Holiday 2015 Issue of Green Child Magazine

Holiday 2015

A health & family focused digital magazine & community.

effortless

Holiday Hosting

Cheerful DIY

Gift Wrap Making Spirits Bright: Healthy Food & Holiday Fun!

Our 5th Annual

Holiday Gift Guide!

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Contents

8 Effortless Holiday Hosting

Sandy Kreps shares how to host a gathering with style & ease

10 Immune Boosting Strategies

How to keep your family healthy this holiday season

12 Fun Toys for Little Ones

An ages & stages guide to choosing toys for your little ones

16 Look Listen Read

Our editors’ top picks in books, apps, and more

18 Detox Your Holiday Decor Deck the halls naturally with greener options

20 Good For Goodness’ Sake

Our favorite simple ways to give back this holiday season

24 Our 5th Annual Holiday Gift Guide Make the season bright with inspired, sustainable gifts for everyone on your list

44 How to Wrap Gifts Sustainably

From upcycled papers to fabric, we’re using what we have on hand to wrap the perfect gift 3

Contents 48 Sage Spoonfuls

Pumpkin bread & strawberry chia jam

52 Inspired Dishes

Dairy-free mac & “no� cheese

56 Nutritional Nuggets

From added protein to healthy movie night snacks, expert Christina Towle answers your questions

59 Guided Relaxation

Lead your child on a peaceful retreat

61 Ask Green Grandma

Questions from our readers answered

62 Community Marketplace

Eco-friendly products & services from our collection of artisan shops & resources

64 Your Green Child

Holiday 2015

A health & fam

ily focused dig ital magazine

A peek into the families of our readers

& community .

66 Little Artists

Sharing the talents of our youngest community members.

On the Cover: Effortless Holiday Hosting p8 Cheerful DIY Gift Wrapping p44

effortless

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Making Spirits Bright: Healthy Food & Our 5th An nual GCM talks Holiday Fun! H rth Mama oli 20a1y GiftEaG to A Summer d fou u niddeer! Melinngel Baby 4 da Olson p48 Our 5th Annual Gift Guide p24 4

Cover Photography by

Christin Lewin Photography Orlando, FL & beyond

www.attachmentparenting.org

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Publisher & Editor

Advertising Director

Creative Director

Copy Editor

Amity Hook-Sopko

Amanda Hearn

Tracy Carter

Megan McCoy Dellecese

Media & Other Inquiries media@greenchildmagazine.com

Columnists

Liza Huber Mellisa Dormoy Megan McCoy Dellecese Christina Towle Hana Haatainen Caye

Contributors

Photo by Jennifer Campbell

Sandy Kreps Jessica Perkins Kylah Dobson Megan McCoy Dellecese

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from our publisher & editor “When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.” – Bob Hope Earlier this year, I supported a friend working her way through ‘Perfect Mom Syndrome’. Her tween daughter, fed up with posing for her mother to get the perfect shot of their intricately stenciled Easter eggs, put her hands on her hips and declared, “Who are you trying to make Easter so special for? Us or Instagram!?”

The mom was tempted to put her hands on her own hips and ask her daughter if she knew how much time and effort went into planning and buying supplies for those eggs, their Easter party, and their many elaborate family birthday parties. But instead of arguing back, she recalled the year she mailed 200 Christmas cards in which she had written at least a paragraph, by hand, in gold glitter pin. And the time she spent 7 hours wrapping and rewrapping real garland around their front porch columns to get it “just right”. That’s when she realized her daughter was right… but the truth was that she didn’t know whom she was trying to impress.

As someone who let go of perfectionism years ago, all I could do was let her know her heart

was in the right place. She really wanted to celebrate these special occasions, and her children would certainly have grand memories!

But if you’re so preoccupied with perfection that you can’t enjoy the moment or savor your child’s delight… what is the point of going to all that trouble?

I’ve kept this example in my mind as we approach the holidays each year. Whether it’s over the top decorating, stressing over the perfect gift, or simply committing to too many parties, we can all use these two simple and wise reminders this time of year:

“People are more important than things.” & “Less is more.”

In the wise words of Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

We hope that you enjoy a warm and loving holiday this year, no matter what form that takes — or doesn’t take.

Happy holidays from your Green Child family!

-Amity 7

effortless

holiday hosting

|by Sandy Kreps 8

Parties and guests are a big part of the holiday season. Hosting can be stressful - particularly if you have perfectionist tendencies.

While it’s natural to want your home to be as welcoming and comfortable as possible, you’ll make your guests anxious if you spend all your time fussing over every little detail.

Here are a few easy ways to be a five-star host while keeping your sanity in check.

Be Prepared Stock up on some easy entertaining supplies for unplanned or last-minute guests.

Tidy up your guest room, keep the bathroom clean and stocked, and fill your pantry with easy appetizers like chips and salsa, crackers and summer sausage, hot cocoa and ciders. There are also some yummy snacks and treats that can be kept in your freezer and heated up as needed for drop-in guests. During the holidays, I also keep a frozen lasagna on hand — you never know when you’ll need an easy dinner to feed a houseful!

Say Yes When friends and family offer to bring a dish to your party or holiday meal, say yes. To simplify even more, plan the meal as a potluck and invite guests to share a favorite food. This works especially well when the host provides the main dish and drinks, and guests bring appetizers, side dishes and desserts. A few years ago, I was a control freak when it came to my menus, and I didn’t want anyone to bring

something that might “conflict” with the plan (terrible, I know!) Now, I’m all about simplicity, so I am thrilled when someone offers up a dish. Saves me some work and I get to enjoy someone else’s cooking!

Keep It Simple Instead of hosting a big, expensive party, try inviting friends over for cider and cookies. People get partied out pretty quickly over the holidays, and a laid-back evening without feeling the need to impress can be a welcome respite during the busy Christmas season.

Meal Plan If you’re having overnight guests during the holidays, pre-plan breakfasts, lunches and dinners and shop in advance so you’ll have all your groceries on hand. This is a great list to keep in your holiday notebook for reference next year.

