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Author Archive | Jennie Lyon

5 Sustainable Ways to Add Storage and Cut Clutter in Your Child’s Bedroom

January 9, 2014 3

We recently moved into a tiny 2 bedroom townhouse and while downsizing is super exciting to me – initially I was concerned about the lack of storage, especially in Eben’s bedroom. He has so many small trinkets, art supplies, LEGO pieces, books, and other fun kids stuff. I wanted to reuse the pieces of furniture that we already owned in any way possible. Here are the solutions that I have implemented into his new bedroom which have given him a ton of storage and cut the clutter too! Check it out.

#1: Floor to Ceiling Shelving
We love this IKEA Expedit Bookcase – it is perfect for holding his insane book collection. I recently pushed all the books to the back of each shelf, giving him more room for those little trinkets in front. He has also utilized the top of the bookcase for displaying his comic book, coin and vintage toy collection. There are 5 large pull out bins on the bottom level that house all of his trading cards, robots and other toys.

#2: Under the Bed Storage
I always feel like the storage space under the bed gets ignored. We have large sliding bins under his bed that are perfect for storing his large art masterpieces. However, I also love the idea of an elevated bed with drawers and shelving underneath – what a great way to add more space to a small bedroom. This particular solution wouldn’t work for Eben because he sleeps with these cuties – and they can’t jump very high. Ha! 

#3: Stacking Storage Bins
We have three of these fantastic Sortera stacking bins from IKEA in Eben’s closet right now. They were designed to house recyclables in the garage – however, they are perfect for storing LEGO pieces. Since Eben has seriously over a million LEGO pieces this has turned out to be a great storage solutions. They are easy to slide out and since the lid comes off, they make clean up time a breeze.

#4: Top of the Closet Bins
The top of the closet can become a waste land of anything that your child throws up there that doesn’t fall back down! We purchased large fabric bins and were able to get 6 of them to fit perfect side by side on the shelf (however we only have 5 up there – since his overflow LEGO bin is up there too!) They are tall and deep, so they fill the shelf up exactly and this is where we store all of Eben’s stuffed animals. He doesn’t play with them anymore, however they have sentimental value to him and it’s a great way to store them, keeping them off of the floor or cluttering up the bed.

#5: Rethink the Closet
Eben’s new bedroom had a much larger closet which is great – except for the fact, that he doesn’t have a ton of clothes. He wears a uniform to school – therefore he only needs a handful of outfits for the weekend and special events. We removed the doors from his closet and transformed it into his office space. We had a 6′ slim desk from my office that fit perfectly inside, giving him tons of space to work. We hung all of his clothes at the far end of the closet, giving him the rest of the closet space to organize his art, photography, computer and animation supplies. This project is probably my favorite storage project that I completed in our new space because it gives him the space he needs for his creative endeavors.

YOUR TURN: What suggestions do you have for adding more storage and reducing clutter in a child’s bedroom? 

photos via here, here, here

7 Ways to Save Money on Your Organic Grocery Shopping

January 9, 2014 0

Organic food shopping can be expensive – we have all heard Whole Foods called “Whole Paycheck”, right? Buying healthy, organic food for yourself and your family doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, if you follow some of the tips that I use when I do my green marketing, you can get all of the high-quality organic groceries that you love, without the hefty price tag. Read on to learn my 7 favorite ways to save money while organic food shopping to get started. 

1. Shop with Coupons
There are many fantastic coupons floating around out there that can save you big bucks on organics – you just need to know where to find them. I always check my local organic food store for coupons – these are usually located inside the front doors and I always drop by the customer service counter to see if they have any manufacturer coupons available. (Which they always do!) You would be surprised the amount of coupons, they will give you. You can also check my eco-friendly + organic coupons section for free printable and mail-order coupons.

2. Shop the Store Brand
Whether you are shopping at your local grocer, Whole Foods or Costco, chances are that they offer fantastic organic products under their store name brand. Whole Foods has an excellent 365 Everyday Value Organic and Costco offers many organic products that are made by national brands.

3. Shop the Bulk
When purchasing dry goods such as rice, pasta, grains, beans, cereals, teas, coffee, flours, sugars, soup mixes, spices, snacks, dried fruits and trail mixes, hit the bulk section. This is a great way to save a ton of money and when you bring your own reusable containers, you also save the packaging waste.

