My family and I will be off this week, celebrating Rosh Hashana. We hope everyone has a wonderful week, and if you celebrate the Jewish New Year, have a sweet, peaceful and healthy one to come! I’ll see you all Friday with a great giveaway and posts about our trip. Don’t forget to check out my other homes, 5 Minutes for Going Green and Filter For Good, to get your eco-fix this week!

All best,

Stefani

I don’t know about you, but it’s going to be baby city in my world shortly. Not from me, but I have a good number of friends adding to their family, and I’ve been on a gift hunt to prep for all the little ones! Since one of my favorite things to write about are shops and products from parents just like us, how excited was I to find Olive and Bean, a beautiful green store to help get kids off to a great start!

Olive and Bean’s brick and mortar store in Las Vegas (of all places, and Amen!) is chock full of eco-modern products for babies and toddlers, including such brands as Dwell (linens), Spot on Square (furniture), Erbaviva (skincare) and Pediped (shoes). The on-line shop is vibrant and so much fun to browse, with both practical and whimsical gifts. I think it’s an amazing spot to find the perfect baby gift - categories are broken down not only by product, but how much you want to spend. I have my eye on these adorable, non-gendered soft blocks by QCollection Junior for a few of the babies my friends are having this fall and winter!

Click around and pick your favs! This week, Olive and Bean is generously giving away three gift certificate for three winners! Two gift certificates are for $50, and one is for $25. Please leave a comment here with an answer to this - what would buy with your Olive and Bean gift certificate? Winners will be chosen at random. This contest will be open until next Friday, October 3rd at midnight, PST. Good luck!

This contest is now closed! Thanks so much for participating!

While trying to decide for the millionth time if I’m supporting a bad habit by buying Starbucks coffee, I found this little square of paper in a handy container sitting near the cash register. Titled the GOOD Sheet, this one-sheet is Starbuck’s latest attempt to bring a little green into stores with a whole lotta waste. Through collaboration with GOOD Magazine/Blog, these quickie reads are part of a series of “graphical explorations of some of the major issues facing us this election season and beyond”. You can also subscribe to GOOD for one year at your price ($1 and up), with all the money going to charity.

So, is it worth picking the strategically placed paper up? The Good Sheet is not all about eco, although it is only one sheet of 45-50% post-consumer recycled 28 lb. newsprint, with the carbon emissions from printing and distribution offset. The first issue, all about CO2 and global warming, is a basic primer about the issues, causes, and solutions, full of pie charts, statistics and cool graphics. This week, The Good Sheet features a bleak picture of health care. The latest issue, out now, tackles immigration.

I want to applaud Starbucks for putting these issues on paper literally in people’s faces, probably when they’re only thinking about their first sip of coffee. And I love GOOD magazine, both on the website and in hard copy - it’s informative, thought-provoking and has a modern, snarky pulse. On the other hand, you can go right to The GOOD Sheet on-line, weekly, without having to bring another piece of paper home.

I’m just saying.

In the “If it’s not one thing, it’s another” category, Jeremiah from Z Recommends alerted me to this very upsetting yet important info that needs to be shared. At the beginning of September, Z Recs received a horrifying email from a reader regarding a sore which ultimately turned into chemical burn on an infant. The mother stated that the injury, on the baby’s back, was clearly traced to the tagless label from the Carter’s pajamas the child wore to sleep.

Upon learning this, Z Recs went into investigation mode and did some digging into the manufacturing of these labels. Apparently, the tagless tags can be made from two materials - one, a phthalate-containing PVC, and the other, a “solventborne polyurethane that is post cured via a catalyst,” and may include formaldehyde. If the labels are not sealed properly, the chemicals can leach and harm children’s skin. After their initial investigation, Z Recs believes the tags are not limited to Carter’s, but Circo (from Target) and Gerber as well. The Carter’s clothing seems to come from their Fall 2007 line, but now the investigation is broadening into 2008 clothing.

The entire backstory from Z Recs initial report can be found here, and there’s a follow up post here. Without paraphrasing the entire article, Carter’s is getting involved by offering to take back clothing that has harmed children. From Z Recs:

“If your child gets a rash or lesion, call Carter’s at 888-782-9548. Then call the CPSC to report the problem at their hotline number: 800-638-2772. Then email us photos and some information so that we can reference it when dealing with Carter’s and the CPSC and reporting accurately on this issue.”

You can also email me at stefani@teensygreen.com with photos or questions. And please, pass the word around about this very serious issue!

Photo courtesy of Z Recommends

Bottled water is getting a backlash, and consumers are starting to listen. Were you as shocked as I was to learn that Disani and Aquafina’s water was nothing more than purified tap water? Even if you’ve been recycling your bottled water, many people do not - over 38 billion plastic bottles of water were sent to landfills last year, and the energy used to make them can be put towards much more important uses, such as powering homes!

