Weleda – Products worth reviewing and GIVEAWAY

There aren’t too many products to choose from when it  comes to natural baby care. There may be only a few mainstream brands out on the market but they don’t usually contain all-natural or organic ingredients in their baby care products. When it comes to caring for my son’s skin, it is important to me that I use only natural and organic skin care. Children’s little bodies are pretty sensitive and vulnerable and their skin can absorb pretty much anything put on it. This is one area that I don’t budge on – using natural products that do not contain toxic chemicals on my son’s skin is just as important as trying to feed him organic and wholesome foods.

I discovered Weleda not too long ago when I was trying to find a more natural bath and shampoo cleanser for my son. Since I’m a big label reader it was pretty easy for me to decide that Weleda is the right brand to buy. Their entire line of baby products is based on the Calendula plant which is known for its calming and soothing properties and in the case of Weleda products, only organic Calendula extracts are used in the baby care line. Other natural ingredients such as Sweet Almond Oil and Sesame Seed Oil are used as enhancements to help baby’s delicate skin feel soft and protected. The ingredients are pretty simple yet effective and both my son and I love the way they smell and feel. I’ve even used some of the Calendula Baby Cream on the dry areas of my face and it smoothed my skin instantly!

Weleda began over 80 years ago by two philosophers who believed that the human body’s incredible ability to heal itself can also be enhanced with natural products and ingredients. Hence, they created the world’s first Biodynamic® gardens to grow what they needed to create beauty products that are good for you and for the planet. Today, the  Biodynamic gardens have grown significantly and yields crops of incredible purity and potency all of which are used stringently in their products.  As the founder Dr. Steiner described, “each farm is a complete, self-sustaining organism. The soil is “alive,” and if kept in balance, has the ability to give life to healthy plants. Composting, fertilization and pest control is achieved using natural farm resources, and chemicals or growth hormones are strictly forbidden. Farmers are urged to study the natural rhythms of the sun, moon and planets to provide guidance on planting, crop rotation and harvesting”. For Weleda, cultivating beauty is an ongoing process and they are dedicated to preserve and protect the delicate balance between earth and people. For them, beauty does come from within and their products only help to enhance and cultivate the outer beauty as well.

I’m happy to learn that Weleda sources some of their ingredients from fair trade companies. Although they can pretty much supply all of the ingredients from their own farms, they still strongly believe in helping the economical and environmental growth of this planet by supporting farms and companies who upholds organic and ecological farming methods. Subsequently, their partnerships with these companies also help spread the importance of organic and natural farming techniques.

I was thrilled to receive several products from their baby care line to try and to give one LUCKY reader as a gift. The products that I received were the Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash, Calendula Baby Cream, and the Calendula Diaper Cream, all of which we will greatly appreciate during the winter months.

Calendula Diaper Cream – this diaper cream has a very thick consistency and is extremely easy to apply. When my son had a diaper rash before, I applied this cream on the affected areas and it helped alleviate his rash and the pain associated with it. And it smells wonderful ofcourse.

 

Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash – this is a nice size and will last a long time. The shampoo and body wash comes out evenly and thick enough so that you only need to use a little. It lathers quite well and rinses off easily.

Calendula Baby Cream – this cream works great on really dry and sensitive areas. Its thick consistency requires only a little amount needed on the areas where you most need some extra moisturizing help.

 

If you would like to win these fabulous Baby Care products from Weleda, then here is what you’ll need to do:

How to enter in the Weleda Baby Care products giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Weleda on Facebook and write on their wall that you are entering the Weleda baby care contest at www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com. Just put happymomblogger as the heading.

Additional Entries:

#2 – Visit http://usa.weleda.com/ and tell me what other products you would like to try from Weleda.

#3 – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 – Sign up for Weleda’s newsletter (you also receive great coupons during the year!)

#5 – Vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs using the link provided below.

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  You can enter by telling me the 5 entries in the LEAVE A COMMENT box. Please be sure to give me your name and email address so that I may contact you if you win. Contest is open to residents of US only. Please be sure to provide a physical address and not a P.O. Box.

Contest Start Date: December 20, 2010

Contest End Date: December 28, 2010 (CONTEST CLOSED – WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN)

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s name on my blog.

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products. 

