Green Giving: Gift Guide

Time to get your shop on! Why not take this opportunity to buy green this holiday season. As more and more companies go green with their wares it's becoming easier and easier to incorporate earth friendly items into your gift list. Here are 20 gift ideas for you!

For Anyone
Flip & Tumble- Take reusable bags to the next level with these colorful and fun bags that roll up into a ball for easy storage. I've had one for a few years and couldn't love mine more! ps. check out the website for a great how to video

Aquaovo- Double walled Thermo-Bottle you can use for hot & cold beverages

Purely Elizabeth- For the foodie in your life, stuff their stocking with these all natural, super healthy & gluten free mixes. My pick? Blueberry Maple Muffins. Yum! Or pick up this book and start a new trend, The Organic Cook's Bible. Order it used on Amazon for additional green points!

For The Boys
For the boys? Weleda Shaving Cream & After Shave- Cause a smooth face can't be beat

For The Ladies
Alex & Ani Cameo Cocktail Ring- Who doesn't love jewelry? *Search Urban Branches for a Alex & Ani review from last year!

Jurlique- Create your own gift set with their delicious and beautiful looking skin/face/body care products. My vote? Rose Body Lotion & Rose Hand Cream

Novella Royale Hudson Studded Clutch- This recycled leather clutch is a must have for any fashionista in your life

For Kids & Babies
Treat your little one to the ultimate crib sheets from Plover. Can I have them for me please?

Keep your kiddies busy with this Guerilla Art Kit

More to come next week...

Seal The Deal: Sign the Petition

SIGN!!!

(Content from Seal The Deal)

The UN-led Seal the Deal Campaign aims to galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate agreement in Copenhagen in December.

Climate change affects us all. Nine out of every ten disasters recorded are now climate related. Rising temperatures and more frequent floods, droughts and storms affect millions of people’s lives. This is set against a backdrop of financial and food insecurity.

On December 7, governments will gather in Copenhagen, Denmark to respond to one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. The main question will be how protect the planet and create a green economy that will lead to long-term prosperity
Reaching a deal by the time the meeting ends on December 18 will depend not only on complex political negotiations, but also on public pressure from around the globe.

The United Nations has launched “Seal the Deal” campaign that encourages users to sign an online, global petition which will be presented by civil society to governments of the world.

The petition will serve as a reminder that our leaders must negotiate a fair, balanced and effective agreement in Copenhagen, and that they must seal a deal to power green growth, protect our planet and build a more sustainable, prosperous global economy that will benefit all nations and people

THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE: STAMP YOUR VOTE AND SEAL THE DEAL!

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In NYC This Weekend?

If you're in NYC this weekend, here's something you must check out!

South Bronx Food & Film Expo
What: Attend seminars about growing your own food, watch Bronx-made films about urban farming, and devour a vegan lunch.
Why: Locavores unite. (And it’s free, but donations of food and clothing are encouraged.)
When: Sat., noon-5 p.m.
Where: The Point, 940 Garrison Ave., b/t Barretto & Manida Sts., entrance on Manida St., Hunts Point (718-542-4139).

Donate: Cell Phone

Many of you may have a new cell phone on your holiday gift list this year right? Well why not donate your old mobile phone to a good cause. Check out these great ways to donate.

(Content from Planet Green)

1. Help Soldiers Call Home
Cell Phones for Soldiers provides talk time to overseas troops so they can call home. The organization collects old phones, which they send to ReCellular so the used phones can be sold or recycled. Each phone donated buys one hour of talk time for soldiers.

2. Help Victims of Domestic Violence
Two organizations -- the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Shelter Alliance -- collect cell phones to help fund their programs. NCADC works with ReCellular, while Shelter Alliance is a program run by Florida-based GRC Wireless Recycling. You can mail your phone, but check with your local women's shelter to see if you can drop off your cell there.

3. Help Kids Go to Camp
NASCAR's Recycle for Victory cell phone fund benefits the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a NASCAR-themed sleep-away camp for kids with chronic medical conditions or serious illness. Just mail your phone to Recycle for Victory with this pre-paid shipping label.

