Author Archives: SusanC

Recycled Note Of The Week: JustUsWomen

Every week or so we use this space to feature a recycled note or three from some of our favorite online sources. This week’s Recycled Note Of The Week comes via JustUsWomen’s etsy shop. While I was browsing her shop I was instantly taken by the simplicity and creativity in her stationary sets, comprised of repurposed paper from various vintage books and paint chip samples.

Tacking and Jibing Stationary Set

Mix and match this set of 4 cards and envelopes. These folding note are cut from 80 lb 100% recycled PC White Mohawk paper, which is manufactured with wind power! The paint chips are slightly distressed to add some texture.

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Green Birth

As a birth and postpartum doula, and a natural parenting company owner who is expecting a baby in the next few weeks, I can’t help but write a post that mentions the “greenness” of homebirth.

I think that most of the time we focus on a lot of the other possible advantages to homebirth (such as lack of unnecessary interventions, comfortable atmosphere for the mother, and even affordability), but rarely mention how having a birth at home can also be a green choice for your family. So, I thought I would put together a few little green things to consider (which obviously should not be your soul reasons for choosing a homebirth, but they can’t hurt either):

Less waste!

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This Just In: Earth Week Giveaway Winners!

Two weeks ago we hosted a giveaway carnival of sorts in celebration of Earth Day, offering five giveaways for readers to win, one for each day of the week.

After an AMAZING response, I’m pleased to announce the winners of each of those five giveaways. Ready? Here we go!

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The winner of the Naked Binder Giveaway is commenter #23, Ikkinlala!

The winner of Glass Dharma Giveaway is commenter #79, Autumn H.!

The FIVE winners of the Seventh Generation Giveaway are:

  • Commenter # 24, April!
  • Commenter #56, Shari!
  • Commenter #79, Mya!
  • Commenter #150, Claudia!
  • Commenter #340, Rachel!

The winner of the Through Endangered Eyes Book Giveaway is commenter #18, Mrs.

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Protect Your Skin the Green Way

Much to my surprise, last week when I took my son to the park for a play-date I got a sunburn! I couldn’t believe that we are already in that season when I need to be thinking about protecting my skin from the sun. So, I thought that this week would be a good time to explore that topic a little further.

Many of us know that we need to be conscious of the kinds of products we are putting on our skin, but we don’t always know why or what to look for.

Well, let me help you get on the right track with your sunscreen!

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Green Recipe Of The Month: Savory Black Bean Soup

Are you still cold, too? Someone told me that it is spring, but I get all confused when I read stories of snow in April like the mid-west recently experienced.

That used to not matter to me much, but now that I have traded my west coast roots for a more four season environment, everything I do has more purpose. I wear a coat not as a fashion statement, but because it’s cold. I wear shoes, not because they match my outfit, but rather because it’s cold. I eat soup, not because I absolutely love soup and could eat it 365, but because it’s cold.

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The Earth Day Hullabaloo Is Over; Now What?

tropicana orange juiceSo, you participated in Earth Hour and you went to an Earth Day celebration. Perhaps you’ve tried taking the bus or bringing your own bags to the grocery store, or maybe you’ve started recycling. And that is GREAT!

What a wonderful start, or addition to your already eco-friendly lifestyle! Whether you’re an eco-newbie or an eco-veteran, it’s all about taking it one step at a time.

But what step should you take next?

Once people start to “get it” I have exactly one suggestion for their next eco-move: “Put your money where your mouth is.”

Make sure your purchasing power is used, as much as possible, to support a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.

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Bringing It Home: Swami Baby Giveaway

A giveaway courtesy of Swami Baby is a great way to end our week-long giveaway carnival, if you will, in celebration of Earth Day.

What exactly is Swami Baby?

Katie Holley, the founder and owner of this creative kiddo-centric business, is probably the best person to answer that question.

In her own words:

Swami Baby is a clothing line for infants and toddlers designed to give voice to our wise little ones.

As a yoga teacher and mother of three, I began to see that kids already possess much of what we as adults are striving to achieve; they have the innate ability to live in the present, to take time to enjoy life, to be aware of their surroundings, and to be direct.

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A New Perspective: Through Endangered Eyes Giveaway

One thing we don’t often talk about on this site is the correlation between climate change and endangered species, and specifically, what we can do to help ensure the myriad species who also currently call this planet “home” remain here for generations to come.

What better way to teach future generations that all creatures great and small are worthy of protection and worthy of life than a beautifully illustrated poetry book on endangered animals?

Through Endangered Eyes is exactly that: an informative and beautifully illustrated poetry book on endangered animals for children.

Through Endangered Eyes: A Poetic Journey into the Wild (Hardcover)

By Rachel Dillon (author and illustrator)

There are 1208 species on the Threatened and Endangered Species List compiled by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

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Clean Green: Seventh Generation Giveaway

Now that Earth Day and the spring season have officially arrived, many Americans are in their eco-conscious cleaning modes, and while spring cleaning is necessary if not a little exciting (downsizing! de-cluttering! finding everything you once thought was lost forever!), the very products used to clean and protect your living space from germs could be harmful to both your family and the environment.

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, more than 50% of human poison exposure victims are children younger than six-years-old, and with sixty-three hazardous chemical products in the average American household-according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission-it’s no wonder so many kids are coming into contact with harmful chemicals on a daily basis at home.

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Minimizing Your Plastic Footprint: Glass Dharma Giveaway

Keeping the Earth Week fun moving right along, today as promised we have more great green products for you to win, more Earth Day tips, and bonus links to keep you clicking green all week long.

David Leonhardt, a glassblower and the founder of Glass Dharma, the original hand-made glass drinking straw, created his own line of drinking straws to “contribute one solution to the misuse of plastics in our society.”

By now I think most of us understand the over-use of the very non eco-friendly plastic material is a huge environmental problem, one with no clear solution in sight.

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