Repurposing Tip: Use an Advent Calendar for a Birthday Countdown Ritual

Here's an easy way to reuse and repurpose a holiday decoration that may not otherwise see the light of day until Christmastime! Ohdeedoh reports this savvy tip from Home and Harmony, where one resourceful mom uses an Advent calendar to count down the days to her child's birthday. She uses a tiny teddy bear to move from pouch to pouch, getting closer and closer to the big day!

My daughter is literally obsessed with birthdays (anyone's birthday!)... and I think this is an ingenious way to make kids feel even more special and excited about their upcoming celebration. The Advent Calendar shown above is available here.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: 'The Little Seed' Founders Soleil Moon Frye & Paige Goldberg Tolmach Launch Organic Cotton Baby Collection at Target

I'm excited to help spread the news that The Little Seed launches their organic cotton baby collection, which includes clothing, hat and booties sets, bibs, hooded towels and blankets, July 4, 2010 at Target and on Target.com! When I lived in Los Angeles, I frequented The Little Seed eco-boutique, founded and run by Soleil Moon Frye and Paige Goldberg Tolmach. Please visit my review of their beautiful store and all of its amazing wares, here at Inhabitots.

In honor of their launch, Soleil and Paige took the time to answers some of my questions regarding their collection and upcoming Target debut!



Petite Planet: I had the opportunity to visit The Little Seed when I lived in Los Angeles. While perusing your store, I noticed that many of your wares were crafted by individual and local artisans. The majority of consumers close their wallets on 'going green' due to the higher price points of sustainably made products that are produced on a one-of-a-kind or very small scale. Now that The Little Seed merchandise will be available on a mass scale at Target, more families will be able to implement an eco-friendly lifestyle into their family life... but, do you believe that partnering with a big name corporation as opposed to supporting small business owners and artisans is a worthwhile trade off?

Soleil & Paige: Partnering with a mass retailer such as Target allows us to broaden our reach exponentially. Our business is based in LA, so this collection has allowed us to expand nationwide and provide quality, eco-friendly designs that are affordably priced for all.

Petite Planet: What products will be featured in your collection? Will all products be made with 100% organic cotton? Are bright solids the anchor of the collection, or will you be producing any patterns?

Soleil & Paige: The collection consists of hooded towels, blankets, bodysuits, pants, cap and booties and 3-pack bibs in varying colors. We love the mix and match feel of the bright solids and we feel they speak well enough on their own without adding any patterns. All products are made with 100% organic cotton fibers.



Petite Planet: Will The Little Seed collection be a permanent selection at Target, or run for a limited time? If permanent, will it be available in stores nationwide, or a few select locations?

Soleil & Paige: This collection will be available through October at select Target stores and on Target.com. We’ll keep you posted if we add anything new!

Petite Planet: I watched the video clip of you announcing the launch of your collection at Target, and your enthusiasm was contagious. What makes you most excited about this partnership?

Soleil & Paige: We are so excited to have the chance to partner with Target to develop and create this line of safe and organic baby products that are affordable and accessible to all. We are both moms, so our ultimate goal was to create a collection that makes it easier for parents to obtain stylish products made with organic or eco-friendly materials for their baby. A little eco goes a long way!

The Little Seed Collection Prices:

$8.99 for a 3-pack of bibs
$8.99 per cap and booties set
$12.99 for a hooded towel
$7.99/each for body suit and pant

*Thanks so much to Soleil and Paige for answering my questions about their collection, which I love and am looking forward to using with my newborn!

'Lullaboard' Dry Erase Boards Help Keep Track of Baby's Day

Parenting and breastfeeding a newborn baby (with no "help"), is akin to working the overnight shift every night, without the ability to perk up with a caffeine fix, and then waking up at the crack of dawn to start a full day of work wherein a tiny being is literally sucking life from you. Alas, my daughter started this trend because she is just so darn cute, but now the attachment parenting cycle begins anew, and my husband and I are quite frankly terrified, like two sailors in a tiny boat looking at the storm clouds a-brewing.

