As part of its “Be Good to Your Whole Body” campaign, for the month of October, Whole Foods Market has created podcasts focusing on maintaining a healthy mood.  As the seasons change, these simple, free tips, consider how conscious breathing, herbs, and eating well, can help maintain a healthy mood.  

Just listen to one or all of the podcasts and leave a comment telling them what you think.  On October 30th one person will be randomly chosen to receive the gift card!

Please comment on the following podcast fields: Breathe and Meditation for Stress Relief, Herbal Approaches for Healthy Mood, or Boost your Back to School Brain Power. Good luck!

March is National Reading Month and to celebrate LeapFrog has started a campaign to get parents to pledge a combined 1 million hours of reading time for their children. Their goal is to bring attention to literacy and to encourage families to make time to read together..even if it is only 10 minutes a day. Who can’t manage ten minutes a day???

All participants will receive special rewards and offers from LeapFrog but one of my readers will get something EXTRA special!!! All you have to do is go to the LeapFrog pledge page and pledge (it’s FREE) the number of minutes you will read to your child or children every day. THEN come back here and tell me in the comments section how many minutes you pledged or just that you pledged if you don’t want to share the minutes. The comment will be your entry. Subsequent entries can be gained by linking to this post, or submitting it to social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Stumbleupon. Each entry needs to be a separate comment but you must pledge for it to be valid.

So what do you get??! One winner will get, directly from LeapFrog, one Tag reader + 5 books for personal use, as well as an expanded-memory LeapFrog School Tag reader + 10 books to donate to your local library.

Closed!! The winner is #73 Anne!!! Congrats!!!

If you just can’t wait to get your hands on a Tag Reader they are on sale at Amazon at the moment. Via this link you can get $10 off a reader and $4 off any of the books.

Green cleaners are not negotiable in our home. We are just too sensitive to the chemicals in conventional cleaners. My son had a severe reaction to toilet cleaner a couple years ago and I got hives the last time I touched bleach and Windex. So we use green cleaners around here. Some I make and others I buy. It just depends on my mood at the time but a green clean is not negotiable.

Better Life Green Cleaners are a nifty new option for green moms. They are called better life because as parents we want a better, healthier life or our family when we shop for products and these products meet that need. The company was founded by two dads and life long friends (Kevin and Tim) who wanted products that’d be good for their kids, our kids, and our planet.

They have also seen the trendiness of the word “green” and they wanted to stand apart as a company who walked the walk and actually sold safe products instead of just greenwashing questionable ones.

I know you want to try them. Well, Mama Goes Green is a store that sells sustainable goods for practical families. The owner Sara has graciously offered one of my readers a Better Life Non Toxic Cleaners Set.

It includes:

I Can See Clearly, WOW!™ glass cleaner  – It is solvent-free (no ammonia, alcohol, or ethers) and pH neutral, so it’s safe to use on acrylic and tinted/treated windows and glass.

Even The Kitchen Sink™ gentle scrubber- This naturally powerful gentle cleaning scrubber works wonders on tubs, tile and grout, toilet bowls, shower doors, stovetops, glass cooktops , stainless steel sinks, porcelain, ceramic, enamel, stone, cultured marble, non-polished solid countertops, and laminate. If concerned, test in an inconspicuous area first.

What-EVER!™ All-Purpose Cleaner- Use this safe cleaner on any washable non-porous surface, including: countertops, appliances, sinks, toilets, baseboards, walls, floors, tables, chairs, showers and tubs. Better Life products are ethoxylate-free so waterways and marine life will not be harmed.

This set is valued at $22.50 and one lucky reader will get it free, courtesy of Mama Goes Green. Thanks Sara!

The winner is #5 Andrea! Congrats!!

I remember when my two youngest were babies and I made their own baby food pretty much but I always had some of those little jars on hand just in case and they were always Earth’s Best. They were great for a trip to grandma’s house. Organic food at this stage is hugely important for those vulnerable little bodies so I love what Earth’s Best stands for.

