Kids Organic Cooking & Eco Camps

What a great activity for your children with your children!   They can learn and have fun at the same time.  These can be amazing experiences that your children will carry with them throughout their childhood and into adulthood.  Organic Cooking and Eco-camps can be essential to the education of the youth in the green movement. I wish more states had organic cooking and eco-camp programs available.

Date and Time: June 11 at 10:00am until July 26 at 4:00pm
Kids Summer Organic Cooking and Sustainability Camps

The Art of Food Cooking Camp June 11-14 Mon-Thurs 10am-2pm (ages 9-16)
The Spice of Life Cooking Camp July 9-12 Mon-Thurs 10am-2pm (ages 9-16)
Organic Fruitopia Cooking Camp July 23-26 Mon-Thurs 10am-2pm(ages 5-9)

These 16 hour camps are tasty hands-on classes of learning all about specific foods… organically ! We will dive into the fun food sculpting as well as seasoning experimenting and learn how to cook healthy,organic dishes while we do it. We will look at the traditional cooking as well as the non-traditional dishes. All campers will learn basic cooking skills, kitchen safety and food handling practices. Campers will taste test each dish and take home a full notebook of recipes. All equipment, aprons and food is supplied.
*Note* All recipes will be Gluten free as my kitchen is completely gluten free.

The Art of Trash Sustainability Camp June 11-14 Mon-Thurs 2pm-4pm(ages 9-16)
Water Wonders Sustainability Camp July 9-12 Mon-Thurs 2pm-4pm(ages 9-16)
The Art of Trash Sustainability Camp July 23-26 Mon-Thurs 2am-4pm(ages 5-9)

These 8 hr camps will focus on caring for our planet. In “The Art of Trash” Kids will learn about recycling and the trash we create while making fun art large and small. In “Water Wonders” kids will experiment with water while learning about water pollution and the solutions. Both camps help bring awareness of our planets problems while creating a fun way to learn about them.

Inclusive Cost Of Camps:
$175 per student for 10am-2pm cooking camp alone
$69 per student for sustainability camp alone 2pm-4pm
$229 per student for 10am-4pm cooking AND sustainability camp
$259 per student for 8am-6pm extended child care hours with both camps

For more information please contact:
Natural Living 281-678-7948
www.shopnaturalliving.com

Made By Me Box Set

Less assembly than model cars but way more fun!! A child can learn how to create, build and have fun. The Made By Me Box Set allows children the chance to make relatively simple vehicles and then decorate them anyway they like. Better than a preassembled toy in my book. The Made By Me Boxed Set is also one parents don’t really need to help with. I like toys that show children how learning and creating is fun and exciting. Who know’s this might be the spark your child needs to figure out what he or she will want to be when they grow up.

Product Description: The Made By Me Set Details:
Get 4 original vehicle kits in one box. Includes the blank bodies for a train, tugboat, tractor, and truck plus wheels and axles for each. The Made By Me series allows children 3 and up to have a good creative and constructive time! The assembly instructions are enclosed. All you need is some glue, a hammer, and paints, crayons, stickers or anything you want use for designing your vehicles.

Made in the USA.

The great folks at Eartheasy.com sent me a Grow Your Own Mushroom Kit to try and I think it is just about the coolest thing ever. Here are some pictures I took from day 1 to 6. It supposed to take 10 days but I think my mushrooms are doing soo well I had to show you.

Mushrooms Day 2

Mushrooms Day 3

Mushrooms Day 4

Mushrooms Day 5

Mushrooms Day 6

In 6 days this is how much they have grown. All you have to do is keep them out of direct sunlight, spritz with water 2 times a day and watch them grow. Then when you are finished with 1 side. You can turn it around and the start on the other side!!

This is a great way to teach kids about plant care, gardening (albiet differently) and being responsible. This makes a cool gift even for an adult. I have been having so much fun. Every morning I wake up to see how different they look and before I go to bed. They grew so fast I almost couldn’t believe it.Eartheasy.com has some other really cool grow your own kits as well. Check them out here Eartheasy.com and on Twitter & Facebook to find more super cool items.

Wild Dill is one of my fave green shops for kids! You can get clothes, toys and gifts all in one spot. I appreciate a store that is really dedicated to the green cause instead of just claiming to be. I would also like to add that this is another company with awesome customer service. That is one of the most important things to me when shopping anywhere. Now on to the fun stuff!

Uncle Goose Antics Ant Blocks

Wild Dill Uncle Goose Antics Ant Blocks – Images of ant hills, a queen with her eggs and an enemy spider, Non-toxic, child safe inks, 16 blocks, Made in Michigan.

Yellow Label Kids Organic Bird Rattles

Wild Dill Yellow Label Kids Organic Bird Rattles -Set of three rattles: one bird and two owls,Fair Trade, made by groups of artisans spanning the globe from Chile to Nepal,100% organic bamboo yarn.

