This week over at the The Green Mom Network …

Giveaway!

Enter to win a Klean Kanteen 12oz Stainless Steel Sippy Cup courtesy of Non-Toxic Tots! Klean Kanteen stainless steel cups and bottles are durable, non-reactive and BPA-free. Click here to enter - it’s easy! U.S. and Canadian residents eligible. Enter by 7/29/08.

In the Forum…

• Discussion of the Week: What are your favorite green cleaning products? Learn what others have said and share your own favorites. Join the discussion…

• Member Question of the Week: “My garden is full of slugs and earwigs. How do I get them to go elsewhere?” - Lori. Got a tip to suggest? Share it here…

• Video of the Week: Find out how to create a natural, non-toxic weed killer with three common items that you probably already have at home. View the video here.

You might also like:

• This Week in the Green Mom Forum
• Green Mom Forum Giveaways!

By Cristina, July 22, 2008  
Filed under: Community, Win

Did you know that condoms and clotheslines actually have something in common? No? I didn’t either until I read Seven Wonders for a Cool Planet by Eric Sorensen. Well, to find out exactly what they have in common, you’ll have to read the book, but here’s a clue — small actions taken by large numbers of individuals just might be one of the keys to saving our planet. Each chapter in this short, 100-page book highlights one of seven ordinary things that will help us in the fight against global warming. What are those seven things? Tomatoes (the real kind), bicycles, ceiling fans, clotheslines, library books, microchips - and of course, condoms and clotheslines. Check out the book and find out how you can do your part to help save the planet one tomato, one bike ride, and yes, one condom at a time!

Find It Here: Sierra Club

Win It: We’re giving away a copy of to FIVE lucky winners! Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “SW20” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: What is one other book title offered by Sierra Club? Enter by 7/24/08.

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• Hey Mr. Green!
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By Cristina, July 17, 2008  
Filed under: Learn, Read, Win

In the new age of blogging, the practice of writing in a journal can seem downright quaint and yet, there’s still something really special about actually putting pen to paper. If you’re looking to write down your thoughts the “old-fashioned” way, but you’re also worried about cutting down on your paper waste, then check out Eco Paper. The great thing about this line is that absolutely no trees are cut down to make their paper. Sounds hard to believe, but it’s true! Eco Paper is made using the waste from bananas, coffee and tobacco. These “agro-fibres” are then combined with a base fibre from post-consumer paper waste (e.g., recycled office paper, tetra pack containers, magazines and news papers) to create Eco Paper. Artisans add the decorative on-lays and labels and help with assembly. The result is a line of environmentally friendly, sustainable and beautifully made paper products that include journals, writing sets, notepads, sketch pads, stationary and more. Their paper products also use organic and vegetable inks rather than toxins and chemicals. Eco Paper may not cause me to close down my blog, but it has inspired me to start journaling again.

Find It Here: Eco Paper

Win It: We’re giving away a lemon paper journal from Eco Paper. Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “ECO52” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: Other than this journal, what is your favorite product from Eco Paper? Enter by 7/21/08. U.S. residents eligible.

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• A Tree-Free Father’s Day
• Custom Organic Originals

By Cristina, July 14, 2008  
Filed under: Gift, Organic, Recycle, Reduce/Reuse, Sustainable, Win

If you’re like me and catch yourself cringing inwardly when you see the words “batteries not included” on the toy your kid just has to have, then you must check out this toy helicopter — it actually runs on solar power! Recommended for children 3 and older, this solar-powered toy helicopter is lead-free and non-toxic and will never run out of batteries since none (yay!) are required.

Find It Here: Estella

Congratulations to Suzanne B. and Shirley C., winners of a toy helicopter! 

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• Of Condoms and Clotheslines
• Custom Organic Originals

By Cristina, July 10, 2008  
Filed under: Gift, Kids, Preschooler, Toys, Win

One of the scariest things to discover is that one of the toys your child has been chewing/sucking on/mouthing etc. might contain lead. After all the toy recalls last year, I began to wonder which toys we owned might have lead in them and, unfortunately, I am still not completely sure whether all of our toys are safe. If you’re looking for a way to find safer toys for your kids without having to do a ridiculous amount of research into the safety of each potential purchase, then you’ll love the online shop No Strings Attached Toys. Each and every toy they feature in their store has been tested for unsafe lead levels with an X-Ray Flourescence device to ensure that all painted surfaces (as well as all plastics and other surface materials) on every toy fall far below the federal allowable limit of lead. They even post their toy testing results online so that you can search products and see whether the toy tested low, medium, high or extremely high for lead content. Hello safer, easier toy shopping! Buh-bye big box stores!