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

suzan4 Comments

Green Christmas

The holidays are the perfect time to be more “green”. Around this time of year, when the holiday season is upon us, we’re too busy decorating, buying presents, and attending parties. People spend hordes of money and effort on making their homes just right for Christmas and for buying the ideal present for their family and friends. Neighbors outdo each other by seeing who can put out the most Christmas lights or decorations so that no one within a 50 mile radius can miss their house. It’s an opulent time of year to celebrate and an even harder time to try and be more green.

Well, as I’ve learned more about the importance of preserving our precious planet, each year I try to do a bit more in helping the environment. It’s gotten easier throughout the years as companies are learning how crucial it is to improve the sustainability of our planet by offsetting their manufacturing, using recyclable packaging, recycling their products, and so forth. There are certainly more options out there in what you can buy for people when it comes to environmentally-friendly gifts. You can even buy a tree to be planted to offset all the traveling you’ll probably be doing during the holidays – what with last minute gift shopping, heading to the local market to pick up some sugar that you forgot you ran out of, or picking up extra wrapping paper. You can learn more about planting trees throughout the world at American Forests website:  http://www.americanforests.org/.

But honestly, it’s more than just planting an extra tree to help preserve the environment. It’s more about how we can all reuse, reduce, and recycle. Take for instance the Christmas lights. Unless you’re getting LED lights, you’re using up an enormous amount of energy which can be saved for more important things. Most Christmas lights are LED lights so you’ll definitely find a good selection but then how much lights do you put on the outside and inside of your house? This year, I was seriously thinking of putting up some Christmas lights on the outside of our house but then even with LED lights, it’s still wasting A LOT of electricity. And our neighbors literally do try to outshine each other every year – our neighborhood looks like Disneyland fireworks – so bright and eye-catching! But alas, I think we’ll just stick with the Christmas lights on our Christmas tree and especially with a mischievous toddler in the house, I really can’t afford to have lights everywhere.

For many years I try to save wrapping paper and gift bags that I can reuse or repurpose. When I open a gift, and if the wrapping paper is extremely beautiful, I’ll be careful not to tear the paper and save it to wrap someone else’s present. And gift bags are truly too wasteful if you don’t save them and reuse them. I also buy brown recycled gift bags that I can just decorate myself to make it even more personal and fun. And for this year, instead of using the saved tissue paper from previous gifts, I think I’ll shred up my old magazines that I no longer read and use them as stuffing for gift bags and inside boxes. Everyone has some sort of magazines laying around that they no longer need and instead of recycling them, shredding them in your shredder would be a fun and different usage for them. And the more colorful the pages are, the better! And since you’re planning on recycling them anyway, at least they’ll be repurposed for something delightful.

And what about Christmas trees? Is it better to buy artificial trees or real trees? Artificial trees may last forever as long as you continue to like the style, but most artificial trees are made with a toxic material like PVC that can emit chemicals into the air and can be potentially harmful. PVC’s are the leading health toxins that can affect a person’s immune system over time and is especially dangerous for young children. And if you have a large Christmas tree that you’re going to put up for a few weeks and store throughout the year, then there’s always a risk of the PVC leaking into the air. While real Christmas trees are beautiful and can last a long time as well, they are also expendable. I always feel sad for the Christmas trees and pumpkins during the holidays (and turkeys) when they are grown only for the holidays and sold in mass quantities everywhere. But what happens when they don’t sell ALL of the trees and pumpkins? I always think it’s such a waste. Then there are trees called “living trees” where you can replant them after the holiday is over. However, I don’t hear very good things about them because they are hard to grow and it all depends on the climate and the space.

So, when it comes to trying to be more green this holiday season, I plan on using less electricity, less plastic decorations, and more eco-friendly packaging and gifts. I think the recipients of my gifts will appreciate that as well and I’ll feel better too. And it’s also a great time to teach my son the importance of trying to save the planet and help the people.

Happy Holidays!

suzan1 Comment

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Organic

I didn’t always know that organic food and products were beneficial to my body and to the earth. When I was growing up, I just ate whatever my parents cooked and indulged in the occassional junk food now and then. My parents came from families who used only natural ingredients in their food and they avoided using chemical pesticides on their fruit trees and vegetable gardens. They themselves, coming from an older generation didn’t know that the term “organic” nowadays mean food and products are not chemically treated and that they are better for the environment and for the bodies. And that’s because food many years ago were not so harshly genetically modified and chemically processed and treated. In a sense, food back then were innocent and more pure.

