The table topper® by Neat Solutions is a little sheet of neat. It not only makes for quick clean up of messes but more importantly it protects your little one from germs on restaurant table. It provides a sanitary eating surface by sticking securely in place. Why is this important? News reports show germs and bacteria on these surfaces. In addition, those white rags are used over and over, spreading germs from table to table!
Plus, the table toppes come in fun designs your child will love and help entertain them so you can get a little food down. They easily pop into a diaper bag to have with you whenever you go out to eat. Then just toss them at the end of the meal. Now available in a biodegradable version featuring Baby Einstein characters.
Neat Solutions Gift Baskets feature a collection of their most popular products.
[Learn more about the table topper®.]
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
table topper® for Messy Little Ones
Win A $200 Shopping Spree on Here's To Good Women
A lot of good women are great moms and Here's To Good Women want to celebrate them! Just tell them about someone they should include in their feature "Good Women, Great Moms" on Mother's Day. For each mother you tell them about, they will enter you in their contest to win a $200 shopping spree!
[Learn more.]
Monday, April 28, 2008
Hamilton Shirts Launch Boys Line
Hamilton Shirts has just launched a new luxury boys shirt collection for Fall. The boys shirts are made from the same European mills (Alumo, SIC Tess, Thomas Mason and Grandi & Rubinelli) as their men's bespoke label. All are made of double-ply and from extra long staple cotton.
Sizes are available from 2T - 14 yr old. Both the short and long sleeve options retail for $98 and will be in-store mid/late May. They also have custom fit and monogramming options available. Available at fine retailers throughout the US
About Hamilton Shirts
Hamilton Shirts was founded in 1883. It is afourth generation, family-owned, and operated business based in Houston, TX. They are the leading shirt label in America and have become the premiere custom brand at high-end retailers including Barneys, Mitchell's, Richards and Stanley Korshak, and others.
[Visit Hamilton Shirts now.]
Tech Savvy Mama Hosts $100+ Scholastic Giveaway
Scholastic heard about Tech Savvy Mama's love of books and is offering Tech Savvy Mama readers the opportunity to win a collection of wonderful brand new Scholastic children’s titles and a Scholastic bookbag with a retail value over $100.00!
To learn the great titles being offered and how you can win, visit Tech Savvy Mama before May 2, 2008 at midnight EST.
About Tech Savvy Mama
Tech Savvy Mama helps parent navigate the sometimes overwhelming world of technology so they can provide the best for their children. Tech Savvy Mama was designed to help parents select quality technology products for their children. As a former first grade teacher with a background in early childhood education and classroom technology integration, Tech Savvy Mama writes about technology products and websites that work for kids based on her experience with her 4 year old daughter (aka Little Miss Techie) and 19 month old son (aka Captain Computer).
[Visit Tech Savvy Mama now.]
Bloggy Giveaway Carnival Winners!!!!!
Congratulations to the following lucky winners of the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival prizes from Goodies for Mom.
- Sara Rose Tutus - #31 - Qtpies7
Coupon Code: Mention "Goodies for Mom" for a 10% discount at Sara Rose Tutus. - Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow for Nursing Moms - #70- Skye Lee
- MyFruitRollUps.com
1. #22 Heather
2. #2 Kimberly
3. #33 Leah
4. #40 Richelle
Coupon Code: Use “Bloggy8” when you place your order to get $8 off if you are not a lucky winner.
Winners will be contacted shortly with more information.
Virtual Baby Shower for Margie Gunn
Happy Panda is hosting a virtual baby shower for Margie Gunn, owner of Chesapeake Ribbons. The Cushie Pushie Company is joining in the party by giving away a Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow. Stop over to Margie's blog for a chance to win that and lots of other prizes for your little ones.
All party guests who leave a comment (with a way to contact them) below in our Goodies for Mom blog will get a Virtual Goody Bag containing coupon codes, innovative mom-owned companies, and helpful articles electronically at the end of the shower.
Party Game Answers
- I think there are 140 jelly beans in the bottle
- No baby bump photos for me. LOL!
- Wow it looks like a lot of diapers in that cake. I'm guessing 127.
- My first son I was induced using an agent to soften my cervax. They said it would be the next afternoon at the earliest. My water broke and I was in a lot of pain but they kept saying no not till tomorrow because I was only like "6 cm dilated". So I opted for drugs because I was in a lot of pain. 15 minutes later, oops the nurse wrong you are actually 10 cm dilated and by this point the drugs were kicking in and I could hardly keep my eyes open. DS had other ideas and he arrived at 4:04 am. Next time I knew better than to trust them and went drug free with ds#2 and it was so much better.
Here are some of the great prizes being offered that I'd love to win:
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Product Review: giggle Organic Cotton Towel
giggle was nice enough to send us one of their giggle Better Basics collection Hooded Bath Towels in organic cotton.
Made of 100% organic cotton terry, this towel is not only healthy but extremely soft and comfy. It is much more absborbant than any of the other baby towels we own. It also is larger than more ordinary hooded towels that never seemed to be quite big enough even when they are tiny babies. It nicely wrapped around even my toddler. This bath accessory has a built-in hood.
Other items in the giggle Better Basics collection include swaddle and receiving blankets, crib sheets, pajamas, tees, booties, pre-folded diapers, burp clothes, and more. All items in the collection are made of soft, 100% organic cotton.
In addition, each month giggle is giving away a brand new crib and changing table to get your ultimate nursery started. [Enter to win.]
About giggle
giggle isn't just a baby store. Their goal is to make your job as a new parent a whole lot easier by offering the best of everything out there.
Eco-Friendly Prize Winners Announced
Congratulations to all of the lucky prize winners for the Goodies for Mom Eco-Friendly Giveaway:
- Cariboo Activity Gym (Value=$159.95) - Commenter #348 - Danielle
- Cariboo Earth Puretec Blanket (Value=$99.99) - Commenter #301 - MaryLee
- Erbaviva Body Travel Set (Value=$29.00) - Commenter #50 - Donna
- Seventh Generation Natural Baby Starter Kit (Value=$54.99) - Commentor #396 Diana
- Cuddle Sleeve (Organic) (Value=$54.95) - Commentor #347 - Lucy
- BornFree BPA Free Gift Set (Value=$44.99) - Commentor #84 - Tanyetta
- Shaklee Germ Off Disinfecting Wipes (Value=$8.95) - Commenter #27 - Helene
- Happy Green Bee Outfit - Commenter #158 Andrea
- HAPPYBABY Baby Food Gift Set (value=$25.00) - Commenter #442 - Monique
- YoBaby/YoMommy Yogurt $50 Gift Certificate (Value=$50.00) - Commenter #442 - Joy
- Organic Breastfeeding Gift Basket (Value=$53.00) - Commenter #395 - Sue
- Logo Organic Tote Bag (Value=$9.99) - Commenter #388 - Nor_lou
- Tree in a Box (Value=$5.00 each) - Commenter #464 - Becca & Commenter #318 - MelonKelli
- Bummis SWIMMI (Value=$12.00) - Commenter #261 - Windy Cindy
Sprout Bamboo Mommy Tee (Size Large) (Value=$22.00) - Commenter #197 - Doreen - Be great™ body wash and crème (Value=$21.98) - Commenter #248 - Krista
- Earth Friendly Gift Tote Bag (Value=$20.00) - Commenter #28 - Helene
- Sand Play Set, (Value=$19.99) - Commenter #254 - Mama Hood
A very special thank you to all our wonderful prize sponsors.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Product Review: Green Toys Cookware & Dining Set
Ok, how says boys do not like to cook??? My two boys absolutely LOVED the Cookware & Dining Set from Green Toys.
They have played with them almost every moment since the box arrived at our house. They couldn't even wait until I got them out of the box. They were tearing into them and yanking them out. Did I mention that they do not use all those horrid ties and strapping??? Yeah!!
My little guy puts everything in his mouth and these were no exception. It made me feel so much better that they are manufactured, assembled and tested in the USA. The toys made from recycled plastic comply with all safety standards prohibiting phthaltes and BPA.
