Green Cupboards

It seems I have been slacking on my hunting down green businesses. I have been a bad beagle! I didn’t want to continue to disappoint so I have found GreenCupboards.com. I have written a few articles on items I have found at their store. GreenCupboards.com offers a wide variety of items such as toys, grocery items, outdoor, office and even electronics. I know many green retailers may sell green products but their values are lacking. GreenCupboards.comgoes out of their way to assure their customers that they are as legitimate as their products.

About GreenCupboards.com: Green Cupboards is a leading online retailer of eco-friendly products for homes and businesses. Based in Spokane, Washington, the company was the winner of a regional university business plan competition and was subsequently co-founded in 2008 by Gonzaga University graduates Josh Neblett, Sarah Wollnick and their Adjunct Professor, Tom Simpson.
Struck by the lack of one-stop shopping alternatives for eco-friendly merchandise, the co-founders set out to create a customer-centric brand and streamline the way people buy green. Greencupboards targets consumers who strive to do the right things to sustain the planet, yet are challenged to find a broad selection of eco-friendly products that work and cost about the same as a their non-green counterparts.
GreenCupboards offers the vastest array of thoroughly vetted eco-friendly products of any e-retailer in our market. We currently provide approximately 15,000 unique items from over 600 suppliers. Critical to our mission, we endeavor to provide an easy, fun and educational shopping experience, over-the-top customer service and competitive prices. To date, we have satisfied the purchasing needs of over 100,000 consumers.
GreenCupboards employs over 50 youthful, zany and eco-friendly minds. Our culture is as dynamic as the shopping experience we deliver.

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

Exposed

I really like reading books like Exposed:The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What’s at Stake for American Power. I feel like most people take everyday stuff for granted and they just assume their actions aren’t effecting what goes on in the world. This however is completely wrong! I try to explain this to many of my friends, family memebers and even co-workers in hopes that they will see the error of their ways but they usually end up thinking I am some hippie nut. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I think everyone should have to read books like Exposed so they can fully understand the impact their actions have golobally. Everyone should be educated about their purchases and products so they can fully understand the world they participate in.

Description: Thanks to the successful lobbying efforts of the U.S. chemical industry, Americans are being exposed to an array of environmental and health hazards—including rising rates of infertility, endocrine system disruptions, neurological disorders, and cancer—from which many others around the world are being protected.

In Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What’s at Stake for American Power, award-winning investigative journalist Mark Schapiro reveals how products on American shelves are increasingly being linked with serious health hazards—hazards, like Bisphenol A (BPA) and plastic softening phthalates, that the European Union is leading the rest of the world in legislating out of existence.

Schapiro takes the reader inside the global power shift that has gone almost wholly unreported in the United States, exposing not only the health and environmental consequences of this shift, but its implications for the American economy. He demonstrates how the environmental progress underway in Europe is prompting innovation and enabling their firms to beat American companies in the global competition for markets—markets that are becoming increasingly sensitive to environmental and health concerns.

As the Obama administration considers options for reform, Schapiro also demonstrates that what’s already happening in the world’s largest single market may suggest a route out of America’s long-lasting, and dangerous, status quo.

April is here and almost gone! Here are some great deals on some great eco-friendly products. You may even find some great things you didn’t even know existed or some new green stores you will love forever!

Natural Lip Balms and Vegan soaps on sale!

10% off The Eco Friendly Dollhouses

Save 5% on your first order at Only Natural Pet – Coupon Code LS05

15% Off All Flea & Tick Products! Use Coupon Code FLEA15OFF!

Save Addn. 10% Envirocycle Mini Composter/Tea Maker

15% off Everything in the Eco Coffee Shop

Save 10% On Nokero Solar Light Bulbs

Save 15% on Bamboo Towel Sets

Take $15 off any $40+ order & get FREE SHIPPING with any $25+ order at Botanic Choice! Use coupon APR15 Exp 4/30/12

Great Deals on Burt’s Bees Products at Burt’s Outlet

Sign up now and receive ethical Deals from across North America!

Take an Additional 10% off Eco-friendly Furniture

Save 20% on Canine Ear Cleaning Products

New Spring Bedding & Free Shipping Offer from Coyuchi.com! Click Here!

Use Code EARTHDAY2012 to Save 15% This Month on Earth Friendly, Fair Trade Handbags at EarthDivas.com

Need a great gift for Mom? Check out great Mother’s Day gift ideas at Gildentree.com.

Easter Egg Garland

I found this craft on Pinterest…yes, I know you are shocked but I figured this could come in handy for a few different reasons besides some pretty garland. I wanted to green it up just a bit.  You can make less disposable items to use for decorations year round or even just for multiple Easters.

Supplies:

Non Toxic Eco Paste (the original craft calls for liquid starch and flour)
Water
Pastel Hemp Cord (or any ribbons/thread/string you might have at home)
Shallow bowl for dipping string
Biodegradable Balloons (or regular balloons if you have them at home)

Directions:

1. Put eco-paste and water in a shallow bowl and mix

2. Blow up balloons to desired sizes.

3. Place string carefully into bowl and either coil the string and press into sticky mixture but keep your hands on the end of the string so you can find it easily.

4. Wrap the string around your balloon in the desired patter/shapes. Make sure to wipe off excess mixture so it doesn’t dry that way on your string.

5. Once finished wrapping the balloons find a place where they can sit and dry undisturbed. Wait at least 4 hours to make sure they are completely dry.