But with the population and the economy growing throughout the years and scientists and companies wanting to produce more products at a faster pace to meet the demands of the consumer, food became less innocent and pure. The normal foods you put on your plate were getting genetically altered to be bigger but not necessarily tastier, the crops sprayed with chemicals for longer preservation, and our planet depleting in natural resources. People were no longer living green and trying to build a better future for their next generations. It isn’t easy trying to be green all the time or trying to buy organic everything, but here is a list taken from organic.org on the reasons to go organic. And perhaps as we learn along the way, we can help ourselves become healthier, smarter, and happier.

1. Reduce The Toxic Load: Keep Chemicals Out of the Air, Water, Soil and our Bodies
Buying organic food promotes a less toxic environment for all living things. With only 0.5 percent of crop and pasture land in organic, according to USDA that leaves 99.5 percent of farm acres in the U.S. at risk of exposure to noxious agricultural chemicals.

Our bodies are the environment so supporting organic agriculture doesn’t just benefit your family, it helps all families live less toxically.

2. Reduce if Not Eliminate Off Farm Pollution
Industrial agriculture doesn’t singularly pollute farmland and farm workers; it also wreaks havoc on the environment downstream. Pesticide drift affects non-farm communities with odorless and invisible poisons. Synthetic fertilizer drifting downstream is the main culprit for dead zones in delicate ocean environments, such as the Gulf of Mexico, where its dead zone is now larger than 22,000 square kilometers, an area larger than New Jersey, according to Science magazine, August, 2002.

3. Protect Future Generations
Before a mother first nurses her newborn, the toxic risk from pesticides has already begun. Studies show that infants are exposed to hundreds of harmful chemicals in utero. In fact, our nation is now reaping the results of four generations of exposure to agricultural and industrial chemicals, whose safety was deemed on adult tolerance levels, not on children’s. According to the National Academy of Science, “neurologic and behavioral effects may result from low-level exposure to pesticides.” Numerous studies show that pesticides can adversely affect the nervous system, increase the risk of cancer, and decrease fertility.

4. Build Healthy Soil
Mono-cropping and chemical fertilizer dependency has taken a toll with a loss of top soil estimated at a cost of $40 billion per year in the U.S., according to David Pimental of Cornell University. Add to this an equally disturbing loss of micro nutrients and minerals in fruits and vegetables. Feeding the soil with organic matter instead of ammonia and other synthetic fertilizers has proven to increase nutrients in produce, with higher levels of vitamins and minerals found in organic food, according to the 2005 study, “Elevating Antioxidant levels in food through organic farming and food processing,” Organic Center State of Science Review (1.05)

5. Taste Better and Truer Flavor
Scientists now know what we eaters have known all along: organic food often tastes better. It makes sense that strawberries taste yummier when raised in harmony with nature, but researchers at Washington State University just proved this as fact in lab taste trials where the organic berries were consistently judged as sweeter. Plus, new research verifies that some organic produce is often lower in nitrates and higher in antioxidants than conventional food. Let the organic feasting begin!

6. Assist Family Farmers of all Sizes
According to Organic Farming Research Foundation, as of 2006 there are approximately 10,000 certified organic producers in the U.S. compared to 2500 to 3,000 tracked in 1994. Measured against the two million farms estimated in the U.S. today, organic is still tiny. Family farms that are certified organic farms have a double economic benefit: they are profitable and they farm in harmony with their surrounding environment. Whether the farm is a 4-acre orchard or a 4,000-acre wheat farm, organic is a beneficial practice that is genuinely family-friendly.

7. Avoid Hasty and Poor Science in Your Food
Cloned food. GMOs and rBGH. Oh my! Interesting how swiftly these food technologies were rushed to market, when organic fought for 13 years to become federal law. Eleven years ago, genetically modified food was not part of our food supply; today an astounding 30 percent of our cropland is planted in GMOs. Organic is the only de facto seal of reassurance against these and other modern, lab-produced additions to our food supply, and the only food term with built in inspections and federal regulatory teeth.

