NEW! Predators of the Serengeti at the Oregon Zoo

Check out Olivia petting a cheetah at the Oregon Zoo's new Predators of the Serengeti exhibit! Not really... this just happens to be one of those priceless photos where you can't see the thick glass between her and the fastest cat on earth.

We went to see the lions with our little Leo last week and were amazed at the exquisite new exhibit which is highly interactive and educational. Kids can crawl through tunnels and into cubbyholes where they could very well end up nose to nose with a lion (again, separated by glass, but it doesn't get much cooler than being that integrated into a lion's den.) There was also a really cool feature in the mongoose section where kids could crawl under the exhibit and then pop their head up into a glass dome that had them at eye level with a mongoose. Whomever mapped out this entire exhibit must be a genius and have inquisitive children.


Below is our extreme close-up with a snoozing polar bear at the Oregon Zoo - in an entirely separate exhibit, but it was still special seeing a polar bear at this proximity. When he yawned, his teeth were bigger than Olivia.


We have a wonderful experience every time we venture to the Oregon Zoo. If you're ever in the area, treat your family to a visit.


On another note, we also loved seeing Rama the elephant paint a gorgeous painting one Sunday morning at the Oregon Zoo. The fun never ends!

Craft TuesD.I.Y with Lisa Lopez: Party Favor Keepsake Boxes

Thoughtful, personalized homemade birthday party favors are always a hit with kids. I wanted the guests at my stepdaughter's first slumber party to take home a favor that was unique and special -- one they could re-use for jewelery, hair accessories, and small treasures. They are inexpensive, fun and easy to make; and your birthday girl or boy will even enjoy pitching in to help craft them for his/her guests.



At my local craft store, I found some inexpensive cigar boxes, (but you could also use any plain type of box, or even upcycle some shoe boxes.) I also purchased letter stickers and pajama party themed stickers, but you could tailor the stickers to the theme of your child's party. You could also have your child decorate the box by coloring it with markers in lieu of stickers. Here is the easy, step by step process to make your own keepsake boxes or party favors.

Materials you will need:

Plain Cigar box, or small cardboard box

Ribbon

Stickers/Markers to decorate the box

Letter stickers

A hole puncher

Tissue or recycled, shredded paper to put in your box

Favors or treats for the box *Eco-friendly suggestions: Yummy Earth lollipops or Flower/Veggie seed packets

1) Punch a hole in the center of the box lid at the bottom, and just below it on the front of the box.

2) Put the child's name on the box with your letter stickers.

3) Decorate the box with your stickers, markers, etc.

4) Fill the box with recycled tissue, shredded paper, or recycled paper grass.

5) Arrange your favors in the box.

6) Put the ribbon through both holes to tie the box shut.

The possibilities for these keepsake party favor boxes are endless!

Holiday tip: Decorate boxes with holiday stickers and fill them with homemade cookies for your child's teacher or for friends and family.

Craft TuesD.I.Y Kickoff with Lisa Lopez

I'm thrilled to announce that today is the first installment of Craft TuesD.I.Y's on Petite Planet! My readers know how much I love 'Do It Yourself' projects and crafts, and I found the perfect person to share her expertise with all of us -- mommy, wife, bargain hunter, and crafting extraordinaire, Lisa Lopez! Lisa is one of the most creative, resourceful people I know. She is constantly coming up with wonderful homemade projects, easy, inexpensive decor ideas, and she can spot a great deal like no one's business! I am delighted that this unsung hero of the craft world will now showcase her talents on Petite Planet every TuesD.I.Y!

Welcome, Lisa!

New Website: Eco Baby Buys Gives Daily Deals on Green Products

Deal a day website Ecobabybuys.com just launched! Every day at 9am EST, an eco-friendly baby product at a bargain price (at least 40% off retail) goes up for grabs. The early bird gets the worm because supplies are limited. Green baby labels already featured include Under the Nile and Mini Mioche. When selecting products to feature on the site, here are the considerations:

· the use of non-toxic materials and dyes
· the use of organic and/or recycled textiles and materials
· the use of eco-friendly packaging
· and a commitment and adherence to the standards of fair-trade.