They also have a special promotion going on called Earth’s Best Celebrate the Firsts. Simply purchase any of the following products between 1/1/09 and 3/31/09:

• Earth’s Best Organic Infant Foods Cereals, jarred foods, infant juices, teething biscuts and pastina
• Earth’s Beat Organic Infant Formulas
• Earth’s Best TenderCare™ Chlorine Free Diapers and Wipes

Then mail in the completed official redemption form with dated register receipts to receive your baby rewards which could include baby care items and toys.

The Gift Pack includes:

• 4 jars each of 2.5 oz First Foods Apples, Pears, Peas, Bananas, Sweet Potatoes and Carrots (a total of 24 jars)
• 4 jars each of 4 oz Apple Juice & Pear Juice (a total of 8 jars)
• 1 box each of 8 oz infant Rice Cereal, Multi-Grain Cereal & Oatmeal Cereal (a total of 3 boxes) 
• A delightful Earth’s Best Cereal Bowl and Bib
• As an added bonus, the much loved children’s book, “Guess How Much I Love You” written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram.

This Gift Pack is ideal for babies just starting to eat solid food. You will also receive the Earth’s Best feeding guide and valuable coupons you can use to purchase Earth’s Best baby food at your local grocery store.

Contest Closed!! The winner is Brooke D. Comment #77!!!! Congrats!!

Giveaway courtesy of Earths Best and Mom Generations.

Due to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) natural toys have been getting a lot of attention lately. It has quite frankly woken many people up the value of homemade and all the reasons we need to fight to protect these items.  To lose them would be to lose a part of our natural history… a part of our heritage. For us and for children all over the country it would mean a loss of the magic that is unique to hand crafted toys.

By voicing our concerns over the poorly written CPSIA legislation we can save the toys and help to ensure that our local artisans can continue to operate… artisans like Beccijo Neff of The Fairy Ring and The Enchanted Cupboard. Toys and handcrafted items like what you find here are magical, charming, and bewitching.

I interviewed Beccijo this week and asked her about CPSIA, her business, and why preserving the traditions of handmade are so important. Of course first I asked her how she got started in this business.

Beccijo: As a child in rural Pennsylvania I spent much of my time inventing new things to play with.  New games and toys were always being made by me in my free time, and I never remember being bored.  My parents encouraged creativity.  I loved kids, and there was never a short supply in my big, extended family. There was always someone around to try out my new game with.  I felt blessed by my life back then. After high school, college beckoned.  I pursued the course that my artistic talents led me on, but in my heart I always wanted to be a nanny.  My mother had a nanny growing up, and I loved the stories she told me about afternoons at the beach in Australia with her sisters and the nanny.  I decided to follow my dream, and in 1991, I enrolled in The English Nanny and Governess School.  Afterward, many years passed as I lived that dream being the enchanted Nanny I always dreamed I would be.

Years later I found a prince among men and married him in 1997.  We started our family in 2000 and now have 4 beautiful, wonderful children for me to create for and dream with.  I am now a happy housewife, SAHM and homeschooler trying to find ways to bring that same childhood enchantment that I experienced to my own children. Besides caring for my family, the other thing that brings me great joy is making things that encourage creativity. First I was just a shopper on Etsy, and then I started making items for other kids and thought that this might be a good idea for a few shops. This year I got the biggest joy knowing that under other people’s Christmas trees, my toys were waiting all wrapped up.

Tiffany: What is CPSIA?

Beccijo: The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is a new law that is intended to insure the safety of basically any consumer product that is intended for 12 year olds and younger.  It requires materials testing of all clothes, toys, books, educational materials, baby items, etc. to prove that they do not contain any toxic materials.  It was passed last year in response to the influx of materials from overseas that had lead paint and other toxic materials on them.

Tiffany: Who will be impacted by this legislation? And why should parents care?

