What: If I Were a Fish CD

Features: What better way to teach and inspire children about this great, green earth than through music? If I Were a Fish, a thirteen-song disc from Birdsong and the Eco Wonders, is geared toward educating kids about marine animals, the ocean, and the planet through rhythm, dance and good ol’ fashioned fun. Also noteworthy,  Birdsong’s music is used as a teaching reference in state, county and city parks throughout southern California.

Green Factor: CD is packaged in plastic-free, eco-friendly material.

Bonus: The Tide Pool Song, a tribute to tide pools written in 2005, appears in a short film that won an Emmy for Children’s Programming

Find It Here: Birdsong and the Eco Wonders

Win It: We’ve partnered with Birdsong to give away TWO copies of If I Were a Fish to one lucky winner!

Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter WF04 as the giveaway name and tell us what animal is playing the bongos on the Birdsong web site. Giveaway ends 05/10/10; $30 value. Open to residents of the US, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Belize, Australia and Europe. Official Rules. Giveaway Closed.

On our Blog: The Pollution INSIDE Your Home

You might also like:

• There’s Something Unfishy Going On Here
• Kid-Safe Seafood

By Katherine, April 29, 2010  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Kids, Learn, Music, Win
Tags: Birdsong, Emmys, If I Were A Fish, Music, Win
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Bath and beauty products that are made using all-natural ingredients and come in completely recycled packaging, from a company that doesn’t test on animals. That’s not too much to ask, now is it?

Not if you ask Danny Seo, whose line of organic skin care and body products, called wholearth, is chock full of goodness. Created by combining natural ingredients like juices and essential oils, beeswax and plain ol’ water, wholearth’s perfume spray and body specifics (such as wash, lotion, scrub and soufflé) are good for you and your bod, and our beloved Mother Earth.

What’s not in any of wholearth’s products is the bad stuff: parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, sodium laureth sulfates, aluminum and synthetic dyes, to name just a few. The list of harmful substances found in some of the bath and beauty products out there is long and hard to pronounce, whereas all of the additives used to make up wholearth’s delectable wares are USDA certified organic. Check their web site for a complete list of what goes in to their products, along with what, thankfully, doesn’t.

Find It Here: wholearth

You might also like:

• Body Care Almost Good Enough to Eat
• Bubblicious

By Katherine, October 18, 2009  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Bodycare, Indulge, Organic, Sustainable

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When I was a teenager, my mother bought a bumper sticker for our car adorned with a cartoon Earth; across from it was the phrase LOVE YOUR MOTHER in big green letters. I loved that sticker – I thought it was such a clever play on words; a neat way to get such an important message across. I haven’t thought about it in years, but I was reminded of it while poring over the Smiling Planet’s web site earlier this week.

The Smiling Planet is a new green company that makes, among other things, the cutest earth-aware plates and placemats for kids I’ve ever seen. Not only are their plates are made from 100% recycled material, they’re completely recyclable, too. They’re toxin-free, dishwasher safe, stackable and scratch-free, and did I mention they’re really cute? Because they totally are. (They’re also priced right, which, as far as I’m concerned, is a real bonus these days.)

It’s not just plates and placemats that are available – the Smiling Planet boasts posters, books, t-shirts and onesies for children that send earth-friendly messages and are printed with water-based inks. All of the Smiling Planet’s merchandise is compliant with the Consumer Product Safety Information Act (CPSIA), and it’s all made in sunny California. The Smiling Planet is dedicated to reducing their carbon footprint while celebrating the world and her diversity, and that certainly shows in their (blissfully licensed character-free) designs.

Find It Here: Smiling Planet

You might also like:

• All Green, All the Time!
• A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids

By Katherine, July 14, 2009  •  No Comments  
Filed under: BPA-free, Baby, Do Good, Kids, Kitchen, Kitchenware, Made in USA, Nature, Organic, Recycle, Toddler, Wear
Tags: earth friendly, made in the USA, Organic, recyclable, recycled material, Smiling Planet
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Pennies for the Planet is a very cool site from the National Audubon Society that helps kids to make a difference by either participating in local conservation efforts or by saving and collecting pennies (through their schools, for example) for national and worldwide conservation projects. If we want our kids to care about the earth, we have to empower them by giving them a way to help. Pennies for the Planet is one such way!