Keep Expectations Realistic Don’t set expectations too high. If you’re hosting a party, remember it’s just a party.

It’s supposed to be fun, not perfect. You won’t be the worst host in history, but you’re not Martha Stewart either. Stop stressing and have fun.

For more ideas for an easygoing holiday, check out my Kindle ebook Simply Christmas, with 101 ways to simplify the holidays.

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Keep Your Family Healthy This Holiday Season

With These Immune Boosting Strategies Keeping your family healthy in today’s world is more challenging than ever.

We live in a different environment now where we are constantly bombarded with unhealthy food choices, increased toxins in the environment, electromagnetic frequencies in the air, and super stressful activity levels. It’s surprising we are able to stay healthy at all.

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“I think it is more important then ever to raise children in a natural and organic environment,” says Carolyn Harrington, a holistic health practitioner and founder of Maty’s Healthy Products. “When my daughter was born with congenital heart defects, it was imperative I keep her immune system strong.” Here are three fundamental principles that kept her strong and healthy, or helped her improve if she did get sick.

Exercise The Immune System Our immune systems are like muscles that need to be exercised, and it’s important to keep our family’s strong.

By actually allowing our immune systems to fight minor illnesses that come along, we become more capable and better equipped to fight future infections. Use natural remedies whenever possible. If anyone gets sick or catches a cold, try to avoid the toxic drugs and chemicals. This helps our immune systems remain hardy and strong.

You can even try many natural old-time remedies yourself at home, or look in the natural department at your local grocery or natural food stores. There are so many natural products available that are effective and safe with no side effects. I always try to use these before anything else. There are products like honey cough syrups for your cough or cold and vapor rubs, chest rubs, and saline solutions for a stuffy nose. These types of products, including Maty’s Healthy Products, produce effective results without the toxic overload on our bodies.

Keep Food Choices Basic In our home, we try to keep things basic and simple, including watching what we feed our kids.

We avoid processed and fast foods, and cook fresh as often as possible. That way I know the ingredients we consume.

Another strategy that helps keep my family healthy is our number one priority when making food choices: we avoid sugar whenever possible.

Sugar is a major handicap to a robust immune system. This is a crucial step with a dramatic impact on our health. If you want to add a little sweetness to the holiday, serve something healthy like dark chocolate or candy made with xylitol. Both have a beneficial impact on immune systems.

Finally, we serve raw fruits and vegetables at every meal throughout the day since they contain healthy enzymes that help metabolize the food we eat. You can also boost your family’s immune system by serving green leafy vegetables rich with vitamin D, like broccoli and kale. The occasional vitamin C tablet is another good way to get antioxidants into our system for extra immune support.

Reduce Stress Each Day Stress is a huge barrier to a robust immune system.

Although children should get some daily exercise outdoors, they also need sufficient downtime and rest to avoid added stress on their bodies.

We all want to have fun during the holidays, but keeping too busy also becomes an unnecessary burden and negatively impacts our immune systems. This also includes getting a good night’s sleep to rejuvenate our bodies and keep us going each day. Balance is the key.

The holidays are such an important and fun time, we don’t want kids missing out on any of the excitement. By incorporating these principles, you have a better chance at keeping everyone healthy so you can make many lasting memories.

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- Ages & Stages -

FUN Toys for Little Ones |by Jessica Perkins

As a mother of three, I struggle to stay sane, let alone informed of the latest recommendations from parenting research, and finding the best tools to help my children to learn and grow. Fortunately, my handmade toy business helps me stay focused enough to accomplish all of the above.

With my background in developmental psychology, and hands-on experience making and curating playthings, this age-appropriate (and battery-free) toy guide is my way of sharing some of what I’ve learned, while helping you choose great toys that are developmentally fit for your little one.

Babies

(3-18 mos)

Yes, babies! Most commonly friends and family will stick to the long-standing staples, and give blankets, hats, onesies, books, and bibs.

These are thoughtful, and well-meaning gifts, but some variety including stimulating playthings makes a great impact in nurturing the little one’s developing senses. These next two toys will aid in early brain development and visual acuity.

Sight & Sound Cards I used these with

every one of my children, near immediately

after birth. As eyesight develops, high contrast patterns, along with bold colors, help engage the baby’s attention, and improve their visual sense.

Tiny Ticklers With bright colors, soft

silk, and an easy to grab wooden ring, this tickling toy can be used for play in a manner that encourages motor skill development, kinesthetic awareness, body curiosity, and visual tracking.

To dd l e r s

(18 m o s-3 y r s)

Increasingly curious about manipulating the world around them with their hands, toddler toys should help with problem-solving skills, natural exploration, creative play, and pretend play.

Here are a few of my favorite toys that help with tactile development, basic math skills, sorting, and learning through imaginative play: Little People Rainbow World This

playful put-together puzzle of colorful friends offer matching, sorting, stacking, and pretend play possibilities. My daughters both gravitated towards this for hours on end of natural play.

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FUN Toys for Little Ones Animal Action The perfect addition to

family game night, these coins are stamped with animal friends and their actions. Scurry like a crab or flutter like a butterfly while building vocabulary, spatial awareness, and many memories.

P r e s c h oo l e r s (3-5 years) During the ages of 3 to 5 preschoolers hit major milestones in language, motor skills, thinking, social development, and emotional development which is on display in their ability to get engrossed in social and solitary play.

Ideal toys for preschoolers are those that help build skills such as naming and sorting objects by color, shape, and size. Games that build on physical coordination and gross motor skills (hopping on one leg), and fine mo-

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tor skills (using tweezers to pick up objects).

Games that promote exploration and seek and find. Games that require playing with other children around a shared objective. Lastly, games that have clear objectives but allow for flexibility in play, pretend play, and shifts in focus. Check out some of my favorites below: Family Box This wooden family comes

in a little box, along with a treasure trove of rainbow sleep sacks, and felt pillows. There is something about sleep which little dreams find intriguing, and they will enjoy practicing care-taking and imaginative play with these little wooden friends.