Beccijo: Everyone who buys or sells items for kids 12 yrs. old or under will be affected by this law.  Parents should care because the law as it is stated now is too broad and will eliminate many nice and useful products from the marketplace because smaller manufacturers will not be able to afford the testing that is required by the law.  Handmade toys and other organic and safe products are required to be tested even though by their very nature they are made from safe materials.  This means that many handmade wooden toys and other products like them will disappear from the marketplace. 

It is good that the government is stepping up and taking action on lead, but this law is very vague in it’s terminology to the point where it encompasses anything and everything. The lawmakers wanted to make sure that there were no loopholes in the law, but they went too far.  And now the law is affecting those who make, sell and benefit from quality items that are safe including small shops, crafters, charities, yard sales, EVERYONE!  One of the worst parts of the law is the mandatory (re)testing by third party certified laboratories. The cost for the testing is overwhelming and has actually increased by as much as 20% in the last few months. My main complaint regarding the law is that my supplies are bought at the same craft stores you buy you paints, etc. and they have already been tested and labeled as non-toxic. When I put them together, they are still non toxic and should not have to be retested.

Tiffany: What is being done right now to try and save the hand made toy?

Beccijo: Things are changing fast. Right now, the government is beginning to hear the complaints, and they are making exemptions and rewriting parts (see the story at this link. So right now we need to keep writing letters and emails and making calls.

Those that know and care are doing what they can, but we need to get the word out and we need support from every parent. Everyone just needs to write, type, email and call. Get yourself heard! Contact Congress! Your representative can be reached at:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Contact your Senator here….
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
(choose your state on top to get started)

Contact the CPSC directly here….
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/commissionernord.aspx

Tiffany: Anything else to share about CPSIA?

Beccijo: As a parent I try hard to live in such a way as to be an example to my children. When I have to wait in line, I point out that I, as an adult, have to take turns. When they don’t like to share, I point out that I let them share my things even when I don’t always want to. So this is another great example for me to show them.  Just like for them, for adults there are rules.  Sometimes those rules are not fair in my eyes, for them it is bedtimes and eating veggies.  For me, right now, it is the CPSIA.  I have heard lots of comments about the toy police not coming after the crafters. And to me, openly disobeying the law is not the point and not the example I want to send to my children.  I would rather take the opportunity to teach them how people can influence the government to achieve what is fair and right.  Let’s find a way to get a good solid law in place that protects the quality of our children’s lives without removing the things that are already there and safe for them.

Non Toxic Tots has a little bit of everything…clothing, natural toys, soft sole shoes, soaps, and healthy feeding gear for kids including Klean Kanteens and Camden Rose wooden bowls. The bowls for instance are crafted from American Black Cherry and sealed with beeswax.  They are designed, manufactured and packaged in the USA and then of course sold by a mom in New Jersey.

Also make sure to check out her blog at Mama K in NJ.

The first is Green Apple Baby. Not only do they sell gorgeous 100% organic tees with a natural cotton/green apple print color scheme that I love…they adorn their tees with messages of love and inspiration. They are for conscious parents that want to send a positive and earth friendly message. They use water based inks and they are grown and sewn in the good ol USA. Seeing the tiny baby clothes from Green Apple Baby really made me heartsick for another youngin. Like any other mom I suppose, I was enthralled with cute baby clothes but add organic, natural, earth friendly fibers and the wow factor is even greater.

I have a Green Apple Baby tee to giveaway, size 6-12 months. It says “I am a Genius” in green water based ink and it has their signature apple on it. It is perfect for baby boys and baby girls and has a lap shoulder neckline for easy dressing. It is made of soft, jersey knit and 100% organic cotton.

Another great company is Cool Green Attitudes. This company is great for older kids and they make a really great line of “cool” kids clothing with great messages of self worth. Not only are they organic cotton they have really neat messages like “I am Unique”, “I am Kind & Caring”, “I am Intelligent”, and “I Am Fair and Honest”. Just like adults do, children can suffer from negative thoughts about themselves, by accepting the negative opinions, fears and superstitions of others around them. These shirts are organic cotton Confidence t shirts, to encourage and enable children to affirm a positive sense of self and attitude.

