• Last updated 5/13/13 by Monica S

I’ve written a lot about all of the reasons why you should switch to authentically organic skin care products.  While there are certainly some wonderful lines for you to choose from, sometimes the best option is to give it a go at home with ingredients you may already have in your pantry.  It will give you a taste of natural skin care, and from there you can decide if you want to explore further by using some of the other lovely products available.   For a simple, but powerful day and nighttime facial moisturizer, choose from any of the oils listed below.  Most of... read more

• Last updated 5/2/13 by AdinaL

  This list is a work in progress! I hope this will be a great resource for new and old members alike.  ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick  Renewable energy incentives in your state 2009 Federal energy tax credits Low income weatherization programs Debt-Proof Living  Get Rich Slowly Consumerist Money Saving Mom MyFICO.com Resources Home Expense and Utility Assistance Weatherization Assistance – Helps families make their homes more energy efficient to reduce energy bills. LIHEAP – Low income energy assistance program WARM... read more

• Last updated 4/22/13 by Monica S

I have a 2 yr old. I want solar and wind energy now because I need the 'mid century' climate in 2050 to be to stable enough for him to thrive. That's why this Earth Day, I'm asking everyone to show mamma earth your love by going solar. There's enough sun and wind in the US everyday to power everything we do, and yet special interests try to prevent us from using these renewable sources of energy by painting them as unworkable. The good news is that the special interests are losing. Family by family, community by community, and country by country we have proven... read more

• Last updated 4/17/13 by Monica S

With spring upon us and Earth Day right around the corner, many of us are thinking about how we can green our cleaning routine this year. Last week we ran a Spring Cleaning Contest and asked Mothering members to share eco-friendly ways they found to keep things clean. Below you'll find some of the great ideas our members shared, as well as awesome green cleaning products our community has recommended.   Photo by Suzettesuzette via Flickr.   Soak orange peels in vinegar "I love cleaning with vinegar, but not the vinegar smell.  So... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

Years ago before I had kids I was in Boston taking the T with my brother and the turnstile was broken. There was a long line to buy tokens and I didn’t feel like waiting. “Let’s just jump it,” I said impatiently. “Absolutely not,” my brother answered. “If everyone went through a busted turnstile, where would that leave the public transit system? You have to think about the Categorical Imperative.” That was the first time I was introduced to Kant’s concept of the Categorical Imperative. The way my brother explained it, Immanuel Kant believed... read more

• Last updated 4/4/13 by mamazee

We have Tree. I have gone back and forth with the Yule tree dilemma. Buy a sustainably harvested tree? Buy a tree that you can plant? A (apologies to Martha Stewart for my cheeky usage of the following term) faux bois, aka fake tree?  I don’t know about you, but trees are loaded for me. I have memories. My late Grandma Marie’s very cute, 2-foot fakey, that sat perched atop her heavily consoled color television (you know, decorative carving, lots of wood polish residue, tweed-covered speaker screens), Christmas cards strung around it via string... read more

• Last updated 4/4/13 by mamazee

  out of 335 pages of ornaments, my apologies to the ones that came after. I have eyeball fatigue, and everything is so darn cute and sweet that my teeth hurt. In a good way. One of the reasons why I chose these particular ornaments: I am not terribly crafty, but I could imagine being inspired to accomplish something similar with my own kids. And that would be some lasting fun. (sorry about the wacky spacing) 1. posieandme mushroom ornament,... read more

• Last updated 4/4/13 by mamazee

I had a mad craving and ran over to the Chocolatesmith, the Mothering office’s nearest and dearest den of vice: www.chocolatesmith.com. Yes, them. They are our Second Street Studios neighbors. I totally gobbled up a dark chocolate-covered peanut butter mini bar…which reminds me of last year, when I bought a bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter cups as Halloween giveaway candy…because I didn’t like them and wouldn’t eat any. Well, guess what? I put them in the freezer to keep them fresh-ish, and one PMSy night I ate one. Well, I realized I liked frozen peanut butter... read more

• Last updated 4/3/13 by Cynthia Mosher

  This resource list is intended to be a compilation of helpful MDC threads, Mothering articles and member-recommended website links of general interest to the Diggin' in the Earth forum participants.    MDC Threads  Compost 101 Seed Swap 2009-2010 Seed Starting Preserving 101: VEGGIES Preserving 101: FRUITS Seed Companies w/o Monsanto ties Monsanto-linked seed companies   Mothering Articles The Good Earth: A Farmer's View Rediscovering the Earth The Rabbit Restaurant and Other Gardening Secrets from My Daughter Homegrown... read more

• Last updated 4/1/13 by mamazee

Just got our new eco-friendly banners back from the printer. The banners themselves are biodegradable, but our favorite part is the bamboo stands. The banners retract into beautiful bamboo boxes, made from 90% renewable resources, according to the manufacturer, Megagraphix. Why bamboo? Here’s what they say: “As the fastest growing plant on the planet, this low impact agro-forestry product is finding increasing use as a versatile industrial material. With a maturity cycle of 3-4 years, bamboo can be a viable replacement for wood or metal... read more