4. Shop for Free
If there are particular organic products that you love, drop the manufacturer an email and let them know. In most cases they will thank you by sending you out free product coupons. You can also send an email to the manufacturers of organic products that you haven’t tried yet, but would love to. This is a great way to save a little dough. (I once purchased 6 cases of organic milk boxes for Eben’s school lunches for FREE, using coupons the manufacturer sent me – in that case, I saved $120).

5. Shop with a Friend
When it comes to big warehouse stores such as Costco, consider shopping with a friend. You probably don’t need a 20 pound bag of organic flour, but when you split the product and the cost with a friend, you both win. This is a great idea for purchasing organic goods in a large quantity without breaking the bank.

6. Shop Locally
The quickest and easiest way to save a little green while shopping organic is to shop locally. You don’t need to drive across town to the nearest organic grocery store to do your marketing. Instead, shop at your local grocer and hit the natural food section. Even better, shop your local farmer’s market or go straight to the farm. Or, plan to do your marketing at the organic grocer when you will be in that neighborhood for another reason, such as a doctor’s appointment or meeting. Saving gas money and emissions is just as important as saving money at the grocery store. Even better, shop your local farmer’s market or go straight to the farm.

7. Shop a CSA
When it comes to farm fresh organics including fruit, vegetables, dairy products, grass-fed beef, cage-free eggs, and other goodies, consider joining your local CSA. If you can’t use a whole share of a CSA yourself, consider splitting the cost with your friends or family members. This is great way to get whole, organic foods straight from the farm, while supporting your local farmers, community and saving money in the long run.

YOUR TURN: How do you save money when shopping for organics?Please leave your comments below – your tips help us all! 

photo credit Jennie Lyon

5 Simple Ways to Get Your Child Involved in Going Green

January 9, 2014 0

Whether your family has been green for years or you are just starting as a New Year’s Resolution, there are many great simple ways to get children involved. I recommend starting in areas that children can actively participate in and see the immediate results of their sustainability. The idea is to make being green something that is easy, fun and an activity that the entire family can enjoy together. To get started this year, I wanted to share my favorite simple green ways for kids to go green in 2014 – and see immediate results.

1. Donate your Used Sports Gear

If your garage looks like mine, it is packed full of sports gear that no longer gets used. Whether it is a baseball mitt, or soccer cleats that no longer fit or ice skates and hula hoops that were used once and forgotten. While your child may no longer use those pieces of sports gear, there are children all over the world who can not afford or do not have access to sports equipment and would love to give hula hooping, baseball or soccer a try. When your children is finished with or outgrown their sports gear, help them donate it to great cause like Sport’s for the World’s Children or take your child to your local women’s and child’s shelter to donate the items to someone who could really benefit from them.

2. Get Walking or Riding

Children really do enjoying walking or riding their bicycle to school – it gives them a chance to catch up with friends and observe nature on their way. If each child who lives less than a mile away, walked or biked to school it would save 60,000 gallons of gasoline a day. Now, imagine if children who lived over a mile away also walked or biked. Wow, what an impact that would have on the environment. However, the impact that it could make on the health of your child – especially if they don’t get a lot of exercise during the week – now that would be something to smile about!

3. No Paraffin for Me, Please

Paraffin wax is a by-product of petroleum – ugh, need I say more? When it comes to school supplies that are full of paraffin such as crayons, help your child choose a great soy alternative. I recommend hitting your favorite eco-friendly supplier, online source or natural food store to pick up your child’s school and art supplies, and let them in on the experience of picking them. 

4. Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.

If your home doesn’t already have a recycling center, create one. If your school isn’t recycling, make this your personal school project for year and ask for help from other parents and administrators. Recycling is probably one of the easiest ways to go green in your home – it doesn’t require a lot of time, energy or supplies, but the impact that it has on the environment is huge.
 