You get the picture... we (especially me!) are going to be exhausted looking after an inquisitive, non-stop toddler and a newborn. When we had Olivia, I remember my husband and I were constantly scrambling around to find a pen and a scrap of paper so we could write down and record her diapers: poo, pee, time of day. How much has she eaten? Anyone's guess? Does she ever stop nursing-- the little snacking fiend. When did she last nap? How long has she been awake?

I know parents eventually find and settle in to a natural groove with their wee ones, but in those early days, a Lullaboard hanging in the nursery will be your best friend. These dry erase boards offer you the convenience and organization to record baby's diapers, feedings, naps and milestones all in one place. I am hanging my Lullaboard above the changing table to record my son's daily details, and thanking goodness I can end the paper trail around the house, and I won't have to struggle to remember these details while battling exhaustion.

Lullaboards are available in a variety of adorable designs, and you may choose which layout will accommodate you best for your baby's age and schedule. See the newborn layout at the bottom of this post. Other layouts include: baby, newborn with pump, and toddler.

Lullaboards are the brainchild of a mom (but, of course!) Sarah Masci. Here's some background info on their creative origins:

"After a month of throwing away the 2 daily "pen & paper" reports that her childcare provider filled out for her boys every day, Sarah set out to find a more practical & earth-friendly solution. It just seemed so inefficient to be using and wasting so much paper on a daily basis. When it became clear that there was no better solution on the market, Sarah decided to put her creative skills to work and design her own."

Here's to saving your sanity one note at a time!

NEW! Practecol Energy & Money Saving Devices Launch at Target Today

Practecol products are a new collection of energy and money saving devices designed to help you save the planet and be more frugal at the same time -- and the line launches today in Target stores.

The company sent me a few of their products to test out, and the opinions expressed here are my own. One of my biggest energy zapping pet peeves is the use of "standby power," so their Simple Switch Outlet Adapter is a big hit with me. My husband's iPhone cord is constantly plugged into the wall, (no matter how many times I try to unplug it when not in use), so we plugged this adapter into said socket and now he can easily switch it on and off to charge or save electricity when not charging his phone.

I also like Practecol's Motion-Activated Light Socket, which I think will work wonders in our hallway. We're always turning the light on in our dark hallway, and although I am religious about turning it off, some other members of our household aren't! I like that this device can sense motion and then turn itself off four minutes after motion subsides. The only issue I have with this light socket is that I think it should come with a bulb. As of now, you're required to buy a bulb separately.

Practecol offers a wide-range of products designed to do everything from help conserve energy in your home to maximizing appliance efficiency, helping to save water, and weather sealing your home.

Green attributes: Practecol's product packaging is recyclable, recycled or biodegradable, and the paper used in their packages is made of 80% post-consumer waste and printed with renewable, soy-based inks. All plastic packaging is made from pre-consumer recycled plastic and is 100% recyclable.

I like that Practecol is helping to take the guesswork out of energy and water household efficiency by offering easy to use products to eco-conscious consumers.

Should You Hire a Birth Doula?

I just wrote an extensive post about doulas -- the dos and donts of hiring a doula, as well as things to keep in mind when considering having a doula present at your baby's birth. I am pretty certain I'll be hiring a doula for my upcoming labor and delivery, and wanted to share my hours of research on the topic with a wider audience! Please click here to read: Should You Hire a Birth Doula?

DIY Indoor, Rainy Day Hopscotch

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade... and when life hands you week after week of rainy weather, make an indoor hopscotch! The weather has been wacky as usual here, and although the sun has started to show her face on a more consistent basis, for quite long stretches, we have been playing indoors due to dreary, rainy weather.

I had some eco-felt left over from the DIY felt board project we recently created, so we decided to bring the playground indoors and make Olivia her very own hopscotch (which she is now officially a pro at)!

We simply used masking tape to secure squares of felt to the floor, and then drew numbers on top. Happy hopping!

Glob Botanical Paints Created from Plant Extracts

Glob Botanical Paints' Natural Color Blends are unlike any other art tool we've ever used in that they are crafted from botanical pigments and plant extracts: fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices. Each water soluble color blend comes in powder form in individual packets, and you add water to turn the powder into 1-2 ounces of paint. Six bright and cheery colors are included in the collection: lemon verbena, tangerine, pomegranate, plum purple, berry blue, and basil green -- and I thought it was very cool and primal to paint with nature's elements to achieve color.

