Klean Kanteen - Help Save The World, Protect Your Health, and Keep Your Wallet Fat and Happy

A great way to help the environment is to invest a little in a non-disposable water bottle like the ones made by Klean Kanteen.  Investing in a Klean Kanteen bottle can help you and the environment in a number of ways:

(1)  Klean Kanteen helps you reduce waste created by disposable plastic water bottles.

(2)  Bottled water is expensive and using tap water is an easy way to save a lot of money.  Using a Klean Kanteen water bottle will pay for itself in no time if you're currently buying bottled water.

(3)  Tap water has strict government standards, whereas the bottled water industry is unregulated.

(4)  Klean Kateen Technology is free of BPA or plastic liners  You can learn more about their technology here.  BPA and plastic liners are known to have negative health affects.

You can buy yours right now from Amazon and get it shipped strait to your house instead of wasting time, money, and emitting CO2 getting to and from the store! Go for a nice walk or spend some time talking to an old friend with the time you save!

Buy Yours now and you will help put a stop to things like this:

Or this:

Or this:

Added Benefits

(1)  Multiple cap options to choose from

(2)  Unique and pretty designs

(3)  High quality stainless steel.  Here is a quote from the Klean Kanteen website regarding their stainless steel alloy choice.

"Stainless steel is an iron-containing alloy made from some of the basic elements found on earth: iron ore, chromium, silicon, nickel, carbon, nitrogen and manganese. The properties of the final metal change depending on varying amounts of these elements. More than 57 stainless steels exist and are sold as standard alloys on the market.

Klean Kanteens™ are constructed from high-quality, 18/8, food-grade stainless steel. The numbers stand for the percentages of chromium and nickel in the steel, 18% and 8% respectively. Chromium increases the metal's hardness and nickel gives it strength. Together they also make stainless steel highly resistant to stain or rust.

Stainless steel is easy to clean, durable, inert and sanitary. That's why it's the material of choice among the food processing, dairy and brewing industries."

   And in regards to nickel in the stainless steel alloy:

Nickel is a naturally abundant element found in the earth's crust, soil and ocean floor. It is generally resistant to corrosion and is therefore used to make metal alloys such as stainless steel. Approximately 10-15% of the population is sensitive to nickel, but the health effects of nickel are highly dependent on the manner and degree of exposure. The stainless steel used to make Klean Kanteens™ has a low nickel content and is the preferred material used by breweries and dairies.

(4)  Easy to clean. Here is a detailed page informing you on what is the best way to clean your specific Klean Kanteen model.

(5)  Some studies have found that Aluminum is linked to Alzheimers.  The information below is from the Klean Kanteen FAQ web page under the question "Which is better, stainless steel or aluminum?". 

"While aluminum is lightweight, it can leach toxins and chemicals when it gets hot or comes in contact with anything acidic. Studies have also linked aluminum exposure to Alzheimer's disease. To ensure that the drinks inside aluminum bottles are safe, the bottles must be lined with something. The most common materials used to line aluminum bottles include plastic or baked-on epoxy, both of which can leach BPA and other toxic chemicals or can get scratched, exposing the aluminum underneath. Ceramic is another material used to line aluminum bottles, but it's more rigid and can crack. Of even greater concern is the fact that many companies won't release information about what the liner on their aluminum bottles is actually made from. The liner can also retain flavors, which can make your drinks taste funky. The stainless steel used to make Klean Kanteens™ is time-tested, safe and completely free of BPA, phthalates, lead and other toxins. It's fine for acidic beverages or foods, and doesn't retain or impart flavors. That's why it's the material most commonly used in food preparation and by the brewing and wine-making industries."

(6)  It's recyclable (once you finally destroy it after decades of use).

Further Reading:

If you're interested in learning more about the negative aspects of bottled water and the role that marketing and perception has played in creating the bottled water industry then check out these resources below:

(if you only have time to read one of these then pick the one just below) 
Constructing Purity: Bottled Water and the Commodification of Nature.  By Andy Opel
Journal of American Culture (01911813); Winter99, Vol. 22 Issue 4, p67, 10p
 
“Bottled Water Is a Packaged Deal.” Beverage Industry
89.4 (1998): 7.

