2008 October | Inhabitots

Inhabitots Green Halloween Contest!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

If you were reading the site last week you might have spotted our Green Halloween Contest. We’re giving away a slew of great prizes to the best Green Halloween costume, best Green Halloween treat and most creative ideas overall for making Halloween clean and green.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!!

Entries have been rolling in and already we’re starting to publish the best ones we’ve received so far in our Green Halloween photo gallery.

Read on to see some of our best entries so far and to learn more about the competition >

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Halloween Keepsakes: Cuddly, Lovable, Recycled Monster Dolls

by Jennifer Chait, 10/31/08

Halloween has officially arrived! No doubt, children will be a bit crestfallen come Saturday morning, when all of the spook-filled, costumed festivities have ended. But, these adorable recycled monster friends from Junker Jane’s Shop at Etsy will give them something to hold on to throughout the year, as a creature comfort that keeps on giving.

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Reverse Trick or Treating to Promote Fair Trade

by Beth Shea, 10/30/08

When it comes to kids’ trick or treating bounty, it’s all about fairness. Every parent has stared at a kitchen table covered in chocolate treats only to hear from their caped crusader, “It’s not fair, he got more candy than me,” or “I was fair and only took one, but she grabbed five!” This Halloween, why not teach our trick or treating fiends about the true meaning of Fair Trade?

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GREEN HALLOWEEN IDEA: Green Gum and Organic Lollipops

by Neelam Misra, 10/30/08

When trick or treaters come knocking on your door this Halloween, you may feel a sharp pang of guilt handing out the usual holiday fare, which is loaded with unhealthy ingredients, artificial colors, and flavors. We’re here to help you find some more green Halloween delights to really treat those cute little costumed greeters. Glee Gum and YummyEarth lollipops are true treats for the taste buds and the earth; and what little kid won’t think he hit the jackpot when he receives gum and lollipops after yelling “Trick or Treat?”

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GREEN HALLOWEEN IDEA: Eco-Friendly Halloween Decor

The countdown to Halloween is on, and it’s time to transform your home into a festive, spirited, spooky dwelling. Leave the scary, giant footprints to Frankenstein’s creature, and tread lightly on the planet with these easy, eco-friendly tips for Halloween inspired decor.

COSTUME STUDIO: Buy a Costume, Save a Life

For the past couple weeks, we’ve been encouraging you all to get creative and DIY with your Halloween costumes this year. However, we recognize that many people don’t have the time to sit down and make costumes by hand. Happily, we’ve just spotted a great solution for those of you who plan to get store-bought outfits this year. CostumeStudio is a website carrying one of the world’s largest selections of Halloween costumes, and they support children in need around the world with donations to charity. This Halloween, Costume Studio is teaming up with StumbleUpon, MySpace Music, and Invisible Children to donate 100% of profits to help children in war-torn regions of Uganda.

Mini Fuel Cell Hydrocar for Kids

Want your tot to channel her inner engineer and learn about energy technologies of the future while playing cars? The Hydrocar by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies features a mini ‘fuel-cell’ car for kids and parents who are looking to up the ante on the green gadget toy options at home. Part science kit, part clean driving machine, eco-friendly play has never sported such power-packed promise.

Halloween Treats to Enlighten, not Frighten

In preparation for the spookiest night of the year, we’ve unearthed several healthy alternatives to typical Halloween treats. Unfortunately, the majority of candy passed out on Halloween is frightfully laden with high fructose corn syrup and a slew of other scary ingredients. We’d prefer to treat our mini-revelers to tasty, mindful goodies; and in our search for such delights, we came across a few very inspiring products we’d like to share to make everyone’s trick or treating experience more enlightening than frightening.

ANNOUNCING… Inhabitots Baby Tees!

$20.00 – Organic Owl Baby Tee (3-6 mos) $20.00 – Organic Owl Baby Tee (6-12 mos) $20.00 – Organic Owl Baby Tee (12-18 mos) $20.00 – Organic Owl Baby Tee (18-24 mos)

Drumroll please…. We are thrilled to announce our new line of Inhabitots organic baby tees and onesies. Featuring ‘Habby’, our owly mascot, these adorable baby tees are made from 100% organic cotton and are hand-printed with eco-friendly, water-based inks. The tagline (with some fond nostalgia for the 70’s US Forest Service Campaign), reads ‘I give a hoot’. Show your support for Inhabitots and eco design by ordering one today – proceeds go to support Inhabitots and Inhabitat.