Roy Toy Earth Friendly Tree House

Wild Dill Roy Toy Earth Friendly Tree House – 71 pieces,Pieces tumbled for a smooth finish,Natural color with no dyes,Building instructions included,Packaged in a cotton bag,Made in USA

Zubels Organic Crinkle and Rattle Giraffe

Wild Dill Zubels Organic Crinkle and Rattle Giraffe- Hand knit,Low impact dyes,Arms span 13″ making them perfect for tying onto strollers, cribs and car seats,Fairly made in the Philippines, 100% Organic Cotton Yarn

Make Your Old Candles New

While un-Christmas-ing our house last weekend I realized we have a bunch of candles that we can’t use anymore but I didn’t want to throw them out because there was still plenty of wick, wax and perfectly good jars for some left over. I have many a glass container sitting in our basement waiting for some good use and it struck me, I can make new candles out of these. I always struggle with our tea lights as well that can’t burn anymore but there is still wax left over. I did some online research and making old candles new really isn’t that difficult.

1. Separate your colored, scented and plain candle wax from each other. In the articles I have read mixing colors generally turns the wax brown so trying to mix may not always be that good of an idea. The same goes for scented wax. The idea of mixing scents sounds fun but they may not mix as pleasantly as you might think.

2. If you have wax in glass containers you can remove the wax by boiling water in a pot. Once the water is boiling put the glass containers in the water and let sit until wax is melted enough to pour out of the container.

3. While you are waiting for the water to boil/wax to melt get your new containers or molds ready.  Make sure to clean the containers first and that they are dry before pouring wax in.  Also make sure the glass is at room temperature before pouring the wax in.  You don’t want them to crack.

4. If you want to add color or scents to plain candles while the wax is melted add some food coloring, or your favorite scented oils. You can also add dried fruit or herbs if you want to get fancy. Make sure to stir thoroughly.

5. Once the was is ready you can pour into the container, mold or cookie sheet. If you are pouring directly into a container make sure to put a straw in the center of the candle while the wax is still hot so you can put the wick in it. Once you have the wick where you want it slowly remove the straw from the middle. I wouldn’t pull the straw completely out so you can make sure the wick doesn’t fall into the hot wax and melt back into the candle. If you are using a cookie sheet/mold and intend to cut out shapes let the wax harden a little before cutting the shapes follow the same instructions for adding the wick as in the container except you may have to hold the straw up if the mold isn’t tall enough to keep the straw from falling over while the wax is still hot.

6. Once the wax has dried a little and is ready to cut, do so carefully with a cookie cutter or knife. Remove the mold or cookie cutter quickly so the wax doesn’t stick to it but also make sure the shape holds. If it doesn’t the wax is too soft.

7. Once the wax is set and hard you have brand new candles without spending any money! You can give them away as gifts or keep them for yourself.

8. If you want to layer colors or scents you can use a oj or milk carton as a mold.  Pour the first layer in the mold and wait for it to set, then the next and so on until you have the layers you want.  You can follow the same directions with the straw as above for adding the wick.

Interesting Uses for Dryer Sheets

If you still use dryer sheets at home here are some interesting uses I read about that will give you more bang for you dryer sheet buck!
Now I will also preface this list by saying that if you do still use them read this list very carefully and think about if the dryer sheet can do the things below maybe you should rethink if they are really necessary to your laundry regime…just sayin.

1. Dish Scrubber – If you have a pesky burnt or baked on something stuck to your dishes and you have no Brillo or anything to scrub it off with, put the dryer sheet on the dirty dish with some soap and warm water over night and apparently the gook will be gone. What is in those suckers?

2. Gnat Repeller – Apparently Kansas State had the funds and interest to find out what repels insects besides repellent and dryer sheets were a winner. Apparently the chemicals used in dryer sheets prevent gnat larvae from surviving. Are you sure you want to continue using those things.

3. Pet Hair Remover – Forget the convenient rollers! Dryer sheets do the work for you. Not only do they do it in the dryer but if you simply rub them on to your dry clothes while you are wearing them they fulfil the same purpose. Good to know!

4.Hard Water Stain Remover – Hullo! Do you have a water stain a sponge and cleaner can’t remove! Then just whip out your handy dandy dryer sheet and it will buff that right out for you! Good to know…or is it?

5. Instant Sachets – I will admit that a few times in the past when we were still using dryer sheets and a sheet got stuck in a pocket or something it def does freshen up your drawer but apparently it works even better when you put an unused one in there too! You can stop using those silly potpourri stuffed bags and just use them from the laundry basket!

