PRODUCT: Simple Steps Deck Healthy Home. Healthy Planet. 50 Easy Actions by the Natural Resources Defense Council (Chronicle Books; August, 2009).

COST: $14.95

ABOUT THE DECK:

Simple Steps is a sweet little deck of 3-3/4 x 5-1/2 in cards (51 in all). There’s a hole punch at the top of the deck and it’s tied shut with a black ribbon, which of course holds the cards together. The cards do not come in a box, but rather a wrap around cardboard holder or bellyband. You can use the ribbon to hang the deck anywhere you like – say in the kitchen.

The entire deck and belly band are printed on recycled paper with soy based inks.

The deck is organized room by room, with plenty of green solutions for the entire house, both inside and out. Rooms covered include: kitchen, living room, home office, bathroom and laundry, children’s rooms, and garage and garden.

WHAT I THINK:

Overall I love the idea of a deck like this. The cards are pretty to look at and informational and fits right in the palm of your hand. I can think of all sorts of games you could play with these cards. You could draw a random card each week and try to maintain that green tip. You could have each family member choose a card. You could leave the kitchen card tips in the kitchen and the living room in the living room and so on.

I like how the cards are set up. Each room has it’s own color so they’re easy to find in the deck. Each card has one main tip on the front; i.e. “Compost” then on the back it discusses a little about what composting is in general then issues a “Got a month” goal, which tells you how to create compost in a month. Each card has different time goals, such as “Got a minute” – “Got a month” – “Got a morning.”

Most books have resources at the end, this is not a book so it’s obviously missing that component, but if the Natural Resources Defense Council has more info at their website they refer you.

NEGATIVES?:

I didn’t actually have a negative, but I do have a warning to long-time tree huggers. This deck is very cool, and has great tips, but there were almost none that were new to me. If you’ve been reading, writing, or working in green issues a good long while, this deck likely won’t offer you any new info. If you’re way into green already this deck could serve a challenge purpose though. None of us are perfect. You could draw a random card and make it a goal to work on the green tip offered on the card.

OVERALL:

Five out of five happy little trees! Even though this deck didn’t provide me with much new info, I’d highly recommend the deck for green newbies or people with some green living knowledge who could still use some more tips. This also makes it the perfect gift for a family member, co-worker, or pal that you’d like to convert to a tree hugger. Its small size will work great for stockings or gift baskets this holiday season. Check it out further at the link below.

Simple Steps Deck Healthy Home. Healthy Planet. 50 Easy Actions

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This treehouse is easy to put together, and you don’t even need glue or scissors – everything is pre-punched. Young kids can do this with parent help. After building you can decorate with paint, glitter, nature objects, or whatever you like. After decorating, you get to play. This treehouse is big enough to use with tiny dolls (like dollhouse size).

Available at Seasons Natural Toys, a company that I’m a little obsessed with.

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It simply does not get any cuter, or more indulgent than the adorable All-Natural Flavors onesie. Printed on a chocolate brown 100% organic onesie, sweatshop-free, and silk screened with low-impact inks. Just perfect for that delicious baby in your world.

$24 – All-Natural Flavors onesie

+ Green with Whimsy

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

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Green As Can Be BOLD & BRIGHT Gift Set for $52.50

It includes three reusable bags, two produce bags and a SIGG water bottle. I’d give this as a green wedding gift. Plus, I love SIGG. Jennifer and I will be discussing our water bottles next month, so be sure to check back for more on our choices. You can probably guess mine…

Do you think this is a good green gift set?

Image via Delight.com.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

If you know someone who want to incorporate more green and doesn’t know where to start or if you just want to spread the word to family and friends who haven’t ever given green a thought than Greensender boxes can help.

This is by no means an all inclusive green gift; in that there’s so much more to going green than what comes in a Greensender box. However, if you’d like someone to start using actions to promote green this is a gift that steps in the right direction.

The Greensender Box is a box you can send to anyone that includes:

• An eco-friendly aluminum SIGG water bottle.
• A reusable grocery bag.
• An energy-efficient cfl light bulb.
• An organic cotton t-shirt.

It puts green into context more so than just talking about it. When someone gets this box they realize that these are some tools that can get them on a greener path. Visit Greensender to learn more.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family