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Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz…Whack…Arrggggghhh! Are these the first sounds of your morning? Instead of enduring those harsh buzzing noises from your alarm, summon your consciousness with the Zen Alarm Clock’s Tibetan-bell-like chime. Their gradually increasing chime progression sequence allows for a smooth transition from your beauty rest into your morning, without the jolting panic. Not only do the clocks make a great start to your day, they also provide a powerful tool for dream work, affirmations, bodywork, and meditation. The awakening is so gentle that even the Work Less Party might find them, dare we say, alarming—and may have to reconsider its “Alarm Clocks Kill Dreams” motto. Available at Banyen Books and Sound (3608 W. Fourth Ave.), Halfmoon Yoga Products (604-682-7099), and 
For those of us who’ve just suffered through “Baby Beluga” for the bazillionth time, or who are sick of listening to our preteens chanting lyrics by Eminem, it’s good to know that there’s another band out there with a funky beat and a message we can agree with. You may not see Bonkers! on MuchMusic anytime soon, but the catchy tunes from their new album Love the Land are bound to win kids over. Songs like “Planting a Garden,” “Windmills,” and “Energy Hog” will get your toes tapping, while giving your youngster something to think about besides little white whales on the go (or, er, how to score a ’ho). Love the Land is available at Zulu Records (1972 W. Fourth Ave.), Think! Coffee Lounge & Bistro (4512 W. 10th Ave.), A Small World Shop and Gallery (2120 Commercial Dr.), and 
Thanks (or no thanks) to e-mail and Facebook, the days of pen pals and postcards are long gone. But before you send another thank-you from your BlackBerry, why not make personal matters a little more personal by putting pen to paper with DFine Yoga? The yoga-inspired stationery line (which includes greeting cards, postcards, notebooks, bookmarks, and magnets) achieves perfect balance with its inspirational quotes and colourful collages of yoga postures, architecture, nature, and art. Capture the spirit of yoga—which means “to connect”—with a handwritten note that will let them know the message is sincerely yours. Available at 
Let’s face it: polyester Speedo-style undies just aren’t cool. The next time your special guy tries to woo you by stripping down to his tried-and-true banana hammock, suggest that he retire the leopard print for something a little, oh, longer-lasting. With Montreal designer JM’s super-soft and durable (and yes, sexy) boxer briefs sewn from bamboo fabric, it’s not hard to find sustainable underthings that are flattering. Everybody wins: you support the use of eco-friendly fabrics, and your better half no longer resembles Borat. With the standing ovation he’s likely to receive for his boudoir fashion, he’ll want a pair for every day of the week. Available at HotBox Accessories (2560 Main St.) and 
You care about the planet? Us, too. That means we all just adore taking the bus, right? OK, we’ll ’fess up—the truth is, many of us still possess a car of some variety. Hybrid vehicles are one option to alleviate some of our crushing eco-guilt, but they’re expensive. Happily, you can ease your conscience and keep your beater through the purchase of a Cool Drive Pass. An initiative started by creative environmental researchers at UBC, Cool Drive Pass enables you to purchase carbon-offset certificates through the internet. They factor in the model and year of your car and amount of use, and calculate the amount of CO2 you generate yearly. The cost is the value of a donation to a project that will save the same amount of CO2 from being released, effectively neutralizing your car’s emissions and your self-loathing. At 20,000 km/year, your ’98 Civic: $54.79; your ’07 Hummer: $126.40. Log on at 
What do those sneaky sock elves do with our hosiery when they steal it from the dryer? Well, here’s the surprising answer: they recycle it. Don’t believe us? Check out the stylish knee socks, dresses, skirts, and other pretty garments from local company Sans Soucie for proof. These funky, hand-dyed duds are made from reclaimed nylon, meaning you can look cute without sacrificing sustainability. The durable fabric ensures that your big toe, knee, or midriff won’t be making any surprise appearances. Not only that, these nylon beauties are washable—and when you hang them to dry, you can be sure the sock elves will keep their hands off. Available at Urbanity (207 Abbott St.), Tutta Mia (1302 Victoria Dr.), and 
David Suzuki isn’t the only one to point out that water in plastic bottles costs more than gasoline, carries potential health hazards, and is destructive to the environment. Cities like New York and San Francisco, too, have launched campaigns against bottled water. For those who want to kick the habit, Vancouver company watermatters offers an alternative. Their stainless steel water bottles (in 355-, 530-, 800-, or 1200-ml sizes, with a sport, loop, or flat cap) are non-toxic, lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. They help reduce the mountain of non-biodegradable plastic destined for landfills, too. And, because babies love to hit the bottle, a “sippy top” is available for the 355-ml size. Why be left holding the plastic? Available at 
RX FOR FATIGUED FINGERS
