Going Green in Preschool

Davis and Meg started preschool last week. They don't take a lunch to preschool. Instead the teacher assigns a week when the kids are responsible for bringing in a snack. A snack should consist of something to eat and drink. Believe it or not, both my kids had snack the first week of school.

I did my due diligence and read through the parent handbook because I assumed there would be "snack rules". Sure enough, there was a whole page dedicated to snacks. The second paragraph begins, "ALL SNACKS MUST BE IN UNOPENED, COMMERCIAL CONTAINERS".

I understand and respect the health department's need to keep "home-baked" goods at home. Believe me, I don't want the kids' preschool to be closed down. I also understand the dangers of bringing peanut products to school.

I'm guilty of buying commercial "non-organic" snacks on occasion. Sometimes a girl wants a handful of Goldfish, but I guess I wanted to set a good "green" example to start off the school year. I was determined to find a commercial, organic snack that didn't contain peanut butter or wasn't manufactured in the same facility as a peanut product.

It wasn't all that easy to find and it certainly wasn't cheap, but it made me feel good. I was also encouraged by the fact the teachers don't want juice boxes to be brought to school. Their reasons may be different than mine, but it's a little less waste filling up their trash cans. They also send home a canvas bag for the kid's to bring their snack in for the day.

Birthday celebrations will also be different for the kids this year. The administration has asked parents not to bring in sugary treats. Instead the birthday boy or girl can donate a copy of their favorite book in honor of their special day. I really like this idea and applaud the staff for trying something new and different.

Now I just need to work up the courage to implement a recycling program. How are you handling snacks and recycling for your kids?

This is my September submission for the Green Moms Carnival hosted this month by Surely You Nest.

5 Eco-friendly Ways to Cure Summer Boredom

A couple of weeks ago Shannon hosted a "Mom I'm Bored" themed edition. I didn't have it together then, so I thought I'd post these ideas today.

I've searched the web and found some great ideas for fun, eco-friendly things to do with your kids for the days when nothing else seems to entertain them.

1. GreenStyle Mom is recycling plastic to make Shrinky Dink Necklaces.

2. There's a drawer in the laundry room where I stash all of the misplaced little toys and trinkets that make their way into our house. Thanks to Kiwi Magazine, I now have a great way to reuse these things to make an adorable frame.

3. Green Mom Finds has an easy no-cook playdough recipe you can make with items from your pantry.

4. Recycle pages from magazines, coloring books, hand-drawn pictures or photos to make these wonderful wooden block puzzles. Check out other crafts and activities from Scribbit. She has a wonderful way of turning ordinary, everyday things into something fun and spectacular.

5. Plant something with your kids. Jennifer Lance has a great post of 10 Tips for Organic Gardening.

Three R Thursday - Vinegar

Plan White Vinegar is a multi-purpose cleaner that's cheap and non-toxic. It can help you in the kitchen, the bathroom, the laundry and even your flower beds.

It's a great idea to create two vinegar spray bottles. One filled with pure vinegar and the other with a vinegar/water mixture.

You may recognize some of these and some might be new to you (as they were to me). I would love to hear how you use vinegar to help perform everyday tasks.

1. Moisten those annoying stickers used on frames and mirrors with vinegar. Let sit for at least ten minutes, then remove.

2. Place a bowl of vinegar in a stinky room overnight to remove persistent odors.

3. Clean your windows with a half vinegar/water spray. Wipe with newspapers or microfiber cloth to decrease lint.

4. Soak your shower head in vinegar overnight to remove corrosion or chemical build-up.

5. Remove stains from your toilet bowl by spraying with vinegar and scrubbing. Sprinkling in a little baking soda will help with any odor.

6. Keep ants away by spraying vinegar along doorways, windowsills and counter tops. Clean any ant trails with vinegar.

7. Remove odors from the sink or garbage disposal by pouring in a cup of vinegar. Give it at least an hour before rinsing.

8. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to your water before boiling eggs. It keeps them from cracking.

9. Keep colors from running by soaking in vinegar before washing.

10. Freshen your cut flowers by adding 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar for each quart of water.

11. Spray vinegar full strength on weeds. The vinegar "starves" the weed and it will die. Works best on a sunny day. You can also spray the grass on walks and driveways.

12. Tenderize meat by soaking it in vinegar overnight.

13. Clean and disinfect your wood cutting boards by wiping with full strength vinegar.

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Off My Game

Over the last week I've found myself repeating this phrase, "Just because it's cheap and easy doesn't mean it's better".

Preparing for our open house has affected my decision-making process. I've been doing things I don't agree with all for the sake of convenience. It's so easy to fall back into old habits. I come here to confess my sins against the environment.

My offenses as of late:

• I bought fruit in plastic bags instead of using these.
• The fruit wasn't organic.
• I've used a few cleaning products that aren't exactly eco-friendly.
  
• I threw away a few glass bottles while cleaning out the fridge.
• I agreed to let the landscaper use Preen in the flower beds. I came to my senses over the weekend and I'm calling him today to cancel it.
• I called a hauler to haul away things from the garage that could've been Freecycled.
• I bought cut flowers from the "regular" grocery store that weren't certified VeriFlora.

Happy Baby Organic Baby Food

Mindful Momma is having a great Happy Baby Organic Food giveaway.


HAPPYBABY is committed to making baby food as healthy and delicious as homemade.

HAPPYBABY meals come in 15 flavors with a great variety of meats, veggies, grains and fruits for baby’s budding palette. Their food trays are BPA FREE, with individual cubes for less waste and no heating in plastic.

HAPPYBABY contains no nuts, soy, dairy, sugar, wheat or eggs. The meals are all organic with 100% natural ingredients.

You can order HappyBaby products from Amazon - we also have products available at our local Babies R Us and Whole Foods.

What Doesn't Work for Me - Natural Deodorant

This week is a theme-week at Rocks in My Dryer. I'm writing about what doesn't work for me . . . natural deodorant.


I'm a nursing mom whose hormones are running amuck. I'm not a sweet delicate flower. I don't perspire - I sweat! I've tried, but I'm not too fond of my "natural" body's scent. Who am I kidding - it's odor - plain and simple body odor!

Because of the potential dangers of aluminum found in traditional deodorant, I've been trying to use natural deodorants. They don't work for me! I've tried several different brands, but haven't had any luck conquering the odor and wetness.

Going Crunchy wrote about using a Deodorant Stone, which is a potential solution. With warm days heading our way, I'm willing to try anything.

What works for you?

It's Earth Day and I've Got Nothing

I wanted to write a clever post for Earth Day. A post to make you think I've got my act together. I wanted to impart great "green" wisdom that would influence you to make some changes, but I'm fried and I've got nothing!

I'm leaning on some of my inspirational "green" bloggy reads to provide you with a wonderful Eath Day experience. Because quite frankly, at this moment, they've got their acts together and are doing a great job.

• Surely You Nest helps you calculate your carbon footprint.

• Green Mom Finds brings you a few easy precycling tips for putting a little more “green” into your life.

• OrganicMania helps you plan your Earth Day festivities.

• Going Crunchy is blogging outloud.

• Crunchy Domestic Goddess is celebrating family style. She also has a great Earth-Mother's Day Giveaway.

• The Little Green Blog prepares for Earth Day and Real Nappy Week.

• Diane's Big Green Purse has a great wish list for Mother Nature.
  

• Nature Mom Blog is having a Gorgeously Green Earth Week Giveaway

• As usual, Crunchy Chicken is challenging us and questioning the recent flock to jump on the environmental bandwagon.

