Eco-Friendly Utensils and Plates for Outdoor Picnics, Camping and BBQ's

I'm all for using non-disposable feeding utensils, plates, napkins, etc. when entertaining, but there are times when toting along reusable feeding gear just isn't reasonable or possible. my EARTH360 carries a wonderful line of eco-friendly plates and utensils that are sustainably made and easier on the planet in both their creation and disposal.

Their Aspenware Biodegradable Wood Utensils are aesthetically appealing... and pretty is as pretty does with this fork, knife and spoon set that should usurp all plastic silverware counterparts for perpetuity. Made from birch and aspen, hardwoods typically left to rot during industrial logging this cutlery set is 100% biodegradable and compostable and free of chemicals, GMOS, bleaches and dyes.

$4.99 for a 12 count set

myEARTH360's VerTerra Eco-friendly party ready plates are created from fallen palm leaves and are also beautiful by design. These plates are manufactured using fair wage labor and sustainable production, and no trees or plants are cut down to make them. They boast many great features:

* All natural -- chemical and bleach free
* Non toxic -- no plastics or waxes
* Naturally biodegrades in two months after disposal
* 100% compostable
* No trees or plants cut down -- made from fallen leaves
* Microwave, oven, and refrigerator-safe

1 package of 8 6x6 plates is $6.99. Also available in sizes 10x10 and 8x8.

These eco-friendly products are definitely pricier than your standard plastic utensils and paper plates, but if you can make the investment, it is indeed worth the end result of a healthier planet and a guilt free you!

Get 10% off by using discount code: PLANET10 after shopping at myEARTH360.

Handmade Recycled Cards by Tiara Tomato

There's nothing like receiving personal mail every once in a while -- I mean a letter you can open and feel in your hands and place on a shelf... so much more personal and heartfelt than email. Sending snail mail isn't the most eco-friendly correspondence option, but for those times when this gesture is advised, (and in my family, we send thank you notes for sending thank you notes), choose a beautiful set of handmade, eco-friendly cards from Tiara Tomato's Etsy shop. Each card is made of 100% recycled felt cardstock and printed with soy based inks. Envelopes are made of 100% recycled paper. Choose from a variety of gorgeous designs which you'll surely love to leave your signature on.

Set of 6 cards is $13

Turn Daddy's Dress Shirt into Daughter's Treasured Dress

My husband has about a zillion shirts he never wears, and I just happened upon an amazing Etsy shop, Red Pajamas who will take any button down, cotton, dress-type shirt you send her way and make it into a one of a kind, adorable dress! I love this ingenious, sentimental upcycling!

It would be such a cute idea to dress your daughter in one of these upcycled shirt dresses as a surprise for her dad's birthday or Father's Day... granted, you should probably make sure he's either outgrown or lost interest in the shirt to be transformed...

Visit Red Pajamas for more details and for ordering information.

Grass Couch Gives New Meaning to 'Lawn' Furniture

If you're enjoying lazy summer days in your yard, but you lack seating for outdoor BBQ's or want to lounge and read a good book outside under the trees, try building and growing this awesome grass couch! I love this natural alternative to plastic patio furniture. The base is made out of bricks, it's layered with mud, and embedded with grass seeds. All you need to do is mist it with water, and "keep off the grass" until it grows to your desired size and comfort. Oh, and wear clothing that you don't mine getting grass stained.

via Craftzine

Invaluable Lessons Found in Literature will Impact a Child for a Lifetime

I just read an extremely moving article in Oprah Magazine entitled: The Hard-Times Companion. In it, a mother gives her heartwarming account of the bond she developed and the lessons she learned alongside her 8 year old daughter by reading Little House on the Prairie together. Through the simple yet immensely powerful gesture of reading and losing themselves in literature, this mother/daughter duo became more compassionate, appreciative, humble and
charitable in their own daily lives. Experiencing the trials and triumphs of the Ingalls family gave them the perspective they needed to survive their own bout with the present day economic downturn.

