Bags

I have always had a thing for fabulous handbags. Last year, when it became uncool to use environmentally unfriendly plastic and paper grocery bags, I suddenly started collecting reusable, canvas grocery bags. Last season I was obsessed with the I'm Not A Plastic Bag statement tote and this year I'm crazy about The Inconvenient Bag ($19.99) carryall.

Neither paper nor plastic, this large canvas tote — available in four different designs — is the size of a normal, brown grocery bag and can hold up to 45 pounds. The bags are made in LA from biodegradable cotton and non-toxic dyes. While it may not be as convenient as carrying groceries home in paper or plastic, toting my food in the inconvenient bag, makes me feel like I'm doing my part to help save the world.

If you don't have a reusable tote, I highly recommend this fun, fashionable, eco-friendly bag!

I'm constantly juggling North's goods when we go on outdoor adventures! I like to just carry my purse – or, better yet, use coat pockets – but there are times when I wish I had an extra hand or a more appropriate bag. The Park Sling ($60) would definitely make me into the Inspector Gadget of pet owners with special features and places for everything we need. First off, it goes over the shoulder preventing it from slipping off an arm like my normal purse (yay). Then, add a built-in poop bag dispenser pocket on the front strap to let me avoid digging in my pocket while holding the leash . . .and, hey, it even has dual-leash attachment points for hands-free walks (double and triple yay)! With three pockets, I'm picturing my wallet, keys, and cell phone in the smaller organizer pocket, a sweater, water bottle, and foldable pet dish in the larger main compartment, and North's slobbery stuff in that external mesh one! Now the style's a bit too outdoorsy for day-to-day, but if we ever tackle Windy Hill, we may need to pick one up first! I've just spotted this item on sale for $22.63 while products last so, if this sporty sack looks like something you could use, act quickly before they sell out!

Plastic bags seem to be the new public enemy number one. They have already been banned in San Francisco, Melbourne, Hong Kong, and several other cities. Not to mention that the entire country of China is going to start charging consumers for them. Having said all that, it should come as no surprise to hear that Whole Foods is eliminating plastic grocery bags from its stores. The chain is hoping to encourage folks to BYOB — Bring Your Own Bag — and will refund five cents for every brought bag that is used. Folks who don't bring their own bags will be able to use Whole Foods's 100 percent recycled and recyclable paper bags. It is hoping to be completely plastic bag free by Earth Day, April 22, 2008.

So what do you think of this plastic bag ban? Do you agree? Will you be bringing your own bag?

Although I do own a BonTon for North, I only use it for special adventures (think long, daytime walks when we're destination-bound for Baker Beach or Crissy Field). On his quick, prework potty breaks and late-night, before-bed jaunts around my block, I simply reuse plastic bags from the grocery store. When I'm planning a Whole Foods run, I grab the reusable tote that's stored in my car, but for quick, run-ins, I ask for plastic knowing North can reuse it.

In order not to continually find chaos when I open the storage cabinet under the sink, I picked up this Rationell Variera plastic-bag dispenser from IKEA for just $1.99. That way if I need to grab a bag for North's business or to tote snacks to the office, I now have an easy go-to spot.

Oversize bags, purses, and gym bags can be convenient, but they're not good for your back, your shoulders, or your neck. O magazine loves to give tips on being both trendy and healthy. And what's more important than a woman's health and her purse?

Here are a few highlights on keeping your bag safe for your body:

• Your weight and your fate: (New York-based chiropractor) Isis M. Medina's rule is that you should tote no more than 10 percent of your body weight—so a bag that's more than five pounds when empty is a bad start. If your load is excessive, your head and neck jut forward rather than staying over your shoulders, which can lead to headaches, neck tension, and back pain.
• Getting a handle: Long-strapped shoulder bags are out: They tug you to one side in a C shape, with the purse bumping at your hip and the strap slipping (so you hunch up your shoulder to keep it in place). Avoid chains, too; they tend to gouge the flesh. Look for short handles, not too flimsy or narrow (with very skinny straps on a hefty bag, you're asking for trouble).
• No feed bags: Slouchy may be in, but Medina likes structure: When items shift around and aren't well distributed, your balance is thrown off. Even an oversize bag can work, the doctor assures us, if it's got a definite shape, a firm base, and inner compartments to keep belongings stable.
• Easy access: If you have to do a major dig to find your phone or comb, you're twisting and distorting your torso. You want possessions to be reachable yet secure—a long top zipper or magnetic closure helps; Medina also likes outside pockets for frequently needed essentials.

Fit's Tip: Check out the Puddle Jumper Bag for all your gym gear, it's one that I think Medina would approve.

Source

With more and more people using canvas tote bags to transport goods home from the grocery store, it's only natural that this concept would carry over to brown paper bag lunches. Instead of packing your lunch in a paper or plastic baggie, pack it in a reusable tote, like the fashionable ones pictured at right.

Created by Lean Cuisine in partnership with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, these lunchbox bags are good for the environment and help fight breast cancer. For every purchase of one of the insulated $9.95 lunchboxes, Lean Cuisine will donate $5 to the cure. What a fabulously stylish way to promote awareness.

You gals must be hauling in some serious loot! Either that, or you like to have the potential to carry around an Olsen twin inside your bag. Your Fab Finds this week were overrun by large, functional satchels, hobos, and doctor bags. I feel ya, though, in your search for the perfect carry-all. Maybe it's something in the water...

The Fab Finder of the week is madmoiselle, who found this beautiful lipstick-red 3.1 Phillip Lim slouch bag. Every week the Fab Finder I announce Monday morning will receive either a TeamSugar or FabSugar baby tee shirt. I thoroughly enjoy perusing your Fab Finds every week, so dare to be a Fab Finding trendsetter and you just might win a Sugar tee!

(L-R)
• 3.1 Phillip Lim Orchid Bag, found by madmoiselle.
• Urban Outfitters Canvas Doctor Bag, found by lilchocoholick.
• Urban Outfitters Kisslock Lady Satchel, found by glam sugar.
• Chloe Edith Hobo, found by LBell.
• French Connection Turlborough Leather Tote, found by krristabelle.
• Juicy Couture Spa Bag, found by Lala77.
• Ostrich Katie Satchel, found by lilv.
• Target NYC by Perlina Dome Satchel, found by lydiat.

What woman doesn't appreciate a fine accessory? I love purses, bags, backpacks of all sorts - from chic to sporty. Here are a few recent Fit Finds of great bags.

What says summer like white accessories? LilPeaPod found this classy, Puma Spirit Grip Bag. Definitely a feminine update of a classic gym bag.
When you combine yoga and recycled goods, you're going to feel both green and good. SU3 found this cool looking Recycled Yoga Mat Bag. It's made from recycled rice and feed bags from Cambodia.
Sugar User Brown Sugar is having a blast with her Spring Fling and finding some inspirational workout gear. This Camel Pack by REI is a sure fire way to stay hydrated.

Check out what other Sugar users are bookmarking as Fit Finds. Chances are high you will find something to satisfy the happy, healthy you. If you want to lean more about bookmarking in the Sugar pages, read my buddy geeksugar's excellent tutorial.

If you find anything out there on the web that helps you stay happy and healthy, do bookmark it and share it with us.