Distant Lands Cell Phone Carrier Give Away

 
The winner didn’t claim their prize so we are running the contest again!! The contest begins today and ends on January 27th.
We love Novica.com for introducing us to super cool stuff made by some super cool people. The Distant Lands Cell Phone Carrie is made by Anchalika Chamnan who celebrates the colorful artistry of the Akha hill tribe people with this stitched phone carrier. Cross-stitch patterns recall the images that decorate traditional costumes. Each is sewn of cotton and lined, featuring a coconut shell button.
All you have to do is like me and don’t forget to share so your friends get a chance to win too! The winner has 48 hours to give me their contact info to where I can send their prize as well as send the shipping costs to my Paypal account. If in 48 hours I do not hear from the winner we will just start the contest over! Have fun and I hope you enjoy! Click here to enter!
If you want us to send you an additional gift friend us on Facebook at The Green Beagle and follow us on twitter twitter.com/thegreenbeagle. Once you have done this comment below and we will send you something special with the Distant Lands cell phone carrier.

I am sure you have running around like crazy trying to get the newest hottest gifts for the children in your life this holiday. I saw a target commercial last night for a children’s dino-toy that didn’t look like anything crazy that was $42! This may not sound like a lot for 1 toy for 1 kid but when you have to purchase multiple gifts for multiple children besides everyone else you have to get for $42 is way too much! I decided to go on a hunt for cool & fun children’s gifts that are under $30! I think I came up golden. Tell me what you think.

Mudpuppy Constructibles Building Set - Bold Patterns

Mudpuppy Constructibles Building Set aren’t your normal old blocks! Not only do the colors and patterns make this building set super cool the set is aimed at improving hand/eye coordination which is always a plus for children. They can progress just by playing. I always loved building things as a child. I thought for a while I wanted to be an architect until I found out how horrible in math I was. Guess what greenies? This awesome gift is only $12.99

WorryWoo Monster - Nola

WorryWo Monster Nola I really just love this stuffed animal! I cannot get enough of it. Green is one of my very favorite colors obviously soo this little greenie of sorts just pushed a cute button in me! Nola is perfect for cuddling and loving for years to come and only costs $21.99!

Blue Orange Gobblet Gobblers

 blue Orange Gobblet Gobblers is a cool new way to play tic tac toe! You can gobble up your opponent! This is a great gift for any child. We all remember playing tic tac toe for hours or when we were bored. It is a great travel game as well. This excellent gift idea is only $19.99.

Blue Orange Spot It

Blue Orange Spot It is a super fun think on your feet game where you have to match the symbols together quickly before anyone else! Spot it has 4 different variations to keep you from getting bored and best part is it only costs $14.00!

Blue Orange Tell Tale

Blue Orange Tell Tale is a super fun game! You can inspire imagination and creativeness all in one simple game. You deal out the cards that range from easy to complex and from competition to cooperation and the receiver of the cards has to tell a story using the illustrated cards! How fun! All for $13.99

Pop Bottle Science - 79 Amazing Experiments & Science Projects

Pop Bottle Science- 79 Amazing Experiments & Science Projects This may be for the nerd in your life but whatever this thing is way cool! Pop Bottle Science has 79 different projects right there! Ranging from weather to geology to the body and tons more! How cool is that? To top it off this magic science lab is only $15.00

Cyber week is still apparently going strong. I know we don’t want to buy into this made up and overly commercialized week of over spending but if you are shopping then please do it repsonsibily. Green Living Everyday has these awesome deals for the holidays going on. You can help save your green and our environment all while being in the spirit of giving.

Take an Additional 20% off Stocking Stuffers
Save 15% On Yoga Accessories

15% off Everything in the Eco Coffee Shop

Save 15% On Soji Solar Lanterns

15% off Science Toys & Kits

$3 Off Digital Shower Timer Gift Sets

Save 10% On Nokero Solar Light Bulbs

10% off The Green Dollhouse

Save 15% on Gift Baskets & Gift Sets

I am not sure if you have ever heard of Gifts With Humanity but I personally shop here whenever I can especially if it is for a gift for someone. I feel like spreading the word about this Gifts With Humanity is important. Many people won’t know and possibly won’t care but it is important that your money goes to the proper places. Gifts With Humanity is an excellent way to spend your dollars and support good causes globally! Gifts With Humanity supports artisans from the Americas, Asia and Africa. The holidays are here and if you have to purchase a gift won’t you feel better about the seasons of giving and being thankful if your money goes to people who are giving us great crafts and even more thankful for the support.

This year give gifts that give a more. Our gifts are 100% fair trade, recycled and you get 10% of your entire order with coupon code XMAS. Valis until Dec 24th 2009.

About: Gifts With Humanity is the retail division of Global Fair Trade Crafts Inc DBA Global Crafts.
Global Crafts was founded in 2002 by Kevin Ward and Renice Jones, who met as volunteer computing teachers in Kenya realized the capacity of the web to help individual artisans. After three years in Kenya they came to the USA and setup Global Crafts, initially as a small Fair Trade retail store. It soon became apparent that to sell in volume and change the lives of the artisans, the wholesale business would have to grow.
Starting in a garage at home Global Crafts has become a $1 million a year outlet for Fair Trade artisan handicrafts. We look forward to continued growth in the next few years and hope we are making a small difference.