8. Eating with a Sense of Place
Whether it is local fruit, imported coffee or artisan cheese, organic can demonstrate a reverence for the land and its people. No matter the zip code, organic has proven to use less energy (on average, about 30 percent less), is beneficial to soil, water and local habitat, and is safer for the people who harvest our food. Eat more seasonably by supporting your local farmers market while also supporting a global organic economy year round. It will make your taste buds happy.

9. Promote Biodiversity
Visit an organic farm and you’ll notice something: a buzz of animal, bird and insect activity. These organic oases are thriving, diverse habitats. Native plants, birds and hawks return usually after the first season of organic practices; beneficial insects allow for a greater balance, and indigenous animals find these farms a safe haven. As best said by Aldo Leopold, “A good farm must be one where the native flora and fauna have lost acreage without losing their existence.” An organic farm is the equivalent of reforestation. Industrial farms are the equivalent of clear cutting of native habitat with a focus on high farm yields.

10. Celebrate the Culture of Agriculture
Food is a ‘language’ spoken in every culture. Making this language organic allows for an important cultural revolution whereby diversity and biodiversity are embraced and chemical toxins and environmental harm are radically reduced, if not eliminated. The simple act of saving one heirloom seed from extinction, for example, is an act of biological and cultural conservation. Organic is not necessarily the most efficient farming system in the short run. It is slower, harder, more complex and more labor-intensive. But for the sake of culture everywhere, from permaculture to human culture, organic should be celebrated at every table.

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Newman’s Own Organics – GIVEAWAY

Who would’ve thought that Nell Newman, the daughter of famous screen legend, philanthropist, and race car enthusiast Paul Newman would end up developing her own line of organic products? Established in 1993, it started out as a branch from Newman’s Own (the company which her father built) and later became an independant company in 2001. The company’s slogan is, “great tasting products that happen to be organic” – how modest is that saying as it perfectly complements the company’s humble background as well.

I was fortunate enough to try out many of their core products ranging from their soy crisps to “Newman-O’s” to chocolate (and boy were those chocolates mouth-watering!). All of their products are made with certified organic ingredients and carries the USDA Organic label. Their coffee are fair trade organic coffee and their chocolates are also Rainforest Alliance certified. They do everything possible to help consumers have more choices in organic food – from their original pretzels to olive oil and basamic vinegar to mints. They even have a new organic pet food line specially formulated for cats and dogs – the same quality ingredients and care goes into the production of their pet food.  But the most prominant aspect of this expansive organic company is their charitable spirit. Under the philanthropic guidelines of Paul Newman, profits from Newman’s Own Organics has been generously added to the Newman’s Own Foundation – an organization that donates money to educational and charitable organizations.

Newman’s Own Organics (http://www.newmansownorganics.com/) isn’t just a company dedicated in giving consumers high-quality organic food; they’re also a company with a lot of heart. However that did not distract me from doing an honest review of their organic snacks. The following snacks are part of what I received and will be part of what the winner of the giveaway will receive. For a more detailed description and review of Newman’s Own Organics, please visit: https://happymomblogger.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/newmans-own-organics-products-worth-reviewing/

Traditional Thin Pretzels- I love pretzels. They are great snacks to enjoy with basically anything. They are a healthier alternative to chips (although there are healthy chips out there) and they are easier to carry around in your hand.  Newman’s Own Organic pretzels are made with organic unbleached wheat flour and organic rye flour and has a nice crunch to it. Since they are “thin”, it’s hard not to eat more than a handful.

 

Champion Cookies with Chocolate Chips – the story behind these Champion Cookies is really endearing. You’ll have to read the bag to find out the whole story but I’ll give you a brief description. Champion Cookies got their name a long time ago from grandma who entered the cookie sling race. When she didn’t take the gold due to her “secret” additive of chocolate chips in the cookies, she then took her cookies to a neighboring cookie contest and won first prize because of the chocolates.  The Champion Cookies are a bit bigger than your regular bite-sized cookies and they pack an immense amount of flavor. And since they are not too sweet you don’t feel that sugary overdose even after a few cookies.

Cinnamon Mints –  I used to enjoy mints when I was in college because it helped me study better ( I think the peppermint helped me concentrate better) but I don’t believe I’ve ever tried cinnamon-flavored mints before so I was quite pleasantly surprised at Newman’s Own Organics mints. It has a uniquely fresh flavor and with a strong hint of cinnamon so you can taste it immediately. Their mints come in a handy reusable tin and four roll packs. Flavors include Cinnamon, Ginger, Peppermint, and Wintergreen.

