Giveaway alert! One lucky reader will win a BabyKicks Bumboo Pocket Diaper and a Premium Duz-it-All. Details following post.  Closed! Eco-ngratulations to DebbieLG @MSU_MOM_TO_2 you are the winner!

Despite how lame I know this is going to sound…I got a total KICK out of BabyKicks newest diaper, the Bumboo pocket. I mean seriously, look how adorable it is when it arrives in the mail.

BabyKicks is a small family owned business that hand makes about 90% of their products in Maryland. In addition to their new Bumboo pocket diaper they also sell fitted diapers, pre-folds, nursing pads, burp pads, and blankets.

When the Bumboo first arrived I was in love with the softness of the inside and the interesting leg gussets. The Bumboo is a one-sized diaper that fits babies from 7lbs to 30lbs (comparable to most one-sized diapers). As you can tell from the picture above it has snaps but they are side snapping. Side snapping simply means you don’t snap the diaper by pulling the side tabs to the front…instead you pull the front snaps to the side. It actually takes a little while to get use to it but I like it. Although I fear that if you had a very hefty baby or toddler that it might be snug around the middle. (updated 2/23/09…BabyKicks is working on a new wing design to correct this potential issue with size!). One advantage of the side snap is that it prevents tab droop. The snaps are available in green (as shown here), blue or multi-colored.

I mentioned the interesting leg gussets. They are soft bamboo/fleece like the inside barrier but there is no PUL. It’s amazingly soft on their little legs but I feared that it would leak….guess what? It didn’t! The leg gussets were designed like this for 2 reasons: 1) to reduce rubbing on your babies legs, and 2) for better air flow (thus reducing the possibility of rash).

The Bumboo is a front loading pocket which allows for a more trim fit and helps to prevent that extra fluff in the rear. It comes with one Joey-Bunz 100% hemp insert. I love hemp inserts….they are so trim and so absorbent. My only other hemp insert came with our GADBaby diaper which Lil’ B recently outgrew (boo!). Why hemp? Hemp is super absorbent and anti-microbial (no bacteria or mildew here). Look at this pic of Lil’ B and you can tell that the Bumboo pocket really does have a nice trim fit.

Did you know that hemp is better for the environment than cotton? Hemp does not deplete the soil and actually adds rich nitrogen back into the soil. This allows growers to use less fertilizers and reduces the need for crop rotation.

But it now! The Bumboo pocket diaper sells for an amazingly low $18.50…this is incredibly LOW for a diaper of this quality! It’s very difficult to find a diaper with organic cotton and bamboo for less than $20-25 each. You can buy the Bumboo pocket diapers directly on their website or at many cloth diaper retailers nationwide.

Win it now! Visit the BabyKicks website and leave a comment below telling me one interesting fact about hemp. This is a mandatory entry.

Extra entries: (Leave an individual comment for each extra entry.)
1. Follow me on Google Friend Connect.
2. Follow both @TheEcoChic and @BabyKicksUSA on Twitter. Tweet about this giveaway a maximum of 2 times per day. **Be sure to include @TheEcoChic and @BabyKicksUSA along with a link back to this post in your tweet.
3. Subscribe to have The Eco Chic blog delivered to your inbox via Feedburner.
4. Add The Eco Chic blog to your Google Feed Reader or other RSS reader.
5. Add my button to your blog and/or blog about this giveaway.

Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Must be over 18yrs old to enter. Contest will end on March 8th at midnight (EST).

Good luck!

ECO-ngratulations DebbieLG @MSU_MOM_TO_2 You are the winner! Watch your email for details on claiming your diaper!

How was your Valentine’s Day?  Mine was very low key and relaxed.  I’ve been battling a cold for a few days and have lost my voice, can’t breath through my nose, and am generally pitiful. 

Hubby and I don’t normally exchange big gifts on Valentine’s Day but he always does something special.  Today was really cute and unusual.  He got me a candy bouquet in a small white vase.  Each ‘flower’ is a different hard candy in red, pink, or white wrapper.  He also sent me a tweet and a Facebook message at midnight so I would see it when I woke up.  He knows me so well.

