Our Favs
Dry Baby Skin?
January 1, 2011 by Mecca · Leave a Comment
Grab some JASON Natural Cosmetics Earth’s Best Baby Care Calendula Extra Rich Therapy creme.
Tis the season for dry baby cheeks! Last year’s cold winter winds left my son’s skin red, flaky, and irritated. After digging around in the bathroom cabinet I found a tiny squeeze tube of JASON Calendula creme in what remained in my pilfered, travel-size JASON Baby Care Kit - a much-loved, much-used baby shower gift. (Thank goodness for that kit, the JASON baby soap is my absolute favorite and we still use it.)
The Calendula Extra Rich Therapy creme is perfect for winter skin. I use just a dab while his skin is still damp, right after he gets out of the bath. The creme works great to treat red, irritated spots after too long playing outside in the cold and also prevents dry flaky skin from indoor heated air. It’s also very gentle, we’ve never gotten that splotchy, red-rash reaction using JASON Baby Care like we have with a few other products.
And a little bit goes a LONG way. We’ve still got some left in our little 0.5 oz travel size. If you haven’t tried JASON Baby Care products I recommend you get the sample or travel kit so you can try a few of their products at once. If you just need something for dry skin go ahead and spring for the 4 oz jar of Calendula Extra Rich Therapy creme – it runs from about $7 – $11 bucks on the internet. I found the kit for $10 on Amazon but have also seen it in many stores.
Did I mention it’s also great for dry mommy hands that have been over-soaped and over-scrubbed from bathing little ones? 
Give the Power to Change Lives!
December 17, 2010 by Mecca · Leave a Comment
Kiva - A microlending site AND Mecca’s favorite last minute gift.
I brought Kiva up last year around the holidays and I can’t help but mention it again. Kiva is a micro-lending website that enables ordinary people to make small loans to poor people around the world who are trying to develop a sustainable business and break out of poverty.
Three years ago I joined Kiva with $25 and together with other ‘lenders’ from around the world financed a $600 loan to Mutluba Azizova, a seamstress in Tajikistan. Since then that same $25 bucks has travelled around the globe working to alleviate poverty.
I know what you’re thinking: sounds great and all but ‘making the world a better place’ does not make for a great gift. I would usually completely agree with that statement (I am the queen of lame, make-the-world-a-better-place gifts) but with Kiva it’s actually pretty cool. You log on, scroll through the hundreds of stories and pictures of budding entrepreneurs in need and choose the one (or ones) you would like to help. Kiva then emails you updates on the loan and when the loan has been repaid. Ever read an online news story and think, I wish I could help in a meaningful way? Kiva does that. Plus it’s exciting to see others succeed and know you helped. I can’t wait to do this with my two year-old son when he gets older.
But back to gifts – simply head to Kiva Gifts where you can purchase cards that can be emailed or printed immediately. Like something tangible to go along with card? They also have Cafe Press items and a speciality store with Kiva gear.
Happy Giving!
Square Foot Garden
October 11, 2010 by Tonya · 6 Comments
Tonya’s family starts a backyard square foot garden.
I’ve done it; I’ve taken the plunge into vegetable gardening! For the past couple years I’ve told hubby how I’d like to start a veggie garden. It’s been one of those well-intentioned ideas that hasn’t materialized into anything. Thanks to the encouragement from FoodScapes Inc. my husband and I have started our first square foot garden.
I’ve never had much of a green thumb and have always feared starting a garden, but the square foot garden is perfect for us being first-timers. I’ll be posting more about our experience in the coming months: good, bad or ugly, I’ll give you the dirt on starting your own garden. Today, I’ll focus on getting started: Read more
Earthy Peeps in Huntsville
April 19, 2010 by Tonya · Leave a Comment
My family and I went to the Earth Day Celebration on Saturday at Hays Nature Preserve. We visited all the many booths and chatted with several people about green products, activities and how to reduce our carbon footprint. A couple of my favs were solar oven cooking and canoe and kayak fun. Read on to find out more. Read more.
Etsy’s Best Gifts for New Babies
February 1, 2010 by Mecca · Leave a Comment
Mecca’s New Baby Favs From Etsy
With no less than five friends either pregnant or bouncing newborn bundles of joy, I’ve been spending way too much time on Etsy looking for welcome-to-the-world gifts. Let their mother-in-law get the Diaper Genie, I’m looking for adorable sweetness! Luvies, blankets, and precious onsies, all handmade with care! Plus, these are things I don’t typically buy for myself or son (I believe in spoiling your kids), so it’s a fantastic excuse to shop!
I love Etsy because they offer unique, hand-made goods straight from the creators. There’s even an option to shop local (or closer-by). My only complaint is that there’s too much to sort through – I gave up a recent search for a jewelry gift after clicking through a hundred pages of charms and pendants when I needed the whole necklace. If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for Etsy window shopping can be a little overwhelming.
Luckily, Etsy is jam-packed with new-baby adorableness so finding a great gift is pretty easy. Here are a few of my current Etsy favs, all coming in under $25: Read more…
LGB’s Top Ten Green Gifts
December 14, 2009 by Mecca and Tonya · Leave a Comment
Looking for gifts that are unique and green at the same time? LGB brings you our Top Ten Green Gifts for 2009:
1. Chickens. No kidding, chickens! About $20 will buy a flock of baby chickens for a family in need. Chickens that will lay nourishing eggs that can be eaten, shared, or sold.2. Shopping for grandparents? Two words: KID ART. Even simple scribbles transform into modern masterpieces with the help of a frame. For the finger paint brigade check out this recipe for paint made from vegetables. Meanwhile, what grandmother doesn’t have a spot on her tree for a homemade Christmas ornament? Here’s some nifty projects to make your own recycled ornaments. Keep your budding picaso well stocked by finding green art supplies at Clementineart.com and stubbypencilstudio.com.