Newman’s Own Organics became an organic only food company because they realized the concerns of  their customers and wanted their customers to know exactly what goes into their products. Their ingredients come from certified organic farms without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides and most of the recipes were passed down from previous generations. The company makes every stride possible in ensuring that the ingredients used in their products come from environmentally-conscious farms and organizations. They also prohibit the use of preservatives in their products. Their devotion in providing high-quality products not only goes into their products but is noticeable in their packaging as well. All of their packages bear the distinctive image of American Gothic “Pa” Newman and daughter Nell with exception of  their chocolates and tea.

I honestly enjoyed trying all of these delicious products from Newman’s Own Organics. The cookies were not overly sweet, the chocolates were luscious, and the chips were delicate and flavorful. But try it out for yourselves and you’ll taste the difference between conventional food to organic food made with high-quality, ingredients.

One LUCKY winner will receive a prize pack consisting of a selection of goodies from Newman’s Own Organics! The prize consists of:

(2) bags – Champion Chip Cookies

(2) bags – Mints

(2) bags – Pretzels

The winner gets to CHOOSE which 2 flavors he/she would like. Just go to http://www.newmansownorganics.com/index.php and click on the “Good Food” tab to make your selection of flavors. Only 1 winner will be chosen and I will post the winner’s name on my blog.

Contest Start Date: November 8, 2010

Contest End Date: November 15, 2010 (CONTEST CLOSED – WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN)

HOW TO ENTER THE NEWMAN’S OWN ORGANICS GIVEAWAY:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – Visit http://www.newmansownorganics.com/index.php and tell me what is your favorite product(s) from them.

Additional entries:

#2 entry- “Like” Newman’s Own Organics on Facebook and write on their wall telling me you are entering the contest at www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com. Just put Happymomblogger as the heading.

#3 entry – Vote for me at Top Mommy Blog using the link posted at the bottom of this page

#4 entry – Subscribe to my Blog

#5 entry – Enter in my other Giveaways

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  You can enter by telling me the 5 entries in the LEAVE A COMMENT box. Please be sure to give me your name and email address so that I may contact you if you win. Contest is open to residents of US only. Please be sure to provide a physical address and not a P.O. Box.

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s name on my blog.

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products. 

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

suzan11 Comments

Febreze Set & Refresh – Products worth reviewing and Walmart Gift card GIVEAWAY

I’m a big scent person and I’m usually very sensitive to certain scents. So naturally, I would like to keep my house smelling nice as often as possible. Our house isn’t very big, so odors can linger even with the windows and doors open. But I can’t leave them open all of the time, so sometimes I rely on air fresheners or scented candles to freshen and scent the house or certain rooms. I don’t use scented fresheners all of the time but when I do, my personal preference is Febreze made by Procter and Gamble. 

As a MyBlogSpark member, I was given two sets of the new Febreze Set & Refresh to try out courtesy of Febreze. This is a completely new line of freshening  products from Febreze and they can be found in Walmart’s new Air Care aisle. Febreze Set & Refresh is the only product of its kind to slowly release the same amount of scented oils over time. I placed one of the set (Thai Dragon Fruit) in my bathroom and the other (Meadows and Rain) in my living room. Both of them has a very unique scent and actually did not overpower one another even though they were close in proximity. At first whiff of the Thai Dragon Fruit, it was a bit strong, but after awhile, the scent did its work in the bathroom and produced a pleasant and light fragrance. The Meadows and Rain set smelled like walking out of your front door and drawing in a deep breath of freshly-rained air. The Febreze Set & Refresh currently comes in the following scents: Meadows & Rain, Spring & Renewal, Linen & Sky, Hawaiin Aloha, Thai Dragon Fruit, and Apple Spice & Delight.

As a MyBlogSpark member, I am able to give my lucky readers a chance to win a $5 Walmart gift card to purchase their very own Febreze Set & Refresh kit. Febreze (through MyBlogSpark) has given me (3) $5 Walmart gift cards to three individual winners to buy their own favorite scent to try. Entry is fairly easy so here’s what you’ll need to do:

Mandatory entry:

#1 entry – go to http://www.febreze.com/en-us/product-group/febreze_set_refresh.aspx and tell me which scent you would most like to try.

