Something handmade and organic is cooking over at The Sweet Line — custom hand-embroidered super soft, organic cotton clothing for babies and kids! Made in the USA from 100% organic interlocking cotton, all items are embroidered by hand by the owner and shipped for free. You can customize the message and thread color to your liking on onesies, t-shirts, dresses, and adorable frilly pants. As if that weren’t enough to make you completely giddy, The Sweet Line also carries 100% organic cotton canvas totes and aprons. And? The Sweet Line processes your custom order in 7-10 business days. Pretty sweet, huh?

Find It Here: The Sweet Line

Win It: We’re giving away an organic cotton onesie or T-shirt in winner’s choice of size and custom embroidery. Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “SL78” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: What is your favorite hand-embroidered item available from The Sweet Line? Enter by 7/23/08. All readers eligible.

By Sarah, July 16, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Gift, Kids, Made in USA, Organic, Sustainable, Toddler, 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.

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

Totem Boys… is it a bird, a plane or…sanity in a box? The correct answer is “All of the above!” Just when the boys of summer (mine) began that low but audible whine of “Mom, I’m bored,” I was able to produce shock and awe (to the 7+ set) by producing a game that bends those imagination muscles more than a Wii ever could… Totem Boys is a new building game for kids that is half puzzle and half model kit in a mix of unique die-cut panels made from recycled laminated cardboard and imprinted with interesting reversible graphic images of metal, wood, fire and air to create a spaceship, a plane, a ship etc. There are over 120 building cards for with imagination to spare and a little time on their hands. You can thank Kidsonroof of the Netherlands for saving summer and perhaps your sanity, as well. Cheers!

Find It Here: Stubby Pencil Studio

Win It: Enter to win a Totem Boys or Totem Girls puzzle (winner’s choice), courtesy of Stubby Pencil Studio! Click over to the Green Mom Forum to enter. U.S. and Canadian residents eligible. Enter by 7/20/08.

By Deb, July 13, 2008  
Filed under: Gift, Kids, Recycle, Toys

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! 

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

Running along the same lines as Healthy Child, Healthy World, Alan Greene’s Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care covers everything from the time of conception to when your little one arrives and beyond. It offers tips on how to be green through several areas: The Womb, Labor and Delivery, the Nursery, the Kitchen, the Bathroom, the Garden and the Whole House. Other helpful tips include which plastics are safer, questions to ask when choosing a non-hospital birthing center, statistics on differences between home and hospital births, the effects of medicated vs. non-medicated birth and much more. At the back of the book, there is an excellent list of green resources: books, websites, organizations, etc., as well as a section that is termed as “Green Information”, a supplement to each of the chapters. As a gift for green-minded parents, this book rocks — and you can rest assured that it will still be around and used as a reference long after those receiving blankets and onesies are but a distant memory.

Find It Here: Raising Baby Green

By Kris, July 1, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Gift, Learn, Organic, Resources

ShainsWare wants you to say it, wear it, mean it with their 100% recycled rubber bracelets. When I was teen hipster back in the nineties, if I could have worn a bracelet that said “save the dolphins” I probably would have. Thanks to ShainsWare, today’s kids, tweens and teens can make a personalized statement with these groovy bracelets by choosing from 9 different colors and inserting letters, numbers and icons that can be changed whenever they feel like it PLUS ShainsWare donates 10% of net profits to environmental organizations. With their totally unique and customizable bracelets, Shainsware has made environmentally conscious self-expression easy and cool!

Find It Here: ShainsWare

By Sarah, June 29, 2008  
Filed under: Gift, Kids, Recycle, Teens & Tweens, Wear

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

Everyone has a story, yes? It is a journey of many thoughts and dreams, intermingled with the relationships that help us to grow, and keeping a journal, or diary is a great way to help keep our busy lives in perspective. Yes, even Dad. This is an eco-friendly daily journal that’s totally tree-free and made from 100% recycled cotton rags and remnants. Inside, the acid-free cotton paper is generously heavy and yet finely textured for his writing pleasure. It’s also considered a sustainably-made product because it uses enviro-friendly materials, is manufactured and transported responsibly, the packaging is produced using organic farming practices and a portion of the proceeds are donated. Now that? Is a truly green Father’s Day gift!