I am such a slacker (that combined with the way that I feel) that I didn’t even get him a card.  But I did make breakfast for him…his favorite…grits, eggs, and bacon!  He didn’t seem to mind that there was no card or Hallmark inspired gift.

My son got some wonderfully yummy chocolate treats.  While I am very eco-friendly around the house our food selections don’t really follow suite.  I only buy organic food on rare occasions, I don’t really care about high fructose corn syrup, and I’ve never feared artificial colors.  However, I do understand the reason for concern.  I tried some really yummy organic candies recently by Surf Sweets that are organic and natural.  I didn’t expect them to taste nearly as good as my favorite gummy bears but to my surprise they were really delicious.  I saved some for my son to try but I managed to eat most of them all by myself.  It’s a good thing that our local Sweet Bay also carries them because I have found my new favorite indulgence…and I can feel good about giving it to my son.  I should get some for my best friend too since the are vegetarian and vegan snacks (with the exception of the gummy bears and worms).  If you become a Fan of Surf Sweets on Facebook during February they will donate $1 to The Ocean Project on your behalf.

If I was feeling better this week I would have gotten a little more creative and tried some new recipes from POM Wonderful.  I received 4 bottles of POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice recently and I only got a sip of one of them.  My husband took them to work with him everyday until they were gone.  He doesn’t normally reach for the healthy drinks but when he saw that medical research has shown to improve prostate, cardiovascular, and erectile function I don’t think I had to sell him on the goodness that was in the bottle.  Isn’t it funny what men pay attention to?  Look at these fabulous cupcakes that are made using POM Wonderful and pomegranates.  Now…to see if I can find fresh California pomegranates at our local grocery store here in Florida. 

In past years hubby has been a regular shopper at the store with the little turquoise box (my absolute favorite jewelry). 

I have a few pieces that I wear regularly mixed in with a few feel good pieces.  I wrote a few months ago about the Andean Collection and Zulugrass which both support women, families and communities in impoverished areas around the world.  My favorite piece of feel good jewelry still remains my zulugrass bead bracelet set.  It is so durable and the blue/green colors go with the majority of my wardrobe.  On days like today when I pull out the red I only have a few pieces of jewelry with red in them so my Hands Up Not Hand Outs (HUNHO) wrist wrap in red and black is a nice addition.  These wrap style bracelets tie around your wrist with a satiny ribbon and are made by Palestinian women in the Qalandia Refugee Camp near Jerusalem.  I love that all of the proceeds go back to support the artisans and their local communities.   

What do you do to celebrate Valentine’s Day?  Did you get anything extra special?  I’d love to hear about it. 

Are you curious about the products I talk my views and the products I talk about?  Be sure to read my disclosure and privacy policies.

My husband and I have a great relationship but like all spouses we pick on each others weaknesses when we get frustrated. This weekend he picked on my green weaknesses so I decided to turn it into a blog post. (Love you huney!)

Whether you are green-minded or not you will appreciate knowing that I’m not perfect and I don’t claim to be. While I am The Eco Chic that doesn’t mean that I am always living the perfect green life. I am human and there is no way that I will ever be 100% green. Our current lifestyle just does not allow for me to do everything to the greenest level possible. Like most parents out there I have real life responsibilities such as a career, a family, kids, house work, church, extra curricular activities, and so much more to juggle each day…being green is just one aspect of my life.

Five Things I Don’t Want You to Know About Me:

1. I’m a lazy recycler and I don’t recycle everything. We pay to have our recyclables picked up once a week where we live. I am guilty of letting the recycling gather in the garage until it’s overflowing. I usually wait until my husband decides to take it out to the road. Unfortunately they will only pick up plastic and aluminum. I really let the cardboard accumulate in the garage…for over a month! And hubby will usually get sick of looking at it and take it across the road to the drop off center. Glass…gets tossed because there is no place local to recycle it (easily).

