In huge green kid news the Lorax is all set to hit the big screen in March 2012 – so technically not THAT soon. Still though; awesome news. The Lorax, written back in the early 70s (even before I arrived on the planet) is, as we all know a story of a tree hungry entrepreneur. Despite warnings from a little creature, the Lorax, Mr. Entrepreneur (or the Once-ler, who by the way is also the narrator of this tale) cuts down all the trees to fuel his own needs.

And what happens – the trees are dead, the animals leave, and life as the entrepreneur knew it ends up a mess with just one kid who may be his salvation.

Ah Dr. Seuss – so ahead of his time.

Variety notes that the flick, a 3-D CG event is being created in a joint effort by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment and it’s co-directed by Chris Renaud and Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio, with Paul & Daurio writing the script.

If your kids are Lorax hungry now check out the Lorax Save the Trees Game – some plug-ins required but fun.

I can’t wait! We don’t get to see many eco-kid movies. How excited are you?!

[image via Amazon]

Yesterday I posted some eco-lunch kit choices and said that my son Cedar was going to have to choose one. Then I said I’d be back with the results. I had an idea about which he’d choose, but instead, like a typical kid, he decided to TOTALLY surprise me.

I showed him all the choices, and he looked them up and down, and sideways, and made me read him the stats about them. He’s eight, and he’s saying, “So what does that bag measure?” For pete’s sake. Anyhow, his decision…

You won’t believe it:

He says, “I think I’ll just stick with the Bamboo Bag.” WHAT! Just to clarify, a week ago when his lunch bag broke, all we had around was that Bamboo Lunch Sack I recently reviewed, so I had to pack his lunch in that. Here’s Cedar a week ago:

• “Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!” Don’t make me take it to camp! It’s not coooooooooooooooooooooool!“
• “I don’t like Bamboo – even if it is a tree!” I know it’s not a tree, but he’s 8, so…
• “Why is it so green!? I want a blue lunch bag.“

But all of a sudden last night he’s on the Bamboo Lunch Sack train? Huh? I say, “You said you hated it, you said, find me a better one, what the flip is up?” To which he replies, “I’ve decided I like Bamboo. It’s soft and you can’t have it back.” Well then!

I don’t know why I bother sometimes. In any case, I don’t have to buy a new bag right away, although, as previously mentioned, this bag is not ice pack friendly so I likely will buy the non-toxic ice pak and sweat free cover I mentioned yesterday.

Kids right?

So, Cedar’s lunch sack died this summer. He’s currently using the Bamboo lunch sack for camp, but it’s not appropriate for a kid all year at school I don’t think. One recent con I’ve found is that because it’s cloth, ice packs act badly in there (see an updated review).

In any case, Cedar my son is super picky about stuff. Clothes, toys, books, and so on, so I knew choosing a lunch pack wouldn’t be easy, but it’s actually been harder then I thought. He’s snubbed some eco-lunch kits as not cool enough already and our options are wavering. Of course I want eco-friendly, so I decided to post on it. I’ll choose some that I think Cedar will like and after let him choose. Along the way maybe you’ll see something you like for your kid. NOTE: Cedar is very boy – so all these will be ‘boy’ type kits. Later maybe I’ll post a girl friendly bunch…

Laptop Lunch System in Periwinkle: Cedar already gave this kit a color thumbs up, but he doesn’t like the water bottle. I told him fine, use your Kleen Kanteen. This kit comes with the Laptop Lunch insulated carrying case, water bottle, the Laptop Lunch Bento Box with all inner containers and utensils, and one copy of The Laptop Lunch User’s Guide. All Laptop Lunch products are phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and lead free. If he gets this lunch set, I’ll probably also pick up an extra set of interior containers.
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We’re looking at whether or not green products are worth the extra cost. As I’ve noted earlier, I think green products are worth the cost and I think green products are attainable – even on a slim budget. But you have to follow some strategies. Yours may not be the same as mine, but below is what works for my son and me.

First read: The number one tip for buying green products on a limited budget

Other ways I’m able to afford green products on a slim budget…

I DON’T USE THE “I HAVE KIDS EXCUSE”:

Kids are so expensive and need so much stuff. We hear it again and again. In reality they don’t need so much stuff. Babies can co-sleep (no crib), breastfeed, and eat homemade baby food. Plus babies find toys boring and free stuff like laundry baskets super cool. Older kids do tend to want more stuff, but it’s all in how you approach it. Kids can be smart green consumers. Kids can also understand that you’ve got so much money earmarked for organic apples and this month an extra toy is out.

