Photo courtesy of Airwear

I have a very strong eyeglass prescription. That means that I’m always wearing glasses. It also means that regular eyeglasses have to be rather thick at the edges. Fortunately I’ve been on good vision care plans for years, so I’ve had the opportunity to try a number of innovations. For my prescription it has always worth paying for “high-index” lenses, which enable glasses to be ground thinner.

Even better are high-index plastics, since they are significantly lighter than glass lenses, and they naturally block 100% of UVA and UVB light. My husband, who is always looking for excuses to play with dangerous tools, explicitly asks for polycarbonate lenses to protect his eyes: Polycarbonate is so strong that it is used for supersonic jet canopies. However, like all optical plastics it is more prone to scratching than glass.

Traditionally consumers had to choose between scratch-resistant (SR) and anti-reflective (AR) coatings for their lenses, since each has to be on the top layer to be effective. In fact some AR coatings seem to highlight even the tiniest smudges. But the newest coating on the market manages to combine both features: Sold as “Crizal Avance with Scotchgard Protector,” this is a remarkable product that combines anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and dirt repellent properties all on the same lens.

I had the opportunity to try a pair of Essilor’s Airwear polycarbonate lenses with this new coating. They are less than half the weight of my glass lenses, and their coating really works as advertised.  Ask your eye care provider about Airwear lenses or visit LighterSaferGreener.com for more information.

The quality sold me on Airwear lenses, but I’m also pleased to see that Essilor has made an effort to go green. The Airwear lens packaging uses 100% recyclable cardboard instead of the standard plastic packaging. The lenses are manufactured using recycled water, and the company even recycles the waste produced from the manufacturing of Airwear lenses. These small changes can make a big impact on the environment, and they explain why Essilor markets Airwear as Lighter, Safer and Greener.

(Disclosure: Airwear provided the lenses for free. I wrote this review while participating in a MomCentral.com blog tour.)

One of my favorite stores is donating 25% of all Valentine’s Day purchases to Haiti. Click here to visit Rosie Hippo and to donate 25% of your purchase to Haiti use coupon code: HELPHAITI.

RosieHippo.com is the place to shop for hip, eco-friendly toys. Many of their toys are on-sale right now, so you can get a great deal and make a donation to Haiti at the same time.

For Christmas, I bought my son the wooden racing team truck, and it is one of his favorite toys.  It’s such a high-quality toy, and I am considering purchasing the wooden school bus ($38 on sale) for him too. My son loves anything with wheels, and these toys will last through a lifetime of tough play.

I also adore the Rosie Kidzsack ($20), a recycled fabric backpack. The Kidzsack comes with 8 washable non-toxic markers, so your child can color in Rosie the hippo and her friends over and over again. Kids like having a custom backpack, and this is a great craft project for a snowy day. Besides…doesn’t everyone love pink hippos?

Pick up the Carrot Jump Rope if you’re looking for something to place in an Easter basket in addition to all that yummy yet unhealthy candy. This adorable jump rope is made in Germany and has pretty wooden carrot-shaped handles. It’s also on-sale for $15.29.

By using a reusable lunch kit, you reduce waste and save money.  Just imagine, no more paper bags, plastic baggies, or tin foil–I’ll bet your lunch will even taste better, knowing that you are doing your part for the earth and your household budget.

While saving green, of both the environmental and financial varieties, don’t forget to select containers that are healthy for your family, too. Kids Konserve products are non-toxic, non-leaching, BPA, PVC, phthalate, and lead-free!

According to Kids Konserve, ” the amount of trash produced by one child’s lunch alone creates 67 pounds of landfill waste in a school year!”  That’s a trash heap over twice the weight of my preschool daughter.  You can significantly limit your personal contribution to that dump by reducing your use of disposable items.

In place of sandwich baggies, use the food cozy, my favorite part of the lunch system, .  They are perfect for any sandwich, bagel, or wrap.

