Green Tip of the Week: Holiday Gifts!

I know, I know...we just finished off our Thanksgiving leftovers and now we are on to thinking about the next holiday!! 
If you are anything like me, then you tend to be a last minute shopper. But there is a trap last minute shoppers get caught in, and that is buying little trinkets that no one really needs because you've run out of time!! So this year I want to challenge you to put some eco-thought into your gifts and really get your loved ones something they will appreciate and use!

1. Give back...Maybe scale down the gifts this year and give to charity! Whether that be volunteering or donating what you can, 'tis the season to give to those less fortunate!

2. Think green...plants, make a quilt from old t-shirts, frame old pictures, make a scrap-book from all recycled materials...the list goes on!

3. Think LolaBabiez Organics...while you're giving the gift of green, check out our incredible selection of clothing and products. Shop for some fun stuff knowing you are doing your part for the planet!

4. Check out this detailed list...from Treehugger.com! They break it down into all different catagories (animal lover, jet setter, etc!)...and they have some great ideas. Check it out below!

Treehugger.com

“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”

- Amanda Bradley

Green Tip of the Week: Thanksgiving (Part 3)

The big day is upon us! I'm sure you all are busy peeling mashed potatoes and prepping the turkey...so here are a few quick reminders to keep you thinking green!

1. Use your own plates! You have an entire army of family to help you with the dishes, so create less waste by using proper dishware rather than paper and plastic. (*also be mindful of water usage while doing the dishes)

2. Cloth napkins! It is a special occasion, so bring 'em out and then toss 'em in the laundry.

3. Share your knowledge! As you sit around the table, find a way to spread some green knowledge with your loved ones. We are all living on this planet, we should all be doing what we can to preserve and love it!

A very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from the Lolababiez team!

"Thanksgiving day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow."

-Edward Sandford Martin

Green Tip of the Week: Thanksgiving, Part 2

We've greenified your turkey and decorations, let's continue on with some more Thanksgiving tips!

1. Save Energy: Between cooking, eating and digesting...you need all the energy you can manage for the big day. The same goes for America's power grid!! Here are a few energy saving tips: create ambiance by lighting soy candles for the table and if you can avoid cranking the heat, do so! Get the fireplace going instead. Of course, be sure to turn off and unplug all kitchen appliances as soon as you are finished with the meal.

2. Portion Control: We make a ridiculous amount of food on Thanksgiving, ultimately ending in waste! I am challenging you to really try and prepare just enough food for you and your guests, and of course some leftovers. Some...not an entire second dinner!! Also, ask your guests to bring their own Tupperware this way you can share the leftover love.

3. Donate: Remember there are way too many people who are not fortunate enough to have a big family meal this Thanksgiving. I always encourage people to donate their time to charity, but especially during the holiday season. Also, look for organizations that will accept prepared foods! Anything will be appreciated.

More to come next week!

"Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow."
- Johann Wolfgang von GoetheUnknown

Green Tip of the Week: Thanksgiving Tips

Thanksgiving is around the corner! Are you prepared? Here are a few tips to get you and your guests thinking green over the big meal.

1. The Turkey: It is not your imagination that turkeys are getting bigger each year, and no, that is not natural. In most cases that is the work of steroids. As with most of your meats, you want to look for an organic and free-range turkey. Also make sure they are hormone and anti-biotic free so you and your family are not ingesting any unwanted chemicals this year. Visit the Organic Trade Association website for more information.

2. The Decorations: As usual, you want to either re-use your old decorations or buy re-usable ones. The key is to keep your new purchases minimal. Some alternative ideas are to go outside, find those beautiful autumn leaves, sticks, berries etc. and get creative!! This is also a great way to keep the kids busy while also teaching them green decorating.

This should be sufficient to get you started. More to come next week!

"You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind."
- UnknownUnknown

Green Tip of the Week: Trimming off the excess...

Let's talk about product packaging. I mean, it's getting ridiculous. Ever been hungry and tried to get into a box of crackers? First you try tearing through the plastic on the outside of the box, which seemingly has no easy opening procedure, and once the box is open you find the crackers are laughing at you through an airtight plastic bag that no amount of man power can tear through. Ultimately, you are left with five crackers and ten pounds of useless packaging. Ridiculous!

Product packaging makes up one third of America's garbage load. ONE THIRD!! This is partly the fault of package-happy manufacturers, but we are to blame as well! How many of you buy packaging within packaging (100 calorie packs anyone?) We all do it, but there are a few ways to significantly decrease your packaging waste...

1. Buy in Bulk...

...and re-package yourself in re-usable containers. You've heard this before...time to start practicing it!

