evidence also links chronic low dose exposure to a number of pesticides – primarily in the work setting – with subsequent cognitive decline, such as impaired memory and attention. A study in France found that a history of occupational exposure to pesticides more than doubled the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Exposure to some pesticides has also been linked to dramatically increased risks for diabetes, pre-diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.”

As reported by the Institute of Science in Society conventional and GM cotton accounts for 16 percent of global chemical pesticide use, more than any other single crop, and reaps US$2 billion for the chemical industry every year. Of that, US$112 million is spent on Aldicarb, an acutely toxic pesticide classified by the World Health Organization as “WHO1a”, or “extremely hazardous.” One drop is sufficient to kill an adult male. Yet one million kilos of Aldicarb was applied to cotton crops in the USA in 2003. And, at least 1 million agricultural workers around the world are hospitalized because of acute pesticide poisoning each year.” http://www.i-sis.org.uk/Picking_Cotton_Carefully.php

Conventional cotton farming spreads over 1/3 of a pound of pesticides on just enough cotton for ONE pair of jeans. 5,849,172 pounds of chemicals were used on California conventional cotton in 2005 based on the Pesticide Action Network.

The chemicals are sprayed on the cotton and they blow away in the wind and get carried away by the rain polluting our air, water, soil, our food supply and harming the field workers.

What is Organic Cotton?

Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. http://www.ota.com/organic/mt/organic_cotton.html

Composted manures and cover crops replace synthetic fertilizers; innovative weeding strategies are used instead of herbicides; beneficial insects and trap crops control insect pests; and alternatives to toxic defoliants prepare plants for harvest. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.

What can you do? Each of us, together, can make a difference.

1. Tell your friends about Organic and why it is important

2. Purchase Organic whenever possible. This supports the farmers and manufacturers that are trying to bring about a change in the marketplace

3. Learn more – visit the links in this article

4. Join organizations that are working to educate and assist in the transition from conventional products to organic products.

5. Be Safe, Be Happy, Think Good Thoughts and Feel the Goodness in Chemical Free!!

Information is compiled from all the sources listed above by Tiea Zehnbauer of Zehn Naturals

www.zehnnaturals.com

It’s Easy to be Green with Zehn


Thursday, November 20, 2008

And The Winners Are!!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2

13

5

17

Timestamp: 2008-11-20 12:59:26 UTC

antakaranah said...

This is a great idea! You are a myspace buddy of mine www.myspace.com/eastwindtrading, and knowing the strength and dedication it takes to run a green business it is very inspiring to see you still offering give aways in todays economy. Always strive for balance with nature, never lose your focus and keep on growing! All the best- Alvaro

dyanuh84 said...

Does this better my odds ? :) I want one !

November 19, 2008 7:34 AM

Jodi said...

I love my Zehn Natural T-shirt, but it gets quite sweaty and smelly by the end of the week...I just wish I had another one so I could alternate :)

BloggerKathleen Wamser said...

Han!I meant to come ready this as soon as I saw ur email but forgot haha! Anyways I love what your doing with these shirts! You guys should definitly get some stuff up in Burlington, they would love u here!
Keep up the good work, I've added the blog to my rss feed so I'm getting all the updates! Ur designs are amazing love!


Thursday, November 13, 2008

Zehn Naturals Give Away!

This is going to be the beginning of a new tradition, and I am quite excited! After noticing how successful other blog give-a-ways are, I have decided that it would be a great idea to do the same and help spread the word.

We will be giving away FOUR tees to FOUR lucky winners!

And get this - all you have to do to be entered into the give-a-way is to leave a comment on this blog entry! Feel free to say whatever you would like! Tell us how the weather is, what you are doing for dinner tonight, your favorite eco-friendly cleaning product or if you are feeling lucky just go on and pick out the tee you would like to win!

We will then randomly pick four lucky winners. The winners will be contacted will get to pick out their favorite tee & size.

Spread the word! Here are a few of my current favorite tees:



And remember, it's easy to be green with zehn!

www.zehnnaturals.com

Monday, November 10, 2008

Holiday Savings!

It is time to gear up for the holidays!!!

Zehn Naturals offers 100% certified organic cotton t shirts that are printed with earth friendly inks. All of the imagery on the tees are 100% original and created by innovative artists. We also offer 100% natural body care, organic cotton tote bags, sweatshirts, long sleeves, and eco-art ( a collection of original paintings Hannah E Carpenter).


Here is your special holiday coupon good for 20% off all online orders!
20_off_08

Simply put that coupon code into the shopping cart to watch your total drop!!

Also, remember! We are doing FREE SHIPPING on ALL ORDERS now through the holiday season!!!

www. zehnnaturals. com

Be sure to check out our discounted sale section:
www. zehnnaturals. com/sale. html


Monday, October 27, 2008

Find Your Zehn!

Here is our current list of Retailers!