They come in white, pink, and blue and they all have the Cool Green Attitudes signature green guy on them…”Buddy” The Organic Cotton Bud Man.

To give away I have a size 18 months, white tee that says “I am Infinate Potential”. I also have a pink 2T tee that says “I am Creative”.

Winners are

#10 Thea
#19 Karen
#58 Sap

The next best thing would have to be Green Irene, a trained and certified Eco-Consultant that will help you IMPLEMENT “green” solutions in your home immediately. No wondering if you are doing the right things or falling victim to greenwashing…they take the guesswork out of the process. They offer a green home makeover service that walks you through your home and step by step shows you how to conserve water, save energy, improve indoor air quality, recycle, and so much more. They also offer products or kits that get you started quickly. The $133 Water Conservation Kit for instance can ultimately save you over $4,200 in the next seven years while reducing your family’s Carbon Footprint. Their EZ Bulb SwapOut service will outfit your home with all new light bulbs of various kinds (like CFLs or LEDs) and you get to see what they look like before you commit.

Many want to do that right? We just may not know how to start or where to begin…Green Irene is a great option. You just contact them and they will set you up with a local consultant. I think it would be cool to give them a call just so I can see how I am doing. ;) And if you are a green expert already you can also become an eco consultant for them after going through training. That would be a fun job. 

Exederm is made by a company that believes people with sensitive skin need products with less irritants… harsh chemicals, unnecessary additives and unproven herbal ingredients. Their product ingredient list has many highlights:

No Fragrance
No Color or Dyes
No Parabens
No Lanolin
No Sodium Laureth Sulfate
No Propylene Glycol
No Formaldehyde
No Phthalates

Wohoo! Their system revolves around 3 different products… the exederm flare control cream, intensive moisture cream, and the cleansing wash for sensitive skin. If you click on the link above you will see how their product ingredients compare to all the other leading eczema products.

So ready to give exederm a try? Also here is a coupon code for $5.00 off at exederm.com “Naturemoms1″.

Enjoy!
 

What I love the MOST about this store is that they have amazing sampler packages where you try different brands. You don’t have to buy a six pack of one brand and then find out you don’t like them, you can buy several different products in one package and then see what works and what doesn’t. This feature is a huge time and money saver for parents. 

If you want to stay up to date on the latest “safe” products and research into the not-so-safe ones, I suggest you sign up for the Soft Landing newsletter on left side of their web site. And now on to the giveaway! Alicia and her team at The Soft Landing have been gracious enough to giveaway an awesome prize pack to my readers and it is just in time for cold weather! Imagine drinking your coffee and tea in safety and style with these gorgeous Thermos containers. A $67 dollar value!! Great for you or for Christams gifts. ;)

The Thermos Stainless Steel Coffee and Tea Prize Pack:
1 – SS 12oz Tea Tumbler w/ Infuser – Espresso $23.00
1 – SS 18oz Grande Coffee Tumbler – Espresso $26.00
1 – SS 16oz Coffee Tumbler – Metallic Blue $18.00

The winner is comment #52 Princess Momma!!!

The owner, Cynthia Bistrain, was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2005 and afterwards she began to heavily research health, nutrition, and environment. One of the first lifestyle changes she made was to get rid of all the plastic in her kitchen that came in contact with her food, because the plasticizers they contained could potentially leach hazardous chemicals. Some of these chemicals act like hormones in our body, which can then lead to disease.

I think most green moms can relate to that. We want the chemical nasties out our house and especially the things that come into contact with our food. On the Healthy Kitchenware site you will find a variety of great products that help us detox our kitchens. I LOVE glass storage containers and I think I have mentioned before how much I adore Pyrex. But Pyrex is not very cheap, especially if you like the vintage stuff like me. And it can also be less than practical because there is no way I am going to put Pyrex in the dishwasher and have the colors fade.

