Renew Kids Apparel with Appliques

We've found the cutest iron-on appliques for kids apparel. Beautiful and don't require sewing! Definitely a perfect solution for adjusting boys' outfits for their new little sisters, or vice-versa. We think it is a waste of resources to buy a whole new wardrobe for the new baby, when you already have a perfect selection at home!

Iron-on appliques can be found at any fabric and craft online and traditional stores. We've found these at JoAnn.com

Adorable Eco-Friendly Characters

As we continue on our mission to find good options of educational toys for Christmas, we stumbled across Idbids, an award winning eco-friendly toy manufacturer.

Idbids' adorable plush toys teach children environmental sustainability in very fun ways. Scout, Lola and Waverly are handcrafted using 100% organic Egyptian cotton. They come with a storybook that teaches lessons about Earth and how to make a difference. The child can chart his or her progress as steps are completed every day.

Not only an educational toy, it is adorable!

For your Next Trip to a Toy Store

Christmas is coming and a common concern for parents of young kids is toy safety. Babies and toddlers tend to put toys in their mouths, making it a lot more dangerous. See below a few points, from the National Geographic "Green Guide", to be considered before your next trip to a toy store.

The worst plastic used in children's toys, including teethers, is polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Considered "hormone disruptors" and linked with asthma and respiratory problems, phthalates can migrate out of toys and onto the hands (and into the mouths) of children. Fortunately, many companies are removing phthalates, and several states, including California and Maine, are initiating legislation that would ban the sale of any children's products containing problem chemicals.

Lead has also been found frequently in toys, including Barbie dolls, Fisher-Price locomotives and Thomas the Tank Engines, and have been recalled due to violations of lead paint standards. Lead is also found in the paint of some old wood and metal toys, especially in imports. Lead is associated with a host of learning disabilities and behavior disorders, and even low exposures can carry lifelong effects.

Look for plastics made without PVC. It's usually identifiable by the number 3, often with the letters "PVC" or the word "vinyl" next to the recycling symbol. You can also use the "smell test"; plastics made with vinyl usually have a plasticky smell, similar to that of a new shower curtain. If you aren't sure whether a product contains PVC or PVC parts, call the manufacturer.

Very Classy, Very Wise

Check out this video for creative eco-friendly ideas for a baby shower. Very classy...

Online Eco Tools

Check out these sites with interactive tools to help you figure out how to save energy and money at home:

energystar.gov
An interactive graphic, Energystar@Home, guides you on changes room by room.

hes.lbl.gov
The site prompts you to fill out a questionnaire about your house, then provides tips on reducing energy consumption based on your profile.

rehabadvisor.pathnet.org
This site provides suggestions on making your renovation project more energy efficient, with estimated costs and payback period.

consumerspower.org
Provides a calculator that helps you break down your energy bill by appliance, and correct problem areas.

Very nice tools, all free!
For more information, logon to thisoldhouse.com

Car Sharing, a Great Concept

If you leave in a big city and don't need a car on a daily basis, you have to try a car-sharing service. It is incredibly useful and convenient. You pick a car at a convenient location, just slide your card and voila! Easy for shopping days, especially when you have kids. Having just two arms sometimes is limiting when pushing a stroller and carrying grocery bags at the same time.

The concept is absolutely great. You save tons of money by not having a car, and that is the green motivation to only use one when necessary, helping reduce CO2 emission. In fact, a Canadian car-sharing service company claims a 13,000-ton reduction in CO2 emission by its 11,000 members in Quebec, according to a Fortune source. What a great green concept!

And if this is not enough, the hourly rate is about $12 for a small car, generally including insurance and gas. What a bargain.

SIGG Bottles Contained Bisphenol-A

Children's bottle maker SIGG has admitted that the epoxy lining used for years in SIGG bottles - which they secretly swapped out for a new liner last summer - contained the hormone-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A.
Parents all over the world, advocates of their supposed high quality bottles, are very annoyed with the news.
Bottles purchased before August 2008 contained the old BPA liner.
For more information click here.

Recycled Diaper Dude Bag!

This diaper bag is super cool. It is made from 100% recycled water bottles.
Very interesting concept, and beautiful! Useful design with several pockets, including insulated compartment for a bottle, and a changing pad. The designer claims it is for dudes, but it looks pretty good for moms too! Click here for more information

A Corn PDA.... Cool Momma Phone!

Sprint and Samsumg have just launched a green phone, a simplified version of a green Blackberry. Very nice initiative, considering how often people replace their phones. Unfortunately just a small percentage of old phones are recycled, and most of them end up in the landfill for decades.

It is a nice looking phone with several cool applications such as heavy e-mail and texting, and access to Facebook and Twitter. Sprint said $2 of every phone sale goes to the Nature Conservancy.

Check out this link for more information

Eco Party....Little Things We Can Do

There are many little things we can do to teach kids the art of “eco-friendliness”. We can also inspire other parents by encouraging them to be conscious about not wasting unnecessary resources.

Have you thought about making your next dinner or birthday party a bit more eco-friendly? There are several choices you can make, without being overboard! From reusable plates and cups to recycled-paper decoration and napkins. There are very classy options available in the market.

You don’t need to make the Ecology your party theme, but some hints here and there will set the tone and do great for mother Earth. It is nice to be conscious and responsible while we are having fun!

Registering for your bridal or baby shower at eco-friendly boutiques, sending recycled-paper invitations and thank you notes are also great touches! It is all about creativity, respect and fun!

Save Yourself Some Resources

Saving resources is not only good for the environment, but also great for you and your family. Kids see parents as role models, and our daily attitude will teach them how to take care of themselves and the environment, respecting our community.

There are so many easy “green ways” to save cash. From our driving style to small adjustments at home, in the office and at school.

Start by teaching the kids how to separate the items in the garbage to recycle. Everything we buy these days has multiple layers of packaging, and most of it can be recycled.

If you are in the process of buying new appliances, look for the energy saving stamp. Your energy savings will be worth it. Also, think about the location where you place your appliances. As an example, don’t place the refrigerator next to the stove or dishwasher.

Having a programmable thermostat at home will also save you big bucks along the year. You will be able to program the temperature at a pre-determined schedule. Why keep the house very cool when you and your family are at work or school?

How and what we drive can have a huge impact in our wallet. According to formal sources, “driving your vehicle 55 mph instead of 65 mph can improve your mileage by about 15 percent and reduce emissions considerably. You’ll also get better mileage if you avoid quick starts and sudden braking whenever you can, and if you keep your tires properly inflated to the maximum recommended pressure.”

And, when the exciting time to buy a new car comes, choose wisely. Do you really need a seven passenger car to carry two people around?

Check our Useful Links page for great tips to save resources (and loads of cash) at home, on the road and at the office.