Organic Bums

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Paula

zoe Organic BumsLife with a baby means you’re always looking for organic products.  I worry what chemicals and preservatives can do to my little one’s system.  She is just so teeny weeny that I am even more concerned with what is in her stuff than my other kids.  I also worry about what these chemicals can do to the body after they build up in the system for years and years!  Enter Zoe Organics.  They understand the need for organic baby care products and organic products for pregnant women.  They select premium raw organic ingredients and handcraft them into a number of products.  These products are toxin free and actually work to nourish tiny growing bodies whether in or out of their mamas!  Check out Life with My Littles for a great review and giveaway opportunity of the Zoe organic extreme cream.  It contains no water, fillers or chemicals of any kind.  This means that very little needs to be used to make a big difference!  Definitely something that would be great to keep on hand for little ones with organic bums or have dry skin problems or even eczema.

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Green Care

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Paula

green home 300x300 Green CareMany of us who are living a planet friendly lifestyle will soon be thinking of long term care for our parents.  That is why many Assisted living facilities are now offering green or at least green-er care homes.

The first step when providing eco-friendly assisted living facilities is green construction.  There are many building supplies made of recycled materials that help to remove items from the landfill instead of simply creating more garbage.  For example, recycled plastic is extremely popular for decking material, siding and outdoor furniture.  There are many other such building products available on the market for new construction or renovation that can help make a building an eco-build.

There are also other ways to make the care facility one that fits in with your eco-friendly lifestyle including — composting, alternative power sources, low VOC paints, recycled paints, organic gardening activities, recycling, electronic data management techniques, alternative homeopathic therapies, rain water storage and many, many more.  Ask a care facility how they are upgrading to green.  Dual flush toilets?  Energy star appliances?  Low flow shower heads??

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The Body Shop — Chocomania Line

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Paula

Chocomania 300x223 The Body Shop Chocomania LineJust in time for Valentine’s Day, The Body Shop has added a new line of chocolate scented products that are absolutely perfect for gift giving. Why do I love the Body Shop so?  I love their products because they work and smell fantastic but that’s not really why.  It’s the way the company is run — with people and the planet first.  They’ve run campaigns to end domestic violence, human trafficking and HIV.  They’ve created products that are responsibly sourced, eco-friendly, support community trade, not tested on animals, promote well being and social change.  All of these things combined make them one of my most favorite places to buy bath and beauty products from.  Check out one of my favorite blogs reviewing my favorite store — My Wee View.  She reviews the new chocomania line with refreshing honesty and has a fantastic giveaway opportunity as well for $150 package from the Body Shop’s new line:)

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Eco-Friendly Receipt Printers

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

printer Eco Friendly Receipt PrintersI’ll be the first to admit that I abhor paper receipt printers and would much rather have everything done electronically.  However, businesses usually need to provide a paper copy for both your records and their own.  That being the case, why not look into purchasing a more environmentally friendly version of receipt printer the next time it’s needed.   Printer company Star Micronics provides printers that offer up to 75% less use of power, 70% less use of paper, recyclable packaging and even uses recycled plastics in the case!  There’s always a way to make purchases green-er when you consider the environment before simply buying whatever is in front of you.

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That Time of Year Again…

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

accountant 300x281 That Time of Year Again...It’s getting to be that time of year again — tax time.  Not only do taxes chew up a lot of money, they also take up a ton of time (and paper).  This year I’ve really been wondering if it wouldn’t be worth my sanity to use an accountant to tackle family finances like raleigh accountant carson thorn.  I get super stressed out trying to find receipts because I always recycle all of the paper or get electronic receipts.  I absolutely refuse to file a paper form because really — waste trees for that!?  Plus, all of the forms and regulations change constantly…I just can’t keep up with it.  I’ve got to look for an accountant that will make it simple and has eco-friendly business practices…anyone have ideas??

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Battery Free Fun

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

Felt Play Battery Free FunIt seems like every toy for sale has batteries in it.  Drives me absolutely bonkers!!  Why do toys have to make so much noise and have so many flashing lights?  I’d say “when I was a kid” but I’m afraid of how much that would age me!  Check out Betty Lukens for some good old fun toys without batteries.  The felt sets (while not made of eco-felt) are really pretty cool.  I imagine this could keep my little ones occupied for ages while they used their imaginations instead of just relying on the toy to completely entertain them.  Want a chance to win one of these awesome playsets?  Check out the blog Mommy Kat and Kids for a full review and giveaway.

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Funny Tees

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

Monster planet Funny TeesThere are a huge range of sites selling funny tshirts.  My favorite, go figure, are the ones that raise global consciousness as well as make people smile.  Make sure that any t-shirt you buy (funny or not) is organic and produced locally.  Check out Bob Eco for some great designs or Barley and Birch if you’re looking for kids sized eco-shirts.  T-shirt companies are literally popping up in the hundreds online so support something that you believe in with your purchase.  It just may make someone think along with that smile:)

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Fight For Your Right….

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

fist 144x300 Fight For Your Right....Many environmental activists have turned to the courts to fight to protect the planet.  However, being an activist doesn’t always mean that you have to turn to the courts.  There are many battles to be fought and not all of them are so big.  Even the average citizen without any special super powers or tons of money can join the fight.  You can put down the phone to call your raleigh business lawyers or Los Angeles lawyers specializing in water conservation.  What is really needed right now, in my humble opinion, is for people to think about how they are living.  Examine life’s mundane choices and think about the effect of them on a global scale.  Is the coffee in that mug fair trade?  Is that bowl of fruit organic?  Buy local.  Buy what you need so there is no waste.  Make do with what you have.  Most homes are already so crowded with clutter that it boggles the mind.  Do you have a gift giving occasion coming up?  Try making a present instead of heading out to a big box store.  Too scary?  Employ a local crafter!  Shop local crafters on Etsy.  Teach children how to recycle, compost, save money, pick up trash, care for our planet and one another.  The fight can start small and at home.

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Eco-Friendly Welding Helmets?

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

eco helmet Eco Friendly Welding Helmets?It’s amazing to me the huge variety in “eco-friendly” products that are now available on the market.  Take, for example, the eco-friendly welding helmet.  It’s solar-powered!  The shade doesn’t require any batteries at all because it runs completely on solar power… The specifications for the helmet, I admit, do sound pretty cool until you get to the part that reads “Don’t forget to allow the helmet sufficient time to charge before use”.  What?!  What happens if it’s not charged?  Does that mean the welder is not protected?  Apparently there’s no battery back-up or safety mechanism to prevent injury from use without a full charge.  Maybe just buy some eco-friendly rechargeable batteries and stick with miller welding helmets until the eco-technology on this one reaches acceptable safeties.  I do love that they are working on ways to make everything green-er though:)

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Fabric Snack Bags

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Paula

Snack Bags Fabric Snack BagsFabric, reusable snack bags are an easy way to make little one’s snacks much more environmentally friendly.  These bags can be used over and over again to help cut back on the amount of plastic that is both used and discarded in an eco-mama’s kitchen.  These bags can be easily wiped out, shook out and turned inside out to dry which means they don’t have to waste even more resources by adding to the never ending pile of laundry.  Want a chance to win some?  Check out a great “mom” blog Life with My Littles to enter this giveaway (and a ton of other great ones) to celebrate the blog’s birthday.  Better hurry — the contest ends on January 20, 2012.

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