Mindful Momma

Back To School with the Green Moms Carnival

Welcome to the 3rd annual back-to-school edition of the Green Moms Carnival!!  Clearly this is a HUGE topic and the carnival gets bigger & better every year!  I was happy to include submissions from quite a few new contributors as well as those of us who have been with the group from the beginning.

One thing was clear as I read through all the submissions: As parents, we want to make the whole school experience a sustainable one.  Not only do our kids spend a lot of time at school, but it is a launching pad for the rest of their lives. It's where they learn healthy habits and respect for the earth and everything on it. 

Read on to hear what the Green Moms have to say about going back-to-school the sustainable way.  We're covering everything from transportation to school, eco-friendly supplies and gear, healthy food choices and how to get involved in green activism at your school.

{The Green Moms Carnival is a monthly roundup of blog posts on a chosen topic.  Visit our home page on OrganicMania to learn more!  Next month's carnival will be hosted by Diane at Big Green Purse on the topic of the "Eco Impact of Clothing".  Send submissions to diane@biggreenpurse.com } 

Green Beginnings

Looking back on her childhood, Harriet from Climate Mama remembers the feelings of anticipation and new beginnings each school year.  She ponders how to make those new beginnings more sustainable in this "over the top, consumer product oriented culture."

The first day of school is going to be big for Amber from strocel.com.  She is sending her oldest child off to Kindergarten!!  Talk about a milestone!!  Read how she's planning to reduce the environmental impact of her daughter's school experience.

Green School Activism

What better time to get involved in greening your school than the beginning of the year?  Susan from Practically Green encourages us to join the school's green team...or if there isn't one already, start one up ourselves!

Diane from Big Green Purse shares an inspiring story of how the "young activists club" at a nearby school are campaigning for reusable lunch trays instead of styrofoam.  Diane gives them a big thumbs up!!

If you are in the activist mode, check out this list of Top 10 Green School Projects from Lynn from OrganicMania.  There's a lot to be done and there's something for everyone!

A school garden is a wonderful way to teach kids where their food comes from.  Deanna's (Crunchy Chicken) school has one.  Does yours?

Getting There - The Sustainable Way

The big yellow bus is not the only way to get to school.  Learn how some motivated parents in my neighborhood created a walking school bus to get more kids to walk to school!

Just getting the kids out the door in the morning can feel like the biggest hurdle of the day.  Read my thoughts on setting up a school day routine to help our family live a green & healthy life. 

School Supplies - Greening the List

Who better to ask about the environmental impact of school supplies than a teacher?  Abbie (A Farmer's Daughter) gives us her perspective on the crazy amount of waste at schools (and how to combat it) and rants about her pet peeve:  asking kids to bring their own toilet paper! 

Linda from Citizen Green points out that one of the most toxic plastics around -  PVC - runs rampant in school supplies.  It's even in plastic-coated spiral notebooks and paper clips! 

Anna from Green Talk shares what its like to buy school supplies for 4 kids and how she reuses as much as possible and takes old binders apart for recycling.  Go Anna!

Don't worry - it is possible to find eco-friendly versions of standard school supplies!  Sommer from Green & Clean Mom tells us about her favorites and where to find them.

Green & Healthy Gear

With the demand for safe and eco-friendly school gear at an all time high, companies have really stepped up the pace.  There seems to be an endless parade of new 'green' products...the hardest part is choosing what to buy (and not buying too much!).  Check out these tips from the Green Moms about their favorite products and strategies from greening the gear:

Take the Green My Lunchbox pledge along with Lisa from Lazy Budget Chef.  You gotta love the campaign goal:  to eliminate over 1 million pounds of waste a year!!

Waste-free lunch kits and backpacks are on the radar for Katie from Non-Toxic Kids.  She's sending her oldest off to kindergarten in eco-friendly style!

Lori from Groovy Green Livin tells us about 6 green things you need to send your kids back-to-school the eco-friendly way.

Lisa from RetroHousewife Goes Green shares her favorite waste-free lunch accessories.

I cracked up reading Beth's (Fake Plastic Fish) post about her beloved Dawn Doll lunchbox (made out of smelly PVC vinyl) circa 1974.  Now a days there are plenty of PVC-free options but a new problem has arisen that Beth would like to see changed:  styrofoam lunch trays.

Kathy from Safe Mama created an incredible 'cheat sheet' of safer and eco-friendlier lunch gear.  If you're in the market for a lunchbox, this is the list to check!

Katie from Kitchen Stewardship offers up some very helpful tips to reduce lunchbox waste.  Plus a super-smart policy for getting all your lunch gear home:  If it doesn't get eaten, it comes home!