My daughter loves the Butterfly pattern in fuchsia and lime green and likes to carry the reusable stainless steel water bottle with her everywhere she goes.

Preschoolers may not understand all the science of environmentalism, yet, but they can easily grasp the idea of tossing less waste.  And little kids love being helpful.

These eco-chic lunch bags provide a fun opportunity to make a dent in the amount of trash we throw away–one bite at a time.

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WANT IT: Waste-free lunch kits at Kids Konserve are $42-45; individual items are available a la carte. Use 15% coupon code “mamanista” (expires 4/30/10).

My daughter loves crafting and the party pack of small Calafant Toys cardboard toys from Creative Toy Shop was the perfect party activity and take-home toy favor.

You can choose from either a mixed pack or a pack of toys that matches your theme, including Ocean Steamship, Spaceship, Dinosaur, Horse & Carriage, Airplane, Race Car, Fire Engine, Camper Van, House.

We got a mixed pack and each kid selected one to make and take home. My daughter chose a horse and carriage.

The little girls at our party (ages 3-4) needed some help with assembly but then had a great time coloring in their toys with the included, non-toxic markers.  I also gave them some stickers and glitter glue (not included) to add to their creations.  My daughter loves crafts and always wants to play with her project afterward–and now she can.

Each kid was excited to take home a toy they had made themselves.  And the moms were happy that these eco-friendly, recyclable toys won’t add to the landfill.

I really like the mixed pack because how else can the princess take a carriage to the drag race and then rocket to a distant plant to fight dinosaurs and live happily ever after in her camper?

Crafts build more than just toys–they inspire creativity.  And simple, open-ended toys like these Calafant project become perfect props for the imagination.

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Want It: Purchase Calafant Toys from Creative Toy Shop. Use coupon code Mamanista for 10% off (expires October 15, 2009).

So, I was really hoping that our new Frigidaire dishwasher would cut down on the time and effort we put into washing dishes in our household.

As I suspected, our new dishwasher is really where Frigidaire delivers on its “More Me Time” guarantee.

Even if I’ve let the remnants of pulpy orange juice dry overnight in the glass (which happens more times than I care to admit), I do not have to scrub the glass before putting it in the dishwasher.  And a certain someone cannot tell that I’ve skipped this step.

Better still, the dishes are actually dry when the washer finishes–no more leaving them out on the rack to finish drying. Frigidaire calls this “Effortless™Dry”.

I’m also thrilled with the “Quick Wash” feature which both saves energy and allows me to get clean dishes in time for breakfast even if I forgot to turn on the dishwasher at night. If you remember, my old dishwasher took forever on any setting.  With the new Firigidaire dishwasher, there is no more pulling a wet, hot, favorite cereal bowl out of the dishwasher before it finishes.

One aspect I’m still trying to figure out is why the Energy Saver Plus Cycle takes longer than the quick wash–it may use colder water.  I’ll update once I figure that one out because I am definitely hoping to save both money and resources with this updated dishwasher!

You can see the savings (in dollars) you get from switching to energy-efficient appliances at Frigidaire’s Eco Calculator.  According to Frigidaire, “You can save 55,000 gallons of water over the life of your Frigidaire dishwasher by eliminating hand washing. That is the equivalent of a lifetime supply of drinking water for a family of four.”

As a mom, I’m also happy with the hidden options buttons–it looks slick and keeps the young kids from messing with the settings.  I also like the “stay put door” that keeps open to whatever angle you place it.

Although I’m still playing with all the options, I’m very pleased with the Frigidaire dishwasher and definitely believe it fulfills the promise of More Me Time.

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I’m a Frigidaire Test Drive Mom. Find out more about the Frigidaire appliances at Frigidaire.com. Check out the More Me Time Guarantee and enter to win new appliances at MyMotherLoad.Net.

EarthLust bottles are fantastically chic, manufactured from a slender, tapered custom mold and coated with non-toxic paints.  Each delicately rendered design evokes a love of, or a deeply respectful lust for, nature.  Some of the artwork was created by mom-owner and inventor, Allison.