So yeah, I have a kid, but I don’t use him as an excuse to not buy green. Cedar’s been taught from an early age that we have green priorities and some of those priorities require some sacrifice. Does he ever complain? Sure, all kids do. Cedar sometimes freaks because he wants some non-green useless product but most of the time he doesn’t. As a parent you need to stick to your priorities and know that a healthy green planet is better in the long run for your child than extra junk they want on a whim. Read How Kids Can Be Smart Consumers for tips on how to get your kids on board.

WE USE REUSABLE ITEMS ALMOST ALL THE TIME:

More often than not we buy reusable and long lasting items over short-term disposable items. When you buy something that needs to be replaced on a schedule it’s a waste of money.

For example, we don’t buy paper towels, paper napkins, plastic wrap, coffee filters, ice pops in boxes, bottled water, water filters (because our tap water is a-ok), store bought cleaners, paper muffin cups, plastic bottles of hand soap, and so on. If there’s a reusable item that can be used instead of a throw-away item we use it. For example, reusable food containers, ice pop molds, reusable baggies, silicone muffin cups, reusable coffee filters, and refillable water bottles. See more reusable items. Reusable items do cost more up front, but since they rarely need to be replaced you’re spending less all the time than if you continually bought disposable goods.

WE TRY TO BE CRAFTY:

Homemade items like organic sugar scrubs and homemade natural cleaners are also greener, healthier, and cost less than store bought. You can make a lot of stuff instead of buying it. For example…

• Homemade Popsicle Recipes & Ideas
• 7 Green Summer Toys You Can Make Yourself
• Eco-friendly & affordable DIY play kitchen
• Homemade Eco Gifts
• DIY Cardboard Dollhouse
• Make Your Own Oilcloth Bags
• And more…

WE EAT MOSTLY VEGETARIAN AND COOK:

We don’t eat any red meat or pork and very little poultry or fish. My son was raised vegetarian and just recently ate chicken about a year ago, so he’s very agreeable to this diet. We also don’t buy many processed or prepackaged foods and cook a lot from scratch. Even meat eaters can learn to love meatless meals – it’ll save you cash and keep you healthy as you lower your eco-footprint.

WE BUY USED:

Used goods are ultimate green. In some cases a used item may not be healthier – i.e. used plastic dishes. BUT you can buy plenty of stuff used that’s perfectly fine like cloth napkins, puzzles, books, and clothing. In almost all cases used is cheaper and save goods from the landfill.

WE MAKE CHOICES:

We all make choices. You can think of green products as expensive and unreachable or you can adjust.

My choices are to follow the rules above plus follow my first rule of buying less overall. Green is too expensive right? Maybe it is. But to me three TV, four bathrooms, or guest rooms in a home are excessive yet I know families who have this and complain that organic foods cost too much. That’s their choice. My choices are different. I’d rather eliminate the unnecessary and buy green. As I’ve noted before, “We don’t buy soda, chips, TV dinners, or tons o’ toys. We don’t go expensive places or even to the arcade – we go outside. I’d rather be able to afford organic apples and bleach free dish washing soap than go out for pizza or have another pair of shoes. It’s a choice.”

It’s your choice too. I’ve been living on a limited budget but we always have organic foods and green cleaners and healthier body care – why? Because that’s our choice of where to spend our money.

What’s your choice? Are green products impossibly unattainable or within your reach with some adjustments?

Later this week (after a little school lunch post I have planned) I’ll give some advice on how to find affordable green products.

[image via stock.xchng]

This week we’re looking (in part) at the money side of green. Yesterday I gave my thoughts on whether or not green products are worth the extra cost. Today we’ll start looking at why the cost of green is a major misconception.

Green to me is worth the cost and I’ll just go ahead and put it out there that I also don’t think green products are unattainable – even on a slim budget. Almost anyone can afford green products over conventional with some planning and strategy.

Where I’m coming from: Just so you don’t think I’m spouting total bunk about anyone being able to afford green, here’s my $ situation… I’ve been a single mama for many years now. I’ve been working as a freelance writer for years and income in this sort of job, as you might guess has some major ups and downs. My son Cedar attends a private alternative school which costs a fair amount and before that he was homeschooled so I had less time to work. I live in a fairly expensive area in a fairly expensive urban city. My son’s dad helps out with Cedar’s school costs and occasionally hands over some money, but I don’t get monthly child support. While we conserve resources (obviously) energy and water bills are still pretty expensive where I live and between that and housing there’s hasn’t been too much left to spare over the years.

