Children Inspire Design (www.childreninspiredesign.com) is a line of modern, eco-friendly and culturally diverse artwork designed to teach compassion for our earth and all who inhabit it. Each piece incorporates repurposed paper materials, soy inks, and biodegradable packaging.

Global Compassion (28×18) – $40

Protect Our Water (8×10) – $22

Peacock (11×14) – $30

Bear (8×10) – $22

Lakeshore (www.lakeshorelearning.com) is known for its exceptional educational products found in schools and homes across the country! Lakeshore has been around for over 60 years and has 59 stores nationwide and they understand the importance of early education for little ones.

Bamboo Building Blocks ($39.99) Environmentally friendly building blocks—crafted from real bamboo! Designed to help preserve Earth’s resources, each block is made of rapidly renewable bamboo that’s both durable & lightweight—making them perfect for block play. And the pieces come in a variety of imagination-inspiring shapes, including natural-looking columns, roofs, bridges and more. Longest piece is 8″. Set of 42 pieces. (preschool – 2nd grade / 3 yrs. – 7 yrs.)

Learn To Recycle! Activity Kit ($24.95) As children place cute picture tiles into our miniature recycling bins, they learn to reduce, reuse and recycle—and practice sorting! 6 different recycling bins each come with 8 sturdy chipboard tiles showing items that can be recycled. Children just drop each tile into the slot on the corresponding bin…then check their answers on back! Sturdy chipboard bins measure 3″; with a total of 48 tiles. (pre-k – 3rd grade / 4 yrs. – 8 yrs.)

Color Match Learning Garden ($29.99) Color-matching skills bloom in our soft-sewn garden! Our 12″ garden has five bright colors right on front. Tots just find the flower and insect pieces that match each color—and stick them on! Includes 10 machine-washable pieces that easily attach with hook & loop fastener. (infant – preschool / 9 mos. – 3 yrs.)

Earth & Environment Theme Box ($49.99) Children learn all about the Earth and its environment…with comprehensive, hands-on lessons that span the curriculum! From wood samples and rock specimens to recycling bins and sorting cards, our theme box is packed with materials that help children explore the natural world—and learn how to protect it. Plus, you get a guide with tons of involving activities that cover 10 curriculum areas—from math to dramatic play. Materials come in a plastic tub. (preschool – kindergarten / 3 yrs. – 5 yrs.)

Earth Science Exploration Center ($49.99) Bring earth science to life—right in your classroom! Our center includes all the hands-on materials children need to explore Earth’s most fascinating phenomena—as they make snow, create thunder, cause a volcanic eruption and make a tornado. Plus, we’ve included 4 photographic cards that explain the science behind each event—and include a variety of hands-on activities to extend the learning! The thunder tube measures 8 1⁄2″ long. Develops skills in conducting simple investigations, making predictions and exploring attributes. (pre-k – 3rd grade / 4 yrs. – 8 yrs.)

Seasons & Weather Folder Game Library ($19.99) Boost skills across the curriculum—with independent folder games children love to play! Our library features 6 fun, seasons & weather-themed games that boost skills in language, math, social studies and science. Children simply grab a color-coded folder and corresponding pouch of tiles…follow the simple, 3-step instructions to complete the activity…then check their answers for instant reinforcement! 6 self-checking games cover the alphabet, patterning, counting to 20, what goes together, hot & cold and dressing for the weather. Folders measure 9 1/4″ x 11 5/8″. (preschool – kindergarten / 3 yrs. – 5 yrs.)

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You already know grilling is a healthful, flavorful and fun way to cook while enjoying the great outdoors. But did you know it can also be a “green” activity?

By choosing earth-friendly fuel options, better ingredients and sustainably sourced seasonings, you can satisfy your family’s taste buds and Mother Nature with these greener grilling tips:

• Grilling with charcoal briquettes imparts a wonderful flavor to foods, but many cooks resort to a squirt (or several) of lighter fluid to get the coals burning faster. Forego the lighter fluid and invest in a charcoal chimney – a metal cylinder that makes it easy to get charcoal started. Briquettes go on the grate atop the chimney and newspaper goes at the bottom. When you light the paper, the chimney effect of the tube lights the charcoal from the bottom quickly and easily.

• Many people use disposable dinnerware for outdoor dining. While it may be convenient to not have to wash those dishes, reusable dinnerware and table linens are better for the environment and cheaper in the long term. Plus, cloth napkins and real plates impart a special charm to dining al fresco.

• This summer, why not try meat and poultry from free-range or grass-fed animals, rather than factory farmed? Better yet, select meat from a local farmer, buy organic or go vegan or vegetarian. Firm tofu, Portobello mushrooms and even polenta are healthy and trendy alternatives to meat. Such options reduce the environmental impact of your meal, and they often taste much better!

• Seasonings are a great way to add flavor without fat to your grilled meats and vegetables. When you choose sustainably sourced spices and herbs from purveyors like Frontier Natural Co-op, you’re not only getting outstanding flavor, but you can be assured the seasonings have been produced using practices that are better for the environment, too.

• When purchasing produce, look for local options. Locally grown veggies and fruits travel a shorter distance to make it to your grill, meaning less fossil fuel is consumed overall. 

• You can conserve resources without skimping on flavor if you make marinades using whole spices that you’ve pan roasted and freshly cracked before blending. Flavored and artisan black pepper corns, salts and sugars are trendy right now. You can also incorporate artisan vinegars, fine drinking wines and unusual beers into your marinades to create unique and pleasing flavors.

Do you love adding smoke to your grilling? Rather than buying pre-soaked planks or pre-processed briquettes, try smoking by soaking whole herbs, spices and tea leaves in water then throwing them on the hot coals to create unusually flavored smoke blends that go far beyond basic mesquite and hickory.

