A Green Surprise from Citrus Lane

I love surprises...the good kind. There is something exhilarating about opening a package of unknown wonders. No matter how big or small the box, I cannot wait to open and see what's inside. Subscription boxes certainly afford that excitement over and over again. Whatever the contents and whoever it's for, I've realized that subscription boxes are so much fun.

Freecycle Helps Me Stay Green

A green lifestyle isn't always about using eco-friendly products, although it certainly helps. It can be about reducing your consumption of natural resources or reducing your footprint on the planet by minimizing trash disposal. Two years ago, I posted about swap sites. Swap sites are online sites where you can exchange things you no longer want or need for something you do. For example, if you no longer need your maternity clothes and are looking for baby stuff, check out swap sites. Have a stack of CDs or video games you no longer play, check out swap sites.

Tegu Revolutionizes the Wooden Car with Dart

I did not grow up with a lot of toys. My kids, on the other hand, are fortunate to be able to play not just with a variety of toys, but with incredibly innovative ones. By far, one of the favorite toys I've discovered is by Tegu. I love these wooden blocks - they're magnetic. 

Mia Mariu Mineral Cosmetics

I don't often wear make up, especially after Little B was born. Since giving birth, I've been looking at natural cosmetics. I am very careful about what I put on the baby's skin, why shouldn't I put on the same effort for myself. I opted for mineral based cosmetics and found Mia Mariu.

A Naturally Clean Wash with TotLogic

I enjoy finding new products for the whole family, especially ones that are eco-friendly. I know that at some point I have to stop buying or trying new personal care products, but I just can't help myself. You know what I mean - You see a new natural shampoo or organic body wash on the market and wonder how it will compare to your favorite brand. The kids recently tried totlogic® and I really liked it.

Creating Art With eco-kids® Finger Paint

The first time Big B took a Parent and Me art class, the teacher brought out homemade playdough. She gave the recipe out to interested parents and I took one. I made one batch that lasted a long time. Since then, I have been on the lookout for natural art supplies. Given that toddlers (end even preschoolers) put things in their mouths, I wanted to make sure that if my kids put something non edible in their mouth, that it was at least safe. For parents looking for safe, non-toxic, natural art supplies, look no further than eco-kids®.

Melissa and Doug® Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

Wooden toys are the perfect Christmas gift. Why? Aside from being eco-friendly, they foster a child's imagination. There are no bells and whistle that drive parents crazy, no need for batteries that will clutter the landfill, and they are durable, usually outlasting their plastic counterparts. Big B's first wooden toys were puzzles given to him for his first birthday. He absolutely loved them. Soon after that, I was addicted to them myself.

BeginAgain™ Eco-friendly Dinosaur Puzzle

As the holidays inch closer, malls get busier and stress levels rise. This year, my holiday gift guide focuses on gifts that do more than just amuse and entertain. The theme for my guide is Introducing Green to Others. In the next couple of weeks, I will be featuring gifts that are fun and engaging for kids, and most importantly, create eco-consciousness for the gift giver and parents alike.

Unjunk Halloween with UNREAL™ Candies

I love chocolate. I adore chocolate in any form: candies, bars, fondue, cakes, brownies. It's really the only type of candy I will eat. Tomorrow is halloween and I have no doubt that there will be lots of chocolate candies in our house. In the past, I've handed out organic lollipops. I'll be switching it up this year and handing out bite-sized chocolates instead.

Why I Love My Soybu® Eco-friendly Yoga Capri

Yoga calms me. It's something that brings me a lot of joy and pain. For those who think that yoga is merely stretching, well, they haven't taken a class. The instructor for my first formal class, unbeknownst to me, has a reputation for giving strenuous sessions. I was so sore the next day, but I went back, and kept taking classes. I have not taken formal classes in a while but hope to someday return.

Yoga Paws® Travel Yoga Mat. Have You Tried It? - Yoga Awareness

Last month was National Yoga Awareness Month and I am just now posting about it. (Yes, I'm still working on that dissertation.) As a new practitioner, I am willing to try products to enhance my experience; mainly those that help with my sweaty palms. I overlay a towel on my yoga mat in hopes of sticking a pose and not slipping. For the most part, it works. I've recently discovered a product that is even be better than a yoga towel and I'm very excited about it.

