Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day 2010!
I thought I would share a little Earth Day fodder...
*If you're a OC local head on over to the etnies company store and buy a pair of shoes.
Why? (you're thinking)
The answer:

Decline a bag or bring your own reusable one and get 10% off!!

I had the chance to visit etnies about 6 months ago and I can honestly tell you that the founder/owner, Pierre Andre Senizergues, of etnies has a passion for the environment that is infectious! My favorite quote from Pierre that day was,

"We can make a bamboo shoe, but if the process of making the shoe still generates the some carbon emissions, what's the point?"

WOW! I had never thought about that! When we buy organic, we assume the factory making it is Green. That may not be the case!! etnies switched factories and was able to decrease 20% of their carbon emissions! Check out their Eco-Audit here. It will make you proud to buy the shoes! Plus they are really cute.
See:

*You all know I'm big on saving. I really believe every penny counts!! Show your kiddos with Pennies for the Planet that even one person donating one penny can make a big difference for the environment.

Funding from this year's Pennies for the Planet program will protect endangered coastlines, including:
~Safeguarding Louisiana coastal marshes and helping to support the scientists and volunteers restoring them
~Protecting nesting shore birds like the Western Snowy Plover that live on California's sea shores, and
~Restoring Florida's Panther Island to improve the water quality and habitat for endangered Florida panthers, wood storks, and gopher tortoises.
This program is geared for school age kiddos (starting with 2nd grade) but I'm sure you can still donate. You probably won't qualify for the prizes... BUT it's not about the prizes anyway... it's about teaching your kiddos that they can have a positive impact on the environment! Visit Pennies for the Planet for all the info!

Take the Lids off your bottles when you Recycle!!

During a Tea Party the Pirate and the Cowgirl were discussing Earth Day...Pirate: "Did you know that if you don't take the lids off plastic water bottles they won't be recycled?"

Cowgirl: "WHAT?"

Pirate: "Really! The workers don't have the time to take off the lids so they are just thrown in the trash."

Cowgirl: "So for all these YEARS I have been 'recycling' water bottles and they have been throwing them out!??!?! That makes me want to scream!!!"

Pirate: "That's right! But if you take off the Lids they can recycle everything!"
We can all learn from the Pirate and the Cowgirl...

Take those lids off your plastic water bottles before throwing them in the recycle bins!

NOTE: All reference to taking off "Lids" in this post does not pertain to Eli's Lids. Eli's Lids should remain on at all times (weather pending) to keep kiddos adorable and stylish!

Better yet, use reusable cups and water bottles just like the Eli's Lids kiddos...

"...more than 1 billion water bottles are winding up in the trash in California each year. That translates into nearly 3 million empty water bottles going to the trash EVERY day and an estimated $26 million in unclaimed California Refund Value (CRV) deposits annually. If recycled, the raw materials from those bottles could be used to make 74 million square feet of carpet, 74 million extra large T-shirts or 16 million sweaters, among other things."

(info taken from: PRESS RELEASE - California Department of Conservation May 29th 2003)

Organic Living ~ Baby Steps

Today's post written by Donna at Blessed Nest.

Just in case you're wondering....I am by no means a nutritional or "green" expert. I am a mom who cares about my family's well being ( just like you) and have learned from experience...

Life is the best teacher!

My approach to organic living is a bit different then you may see around the blogosphere. I am not crunchy, so to speak. I recycle (but who doesn't in California). I would love to start a compost this year because it is such a cool science experiment for my homeschooled kids plus my garden can use all the help it can get. I'm a common sense kinda gal. Eating organic (non-processed food), creating a non-toxic environment for my kids to live in (so they will not have breathing difficulties) and respecting the Earth God has given to us just makes sense to me.

Walk with me on my organic journey.....

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY: If you are not leading a organic lifestyle but would love to start somewhere....take High Fructose Corn Syrup out of your diet. It is a big step but in the right direction. It's the first thing I did 4 1/2 years ago and I don't miss it AT ALL!When I think of organic living; I think of healthy living. My journey towards an organic lifestyle began when I had severe stomach issues and went to a nutritionist. The first thing she said was to leave out all products containing High Fructose Corn Syrup (not to be confused with natural fructose in fruits). HFCS is a manufactured product that is used in almost all processed foods. I found this out when I began to read labels. Another comment that my nutritionist said was that "HFCS is the worst possible thing you can give to children." It is like injecting sugar right into their blood stream. It goes right to the blood stream, not metabolizing , causing mood swings in children. I won't get into the debate as to nutrition verses emotional well being but I will say this....My children act completely different (in a bad sort of way) when they have had foods with HFCS.

About the weight debate.... I think a lot of things contribute to obesity in our society but what I do know is by simply cutting out HFCS in my diet; I have lost 45 pounds in 3 1/2 years without dieting. I Simply cut out HFCS and processed, bleached flours such as white flour.(Having two children in 3 years at age 37 and 39 took a tole on my body. My baby weight was not going bye bye) ugh so turning to an organic lifestyle, helped my body to get what it needs and I feel great! The weight stays off because it is a lifestyle not a diet!

My friend Heather cuts HFCS out of her diet for yet another reason. Heather suffers from debilitating migraines. She researched the connection between HFCS and migraines and decided to cut it out of her diet. She has been migraine free ever since. When she accidentally eats a food with HFCS in it; the migraine immediately flairs up.

My favorite link this week... A wonderful article written about HFCS at Epinions.

Up and coming posts will include practical tips for going green at home , creating a Eco environment on a budget as well as Eco tips for creating a organic nursery on a budget and the benefits for you and your baby!
Xo Donna

Donna is the of VP Sales/Marketing for Blessed Nest Inc (one of the first products I got to review!) Blessed Nest has created a nursing pillow like you have NEVER seen before... because it totally works! She is also a homeschooling mama of two beautiful girls and a certified Lid Lover!

See her fantastical (yes, that says fantastical) blog here.