However, all that said I can still afford green products that we want most of the time. BUT there is a strategy to it and there are reasons why we can still afford green items on a limited budget and the number one reason why we can is because…

WE BUY LESS STUFF:

Green living by nature should mean living on less. I say should, because to me, to my household it does, but it doesn’t mean that to everyone. Some people think green living means only buying green products over conventional, but there’s more to it than that. For example, you may only purchase green products, but those products still require energy and resources to make – if you’ve got three energy efficient televisions, 50 pairs of ethically made shoes, and a stock supply of green toys you’re really not living much greener than someone with two less efficient TVs, a closet full of non-green clothes, and so on. Having less and living simply is green for many reasons…

• You need less space to store junk. Bigger houses needed for people with tons of stuff is less green than living in a smaller home with less stuff. Smaller spaces require fewer resources and less energy. If you’ve got too much stuff, you will need a bigger space.
• As noted above no matter what you’re buying (with some food exceptions) it took energy and resources to manufacture. The more you buy the bigger your footprint.
• Buying less and sticking to basic necessities most of the time allows room in your budget for the more expensive but also more ethically made products you want.
• Having less allows you to focus on more important stuff – like green living. The more you buy, the more money you need. The more money you need the more time you need. The more time you use up working is time taken away from your family, your ability to advocate for green issues, and the time you get to spend out in nature with your kids. Having too many gadgets, books, DVDs, and other material clutter people keep around to keep potential boredom at bay is a great way to cut yourself off from the stuff of life that should matter.

We have one TV, no cable, no magazine subscriptions, necessary but not excessive clothing, and we rarely buy junk like soda or chips. We make choices. AND I’m not talking about always making choices based on necessity. Once in a while we all need something that’s pure want – but if most of the time you buy what you need and what’s not excessive, you’ll have more money to spend on those green versions of products.

Next up more reasons why we can afford green items on a limited budget. Then later, advice on how to find affordable green products.

[image via stock.xchng]

There was recently a little debate about the cost of green school products in the blogosphere. It started when Green LA Girl posted about Sustainable Group’s Green Back to School kit a collection of schools supplies made with 85-100% post-consumer content that retails for $44.99. After that, Chris at Lighter Footstep wrote a post about how this kit is too costly and not worth the cost AND that items like this are likely why, “Consumers are becoming jaded toward green products.” I don’t agree with the Lighter Footstep post but to be fair Chris’ post did offer some great alternative green school supply tips. Then Green LA Girl posted a rebuttal – When “green” bloggers help greenwash.

In any case, it’s just one tiny drama of the eco-blogosphere, but a not uncommon one. All the time here, and at other green places I blog, people comment on the more expensive products and organic food, saying, “It’s too expensive.”

I get it, because economic times are hard, but we all make choices with our money. When money is tight, when money is plentiful, when we’ve got just enough – we still make choices about where our money goes.

BUT this post is not about being able to afford green products, this post is about whether they’re worth the cost. In a post soon we’ll look at some easy ways to open up your budget so you can afford greener products but for now, let’s see why green products are worth the cost… Read more

Way back in 2007 I complied a list of foods for a post – Best Foods to Buy Organic. Lately there’s been some controversy in the news about organics and also some lively debates in the blogosphere about whether or not eco-products are worth the cost. Later I’m going to post my thoughts on some of these current debates (hint – I do think most eco-products are worth the cost), but before that I figured I’d update the organic food list.

Over the years organic versus conventional rules have changed over and over. Hence the new list. However, over the years some foods have come up time and time again in studies that note these foods are better in organic form than conventional form – i.e. more pesticides and other toxins have been found in these items than in other items.

When your money allows it, here are the best foods to spend your organic dollars on.

Veggies & Fruits — in any form (canned, jarred, fresh, frozen, dehydrated, etc.)

• First of all the big baddies – the newest dirty dozen which are the produce products with the largest concentrated amounts of pesticides, and consists of…

1. Peaches (worst)
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Imported Grapes
11. Carrots
12. Pears

Other items in this category to consider buying organic at all times include…

• Edamame (soy beans) + soy milk + soy formula + tofu
• Potatoes — all colors and varieties (including frozen like tator tots).
• Spinach
• Lemons, oranges, and limes or other citrus when used for zest

Dairy products + eggs:

Dairy products and eggs time and time again have been shown to contain large amounts of growth hormones and organic versions have been proven to be far more beneficial to your health. Butter, milk, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products plus eggs should be top organic priorities on your shopping list.

Meat and poultry:

Meat, pork, and poultry advice has stayed pretty much the same for the last few years. There are pesticides found in meats and poultry but most studies agree that the big dangers in meats are hormones, antibiotics and additives. Organic meat is worth the cost to avoid these drugs and additives in your body but organic meat is also one of the more costly organics – a good choice is to eat less meat overall and buy organic when you do.

Any and all baby food: Learn why babies and young children should eat mostly organic foods.

Grains: Grains don’t often make the list when it comes to best foods to purchase organic. Fewer pesticides are found in grain items than other foods. Buy when and if you can afford it because health is not the only reason to support organic farming but it’s more important to buy other food items first.