Three R Thursday: A Sticky Situation

Dear Mr. Grocer,

I'm sure you have a logical reason for putting multiple stickers on my organic produce. You probably think it's okay because the stickers are made with food grade gums. You may not have considered the fact that when a toddler asks for an apple, they don't have the patience to wait while their mother peels and scrubs the stickiness off of their healthy organic apple.

You probably discovered you were losing money at the check out counter because the checkers couldn't tell the difference between organic and conventional produce. For some reason the small sticker wasn't sufficient, so a really big one needed to be added.

I have a solution. Save the money you are spending on these stickers. Save the time it takes for one of your employees to stick them on everything organic. With the money you save, you can charge the same amount for organic and conventional produce.

After all, don't we all deserve to eat produce grown without the use of toxic pesticides.

Thank you for your consideration.

YoBaby Yogurt & EWG

Stonyfield Farm will donate $1 for every click to the Environmental Working Group to help protect you and your family from harmful chemicals in food.

You can 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.

Three R Thursday - 13 Top Green Picks for Baby

1. A SwaddleMe from Kiddopotamus' certified organic collection. Pediatricians recommend swaddling to comfort and soothe newborns. SwaddleMe wings have Velcro tabs, to wrap up your newborn and stay comfortably in place. As baby grows, wings readjust for a perfect fit. SwaddleMe wings are easily opened to prevent overheating, and the leg pouch can be popped down for a quick diaper checking or changing. SwaddleMe can also be used in the car seat, simply insert car seat harnesses through the access slits!

2. Born Free BPA-free bottles. Bisphenol-A is a hormone-disrupting chemical considered to be potentially harmful to human health and the environment. It has been known that scratched and worn polycarbonate feeding bottles will leach this chemical into liquids. The BornFree™ products are made of PES (Polymer), Polypropylene, glass and Silicone. If you would like to read more about the dangers of Bisphenol-A visit this portal.


3. Gerber Nuk Orthodontic Pacifier Simple Button for Newborn. These pacifiers are also BPA-free. Here is a guide for How to Find Safer Pacifiers.




4. George organic clothing. I won this lot of clothing on eBay for less than $25. They are in great shape and so soft.






5. California Baby Hair & Body Wash Shampoo. California Baby products contain organic and sustainably grown ingredients. No Sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA, or numbing agents. California Baby is also a very eco-friendly company, they use minimal packaging and recycled paper and soy inks for product info tags and literature.



6. American Baby Company organic bedding collection. I was able to order a crib and cradle sheet through Amazon.



7. Kate Quinn Organics. I couldn't resist getting at least one outfit from Kate Quinn. Her clothing is certified organic and produced using fair trade practices. I reviewed several clothing sites here. I got the Tahitian/Chocolate outfit - this little boy may never come out of it!



8. Bumkins Starter Bib. These bibs are waterproof, stain and odor resistant. Most importantly, they are PVC, Phthalate & Vinyl Free. Made in the USA.



9. Sassy Earth Brights Wooden Dove Teether. This teething toy is BPA-free. Here is a guide for How to Find Safer Teethers.



10. Seventh Generation Baby Wipes. Seventh Generation uses renewable, non-toxic, phosphate-free, and biodegradable ingredients as often as possible, and are never tested on animals. Seventh Generation Baby Wipes are moistened with natural aloe vera, vitamin E, and water to cleanse and moisturize gently and naturally. Wipes are fragrance free, not bleached with chlorine and do not contain alcohol or synthetic ingredients that can irritate baby's skin.



11. gDiapers consist of a washable, cotton outer pant and a plastic free flushable refill. They are made of breathable material just like sports clothing. So, babies stay dry and happy and are far less likely to get diaper rash. Can't flush? It's ok to toss flushable refills because they're plastic-free. Or garden compost the wet ones. They'll break down in 50-150 days.

The next 2 products I bought for baby's Big Sister and Big Brother, but they deserve a mention.

