The Dirt:
Solar seems the most intuitive alternative energy option, but the hardest and costliest to implement. But, as with every type of change in America, we think baby steps is the best way to alter the lifestyles of the masses. Pisat Solar is helping with that process through their creation, the K-Light Solar Lantern.

The small, yet bright, LED lantern is powered by solar energy, which means it requires no batteries and no electricity. The green, water-resistant light has a 20-hour runtime and and is easy to carry. About the size of a large drinking glass, the light is great for camping use or outdoor parties, and safer than candles. K-Light comes with a light, shatterproof solar panel that easily hooks up to the light to charge it. But what makes the product special is its ability to help people in developing nations, without electricity.

Enter Light For Africa, Pisat’s program with the Koinonia Foundation and its Beacon Program to provide K-Lights to African villages, where a reported 75% lack electricity. The program gives African women a “start-up grant” of K-Lights to sell in their villages. Then, they use the proceeds from the first sale to buy K-Lights at discounted prices. The women then sell to others in their villages and the whole system creates local businesses, with an easily marketed product, since the K-Light is a great option for people living in rural villages, without electricity. Also, Pisat donates a portion of proceeds to Koinonia, so by purchasing a K-Light, you are indirectly helping to empower African women.

Where:
The K-Light is $49.95. To learn more about products or buy items, visit the Pisat solar website. For more information about the Koinonia program, visit the Koinonia Foundation website.

Christie Brinkley Launches Jewelry Line
Christie Brinkley is launching a jewelry line called CeleBrate that will sell exclusively at Ross-Simons, License reports. The collection includes necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets with floral motifs, Southwestern-style turquoise and gold peace signs with diamonds. Many styles also include Brinkley’s initials.

For the complete story, click here.

Yum! Brands Gets LEED Certification
Yum! Brands, parent company of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC, has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold standard certification for its KFC-Taco Bell restaurant in Northampton, Massachusetts, Chain Store Age reports.

The restaurant is designed to use 30% less energy and water than a standard building, cut CO2 emissions, cut waste going to landfills/incinerators and educating visitors and employees on sustainable design. It also uses solar energy to preheat fresh air coming into the building that cuts the use of natural gas. The lighting system uses both natural light and LED lights and the carbon footprint is balance buy purchasing renewable energy credits. Additionally, they conserve water by gathering harvested rainwater for irrigation. Finally, the construction was executed with some recycled materials, and is maintained by composting waste and cooking oil.

For the complete story, click here.

Nestle, Jamba Launch Prepared Drinks Line
Nestlé USA and Jamba Juice have launched a line of Jamba ready-to-drink beverages made with real fruit and extra nutrients.
The line of six products include three Jamba Smoothies, named Strawberries Wild w/Energy Boost, Orange Dream Machine w/Immunity, Banana Berry w/Heart Healthy Boost; and, three Jamba Juicies named Orange Strawberry Banana w/Protein Boost, Mango Orange Peach w/Fiber Boost, Very Berry w/Calcium Boost.

Jamba Smoothies and Jamba Juicies are now available in major grocery retailers, convenience stores and some Jamba Juice stores, in eight Western states. Retailers include Target, Safeway, 7-Eleven, and Walgreens.

Lasers are technology’s gift to the beauty industry, as this one group of machines can take care of everything from sagging skin to excess fat. The main laser trends over the last five years have been at-home lasers to treat aging and the addition of lasers to treat patients of all skin tones and with all hair types. We bring you the latest news on companies and lasers to receive the go-ahead from the U.S. government unit, the Food and Drug Administration.

In the summer of 2008, Light BioScience received FDA approval for at at-home laser intended to treat wrinkles. The over-the-counter product dubbed Omnilux new-U using its GentleWaves LED (Light Emitting Diode) Photomodulation technology. According to information on the company’s site, the product is about the size of a large smartphone and can be used with the company’s topical products to lessen wrinkles and smooth the skin. The product is recommended for use every month, but during the first four weeks, it is recommended twice a week for 20 minutes each time. The treatment may cause redness, which will likely fade after a few days. While it treats wrinkles, it will also help sun damage.

For those that still opt for professional lasers, which should be operated by doctors and licensed-professionals only, Alma Lasers received government approval for its Pixel Co2 Omnifit handpiece, which will be used for skin resurfacing. The products boasts a short recovery time of about three days and can be used with many exist laser machines that aim to treat acne, scars and sun spots.

Finally, Syneron Medical received the OK from the FDA to use its LipoLite system for lipolysis or the process of breaking down fat cells. The company says the product will be used for said procedures with lipolysis and other dermatological procedures aided by lasers. This process claims to be less invasive than surgeries such as liposuction. It has two energy settings and pulses repeatedly to break down target tissue and fat cell membranes.

Warning:Trendcetera recommends checking with doctors, especially dermatologists, before obtaining any laser treatments or trying one at home. In addition, increased use of sunscreen year-round will prevent the occurrence of new wrinkles. The FDA recently approved a new sunscreen from La Roche-Posay with Anthelios 40, which is said to contain the highest concentration of Mexoryl SX, the best known chemical UVA blocker developed by L’Oreal. The product also has 5% titanium dioxide, 2% avobenzone and octocrylene for true broad spectrum coverage thanks to the chemical and physical blockers.