August 11, 2010

Because we’re in the middle of moving and all the fun cleaning and painting that comes with that, this weekend I carelessly splattered paint on my non painting clothes.

{sad face}

For about thirty seconds I bitched lamented at to my husband, bemoaning my misfortune, to which he replied simply, “I told you to change your clothes.”

Good News: Earlier that day we had gone to Home Depot (Big day for me!), and being the somewhat eco-conscious mama that I am, I insisted on purchasing the concentrated, super strength, non-toxic and biodegradable Simple Green cleaning solution as opposed to one of the other totally toxic and non-biodegradable (though no doubt super effective) cleansers. 

Since this cleaning solution will be going everywhere on everything, I convinced my husband that a few extra dollars were worth it to make sure we and our children would be free from suffocating fumes and unsafe liquids requiring commercial grade rubber gloves to handle.

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A Mama's Life, Eco-Friendly, Living Green, Reviews 1 Comment

November 12, 2009

For the past two years, the media, technology, the blogosphere, it’s all been about going green, being green, living green, and of course, raising green minded kids. And no, you’re no longer likened to a hippie for making eco-friendly choices, because green is totally mainstream! There’s so much information to sift through through, so many eco-friendly products and ideas to try out… what’s a green mama wannabe to do?

One book that should be on your reading list if you’re new to the green movement or are just thirsty for more information is Ecoholic: When You’re Addicted to the Planet by Adria Vasil.

There’s so much information in this book that I can’t even begin to touch upon all the different topics covered, but to give you an idea of just how in depth and informative it is, here’s a short list of a few things covered: tips to green your office life, your home life, your sex life (yes, it’s true!), definitions and explanations of eco terminology, agriculture and the certifications and seals that really mean green, why you shouldn’t love that new car smell, and more. It’s almost 400 pages of awesomely eco-tastic information that’ll propel your eco-living efforts forward.

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October 13, 2009

I’ve been so incredibly busy with babyQ’s baptism and then my sister in law’s wedding, but I’ve finally found a few minutes to finish this post!

It’s about as pure and unadulterated that baby food can be: Earth’s Best Organic

A couple of weeks, I was invited to a special luncheon celebrating Earth’s Best Organic’s 25th anniversary (or birthday!).  From their beginning in 1985 to now, Earth’s Best has been offering parents a 100% healthy and 100% organic alternative baby food.   Earth’s Best has I got the lowdown on their awesomely healthy and delicious baby foods, the scoop on their baby care line, and a sneak peak at what’s in store for consumers who shop and love Earth’s Best’s organic and eco-friendly line of products.

Did you know that Earth’s Best now puts out a full range of baby care products in addition to their line of baby food and formula?  That’s right – chlorine free diapers and wipes, and I just have to say from experience that Earth’s Best wipes are better than other eco-friendly chlorine free wipes I’ve tried.  They smell much, much better (all natural, of course, no urea-laden “fragrance” here), and they clean babyQ’s butt nice and thoroughly.  They even offer Tendercare Tots flushable wipes, good for those who tend to just dump the baby’s “mess” straight into the toilet, but are worried about what that’s doing to the environment and their TOILETS. 

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A Mama's Life, Eco-Friendly No comments

December 1, 2008

When you buy from Hatley, not only are you purchasing high quality clothing for you and your family, you’re also supporting eco-friendly and sustainable business practices!  Hatley strives to use organic and eco-friendly materials as much as they can, from the fibers used to the dyes used and the dyeing process to the recycled paper they print their tags on.  Those tags even read a cute slogan that’s printed with vegetable based ink: Get clothes with nature.

Thanks to Hatley, littleQ is enjoying his brand new pajamas.  They’re 100% cotton and super soft, not to mention breathable.  While like any good kids’ pajamas they are form fitting, the supple ribbed cotton that these are made of mae it easy to roll around and tumble about without being uncomfortable.  He also loves the bears that adorn them!