4. Donate to Your Favorite Charity (Or Plant a Tree)
Flipswap refurbishes and recycles cell phones—and pays you for it or donates the value to your favorite charity. The company also has another program called inStore, which gives credits to people if they trade in their phone when they purchase a new one. And for each phone collected through the inStore service, Flipswap plants a tree.

5. Help A Local Organization
American Cell Phone Drive helps you find local organizations that either refurbish or recycle cell phones to raise funds. Just head to AmericanCellPhoneDrive.org, type in your zip code, and you'll get a list of organizations and drop-off locations. And if there isn't a collection site in your area, you can print off a shipping label to send three or more phones directly to their headquarters.

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Green Tuesday Deals From Ideal Bite!

Cut and Pasted for my readers from my daily Ideal Bite email. Lots and Lots of discount codes for amazing eco-friendly items! Enjoy

* Alex and Ani - recycled accessories and jewelry. Enter the code GoGreen09 during checkout to get 20% off.

* Beekman 1802 - goat milk soaps. Enter the code Bitten during checkout to get 20% off.

* Big Dipper Wax Works - beeswax candles. Enter the code GREENTUESDAY during checkout to get 20% off.

* Blooming Lotus - organic body care products. Enter the code BitersRock during checkout to get 20% off on any order over $40.

* Brilliant Earth - fair-trade gold and diamond jewelry. Enter the code IDEALBITE during checkout to get 20% off its Choco pendant.

* BTC Elements - clothing and things for decking out your home. Enter the code bite09 during checkout to get 25% off plus free shipping.

* Greenloop - eco-fashion. Enter the code Idealbite25 during checkout to get 25% off.

* Greensender - reusable water bottles and commuter coffee mugs that you can personalize. Enter the code GREATBOTTLE during checkout to get 20% off.

* HER Design - eco-friendly handbags. Enter the code IDEAL25 during checkout to get 25% off.

* Laundress - clothing care products. Enter the code idealbite1 during checkout to get 20% off.

* Nau - eco-apparel. Enter the code IDEALBITE during checkout to get 20% off all regularly priced items.

* One Language Label - reusable canvas bags. Enter the code 20green to get 20% off.

* Organic Pharmacy - homeopathics. Enter the code IDEALB to get 20% off.

* Organic Wine Company - organic wine. Enter the code IDEAL during checkout to get 20% off.

* Pact Underwear - organic cotton underwear. Enter the code ib20 during checkout to get 20% off.

* Pangea Organics - organic body care. Enter the code IdealBite09 during checkout to get 30% off.

* Peacock Republic - gifts for snazzing up your bath and home. Enter the code idealbite25 during checkout to get 25% off plus free shipping.

* Seven Planet - eco-boutique with a grab bag of products. Enter the code Idealbite25 during checkout to get 25% off.

* Sust - organic cotton clothing. Enter the code GREEN40 during checkout to get 40% off.

* VivaTerra - home gifts. Enter the code ID09 during checkout to get 20% off.

* Weleda - organic skincare. Enter the code IDEALBITE1 during checkout to get 20% off.

* West Paw Design - pet beds, clothes, and toys. Enter the code ideal2009green during checkout to get 20% off.

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I apologize for not adding links, I wanted to get these codes out to you as soon as possible!

All Wrapped up with a Green Bow

It's the time of year where we give give give, and often that means the earth suffers. There are many ways to enjoy the most cozy time of year while keeping up with your earth friendly habits. Here are some ways to get you started...

*Turn your old incandescent light bulbs into tree ornaments by painting them and stringing them up with lovely colored ribbon.

