Buying Green: The Fiber of My Being

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for my review. All opinions are my own.
Do you like to knit, crochet, or do other fiber arts? The Fiber of My Being is a great eco-friendly option for sourcing your yarns and fibers. The founder has a love for spinning fiber and rescuing animals, and discovered a way to put them together. She also puts use to recycled pulled silk in some of her products.
I love the idea of buying from her for several reasons. First, she's a mom-and-pop shop, and that's always important to support, in my opinion. Secondly, she's working for a humane cause - rescuing animals. Finally, she's got a very "green product" that makes use of natural and recycled elements. And if those weren't enough reasons, the yarn is great quality! The colors are beautiful, mine came exactly as pictured on the website, and the texture was very soft. It will make a lovely blanket (I think that's what we'll do with it). Plus, it came with a nice postcard with a photo of one of her fiber rescue animals, which was fun to use as a teaching tool for my daughter. Check out the Fiber of My Being store to see all the available products and colors - and she's willing to custom-dye as well.

Buying Green: Coyuchi

Coyuchi, the first company to bring 100% organic cotton bedding to the United States and the ultimate in eco-luxury, has just launched its Spring 2013 Nursery and Baby Collection. These new baby items offer a fresh update to the existing Coyuchi Baby Collection, and are meant to create a nursery as beautiful, soothing and natural as the rest of your home.

 

As with all of the company’s textiles, Coyuchi Baby items are made from all natural and organic materials, produced with natural fibers, and free of the toxic dies, bleaches and finishes used in conventional textiles.

 

These adorable Baby and Nursery products offer style and comfort along with the peace of mind knowing that your child is surrounded in the highest quality bedding, free of harmful chemicals or pesticides.

 

Buying Green: Noodle & Boo and Kiss My Face

I recently had a chance to try out Noodle and Boo Bouncing Baby Bubbles and Kiss My Face Orange U Smart Detangler. I love the chance to try out products that work and are safe for my kids. 

Noodle and Boo products do not contain questionable ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, and dyes. Packaging is recyclable, and products are nontoxic, biodegradable, and use sustainable plant-based ingredients. They also refrain from all animal testing. They have a complete line of baby products, as well as products for moms and almost moms. The bubble bath lathered well, which is what my girls care about! Noodle and Boo products are available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Von Maur, and NoodleandBoo.com.

The part of bathtime that's hardest on my girls is combing their hair. Most of the time it's fine, but if there's a stubborn snarl (which happens a lot in winter with hats on and off heads), then it's a struggle. The detangler was amazing. I sprayed a little bit on a particularly bad rat's nest, and it combed out very easily. Kiss My Face products are natural and cruelty-free. They use plant-based ingredients and the highest post-consumer recyclable content possible. They can be purchased at kissmyface.com, co-ops and natural foods stores, Target, REI, and many other shops (use the online store locator to find one near you).

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to faciliate this review. All opinions are my own.

Buying Green: Lanolin for Breastfeeding

If you're nursing, especially at the beginning, you may have problems with dry, cracked, sore nipples. My first child didn't latch properly and nursed very frequently for only a few minutes at a time, which made my nipples very raw. Lanolin was a lifesaver. And it's safe for babies, too, so you don't have to wash your chest before nursing. Ameda ComfortLan (available at Babies R Us, Amazon, and on the Ameda website) is made without fragrance, preservatives, or additives. Simply apply a thin layer after nursing to help nourish and protect your skin.

Buying Green: Chipotle Apparel

If you've never eaten at a Chipotle Mexican Grill, I think you're missing out on some tasty burritos. Warning, though - they are huge! One of my favorite things about the restaurant is their focus on Food with Integrity and responsible agriculture, including local ingredients when possible, sustainably raised plants and animals. They're taking that same focus into apparel.

Chipotle Mexican Grill’s online web store offers Chipotle-branded apparel and merchandise made with eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, sustainably harvested wood and recycled billboards. You can get T-shirts, hoodies, baby onesies, tote bags, skate decks, water bottles, and more. Chipotle is working together with Loomstate, because both food and clothing ultimately start from the same place, the farm. The partnership is a joint commitment to environmental and social responsibility, with a focus on the highest standards in the ingredients both Chipotle and Loomstate use, the materials they source, and their methods of production. 

I got one of the  kids' t-shirts to review. It's very soft and lightweight - it will be a perfect summer shirt. I picked the "grow row" which does have a logo on the front, but you can also get cute shirts that just have a small logo on the arm, or ones that are even more obviously from Chipotle. Either way, the apparel is USA-made and organic cotton, both very strong reasons to purchase. And the prices are very fair for organic cotton apparel!

Disclosure: I got a complimentary t-shirt to facilitate this review. 