One of my writing instructors in college always used to say, "show, don't tell." This is vital advice not only with regard to the craft of writing, but to parenting as well. The powerful sentiment and subtle lessons learned by sitting with your child, reading to them and sharing an adventure with them is a memory they will hold dear for life. There's a vast difference between telling a child to be grateful, and allowing them to learn for themselves the art of gratitude by walking in someone else's shoes in literature.

Ultimately, the author of the article, Marie Howe taught her daughter how to live a more simple yet more meaningful and fulfilled existence by appreciating what she does have. I think that is the crux of a green lifestyle -- and I hope that globally, materialism is replaced with valuing what's important: human connections and shared experiences.

I have added the Little House on the Prarie series of books to my Amazon wish list, and I am now eagerly awaiting the day Olivia and I crack open these books together to take our own journey with the Ingalls.

Reminder: Ecozoo Backpack Giveaway!

Don't forget to enter Inhabitots Ecozoo backpack giveaway! Send your tot back to school in eco-friendly style with these adorable creatures!

YoBaby 3-in-1 Meals Make for an Easy, Healthy Mealtime

You all know by now of my trials and tribulations when it comes to feeding my darling, very discerning toddler. I have mentioned before that one of her favorite things to eat is Stonyfield's organic YoBaby yogurt, and now there's a yummy addition to the organic YoBaby line: YoBaby 3-in-1 meals! I nearly leapt with joy when I knew I'd be able to add this to my list of foods Olivia would eat.

This ingenious combination lets kids eat their fruit, veggies and yogurt all at once! Available in three "delicious!" (that's Olivia's word for them) varieties: Apple & Sweet Potato, Pear & Green Bean and Peach & Squash. The mixtures may sound a bit strange, but they really are tasty. Yes, I have tasted them too. And I concur: "Delicious."

I love that these small 3-in-1 meals are cool and refreshing during these hot summer months, and that they do triple duty on the nourishment front. Additionally, "each grab & go cup provides more than a 1/3rd of your toddler’s daily protein & calcium needs, plus other essential nutrients like Zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin D."

I think I may buy a BFF necklace and give one half of it to Stonyfield, since they are certainly a mother's best friend.

NEW! Baby Hugo Naturals Bath Collection

Last summer I raved about Hugo Naturals Shower Gels... and this summer I am thrilled to have discovered their new baby Hugo Naturals collection. All eight products in this line are free of parabens, petroleum products, animal fats, artificial fragrances and colors.

We've been using baby Hugo Naturals Shea Butter and Chamomile Cleansing Shampoo and Baby Wash and it is purely divine. I can honestly say that after I bathed Olivia and washed her hair, then gave her a massage with baby Hugo Naturals Oh-So-Soft Shea Butter and Chamomile Lotion, I looked up to heaven and said, "this is what little cherub angels must smell like."

The baby wash and the lotion both contain Arnica, an herb well-known for its healing properties. I have a feeling that the Arnica is what gives these products the subtle scent that I love so much. It's a refreshing departure from typical baby care product aromas -- and both my husband and I are tempted to use these 'baby' products on ourselves!

Purchase the Baby Hugo Naturals Line via their website, or at Whole Foods.

ENTER TO WIN! Eco-Friendly, Super Cute Back to School Backpack!

Head on over to Inhabitots to enter to win your choice of the eco-conscious, adorable Ecozoo backpacks seen above! Read all about these delightful creatures and ideal classmates, then enter to win one for your child!

Mini-Toolboxes Made from Altoids Tins

How cute and clever are these sweet mini-toolboxes made out of Altoids tins? These would make perfect carrying cases for toting tiny treasures, or adorable party favors. The full instructions on how to make these curiously strong toolboxes (sorry, I couldn't resist) are available at Alpha Mom. But, the green mama in me says to substitute the red spray paint with a non-toxic variety of paint. These were originally designed as a thoughtful Father's Day gift, so start saving up your Altoids tins now in preparation for next June!

via Design Mom

Visit My Guest Post on Momversation!

Please visit my guest blog post on Momversation, "Can You Afford NOT to Join the Green Mom Movement" and get in gear to adopt a sustainable lifestyle for your children, family, and the world at large!