The toys were very sturdy and cleaned easily. They look like they will last. The cookware and dining set retails for $39.99. Green Toys are sold at over 300 stores across the US and at several large online retailers, including Amazon.com.
About Green Toys
Green Toys™ Inc. was created to provide consumers with environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic toys. Green Toys' toys promote recycling, reduce landfill waste, greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and increase the overall health of the planet.
[Visit Green Toys.]
A Bookworm's Diary Hosts Three Earth Day Giveaways
Head over to A Bookworm's Diary for a chance to win the following great Earth Day prizes:
- Natural Salt Lamps (Solay simple 2 oz natural cleaners-all 4, Laundry soap, dish soap, Multi purpose and laundry)
- Sweet Organics and Naturals (Winners choice of 2 lovely Lokta wraps & one 10meter Organic twist.)
- La La Natural (Hemp Apron)
Deadline: 5 am CST on May 6, 2008.
Open to US & Canada.
[Visit A Bookworm's Diary now.]
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Product Review: YoMommy Yogurt from Stonyfield
I took my handy dandy coupon that Stonyfield Farm was nice enough to send me to the local grocery store last night to purchase YoMommy and YoBaby Simply Plain Yogurts. Unfortunately, my local store did not have the Simply Plain in stock but they did have the YoMommy. I snapped the four-pack up and put it into my loaded shopping cart complete with my little guy in it and older one clinging on to the side. (This should count toward my weekly exercise requirement because it must weigh what seems like 100lbs. You know what I mean don’t you?)
Let me start by saying I am very fussy about yogurt. I either love it or hate it so I was prepared for the worst. As I took the first bite, I so did not want to disappoint the nice folks at Stonyfield by not being able to highlight their product for fear I would not like it. Luckily, I did not have to worry. It was totally yummy and I loved it!!!!!
The raspberry flavor had a nice amount of organic fruit in the bottom without being too fruity and was very sweet. In addition, it only has 100 calories.
The only problem I found with it: I had to fight my two year old, who loves all the YoBaby yogurts for it. One spoonful for mommy, one for baby! It needs to be twice the size. LOL!
The YoMommy Yogurt has added folic acid, which is associated with lower incidences of neural tube defects; added DHA, a natural fatty acid that’s vital for baby’s mental and visual development and can help fight post-partum depression; and added vitamin D to help strengthen baby’s bones and keep mom’s bones strong too. It is also a good source of calcium and protein. Plus, it is all natural and certified organic.
It comes in four packs of either strawberry and peach; or blueberry and raspberry.
If yummy is not enough of a reason to buy Stonyfield Farm products, they also have a donation program with the Environmental Working Group (EWG). EWG's mission is to keep harmful chemicals out of our food. If you go to http://www.yobabyyogurt.com/donation and click on the baby, Stonyfield will donate $1 to EWG and you’ll get a free downloadable guide to pesticides in produce. The guide is wallet-size and lists the 12 fruits and veggies with the most and least amount of pesticides, so you’ll know which ones to buy organic and what is okay when organic isn’t available. (Let's click that baby ladies!!!!)
About Stonyfield Farm
At Stonyfield Farm, they believe in using a simple recipe with only all natural and organic ingredients—never any preservatives or artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners like other brands. Their all organic ingredients are produced without the use of antibiotics, artificial growth hormones, chemical fertilizers, or toxic and persistent pesticides.
Bloggy Giveaway #3: Personalized Fruit Rollups
This contest is closed. Click here for winners.
****************************************
As part of the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival, MyFruitRollUps.com is giving Four (4) lucky winners a chance to get their own personalized Fruit Rollups. Each box holds 30 rolls and retails for $29.99.
These are great for party favors for graduations, holidays, and birthday parties. You can choose from over 400 images and write your own message.
Deadline for ordering using the winning coupon code is August 31, 2008 but the rollups don't expire until one year after order date.
To win, just visit MyFruitRollUps.com, then leave a comment with what how you think you would use the rollups. You can enter once per day until the end of the giveaway. Four winners will be randomly selected from all the comments left. [Please be sure to leave a way to contact you.]
Deadline is Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 8PM EST.
Don't forget to check out Goodies for Mom while you are here then back to head back over to Bloggy Giveaway Carnival, to join in the fun. There are tons of prices to be won!!!!!!
This giveaway is open to US residents only.
Coupon Code: Use “Bloggy8” when you place your order to get $8 off (Just in case you are not a lucky winner.)
Product Review: Cariboo Earth Puretec Blanket
The Cariboo together with Puretec™ New Zealand have created the first 100% wool nursery blanket, the Cariboo Earth Puretec Blanket. The photos do not do this blanket justice. It is beautifully woven wool in a waffle pattern.
The blanket is incredibly soft to the touch and feels lightweight although is very warm. Not that scratchy wool blanket we had as kids that is for sure. You just want to rub it up against your cheek.
They are available in five colors: Natural, Chocolate, Pink, Blue, and Sage. The Natural is equisite and just reminds you of a delicate, sophisticated nursery, maybe like the one of Jennifer Lopez's twins featured in People. This is definitely a treat for your little prince or princess.
The generous size would be great for toddlers too.
Warm, comfortable blankets are:
- 100% Natural
- Completely hypo-allergenic
- Anti-prickle & Anti-itch
- Eco-dye colored
- Quick drying
- Formaldehyde free
- Naturally fire-retardant
- Environmentally sustainable
The price tag is reflective of its quality at $99.99. It's definitely a treat if you can fit it in the budget (or talk someone else into buying it as a gift ;) ).
Bringing Up Your Baby Green
Increasing numbers of new parents are opting for more eco-friendly and ethical products for their baby for potential health benefits as well as saving the planet. Is your baby a green baby? If the answer is yes, you are a part of a growing segment of the population opting for more environmentally friendly products for your child.
Is your baby a green baby? If the answer is yes, you are a part of a growing segment of the population opting for more environmentally friendly products for your child. The list of eco-friendly baby products grows by the day and includes nappies, organic baby food, organic formula, biodegradable wipes, ethically produced toys; the list goes on and on. Increasing numbers of parents are showing interest in green baby products and manufacturers are listening and responding. The biggest names in the baby industry are rolling out more products designed for the organic baby and ever increasing numbers of parents are also starting up small companies online to sell their specially made products to meet the high demand for environmentally friendly, organic, ethical products.
There are many reasons parents choose the green way to go when bringing up their babies. Adults who have adopted greener lifestyles for instance end up not being able to stomach the effect that disposable nappies have on the planet. On average children will use 6,000 nappies which will result in 2 tonnes of non-biodegradable waste. The materials that these nappies consist of will not break down and will remain in the landfill for many generations to come.
Parents have also discovered the potential health benefits of these eco-products for their baby. Disposable diapers often contain chemicals that can be harmful to a baby's tender bottom and increase the chances for diaper rash and allergic reactions. Cloth diapers on the other hand are made from natural materials that are hypoallergenic. Many cities also have diaper laundering services which pick up the soiled diapers and deliver clean ones. Parents can also choose to launder their own cloth diapers and save them for their next child. Parents also choose to launder their own child's diapers if they don’t want to share the diapers with other babies.
For parents that just can't get their heads around washing nappies or do not have cloth nappy laundering services in their area, there are disposable biodegradable nappies available too.
When it comes to what parents feed their babies, there has been a huge upsurge in the desire for organic baby food. Many people believe that babies are much more susceptible to the dangerous effects of chemicals that are in pesticides and prefer to feed their children food that is free from these agents. As a plus, it is also much safer on the environment.
Although organic food sales still make up a small percentage of the amount of baby food sold, this is a growing market. The cost for purchasing organic baby food is more than the traditional non-organic jars, but in many cases parents are willing to pay extra for their green baby to eat only organic baby food.
Some celebrities have been given credit for kick-starting this trend and brining it into the mainstream. Famous mums such as Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow and Stella McCartney are all known for their eco-baby ways.
Whatever the reasons for "going green", parents are lucky to have a growing number of retailers online that offer a range of eco-friendly baby products. Major players in the baby market have also caught on and are continuing to come out with new lines featuring organic food and ethically produced products for babies. There is still much room for growth in this area, so be on the lookout in your local supermarket baby isle.
Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elisha_Burberry
Organic Eating Habits: Are They Attainable For Children?
Many parents have been frustrated while trying to encourage a healthy and organic lifestyle for their children. There is hope however in getting junior to eat broccoli, request cauliflower, and get second helpings of stir fry. Here are a few tips for you parents who are striving to give your kids a healthy future. First off if you have an infant make sure to introduce him/her to the wonderful world of solids without offering them bites of fast food. If they don't taste it they won't miss it. I'm always shocked when I hear a parent say, "I was eating pizza and I gave my son a bite and he LOVED it." They say it as if it's a wonderful miracle that he liked it. What's happening is they are ruining his taste buds. He will become accustomed to the salty, fatty taste and when you try to offer him healthy foods that aren't laden with salt he will refuse. The same goes for sugar.
By the time the child is two these same parents are saying, "My child just doesn't like vegetables and there is nothing I can do about it." This is not true, however your road will be much harder. The second tip is to try and find foods that are similar to the ones they are used too your. Many of their favorite snacks can be found in your nearest health food store or online, only a healthier version. Look for snacks that aren't sugar laden and do not contain MSG or hydrogenated oils.
Thirdly presentation can be everything. Don?t toss the new crackers that actually contain whole wheat at them and say, "I know these aren't the best but just try them." Get excited to try the items with them. Arrange them on a platter with some hormone free cheddar cheese and sit down with them to enjoy an afternoon snack. Which brings me to my fourth tip and that is to lead by example.
Now for my fifth tip do not change every single item in your household at once if you are dealing with older children. If you change every single item at once they are likely to become bitter towards the idea of eating healthy. Remove your worst offenders first, such as items containing MSG, hydrogenated oils, and refined sugars. Use a variety of foods, don?t just continuously try to shove broccoli down there throats over and over. Have fun creating meals and enjoy watching your children grow into healthy young adults.
Article Sources:
http://allholisticwellness.com/
http://www.guidemegreen.com/
This article is free for republishing.
Source: http://www.guidemegreen.com/articles/article-detail.html?aID=68
Monday, April 21, 2008
Product Review: Brown Bag Originals
Brown Bag Botanicals feels that taking care of our skin is an important step in caring for our whole self. This is why they use natural ingredients that are not chemically processed. The are paraben free, petroleum free, vegan, and pure. They are most popular for their shea butters. They were nice enough to send me their chocolate and lavender orange scents to give a try.
The thick shea butter works great on dry skin, as well as helping with stretch marks from pregnancy.
Brown Bag Botanicals gave a great tip on their site about rubbing it between your palms to melt it a little before applying. You also do not want to use to much or it will be hard to rub in. And the smell, well one is chocolate need I say more. What woman does not love chocolate? The lavender and orange was a very relaxing smell.
They also snuck in a little surprise for me in the box, their brand new "Youth Serum." It is being launched later this week when their totally redesigned website goes live. This was my favorite of the three. The organic facial serum is used at night over face and neck. It's primarily organic rosehip seed oil & is enriched with grape seed extract. It only takes a little. Do not do what silly I did and spray it on your face. That is way too much. Just spray a little in your hand and rub on your face and neck. I have oily skin so I was nervous about using it since it's on the oilier side but NO breakouts. It feels very healing when you put it on, especially with the calming lavender smell lulls you off to sleep. Having oily skin, daily may be a bit too much but if you have drier skin you'd definitely benefit from a nightly routine. I do think my skin feels smoother and softer since beginning to use it. Watch their site for its official debut.
About Brown Bag Botanicals
After the birth of her first daughter, Christine Trice, President of Brown Bag Botanicals, was on a desperate search to find something that would soothe her daughter's flaring eczema. The only thing that seem to work was shea butter. She started recommending it to friends, colleagues and clients who had their own challenges and issues with skin sensitivities and Brown Bag Botanicals was born.
[Visit Brown Bag Botanicals now.]
Product Review: Sprout Bamboo Clothing
Sprout Kids Clothing offered to let us sample some of their bamboo clothing line. Can I tell you I could not be more surprised when it arrived? I'm thinking bamboo is hard right? But this clothing is soooo incredibly soft. It is also so gently and comfy on little one's skin. My boys loved just touching it and they are very lightweight. . The cool designs will look fabulous on any beach baby.
Bamboo protects against UV rays that can be very harmful to "new sprouts" and has a natural shine to it that gives a light gloss to the clothing. Although currently bambo is not being certified organic by the FDA, bamboo is grown without fertilizer, pesticides, insecticides or genetically modified organisms. It is also entirely biodegradable.
“I wanted to create children’s clothing that was sustainable, but without sacrificing quality or putting kids in burlap bags,” says Sprout’s founder Maegan Harvey. “When I discovered bamboo, that was it. It’s the perfect fabric for children, and – I’m serious – this plant could save the world.”
My only tip is to order big because it seems to run very small. We received a 4 year old one that fit my 2 year old perfectly.
A $1 from every "Sprout's mommy" and "Sprout's daddy" t-shirt you buy will go to the Co-Op Climate Change Department, whose mission is to help stop global warming.
[Visit Sprout Kids Clothing now.l
A Revelation: Little Things Do Save the Earth
by Kathie
Blogs at Real Working Mom
A little over a month ago I went on an overnight retreat with a group from my church. While I knew everyone that was going to be attending, this was my first retreat and wasn’t quite sure what to expect. We talked and prayed but what I found most interesting was the talk that Sister Mary gave us. It was a talk about the Earth and what we can do to help save it.
I’ll be honest I have never really given recycling a second thought, it was just easier to throw it away and I thought to myself “Can I really make a difference? I am only one person.” But the more I thought about it and after hearing Sister Mary talk the answer is YES I can make a difference.
We’ve started out very simple. I had my husband make some room in his shop for some bins. We now have 3 bins set up one for our newspapers, one for aluminum cans, and another for plastic bottles/containers. Now I’ve never thrown away my plastic bags that I get from the grocery store. I either brought them back up to the store to be recycled or I give them to the food pantry at church for them to use. Of course in my pantry, I still have a ton of these plastic bags but I decided I would buy some of the canvas bags to take to the grocery store with to use when I am just picking up a few items. That is when I remember to bring them in with me LOL!!
It’s a start and you can start making a difference too by doing the little things. If we all did that just imagine what we can do to help save the earth.
[Visit Real Working Mom.]Simple Green Living Tips
by Lisa Smith
Owner/CEO - Regionz Kidz
Simple Green Living – Tip 1
Water is one of our most precious resources and water conservation is an area where you can make some simple changes and save water and $$! Let’s start in the bathroom. Your bathroom accounts for over 50% of your total water usage with toilets using 27%, showers 17%, faucets 8% and bath usage at 2%. Here’s a simple, inexpensive way to safe water. If you don’t want to invest the time and money to replace your toilets with low flow toilets try this:Take a plastic water bottle, fill it with pebbles to weight it down and place it in the toilet tank. This will displace the water and can help save up to 300 gallons per month! Please make sure that the bottle DOES NOT interfere with the normal operation of the toilet.You can this tip as well as many other water saving ideas at the following websites:
Every year Junk Mail accounts for over 4 million tons of difficult to recycle trash and costs us over 100 million trees used to produce the credit card offers, loan offers, circulars, unsolicited catalogs and magazines as well as many other sources of junk. Listed below are several websites that can assist you in reducing and in some cases, eliminating these unwanted, wasteful offers. Please review and choose the one that best fits your needs and help us save a few trees along the way. Also please pass this along to as many family and friends as you can, the more the merrier!
Here are some helpful links:
- www.dmachoise.org/mps/proto1.php
- http://www.proquo.com/http://www.junkbusters.com/
- www.newdream.org/junkmail/index.php
- www.ecocycle.org/junkmail/index.cfm
[Visit Regionz Kidz.]
Teaching Children to Save the Environment
by Cheryl M. Wenzel-Nelson, M.A.