*Wrap presents in old maps, newspaper, last years calender pics, craft paper you've spruced up with hand stamps or simply use large cloth pieces that can be saved for next year

*Decorate with nature, use berries, twigs, branches, potted plants and pine cones to spruce up your home this season

*Make your own cards with recycled cardboard boxes, cut into shapes or punch holes to hang from gift bags with twine

*Create a wish list and share it with friends & family, hint at items you truly need so you get what you want this year

*Give the gift of food, literally! Give boxes of cookies, jars of jam or hard to find gourmet items that will be a welcome addition to their kitchen

*Give gift cards for things like gas, groceries or other everyday items that you know will be used

More holiday earth friendly tips to come...

Also coming up on Urban Branches, a Kicky Pants baby/kids clothes review, My favorite eco shopping sites and lots more!

Ideas to Reduce Your Trash

I'm always looking for ways to reduce my trash volume, and now with a baby I am produce a whole lot more! Here are some of the ways I try to cut down:

*Use rechargeable batteries
*Reuse my hot coffee holders
*Recycle as much as possible, including taking #5's to my local Whole Foods to be recycled properly
*Saving old jars for candle holders, storage, wine glasses and future baby food containers
*Almost never accept a bag at any store, always bring my own reusable bag
*Bring home trash to recycle instead of tossing (paper receipts, to go containers etc.)
*Never wrap veggies in the bags at the grocery store
*Use cloth napkins and kitchen towels to avoid tossing paper towels & napkins
*Buy in bulk when possible
*Having my junk mail reduced (Check out Precycle)
*Have a leftover night to reduce food waste
*Accept & give baby clothes hand-me-downs
*Trade/Sell or donate

Those are just a few of the ways I make my trash a little smaller in volume...

How do you reduce your trash?

Blog Crush: Poppy Talk

I've got a slew of design & fashion blogs I hit up weekly in addition to my favorite eco-living ones...here's one of my favorites Poppy Talk. And here's some inspiration from their site...

Live in NYC? Here's how to spend a Saturday

Courtesy of my daily Daily Candy email...

Help Feed New York’s Needy
What: Buy a bag of fresh produce and leave it with us to donate to local charities and missions in need. Can’t make it? Help raise money for the Food Bank for New York City.
Why: No one should go hungry.
When: Sat., 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Where: Greenpoint Farmers Market, McCarren Park, Driggs Ave., b/t N. 12th St. & Union Ave.

Eco Mama: The Philosophies & Views Behind My Eco Lifestyle Choices

I want to shed some light on the reasons and philosophies behind my choices and views on eco living. I was raised with a very “back to the land” kind of attitude by my parents, who had met on a biodynamic farm in PA in the 1970’s. Their opinions and choices throughout my childhood have greatly influenced me, and I find myself thinking similar things as they did, with a modern approach. I grew up in rural Maine with a garden, a compost bin, natural fibers such as wool, cotton and silk, and free range to run and play. Any comparison to other friends who claim they had a “hippy-ish” upbringing and I always have come out the victor on that topic. Hey what can I say, I loved being barefoot every summer!
When I discovered I was pregnant, I found myself wanting to pursue a more natural path. I want to support the earth’s natural resources without causing harm to something or somebody. If I wish to change the course of my existence from a major carbon footprint to a semi smallish one, I asked myself where I could truly start. What are the things I am passionate about, and what is easily incorporated into my life? I think those are the first, most important steps; along with education; reading literature supporting new ideas and inspirational ones too. I found that my ideas and philosophies are closely aligned with the ideas of Permaculture. The importance of using and being aware of what the earth’s natural ecosystem provides, and can offer, and the simplicity and awareness it brings to one’s life. “Permaculture blends the concepts of self-sufficiency and living a natural lifestyle. To practice permaculture is to live within the natural bounds of an ecosystem. It is the study of nature and using what is learned to design, build and maintain natural systems that provide life's necessities.” (source)
This is not a trend or phase in my life. It’s a lifestyle I live. I feel enriched and happy because of these choices, and the joy it brings me by sharing them with my fast growing daughter is amazing.

