green kids
Slim Chips Are Not The Answer
Today as I was hanging out with my boyfriend goes “Remember when eating paper was okay, because you were a kid, and you also ate paste?” (Hmm… No honey, actually I don’t.) “I found flavored paper chips online today”. What? Yes, that’s right: paper, as food. And I’m not talking about the “McDonalds is made out of paper” scenario. The intent of this item is really to market paper, to be eaten, as paper. It’s a little different from the Sunchips biodegradable bag approach.
Brought to you by HAF®
, of Hafsteinn Juliusson, comes Slim Chips. Hafsteinn Juliusson is most well known for their growing jewelry, which features rings and necklaces with live moss as the focal point. I’ll admit that I love the rings. They’re the right blend of nature and fashion for me. However, the chips, I just can’t get behind.
Peppermint, Blueberry, and Sweet Potato. I’m not really sure who decided on the three flavors they would develop, but those are them, The flavors, at least, are organic. According to their website, Slim Chips contain no calories, and “instead of getting fat you can now eat paper with different flavors”. I have to say I really think this is not a habit we want to cultivate in our children, or anyone for that matter. Typically paper is made from a combination of chemicals and pulp. › Continue reading
Eco-Tips For Mom
Get more plants. Plants within our homes help increase air quality and help us get rid of toxins lurking in our air. Some of the best plants for improving air quality are Chinese Evergreen, Peace Lily, and English Ivy. For the best air quality, a good rule of thumb is one plant per 1,000 square feet of home. Check out the toxin removing indoor plant guide and the Andrea plant air filter.
Use a clothesline. Cut your energy bill down by using a clothesline. Don’t let apartment life hold you back. Nowadays places like Urban Clothes Lines and Breeze Dryer sell indoor and outdoor drying racks which are perfect for those of us with cramped spaces.
Wash only full loads. You can save energy and money but only running loads of laundry or dishes that are full. Also, you can use less detergent. As a society we tend to over-use rather than under-use detergent. Don’t forget that detergent is highly concentrated so it often works better when you use less.
Stop using chlorine based bleach. Chlorine can be harmful to the respiratory, reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems. Although using it with water as a disinfectant isn’t usually harmful, when mixed with other chemicals chlorine can create toxic substances. Stick to oxygen bleach if possible. A few good brands I’d swear by are Biokleen , and Ecos.
Use a crock-pot. Crock-pots use less energy without sacrificing nutritional content, and are super easy to use. Use them to save yourself time and energy by starting them before you head off for your day or before you go to sleep.
Use recycled toilet paper. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, if every household in the United States replaced one virgin roll with one 100% recycled roll of toilet paper, we could save 423,900 trees. That’s only one roll: Imagine if families completely switched to 100% recycled toilet paper.
Eco-Friendly Slot Cars for Older Kids
Adults shouldn’t have the only eco-friendly fun. Green toys and eco-friendly stuffed animals are quite common for babies and little kids, but what about the older kids? Race in a Case portable slot cars of course!
Slot cars have always been one of my favorites, and while I doubt they use that much energy to begin with, these don’t use any at all! Similar to those crank flashlights, the more you crank, the faster they go around the track. With enough racing (and cranking), maybe your kids will grow up to be professional arm wrestlers!
Tottini – Design For Modern Green Kids
Seattle moms Melissa Maffei and Melissa Van Flandern both have a passion for the simplicity and beauty of modern design which is wholly apparent when you step into their children’s furnishing store Tottini. Brimming with bright colors and interesting shapes, your children will instantly fall in love with everything in the store, and you will appreciate the clean modern design.
Surrounded by fresh children’s products with sustainable green design, recycled content and modern eco-chic simplicity and materials, Tottini is the place for green kids (and their parents). Art and design take center stage at this children’s furnishings boutique, products and furnishings are well designed with clean modern lines. Most toys and furnishings are made from organic cotton, sustainable wood, bamboo and recycled plastics- but lack nothing in the fun department.
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