Lacing Friends These hand cut, hand

painted lacing boards nurture concentration, focus, and fine-motor skills. Undoing and redoing the lace through the holes, and

recognizing patterns helps to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, as well.

B i g Ki d (5-8 years) By age 5, little ones have mastered basic skills, and seek to nourish and apply what they’ve learned independently. Toys fit for this age range should be designed to develop their imagination, writing skills, co-operation, independent play, problem solving. Below are some favorites for giving big kids the ability to let their imaginations inspire their play.

Story Starters Who? What? Where?

When? How? With this set, you create the why, and build a story as a family game or solo play. Each set comes with a story key, a journal, and all the gear needed for your little author to write their story.

Little Details Sharpen mental acuity while

improving memory, inspiring story-telling, and open-ended play. This portable game can be used in so many different ways. Discuss new vocabulary, shape, form, and line types to incorporate drawing styles like contour line drawings, and blind contour drawings.

Safety is an important consideration across all age ranges. Carefully read product descriptions to understand what age range or behavioral range the toys are designed for in play. For instance, some children explore their world via taste, and put toys in their mouth more than others, which suggests that toys with small parts should be avoided or played with only under parental supervision. Children of all ages benefit greatly in learning through play, and develop their understanding of the world through toys that engage their many senses.

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Amazing Christmas Extravaganza

By David Shannon

From the maker of the hit “No, David!� series comes a book about out-of-control holiday decorating, the importance of focusing on family and an appreciation of simplicity, especially during the holidays. Kids and parents alike will adore the humor, warmth and message within this story. $6 at Amazon

Dear America: Christmas After All

By Kathryn Lasky

From the incredible historical fiction series Dear America (and My Name is America), this diary-format book shows kids what life was like during the Great Depression in an approachable, easy-to-read way.

Set around Christmastime, the hardships endured by Minnie Swift and her family are on display as well as the resiliency and ingenuity shown by many at the time.

Beyond its history lesson, this is a heart-warming story with underlying lessons abounding. $5 at Amazon

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Baking with Kids

By Leah Brooks

The holiday season is a great opportunity to get the kiddos in the kitchen for some fun with food! With this book, you receive great recipes for everything from breads to cookies, crackers to pretzels, pies to pizzas, along with tips for beginners and family-oriented baking. We love the “For Smaller Hands” suggestions sprinkled throughout (for smaller children to get involved), the gorgeous images, and the inclusion of plenty of whole wheat (and non-processed ingredient) recipes. $12 at Amazon

The Green Beauty Rules

By Paige Padgett

Looking for a way to give yourself a fresh look for the new year without the toxicity and animal abuse associated with many mainstream beauty products? Consider revamping your makeup routine with the natural products and green tips of expert makeup artist Paige Padgett in The Green Beauty Rules. Go with this book if you’re looking to make your exterior glow as gorgeously as your soul. $15 at Amazon

uBack One of the most fulfilling, joyous aspects of the holiday season is the act of giving to others. This year, use uBack to connect with local non-profits and causes all while making your holiday charitable giving as easy as a few taps. You’ll be kept informed of any news or changes with your favorite charities and whether support can be amplified through a corporate sponsor. And, for those tax purposes after the new year, their access to documentation makes write-offs super simple.

Free on the App Store & Google Play 17

Detox

Your Holiday Decor Another holiday season is approaching, and while the holidays are a joyful time full of customs we hold dear, some traditions can also be sources of exposure to toxic chemicals.

Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of the recentlypublished A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposures – a comprehensive manual on everyday toxic exposures and ways to minimize their potential harm – has a few detox tips to keep in mind as you get ready for the holidays.

Avoid Lead in Your Lights Lights add a festive touch to our holiday décor, but the string lights that we use to decorate our homes and trees are usually made with PVC, which often contains lead. Exposure to lead dust is especially worrisome for young children, who are most vulnerable, and who may put lights in their mouths.

Look for lead-free lights, and if buying new lights isn’t on this year’s agenda, wear gloves while handling old strands, or at minimum, wash your hands after contact with them.

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Consider Healthier Trees Indoor trees are essential to many families’ holiday traditions, but both artificial and live trees carry some risks. Artificial trees, especially old ones, may contain lead stabilizers, and ingesting lead dust is a concern. When buying a new artificial tree, be certain to buy one manufactured in the USA, as there is less regulation in other countries where trees are often manufactured. If you keep your old tree, make sure that the surrounding area is clean and minimize physical contact. With live trees, buy organic to avoid pesticides.

Rethink Candles While the warm glow of candlelight adds ambiance, burning candles can release harmful chemicals that are respiratory irritants and are linked to cancer -- and fragranced candles often contain even more toxins.

For a healthier glow, choose pure, nontoxic beeswax candles. If it is the holiday scent you love, try boiling cloves and cinnamon sticks on the stove, or hanging fresh organic greenery as a completely natural replacement.

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good for Goodness’ Sake Small Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

|by Megan McCoy Dellecese

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and for many it means one thing: gift giving. The theory behind it is a noble and kind-hearted one. Many holiday shoppers truly enjoy the holiday music, bargain hunting, and intrinsic joy that accompanies finding just the right gift for a beloved recipient. And that’s great.

Often, however, we get caught up in the pressures of finding just the right gift for that finicky relative or spending enough on each person or... well, the list goes on.

Simultaneously, we’re often unaware that the highly stressed, on-edge persona we’re portraying is on full display for our children. We tell them that giving is more important than receiving (and it is), but we’re also showing that it’s all about the presents.

This year, amid the hustle and bustle of finding those wonderful gifts for our loved ones, maybe we should try to incorporate some other small means of giving into our schedules and, in turn, consciousness. Getting our children involved in even one of these “simple acts of giving” on a small scale will impact the givers just as much as the recipients.

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Since time is ultimately the most precious commodity during the holidays, finding just an hour or two to donate is a huge deal. Don’t think that a local organization wouldn’t appreciate it, whether you volunteer at a Salvation Army red kettle for an afternoon, work a church bazaar to benefit needy families, or serve during the busy times at a soup kitchen.

Be sure to turn the activity into a family affair, if age appropriate, and it could become an annual tradition.