5. Reuse It
Before your child tossing something in the trash, ask them to think about ways that it could be reused. For instance, paperclips are not a one use item, they can be used over and over again. Just because you drew a picture on one-side of the paper doesn’t mean it should hit the recycling bin, use the other side first. Those milk caps, toilet paper rolls, and egg cartons could be used in an array of craft projects. Tweet: The idea is for your child to think of ways to reuse items on a daily basis – empowering them to consider if it has a 2nd life. @SweetGreens

What simple ways has your child found to help the environment in their everyday routine? Please share in the comment section below – your tips help us all! 

photo credit

6 Non-Toxic Wooden Toys for Babies, Toddlers and Older Kids at Etsy

January 8, 2014 0

When it comes to finding toys that are non-toxic, sustainably made, creative and fun – I always turn to Etsy. You can find the best toys made by artisans that have a focus on the environment and the health of your children. When it comes to choosing the right toys – my favorites tend to be heirloom quality toys made using sustainably harvested or reclaimed woods. The key is to make sure that the wood has not been sealed using toxic chemicals and instead with a non-toxic, food safe oil to protect the woods natural beauty. When it comes to wooden toys, there are so many different options available, you can find teethers and rattles that are perfect for babies – cars with wheels and pull along toys that will entertain toddlers and games and manipulatives that are great for older children.

While browsing through Etsy today, I found a few wooden toys for babies, toddlers and older children – all of which are made using sustainably harvested woods that are finished using non-toxic oils. Regardless of your child’s age, there is something here for all children – if you have a little one’s birthday coming up, these would make great gifts!

For Babies

Smiling Tree Toys
These adorable rattle teethers from Smiling Tree Toys are lovingly handcrafted from local and sustainably sourced hardwoods, and organically finished with Smiling Tree Toy’s blend of homegrown organic Carmelina oil (a relative of flaxseed) and beeswax. You get your choice of color from different sustainably sourced woods too.

+ Dinosaur Rattle Teether $14

Seven Acre Toys

Seven Acre Toy’s rattles are made with FSC certified North American hardwoods, and have been finished with a food grade beeswax and mineral oil blend made locally for them by a dear friend. All rattles are sanded smooth and are completely free of splinters and rough spots. Not to mention, they come in a great selection of wood.
+ Wooden Claw Rattle $28

For Toddlers

Little Alouette
Little Alouette has the sweetest handcrafted wooden toys for toddlers. The toys are crafted from locally sourced Ohio Maple. Isn’t the guitar fantastic? And the intro mustache teether is Little Alouette too!

+ Wooden Guitar $20

Little Sapling Toys
These wooden Toy Skittles Bowling Pins from Little Sapling Toys is one of my favorites! Each set comes with ten maple pins and two hardwood balls. They are sanded smooth and finished with a light local beeswax and organic jojoba oil.

+ Wooden Skittles Bowling Pins $35

For Older Children

Bannor Toys
Bannor Toys makes the best eco-friendly blocks handcrafted from responsibly harvested trees around the world. Each set of natural color wooden blocks is completely unique and contains 20 blocks in a mix of 6-7 woods. The blocks are finished with a beeswax and coconut oil finish and each set comes with it’s own storage bag. Eben has a set of these blocks, they are fun to play with and beautiful enough to leave out on our coffee table in a large bowl – you know for impromptu building!

+ Wooden Building Blocks $34

Timber Green Woods
Most older children enjoy puzzles, these wooden Circle Geometric Puzzles from Timber Green Woods will fit the bill. Each piece of sustainably harvested wood is laser cut into a geometric puzzle. This very challenging circles jigsaw puzzle includes a laser engraved “cheat sheet” on the bottom, which makes it difficult even for cheaters! It is finished with non-toxic and food safe oils and comes packaged in a bio-degradable plastic sleeve.

+ Wooden Geometric Puzzle $22.95

Do you have a favorite wooden toy company? I would love to hear about them – please share in the comments section below! 

Krochet Kids: Empowering Women to Rise Above Poverty with Handmade Scarves and Hats

January 8, 2014 0
The weather around the country has been super cold this week, so you may need a handmade hat and scarf to cozy up with. If you are looking for cute outerwear with a great purpose, look no further than Krochet Kids, Inc. I love everything about their fun scarves and hats for the entire family – the styles, colors, and that each was handmade and signed by women artisans in Peru or Uganda who through Krochet Kids Inc. is able to support herself and her family. Fantastic!
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