7 Sure to Please Organic/Natural Snacks for Picky Toddlers

I would have never imagined that snacks would become such a major part of my existence or my anxiety level. I spend copious amounts of time and money thinking about and buying the healthiest, tastiest snackage for Olivia, only to be greeted by her shaking her head and saying, "Noooooooo!" when she peers into her snack cup to see what lies inside. When she sees me coming with a snack, she runs up to me with the unbridled enthusiasm of a toddler, but if she doesn't like what I'm offering, sometimes she bursts into tears as if to say, "Mom, how could you have let me down like this!?" And I feel I can't possibly be alone in this mission to find the perfect snacks.

But lately I've been on a winning streak. I have found seven sure to please yummy, healthy snacks for kids. Mind you- none of these are better than say, apple slices, carrot sticks, grapes and bananas - and in a perfect world, Olivia would gobble up fresh fruits and veggies whenever I offered them to her. But in the real world, these are the snacks that are never refused when we're out and about and I don't have the option of toting a buffet table.

By the way, I have no affiliation with any of these products/companies... I am just a mom scouring the marketplace of my own accord!

1. Organic Clif Kid Twisted Fruit - Olivia's all time favorite snack. It is shaped like a licorice vine, so it's much easier to bite into and chew than typical fruit leathers which require the gnawing efficiency of a Rottweiler. Each twisted fruit is equivalent to one serving of fruit. Whenever I whip out one of these puppies, Olivia goes into a giddy state of euphoria... they also make great bribe snacks, although I hear bribing your kids with food is a big no-no. Oops. *Only downer: these are really hard to find - especially by the boxful. I have had to shell out a dollar for each twisted fruit, as sold individually. Olivia's name for it: "YUMMY FRUIT!"

2. Annie's Homegrown, Totally Natural Bunny Grahams - We buy these at Costco by the bunny load, so we have to spread them out so Olivia doesn't get sick of them. In yummy flavors of cheese, chocolate chip, chocolate, and honey, the bunnies never fail. When Olivia peers into her snack cup at them she nods her head and says, "Mmmmmm, Bunnnniiiieeess!" But beware, if you serve up the wrong flavor, protests may occur.

3. Organic Clif Kid Z Bar - When we first got these, my husband said in terror, "WHY are we giving her an ENERGY bar?" as Olivia catapulted herself around the room behind him like a human Pogo stick. I don't think these lowfat bars amp kids up - they are just filled with nourishment and 12 essential vitamins and minerals. They are also wheat free, so I can sneak a bite or a bar if I feel like it. Since they come in a variety of flavors including chocolate brownie and chocolate chip, Olivia's name for these bars is: "CHOCOLATE BAR!"

4. Dave's Killer Bread - One of our favorite activities is the Saturday morning Portland Farmer's Market. There's a Dave's Killer Bread stand there and Olivia can hardly wait to sink her teeth into a fresh slice of his 21 Whole Grains Bread. When she sees it coming: "Mmmm, yummy bread!"

5. YoBaby Organic Yogurt - This snack isn't as easily transportable, due to its perishable nature, but if you need a quick fix at home, these yogurt cups never fail. I love that they give Olivia her calcium intake since she doesn't drink milk. They come in a variety of yummy flavors, and they're refreshing and light. "Mommy, yogurt?" Olivia usually asks me for a yogurt cup before I even offer it.

6. Food Should Taste Good Chips - A big thanks to my sister for telling me about these. They are gluten free and scrumptious! We love the Olive and the Sweet Potato varieties the best, but you can't go wrong with any of these. Tonight, Olivia saw me eating these out of the bag and she walked over to me all offended and said, "I want some!" I love that there are only about 5 pure ingredients in each bag of these chips, and they boast a good fiber content. Olivia simply says: "Some? Some? Mommy?"

7. Sun-Rype Mini Bites Fruit Snacks - I've found it vexing that there's a gaping shortage of healthy gummy fruit snacks on the market. They are all loaded with icky ingredients and added sugar even when the label reads: all natural. Yeah, right. But we found Sun-Rype's Mini Bites at Costco and they have a wonderfully short, natural and pure ingredient list. Olivia calls them "Yummy fruit snacks!"

