A Little of This, A Little of That

Today I am 32 weeks along and feeling great! I have been really busy in the shop, it seems like everyone knows I will be temporarily closing for maternity leave and decided to order oodles of fairy doors all at once, which is a good thing. Here are some random thoughts that I am having, links that I have been interested in, and cute ideas that I have seen for the upcoming holiday season, which is not too far away!

One of the best things you can do this holiday season is Pledge to Buy Handmade. As an artist and being a part of the Etsy community I can see how fragile our little world is and all of it depends on people buying handmade instead of Big Box store items. Even buying a few things will make a difference to someone and the environment! You can sign the Pledge here!

These past few weeks have been filled with many conversations between Klint and I about how to handle Gabby's educational needs in a way that fit her particular personality. We have been researching, reading, talking to others, and meditating on the pros and cons of all the choices. A blog that I just started reading really caught my eye with this post, which talks about questions that homeschooling/unschooling families get and how to handle them.... I have already experienced some of the doubters and such, which can be quite nasty!

I think that for anyone, keeping a journal is a great tool whether you use it to vent, draw, work out problems on paper, or just jot down your random thoughts. This blog is my journal and I want the same outlet for Gabby, especially since she is learning how to write sentances. This pretty (and earth-friendly) journal will be under the tree for her this holiday season!

With Fall, like any season, comes change. I love these ideas and projects for your home, yard, body, and spirit. Most are so simple to do but will make a big difference in the coming months.

Even with me being in a healthier place than when I started out in this pregnancy I am still starting to feel aches and pains of my enormous belly. Luckily, this awesome Prenatal Yoga Studio in NYC has some free videos online here to help alleviate some of the pains!

I am always on the lookout for cute stocking stuffers for the girls that are not "junky" but will not cost more than a few dollars. One of the things that they will find in their stocking this year is their own personalized pocket mirror by Olliegraphic. Aren't they awesome looking? There are also personalized growth charts, plates, and other funness to be had!

So that is it.... I am busy cleaning and nesting, finishing up orders and starting others! I hope that you all have a GREAT day!!!

Apparently I am a Crunchy Mama!

Crunchy.... this is a new phrase for me that I have come across these last couple of months while surfing the blog-sphere and being on Baby Center. This is the definition I found of "Crunchy": 

Adjective. Used to describe persons who have adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons. Crunchy persons tend to be politically strongly left-leaning and may be additionally but not exclusively categorized as vegetarians, vegans, eco-tarians, conservationists, environmentalists, neo-hippies, tree huggers, nature enthusiasts, etc. Also used to describe establishments where alternative foods and products are sold, i.e. natural food stores. Modified derivative of granola.

I knew that our family was a little bit left of the mainstream's approach to childrearing and such, but I guess I am "crunchier" than I knew.

I fully plan on baby-wearing Miss M, we are being very selective about what vaccines we are giving are kids, I will breastfeed Miss M for as long as she wants to, we prefer to buy our produce from local farms, I make my own cleaning products, and apparently I am the unschooling advocate on my Birth Club at Baby Center.... lol! I knew that my choice to have an all natural VBA2C was really left of mainstream as far as birth choices go, but I had no idea that making choices like these earned me a new title.

For me, there are plenty of other mamas out there who are way more crunchier, and all the more fabulous for it. My friend Melissa is the poster mom and prime example for me, I call her with any "crunchy" questions that I have and love the fact that she doesn't care about following the norms.

I am totally ok with this whole Crunchy thing, in fact for me it is a compliment.... bring on the granola and Birkenstocks!

Product Review: Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop

If you are a regular reader of this blog you know I usually don't do product reviews.... but once in awhile I come across something that I feel like if I don't share it would be a shame. So here is one of those products- the new Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop!

So why do I LOVE this Spray Mop??

1. No more batteries to buy

2. No more toxic chemical cleaners to buy

3. No more disposable pads that don't really clean that well and are pretty pricey

4. My floors are a LOT cleaner when I use this compared to my old Swiffer Wet Jet

Basically, this is an eco-friendly, way more effective spray mop that has impressed me from Day 1. I like being able to make my own floor cleaner (A squirt of Seventh Generation Liquid Dishwasher Soap and warm water!) and the floors are never sticky after use. I have found that I don't have to work as hard to get the crud off and I like not being dependent on batteries for the squirt to work. And when the pad looks like it needs to be cleaned I just toss it in the washer and dryer.... although I went about a week of cleaning the floors everyday before it needed to be washed! 

So if you want a spray mop that is really cheap, good for the environment, and actually works... this is THE one for you! Cheers!

My Daddy is a Pretzel!

Few people, when glancing at my husband, would guess that it is him and not me who really enjoys doing yoga, Although I appreciate the meditative nature of it, I require a faster paced form of exercise like Zumba to really get my blood pumping. Klint however is AWESOME at yoga, has become so much more flexible, and I think the meditative nature of it appeals to him as well.

