Mommy Goes Green

I can’t believe we’re in ‘Back to School’ season already.  In the Pacific NW, summer started, like yesterday.  It was a loooooong rainy winter and I’m not sure spring even showed up this year. 

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice has just released their Back to School Guide for PVC Free School Supplies.  Remember, PVC is the “poison plastic” and one you should avoid as much as possible because of the nasty chemicals it leaches.

This comprehensive 17 page guide lists everything from art supplies to backpacks to binders to dry erase markers and paperclips (colored paper clips are coated with PVC).  Everything you could possibly need for school is on this list.  Print it out and take it with you to the store.  If you want the condensed version, print out the wallet size version.

A great place to start your shopping is Stubby Pencil Studio.  The owner and mama, Kate, finds non-toxic school supplies for all ages.

My kids aren’t yet of the age where I need to purchase “school supplies” but many of the the items on the list we still use in our home office or for home craft projects so I’ll be referencing it frequently.  You’ll be surprised at how many things you use on a regular basis that have PVC.  The good news is that there ARE alternatives!

What PVC free school supplies will you be buying this year?

Stubby Pencil Studio is one of our favorite resources for unique, eco-friendly gifts for children.  It’s also a great place to pick up quality choices for your Easter baskets.  Here are a few fun finds:

Washable Markers – I know Kate, the owner of Stubby Pencil Studio, has searched high and low for eco-friendly markers.  So far, these are the best she’s found.  They are non-toxic, made in the USA, and manufactured with 25% recycled plastic.

Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops – we tried these out months ago and totally agree, they are YUMMY!

Sparkle Star Crayons – These multi-colored, star shaped crayons are made from 100% recycled crayons. 

Wooden Bead Necklace – I’m always leary of buying cheap jewelry for my daughter as it’s often found to be tainted with lead.  This wooden necklace relieves my fears as it’s painted with non-toxic nitro-cellulose paint tested and found to be safe for children and non-polluting in natural water sources.

Envirosax Animal Planet Bird – I love Envirosax and this bird bag for kids is adorable!  It would make a great reusable Easter basket.

Wooden Harmonica – every child loves playing the harmonica.  This wooden one is painted with non-toxic nitro-cellulose paint tested and found to be safe for children and non-polluting in natural water sources.

WIN IT!

CONTEST CLOSED – Congratulations to the winner, Lori from Massachusetts!

1 lucky winner will get an Eco Easter Basket from Stubby Pencil Studio with over $60 worth of fun finds:

• Reusable rattan basket
• 6×9 Frogs Ecojot Sketchbook
• E-color-gy Washable markers
• Forest Choice Color Pencils
• 4 recycled cedar Pencils
• Soy Crayons
• Mary’s Softdough Rainbow Tub
• Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops
• Wooden Wind-up Bunny
• Wooden Dragonfly Spinner
• Pack of Color ‘n Kids Easter cards

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

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

Leave your comment by Wednesday, March 17, 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.

It’s THAT time again – music in stores, lights on houses, the smell of evergreen and pine.  Whether you wait for Thanksgiving to pass or not – the Christmas season has arrived and the shopping has begun.  Over the next several weeks, we’ll be highlighting great green gifts for your family and friends.

One of my favorite websites to shop for unique kid’s toys is Stubby Pencil Studio.  Mom and owner, Kate Rosenthal, stocks eco products for creative kids that are non-toxic and environmentally responsible.

This holiday season, skip the dollar bins – you never know what’s in those cheap products (check the ingredients, I often find phthalates, lead warnings or PVC) and pick up your kid’s stocking stuffers at Stubby Pencil Studio – all under $10 and much safer for your family.  Here are some of my favorites:

Holiday Smencils

Holiday Smencils- Grab these first, they were sold out last year!  5 limited edition gourmet scented pencils made from 100% recycled newspapers. Each Holiday Smencil comes packaged in its own (recyclable) Freshness Tube and come in 5 fun scents: Cinnamon, Sugar Plum, Candy Cane, Gingerbread & Sugar Cookie.  $6.50

Star Crayons- I can’t get enough of fun shaped crayons and your kids won’t either.  Each box holds 20 crayon stars in assorted colors and are made from 100% recycled crayons from the National Crayon Recycling Program.  Purchasing eco stars supports recycling education and employs people with disabilities.  $8.95

Monkey Pencils – Your kids will love taking these to school. 3 monkey pencils made from natural, chemical free rubber wood, and finished with non-toxic and child friendly colors.  $2.95

Star Crayons

YoYo- You can’t go wrong with a yoyo for any kid.  This classic yoyo is made from a wood called Ankudu and color is 100% lead-free, non-toxic vegetable dye and the lacquer comes from the sap of a rosewood tree.  $5.95

Envirosax for Kids- If you’ve been reading MGG long, you’d know that I love my Envirosax bags.  Now our kids can have one, too.  My daughter loves to put things in purses and bags and carry them around the house, to school and into the store with me.  Envirosax are a great way to introduce our kids to an eco-friendly lifestyle.  They come in 8 different designs.  $8.00

Color 'n Kids Thank You Go Set

Color ‘n Kids Card Sets – This is a great way to personalize notes from your kids.  All cards are printed on 100% PCW recycled stock and come with 6 colored envelopes: red, orange, yellow, lime green, green and blue. Cards measure 4.25″ x 5.5″.  Purchase 3 sets and receive a complimentary box of 24 vivid color pencils.  $7.95

Rainbox Softdough- Mary’s Softdough is a soft, non-crumbly modeling dough made from 100% food-quality ingredients. Completely non-toxic, this colorful tub of dough will last up to a year and provide hours of fun. An 18 oz. tub holds a rainbow of colors: red, yellow, green, blue and purple. Ingredients include flour, water, salt, cream of tartar, soybean oil, food coloring and sodium benzoate (a food preservative). $9.95

Made By Me Truck

Softdough Tool Set- No playdough set would be complete without tools to roll and cut the dough.  This 12 piece set includes a hardwood rolling pin and assorted cookie cutters: moon, star, sun, cloud, leaf, heart, frog, squirrel, butterfly, dragonfly, and turtle. $7.95

• Check out Stubby Pencil Studio and tell us what YOUR favorite products are!
• Follow us on twitter @mommygoesgreen and retweet this contest.

Leave your comment by Monday, November 30th, 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.

 Congratulations to Sue for winning the shopping spree – enjoy!