2. I don’t compost. I’ve tried…I made a redneck compost bin from chicken wire 2 summers ago with all the intentions of composting our kitchen scraps. This failed because I never turned the compost bin…so essentially it has become a leaf bin and is overgrown with weeds.

3. I don’t have a green thumb when it comes to gardening. I’ve tried that too…and failed. I expect the garden to be self sufficient and it’s not.

4. I’m not a vegan and I don’t eat organic (all the time). I tried the vegan lifestyle in college for a few years and did ok with it. Then I married a meat and potatoe man. Just adding green beans to a meal is a chore! I do try to buy organic when the prices are competitive and I usually buy apples organic. Hubby doesn’t understand the whole organic craze, nor does he believe the claims. Don’t tell him…but I sneak in several meat-free meals all of the time and he never complains!

5. I use plastic. Even with my understanding of BPA and plastics I still use plastic food storage containers and I allow my children to play with plastic toys.

Why am I telling you all of these things? Because I don’t want you to think I’m a hypocrite. I’m just a human being trying her hardest to be green. While my life may be greener than most it’s certainly not as green as it could be. My goal is not to shame or guilt anyone into changing their lifestyle…my goal is to educate you of your options and provide you with small steps you can take to change your life.

What is your green weakness that you don’t want me to know about you?

Giveaway alert! Win a $25 gift certificate from Sprout Baby AND get a coupon code for 15% off your first purchase at Sprout Baby AND a chance to win $2500 in cash!  Details at the bottom of this post.  Eco-ngratulations Nancy!

All of my readers can save on purchases at Sprout Baby and save 15% off your first order with coupon code SBBL055!!

Sprout Foods!

No, baby food does not have to be boring?  And it doesn’t have to come in a glass jar!  If you have shopped the aisles of the local grocery stores lately you might have noticed that the baby food has been invaded by celebrity chef Tyler Florence.  His gourmet organic baby food line, Sprout Foods, is spoiling babies all around the country! 

Babies just like Lil’ B are loving the new flavors such as Peach Rice Pudding and Oatmeal with Roasted Cinnamon Applesauce.  Sprout Foods uses all USDA certified organic ingredients with no preservatives, sugars, or fillers.  Their resealable pouches are BPA-free and leave a smaller footprint on the Earth than the traditional glass jars.  We received a variety pack of Sprout Food for Lil’ B to try and I have to tell you…the smell of the Peach Rice Pudding made me hungry!  I actually tried it and it’s REAL FOOD…not just baby mush in a jar!  Trust me…and Lil’ B…your baby will L-O-V-E Sprout Foods!

While I make most of Lil’ Bs food from fresh fruits and vegetables there are times when processed baby food is just more convenient (like when you’re traveling or visiting a theme park).  It’s nice to know there is a baby food out there that resembles homemade! 

Sprout Baby!

Sprout Baby is a sister company of Sprout Foods and they are working to provide parents with environmentally friendly baby products such as glass bottles and cloth diapers.  Another one of their partners is Healthy Child Healthy World which is a non-profit organization working to provide parents with steps to creating a safe, clean and green world for their children. 

Sprout Baby is celebrating their 1st birthday!  And they want to giveaway $2500 in cash!  Yes, for all customers who shop between now and Dec 15, 2009, we will be entered into a drawing for $2500 in cash! 

One lucky reader will receive a $25 gift certificate to spend at the Sprout Baby store online to purchase anything you like!  They sell Sprout Foods, cloth diapers (I can hear my readers yelling with excitement!!!), feeding items for baby, soothing items for momma, and so much more! 

All of my readers can save on purchases at Sprout Baby and save 15% off your first order with coupon code SBBL055!!

WIN IT!  Want to win the $25 gift certificate to Sprout Baby?  All you have to do is visit Sprout Baby online and tell me what you would buy if you won.  Leave me a comment below and be sure to leave your email address so you can be contacted when you win.  Giveaway is open to resident of the US only. 