12. Sigg Baby Water Bottle. Amazingly rugged, crack-resistant, recyclable and reusable, and topped off with a ground-breaking interior lining that is 100% effective against leaching and combats residue build-up. Sigg is a proud participant in the 1% program, where 1% of all profits are returned to environmental causes.

13. Boon Snack Ball. This fun, sphere-shaped snack container is BPA-free. Its rigid form protects snacks from crushing making it great for travel. The two halves unscrew for easy cleaning.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A Tisket a Tasket - a Greener Easter Basket

Apparently, there's no off-switch when you're trying to make better choices for your family and the environment. Honestly, I've never thought about the negative impact Easter has on our environment and health.

But when you consider the plastic baskets, plastic grass, plastic eggs and dyes containing harmful chemicals it makes sense to seek out safer choices. I've committed myself to this and there's no turning back now.

Not only is Easter arriving early this year - it falls right around my due date! I'm collecting ideas and resources a little early in hopes of creating a greener Easter for our family this year!

Easter Baskets

• reuse baskets from previous years
• re-purpose a different type of container such as a - fruit bowl, picnic basket or flower pot
• purchase a basket supporting fair trade practices
• if you just can't resist and want to buy the colorful baskets reminiscent of your childhood, Land of Nod has handwoven baskets containing no PVC

Easter Grass
There's no need to use plastic grass anymore. Besides, how bummed out did you get when you had to waste the time to skillfully unwrap the plastic strands from your glorious chocolate bunny before you could take a bite!

• have the kids get involved and grow your own grass
  
• put your paper shredder to work and recycle paper to use as grass
• try this edible sugar-free Easter grass
• Nova Natural sells 100% wool fleece grass that can be used for years to come
  

Easter Eggs

• if possible purchase organic, cage-free eggs for your baskets.
• use your own vegetable or fruit-based dyes
• purchase a kit containing natural dyes for your eggs

Here's a tip for a large, peaceful Easter Egg Hunt:

• prepare several dozen eggs and number each one 1-12 (of course natural eggs are the best choice, but if you have plastic ones just make sure you hold on to them and use them year after year)
  
• mix up eggs and hide as usual
• instruct "hunters" they must find the eggs in number order - this helps everyone have an equal shot at finding eggs and makes the fun last a little longer

To save yourself a little work . . . if you have multiple families involved in your hunt, ask each family to bring a dozen numbered eggs for each member that will be participating.

Resources:
Ecobites
Green Promise
Green Guide
Nova Natural

Friday Round - Up

I've searched the world wide web over, and I'm bringin' you some linky love!

• Crunchy Domestic Goddess is having a great giveaway. Head on over for a chance to win your own bottle of the Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate from Shaklee.

• Pennies in My Pocket has an awesome giveaway for a year's worth of Dropps laundry detergent. I will be reviewing this detergent in an upcoming installment of Three R Thursday. Go Check it Out!
  

• Want to calculate how much money you can save by switching your light bulbs? OneBillionBulbs.com is educating people about the cost-saving and environmental benefits of replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs.

• I just picked up some CleanWell hand sanitizer at Target this week. It's the first one of its kind - using no alcohol or other harsh chemicals.

• I know switching to organic food can be overwhelming and expensive. Learn why these 5 items: milk, peanut butter, apples, potatoes and ketchup are great foods to start with.

February 22, 2008
February 15, 2008
Swango, Ideal Bite, A Green Ferret Mission, Consumer Consequences
February 8, 2008
Valentine's Edition
February 1, 2008
10 Ways to Deal with Blogger's Block, The Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics, The Lost Blog, Blogging Basics 101
January 25, 2008
31 Days to Becoming a Better Blogger, PaperBack Swap, Crunchy Chicken's Book Club

Three R Thursday - Organic Children's Clothing Part 2

If you read last week's "Three R Thursday" post, you know I'm crazy and hormonal in the process of figuring out the world of organic clothing. Based on what I discovered about conventional cotton production, I think it's important to invest in organic clothing (if possible) - and I do mean it is an investment!

