As I started testing products for the 2010 Beauty and Body Awards, I repeatedly asked, “What makes a beauty product green?” Long ago, I made what I thought to be a brilliant discovery: What’s good for the environment is also good for our bodies. That was about food, good, fresh food that doesn’t make you cringe or feel ashamed when you eat it because it doesn’t contain pesticides, synthetic preservatives, or unpronounceable ingredients. Take a broad look at our food system. Pesticides sprayed on produce can kill wildlife and harm ecosystems, contaminate drinking water, and affect our health. I have realized that certain foods make me feel better, too. Pure food, free of harmful residues and filled with nutrients, benefits your body, while being gentle on the earth. But that’s food. more

Looking for some easy ways to trim the waste from your exercise regimen? Check out these tips from Kim Carlson, eco-expert and founder of Earth SmartConsumer Certified, for being a more eco-conscious athlete.

1. Get a solar charger for your iPod.

2. Stretch yourself by using a cork yoga block, a sustainable choice.

3. Spring for a natural rubber yoga mat. It may cost more but it’s recyclable and contains no Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), a toxic chemical.

4. Wear workout attire made from organic cotton. more

High bisphenol A (BPA) exposure may be linked to heart disease, according to recently release data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The survey evaluated 1,493 people ages 18 to 74 from 2005-2006 and found that higher BPA concentrations in urine were associated with an increased number of coronary heart disease cases, supporting findings from a study conducted by Peninsula Medical School and the University of Exeter last year. However, there is no substantial evidence as to why this correlation exists, and opponents say the information doesn’t establish a cause-and-effect relationship between BPA exposure and heart disease. Still, the chemical has previously been linked to infertility, weight gain, behavioral changes, early onset puberty, prostate and breast cancers, and diabetes. Check out BPA in most food cans for more about the dangers of the chemical, where it is, and how to avoid it.

When I recently moved and was on the market for some new furniture, I nearly interrogated my sales associate as I navigated my way through maples and oaks. I wanted to make sure that the affordable end table I’d be purchasing didn’t contain formaldehyde, a chemical found in pressed wood products like particleboard, hardwood plywood paneling, and medium density fiberboard that are used in many cabinets, dressers, and end tables. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the chemical can cause eyes and throat irritation, nausea, rashes, difficulty in breathing, and other severe allergic reactions. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and is a suspected human carcinogen. What does this have to do with my nail polish remover, you ask? While I left the furniture store empty-handed, riddled with concerns that the cheap end table would have pricey repercussions, I returned to my half-furnished apartment only to discover that my (what I once thought to be harmless), nail polish remover contained the very chemical I was so adamant about avoiding. more

Some are natural and some not so much, according to the latest Mintel predictions. From biochemistry to a new definition of natural, check out these four trends for 2010.

1. Mood beauty

Beyond the pleasant waft of aromatherapy, this area of personal care will try to use various ingredients, textures, temperatures, and sounds to act on your neurotransmitters and make you feel good. It also may include makeup that “switches on and off.”

2. Nu natural

This trend makes a lot more sense. “Nu natural” questions labeling terms like “sustainable” and “free from,” pointing out their ambiguity and noting that products making these claims can still contain harmful ingredients. It focuses on organic ingredients (there are two new natural and organic labels to look out for this year, The Natural Products Association Natural Seal and NSF International’s Made with Organic), as well as local production (one of the great trends I noticed at farmers markets this past summer, especially Vail’s, was tons of locally produced lotions, lips balms, and scrubs in addition to all of that delicious fresh produce, homemade dumplings, sweet honey, savory mustards … but I digress). Plus, this trend will look at utilizing top phytochemicals and anthocynans to protect and renew skin. Glad to see this trend making the top rankings for 2010, and I hope to see more of it. more

We all love the feeling of a rich lather because it equals clean, right? Well, that depends on what’s creating it, and if you’re not sure about the ingredients in your shampoo or conditioner, you may want to look again at their labels. According to GoodGuide, many surfectants (chemicals present in most shampoos that help remove dirt and oils from your hair) are irritating or allergenic. Avoid ammonium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, which are two of the most common irritants and may contain 1,4-dioxane, a possible carcinogen; a good rule of thumb is to steer clear of ingredients ending in -eth. When it comes to conditioners, you may want to avoid quaternary ammonium surfactants, also called “quats,” such as stearalkonium chloride and cetrimonium chloride that can cause skin and eye irritation and accumulate in the environment. Check out GoodGuide’s best- and worst-rated shampoos. Its best choices include Dr. Bronner’s Magic Organic Citrus Hair Rinse, Dr. Hauschka Shampoo with Nasturtium and Lemon, and Burt’s Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar.