Blogging at New Mom Central, Silicon Valley Moms Blog, 50-Something Moms Blog, Betty Confidential, Type-A Mom, and Gemini Crickets Moms Blog
Here are some of the things we do for our 3-year-old twins to help save the environment for theirs and future generations:
- Teach them the difference between our garbage can and recycle can so that they know where to put all garbage.
- Give them organic food whenever possible, even though it is expensive and we have a limited budget. I just can't stand to think about all the chemicals going into their bodies from mainstream foods, not to mention the issue with beef.
- I'm teaching them to turn off the lights when they leave a room.
- I use organic detergent and paper products whenever possible.
- We're teaching them to respect plants, flowers, and trees and not to pick too many flowers so we don't damage the bush (3-year-olds have to pick some flowers!)
- Ride our bike to the park whenever possible instead of driving.
Some of the things I'm working on is teaching them to be thoughtful and considerate of the environment. My husband and I plan to take them hiking when they're a little older to teach them how to love and respect nature for it's soul-infusing properties and because it is a part of our wonderful universe. We also try to teach them respect for others as I believe that if they learn to respect other people this will translate into respecting themselves, animals, and the environment around them.
When they get older we plan on teaching them about the environment and what pollutes the environment and what doesn't, grow their own fruits and vegetables, etc.. We plan to use green technology wherever we can when we buy our next house. There are so many things you can do to help keep the environment healthy. It will be an ongoing process as they get older.
Bloggy Giveaway #2: Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow
This contest is closed. Click here for winners.
****************************************
In honor of the gigantic Bloggy Giveaway Carnival, we are giving away a Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow to one lucky winner.
The Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow for Nursing Moms is a pillow designed to help you gain the correct breast position for easier breastfeeding. The breastfeeding pillow pushes your breast upward in order to allow easy latching by your nursing baby, while maintaining correct positioning throughout the feeding. By keeping the breast pushed up, it also frees one of your hands from continually holding your breast while breastfeeding.
Cushie Pushies come in a variety of fun, colorful designs. Whether your style is pastel and cutesy or bold and vibrant, there is a Cushie Pushie for you. You won't want to hide them in your diaper bag! There is even an organic version for eco-conscious moms made of 100% organic cotton flannel and batting.
To win just visit our parent site, to view the Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow, then come back here to post a comment with the your favorite fabric and the size you'd like if you win. Deadline is April 27, 2008 at 9:00pm EST. Open to US and Canada residents only.
Also visit our Giant Earth Day Giveaway to win lots of eco-friendly prizes. The deadline for that giveaway is April 22, 2008 at 9:00PM EST. Click here to enter.
Don't forget to check out our site while you are here then back to head back over to Bloggy Giveaway Carnival, to join in the fun. There are tons of prices to be won!!!!!!
This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only.
Bloggy Giveaway from Goodies for Mom: Sara Rose Tutu
This contest is closed. Click here for winners.
****************************************
Sara Rose Tutus has been nice enough to offer Goodies for Mom a custom tutu for the Bloggy Giveaway carnival. The winner gets the opportunity to pick their colors. The value is up to $30.
To win:
Just visit Sara Rose Tutus, then come back here and tell us how you would like your custom tutu in a comment below.
Deadline is Friday, April 25, 2008 at 8:00PM EST.
Open to both US and International residents. :)
Also visit our Giant Earth Day Giveaway to win lots of eco-friendly prizes. The deadline for that giveaway is April 22, 2008 at 9:00PM EST. Click here to enter.
About Sara Rose Tutus
Stacy, owner of Sara Rose Tutus, named the company after her almost 1 year old daughter. She started making custom tutus for family and friends and now sells them online.
Mention Goodies for Mom for a 10% discount at Sara Rose Tutus.
[Visit Sara Rose Tutus now.]
Don't forget to check out our site while you are here then back to head back over to Bloggy Giveaway Carnival, to join in the fun. There are tons of prices to be won!!!!!!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Living a Light Green Life
by Samantha Harris
blogs at Real Working Mom
I guess I am green……one would think by my mid 30’s I would have this figured out. There are many things that I know I am…..I’m a mother, I’m a step mother, I’m a wife, I’m half Korean, I’m strong, I’m stubborn…..but am I green?
I know I didn’t start out that way. I can remember being 16 and getting my drivers license back in 1980 something and gas was 89 cents a gallon. My friends and I would put $5 in the gas tank and drive around all night long. No particular place to go…..just driving around. I also had a habit of driving with the air conditioner on and the windows down because we all knew that you looked prettier with your hair blowing in the wind, but of course I didn’t want to get hot when it was 95 degree’s and humid. Could you imagine doing that today?
Fast forward my life 20 years and now my husband is about to buy a Honda Civic Hybrid car, every light bulb in my house is energy efficient…..which by the way I have discovered is fantastic at 5:15 in the morning when I am feeling my way to the shower. I flip the lights on and they take a minute to warm up, so much better than full blast.
But I digress……I pay for curb side recycling, I have energy efficient appliances, I turn my thermostat up or down (depending on the season) when we are all at school or work, I use reusable bags at the grocery store and I am helping to implement a recycling program at my son’s preschool.
Everyday I wonder, is it enough? So I guess at the end of the day I would consider myself a light shade of green with work still to be done.
[Visit Real Working Mom now.]
Product Review: Seventh Generation Diapers & Wipes
I was definitely skeptical that diapers could be eco-friendly and work well. However, I have been proven wrong. We tried the Seventh Generation Training Pants ($11.99) and baby wipes ($4.69/tub) just to find out for ourselves.
The training pants may be a little shock when you first take them out of the bag because they are a light tan instead of the white you expect. They also lack the cute little characters the leading brand doses. But luckily that not all they lack, they also lack chlorine, fragrance and latex.. They are made of a hypo-allergenic, soft, cloth-like material designed for comfort. They also have the stretchy, tear away sides for an excellent fit and ease of changing. My favorite part is the inner leak barriers for superior leakage protection. No LEAKs here! Seventh Generation uses absorbent gel. They have performed exhaustive research that has shown that it is non-toxic and safe for children while helping keep them dry and comfortable.
Seventh Generation Baby Wipes are pre-moistened with natural aloe vera, vitamin E, and water. They cleanse and moisturize gently and naturally. Unlike many traditional baby wipes, they are not bleached with chlorine and do not contain alcohol or synthetic ingredients.
These unscented wipes are gentle to baby’s skin, while still being strong enough to get the job done. I imagined they would be much thinner and not work as well but I was pleasantly surprised. I would not have been able to tell them from traditional wipes when it came to strength. They were also great for removing makeup and the 500 other jobs wipes are called into use for. I plan to carry a pack of wipes even when my boys are teenagers.
About Diapers.com
Founded in Montclair, New Jersey by Marc Lore and Vinit Bharara, Diapers.com is the largest online specialist offering baby care necessities in the United States. As dads themselves, Marc and Vinit understood the world of diapers. They expanded to include a wide selection of baby necessities, including many natural, eco-friendly and organic baby products. They offer low prices, along with the convenience of fast, free shipping and the best customer service around. Visit http://www.diapers.com/ for more information.
Use Coupon Code: “Goodies” for $5.00 off your first order.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Product Review: Chillessense be great Body Wash and Lotion
Chillessense is a brand new company that just launched this month and is offering customers natural, organic products with proven benefits that do not harm your body or the environment. I was very excited when they sent me some samples of their new products.
The first product I tried was their be greatTM Body Lotion. It is made with certified organic flowers, fruits, herbs and plant extracts to boost skin’s health. It's light, fresh scent was very pleasant. Not at all perfumey or too floral. The non-greasy formula went on very smooth and my skin absorbed it quickly. My hands and arms still felt smooth and soft hours later.
The next product I sampled was the greatTM Body Wash. It lathered nicely and also had a very fresh, light scent. It rinsed off well and left my skin feeling moisturized.
Both these products remind me of products you would find in the finer spas and hotels, yet without the high prices. The body wash sells for 8 oz. for $12.99 and the lotion 8 oz for $14.99. You can get travel sizes, which is a great way to try it if you do not want to buy the full-size until you are sure you like it. They also are offering free shipping on orders over $25.00 and if you sign up for their GreenspectivesTM newsletter you can get 10% off your first order.