…The tops don’t leak when close, though they push closed very easily with little pressure.  However, my two year old has had no trouble figuring out how to open the spout when she wants a drink.

When we became aware of the concerns surrounding lined, aluminum bottles, I immediately recalled a conversation with EarthLust owner and mom, Allison, about why she chose to use unlined stainless steel.

So, I thought it fitting that we revisit the EarthLust line to let readers know about this excellent and very chic stainless option for adults and kids.  Allison, in the middle of bringing new life into the world, no less, was happy to offer two readers a chance to win two bottles each–one adult-sized and one kid-sized.

EarthLust has some exciting new designs and has introduced 20 oz insulated mugs (that’s going on my birthday wish-list). I also love the styles that use the non-toxic paint minimally, showing mostly the stainless steel, so that chipping doesn’t interfere with the beauty of the design.

We’re switching over to EarthLust for our reusable metal water bottles for the planet’s health and our own.

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WANT IT: Buy EarthLust ($16-23) direct and at Amazon.

WIN IT: EarthLust is generously offering two (2) readers the opportunity to win two (2) bottles each, one adult-sized (1L or 20 oz) and one child-sized (13 oz).

Mandatory First Entry: Visit EarthLust and tell us which two bottles you would choose if you win.

Additional Entries: Please only one additional entry per day. Leave a separate comment for each additional entry. Unlimited additional entries.

• Become an EarthLust Fan on Facebook
• Share our “Water Bottles of Steel” post (featuring EarthLust and other Stainless Steel options) on any public website (your blog, a forum where the rules permit linking) or social networking (Twitter, facebook, etc.) or bookmarking (delicious, StumbleUpon, etc.) service.  Let us know where we can find the post, tweet, bookmark, etc. in your comment.
• Subscribe to our e-mail digest and never miss another review, giveaway, or discount

Contest ends September 10, 11:59 PM EST. Winner chosen at Random.org. Prize shipping to US + Canadian addresses, only.

Contests:

• EarthLust (Ends September 10, 2009)

1. EarthLust

If you want chic designs, EarthLust is a top choice.  Many of these hip stainless steel bottles are designed by the mom who owns the company. The nature-themed designs are a perfect compliment to the eco-friendly reusable bottles.

My daughter likes the 13 oz. Owl with a sports top.  Not quite a sippy but perfect for older toddlers on up.

I’m a fan of the primarily stainless designs–clean, sophisticated, and chipping is no problem.

And Earthlust now has an insulated mug for your morning tea or coffee.

More Information: EarthLust Website – Full Mamanista Review

Buy: $16-$23. Purchase direct or at Amazon.

2. CynerGreen & CG Kidz

What’s more eco-friendly than a reusable, kid-safe stainless steel water bottle or sippy cup?  How about one designed by a junior activist and kid entrepreneur to raise money to green our schools?

We love that Riley Hoffer, founded CG Kidz out of her passion for a cleaner planet.

CGKidz 350ml Bottle has a pull top and can double as a sippy or a lunchbox-sized water bottle. The CGKidz 500ml comes with a screw top and a clip for hooking to backpacks–perfect for older kids.

Proceeds from the purchase of the official CG Kidz bottle are donated to schools across the country that are in need of assistance to fund their green initiatives.

More Information: Cyner Green Website – CG Kidz Website – Full Mamanista Review

Buy: CGKidz 350ml ($10); CGKidz 500ml ($9). Purchase direct.

3. CamelBak

We haven’t tested out the CamelBak Stainless Steel Bottles, yet–but I’m intrigued by the design and the fabulous styles.

As a military spouse, I am excited to see that CamelBak makes bottles for our kids, too. These 12 oz. stainless steel bottles use the patented CamelBak Big Bite Valve with a stem tube and shut-off valve (Zrecs has the low-down on this useful technology) to avoid spillage and allow for easy cleaning.

