Thirsting for more?

Reusable water bottles have become quite the trendy accessory.

Although I have thus far been quite satisfied using my huge Wawa plastic bottles over and over again until they all but disintegrate in my mouth, it has recently been brought to my attention that this might not be the best route to go. Be damned all of you conspiracy seekers, (I’m not partial, and am including all those that think chemicals are leeching into my water from the plastic, and those that try relaying scare tactics about mold growing in my H20, etc.) my new open-mindedness to drinking-bottle alternatives comes from several unlikely sources and not from anyones nay-saying. Instead, the credit for breaking through my Wawa stubborness belongs to OK! magazine, coupled with copious amounts of online shopping.

It seems that the overall awesomeness of Siggs aluminum bottles can be neither denied, nor ignored. I have read about these bottles time, and time again. It seems we were meant to be together… and who am I to deny destiny?

I have seen them on the most random internet sites ever, and can’t help but notice their plentiful mentions in magazine genres of all kinds. (Wowza, Siggs PR team deserves a raise!) Apparently their absolute market infiltration is working, because— lo and behold—none other than Siggs aluminum bottles popped into my brain today after I noticed the sad state of my trusty old Wawa bottle...

Originally purchased in late December 2008, it has certainly fulfilled its thirst quenching duties. Over the past six months, we have experienced a lot together; and hitting the bottle has gotten me through a lot of tough times, and I've come to rely on its constant “half full” mentality. However, I can’t help but notice that its once proud and crisp blue label is now starting to peel off, and like skin on bones, the label is all wrinkled up against the plastic ridges of the bottle beneath. The sides of the bottle bend inward at my slightest touch, and the mouth-opening has layer upon layer of sparkley Chapstick build-up. Always standing tall and resolute, day after day, on my desk, it has never left me high and dry—and yet, deep down I know it’s time to give this poor bottle a break, and send it to be reincarnated at the big recycling factory in the sky.

I was sadly dwelling upon my Wawa bottle (I feel like the “sad” can be applied in numerous ways?), that I started to consider perhaps investing in a more permanent, hardy type of water bottle — because, even if I only buy 2 plastic water bottles a year, that is 2 empty water bottles that could have been prevented. Then, like the good girl that I am, I started to wonder, WWJD? Literally. Except, I’m Jewish, so my “wwjd” was “what would Jake Gyllenhaal do” in a situation like this? Super weird, I know, and yet for some reason his face is linked in my brain to Siggs bottles?

So, bored at work per usual, I decided to do a little Siggs research and was intrigued by my findings. Which is obviously why you’re reading about it now.

Once upon a time, in the year 1908, a Swedish entrepreneur named Ferdinand Sigg decided that aluminum was the "material of the future". Completely committed to the success of his favored metal, he started making all sorts of household materials with it; pots, pans, bottles, you name it-- he tried it in aluminum. His fellow Swedes dug the aluminum, and his aluminum company grew by leaps and bounds. To this day, the name "Siggs" is still famous in Europe.

A few years ago, some investors bought the company and changed the direction of it, now focusing solely on the bottle design, and trying to infiltrate the brand into the United States.

The benefits of aluminum drinking bottles hopefully made this an easier venture than naught, as apparently using aluminum for drinking bottles has every advantage you’d want. The material is extremely resistant to mold and bacteria, and is non-porous so that nothing you ever have in the bottle will affect the flavor the next thing you have in there. Siggs bottles exceed the FDA’s regulations on chemical leaching with 0.0% leaching occurring, and the insides of the bottle are baked in a way so that they will never chip or break into your drink. For added street creds on top of everything else, Siggs bottles are also considered the “world’s toughest water bottle” by Backpacker magazine. They hold 1 Liter of water, and cost approximately $25, which is not bad on either count. As mentioned, they are very durable, and in order to keep them clean you can wash them out with soap and hot water, or if you’re the OCD type that needs to disinfect every nook and cranny-- there are cleaning brushes available. All is well that ends well, and a happy ending is ensured with Siggs too, as they are 100% recyclable should ever decide you don’t want an awesome water bottle on hand.

And, I saved the best part for last. The reason that so many trendy LA and New York celebs and hipsters tote these bottles around is not only because they want the world to see how “green” and trendy they are, but also because they are superly cute! Aside from solid colors and geometric patterns, they have famous brands, like Airwalk, Hello Kitty, Sponge Bob, etc., come in and do their thang all over a bunch of bottles. There are bottles decorated in yoga inspired designs, Anthropologie looking vintage designs, hippie tye-dyes, and really, something for every aesthetic taste.

The designs of these bottles are not just geared towards chicks either, dudes dig them too—and both GQ and Stuff magazine have given them shout-outs before. (I’m sure it doesn’t hurt their popularity amongst the gents that they offer a selection of flasks as well.)

Now my problem is, which design do I like the best?? And, do you want to come to the memorial service I will be having for my ever faithful Wawa Bottle? (Please circle yes or no, and rsvp asap, recyclables go out Friday morning.)

Yes No Maybe

It's here, and it's beer!

