For this Green Swap q + a, I interviewed someone a little different. Shobha is not a green expert per say, but she is an integral part of my community. Without Shobha Tummala and her amazing team at Shobha Threading (hi Shashi!), I'd be a bit of a mess (literally and self-consciously.) At Shobha's salons, my eyebrows stay in check and any unwanted hair on face or body — begone. And for this half-Middle Eastern gal, that is no minor miracle. Threading + sugaring is also a much more natural way of removing hair, as opposed to standard waxing (which was too harsh on my skin) or stinky Nair. For body sugaring and Shobha's special waxing, the specialists use talc-free powder, since talc has been linked to cancer. I definitely recommend threading for the face if you're never tried it. This gentle chemical-free process dates back centuries and it pulls hair directly from the root. One part of me I feel super confident about are my eyebrows! Here's more from (soon-to-be-mom) Shobha on her personal quest to be greener.
1. three simple ways you've gone greener in your life
+ I use only my own reusable bags at the grocery store.
+ I converted to all compact fluorescents for my house and I am working on converting all of the salons to either LEDs or compact fluorescent lights to conserve energy as well as save on air conditioning and electricity costs.
+ I am working with a contractor to install a solar panel system for taking over a major load of my house's electricity.
2. last green purchase
Sham wow towels. :) I know this is funny because of the infomercial, but the truth is that it does reduce how many paper towels I use drastically.
3. one green initiative you'd like to see enacted in your community
Require solar panels or alternative energy systems to be installed for businesses/government buildings.
4. best green gift you've given, received, or coveted
Sham wow towels.
5. hardest habit to break to be more eco-friendly
Having all of my technology plugged in all the time: my wireless modem, computers, printers, etc.
6. three ways you want to be greener this year
+ To convert garbage bags that we use to biodegradable kind — this is cost prohibitive currently for the salons, but I hope to at least start at home and test it out.
+ (We are about to have a baby! So...) To figure out how to be green with the diaper issue — we are thinking of using cloth diapers at home and biodegradable ones when we travel. [Shobha, a past Green Swapper, Marisa of Plover Organic, is a mom who swears by G diapers.]
+ Installing a rainwater catchment system so we can use rainwater for all the landscaping needs.
[Thanks so much Shobha for being a part of Green Swap! And a special thanks to Jenn for coordinating.]
{green swap photograph by charlotte jenks lewis}
yesterday's q+a: gwen + lindsey of the laundress
tomorrow's q+a: lauren yarmuth of YRG sustainability
what's green swap? find out more here