CamelBak also makes plastic “Tritan” copolyester bottles, which are BPA-free.

More Information: CamelBak Website

Buy: CamelBak Stainless Kids Steel Bottles ($20) at Amazon.

4. Klean Kanteen

Fast becoming a classic, Klean Kanteen is found at many “natural parenting”, eco-friendly, and sports stores both locally and on the Internet.

Klean Kanteen is now also available in color designs. (Dear Klean Kanteen, I think your bottles are great, but please don’t spell “Color” with a “K”. Two K’s is enough.)

Klean Kanteen has a wide range of sizes and drink-top options and supports numerous charitable projects.

More Information: Klean Kanteen Website

Buy: Klean Kanteen Sippy $11-18 on Amazon.

5. Green Bottle

A reader suggested we check out Green Bottle–and from the website their water bottles look great.  Stylish designs on stainless steel look like a winning combination.

Green Bottles are available in 25 oz, 20 oz, and 12 oz sizes in a wide range of hip designs.

We’ll be reviewing their sports-cap style, kid-sized bottles, soon.  We look forward to giving you a first-hand account of these bottles.

More Information: Green Bottle Website

Buy: 12 oz. Green Bottles ($15). Purchase direct.

Whether or not you are comfortable using a bottle that contains but does not leach BPA, for us the real story here is how a company using BPA that would have been absolutely sidelined by consumers seeking BPA-free alternatives managed to make itself a central player by carefully controlling information about its products, challenging consumer advocacy organizations when they made statements that were unproven but that the company knew to be true, and “coming clean” only when it suited its own purposes.

Well said.

Jeremiah added that “you can call SIGG USA to demand a replacement at liners@mysigg.com, or call them at (203)321-1220.”  I did this for the three that I personally purchased with my own money.

SIGG was one of the first companies with which I worked as a product reviewer and we were one of the first blogs to review and promote their bottles.  I have recommended them countless times on this blog and to friends and relatives, based upon SIGG’s misleading statements and responses.  While I do not doubt that Jeremiah is correct and these bottles are likely safe for use, I, too, am disappointed with the way SIGG has chosen to do business.

There are so many amazing companies making products for parents and children and so we usually try to accentuate the positive.  Given my past recommendations of SIGG, however, I feel obligated to share this new information with you.  I sincerely hope SIGG will be more transparent in the future.

This stylish Soup to Nuts Kit includes everything you need to pack a meal, from the non-squishable sandwich-sized container, to the insulated soup jar. You’ll also find utensils, cloth napkins, snack-sized containers, and a water bottle.  And it is all certified to be lead-free, phthalate-free and BPA-free by a CPSIA-accredited lab.

As an addition, I would recommend resealable cloth bags for an extra option.  As is, though, the soup to nuts kit has plenty of possibilities.  And if you already have a favorite lunch bag and just need the containers, you can get those a la carte at Citizen Pip, too.

The 70s lime, aqua,  coral and chocolate color scheme (a favorite of mine) and bold, graphic design is playful enough for younger children and yet chic enough for teens and adults.

These fun and attractive kits transform an ordinary bag lunch into something special. Pack out what you pack in and look stylish, too–just don’t forget the lunchbox note from mom.

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WANT IT: Get the Soup to Nuts Kit ($55) at Citizen Pip and use coupon code mamanista10 for 10% off minimum $40 purchase (valid thru 9/15/09).

WIN IT: One lucky winner will receive a Soup to Nuts Kit in their choice of lunch bag design. Just leave us a comment letting us know your favorite style from Citizen Pip and tell us what you’d pack for lunch!

Additional Entries (leave a separate comment for each additional entry):

• Follow @Mamanista and @CitizenPip and tweet what you would pack for lunch and include a link to this contest: http://bit.ly/mamapip (leave your status URL in your comment).
• Link to our Back-to-School Guide on your blog or website (leave the URL where you link in your comment).

Winner chosen by Random.org. Enter by August 31, 11:59 PM EST. Shipping to US only.