Eco aspects: Natural Color Blends are made in the USA. They are non-toxic, gluten-free, soy-free and vegan, and they feature biodegradable packaging. I also really like that GLOB is a small company founded by a female artist, Ashley, when she set out to create a line of truly non-toxic paints that were completely free of chemical irritants.

While I really love the idea behind Glob's Natural Color Blends, I experienced some difficulty when it came to mixing the powdered pigments with water to achieve the desired, paint-like consistency. Even though I followed the instructions, our paints were either way to thick or too runny, and I ended up not being able to use a couple of the paint mixtures I made because they ended up with the consistency of water. I think I'd prefer the convenience of Glob's easy shake jars, which you fill with water and shake to blend.

That said, the colors of the paints we did get right (it can be done) were indeed vibrant and beautiful, as you can see on Olivia's painting below. And it was fun explaining to her that each hue came from an element in nature. You can also check out more masterpieces created with Glob paints here on their Facebook page.

HOW TO: Write a Birth Plan

I am in the throes of writing my birth plan for my upcoming summer labor and delivery, and I wanted to share this article I just wrote for Inhabitots: 5 Top Tips for Writing Your Birth Plan. If you're expecting, it's vital reading! Feel free to add your own tips in the comments, or pose any questions you might have about writing a birth plan!

Recycled Chairs for Kids from Shak-Shuka

Plastic abounds when it comes to kid's furniture, (especially the outdoor variety) so these chic recycled chairs from Shak-Shuka are a refreshing departure from the norm. Made from recycled steel in Africa, under Fair Trade conditions, and wrapped in colorful rope, these sweet perches for tots look like a comfy landing pad for cozying up with a book and a pretend cup of tea, or for taking a break from gardening.

Available in green, white, blue and blue/white.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my husband, seen here brightening the lives of
our daughter, nephew and niece with his kid-like charm and unceasing affection. We love you!

Smiling Planet's Adorable Non-Toxic Plates & Bowls for Green Kids

The majority of parents could use all the help they can get when it comes to making mealtime a fun, healthy and lighthearted experience for their kids! Enter the aptly named 'Smiling Planet' which offers a whimsical collection of plates and bowls that will enchant and delight kids at every meal! Kids will also want to clean their plates and bowls so they can see the cute designs that lie under their peas and pears: a vibrant butterfly at the bottom of a bowl, fairies dancing across a plate, a thought-provoking written message...

Smiling Planet's feeding gear is made in California and features adorable and unique illustrations that celebrate nature, the earth and wildlife, with the message that we "are all connected and we need to cherish each other." The husband and wife team behind the company produces their kid-friendly collection of plates and bowls to contain no BPA, no phthalates, no lead, and no toxic inks. Additionally, this dishware is lightweight, stackable, and unbreakable, and its surface designs are scratch resistant. The raised sides of the plate also handily keep food from sliding off, and the plates and bowls are dishwasher safe.


Be sure to check out Smiling Planet's posters, which are printed on 100% recycled paper, and their t-shirts, which are 100% organic cotton, made in California and printed with water-based inks -- both feature the same adorable designs and creatures found on the feeding gear collection, so kids can enjoy the inspiring artwork on their plates and bowls even when they're not at the dinner table!

GREEN FATHER'S DAY GIFT: Lil Davinci Art Cabinet from Dynamic FRAMES

Most parents know how quickly their child's art projects can consume a household if they aren't kept in check. Our refrigerator door is constantly covered in coloring book pages, drawings, finger paintings and collages, and many more masterpieces are being stored in boxes for posterity.

Which is why I was struck by the brilliance and simplicity behind the Lil Davinci art cabinet from Dynamic FRAMES. This ingenious cabinet stores up to 50 pieces of artwork, and highlights one main work of art in the matted frame. Each time your child hands you her musing of the moment, you can proudly showcase it in the front of the frame while storing older pieces behind it. *The front of the art cabinet opens via a simple latch on the side.

I think this would make a great Father's Day gift for dads who love to create and appreciate art with their children. My husband and daughter and I are constantly collaborating on art projects, and being able to cherish and feature them in this organized cabinet will be of great benefit to us!

When I asked the company about the eco stats behind the Lil Davinci art cabinet from Dynamic FRAMES, this is the favorable response I received:

We make our high-volume frames out of mdf, which is a wood composite. It lends itself well to our specification for a good finish with minimal joining lines, and it utilizes scrap wood rather than "fresh" or hardwood. The mdf we use meets the low VOC standards, and all of our finishes meet SVHC requirements.

*DISCOUNT CODE: Receive 15% off of your Dynamic FRAMES Lil Davinci art cabinet purchase by using code DF15.

GREEN FATHER'S DAY GIFT: thinksound Headphones

My husband is an audiophile if there ever was one. A former club DJ, he adores music and would probably wear a pair of headphones, or listen to music all the live long day if he could. (And the proof is in the fact that our 2 1/2 year-old walks around the house singing lyrics from artists ranging from Nirvana and Coldplay to Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson). That said, his headphones rarely last long due to wear and tear and constant use, especially now that he uses them in tandem with his iPhone.

But his luck changed when thinksound headphones entered the picture. Not only are thinksound rain headphones far superior to their mainstream counterparts, they are also sustainably designed and eco-friendly. These high-definition headphones feature passive noise isolation, a handcrafted wood housing from renewable sources, which delivers unparalleled acoustics and natural resonance, PVC free cables, and a 3.5mm gold plated plug for increased sound clarity. Packaging is also kept to a minimum and made from recycled materials. Black chocolate or silver cherry wood options are available.

My husband is a really hard sell when it comes to gadgets and electronics and thinksound has completely won him over. He particularly likes that these headphones deliver amazing, crisp bass, treble and middle. He noted that most headphones skimp on the bass delivery, but that these excel in that department. thinksound also makes a headphone model ts01 which feature "enhanced bass."

thinksound headphones are compatible with iPhones, iPods, MP3, CD, DVD, PSP and computers. I like that these long-lasting, quality headphones make it possible to leave a lighter footprint in the realm of technology.

thinksound headphones are available from the retailers listed here.

GREEN FATHER'S DAY GIFT: Eco-Friendly Green Dude Diaper Bag

If you're looking for the perfect Father's Day gift for a new dad or dad-to-be, Diaper Dude's 'Green Dude' diaper bag is hip, cool and masculine, and it will keep daddies organized, all while helping to save the planet!

Each Green Dude diaper bag is made from twenty-five 16 ounce size plastic water bottles which are rewoven into durable polyester. The messenger style bag boasts many convenient features that are sure to help dad juggle his parenting duties while out and about. The vibrant orange inner flap of the bag even includes a checklist so pop will know exactly what to pack when heading out on the town with baby and little ones in tow.

My poor husband has always toted my giant, colorful ladybug and butterfly print diaper bag all over town without complaint, but I think it's awesome that Diaper Dude is gearing men up with fashionable, functional bags that suit them and help them enter into the role of fatherhood in style.

The Green Dude features the following:

• One large compartment for baby with mesh pocket and additional compartment for dad with mesh pocket.
• Padded shoulder strap.
• Insulated bottle holder.
• 3 large compartments with Velcro® closure.
• Dad checklist screened on magnetic flap.
• Breathable mesh padding for extra comfort.
• Padded changing pad.
• Clips for stroller strap.
• Interior key clip.
• Removable cell phone holder.

Get your Green Dude diaper bag here!

Design & Print Your Own Organic Textiles via Spoonflower!

If you've always dreamed of designing your own textiles, or wish you could custom design a fabric, tailoring it specifically to your tastes or to perfectly complement your decor, online company Spoonflower enables you to print custom fabrics on demand!

Their eco-friendly textile printing is available on green options including organic cotton sateen, organic cotton interlock knit and bamboo-cotton rayon.