2. Look for recyclable packaging...

...a lot of companies have hopped on the green train, and are trying to do their part in reducing waste. Start supporting them!

3. Relax on the take-out...

...have more meals in, or pack your lunch for the day. This will save on waste and money.

"Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength." -Anonymous

Green Tip of the Week: Green Halloween

Listen up all you ghosts and goblin's, while it is a blast to dress up in manufactured costumes and parade around the neighborhood trailing tootsie roll wrappers, it is not the "green" way!

Here are a few tips to help you green-up your Halloween festivities...

1. Don't buy a new costume...

...try checking out what you can make from your closet, reuse old costumes, swap costumes with neighbors, check out thrift stores, etc. The alternatives to buying a brand new costume are endless!

2. Decorations...

...are awesome, just be sure to reuse them from year to year.

3. Trick or Treat bags...

...be sure they are reusable! Buckets, your reusable grocery bags or pillowcases work great!

4. No littering...

...pass on the green gene to your kids and loved ones! Make sure everyone is properly disposing candy wrappers.

5. Candy...

...ah sweet candy. When purchasing your treats, think about what you are handing out to kids. Maybe make a more eco/health conscious decision. Whole Foods carries candies you can feel proud to hand out! Also, support a product that has minimized their packaging.

"In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth."

-Patti Smith

Green Tip of the Week: The Dirty Dozen...

What is all that stuff that makes up our personal care products? I have to channel my tenth grade chemistry class to even pronounce half of the ingredients. After attempting to understand and pronounce the methlcopalopalmina-ding-dongs, the only conclusion I came to was: that hodgepodge of chemicals being applied to my skin daily can't be good. After a little bit of research, turns out I was right. Today we are going to decode what is in our cosmetic products by teaching you the 12 ingredients you must steer clear of and why. THE NO-NO's: 1. Antibacterials: FOUND IN: every product that claims to be "anti-bacterial" BAD BECAUSE: they can actually weaken your immune system and decrease fertility! 2. Coal tar...colors FD&C Blue 1, Green 3: FOUND IN: dandruff shampoos, anti-itch creams, toothpaste and mouthwash. BAD BECAUSE: it's a carcinogen. yuck. 3. Diethanolamine (DEA): FOUND IN: shampoos and other personal care products. BAD BECAUSE: it can create bi-chemicals called "nitroamines," known to be carcinogenic. 4. 1, 4-Dioxane: FOUND IN: everything, it is used to dilute more abrasive ingredients. BAD BECAUSE: it is linked to cancer. 5. Formaldehyde (diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium compounds): FOUND IN: most cosmetics, used as a perservative. BAD BECAUSE: can cause joint discomfort, chest pains and chronic fatigue. 6. Fragrance: FOUND IN: everything, unfortunately. BAD BECAUSE: it is a loop-hole. The term "fragrance" can mask hundreds of ingredients, usually including phthalates, known to disrupt the edoctrine system and cause reproductive harm. 7. Lead & Mercury: FOUND IN: lead can appear in toothpaste as a contaminant of hydrated silica, also known as lead acetate in men's hair dye. Mercury is found in cosmetics as a preservative called thimerosol. BAD BECAUSE: they are neurotoxins! 8. Nanoparticles: FOUND IN: Sunscreens BAD BECAUSE: they are rumored to penetrate cell membranes and cause biochemical damage. Studies are on-going...but I would still steer clear. 9. Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butyl-, ethyl-, isobutyl-): FOUND IN: almost everything...be sure to look at the fine print. BAD BECAUSE: they mess with your hormones!! They are used as chemical preservatives...and because they mess with your hormone function, they make you more prone to breast cancer. 10. Petroleum Distillates: BAD BECAUSE: thought to be a carcinogen due to the way it is manufactured (think oil!). 11. p-Phenylenediamine (or 1, 4 Benzenediamine, 4-Phenylenediamine): FOUND IN: hair dye. BAD BECAUSE: can cause damage to your nervous system, lung irritation, and allergic reactions. 12. Hydroquinone: FOUND IN: skin lighteners and facial moisturizers. BAD BECAUSE: it is a neurotoxic and can be allergenic. So try to find natural alternatives. Also, write a letter to your favorite cosmetic company and ask them to stop using some of these harmful chemicals because you love their products! The turn around won't be quick, but you never know what your input might spark. I suggest making a pocket list of these ingredients to keep on you while you shop, unless you'd like to tackle memorizing them. Whatever works! Remember, you can visit LolaBabiez Organics for vegan and toxic free baby & mommy skincare by Earth Mama Angel Baby. "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." -Ralph Waldo Emerson