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

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

Sandcastle-building is one of my my kids’ top 10 favorite summertime activities. But I am filled with a small twinge of guilt at the thought of buying those made-in-China plastic beach toys. Luckily, a better option is now available — the Sand Play Set by Green Toys. Made of recycled milk containers, Green Toys are made of plastic that you can actually feel good about! Green Toys, Inc. takes environmental consciousness to a whole new level. Not only are their toys made locally in California, but they also obtain the raw materials locally. By eliminating oversees or cross-country transportation costs, they are also reducing pollution. They also use recycled, non-plastic materials for their packaging and (hooray!) no twist-ties! And finally, because I know you want to know, these toys have no traceable amounts of phthalates or BPA and have no external coatings that could contain lead paint. Yep, we think we’ve found a winner here! So skip the dollar store next time you are looking for sand and beach toys and check out Green Toys instead. Your planet thanks you.

Find It Here: Green Toys

Congratulations to Rachael W., winner of a sand play set by Green Toys! 

By Cristina, May 26, 2008  
Filed under: BPA-free, Made in USA, Play, Preschooler, Recycle, Toddler, Toys, Win

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

Unlike with bottled water, there will be no environmental guilt when drinking from this Green Toys tea set. To make their enviro-friendly toys, Green Toys reprocesses plastic milk jugs made of high-density polyethylene, which is known to be one of the safest, cleanest plastics around. In addition to this adorable tea set, other products in this line include an indoor gardening kit, cookware and dining set and a sand play set. Not only are these manufactured in the USA, but they are also packaged in 100% recycled corrugated easy-to-open boxes with absolutely no plastics, cellophane or those horrendous twist-ties that can turn the sanest of parents into raving lunatics. And, as if those packaging virtues weren’t reason enough to love Green Toys, consider that their toys are Bisphenol-A and phthalate-free, as determined by third-party testing conducted in the United States. Kind of makes you wonder why they don’t make all plastic toys this way…

Find It Here: Green Toys Inc.

By Sarah, May 13, 2008  
Filed under: BPA-free, Kids, Play, Recycle, Toddler, Toys

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

Though I love fruits and vegetables now, I’m pretty sure I didn’t eat a single vegetable when I was a kid without some sort of protest. Maybe if my parents had been able to send me to bed in New Jammies, I would have started enjoying my vegetables a lot sooner. Made of super soft 100% organic cotton, New Jammies fruit and vegetable print pajamas for kids and babies feature brightly colored images of bananas, blueberries, carrots, peas, tangerines and apples along with cute little phrases like “Apple of My Eye” and “Pretty Peas Please.” The icing on the cake carrots is the little book that comes with every pair. Filled with pictures of happy produce, counting games, rhymes and a short story, it really does make fruits and vegetables look fun; like something kids would enjoy instead of something yucky their parents insist they eat — and take it from a former world-class vegetable hater, getting little ones on the path to healthy eating in a positive way is half the battle in the veggie wars.

Find It Here: New Jammies

Congrats to Emily H., winner of a New Jammies pajama set!

By Izzy, May 5, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Kids, Learn, Organic, Toddler, Wear, Win

Twice a month, Thursday mornings are an exciting time at my house. That’s the day that both the garbage truck and the recycling truck come by to make their curbside collections and my kids race to the front window to watch the action. Thanks to Maple Landmark, now all kids can make every day recycling day with this wooden Montgomery Scoots Recycling Truck. Painted with non-toxic paint and made in Vermont from mostly local (USA) materials, this truck is recommended for ages 2 and up. At 4 inches long, the Montgomery Scoots Recycling Truck makes a fun and green educational addition to any play town.

Find It Here: KangarooBoo

By Amy, May 3, 2008  
Filed under: Kids, Play, Preschooler, Recycle, Toddler, Toys

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

There’s nothing that melts my heart more than seeing my son fall asleep hugging his teddy. However, when I found out that stuffed animals can contain contaminants, such as PBDE’s and carcinogens, I found myself wishing he wasn’t so attached to that teddy after all. Who knows what it’s stuffed with?

But thanks to online shops like Wild Dill, which are dedicated to offering natural and organic products, it’s possible to find safer teddies out there - like this totally adorable, classic teddy made in Germany. Machine washable and stuffed with wool, this 100% organic cotton teddy is hand made under strict European safety standards. A teddy like this is sure to make my son sleep safe and sound. And something tells me that I’ll be sleeping better too.

Find It Here: Wild Dill

Congratulations to Juliet H., winner of a $35 gift certificate to Wild Dill!

By Cristina, April 7, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Kids, Organic, Sleep, Toddler, Toys, Win

Have you heard of BabyLegs? They’re these really cute legwarmers for babies and toddlers. You know, like in Flashdance? No, no, I’m just kidding. Sort of. See, BabyLegs do keep little legs warm BUT unlike pants or tights, they don’t cover diapers or feet and therein lies their genius — no five hundred snaps to undo for a diaper change, legs stay warm while airing out itty bitty fannies, little knees are protected when crawling but feet stay uncovered for good traction and finally, no tugging and pulling down pants for potty training. See? Genius! They come in a frillion ab fab colors and patterns for girls and boys but being that we’re your friendly internet Green Moms we are, of course, big fans of the totally not-even-remotely-eighties organic cotton BabyLegs.

Find It Here: BabyLegs

Congratulations Suzanne B., winner of a set of organic cotton BabyLegs in Pebble!

Do Good: From April 1st thru April 22nd, 10% of the sales from the BabyLegs organic line will be donated to the Nature Conservancy’s Adopt and Acre program in honor of Earth month!

By Izzy, April 1, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Organic, Toddler, Wear, Win

At this point in my parenting career, I’ve assembled what feels like hundreds thousands of puzzles with my kids and my toddler, in particular, is a big fan of that childhood staple, the wooden puzzle. We have trucks and farm animals and letters and numbers and while they’re fun and all, they really can’t touch the Monkey Tree puzzle from Little Star Creative Parties because lookie! It stands up! Our cows and sheep and dumps trucks and police cars certainly can’t do that. But even better than the cool standing-upness of it, this nifty puzzle is hand made of sustainable, plantation-grown rubberwood and hand painted with child-safe paints which means your little ones can gnaw and gum to their hearts content with absolutely no tongue-wiping involved. What? Am I the only one that does that?

Find It Here: Little Star Creative Parties

Congratulations Jennifer K., winner of a Monkey Tree puzzle, courtesy of Little Star Creative Parties! 

By Izzy, March 31, 2008  
Filed under: Kids, Sustainable, Toddler, Win