After a week of searching the net and being on hold with more customer service departments than I care to mention, here's what I discovered. Last week I was optimistic and hoped to score the "green trifecta" of clothing -- certified organic, manufactured under fair trade practices and local. This proved to be a very tough challenge.

I discovered the following brands/companies are certified organic: Tadpoles at Target, George at Wal-Mart, Pottery Barn for Kids, BabyGap, and Hanna Andersson. For now, I don't think I can consider these companies under Fair Trade practices, but depending on your priorities, I think it is important to mention them because they are made from certified organic cotton. I think these are budget-friendly options for the basics (especially onesies that can get ruined easily). I think finding local organic clothing is going to be near impossible, but one can always hope. If you have information contrary to what I found, please let me know about it.

The following 5 companies are all certified organic and fair trade. The price point is based on one short sleeve onesie.

Price Point: $20
Summary: Speesees' mission is to be fun, fair and organic in their products and the way they conduct business. They are taking baby steps towards creating a more sustainable future for the animal, plant and human speesees on our children's planet.
Top pick: I love these colored animal kimonos.

Price Point: $15
Summary: Kate Quinn Organics features stylish apparel made from the finest 100% certified organic fabrics. They strive to care for the earth and its community without sacrificing fun and style.
Top Pick: For the style, price and colors, you can't beat this set of 7 onesies.


Price Point: $13
Summary: Under the Nile offers an alternative to conventional cotton apparel for infants and children. All products are made from 100% handpicked organic cotton that is grown exclusively in Egypt. Their dyeing process uses metal-free or vegetable dyes.
Top Pick: I love this basic collection of 24/7 items.

Under the Nile's site is very informative and contains great information on the importance of organic cotton.


Price Point: $21
Summary: Sage Creek Naturals is committed to providing families with organic cotton baby clothes and bedding. Their priority is to offer a line of organic cotton clothes that are stylish, affordable, safe and of course, soft! Sage Creek Naturals shares your concern for: the health of our loved ones and of our fragile environment, the quality of life and the value of products and services.
Top Pick: I love all the pieces in this bear collection.

Price Point: $21.95
Summary: Ecoland was started by a mother of two girls. Their first brand for babies, “Ecoland for Angel”, is made exclusively from the highest quality 100% organically grown cotton, which is certified by SKAL. All of their garments are sustainable processed and sewn in a sweatshop-free environment.
Top pick: It doesn't get much better than this shirt & pant set.

Friday Round - Up

I've searched the world wide web over, and I'm bringin' you some linky love!

• If you're like me you have probably wondered, "How many PB&J sandwiches is too many to feed my children?" Well, making a PB&J may not make you feel like a gourmet cook, but take comfort in the fact that you are doing something good for the environment (yes, it is possible to connect everything to "green living"). Check out the PB&J Campaign to learn how these wonderful little sandwiches are helping to slow global warming.

• My Bag & Me is a board book written by Karen Farmer. It's never too early for your child to learn about the 3 R's: reusing, reducing and recycling. My Bag & Me follows a child and his reusable shopping bag on a trip to the grocery store. By the end of the story, your child will say Paper and plastic no more! Includes a FREE reusable Tyvek shopping bag! Children can tote on their next shopping trip to show-off their eco-awareness!

• TerraCycle manufactures affordable, potent, organic products that are not only made from waste, but are also packaged entirely in waste! This company is definitely worth a look - they're doing a lot of great things with waste!

• Back in November, we signed up with 41pounds.org. We paid a $41 fee to stop our junk mail over the next 5 years - so far so good. Another FREE option that's been getting good reviews is ProQuo.
  

• Is your mom the best mother in the world? If so, enter why you think she should win the title 2007 Mother of the Year! She can win some great prizes including $5,000 cash!