Bonus Entries!
1.  Make a purchase at Sprout Baby using coupon code SBBL055 and earn 5 bonus entries into the giveaway.  Leave a comment below telling me what you purchased and the date. 
2.  Follow @sproutbabyclub on Twitter for 1 bonus entry.  Leave me a comment.
3.  Follow @theecochic on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (max 5 bonus entries).  Leave me a comment.
4.  Become a fan of SproutBaby.comon Facebook for 1 bonus entry.  Leave me a comment.
5.  Subscribe to my blog in your favorite readers for 1 bonus entry.  Leave me a comment.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO ENTER!

Contest will end on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at midnight (EST).

Yes, I was provided with samples from Sprout Baby to write this post…but as you can tell my the picture of Lil’ B…she really did L-O-V-E the food!

Giveaway Alert!  The Natural Baby Co is giving away one Gro Baby Bio Soaker Intro Package to a lucky reader.  To enter see details at the end of this post.    ECO-ngratulatins Holly S!

One of the newest hybrid cloth diapering systems out there is the Gro Baby System.  Check out there cute new animated short video HERE! 

The original Gro Baby shell consists of a water proof shell and an organic cotton soaker pad that snaps into the shell.  The idea is that you purchase several soaker pads and reuse the shell.  Unlike most pocket diapers the Gro Baby has a unique quick drying layer between the soaker and the shell (it’s sewn into the shell and looks like a large weave mesh).  The soakers attach to the shell with two snaps; one at the front and one at the back.  The original soakers are very thick organic cotton and are very absorbent.  They also come with a booster for nights and naps.  The other unique feature to the Gro Baby Shell is the closure.  It’s a very fine hook closure that works withthe very soft fabric loop (similar to Velcro only much softer and finer).  If you prefer snaps The Natural Baby Co will convert your Gro Baby shell for a small fee.

The features don’t stop there!  The Gro Baby shells will also work with their newest product…the Bio Soakers biodegradable, disposable soaker pads.  These disposable pads easily attach using two adhesive tabs located on the back of the pads.  Each pad is made up of three parts; 1) the lining, 2) the core, and 3) the waterproof outer.  The lining and waterproof outer layers are both compostable.  The core is biodegradeable.  The core is made of a wood pulp fiber and contains about 3 grams of superabsorbent polymers (SAP).  SAP is what makes traditional diapers (and other hygiene products) absorb and retain liquids.  Not only can the Bio Soakers be composted the core is flushable (similar to G Diapers)…just tear it open and flush the insides.  (*As with any flushable product, please use caution!)  Bio Soakers would make a practical travel option that would allow you to have the cuteness of your fluff with the convenience of a disposable. 

The traditional GroBaby cloth diapering system is very compareable to other organic diapers (selling at $24.95 each…same as the BG Organic).  The nice feature to the Gro Baby is that you can reuse the shell.  The soakerpads sell for $16.95 for a set of two.  With just one shell and three soakers you would spend $41.90 and end up with three diaper changes…three BG organics would cost you $74.85…not a bad savings!  The Bio Soakers cost $19.99 for a box of 50 pads…a mere 40 cents for each pad. 

What did I think?  I have a two part response to that question. 

1) Traditional Gro Baby System: I love it!  It’s very easy to use and I wish I had a few more soakers so I could take full advantage of the reusability of the shell.  I love the absorbency of the organic cotton…it just soaks up the pee!  I really like the closure system.  It’s a much softer hook closure than traditional Velcro.  The only negative comment I have about the traditional Gro Baby is the laundry tabs don’t seem to hold very well.  Each time I washed the shell the tabs were stuck on another diaper.  This is easily rectified if you purchase the snap conversion…but I prefer the hook closure for me.  Out of all the diapers I’ve tried the Gro Baby is at the top of my list.  Just look at how cute it is…even in the simple vanilla color! 