Give a little time.

Is your planner absolutely packed? Don’t fret. Keep your radar on the watch for local charitable activities like bake sale to help an animal shelter, a “Stuff the Bus” toy drive, or food drive at your child’s school. Then, while you’re busy making Christmas cookies, toss an extra plate together to drop off for the good of the animals, purchase an extra toy while shopping to help stuff that bus, or grab a few extra canned goods (the ones you’d buy your own family) while grocery shopping to send into school with your young one. Even those small

Give a little extra.

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Small Ways to Give Back donations of a dollar here and there can add up to have a pretty big impact, and children take notice. It takes very little extra time, but helps in unknown, amazing ways.

Sure, this is contradictory to the last point, but hear us out. If you want to give back but are having difficulties making ends meet, especially at this budget-strapped time of year, consider what you’re giving and how much. Look at the gifts that will truly be held in high regard and nix one or two of the “filler” presents (you know the ones). The money you would spend on those items could be put towards a family with no gifts or towards the extra groceries for a family in far greater need than we might imagine. Considering how difficult this time may sometimes be on our own wallets, it’s heartwarming to think that we can loosen up even $5 or $10 to brighten the holiday of someone with absolutely nothing.

Give a little less.

What is one thing any grandparent would love to receive, more than any item on his or her wish list? Hands down, special time with a grandchild. So, wouldn’t it be a wonderful change for the child to be the one who asks for some quality time together (especially from a particular tween or teenager who has suddenly become far too busy)? This doesn’t have to be a holiday gift, necessarily, and can be as simple as a child calling up and requesting a date to make some Christmas cookies together. And, yes, we said “child calling” rather than having Mom or Dad do the contacting or shooting off a quick text.

Give a little love.

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This tip is actually a two-parter.

If you find yourself far too busy to send out holiday cards this year, what if you had your children take the job over? Just think about the heart-touching warmth of a child’s simple message scrolled so carefully to each recipient. (Don’t forget to consider one of our greener options for cardsending, if the green spirit should move you.)

Another meaningful idea is to send greeting cards to soldiers through your local Red Cross chapter or to sick children across the country.

Getting your kids in on creating handmade cards will ensure that the meaning behind the task isn’t lost, too.

Give a little mail.

Whatever small acts you decide to perform during the chaos of gift getting and list checking may simultaneously offer you something unexpected - a gift to yourself and your family of alleviated stress, a lighter heart, and a greater sense of purpose.

Considering how difficult this time may sometimes be on our own wallets, it’s heart-warming to think that we can loosen up even $5 or $10 to brighten the holiday of someone with absolutely nothing.

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Measuremen

Home Organization, To-Do Lists, Meal Planning, Budgeting, & More

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Green Child

Holid 24

d Magazine’s 5th Annual

day Gift Guide 25

gifts for the

Little Ones in our lives Everyday Cotton Pads An organic cotton pad is handy everywhere: your shoulder for spitups, the changing table for accidents, the floor for tummy time, and in the diaper bag for all those moments away from home.

Soft, absorbent, and made of 100% organic cotton, these everyday cotton pads make the perfect gift for new parents. $27 at Piperoos

Organic Chime Rattle Pleasant chime instead of loud rattle? Yes, please! Organic cotton hand-crocheted texture encourages Baby’s sensory development. Plus iPlay indulges your inner hippie with these colorful low-impact dyes. $15 at Amazon

Magica Clutch Toy Encourage clutching & grasping motor skills without the worry of phthalates or toxic paints. Haba’s clutching toy is made in Germany of beech wood & non-toxic water based stain. Balls move securely on the cord for independent play. $14 at Amazon

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Karmama We’d like to spread good Karma... and this deliciously soft organic cotton with every mom & baby we love! Responsibly designed & screen-printed by Minnesota artisans, this one-piece helps support play initiatives at Many Hopes & The Priyanka Foundation. *Adorable meditating baby not included. $23 at Tumblewalla

Use code “GreenChild” for free shipping off your holiday order!

Nurturing Life Giftbox The perfect gift for a new baby (or expectant mom!), the Nurturing Life Giftbox is Motherlove’s complete line celebrating new motherhood! From pregnancy and labor, to breastfeeding and babies, these products nurture mother and baby with certified organic herbs and pure ingredients.

Ideal for the mom looking for only the highest quality, pure, natural products for her child & herself. $60 at Motherlove 27

gifts for the

Little Ones in our lives

Balance Boat Each colorful shape is labeled and fits snugly into its shape slot in the boat. Stand the sturdy boat on its bottom so little ones can stack and balance the chunky shapes on top. $13 at BeginAgainToys

Bamboo Quattro Game It’s Connect 4 without all the plastic! A forest building game of strategy that’s made from a sustainable bamboo forest. Cylinders can also be used for counting & sorting. $26 at Amazon

Treasure Hunt Dive into a deep sea tale with Captain Calamari.

This book features a discovery mirror, crinkle, and plush with bright contrasting colors for visual development. $14 at Amazon

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All-In-One Cloth Diaper TushMate Newborn All-In-One diapers have become so popular, the design is now available in a one-size version. The selfsecured hemp/cotton fabric insert lets you easily adjust the diaper’s absorbency & shorten drying time. High-quality fabrics keep baby comfortable, and these beautiful placement print diapers make a great gift! $26 at TushMate (Shown in Deep Sea Wonders)

“Protect Our Seas” Print Perfect for a nursery or any-aged child’s room, this ocean-themed print starts a great conversation about conservation.

Including 20 reusable marine life stickers with your purchase, the eco-friendly “Protect Our Seas” print offers children education as well as beauty. $49 at Available at Children Inspire Art

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gifts for the

Children in our lives

Electronics Discovery Kit Snap circuits are the safest & most fun way for your child to learn about electricity, motion, & physics. With easy-to-follow instructions on more than 165 projects, young scientists will have hours of entertainment while learning schematics & electronics. $56 at Amazon

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Game!