I hope these snack options help widen your repertoire, and if you have any favorite snack ideas you'd like to share, please -- by all means do so in the comments! Parenting is a constant journey to good snackage!

Klean Kanteen Sippy Cup: The Mother of All Stainless Steel Sippy Cups

I was surprisingly late jumping onto the Klean Kanteen bandwagon, but I'm happy to have recently purchased the 12 oz. Kid Kanteen sippy cup for Olivia. Prior to this purchase, we had been using BPA-free plastic sippy cups, but I love that by design, the Kid Kanteen keeps beverages cold, especially during these warm summer months.

There are many stainless steel sippy cup options on the market, but I thought it was vital to buy one that contained absolutely no aluminum or unspecified interior lining. The Kid Kanteen is BPA-free and made of food-grade stainless steel. It's sippy lid (cap and spout) is made of polypropylene (pp#5) and is also free of BPA.

The Kid Kanteen is 100% recyclable, and it won't leach any weird flavors into your kid's juice or water. You can fit ice cubes into the large round opening on top, and it's easy to clean, and dishwasher safe.

I also love that the Kid Kanteen is super lightweight, but sturdy and indestructible. It's well designed and aesthetically appealing too, available in a variety of hues.

I did wince slightly as I shelled out $20 for the Kid Kanteen, but justified the purchase with the knowledge that it will last for many years and may also be handed down. I think Kid Kanteens would make great gifts too- so next time you're stumped on what to get for the little ones in your life, reach for a Kid Kanteen!

Tiny Delicate Tissue Flower Making Tutorial from Zakka Life

Zakka Life has a great tutorial on how to make sweet tissue paper flowers for summertime decor. Strung together, these would make adorable, reusable party streamers for birthdays or baby showers. Jessica, the author of Zakka Life plans on gluing them onto willow branches and displaying them as part of a table centerpiece. I love that you can make these with the kids as a meditative way to spend time together, or craft them up while enjoying good conversation. Then, each blossom will bear a special memory of time shared.

The Ultimate Pillow for Kids Going to Sleep Away Summer Camp

When I first spotted this pillow at the aptly named Wise Craft blog, I immediately wished I had one depicting my old pal and best cat in the universe, Shazaam. It would make a huggable memento for a beloved pet who passed away... but the 'wise' mom behind Wise Craft made it for a much happier occasion, her daughter's first sleep away summer camp adventure.

Wanting her to be able to take along the comforts of home while having something to 'snuggle while away,' Wise Craft mom, Blair, created this awesome pillow case and cat pillow, "camp stuffy." She sewed the pillowcase from a fabric her daughter selected, stitched on a pocket, then brilliantly created the cat pillow of Gracie the cat, who fits cozily into the pocket on the pillow.

I can't imagine a better gift to give a child going away to sleep away camp -- the familiarity of a friend from home created with love and thoughtfulness. Go check out the details, more pictures and the how-to behind this ingenious design!

La Roulotte Playhouse by Mikodesign

My playhouse envy reaches new heights with this gorgeous miniature abode made by Erika of Mikodesign for her daughters. For a tour of this sweet dwelling that will make you wish you were a kid again, click here.

According to a post at Maya Made, almost all of the materials used to create La Roulotte (gypsy caravan) are 'recycled, vintage, given and handmade.'

What an inspiration to think such a beautiful spot and tribute to childhood, where many memories will be made, is as friendly to the earth in its construction as it is easy on the eyes and good for the soul.

Inke Heiland Vintage Wallpaper Elephant Silhouette

I am coveting this gorgeous vintage wallpaper elephant silhouette by Inke Heiland. The festive pachiderm shown above is hand-cut from vintage and reprinted wallpapers. Available in a variety of colorful patterns, the gentle giant could keep a watchful eye on the nursery or playroom. If you'd rather a different animal ruled your tot's kingdom, check out the company's variety of offerings, including a lion, giraffe, dog, ostrich and chimp!