2) The Bio Soakers with Gro Baby Shell:  I used the Bio Soakers a few different ways.  When I used the bio soakers as they were intended to be used…with the Gro Baby shell…they worked wonderful.  Unfortunately I only have one shell at the moment.  It never fails that each time I put it on Lil’ B she decides to poo…and poo large…and spill out onto the shell.  This makes it difficult to reuse the shell…hence my frustration begins.  If I had at least 3-6 shells I think I would have enjoyed the bio soakers much more.  Instead…I attempted to use the bio soakers inside other diaper covers…while they still functioned the same way there was one problem that I encountered.  The adhesive that is used on the bio soakers is a very strong adhesive and it didn’t remove easily from my BG cover material.  You can read all about my travel experience here.  I’ve used the bio soakers a few random times around the house with the Gro Baby shell and I’ve never had any problems arise when I use them the right way! 

Here is a tip I received from Kim at The Natural Baby Co regarding the Gro Baby Bio Soakers. 
“We use a eco friendly adhesive which can get sticky when warmed from being by baby’s skin.  My biggest tip is to let your diaper sit for a minute BEFORE peeling off the soaker pad.”

Buy It!  Want to try the Gro Baby system yourself?  You can purchase your own system at The Natural Baby Co.  The introductory package (one shell and 50 bio soakers) sells for $34.95. 

Win It!  I know…you want to win your own Gro Baby system…who doesn’t want free fluff?  I’m giving away one complete introductory package (one shell and 50 bio soakers) to a lucky reader!  Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada.  ECO-ngratulations Holly S!

MANDATORY ENTRY!  Visit The Natural Baby Co and tell me what your favorite Gro Baby shell color is…don’t forget they have some brand new prints available!  Leave me a comment below with your answer.

Bonus Entries:  Leave an individual comment for each item completed with links (if applicable).
1.  Become a Fan of Gro Baby on Facebook.
2.  Become a Fan of The Eco Chic on Facebook.
3.  Follow Gro Baby on Twitter.
4.  Follow The Eco Chic on Twitter.
5.  Add my button to your blog or website!
6.  Subscribe to The Eco Chic on Feedburner…deliver me to your inbox!
7.  Subscribe to The Eco Chic in Google Reader (or other feed reader).
8.  Tweet about this giveaway…be sure to include @TheEcoChic and @GroBaby and a link back here! (Max 5 tweets per giveaway!)
9.  Blog about this giveaway.
10. Make any purchase from The Natural Baby Co (valid for purchases between now and the end of the contest only) and earn 5 extra entries to this giveaway!

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO BE ENTERED TO THIS CONTEST!

Contest ends at midnight (EST) on October 29th, 2009.

Yes, a Gro Baby Introductory Package was provided to me in exchange for this post…I’ve been writing this post for over 3 hrs now so I think that’s a good exchange for my time…don’t you?   

Now the tricky questions that I am trying to find answers to.  While I’ve began doing some research on the topics I can’t learn it all in one evening.  Biodegradable, compostable, and other environmental marketing terminology.  Are they just keen marketing skills or are they really environmentally friendly?  This is where I start to get a little lost in the sea of green!  So to help you out a little here are some definitions:

Biodegradable:  the material breakdown of chemicals by the environment.

Compostable:  according to Wiki it means the same as biodegradable.

Bio-Film (Fecula): a compostable material that is made from all natural corn starch.

SAP:  super absorbent polymers used in disposable diapers to absorb moisture.  Regular disposables contain 10-20 grams of SAP.  SAP was removed from tampon production in the 1980s due to the link between SAP and Toxic Shock Syndrom (TSS).  Most babies in the US are in disposable diapers all day, every day, for three years! 

EN13432 (EU):  European standards for biodegradability and compostability.

ASTM D 6400 (US):  An American standard for composting.  Refers to the use of aerobic composting facilities (similar to wastewater treatment processes) to kill pathogens in human waste. 

Aerobic Composting:  the breakdown of a material by heat-loving organisms at a very high temperature.  Can occur at an industrial composting facility or when using special composting toilets. 

