It’s tough not to get bogged down by new organic clothing lines these days. As with anything else green, just because it’s organic doesn’t make it worthwhile to buy. But, Baltimore-based organic clothing company Uglyfish Organics is anything but ugly - in fact, I was blown away by the rockin’-themed designs, earthy colors, and empowering approach. Mom and entrepreneur Seema Reza began Uglyfish with the idea that “All great people start small,” and ran with it. Uglyfish’s designs are simple yet unique and if I may say, wicked awesome. They come in either Pima cotton or hemp/cotton blends with nonreactive dyes. My girls have been wearing the skirts nonstop - girly yet functional, they have three pockets that are definitely stuffed full by the time we come home. Each piece of clothing comes with a hangtag shaped like a musical note, and made from seeds. Soak it, plant it, and you have your own little wildflower garden.

This week, I’m so psyched to be giving away four complete outfits, one each to four winners. If you win, choose which tee shirts and skirt/shorts combo you think best matches your child - it’s not easy! Just leave a comment here with an answer to this question - which Uglyfish tee do you think your kids would rock out in? This contest will run until next Thursday, May 8th, at midnight PST. And for everyone as well, Uglyfish is offering 20% off its Spring/Summer collection! Just type in the word “teensygreen” at checkout. And, shipping is always free! Good luck!

This contest is now closed!  Thanks to everyone for entering! 

I have to admit, I’m having a bit of green burnout these past couple of weeks (if you couldn’t already tell from my lack of postings). Aside from my internet being down right smack in the middle of Earth Week, I’ve just felt my topics to be a bit repetitive lately. Also, all of a sudden every PR firm from NY to LA is sending me emails about this green product and that green event, whether it pertains to kids or not. So, needless to say, it’s been a bit hectic. When I finally started to get out from under the mass emails, I opened one with the subject “something a bit different”. As a skeptic, I skimmed it. Then I read it again. And, voila, here I am writing about it. What is it, you’re wondering? What could have possibly gotten my tired fingers typing again?

See this very tall, very in-shape woman? Her name is Colleen Smith - she’s a six foot six inch, professional volleyball player who has taken the initiative to help kids learn about climate change and going green. I love what Colleen is doing for two reasons - one, she’s using her celebrity to promote green initiatives; but she’s also inspiring kids to be active and get their bodies moving. She uses her height for education by wearing a temporary tattoo of a wave at her one meter mark (right at her bathing suit), to start a conversation with kids about rising sea levels due to global warming, and engages them about being proactive about helping the Earth. And what kid wouldn’t want to talk to someone who is probably the tallest person they’ve ever met? Colleen is also working on making changes at volleyball tournaments, such as sponsoring recycling bins and replacing paper cups for players with more responsible ones.

For your other sports enthusiasts, here’s a great article about more sports celebs doing good for the planet. Thanks to Steve Crandall for your email about Colleen - and for getting me back to the keyboard!

Happy Belated Earth Day! Of course, it would happen that my computer/internet would give out on me on the official “greenest” day of the year. I looked at it as having my carbon footprint reduced just a touch…

But, time to get back to business! A couple of weeks ago, Amazon.com launched “Amazon Green: Your Green 3″, an interactive community of eco-conscious consumers who share their most favorite three green products. This can be anything - from books to lightbulbs, shampoo to bikes, baby gear to home goods - anything from Amazon’s website. This is NOT as easy as it looks, for me anyway. Who can choose one product over another? It’s all about what’s important to YOU, as a parent, consumer, builder, or just a human being. There are also discussion pages, FAQs about green products, and a running list of the most voted on products.

So, what’s your “Green 3″? When you search for a green product through the Amazon Green search engine, you can vote for it from the page. If you don’t mind commenting here after you vote, I would love to see what you choose. I’ll of course let you all know when I make my official vote as well. Remember, in order for your Green 3 votes to count, you must have an Amazon.com account (and signed in), have made a purchase on Amazon, and have a Pen Name associated with it (which you create when you pick your first product). And, if you’re wondering about Amazon’s commitment to the environment, here’s a great FAQ section about how they are reducing packaging waste, saving energy, and overall keeping eco-consumers in mind.

I love when large companies think outside the eco-box - it’s surprising and refreshing. I think the last time I wore Timberland boots were in the early 90s at sleepaway camp, when “Tims” waterproof boots (we had a different name for them, but this is a G-rated blog) were all the rage for the rain and mud. What a pleasant surprise when I found out they’ve launched an eco-line of shoes for men and women, called Earthkeepers, and take a strong stance of corporate responsibility towards the environment and human rights.

Timberland may feature a lot of leather items, but they’re making an effort to balance it out. Last October, when Earthkeepers was launched, an ad campaign with large billboards was featured around Boston and Providence. Now, the billboards have been recycled into reusable tote bags that are waterproof, sturdy, roomy, and all around awesome. I’ve been trying mine out with library books (and with my girls, that’s many, many books), the beach, and gymnastics gear. It’s a great bag, and I’m happy to be able to give away one bag each to five winners this week! These bags are only available at Timberland stores for $25, and they’re limited edition, so you can be sure that you’ll be carrying an eco-bag that most people won’t have.