Cuneo Kramer, Alice Z. “Aquafina Takes the Middle Vs. Upscale Water Brands: Pepsi-Cola’s Midpriced Entry Readies First TV Effort.” Adverfising Age 69.25
(1998): 12.

Davis, Susan G. Spectacular Nature: Corporate Culture and the Sea World Experience. Berkeley: U of
California P, 1997.

Foster, John Bellamy. The Vulnerable Planef: A Short Economic History of the Environment. New York:
Monthly Review, 1994.

Goldman, Robert. Reading Ads Socially. London:
Routledge, 1992.

 “Hoping to Cash in on Liquid Assets.” Nation’s Business
86.10 ( 1998): 74.

International Bottled Water Association Home Page. 1998.
Web Page. URL: http://www.bottledwater.org/facts/
crypto.htm1. Nov. 1998.

Kummer, Corby. “Carried Away.” New York Times Magazine (1 998): 38.

Lenzner, Robert. “A Monster Beverage Event.” Forbes
160.9 (1 997): 64.

Lukes, Timothy W. “Power and Politics in Hyperreality.”
Social Science Journal 28.3 ( I 9 9 I).

McCarroll, Thomas. “Testing the Waters.” Time 141.17
(1993): 54 (1) .

Smith, Toby M. The Myth of Green Marketing: Tending Our Goats at the Edge of Apocalypse. Toronto: U of
Toronto P, 1998.

USA EPA Water Website

Williamson, Judith. Decoding Advertisements: ldeology and Meaning in Advertising. London: Marion Boyers,
1978.

And here is one more photo of my beloved Klean Kanteen bottle.

Townie Bike

Above is my brand spanking new and very sexy Townie Bike/Cruiser.  It's not only a beauty, but it's incredibly practical and useful.  I'm still trying to settle on a name for my girl, but right now I'm thinking along the lines of movie star actresses:  Sophia Lauren, Madonna, or Jolie - let me know if you come up with a good idea for a name.  Sorry - getting a bit off track.  Let me get back to why I chose this bike and why if you're looking for a new bike - the Townie Cruiser is a great pick.

The Townie Bike model 7D features:

1.   Flat Foot Technology:  The Townie Cruiser offers something that they call "flat foot technology," which is basically an ingenious redesign of a standard bicycle frame to allow the rider to sit completely upright, rather than leaning over the handle bars.  This is a much better position for your lower back, so the Townie is a great option for people with lower back pain.  The position actually feels more natural than a traditional biking position and while it won't help you lower your wind resistance and win any races, it will provide you with a comfortable commuting bike or just a cushy ride around town.  

Flat Foot Technology, as the name implies, also allows you to easily place both feet firmly on the ground.  This is particularly useful for riding along city streets where there are frequent stop signs or lights.  The diagram below illustrates the design enhancements offered by flat foot technology.

2.  Light-Weight Aluminum Frame:  Unlike most cruisers, the Townie is made from aluminum, which makes it significantly lighter.  Having a lighter weight bike is not only easier on your back when you're taking it up and down stairs, but it allows you to bike faster and smoother.

3.  Multiple Speeds:  Townie bikes come with a variety of options for speeds.  My bike has 7 speeds, as you can see in the photograph to the right.  However, you can choose from any number of speeds including 1, 3, 7, 8, or 21.  Typically, the more speeds, the more expensive the bike.  If you have varied terrain with a lot of hills then I would recommend investing in 21 speeds. However, if most of your terrain is relatively flat then I would stick to the 3, 7, or 8 models.  The 7D Townie model that I have also has an overly large 1st gear, which makes it easier to go up hills.  I advise people against getting a 1 speed bike or "fixed gear" because it can be a pain to put the chain back on when it falls off.  This isn't something that happens every day, but it happens frequently enough on most bikes that you want to be able to flip your bike over and easily put the chain back in its proper place without any tools.

