Mindful Momma

Mindful Momma Giveaway: Citizen Pip Reusable Lunch Kit

My 9 year old hates sandwiches. Won't eat 'em (except for the occasional grilled cheese).  So when it comes to packing lunch for school, I can't rely on the traditional PB&J or ham & cheese like so many other parents get to do.  What do I do instead?  I send him lots of little things to eat.  Crackers, cheese, meat, fruit, nuts, hard-boiled eggs...and sometimes leftovers.  To do this in a waste-free way, I stuff his lunch bag full of a variety of containers and snack bags each day. 

That works just fine but I have to admit that it was really nice to get a sample of a Citizen Pip Soup-to-Nuts lunch kit to check out because everything matches and it is so dang cute!  Citizen Pip was started by a Mom of 3 boys who wanted a lunch kit that was easy to use, safe and cool to carry.  I'd say she managed to cover all those bases and then some with her thoughtfully designed lunch kits!   Let me fill you in:

• The lunchbag itself is soft but extremely durable.  When I first saw it I was afraid that it might not hold up because it was so soft but it's been through the ringer at our house (and at school) with nary a rip in sight.  It is made from non-woven polypropylene (one of the safer plastics) with aluminum lined polyethylene insulation.
• The food containers are my favorite part of the kit.  They are BPA-free, air-tight and leak-proof.  Best of all they are super easy to open and close.  The company did consider using stainless steel food containers but chose to use safe plastic containers instead due the ease of use for kids. 
• The water bottle and the insulated food jar are both made with food grade stainless steel, polypropylene caps and silicone gaskets.  As I've mentioned before, I LOVE the durability of stainless steel. 
• The kit is completed nicely with a set/5 cotton napkins (one for each school day!) and a matching spoon and fork.
• ALL of Citizen Pip products are guaranteed "muck-free".That means that they have been tested by a CPSIA-accredited testing laboratory and are free of BPA, lead, PVC and phthalates. 

If you are adamantly against plastic, then this kit isn't for you.  But if you're like me and think that safe plastics have a place in your world, then consider giving Citizen Pip a try.  If spending $40 - $50 on a complete lunch kit is not in your budget, then consider picking up just the lunch bag (a deal at 10 bucks) and/or a set of containers ($12).  The ability to buy just what you need is another reason why I like this company.

Now for the giveaway!!  Christina, the generous owner of Citizen Pip has offered to do donate a Square Meal Kit to one Mindful Momma reader.  This suburb starter kit includes:  an insulated lunch bag, a stainless steel water bottle, a set/4 BPA-free airtight containers and a set/5 cotton napkins.  Would you like to win?  Leave a comment on this post with your favorite waste-free lunch tips (or answer the question at the end of this post) and I'll automatically enter you in the contest.  The giveaway will run through midnight, central time on Monday, February 8th.  (only one entry per person please and you must have a US shipping address.) 

Even if you don't win, you can get 10% off a $50 Citizen Pip purchase using the coupon code:  mm10 (good through February 15, 2010)

My only caveat with buying nice lunch supplies is that you risk losing them.  We've lost a bunch over the years and it hurts more to lose the nice stuff than the cheap stuff.  My son lost the water bottle to this kit almost immediately and it never showed up in the lost & found.  He's lost the lunch kit 3 times now and thank goodness it has been returned each time.  That said, I think it's worth it to make sure you're buying SAFE lunch products, no matter what the cost.  How do you balance quality, safety and cost when it comes to lunch products? 

{full disclosure:  Citizen Pip sent me a free Soup-to-Nuts lunch kit.  This review is based on my true opinion of the product.}

And the winner is....tammy b who said "my tip? i don't send more than they can eat - thus cutting down food waste. we use a different, bento-type system currently which is my number 2 way to cut down on waste."

Do You Buy Pink?