My take – I always buy dairy, eggs, and most produce in organic form. I buy any other foods in organic after this. The perfect goal would be to buy all organic, but second best is to purchase the worst conventional offenders first (as shown above).

Which foods do you always buy organic?

[image via stock.xchng]

If you’ve got a kid headed off to college this year, you may be considering sending a college care pack. Or if you’re a college student maybe you want to have some nice snacks mailed right to your dorm.

Dorm-Sweet-Dorm offers unique and healthier College Care Packages than the typical fare. College care packs are nice for students but not if they’re filled with junk food. Natural and wholesome energy foods are so much better for college students trying to work through tough classes.

Dorm-Sweet-Dorm offers care packages with food and other supplies, for example…

VORACIOUS VEGAN care package – an additive, dye-free, chemical free care pack of organic vegan snacks.

• Good Health Natural Foods Sweet Potato Chips
• Newman’s-O’s Mint Creme Filled Chocolate Cookies
• Garden of Eatin’ Black Bean Chili Chips
• Enjoy Life Soft Baked Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies
• Newman’s NS Organic Microwave Popcorn
• Yummy Earth Organic Fruit Lollipops
• Made in Nature Organic Raisins
• Bare Fruit 100% Organic Bake-Dried Cinnamon Apple Chips
• Fruitabu Grape roll ups
• Eden Organics Mixed Fruits and Nuts
• AND more

SUDZ-N-SUCH – for college dorm laundry ease. All products are clean and clear and free of all perfumes and dyes as well as biodegradable, phosphate-free, chlorine-free and NPE-free.

• Dropps 20 load-count
• A 100% Organic Cotton heavyweight Canvas Laundry Bag
• Sewing Kit
• On The Spot Stain Removing Pen by Sun and Earth
• 80-Count Citrus Fabric Softener Sheets by Sun and Earth
• Mia Rose Air Therapy Spray

ECO TOTAL CLEAN-UP KIT – comes with all the shower goods a college kid needs.

• Triple Razor w/2 cartridges by Recycline
• Hemp Washcloth
• Shaving Cream by Alba Botanicals
• Jason Aloe Vera Hand and Body Lotion
• Toothpaste by Tom’s of Maine SLS Free
• Dr. Mist Spray Deodorant
• Cranberry Floss
• Lip Balm by Save Your World
• Natural Wooden Comb
• And more…

Dorm-Sweet-Dorm also uses boxes and packing materials that are made from 100% post consumer waste and labels are biodegradable/compostable and printed with soy ink.

Visit Dorm-Sweet-Dorm to learn more.

There’s been a ton of cool eco-contests around the web lately. Enter one or two and win some super eco-bling to round out your summer!

Win an Ecozoo packpack! Fun, adorable, and made with 100% organic cotton canvas and feature padded straps and internal pockets.

Super adorable Bummas Eco-Friendly Baby Wipes Giveaway! Read more

I’ve gotten a lot of reader quesions via email lately. If I haven’t posted your question no worries I’ll get to it sooner or later.

Today’s question comes from River who says, “I found your blog when I searched Popsicle recipes today. Great ideas! I have an allergy to cane sugar. Can the recipes that require a sweetener be made with maple syrup, honey, or agave? Will these interfere with freezing?

Do you know anything about homemade throat lozenges? I have seen a recipe but cannot find it. It takes a large amount of slippery elm, some honey, and other herbs, but I don’t know the proportions or remember the other herbs.”

Ah a two parter. As for the ice pops question, I’ve made ice pops with honey before, for example, mixing honey in with organic yogurt and strawberries, and never had any issues with it messing with the freezing. I’ve never made pops with maple syrup or agave, and while I doubt maple syrup will have any issues other than forming crystals, I’m not sure about agave so I looked it up. One site all about maple syrup says you can freeze it fine to extend its life, so I’m sure you could use it in ice pops. I always make homemade syrup that I keep in the fridge and it forms tiny crystals but it doesn’t affect flavor. As for agave, I found a site that says if your substitute agave syrup for white sugar in a recipe, use about 25 percent less than the amount called for AND you can use it to make ice cream, so I’m guessing it’ll freeze up a-ok.

Now on to the homemade throat lozenges…

I’ve never made homemade throat lozenges. It seems like it would be complicated; a little like making candy maybe, but really, I have no clue. So again I headed to the web.

Care2 has one recipe and Turks.us has another (plus tips for natural sore throat relief).Everything else I found seems like a rehash of the Care2 recipe or seems unnatural and funky. Maybe readers here have some tips though. If you ever made homemade lozenges, let us know in the comments.

Thanks for your questions River and hopefully this helps. If you have a green question feel free to ask away…