The Planet Box is certainly one of the most unique lunch containers I've seen.  Jennifer at Z-Recommends tells us why it gets a Top Pick on their website.

Don't be fooled by 'safe' lunchboxes made with Microban.  Kimberly at Get Green Be Well tells us why.

Tiffany (Nature Moms) talks Tiffins, Lunchbots and Sigg.

Does your child really need a new backpack?  Sommer (Green & Clean Mom) recommends reusing what you can, buying used when possible and when you need to buy something new, make it green.

If you are shopping for shoes this fall listen up:  Lisa from Condo Blues has a list of 11 PVC-free (that's the poison plastic) shoe brands that you won't want to miss!

Healthy Eating

If you're looking for healthy ideas for the lunchbox, look no further than Katie's (Kitchen Stewardship) post about packing a healthy lunch.  It's chock full of recommendations including some "acceptable shortcuts" which we all know we need every once in awhile!

I've got a similar post that covers sandwiches, snacks and something sweet (including a link to my favorite healthier chocolate chip cookies!)

Jennifer from A Tranquil Parent has a post about packing a vegetarian lunch - which you certainly don't have to be a vegetarian to appreciate!

Sommer's (Green & Clean Mom) post about eco-friendly lunches makes a really good point about hot lunches:  "Our children cannot be shielded from bad food all the time....teaching them about moderation and helping them learn to appreciate the healthy food and how fresh food tastes will go a long way."  She also points out the importance of getting involved in improving school lunches at your child's school!!

Here's a cool way to encourage healthy eating:  have your school become a drop-off point for a CSA (community supported agriculture) program.  Deanna from Crunchy Chicken ponders this idea.

Healthy Classroom

"What about school makes my kid sick?" What a great question asked by Karen at Best of Mother Earth.  The answer (and solution) may surprise you!

Katie from Kitchen Stewardship talks dirt about hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps.

If your school has "crazy hair day" you might want to read Deanna's (Crunchy Chicken) post about the crazy chemicals in that crazy hair spray.  It'll drive you crazy!

Thanks for reading!  Please share this post on Twitter, FB, StumbleUpon, Kirtsy etc.....and come back in September for "The Eco Impact of Clothing" at Big Green Purse!!

Green Moms Carnival Next Week!

Hey everyone!  If you've come here for the Green Mom's Carnival - you've come to the right place.  Except that we've decided to postpone it by a week.  We're all too busy finishing up our vacations and enjoying the last bit of summer break to sit down and write about back-to-school!!

Please come back next Monday, August 30th for the back-to-school edition of the Green Moms Carnival.  No doubt it will be chock-full of info, insights and insanity...everything you've come to expect from the Green Moms and MORE!!

See U then!

Micaela

Roasted Tomato Love

Whew - it finally cooled down long enough for me to roast up my abundance of CSA tomatoes.   It never fails to surprise me how a large pile of tomatoes can become so small but all it takes is one bite of that concentrated, caramelized, toasty, slightly sweet flavor and I know where it all went!  Last night we enjoyed fresh rolls with goat cheese and roasted tomatoes with our dinner: 

Speaking of using up CSA veggies, I've been pouring through a new cookbook called The Homesteader's Kitchen by Robin Burnside.  It's awesome.  Review coming soon!

 

{Note: If you purchase the book through this link, I will get a small commission through the Amazon Affiliates program.}

Healthy Snacks To Go eBook Giveaway Winners and Discount!

Whoopsy - I misunderstood the giveaway code: it is MM25off and has been extended an extra day.  Sorry for the inconvenience!

My little giveaway for 2 copies of the Healthy Snacks To Go eBook is now closed and I've picked the winners:  Kristina and Shannon!!  They are each getting a free download of this awesome eBook loaded with healthy snacks to feed the family!

No worries if you didn't win though.  Download your own copy right now for only $5.21.  That's 25% off of the regular price of $6.95.  Just use the code MM25 MM25off at checkout.  But act fast - this price is only good through midnight on Thursday, August 26th Friday, August 27th. 

Happy snacking!

{Note:  I receive a small commission for each eBook sold through an affiliate program}

Stewart + Brown = Eco + Style

Take a spin around your local shopping mall and you probably won't come up with much in the way of eco-friendly clothing.  It simply hasn't hit mainstream.  But there are companies who are pioneering their way in sustainable fashion.  Stewart + Brown is one of them.

Karen Stewart and Howard Brown, partners in business and in life, founded  Stewart + Brown because they were sick of all the waste in the conventional clothing industry.  Armed with design backgrounds and a passion for the environment, they vowed to create an ethical, sustainable clothing company that was still capable of dazzling the fashion world. 

