Mommy Goes Green

If you ever have your clothing dry cleaned, you definitely need The Green Garmento.   It’s a reusable dry cleaning bag – take your clothes in it TO the dry cleaner and HOME from the dry cleaner.  It eliminates all those annoying plastic bags you bring home from the dry cleaner (and who knows what kind of chemicals are hanging out in those bags!).   It’s made from a recyclable, non-woven polypropylene so it doesn’t trap chemicals in it like plastic does.

The Green Garmento is not only a reusable dry cleaning bag but it functions as hanging garment bag, carrying bag and hamper. Check out this video to see all the ways it functions.

It’s washable, in cold water, and you can hang it to dry.  If you need a new one, you can send your old one in for a discount on a new one and the company will recycle your old Green Garmento for you. 

If your local drycleaner doesn’t carry The Green Garmento, supply the company with their contact information and they will send you a free Green Garmento – you pay for shipping and handling. 

WHERE TO BUY:  Purchased online, The Green Garmento comes in several colors and lengths – at $9.99, this is an easy and inexpensive way to go green!

Stormwater drains are created to collect rain or melting soak that doesn’t soak into the ground.  Unfortunately, that water often collects other things while it flows down the road into the drain.  These pollutants include oil, leaves, chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers, and animal poop. 

Ever wonder what happens with water ( and pollutants ) that goes down the storm drain?  Do you assume it gets treated by the wastewater treatment plant?  Likely not!  It often goes directly into your local streams and rivers.

You can take several steps to make sure you don’t contribute to dirty waterways:

• sweep your driveway and sidewalk and then recycle or compost the debris – don’t hose it down as the water runs into the storm drain
• don’t wash your car at home – use a commercial car wash – they use water more efficiently and dispose of it properly
• wash tools and toys over a grass or dirt area so the water can soak into the ground
• don’t use chemical fertilizers or pesticides – use natural solutions
• clean up pet poop and put it in the trash
• if you drain or fill automobile fluids, make sure you catch it and dispose of it properly
• educate your kids – don’t let them throw things down the drains 

VOC free paint isn’t cheap but it is worth it as the chemicals in paint can off gas in your house for over 3 years!   That’s over 1000 days of breathing in chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and perchloroethylene – not so good for the body and particularly not good for our little children’s bodies.  In the past couple years, several children’s furniture and decor companies have partnered with paint companies to design VOC free paint lines specifically for children’s areas.  The next time you need to paint, check out these safe, non-toxic options.

The Land of Nod and Mythic Paint – Mythic Paint is a VOC free, solvent free and carcinogen free latex paint.  In 55 colors with names like ‘Grass Stain’ and ‘Tutu’, your child can have fun picking out their next room color!  You can purchase online or at some Land of Nod locations.  4oz samples are available for $6.99 and 1 gallon cans are $44.99.

Pottery Barn Kids and Benjamin Moore Paint – Benjamin Moore’s line of VOC free paint is called ‘Natura’.  Natura is a waterborne acrylic paint that is VOC free both in the base paint and the colorant.  Natura is very low odor – I used it to paint my son’s nursery and with the window open for a day or two, the smell was gone (unlike other “low odor” paints I’ve used).  Pottern Barn Kids comes out with a new paint palette 2 times a year and you can pick up the current paint deck in their stores.  Their current spring/summer line has 15 cheery colors. You can purchase online or at Benjamin Moore stores.  8oz samples are $7.99 and 1 gallon cans are $49.99.

Restoration Hardware Baby & Child - The RH Baby & Child line of latex paint is VOC free and low odor.  Available in 6 signature colors, they perfectly match any of the bedding and decor items from Restoration Hardware.  Available in satin sheen and sold online only. 4oz samples are $4.25 and 1 gallon cans are $29.00.

In my stocking this past Christmas, I received this Eco-First reusable coffee cup.  The problem?  I’ve never used it.  My husband claimed it for himself and has used it every day since.

The concept is self-explainable -  tote along your reusable coffee cup and forego the paper cup at your favorite coffee shop or at the office.  The Eco-First cup is heavily insulated to keep drinks warm and is BPA free.  It’s dishwasher and microwave safe – unlike other travel mugs.

WHERE TO BUY:  Available exclusively at Bed, Bath and Beyond in brown, pink and green. $7.99

Mineral makeup seems to have exploded in the last couple years but since I’m a little behind the times in the makeup department, it wasn’t in my makeup bag.  In fact, until several weeks ago, I hadn’t yet replaced most of my makeup with safer and chemical free products.  My favorite blush had “paraben” written all over the ingredient list, yet I hadn’t had time to find something new.