Uh-oh! The Pigeon wants to drive your bus and it’s up to you to stop him. A great game for encouraging social skills & holding your preschooler’s attention while building concentration, fine motor and strategy skills. $12 at Amazon 30

Insulated Water Bottle Eyla’s has partnered with Eco Vessel and Giving Diapers Giving Hope on this Special Edition “Respect Your Mother” Twist Bottle. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each bottle will be donated to Giving Diapers Giving Hope, a 501c3 cloth diaper lending organization. $30 at Eyla’s & Select Retailers

Groot Science Kit Nurture your child’s green thumb with this happy little version of Groot. Includes sprout & vine seeds. $20 at Amazon

Butterfly Wings Let their imagination soar with these butterfly wings. Easy on & off elastic shoulder straps & finger loops mean your little one can “do it myself ” with ease. Comes with coloring book activity & stickers! $18 at Amazon 31

gifts for the

Children in our lives Mindfulness Starter Kit Recommended by conscious parenting expert, Dr. Shefali Tsabary, the Mindfulness Starter Kit from Inner Rhythm includes 12 simple mindful exercises your child can do each day.

The mindfulness mat encourages her to live in the now. The mind globe helps calm her mind, builds emotional regulation, & can help change impulsive reactions to thoughtful responses. The “Breathe with Me” bear teaches breathing activities to calm the body & mind, stimulate creativity, & improve sleep. $75 at Inner Rhythm

Weaving Loom With projects to choose from and plenty of creative freedom, a loom is great for all ages & skill levels. With its easy-to-use adjustable frame, oversize wooden needle, and generous 91 yards of rainbow yarn, kids can choose to make a scarf, a tasseled coaster, a drawstring pouch, a crafty carryall—or whatever they design themselves! $30 at Amazon

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Colored Cups & Balls Play Set Scoop and pour again and again. Your little one will enjoy picking and placing colored balls into their corresponding cups. Enhance fine motor skills and balance while discussing colors, numbers, and simple volume concepts. Play with peace of mind knowing these certified non-toxic watercolors were lightly sealed with beeswax and jojaba oil. $24 at Mama May I Use code “GREENCHILD� for 20% off your order of $50 or more!

Wooden Tetris Relive your glory days vicariously through your toddler with this colorful, wooden version of Tetris. $15 at Amazon

Playchute Parachute Encourage group play as your little ones create waves, bounce balls, and raise or lower the parachute. Parachute play develops perceptual, cognitive, & motor skills in the most fun and colorful way. $23 at Amazon 33

gifts for the

Big Kids in our lives

Paracord Kit Paracord crafts are a fun and useful trend for teens.

They can make key fobs, jewelry, phone cases, and more. All you need to make a kit is a good how-to book and an assortment of paracord. Book $7 at Amazon & Paracord $7 at Amazon

iTunes Gift Card The teens we surveyed said iTunes money is one of the easiest ways to make their spirits bright. With music, audiobooks, ebooks, movies, & games... this gift can be as unique as your child.

Drumstick Pencils

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Quieter and cheaper than a full sized drum set... and certainly kinder on the neighbors! These sustainably harvested drumstick pencils are fun for future musicians or fidgety hands. $8 at Amazon

Robot Monkey An ideal desk-mate for homework, movie watching, or a friend that won’t talk back.

Monroe Workshop calls this “the perfect gift for the child of cool parents”. This sturdy guy is made from sold maple hardwood (the leftovers from furniture they make) with cotton rope arms & legs. $45 at Monroe Workshop

Dart Board Big kids love games too.

Learn patience and stellar hand-eye coordination... plus get the whole family involved in a game of darts. Housed in a solid oak cabinet, this dart board is made of a highgrade, “self-healing” sisal that looks smooth and lasts for years. $64 at Amazon

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gifts for the

Women in our lives

Water Bottle

Organic Basil Kit

Trust us - she wants one of these statement piece water bottles from Spiritual Gangster. BPAfree & stylish, she can let the world know, “I’m Just Here for the Savasana.” $35 at Spiritual Gangster

This self-watering organic herb kit features a blue vintageinspired mason jar & passive hydroponic system. This yearround indoor planter comes equipped with everything you’ll need to start growing, just add water & place in a sunny window. $20 at Modern Sprout

Oil Diffuser

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If she’s “got an oil for that” she needs a diffuser. From aromatherapy to helping relieve allergies & congestion, diffusing essential oils is one of the simplest steps to a healthy home.

Refreshes & moisturizes the air in rooms up to 250 square feet. $40 at Amazon

Swell Blanket Beautifully made in the USA, the Caroline cotton blanket is comfortably classic with its subtly contrasting stripes. Personalization is available. Each purchase supports adoption with Swell Forever’s adoption grants. Now this is a gift to warm her heart, as well as her toes :) $170 at Swell Forever

The Perfect Pillow A nice, sound sleep is one of the most valuable gifts you can give a mother.

We love Naturepedic’s entire line of organic pillows. Check out the Trio’s customizable, dual action compression with a quilted outer encasement which offers a fluffy cloud-like feeling, and a shredded organic latex core provides comfortable balanced support.

Starting at $49 at Naturepedic

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gifts for the

Men in our lives

Cards Against Humanity It’s all in good fun.. right? This adult card game is perfect for evenings with good friends. To keep the fun going, several expansion packs, in a variety of topics, are available for purchase separately. $25 at Amazon

Beer Greetings When everyone else is bringing wine to the party, he will stand out with craft beer in a clever gift package. Choose your favorite beverage and fill out the attached card with a fun quip or bit of sentiment. $17 at Amazon (Set of 5)

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Heavy Duty Camp Grill Compact for simple travel and durable, this grill makes the perfect gift for a camper. Place it over the flames and poof! $27 at Amazon

Survival Seed Vault Non-GMO, heirloom seeds in an attractive gift set. This means you can safely harvest your seeds & use them year after year. The tin is resealable & great for storing your growing heirloom seed collection. $30 at Amazon

Kayak Fun Give your guy a great way to spend time on the water, exercise, explore an estuary, or even catch fish. Find a twoseater and enjoy nature together! $150+ Check Craigslist or Your Fav Sporting Goods Store 39

gifts for our

Furry Friends All Natural Treats Treat your fur baby with a protein-rich snack that’s free from grains & gluten.

