2008 December | Inhabitots

Inhabitots Blog Picks of the Day

by Beth Shea, 12/31/08

Looking for an eco-friendly car seat cover, or feeling crafty enough to make your own? Tiny Decor Blog highlights several stylish ‘green’ options, such as the one shown above. They also guide you to patterns to stitch up your own!

Coochicoos writes about the resurgence in popularity of eco-themed Dr. Seuss book, “The Lorax.”

Babyccino raves about Soft Play Animals by Bullyland, which are PVC and phthalate free, but full of fun.

Nonchalant Mom serves up the sobering facts on the overuse of plastics.

READER’S CHOICE Top Ten Stories of 2008

by Jill Fehrenbacher, 12/31/08

THE VOTES ARE IN! Yesterday we listed the most popular Inhabitots stories of 2008 (according to traffic and comments), and asked you to weigh in and vote for your favorite story. Well, the votes are rolling in and a clear winner seems to have emerged. With 18 votes and a sizable lead over all the other stories listed, our post on Matthew Carden’s food photography is clearly the winner in terms of reader’s choice. We’re not sure if this is due to the controversy in the comments over the origins of his work, or if this just means that you guys are a bunch of art lovers, but either way Matthew Carden takes the cake. Read on to find out which stories Inhabitots readers found most scintillating in 2008….

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It All Happened in 2008

by Desmond Williams, 12/30/08

OBAMA KIDS WILL FINALLY GET PUPPY: Americans elected the first mixed-race President on November 4, 2008. And those with hopes of a ‘greener’ America made a collective sigh of relief (remember “Drill baby, drill?”) But more importantly, the victory came with a promise that the President-elect’s kids would get a puppy for the White House. The only question… What to name it?

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Inhabitots Blog Picks of the Day

Kids will really be able to dig into their meals with BPA/PVC/phthalate free “Constructive Eating” utensils highlighted at Great Green Baby.

Make a date with Petite Planet to check out Sarah Pinto’s eco-friendly and heartfelt 2009 weekly planners.

Design Sprout put together a great, comprehensive guide: 50 Must Read Blogs for the Conscientious Shopper.

Green …

The Toothpaste Taste Test

Kid’s toothpastes come in a variety of flavors, yet as adults we sometimes forget how important taste is. We who populate the land of the tall people, tend to think that if it’s good for you (brussels sprouts for example), then it has to possess a slightly off-putting taste. Toothpaste is no exception. We apply a schmear to the brush, stick it in our mouths, and endure the bite of cinnamon, the alkalinity of baking soda, or the sting of spearmint extract and think “Ah, it’s working.” But if you want kids to embrace this most vital of hygienic practices, then great taste has to play a major role.

Say Bonjour to Organic Monsieur Tsé Tsé

Looking for a soft toy that your baby can grow up with? Organic Monsieur Tsé Tsé is so cuddly and adorable, your baby will want to grab onto him and never let go. He’s perfectly baby safe; made with organic cotton, embroidered eyes, and as designer Raplapla notes, “A smile that won’t fade.”

HOW TO: Make Your Own Eco, Kid-Safe Cleaning Supplies

Why should you take the time to make homemade cleaners? Well, first of all, plenty of studies show that toxic, conventional cleaning supplies are bad for your health, your child’s health, and the planet’s health. See the following posts for more information…

Eco Friendly Toddler Flatware Sets for Easy On-the-Go Meals

While you can’t always expect your toddler to act like a little prince or princess when you’re having a meal out, these toddler flatware sets from Pony Up Design, always behave nicely. Each set comes with a carrying case in a lovely design, plus a sturdy bamboo fork, spoon, and a bamboo and cotton napkin – all perfectly sized for toddler hands and hungry mouths.

Join the Virtual Facebook Nurse-In Today!