Since going green can often tug on the purse strings, purchasing shower, new baby and birthday presents from Ecobabybuys.com would be a great way to save money and always have an eco-conscious gift on hand!

Sign up for their daily alert so you'll be among the first to know about the hot, eco deal of the day.

Ecouterre Eco-Fashion Website has Launched!

Ecouterre, the eco-fashion website spin-off of Inhabitat launched this week! Check out my first contribution to the site: Bio-Accessories Breathe New Life into Wardrobes, to find out about a curious line of wearable couture, such as the bird perch hat above. And be sure to add Ecouterre to your daily reading list!

Under the Kitchen Table and Dreaming

Hanging out under the kitchen table was one of my favorite pastimes as a child. When Dave Matthews released his album, "Under the Table and Dreaming," I could completely relate to the sentiment. My best friend Tara and I used to love to sneak forbidden snacks under the table (bags of chocolate chips meant for baking!), and we'd giggle and pretend we were in far off places.

I came across a photo pool on Flickr called "Under the Kitchen Table" wherein people share their images of their kids enjoying life under the table. I'm thrilled to see that this imaginative activity is going strong and that this hangout spot is still considered cool. I for one save all of our mismatched bedsheets and linens and the like for the day that Olivia wants to drape the kitchen table and secure a fort for her own sanctuary. No purchase required, no carbon footprint left behind, just good, down to earth fun under an unsuspecting piece of furniture with a world of possibility.

Image from Under the Kitchen Table on Flickr

Are Method Home Products Truly 'Green?'

I am a huge fan of Method products -- every room in our home is filled with them. So, when I saw that Inhabitat had Method on the chopping block in an "Is it Green?" post, I was quaking in my boots.

One of the most annoying things about living green is when you find out much to your dismay, that a product you've been using has really had you greenwashed. This is why I let out an audible sigh of relief when I read Evelyn Lee's post: Is it Green? Method Home Products, and learned that my trusty, eco-friendly cleaning sidekick of choice is indeed a true shade of emerald. The article is well worth the read, and I hope you're as happy as I was to hear Lee's conclusion: "Yes, through and through, from company to product, Method can live up to the standards of dark greenies, while remaining trendy enough to attract thousands of Target consumers."

HAPPYBABY Premium Organic Food

We all have the best intentions when it comes to feeding our children, but sometimes we lack the time it takes to lovingly prepare and puree and freeze homemade baby food. I seriously wish I had known about HappyBaby food a lot sooner. Having HappyBaby on hand is akin to having a best mom friend, who happens to be a gourmet cook and nutritionist, prepare your baby's meals and put them in your freezer. The line should be called HappyMommy.

What I love specifically are HappyBaby's frozen organic meals. The Baby Dhal and Mama Grain pairing is my favorite. After being heated, they are smooth and creamy in texture, as well as delicious! As a toddler, Olivia is past eating these purees as meals, but I had a light bulb moment that these frozen food cubes, which you simply pop out of a container and microwave to heat, could be used in the Deceptively Delicious recipes. (You know, those yummy recipes from Jessica Seinfeld wherein you add pureed fruits and veggies into your kids' meals/muffins/pancakes/smoothies without them knowing it...)

HappyBaby also offers no soy no dairy, brown rice cereal enhanced with DHA and Probiotic immunity. We used Earth's Best cereal for Olivia's first meal, but had I known about this amped up version, I would have much preferred feeding it to her.

Endorsed by my favorite child-rearing guru Dr. Sears, the HappyBaby line gets my highest recommendation for what to reach for when you can't whip up a healthy, organic meal from scratch. I recently wrote about the new book: HappyBaby: The Organic Guide to Baby's First 24 Months, so be sure to read about it here.

And finally, read an Inhabitots exclusive interview with the Founder & CEO of HappyBaby here.

Tyler Trends Organic Children's Clothing

We love animals in our family, and most kids have a built-in passion for wildlife. Tyler Trends offers a new line of children's clothing that plays upon childhood affinities for animals with an adorable collection of Fair Trade organic cotton short and long sleeve onesies and T-shirts for kids ages 0-6. Sweet, smile-inducing graphics designed by Anette Tyler grace each Tee. The line includes a giraffe, panda, monkey, tiger, polar bear, and ladybug. The bold animals pop atop background hues of sage green, lavender, chocolate brown, gray, pink and blue.

