Hi there! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We’ve had nasty colds floating around our house, but thankfully everyone is (almost) back to normal. I thought I’d theme this weekend’s reading selections around the beginning of Lent. This was inspired by my good friend Katherine, who unfortunately can’t read this because she gave up the internet for Lent. I used to think Lent was about giving up cookies or other vices (at least, that’s what my friends made it seem to me), but in this day and age, I can definitely think of more global ways to “give up to gain” aspects of our day. Here’s a selection of inspiring articles to help your Lent be more fruitful.

The Daily Green gives us nine eco-based ways to make Lent more meaningful while helping the planet at the same time. Some of the suggestions, such as giving up bottled water (by using tap/filtered water with reusable bottles) or bringing resuable bags to the supermarket, are definitely doable any time of year. Being conscious about it for Easter season is a great starting point for the rest of the year!

Bishops in London have urged Brits to go on a “carbon fast” this Lent season. By removing one light bulb or turning your computer off every night (instead of leaving it on standby), you can be more aware of your energy efficiency and the impact it can have overall.

Have you read about the “eco-nuns” of New York City? The nuns of St. Hilda’s House are preparing their new eco-convent in West Harlem. Rooftop gardens, an abundance of skylights and recycled materials for the buildings are all a part of this wonderfully sustainable church and convent that will make a great impact on their community as well.

For more suggestions about how to go green for Lent, check out Green Lent!

What will you be giving up for Lent?

It’s almost the big V-Day! We’re not big on presents and flowers, but cards are a different story. Now that my girls are older and can sit doing a longer craft, we got a little messier and more productive! Here’s how we made our Valentine’s Day cards this year -

*Paint a heavier stock paper with tempera paint. My older daughter made an intricate pattern of hearts, and my little one just smeared colors everywhere. Either way, they get cut up into cool cards. Make sure the paper is completely covered. Let dry overnight.

*Measure your envelope, and cut the paper into cards - either like a postcard with two sides, or a fold-over card (we did the folded card, for maximum decorating).

* Color, write, sticker, or decorate however you like!

I used envelopes from an awesome shop on Etsy called nowvember. She uses recycled band flyers from her neighborhood to make these totally original “rockvelopes” (see above photo). My kids loved picking out which envelope to use for which card. And since they don’t come with adhesive, they used even more stickers to make sure the cards arrive in one piece!

And if you’re still making cards, or need inspiration, here are more homemade ideas from around the web:

*Readymade Magazine’s Lunch-Hour Love Letters lets you justify a raid of your office supply closet! Make Valentine notes with index cards, paper clips, printer paper, rubber stamps, and more.

*Origami is a great way to get little kid’s hands moving creatively. Origami Club, our go-to site for everything paper folding, has an entire page devoted to origami hearts and baskets for small notes or gifts. They range from easy to advanced, so younger kids can feel like they’re folding like champs! Origami Club also provides animation, for those who need extra help.

*Surprise your child with a lunch note. I usually put stickers in my daughter’s lunchbox, but these printable Lunchbox Lovenotes from Parents Magazine are too adorable. Great to use with used printer paper you may have otherwise thrown out. Because, kids don’t care what’s on the other side!

Chanukah begins on Sunday night! For eight days and nights, Jewish families worldwide will celebrate the wonderous story of Judah and the Maccabees, and recreate the miracle of the little jug of oil that was supposed to burn for one day, instead lasting for eight days and nights.

Jewish Treats, the blog for the National Jewish Outreach Program, asked yesterday, “Chanukah - What’s the Mitzvah?” (mitzvah is a good deed. )While we’re supposed to be merry and eat yummy, fattening foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and jelly doughnuts fried in oil, lighting Chanukah candles is the most important aspect. Not only are we obligated to light candles on the menorah for eight nights, but we’re supposed to publicize it as well. This is why we’re taught to leave our menorahs in a window, where someone from the outside can see it and share in the beauty and glow of the candles.

Last year, a bit of controversy arose from burning Chanukah candles. A group who called themselves “Green Hanukkia” were asking people to burn one less candle for Chanukah. They stated that, since one candle burns about 15 grams of carbon dioxide (a tiny amount on it’s own), collectively it creates a significant  CO2 release. Let’s just say that the idea of compromising the most important part of Chanukah did not sit well with many people - and while I’ve tried to search for this group’s efforts this season, I have not been able to find any sign of them.

