Girlfriend@Gaiam

I can’t believe how good it feels to be upside-down.

Working at Gaiam, we get to try some cool stuff. The Inversion Table is very cool stuff. There are two of them in an open area, a little oasis near customer service where people go to meditate, read, stretch, whatever. Christine, who says she’s not needed massage or chiropractic nearly as much for her back since she started inverting, showed me how to strap in. It’s much less intimidating than it appears — and wow, is it worth it.

I could barely contain my shock and awe when my brother asked me a few months ago which compost bin he should buy from Gaiam. We’re talking about a guy who arguably has the cleanest fingernails on the planet (he’s a heart surgeon) and has never been remotely inclined toward tree-hugging tendencies. His SUV gets 13 miles a gallon. He doesn’t have a single compact fluorescent lightbulb in his entire house. He occasionally bikes to work, but mostly to avoid becoming like one of his patients. But his 13-year-old son came home from Boy Scouts one day and said, “Dad, we have to start composting.”

Okay, so I know organic food is better for you. But I have to admit I thought organic cotton clothing was something for the very rich and picky.

Then a few months ago I laid eyes on a T-shirt I loved that was made of organic cotton, and it didn’t look snobbish at all. It was cute and had a great line: Peace. And it helps support charities too.

Nope, not Aladdin’s lamp. … It’s a neti pot.

I believe alternative healthcare works. I try to use natural methods to ease my family’s symptoms before reaching for over-the-counter or prescription meds. But there’s just something about the neti pot that’s kept me from going there … What was it again? Oh yeah: It seemed too gross! (“You want me to put this where?”)

I have to admit that I’m not much of a peanut butter fan, but my nephews were coming to stay with me for the weekend so I picked up some kid friendly organic foods for them.

Last night I went out with some girlfriends for a little spa treatment and I turned a few heads when I pulled out my own little travel mani and pedi toolkit, packed with all the essentials including my non-toxic nail polish and nail polish remover. After all, an eco-girl doesn’t have to be less fabulous to be eco-chic.