• Are you coming to The Ultimate Blog Party? It's a great opportunity to meet a lot of people and have a chance to win some great prizes! The party is for everyone, not just bloggers! Check it out!
  

Giveaways:

Laura Williams' Musings has a great giveaway going on now from Stuck on You. Stuck on You helps parents manage their busy households by offering a variety of products to help you keep track of your family's belongings. Go over to Laura's and check it out - giveaway runs through February 28th.

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a giveaway for an Oreck XL Ultra vacuum cleaner. This vacuum only weighs 9 lbs. It has a hypo-allergenic filtration system that eliminates 99.9% of all allergens. You have until 2/28 to enter for a chance to win.


February 15, 2008
Swango, Ideal Bite, A Green Ferret Mission, Consumer Consequences

February 8, 2008
Valentine's Edition

February 1, 2008
10 Ways to Deal with Blogger's Block, The Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics, The Lost Blog, Blogging Basics 101

January 25, 2008
31 Days to Becoming a Better Blogger, PaperBack Swap, Crunchy Chicken's Book Club

Three R Thursday - Organic Children's Clothing

They’ve been sitting there for over a week.

Lonely. Confused. Free from toxins.

In a virtual shopping cart. Somewhere on the Internet, sits a basket full of organic baby clothes.

Why, you ask?

Because I am a month away from bringing another beautiful baby into the world, and my neurotic mind is trying to justify spending $20 on an organic onesie.

A $20 organic onesie that will inevitably end up with a breast-milk-induced-poop-explosion all over it. A $20 organic onesie stained and in need of some chemical-laden stain remover, totally defeating the purpose of buying organic in the first place. In the end, leaving the $20 organic onesie unwearable.

Have I mentioned the average organic onesie is about $20?

Decisions, Decisions…

Choosing to buy organic food for our family was an easy decision. Many of the things we consume on a daily basis are organic. We are willing to pay a little more knowing what our family is eating is better for us and the environment.

After researching the production of conventional cotton, my decision became a little easier. Just because my kid’s not going to be eating his organic onesie - doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be safe for him!

I decided to empty my shopping cart today. I want to spend a little more time looking for organic products that hopefully hit the “Green Trifecta” – organic, fair-trade and local (or at least made in the U.S.).

Hopefully, the day will come when words like “natural” and “organic” will be obsolete. A day when concerned mothers can safely assume manufactures are participating in safe practices bringing safe products to our families and into our homes.

I’d love any suggestions or comments you may have. I’ll update you with my findings and hopefully my purchases next week.

Below is my little “pros & cons list” I came up with as I was researching. I’m sure there are a lot more “pros” , but the EPA’s findings pretty much sealed the deal for me.

Pros

1. Organic cotton is produced using materials and methods that are better for our environment.

• Cotton occupies 3% of the world’s farmland, but uses 25% of the world’s chemical pesticides and 10% of the insecticides.
• The EPA considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 as “possible”, “likely”, or “known” human carcinogens.
• According to the Sustainable Cotton Project, it takes about one-third of a pound of pesticides and fertilizers to grow enough cotton for just one T-shirt.

2. The production of organic cotton protects the health of people and the planet.

• The toxic chemicals and synthetic pesticides used in the production of conventional cotton ends up in the ground, air, water, and food supply.
• Can lower instances of allergies and asthma

3. Better value over time.

• Organic cotton becomes softer with each washing. It's also stronger and more durable than a lot of other fabrics.

Cons

1. Organic cotton is more expensive.

• I know the market drives prices. It is going to take an increase in demand from families like ours to make these prices drop.

2. Getting what you paid for.

• If you are going to invest in organic clothing, make sure you are getting a certified organic product. Read the labels or ask the merchandiser if the cotton has been certified.