4.  External Gears Hub:  Townie Cruisers are available with internal and external gear hubs.  The advantage with an internal gear hub is that you can't get your pant leg stuck in the gears.  The disadvantage is that if your chain falls off then it's harder to get access to the chain and put it back on - you would need to have bike tools with you or take it to your local bike shop.  So I recommend that you go with an external gear hub.



5.  Adjustable Handle Bar Angle:  The Townie Cruiser features an adjustable handle bar, which allows you to rotate the grip pads to best accommodate your build.  I have my handle bars turned in towards me to allow me to sit as upright as possible and thus decrease any potential back pain.  You can see the small notches on the handle bar in the photo to the left, which allow you to get the best angle for maximum comfort.  I love the Townie bikes attention to detail!


6.  Comfortable and Stylish Seat:  Hmmm...smile - comfortable seat!  As anyone who has ever ridden a bike for a significant amount of time will tell you - riding a bike can hurt your bum after a while.  Having a wide and cushioned seat offers additional support to make your ride more comfortable.  Townie bikes also offer stylish seats in a variety of colors and designs and most of them have gel inserts for extra cushyness.


7.  Great Color Choices and Sweet Accessories:  The Townie comes in a variety of vibrant colors, as well as more subdued and classic color combinations.  Electra (the bike company that produces the Townie) also offers a wide variety of fun accessories including bells, baskets, small pack, cup holders, colorful fenders, decorative bike seats and more!  Check out these beautiful images here on this great blog.  I love the Electra designs!  If I had had some more cash to spend on a bike - I would have picked out a really lovely design. 


8.  Easy to Integrate Rack and Baskets: It's super easy to equip your Townie with baskets or racks.  It's basically a plug in play.  Townie makes their own custom racks that are designed to mesh with any standard baskets.  I chose to go with strong, low-cost, and stylish white baskets to match my seat and handle bars.  you can purchase white bike baskets on amazon here.

10.  Fenders and Chain Guard: Townie Bikes can be equipped with fenders and a chain guard, as in the diagram above.  A chain guard is the piece of metal above your chain, which protects you from your chain.  Without a chain guard it's easy for your pant leg to get tangled in your chain and destroy your pants and cause an accident.  Definitely make sure you get a chain guard!  Fenders go above your wheels and protect you from water or mud splatter (my pink bike doesn't have them yet - I'm waiting until it rains to get some).  Definitely invest in fenders if you live in a rainy city or like riding in the mud!



11.  Capacity:  I equipped my Townie Cruiser with two rear baskets to make transportation of heavy stuff a breeze!  Check out the capacity on this baby!  Here I have it loaded down with about one hundred pounds of groceries.  Be sure you get some bungee cords if you're going to try this!

12.  Free Service and Tune Up:  My local bike shop gave me free service and tune up for a year!  And my friend recently bought a bike where the shop gave her free service for life!  Buying from a local shop definitely has it's long-term advantages.  Not to mention you're helping promote your local economy and helping create cool, enjoyable, and rewarding jobs for bike enthusiasts.



13.  The Cost:  Ok, it's not your $200 cruiser from Target or Walmart, but it's also aluminum (much more expensive than steel), well-designed, and well-built.  I got mine for less than $500 including baskets, a rack, and stylish white seat/handle bar grip pads.  Not to mention you're helping support a smallish company and local bike shop instead of a mega corporation.  Originally, I was planning to go with a heavy cruiser from Target, but their bike are (1) heavy and made from steel, (2) don't use flat foot technology, (3) don't offer service plans, (4) the cheapest bikes at target don't have multiple speeds, and (5) I was discouraged by some of the negative reviews on the Target Websites.

You can learn more about the Townie Cruiser/Bike here on the Electra Website.  I recently found another blog posting about the Townie Bike here.


Also - a lot of people have been asking me where I got my white baskets and I got them on Amazon at a very reasonable price: