Best of 2008: Green Edition

I am amazed at how quickly a year goes by.  In one year, the amount of companies who have committed to providing safe products has increased dramatically.  This week I’ll highlight some of my favorite products and companies.  This list is by no means meant to be exhaustive and I’d love to hear some of your “green” favorites.

If you’re still contemplating whether or not you should jump on the green bandwagon, or how to get started, I recommend picking up one of the following books:

Green Goes With Everything by Sloan Barnett, provides credible information on the toxins we come in contact with everyday and their potential impact on our health.  From simple “green” solutions to eco-friendly alternatives, her book is an excellent resource for those who want to get started on the green path.

Healthy Child, Healthy World by Christopher Gavigan, gives parents five practical, attainable steps that can be initiated to create a healthy, non-toxic home.  Throughout the book you’ll find DIY tips, answers to your burning questions, and celebrity parent experiences and suggestions.

Raising Baby Green by Alan Greene, offers parents healthy, eco-friendly alternatives for pregnancy, childbirth, and baby care. The book is organized by room which makes it easy to reference.  Their product recommendations are comprehensive and targeted towards new parents.

I remember when I first heard the term Bisphenol-A (BPA).  I was researching the best bottles for my son and came across an article describing it’s ability to disrupt hormones in the body.  At the time I could only find one company who sold BPA-free baby bottles. This year, you’ll find a wide variety of companies offering numerous BPA-free solutions including baby bottles, pacifiers, sippy cups, feeding sets, reusable water bottles and much more!  The most inclusive source for all-things BPA-free is The Soft Landing.  Here are a few of my favorites!

Babies love Adiri Natural Nurser’s soft design which is as close to mom as you can get.

Natursutten’s rubber pacifiers follow the natural movements of a baby’s mouth and are much softer than their silicone counterparts.

Teething tots will find comfort in Sophie the Giraffe’s soft rubber texture and adorable design.

Kleen Kanteen’s stainless steel sippy cups are lightweight and durable.  Their innovative design keeps liquids cold for hours!  Don’t forget to pick up one of their stainless steel reusable water bottles, available in four sizes.

Boon’s fun, innovative feeding sets combine style and functionality to make mealtimes enjoyable for both you and your toddler.  Check out their entire product line for inspiration.

This year, three companies stood out among the rest for innovation in eco-friendly toy design. My favorite toys are those that don’t contain batteries or instructions…toys that allow children to use their imagination and creativity…toys that combine education with entertainment.  Plan Toys, ImagiPLAY, and Natural Pod offer quality, inspirational toys that will wow both you and your child.  You’ll likely see your grandchildren playing with these same toys.

Green really is the new black!  Many eco-minded companies offer inspirational, artistic designs. Pura Vida NYC’s trendy line of children’s clothing features environmentally-themed works of art and sustainable fabrics (organic cotton, tencel, hemp, and bamboo).  Don’t forget to cover your basics with Peau Ethique’s organic cotton line of underwear, socks, camisoles, and pajamas.

As 2009 approaches, I anticipate that more and more companies will strive to provide safer products as our country becomes more conscious of the environmental effects of our carbon footprint. So what are your “green” favorites from 2008?

I’m a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night.  My husband and I savor the warm Southern California sun.  We love to travel…so much so that we spent 8 weeks backpacking Europe before moving to Edinburgh, Scotland where we found out I was pregnant with my son.  I am a babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding mama whose passions include health, fitness, and all things green.  If I’m not running after my 15 month old son…or my husband…you can find me frequenting the local tea room, shopping, baking, or reading.

My blog is Rockin’ Mama

Greening Your Holiday Decor

Christmas is right around the corner and we’ve been busy preparing our home for friends and family.  Since holiday decorations seem to stay in a box for most of the year, I’ve decided to incorporate some eco-friendly holiday decor accents in our home.  This week it’s all about “greening” your decor.

As your guests gather into the living room (or family room), why not greet them with the lovely fragrance of natural herbs and spices, essential oils, or freshly baked cookies.  My father used to boil cinnamon sticks, a lovely scent that lasted for hours.  If you simply must have candles in your home, opt for organic, soy or beeswax.  Check out Anna Sova Luxury Organics, Big Dipper Wax Works, and Beeswax Candle Company for eco-friendly candles that will make your home warm and inviting.

Modular flooring has been setting the trend this year.  I love the ability to alter the look and feel of a room with the switch of a rug!  Since the hazards of conventional wall-to-wall carpet are numerous, it makes eco-sense to stick to hardwood or laminate and use modular rugs as decor accents.  FLOR’s innovative, fashionable, and functional modular carpeting options allow you to stylize area rugs, runners, and wall-to-wall carpeting.  Their Ho Ho Holiday rug is warm and festive with it’s vibrant red and green hues.  The rug arrives in tiles that you then get to arrange for your very own personalized look. It’s super easy to put together.  You simply create your area rug by using the adhesive FLOR dots provided by the company when you order the rug.   We altered the suggested layout of stripes for a more funky, checkered pattern to reflect our style.  The best thing about the product is the ability to change the look of your rug at any time!  FLOR’s products are made with renewable, recyclable materials and they have one of the lowest levels of VOC’s in the industry.  Their commitment to environmental responsibility is evident in their Return & Recycle program.

I am not a fan of trinkets and knick-knacks that gather dust and spend most of their life in a box.  This year I’ve decided to decorate with sustainable alternatives like fresh fruit and greenery.  From live potted plants to homemade ornaments, decorating your home has never been greener.  If you still want to purchase holiday decorations, be sure to purchase fair trade items. Be sure to check out Gaiam and  VivaTerra’s holiday selection of fair trade, eco-inspired, decor accents for your home.

If you’re crafty and would like some ideas for activities you can do as a family, check out Family Fun Magazine and Annie B. Bond’s articles on eco-decorating.  They’re so easy even I can do them!

I’m a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night.  My husband and I savor the warm Southern California sun.  We love to travel…so much so that we spent 8 weeks backpacking Europe before moving to Edinburgh, Scotland where we found out I was pregnant with my son.  I am a babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding mama whose passions include health, fitness, and all things green.  If I’m not running after my 15 month old son…or my husband…you can find me frequenting the local tea room, shopping, baking, or reading.

My blog is Rockin’ Mama

Green Christmas

As we move into the holiday season, I find myself thinking about the most eco-friendly way to approach gift-giving, gatherings, and home decor.  It wasn’t until recently that I started thinking about the environmental impact of Christmas trees, outdoor lights, and gift wrap.  According to Newsweek, Americans will send 2 billion holiday cards, use 38,000 miles of ribbon and get rid of millions of Christmas trees.  Christmas is only once a year and while I fully believe in decorating and celebrating, there are ways we can reduce our carbon footprint amidst the wrapping paper and mistletoe.

Faux or For Real?

Fact:  Every year 50 million Christmas trees are purchased in the US.  30 million of those trees end up in a landfill (Environmental News Network)

I used to think that faux Christmas trees were better for the environment because of their ability to be reused again and again.  It seems wasteful to cut down a real tree and then discard of it a month later.  Unfortunately, faux Christmas trees are petroleum-based and not biodegradable.

The most eco-friendly option is to buy or rent a live, potted tree that can be replanted.  If you can’t find a local retailer/renter, be sure to purchase a tree from a Christmas tree farm and recycle it rather than throwing it in a trash can where it will end up in a landfill or incinerated.  If you’d rather have the convenience of home delivery, order a sustainable tree from Fresh Christmas Tree.

Light It Up!

As a child I remember how much I enjoyed the brightly lit homes in our neighborhood. I even remember counting them as I drove by!   I can’t imagine Christmas without lights but the reality is that they unnecessarily consume a significant amount of energy.   Replace those strands of conventional Christmas lights with LED’s (light-emitting diodes) which are 90 percent more efficient and last up to 100,000 hours or twenty years.  LED’s also virtually eliminate the possibility of a fire since they barely warm up.  Be sure to check out Brookstone’s Multi-Colored,Oversized LED Christmas Tree Lights or the LED Icicle String Christmas Rope Lights from Buy.com.

That’s a Wrap!

Fact:  In the US alone, the annual trash from gift wrap and shopping bags exceeds 4 million tons (The Recycler’s Handbook)

The holidays are all about inspiration and creativity and wrapping gifts is just another way to exhibit the wonderment of the season.  When I was a little girl, my mother taught me to reuse any holiday wrapping that was salvageable including ribbons, bows, and bags.  If the idea of a reusable bag seems boring, check out Gaiam Life’s Top 10 Green Gift Wrap Ideas.

Merry Christmas!

While you’re shopping for friends and family, be sure to check out any of the following Green Gift Guides which will help you find the most sustainable, eco-friendly gifts for young and old alike.  Keep in mind that a gift does not always have to be tangible.  Gifts that offer recipients an experience, such as dinner or the theater, can be just as meaningful.

The Daily Green

TreeHugger

Inhabitat

Green & Clean Mom

I’m a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night.  My husband and I savor the warm Southern California sun.  We love to travel…so much so that we spent 8 weeks backpacking Europe before moving to Edinburgh, Scotland where we found out I was pregnant with my son.  I am a babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding mama whose passions include health, fitness, and all things green.  If I’m not running after my 15 month old son…or my husband…you can find me frequenting the local tea room, shopping, baking, or reading.

My blog is Rockin’ Mama

Organic Food for Babies

I just love good food.  From gourmet dishes with elaborate presentation to organic entrees with choice ingredients, food is more than just energy for my body.  This is something I’ve wanted to instill within my son at an early age.

Before my son was born, I vowed to hand-prepare all of his meals with fresh, organic ingredients.  And then I woke up!  The reality is that time is precious and limited.  I’ve found some fabulous companies who prepare fresh, organic food for babies and tots without compromising nutritional value or taste.

Homemade Baby uses organic ingredients to prepare fresh (no frozen or jarred), wholesome meals. The meals are prepared in such a way to preserve the nutritional value while retaining that “homemade” taste.  They’re as close to cooking from scratch as you can get!  The meals are offered in three stages depending on your baby’s age and are both gluten-free and certified Kosher.  My son primarily ate these and I only wish they had more flavor options as he got older.  Find Homemade Baby in the refrigerated section of your favorite organic/natural market.

Pomme Bébé’s fresh and frozen organic meals are prepared by hand in small batches and simmered slowly to retain the maximum amount of nutrients. Their meals are purely organic which means they are free from preservatives, fillers, artificial flavors/sweeteners, chemicals, hormones, or antibiotics.  With vibrant colors and rich flavors, each puree looks and tastes like it’s respective fruit or vegetable counterpart.  With gourmet variations uniquely formulated for each of your tots stages of development and prepared by five-star chef Laurent Brazier, your baby will probably be eating better than you do.  Be sure to check out their local, seasonal, and frequently updated menus.  We visited the store around Halloween and sampled their autumn menu which was superb (and my son isn’t even on baby food anymore).  Can’t get there? Visit their online store or place your order over the phone. They’ll flash freeze your organic meals to lock-in the freshness and ship them directly to your front door in environmentally-friendly insulated containers over dry ice.

I like Tastybaby’s frozen organic baby food for the diverse flavors and textures available.  The meals are gluten-free and free from preservatives or stabilizers.  With three stages and ten flavor options, your little foodie will start out eating only the best!  Tastybaby locks in essential vitamins and nutrients via their state-of-the-art blast-freezing technology. While I’m not typically a fan of anything frozen for very long, once thawed, these are indistinguishable from their fresh counterparts.  My son could eat the Mama Mia for every meal, he liked it so much!  The company’s eco-savvy ventures are displayed in their BPA-free / recyclable containers and biodegradable cardboard boxes printed with vegetable-based inks.  Purchase Tastybaby at your favorite all-natural or organic grocer.  Even better, order directly from Amazon.com.

The number of companies touting organic baby food are increasing rapidly.  My struggle was that in- between time where my son no longer wanted baby food but wasn’t quite ready for grown-up food.  And then I tried a product that gave me Peas of Mind (hehe!).  I was initially drawn to these little veggie puffets because they seemed to pack a lot of veggies in a small, snack-sized meal.  Each puffet is made from organic ingredients without added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors.  They’re like little mini-veggie quiches and  are surprisingly yummy (my son is picky!).  Purchase all six varieties at your local natural or organic market or online at Amazon.com.

Your tot’s palate is shaped early on.  Exposing them to a variety of flavors, textures, and colors will help pave the way for healthy eating habits.

I’m a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night.  My husband and I savor the warm Southern California sun.  We love to travel…so much so that we spent 8 weeks backpacking Europe before moving to Edinburgh, Scotland where we found out I was pregnant with my son.  I am a babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding mama whose passions include health, fitness, and all things green.  If I’m not running after my 15 month old son…or my husband…you can find me frequenting the local tea room, shopping, baking, or reading.

My blog is Rockin’ Mama

Going Green on a Budget

The commitment to “go green” is one that requires thoughtful reflection on the conventional products we purchase and the lifestyle habits we’ve formed.  Very often it requires the expenditure of increased  resources to offset the cost of eliminating chemicals and substances that may be harmful to us or the environment.  The reality is that organic, all-natural foods and products tend to cost more (upwards of 50 percent or more according to ConsumerReports.org.).  With the uncertainty of the economy looming overhead, you may be struggling to decide if “going green” makes financial sense.  This week I’ll share with you some ways to go green within your budget.

One of the things my husband and I did when we moved into our house recently, was replace all of the conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.  According to Energy Star, you’ll save $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime.  CFL’s use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer. You can purchase a pack for $5-$10.

If you have (and use) a programmable thermostat, you could save up to $180 on your energy bill (over a 1-year period).  You’ll also be making a positive step towards fighting global warming.  Be sure to visit the Energy Star website for tips on how to set your thermostat (it will vary depending on the time of day and whether or not you will be at home).

While inconvenient and often forgotten, unplugging electronic devices and turning off lights can save you $100 every year.

It makes economic sense to run your dishwasher and washing machine when they’re completely full with cold water.  The good news is that you’ll actually save more time, energy, money, and water by using your dishwasher (rather than washing the dishes by hand).  You’ll save 1-4% off your energy bill and up to 5% if you choose to line dry your clothes (Consumer Energy Center).

Replacing old appliances with energy-efficient models that use 10-50% less energy and will save you up to $75 annually (Energy Star).

I love taking long showers.  Unfortunately, we live in the desert-like climate of Southern California where rain falls inconsistently and often immeasurably. The result is a water shortage.  Water - Use It Wisely is a fabulous resource for tips on conserving water.  Some of the things my husband and I are doing include decreasing the length of our showers and turning off the water while brushing our teeth/shaving.  Did you know you could save 1000 gallons a month by limiting your shower to a 5 minute time frame?

Los Angeles, unlike many other cities, is not conducive to walking as a sole means of getting around.  While we have public transportation, it isn’t as effective or timely.

Purchasing “green” foods and products often costs more than conventional equivalents.  Be sure to persue through my article on Organic Living for savvy saving ideas.  Visit your local consignment store (or go online to Zwaggle) to save on gently used clothing, toys, etc.

If you can’t afford to purchase “green cleaners,” which are generally priced much higher than their conventional counterparts, why not use all-natural products that you already have at home like lemon and baking soda.

Be sure to check out Energy Star, the U.S Department of Energy:  Energy Savers, and the Consumer Energy Center for more eco-savvy, money-saving tips.

Fabulously Green Gift Ideas

The countdown to the holidays has begun and it’s time to start thinking about gift-giving.  We as a society are becoming more eco-minded and it’s likely you’ll have a friend or family member who would prefer an organic, fair-trade, or otherwise “green” gift.  This week I’ll highlight some fabulously green gift ideas for moms and tots.