WFMW: Wrap-n-Mat

I am very happy with my new WRAP-N-MAT^TM wraps. The WRAP-N-MAT^TM is a sandwich wrap and a placemat in one. Simply place the sandwich or other snack food on the mat and fold the WRAP-N-MAT^TM wrap from left to right, top to bottom. Close the Velcro tab; it’s that easy. I like to place a napkin at the bottom of the sandwich. These wraps definitely work for me!

Environmentally Friendly:

Daily over 20,000,000 baggies are discarded and added to our landfills. One wrap can be used for an entire school year without having to be replaced. All wraps are LEAD FREE. In addition, the colors on the Eco print are made with vegetable dye.

Manufactured in both USA and China:

Manufactured proudly in both Kansas, U.S.A. and Hong Kong, China. WRAP-N-MAT^TM wraps are made up of cloth and have a lining that is either made of PVC or PEVA. Materials found in both linings are on the FDA safe list for food contact surfaces.

Alternative lining available as well:

Three years ago, WRAP-N-MAT^TM wraps started being manufactured in China with a lining made of PEVA (Polyethylene vinyl acetate). This material contains no “C” chloride compound so it is more ecologically friendly in its production than PVC. WRAP-N-MAT^TM wraps have recently expanded their line of wraps made with PEVA lining to include solid blue, cream, solid green and our ever popular red/white gingham. Wraps made in China are manufactured under Fair Trade Association-approved guidelines.

Healthy:
WRAP-N-MAT^TM wraps always provides a clean surface to place your food. Use them in the school cafeteria, your office desk, the picnic table, a fast food restaurant or in the car.

I purchased my WRAP-N-MAT's from Reusable Bags where I get all of my great sustainable products, like my shopping bags.

Three R Thursday #5 - BYOB Movement

No, I am not talking about beer - although a beer does sound good right about now. I am talking about BAGS. Specifically, plastic bags.

I know - I know, I've had this discussion before, but now I'm a little mad (you should know, it takes a lot to make me mad). It seems that China has surpassed our Green initiatives, and just last month banned all plastic bags. Come on now - can't we move ahead of them in something?

Thankfully, supermarkets like Whole Foods, is taking on this challenge. By Earth Day 2008, all Whole Foods markets will no longer offer plastic bags as an option.

I am not saying you have to go out and buy a dozen reusable bags. I'm guessing you already have several canvas totes lying around and probably your own stash of plastic bags you could reuse.

Let's review a view facts: (provided by Reusable Bags)

• According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. An estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to make that many plastic bags.

• Plastic bags cause over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animal deaths every year when animals mistake them for food.

• The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store.

Whew - I'm a little worn out from my rant. I don't often take such a strong stand on things, but I guess everyone needs a cause. I just think reusing bags is such a simple fix. If you are looking for a way to make a small change - this would be a great way to make a huge impact. Thank you for indulging me.

Take a look at some Bloggers making a difference. They're writing about small changes having a big impact on REDUCING, REUSING and RECYCLING.

• Great news for Croc lovers! They are now recyclable. GreenStyle Mom has written about the program here.

• Design Mom shares information she found on a creative way to reuse tin cans.

• Check out MommyBlogs Toronto for their February Challenge: Eliminate Plastic Bags! They are also offering prizes!
  

Click here to read previous Three R Thursday posts.

WFMW: Eco-friendly Kid Sites

In my effort to make better choices for our family, I've been researching eco-friendly products for our children. I've found a handful of sites I feel are doing a great job offering safe products. Most of these companies are family operated businesses, primarily started by moms.

At this point I'm just window-shopping. With a baby on the way and two little ones at home, my Wish List is definitely growing! Like this castle for my imaginative big boy. Any of these interactive cards for my creative little girl. And organic basics for our new arrival in March.

Apricot & Ivy's eco-friendly, predominantly wood and fabric products are chemical free, avoid harmful additives or colorings, and exceed European and US safety standards. Their wood toy products are of heirloom quality. The plush toys are washable and durable.

