Inspiration and fresh ideas for how to live as a sustainable family.
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
by Jake Aryeh Marcus Find Sustainable Mothering on Facebook and Jake on Twitter. Hands Across the Sand is a movement with a simple message: NO to offshore oil drilling, YES to clean energy. In the literal wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, there seems no better time to join hands at the waters’ edge in solidarity with others who wish to protect the world’s oceans. I am spending a few weeks with my family at the New Jersey shore. Knowing a Hands Across the Sand event was planned for yesterday, my eldest son and protest buddy... read more
By Rob Wilson of Challenge and FunAt the beginning of April, I traveled to Washington, DC to speak at the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) rally. It was very well attended, and attendees were able to meet with legislative aides of Congressmen and Senators from across the country. If you missed the event, you can watch footage online, as a complete video from start to finish, or as clips of specific speakers. Sadly, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) did not pass the petition by the National Association of Manufacturers to stay the... read more
April 2, 2010 Green Halloween, a non-profit organization working to make Halloween and other holidays more eco-friendly, is looking for volunteer coordinators across the country. Do you love Halloween but not all of the un-healthy, un-safe and un-sustainable traditions? Want to help give the holiday an “EEK-O-friendly” makeover on a national scale?Join the revolution by organizing a Green Halloween® trick-or-treat trail or event in your community!Already launched in seven cities nationwide (including Los Angeles and NYC), Green Halloween® is currently looking for... read more
This was originally posted on the Holistic Moms Network blog in August. This month the Holistic Moms Network took a huge step in support of working-class mothers that could ultimately mean the financial ruin of the organization. They moved their Natural Living Conference from a boycotted hotel (the Hilton Long Beach) to the Irvine Marriott. In 2008, the workers at the Hilton Long Beach signed union cards and joined UNITE HERE Local 11, the union that represents workers in the hospitality industry in the U.S. and Canada. With poverty level wages (average... read more
WomanCraft, a social enterprise of Heartland Human Care Services, located in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood, uses recycled office paper and reclaimed flowers to create unique, sustainable, handmade paper products, such as wildflower seed note cards, memory books, gift tags, frames, and custom wedding invitations.WomanCraft provides artisan positions and transitional jobs to women facing barriers to employment, so that they may earn income, improve job skills, build a work history, and increase economic self-sufficiency.To help empower women in transition and to... read more
By Candice O'Grady Web Exculsive - November 3, 2008 In the lead up to November's election, it would seem that mothers have something to celebrate. Since Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was thrust into the political spotlight as John McCain's running mate, motherhood became part of the national conversation. Before breaking open the Champagne, though, the coverage itself demands serious scrutiny. Rather than seeking to explore whether the candidates' political platforms support the creation of healthy families, discussions of motherhood have focused largely on an inane... read more
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), federal regulators have approved a hormone-disrupting pesticide, triclosan, for use in 140 different types of consumer products, including liquid hand soap, toothpaste, undergarments, and children's toys. Triclosan is used in these products to kill bacteria, but is no more effective than soap and water. Now it has been found in breastmilk, urine, and cord blood as a result of its proliferation in everyday products. You can learn more about the EWG's stance on triclosan, where to find it in your home, and which products... read more
British children's author Sean Taylor, winner of the Nestlé Children's Book Prize 2007, refused to accept a check as part of his recent award, presented in December. Taylor, who won the prize for his book When a Monster is Born, said that he could not accept the money because of his concerns over the marketing tactics used by Nestlé in their promotion of infant formula. In an open letter explaining his decision, Taylor said that he was honored to have won the prize because it is awarded on the basis of children's votes, but he could not accept Nestlé's money because... read more
If there is ever a time when commercialism seems inescapable, it's during the holidays. Now, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has created a guide to help you find your way through the hectic holiday season. You can download your free copy here: www.commercialfreechildhood.org/holidayguide/home.htm. read more