I decided the list is divided into my dreams and what I currently choose to do.
One of my dreams is to have a home built to incorporate the landscape and utilize the outside environment to cool and heat the house. I dream to have a garden to provide me with 75% of my veg/fruits…and flowers to make me happy.
I’ve made the choices to:
- use biodegradable diapers, (Nature Babycare, read the article I wrote
- Natural plant based (no synthetics/chemical components) body products for my daughter (Weleda,(read my Weleda article) and Avalon, Burt’s Bees, Dr. Hauschka and Weleda for myself.
- I use homeopathic remedies before resorting to conventional medicine.
- I use an amber necklace on Siena for teething. It helps release warming calming powers and also is handy for her to bite on.
- I shop at used clothing stores and do a lot of buy-sell-trade with both my clothing and Siena’s. Also by joining a local parent community forum where swapping baby items becomes a breeze…
- I buy 90% organic foods and 100% organic milk,
- I try not to keep packaged items in their excess packing. Translation: when they arrive in my home I immediately remove the packaging and properly recycle it and place the item in a Mason jar or ceramic container I use for storage of most everything. (all bulk foods, tea, coffee etc) But for the most part I re-use my own plastic bags and purchase foods from bulk bins. I recycle the box an item came in immediately. (Like the juicer, the Cuisinart, the blender, coffee maker...You will never use that box again!)
- If I do have to purchase a plastic item I make sure it is BPA free.
- I drop off all my #5 recycles to be turned into toothbrushes and razor handles.
- I say no to plastic bags at the grocery store. And all other stores in fact. Believe me I still get weird looks. Like I need to feel ok walking out of a store with a purchase in a logo bag…what’s the deal with that?!
(*The list doesn’t stop there.)
I do have to admit, I feel overwhelmed by products, packaging and errand-running! I have to make a really strong effort to avoid those things. I constantly ask myself, how am I being an eco person if I …x, y and z.
These are some of the things I follow, along with my opinion and standpoint on medicine (holistic, homeopathic) and child-raising (along the lines of attachment parenting), I find that I am following a very au natural path, one that is less about commodities and more about where I am; my mind and where my energy is flowing to/from, and what directs and/or inhibits it. Am I aware of my daughter’s needs? Movements? Am I attending to her in the cleanest, healthiest, most natural way that I can?
I thank my daughter for coming along and getting me to apply these ideas to life for real and to protect her and myself from synthetics, chemicals and other un-necessary pollutants.
See below for a link to my favorite newsletter.
As always, keep in touch, and do good work,
You NYC Eco mama
Mariah

My favorite daily readings include:Mamabite Newsletter

In this photo I am wearing a Loomstate for Target organic Cotton T-shirt, and Siena is wearing a Hanna Andersson organic cotton sun hat and Hanna Andersson organic cotton wiggle pants. Certified organic by Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which Pottery Barn is now using for all their organic products.

DIY Beauty: Beet Lip Balm

Straight from my email to you -> NYC Bite daily email sent me a lovely DIY recipe for Beet Lip Balm. I've gotta try this! If it works out I may gift this for the holidays...

Beet Lip Gloss
10 minutes; makes 1/2 ounce

What You Need:
(local and organic whenever possible)


* 1 beet (light-colored red beets yield a red shade; darker ones get you a merlot color)
* 3 drops olive oil
* 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
* 1 capsule of vitamin E oil
* Repurposed lip gloss container or pillbox


Directions:

1. Remove beet from stem, wash, and chop into 1-inch pieces.

2. Place chopped beet in microwave-safe container and heat on high for 1 minute until it releases juice.

3. Pour beet juice and the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly (add sugar by the teaspoon until it reaches your desired thickness).

4. Empty the finished blend into a small jar, preferably a repurposed lip gloss container. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 hours to thicken, then apply as you like. It'll keep for 6-8 months.

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An End to Whaling?

The Japanese government is looking to cut spending, and one of the ways they may save millions is by ending the 'Research' Whaling. If you watched Whale Wars on Discovery you know that the term research is used very lightly. The whales fetch quit a large amount of money, in the millions. Finally lack of funds can do something WONDERFUL!