Hatley offers a bunch of different designs for their kids’ pajamas, and they’re actually some of the bestselling products!  It’s no surprise to me, because these pajamas are wonderfully crafted, with strong, double stitched seams and tightly woven ribbed cotton.  As far as I’m concerned, these jammies will last and last, and, being cotton, will only get softer with every wash.

And check it out – if you buy something from Hatley, you can submit your favorite photos of your little one striking a pose in Hatley fashion for a chance to win a set of pajamas!

Technorati Tags: eco-friendly clothing, kids’, toddler, infant, baby, child, children’s, clothing, clothes, earth-friendly, organic, green

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November 28, 2008

Looking for eco-friendly, earth-friendly and organic gifts and stocking stuffers for those kids, babies and parents on your holiday shopping list?  Here’s a list of green gifts and ideas for those tots:

Eco-Ike organic tees and onesies for tots ($22-24.00) are super soft and come in a variety of cute sayings and green messages.  For moms, Eco-Ike also offers great 100% organic cotton totes ($17.00). The tees, onesies and totes are all screen-printed by hand using water-based inks.

Pedoodles recently introduced a new line of eco-friendly shoes ($36.00/pair) for kids and babies that are made using recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing processes.  They’re super comfortable and come in so many different styles and colors it won’t be hard to find a pair for the child on your holiday shopping list.  (Check out the review)

Manhattan Living Baby Planet Pixies ($25 each) are these cute dolls that are perfect for that princess on your holiday shopping list!  Each doll is made of 100% organic cotton and is packaged in 100% recycled packaging.  A portion of the proceeds from each doll will go to different charities that help save the environment.

Bug and Pickle Baby Butter ($16 CAD) Since my review of Bug and Pickle products, I have to say that their Baby Butter has become indispensible to me!  It’s made with 100% natural ingredients, with essential oils, but NO synthetic fragrances or colorants at all.  It’s the quintessential winter weather diaper bag necessity.  We’ve been using it to keep our lips moisturized and on dry skin patches. (Check out the review)

Give the gift that’ll help save the earth’s rainforests with Cool Earth.  For as little as about $50 per half acre, you can donate money in the name of your recipient.  He or she will receive a certificate in their name and will also be able to view their parcel of protected land online.  It’s a wonderful present for the budding environmentalist or scientist.

A tea set ($25) or a cookware & dining set ($40) made out of recycled plastic milk containers is just the thing to promote help imagination and social skills, while supporting companies that make earth friendly products. Pick up these goodies by Green Toys™ at FAO Schwarz.

Organic BabyLegs are fashionable legwarmers (and armwarmers, too!) that are perfect for babies, kids and adults!  Made from all natural and organic fibers like organic cotton or organic wool, organic BabyLegs are functional accessories that are better for you and the environment.  They’re available lots of colors and designs, from simple to funky for anyone on your holiday shopping list.  Starting at just $8/pair, BabyLegs make the perfect stocking stuffer. (Check out the review)

 

Anything from Hess Natur is the perfect choice for those who want to make sure they give green presents this year.  Hess Natur’s line of organic baby and children’s clothing are comfortable, stylish and oh so well made. (Check out the review)

Reusable totes from Envirosax with kid-friendly designs ($8.50 each) are a great stocking stuffer, or even a great way to “wrap” a present.  The totes are strong and durable, making them a wonderful eco-friendly gift that’ll help introduce kids to the idea of sustainability and living as waste-free as you can.

Technorati Tags: eco-friendly, earth-friendly, recycled, organic, natural, presents, gifts, for kids, gift guide, shopping guide, Christmas shopping, holiday shopping, Christmas, Hanukkuh, green

Eco-Friendly, Holidays, Living Green, Shopping 1 Comment

November 24, 2008

The winner of the My Good Greetings $100 gift certificate giveaway is Cocoa aka the chocolate loving homeschooling mom of 7 who also blogs at Chocolate on my Cranium.  Congratulations!  Please watch your inbox for an email from me.

