Posted By: emmaspirit on

Sunday, June 29th, 2008, 2:59 pm

Last weekend I brought a Panda, a Gorilla and a Penguin to my brother’s house for a visit with his family. Seems kids’ marketers frequently name their kid targeted products after animals so kids will love them more, and it seems to work. I was just happy knowing that my gifts were healthy, organic and starting them on their path to green.

The Panda was actually an Ecogear blue organic cotton backpack for Jake, my four year old nephew. The azure blue dye is non-toxic, and it closes with easy to close sustainable wood fasteners. All very cool but his Dad knew that the ultimate stamp of approval was mentioning that Peter Parker (Spiderman) had a backpack just like it. Then Jake knew that the Panda would be perfect for his first trip to day camp next week. You can see in this photo how much he likes it.

Lily, my seven year old niece and god-daughter, got the Gorilla, a pretty pink Ecogear mini-messenger bag. Also great for day camp, I thought this organic cotton bag would work nicely as a hip purse, a beach bag and a school bag. She seemed to think it would be quite perfect too. Then as I was explaining that her new flamingo pink bag was “green”, she was a bit perplexed. So I switched vernacular and spoke about how it was organic. “What does that really mean?” she asked. My brother’s eyes rolled as he waited to hear my children’s definition of the eco-friendly, sustainable environmental movement. I stuck with how organic cotton isn’t sprayed with nasty chemicals so it is better for your body and better for the planet. That seemed to do the trick.

Then Jake, Lily and their older sister, Sarah saw the Penguin. Yes, a box of Nature’s Path EnviroKidz Penguin Puffs – a healthy, organic, low sugar, low fat, low sodium whole grain (kamut, quinoa and corn) cereal. They all gave this rice and corn cereal a big thumbs up because it still tasted sweet in milk and they loved the big crunch. Good to know that there are companies making a healthy, kid approved, kids cereal. Plus good to know that 1% of EnviroKidz sales are donated annually to endangered species, habitat conservation and environmental education for kids.

It seems that we have a lot of green things to learn from the Panda, Gorilla and the Penguin. And I’m pleased that these endangered species got a little help too.

Mary Beth Gonzalez

iVillage.com

Tags: kids, green gifts, cereal

Posted By: emmaspirit on

Sunday, June 29th, 2008, 2:55 pm

Last weekend I brought a Panda, a Gorilla and a Penguin to my brother’s house for a visit with his family. Seems kids’ marketers frequently name their kid targeted products after animals so kids will love them more, and it seems to work. I was just happy knowing that my gifts were healthy, organic and starting them on their path to green.

The Panda was actually an Ecogear blue organic cotton backpack for Jake, my four year old nephew. The azure blue dye is non-toxic, and it closes with easy to close sustainable wood fasteners. All very cool but his Dad knew that the ultimate stamp of approval was mentioning that Peter Parker (Spiderman) had a backpack just like it. Then Jake knew that the Panda would be perfect for his first trip to day camp next week. You can see in this photo how much he likes it.

Lily, my seven year old niece and god-daughter, got the Gorilla, a pretty pink Ecogear mini-messenger bag. Also great for day camp, I thought this organic cotton bag would work nicely as a hip purse, a beach bag and a school bag. She seemed to think it would be quite perfect too. Then as I was explaining that her new flamingo pink bag was “green”, she was a bit perplexed. So I switched vernacular and spoke about how it was organic. “What does that really mean?” she asked. My brother’s eyes rolled as he waited to hear my children’s definition of the eco-friendly, sustainable environmental movement. I stuck with how organic cotton isn’t sprayed with nasty chemicals so it is better for your body and better for the planet. That seemed to do the trick.

Then Jake, Lily and their older sister, Sarah saw the Penguin. Yes, a box of Nature’s Path EnviroKidz Penguin Puffs – a healthy, organic, low sugar, low fat, low sodium whole grain (kamut, quinoa and corn) cereal. They all gave this rice and corn cereal a big thumbs up because it still tasted sweet in milk and they loved the big crunch. Good to know that there are companies making a healthy, kid approved, kids cereal. Plus good to know that 1% of EnviroKidz sales are donated annually to endangered species, habitat conservation and environmental education for kids.

It seems that we have a lot of green things to learn from the Panda, Gorilla and the Penguin. And I’m pleased that these endangered species got a little help too.

