It’s been widely reported that allergies are on the rise and even my own daughter seems to have an abundance of food sensitivities. To address them, we began to consider some alternative ways of eating and thus have read Sher and Doherty’s book, You Won’t Believe It’s Vegan! With over 200 recipes in this book, variety abounds with everything from warm gooey cinnamon buns and tofu scramble for breakfast to baked samosas for dinner and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. Additionally, you’ll find tips for converting your favorite recipes to vegan dishes, a chapter devoted to kid-friendly foods, essentials for basic kitchen equipment, a list of pantry items and their definitions (what’s Umeboshi paste again?) and conversion ideas such as using soy milk mixed with lemon juice in place of buttermilk. If you ever thought eating a vegan diet would be dull and uninteresting or just too hard, this is the book that will change your mind!

Find It Here: You Won’t Believe it’s Vegan!

By Kris, July 19, 2008  
Filed under: Eat, Read, Resources, Vegan

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.

By Cristina, July 17, 2008  
Filed under: Learn, Read, 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.

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

When is the right time to replace an old refrigerator? Is it more environmentally correct to buy your beer in bottles or cans? And is it okay to knit a sweater with acrylic (petroleum-based) yarn? Bob “Mr. Green” Schildgen, writer of a column in Sierra magazine and author of Hey Mr. Green, is the go-to guy for questions like those, always answered with humor and a common sense approach to green living. Schildgen is proof positive that being green does NOT have to be serious or boring. And because he has all the research and experience of the Sierra Club behind him, you can be assured he knows that of which he speaks. Now the editors of Sierra magazine have taken the very best of the Mr. Green column and organized it in book form with categories like At Home, Food for Thought, Out and About, The Three R’s and The Big Picture, which considers how the environment, politics, religion and other issues intersect with each other. If you’ve got questions, Mr. Green has the answers in this thoroughly enjoyable book.

Find it Here: Hey Mr. Green

Congratulations to Bobbye F. and Marion B., winners of a copy of the book Hey Mr. Green donated by The Sierra Club. Additionally, Eco-Libris will plant a tree for each of these copies as part of their commitment to sustainable reading.

By Izzy, June 18, 2008  
Filed under: Read, Resources, Win

Looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift? If your father (or husband) is a book-lover, then check out the Eco-Libris Green Books Guide for Father’s Day. If you haven’t heard about them yet, Eco-Libris is an awesome company that helps people (like you and I!) balance out the paper waste of the books that we buy by planting trees. For just $5, they will plant 5 trees for you and send you an Eco-Libris sticker that says “one tree was planted for this book” for the sleeve of each book. Given their commitment to sustainable reading, it is no wonder that Eco-Libris has come up with a great list of book recommendations for people looking to give a book this Father’s Day. Whether your dad (or huz) is a green novice or a green guru, whether he’s into green home renovations, green parenting, or even green business strategies, they’ve got a book recommendation for almost any dad.

Find It Here: Eco-Libris Green Books Guide for Father’s Day

Take Action: Get a Sticker/Plant a Tree!

Congratulations to Terrie B., winner of 20 Eco-Libris stickers - the equivalent of planting 20 trees! 

By Cristina, June 11, 2008  
Filed under: Dads, Do Good, Read, Win

While shopping just to shop is definitely not green, using our dollars to support eco-friendly products and services wherever possible certainly is green. In fact, it’s one of the fastest and most effective ways to send a message to companies about the quality and type of products that we demand - whether it be BPA-free bottles or fair-trade clothing. If you are striving to be a more eco-conscious consumer, then check out the new book Big Green Purse. Written by environmental advocate Diane MacEachern, Big Green Purse outlines where your dollars can have the most impact and how to avoid getting sucked into “greenwashing” marketing techniques. More than just a shopping guide, Big Green Purse offers tips and advice to green almost every aspect of your life - from organic gardening and safer baby items to green cleaning and energy saving techniques. Her viewpoint is that by shopping smarter (and less often!) we can help protect the planet, and we happen to agree!

Find It Here: Big Green Purse

Congratulations to Jessica, Julie, Robin, Kimberly and Ana, winners of a copy of Big Green Purse! 

By Cristina, June 6, 2008  
Filed under: Read, Win

The only way I garden is organically. Why use mainstream pesticides and herbicides when you can achieve the same thing organically? Sure, it may take you a bit longer, but your garden (and your health) will thank you for it. One of my favorite resources is OrganicGardening.com. On the site you can find regular features such as Fresh Picks, which features short articles such as Meet the Beneficial Insects; Slide Show, a feature centered around photos, and OG Solutions, a series of guides that cover everything you need to know for organic gardening success. Keep informed with their free newsletter, visit the community message board to discuss gardening topics with other gardeners and be sure to enter the weekly giveaway for some great prizes! Organic Gardening is also available in print format and whether you’re an organic gardener already or considering becoming one, it should be at the top of your ‘Must Subscribe’ list.