Tyler Trends is a family run business featuring Made in the USA apparel. I really love that you can feel the quality and sturdiness in these Tees -- you know they'll last through park and playground escapades and retain their softness and character... much like their tiny wearers.

Click here to shop Tyler Trends.

You Are My Sunshine

She makes me happy, when skies are gray.

*Thank you to my husband for eliciting this kind of joy and capturing these gorgeous shots of our ray of light.

When Can We Move In?

Check out the awesome swing in this San Francisco abode. Everyone in my family loves to ride on swings- from the kids to the adults, and I can't imagine anything more fun than having one in the living room to hop on and get that fun "weeeee" feeling in your tummy at any time of day!

Eco aspects of this residence: "...a solid, butcher-block stairway and bridge was built using salvaged floorboards from the existing attic floor. Recycled and salvaged lumber, denim insulation, no VOC finishes and radiant heat floor contribute to the ethos of this former hippie flat."

When can we move in?

via Ohdeedoh via Dwell

Hoo Wants to Make a Pine Cone Owl?

Leaves are beginning to fall, pine cones have dropped on the ground, and rainy days are becoming more frequent (so the need for indoor activities is upon us again). Put these elements together, and you've got yourself the makings of an eco-friendly, and totally FREE craft: pine cone owls!

Olivia's imagination is so amazing that the other day she decided there was an owl 'hoot-ing' at her from the wood grain in her wardrobe. She clearly inherited my wavelength because I could immediately see the 'owl' she was talking about, its eyes and nose prominently peering from the flat surface, wishing it could fly away into the night.

We now wave hi to the 'owl' on her wardrobe everyday, and I think she, and most tots would get a kick out of making pine cone owls. I wish the owl above was one we made, but it's not. I'll have to post about our own creation in the near future. For now, let's all have fun foraging for fall leaves for the owl's wings and pine cones for the owl's body, and using household items to bring the owl to life via eyes and a nose! Give me a hoot with your owl's photo if you make one with your tot!

Gorgeous Handmade Hats for Kids

Olivia is finally agreeing to wear hats (on occasion) and as I began my search for her staple fall/winter 2009 hat, I found the Portland Beanie Company. Designer Nili Barrett offers an adorable collection of handmade hats available in sizes from 0 to 3 months to 5T to preteen... and she makes adult sizes too! I absolutely LOVE her work, and the wide range of design options -- from this Flapper Beanie to the Newsgirl Beanie seen above. You can add to the cuteness with a matching scarf or pair of Mary Jane booties! Her entire collection is beautifully modeled here.

'The Best of Your Before & Afters' Inspires Eco Design

Have you ever mistakenly discarded a piece of old, dreadful furniture or a defunct household item, only to discover it could have been cleverly repurposed or upcycled into something lovable and new? In the business of green writing, I often come across really amazing projects of this nature, and it has inspired me to see things in a different light, and wonder whether they could be reborn into a new design.

'The Best of Your Before and Afters' is a website which showcases the average Joe's furniture and thrift shop find transformations. It is really uplifting to see something you think is totally hopeless, resurrected into something totally fabulous. Drab chairs and hideous entertainment centers turn into chic perches and stylish cabinets. Go visit the site to see how working with what you already have is good for the environment and for the soul!

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Products

If you're in the Portland area, be sure to stop by Bob's Red Mill. We enjoyed their delicious, vegan, gluten free flapjacks (Olivia ate 3 entire flapjacks herself)! I bought a package of Bob's Red Mill gluten free pancake mix to-go and made exact replicas of the yummy pancakes this morning. We missed the tour of the mill, but it's something I would have loved to do. Tours are given Monday-Friday from 10am-11am and you can tour the mill online as well.

Bob's Red Mill offers an extensive line of over 50 gluten free products. They are trusty favorites of those with Celiac disease and wheat allergies. Pure, simple and healthy, they include flours, cake mixes, cereals, oats, beans, seeds and more.

Right across the street from Bob's Red Mill is the Dave's Killer Bread, bakery where you can buy day old bread at half price. A real deal seeing as the loaves typically sell for $5-$7. Here's more info on Dave's Killer Bread Bakery.