How Spoonflower's digital textile printing works:

"Digital textile printers are large-format inkjet printers specially modified to run fabric. Unlike conventional textile manufacturing, digital printing entails very little waste of fabric, ink, water or electricity. Spoonflower prints using eco-friendly, water-based pigment inks on natural fiber textiles. No additional chemicals are used in the printing or preparation process."

You can design, print and sell your own fabric designs in the Spoonflower marketplace, which boasts the largest collection of independent fabric designers in the world.

Even if you don't want to draw up your own fabrics, you can browse the site and purchase the wares of other crafty folks. Fabrics may be used to produce anything your heart desires, from dolls to clothing to decor, to pillows, costumes and quilts!

via Growing Up Green

Earth Mama Angel Baby Products Pamper Moms-to-Be During Pregnancy

By now you know that I am an avid fan of Earth Mama Angel Baby products. I have written previously about their I Love My Mama gift set, and their A Little Something for Baby kit, and I basically love everything this company stands for, and every amazing product in their collection.

I can't believe I have entered the third trimester of my pregnancy, and getting me through these last weeks before delivery are two more wonderful items from Earth Mama Angel Baby. Their Third Trimester Tea is caffeine free, 100% USDA certified organic, and includes a soothing blend of vitamin and mineral packed herbs such as red raspberry leaf (an all-around great pregnancy herb), iron-rich stinging nettle, calming chamomile and rosehips (both full of vitamins and bioflavonoids), and calcium filled oat straw.

Additionally, Earth Mama Angel Baby tea bags are biodegradable, the tea overwrap is compostable and the 100% recycled and recyclable cartons were produced using wind energy. For head to toe pampering... don't miss out on Earth Mama Angel Baby's Happy Feet foot soak. Happy Feet contains all organic, herbal ingredients and is formulated to soothe swollen ankles and tired tootsies! Filled with a blend of organic lavender, organic yarrow, organic thyme, organic peppermint, organic rosemary, salts and organic pure essential oils, this soak is also a great remedy for foot problems due to its combative and restorative antifungal herbs. If you don't soak it all up during pregnancy, moms and dads may use Happy Feet to soothe worn out feet that may come from pacing the floor with a colicky baby.

Stay: a New Novel by Allie Larkin of The Greenists

Stay a new novel written by my blogging pal Allie Larkin from one of my favorite eco blogs, The Greenists, hits shelves on June 10th! Watch the book trailer above to be as enticed as I am to dive right in to this quintessential summer read that is earning rave reviews from critics.

Pre-order your copy here!

Congrats, Allie!

Clementine Art: Natural, Eco-Friendly Art Supplies for Green Kids

As an eco-conscious parent of a toddler who loves to create art, I am constantly on the lookout for the best art supplies on the market -- that are both good for the earth and for my child. Clementine Art exceeds my expectations on both levels. These clean, wholesome, green and non-toxic art supplies are made from all natural ingredients, which are all printed right on the box. (Note: the vast majority of art supplies do not disclose their ingredients, and simply slap an esoteric claim of "non-toxic" on their packaging.)

We've had the opportunity to experience Clementine Art's Modeling Dough and Natural Paint set, and they both earned rave reviews from Olivia and me!





Olivia loves to finger paint, so it's important to me that she is dipping her fingers and hands into pure, chemical free paints. Clementine Art's creamy tempura paints are colored with earth-based mineral pigments and they contain no dyes or synthetic additives. They also produce beautiful hues of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Click here for the entire ingredient list. I also like their very reasonable price of $13.99 for a set of six 1.7 ounce paints.

For a really 'cool' summer art activity, use the Natural Paint set to create these awesome "Paintsicles!"



We also love Clementine Art's natural modeling dough which is naturally scented, crumble-free and ever so soft. The set of three doughs includes strawberry, lemon and lime, and they are vibrantly colored with turmeric, carmine and spinach. We really liked that this dough is so pliable, making it not only easy to work with, but relaxing and soothing to the touch as well. The dough's subtle scents add to a cheery and fun atmosphere, and the fact that they are free of any chemical additives make them a worry-free toy. (Note: Clementine Art's modeling doughs contain wheat and soy.) Even though I am allergic to wheat, I did not have a problem handling these doughs and then promptly washing my hands after playtime. (But I can't speak for any other wheat allergy sufferers!)

