With every purchase we make or thing we do, there is that little nagging voice in the back of our heads asking, "Will this hurt or help the environment?" Living green isn't always easy, but more and more, options are available to consumers that are stylish, readily available and won't break the bank.
One of the best places to find these options is online, via blogs and websites that cater to the green or trying-to-be-green consumer. Whatever your purchasing preference, there exists an online resource - from design darlings to fierce foodies to busy moms on the go. Below, our favorites in no particular order.
In A Nutshell: TreeHugger was paving the road for eco-friendly blogs long before the movement caught on mainstream. It's one of the most referenced blogs, let alone enviroblogs, covering news, events and products. The site publishes an up-to-the-minute blog, daily newsletters, weekly radio interviews and regularly updated Twitter and Facebook pages.
Bonus Points: One of our favorite features is the green Buying Guide, which offers a carefully-selected, curated list of the five best options in any buying category (i.e., fashion, furniture, electronics, etc)
Why It's Worth Visiting: More than 40 writers are employed by the site with 10 million pageviews per month. TreeHugger has been called the "green CNN" and featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Martha Stewart and the Sundance Channel.
In A Nutshell: Sisters Nikki Algar and Tracy Stokes started EcoStreet as a comprehensive site to raise green consciousness and make it easier for people to find green products and services. The site features articles, news, events, giveaways and product reviews.
Bonus Points: Search by topic of interest, including ecofashion, ecofood, ecogadgets and eco kids.
Why It's Worth Visiting: The site's philosophy isn't about preaching or criticizing those who don't live a 100% green lifestyle. Rather, they offer honest product reviews, creative ideas about using green products and simple ways to incorporate ecofriendly choices into your life.
In A Nutshell: NYC designer Jill Fehrenbacher started the "weblog" to have an online presence dedicated to the future of sustainable design. As technology, practices and materials develop, there is an increased focus on making them green. Inhabitat is the place to read, discuss and dream as it relates to architecture and home design.
Bonus Points: Visitors can read up on green designs influencing products, technology, transportation, fashion, art and kids. Online videos showcase green designs in the community and where to get them (mostly on the East Coast).
Why It's Worth Visiting: The site has received rave reviews in the press, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue and Elle Decoration.
In A Nutshell: A site aiming to encourage people to be better humans through collaboration and education, The Good Human is a great place to visit whether you're a die-hard treehugger or someone interested in starting to live a greener lifestyle.
Bonus Points: The site is updated regularly, but content isn't overwhelming. Posts include a nice mix of topics, i.e., "Quick Green Reads for the Weekend" and "How One Sentence Can Save Someone $600 in Utility Bills."
Why It's Worth Visiting: The Good Human store is a great mix of practical, stylish green products available for sale directly on the website. From jewelry to soap to books, each product is Good Human-endorsed and the price points are incredibly reasonable.
In A Nutshell: As National Geographic's online site, The Green Guide is a great resource for all the things you find in the magazine: Home & Garden, Personal Care, Kids, Travel and Food.
Bonus Points: The site also features a Green Guide Blog, which offers more reviews, personal anecdotes and an online store. The two web addresses let visitors stick to main topics (the site) or research more in-depth posts (the blog).
Why It's Worth Visiting: The Green Guide really focuses on consumers, showing them how to "make small changes that add up to big benefits for their wallets, for their health and, of course, for the health of the planet."
In A Nutshell: The crème de la crème of eco-friendly kid products online, Petit Eco Kids believes that by making greener choices, you can give the new generations the best gifts - now and in the future. Starting them off on a green foot is what it's all about, so from eco-friendly toys to clothes, Petit Eco Kids is your one-stop shop.
Bonus Points: The site features a "Fun" category, which features eco-friendly craft projects for every age.
Why It's Worth Visiting: Blogger Flavia is not only a mom, but a designer and illustrator from Sydney, Australia. Her work and passions co-exist so she is constantly up to date on the latest and greatest when it comes to the green scene.
In A Nutshell: The Green Fork is the blog extension of the Eat Well Guide, which lists thousands of resources for green foodies, in addition to downloadable customized guides and trip planning tools with maps.
Bonus Points: The Green Fork lets you make community-based food choices through searching by keyword, zip code or city/state to find green restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, farmers, caterers, etc.
Why It's Worth Visiting: The Eat Well Guide has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Food &Wine, Consumer Reports and Real Simple, to name just a few.