Additional Entries:

#2 entry – “Like” Febreze on Facebook and write on their wall telling me you are entering the contest at www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com. Just put Happymomblogger as the heading.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my blog.

#4 entry – Vote for me at Top Mommy Blog using the link at the bottom of this post.

#5 entry – Enter in my other Giveaways.

Contest Start Date:  November 8, 2010

Contest End Date: November 12, 2010 – (CONTEST CLOSED. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN.)

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  You can enter by telling me the 5 entries in the LEAVE A COMMENT box. Please be sure to give me your name and email address so that I may contact you if you win. Contest is open to residents of US only. Please be sure to provide a physical address and not a P.O. Box.

Only 3 winners will be chosen at random and I will post the winners names on my blog.

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Note of Disclosure : The Febreze Set & Refresh kits, information, and (3)$5 Walmart gift cards were provided to me by Febreze through MyBlogSpark to giveaway and did not influence me in any way of compensation. My opinions in this review and giveaway are of my own.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products. 

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

suzan30 Comments

Best Eco-friendly Gift Ideas for Kids and Adults

It’s hard to imagine that the holidays are coming up just around the corner. Days go by pretty fast once you celebrate Halloween and then it’s the new year. And I personally can’t believe that it’s almost the end of the year 2010! Seems like we just celebrated New Year’s Eve. And each year I tell myself, “okay, I gotta start shopping early for Christmas gifts “, and ofcourse each year, I wait until pretty much the last minute to do all of my Christmas shopping. I try to stay within budget but that isn’t always easy, but this year I am going to make sure we stay within our budget with gifts that have more meaning in personal value rather than monetary value.  Yeah right – I bet my son will have a thing or two to say about that! But this is also a great time for me to teach him more about the meaning of giving rather than receiving. It’s pretty hard for toddlers or young kids to understand that concept, so when he and I go shopping together, it would be a great opportunity for me to teach him that – and ofcourse, I’m sure I’ll learn something new from him as well.

When it comes to holiday gift giving, the sky’s the limit. The gamut can run from very inexpensive homemade cookies to million-dollar mansions (okay, that’s very rare but I’m sure some people out there can afford to do this). And nowadays, you can buy pretty much anything online since it’s less cost-effective for companies to sell products online. But if you’re in the market to look for eco-friendly gifts this year, here is my compilation from research and personal preference.

– Gift Cards: gift cards are great because the recipient can buy anything he/she wants and probably won’t end up returning the product since they chose it themselves. WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY: if you know someone who loves music, instead of buying CDs and DVDs, they can download music from stores such as Amazon.com and Walmart.com. This will save the planet from manufacturing and using a lot of plastic. For book lovers, they can download books to their e-book reader or computer.

– Organic clothing: there are definitely more organic clothing out on the market lately due to worldwide knowledge of the importance of organic and natural products. Some great eco-friendly sites for organic and natural children’s clothing are http://www.organicallygrowngroup.com/, http://www.taggies.com/,  http://www.katequinnorganics.com/, Gerber, Mini-Wear, and even stores such as Nordstrom, The Gap, and The Children’s Place sell organic clothing and accessories for kids. WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY: clothing made from organic cotton are safer and healthier for children and for the planet and they are usually made from sustainably-grown cotton farms in the U.S. They are also usually not dyed artificially if at all and they are so much more comfortable than non-organic clothing.

– Organic Toys: organic toys are usually free of artificial colors and synthetic components. They are usually made from sustainably-made bamboo because bamboo can grow super fast and abundantly. Sites such as Nubius Organics makes a great assortment of toys for children and young teens http://www.nubiusorganics.com , and Toys R Us http://toysrus.com, and BacktoBasics http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/, and also check out your local bookstores as well since they also sell organic and naturally-made toys. WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY: organic toys are made from sustainable products and are usually certified to use renewable resources responsibly. Toys are also one of the biggest industry that uses the most plastic so you can help reduce your carbon footprint by buying organic and all-natural toys.

– Books: books are great for both kids and adults because they contain useful information to entertain and educate and they can be kept around for many years with great care. WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY: okay, this is a bit tough because although books are made from trees and trees are such a precious resource, I’d suggest buying books from publishers who uses renewable and recyclable paper and soy ink. You can usually tell if the book is made from soy ink or recycled material by looking at the back cover where a symbol will usually be displayed. But since books can be kept for a very long time and you can read them over and over again, they make great gifts for people of all ages.