No fillers, by-product meals, artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. Venison for dogs, fish for cats. $12 & up at Amazon

Cat Dream Pod A cozy cat nap for the pampered kitty. Encourage your cat’s instinct to lounge and play in her own space. This Curious Cat Cube is easy to assemble and folds down for storage. $27 at Amazon

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Pet Throw Pillow Make any Dog Mom’s day with this throw pillow.

Or get it in honor of your own dog... he manages to claim all your nice, comfy things anyway, right? $18 at Amazon

Silent Tag Noisy ID tags are loud, can fade over time, and can even harm your pets hearing.

SiliDog tags don’t jingle and are more comfortable for your furry friend. $16 at SiliDog

Catnip Fortune Cookies Will that sliver of sun stay long enough for a nap? With so many uncertainties in your cat’s life, wouldn’t it be nice to give him hope for the future? Filled with farm fresh organic catnip, each felt & fleece fortune cookie comes with a cat-themed fortune. $20 at Uncommon Goods

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thoughtful

Trinkets & Stuffers A

B

C

G

H F

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E

D

A. See Me Settle in. You won’t be able to put it down. $17 at Amazon B. Wimpy Kid Greg’s town goes unplugged! $8 at Amazon C.

Squatchy Soap

Obviously awesome. $9 at Amazon

D. Eco Dough Divide this multi-pack into multiple stockings. $20 at One I Love E.

Peppermint Tea

Mmmmm, cozy! $7 at Amazon

F. S.S. Tea Infuser Stainless steel Mr. Roboto $9 at Amazon G. LED Flashlight Illuminating & rechargeable! $22 at Amazon

I J

H. Bone Bracelet Tibetan Red Yak. OMMMMM $10 at Amazon I. Wings 4 Shoes Give your little one wings... on her shoes! $11 at Amazon J.

Salted Caramels

For those on the Good List! $12 at Theo 43

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How to Wrap Gifts Sustainably As with most things in life, presentation is everything. Green gift giving takes it a step further.

Not only do we give a gift the recipient will enjoy, we make the conscious decision not to create waste.

ficult. Our favorite fabric wrapping expert and author of Wrapagami, Jennifer Playford, shows us just how simple it can be in this tutorial.

An average roll of wrapping paper costs $4, and no one is a fan of throwing money away. That’s why we’ve put together some simple options to save you money and even keep that leftover wrapping paper roll from gathering dust in the closet all year!

Fabric Gift Bags Fabric gift bags are the simplest, easiest solution we’ve found. Just drop the gift inside, pull the drawstring, and tie a bow. For a great DIY project, you can even make your own fabric gift bags.

You can find festive and fun gift bags at VZWraps, and if you’re looking to really (and we mean, really) dress up your gifts, you’ll find plenty of options on our Gorgeously Green Gift Wrapping board on Pinterest.

Recycle & Upcycle Gift Wrap Options Other simple ways to ‘wrap it green’ involve looking for ways to use things you already have.

Furoshiki

Kitchen Style – Wrap your gift in a colorful kitchen towel and tie a bow around it. Oven mitts will also make a nice pocket to slip a gift inside. Aprons are fun, and they already have the strings to tie up the present, and kitchen canisters can hold small gifts in a super cute way.

Furoshiki is an age-old tradition in Japan. It’s the art of wrapping a gift in a beautiful fabric, scarf, or bandana which can be used again and again. Because it looks sophisticated, furoshiki can seem complicated, but it’s actually not dif-

Mason Jars – Not only perfect for edible gifts, mason jars make fun presentation for soaps, art supplies, or other small gifts. Add a bit of fabric or recycled tissue paper, or don’t and let the gift speak for itself.

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Wrap Gifts Sustainably Bucket List – Place gifts inside a small galvanized gardening bucket. Don’t worry about tissue paper or plastic. Just tie a festive ribbon on the handle!

Paper Revisited – Wrapping gifts in newspaper is very practical, but not always appropriate for a nice occasion. Old travel maps or sheet music make a creative presentation with an extra touch of class. If you’ve moved, save the packing paper to wrap a collection of gifts and add simple ribbons for a utilitarian look.

Don’t Toss the Box – December 26th isn’t known as Boxing Day for nothing. Put those leftover boxes to use all year long by wrapping in gift boxes, hat boxes, lunch boxes, tool boxes… you get the idea.

Season-Themed Containers – Make your gifts stand out by placing them in an unexpected seasonal item: lanterns, ice skates, soup tureens, watering cans, or vintage bread boxes.

Bring the Outdoors In – Adding a touch of nature makes your gift extra green and ups

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the decorative factor. Bamboo or banana leaves cover a small gift. Or try a holly leaf, birch bark, or a bird feather to add a natural embellishment.

Tags & Accessories – Save beautiful images from cards to use as a gift tag for the next gift you give. Punch a hole and tie a ribbon to dress up any present. Or try plantable gift tags. Made from paper embedded with seeds, your recipient can just plant the tag and watch it grow. Don’t forget the recycled trinket or ornament to add a splash of color to your gift.

Wrapping Paper You may be surprised at how cool these other options can look, but if nothing else will do but a roll of wrapping paper, choose a sustainable option. Look for a recycled version that isn’t glittery and laminated -- this will help its chances of being recycled after the big day.

There are plenty of companies out there making wrapping papers that are 100% post-consumer fiber, manufactured with wind power, FSC Certified, and carbon neutral.

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Photography by Liza Huber

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|by Liza Huber CEO & Founder of Sage Spoonfulstm

Positively Perfect Pumpkin Bread This Pumpkin Bread is one of my favorite recipes ever! It’s light, moist and incredibly delicious. Perfect for the holidays!

Use organic ingredients whenever possible. Makes 3 mini loaves or 1 big loaf.

Ingredients

Directions

• 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour • 1 cup sugar • 1/2 cup vegetable or coconut oil • 2 eggs - lightly beaten • 1/2 small baking pumpkin - about 10 ounces • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • 1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice • 2/3 cup water

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.