Find it Here: Pennies for the Planet

You might also like:

• A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids
• Save Money, Save Water, Save Money

By Janet, April 26, 2009  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Kids, Resources
Tags: audubon society, pennies for the planet
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I let my kids watch TV. I admit it. But I’m also very picky about what I let them watch, opting predominantly for science and nature shows. One series that we’ve enjoyed immensely is Planet Earth on the Discovery Channel. The cinematography is so groundbreaking that we’ve been able to see things we would never ever witness otherwise and so indescribably amazing that it regularly gave me chills. It’s because of our love of nature that I’m especially excited about a movie from Disneynature films called Earth. It tells the story of three animal families and their journeys across the planet over the course of a year. It was directed by Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield, the Emmy Award-winning creative team behind the Planet Earth series which pretty much guarantees it will be both epic and visually astounding. What’s really cool is that Disney is going to plant a tree for every person who sees the film during it’s opening week, starting on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. That’s some serious green potential and I’m really excited about it! To help kick off this awesome new film, we’ve teamed up with Disneynature films to give away an Earth reusable grocery bag, a biodegradable tumbler, and a tree seedling so you can plant your own tree! (details below)

Find It Here: Disneynature Films

Win It: We’re giving away an Earth reusable grocery bag, a biodegradable tumbler, and a tree seedling. Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter DE3 as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: What, specifically, are the three kinds of animals featured in Earth? Enter by 4/07/09. $60 value. Contest Closed. Congrats  Sherry!

You might also like:

• Planet Earth Gets Well
• Earth Day!

By Janet, March 25, 2009  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Gardening, Kids, Nature, Watch, Win
Tags: 2009, april 22, disneynature, earth, earth day, films, planet earth
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This is a very stressful, yet hopeful, time in our lives. Due to the economy, we are forced to make changes in what we buy for our family, but can we also choose what’s best for the planet? “Green” seems to cost more, it takes time to learn and implement, it requires that we focus and prioritize. It may not seem like the best time to go green and eat healthier, but this is actually the perfect time to get healthy, heal our environment, and save money!

Especially under times of stress, we need to keep our immune system strong to ward off disease. Disease costs money, so there is a real savings there (avoiding doctor bills, medicines, days off) but it’s deeper than that because without our health, we have nothing. Being healthier keeps us within our budget. Making changes that impact our health, in turn, helps heal our environment. And the truth is, choosing healthier options for our body and planet does NOT have to cost more; there are ways to save money while making good choices. We can tighten our belts and still eat delicious nutritious food that allow us to tighten our belts a notch as we get healthy and lose weight.

Support your body to do it’s job to keep you healthy by:

1. Eating well
2. Sleeping
3. Exercising
4. Being Optimistic
5. Loving
6. Using Safer products On & Around Your Body

Eating Well Read the rest of this entry »

You might also like:

• Local, Organic and Conventional
• Organic Grocery Scorecard

By The Green Mom Review, March 20, 2009  •  2 Comments  
Filed under: Save Green
Tags: living green on a budget, organic foods, saving money on food
Please see our Disclaimer regarding the content on this site.

We know if you come here, there’s a chance you have older kids and thus, you may be familiar with Element for their skatewear and boards. What you may not know is that they also have a line of sustainably-produced 100% organic cotton clothing called Power to the Planet. The Power to the Planet project is about making a difference in the world, which is way cool. What makes their clothing a little different than your average line of eco-friendly clothing, however, is the distinct lack of…crunchiness. Nope, not an earth tone or green colored piece in the whole Power to the Planet collection. It’s all monochromatically colored in shades of white, grey and black and it’s incredibly edgy and hip (and those are words I don’t use loosely, lest I sound like a total dork) Of course, Element’s Power to the Planet line is for anyone who wants to wear it, but we think picky, way-too-hard-to-shop-for teens might really dig something from this collection. Hell, they might even think you’re cool for three and a half seconds for knowing about it ;)

Find it Here: Power to the Planet

Win It: We’re giving away a black organic cotton scoop neck Power to the Planet tee. Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter PTP3 as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: How many items are in the Power to the Planet collection? Open to residents worldwide. Enter by 3/10/09. $24 value. Contest Closed. Congrats to Linda.

You might also like:

• A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids
• All Green, All the Time!

By Janet, March 1, 2009  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Gift, Organic, Sustainable, Teen, Wear, Win
Tags: edgy, element, hip, organic clothing, power to the planet
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The Earth is sneezing and running a fever. This can’t be good! Read all about it in Madeline Kaplan’s children’s book Planet Earth Gets Well, a tale about Planet Earth and all the reasons why he isn’t feeling well. The book is a great tool to teach young children about what makes the Earth sick (like pollution) and how we can all make the Earth feel better - drive less often, recycle, carpool, use less paper and plastic. Nobody likes to be sick especially children, who will relate easily to this metaphor. By the end of the story, kids will be asking how they can help keep the Earth healthy. A teachable moment guaranteed!