Mary Beth Gonzalez

iVillage.com

Tags: kids, green gifts, cereal

Posted By: emmaspirit on

Sunday, May 4th, 2008, 1:21 pm

Here at iVillage, we hear a lot about what Moms really want. And it isn’t jewelry or a scarf or even breakfast in bed. What Mom really, really wants is a good night’s sleep!

Mom has a lot on her mind at night and while we cannot make all Mom’s worries or her To Do list go away this Mother’s Day, we can help create the ultimate, environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, sleep environment so when her head does hit the pillow, she can have the best night’s sleep of her life, every night.

Here are a few suggestions for the Ultimate Green Mother’s Day Gift:

Get Her In the Mood:

First, Mom needs a little something to get her in the mood like a soothing, holistic, relaxing bath in Dr. Hauschka’s Lavender Bath. Try their entire aromatherapy line with their bath trial/ travel kit which includes Lavender Bath as well as Lemon Bath, Rosemary Bath, Sage Bath and Spruce Bath.

Wrap Her Up in Luxury:

Out of the warm bath…wrap Mom into a 100% Organic Cotton Robe from Under the Canopy. They have soft, cozy, “one size fits most” (which saves you from the embarrassing wrong size dilemma) kimono style robes in several pretty colors like mermaid and seashell.

Slip Her into Something Special:

Then Mom needs a special nightgown to slip into. I love DreamSack’s Bamboo simple nightshirts that are 95% Bamboo, 5% Spandex. Bamboo is a highly renewable, sustainable grass that is now used in a wide range of fabrics and household items. It feels like silk and yet can be thrown in the washer and dryer (which will make Mom love you even more).

Make Her Bed Magic:

Mom deserves bedding she loves that beckons her every night and welcomes her every morning. Sleeping in 100% organic cotton is an important green solution and thankfully organic sheet decor now comes in more than just “natural”. Try lovely printed 250 thread count sateen sheet sets and duvets like Earth Grove from Under the Canopy. Their gorgeous soothing bedding washes up beautifully soft and holds their color well (check out the photo to take a peak at my bedroom!)

Protect Against Bed Head:

Place Mom’s head on luxurious 95% bamboo pillow cases from DreamSack’s Bamboo Dreams pillowcase in 250 thread count. Mom will feel like she is sleeping on silk.

Sweet Dreams Guaranteed:

Bring her a cup of sweet dreams with organic calming tea. Numi’s Rosy Dreams herbal tea combines chamomile, lavender and rose petals for the ultimate relaxing tea. Numi is a strong, sustainable friend of the environment so take another look and try their Sweet Meadows tea with chamomile and lemon myrtle. And as frequenters of this blog know, Traditional Medicinals’ Organic Nighty Night tea does the trick for me every time.

Please share your own plans for making Mom’s day special for her and special for the planet this year.

Mary Beth Gonzalez

iVillage.com

Tags: green gifts, tea, organic, mothers day, sheets

Posted By: emmaspirit on

Monday, November 5th, 2007, 11:19 am

This year, I decided to give as many Green presents as possible. I realize that everyone on my gift list isn’t devoted to a Green lifestyle, yet I’ve discovered so many nifty green products this year and I really want to support their fledgling business with more than my written word. And maybe my little green gifts will be an inspiration to those I love to learn more about why an eco-friendly lifestyle can be better for their own health as well as the planet. Spoiler alert: those who think they just might be getting a present from me this year are warned not to read further if they want to be surprised.

Let’s see…what to buy for Mom…she lives in Florida and we share a lot of traits including a passion for purses. I think she will love HerDesign’s Mushroom purse in a fabulous tropical coral organic cotton with vegan leather trim ($169).

Now I’m done with my holiday shopping. What is often a taunting task was made fun this year as I enjoyed hunting for the perfect Green goodies. And as an added bonus, all these items can be purchased online so I didn’t have to drive to a store and add to my carbon emissions.

I plan to email those who I won’t see in person this holiday season to explain that their gifts will not be wrapped in shiny toxic paper and non-recyclable bows. I’d rather capture the long lasting smile of a green gift than the fleeting grin of a well wrapped present. I wonder if you have been thinking about how to be Greener this holiday season. Please share your green tips and gift suggestions here so we can all spread a little Green cheer this year.

Mary Beth Gonzalez

(photos of all these green gifts are in my blog photo gallery)

Tags: holiday, green gifts, green, presents