Eco-Friendly, Giveaways No comments

November 18, 2008

If you’re torn between *living a green life* and sending out your holiday cards in the mail, fear no more!  You don’t  have to make a choice between being eco-friendly and sending out your Christmas greeting cards! Today’s stationery companies are making the move to offer eco-friendly holiday cards and paper products that you’ll love.  You won’t have to sacrifice quality or good taste, either.

Check out these choices for earth friendly stationery, customizable cards, unique holiday cards and some of the deals being offered purveyors of fine paper goods are offering.  With cards made using recycled paper and even eco-friendly inks available in a multitude of classy, mod and sophisticated designs, you can’t go wrong.

Stylish holiday cards. Funky wood and letterpress. Fresh flower-blooming.

Stylish.

Tiny Prints is now offering many of their chic holiday card designs on recycled paper with their new Eco-Friendly collection.  For the holiday season, you can use the coupon code AFLHOL to save 5% off your order. (coupon expires Jan. 15, 2009)

My Good Greetings photo and personalized holiday cards rock!  (P.S. Don’t forget to read my review of their awesome products!)  Basically every single one of the sweet designs and stationery products put out by My Good Greetings are printed on 100% FSC certified recycled paper and printed using soy-based ink.  To save 10% off at My Good Greetings, use the coupon code GREENCHRISTMAS at checkout! (coupon code expires Jan. 31, 2009)

Pear Tree Greetings has such beautiful, modern and chic designs, and now you can get them eco-friendly, too!  You can add your own personal message to your order of Pear Tree eco-friendly holiday cards.  To get FREE shipping at Pear Tree Greetings, use coupon code 16120 at checkout. (coupon expires December 31, 2008)

Funky.

Night Owl Paper Goods offers both eco-friendly WOODEN holiday cards and fsc-certified faux-wood holiday cards that you can personalize with your very own message.  These unique, funky holiday cards will stand out, and you’ll still be living green.  Use the coupon code friend08 to take 25% off ALL ORDERS at Night Owl Paper Goods until December 31, 2008!

Egg Press keeps the art of letterpress and offset printing alive and rockin’ with all their high-quality and mod designs which are printed on paper made from “recycled content.”  Letterpress holiday cards definitely make a statement, and Egg Press holiday cards are perfect for that.

Bumble Ink offers a multitude of eye-catching and humorous holiday cards that are printed with soy-based inks on cardstock made from recycled content (varying percentages up to 100%).  These cards are paired with 100% recycled paper envelopes.

Fresh.

Botanical Paperworks offers plantable holiday cards and gift tags will actually grow into spruce trees or wildflowers when planted!  They’re made of 100% recycled material and are oh-so-fun to give and receive.

Flower Seed Paper offers “tree-free” seeded holiday cards and holiday gift tags that are bio-degradable and when planted and properly care for, will bring you beautiful wildflower blooms!

At the National Wildlife Federation, you can order personalized Plant a Tree holiday greeting cards with ornaments.  When you purchase the Plant a Tree holiday card, a tree will be planted on behalf of your recipient!  It’s truly a wonderful gift, not only for your holiday card recipient, but for the environment as well.

Technorati Tags: recycle, 100% recycled, post-consumer waste, eco-friendly, earth-friendly, environmentally friendly, holiday card, Christmas cards, Hanukkuh cards, greeting cards, holidays, tree, wildflowers, seeded paper, letterpress, photo cards, customizable, personalized, wooden cards

Eco-Friendly, Giveaways, Holidays, Shopping Comments Off

November 17, 2008

Did you know that Seventh Generation offers training pants for toddlers?  Yep, Seventh Generation offers a line of super soft, hypo-allergenic, and chlorine free toilet training pants that are a healthier alternative to “regular” brands like Huggies and Pampers and rival them in both quality and cost.  Available in 2T-3T and 4T-5T, these training pants won’t irritate your child’s skin.  They are definitely secure enough to handle a deluge of pee from your anti-potty training toddler without causing a big wet catastrophe on your carpet.  Oh, the joys of potty training an uncooperative little boy.  You won’t get brightly colored cartoon characters on these babies, no, what you get are high-quality khaki-colored training pants that are comfortable, non-irritating and are chlorine free (making them an eco-friendly choice!).