KINeSYS Sunscreen: Sun Protection Beyond Summer - Sun Safety Series

Although most of us have prolonged sun exposure during the summer months, sun protection should not be limited to June through September. Parts of our bodies still get exposed to the sun's UV the rest of the year, so it's definitely a good idea to keep sun safety in our minds. Even if we are not directly under the sun, several surfaces do reflect UV.

Eco-friendly Disaster Kit for Baby (National Preparedness Month)

In preparation for National Preparedness Month, I've had to make several emergency kits for our family. I'm really glad that this is an annual campaign since our family circumstances have changed since last year. This year, we have a baby who's needs we have to take into consideration for our emergency kit. In addition to our standard disaster kit, I have prepared one specifically for Little B.

My Son's Obsession With Firetrucks

As Big B gets older, it's getting harder and harder to find eco-friendly toys for him that he will still be interested in. Non eco-friendly toys are ubiquitous and he is exposed to them at stores, friends' homes, and school. Now, I know I'm just being controlling and it seems like I have something against non eco-friendly toys (which I don't, by the way), but what's wrong with trying to find good quality toys that's not only fun but good for the environment?

KOKO Insulated Fashion Lunch Bag Review (Waste-free Lunch Series)

Packing lunch has become such a fashion statement today. No longer are we limited to brown paper bags, boxy coolers, or nylon lunchboxes. Now, we can tote our lunch in cute and trendy bags that offer the same functionality as their predecessors. In continuing with my waste-free lunch series, I highlight a reusable bag for moms on-the-go.

Baby Shower Gift Ideas: Etsy Finds

While browsing through Etsy, and I could spend so much time on that site, I found some items that would make great baby shower gifts for mamas (new and veteran). As a second-time mom, I thought I had everything I needed for the new baby. I thought I had figured out what worked for us as parents in raising an infant through preschooler, and what products just collected dust or eventually ended up in a box in the garage. It turns out, there are tons of products out there that I have yet to discover. A couple of these gift ideas may seem like they are only for the crunchy mama, but not so. I think these gift ideas are pretty universal, not to mention cute. So here they are, my favorite baby shower gift ideas á la Etsy. Mind you this is not an exhaustive list, just the start.

Newman's Own® Organics Snacks Review

Consumers know that organic products such as produce, snacks, clothes, etc. are better. Why? Some find comfort in knowing that what they are putting in, and on, their body is all natural and free of pesticides or chemicals. Those who are eco-conscious like that organic products are grown with the earth in mind; grown with methods that conserve resource and reduce pollution. Organic snacks are not just good for the earth, but good for the tastebuds.

Barefoot Books Review (Celebrate the Earth)

Teaching my children about our planet and living green is important to me. In addition to being a model of green living, I use books to educate my preschooler about our planet, the organisms thriving on it, and the importance of taking care of it. He loves to read. Every night he always asks for an extra book or two during story time. To celebrate Earth Day, I wanted to focus our reading material on Earth. Thanks to Barefoot Books, I was able to do just that. 

Engage Green® NYC Messenger Review (Celebrate the Earth)

While in search for a new work bag for my husband, I steered towards something eco-friendly. His only criterion was that it is a messenger bag. It did not matter to him the brand or material, providing it is functional, durable, and didn't break the bank. For me, if it were made from recycled materials, it was an even better find. I don't remember what keywords I used, but I came across Engage Green®.

Earth's Berries Soap Nuts Review (Celebrate the Earth)

I don't remember how I came across soap nuts, perhaps from another eco-friendly blogger or while doing research for washing cloth diapers. I did more research and wanted to try them as they are a natural detergent. I was definitely intrigued. Indigenous to Asia, soapnuts, or soapberry, grow on trees. They apparently have a natural surfactant, called saponin, which foams when added to water. Soap nuts have many uses outside of household cleaning such as insecticide, medicine, and ornaments.