Find It Here: OrganicGardening.com

By Kris, June 1, 2008  
Filed under: Gardening, Read

I don’t usually read parenting magazines - mainly, because I’m too busy actually, you know, parenting, to read them. Plus, to me, parenting mags have always fallen into the “you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all” category. That is, until I stumbled upon KIWI Magazine. Focused on natural family living, KIWI covers topics ranging from the latest in natural and organic products to social and environmental issues important to families. They also have a keen eye for finding great eco-friendly kids’ clothing, toys and games. I picked up my first issue about a year ago and I was immediately hooked! They even have a companion website with articles, healthy recipes, eco-crafts, an e-newsletter, and some great contests/sweepstakes, plus a site just for kids! You’ll find their print mag in stores nationwide including Barnes and Noble, Whole Foods and Wegmans - or subscribe for just $12/year. Their second annual home issue (May/June) just hit newsstands last week and features topics such as natural cleaners, eco-friendly lawn and pool care, and natural mattresses.

Find It Here: KIWI Magazine

Congratulations to Sharon C. and Elizabeth, winners of a year print subscription to KIWI Magazine!

By Cristina, May 19, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Kids, Preschooler, Read, Toddler, Win

The Mother Earth News website, a companion to the print version, is a great resource for tips on DIY projects, renewable energy, organic gardening, sustainable farming and more. In the Fresh Content Daily section, there is always something new to read. Curious about how and when to plant potatoes or what is the best organic milk? You’ll find it there. You can also browse through the most popular articles, diverse blogs, even the current issue of Mother Earth News. Also handy is the 38-year archive completely available on-line which features an archived article every day on the main site.

Find It Here: Mother Earth News

By Kris, May 9, 2008  
Filed under: Gardening, Learn, Organic, Read, Resources, Tips

Bringing reusable bags to the grocery store is a great way to reduce waste and keep plastic bags out of our landfills. Not only that, but bringing your own bag is just an ultra-hip thing to do; at least we think so! Now there’s a great new board book available to help teach young children about the importance of toting reusable shopping bags - My Bag and Me by Karen Farmer. This adorable board book is shaped like — you guessed it! — a reusable bag and there’s even a kid-sized shopping tote inside the book! But the best part is the simple message it imparts — bring a bag to the store and you’ll be helping to save the planet. It’s a great message for kids to hear early and often so that as they grow older, bringing their own reusable bags will be second nature to them, which is really cool. But can you imagine telling your grandchildren about the olden days when we all just threw bags in the trash? So not cool!

Find It Here: Amazon.com

Congratulations to Jennifer H., Jamie V., Priscilla, Lindsie and Ann, winners of a copy of My Bag and Me!

By Cristina, May 8, 2008  
Filed under: Read, Reduce/Reuse, Toddler, Win

It seems as if every time I read the news, there is some new report about BPA in our plastics, oxybenzone in sunscreens and a whole bucketful of various chemicals in our mattresses, not to mention the beauty industry’s slack guidelines concerning what they put in personal care products and cosmetics. I’m fed up with all of it but I’m not ready to give up taking care of myself just yet, especially when I can make my own personal care products. Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles contains over 175 different homemade herbal formulas for glowing skin and a vibrant self. In fact, there’s a recipe for just about everything you could ever need: natural bug repellent, facial steams (yes, you need facial steams), makeup remover, body butters (great for stretchmark prevention!) In addition to the recipes, the book gives primers on essential oils and how to use them; harvesting herbs; basic information on hair and skin and nail care as well as a basic ingredient dictionary. In fact, it’s very likely you’ll already have most of the ingredients right in your cupboard. And no, you don’t have to use your chocolate stash unless you really, really want to — we know some things are sacred.

Find It Here: Organic Body Care Recipes

By Kris, April 23, 2008  
Filed under: Bodycare, Indulge, Mama, Organic, Read

I’m always looking for ways to green my life and home, especially when it comes to cleaning. I’ve known about the impressive cleaning properties of vinegar for awhile now but was curious about alternatives to detergents, fabric softeners, furniture polish (not that I actually do much furniture polishing), Drano and Comet; the last two being the more deadly of the bunch. And what do you know — I found it all in Healthy Child, Healthy World: Creating A Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home by Christopher Gavigan. Each chapter offers tips to make each area of life a little greener: preparing for baby; safer cleaning throughout the house; choosing, cooking and storing healthier foods; natural body care; safer toys, gear and clothing and so much more, all without breaking the bank. It’s kind of like having a whole neighborhood of green moms right at your fingertips and available 24-7!

Find It Here: Healthy Child, Healthy World

By Kris, March 30, 2008  
Filed under: Clean, Learn, Organic, Read