Mineral makeup was at the top of my “to try” list and then I read about a line of makeup created by Christopher Drummond Beauty.   One of the primary reasons I decided to test out the line was because the powders are free of titanium dioxide, bismuth oxychloride and zinc oxide – three ingredients found in many other mineral makeup lines and potentially irritating to your skin and even harmful.

Mineral makeup is exactly what it sounds like – comprised of finely ground minerals and free of perfume, talc, dyes and chemicals.  For instance, the Christopher Drummond foundation contains ingredients such as serecite, mica, organic cornstarch, and several organic essential oils.  

I typically do not have dry skin but on the first day I used the makeup, I happened to be getting over an allergic reaction to a face lotion I had used so my face had a small bumpy rash all over it, combined with a nice red glow.  Yah, it was pretty.  Fortunately, because mineral makeup is free of so many chemicals, it’s perfect for sensitive skin.  The makeup sat on top of the rash covering it up instead of highlighting it, like a cream based makeup would.  

I’m always nervous about picking new makeup colors without testing them out on my skin first – you never know what tone is going to match.  I have a favorite concealer I’ve used for years because the color matches my skin perfectly but I have to say that the Christopher Drummond concealer in ‘Light’ worked just as well.   Creamy but not cakey.  I don’t need any caked makeup under my tired eyes (my son is 9 weeks old and I’m tired). 

I used my EcoTools to apply the powdered makeup.  It’s a little tricky at first to get the application right as a little goes a LONG WAY!   I had to wash my face again after my first try with the blush – a LOT too much.  The Sateen Blush definitely added a light shimmer to my cheeks and I’ve found a new favorite Eyeshadow color.  Next time, I’ll definitely go with a lighter shade of  lipgloss (the Cinnamon was a little too dark for me), but I like that it’s free of petroleum, parabens, dyes and fragrance.

If you are looking to replace some of your makeup products with safer ones, I definitely recommend trying mineral makeup.  I’ve thrown out some of my old chemical filled makeup products and replaced them with the Christopher Drummond line.  Next up, I plan to try the bronzing powder.  I’m already dreaming about summer!

I have to mention that the packaging came with ‘green’ packing peanuts – I definitely appreciate it when a company takes an eco-friendly concept all the way!

WHERE TO BUY:   www.christopherdrummond.com

Lead is often a topic of concern in children’s toys and there are numerous recalls every year just to prove it. Lead poisoning can cause damage to the brain and kidneys.  Research has linked lead with lowered IQ in kids and high blood pressure in adults.  During pregnancy, a baby receives lead from the mother’s bones which may affect brain development.

Toys are not the only source of lead contamination.   Water, paint, dust and even candy can contain lead.  Last spring I sent a sample of our standing water to the city water bureau for lead testing.  A standing water test uses the water that has been sitting in your pipes.  

The standing water test results returned telling us that we had 2 parts per billion of lead in our drinking water. Compared to the EPA Action level of 15 parts per billion, that seemed pretty safe.  However, on further review, I found that there is NO known level of lead is considered safe.  Particularly for pregnant moms and young children – we had both in the house.

Since we had young children, the water bureau offered to perform another test of our water but this time, we did it with running water.  A running water test uses water after the faucet has been turned on for two minutes.  The results?  Non-detected!

Since then, we have been vigilant about running the water until it’s very cold and we never use warm water for the baby bottle.  We just pop the cold water in a glass bottle in the micro for a few seconds to warm it up.

To reduce your family’s exposure to lead in water, follow these tips:

• run your water for a minimum of 30 seconds up to 2 minutes until it becomes cold, if using for drinking or cooking
• ONLY use fresh, cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula
• use a water filter and make sure it reduces lead as not all filters do
• buy low-lead plumbing fixtures
• have your child’s pediatrician do a blood lead level test
• have your water tested

To have your water tested, call your local water bureau to see if they perform testing.  For residents in the Portland, Oregon Metro area, FREE testing is offered by the water bureau – take them up on it.  If your water bureau doesn’t offer testing, the National Water Council will test it for $9.97.  The NWC will test for lead along with other common contaminants.