Rules stay the same - leave a comment here with an answer to this question: what would you put into your Timberland billboard tote? This giveaway will be open until next Thursday, April 24th at midnight PST. Please remember that comments are moderated, so they won’t show up immediately, unless you enter while I’m glued to my computer (which is very likely). Good luck!

Thanks to Erica for all your help!

This contest is now closed!  Thanks to everyone for entering, winners will be announced soon! 

We’re getting ready for Passover this week, which isn’t as easy as it may seem. We’re cleaning, donating, separating, trying to bring in this important holiday as fresh as possible. Passover, which this year falls from Saturday, April 19th through Sunday, April 27th, is the ultimate celebration of Spring. Getting ready for Passover means literally upending your house, and having a green Passover is a great way to welcome Spring into your home. Here are some general tips to greening your home, and holiday -

• Cleaning with eco-products, such as Mrs. Meyers, Seventh Generation, or homemade concoctions to clean and disinfect, especially your kitchen (the idea being to remove every last crumb from every last surface before Passover begins)
• Buying meat and produce from local sources, such as farmer’s markets - and organic, whenever possible
• Using regular dishes instead of disposable ones during the seders, to cut down on waste
• Get creative with leftovers! Passover dinners can easily turn into great lunches the next afternoon

If you’re looking for more inspiration, The Jew and the Carrot provides a wealth of information regarding food (for Passover and in general) and sustainability. For Passover, find sustainable seder menus, a kosher organic wine list, and many other resources. PETA also has a wonderful article called “Celebrate a Compassionate Passover” with many vegetarian recipes and resources, and why going veggie benefits the earth and animals.  Happy Passover!

Washington State and Oregon happen to be two of my most favorite states to visit, although I never ever get out there anymore. As a greenie, it’s amazing to see all of the incredible products and ideas for kids and families coming from these areas. They’re almost like ground zero for green living. If you live there, lucky you. Enjoy these sure to be inspiring Earth Day events. Hi Ben and Sio!

Oregon

Portland - The City Repair Project, an all-volunteer grassroots organization around Oregon, is throwing a huge “Dance of the Dinosaur” Earth Day extravaganza at Overlook Park in North Portland. With three stages of entertainment, and over 150 booths, I’d say this is the place to be!

Starting at various locations around Portland - Ride your Bike to Overlook Park with BikeEarthDay organized riding groups!

Silverton - Earth Day at The Oregon Garden and their “Green Footprints” theme - what a perfect place to spend a day with the Earth!

Portland - Join the “Party for the Planet” at the Oregon Zoo, focusing on climate change and their Year of the Polar Bear exhibit. Stay for the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival!

Dorena - Cedar Creek Botanicals is hosting an Herb Walk for Earth Day - enjoy natural (and wild herbs) on 10 acres!

Lincoln City - This two day event focuses on global warming solutions, and will include live music, informative lectures, face painting, and ooh, fire dancers!

Washington State

Various locations around Washington State - This is THE RESOURCE for Earth Day events around Washington State. Events include wildlife events, park appreciation and clean up events, film fests…you name, you can find it!

Seattle - The “Global to Local” Earth Day Benefit celebrates local citizens doing extraordinary work for the environment. Tickets are $25.

Many thanks to Jillian, who so graciously emailed me a list of goings-on around Minneapolis, a place I’ve never been to but know they love to be green.  Email me if you know of events in your area!

Various locations around Minneapolis - Join in on the 14th Annual Earth Day Watershed Clean up at one of the 36 parks in the Minneapolis area!

Minneapolis Recycle Run 5K - Spring is finally here, so get out and run off some of your winter blues! There’s also a Kid’s half-mile run. First 500 who register get a ticket to a Twins game!

St. Louis Park - Celebrate Earth Day with a festival featuring local green organizations, and a kid’s concert with “KidPower with Rachael” environmentally-based music and fun!

Duluth - The University of Minnesota’s Earth Club is hosting their 3rd annual “Earth Think” Earth Fest at Lief Erickon Park.

Como Park Zoo - Celebrate the opening of the new Children’s Gallery with the “Party for the Planet”.  Learn about recycling, water gardens, and how to lower energy consumption, or just enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.

There’s so much going on in the city that never sleep for Earth Day, I probably missed a lot. Check local papers for more information…but here’s what I found scouring the web. Most events are April 19th and 20th, and are free and open to the public!

Various - Search the New York State Parks database for Earth Day information at a park near you!

New York City - “Earth Day New York” at Grand Central Station looks like it’s going to be larger than life. With giant earth images hanging from the gigantic rafters and a weekend-long indoor and outdoor fair, it’s a great place to spend Earth Day with the family.

New York City - the Earth Day Celebration in Central Park urges you to bring a blanket and stay a while. There’s going to be a concert, planting classes, kid’s crafts, tree tours, even recycled material instrument making!

New York City, East Harlem - Join JetBlue Airways and New York Restoration Project for the “One Thing That’s Green” project of planting trees around this eclectic neighborhood.