But do you really know what’s in your tap water? Reports in the past few months have highlighted the concern of pharmaceuticals in local water supplies, and environmental watchdog Environmental Working Group published a report back in 2005 regarding 140 contaminants with “no enforceable limits” in the nation’s water supply. In fact, EWG wants you to see for yourself what might be contaminating your water supply, with their National Tap Water Quality Database. Their water supply finder allows you to type in your zip code, find your water plant, and unfortunately, see for yourself how your water has been contaminated from as far back as 1998. It’s not a pretty sight.

Brita, the household name in filtration systems for your home, and the reusable bottle company Nalgene have recently launched the Filter For Good campaign, helping consumers jump start a switch to filtered water at home and on the go with reusable bottles. Learn the facts, get a coupon for a Brita product, and take the pledge to see how many bottles in your community are being saved from landfills. They’ve also just introduced their blog this week, which I’m so happy to be a part of! I’ll be posting each Tuesday, often branching outside of parenting topics.  My five blogging colleagues include green LA girl, Citizen of the Month, Blake Makes, Whoorl, and Melting Mama - check them out and then read all their green perspectives on Filter For Good!

I love love love the Fall season for books. When I worked in publishing, the push for big books after the lazy summer season brought energy and excitement to our office, and my reading queue! This Fall, there’s definitely no shortage for eco-based books for kids. Here’s what I’ve found to bring green reading to your child’s library:

Planet Earth Gets Well by Madeline Kaplan (BookSurge Publishing) - First time author Kaplan takes on global warming in a unique and sensitive way - through the eyes of mother and child. This time, however, Earth is the child, suffering from a runny nose (ice caps) and a fever (global warming). How are we going to help Earth feel better? Mother Nature encourages people to nurture the Earth instead of taking advantage of it, and being more conscious about their actions.

By personifying the Earth, children can relate much better to its concerns and solutions. The friendly illustrations speak volumes to kids, and they’ll take a lot away from this whimsical yet grounding book.

Little Green Books (Simon and Shuster) -  S&S is making a wonderful commitment to green education through their Little Green Books series. These easy to read, well-priced books focus on very specific aspects of the environment, which is great for not overwhelming kids when teaching them about sensitive subjects. Titles such as The Polar Bears’ Home: A Story about Global Warming is geared towards kids ages four and up, and are paperbacks made from recycled paper with soy ink. The adorable Little Panda and “Little Monkey” books for younger kids are cloth books made from 50% recycled materials, and are machine washable! There will be more Little Green Books published about recycling, gardening and endangered animals from now until next Spring, so keep checking back with your bookseller!

Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel (Worthwhile Books) - My husband saw this book and had to get it, probably because we’re big recyclers. My girls, however, love Michael for his silly colander-hat and ability to fly through the clouds. This is a fun book about a lazy town whose garbage is about to reach the moon! Michael swoops in and teaches them how to separate trash and reuse materials so they won’t be buried under their trash. There’s also a great resource guide to recycling, reminders about how easy it is to help save the planet, superhero or not!

10 Things I Can Do To Help My World by Melanie Walsh (Candlewick Press) - My girls love this book for it’s simplicity and interactivity. Walsh takes ten very doable tasks that kids can take on to become very responsible earthkeepers, such as turning the water off when brushing their teeth, or using both sides of a piece of doodling paper. The modern illustrating and kid-centric writing makes this a wonderful library addition for kids ages 4-8.

This week, I have THREE copies of Planet Earth Gets Well for three lucky readers! In addition to the book, Eco-Libris will plant a tree to balance out the books printed (and yes, all the books are printed on post-consumer recycled paper). Leave a comment here with answer to this - how do you help Planet Earth get well? This contest will be open until next Tuesday, September 23rd at midnight. Good luck, and happy reading!

Happy Monday! I don’t know about you, but I need a weekend from my weekend. With school in full swing, I’ve been trying to let my daughters unwind on the weekends, meaning, spending time with family, lots of reading and hanging out. But downtimes comes with some, um, bickering so to speak, and all of a sudden I’m looking for ways to get OUT of the house. Since it’s still blazing hot here, if you’re not in the pool you’re out of luck. So, I’ve been searching for an alternative way to spend an afternoon out without having to trek to a museum we’ve been to many, many, many times.

Enter Baby Loves Disco, THE dance party for kids ages six months through seven years, their friends, parents, family, anyone who wants to come to party and let loose. Baby Loves Disco is set up in hip clubs usually reserved for big people, but it’s totally kid friendly - they outfit the club with bubble machines, a “chill out” room, healthy snacks and diaper changing stations. While a real DJ spins real music (NO BARNEY OR WIGGLES ALLOWED), your kids get some great exercise while you get to share in the fun. And who doesn’t love shake their booty on a Saturday afternoon?!

I was beyond thrilled to find out that BLD finally started up near me, in Fort Lauderdale. Check out their Locations section to see if BLD is coming to a city near you, and to buy tickets. They also feature great independent companies, environmental causes and local businesses on their site, so click around before you come out, jump up and get down!