All of the packaging for Clementine Art products is made from recycled stock and printed using soy ink in a wind powered facility, and all are made in the USA.

Check out the entire Clementine Art product collection here.

Week in Review!

Elope! 5 Ways to Say ‘I Do’ to Preserving the Earth on Your Wedding Day

5 Green Handmade Etsy Cat Toys for Frolicking Felines

Pesticide Consumption Linked to ADHD in Kids

'Affected' Endangered Species Cork Bulletin Boards

Use Solay Simple Fruit & Veggie Wash to Rinse Away Pesticides on Produce

This week I wrote about the highly disturbing recent finding that pesticide consumption is linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. Click here to read the article in its entirety.

One of the researchers in the study recommends vigorously washing, scrubbing and peeling all fruits and vegetables that are not grown organically -- and of course, buying organic produce whenever possible. Click here for a downloadable guide of the 'Dirty Dozen,' which highlights the fruits and veggies that should always be purchased as organic!

Which brings me to Solay Simple Fruit & Veggie Wash. Instead of just rinsing produce (even the organic variety) with water, get it squeaky clean and ready for serving with this wash. It's all natural cleaning agents will scrub away contaminants, chemicals wax, pesticides and soil.

Ingredients in the Solay Simple Fruit & Veggie Wash: Purified water, coconut derived surfactant, citric acid (derived from citrus fruits), Himalayan salt.

It is 100% free of petroleum based or other hazardous ingredients, SLS, fragrances, phosphates, animal byproducts, dyes and other common triggers for respiratory or skin irritations.

Solay Wellness is a small, woman owned company located in Skokie, Illinois. Their products, which range from salt lamps and organic skin and body care to green cleaning products are made locally by mothers.

DISCOUNT CODE: Use the code: 'himalayas' in your basket at checkout online at Solay Wellness, for 10% off your entire purchase. Or call to place your order and give the code: 1-866-497-0274.

DIY Dollhouse Hidden Inside A Cupboard Door!

We've all heard of the age-old trick of keeping a baby entertained by letting her play with pots, pans and tupperware from a designated drawer in the kitchen. But when toddlers and older children need to be kept occupied during meal preparations, it's time to up the ante!

This simple and ingenious dollhouse is hidden inside a cupboard door and provides tons of fun for little ones while parents are busy in the kitchen.

A mom/daughter duo made the hidden dollhouse by cutting out rooms from IKEA catalogs and old issues of Domino, Martha Stewart, and Cookie Magazines. They then affixed the rooms to the inside of a kitchen cabinet door with painter's tape to divide each room. And they also made adorable paper dolls out of poster board which live in a bud vase in the cupboard until called upon to inhabit the rooms!

Click here for all of the awesome details.

We will be making one of these for Olivia very soon! I LOVE it!

via Ohdeedoh via Dinner: A Love Story

ALERT: Tune in to 'Toxic America' Starting Tonight on CNN

Be sure to tune in to 'Toxic America,' a special two-night investigative report with Sanjay Gupta M.D., tonight June 2 and tomorrow night, June 3rd at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.

Some of the shocking topics the shows will address are:

• Exposure to car and truck exhaust in the womb has been shown to result in lower IQ at age five.
• Babies enter the world with more than 200 dangerous chemicals in their blood, including flame retardants, dioxins, substances in non-stick coatings like Teflon and hormone-like compounds found in plastic.
• Out of the 80,000 chemicals in use in the United States, the EPA has only tested about 200 and only banned five.

Details:

• Wednesday's show covers “Toxic Towns” and will delve into the environmental health and justice problems plaguing the community of Mossville, Louisiana. Mossville is not an isolated example, but instead a poster child for a broken chemical safety system.
  
• Thursday's show covers “Toxic Childhood” and features Healthy Child founders, Jim and Nancy Chuda, Scientific Advisor, Dr. Phil Landrigan, and Healthy Child, Healthy World's “A Wake-Up Story” video. This second part of the series reveals the effect that toxins have on unborn babies.
• Visit Toxic America on CNN to be informed of the latest findings and news that affect our environment and our children.