Well, of course when Daddy is doing yoga the kids HAVE to join in... AJ likes to crawl under Klint during Downward Dog and Gabby likes to mimic his moves. So when I saw this book at the library- "My Daddy is a Pretzel" by Baron Baptiste I had to grab it!

What is so cool about this book is that it is not only a yoga book but also introduces kids to 9 different professions that mommy and daddy may have, and links the yoga poses to everyday life.

For example, the first job introduced is a gardener and so the yoga pose is the Tree Pose. "The tree pose teaches us to support ourselves with strong roots, so we can reach high and remain stable, yet be flexible, at the same time." Isn't that lovely?? I love how the illustration demonstrates the way to get into the pose as well, perfect for little ones to follow!

The best part is that if you and your kids enjoy the book, the company that made this book -Barefoot Books-also has yoga card decks! I am really interested in the yoga deck that has 50 yoga poses and activities that are good for the earth called Yoga Planet. Definitely a company and a purpose that I can support whole heartedly!

Oh! Don't forget that signups for the Moveable Feast Swap ends tomorrow at midnight!!! Come swap some foodie goodness!!

Fun Felt Food by SewLindsey

I met this Etsy seller in a chat room and I must admit that I am sooo impressed with her food.

You can tell that she took a lot of time and thought into something that her children will love to play with

and at the same time won't give her a headache.

I love playfood, but am hard pressed to find anything in a big box store that is not plastic,

not made in China, or that looks this nice!!

This is what her shop announcement says:

Welcome to SewLindsey. Felt food made for kids and adults alike! Each item is uniquely hand stitched from Eco Felt which is 100% Polyester made from RECYCLED post-consumer plastic bottles.

Why felt food? It's softer, lovable, more lifelike and way cooler than plastic play food!

****SHIPPING: I can usually ship the next business day! I ship first class which usps.com states is generally 3 days for United States orders. I now also ship Internationally! 

Thanks for checking out my shop :) All felt food that I sew I try to make as close as possible to the real food in size and appearance. Little hands love to cook food just like mom and dad!

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/sewlindsey

Isn't that awesome?? Here are some pics of her food and I hope that you will check out her store here!

The SIGG Controversy Continues

pic from ZRecommends.com

So now the world knows that SIGG liners have had BPA in them the whole time and that the company was "secretly" working on a new liner before telling the consumers that their bottle DO have BPA.

SIGG, in an effort to appease some while still heavily denying that their liners are dangerous, has agreed to let those of us with old liners trade the bottles for newer "safer" ones. I say "safer" broadly here. SIGG is in hot water and many blogs, green sites, and retail stores are turning up the heat. How can the company possibly survive this outcry? Over at ZRecommends, here are the problems that they point out about SIGG recovering from this huge scandal. Oh, and if you do want to trade in your bottle, you have to pay the shipping since this isn't a recall...nice huh? Write a letter here and get yourself a maybe safe bottle!

Problem #1: SIGG didn't wait long enough.
SIGG may have released the BPA information to the public, but their old liner bottles are still out there, leaving consumers to cross their fingers in the hopes that the bottle that they order from Amazon or where ever has the new Eco-liner. People who just received their bottles in August, or like moi, went out and bought bottles from a retail store are shocked to see that their "new bottles" have the same notorious liner. My choice would be not to buy from SIGG at all online, since you have no clue what you are getting!

Problem #2: The "New" liner may be very very bad.
People are now reporting that their new liner is chipping off, cracking, and otherwise not doing it's job. There are pics on ZReccomends that show a bottle just bought this past year and how chipped the rim of it is. Yuck! Also, this new liner tells us what is NOT in it, but not what IS in it. I see that as a problem, especially as a parent. It's like your teenager telling you what she DIDN'T do with that sleazy boy down the street, but leaving out the important stuff. Hmmmm....

I am very interested to see where all this leads and what SIGG plans to do to recoup some serious fallback.

Breaking News- SIGG Bottles Contain BPA!

If you are like me and thousands of others concerned about the amount of BPA in plastic sippies and other water bottles then a name you are familiar with is SIGG. Although a little more expensive than some knock offs found in Target and such, SIGG has long had the reputation of being one of the most stylish and safe ways you can carry your water with you. Not anymore my friends. If you read the letter from the CEO of SIGG here, it is pretty apparent that we the consumer has been sorely deceived. Also, there are posts regarding this on Cool Mom Picks and many other eco-aware sites.

Sadly, it has come to light that since 2006 the CEO of SIGG has known that there is BPA in the liner of their water bottles and was secretly working on a safer liner. Did they outright lie to the public about the presence of the endocrine disrupting chemical? No. But did they lead everyone to believe that their bottle was the safe choice while pointing fingers at the other water bottle makers? Absolutely. How many people would have bought these bottles if they said that yes the bottles DO have BPA, oh but they just don't LEACH it?? Not me!

Before you toss your SIGG away, there is no evidence that the liner leaches BPA and many feel that it is still one of the safer choices. There is a way to tell if you have the older BPA liner or the new Eco-liner that is BPA free.I don't know about you, but I am pissed about this. I don't care that the company is "taking the lead" in trying to make the liner safer... they should have told consumers about this sooner. I JUST bought SIGG sippies for my kids about a month a go...and lo and behold- they have the OLD liners. F*CK!