Lucky for us there are tons of affordable options now for glass storage and refrigerator containers. There is just no reason to use plastic…even safer BPA free plastics, because plastics like that generally aren’t recyclable. Healthy Kitchenware provides a great service.

Cynthia was kind enough to send me a set of their square glass jars. These stackable square glass jars can hold grains, pastas, pickles, cookies or any food that needs storage on the counter or refrigerator. The set includes one each 1.5 qt, 1 qt and 1/2 qt jars. They are Dishwasher safe with silicone seals to ensure freshness, and a sturdy glass lid and body. They are highly affordable and do a great job. I have been using the two larger ones to store flax crackers and nuts. The smaller one is great for putting leftovers in and then popping it in the frig for my hubby to take to work the next day. I also love the ribbed glass variety they offer…I actually have some that are vintage and LOVE them…it is awesome to see them make a comeback.

So are you ready to toss the Tupperware and Rubbermaid for some glass? Healthy Ktchenware is offering one lucky reader a set of 3 glass storage/refrigerator containers!

CLOSED: The winner is number 69 – Danielle! Congrats!!

The winner, out of 457 entries, is….

#375 – Jenny!!

Congrats Jenny!

It is time again for another Bloggy Giveaway! This time around I am giving away a baby prize pack. All you have to do is comment to win ALL of the great baby products outlined below. They would be great for your baby or maybe as a baby shower gift…they will work for a boy or a girl.

So let’s get started!

First off we have a Terra Tees T-shirt to give away courtesy of the Terra Tees company. Terra Tees, Inc. is a mom owned and operated company based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. Terra means “of the earth” in Latin and this is one eco conscious company. They sell organic cotton kids tees and onesies. The designs are printed using low impact, water based dyes that are PVC and phthalate free. Everything is grown, sewn, and printed in the USA! They are also incredibly cute clothes with some snazzy designs and slogans for our little tree huggers. The t-shirt being given away today is size 12-18 months, it is organic cotton, in a natural color with a small seedling tree printed on it, with the words  Sapling Hugger below. VERY CUTE!!

Next is a 100% cotton/fleece, stuffed Palomino Pony from Ezoetic. The perfect cuddly bedtime comfort companion.  The Pony is all organic, inside and out and made with soft organic cotton fleece in Palomino brown (fox-fibre color grown). Approximately 10″ in length from head to tail.  Made by mothers for mothers in New England, USA. It is really an adorable toy that is sure to be a favorite for years. What child doesn’t like ponies?

Next is a Perlina clutching toy from Haba. It has bright and colorful wooden beads in an innovative design, secured onto sturdy elastic bands. In the center is a blue bell that rings sweetly to delight baby. It has multiple coats of natural, water-based, non-toxic lacquer that renders the surface especially resistant to humidity and mechanical strain. It is a quality toy crafted to withstand years or even generations of play. It encourages clutching skills, fine motor skills, and auditory perception.

Last is a BPA Free Siliskin Glass bottle. It is 8 ounces with a white sheath. Siliskin bottles are sturdy, glass baby bottles with a silicone sheath that helps to prevent the bottle from breaking. You can toss these bottles across the room and they won’t break. They come in 4 or 8 ounce sizes and they have several colors. They are microwave safe, hypo allergenic and dishwasher friendly, the translucent silicone sleeve allows you to see measurements and liquid in the bottle. Cleaner than any plastic, parents-in-the-know realize that glass bottles are the best! No nasty plastic chemicals to leach into your baby’s beverages.

This package is valued at nearly $75.00!! All you have to do to win is comment.

If you want two chances to win you can link to this blog from your own blog…make sure to leave a trackback or a second comment to let me know about the link to so you have a total of two comments and therefore two chances to win. The winners will be announced on Friday, August 1st. US and Canadian entries only please. Good luck everyone!

WINNERS ARE COMMENTERS:

138
55
129
1
115

Congrats!!!! I will be emailing you!

The winner was picked as always with random.org. Thanks to Stubby Pencil Studio for hosting this contest!

The winner is:

Comment number 83 – Melissa! Congrats!!!