Find It Here: No Strings Attached Toys

Deal: Receive 10% off any purchase with code GREENMOM.

Congrats to Wendy S. winner of a $25 gift card to No Strings Attached Toys!

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• Safer Splish Splashing!
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By Cristina, July 9, 2008  
Filed under: Toys, Win

If you’ve got lots of broken crayons lying around the house, don’t throw them out — it’s easy AND fun to make new color crayons out of all those old broken pieces!

You’ll Need:

• old color crayons
• muffin pan
• muffin pan liners.

Get Started:

1- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.
2- Peel paper off crayons.
3- Cut crayons into small pieces.
4- Divide by color.
5- Put liners in muffin pan. If you don’t want to use liners, use a non-stick oil.
6- Fill your muffin pan with whatever colors you wish.
7 - Bake for 10-15 minutes at 250 degrees.
8 -Remove from oven and let cool 30-60 minutes. They will be hot!
9- After they are cool, remove paper liner.

Go crazy! You can create all kinds of color combos like rainbow, camo, two-toned, patriotic, Halloween or even Christmas colors. Use a regular sized pan, mini muffins, shaped muffin tins — the possibilities are endless!

While it would probably be much better to use a more eco-friendly type of color crayon, lets face it — a lot of households still have Crayola crayons and reusing them is a great way to give them new life!

Reprinted with Permission From: The Eco Chic Family Blog

Got a great green tip you’d like to share? Share your tips on our tips discussion thread over at the Green Mom Community Network!

[Image credit: knitting school dropout]

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By Cristina, July 8, 2008  
Filed under: Kids, Recycle, Tips

The Green Mom Community Network is abuzz with activity! More than 400 folks have already joined! Here’s what we have going on this week just for members…

Giveaway!

Enter to win a BPA-Free Summer Picnic Pack from The Soft Landing! The package includes 4 Arrow Frostware tumblers, bowls and plates, 1 Arrow popscicle tray, 4 ice cream sip-a-cups and sip-a-bowls, and 1 pk each Preserve reusable tumblers, plates and utensils. And it is all BPA-FREE! Click here to enter - it’s easy! U.S. and Canadian residents eligible. Enter by 7/14/08.

In the Forum…

• Discussion of the Week: Parents share their ideas for making cloth diapering easy. Join the discussion…

• Member Question of the Week: “Hello! I’m new to the site and am a new mom of a little boy (20 weeks old). Before he gets mobile, I want to have a game plan of how to keep the house clean and the germs under control without using lots of harmful chemicals. I’d love to hear some ideas from “been there, done that” moms!” - Donna. Got a tip to suggest? Share it here…

• Video of the Week: Manufacturers of personal care products, household cleaners, candles, and air fresheners don’t have to disclose what chemicals make up their “fragrance”–that’s all they have to list on the label. In this video, Jovana of Environmental Working Group explains what chemicals “fragrance” may stand for, and why to avoid products with “fragrance” in them. View the video here.

You might also like:

• Forum Giveaway & Other Coolness
• Green Mom Forum Giveaways!

By Cristina, July 7, 2008  
Filed under: Community, Win

It turns out that all those fireworks I’ve set off over the years haven’t been so good for the environment. For one thing, the chemicals burned off in the process of igniting the fireworks are hazardous. Plus, fireworks are not recyclable. But what 4th of July holiday is the same without them? Here are a few tips we’ve gathered from around the web to help green your holiday:

1. Cut down on the number of fireworks set off in your community by gathering neighbors and friends to watch fireworks together.
2. Clean up fireworks promptly so ash and chemicals don’t blow through the air overnight.
3. Contact your city’s hazardous waste facility to see if they have any special requirements for disposal.
4. Skip the fireworks altogether and get the kids some ribbon streamers instead!

