We’re tipping our hat to SafeMama today for finding one of the coolest, non-cartoony yet totally fun lunchbox lines for children that we’ve seen. The lunchboxes are PVC and phthalate free with lead-free linings and meet U.S. and European Consumer Product Safety Standards. Now that we got all the important safety stuff out of the way, we can gush about the bright colors and fun designs on these babies. The girls of the world box is my fave for girls, while boys will probably have trouble deciding between dump trucks and dinosaurs. And that’s just for starters. With more than 15 styles available, your child should have no problem finding one she or he will love. And for mom? You’ll feel good knowing that your child’s lunch is going to be free of icky chemicals. All that for under 20 bucks. This might just be the best back-to-school deal around!

Find It Here: Crocodile Creek

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By Cristina, August 31, 2008  
Filed under: Eat, Preschooler

You’ve heard of Youtube, right? You know, the video repository of the masses that has brought us such gems as the hugging video and the dancing around the world guy? Good stuff, indeed. But when you’re looking for actual information or inspiration on green living, Youtube doesn’t exactly make it easy. You type “green” in the search field and you get to wade through videos about Kermit the Frog, marijuana and Green Day. Not exactly what you had in mind? No worries, mon, because now there’s Go Green Tube and every video is related in some way to earth, eco and environmental topics that encompass everything from the purely informational to the very entertaining and everything in between. Seriously, if you have any interest whatsoever in green living, news, activism or anything else under the green umbrella, Go Green Tube is the place to go.

Find It Here: Go Green Tube

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By Izzy, August 30, 2008  
Filed under: Resources, Watch

The products that we buy for our bodies, our kids, and our home are frequently loaded with chemicals that are very likely to be harmful to human health, many of which have never even been tested for safety. Now, Californians are blazing a trail to better chemical regulation and consumer awareness!  Two critical bills are up for a vote in the California legislature this week. AB 1879 would enable the state to regulate the use of all dangerous chemicals in consumer products. SB 509 would authorize the state to create an online database of chemicals to serve as a clearinghouse for businesses and consumers to search for a chemical and learn the hazards associated with it. The Breast Cancer Fund has stated that if these laws are enacted, they will lay a framework for a broader chemical policy overhaul in the state. If you are a Californian, now is the time to send a message to your representatives to tell them that you want them to vote for these bills!

Take Action:

• Californians - urge a vote of yes on these comprehensive chemical bills!
• Got Friends in Cali? - Send them the message and ask them to take action!

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By Cristina, August 29, 2008  
Filed under: Action Alerts

The first thing you should know about Graham & Brown is that they take great pride in producing beautiful lines of wallpaper. But one line, the Eco-Collection, is very special because it’s earth-friendly. Oh sure, it may look like regular wallpaper, but don’t be fooled by the term “earth-friendly” which could possibly connote something resembling a dull recycled paper bag. No, Graham & Brown’s line of eco-friendly wallpaper is not only gorgeous, unique and fashion-forward, it’s also printed on paper from managed timber sources using purely-water based inks, products are made from at least 50% renewable sources and each roll is even packaged in compostable materials made from corn. Self-proclaimed treehuggers, the Graham & Brown company takes sustainability with style to a whole new level, with nary a granola bar in sight!

Find It Here: Graham & Brown

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By Sarah, August 27, 2008  
Filed under: Home, Style, Sustainable

Looking for a play dough that is all-natural and made without chemicals or artificial dyes? Want to support a mom of three with a passion for making safer products? Then look no further than Eco-Kids non-toxic, non-staining eco-dough. The vibrant colors of this play dough come from plant and vegetable extracts and for those with allergies, Eco-Kids comes in a gluten/soy/dairy-free variety, which we LOVE, especially since conventional play dough often contains wheat. Now before you question the packaging…don’t fret. It may look like the containers are plastic but would  any self-respecting eco-dough come in a plastic container? No way! The packaging is made from cornstarch and is 100% compostable. Just throw in a bamboo rolling pin (only $3.00 - score!) and let the kids have at it!

Find It Here: Eco Kids

Win It! We’re giving away a tube of six 3 oz. containers of eco-dough and a sustainable bamboo rolling pin! Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “EK54” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: What else besides play dough does Eco Kids sell? U.S. residents eligible. Enter by 9/2/08. Contest closed. Congrats to Terry C.!

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By Cristina, August 27, 2008  
Filed under: Kids, Made in USA, Win

It was love at first bite when we first heard about Fabkins - you know, the wicked cute line of cloth napkins for kids that are so totally adorable that no mom could ever not want to pack her kids a waste-free lunch? Well, just in time for back-to-school, we are giving away a set of five Fabkins in winner’s choice of style. Just click over to the Green Mom Forum to enter and get ready to pack your kids a waste-free lunch that is fabkin-tabulous! (U.S. residents eligible, enter by 9/1/08.)

Plus, here are the hottest discussions in the forum today!