About Chillessense
Chillessence is an organic personal care and natural accessories company that provides safe, therapeutic skin care, earth-friendly custom jewelry, and other products for body and home that promote great health and help keep our planet green. Chillessence’s corporate giving program donates a percentage of revenues to Co-op America http://www.coopamerica.org/ and other charitable organizations to help empower individuals to make purchasing and investing choices that promote social justice, green and fair trade business principles and environmental sustainability in the US and abroad.
[Visit Chillessense now.]
Green Mom Offers Tips for Buying Produce
By Cristina Acosta
Co-Founder & Editor, Green Mom Finds
For me, trying to live a “green” lifestyle can feel a bit overwhelming at times. Almost every choice I make has an impact on my environment and on my children’s health - whether I’m deciding what kind of food to buy or what car to drive. And yet it’s not always easy or even feasible to make the greenest choice. (I mean, hello, I’d love to get a Lexus hybrid for commuting to work, but I just don’t have thousands of dollars lying around! So for now, I’m stuck with my regular old, not-at-all eco-friendly sedan.)
But instead of getting wrapped up in eco-guilt, I try to focus on the little things I can do to lessen my impact on the environment.
One of the simple steps I’ve taken is buying more organic produce. Eliminating my children’s exposure to pesticides is particularly important to me in light of studies that show that fetuses, infants and small children are most vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides. Buying organic produce is not only a great way to eliminate pesticide exposure, but if you buy locally grown organic produce, you’ll also be supporting your local farmer and reducing car pollution (did you know the average piece of produce travels 1500 miles before it reaches the store??) Plus, I personally think that organic produce, grown locally and purchased in season, just tastes way better.
Now, granted, sometimes loading up on organic produce at the grocery store can seem almost as expensive as buying a new hybrid (heh). However, there are some ways to make buying organic produce more cost-effective for your family. Here are a few tips for buying organic:
- If you can’t buy all your produce organic, start small and just choose to buy a couple of your fruits and veggies from the organic section. To get the biggest bang for your buck, choose produce that is highest in pesticides and buy it organic. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Pesticides in Produce Wallet Guide for a list of the fruits and veggies that are highest in pesticides.
- Buy organic produce in season whenever possible, and skip on the bags of organic frozen veggies shipped from China.
- Consider joining a CSA, which is a great way to get organic produce from your local farm. Find out if you have one in your area by visiting Local Harvest, http://www.localharvest.com/
- And most importantly, if feel yourself falling victim to “eco-guilt” for not being able to “do it all” when it comes to going green, try making yourself one of these Stress Reliever Strawberry Smoothies and remember, every little eco-step you take makes a difference. Cheers!
Cristina Acosta is co-founder and editor of Green Mom Finds (www.greenmomfinds.com), the premier online resource for parents looking for eco-friendly tips, resources and product suggestions.
Grocery Makeover with Celebrity Chef Domenica Catelli
Go Organic! for Earth Day, a national campaign that educates and increases consumer awareness of the benefits of organic food and agriculture, is offering a chance to win a Grocery Makeover with celebrated Chef and Mom-a-licious® author Domenica Catelli.
I know I am constantly trying to figure out what to feed my kids that they will eat and is healthy too. Not an easy task. With rising concerns about the effects of farming practices many parents are turning to organic.
Here's How to Enter
Simply send the following items to contest@organicearthday.org
- A photo of your family
- Photos of the inside of your pantry, refrigerator and freezer
- A brief (100 words or less) explanation of why YOUR family needs a
grocery makeover
What You'll Win
One lucky grand prize family will receive a day with Chef Catelli in their kitchen, a trip to the grocery store, and a full pantry, refrigerator and freezer makeover with FREE organic groceries and a cooking lesson!
Five first prize winners will each receive a signed copy of Chef Catelli’s new cookbook, “Mom-a-licious,” and a $200 gift certificate, so that they, too, can have a fresh start!
Deadline
- All internet entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on May 1, 2008.
- All mail entries must be postmarked by May 1, 2008 and received by May 6, 2008.
For additional information about the contest please visit http://www.organicearthday.org/index.cfm/GroceryMakeoverContest
For additional information about the campaign please visit http://www.organicearthday.org/.
Make Your Child's Birthday an Earth-day!
By Cindy Fey
Blogging at www.cindy-weallfalldown.blogspot.com
Our family of four tries to do our part for the environment. My husband Randy and I carpool, turn down the thermostat and try to teach our daughters the new three R's: recycling, reusing and reducing. But after throwing a fourth birthday party for our daughter Mia where we ended up with bags and bags of waste, I knew we had to make a bigger commitment.
Here are some suggestions for making your child's birthday party more earth-friendly. You'll find that it's not very difficult to stick to your everyday green habits while creating happy party memories. And even if your child has her heart set on Bob the Builder paper napkins, don't fret. Just making a few changes can make a big difference.
Invitations
Recycled stationery for invites and thank you notes can be found on the Net in a world of patterns and colors. Everything from garlic skin to flowers, from old maps to junk mail has been reused in papers that can be found at sites such as Eco-artware.com and Greenfieldpaper.com. You can even find odorless paper made from elephant droppings! (www.poopoopaper.com)
To create invitations for Mia's fifth birthday party, I collected artwork she had made on sturdy construction paper. We printed the actual event information on smaller sheets of 100% recycled newsprint and glued these inside the larger sheets of artwork. We folded the construction paper, sealed and addressed them and sent them through the mail. All arrived safely at their destination and each one was unique.
An even greener option is going paperless altogether. On-line invitation sites such as the popular Evite.com and Sendomatic.com can keep track of your RSVP's, let other invitees see who is coming and even organize car-pooling!
Decorations
For room decorations, consider using sustainable choices such as cut flowers, plants, or reusable Japanese paper lanterns. Try cutting your child's artwork into triangles, then hanging them from a string as festive flags.
Most inflatable balloons are made of latex, an all-natural, bio-degradable product. But what comes up must come down. Those brightly colored helium balloons that look so festive the day of the party can turn into litter and a choking hazard for wildlife if released into the sky. If you do use latex balloons, be sure to dispose of them responsibly.
Mylar balloons last a little longer than latex, but are not biodegradable. Try saving the deflated balloon and using the shiny material as wrapping material for a small gift.
At my daughter's October birthday, we decorated the tables with tiny pots of colorful pansies. The room looked bright and festive and each child had a plant to take home!
Paper and Plastic
Probably the biggest source of waste at any party comes from the serving of the food. Fortunately, many options exist to reduce what we send to the landfill. Avoid single serving containers like juice and raisin boxes. For a small party, use and wash your own plates, utensils and cups. Use cloth napkins and tablecloths instead of single-use paper ones. Bedsheets work well for tablecloths. Don't worry if not everything matches - the kids will be too busy having fun to care!
Preserve Tableware (www.recycline.com/products/preservetbw.html) make lightweight but durable plates, bowls and flatware from recycled materials that are also dishwasher safe and recyclable. Our family has used this product for more than one birthday party away from home. It took minimal effort to carry the dirty dishes home in grocery bags and wash them. We will be able to use them again and again.
When using food from a deli, restaurant or caterer, ask if you can provide your own trays or platters ahead of time. This way, you can avoid throwing away large disposable plastic trays and containers.
Goodie Bags
Instead of filling a plastic bag with tiny breakable plastic bits made in China, why not have your guests create something functional as a fun activity during the party? Tulip bulbs or packets of seeds make great green gifties and the children will enjoy painting flower pots for their new plants. Decorating picture frames, baskets or vases can make for a quiet lull in between cake and a game of Red Light, Green Light.
Gifts
We should never forget that after honoring the birthday child, the main purpose of throwing a party is to give pleasure to our guests, not dictate how we want them to behave. We have had little luck asking for "no gifts;" sometime we have to accept that there is a learning curve involved in adopting green habits. For our two-year-old Nora's birthday, we had success inviting guests to feel free to recycle a used toy or book. A book or toy swap is another way to show children how much fun "reuse" can be!
With a little extra effort, your children and their guests can have a fun and memorable party and be kind to Mother Earth at the same time!