If you are not familiar with bentos they are Japanese style lunch boxes and I LOVE them. I have a huge collection in fact. Of course my favorite is the Laptop Lunchbox system. All 3 of my kids have one and they will be using them all the while we are in Florida. So I reached for my Vegan Lunch Box book, which is a book full of recipes and ideas for healthy vegan eating using the Laptop Lunchbox system. I started making notes of what I would prepare and what groceries I will need to buy when we get to Orlando. We aren’t necessarily a vegan family but we DO limit meat and we tend towards raw foods so this book is perfect for just about any family.

Then I came across a discussion on the net about how these books are going for $50-100 a book because they are out of print. There is a revised edition coming out soon but I guess moms everywhere are desperate for this book. Pretty cool! Anyway as I grabbed my copy … which I would never sell so don’t ask ;) … I saw that I have TWO copies. I vaguely remember there being some kind of buy one get another half off deal or something and I am a sucker for a deal.

So guess what one lucky reader gets? A brand spankin new copy of the original and now out-of-print Vegan Lunchbox. You will love all the healthy, delicious recipes in this book…especially if you pack a lunch for your kids. Also very handy for travel snack boxes.

To Win: Just comment!

If you want two chances to win you can link to this blog from your own blog…make sure to leave a trackback or a second comment to let me know about the link to so you have a total of two comments and therefore two chances to win. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 28. Good luck everyone!

Here is some bento inspiration and one of my son’s favorite lunches…a nut butter rainbow sandwich.

The above lunchbox is a Laptop Lunchbox. Also pre-order the new edition of Vegan Lunch Box.

They are called Yoga Stick-e Socks! Now you won’t need a rug or yoga mat anymore…these socks make it feel as if you are going barefoot but you don’t slip and slide. They feel just like regular socks but they have a hole for each toe to extend through so the toes remain exposed. The exposed toes enable gripping during exercise which is really important for yoga.

With their soft-as-silk Bamboo fiber they provide a hygienic, non-slip, sweat-absorbing environment for all your barefoot exercise including Yoga, dance, Pilates, and Karate and they made form a sustainable and earth friendly material. They would be perfect for yoga classes to. Even if you bring a mat as it is nice to have something covering your feet while not sacrificing your ability to “stick” your poses. They come in black and beige and they very affordable in price.

I am giving away a pair of black on black Yoga Stick-e Socks in size small (women’s 4-7). These would also be a great gift for a yogi in your life.

To Win: Just comment!

If you want two chances to win you can link to this blog from your own blog…make sure to leave a trackback or a second comment to let me know about the link to so you have a total of two comments and therefore two chances to win. The winners will be announced on Monday, April 28. Good luck everyone!

These t-shirts are designed to be fresh, healthy, and invigorating. For food conscious moms and kids they also help you to share a love of fruits and veggies. They help promote a healthy lifestyle and attitude about food with over 20 beautiful designs for children and adults, from onsies to aprons. These would be really good for raw foodies, vegans, and vegetarians.

I LOVE some of these t-shirts, like the ones that say No Sugar Added, Bite Me (with a carrot picture), and Think Before You Eat (with a picture of a doughnut). A portion of the profits from t-shirt sales also goes to Two Angry Moms, who are fighting for lunch reform on our public schools. That is pretty cool. I need to get the carrot one. :)

I am giving away a size small (2-4) white t-shirt with a red raspberry on it that says “all natural” underneath!

To Win: Just comment!

If you want two chances to win you can link to this blog from your own blog…make sure to leave a trackback or a second comment to let me know about the link to so you have a total of two comments and therefore two chances to win. The winners will be announced on Monday, April 28. Good luck everyone!

They have put together a collection of earth and environment movies and from now until earth day you can view them for FREE. My kids that been watching them all day…short movies about the planet, the atmosphere, energy, gas and oil, pollution, etc. It has been awhile since I went over some of this stuff during my school days so I am finding it really interesting too. Good stuff!

Enjoy!