Sources:
http://www.thenaturalbabyco.com/grobaby™-ic-11_16.html
http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/dissin_disposables_why_cloth_diapers_rule/
http://ilex-envirosciences.com/leaflets/EN13432.pdf
http://www.astm.org/Standards/D6400.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic_digestion#Active_.28aerobic.29 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superabsorbent_polymer
http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/organic-parenting/green-eco-diapers-66031101

Giveaway Alert!  Want to win a cute blanket like the one in the picture above? aden + anais is giving away one organic muslin baby wrap to a lucky reader.  See below for details on how to enter.  ECO-ngratulations Desiree! Watch your email for details on how to claim your aden + anais baby wrap!

A picture is worth a thousand words, right?  I don’t normally like to show pictures of my family but I couldn’t resist, Lil B’s smile just spoke to me here.  The gorgeous blanket that Lil B is cuddling is by aden + anais.  It’s 100% organic cotton muslin and measures 47″ X 47″ in size.  I love that it’s light weight which is perfect for our hot Florida weather.  It’s all natural, organic cotton fabric so it’s free of nasty chemicals and safer for my baby.  As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also machine washable.

While the organic wraps only come in a few color options (for both girls and boys), they also offer non-organic wraps in a larger variety of colors.  The organic wraps sell for $34 and the non-organic wraps start at $19.95 each.  The quality of the aden + anais wraps is well worth the price tag.  aden + anais also offers hooded towels, wash clothes, and sleeping bags all made with the same cotton muslin fabric. 

I take our aden + anais blanket with us everywhere.  It’s so versatile.  I use it as a blanket, a pack-n-play sheet, and as a nursing cover.  It’s so large that I’ve wondered how I could tie it into a babywearing carrier like a ring sling or mei tai.  I’m sad when it gets dirty and we actually have to use our old blankets, it’s by far one of my favorites! 

Buy It!  The aden + anais baby wraps would make a great baby gift, a blanket that no family should be without.  It’s perfect size for swaddling your newborn and large enough for the older toddler too.  You can purchase them directly on the aden + anais website.  Go ahead, spoil your baby!  They deserve the very best don’t they!

Win It!  Want to win your own aden + anais organic cotton muslin baby wrap?  Visit aden + anais and leave me a comment below telling me which wrap is your favorite.  This is mandatory before you can enter the extra entries.  Contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. 

Extra Entry #1: Subscribe to the aden + anais mailing list.  Leave me a comment with the email address you subscribed with.

Extra Entry #2: Become a fan of aden + anais on Facebook.  Leave me a comment with your Facebook name.

Extra Entry #3: Follow The Eco Chic using any (or all) of the following; Google Reader, Facebook, Twitter, or Feedburner (email).  Leave a comment below for each way that you follow me.  

Giveaway will close on October 19th, 2009 at midnight (EST). 

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY!

ECO-ngratulations Desiree! You win!

The wrap shown in the picture above was provided by aden + anais for this review. 

Don’t forget to enter my Blogiversary Celebration Giveways!  These wonderful giveways all close on Sept. 23, 2009 at midnight (EST). 

Tonight I’m feeling rather ‘fancy’ and ‘trendy’ so I thought I would share with you a new online green clothing store I was recently introduced to.  We Care Clothing!  This great little clothing store features beautiful designer clothing and accessories for women, mens, and kids.  Their clothing is made from organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp fabrics. 

Why should you choose organic clothing?  We often choose organic foods because they are healthier for us.  Organic fabrics are made from plants that were grown without the use of fertilizers.  These fertilizers contain a lot of nutrients that help the plants grow bigger and faster but they are inefficient.  The majority of the nutrients from fertilizers are washed away and not taken in by the plants at all.  All of those nutrients seep into our groundwater, our streams, rivers, and eventually into our oceans.  Nitrates are the primary nutrient that are wasted from fertilizers and can cause detrimental effects to the environment and our health.  Nitrates can lead to algal blooms in rivers and oceans that can cause devastating fish kills.  Now that might sound bad but you may be thinking…it’s just a fish!  We eat fish and they tend to store these nutrients in their flesh.  This is why some fish are recommended to eat in moderation.  I bet you never thought that choosing organic clothing (and food) could make such a difference in the world did you? 