[Visit www.cindy-weallfalldown.blogspot.com.]
Friday, April 18, 2008
Dr. Sears Works With HAPPYBABY Organic to Offer Healthy Alternatives
HAPPYBABY makes premium organic meals for babies and toddlers/kids, working with the renowned pediatrician Dr. Robert Sears to offer parents healthy, delicious and convenient alternatives to foods with additives and preservatives. Dr. Sears advises HAPPYBABY on nutrition and product development too! All HAPPYBABY products are USDA-certified organic and 100% natural with no pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
HAPPYBABY offers 15 flavors of fresh frozen organic fruits, vegetable, grains, and meats, including the only wild salmon combination, for babies 6+, 7+ and 9+ months. HAPPYBELLIES is the only baby cereal of its kind, 100% organic with DHA for brain and eye development and Probiotics to defend against the development of food allergies and a stronger immune system.
For every package of HAPPYBABY and HAPPYBELLIES parents buy, HAPPYBABY partners with Project Peanut Butter to feed malnourished children in Malawi and Sierra Leone.
About HAPPYBABY
HAPPYBABY is committed to making baby food as healthy and delicious as homemade. HAPPYBABY products are available at Whole Foods Markets, Babies R Us and local grocery stores.
For more information about HAPPYBABY or to find a store near you, visit http://www.happybabyfood.com/.
[Go to HAPPYBABY now.]
Product Review: BornFree Bisphenol-A Free Plastic Bottles
The BornFree™ Bisphenol-A (BPA) Free plastic bottles make sure baby is safe if you find that you need to use bottles. The carmel-colored bottle uses a new innovative air vent that helps eliminate colic symptoms. Each bottle comes with a level 1 nipple and a cover. They also have an insert to divide the formula from water for use outside the home. They are in two sizes, 5 oz. and 9 oz.
The BornFree™ round nipples have a broad base that fits nicely in baby's mouth. It helps to facilitate tongue and jaw motions similar to breastfeeding. They are made of soft, silicone. The nipples come in 3 levels of flow from slow (1) to fast(3).
There are a few more pieces pieces that I like to have to wash but it works well and is safe for baby. Sounds like the next best thing to breastfeeding. In addition, BornFree carries glass bottles, training and drinking cups that are also free of BPA, Phthlates, and PVC.
They are easily available at Babies R Us, Whole Foods, and Diapers.com.
Read more about BPA in the article, "Protecting kids from toxic chemicals in plastic."
About BornFree
BornFree™ is committed to the highest standards of baby feeding systems in the world. BornFree™ provides mothers with the most advanced, clinically tested baby feeding systems.BornFree™ is dedicated to distribute products that are the highest quality baby feeding accessories in the world.
[Visit BornFree Now.]
Why I Try to Live Greener
by Leslie Quigley
Blogs at Recyle Your Day
I started living a greenier lifestyle while in college. I have always had a green heart so I just naturally progressed into it. After college, Massage Therapy school had an influence in how I looked at conventional medicine and from there it blossomed into broader areas. Alternative medicine is something I believe in - even in my younger years- I wouldn't take Tylenol for headaches! I've been feeding my brain eco-fuel for quite some time and really enjoy living the a la naturale lifestyle.
Being green, crunchy and an eco-mama is in my blood. My passion is the environment. When I'm out in nature I'm more grounded with the world and my surroundings. I'm grateful for our beautiful scenery and resources. I worry about our future- our children's future...what will it be like for them? Much of my greenness comes from learning about the Rain Forest destruction when I was young. I wanted to contribute- I didn't want to be held responsible...I felt compelled to act and adopt the 3R's philosophy! (I really wanted to adopt the Rainforest animals!!!) That way of thinking paved the road to my environmentalist views and ways.
Becoming pregnant only emphasized these beliefs and made it more real! The idea of wanting the BEST for your child- well, that's what we all want and for me it's about raising my child to be free of toxins and harmful chemicals and hopefully he'll learn to love and respect our planet too- after all and coincidentally- he was born on Earth Day! Which is my main inspiration for creating the site! It's not easy living a sustainable lifestyle so, having support makes worthwhile.
[Visit Recyle Your Day.]
Design A Reusable Bag: Chance to Win $500 Kroger Gift Card
Kroger is inviting customers to visit www.kroger.com/green. Here you can enter the Kroger Reusable Shopping Bag Contest by designing your own reusable grocery bag with Kroger.com’s easy-to-use design tool before May 23, 2008.
Then just e-mail your friends and family asking them to vote for your design. Voting will run through the end of May. The 10 top-voted designs will be featured on http://www.kroger.com/ starting June 2, 2008.
A panel of judges will review the 10 top-voted designs and award one lucky designer a $500 Kroger gift card. Judges will also select four finalists to receive $250 Kroger gift cards and five runners-up to receive $100 Kroger gift cards.
Everyone who enters a design that has a valid Kroger Plus card will also receive a digital coupon good for a free reusable bag of their own.
And there's more, if you come back and post a comment below with a link to your design by May 31, 2008, Goodies for Mom will pick our two favorites and give each a $25 Kroger gift cards.
If you don't want to submit a design, just stop by www.kroger.com/green to vote for your favorite.
[Go to www.kroger.com/green now.]
About Kroger Company
The Kroger Company spans many states with store formats that include grocery and multi-department stores, convenience stores and mall jewelry stores. Thye operate under nearly two dozen banners, all of which share the same belief in building strong local ties and brand loyalty with our customers.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Product Review: Happy Green Bee Clothing
Happy Green Bee Organic Clothing is an organic clothing line developed by Roxanne Quimby, original co-founder of Burt’s Bee. Their philosophy is to provide “comfortable, playful, colorful, and ecologically responsible.”
The cotton used in their line had not been exposed to pesticides, herbicides, or petroleum-based fertilizers. It also does not use genetically engineered seed.
The colors in the Happy Green Bee Clothing Line is as bright and vibrant in person as it is in photos. The adorable bee logo is on each piece. My toddler loved running around buzzing while wearing them. We received the brown and green top and pants to try. They were extremely soft to the touch and he did not want to take them off once he had tried them on.
The only problem we had was the fit. I have a skinny little guy whose pants are always falling down and he has a little Buddha belly to start with so he’s not an easy one to fit in the best of circumstances. I asked for the Large, which is made to fit 25+ lbs. My guy is 27 lbs. The top fit a little tight and the pants just hung off him. You may need to mix and match sizes to get the right fit for your little one.
Even after washing, these clothes looked great and it did not look like we had any shrinkage, which I was sort of expecting since they are cotton.
Happy Green Bee offers sizes in infant and toddler. They have even begun to offer a doll made out of organic cotton in coordinating clothes so they can match their “mama.”
With our shipment we even got an adorable little book that has real children wearing the Happy Green Bee line with rhymes and little stories. Both my boys loved looking at other children, especially when they saw ones wearing the same outfit as we got.
“By using organic cotton, a comfortable and practical fabric, and simple bee-striped patterns, children feel as comfortable as they look while their parents take a small step in making a big difference in the environment their children will live in, “ explains Roxanne.
[Visit Happy Green Bee now.]
Organic Cotton: For Our Children And Our Planet
by: Roxanne Quimby
Owner and Designer, happy greenbee, inc
http://happygreenbee.com/
With the frenzy of toy recalls in 2007, parents have started asking questions. Are any of their children’s toys safe? What about their kid’s bedding? Their clothes? Sure, lead-laden toys should obviously be out of a child’s reach, but it’s time to look more closely at all the things our children eat, touch, feel and wear in their everyday lives. Even ‘conventional’ cotton, once considered the natural fiber of choice, is no longer safe for our children. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is healthy for all our planet’s creatures, from children and wildlife to farm and factory workers.
Before the 1950s, cotton-growing mainly involved sustainable techniques, but now cotton is one of the most environmentally damaging crops grown in the world, resulting in wide-scale water pollution, chronic illness in farm workers, and calamitous effects on wildlife. Conventionally grown cotton occupies only three percent of the world’s farmland, but uses 25 percent of the world’s chemical insecticides, including Parathion, which is at least 30 times more toxic that DDT! As insects develop pesticide resistance over time, farmers desperate to keep up yields often resort to genetically modified cottonseed and heavier and heavier cocktails of pesticide poisons. Ironically, less than ten percent of those chemicals actually accomplish their task—the rest are absorbed into the plants, the soil, the air, the water and eventually, our bodies.
