Who says you need ten acres in the country to create a homestead and live self-sufficiently? Okay, so a nice fertile plot of land and a hen house would come in handy, but if you don’t happen to have either, you can still work towards a self-sustaining lifestyle — and you don’t even need to leave the city to do so. In growing numbers people in urban settings across the country are realizing that they can grow and preserve food, compost,  harvest water, and even raise livestock. But how? That’s where Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen’s book, The Urban Homestead, comes in handy. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to do all of these things and more. Each chapter provides detailed instructions on how to tackle a number of different projects from the simple (like starting a container garden) to the complex (become your own utility!). Regardless of where you are in your journey towards self-sufficiency — an idea that’s gaining mass appeal in these uncertain times — this book is a must-have resource that you will turn to again and again.

Find It Here: The Urban Homestead

Win It! We’re giving away a copy of The Urban Homestead to one lucky winner! Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “UH60” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: name one homesteading project that this book will teach you about. U.S. residents eligible. Enter by 10/20/08.

By Cristina, October 13, 2008  
Filed under: Read, Sustainable, Win

Have you heard the hat is back? It is! And while your man may never have envisioned himself wearing a knitted cap, just wait until he sees this one — made of hemp, organic cotton and wool, the Yarn Man Cap is sustainable and hip, to boot. If this one doesn’t do it for you, then check out the more than 40 styles of men’s hats available from Sustainable Style. Each unique hat blends sustainability (duh!) and style with fabrics like hemp, fabric scraps, salvaged wool, and organic cotton. Doing something good for the environment has never looked so cool!

Find It Here: Sustainable Style

By Cristina, September 12, 2008  
Filed under: Men, Style, Sustainable, Wear

As a grass, bamboo grows very quickly and can regenerate in three to five years. This is one of the reasons that bamboo is often seen as a sustainable “green alternative” and makes us love it for cutting boards in lieu of wood or plastic. Yet, there are some concerns about the manufacturing of bamboo, as well as worries about clear-cutting and fertilizer use. Sheesh. Can’t anything ever be cut and dry? I guess it might be greener to salvage a cement slab and use that as a cutting board, though it wouldn’t be quite as attractive as the bamboo variety. So for now, we’re going to skip the cement (and also the plastic) in favor of these handsome cutting boards from Totally Bamboo. My favorite is the Hawaiian collection with the African collection coming in at a close second. They’re so pretty that when they’re not in use, you’ll be tempted to put them on display. I could never say that about my ugly old plastic cutting boards (that I now have to try and recycle!)

Find It Here: Totally Bamboo

By Cristina, September 5, 2008  
Filed under: Bamboo, Home, Sustainable

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

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

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.

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

If you’ve ever been to a trade show or convention, you know about the swag (actually an acronym for “stuff we all get”). In plain English, it’s all the promotional junk that you get and give to your kids as “souvenirs.” Imagine how much of that stuff gets produced and given out every day all over the country — that’s a lot of stuff! Now imagine that all that stuff was biodegradable, recycled, fair trade, sustainably-produces or some other flavor of green. Much better, right? Of course, we at Green Mom Finds are always in favor of less consumption across the board but if you’re going to give out branded items regardless (at your meeting, conference, family reunion etc), it would be awesome to do it in an eco-friendlier way and that’s where EcoBranders comes in. They have all the same stuff the regular promotional products companies have except it’s greener and every single item can have YOUR logo, design or name on it. Pretty cool, huh? Makes me wish I’d thought of it first!

Find It Here: EcoBranders

By Izzy, August 13, 2008  
Filed under: Biodegradable, Resources, Sustainable

If you have school-aged kids, then you’ve probably already experienced the joy of THE FUNDRAISER. Wrapping paper, books, candy, cookie dough and holiday cards are just a few of the typical items sold via school fundraisers and while the money is generally for a good cause (what school doesn’t need more money???) wouldn’t it be awesome if the products sold were organic, fair trade and sustainably-produced so as to help the school and do good in the world? Of course it would and that’s why we’re so psyched about Equal Exchange’s school fundraising program. Their eco-friendly program offers coffee, tea, powdered cocoa, hot chocolate, chocolate bars, nuts, dried fruit and more and all fundraising materials are printed on 100% post-consumer waste paper. Equal Exchange is a win-win for schools, farmers and the planet. Who could say no to that?!

Find It Here: Equal Exchange

By Izzy, August 3, 2008  
Filed under: Do Good, Fair Trade, Kids, Organic, Sustainable

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

Congrats to Judith R., winner of an organic cotton onesie/T-shirt with custom embroidery!

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

Congratulations to Linda J., winner of a lemon paper journal from Eco Paper!

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

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rebel. That’s the motto at Reform School, a Los Angeles store owned by two high school friends with a focus on sustainable art, design and crafts. Lucky for us non-Angelenos, these best friends realized that not everyone can’t make it to LA so they started a website (with a cool school theme, natch) featuring one-of-a-kind sustainable and handmade finds. And just to keep things interesting, each month at Reform School, different artist is featured as “student of the month.” Make sure you also take a look at their wide and creative selection of stationery, books, posters, house accessories and unique handmade wares for kids like the Mobilhome Recycled Cardboard Dollhouse or the nifty Optrixx Cameras made from recycled wood. This is one school where you definitely won’t mind staying after class!

Find it Here: Reform School

By Sarah, June 24, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, DIY, Home, Learn, Recycle, Reduce/Reuse, Sustainable

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

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