Check out the rest of the article here. Let's hope this happens!

(Image: from article link)

Farm Sanctuary Asks Obama a Question

Farm Sanctuary, one of my favorite organizations is petitioning for the famous pardoned Turkeys be send to Farm Sanctuary to live their life out in comfort instead of being send to Disney where the birds haven't been thriving over the last 4 years. Click the link to sign, it only takes a second!

Here's a cut & paste directly from Farm Sanctuary's site:

Every year at Thanksgiving, the president of the U.S. “pardons” two turkeys, sparing them from a grisly slaughterhouse death. Unfortunately, these turkeys have, for the last four years, been sent to a Disney theme park – either Walt Disney World or Disneyland – where at least half of them have died within one year. Because modern commercially-bred turkeys have been genetically manipulated for decades, they are prone to serious health issues that require specialized care. Disney’s track record shows that it simply is not able to provide the level of care necessary to keep these birds healthy, happy and comfortable for years.

Of course, we at Farm Sanctuary think all turkeys should be pardoned, and since 1986 our Adopt-A-Turkey Project has saved the lives of countless turkeys and encouraged millions of people to participate in a new compassionate Thanksgiving tradition by adopting a turkey instead of eating one. We believe that if President Barack Obama wishes to make a show of magnanimity by sparing two turkeys, those turkeys should be given real refuge and not be shuttled to an amusement park to be displayed as attractions while they await premature death.

By sending the pardoned turkeys to Farm Sanctuary’s shelter in Watkins Glen, New York, President Obama can send a clear message that farm animals are not merely props for a photo op but sentient creatures who deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity. Please sign our petition today, and help bring this year’s “pardoned” turkeys to the “happiest place on earth” for farm animals.

We must submit our petition by November 20 to be heard in time, so please sign now and ask all your friends, family and co-workers to do the same!

(Image: Farm Sanctuary)

Eco-Mama: The Simple Life {Review}

I picked up these sweet pair of shoes for Siena this past weekend. Simple shoes, recycled, vegan and washable! all with elastic laces and non-marking, non-skid soles. And the biggest bonus, she LOVES them!

* The Toddler's Doodle is a washable earth friendly suede shoe. The suede is from an eco-certified tannery (BLC/ISO 14001)
* Soft and fuzzy certified organic cotton fleece lining. Organic cotton comes from non-genetically modified seeds and is grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides
* The soles are made of natural, non marking rubber
* Only the finest sustainable shoes for the little one in your life
* Washable!! Whoohoo
* Recycled PET and natural latex elastic laces with user friendly pull toggle. PET is made of recycled soda bottles
* The foot form inserts are made of post consumer recycled paper
* Even our boxes are environmentally friendly – made of post-consumer recycled paper, soy based printing ink, natural latex and starch based glue
* Each size has a different animal on the box. Collect them all! Woof woof
* Contains natural latex. Latex is tapped from a tree like maple syrup..."
(info directly sourced from the simple shoes website)

"Experts in color theory say that purple nurtures the development of the imagination, which would be of great value to you as you tone and firm your devotional impulses.."

(source: Rob Brezny's Astrology Newletter for this week Pisces, Image)

My Eco-Lifestyle Boutique To Be

As many of you may know it has been a dream of mine to open a eco-lifestyle boutique! While the plan is to open a physical space in Brooklyn, I plan on opening up shop online first. Having Juliette has made me realize I've gotta take baby steps.

I am reaching out to my lovely readers to find out what YOU would like to see for sale, what would you buy?

I am planning on having household items, cleaners, candles, decor and such along with baby, skin & body care, literature and hopefully some men's and women's items. Please send me your thoughts, you're favorite brands, they can be eco-friendly, a small company you'd love to share with me, local to the NY area or simply a favorite product from a company that gives back to the community.

I am so excited to get this underway, it's going to be overwhelming, exciting and a dream come true!

xLindsay

Blog Crush: Oh Happy Day

(Image: Oh happy day)