I picked up a free sample of tea at Whole Foods yesterday that I thought was rather tasty.  And it supports a good cause too - breast cancer research.  Pink Tea for Women's Health from Zhena's Gypsy Tea is a special blend made with antioxidant-laden superberries and green tea that supports women's health and vitality.  And that's not all it's got going for it.  It is USDA Organic,  Fair Trade certified, and the company is a partner with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  

Are you a bit skeptical of all the companies climbing on the 'pink' bandwagon these days?  It's a good thing if you are because there's a lot of 'pinkwashing' going on out there.  But here's my take on it - if I'm going to support the cause and buy something 'pink', I would rather that it be a Fair Trade, organic product from a company that I can trust, than a pink appliance or some cosmetics loaded with breast-cancer causing chemicals. 

The only thing that gave me pause about this 'pink' tea was that the package does not state the percentage of sales that goes specifically toward breast cancer research, only that they are a partner with the research group.  However the company has received awards for good corporate citizenship and was one of the earliest supporters of the Fair Trade movement - so to me this looks like a good, honest company to support.

Do you buy any 'pink' products to support breast cancer research?  Have you ever passed on a 'pink' product because it looked suspicious to you?  Should we just donate to the cause directly rather than buying pink stuff?

Easy Repurposed Craft Supply Containers

Speaking of organizing....I've come across some fun ways to store craft supplies in repurposed containers lately that I want to share.  They go beyond coffee cans and glass jars, which pretty much everyone I know who's into crafting already uses.

Here's something you can do with those plastic straws that you pick up when you grab a drink on the run.  Wash them out and turn them into seed bead holders.  (discovered via CraftGossip.com) 

I've seen fancy ribbon organizers on Martha Stewart, but here are a couple that most of us could whip up without having to make a trip the craft store to buy even more supplies.  This nifty little number made from a recycled egg carton is good for those little scraps of ribbon that get all tangled up in your ribbon bag. (discovered via Craftbits.com)

The trusty shoebox is a great container for dispensing ribbon on a roll.  (discovered on The Fun Times Guide)

Finally, I found this pretty photo from flickr on fixerupper's photostream.  There isn't a tutorial with it but I think the idea is that you screw the lids into a piece of wood. Then you can unscrew the jars when you need them.  Baby food jars would be perfect for this!  I find that I am more inspired when I can see my supplies easily...and the bright colors make me happy!

What other eco-friendly craft supply storage ideas do you have?  Here are a few more simple suggestions:

• A tic-tac box = a seed bead holder
• An old tackle box = a bead or supply holder
• A hanger (the type with the removable cardboard part on the bottom) = ribbon or yarn storage

 

Craft Hope for Haiti

It amazes me how quickly people step up and make things happen when a crisis arises.  So many different organizations are collecting donations of money and supplies for the people of Haiti - it's truly a bright spot amidst a terrible tragedy.

One of the more unique fundraising organizations I've seen is called Craft Hope.  The group was founded (long before the earthquake in Haiti) to help share handmade crafts with those less fortunate.  When the earthquake hit, the group quickly assembled a Craft Hope for Haiti Etsy shop.  All the beautiful handmade items for sale have been donated by crafters and all the proceeds go to Doctor's Without Borders in Haiti.  As of yesterday, the shop had already raised over $20,000.  Now that's WOW!

I encourage you to take a peek.  Do you need a gift for a new baby or a good friend?  Can you think ahead to gifts you might need in the future?  Remember, handmade gifts are often better for the planet and are certainly more special than something made in China and sold by a huge mass merchant.

Easy Repurposed Toy Storage Ideas

It's January.  Have you started organizing yet?  According to the magazines and newspaper ads, that's what we're supposed to be doing right now.  And if we followed the 'rules', we'd be buying lots of big, plastic storage bins and other fancy organizing accessories to get the job done.

Buying more stuff just to store my stuff is not something I'm keen on these days.  Instead, I try hard to use something I already have around the house.  One of my favorite repurposed storage containers is the wooden wine crate.  Yes, the look is a bit collegesque, but I don't use them in the living room anymore.  Now they are relegated to the boys bedrooms and playrooms where they hold trains...

and trucks.... 
  
and blocks (along with an old kitty litter container - we haven't had a cat for years!)