Buying Green: PVC Free School Supplies

As if there wasn't enough to worry about with kids, now more awareness is being raised about the dangers of PVC in school supplies. Shopping for PVC-free school supplies is important for children's health as an investigation conducted by the Center for Health Environment & Justice found toxic phthalates in 80% of children's back-to-school supplies we tested. Click the image to find a handy guide to help you avoid PVC.

Buying Green: Seabuck Wonders

I recently had the chance to try a selection of products from Seabuck Wonders that's made not from flaxseed or fish (two typical sources of omega-3) but from the Sea Buckthorn. The berry oil contains omega-7, a fatty acid that occurs in the skin and helps the skin heal itself. It's also 100% organic and 100% pure, using only the oil. Not only does it contain omega 7, it also has vitamin E and beta-carotene. And the oil is versatile - it can be used directly on the skin or hair or in skin and care products.

Some other "green" benefits -  the facial cream and body lotion is paraben-free, with 100% natural ingredients, and comes in biodegradable packaging. It can be purchased online or in select health foods stores (use the where to purchase section of the site to find locations near you).

The softgels are the easy to use, because that's how most people take supplements. The oils worked well mixed into yogurt.

Disclosure: I received complimentary products from Seabuck Wonders to facilitate this post.

Saving Green/Caring Causes: New Chapter

New Chapter whole food vitamins is running a great promotion right now: the Offer of Gratitude. For everyone who visits the New Chapter Facebook page and redeems the $4 coupon available there, they'll donate $4 to the charity of your choice: Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, Non-GMO Project, Monte Verde Conservation League, Sacred Seeds, or Bumi Sehat Foundation International. New Chapter products are sold, at co-ops, GNC, Whole Foods, and other health foods stores. You can also find New Chapter at Amazon.com

New Chapter products are non-GMO verified and certified organic, which makes them a great option for people looking for natural health products.

Disclosure: I will receive a New Chapter product as a thank-you for this post.

Buying Green: BBQ Tips from Green Bride Guide

There’s nothing quite like having a barbeque to celebrate the Fourth of July. Gather your friends, get the BBQ fired up, the drinks on ice and enjoy the celebration knowing you are making this year's outdoor gathering eco-friendly. The Green Bride Guide has a few ideas to make your Independence Day gathering Red, White and Green! The Green Bride Guide - the nation’s No. 1 green wedding resource - offers five innovative ideas to make your BBQ party eco-friendly.

Susty Party sources products that are non-toxic, dishwasher safe, 100% recycled, and BPA, phtalate, and melamime-free. Reuse these products hundreds of times without breakage or warping. Some people have reported using their On the Go set for four years and counting! Check out our Wedding Shop for more sustainable party ware!
Reusable Recycled Plastic Cutlery Set (24 Pieces)

10" Large Reusable Recycled Blue Plastic Plates (Pack of 8)

7" Small Reusable Recycled Blue Plastic Plates (Pack of 10)

Reusable Independence Day Theme Eco Banner

These tree-free durable paper banners are water resistant, designed for indoor or outdoor use, and reusable year after year. Each banner consists of bleach-free TerraSkin material, printed with environmentally friendly non-toxic inks. Choose from either the Liberty or Liberty Dots color scheme.

Eco-Friendly Independence Day Theme Party Kit

Host a Fourth of July reception in style with shades of red, natural and blue party kits complete with the following biodegradable, compostable products:

20 Red, natural, and blue 7" Starch Plates

20 Red, natural, and blue 10" Starch Plates

20 Red, natural, and blue Starch Bowls

50 PLA Knifes, 50 PLA Forks, 50 PLA Spoons 

100 of our 16 ounce PLA cups 

1 Reusable red, white, and blue Eco-banner

2 oz. Compostable Bagasse Taster Cups

Bagasse material is a fibrous byproduct from sugarcane stalks, and is durable and non-toxic. These mini taster cups are perfect for passing out samples. Use them as a dipping dish, or fill them with scoops of ice cream!

8 oz. Compostable Bagasse Star Stamped Cups

These star cups are hand-stamped in Brooklyn, NY. 

Set of 50 8-ounce white cups.  

Visit our Wedding Shop for more great sustainable party ideas!

About Green Bride Guide™

The Green Bride Guide has everything you need to plan a green wedding. The site is the leading resource for eco-friendly wedding ideas, product and services. The Green Bride Guide directory has over 1,500 green wedding service providers, such as restaurants that serve local, organic food and limousine companies that use hybrid vehicles. Its Green Wedding Shop has a large selection of eco-friendly wedding invitations, favors, and reception decor and the site's Green Wedding Gift Shop & Registry has over a thousand home goods hand selected for their quality and environmental savings. For further information visit www.greenbrideguide.com.

Buying Green: Farmers' Markets

Farmers' Markets can be a great resource for locally-grown produce and other products. While the foo dmay not be technically organic, most farmers are happy to talk to you about their farming methods. The prices are often lower than organic at grocery stores, and you know that there's less fossil fuels being used to get the veggies to you.