To get you started, try this blackening spice recipe from Frontier Natural Co-op:

Paprika, Garlic and Thyme Barbecue Rub

Rubs are key to a flavorful barbecue. Season your meat one hour before cooking for grilled items, and a day ahead for smoked meats. This recipe works especially well for ribs, but it’s good on almost anything you’d want to barbecue or grill, such as chicken, turkey, steaks, burgers, firm fish or shrimp. For fish dishes, consider adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Yield: 1/2 cup

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Frontier paprika
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Frontier sea salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Frontier ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Frontier garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Frontier thyme
• 1 teaspoon Frontier cayenne (or to taste, may be omitted)

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients. Rub into chosen cut of meat. For best results, allow to marinate one hour to overnight before grilling.

*BPT

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A San Francisco based company, Lifefactory created the first reusable glass beverage bottle that is free of toxins and BPAs and virtually every part of it’s construction is made from recyclable materials. Lifefactory’s beautiful glass-blown containers are specially made in France and are great to stay hydrated throughout the day and serve as a more conscientious alternative to regular plastic bottles. Lifefactory’s intelligent glass design means bottle contents will always have a fresh clean taste, and absolutely no chemical leaching ­ plus the silicone sleeve protects from any breakage and provides a comfortable non-slip gripping surface. And because Lifefactory is committed to product sensibility and convenience, all bottles are dishwasher safe, and truly designed to last a life-time.

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The Armpocket Sport i-20 is the ultimate accessory for any athlete, student, or busy mom to comfortably carry their smart phones, mp3 players, keys, wallets and other necessary items while on the go. Made from recycled water bottles and natural bamboo rayon.  Armpocket’s eco-friendly fabric keeps valuable electronics protected while allowing navigation of the device through its large touch-through window.  Available for 29.95 at www.armpocket.com

My Eco Can – Drink to Smart Design
Quench your thirst for sustainable goods and high design with this reusable, earth-friendly can made from corn-starch based polylactic acid.  A convenient tab and twist off cap with double walled construction securely totes and insulates your daily sips. Replace your water bottle or on the go coffee mug with this bright idea that’s ideal for everyday use. $13  Find this and other green gifts at www.uncommongoods.com

Samsung Replenish™  Stay connected with friends, work and the planet!
Samsung Replenish™, Sprint and Samsung Mobile’s first eco-friendly Android smartphone The Replenish uses recycled and recyclable plastics plus environmentally friendly packaging. You can feel good about Mother Earth, and still text your mom with the full QWERTY keyboard. The large 2.8″ QVGA (Quarter View Graphics Array) touchscreen offers every color found in nature. Wi-Fi capability, 2.0 Megapixel camera and boasts access to more than 150,000 apps in Android™ Market.  Available at www.sprint.com

The Bedol Water Clock – Smiley Alarm Red

The Amazing Bedol Clock will never need batteries or electricity. It uses ions in ordinary water to create clean energy. Just fill with water! when ionization is low after a year or more just dump out the water and fill with new water. The clock even has an alarm! Available for $39 www.bedolwhatsnext.com

Lean and Green By Vers
Bamboo Slimcases for iPad 2, is tailored for a trim, travel-friendly fit, with the ability to protect your iPad 2 from everyday wear and tear. The iPhone 4/4S Slimcase is pocket-friendly and durable. Both cases are available in renewable bamboo (as pictured) or sustainably grown walnut and coordinate beautifully with Vers sound isolation 1E earphones and enhanced bass 7E earphones.   For every tree Vers uses in production, they plant 100 through their long-time partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. Thoughtfully sound.  Learn more at www.versaudio.com 

A Bolt of Solar Energy For The Connected Traveler
The Solio Bolt solar charger is your perfect companion, keeping you online and in-touch on the go. With an on-board battery and rotating solar panels, the Solio Bolt charges popular USB powered gadgets from your smartphone and MP3 Player, to your e-reader, GPS and camera.  Available at www.solio.com

The post Green Gadgets & Gifts appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Organic is the catchphrase of a generation. Most often, the term “organic” applies to our food. Sometimes it is there to certify fabrics or product ingredients, but rarely is it applied to our sex lives. We spend an astonishing amount of time thinking about the ingredients in the products that we use on our hair and skin, but very little time thinking about the ingredients of the products that we place on the most sensitive parts of our bodies. The products we use internally have more effect on our sexual health than we realize.

With an estimated use rate of 80% among US adults, lubricant is the most widely used intimacy product. The reason for using lubricant can vary from a medical need due to medication, nursing or childbirth to just pure pleasure. Surprisingly over 90% of lubricants currently on the market are made with chemicals designed for industrial use in things like cars or oven cleaners. Ingredients such as propylene glycol, methylparabens, propylparabens, and polyethylene glycol can cause painful burning and itching reactions in both men and women. Many women come to the false conclusion that they don’t like sex, when in reality, the products they are using work against their bodies instead of with their bodies. In addition, lubricants with these ingredients are not sperm-friendly, so they can make it more challenging for couples trying to conceive.

Good Clean Love products make touching, kissing and smelling each other better. They should be made with quality natural and organic ingredients that actually interact with your brain and don’t leave nasty and sticky residue on your skin. The products you use for sex should make you feel sexy, which leaves petrochemical-based products entirely out of the discussion. Feeling overwhelmed with needing to rethink your bedroom strategy? Never fear! You can easily bring your love for organic into the bedroom. Companies like Oregon based Good Clean Love are dedicated to providing quality all natural and organic intimacy products. Good Clean Love lubricants are made with the finest grade organic and natural ingredients. Made with a base of water and aloe vera, Good Clean Love lubricants feel good, smell good, and are good for you and the environment. For more information and other products visit www.goodcleanlove.com

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