Mommy Goes Green

As part of the Cotton From Blue to Green program, Gap is giving you a 30% discount off any new denim purchase.  Starting TODAY, March 5 through March 15, when you take ANY piece of denim to a Gap, babyGap or GapKids store, you’ll receive the discount.  Old denim will be converted into insulation and then donated to communities in need.  Over the past 5 years of the program, enough insulation has been donated for over 540 homes.

I’ve been cleaning out my closet this week and this is the perfect opportunity to trade in some old jeans for a sorely needed new pair!

I’m having a great time up at the Olympics this week and have noticed that Canada has taken several steps to ‘green’ the 2010 Winter Olympics.   There are recycling bins on every corner and in all the venues.  Not only are they recycling bottles, cans and paper but they have compost bins as well.  The concession areas have 100% recycled napkins and ecotainers for drinks – they are totally compostable.

Coke is a huge sponsor of the Olympics and has committed to being carbon neutral and recycling 100% of the plastic containers. The coolers and vending machines has new efficient refrigerant technology that has never been used in North America that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 5,600 metric tons – equivalent to taking about 29,000 cars off the road for two weeks during the games or about 1,200 cars off the road for a year.

Even the clothing has gone green.  We picked up rain ponchos for a super rainy evening ski event and surprisingly, they weren’t plastic – they were polyester and great for years of use.  The Coke employee clothing is made of recycled bottles and several of the products in the Olympic clothing line are made from bamboo or recycled polyester.

While sometimes inconvenient, you can’t park personal vehicles at the facilities so we are taking public transportation and walking a lot.  All of the Olympic communications and guides are online – they even have it in an iPhone app and I’ve noticed there isn’t much swag to be found which, in the end, is probably good since that is the kind of stuff that gets tossed once you get home.  The only swag I’ll be taking home are the reusable bags we’ve received when purchasing something at the Olympic venues or at local stores – I’ve hardly seen a plastic bag since I’ve been here.

Even the winning athletes are taking home eco-friendly gold, silver and bronze medals – they contain recycled metal recovered from end-of-life electronics.

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.

Seventh Generation is hosting the Million Baby Crawl, an initiative to educate parents about stronger standards on toxic chemicals – ones that we are coming into contact with every day!  There are over 80,000 chemical compounds developed for products used in our homes but only 200 of them have been tested by the EPA.   Under the current law, the EPA does not have the authority to demand the information it needs to evaluate a chemical’s risk, and neither manufacturers nor the EPA are required to prove a chemical’s safety as a condition of use.

The Million Baby Crawl will help present the Kid Safe Chemical Act to Washington.  If the Act passes, it will require chemical manufacturers to conduct safety tests before using these chemicals in products.

To show your support , you can create a baby crawler representing your kids on their “march to Washington”.   You can also further educate yourself on chemical reform and the Kid Safe Chemical Act.   Attend an event, they are many in the large metro areas during November.  Finally, start to eliminate known toxic chemicals from the products in your house.  The easiest place to start is your cleaning supplies.  After that, look at the products your kids are using such as bubble bath and shampoo and then move onto the products you are putting on your body.  Going green doesn’t happen overnight, it’s gradual and eventually becomes habit.

 FREE STUFF: To get you started, Seventh Generation is generously giving away 1 of their Starter Kits to get your green cleaning started!  The Starter Kit includes: Glass Cleaner, All-Purpose Cleaner, Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Shower Cleaner, Tub & Tile Cleaner, Kitchen Cleaner, Natural Paper Towels, and Reusable Tote.

You can enter to win in any of the following ways:

• Visit the Million Baby Crawl website and tell us one thing that you learned
• Follow us on twitter @mommygoesgreenand retweet this contest

Leave your comment by Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 11:59PM PST.  Contest open to all U.S. residents, ages 18+.  We will choose 1 winner, by random, and contact them via email.  Privacy Policy.

I often see my neighbor walking her three kids to school and while it may take over an hour ( there and back ), I imagine it’s a special time with her kids.  October is International Walk to School Month.  If you haven’t considered walking with your kids to school, find a route today and take the extra time to do it once in awhile.  I don’t think you’ll regret it.

For local events and resources to determine the safest walk to school route, visit Walk to School in the USA.

Sign up at HouseParty.com to host a Green Works Kid’s Clothing Swap and Green Works will supply product samples, notecards, coupons and other ‘green’ goodies to share with your swapping friends!

Monday, June 8, is World Oceans Day and the theme this year is “One Ocean, One Climate, One Future”.

We live on a blue planet, dominated by the ocean which covers 70% of its surface. The world’s ocean and climate are inextricably linked: the ocean plays a crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s climate, and ocean life is vulnerable to climate change. Likewise, in our interconnected world, the ocean affects us and we affect the ocean. A healthy ocean helps to absorb excess carbon dioxide, provides jobs and food to people the world over, and regulates climate and temperature.

Why Should I Celebrate World Oceans Day? 

The Ocean:

• Generates most of the oxygen we breathe
• Helps feed us
• Regulates our climate
• Cleans the water we drink
• Offers us a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines

 Find local events celebrating World Oceans Day and if you don’t live near a beach, don’t worry – there are events near you, too.  For example, many zoos are having an event in their exhibits that feature sea life!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the wonderful mamas out there – you deserve every ounce of love and appreciation you get – and more!