Facebook is a useful networking tool, not to mention a fun way to connect with friends, both new and old. However, like all things, Facebook is far from perfect. A while back, Facebook started deleting what they call “obscene images” from user photo albums. The offending images – breastfeeding photos.

HOW TO: Recycle and Reuse Your Wrapping Paper

Now that Santa has come and gone, and your kids have torn into their gifts and are delighting in their toys, it’s time to reuse and recycle all of that wrapping paper and packaging! You’ve read our post, The Wrap-Up on Wrapping Paper, and here are several more ways to recycle and reuse wrapping paper to help …

HOW TO: Green Your Christmas Tree!

Christmas trees are one of the most enjoyable traditions of the holiday season, and there are lots of easy ways to go green with your Christmas tree: from using living potted Christmas trees, to recycled cardboard trees, to buying LED Xmas lights. After weighing the choices every December for years, and going on my own personal quest to have the greenest Christmas tree ever, here are the most eco-friendly tips I can offer on greening your holiday tree:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM INHABITOTS!

Jill & her Inhabitot Baby Petey with their cardboard eco tree

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ECO GINGERBREAD HOUSE!

This year we’ve been floored by the eco gingerbread-building madness that is engulfing the green design circles. We’ve been so thoroughly impressed with the wealth of architecturally-inspired gingerbread houses that we’ve decided to host a poll to round up our favorites! From fine frangipane molding to gorgeous gingerbread construction, we love to see skilled ginger-builders plying their craft to spread holiday cheer. But now we need your help to determine who shall be crowned Green Ginger-builder King! Help us out and..

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE GREEN GINGERBREAD HOUSE >

Inhabitots Blog Picks of the Day

Got spare time on your hands, and still need a wreath on your door? Check out this awesome recycled paper wreath over at Green Goody.

If you’re considering welcoming a pet into your family for Christmas, read this post on pet adoption at Ecollo.

Eco Chick offers several great, Simple Ways to a Green 2008 …

Eco-Gift Idea: HaPe Bamboo Games

HaPe International is the maker of a great line of all natural bamboo games that were developed by designers, teachers, and technicians from over 15 different nations. I have personal experience with these games, and I can say with certainty that they make wonderful Christmas presents!

Kids in Malawi Make Their Own Toys Out Of Junk!

toy car made from an old milk carton

Sometimes we need a little reminder of how fortunate we all are. If you are reading this post and have enough money to buy your kids new toys this Christmas, now is a good time to consider your good fortune and count your blessings. In Lilongwe, Malawi, children have no toys to play with, so the crafty little buggers make their own toys from old milk cartoons, cigarette containers, cornhusks, and whatever other trash they can find lying around.

The Bamboo E-Racer Pulls Up to the Starting Line

Here he comes! Here comes green racer! Recently featured in the ‘Pulse’ section of the Sunday NY Times were a collection of kids’ items that adhered to a particular theme: simplicity. Of the items featured, the Bamboo E-Racer caught my son’s eye with its sleek, somewhat natural design.

Inhabitots Blog Picks of the Day

Junior Society proves the Writing’s on the Wall with FSC certified Kids Frames Wallpaper (shown above) from Land of Nod… perfect for avoiding cabin fever during winter storms!

Seventh Generation’s Blog revisits the Story of Stuff.

Ideal Bite’s latest offspring, Mama Bite dashes through the snow with some eco-friendly sleds.

Ohdeedoh has a housewarming post for Little …

Wishbone Pre-Bike: The Mean Green Wishbone Machine

First, there was the PedoBIKE (a rustic and rugged simple machine), then came the Like-A-Bike (sleek and smooth, it features minimalist design), and now, taking the innovation even further is the Wishbone ‘pre’ Bike. Answering the call for cutting-edge, sustainable options for kids, the guys at Wishbone Design Studio put together a convertible trike/low rider/big runner that is manufactured using 60% post-consumer recycled plastic, sustainably managed woods, eco-friendly bonding agents and non-toxic paints.