Kee-Ka strives to deliver expressive, eco-chic apparel and gifts for the littlest and most significant people in your life. They craft fashionable products in socially and ecologically responsible ways: using 100% certified organic cotton and low-impact dyes, as well as working with Fair Trade and Fair Wage suppliers around the world. Their products are packaged in award-winning, ready-to-mail gift boxes made from recycled paper.

Zoe B was started by a mom who was concerned about the amount of pesticides in the cotton (50 million pounds of pesticides annually in the US alone) used to make our clothing.

Stubby Pencil Studio was launched in 2006 by Kate Rosenthal. Stubby Pencil Studio offers two lines of eco-friendly cards, printed on 100% post consumer waste recycled stock. In addition to stationery, Stubby Pencil Studio also offers unique and earth-friendly art supplies, as well as small gifts made from forest friendly and non-toxic materials. *Right now at Green Mom Finds you can enter for a chance to win a “Green to the Letter” Gift Basket worth $60.

Sage Baby's mission is simple: to help new and expectant parents take the next step --beyond organic food-- in creating a healthier environment for their babies and children.

I included Zwaggle in my list because I love the concept. Zwaggle is an online community for parents to share with other parents. Using our points based sharing system, parents spend less money, time and resources providing for their children.

Be sure to check out other favorite shopping sites at Works for Me Wednesday.

Previous Works for Me Wednesday posts

Eat Wild

Bob has been reading Omnivore's Dilemma and trying in a stealth-like way to impart the information he has been learning about the way our meat is produced. At first I wasn't listening because I thought it was going to be an attempt for him to encourage me to stop eating meat (not something a woman in her 7th month of pregnancy with no control over what she is eating wants to hear). Once I heard him say "it is more important to know what the animals are being fed and it is better to use meat more as a side dish and not so much the main part of the meal seven days a week" I perked up. However, I have decided instead of reading Omnivore's Dilemma (I am going to trust him to tell me what I need to know) I am going to cheat a little and read through Jo Robinson's website, Eatwild.com. Pretty interesting and eye opening stuff!

Eatwild.com is owned and operated by Jo Robinson, an investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author who specializes in science-based health information. Jo has been investigating the differences between animals raised in feedlots and pasture-based farms for the past seven years.

Eatwild.com is your source for safe, healthy, natural and nutritious grass-fed beef, lamb, goats, bison, poultry, pork, dairy and other wild edibles. This website:

• Provides comprehensive, accurate information about the benefits of raising animals on pasture.
  
  
• Links consumers with local suppliers of all-natural, delicious, grass-fed products.
  
  
• Provides a marketplace for farmers who raise their livestock on pasture from birth to market and who actively promote the welfare of their animals and the health of the land.

100 Mile Diet

I find the concept of the 100 Mile Diet very interesting. I would have to make a lot of adjustments in the way I eat, shop, cook and think. Might be a challenge worth pursuing - I can really only see benefits from eating locally.


When the average North American sits down to eat, each ingredient has typically traveled at least 1,500 miles—call it "the SUV diet." On the first day of spring, 2005, Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon chose to confront this unsettling statistic with a simple experiment. For one year, they would buy or gather their food and drink from within 100 miles of their apartment in Vancouver, British Columbia. Since then, James and Alisa have gotten up-close-and-personal with issues ranging from the family-farm crisis to the environmental value of organic pears shipped across the globe. They've reconsidered vegetarianism and sunk their hands into community gardening. They've eaten a lot of potatoes. Their 100-Mile Diet struck a deeper chord than anyone could have predicted. Within weeks, reprints of their blog at thetyee.ca had appeared on sites across the internet. Then came the media, from BBC Worldwide to Utne magazine. Dozens of individuals and grassroots groups have since launched their own 100-Mile Diet adventures. The need now is clear: a locus where 100-milers can get the information they need to try their own lifestyle experiments, and to exchange ideas and develop campaigns. That locus will be here at 100MileDiet.org—turning an idea into a movement.