Green Hanukkia did spark something, however - how can one make Chanukah greener regarding candles? One way to green your Chanukah is to use beeswax candles instead of regular paraffin wax - they burn cleaner and come from a renewable energy source. I asked my six year-old daughter about the candle controversy yesterday, since she’s been eating and sleeping Chanukah for weeks. What about an electric menorah? Wouldn’t that be easier? I knew the answer was no, since you’re essentially replacing CO2 with wasting energy from the plug-in version. She explained it a different way, and very clearly. An electric menorah is not valid for Chanukah (my words), and that you’re not “doing Chanukah the right way” (her words) if you don’t burn candles. So there!

There are many other ways to make your Chanukah more sustainable, while still basking in the glow of holiday. GreenYour, a wonderful new eco-site, has a thorough and truly inspiring article about greening Chanukah, from composting dinner to presents to yes, the candles. While I don’t agree with everything they feature (I believe that Chanukah bushes are in no way part of the Chanukah celebration, for example), it’s a great resource for rounding out your Chanukah celebrations.

As much as I adore LeapFrog’s products, they are admittedly, not very green (aside from the cute green color, but you know what I mean). Encased in plastic, with no known method for recycling (so far as my research has taken me), it didn’t take me long to find a green twist to this enormously popular toy.

Not every toy my kids have is eco-friendly, although we try much harder now to make very conscious decisions about what we (and what we can influence) other people to buy for them. As they get older, the gadgety stuff is tougher to get away from, but for things like art products, blocks, dolls and more, there couldn’t be a better time to be a kid these days!

For battery operated toys, rechargeable batteries are green in more ways than one. First, you’ll save a ton of green by providing reusable batteries instead of disposable. You can use them in anything requiring batteries, from handheld video games to flashlights to the new talking doll that totally creeps you out. Rechargeable batteries come in alkaline form, lithium ion (LI-ion) or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH). There are differences with these, including price, charging speed and what kind of products the batteries work well in. Green batteries is a great place to start researching batteries and chargers. You can also check out this article from MetaEfficient, about the best rechargeable batteries for 2008.

Now you have no excuse to “forget” to replace the batteries in the obnoxiously loud toy your kids cried about for a year! Happy shopping!

I think it’s safe to say I took the weekend off, and I’m excited to see how the next month brings articles and discussions about the holidays! It’s coming faster than you can say “HappyMerry Chanukistmaswanzaa” (insert your favorite multi-cultural holiday word here). I have some amazing giveaways reserved for some holiday giving-goodness, so let’s get started, shall we?

I was sent a LeapFrog Tag ages ago, when my family took a lovely, ten hour roadtrip to South Carolina. I hid it for most of the trip, since I didn’t want to deal with the girls fighting over it. I had originally wanted to test it out with my now six-year old, since the books I had for the Tag were pre-reading and more her speed. Of course, she loved it, and much to my surprise, found myself buying a second one for my three-year old…

Let me backtrack - the LeapFrog Tag is one of the hot, new items LeapFrog has recently rolled out. They’ve seriously done their homework! The way I’ve been describing the Tag is, it’s like a chunky, digital pen (the official term is “talk-and-touch reading device”). Special Tag-related books include everything from Dora to Dr. Seuss to one of our new faves, Olivia, and are “read ” through the Tag after a bit of modern magic. Install the Tag’s included CD, and download the contents of your books onto the Tag (the Tag holds up to five books at a time). Once the book is downloaded, and as soon as you touch the Tag to the book, the real magic happens! Kids can choose to have the story read to them, plus they can press the point of the Tag onto just about anything on the page to hear sound effects or other fun extras to embellish the story. There are also games included in many of the titles. All are educational, fun and completely absorbing for kids. I mean it, I can’t tell you enough how easy and exceptionally entertaining the Tag is!

Another aspect of the Tag I fell in love with is the Learning Path system, a free online tool which allows you to see what your child is working on with their Tag (and other new LeapFrog toys as well). Just set up an account, plug in the Tag often, and the Learning Path will give you detailed information on particular skills engaged and progress made. Kids can also unlock “rewards” see how they’re learning without even knowing it!

