We love the “new again” trend of packing school lunches in reusable containers–it is a little way even small children can push back against a society addicted to disposables. Plus, many of the containers like the ones at Kids Konserve are so eco-chic!

“Waste not, want not,” mom always said. So, mom entrepreneur Christina started Citizen Pip and created a complete, “muck-free”, reusable lunch system.

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.

My stretch marks are badges of honor…but I’m not the type to brag.
I found an uplifting site, The Shape of a Mother, which encourages us to celebrate our amazing bodies that have nurtured new life. While I agree with embracing the changes motherhood has brought, it is also healthy (for mind and body) to try to look your best. And I wouldn’t mind a little pick me up in the body department.
Once the excesses of the Holidays have passed, I’m making a New Year’s resolution to eat right and be …

Kids love pushing little toy cars around the room. A great place to push all your little vehicles is the Driving Around Town Play Mat from Rocket Bug Toys (My Lullabug – $29).
Moms know what kids like, and this mom entrepreneur thoroughly kid-tested the play mat, taking special care to create an attractive, functional, fun, and safe toy for your little ones.
An alternative to bulky and often expensive rugs, this inexpensive mat folds easily.  It is thin and compact for storage. Fold the mat as many times as you like …

Our Green House has some of our favorite eco-friendly products for the whole family.
In our Hottest Toys for the Holidays Guide we featured the twirling dragon, a unique wooden pull toy ($28.50), and the Alphabet Puzzle with animals embracing the earth ($44).  My teething son loves the wood and organic cotton teether and rattle ($17.50), with its soft rattle sound and highly chewable wood ring and cloth knots. And my toddler won’t take a bath without her the genuine, original natural rubber duck ($8).
They have a large selection of …

When I was younger, I was convinced my generation would save the planet.  These days, though, I’m also worried about saving money, saving time, and saving my sanity.  But some of my idealism remains and I’m excited to see a new generation taking up the effort to reduce waste, reuse, and recycle–especially when it is also good for their health and their parent’s budgets.
Riley Hoffer, age 11, is the activist, philanthropist, and “kidtrepreneur” founder of CG Kidz.  She is passionate about helping children and schools become greener. On cgkidz.com, you …

Imagine a toy that is reusable, suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children, rolls up for storage, and inspires creativity without any mess–and you’ll have Aquadoodle.  My daughter will draw all day long, but she always wants a clean page.  We save a few of her paintings, but mainly she just enjoys doodling. Since she is not attached to any of her masterpieces quite yet, it seems a shame to fill page after page, wasting all those trees.  So, I was eager to see if she would take to an …

Toddlers have remarkable imaginations. Mine will stick two blocks together and proudly proclaim it a “kitty cat…with shoes!” So, we favor open-ended toys that allow her to explore her own creativity.
If you are looking for something a cleaner and less pointy than two sticks and some rocks, then building blocks are a classic for good reason. The new Playskool Clipo Blocks are perfect for toddler and preschooler hands.
First, there’s the fun of spilling out all the brightly-colored blocks onto the floor. And there’s no end of what structures, …

My family uses eco-friendly and chic stainless steel water bottles to reduce landfill and our exposure to the chemicals in plastics.
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.
And it is no surprise that with her deep affection for mother earth, Allison participates in 1% for the Planet.
The water bottles come with a screw top and …