Mamas looking for a chlorine and alcohol-free alternative to conventional baby wipes should also check out Seventh Generation’s baby wipes.  The cleansing agent used is a natural, plant-based cleanser that’s safe for baby’s skin, and won’t irritate.  The wipes contain Aloe and Vitamin E to soften skin, but are fragrance free so your child’s skin is left clean and completely pure after using these wipes.  The box could use some redesign, because damn is it hard to pull out a wipe after you’ve gone through the first 20.  Aside from that, I’d say that these are the choice for concerned mamas who don’t want potentially harmful chemicals touching their child’s skin and moms of babies with extra-sensitive skin.

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Eco-Friendly, Reviews No comments

November 13, 2008

After being an eco-friendly industry leader in Europe for decades, green clothing company Hess Natur opened it’s virtual doors to the USA this past summer.  Founded in 1976 by Heinz Hess, Hess Natur has been lauded by fellow designers and delighted consumers alike for their “environmental integrity and ingenuity” in the textile world.  If you haven’t heard of them till today, that’s not surprising, because for the past 32 years, Hess Natur was only available in Europe, and for many years only via their mail-order system.

The clothes aren’t only hip and comfortable, they’re made using sustainable practices, and all of the 100% cotton products offered by Hess Natur are always 100% ORGANIC. Hess Natur only utilizes natural fibers, making an effort to use organic fibers as much as they can.  Check out an informative section on the Hess Natur website that goes over exactly what is, and equally as important, what isn’t in their clothing: What You Wear Makes a Difference.  From the dyes used to the hardware (buttons, zippers, etc.) Hess Natur is oh-so dedicated to making sure their clothes are constructed with materials that are non-toxic, safe and natural, with “compassion and respect toward our planet and its people,” including their workers.

Hess Natur offers a full line of sophisticated, classic yet chic styles for women, kids and babies.  They even have a maternity line full of modern dresses, tops, outerwear and even underwear (nursing bras, reusable bra pads, etc) perfect for the eco-conscious mom to be.  Mogul Miguel Adrover is the Creative Director of this environmentally friendly fashion house, so be sure to check out his haute line at Hess Natur.

Clothing Reviews, Eco-Friendly, Living Green, Shopping No comments

November 12, 2008

As mothers, having a clean safe home and environment for our children is one of our priorities.  But how about when it comes to actually cleaning the home: are the products we’re using actually safe and environmentally friendly?

When mompreneur Sarapage created the Baby Girl  line of home cleaning products, her motive was to create a completely non-toxic and safe line of products that she could use and still be confident that it wouldn’t harm her children.  Baby Girl cleaning aids are made of all-natural and certified organic materials.  Unlike other purported “all natural’” cleaning products, you can see exactly what you’re getting in plain English on the back of each bottle.  Take a look at the ingredients in the all-purpose cleaner:

Ingredients:

water, vinegar, organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, organic jojoba oil, peppermint essential oil blend, organic aloe vera, rosemary extract, sodium carbonate

As you can see, there aren’t any ingredients there that will get you tongue-tied just trying to read it.  Ingredients used in Baby Girl Products are all natural, and won’t harm you or your family when used in the home.  They’re made to be effective and safe AND there aren’t any toxins that can potentially cause you or a member of your family to become sick.  Check out these eye-opening facts that SaraPage compiled on the Baby Girl website so that her customers can be well-informed consumers.

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