Enjoy all these delectable carbs!

Bubble Wrap Calendar!

This bubble wrap calendar is the kind of thing parents say they are buying for their kids, but really they want it for themselves. How fun would it be to greet each new day with a literal 'bang' via this calendar? This poster sized bubble wrap calendar is handmade in Brooklyn by designer Stephen Turbek. It makes me wonder about the upcycling possibilities behind bubble wrap... maybe my next fragile mail delivery will be reborn into a homemade bubble wrap calendar.

If you're not up for making a date with your bubble wrap, at the very least, let your toddler have a go at popping all the bubbles before you recycle it. I swear Olivia and I laughed hysterically for a good half an hour the last time we got bubble wrap in the mail and gleefully jumped on it and popped it. Why is that so satisfying?

Eco-Friendly Recycled Paper Flowers

One of Olivia's latest and greatest loves is flowers. She LOVES flowers- especially "yellow" flowers. We bought her a bouquet for her birthday, but realizing we probably couldn't continue to buy her flowers weekly, my husband drew her a giant bouquet on recycled paper on her easel... and you can tell by the look on her face, she likes them almost as much as the real thing.

Play Kitchen Made from an Entertainment Center!

Check out this adorable play kitchen an amazing mom made from an old entertainment center! I love that she repurposed a piece of defunct furniture into a brilliant blue miniature kitchen, spending only $65 in the process. Makes me think a lot differently about parting with furniture in the future if it can be reborn in such clever ways! Visit Sutton Grace to get the entire pictorial play by play of this imitation worthy project!

via Ohdeedoh

Aptly Named Earthlust Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Until now, I didn't know it was possible to love a reusable bottle. But then I found Earthlust stainless steel bottles, and let's just face it, they are the prettiest, most stylish water bottles on the market. Painted designs range from flowers, a dragonfly and a peacock feather to a fish, shell, owl, leaves, tree or butterfly and more. Each bottle is like a work of art that may be enjoyably carried around by everyone in the family.

Of course, pretty is as pretty does, and Earthlust has all the inner qualities you'd ever want in a reusable bottle as well. Each is made of #304 food grade stainless steel and is topped off with a BPA free #5 polypropylene cap. These bottles don't have a liner, so there's no need to worry about toxins leaching into your drink. The bottle designs are made with non-toxic paints and all are limited edition, custom designs -- and new designs are frequently added to the Earthlust collection.

Available in sizes: 13 ounce, 20 ounce and 1 liter, I highly recommend going for the 1 liter size. It is lightweight and will keep you hydrated, while a smaller size can be guzzled up so quickly. Each Earthlust bottle also comes equipped with a sturdy carabiner, so it is easy to attach to backpacks, messenger bags, lunchboxes etc.

The inspiration behind Earthlust moves me as well. Owner Allison created the line when her son was born, to help protect his health and help preserve the earth. I joined the eco-movement for the same reasons when Olivia was born, so I love to hear stories of like-minded parents who are working to make the world a better place for future generations.

Click here to find out where to buy your Earthlust water bottle and join me in my admiration!

PVC Free, Non-toxic Bathtub Liner Keeps Tots from Slipping in the Tub

Our newborn-toddler bathtub has served us well over the past two years, but it's time for us to move Olivia out of the tiny tub and into the regular bathtub. She is terrified of slip-sliding away in what seems to her like a giant, open tub, so I went on the hunt for a tub liner that would make her feel more secure. As we all know, shower curtains and most tub and shower related gear is laden with chemicals. So I wanted to find a PVC free, non-toxic alternative to keep chemicals out of her bath time regimen while keeping her safe.

Luckily, Vita Futura sells a non-slip PVC free and phthalate free bath safety mat. It is also a non-vinyl, non-chlorine based product. Available in blue, white and beige, this bath mat covers a perfectly ample section of the tub lengthwise, and it really works at keeping a steady grip on slippery, wiggly toddlers during bath time fun. Olivia had a ball in the 'big girl' tub that she once feared, knowing this mat wouldn't let her fall. It is made from "a natural elastic material, Caoutchouc, obtained from the latex sap of trees."