ORGANIC NURSING GEAR FROM MOTHERWEAR

Breastfeeding is inherently environmentally friendly. Because of its popularity amongst the eco healthy yoga crowd, it blows my mind that it is so difficult to find organic nursing wear. Why do we need organic nursing wear, you might ask? This might not seem like a big deal to non-breastfeeding women, but I can tell you that when you are spending your days on your couch with leaky boobs, a slew of visitors coming through your house, and your baby permanently latched on – all you want to be wearing is something that is comfortable, breathable, organic, and allows you to nurse your baby while covering the rest of your body and offering some privacy. This doesn’t seem like a tall order, but good nursing wear is surprisingly hard to find. After much frustration trying out different ‘nursing tops’ (some uncomfortable, some too synthetic, some too skimpy), I finally found the solution for organic, comfy, stylish nursing apparel: bamboo nursing gear from Motherwear.

100% Organic Cotton Nursing Gear by Under the Nile

Breastfeeding is an inherently ‘green’ endeavor, but finding 100% organic cotton nursing wear and accessories to complement this eco and baby friendly choice is often a difficult task. Once I stumbled upon Under the Nile’s wonderful line of organic Egyptian cotton nursing wear and breast pads, I knew I had come full circle in my dedicated mission to ‘green’ my breastfeeding regime.

Elle Macpherson Nursing Bras: Fashion fuses with Function

Breastfeeding moms know that when it comes to finding a fashionable and flattering nursing bra, the pickings are rather slim. Most nursing bras look extremely matronly, or fit in a way that causes breasts to look strange. With regard to the few appealing nursing bras available, many are uncomfortable, or don’t open easily with one hand, rendering them impractical, or even impossible to use for their intended purpose. Elle Macpherson has, thankfully, designed a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, feminine nursing bra, which has restored my faith in the lingerie industry. Her lacy La Mere and Maternelle nursing bras are proof that moms can now be sexy and stylish in their breastfeeding endeavors.

BREASTFEEDING: Healthy, Eco-friendly & Economical

When it comes to feeding your baby, breastfeeding is quite obviously the most eco-friendly choice. It is free, generates no waste, is a renewable resource, and requires no energy to produce (except of course for those calories your body is burning). It is also the most healthy food for babies to be consuming, as it is loaded with nutrients, immunities, and antibodies that can’t be replicated by formula or solid food. What you may not know, however, is that breastfeeding is also healthy for moms. Breastfeeding protects against breast cancer, uterine and ovarian cancer, as well as osteoporosis. Since October is Breast Cancer awareness month, we thought it an appropriate time to highlight the health benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.

Have an Earth-Friendly, Etsy Halloween

The Halloween theme is currently in full swing at Etsy; and this favorite online shopping destination which showcases the wares of freelance artisans, is bursting with adorable, eco-friendly Halloween goodies to scoop up for your tots. Now is the perfect time to look for a wonderful handmade ‘treat,’ or ‘trick’ if you’re so inclined.

GREEN HALLOWEEN DIY: The Six-Minute Superhero Cape

Last year, while my son was still in preschool, a showy little kid came to school wearing an even more showy little number. It was a red slick, satiny, superhero cape, and my son immediately wanted one. The cape was sold at one of our local kids’ shops, but on inspecting the price tag I experienced a shock worse than a jolt from the super villain Electro: thirty bucks for a single piece of fabric? Not even if the lightning bolt stitched to the back were cast down by Zeus himself would I pay that price. Though I’m no Sally Seamstress, I decided we should make our own.

Carton Chic Foldup Toys: Ethical, Recycled, and Recyclable

Here’s an idea we wish we had thought of ourselves. Carton Chic, designed by Armelle Vetillart, is a set of DIY put-together toy kits made from eco-friendly cardboard. Ultimately simple in scope, Carton Chic’s kits encourage craftiness and creativity, and will have your kids truly thinking outside the box.

Rub-a-dub-dub, No Suds in the Tub?

Pssst…. Ask any pediatrician and he’ll let you in on a little secret: babies don’t need body wash. The baby skincare market is overwrought with lavender scented, coconut infused, citrus steeped choices, which makes it seem all the more ludicrous that any mom, dad or caregiver would wash with just water. But the truth is, babies don’t get very dirty, and most baby soaps, washes and wipes are not safer or more effective than plain, lukewarm water when it comes to washing baby at bath time.