– Organic Chocolate: who doesn’t like chocolate? Chocolates can be enjoyed by itself or used as a cooking ingredient. And if you buy chocolates that are at least 50%  cacao then you’ll obtain health benefits from it as well. And they make great gifts for practically everyone and are easily found in virtually everywhere (stores and online). WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY: chocolates made with organic cacao beans ensure that they are not made from cacao trees sprayed with chemical pesticides or herbicides. They are also often purchased from responsible farmers and you’re also helping the economic growth of most of these countries where cacao trees are grown. Good brands to try are Newman’s Own Organics, Dagoba Chocolates, and Endangered Species.

– Gift Baskets: gift baskets can be handmade or store-bought. They can contain almost anything your imagination allows you as long as it’s fitting for the recipient. They can be personal or for businesses and  they can be in any size. For great gift basket ideas, try Harry and David, Red Envelope, and 1-800 Flowers. To make your own gift baskets from scratch, purchase baskets from craft supply stores since they have the most selection. WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY: gift baskets are like a gift-in-one where you can put anything you’d like in it (as long as it fits inside the basket). Plus if you pick out a really pretty basket and decorate it beautifully, your recipient will most likely keep it and repurpose it.

– Solar Powered Gifts: there are quite a lot of great gadgets that uses solar energy to power up. Why pay for energy when it’s always around you and free? Like Superman, the sun is a very powerful source of energy and you can gain the benefits of the sun whenever possible. Such gadgets out on the market today that uses solar energy are: solar powered bluetooth headset, solar powered radio, solar powered bluetooth for the car, solar powered lamps, and even solar powered toys. One great site for an assortment of solar powered gifts is http://www.livecofriendly.com/ .WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY: this is pretty self-explanatory – solar is free energy and powered by the great Sun so you’re not using electricity that can cause potential harm to the health and to the environment.

– Bath products and beauty supplies: there are so many choices when it comes to buying bath products and beauty supplies but if you want to go the environmentally friendly route, then you’re best bet is to buy products that uses only natural ingredients and organic ingredients. Many companies such as Eco Lips, Toms of Maine, Origins Organics, Alba Organics, and Juice Beauty are just a few of the many companies who refrains from using artificial and synthetic ingredients. They also use sustainable ingredients and recyclable packaging materials. WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY: organic and all-natural beauty products do not contain toxic chemicals which can harm the precious eco system. They are also safer to use on your body and face because products used on your body and face can seep into your pores and into your system.

– Homemade and handmade gifts: a gift that’s personally made can help your recipient feel extra special. When you put a lot of care into the homemade gifts, they will most likely be enjoyed to its fullest and will stay in their fondest memories forever. Gifts that are personally made by you can be given to kids and adults, boys and girls so it works for everyone. And if you put extra thought into what the recipient likes, it will have even more meaning. Homemade gifts can be anything such as cookies, candies, brownies, etc. and handmade gifts can be scarves, hats, notecards, etc. Let your creative imagination go wild! WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY: you can buy organic ingredients for cooking and organic and natural materials for handmade gifts. Your recipients will love that they are toxic-free!

– Donating your time: if you know elderly people who don’t have relatives close by or someone who needs help with the gardening or doing the laundry, then donating your time to help those who need some help during the holidays or any time of the year is a great gift. Even teenagers can use some extra help aside from their family such as tutoring or driving them to locations when their parents are busy. Even mentoring a child is a welcomed donation. Pet sitting is also a great gift for owners who are traveling and don’t want to leave their pets in kennels. WHY IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY:  when you donate your time, you’re not buying anything that could potentially end up being junk in someone’s house. Junk gets thrown away and therefore becomes a waste.

So there you have it. Those are my ideas for wonderful and useful eco-friendly gifts for the holidays. Of course they’re not limited to just the holidays – birthdays, thanks-you’s, and anniversaries are also perfect times to give and receive earth-friendly gifts.

This year I’m going to try and make batches of sweets to give as gifts and I’m definitely going to up my supply of eco-friendly toys and gifts for children. The kids won’t know the difference when it comes to playing with them, but you’re helping them breathe in less toxic materials from their favorite toys.

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