New Hampshire:

Hannah Grimes Marketplace

46 Main St. ~ Keene, NH 03431

(603) 352-6862

www.hannahgrimes.com

VitaSource

599 Main St. ~ Keene, NH 03431

(603) 357-3639

Real Green Goods

35 S. Main St. ~ Keene, NH 03431

(603) 224-9700

www.realgreengoods.com

Woodbury's Garden Center

At 3 Country Corners

833 S. Stark Highway ~ Weare, NH 03281

(603) 539-7539

www.woodburysgardencenter.com

1 World Trading

111 Main St. ~ Nashua, NH 03060

(603) 881- 9111

www.1worldtradingco.com

Mother & Child

Greystone Plaza - 650 Amherst St. ~ Nashua, NH 03064

(603) 886-6727

Ruggles & Hunt

8 Westminister St. ~ Walpole, NH 03608

(603) 756 – 9608


Earthward

42 State Route 101A ~ Amherst, NH 03031

(603) 673-4322

Coll’s Farm

16 Coll’s Farm Rd. ~ Jaffery, NH 03452

603-532-7540


The Yoga Space

82 Washington St. ~ Keene, NH 03431

(603) 352-2686

Terra Perma

676 Main St. ~ Laconia, NH 03246

(603) 524-3400


Maine:

Maine Foothills

10 Mechanic St. ~ Camden, ME 04843

(207) 633-5508

Massachusetts:

Mill No. 3 Farmstand

85 Westminister St. Fitchburg, MA

(978) 345-1100

www.millno3.com

Evans On The Common

Rt. 13, 18 Highland St. Townsend, MA

(978) 597-5117

www.evansonthecommon.com

Bowl & Board Of The Vineyard

35 Main St. ~ Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

(508) 693-9441

www.bowlandboard.com

Vetu

1 Johnny Cake Hill ~ New Bedford, MA 02740

(508) 990-VETU

www.vetugifts.com

Perfectly Natural

523 Boston Post Rd. ~ Sudbury, MA 01776

(978) 440-7500

Tiny Boxes Boutique

31 Main St. ~ Plymouth, MA 02360

(508) 746-4404

New Jersey:

Organic Style Shop

621 Cookman Ave. ~ Asbury Park, NJ 07712

(732) 775-1051

New York:


JETS Dream

212 Main St. ~ Grunport, NY 11944

(631) 477-0039

Vermont:

Ndakinna Cultural Center & Museum

4423 US Rt. 2 ~ East Montpelier, VT 05651

(802) 224-1055

VT Trading Co.

50 State St. ~ Montpelier, VT 05602

802-223-2142

Rhode Island:

Abigail & Magnolias

3851 Main Rd. ~ Tiverton, RI 02878

401-624-2636

Brown & Hopkins Country Store

1179 Putnam Pike ~ Chepachet, RI 02814

401-568-4830

California:

Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary

209 Bohemian Hwy ~ Freestone, CA 95472

(707) 823-8231

If you know of a fantastic store near you that should carry our products please let us know!

Zehn Naturals Goes Carbon Neutral

In the upcoming months, all of our certified organic cotton tees will be CARBON NEUTRAL! This is a big environmental change in our line - and we are pretty excited about it! Along with this change comes better sizing, and our tag-free label! Here is some information on what it means to be carbon neutral, but be sure to read more online.


What Is CARBON NEUTRAL?

The Carbon Neutral Clothing™ (CNC) certification gives consumers confidence in companies that are aware of the emissions created from clothing production and are actively working to mitigate the effects.

BEYOND ORGANIC CERTIFIED = CARBON NEUTRAL

How does CARBON NEUTRAL work?

Each item of clothing is assigned a carbon value or 'CV'. This number is calculated by combining various factors, including the textile's origin and ingredients, the country of manufacture and the final destination. Aside from the resources it takes to manufacture the textiles and garments alone, it often involves shipping of materials to the manufacturer, and of the finished product to the consumer. All of this leads to the release of greenhouse gases. How can you find out what impact your clothing has had on the environment? The CV indicates the approximate amount of CO2 invested in garment. Carbon neutrality is achieved through investments in alternative energy projects based on the environmental impact calculation, such as wind farms.

Our clothing manufacturer has entered into an agreement to continue to purchase renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric power as they have in the past. This manufacturer holds a significant advantage to achieving carbon neutral status for our products since they already employ the use of wind and water power in the production of our products.

CNC is certification devoted to raising awareness of the carbon footprint of clothing production.

How does CNC certification work?

CNC calculates the carbon footprint for each certified garment from its origin. Employing more sustainable production methods and acquiring carbon offsets based on these calculations renders the garment carbon-neutral.

What are carbon offsets?

Carbon offsets were established and given credibility by the Kyoto Protocol as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Reduction projects are validated to ensure that the benefits (offsets) are genuinely "additional" activities that would not be otherwise undertaken. Carbon-offset projects include reforestation, alternative energy, carbon sequestration and other conservation measures.

It is Easy to be Green with Zehn!


Thursday, October 2, 2008

Craft Producers 2008 - This Weekend!

I just want to get a jump start on this blog, and figured I would start with a post about this upcoming weekend. Zehn Naturals will be exhibiting at this years annual Fall Craft Producers Fair in Manchester, VT.

The first time we did this event was in August and I can remember being blown away by the Vermont scenery that surrounds the fair. I am really excited about the event this weekend because I am sure that the fall foliage will be amazing. The event takes place in the Hildene Meadow of Manchester, which is surrounded by hills and valleys. Just a short drive away from downtown Manchester, it is located on River Road which is off of Rte 7A. (Go here for directions)
Here are a few images from the fair in August:







We will be bringing along our certified organic cotton tees for women, men and children along with some of my EcoArt, and True Nut Almonds. All of our tees are printed with earth friendly inks and will be on sale. We will also have a special price on our Spring 08 designs.

We are pretty excited about our new tee designs too - here are a few images:


We will also be introducing our new Obama Tee which is printed on tees for women and men. It is our only double sided tee - with the word VOTE printed on the left chest, and Peace, Love, Obama printed on the back. (oh, and these tees aren't going to last long -- so to get your very own join us at the fair, or order online here)



That's all for now, time to finish packing up! We hope to see you there!