Organic pima cotton, hemp and Mongolian cashmere are the fabrics of choice and the majority of production is done in the United States.  The organic cotton is certified through Control Union (formally known as SKAL).  As you may already know, I had the opportunity to wear Stewart + Brown at BlogHer and I can officially say I am a huge fan!  This dress I wore to the Martha Stewart Blogger's Night Out party was lightweight, soft and ultra-comfy - perfect for a hot evening in NYC:

My goal was to make a statement about sustainable fashion at BlogHer so I got some of my green blogging friends to wear Stewart + Brown too.  Everyone loved the styles and the super-soft organic cotton.  Take a peek:

{Beth from Fake Plastic Fish, Lisa from Condo Blues, Amy from Crunchy Domestic Goddess}

Admittedly, Stewart + Brown is not for the light of pocketbook. You will not find it at T.J. Maxx or J.C. Penney.  It's a fashion brand and it comes at a premium price.  When I approached my 'greenies' about promoting the line, they voiced this concern.  Here's what I told them:

• The more we promote sustainable fashion, the more mainstream it will become
• Mainstream = better cost efficiencies = lower prices
• Let's debunk the misconception that all eco clothing is itchy and scratchy
• Most of us 'splurge' every once in awhile, why not splurge on sustainable fashion?
• BlogHer was in NYC this year - the perfect place to make a sustainable statement!
• The owners of Stewart + Brown are organic pioneers - we can help them pave the way!
  

Are you intrigued?  Then check out the new fall line, available through the Stewart + Brown website and shipping to select retailers now.  And if you're ready for that eco-fashion splurge, then now's the time because you can get at 15% discount now through September 16th, using the coupon code mindfulmomma at checkout.  Also - be sure to either get on the mailing list or follow the Stewart + Brown Facebook page to be the first to know about sales and new products.  They have AMAZING sales!  (I picked up a couple things at the end of year clearance at 50% off sale prices - totally affordable!)

Check out a few of my faves from the new fall line:

 



{Photo credit for Fall 2010 line:  Nancy Neil}

{Disclosure:  Howard + Brown provided free clothing for this review.  For more information, please see my review policy on the Contact page of my blog.}

Switching Up the Back-To-School Routine

Hey everyone - this is my post for the Green Moms Carnival - and I am hosting this month!!  Come back during the week of August 23rd 30th for more tips, ideas and thoughts on making back-to-school time a more sustainable endeavor! 

This year, as the beginning of the school year approaches, I'm not worrying as much about packing a healthy lunch or avoiding all the crazy back-to-school commercialism.  Instead, I'm fretting about routines. 

I'm generally not big on routines.  I like an easy going approach to day-to-day life.  Yet one thing I've realized over 10 years of parenting is that routines are really important for kids.  Sure they resist them and they try their darndest to get out of them, but through routine they learn self-discipline and commitment.  Important values for life!

Alas, our school year routine has gotten a little out of control!  The boys have a late start school so we have lots of time in the morning but I've let a bit too much screen time fall into the mix.  Bagels and cream cheese have become the go-to breakfast instead of healthier options.  All too often, we end up in a rush and teeth aren't brushed....and in the evening, homework can be a challenge if we let it get too late.

With Liam starting kindergarten this fall, this is the time to pull in the reins a bit.  A more structured routine will help us live a greener and healthier life!  Here's what I'm thinking:

7:30 wake up/get dressed

8:00 screen time (1/2 hour max!)

8:30 breakfast at the table (oatmeal, eggs...something with sticking power!)

8:50 brush teeth & get ready

9:00 leave for bus

---------------------------------

4:15 healthy after-school snack (something from the Healthy Snacks eBook, perhaps?)

6:00 healthy sit-down dinner

7:00 homework

Now I realize that some of you are probably freaking at how late our morning schedule is.  Believe me, it's nice in a lot of ways, but it has it's down-sides too.  Like I can't be anywhere or get anything done before 9:30 in the morning...which makes this whole idea of going back to work a little challenging. (oh, I didn't tell you about that?  More about that later!)  And the late afternoon means it's hard to fit in homework, especially on sports nights. 

What is your school year routine?  What are your biggest challenges?  Any and all advice appreciated!

{note: should you choose to buy the Healthy Snacks eBook, I get a small commission from the affiliate program}

Mindful Momma Giveaway: Healthy Snacks To Go eBook

Ready or not - it's back-to-school time.  And with that comes lunches to pack and after-school snacks to serve. If you are in need of some snack-time inspiration, I highly recommend Katie Kimball's Healthy Snacks To Go eBook.