This seemed situationally relevant, now I'm off to find some news about people seeking the ends of rainbows (and Amy) in order to find pots filled with aluminum cans they can recycle, and leprechauns that love trees....

It’s Good: Wolaver’s family-owned brewery offers a hearty, tasty selection of ales and lagers, straight from the heart of Vermont.

It’s Green: As of 1998, the Wolaver family made a commitment to producing all of their beers using only the freshest, all-organic ingredients.

It’s Here: ShoppersVineyard.com

It’s: $7.99!!!!!!!!

It's what on the inside that crunches

We were recently privileged enough to be invited to this baby's Super Sweet "First" Birthday Bash. When we arrived, (after we were carded and checked off on the guest list, obvs) we were greeted by the birthday girl, who was all decked out in a "special", yet preppy, pink plaid Burberry jumper, with patent leather black Tod's driving moccs. Her ruffled bloomers completed the outfit, with her initials sewn onto the bottom, surrounded by lacy ruffles and flounces.

After having cake and a few temper tantrums, the present opening began. As each gift was unwrapped and revealed, each audience member/guest “oohed” and “ahhed” appropriately.

· Some sort of baby-grand (get it?) electric piano that could make every noise imagineable: "Ooooooooh!!!!" we all murmured, a combination of admiration and perhaps jealousy?

· A new Juicy dress with matching leggings. The chorus all went “Ahhhhhhh!” while her mother chirped something like, “Mommy has this outfit in black!”

· A huge stuffed animal that was three times the size of the birthday girl, with each extremity doubling as a toy; a rattle for a hand, a foot that was a mirror and squeaked…. “Oooooohhh!”

And so on and so on it went for the afternoon.

Once every package and parcel had been opened, the baby had a pile of brand-new fancy toys. Every gift had been hand-picked from upscale boutiques, as to what would best be suited for an one year old with discerning tastes, and equally discerning parents. Despite having half the large room taken up by her bounty of things that sparkled and shined, squeaked and squalled, the thing that had enraptured her mind and heart the most was the also sizable pile of discarded wrapping paper in the corner. Who needs Tiffany’s baubles and Baby Einstein when you can rip noisy things up with wanton abandon?*

It’s easy to forget that if you have simple tastes, you are satisfied with simple things.

Kids are as happy with wrapping paper and big empty boxes as they are with the things that came inside those entrapments. Remember how fun a big empty box was when you were a kid? Who needed fancy toys when you had a big box, an imagination, and siblings that would go along with whatever?

"Welcome to my penthouse. Would you care to nibble some bits with me, you sweet, sweet Webkin...?"
My sister has a chinchilla, and it’s like crack for her- she can’t help but to spend every penny she has on toys and luxurious accommodations for the fat rodent’s cage. (And also, she sniffs it, a lot.)

Seriously though, this thing has it’s own bathroom, tropical inspired hammocks, custom made lofts, a thatch-roofed bungalow, island scenery (to remind it of home?), and gourmet treats hand-fed to it daily… Basically, it’s 6 ft. tall cage is nicer than the Playboy Suite in Vegas. (And yes, just like Vegas, the chinchilla’s cage comes complete with its very own legalized sex trade. While it’s not the use my sister had originally intended for the little stuffed animals that she populated the cage with, she unintentionally became the john of the chinchilla cage. With her weekly rotation of characters, neither the toys nor the chinchilla, nor my sister [who can sleep better when the rodent’s quiet after tiring himself out,] seem to be complaining about the wanton acts of abandon happening in that faux-tropical hideaway…)

And yet, despite all of it’s rodenty accommodations, it’s favorite plaything is the cardboard roll that makes up the center of a paper towel or toilet paper roll. Indeed, he seems to get more pleasure playing with these, than from all of his Furries action combined.

This is why when I went over to my friend’s house the other night; I got really excited and inspired by something I saw in her bed that I thought was ingeniously green. (Ingreenious?)

Scared? (If you knew this friend-- and what could have been in her bed, you probably would be...)

I innocently picked up the little felt cow that lay there, and remarked on how cute it was. Her lab puppy bouncing at my feet trying to grab for it, seemed to obviously agree with me. I felt that there was something hard inside of it, and before I could start to get weirded about what exactly I was holding, my friend gave me the inside scoop. Literally.

You know how you can buy your dog everything in the pet store, and yet when you’re at home, he’s happier drinking water from the toilet bowl, playing with the stuff he can get out of the trashcan, eating poop instead of treats, and falling asleep anywhere? Another case of simple things for simple tastes....

K.I.S.S!
A bunch of genius (possibly dog whispering?) companies have taken note of what of their dogs are telling them, and have accommodated their trashy habits to make them safer, healthier, cleaner and greener.

The cow in my hand was basically a fancy cover for an empty plastic water bottle. I have known many a dog that loved chewing on empty, plastic water bottles (as they are apparently oh-so-fun to crunch on and destroy) and now--they can do just that, while leaving the plastic pieces all confined inside the animal cover, so the dogs cannot make a mess, or hurt themselves --and once the bottle has been sufficiently killed, it is replaceable! And recyclable! Woo hoo!