2. Cut the pumpkin in half lengthwise, removing seeds and stringy fibers. Place the pumpkin half on the baking sheet cut side down.

Roast for 40 minutes, or until pumpkin is completely cooked through and very soft. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Scoop the pumpkin out of the skin and place into a large mixing bowl. Blend until smooth using your Sage Baby Puree & Blend immersion blender.

3. Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees.

4. Lightly butter and flour 3 mini loaf pans or 1 large loaf pan.

5. In the bowl with the pureed pumpkin, add the sugar, oil, water and eggs. Mix well to incorporate.

6. In a separate bowl, add the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and pumpkin pie spice. Sift with a fork to incorporate.

7. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to blend.

Do not overmix the batter.

8. Pour the batter evenly into the 3 mini loaf pans or 1 large loaf pan. Place into the oven on the center rack and bake for 35-40 minutes for mini loaves (60 minutes for 1 large loaf), until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes.

9. Enjoy!

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Homemade Strawberry Chia Jam This homemade strawberry jam is so incredibly delicious that you’ll never want to buy jam from the store again. Plus, it only has 3 ingredients! Perfect for everything from PB&J to oatmeal to toast and lots more.

Use organic ingredients whenever possible.

Makes about 10oz

Ingredients • 3 cups of fresh strawberries - washed with green stems removed • 3 tablespoons of agave - plus a little more if desired • 2 heaping tablespoons of chia seeds

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1. Place the strawberries into your food processor and pulse until fairly smooth.

You still want it to be a touch chunky. Better texture for jam.

2. Place the strawberries into a small pot with the agave. Bring to a boil over medium/ medium-high heat and stir well. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes.

3. Add the chia seeds and stir well to combine.

Let simmer for about 15-20 minutes.

4. Remove pan from heat, add more agave if desired, and pour the jam into an airtight container. Place the jars into the fridge and you’re all set!

5. This homemade strawberry jam will stay fresh in the fridge for about 1 week. It will thicken even more in the fridge.

6. Enjoy!

Photography by Liza Huber

Directions

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Inspired Dishes |by Kylah Dobson

Seasonally Nourished

Diary-Free Mac & ‘NO’ Cheese Ingredients: • • • • • • • • •

2 medium sweet potatoes 4 cloves garlic 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ cups cooked white navy or butter beans (about 1 can) ¾ cup nutritional yeast 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt 2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

• 2 – 3 cups unsweetened nut or rice milk (do not use coconut milk) • 4 cups (or one 454 g package) gluten-free macaroni (or your favourite pasta)

(Optional Toppings:)

• Toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds • Fresh herbs; parsley, cilantro, basil • Cherry tomatoes

Directions: 3. When the sweet potato and garlic is 1. Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C. Peel and fully roasted and cooled add it to a high cube sweet potatoes, peel the garlic cloves speed blender or food processor with and place everything on a baking sheet all the remaining ingredients except for coated with 1 tablespoon of the olive the milk. With the motor running, add oil and a pinch of sea salt. Roast about the milk until the desired consistency is 30 minutes or until the garlic and sweet reached: you are looking for a very thick, potatoes are lightly browned. yet pourable, sauce. Add milk until the 2. Set a pot of water on to boil with plenty sauce is smooth, creamy and just the of salt. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dents (al dente works right consistency. best as the pasta tends to absorb a bit 4. Pour the sauce over the pasta and fully of the sauce). Drain and rinse with cold combine. You may want to re-heat the mixture over medium heat for a few water to stop the pasta from cooking minutes before serving. further. Then return to the pot, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the little olive oil, 5. Garnish with optional toppings and enjoy! toss to coat, and set aside.

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Inspired Dishes Raw Gingerbread Bites

(Gluten, Dairy, & Refined sugar free)

Ingredients: • • • • •

1/2 cup almond meal 3/4 cup rolled oats 1 1/4 cups pitted medjool dates 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

• • • •

1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cloves

Directions: 1. Blend the oats in a high speed blender or food processor until it forms a floury meal (resembling the almond meal).

2. Add all remaining ingredients, except for the dates and vanilla, to the oat meal and process until fully combined.

3. Add half of the dates and process until well combined, then add the remaining

dates until you have dough that sticks together.

4. Roll approximately 1 tablespoon of dough at a time in between the palms of your hands to create your raw gingerbread bites. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to two weeks. These also freeze well. Enjoy!

Raw Eggnog Milkshake

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(Dairy & Refined sugar free)

Ingredients:

Directions:

• • • • • • • • •

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until completely smooth. Enjoy!

1 frozen banana 1-2 medjool dates or 1 tbs maple syrup 1 cup milk of choice 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon fresh or ground ginger pinch of nutmeg pinch of turmeric little squeeze of lemon

Optional: Add 1 tablespoons of tahini or almond butter

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Nutritional Nuggets Expert Christina Towle answers your questions!

Question: It is the time of year that my family seems to snuggle with snacks around the television. Either movie night, holiday movies, or football games, we like to gather around fun food. Are there healthy ways to snack that can last through long television sessions without too much damage?

Family screen time is a treat! Finding healthy items you can pick and nosh on throughout a viewing marathon are key ones that aren’t too high in calories, fat, or sugar. Some of my suggestions include: • Veggie Plates with healthy hummus or low-fat, homemade ranch dressing • Oven baked wings • Oven baked cauliflower • Fruit platter • Dark chocolate [70 percent or higher] • Sparkling flavored water and tea • Homemade popcorn with flavored pure olive oil or a little grassfed butter You can snack successfully long-term if it’s the right ingredients. Happy viewing!

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Question: I see a lot of products with marketing claims of “Extra Protein.”

They are more expensive. Should I invest in these?

This has made the news recently. A study found Cheerios “Extra Protein” is not healthier by any means. The results showed that a serving of regular Cheerios contained 6 grams of protein and 2 grams of sugar. A serving of “Extra Protein Cheerios” contained 6.7 grams of protein, but 16 grams of sugar.