Did you realize that asthma is one of the most common serious chronic diseases of childhood?  It is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under 15 and an average of one out of every 10 school-aged child has asthma.  That’s A LOT of kids!

May may be National Asthma Awareness Month but I’m generally asthma aware year round because my husband has it.  Luckily, he requires an inhaler only rarely and it has improved with age but I’m always concerned that my children will develop it.  There are some genetic factors that predispose children to asthma but there are also environmental factors that may contribute to the development of the disease.  Along those lines, here are some ways you might help to prevent your child from developing the disease or triggering an attack in a child with asthma.

Wash your bed linens in hot water at least once a week and  purchase allergen-prevention pillow cases and mattress covers.  One study indicates bacteria in household dust releases chemicals called endotoxins, which can inflame airways and trigger asthma. Researchers found the bedroom had fewer endotoxins, but it had a greater impact on a child’s health. After all, that’s where kids spend almost half their day.  Endotoxin levels can be reduced in the same way that allergy symptoms can be reduced: by removing dust, keeping the floors as clean as possible, keeping moisture low, repairing water damage, cleaning bed linens, and using a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, among other actions.

Don’t smoke. According to the EPA, exposure to secondhand smoke can cause asthma in pre-school aged children.

Keep your pets outside.  Household pets can trigger asthma with skin flakes, urine, and saliva.

Clean more frequently. Reduce everyday dust build-up, by regularly dusting with a damp cloth and vacuuming carpet and fabric-covered furniture.

Replace your pesticide sprays with baits or traps.  If sprays are necessary, always circulate fresh air into the room being treated and keep asthma sufferers out of that room for several hours after any spraying.

Keep your baby out of the pool before they turn 6 months old.  Science Daily reported that children with mothers who have allergies or asthma have an increased risk of wheezing in the chest if they take part in baby swimming before 6 months of age.

If you do have a family member with asthma, try some of these tips for a period of time to see if they improve their health.  My husband partially attributes his improvement over the last 10 years to not living in an older home ( where basements can be damp ) and having no household pets.   We’ve also given up all pesticide use, use green cleaning products and have limited fragrances in the house. 

What has worked for your family?

Recycled Glass Balloon Vases - VivaTerra carries these beautiful, unique vases made from recycled glass. I love their simple, classic beauty. Lopsided in just the right way, these oversized, delightful melon-shaped vases can be grouped as a threesome to hold tall flowers and branches, placed individually on tabletops, or clustered as a transparent accent.  From $39.00

Teething Necklace - This is a great gift for a pregnant or new mama!   They were created so moms wouldn’t have to give up wearing pretty jewelry, but would also be something safe for baby to grab and put in their mouths.  Available in 12 colors, they are non-toxic and dishwasher safe. Made from phthalate, BPA, PVC, and lead free silicone. $19.00

Year of Seeds - This gift, from Red Envelope, keeps continues to give with a year-round windowsill garden. Simply place the included soil and seeds into the pots, add water, and watch the flowers come to life.   Set includes seeds, bag of soil, 12 pots and easy growing instructions. 10% of proceeds go to the March of Dimes. $79.95

Custom Scrabble Tile Art Pendant by PendantLicious - I love how this mom repurposed Scrabble tiles into sweet necklaces. Send in your favorite photo and see it turned into a custom pendant.  Each pendant comes with a 2mm 18″ Ballchain Necklace ( other lengths available, upon request ).  These are so affordable, every mama needs one!  $8.00

BookSwim - If you know a reader, this is the perfect, unique gift!  BookSwim is the first online book rental library service lending you the latest bestseller, new releases and classic paperbacks, hardcovers and college textbooks Netflix®-style directly to your house!   Starting at $9.95 per month. For Mother’s Day, you can purchase a $50 gift card for $40. CODE: MOTHERSDAY2009

Envirosax - Have I mentioned what a HUGE Envirosax fan I am?  Envirosax are chic, inexpensive reusable bags.   They have a fantastic Mother’s Day special – Buy any pouch (set of 5 bags) and receive a Retro Kitchen pouch absolutely free ( value: $28.50 ) It’s only valid for pouch purchases until May 5. The free Retro Kitchen pouch will not show up in your shopping cart but will be added to your order by staff. $8.50 each or $28.50 – $37.95 per pouch ( set of 5 ).

Organic Bouquet – Take a traditional route and send flowers but this year, choose eco-friendly flowers from Organic Bouquet.  Their flowers are VeriFlora certified, grown with the least environmental impact.  Growers must meet rigorous criteria to achieve certification including fair labor practices, sustainable crop production, ecosystem protection, and product quality. $44.95

Kiwi Magazine Subscription - Mamas interested in a greener, natural lifestyle will love Kiwi. KIWI features the latest in everyday natural and organic family style – helping you to raise your children the healthiest way possible.  $11.95

Pacifica Soy Candles – Candles are such a treat, I love to curl up with a blanket, book and several candles.  Conventional candles are composed of  paraffin wax, synthetic dyes and artificial fragrances, which are toxic to produce and result in indoor air pollutants. Cheaper wicks may contain traces of heavy metals ( like lead ), which can get released into the air during combustion. Choose a safer product – soy candles.  Pacifica Soy Candles are handmade with vegetable soy wax, lead-free wicks and Pacifica’s signature perfume blends with essential and natural oils. $22.00

Handmade with Love – Any mama is honored to receive homemade gifts.  Gather the kids together, pick a project and get to work. FamilyFun.com has a great group of projects for all ages.