2008 October | Inhabitots

A Day Trip to the Bioscleave ‘Fun’ House

by Desmond Williams, 10/17/08

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.

READ MORE >

GREEN HALLOWEEN IDEA: Speesees Organic Critter Coats

by Jill Fehrenbacher, 10/16/08

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?

READ MORE >

GREEN HALLOWEEN IDEA: Non-Toxic Face Paint Pencils

by Jennifer Chait, 10/15/08

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.

READ MORE >

INHABITOTS GREEN HALLOWEEN CONTEST!

by Jill Fehrenbacher, 10/13/08

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! >

READ MORE >

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.