I am beyond excited to offer a Tag for one lucky winner, as well as two Tag titles - Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin (a real belly-laugher in our house) and The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss! You won’t be disappointed, I promise. So, the rules are: Please leave a comment at this post by next Sunday night at midnight, PST with an answer to this: What do you think will be your child’s (or any Tag recipient’s) favorite Tag book? Please, one comment per person! One winner will be chosen at random. This contest is available to US residents only. Good luck!

This contest is now closed!

If you’re reading this and you’re a parent, chances are you’re no stranger to food allergies in kids. They may not be your own kids, but I think parents these days have to be super-sensitive to all children with food allergies. We start out every new playdate with the usual questions - Where should we play? Is your child afraid of dogs or cats? Are they allergic to anything? I’ve seen EpiPen demonstrations, received numerous lists of what foods are included in tree nut allergies, and have lobbied for peanut-free schools. This startling report from the CDC that 1 in 26 kids have a food allergy (up from 1 in 29 kids in 1997) confirms what we’ve been seeing - that food allergies are on the rise, and there’s not much we can do about it - except by protecting our kids now by giving them healthy and safe food choices.

This Thanksgiving (and all year, of course) there are plenty of choices for preparing an allergen-free, often completely organic meal. It’s amazing what can be found in supermarkets! This year, be thankful for healthy families, and these wonderful companies who help keep Thanksgiving enjoyable for everyone -

If you’re not used to dealing with food allergies in kids, it can be tough to completely understand how to go about creating a safe yet enjoyable menu. If you’re cooking for kids with allergies, it’s worth checking out informational websites to make sure you’re covered. Eating With Food Allergies breaks down the “Top 8″ food allergens (dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, treenuts, fish and shellfish), where they may be hiding and how to avoid them. Their comprehensive Thanksgiving section features a ton of recipes for a complete allergen-free Thanksgiving meal! The site Kids With Food Allergies is a nationwide non-profit organization that also offers support and many recipes as well. Aside from many articles about food and food allergies, their Buyer’s Guide can help you identify products offering safety for kids (and peace of mind for parents!)

I wrote about Local Harvest last year, and thankfully they’re still around to provide all the information you need to find local, organic products for the holidays and beyond.

In the “I can’t decide what kind of pie the guests may like, so I’ll buy them all” department, Wholly Wholesome Baked Goods contain nothing artificial, irradiated, bleached or synthetic in any of their pies, cakes, cookies or pie crusts. While many of their products contain wheat and/or soy, most are eggless. They also have a dairy-free pumpkin pie as well as spelt and whole wheat pie crusts.

Browsing the on-line store of the Gluten-Free Creations Bakery is less dangerous than if you actually order. Their Holidays and Special Occasions page is a Thanksgiving dream, from the homemade pecan pie at your Thanksgiving table to the gingerbread donuts with your coffee the next morning. Each product is wheat and gluten-free (they are a GFCO certified bakery), and there are a few that are dairy-free as well. Double check by clicking on each product for a list of ingredients.

Finally, for something completely different, Apartment Therapy the kitchn went on a brief “anti-pie” dessert campaign. While I think kids won’t like most of the recipes, I may have to try this Spiced Apple Cider Sorbet (without the alcohol, duh). Don’t forget to browse the site though - they just had the “Best Pie Bake-Off” contest!

Phew, Halloween is over! Although Thanksgiving is coming up in a few weeks, the buzz already has been about Holiday Gift Guides. Luckily, Cool Mom Picks has taken the guide plunge first, bringing you safe yet stunning toys and products you’ll feel good about buying for your little ones.

If you covet Cool Mom Picks as much as I do, their comprehensive guides to all things fabulous for kids are a necessity to get through any gift-buying season. Thankfully, the recently-released Cool Mom Picks Safer Toy Guide 2008 was unleashed last week, and it’s truly my go-to guide for presents galore (not to mention the huge amount of baby gifts I need now through May, and birthday gifts, etc.).

The CMP guide is sorted by stages of activities kids do best  - “Rattling,” “Teething,” “Creating,” “Cuddling,” “Rocking and Riding,” “Pretending,” “Stacking up and knocking down,” and my favorite, the tried and true “Leaving skid marks on the floor”. So far, this first sewing kit for kids from Nico & Zoe is high on my list for my crafty six-year old; and, my ever-imaginative three-year old probably won’t take off this superhero cape from EllieBellieKids. I love how the webpage is sorted easily, with nothing fluffy, noisy or generic about its contents. In fact, most of the toys are eco-friendly and/or natural. And, thankfully, most of the items are truly, truly affordable.