 
An empty Clementine box is perfect for Pokemon...

 And a shoe box makes a fine menagerie...

 Do you have any repurposed storage ideas to share?
 

Yoga Mom

I want to be a yoga Mom.  One of those super-fit, relaxed looking Moms who's more likely to be seen toting a yoga mat than a grocery bag.  The kind that puts fitness at the top of the list rather than the bottom (like I often do).  Besides, yoga Mom sounds better than soccer Mom, don't you think?

After taking my first yoga class (yesterday) in over a year and a half, I can now officially say that I am back into yoga!!  My form was not pretty and I'm sore as hell but that won't keep me from going back to the YMCA every Tuesday morning for another dose.  Returning to yoga practice was one of my New Year's resolutions and while it may have taken me until the 3rd week of January to get started, I'm happy to be back on track. 

Speaking of yoga, when I spoke at Seventh Generation's Million Baby Crawl event this past fall, I met a local yoga Mom named Katie (she's an instructor actually) who has a a sweet little yoga-inspired clothing company called Swami Boutique.  She sells the most darling shirts for babies and young kids including these brightly colored Elements t-shirts (available in regular or organic cotton) and some witty Swami (meaning 'wise teacher') sayings like "Just breathe, Mom" and "Constantly changing".  LOVE them!!  Adult styles are available as well because we all need to be reminded to relax and take life one baby step at a time.  Katie was kind enough to send me my very own Swami hoodie shirt with the saying "Same shirt, different day.  I recycle."  It's super cozy cotton - perfect for yoga class!

Swami Boutique is offering a special deal for all Mindful Momma readers!!  From now through the end of January you can choose a free hat ($16 value) with any Swami Boutique purchase.  Just indicate which style you would like in the notes to merchant section at checkout.  And for Twin Cities readers, consider attending one or both of these upcoming events where Swami Boutique will be a vendor:

March 7, 2010:
Restore Healing Expo at The Depot, Downtown Minneapolis

April 10–11, 2010:
10 a.m.–6 p.m. and 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Minnesota Baby Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Where the hippest moms meet the hottest, freshest, trendy companies!

Handmade Sweater Mittens

Here's a super simple project for those of you itching (pardon the pun) to try something using felted wool sweaters.  It's from my book, Practically Green but I get to let you in on the details here on my blog. Isn't that nice? 

You'll need a sweater with ribbing at the hem (you know, the stretchy part) which will become the cuffs of the mitten.  And if you want to put an applique design on top, you will need some felted sweater material in a contrasting color.  Use the star pattern below or make up your own! 

Here's a pair that I made.  They are super warm and cozy!  Someone asked me at a book signing if they were for sale, but I just can't part with them.  Please let me know if you make a pair - I'll post the photo on my Practically Green Facebook Page!

Book Events and Other Good Stuff

Do you ever listen to internet radio?  I have to admit that I don't very often, even though there is a ton of good information out there.  Well VoiceAmerica has a show called "Real Parents, Real Solutions", hosted by Toni Schutta and I'm going to be on it next Wednesday January 20th!!  I'll be talking about tips for going green as a family.  It starts at 10am Pacific time (noon for me).  Tune in if you can!  (or catch it at your convenience - past episodes are available anytime!)

For all you Twincitians, I've got a book signing event coming up at a really sweet place in Maple Grove called The Studio at Rush Creek.  It's an art studio where you can take classes or rent time to use the tools for clay work, glass work, metalsmithing/jewelry making and more...  They also have a coffee bar and a really nice gift shop.  I'll be there to talk about my book, show my craft projects and answer questions on Monday, January 25th from 7:00 to 8:00.

If you follow me on my Facebook Page you already heard all about this but ...I got my kids to eat kale!!  Kale chips that is.  Instead of following the 'traditional' kale chip recipe that uses olive oil and salt, I used this very unique recipe instead.  I was worried about overcooking the kale so I started the oven on its lowest temp but I needed to raise the temp quite a bit to get all of the sauce to dry out (and they took about 2 hours instead of 30 minutes to bake)  Next time I'll try a higher temp (350?) from the start.  It's hard to make kale chips look pretty (and my friend Mark thinks they look illegal) but man they were tasty!  I even brought them to my Mom when she was in the hospital.  Some people bring chocolate, I bring kale.