Fort Greene, Brooklyn - NYC’s first “eco-eatery,” Habana Outpost, celebrates Earth Day is going all out with their Earth Day Expo, featuring red worm composting, a recycled art show, beekeeping classes, arts and crafts, and plenty of shopping.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn - Earth Week at the Audubon Center will feature a different earth theme each day, including nature crafts, tree walks, bird talks, films, and more.

South Bronx - the GetGreen Earth Fest on Saturday, April 19th from 12-4pm at St. Mary’s Park will raise environmental awareness mixed with the spirit of the South Bronx, including dancing and a music competition. For more details, call 718.533.5291

Westchester (Valhalla) - Westchester’s Earth Day Celebration at the Kensico Dam includes live music, cell phone recycling centers, alternative fuel car displays, kid’s activities, and park clean-up volunteering. Check out Westchester’s other events around the county throughout the month of April.

Rye - the Rye Nature Center is hosting an Earth Day celebration with workshops, a nature poetry hike, nature crafts, and a kid’s art show.

As one of the greenest states in the US, California will be living it up this Earth Day, with expos, clean-ups, and parties for everyone. Check to see if there are events going on in your area…

San Francisco Zoo - join the wildest Earth Day party at the San Francisco Zoo for the “Party for the Planet”. Eco-exhibits mix with fun animal awareness activites for kids who love to mingle with nature.

San Francisco - McLaren Park - “Nature in the City” is a free celebration that will transform the park into an ecological classroom!

Napa Valley - “Earth Day Napa” will feature tree planting, kids yoga, solar power demonstrations, kite building, and more.

Los Angeles and San Diego - the traveling Green Living Expo will be in Cali for Earth month. One of the most comprehensive green Expos out there, check out their Green Kids section, as well as featured exhibitors for health and beauty, green building, and an eco-fashion show.

San Bernadino - the Earth Day Fair and Expo 2008 is encouraging participants to “Build Green Habits” with hands on activities, electric go karts, wellness seminars, and organic food.

Santa Cruz - celebrate Earth Day at the Farmer’s Market, or take a bird walk at Neary Lagoon!

Sacramento - get some exercise on Earth Day at the Earth, Water, Air, and Soil Foundation’s Earth Day 5k/10k run and walk, for children and adults! Stay after for lunch and the river clean-up.

Rocklin - Environmental Education and Exotic Wildlife Rescue Center is hosting a Children’s Earth Day celebration featuring the earth friendly “Toy Laboratory,” food and games!

Dos Lagos in Corona - the second annual Green Valley Earth Festival will feature live music, a children’s art theater, face painting, and a Green Career Day.

Pacific Palisades - various events throughout the month of April, including classes on sustainable gardening and eating.

Santa Margarita - meet local farmers at the Earth Day Food and Wine Festival!

Roseville - “Celebrate the Earth” is a joint venture between the City of Roseville, Dry Creek Conservancy, Placer Nature Center and Sierra College to promote a sustainable future.

Hayward - Earth Day Festival, with a children’s art contest and creek clean-up.

Various locations - California State Parks Foundation is hosting clean-up and other volunteer opportunities on April 19th. Check here to find a park near you to volunteer!

As a self-professed book nerd, ‘green’ books can be both fascinating and highly informative. Unfortunately, too many of them say the same things, for a too-general audience, and give very basic, watered down advice. Not so with a book I have been referencing and carrying around with me for the past couple of weeks. Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World by Diane MacEachern, is an invaluable guide not only to going and staying green, but how to do it wisely and without breaking your wallet. More important, it’s an empowering look at the influence of women’s spending (MacEachern estimates that “women spend .85 cents of every dollar in the marketplace”), and how we can use this clout to sway the market to providing healthier, greener products and services for our families. MacEachern, a renowned environmental writer and public speaker, launched Big Green Purse in 2007, and has been a forerunner in green education. Her comfortable writing and engaging, timely topics makes greening your family and home lively and, dare I say, worry free.

In Big Green Purse, MacEachern examines a variety of topics, with eco-alternatives, label explanations, and what goes on under her own roof. MacEachern explains what organic really means, and how to shop for sustainable food; “Car Talk,” or, advice on saving gas; even the best coffee, tea, and chocolate products on the market. A distinct difference from other go-green books (and something I feel needs to be stressed even more than opening up your wallet) are the addresses and phone numbers of companies not holding up to sustainable promises, encouraging readers to make some noise and let big business know changes need to be made! Be sure to sign up for “Purse Alerts” on the website to have tips and tricks delivered to your mailbox so you don’t miss a green beat.

This week, I am super excited to give away not ONE, not TWO, but FIVE COPIES of Big Green Purse to my loyal readers. Leave a comment here with an answer to the following - what would you consider to be your most important green shopping principle? This giveaway will be open until next Friday, April 11th at midnight, PST. And be sure to sign up at Hot Moms Club and join the teensygreen group, for a more in-depth discussion of the principles behind Big Green Purse. I look forward to seeing you there and hearing what you have to say about spending green! Good luck!

This contest is now closed!  Thank you all so much for your wonderful responses - congrats to all the winners!  I hope you can all get a chance to take a look at this great book and add it to your green library…