These bottle covers are available under a few different monikers, some are called "Bottle Crunchers", some are called "Bottle Buddies." They can be found in any pet store, and are available in a ton of places online. They are inexpensive, and can keep a dog satisfied, over and over. (Sort of like stuffed animals for a Chinchilla, in an equally "ew, I don't want to touch that" when they're done with it, kind of way.)

The moral of the stories is that happiness can easily be found in the most mundane of objects, and we shouldn't try so hard, or spend so much, on unnecessary acquirements.

On the plus side--now I know what to get my mother for Mother's Day. (Note to self: start saving those empty toilet paper rolls, now.)

*This was a very important day all around, as we all were reminded of something very important. Her 3-year old brother solemnly informed us that his baby sister DID NOT like it when you smacked her really hard, on the top of her head. Why? Duh! a.) It was not nice, and b.) Her head was still soft.

DO: Reuse Plastic Water Bottles

I drank a lot in college.

While there was a healthy mix of the stuff you’d expect, there was also a lot of coffee, apple cider, chocolate milk, and most importantly, tons and tons of water.

When I was in high-school, I didn’t drink at all, and yet my brain soaked up all of the drinking lore that I ever heard like a sponge. For whatever reason, one rumor really stuck with me: hang-overs are caused by being dehydrated, so all you had to do to never be hung-over was stay hydrated. (Maybe this struck me because it met my solution criteria- I can't help it, I like my solutions how I like my men; easy and elegant. ☺)

Once I began my magical (albeit hazy) experience at Penn State, I credit my water rule with a higher than average classroom attendance. While my friends were skipping class to recover in bed, or escaping during class for a bathroom throw-up break, I usually woke up feeling hunky-dory and ready to go eat a breakfast bagel. I attributed all of these wake-up success stories to my beloved bottles of Aquafina. (My personal standard was downing two 50 oz. bottles before going to sleep. I'd have to pee a lot, but I'm telling you, I'd wake up feeling grrreat!)

I still drink a lot, except that my age and responsibilities seemed to have increased proportionally to my alcohol tolerance decreasing? Next to me, ALWAYS, is at least one beverage-- usually a boring, but satisfying drink of water.

On my desk lives a bottle of “Wawa” brand water, and I use it every single day like a sealable cup. I refill it as needed, and have had this particular bottle for about 6 months.

Leave it to co-workers to try and ruin a good thing...

The first buttinsky told me that I was probably giving myself cancer by reusing the same plastic water bottle. Didn’t I know that water bottles are designed to be used once, and that after that first use the plastic starts “leeching” deadly chemicals into the water, which I then drank?!

I had never heard this before, but the use of the word “leeching” sounded a bit scientific, so I checked it out on snopes.com.

Just as I cynically suspected, water bottles DO NOT have a magic sensor that tells them when they “emptiness” cherry has been popped, and therefore can start “leeching” all over the place. The plastic is designed to be extremely resilient, which is what gives it a major advantage over glass. It is also designed to be able to handle Whitney Houston amounts of abuse (it’s still too soon to make tasteful Rhianna abuse references?) without chemical consequences.

The second water bottle know-it-all happened to walk by me during a refill session at the water fountain. He distracted my mental zombie preparations by smugly saying something like, “You know you’re not supposed to reuse those, right?”

Since I had already gone through this once, I had a good response.“Yeah, I have heard that before, but it turns out it’s a big urban legend that chemicals from the plastic leech into the water.”

He wasn’t impressed with the “leech” bomb being dropped at all, and snorted through his nose in reply.

“It’s not about the chemicals. It’s about bacteria growing in the bottle. You know how sometimes your bottle looks green? That’s mold you’re drinking.” He snorted at me again, and then turned on his heel and went into the bathroom.

I stood looking at my crystal clear bottle of water for a moment, and hoped that the bomb he was about to drop in there somehow exploded all over him.

However, this made me kind of paranoid and so yet again... to my trusty Google I went in order to uncover the truth of this new thing to worry about. (Just mind your P's & Q's about my H20, ok?!)

On plasticsorg.com, I hit the jack-pot of relevant information. “Plastics are by nature extremely sanitary materials, and plastic bottles are no more likely to harbor bacteria than other kinds of packaging or drinking containers.” While it is true that “bacteria thrives in warm, moist environments,” as long as you don’t poop into your water bottle you’re pretty much good to reuse it as often as you like.

Bottom line: the FDA closely regulates the plastic used for water bottles, (these materials are used around the world) and there is absolutely no harm in reusing them with a little common sense. (i.e. Please don't poop in a water bottle you want to drink from later!)

It’s good for you to drink tons of water, and you should—by reusing plastic water bottles you’re getting more for your money, but most importantly, (truly) you’re keeping a lot of perfectly good items out of landfills, and preventing energy being used to recycle them into something else when they would love to still be contributing members of your household.

Water does a body good. Pay it forward and return the favor; increase the life-span of your average disposable water bottle and reap the benefits. (I forgot to mention they make pretty cute accessories, and can compliment a wide variety of outfits and styles. Reference: all included Jennifer Aniston images, where she is looking fabulous as usual with [reused?] water bottle in hand.)