The Gift of Being Green

Here's a few sweet gifts for your friends and family that are environmentalists (or those you hope to convert). 


Remember Leg Warmers? These Are Arm Warmers! from Uncommon Goods
Upcycled Arm Warmers, $32, plus shipping

I think these are adorable, plus upcycled and handmade. They come in a few colors, but my favorite are shown in the picture. More info, click here.


Non-Toxic Nail Polish and Remover from Gaiam.
Polish, $16. Remover $28. (plus shipping)

Cute colors, no carcinogens. I likey! Product info here.


Sip on These from ReUseIt.com
Stainless Steel Drinking Straws, Set of 4, $9.95 plus shipping

Perfect to slip into your purse and say "no thank you" at the drive through, or leave at home to sip your lemonade. Might be cool to pair with an exotic iced tea mix or some cool vintage classes. More about the straws, click here.


There are lots of fun "green gift" ideas out there...what have you found?

Gifts for Green Parents

Here, I mean both environmentally green and new-to-parenting green. Check out a few picks for some cool gifts. 


Recycled Dad-To-Be Set from Uncommon Goods.
$98.00 plus shipping

Includes a very manly diaper bag made of recycled water bottles, bamboo fabric onsie that says "produced locally", and baby manual for those bumps in the road.All too cute, um, I mean masculine, for words. Interested? Click here.

Baby Cookbook on Amazon.

Top 100 Baby Purees: 100 Quick & Easy Meals for Healthy and Happy Baby, $7.89 plus shipping

It's the gift of knowing exactly what's going in baby's tummy. These recipes seem easy and fast, plus healthy! Depending on the produce used, baby could be eating local, organic foods without added sugars and preservatives starting at about 6 months. Sounds like an awesome gift to me! To buy...

Any ideas that you have for parents?

Gifts for the kiddies!

Okay, so again, these are few cool gift ideas I've run across, and thought I'd pass on. This post is dedicated to gifts for kids...


A Gift to Fit My Own Point of View from Uncommon Goods
Respect the Earth Flashcards, $12 plus shipping

A cute way to teach children about conservation and being earth friendly. Click here for details.

Artsy Fartsy Cutsie Smocks from Recycled Nylon & Plastic from Uncommon Goods

Cow or Frog Art Smock, $24 plus shipping

Totally adorable and made from recyclables, add a couple paint brushes and some non-toxic paint to make a "little artist kit" and call it a day. More details here!

Great for Lunchboxes from ReUseIt.com

Lunchskins Reusable Sandwich Bags, $8.95 each plus shipping (Only $6.95 if ordering 4 or more)

Okay, so maybe not the most exciting gift for a kid to get but they are fun and practical and save the earth! I think they'd be a rad stocking stuffer. Truthfully, I want some for me too! More product info, click here.

Just a disclaimer, these are not any of the gifts I'm ordering for my family or friends this year, so if you're reading this, you aren't finding out your Christmas gifts :o)

Anyone out there have any awesome gifts for kids to share?

Buying for Baby this Christmas Season

So I've been searching around the internet for Christmas gift ideas and came across some nifty gifties. Since the holidays are upon us, and everyone is looking for great gift ideas, I'll post some of the cool stuff that I've found as possible gift ideas for others. (No spoilers here, if you are on my Christmas list, I won't be purchasing any of these this year.) This post will be all baby gifts. 


Ridiculously Cute Shoe Socks from Uncommon Goods
Set of 6 for $24 plus shipping

So from what I understand, shoes are kinda pointless for the kiddos, but these little socks are absolutely adorable! They come in a cute box and lots of different styles, click here to check them out!


Baby Tool Set from Uncommon Goods
Organic Toolbox for $34 plus shipping

A cute container and plush, washable, organic-fabric tools, what more can you ask for? To see more about them, click here.

Have you come across any cute gift ideas for babies? Please share, cause I've got a few babies on my Christmas list this year. 

Lie to Me*

Okay, so you want to watch a good show through Netflix Instant watch (on Roku Box, PS3, XBox360 Wii or just your computer)...I suggest "Lie to Me*". Now this show currently airs on Fox but if you are like me, watching on a scheduled night is too hard.