The bath mat is easy to keep clean as well. Simply hang it to dry after each bath and occasionally clean it in warm water using a mild detergent.

Purchase your bath safety mat at Vita Futura.

DIY Crib to Toddler Bed Conversion

Sometimes it's the simplest solutions that elude us. Like when something is RIGHT in front of you, but you can't see it. Such was the case when I first looked at the photograph above, of a crib that was converted to a toddler-friendly bed. All the ingenious parent did was remove 2 of the slats from the crib on the left so a toddler could easily get in and out of bed. How easy is that? Especially since the cost of crib to toddler bed conversion kits can be outrageously high... as is the case with our crib. This is a super doable, inexpensive solution for parents who can't afford an entirely new toddler bed for their blossoming tot, but who want to graduate them to the next level of independence. *This also alleviates the need for a bed rail, because the opening isn't wide enough for a child to fall out of bed.

via Decor8

Happy Birthday, Mom!

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom today! Thank you for being the best mother anyone could ever ask for. We love you.

Gorgeous, Eco-Friendly Bean Bag Chairs

I've always been a stickler for a great bean bag chair, and I'm delighted to have come across one that's so chic and eco-friendly. But, let's be real here. A) Now that I'm a mother to a toddler who got the combined energy genes of Richard Simmons and the Energizer bunny, I don't know that I'll ever get to lounge in the luxurious, gaze out the window with not a care in the world manner as the gent in the photo above, and B) Somehow I would manage to spill an entire pot of tomato sauce on one, even if it was stationed nowhere near the kitchen.

Still, I admire designer Ulla Koskinen's 'My and Roo' bean bag chair like a kid on foot admires a shiny new, red bicycle in the storefront window. The removable cover of the chair is a combination of paper yarn and cotton. What a perfect place for kids and adults alike to plop down and bond as a family.

NEW! 'All the World' Children's Book Unites Tots with Nature

'All the World' is a new children's book that is simple in its language, but wide in scope. Geared toward ages 9-12, I actually think this book is a perfect read for young toddlers, with its beautiful illustrations of nature and its quick, easy wording such as phrases: "All the world is wide and deep," and "All the world is old and new."

A description of the book:

"Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning till night, this book affirms the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to warm family connections, to the widest sunset sky."

'All the World' is a wonderful teaching tool which enables parents to seamlessly incorporate grand lessons and concepts into a young child's basic understanding of the world. It's a beautiful, timeless book that may be handed down for generations. Author Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrator Marla Frazee offer the perfect combination of appealing eye candy pictures and punchy wording which kept my two year old entertained and further piqued her curiosity, making the world seem a little less giant and a lot more relatable.

THE NATIONAL PARKS: Our American Landscape, featuring photography by Ian Shive

There are few things more satisfying than knowing a human being who has used their talents to not only make their own dreams come true, but to enrich the lives of others. Privileged and honored to call him my friend, photographer Ian Shive's first book has just been released: The National Parks - Our American Landscape... and viewing nature through Shive's lens is the ultimate gift. This gorgeous book is filled with more than 200 stunning photographs which capture the essence of America's national parks and deliver the spirit of the earth to a reader's eyes while stirring their soul.

The book features classic mainstays of America's environmental treasures including Yosemite and Yellowstone, while also highlighting lesser known gems such as Point Reyes National Seashore and Steamtown National Historic Site. The most compelling aspect of the book is that the photography is fresh, bold and as adventurous as the subjects being shot. Shive manages to depict the environment in unprecedented ways that cause viewers and admirers to lose their breath while taking a pictorial journey into the wild.

Buy The National Parks - Our American Landscape and take a vacation into nature from wherever you happen to peruse the pristine pages.

See more photographs from the book below, and visit www.waterandsky.com to learn more about Ian Shive and view his portfolio.

Green Sprouts Festival in Portland

Jennifer over at Tree Hugging Family put Portland's Green Sprouts Festival on my radar. If you live in the area, and you're an eco parent living the green life, or you want to learn more about eco-friendly, natural, organic options for your children and family, mark your calendar and head to the Green Sprouts Festival on September 26th. Click here to see the extensive list of exhibitors covering all aspects of green home life -- from health products and services to food, home & energy and clothing and accessories.

Here's all the info you need on attending the festival.