Babywearing is not only hip and trendy, it promotes bonding and allows moms to go hands-free.  I am so impressed by the style and quality of slings available at Thing-A-Ma-Sling. Featuring handmade, unpadded ring slings, Thing-A-Ma-Sling offers organic cotton fabric options that can be customized to include embroidered or monogrammed lettering and image.  Choose from khaki, color-grown cotton or apple-green (dyed with eco-friendly dyes).  Many of the slings available for purchase are one-of-a-kind or Limited Edition.  Retails for $57.95-$$69.95

Lavish that posh mama with a Kensington Baby Play Mat by Plain Mary.  A fave among celebrities, parents will love it’s chic design and super soft quilted micro-suede fabric.  I always struggled to find a blanket that I could lay down for my son to nap or play when we were out.  The Kensington Baby Play Mat is amply padded and large enough (36 x 56 inches) for babies to crawl, play and nap.  It’s as versatile and functional as it is luxurious.  I absolutely love the durability, quality, and sustainability of the fabrics used.  They’ve been tested for stain resistance to baby’s drool, spit-up, etc.  You could (and should) keep the play mat as a beautiful keepsake once your tot is on the go.  Add that finishing touch with an embroidered monogram.  Retails for $190

Plain Mary is in the process of phasing in organic micro-suede fabrics in an effort to meet the demand for “green” products.  The Kensington Play Mat is wrapped in a reusable drawstring tote which eliminates the need for wasteful packaging and the company plans on integrating this change into their entire product line.  Be sure to visit Plain Mary for upscale gifts ideas.  Add the finishing touch to your gift by packaging it in an adorable Miniature European Suitcase Box made with sturdy eco-friendly fiber board.

Going BPA-free is sure to be the trend this holiday season as big companies like Walmart and Target phase out those potentially harmful products.  Stuff those stockings with a reusable, BPA-free Kleen Kanteen sippy.  The sippys are made from 100% recyclable, high-quality, food- grade stainless steel.  They have a slim, tapered design that makes it easy for little hands to grasp.  Kleen Kanteen’s special adapter works with Avent’s patented sippy cup spout (also BPA-free).  There are two things I absolutely love about Kleen Kanteen’s sippys:  liquids stay cold for hours and the spout does not leak.  Retails for $17.95-$19.95

I have a closet full of clothes that I no longer wear but cannot part with.  I keep thinking that someday we’ll have a little girl who may want to wear one of mommy’s dresses.  I could never just throw clothing away and I hesitate to donate the items to a charity who may not appreciate my sense of style.  Luxoskid.com is a truly unique company that will take those threads you’re no longer sporting and turn them into high-end custom clothing for your child.  I can’t think of a better way to reuse and recycle.  Don’t worry if your jeans are well-worn or there’s a hole in hubby’s shirt. Owner and founder Susi Lux adds details, stitching, patches and design to turn your old fashions into high-quality designs that are sure to make a statement.  This unique and creative gift idea will warm the hearts of moms and tots!

My son and I were at Toys R Us the other day and I have to admit that we were both overwhelmed by the sheer number of toys begging to be bought.  I was disappointed to find just one small section of “green toys” in one of the largest retail toy stores in the country.  Toy safety has been a top parental concern since Fisher Price recalled 1 million toys last year.  Toys are also made of materials that are not necessarily eco-friendly which means they stick around forever.  Green Toys offers safe, eco-friendly, creative toys made right here in the US.  The entire line of toys are made from recycled plastic milk jugs and free of lead, BPA, or phthalates.  Every toy undergoes stringent safety testing.  The company is committed to eco-friendly production and distribution.  The toys are packaged minimally, in recycled corrugated boxes without using plastics, cellophane or twist-ties.  Check out the adorable tea set for girls or the sand play set for boys.

When I was a child I loved to play games with my mother.  Games are a fun way for kids to interact and learn while still having fun.  Beyond Learning, the creator of the world’s first eco-friendly board game, will soon be launching their newest game entitled Pick-Up Words.  Preschoolers will work on refining their reading, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills.  Beyond Learning math and reading games seek to engage children.  Children learn best through play and these games do a nice job of incorporating both.  The games are all printed with soy-based ink, phthalate-free lamination, and water-based varnish on recycled paper.  Retails for $15.95-$19.95

I’m a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night.  My husband and I savor the warm Southern California sun.  We love to travel…so much so that we spent 8 weeks backpacking Europe before moving to Edinburgh, Scotland where we found out I was pregnant with my son.  I am a babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding mama whose passions include health, fitness, and all things green.  If I’m not running after my 15 month old son…or my husband…you can find me frequenting the local tea room, shopping, baking, or reading.

My blog is Rockin’ Mama

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