• An Open Letter on Vaccinations
  
• Laundry and Cloth Diapering
• Going Green in Your Home

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By Cristina, August 26, 2008  
Filed under: Community, Win

With their loud engines and nasty gas fumes, it’s hard to imagine that anyone would find cutting the lawn with a gas-powered mower to be relaxing. On the other hand, using a push reel mower actually could be a relaxing experience because hello? No ear-splitting combustion engine, no fumes, no filling the old gas can, no carbon guilt! Push reel mowers are a real classic that have been around since your grandfather’s day but the modern incarnations are much lighter and easier to use.  And of course, there’s the whole environmentally-friendly aspect — reel mowers cut the grass blades like a scissor and leave fine mulch clippings behind to further feed the lawn. Get yourself a push reel mower and you’ll be the quietest lawn groomer on the block plus you’ll actually be able to hear your neighbor say hi while you’re cutting away, providing the perfect opportunity to tell them all about your groovy green mower!

Find It Here: Clean Air Gardening

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By Sarah, August 25, 2008  
Filed under: Gardening, Home

Then action you shall have — earth-loving, socially responsible, conservation-minded action! The Sierra Club, one of America’s foremost environmental organizations has an Action Center that will satisfy your activist urges and it’s fabulous organizational style will allow you to peruse and act on an amazing number of important issues. Bookmark this one, let your fingers do the walking and talking and then give yourself a pat on the back for being so awesome!

Find It Here: Sierra Club Action Center

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By Izzy, August 22, 2008  
Filed under: Do Good, Resources

Towels are something I don’t skimp on. I want a big nice, fluffy towel to wrap myself in after a bath. Correction — I deserve a nice big fluffy towel to wrap myself in after a bath. After all, and I think this goes without saying, it’s hard being a mom and thus, I get to spoil myself now and then! My new favorite way to spoil myself (after giving myself a long hot bath…with a book…and a sinful chocolate dessert) is to dry off with a bamboo towel from The Company Store. Over the years, I’ve bought many cotton towels and I have to say that they don’t hold a candle to the bamboo variety. It’s softer, fluffier and in my estimation, stays that way longer than cotton. Bamboo fabrics are also naturally anti-bacterial, which means that your towels naturally stay fresh-smelling longer. And did I mention how absorbent they are? And fluffy? And soft? And, and, and….what are you waiting for? If you need a new towel or two, these won’t disappoint.

Find It Here: The Company Store

Green Mom Discount! Get 10% off eco-friendly items from The Company Store using code “ECO10″ at checkout. Expires 10/15/08.

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By Cristina, August 21, 2008  
Filed under: Bamboo, Biodegradable, Sustainable

If you read only one book this year, make it Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry. Get it, share it, blog about it — tell everyone you can! Written by Stacy Malkan, Communications Director of Health Care Without Harm and media strategist for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Not Just a Pretty Face provides a behind-the-scenes look into the cosmetics industry. You’ve no doubt heard by now that our cosmetics, lotions and shampoos are full of carcinogens, phthalates, parabens, chemicals and other toxic ingredients. After reading this book, you’ll discover how this has happened and why little has been done to make our products safer or require safety testing. Malkan’s investigative writing style will have you riveted and her insights into the cosmetics industry will likely have you steaming mad and I can guarantee you will never look at your make-up bag the same way again.

Find It Here: Amazon.com

Win It! We’re giving away a copy of Not Just A Pretty Face. Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “NP65” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: Do you think cosmetics should be more regulated than they are presently? U.S. residents eligible. Enter by 8/27/08. Contest closed. Congrats to Christine S.!

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By Cristina, August 20, 2008  
Filed under: Cosmetics, Read, Win

Who says that organic cotton bedding has to be plain and boring? This supercharged sheet set by Pixel Organics is anything BUT boring and the retro red, white and blue print is “really cool!” as my son would say. This set is made in the U.S.A. of super soft organic sateen cotton with low-impact dyes, which we love, and they have actually enticed my son to get to bed on time which is no small feat. I think it’s safe to say these sheets totally RULE.

Find It Here: Wild Dill

Win It! We’re giving away a fitted twin sheet! Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “WD55” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: What is the name of one other item for sale in Wild Dill’s sleep selection? U.S. or Canadian residents eligible. Enter by 8/26/08. Contest closed. Congrats, Denise G.!

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By Cristina, August 19, 2008  
Filed under: Bedding, Kids, Made in USA, Organic, Win

Okay, how many of you moms and dads live your life in three different gears? I know I do and it’s most evident on my slacker days when the children arrive at school with bedhead and no sweater. Ahhh, now fast-forward to one of my over-achieving mornings when they arrive with ribbons in their hair, creases in their pants, hot breakfast served before school — I’m like a well-oiled machine! But most of the time I function somewhere in the middle. This is what I loved about Lori Bongiorno’s book Green, Greener, Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-Smart Choices a Part of Your Life …she gets that life is never static and some days you’re ready to give it your all and conquer the world and some days your lucky to leave the house with two matching shoes on your feet! Finally, someone who understands that real life is complicated and doing what you can, when you can, is the most sensible way to go green.

Find It Here: Amazon.com

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By Deb, August 18, 2008  
Filed under: Read, Resources