The solution to this problem is to go organic. Organic farmers rely on crop rotation, not chemicals, to maintain and replenish soil fertility. In order to meet international organic standards and obtain organic certification, a field must be pesticide-free for at least three years, and organic cotton farmers cannot use genetically modified cottonseed. Organic cotton has softer, longer fibers than conventional cotton, so the resulting fabric is softer, thicker, and more durable.
Organic cotton is especially great for infants and children. Whereas pesticide and chemically-treated clothing traps heat and prevents skin from absorbing adequate moisture—often causing rashes and eczema on sensitive skin—organic cotton is natural and breathable. Children with allergies particularly benefit, as organic cotton does not have the residual toxic residues that linger on conventional cotton. Even those without sensitive skin find organic cotton more comfortable and kid-friendly. The longer fibers stretch as children grow.
The best way to support organic cotton farmers is to use your consumer power wisely and support those businesses that make their products sustainable from the farm to the store. For example, Happy Green Bee—a company producing organic cotton playwear for infants and children—creates children’s clothing and accessories made with nontoxic dyes and no chemical bleaches or finishers. In addition, Happy Green Bee products are made in fair-trade-certified factories that are monitored for worker health and safety.
Whether shopping for kids clothing, sheets, blankets or personal care products, look for organic fiber products. Your children—our planet’s future—will thank you.
[Visit Happy Green Bee now.]
National Geographic Kid Celebrates Earth Day
National Geographic Kid’s hit series “Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies,” starring the voice of Vanessa Williams, is celebrating Earth Day with a special themed episode and companion web activities. “Kings and Queens of the Savanna” airs the weekend of April 20, 2008 on PBS.
This special episode celebrates Earth Day and the circle of life. It shows the important balance in nature, and how every animal plays a role in maintaining this balance. When Mama overhears Bo, Karla and Max contemplating who the real king/queen of the Savanna are, she takes them on a nature walk. She shows themthat every animal, no matter how big or small, plays an important role in nature.
[Visit the PBS Kids/Mama Mirabelle website to continue the adventure online.]
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Product Review: Diapers.com’s Little Twig Bath Wash and Nature Baby Diapers
Little Twig Baby Wash
As I have mentioned several times before my little guy has extremely sensitive skin so I’m always nervous trying any new products on him but am always looking for something new that might possibly work better for him. When Diapers.com offered to let me try some earth friendly products in honor of Earth Day, I was very excited.
I decided to try out the Little Twig Extra Mild Unscented Baby Wash. It is made with organic ingredients and is pediatrician tested. It is free of paraben, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and artificial colors. It contains a blend of Aloe Vera, Jojoba and Vitamin E. Allergy moms will be happy to hear it is nut, soy, and wheat free. It retails for $10.65 at Diapers.com.
We did the recommended patch test just to make sure there was no reaction and hooray, we had none. It felt as gentle as water, with no scent at all. It lathered and rinsed nicely. His skin felt very soft after his bath.
Nature Baby Diapers
We also tried the Nature Baby Care Diapers.
Developed by a Swedish mother, this eco-friendly disposable diaper in kinder and more gentle to both your baby and the environment. They are breathable and chlorine free with natural based material. With ultra-thin construction, they are non bulky fit, enabling your baby to move around freely. Even their packaging is eco-friendly in natural renewable material. They contain no latex, fragrance, or tributyl tin.
The best part is these diapers really work. I was totally prepared for leaks or a bad fit. Much to my amazement, we’ve not had one leak and they fit wonderfully. They are definitely comparable to the leading brands in my book.
They do run a little small though so order slightly larger than you ordinarily would. Also, the tabs are a little hard to re-stick especially when the diaper is dirty but not horrible by any means. The costly is only slightly higher than name brand diapers but to me it is worth a little more for an eco-friendly option where possible.
My little guy loves these diaper too. He will grab the leading brand out of my hand and put them back and get me one of these to change him with. They also have seemed to help with some of his eczema at the diaper line, which just started appearing recently. I’ve already order more. :)
Diapers.com
In regards to ordering from Diapers.com, it was so incredibly easy. Their ordering system was super easy to use and you can even pay with PayPal which I loved. The best part is my package arrived within 2-4 business days. I got mine in two because I’m close to one of their distribution centers.
They also offer gDiapers-an Earth-friendly hybrid diaper, bumGenius!-cloth diapers, Seventh Generation Wipes, Nature’s Baby Organics Skincare, and BabyGanics Healthy Home Cleaning Products.
Diapers.com also offers a great referral program. If a customer signs up using your coupon code they get $5.00 off their first order and you get $1.00 for each order they place from that point on.
Use Coupon Code: “Goodies” for $5.00 off your first order.
About Diapers.com
Founded in Montclair, New Jersey by Marc Lore and Vinit Bharara, Diapers.com is the largest online specialist offering baby care necessities in the United States. As dads themselves, Marc and Vinit understood the world of diapers. They expanded to include a wide selection of baby necessities, including many natural, eco-friendly and organic baby products. They offer low prices, along with the convenience of fast, free shipping and the best customer service around. Visit http://www.diapers.com/ for more information.
Giftwrap Tip Makes A Unique Gift
by Susan Murphy
Owner, Susan Murphy, Inc.
How do you creat a unique, memorable gift wrap while helping the environment?
I save cute cookie/cracker boxes for gift wrap. I recently stashed cash in a Justice League cookie box, filled with tissue and added a bow. It was the hit of the party.
People walked by and shook it over and over. It looked perfect in the pile of gifts, not strange at all. I knew it was a hit, when the hip 17 year old shouted from the back of the room "OPEN the Justice League box next."
About Susan Murphy Inc.
Creating beautiful, custom and ready made caps, tote bags,** and gifts. Charity based. **Tote bags are a great way to save on plastic and paper bags,too!.
[Visit Susan Murphy, Inc. now.]
New Prizes Added To Giant 'Green' Giveaway
In case we didn't have enough for you, our generous sponsers are offering you even more!!!!!!!! This also gives you more chances to win!!!!
The latest additions include:
Cariboo Activity Gym
The Cariboo Activity Gym provides a unique activity center for your child that blends beautifully with your home décor. The Activity Gym includes four miniature Sleep Sheep & Friends by Cloud B. It is hand crafted from sustainable New Zealand Radiata pine and finished with lead free stains and paints, the Cariboo Activity Gym is eco-friendly and safe for baby.
(Value=$159.95)- Cariboo Earth Puretec Blanket
Cariboo together with Puretec™ New Zealand have created the first 100% wool nursery blanket to be: 100% Natural, High warmth-to-weight, Completely hypo-allergenic, Anti-prickle & Anti-itch, Eco-dye colored, Quick drying, Formaldehyde free, Naturally fire-retardant, Environmentally sustainable. (Watch for a review of this beautiful blanket later in the event)
(Value=$99.99) 
Erbaviva Body Travel Set
This bath and body travel kit is a delightful combination of bath salts, Awaken spray, Embrace body lotion, and breathe body wash 1 oz. All products fit neatly into Erbavivas custom travel case.
(Value=$29.00)
Make an Earth Day Resolution
The Quasi-Enviromentalist
by Caroline
Blogging at Real Working Mom
I started thinking about this blog posting a few days ago. I started to list out the different things I do to be a little greener. And it all sounded so self righteous.
So I thought I'd begin by talking about the things I could do better, because I think that's what Earth Day is all about, instead of celebrating the things we are doing, is really to take a moment and focus on the things we could be doing that we aren't. Pondering this question was the final motivation to get off my tush and order reusable grocery bags. Did you know the average American throws away 1000 plastic bags a year? That's crazy!
My biggest environmental regret is probably not cloth diapering my children. I think, as mothers, it is a serious contribution we can make, and I often think that it was an opportunity I missed to hug the planet a little. I think for working mothers it is much harder, because you have to get your childcare provider on board with it, and I never had the guts to ask. I didn't really know much about it when my kids were infants, but from the things I've read it has become really quite easy to do, and some of those diapers are very, very cute!
