Every once in a while, I discover a new mobile device charger that is really practical and energy-efficient, like the Solio Magnesium Solar Charger. Today I found two devices that charge using another renewable energy source: kinetic energy.

The first is the Orange Dance Charge. This is an armband that you can connect your mobile device to, and then shake it up (preferably while dancing) for a charge. It has the same kinetic energy charger that you see in those “never need winding” watches. So if your cellular phone needs a charge, just dance around like Martin Short back when he was playing Ed Grimley on Saturday Night Live.

The second is a charger that sounds like a cheap joke, but it is real proposal. Apparently, a woman named Adrienne So has proposed a way to harness the power of breasts. That’s right, with a little nanowire fabric in a bra, you can actually capture the energy produced by the up and down movement of the (insert any synonym for “breasts” here). I’m going to justly resist any comment that I could make after introducing a gadget like this.

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If you have a thing for vintage technology, these coasters are a great way to show your love for old LP records.  Granted you could just pick up your own favorite records from the local thrift shop, that is if you don’t have your own already.  However, having a cold drink, dripping with condensation will end up damaging the label on the top.  These particular records have been laminated on both sides to prevent that from happening.  Now if you happen to find a way to do the laminating yourself, it’d definitely be more fun to just pick out your own LP records.

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I think we all need to be prepared for emergencies, especially when it comes to power outages. You don’t want to be the unlucky guy in a blackout, unable to find batteries for the flashlight or the radio.

This is why you should purchase the three-piece Calamity Kit from C. Crane. All three of these devices included in the kit are wind-up powered, and very valuable in an emergency.

The first item is the Sherpa LED Flashlight, which requires no batteries, and will give a lot more light to a dark area than a candle.

The second item is the Indigo Lantern, an electric lantern which can really light up a large room. It also has a tiny light on it designed for spot lighting, and, like the Sherpa, requires no batteries.

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One Etsy seller has a cute and definitely eco friendly idea to make use of those old records.  The seller artyfakt takes the recycled records and sleeves and creates a box for CDs.  Which almost seems a bit late.  Isn’t it time that we start making holders for our USB drives out of old CD cases?  Either way, if you’re for reusing old items, then this little box would likely work well for more than CDs.  I think anymore I own all of four actual CDs.  To which there isn’t a case for a single one, I just have a book for them.  It just seems a bit ridiculous to have the plastic cases sitting around when  book takes up so much less room.

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You know how it is these days - the insane price of oil has driven virtually everything up, save for our salaries. Heck, it used to be dirt cheap filling up cars with gas, and right now at $4 a gallon in most places across the US, motorists are complaining about gas stations being virtual highway robbers as they stop short of taking your firstborn in exchange for a full tank of gas. What are some of the alternatives? A bicycle would be too slow to commute across longer distances, while a motorcycle isn’t environmentally friendly and sips some gas as well. There is always the Ego Street Scoota to save the day - an electric scooter that costs no more than a thousand quid. Can’t believe your ears (and eyes)? Read on then.

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Anyone on the lookout for a solar bag should really keep an eye on Noon Solar, they are one of my favorite brands when it comes to bags with solar panels.  They have recently created yet another bag to add to their line.  If you’re unfamiliar with the company, they do create bags for both men and women.  A lot of their bags are kind of a handbag style, but they do have a couple unisex products as well.  The bags are all featuring sustainable products and some of them come with an odd little locket.  That locket is filled with dirt, to remind that the bag came from the earth and can be easily returned to it.

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Go green with the USB Solar Mobile Charger from Brando - this device features a 1,500mAh lithium battery, storing up juice harvested from the sun’s rays for a time when you need it most. It will feature connecting tips with cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players as well as portable media players - heck, anything goes as long as there is a right adapter to fit your gizmo. Should the days be particularly overcast, there is always the AC charge ability that helps you juice up the USB Solar Mobile Charger via a power outlet or through a USB port. Perfect gadget for the traveling dad, and the price ain’t too shabby at $37 either.

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Fluorescent bulbs although they are much more environmentally friendly and save on your energy bill, they take forever to reach their brightest. I hate how dim they make a room seem, of course they eventually brighten up. That small set back isn’t enough to sway me from them, it is just a bit of a nuisance. Well these new Panasonic bulbs still feature an energy efficient design, but they reach instant brightness. The other nice feature is that they appear like the old incandescent bulbs, which look better in decorative lighting. I don’t know if it’s just me or not, but the new bulbs just looked a bit odd sticking out of the lights on ceiling fans.

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