Katie writes the blog Kitchen Stewardship and she is a powerhouse of information about healthy, balanced living...in the kitchen and beyond.  Her Healthy Snacks To Go eBook features over 30 healthy snack recipes including numerous variations of granola bars and 'power' type bars, homemade crackers, fruit rolls, muffins and even some portable side dish ideas. 

What I especially like about Katie's recipes is that they include healthy upgrades (like using less sugar or substituting whole wheat flour for AP) and lots of tips for recipe success!  She also uses icons to make it easy to spot when a recipe is nut-free, raw, diaper bag friendly etc...

So far I can tell you that the traditional granola bar recipe is a keeper!  Super fast and you can use whatever add-ins you happen to have around the house.  Next on my list to make are the Protein Bars, made with peanut butter and molasses (for iron!) and I'm itching to try the Stovetop Cinnamon Rice Pudding using brown rice.

Healthy Snacks To Go is very reasonably priced at $6.95.  For that you get over 30 recipes + endless variations + peace of mind that you are serving healthy snacks to your family.  If I were you, I'd just buy it right now!

However, you do have a chance to WIN a copy!  Katie has generously offered 2 free copies of her eBook to Mindful Momma readers.  Leave me a comment telling me what recipes intrigue you the most and I'll add you to the giveaway pool.  Bonus entries for subscribing to my RSS or email feed, following me on my Mindful Momma Facebook page or following me on Twitter. (just be sure to let me know that you did it).  The giveaway will run through midnight, central time on Monday, August 23rd.

{Full disclosure:  I am a member of Katie's affiliate program so I will receive a small commission for each eBook sale.}

Random Updates

Um, where has summer gone??  How is it that the beginning of the school year is only 2 weeks away?  (my kids are starting a week before labor day this year - outrageous!) Just thought I'd fill you in on a few random things since I clearly won't have time to write a separate post on each.

The Garden:  Remember when I was lamenting my pest-ridden garden?  Well, I'm happy to say that my broccoli is flourishing and I've got a bumper crop of basil!!  But have you seen the price of pine nuts lately?  I think I'll be using walnuts in my pesto next time.  How is your garden growing?

The CSA:  Joy of joys - we got sweet corn in our CSA yesterday!!  A huge wind storm damaged the corn crop at our CSA farm in Wisconsin and I wasn't sure if we would be getting any.  It's kind of wild having a vested interest in the well-being of a farm that I have never even visited (yet).  Each week we get an update on what's coming in the box and what's going on at the farm.  This week we learned about various ailments that have hit the vegetables:  purple leaf blotch that causes onions to go rotten and alterneria blight that has hit the tomatoes.  Right now I'm feeling very thankful to the farmers who grow my organic vegetables and I'm more than happy to take on my (very little) part of the risk.

The Green Moms Carnival:  I'm hosting this month and the subject is back-to-school!!  Do you have any ideas to share about eco-friendly ways to head back to school?  Feel free to contact me and submit a post for the carnival -I'd love to hear from some new voices!  It's going live on Monday, August 23rd.  

(Speaking of back-to-school, be sure to check back here next Monday for a review and giveaway of the Healthy Snacks To Go eBook from Katie at Kitchen Stewardship.  It's a back-to-school must!)

The House: We are gearing up for a major remodel of our 100+ year old house. I almost don't even want to tell you about it because it involves lead paint and some eco/financial trade-offs.  Thankfully the lead paint will be gone soon and the plan is to re-side our house in eco-friendly Hardie board.  We'll be adding a lot of insulation too.  Meanwhile, does anyone have a recommendation for a good vacuum with a Hepa filter? 

On another note, I did a radon test in our basement awhile back and it came back a bit above normal.  They suggested doing a 3 month test so I did.  Just got the results back and they came back normal!  Big sigh of relief.  (FYI - you can order test kits online and they are super easy to use)

That's all for now!  See you next week.

The Voice of the Green Community

Why do I go to BlogHer? Is it for the crazy parties, the mountains of SWAG, the endless buffets and food samples?  Um, well partly.  But I wouldn't pay a bunch of money and leave my kids for a weekend just for that.  The main reason I go to BlogHer is to meet and hang out with my fellow green peeps...bloggers, activists and marketers alike.  It's like a big, green love fest and it only happens once a year!