Now back to We Care Clothing (sorry…as you may know by now my college studies included lots of stream and fish studies!!) and their beautiful clothing.  A few of my favorite pieces are the organic Blue Sky T-shirt for women; the Of the Earth Kids Sugar Too organic top; the Nixxi Mens Button Downorganic shirt; and the luxe Bamboo Dreams Sheet Sets.  Ohh Mama, would we be one sharp dressed family in these clothes! 

Want another reason to shop We Care Clothing?  For every purchase you make, We Care Clothing will plant a tree.  Their program has helped to replace trees that were lost during Hurricane Katrina and the California wildfires.  If you would like to learn more about organics and the organic fashion industry be sure to visit the Why Organic section at We Care Clothing; you will find a wealth of information! 

Now…which item do you like the best?  I really like the ANGelRoX Wrap…one piece worn as a skirt, dress, cape or shrug!

Giveaway alert!  Swami Baby Boutique is giving away 3 organic cotton baby tee’s/onesie’s.  My absolute favorite is the Same Diaper, Different Day Tee.  Check out the other Think Green T-shirts at Swami Baby Boutique!  They are available in sizes 6mo-24mo only.  ECO-ngratulations Carol, Gwen & Alysia!!

To enter to win all you need to do is visit Swami Baby Boutique and leave a comment HERE about your favorite Think Green T-Shirt!  Three lucky winners will be selected at the end of the Eco-Summer Blog Party!  Register by July 15th at midnight (EST).

Swami Baby is a cute baby, toddler and mommy boutique that gives a voice to our own wise little ones.  You can even find cute matching tee’s for you!  Good Luck!

This post serves two purposes.  1)  I am planning a baby shower for a friend who is expecting at the end of year.  2) My friends are planning a baby shower for me (I just don’t have any of the details).  So I have found some cool ideas for planning an eco-baby shower that I want to include in my friends shower (and hopefully my friends will get some cool ideas too). 

Invitations:
*Use www.evite.com or other online invitation web site.
*Print your invitations on recycled or other environmentally friendly paper.
*Print your invitations on plantable paper.

Decorations:
*Use potted plants for table decorations.
*Use actual baby gifts as decorations and give them to the guest of honor.
*Don’t use disposable decorations.

Food:
*If you are making or catering the food use local and/or organic food.
*Select food that serves well at room temperature so you don’t have to use electricity to keep things warm.
*Don’t use disposable plates, silverware, napkins, and cups. 

Games:
*Select games that don’t create waste.
*Select games that use actual baby products that the guest can take home.

Gifts:
*Instead of disposable diapers buy the guest cloth diapers.
*Buy gifts that encourage the guest to make their own baby food.
*Wrap gifts in other baby products like sheets, blankets, and diaper bags. 
*Remind guests to think green when they make their purchases.

Just because you go green doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.  The guest of honor will love the special touches to her day.  Have any other ideas?  I’d love to hear them.  Just leave me a comment. 

I just returned from a trip to the local grocery store.  I just had to pick up a few things and I made an observation while selecting my cherry tomatoes.  Normally, I look at the organic veggies first to compare the price.  If they are close I choose the organic.  However, when I looked at the organic tomatoes I noticed they came from Mexico.  When I got to the non-organic tomatoes…guess what?  They were local!!!  To me I would prefer to buy locally and luckily living in Florida the grocery stores stock the local fruits and veggies when they are in season.  Not only could I have gotten fresh Florida strawberries but also the tomatoes!  The grocery stores are getting smart; they advertise heavily on the local fruits and veggies now.  So…EcoChic lesson of the day…read the labels, you never know what you might learn.