Remember, lead doesn’t only enter our bodies through water, it can also enter through lead-based paint and contaminated dust.  Houses built before 1978 are likely to have some lead-based paint.  According to the CDC, “approximately 24 million housing units have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust. More than 4 million of these dwellings are homes to one or more young children.”  If your house was built before 1978, make sure you stay away from any peeling paint and the phrase “don’t eat the paint chips” absolutely applies here.   If you are renovating a house built in this time period, the CDC recommends that pregnant women and children not be present.  Also, clean your children’s hands and toys frequently as they can get contaminated dust on them.  Finally, regularly wet mop floors and wet wipe all window components to remove any leaded dust.

Thank you to Jen from ‘Moore Than a Mom‘ for compiling and posting the best list of coupons for organic and eco-friendly items I’ve ever seen.  There are OVER 100 links for coupons that you can print to take to the grocery store.  What a great opportunity to try some new safe and healthy products!

School lunches are one of those places where it can be easy to “go green”.  Trade in plastic baggies for reusable cloth bags, pack cloth napkins, reusable utensils and bring along a stainless steel drink bottle. 

There is one more step you can take to make your child’s lunch extra eco-friendly – choose a stainless steel lunch box.  Unlike many plastics, stainless steel is non-toxic and doesn’t leach, it can also be recycled.

 The PlanetBox lunch box is the modern kid’s lunch box.  It has five individual compartments, one large enough for a sandwich and the others easily accommodate fruits and vegetables.  The smallest compartment is perfect for a small handful of your child’s favorite treat.  For messy foods like cottage cheese, you can put them in the Little or Big Dipper stainless steel container.  The lid is made with food-grade silicone rubber.

Sports Magnet Theme

One of my favorite features, and the most unique, is the magnet themes you can attach to the front of the PlanetBox.  This allows the lunch box to grow with your child – no more replacing it each year to go with your child’s latest whims.  With seven themes, you’re bound to find one that your child will dig.  I’m sure you can expect PlanetBox to add more themes each year.

If you’re looking for more padding, you can pick up a carry bag.  Made with recycled polyester, it has a pouch on the front that is perfect for a cloth napkin and utensils.  It also has a drink holder, great for a stainless steel bottle.

It’s obvious that PlanetBox was designed by parents and tested by kids because nothing was left out! 

WHERE TO BUY: You can buy PlanetBox lunch boxes online. 

WIN IT!

1 lucky winner will get a PlanetBox lunch box with Retro Kitty magnets and a red carry bag! You can enter to win in any of the following ways:

• Leave a comment telling us what your favorite PlanetBox magnet theme is!
• Follow us on twitter @mommygoesgreen.
• Retweet this contest.
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

Leave your comment by Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 11:59pm PST. Contest open to all U.S. and Canadian residents, ages 18+. We will choose 1 winner, at random, and notify them by email. Privacy Policy.

Lucky or not, my daughter inherited her curly hair from both her father and I.  On bad days, I (internally) swear about her unruly curly hair and dream of days with hair that is straight, shiny and easy to comb.  On the good days, I gush over her sweet curls that totally match her fun and charming personality. If  you have a curly headed child, you can probably empathize with me.

I’ve tried three different children’s detanglers and finally found one that is chemical-free AND works.   My first go was with Noodle and Boo Conditioning Hair Polish.  It worked okay as a detangler but was not heavy enough to hold any curl through out the day.  When I found out that the parabens in it weren’t safe, I tossed it in the garbage.

My second go around was with Kiss My Face Kid’s Detangler.  Kiss My Face is a great line of natural body care products for both adults and children.  While the detangler worked to loosen the knots in my daughter’s hair, it has a bold orange smell that lasts ALL day that I just couldn’t get over.  It also left her hair fairly greasy with more than one day’s use. 

Finally, I picked up Tru Kid’s Dancing Detanglerand TA-DA.  Not only does it detangle but it adds just enough hold to curls to last the day without any greasy left over.  I LOVE this product!  Since then, I’ve used other Tru Kid products including their shampoo, conditioner and bubble bath and have been happy with their entire line.  You can find Tru Kid products online or at your local natural foods store.

If you have any baby gear sitting around that you aren’t using, now is the time to get rid of it.  Babies “R” Us and Toys “R” Us are having a trade-in event allowing you to bring in car seats, strollers, travel systems, play yards, cribs, high chairs, bassinets or toddler beds for 25% OFF a new one.  

This is a great opportunity to properly get rid of unused baby gear and get new items that you need. The offer lasts from January 29 – February 20.