I don't have any need for a diaper bag right now, but this pretty minimalist one from Fleurville is making wish I did. And I don't love it just for its looks—it's also kind to the planet. That's because the fabric is actually made out of recycled plastic water bottles. This style prevents 10 of them from ending up in a landfill, where they take 1,000 years to break down (yikes). Recycling never looked so good!
Did you know the average family of 4 uses nearly 1,000 plastic bags every year? That's a lot of plastic bags! So many in fact, Ecobags decided to turn them into a giant ball to show just how big of a problem it is. Watch the video above to see for yourself, then head over to Ecobags.com and pick up some reusable totes to bring on your next shopping trip. (Be sure to check out their light-weight produce bags too!)
Here's a green way to grow some green! Instead of throwing out your old, plastic soda and water bottles, pick up the Twist and Spout at re:modern—you just screw it to the tops of the
bottles and voila... instant watering can (found via Coveiter). It's also got a nice, easy-to-grip handle so you or your kids can carry it around and water all your plants. Happy gardening.
We have lots of good news this morning for the winners of our amazing green giveaways. First up, the winners of the Eco-Generations Kids' tees:
The lucky winner of the $100 Beautorium gift certificate is:
And finally the winners of the adorable Plan Toys Balancing Monkey playset:
Winners, we've already sent you an email to get your info. And if you didn't win, stay tuned: We just might have an extra-special Mother's Day treat coming up. (hint, hint)
Here at GoodyBlog we know there are a ton of "green" products for you and your family in the market right now. We also know that trying to raise a baby is hard enough without the world leaning over your shoulder reminding you what to recycle, drive, wear and eat. So if you're interested in "going green" but can't seem to sort through what to do first, check out these down-to-earth green baby books and learn how to take your first baby steps in the eco-friendly direction. 
"Green Babies, Sage Moms: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Your Organic Baby" by Lynda Fassa
"Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Baby Care" by Alan Greene, Jeanette Pavini and Theresa Foy DiGeronimo
"Organic Baby: Simple Steps for Healthy Living" by Kimberly Rider
Since today is Arbor Day, I wanted to point out the great work NYC is doing to stay green (despite all that concrete). Last month, I found out through my daily Ideal Bite that Mayor Bloomberg announced plans to plant a million trees in the five boroughs over the next 10 years. Wahoo! I have a few trees on my city block, and I feel very lucky—they're especially beautiful now that everything's starting to bud and flower. So get on board—you can go online and either nominate the perfect location for a free tree, plant a tree yourself and have it count as one in a million, volunteer to care for the ones that are already planted, or donate to help the planting process. If you don't live in NYC, get into the action by checking out the Plant a Billion Trees campaign that's planting in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil.
Photo via.
Priceless memorabilia, great food and a family-friendly atmosphere make Hard Rock Cafe a fun dinner destination. And now here's another reason that the Hard Rock Cafe, well, rocks. Beginning Arbor Day (tomorrow!) the restaurants located in North America and Puerto Rico will include tree seed packets with their kid's meals. Sure, initially your kids might not be as excited about the seeds as they would be about finding a plastic toy with their meal, but how cool is it that ten years from now their "prize" will still be around and doing the earth good (the same can't be said for the plastic toy...) In addition, Hard Rock International has teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation, making the commitment to plant at least 25,000 trees this year.
Adopting a green lifestyle seems simple in concept, but actually putting it into practice isn't always as easy. That's why I love Green, Greener, Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-Smart Choices a Part of Your Life by Lori Bongiorno. This book offers advice for being earth-friendly, no matter what level green you're at. Here's a sneak-peak.
For your kids:
Green: Choose safer plastics. Lego and Sassy don't use PVC.
Greener: Buy locally made toys at craft fairs and farmers' markets.
Greenest: Buy less. Find safe "toys" around the house, such as wooden spoons and pots and pans.
For your laundry:
Green: Use cold water for all rinse cycles to save energy.
Greener: Buy green laundry detergents, and spot clean items when possible rather than tossing them into the machine.
Greenest: Always line-dry clothing.
For you:
Green: Support local breweries and local wine.
Greener: Buy beer from a brewery that enforces sustainable practices, like Brooklyn Brewery.
Greenest: Brew your own organic beer. Seven Bridges Cooperative offers tips and supplies.
What stage green are you at?
In honor of Earth Day, we're going to help you turn your boob tube into a green screen. Whether it's wildlife documentaries or a "Very Special" episode of your child's favorite show, DVDs can be a great way to educate and entertain your family about Mother Earth. Check out these top eco-friendly flicks....
Perfect for Preschoolers:
It's a Big, Big, World: The Earth Needs You
Cool for Kids:
The Jeff Corwin Experience: Season 1
All About Animals:
National Geographic: The Wildlife Collection
Great for Grown-Ups:
The 11th Hour
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Earth:
The BBC Natural History Collection
Now that you know our Earth Day picks, it's time to share yours. We've rounded up four of the best animal-themed features on DVD. Vote on which one you think is the top doc:
It seems like just about everything can be made from bamboo these days. The eco-textile is being used to make furniture, floors, plates, cutting boards, clothes, bedsheets and more! Why? Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world (it can grow up to 3 or 4 feet per day), which makes it a renewable resource, and it doesn’t require pesticides or insecticides to grow. Its soft fibers, which are naturally anti-microbial and hypo-allergenic, form a fabric that's so comfy and durable it's been dubbed the "new cotton". Do you love the sweet bamboo outfit pictured to the right? Then check out the great new product line from Baby Bambu and get your hands on some green bamboo gear today.