The holiday of Rosh Hashana, or the Jewish New Year, is rapidly approaching. My girls are already learning about the traditions of this joyous time of year. And, of course, they’re learning all about the food. That’s right, it’s almost time to really EAT!

Rosh Hashana, like every holiday, has food-based traditions, including dipping apples in honey (to signify a sweet New Year) and round challahs instead of braided challahs (round challah signifies the cycle of the year). The most fun aspect of Rosh Hashana for kids is the “new fruit” rule, or the tradition of tasting new fruits for a new year. My three year old told me that this week, her class has already taste-tested and recorded no less than five new fruits in class. Here’s a list of what her preschool class has been sampling:

Apples - Ok, these are not new to most kids, but it never hurts to remind people about this wonderful fruit. Colorful, crunchy and with endless cooking possibilities, apples are many kids (and adults!) favorite food. Apples also represent Fall, and since moving to a warm climate, I miss this season most of all. Cooking and being around apples reminds me of the wonderful weather “up North,” and I’ve been able to pass stories to my girls about being a kid myself! Any apple cake recipe will be a big hit for Rosh Hashanah!

Pomegranate - We typically eat pomegranate seeds on the second night of the holiday, which is technically the first day of the new year. The seeds represent the first “new fruit” of the year. If you’ve been following food trends, pomegranate juice is high in antioxidants and is great for heart health. Check out many recipes for pomegranates and have fun with them! Since you can actually eat the seeds, it’s better to give pomegranate to older children who can chew them well.

Starfruit - Kids love this fruit because of the shape after you slice it. Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidents, starfruit is a little tough to eat raw, but it’s sweetness makes up for it. You can juice and cook starfruit, but we think they’re great for making pretty salads.

Mango - We eat a lot of mango, but since we’ve been in a smoothie phase these days, I’ve been buying them frozen so they blend well. My husband can eat multiple mangoes in one sitting, and I love watching the girls get mango-messy in summertime, right before they wash it all off in the pool or ocean. Mangoes are sweet, colorful, and full of vitamins. The site the kitchn has amazing mango recipes to try with your kids, including this mango salsa that takes more like dessert!

Passionfruit - Out of all the fruits my daughter tried, passionfruit was her least favorite (and I have to admit, it’s not one of my favs either). Usually juiced, passionfruit pulp is kind of tough to get to, and it has many unedible seeds to contend with. Passionfruit is full of fiber and is worth trying out in smoothies or mixed juices. If you’re feeling really adventurous, try this amazing looking passionfruit cheesecake recipe!

What new foods will you or your family be trying this year?

Can we talk about something gross for a minute? BOTH my daughters, who attend different schools, came home from school with letters that a child in their class was sent home with lice. Aside from having to explain to them what lice is actually is - and then deal with them trying to come to terms with it (”You mean BUGS can live on your HEAD?”), I myself bugged out and had to check and recheck their heads. I still have nit-nightmares for the one time I had lice - my mom making me stand in the bathtub, pouring the foul-smelling, burning solution on my head and picking away until I almost passed out.

Thankfully, we have this Lice Good-bye kit from Fairy Tales Hair Care, just in case.  Before an outbreak occurs, the Rosemary Repel line of shampoo, conditioner, detangler and gel helps protect your child’s hair and scalp naturally. Pure oils such as rosemary, tea tree and lavender have antiseptic qualities that repel lice from settling in to little scalps. In case of an outbreak, their Lice Good-Bye mousse is an organic, pesticide-free shampoo that helps dissolve nits without the burning and, let’s face it, torture that comes with getting those suckers out! The kit also comes with a Terminator Metal Lice Comb, the leading nit-remover on the market. A worthwhile investment for anyone with kids!

One tip: Lice love clean hair, so make sure you DON’T wash your child’s hair every day. Sounds crazy, but if keeping your kid’s hair buggy-free means keeping it semi-dirty for a day, I’m all for it!

So, you’ve donated your kid’s Crocs, and are probably as happy as I am that they’ve sort of faded into the background of trendiness. One of my priorities is to make sure my kid’s closets don’t get overloaded with junk, and clothes and shoes are included. Every couple of months I take stock of what might be building up. Shoes seem to fall into two camps - they’re either worn out until unrecognizable, or they are sized weird and don’t fit after a few weeks.

I actually found Soles4Souls through a random email from the Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic shoe website Piperlime, an exclusive partner. Soles4Souls has distributed over 3 million shoes worldwide, and partners with various retailers across the US to collect shoes and promote their efforts. This includes disaster relief both nationally and internationally, in orphanages, shelters, and disadvantaged areas. It’s worth a quick look through not only your kid’s closets, but yours as well! You can donate gently used or new shoes several ways. Through Piperlime, you can mail shoes in to

Soles4Souls Inc./Piperlime, 315 Airport Road, Roanoke, AL 36274

You can also plug in your address here, to find S4S drop boxes within your area. These are for individual donations, so if you have a boxful of shoes, it’s better to send them via mail. Soles4Souls will send you a tax deductible receipt for your charitable, an amazingly worthwhile donation!