Not only does the CMP guide introduce you to the most original products on the market, but it will also bring you to independent on-line shops you’ll fall in love with again and again. There are also a ton of discounts and deals available, many of them through January, so you can be sure to find delights for your kids - without your wallet taking a beating!

Is it holiday time yet? Walking around the mall today (and with a chill in the Florida air this week), it almost felt like it should be late November/December. Even though Halloween isn’t until Friday, holiday lights are starting to pop up and my daughters’ eyes are tuned into the sights and sounds of the season. One thing I know many people are starting to organize are holiday cards, often a major part of the year-end tradition of sending good wishes and words of joy and love.

One new line of card I was recently turned on to is Paper Shouts - with their funky name and equally unique “shout” cards for virtually every occasion, I was immediately hooked! Paper Shouts cards come in modern, traditional and vintage styles, and for someone like me who is a total stationary addict, this is a new favorite place to browse.  They’ve also announced that all designer shouts are from now on to be printed on 100% PCW recycled, heavyweight (110#), uncoated paper and are shipped with 50% recycled envelopes (30% PCW/20% VF)! Good move, I say! Plus, from now through November 5th, all proceeds from their Holiday Shouts line will go directly to Our City Forest (OCF), an urban forest renewal/education organization created to cultivate community through urban tree planting.

This week, Paper Shouts wants you to start your holiday planning early with an awesome giveaway! They’re offering a $50 gift card toward any Paper Shouts product - whether it be for holiday time, a new baby or your daughter’s Sweet 16. The rules go like this - please leave a comment here with an answer to this question - what Paper Shouts “Holiday Shout” would you love to send to your loved ones this holiday season? Choose from Christmas, Chanukah, Feliz Navidad and Holiday party cards, many of them with room for a lovely pic of your family offering friends and family good cheer this year. This contest will be open from now through next Wednesday, November 5th at midnight PST, so get shouting!

Additionally, Paper Shouts is offering 10% off your order! Please use the coupon “teensygreen” at checkout!

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

I’ve been getting a ton of emails about how to keep safe this Fourth, including the dangers of fireworks to the environment, green grilling and other fun stuff. Here are some articles from around the web about Independence Day. Have a great weekend!

The Daily Green offers 8 Fun Alternatives to Fireworks - You CAN celebrate without them! Great ideas for families with young children.

Speaking of fireworks, droughts and dry weather across the US has caused many fireworks shows to be canceled this year.

Check this list to see if your Fourth of July hamburgers contain contaminated beef. While you’re thinking about your menu, here are some green grilling tips. If you’re a vegetarian, find an incredible amount of veggie-based recipes from my new go-to, Eden Foods.

Spend some time making Fourth of July crafts! Give the kids some fun things to make for their day off.

For this weekend, and every weekend, keeping your kids safe from the sun and elements isn’t just about being environmentally friendly - it’s about keeping little ones healthy and happy as we celebrate our country’s birthday.

I’ve written about the Environmental Working Group a few times, and can’t stress enough the importance of their work testing and rating products you use on a daily basis. Will you be surprised to find the sunblock you use, with a high SPF and waterproof promise, didn’t make EWG’s cut? I wasn’t, although I’ll be making a switch this week! EWG has tested 952 name-brand sunscreens, only 15% of which has made their cut for UVA and UVB effectiveness, SPF stability and safe ingredients, among other criteria. You can read about their testing methodology and criteria, and search for your sunscreen. For kids, California Baby, Blue Lizard, and TruKids make the grade, while most of the supermarket brands, especially No-Ad and, would you believe, Neutrogena (!) should be tossed.

If you’re water bound, combining smart sunscreen with smart bathing suits makes a huge difference in your kid’s sun safety. The sunwear product Coolibar makes comfortable and fun UPF 50+ swimwear for the entire family. Find rash guard short and long-sleeved shirts and swimwear, chlorine-resistant sunhats for infants, eyewear and more. They also happen to be having a HUGE sale, so there’s plenty of time to stock up for the rest of the summer! They are also a recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Target and other big superstores also carry many products to help make the summer sun more friendly to you and your kids.  Have a safe and fabulous Fourth!