GREEN HALLOWEEN IDEA: Oeuf Angel Wing Sweater

Whether or not you consider your little one to be angelic is really beside the point when you get them dressed up in this eco-cute Angel Wing Sweater by Oeuf designs. Even with adorably devilish antics and mischievous behavior on tap for the Halloween season, how can one resist this super-soft knit get up for your sweet, pink-faced cherub? We love that your baby or winged tot can continue to wear this adorable costume once the holiday passes. It is a simple way to green your Halloween costume party celebrations while also supporting fair trade artisans and families in other parts of the globe.

A Day Trip to the Bioscleave ‘Fun’ House

I recently read a NYTimes article about a tiny extension house on Long Island with a grand mission: to lengthen the life of humans through jarring aesthetics that engage the body, and in turn facilitate the stimulation of the immune system. The Bioscleave House is based on a novel concept; one that takes an inverted look at sustainable living by focusing first on the immediate environment which we inhabit, and thereby sharpening our attitude toward the world at large.

GREEN HALLOWEEN IDEA: Speesees Organic Critter Coats

Searching for that perfect Halloween outfit for your wee one, but just can’t bring yourself to spend money on a silly store-bought pumpkin outfit that will only be worn once? Look no further than Speesees organic critter jackets. These eco-friendly animal inspired coats can be worn comfortably all throughout the year (take that silly pumpkin outfit), but can convert to a cute Halloween costume in a pinch. Of course, what tot wouldn’t want to wear these cuddly jackets everyday?

GREEN HALLOWEEN IDEA: Non-Toxic Face Paint Pencils

There’s no better time than Halloween to try a set of Lyra Face Paint Pencils. Face paints are a great, ‘green’ Halloween choice, because you may use them long after Halloween has come and gone. Your little one can play dress-up year round with these fun face paint pencils; and this beats buying a costume mask that your child may only wear once. Besides, it’s tough to find non-toxic, organic masks and costumes. With these face paint pencils, your child can become a beautiful butterfly, an army cadet, a cute kitty cat… the possibilities are as endless as her imagination.

INHABITOTS GREEN HALLOWEEN CONTEST!

Calling all creative, eco-minded Inhabitots!
Halloween is one of our favorite holidays, and there are lots of ways to tread lightly on the earth this Hallows Eve with a little ingenuity and crafty resourcefulness. Clever home-made costumes and yummy organic treats are always more fun and memorable than store-bought goodies, not to mention being better for the environment as well! This Halloween we want to pick your collective brains. We want to hear about your brilliant eco ideas – everything from witty home-made toddler and kids costumes to special recipes for organic pumpkin cookies. Inhabitots will be giving away a bunch of fabulous prizes from Oeuf and Nubius Organics to the most creative Green Halloween ideas, so sign up for Inhabitots and enter our contest today! >

Not So Scary Stuff: Green Halloween

Shrieks, gasps, shivers… And I’m not talking about reactions to the twists and turns of the general election or the teeter-tottering economy. It’s almost Halloween! And that means it’s time to scare up some fun. Every kid wants to be something other than himself for Halloween, so once again eco-conscious parents are forced to find that delicate balance between creepy for kids and eerie for the environment.

Periwinklebloom Organic Toddler Clothing

Nothing captures and celebrates the timeless charm and enchanting spirit of little girls quite like Periwinklebloom clothing. Their 100% organic cotton toddler garments are homegrown and handcrafted in the U.S. Each piece has a ‘lovely little hand-me-down’ vibe reminiscent of a bygone era, due to the vintage bits of fabric strewn throughout their designs. Their use of vegetable based inks and clean energy rounds out the inspired, eco-conscious production of this simply lovely line.

Belle Baby Carriers and the Importance of Babywearing for Men

If a guy does a Google search for the terms “dad” and “baby carrier,” the most highly ranked results he’ll find display the image of a camouflage print contraption, modeled by a headless female. Such is the state of affairs for men trying to find a caddy for their precious cargo. Not only is it the general assumption that in order for men to appreciate baby gear, it has to look like a leftover prop from the set of ‘Rambo’ (Isn’t that the stereotype dads who use carriers are trying to shake?), marketers don’t even bother to actually get a man to stand in for the photograph touting the gear.