Hopefully you’ve evolved from that defiant kid jabbing at a hunk of spinach on your dish because dark leafy greens have once again proven to be nutrition superstars (they’re also key ingredients in some of our favorite recipes here at Delicious Living and luckily some such as kale are available and affordable nearly year-round), helping with just about everything from staving off diabetes and boosting immunity to improving vision. The latest research comes from the Journal of Food Science and confirms their benefit to your peepers. The idea that carotenoids, a group of pigments found mainly in green leafy vegetables and colored fruits, can promote better vision is anything but new (the discovery stems back to 1866). But now we know why: Researchers say pigment from carotenoids improves eyesight by absorbing short-wave light and protecting the retina and lens to help prevent age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Try squeezing more of them into your diet with Sauteed Leafy Greens with Grapefruit Vinaigrette, Kale with Sesame Seed Dressing, and Nori and Kale Salad.

According to a study in the December issue of Archives of Dermatology, smoking, being overweight, and not using sunscreen are three lifestyle factors that contribute greatly to various signs of aging, including fine wrinkles and skin growths, along with photodamage like coarsely wrinkled skin, spots of extra pigment or lost pigment, and dilated blood vessels. Bottom line? Turns out the changes that can help you be a healthier you as you head into the new year will also help you look like a younger you.

While it is undeniably sweet, I was elated to discover that my guilty pleasure this holiday season is anything but sinful. 100% Pure, one of my favorite new natural skin and body care lines, offers scrubs, lotions, washes, and creams made from cocoa, coffee, honey, almond, cherries, vanilla bean … to name just a few. Not only does using the decadent products make you feel like a kid in a candy store, but you also don’t have to be ashamed when you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar. The cruelty-free company produces primarily vegan products and never adds thickeners, emulsifiers, or fillers. And that delightful aroma you get every time you open a jar? Real fruit. Plus, 100 % Pure’s makeup line is the only in the world to exclusively use fruit pigments for color. To honor the season, I’ve been using the Organic Dark Chocolate Mocha Body Scrub (I also love the Coconut Body Cream and have my mind on the Strawberry Lemonade Scrub for spring and summer), made with antioxidant-rich Belgian dark chocolate, organic Hawaiian Kona coffee beans that increase skin cell circulation and exfoliate skin, moisturizing organic grapeseed and black currant oils, and vitamins C and E. Go ahead: indulge.

Holiday travel holds promises of togetherness, food, joy, love … that is, if you can conquer the the dreaded airport. Delicious Living’s editors chose our favorite products for maintaining health, beauty, and sanity to ensure your holiday trip is, in fact, a vacation.

EO natural hand sanitizing spray As the coughs and sneezes come at you fast and furious be sure to keep hands clean, especially before eating. Rather than using harsh, synthetic chemicals to fight off germs, try EO’s USDA certified organic sanitizing sprays that use organic alcohol to fend off germs. Essential oils like lavender and peppermint also fight bacteria while soothing your skin. The itsy bitsy travel size offers up to 100 sprays and will make it onto the plane.

Natura Throat & Gland Spray This combination of herbs, including echinacea, licorice root, and wild indigo, helps the body fight infection when you spray it into the throat. By improving drainage, it also helps shorten the length and severity of colds.

Tom’s of Maine toothpaste travel size A longtime favorite of Deputy Editor Radha Marcum’s, this fresh tasting mint gel controls plaque buildup with xylitol, a white crystalline alcohol powder that inhibits bacteria growth.

Gan Mao Ling formula Take 3-6 tablets of this Chinese herbal formula, which includes a combination of seven traditional Chinese herbs, 3 times per day to help boost immunity when you’re on the go.

EmergenC A go-to for the Delicious Living editors, use these vitamin C-rich packets to stay hydrated and boost immunity. Stuff a few into your purse, wallet, or back pocket and add to water at any point throughout the trip. Its Immune Defense variety contains not just the 1,000 mg vitamin C, but also B vitamins, zinc, vitamins A and D, selenium, hibiscus, and elderberry.

Burt’s Bees Sun Protecting Lip Balm Food Editor Elisa Bosley recommends this balm to not only keep lips hydrated but also to protect them from rays during your travels.

Emerita Fine-Line Eye Serum Don’t want anyone to know you’ve been traveling all day? Stay fresh faced with this reliable serum that combines a multipeptide complex and gotu kola extract to keep skin looking smooth and help repair damage.