2008 February 29 | Mama Divas

February 29, 2008

New to this concept of green living? Are you playing with the idea of having your entire family go green? I know that for many people, going green is a big transition to a very different lifestyle…. But how exactly do you go green when you don’t even know where to start?

The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Environmentally-Friendly Living by Jenn Savedge is an amazing resource for parents who are looking to tackle parenthood using an environmentally friendly approach. There are plenty of tips and tricks included that will educate you and open your eyes to all the different ways that you can promote an eco-friendly (and money-saving) lifestyle within your family.

I was delighted with all the new things I learned just from reading this book… such as Savedge’s recommendation to skip on “free range” chicken due to the ambiguous definition of what “free range” actually entails, as well as other labels green parents should either look for or be wary of. Personally, I was surprised to find that according to a study done by a University in Germany, a dishwasher uses less energy, water and soap than what one would use when washing by hand. Interesting, huh? Savedge even includes recipes for creating your own homemade and eco-friendly disinfectants, cleansers, even face paint! The recipes are simple and easy to make, not to mention easy on the wallet, so I know that many mamas will find these portions of the book to be very helpful. Savedge even includes fun and educational activities within each section that parents can do with their children to help foster a deeper appreciation of the environment and its resources as well as an understanding of green living.

earth Savedge successfully put together a resource that is oh so helpful and oh so informative, with eye opening facts, figures and interviews that’ll get you pumped about going green and aware of the positive impact that doing so will have on the world, your community, your family and your bank account. It’s a fun and interesting read that’ll definitely give you the knowledge necessary to become a green family! There is just so much valuable information in The Green Parent, and Savedge has included it all there to help parents learn about leading an environmentally friendly life and how to teach their children to do the same.

Jenn Savedge also has a wonderful blog, appropriately titled The Green Parent (www.thegreenparent.com), that she regularly updates it with fresh information, tips and tricks about living green for parents and children. Basically, the book provides you with a base of knowledge. After reading The Green Parent, sites and blogs such as Savedge’s make great pitstops during your webventures to find out all about what is fresh and new in the green community. Also, check out her blog to enter The 2008 Green Parent Awards for a chance to win some great prizes!

The Green Parent will be released in April of 2008. Preorder it at Amazon.com or at Barnes and Noble.

Technorati Tags: The Green Parent, Jenn Savedge, thegreenparent.com, organic, green, recycle, recycling, environment, eco-friendly, environmentally friendly

Book Reviews, Eco-Friendly, Education, Living Green Comment

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February 29, 2008

The latest from the R.W. Knudsen family of products are the Sensible Sippers juice boxes, which are available in four delicious flavors: banana, apple, mixed berry and fruit punch. As you can see, Sensible Sippers come in flavors that are reputed to be children’s favorites!

Sensible Sippers are healthy, all natural and organic juices that come in portions perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. By all natural, I mean all natural. No added sugar. No preservatives. No fake flavor. That definitely means they are, plain and simple, as healthy as healthy can get without eating the actual fruits off the vine. Sensible Sippers are certified organic by the USDA, and each juice box contains only 30 calories. Each box contains 50% filtered water and 50% all natural and organic juice, so they’re thirst-quenching but are not going to fill your little one’s belly with too much sugar. I know personally I often feel the need to dilute littleQ’s juices with some bottled water, and Sensible Sippers eliminates the need for me to do this. Although these juices are diluted, they still pack enough flavor and sweetness for your child to keep asking for more.

Oh, and do you remember the Berenstain Bears? I remember that some of the first books I read on my own when I was a little girl were from the Berenstain Bears series. Anyway, Sensible Sippers are packaged with fun illustrations of the Berenstain Bears, so if your child is already familiar with those characters, it’ll be a breeze introducing these juices (which she’ll love anyway, once she tastes them!)

littleQ’s favorite flavor was the mixed berry juice. I personally loved the banana juice, and I must say it was the first time ever that I had banana juice. It’s so yummy! My cousin felt that the banana juice was a little too sour, and that may be the reason why littleQ wasn’t so keen on it, but in my opinion it tasted just like a banana, only in a refreshing liquid form. The apple juice tasted fresher than your average apply juicy, and though it’s diluted, it still packed some great flavor. The fruit punch was definitely yummy… how can you go wrong with fruit punch?

Sensible Sippers are super healthy and nutritious, and even if you’re not all gung-ho about nutrition and organic foods, this is great choice for any mom looking for a satisfying, thirst-quenching and of course, yummy juice drink for her child.

Sensible Sippers are definitely worth trying, and right now you can even download a coupon that’s worth $1 off an 8 pack of these delicious drinks. Check out the Knudsen Juices site to learn more about Sensible Sippers, get a coupon, and even download some great Berenstain Bears coloring pages.

Technorati Tags: juice, organic, toddler, baby, preschool, knudsen, berenstain bears, juice box, organic, healthy, all natural, certified organic, organic juice, coupon