Find It Here: OrganicStyle

By Liz, June 8, 2008  
Filed under: Dads, Gift, Him, Sustainable

Since 1988 Global Exchange, has taken a stand against exploitive, corporate-based retail and raised awareness about fair-trade activism, as well as environmental, political and social justice. Through their brick and mortar stores, Global Exchange has proven that purchasing from companies that produce fairly traded food and crafts items can be profitable. These same products are now available through their fair-trade online store. By remaining steadfast to their pledge of operating according to socially conscious fair-trade criteria, Global Exchange offers a wide selection of sweatshop free products and staples such as coffee, tea and chocolate can be delivered to your door, as well as various gift baskets, jewelry, books, crafts and clothing. Chocolate? Fair trade? Delivered? YES!!!

Find It Here: Global Exchange

By Sarah, May 27, 2008  
Filed under: Eat, Fair Trade, Gift, Resources

At almost every baby shower I’ve ever attended, the mom-to-be receives what seems like fifty zillion packages of newborn onesies. They’re nice to have, for sure, but original? Not so much. If you’re trying to find a unique gift idea for a baby shower, then check out these baby shower gift baskets by Love & Blessings. Started by mom of twins Victoria Loveland-Coen, Love & Blessings was founded with the philosophy of “nurturing the nurturer and caring for baby naturally, while lessening the toxic impact on our environment.” We love her philosophy and love her gift baskets even more! Individually crafted and assembled, each gift basket offers a unique selection of hip, earth-friendly products to nurture mama and baby. My personal favorite is The Ultimate Baby Bonding Gift Basket, which comes with a baby bonding book, baby bonding audiobook with guided relaxation, a nursing shawl, burp cloth, some Earth Mama Angel Baby products (all rated well on the Cosmetic Safety Database), and a little baby elephant rattle. You even customize your own gift basket if you want. Just choose the size basket you’d like, then shop their store for the perfect items to include. They will assemble the basket and ship it to you. It doesn’t get much any easier than that! And with plenty of natural, organic products to choose from, you’re only problem will be trying to figure out what not to put in your basket.

Find It Here: Love & Blessings

Congratulations to Kristinia, winner of a New Mama Nurture Basket by Love & Blessings worth more than $100! 

By Cristina, May 12, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Gift, Mama, Organic, Win

My son turns three in June, and this year I’m searching for party supplies that will last longer than our 3-hour shindig. One of my fave finds are these felt party hats from Green Party Goods. Designed in Paris, the hats are made in the city of Guangzhou, China. According to Carole Soss, Green Party Goods owner, the hats are made in a workshop where the workers, who are all related to each other, sew and chat together in a positive atmosphere. The workshop does not employ children. What I love most about these party hats is that they can be re-used for make-believe games later on. The skull and cross bones hat would be great for playing “pirate” and the pink one is perfect for princess dress-up! More than party hats, these are really parting gifts that your children’s friends are sure to love long after the party is over.

Find It Here: Green Party Goods

Congratulations to Kristen K., winner of 10 felt party hats and 10 non-toxic sports toys, courtesy of Green Party Goods!

By Cristina, April 10, 2008  
Filed under: Gift, Kids, Reduce/Reuse, Toddler, Win

When it comes to chocolate, I don’t usually need an excuse to eat some but now I have even more reason to indulge because I’ve found a green mom’s dream cookie company - Liz Lovely’s Online Bakery and Chocolate Shop. This socially responsible company specializes in fair-trade, non-GMO, organic, vegan chocolates, cookies, fruits, nuts and all kinds of other yummy and totally guiltless goodies. Almost every product is made from scratch in their very own bakery in Vermont. These are true artisan goods, made by real people instead of machines and free of preservatives and artificial flavorings. Their packaging is pretty darn eco-conscious, too, right down to the biodegradable ribbon and the compostable, “corn-tainers”, which biodegrade within 90 days. Check out their gift samplers, which give you a little taste of everything. As for myself, I think I see an Easter Treat-ster sampler with my name my kids’ names on it.

Find It Here: Liz Lovely

Congratulations to Julianne, winner of a $40 “Easter Treat-ster” sampler from Liz Lovely! 

By Cristina, March 14, 2008  
Filed under: Biodegradable, Eat, Fair Trade, Gift, Indulge, Organic, Win