There are other benefits of farmers' markets as well. You can often find quirky and fun products, and you know you're getting fresh in-season produce. If you want to make sure you have the best selection, go early in the morning - on the other hand, if you're a bargain-seeker, go later in the day, since sometimes you can get deals so farmers don't need to take things home. And talk to the vendors. They'll be able to give you tips on storage and cooking so you don't waste any part of the plant that can be eaten. Plus, you can rest assured knowing you're helping to support the local economy with no middlemen.

Giveaway: Beyond Coastal Sunscreen

I'm hosting a giveaway over at Motherhood Moment of Beyond Coastal sunscreen products. Beyond Coastal products are produced without parabens or petroleum. They have natural formulas that are also highly rated by the EWG, biodegradable, cruelty free, and reef safe. If you're interested, check out the giveaway!

Disclosure: I received Beyond Coastal products to facilitate the review and giveaway post.

Buying Green: Green Chance

Green Chance provides many exclusive eco-friendly gifts for home and office. here are a few they're highlighting for the coming season!

1.) First Electric Table/Heater in One – (standard and bar-height options)

GreenChance has partnered with Danish-based Mensa Heating to be the exclusive distributor throughout the U.S. and Canada of the first eco-friendly, electric radiant table/heater – that combines a table and outdoor heater into a single concept – optimizing outdoor space, dramatically reducing operating costs and cutting harmful emissions. The award-winning Vireoo (Latin for “I am green”) is safe to touch, the most environmentally-friendly heater on the market and helps extend the outdoor season with deep, uniform heat that warms from the legs up. The tables cost 40 times less to operate than a comparable outdoor gas heater and are much safer (see photo at URL above of baby touching one), less maintenance, etc. Pricing for the tables starts at $495, plus $80 to $150 for the tabletop. This is the only product like this in the U.S. They’re popular in Europe and just now being introduced here by GreenChance. GreenChance also offer the first bar-height, integrated electric table/heater called the Statio, which is Latin for "standing."

2.) Cordless Lights from “The Ritz” in London

NEOZ high-end, energy efficient cordless lights are now being sold exclusively in North America through GreenChance.net and their LA showroom. Ninety countries worldwide from “The Ritz Hotel” in London to “The Burj Al Arab” in Dubai use the lights, and now they are available in the U.S. and Canada. The lights provide up to 260 hours of lighting on a single charge. They start at $329 and increase based on the lamp, recharging and battery options. NEOZ lamps are easy to use and with the touch of a button you can choose between 5 settings to create your desired ambiance, from a candle flicker up to 20 times brighter than a candle-bright enough to read menus while maintaining intimacy. The lamps are a safer and brighter solution than candles, as the lamps will not blow out in the wind, will not emit smoke, odor or have wax spills. They are designed for long life as they are made with the highest quality components and materials, are recyclable and are fully serviceable which has made the name NEOZ synonymous with reliable, durable, rechargeable lights.

3.) Infrared Heating for Home or Office

The Heatscope infrared heater, distributed by GreenChance in the U.S. and manufactured by Munich Home Systems, provides elegant, sleek and long-lasting radiant heat, transforming indoor and outdoor areas into cozy, pleasant environments. Produced in Germany, the devices provide warmth without the red light emitted by traditional infrared heaters. Heatscope units can be subtly incorporated into a variety of business and residential settings as they are easy to install, do not require any gas lines and create a warm inviting atmosphere perfect for enjoying an outdoor patio in fall or spring. The elegant dark radiator is sleek and an efficient solution for heating outdoor environments such as patios, courtyards and outdoor smoking areas during the cooler months. There are 3 size options available. The smallest unit, MHS-1500 is $975, MHS-2400 is $1155 and the MHS-3200 is $1395. Heatscope heats directly, similar to the beams of sunlight, by permeating the air and warming bodies. The device creates a warm ambient climate with minimal heat loss even on cooler days and the curved ribbed front of the Heatscope unit ensures optimal heat distribution.

Buying Green: Teddy Needs a Bath

Do you have a bunch of stuffed animals that need a facelift, but aren't sure how to wash them? Teddy Needs a Bath is an eco-conscious company that strives for recyclability and has made a product perfect for washing those cuddle friends. There are clear directions on the website, and it says it's appropriate even for those that say surface wash only (note, if it says surface wash because there are electronics inside, then it still should only be surface wash unless you can complete remove all electronic parts).

For more information, find Teddy Needs a Bath on Facebook.

Green Kids: Rubbabu Toys

Rubbabu Toys are environmentally friendly, made of rubber foam but without killing any trees. They're stylish, antimicrobial, and foster imagination. There are cars and vehicles, puzzles, balls, and a lot more. If you're looking for a unique toy, check them out!

Disclosure: Affiliate link used.