Cold Weather Babywearing: The Peekaru Original

As the weather is getting chillier, are you contemplating the old ‘baby carrier versus coat dilemma’? It can be hard to keep both yourself and your baby warm in a baby carrier when the weather turns nippy. Thats why I love the Peekaru baby carrier fleece . I always get excited over revolutionary baby carriers or babywearing accessories; and when I discovered the Peekaru Original from TogetherBe, I had to get my hands on one immediately. Not only is this baby carrier cover a totally nifty, useful accessory for keeping warm, it’s also eco-friendly! The Peekaru Original is soft, very warm, and made out of approximately 85% recycled plastic bottles. The manufacturing of each Peekaru saves approximately 25 bottles from going into landfills.

INHABITOTS REVIEW: Our Favorite Baby Carriers

When a new baby is born, it seems as if life as you know it will never truly be the same. Gone are the days of heading out on the town, or even shuffling around your house, without your precious cargo in tow. Babywearing is great for babies and parents alike. It brings convenience (not to mention a workout) to parents, and bonding time for babies, which is so important for development.

Here at Inhabitots, we’ve got your back…and your front, and your hips, covered with our in-depth review of the most popular baby carriers and slings.

Under the Nile Organic Cotton Children’s Clothing

Under the Nile has your little one covered from head to toe with their eco-friendly, fair trade fall and winter clothing made of 100% Egyptian organic cotton. When you purchase Under the Nile products, you make more than just a fashion statement. Under the Nile is a do good, feel good company, and their cute designs are as thoughtful as their earth and humanity loving practices.

SoftTiles Playmats: A Stylish Soft Landing

Hardwood floors are a wonderful feature in any home, but they don’t necessarily mix with wobbly babies. When our little one began sitting up rather unsteadily, we knew we needed to pad our hardwood floors to cushion the many tumbles that pepper the path to toddlerhood. We wanted to find a playmat that would be both child-friendly and sophisticated, not one that would turn our small apartment into Pee Wee’s Playhouse.

The Great Bike Seat Debate: Which One is Right for You?

In the front, in the rear, trailing two feet behind, pedal-pushing parents have various options when it comes to pillions for their tiny passengers. As a result, these options raise a host of questions for first-time purchasers of child bike seats.

MOD GREEN POD: Non-toxic Nursery Wallpapers & Fabrics

If you’re looking for stylish nursery decor and don’t want to compromise your green living standards, look no further than Mod Green Pod. Mod Green Pod creates beautiful, hand silk-screened, non-toxic wallpapers and luscious 100% organic cotton fabrics that will liven up your baby’s living space while also keeping him or her nestled in a safe home setting.

Giggle’s ‘Think Pink’ Recycled Fleece Blanket

Giggle is a great resource for insuring that you cultivate a ‘healthy, happy, baby’. Honestly, I am not sure what my husband and I would have done without their user-friendly online gift registry when we were expecting our twins last fall. With products and tips that are design savvy and eco-minded, their well-edited offerings make streamline shopping and nursery planning a breeze. With all of this goodness in store, it was great to discover that Giggle is currently offering a “Think Pink” recycled fleece blanket to highlight National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I could think of no better way to promote the importance of this October campaign while also keeping dear family members comforted in such stylish layering.

The Art of Babywearing: Safety Guidelines

Babywearing is more popular than ever, due to an ever-increasing interest in natural parenting. Wearing your baby in a sling, wrap or carrier is a wonderful way to keep him close and still have your hands free to take care of necessary day to day tasks. Like any other child care product, however, baby carriers should be used with common sense and security in mind. The following guidelines will help ensure that you are wearing your baby safely.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum: A Green Patch in the Big City

Our recent visit to the newly re-opened Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Crown Heights, had us giddy and delighted as we explored the sprawling, environmentally friendly space. The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is New York’s first ‘green’ museum. It is slated for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, boasting several environmentally conscious features, and it is a fun, educational excursion for the entire family!

Think Pink and Shop Green for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The entire month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and several great companies are donating a portion of their proceeds to help raise awareness and find a cure for breast cancer. Here are some eco-friendly items that will enable you to ‘think pink’ while also shopping ‘green’ for your kids and loved ones.

LOTS MORE GREAT GREEN DESIGN STORIES HERE... KEEP READING!

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