This year, BlogHer had a big emphasis on empowerment and social change.  A bunch of the sessions were on effecting change; international activist blogger scholarship recipients were featured and the closing keynote was How to Use Your Voice, Your Platform and Your Power.  One of the things that really struck me this year was what a BIG voice bloggers have when we join together in a community.  Whether it's green/environmental, breastfeeding advocacy, political change, GLBT rights...you name it, the collective voice has amazing POWER!  

Check out some of the amazing green voices I spent time with at BlogHer this year (and see my Facebook photo album):

Beth from Fake Plastic Fish - Live life with less plastic

Lynn from OrganicMania - Your guide to making sense of healthy, green living

Lisa from Condo Blues - How to live green and save money doing it

Maryanne from Not Quite Crunchy Parent - Not quite crunchy, not quite mainstream...news, tips and information for parents in the middle

Jennifer from The Smart Mama - Simple steps to non-toxic kids

Sommer from Green & Clean Mom - How being 'green' can be sexy, sassy and fun!

Amy from Crunchy Domestic Goddess - Raising social consciousness and a new generation of

treehuggers since 2004

Anna from Green Talk - Turning the planet green one conversation at a time

Siel from Green LA Girl - Urban eco living by the beach

Alicia from The Soft Landing - Your guide to avoiding endocrine disrupters

Lisa from Enviroblog - Environmental connections to public health

Calley from The Eco Chic - Learning how to love Mother Earth

Neha from Greenista - A fashionista with a green conscience

Kathy from Safe Mama - One stop child safety, product recall, health, well-being, non-toxic, eco-conscious resource for parents.

And I can't forget these lovely ladies - whom I met at various dinners and and events - not necessarily blogging green but we all seem to be on the same page:

Annie from PhDinParenting - Exploring the art and science of parenting

Heather from A Mama's Blog - Daily life with my 2 boys and other topics

Sarah from SFBayParent - Who has written for The Huffington Post, ecofabulous, BlogHer (and more!) and who's personal blog sairy.com is currently under construction.

Jo from Outta Jo, Onto You - Who writes about babies (her's is a real cutie!), reproductive health and whatever else happens to come to mind.

Michelle from DouDou Bebe - Little luxuries for mama and baby (check out her eco-friendly baby toys)

Arwyn from Raising My Boychick - Feminist thoughts inspired by parenting a presumably straight white male

Heather from Cliz Biz - Nothin' but a dreamer

Olga from Sassy Radish - A mostly vegetarian food blog with gorgeous photography!

Chris and Kristin from Love Feast - We invite you to our table or we'll meet you at yours

Marcy from Pine Creek Cottage - Writing about home, decorating and flea market style from Connecticut

Did I leave anyone out?  Who did you meet at BlogHer?

Wearing Green for BlogHer'10

Thursday is going to be a big day.  Not only am I flying to New York City for BlogHer, the coolest blogging conference ever (not that I really know - it's the only one I've ever been to) but I'm also going to a party at Martha Stewart Omnimedia!!!  

Martha Stewart!!  I've been reading her magazine since it first came out in the early 90's. As a passionate crafter and a good food lover, she has provided me with endless inspiration and yes, sometimes frustration (how can she make it look so simple?)  Why did she invite me, a B-list green blogger to her party?  Probably because I reviewed her line of eco-friendly cleaning supplies and I'm big on DIY.  Whatever the reason - I am thrilled to be invited!  Will the diva of craftiness actually show her face at the party?  Not sure.  But I'm bringing a copy of my book for her, just in case!

Of course this begs the million dollar question - WHAT TO WEAR in NYC - the mecca of the fashion world??  This girl's highly thrifted, Midwestern wardrobe needs some serious help!  Ironically I was offered a chance to be 'outfitted' for BlogHer by a well-known clothing retailer but since their organic offerings were nada, I politely declined.

Call me crazy.

Instead, I reached out to a super cool, sustainable clothing company called Stewart + Brown.  They kindly agreed to provide me and some of my green blogging friends some stylish eco-friendly clothing to show off at BlogHer!!  We will be tweeting about our sustainable style during the conference using @stewartbrown and #stewartbrown if you would like to follow.  If all goes well (meaning the package from S+B arrives in time), I will be wearing a super cute Stewart + Brown tank dress to Martha's rooftop party and to the Green Blogger Soiree on Thursday evening!!  Stay tuned for more about this fab company (and photos!) coming as soon as I get back! 

Meanwhile, I've been rounding out my wardrobe with some new-to-me tops from Second Debut, our upscale Goodwill, and I'll be packing my brand new homemade earrings as well.  And check out the necklace I just made to match one of my new shirts...look closely and you will see that the green glass circles (repurposed from an old necklace of mine) are the same size as the circles on the shirt.  Even Martha ought to approve!