When you add or subtract from real food, it always requires processing. Think frozen yogurt: Most have less fat but sometimes triple or quadruple the amount of sugar.

It is easy to be fooled to buy manufactured “extra nutrients.” But if you eat whole foods, they are naturally packaged with your nutrient needs. Or consider getting your “extra protein” from egg with spinach, yogurt, or a handful of nuts.

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#GI

ING TUESDAY

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GIVINGTUESDAY.ORG

TM

guided relaxation

“Peaceful Retreat ”

When you are ready, lie back and get comfortable. Gently close your eyes. Take in a deep breath and feel the air come in so comfortably, so smoothly, and then exhale it out.

Whenever you want to calm yourself, all you have to do is close your eyes and focus on calm breathing. Let’s relax deeper into that calm feeling with this countdown: 5 - relaxed and letting go....

4 - deeper relaxed 3 - letting go of any worries 2 - deeper and deeper relaxed 1 - fully relaxed now and nothing is bothering you Pretend for a moment that you are the wind.

You gentle blow and you comfortably and peacefully glide along.

Along your journey you pick up some leaves that ride with you for a distance. How wonderful to feel the connection to these unique, beautiful leaves, to know you are not separate but that you are one with everything you see. You surround the whole globe as the wind. Sometimes you are strong and others times you are very gentle. Feel your gentle strength now as you calmly blow across the trees and the rich earth.

And now from the wind, imagine changing into a leaf that’s floating on the wind. Feel yourself as a beautiful soft leaf bending back and forth with the wind, riding the wind very far and dancing

with Mellisa Dormoy of Shambala Kids

in the wind. You do this so beautifully; gliding so gracefully. You are letting the wind carry you where it wants too.

Now as the leaf, you turn over and look at the big sky. How large it is. Become the bright blue sky now - the crystal, blue, beautiful sky. You cover the whole earth with your body. The birds are flying inside you and joyously singing their songs. Feel the clouds move within yourself, floating along as brother wind blows them gently. Feel how large and protective you are. You cover everything, protecting the animals and the people. People gaze up at you in wonder to see how magnificent and beautiful you are. Within the sky now, become aware of one particular cloud among the others.

Become that cloud now. Feel the puffiness, the beauty, the lightness of your cloud body. You’re like a big fluffy pillow that everyone wants to rest on! How beautiful you are in all your states, you are part of everything and everything is part of you. Feel yourself as the cloud. Move and change as you want. You feel wonderfully light and happy just floating and dancing around.

Start to slowly drift back down to earth, back down to your bed, becoming your beautiful self once again.

What a beautiful journey we have taken this evening. Now you can open your eyes if you wish, or you can continue your journey on into dreamland.

For more meditations and guided relaxation audios, visit Shambala Kids online.

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Ask Hana Haatainen Caye

Allie writes: Bleach is the only thing that will clean the mold from my shower tiles and grout. I wonder if you could tell me why bleach is bad. Is it a health issue? An environmental issue? Or both??

If it is really something I shouldn’t be using, can you offer some solutions that are healthier but REALLY work?

GG: Yes, Allie, bleach is both a health issue and an environmental one, and its use is banned in many countries.

Bleach can cause skin and eye irritation, along with asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. When combined with ammonia (often by mistake when using various cleaning products at once), the result is a toxic gas. This can create dioxins, which are known carcinogens that are also related to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, diabetes, disorders of the immune system, and more! Additionally, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there are thousands of children poisoned by chlorine bleach

each year. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration) requires all workers to wear masks and gloves whenever working with bleach, which should raise a red flag to anyone using it in their homes.

Environmentally, bleach pollutes our water and soil and seriously impacts wildlife populations.

Natural alternatives to bleach include distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. Steam is another effective eco-friendly alternative.

Spraying a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water on the walls and then scrubbing with baking soda should do the trick.

Alternatively, a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water sprayed liberally on the grout will kill the mildew and mold.

Whether you use bleach or non-toxic options, a little bit of elbow grease is required. At least you won’t need to wear a mask or gloves with the natural cleaning methods above.

Hana Haatainen Caye, is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author of the book Vinegar Fridays, who shares her passion for common sense greener and healthier living.

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Eco friendly house cleaning, gentle body wash cloths, & excellent quality that is hard to find. Online store.

Are you looking for more balance, more time, more vacations and more money? If you are, we need to talk! Contact me to learn how moms are earning MORE!

Click here to learn everything you ever wanted to know about cloth diapers, plus a FREE printable, shareable guide to cloth diapers download!

Protecting our beautiful planet can be fun & fashionable. These frills are a reminder that we can leave the earth a little greener than we found it.

Written by Hana Haatainen Cay, Vinegar Fridays offers tips on how to use vinegar for cleaning, pet care, diet, healthcare, car care, beauty and more.

The perfect guide for greener & healthier living!

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The Parenting Cards offer gentle suggestions for parenting with love & delight. Each card features a unique reminder about compassionate parenting, with a full-color logo on the opposite side.

We carry affordable Natural, Organic, Eco-Friendly products for baby & toddler. Created by a mom, we understand the importance of chemicalfree products for our children and environment.

Imagine using and sharing a product you adore. If you are interested in essential oils, we can help you decide what type of membership will work for you.

Spoiler alert: There are no fees! Click to learn more.

Our mission is to create a global movement fueled by kindness that generates measurable & sustainable change by inspiring individuals to give back, embrace positivity, & incorporate acts of kindness into their daily lives.

Find the cloth diaper that best suits your needs using Cloth Diaper Finder! Select your preferences & budget to find matches culled from over 300 cloth diaper brands & styles. Read user reviews or submit your own.

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$ Shambala Kids & Teens Guided Relaxation programs help children and teens relieve stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and develop a positive mental attitude at school and at home.

Disposable menstrual products often contain harmful toxins. Reusable products made from more natural & less processed materials can provide women with safe options & deep savings!

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@tamp_tamp

Your Green Child

Jace, age 3

Johnny, age 2

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@laurkrug

@ciredot

@kirstiejemma

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