Green Toddler Cleaning Toys

You could go the route of buying a fancy schmancy cleaning set (or trolley, as the case may be here) for your tot, which comes, ahem, complete with a head scarf. OR, you could do something a lot more economically and eco-friendly...


Buy the cleaning tools you normally use, and let your toddler play with them while they're in a clean state... then replace your old tools with them once your tot is on to the next interest! Olivia loves her little broom and dustpan, which I'll be able to use in the future for 'real' cleaning... and she even multitasks and chats on the phone while cleaning her little house - wonder where she gets that from?

When your green cleaning supplies run out, thoroughly clean spray bottles and give them to tots to do pretend cleaning with... give them rags and washcloths from around the house... the possibilities are endless.

While I agree that those little sets of miniature cleaning supplies sure are cute, before you know it, you're left with an unused , cast aside set of toys. Why not keep it real? Kids want to play with whatever you're really cleaning with anyway, so toss them an unused sponge and some pretend cleaning spray and have them join the ranks!

Fortune Cookie Shorties by Handmade Charlotte

It's been feeling hot hot hot the past few days... and finding cute, cool, comfy clothes for tots is key in warm weather. Handmade Charlotte makes the sweetest, daintiest, most summer appropriate Fortune Cookie Shorties for little girls. They're perfect paired with a onesie or tank top, or to wear under a dress. They seem a lot more comfortable than a pair of regular shorts, as they are more like bloomers.

Each pair of shorties has a message (fortune) sewn into the waistband, ie: challenge, honest, etc., and they come packaged in a Chinese takeout box. Rachel, the creator and mother of FIVE! makes these cute shorties out of vintage and scrap fabric, and each pair is a one-of-a-kind creation for your little darling.

Here's to fortunate summer apparel for our tots!

DIY Recycled Dollhouse!

Jennifer over at Tree Hugging Family unearthed this very clever, totally adorable 'Perfect Summer Recycled Dollhouse!' Crafting one of these with your kids would be a fun way to spend a hot afternoon indoors, and it won't cost you a dime. I love all of the clever furniture ideas -- a stainless steel stove made from a tea box, complete with bottle cap burners... an armchair made from a berry box... a lamp made from a thread spool and straws... everything is so darn resourceful and cute!

Read the easy instructions on how to create this sweet abode here. I just wish the pictures were bigger!

Happy 4th of July! Eco-Friendly Fireworks!

Happy Independence Day! Head on over to Inhabitat to read all about eco-friendly fireworks, and to put the 'green' sparkle into your celebration!

God Bless America!

Birthday Counting Card from Chez Beeper Bebe

Birthday cards are keepsake material in our household... I have box upon box full! I'm always on the hunt for clever, unique cards, and this birthday counting card template and tutorial from Chez Beeper Bebe is among the most original and adorable I have seen! If you use items found around your house and recycled or repurposed paper, this type of card is much more eco-friendly than the store bought variety.

The premise of the counting card is that there's one card to signify each number of the child's age. In this case, the child is six years old, so 1= photo necklace, 2=buttons, 3= fruit juice lollipops, 4=quarters, 5=snapshots of friends, 6=vintage paper dolls. Then you stack them together and seal them into an envelope for opening glee!

What child wouldn't delight in this thrillride of a card, which essentially doubles as a birthday gift? I love it! Makes me wish I was 6 again... only to receive a card like this!

Vaccine Safety in Perspective

The controversy surrounding vaccine safety is often blurred by emotion. I think we need to get back to a bottom line perspective on vaccine safety and our questioning of the aggressive current vaccination schedule. I subscribe to Dr. Jay Gordon's newsletter in which he recently wrote the following, wise words:

"Asking that cars be manufactured with more attention to safety and that driving is best when done safely does not make one "anti-car" or anti-driving. Asking for safer vaccinations and more judicious use of those we have does not make me or anyone else "anti-vaccine."

An important thought for the day, to secure the safety and health of our children. Let's be their voice. Ask questions. It's not about being anti-vaccine, it's about being pro-child.