And in other news...I went to my first ever Chiropractic appointment today at Kinetic Chiropractic & Healing Arts in South Minneapolis.  It was fascinating (and you should have heard my neck crack - it made me laugh out loud!).  I've had some chronic back pain that I'm looking to fix but I'm also hoping for some overall health benefits.  It's amazing to learn about how most of the functions in our bodies are tied to our backs.  I'll be going back again next week for another adjustment and looking forward to the journey.  Anyone else out there use Chiropractic healing?  How has it worked for you?

Oh and one more thing....What's your favorite brand of mineral makeup?  I'm looking for a new mineral based foundation and also just curious about what other people like?  So far I've heard good things about Jane Iredale, Alima and Bare Essentials. 

Thanks friends!  Hope you're having a good week!

Make It Green: Mini Champagne Chair

Just a quickie today to share this cuter-than-cute little bistro chair made from a wire champagne cage.  Wouldn't it be perfect for a doll house?  It reminds me a bit of the recycled tin can chairs from my childhood.

Here's the link to the photo tutorial over at Design Sponge.  Now I might just need an excuse to open another bottle of champagne....

For the Love of Stainless....Food & Drink Storage Product Reviews

When it comes to food and beverage storage products, stainless is the new black.  Seems that almost every type of bottle or container that was traditionally made of plastic, now comes in a stainless version.  Since stainless steel is durable, washable, reusable and doesn't leach toxic chemicals into my food or drink, I do not need to be convinced that stainless is the way to go. 

But it does cost a bit more, and I realize it can be hard to pony up the extra money for stainless when the plastic alternative is cheaper.  Here's why I think it's worth it.... 

Food Storage

Think about all those ratty plastic food containers in your kitchen cupboard - wouldn't it be great to upgrade to something that will stay looking nice, virtually forever?  I have a mixture of plastic, glass and stainless storage containers in my cupboards but the stainless ones are my favorite...especially for packing lunches.  If you are looking to get one, I recommend this one from New Wave Enviro.  It's perfect for sandwiches or leftovers and it clamps tightly closed (although it is NOT leak-proof).  We have two of them now - one was sent to me for review and the other was a gift.  I also love my stainless Lunchbots container - it goes to school with my son almost every day!  Both are great choices!

Kids Cups

My 5 year-old still likes a covered cup to carry around the house or in the car. His favorite is the Foogo insulated bottle with a straw top from Thermos.  We have an older model and it has seen a lot of use. At one point the bottom, plastic part fell off but after twisting it back on it has not been a problem (I'm hoping their new design - the one that's pictured - has fixed this issue).  We also have a stainless steel sippy cup, sent for review from New Wave Enviro.  I love the size of the bottle - it is just right for little hands.  The plastic sippy attachment took a little getting used to though.  You have to make sure you have it on just right, or it will leak.  We're really beyond sippy cups at this point so I am hoping to purchase a regular stainless cap for it so that we can keep this bottle in circulation! 

It looks like stainless may be taking over the baby bottle market as well.  I just received a press release about this new line of stainless steel baby bottles from Pura.  The bottles are compatible with many standard brands of bottle nipples.  Has anyone tried these or any other stainless steel baby bottles? 

Water Bottles

I finally gave up my old aluminum water bottle which may or may not have been lined with BPA (no, it wasn't SIGG but a non-branded version) for an inexpensive stainless bottle that I picked up at Target.  Now if someone wanted to give me a water bottle as a gift, I wouldn't mind having one of these beautiful bottles from Earthlust, but for now, my no-name stainless bottle is serving me just fine.

Do you have any favorite stainless steel food containers or beverage bottles?  Please share!

{Full disclosure:  I was sent a free stainless steel food container and a sippy cup from New Wave Enviro as well as a free Lunchbots container.  The other products were purchased with my own dime.}