6. Pop your balloons! Then you can string them on a garland, place them in bowls or hide them around the house!

These eggs will last for quite awhile and can be kept around for decoration long after Easter is over. You can put candy and toys in them carefully and use them as gifts. There is alot to be done with these eggs.

The warm weather is here and if you are looking for something to craft for the kiddos or a party activity even a school craft here you go! Get a hold of as many rocks as you can (or tell the kids to bring there own cleaned rocks) and go to town. You know there are little tidbits of craft materials you have that you have been longing to finish up and rocks are the perfect small crafts to do just that. You can use paint, glitter, ribbon, feathers, buttons sequins, anything! You can turn this craft into beach fun too. While at the beach collect shells, rocks and whatever else you can get your hands on even sand to be decorated. You can use the finished product to decorate your home with. You can make garlands, decorate the inside of bowls or vases even attach to old picture frames and hand on your walls.  I personally love Owls which is why I chose these designs but you can decorate your rocks anyway you want.  You can theme them for holidays or for gifts.

Repurposing & Home Decor

I have been doing a lot of crafting around my house lately trying to see what I have to repurpose. Pinterest has been helping me with ideas as well but I wanted to see what some books have for repurposing ideas. I was almost on hoarder status saving things I knew I could get use out of but I wasn’t sure when I would find a use or for what and now I have found it.Repurposing & Home Decor has some really great ideas for me. Repurposing & Home Decor is an excellent how to for DIY repurposing projects as well as gives you advice on what not to do along with helpful tips. I am really excited to start playing around with some things I have laying around. I have a large backyard that I have been dying to fully utilize and this book is just the ticket to getting my yard where I want it to be.
What are your repurposing experiences? How tos? Do’s and don’ts?

Eco-friendly toys and games are becoming easier to find these days so why not get in on the fun! I found some amazingly green fun for kids and the family at one of my favorite green stores Green Retail and Wholesale, LLC. You can stock up on summer fun all in one place for the entire family.

Head1Liners

Head1Liners is a total family fun game! You can get everyone involved! Adults would probably get a kick out of it even if kinds aren’t around to play. Description: A hilarious party game in which you literally write the news! Players are given 1 of 386 curious “front page” photographs and write a news headlines for it. Creativity, satire, or straightforward journalism attempts will all fare well in this inclusive, social game about our diverse perspectives. Expect absurd headlines that leave you in stitches laughing!

Xeko Mission Games

Xeko Mission Games are almost like a modern day Where in the World is Carmen San Diego. I like it! This is not only educational but really fun! Description: Xeko combines two things kids love: collectible cards and animals. Play tested across the USA and the verdict is in – having fun is only natural! Ancient Xeko forces are joining together to defend the most fascinating and most threatened places on Earth. The search is on for the next generation of Xeko Masters. Are you ready for the awesome animals, globe-trotting fun, eye-popping art, and brain-stimulating strategy?

idbids

idbids are kind of really cool! They are an exceptionally fun interactive toy that really teaches kids how to protect the environment. Description: Lovingly handcrafted using 100% organic Egyptian cotton which has been colored with natural organic dyes. No two are alike, just like children! With the purchase of each kit, a child can enter a code online that will help protect the habitats of animal friends through The Nature Conservancy’s Plant A Billion Trees campaign, Adopt an Acre, or Rescue the Reef programs.

BUZZ FREE ZONE

The summer is coming quickly and the one thing I absolutely despised about it was bug bites! Most repellents are super gross but not miessense! Description: Every single ingredient in miessence certified organics line of products is beneficial to your skins health. Not only is every ingredient safe (in fact, edible) but every ingredient does something great for your skin right down to the preservatives and antioxidants. These products use only certified organic cold-pressed and unrefined oils and therapeutic grade herb and flower extracts. Products are also cold-formulated so precious oils are never exposed to damaging heat.

Butterfly Bloom Contest

I love coconut shells!!! I have a handbag made from them and I am in love! I figured this necklace would make for an awesome give away!!! The Butterfly Bloom necklace is perfect for the spring and summer! The winner didn’t claim her prize so I am starting the contest over!!
To enter all you have to do is click here and you are entered to win. The contest ends on April25th so don’t miss out! The winner has 48 hours to contact me with their info. After 48 hours if the winner doesn’t contact me the contest will start all over again!
If you want to win an additional prize you must friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter and like my Pinterest boards. Once you have done all three comment on this post below with your Facebook (not my fan page), Twitter and Pinterest names so I can follow you back. If you don’t have all 3 of these accounts just say so below.
Good Luck and I hope you enjoy!!

Learn Science by Making and Breaking Toys!

I have been seeing tons of green science projects and green toys in commercial stores lately. This is something I haven’t seen before. Usually when shopping for gifts I have to do it online at green stores because they are the only ones who carry them but over the weekend while looking for some gifts I saw this My Toy Factory – Learn Science by Making and Breaking Toys!
set and I was excited! I got a few of them to give to some kids that I knew would love them.  I can’t stress enough how important it is to start teaching children at a young age the importance of our environment and being eco-friendly.  This is something that will stick with them throughout their whole lives. Click here if you want to get My Toy Factory – Learn Science by Making and Breaking Toys! of your own.

Product Description:
My Toy Factory is an entertaining and eco-friendly concept where children MAKE their own play area and play environment using everyday material like straws, ice-cream sticks and newspapers etc and then BREAK these toys to understand how they work. Children open the kit and get an appointment letter to become workers in their own Toy Factory. They make tickly whistles out of ice cream sticks, swooshing jet cars from bottles & balloons along with ten more exciting toys using their toy kit. A perfect gift to engage the creative gene pool of your kid!