As for an alternative- Kleen Kanteen in made from stainless steel, and not aluminum, and don't require a lining. Which of course, are made in China.... sigh.

Surf's Up Saturday- Only Skin Deep

Sone of my resolutions is to keep up the efforts to "greenify" my life I figured that one of the first places to start is my beauty routine. I am wear mostly Clinique makeup, I use Savannah Bee Company products on my skin or Burts Bees, but I know that there are several things that I use from my toothpaste to my deoderant that are more than likely not good for me.

So first I want to share with you a great site to determine whether or not the product you are using is hazardous or not- Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. This site is supported by the Environmental Working Group and has tons of information to back up their findings on more products out there that I can name. But the nice thing is that they can als give you an alternate to your product that is a lot safer. Go give it a try but try not to freak out when they tell you that the "all natural" product you have been using isn't so good for you.

Next is for all you gals who use a ton of conditioner- a DIY Organic Hair Mask

You will need: small jar of real mayo and 1 small avacado

To Make: Squish the two together in a bowl until the mix turns light minty green. Cover your hair with the mix from scalp to tips. Cover your head with a shower cap and chill for 30 mins. Rinse REALLY well! And viola! beautiful hair that is soft and touchable!

This and more DIY beauty tips at http://www.planetgreen.com/

And finally I searched on Etsy to find some Bath and Body product makers who are organic and make things that are both good for you and look great! Just click on the pics and they will link you to the great sellers!

Surf's Up Sunday- Green Goes with Everything

When I go to the library most of the time I never really know what I am looking for. I will browse the various sections and I will just randomly pick up books to read. I do choose a book by it's cover (and it's intro on the back!) but this method rarely fails me. This week I happened to pick up a book called Green Goes with Everything by Sloan Barnett.

As soon as I started reading the intoduction I was hooked... and terrified at the same time. I wanted to run into the kitchen and throw away every cleaning product that I had, then move onto the refrigerator, the bathrooms, basically every room in the house. Now, I know that the purpose of the book wasn't to scare me, but ever since I read the first chapter I am scrutinizing everything that touches my family a lot harder. So in honor of this new chapter of green in our house here are some eco-friendly links and retailers that have caught my eye!!

VivaTerra : I love interior design and this design catalog has been coming to my house long before I switched from Palmolive to Method! The pieces are so natural and lovely, everything looks classy yet functional. When I make my millions my home will be full of items from this fabulous company! One of my wish list pieces is this coat rack made out of entwined roots. And who could pass up these wonderful floor pillows that look like smooth stones?

Green-Kits.com : A great company that makes going green easy as pie! Green-kits are made by Eco-Logics, Inc., a Virginia-based company committed to providing earth friendly products of all kinds. These include leading brands of non-toxic household products and environmentally-friendly paper and household goods, organic baby and personal care products, and sustainable grocery bags. The prices are more than reasonable and there are many kits to choose from! My favorite is the All Green Clean Kit seen below for only $35!! (Now go purge your kitchen and go clean green!)
Baby Bunz & Co: This site is a really great resource for any mom who is thinking about reusable diapers, changing to green baby products, or just looking for something new and different for a mother to be. I have heard many great things about the diaper brand Fuzzy Bunz but I am really tempted to try Weleda Diaper Care Cream for miss AJ's rash prone tushy.

http://www.ecofabulous.com/ : Of all the greal blogs and green sites that I have read this is one of the classiest and has the most diverse resources, without all the preachy-ness that eco sites nowadays can so easily get. I love the article called Don't Be a Turkey, Have a Green Thanksgiving, there are too many good ideas there to name!

What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another. - Gandhi

Tee Shirt Tote Bag

Turning an old T-shirt into a reusable shopping or grocery bag is a simple, clever craft to help everyone be "green." It's a Good Thing that will help protect the environment. Welcome to the Tee Shirt Tote Bag from Martha Stewart.

Tools and Materials

Heavy-weight cotton T-shirt

Pins

Sewing machine

Medium-size bowl

Water-erasable marking pen

Scissors

T-Shirt Bag How-To

1. Turn T-shirt inside out and pin bottom of the T-shirt along the hem. Using a sewing machine, sew bottom of T-shirt closed. Flip shirt right side out and lay flat on table, making sure all seams are lined up.

2. Place medium-size bowl about half-way over the neck hole. Using a water-erasable marking pen, trace along the edge of the bowl. Cut along the outline, making sure to go through the front and back sides of the shirt, in order to create an opening for the bag that's larger than what the neck hole allows.

3. Line up the hems on the front and back side of the sleeve and cut, making sure to go through both sides of the shirt. Repeat on the other sleeve.

Tip: A jersey shirt would also work well for this craft, as it is already sleeveless, and it's made of a great mesh material.

Resources

Water-erasable marking pens can be purchased at most fabric stores for about $5. To purchase an already-made t-shirt bag, visit greenteebag.com.