So my Earth Day Confessions...er...Resolutions are as follows:
- I will be better about my recycling. We have single stream recycling here, which means that all recyling goes in one bin. I should work harder to make sure nothing else ends up in there. I also fully intend to find a way to make even a small contribution, monetary or otherwise, towards organizations that are trying to bring the awesome recycling plans of California nationwide.
- I will cut my paper plate usage by 50% this year. While we do recycle them, I DO have perfectly good dishes in the cabinets.
- I will finish swapping out our lightbulbs for high efficiency ones.
With those small commitments, I hope to continue reducing the footprint our family is leaving on the planet. Some of it is easy, some of it is more of a struggle.
What is your Earth Day Resolution for this upcoming year? Share it with us by leaving a comment.
About Real Working Mom
The mission of RealWorkingMom.com is to provide information, ideas and support for working women who are also full-time mothers. This site is for real working mothers by real working mothers.
[Visit Real Working Mom.]
Share Your Thoughts for a Greener World
We want to know your thoughts about living a greener lifestyle. Blog about things your family does, tips you've learned, what's hardest for you, eco-friendly products you love, helpful articles, and whatever you want to say about Earth Day and why it is important to you.
Then come back here and use Mr. Linky to share your post so others can stop by and get ideas. (Make sure to link directly to your post unless it will stay at the top throughout the event to help others find it easily.)
Don't forget to invite your friends to our celebration while you are at it :).
If you don't have a blog, you can join in by leaving a comment below.
Win Eco-Friendly Prizes on Goodies for Mom
This contest is closed.
Check here to view the lucky winners.
______________________________________________________
Goodies for Mom is hosting a giant eco-conscious giveaway in honor of Earth Day. This is your chance to win one of these wonderful eco-friendly products. Not only are there lots of prizes to win but you can get lots of chances to win just by visiting our prize sponsors.
Here's how you can win:
- Visit a prize sponsor's website listed below.
- Come back here and leave a comment with your favorite item from that website, as well as the prize listed below that you would most like to win.
- Here is the best part, you can enter a new comment for each of the below websites that you visit. (That means you can leave up to 18 comments for up to 18 chances to win!!!!)
- Make sure you leave an e-mail address so we can contact you if you win.
(Open to US residents only)
Deadline: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 9:00PM EST
Here are the green prizes you could win:
- Cariboo Activity Gym
The Cariboo Activity Gym provides a unique activity center for your child that blends beautifully with your home décor. The Activity Gym includes four miniature Sleep Sheep & Friends by Cloud B. It is hand crafted from sustainable New Zealand Radiata pine and finished with lead free stains and paints, the Cariboo Activity Gym is eco-friendly and safe for baby.
(Value=$159.95) - Cariboo Earth Puretec Blanket
Cariboo together with Puretec™ New Zealand have created the first 100% wool nursery blanket to be: 100% Natural, High warmth-to-weight, Completely hypo-allergenic, Anti-prickle & Anti-itch, Eco-dye colored, Quick drying, Formaldehyde free, Naturally fire-retardant, Environmentally sustainable. (Watch for a review of this beautiful blanket later in the event)
(Value=$99.99) - Erbaviva Body Travel Set
This bath and body travel kit is a delightful combination of bath salts, Awaken spray, Embrace body lotion, and breathe body wash 1 oz. All products fit neatly into Erbavivas custom travel case.
(Value=$29.00)
- Natural Baby Starter Kit, courtesy of Seventh Generation
Includes:• 2 packages Size 1 Chlorine-Free Diapers (8-14 lbs.)• 1 Tub Chlorine-Free Baby Wipes• Chlorine-Free Baby Wipes Refill• Natural Baby Laundry Detergent• Seventh Generation tote
(Value=$54.99) 
Cuddle Sleeve (Organic)
When your arm is placed inside the Cuddle Sleeve™, a soft, cozy nest is formed for baby to rest, feed and sleep. You enjoy the relaxed position of your arm, as it helps to lessen fatigue. Available in NEW Organic - Natural with Cocoa Trim and NEW Organic - Natural with Kiwi Trim
(Value=$54.95)
- BornFree BPA Free Gift Set, courtesy of Newborn Free
The BornFree™ Gift Set includes: 3 5oz Bottles with Level 1 Nipples, 1 9oz Bottle with Level 1 Nipples, 1 Trainer Cup, 1 Package Level 2 Nipples (Value=$44.99) 
Germ Off Disinfecting Wipes from Shaklee, courtesy of Green and Clean Mom
Kills odor causing bacteria* found on hard, non-porous household, kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Great for cleaning around the toilet. Leaves your bathroom and kitchen fresh and clean.
(Value=$8.95)
Happy Green Bee Outfit
Fresh from the cabbage patch...Super-soft organic cotton and comfy easy-fit styling in a playful palate of juicy Watermelon, sweet Blueberry and cloudless Sky to create the perfect outfit for your precious new arrival! Coordinating solids in just-picked garden colors...comfy tee's and stylish kimono wraps...skorts and socks and dollies...your just gonna flip for our new active play wear!- HAPPYBABY Baby Food Gift Set
HAPPYBABY 100% Organic Giveaway: 3 varieties of our HAPPYBELLIES organic baby cereal, HAPPYBABY organic cotton baby t-shirt, Free trial coupon for our HAPPYBABY fresh frozen organic baby food
(value=$25.00) - YoBaby/YoMommy Yogurt $50 Gift Certificate, courtesy of Stonyfield
YoBaby Simply Plain is simply the perfect first yogurt, ideal for easing your little one's transition from breast milk or formula to solid food. YoMommy is organic lowfat yogurt formulated to meet the special nutritional needs of moms and their developing babies.
(Value=$50.00) - Organic Breastfeeding Gift Basket, courtesy of The Cushie Pushie Company and Earth Mama Angel Baby
Gift basket containing an Organic Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow from the Cushie Pushie Company, as well as Bobby Tubes, and Nipple Crème from Earth Mama Angel Baby (Value=$53.00) 
Logo Organic Tote Bag, courtesy of Green Path Company
The Green Path logo tote bag is made from 100% organic cotton, is printed with earth-friendly dyes and comes in a natural cotton color.
(Value=$9.99)
Tree in a Box (2), courtesy of Recycle Your Day
Each kit contains a biodegradable peat pot with an expandable nutrient soil pellet, seeds and a 32-page information-packed booklet inside a 2 1/2"x 2 1/2" decorative box. As well as growing instructions, the booklet contains information about the specific tree, "Tree Facts" about the environmental benefits of trees and tree mythology.
(Value=$5.00 each)
Bummis SWIMMI, courtesy of Go Green Baby Shop
Swimmis are a reusable swimpant with snaps. They come in fun, unisex cotton prints on the outside with polyester mesh inside for easy cleaning
(Value=$12.00)
- Sprout Bamboo Mommy Tee (Size Large)
Sprout's mommy tee will let the world know that you love your little sprouts and the environment. It's made from the same bamboo-organic cotton blend as our other clothes, except it's in adult sizes.
(Value=$22.00) 
Be great™ body wash and crème, courtesy of Chillessence
be greatTM body lotion is infused with Mediterranean-inspired certified organic flowers, fruits, herbs and plant extracts (distilled at a Sonoma family farm) to boost skin’s health. be greatTM body creme Keeps skin looking youthful by protecting against free radical damage with powerful anti-oxidants and a fruit acid complex.
(Value=$21.98)
- Earth Friendly Gift Tote Bag, courtesy of Susan Murphy, Inc.
Get cooking with this reusable tote and kitchen towel plus yummy blueberry pancake mix and syrup.
(Value=$20.00) 
Sand Play Set, courtesy of Green Toys
This eco-groovey sand play set is made of advanced environmental friendly materials. 4 piece set includes bucket, sand castle mold, shovel, and a rake
(Value=$19.99)
Make sure to visit all our prizes sponsors for more chances to win. Also stop back during the week as we highlight the prizes you can win.