Tipped off by EnviroHumanImpact and Inhabitat

May you have a safe and happy 4th of July!

[Image courtesy of Grundlepuck]

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By Cristina, July 4, 2008  
Filed under: Tips

Attention all green-minded mommies and daddies-to-be, I just found the coolest birth announcements by Inventing Matilda. Inventing Matilda designs range from totally hip and modern to traditional with a touch of whimsy. Each card design is like a work of art and now they are now available in an e-card format! That means you can score exceedingly cool designer birth announcements for a fraction of what it would cost you to purchase them in printed form and you can help the planet by sending them out via e-mail instead of snail mail, which saves oil, carbon AND trees. Just select the design that you want, personalize it online and order it via the website. Once you approve the proof, you will receive a custom jpeg image of your card. You can then send it out via e-mail, post it in on a blog, and even print it for a scrapbook if you like. I love these so much that I’m planning to have another child just to buy one. Ha! Kidding. But if I ever do have another baby, I already know where I’ll be getting my green, stylish and so totally non-generic birth announcements!

Find It Here: Inventing Matilda

Congratulations to Kimberly V., Priscilla, Aubrey, Louise B. and Lisa I., winners of a free personalized e-card birth announcement from Inventing Matilda!

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By Cristina, June 30, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Made in USA, Win

What does it really mean to be “green”? If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to explain the concept to your kids, then check out the children’s book Think Green! by Jeanine Behr Getz. Geared for children ages 3-8, Think Green! features Millicent and her friends who provide ideas to help keep the Earth clean. Each colorful page features a new green idea - like carpooling to work, turning off the faucet while brushing our teeth, helping to recycle, and picking up litter. Published in the U.S.A., the book is printed using recycled fiber/post consumer waste paper, soy-based inks and is processed chlorine free. This title would make a fun and unique party favor for a children’s birthday party or just a nice addition to your child’s bookshelf. That way when you’re asked one day, “What does being “green” mean?” you’ll already have the answer, complete with illustrations!

Find It Here: Kids Think Big

Congratulations to Stefanie S. and Kristie, winners of a copy of Think Green! signed by the author.

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By Cristina, June 27, 2008  
Filed under: Gift, Preschooler, Read, Toddler, Win

Have you checked out our snazzy new community forum yet? We are excited that over 200 of our smart (and let’s be honest, totally attractive) readers have joined already! We are chatting it up about all sorts of things, including non-toxic cleaners, plastic bag alternatives, and composting, to name a few.

Now, about those giveaways…to make the forum even more fun, we are planning lots of exciting giveaways just for members. Woo-hoo! We LOVE givin’ stuff away!

This week, enter to win this fun and funky reusable canvas shopping tote, courtesy of Skeeda. I own two of their bags and I am always complimented on them when I’m shopping. They are great for jazzing up your grocery store jaunts! Go here to enter - it’s easy! U.S. and Canadian residents eligible for this contest. Enter by 7/10/08.

Also in the forum…

• Discussion of the week: Living with a not-so-green spouse? You’re not alone! Join the discussion…

• Member question of the week: “We have ants coming into our apartment this month and I’d appreciate suggestions for green products to eliminate/prevent their intrusion.” - Frances. Got a tip to suggest? Share it here…

• Video of the week: 350 - find out why this is the most important number in the world.

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• GMF Launches Community Forum!
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By Cristina, June 26, 2008  
Filed under: Win

For a number of different reasons, including overfishing, pollution and global warming, our oceans are in jeopardy. Now Greenpeace has launched an interactive site to inform conscientious consumers how best to shop for ocean-friendly fish. By ranking the purchasing practices of the top 20 supermarkets and providing a supermarket scorecard, the site represents a new approach to tackling this crisis, holding supermarkets accountable for their role in supporting unsustainable fisheries and aquaculture operations. Check out the fish on the “red” list and consider avoiding these fish when possible, then take a look at their supermarket scorecard to see how your local stores stack up.

Find It Here: Greenpeace

Take Action: Our oceans are one of earth’s greatest natural resources. Help protect them for future generations by signing the Greenpeace petition to tell supermarkets, “no more fishy business!”
BDV-33176-BDV

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By Cristina, June 21, 2008  
Filed under: Eat, Resources, Sustainable