Have a Lovely Green Weekend + A Few Green Things

Hello, Friends. How was your week? Are you looking forward to the weekend? I am spending the better part of the weekend, putting the finishing touches on Eben’s pirate costume for Halloween. [We have had so much fun making it!] Then, I will be packing for our North Carolina Fall Family Trip, we leave next week! I am so excited, I can’t wait to get my fill of hiking, pumpkin picking, leaf collecting, giggling and caramel apples. Do you have any fun fall plans on your calendar?

While I start making a list of everything we will need for our trip, here are a few green things you might enjoy:

– Are you one of the 87% of Americans who want genetically modified foods labeled?
– Your family could dress up as a family of Penguins for Halloween.
– Night Owl Paper Goods has holiday cards, hot off the press!
– If you are in the Half Moon Bay area, check out the Pumpkin Festival.
– Organic shortbread cookies + coffee would be perfect for the weekend. 
– Want to be featured in Sweet Greens’ Holiday Giveaway Week? Let’s chat.
– Green Toys has a new Sandwich Shop toy – perfect for the holidays.
– I find albino animals amazing and beautiful. Don’t you?

I hope you have a sunny weekend, full of fun – I will see you back here on Monday.

xo,
Sweet Greens

HOW TO: Bake Organic Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

With the fall season, comes pumpkins, but they’re not just great for carving, they’re great for baking with, too. Pumpkins provide a healthy dose of vitamins A, C, K, and E, along with beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium, and iron. And, you can pick up a pumpkin right now at your local farmer’s market. You can bake everything from pie to pasta with pumpkins, but here I share a recipe for a fall twist on traditional whoopie pies. Check out how to make these miniature organic pumpkin whoopie pies for your next holiday get together.

IKEA Hack: Turn A Loft Bed Into A Regular Bed + Desk

As I was changing the sheets on Eben’s bed this weekend, I realized that I never shared a photo tour of how his bed and desk turned out. If you remember, he had a loft-style bed with a desk underneath (above photo) which was great for utilizing the small space in a child’s bedroom. The problem, Eben really wanted to sleep with Noodles, our Pug, and there is no way a Pug can sleep in a loft bed.

When we moved into our new space, I didn’t want to purchase a new bedroom set for Eben – his bed was in great condition, and buying something new didn’t seem budget or eco-friendly. Instead, I asked Mr. Sweet Greens if there was any way that he could cut Eben’s loft bed and desk apart to make a regular bed (that Noodles could get into) and a desk. He looked at me like I was a tad crazy, but said he would give it a try. This is how it turned out.

Basically, he just cut the bed off right above the attached shelving unit and reattached the feet. Easy, peasy. Then, he cut down the desk top to fit into Eben’s new office space. This project was super easy to do, didn’t cost a penny – and the best part – now Eben can sleep with his bestie Pug every night. Win, win.

Have you ever attempted an IKEA hack?
How did it turn out?

ESP: Essential Safe Products Kitchen Tools Giveaway

Today’s giveaway is from ESP [Essential Safe Products], they are offering a set of stainless steel measuring cups and spoons. Wouldn’t these be a great stocking stuffer for the chef in your family? 

ESP is a local Florida company that offers kitchenware and on-the-go products that are eco-friendly and free from toxic chemicals. Started by a mother of six, ESP completely understands the importance of keeping our families safe. Perfection.

Here is what ESP has to say:

Whether itโ€™s doing a complete 180 on your current lifestyle or taking small steps to a safer and healthier you, we are here to help. Our goal is to be a one-stop, friendly resource for easy shopping, easy learning and easy decisions when it comes to your healthy lifestyle. We make sure to provide only human-safe products so you can bypass the research phase and get straight to shopping. Join us on our path to a healthier and safer life!

With a great selection of cookware, bakeware, tablewear, food storage, cooking tools, and accessories, you will find something for your kitchen at ESP.
In fact, Mr. Sweet Greens has already hinted to me that he wants a set of cast iron cookware, the stainless steel measuring cups and spoons and a large bamboo bowl. Since the prices are so great – I may just order all of it for him as a holiday gift. Shhh.
To enter, visit ESP and leave a comment below. The winner will be announced November 2nd.

*Extra Entries: You can receive additional entries by Facebooking, Tweeting, Stumbling or Subscribing. Just leave a separate comment for each that you do.

** UPDATE: The winner is Laureen

Stubby Pencil Studio Giveaway

Hello, Friends. Today’s giveaway is from Stubby Pencil Studio, they are offering a $75 shopping spree. Wouldn’t this be perfect to surprise your little one for Halloween or the upcoming holidays?

Stubby Pencil Studio is my hands-down favorite spot for eco-products for creative kids. The art material selection is fantastic with products made from soy, 100%  post consumer recycled paper, sustainably harvested wood and recycled newspapers. All of the eco-products are great for the environment and your little ones.

The quality of the products is some of the best I have ever seen or Eben has ever used. These are the finest, highest-quality, eco-friendly art material products available for children. I super-highly recommend them for all of your children’s creative needs. They also have a great selection of craft supplies, party favors and gifts!

I did a little shopping spree of my own and picked up a set of Exakt Fine Drawing Pencils, 36 Colorful Felt Pens, an Animal Sketchbook, a KUM Correct-Stick Eraser, and Plastilina Clay as holiday gifts for Eben. [Shhhh, Don’t tell.]

To enter, visit Stubby Pencil Studio and leave a comment below. The winner will be announced October 24th. You can also get 10% off your next Stubby Pencil Studio purchase through 11/11/10 by using coupon code HOL10.

*Extra Entries: You can receive additional entries by Facebooking, Tweeting, Stumbling or Subscribing. Just leave a separate comment for each that you do.

** The winner is Sunni – thanks for playing. Look for a Stubby Pencil Studio Giveaway during my annual Holiday Giveaway Week.