The show follows the Lightman Group, a group of human lie detectors, who investigate crimes and other mysteries. Its more upbeat that the CSIs and Law & Orders. But who doesn't love figuring out crimes, right? Tim Roth plays Cal Lightman, the head lie detector; he plays the character a bit like Jack Sparrow from the Pirate movies--kinda drunk and swaying--but very likable and unpredictable male lead. The rest of the cast rocks the house too.

Check it out, if you get some time.

In Memory of my Sweet Papa and Nana

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever." ~A. A. Milne

National Botanical Gardens

And how could I forget the National Botanical Gardens. They were just beautiful. Absolutely free, so I would recommend stopping if you're in D.C.

    

It was so beautiful and tranquil in there, you'd almost forget you were in the middle of a major city...but then there'd be little reminders...

Diggin' on D.C.

I visited Washington D.C. on November 13, 2010. It was amazing!
The Capitol Building...

Ulysses S. Grant Memorial

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden & National Archive Building

Around town

Dusk in D.C.

Great Things I Saw in Gettysburg

I visited Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 12, 2010:

Pumpkin Banana Smoothie: Take Two

First thing first, know how to work your blender. The first time I tried this I disconnect the blender bottom and my smoothie ran out all over my blender, counter and floor. It was a mess, but I am SURE I will never make that mistake again.

This smoothie is a combination of yummy pumpkin puree (that I made over the weekend, see Pumpkin 911 post), half of a banana, vanilla low-fat yogurt, and a couple ice cubes, topped with a little pumpkin pie spice to make it extra special. A great recipe if you have pumpkin puree, or if you have extra canned pumpkin on hand from another recipe.

Drinking mine right now, so yummy.

Early Morning Minneapolis

View from my hotel while waiting for the elevator.
October 29, 2010

The lost trip to the Great Pumpkin Patch

So this was back in early October, but I just uploaded the pictures and remembered what an awesome place it was. Check out the pics, and if you are ever in or around Arthur, Illinois in September or October stop by. Huge selections of pumpkins, squash, and all things yummy.

  

Pumpkin 911

So Earth 911 had a recent article about uses for pumpkins after Halloween. I was then inspired to do a few of the ideas with the uncarved pumpkins I had at home.

1) Pumpkin Puree. I cut open my large pumpkin scooped out the seeds and guts (for later), then put each half on a cookie sheet with a lip on it and about a cup of water on each tray. Then popped them in the oven on 350 degrees for 90 minutes and took them out. After they cooled a little I scooped the soft pumpkin out of the middle and put it into my blender and pureed. Now I have pumpkin puree to use for the next little bit and believe me I have some good ideas for it. (I, of course, composted the pumpkin shell after.)

2) Pumpkin Seeds. Put pumpkin seeds on a cookie sheet with some extra virgin olive oil, salt and an Italian blend of spices. Baked for about 25 minutes on 350 degrees, mixing the seeds around about half way through. Yummy, yummy, yummy.

3) Pumpkin Stock. I put all my pumpkin guts in a big stock pot with water and let it boil until the water turned orange. Then I strand the guts out of the stock, and put them in the compost bin. I'll use the stock later--in soups and hot dishes--like veggie stock. This actually made quite a bit, so ended up dividing it into 5 smaller containers; I'm keeping one in the fridge and freezing the other four to take out one by one.

The 911 article was great, so check it out!

Avatar: The Last Airbender

So here I go...gonna let my nerd flag fly. This show, though geared towards kids and tweens, is exceptional. I truly believe it would be a great show to watch as a family, and though animated be more than captivating to watch as an adult. I mean, I know it certainly captivated my hubby and me. The story line is thought out, the mythology is in-depth, and characters are well developed. It really seems like the creators showed up to create a great story not a kids cartoon.

I highly recommend it. But not the movie, skip it and watch the TV show.

November 1: Get Wellness Soon

Okay, okay...I've said it before, and I really mean it now. I need to make some changes to my diet, my exercise (or lack there of) and my overall health.

1) I ate breakfast today. Something I haven't done consistently since I was a kid and my mom made me.
2) I'm drinking 8 glasses of water (haven't done it yet, but I'm getting there). Not sure why but this is a hard one for me. For one reason, I love soda; for another, I just don't think about it. I've had to remind myself to make sure to drink water.
3) Took a multi-vitamin. I've had them, just don't remember to take them.

Gonna get on the scale (gulp) to take a baseline weight.