Friday Roundup - Valentine's Edition

I've searched the web over, and I'm bringin' you green love.

• Check out TreeHugger's Valentine's Day Gift Guide to help you give greener love. (Disclaimer: not all gifts are G-rated)

• Crunchy Chicken and Nature Moms Blog have some tips for planning a greener Valentine's Day.

• If you are so inclined to send out V-day cards this year try a plantable one from Botanical Paperworks. Or choose from one of these recycled cards from Etsy. Better yet, send an electronic card to the ones you love.

• Here you can find some great Valentine's craft ideas for your children using recycled materials.
  

Check back next week for ideas on recycling the cards your child brings home from school.

Previous Roundups
January 31, 2008
January 24, 2008

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

Tackle It Tuesday #4 - Empty Shelves Syndrome

We remodeled our bathroom. I was eager to have my husband hang these cube shelves, which he did without much fuss. That was over 6 months ago.

There they hang - empty - mocking me every time I get out of the shower. They say, "if only you weren't such a procrastinator we could be serving an actual purpose here - we could be displaying a pretty picture frame, a cool clock, or a sculptural piece preferably in white". I have great ideas and motivation in the beginning of a project, but my energy fades and the finishing touches rarely get done.

Seriously, I'm not that far gone. I'm not hearing these cubes talk to me, but enough already. I need help! Any suggestions?

I think I may also reach out and Ask Design Mom for some guidance.

Bathroom Details:
Shelf dimensions:

• all three are almost 4" deep
• tall shelf 5x11
• small square 7x7
• large square 8x8

This is similar to the color of the bathroom accent tile and wall color. The mirror, medicine cabinet, light fixtures, and towel bars are in a polished nickel finish. I am using comfy, fluffy white towels.

Check out an update on our guest room below.

Guest Room Conversion Update: Week 1

Before


Week 1

• Obviously, clear out the room. Everything from computer pieces to bike parts. I am told all these various parts will eventually turn into a bicycle. I made a little progress clearing things out but still have some work to do.

• Order window coverings. I ordered 3 of these from Target.

• Order bedding. I ordered this organic duvet and pillows for the bed. I also order this blanket. I have a thing for pillows: I ordered this one in the sandlewood, this one in the khaki, this one in the ivory, and this organic one. Told you I had a thing for pillows. Can you tell I am going for a natural/neutral look with this room.

• Order lamps. I decided to re-purpose lamps from another room so no need to order new ones.

• Install window treatments.
• Buy comforter for duvet cover.
• Buy mattress
  
• Come up with something for the walls.

Thanks to the 5 Minutes for Moms, Susan and Janice for hosting Tackle It Tuesday. Go and check out more Tackle It Tuesday participants.

Previous Tackle It Tuesday Posts:
Guest Room Conversion
My Thoughts
Coat Closet

Quiet Time

Last night our children were in bed and asleep by 6:30. We had a full day of lunch and playing at the grandparents with no naps. As I tucked them in, I contemplated what I was going to do with my quiet time.

I should have gone straight to bed, but I couldn’t resist the time alone. I decided I would go to bed once I finished up a load or two of laundry, picked up various toys strewn throughout the house, visited a few of my favorite blogs, did a little online shopping, and watched an episode of Law and Order I actually had not seen before.

At 11 o’clock I finally get into my very comfortable bed and begin to pray, “Lord, thank you for my quiet evening. Thank yo-- I hear my door creak open and see a little boy standing in the shadows saying, “Mommy, I want you to wake up and play with me.”

After explaining to him that it was the middle of the night, and although the last 6 hours of sleep he had were good, they were not quite sufficient. He would need to rest for at least 6 or 7 more hours to fulfill his body's needs. He reluctantly got into bed with me and began drifting off to sleep.

I began to pray again. “Lord, thank your for this quiet evening. Thank you for this sweet little boy lying beside me. Thank yo-- and then I hear cries of “mommy” coming from a nearby room. A little girl is sitting up in bed, “Mommy, I want to lay down in your bed”. At this point, I was too tired for discussion, and the path of least resistance was the one taken.

After getting everyone settled into bed together, I prayed, “Lord, thank you for this very comfortable King Size bed. Amen.

Disclaimer: The author of this entry is confused about the proper way to use laying and lying. If either of these words were used incorrectly, feel free to leave a comment correcting the author. You may also offer any tips on how to use said words properly. Thank you.

And the winner is . . .

When I decided to participate in the Bloggy Giveaway I was excited to be giving away something I truly enjoy, Real Simple magazine. I envisioned putting a few names in a hat. Then letting my little boy pull one name out. Explaining why he could only pull one name out. Explaining again, until he would decide that everyone should be a winner.

By mid-week it became clear I was going to have to choose another way to pick a name - apparently a lot of you enjoy Real Simple, too. At 5 o'clock today I had 420 comments - I feel like I won something!

I used Random.org to generate a number and the winner is . . . .
# 42 nor_lou. Congratulations and I hope you enjoy your year's worth of Real Simple.

Thank you for participating in the Bloggy Giveaway and don't be a stranger!

Here are your random numbers:

42

Timestamp: 2008-02-01 22:16:45 UTC

Friday Roundup

You still have time to enter the hundreds of wonderful giveaways over at Rocks in the Dryer. You have until 5pm est today to enter my giveaway here. I will be posting the winner at 8pm est here and at the Bloggy Giveaway site here.

• Ann Kroeker wrote a great list of 10 Ways to Deal with Blogger's Block.

• The Green Guide has published an article on "The Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics".


• Didn't get enough of "Lost" last night? Check out The Lost Blog for information and theories.

• Blogging Basics 101 is a great resource for bloggers. You can search for answers or submit questions you have about blogging.

Previous Roundups
January 24, 2008