Find It Here: Amazon.com 

Win It: Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “PE58” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: What is one way that you teach your children to help keep the Earth healthy? U.S. residents eligible. Enter by 11/11/08. Contest closed. Congrats, Arianna H.!

Good Stuff: Eco-Libris plants a tree for every copy sold (with the exception of on-line sales).

You might also like:

• For the Bookworm Dad
• Unleashing Your Inner Homesteader

By Cristina, November 4, 2008  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Read, Win

Please see our Disclaimer regarding the content on this site.

Who knew something as simple as a list of companies could be so inspiring?  Can a list make that big of difference?  According to Ellis Jones’ incredibly compact, but informative book, The Better World Shopping Guide, a grocery list is not complete without this companion.  Jones’ has combined his 15 years of research and social responsibility to develop a book filled with an easy-to-understand ranking system for common products.  Everything from baby care, beer, and electronics to toys, seafood, and desserts, Jones has assigned a letter grade from A to F.  The letter grade ranks a company’s contribution, good or bad, to five issues: human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement, and social justice.  Wow!  That is lot of difference-making happening with our dollars. In the short time I have owned the book, already I find myself becoming a more issue-orientated shopper. For example, Kraft (as in macaroni and cheese) didn’t rank so well and I consider that fact when I’m shopping. Know what else is a good idea?  Voting—every day—with your dollar.  Now THAT is power!

Find It Here: The Better World Shopping Guide

Win It! We’re giving away a copy of The Better World Shopping Guide! Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “BW10” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: what is one of the product categories in the book? North American residents eligible. Enter by 10/29/08. Contest closed. Congrats, Cathy!

Editor’s Note:  You’ll see in our left sidebar a promotional ad for a special on PBS’ Frontline called Heat: A Global Investigation that will begin airing on October 21. Global warming is an unparalleled threat to all life on planet Earth. We urge you to watch this show if you can!

You might also like:

• Green Shopping an Oxymoron? No Way!
• Healthy Child Parent Ambassador + Giveaway!

By Sarah, October 21, 2008  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Read, Win
Tags: animal protection, community involvement, human rights, social justice, the environment
Please see our Disclaimer regarding the content on this site.

We all know the importance of reading to our kids; it helps them develop literacy skills and instills a love of learning. The founder of Earthwise Kids Books believes we can also impart a love for the Earth through stories about protecting our oceans, land and wildlife. Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks, Earthwise Kids books feature beautifully illustrated stories that offer practical ideas and suggestions for respecting our planet. Earthwise Kids also offers cute organic cotton tees with the same designs and eco-messages you’ll find in the books, as well as gift sets that include a book and matching tee. Educational and sustainable books and tees for kids? Now that is Earth-changing!

Find It Here: Earthwise Kids Books

Win It! We’re giving away an Earthwise Kids Book and organic t-shirt gift set of winner’s choice of theme and size, plus free personalization! Click here to fill out our simple entry form. Just enter “EW66” as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: Who is the eco-mom behind Earthwise Kids? U.S. and Canadian residents eligible. Enter by 8/13/08. Contest closed. Congrats, Millicent C!

You might also like:

• June Great Green Post Awards
• Lunch Sacks Are Cool Again

By Sarah, August 6, 2008  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Gift, Kids, Learn, Read, Toddler, Wear, Win
Tags: earthwise kids, organic cotton, Read, soy-based inks, tees
Please see our Disclaimer regarding the content on this site.

High in the branches of rainforest trees/Sleep baby iguanas and small chimpanzees/If acres of forests are cut down each day/Where will these animals eat sleep and play?

So goes my favorite jazz tune, Rock-a-bye Rainforest, from the newly released CD, Music for a Green Planet. Produced by Hayes Greenfield, composer, vocalist, saxophonist, and acclaimed New York City jazz artist, Music for a Green Planet takes traditional children’s tunes, jazzes them up, and incorporates green messages into the lyrics. Perfect for green-minded parents and their children, this CD is sure to inspire little ones to love the Earth, while parents will appreciate the (non-annoying!) adaptation of well-known children’s melodies.

Find It Here: Music for a Green Planet

Congratulations to Joe S. and Mike B., winners of a Music for a Green Planet CD!

You might also like:

• If I Were A Fish
• Nighty Night, Wee Cowpokes

By Cristina, May 7, 2008  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Music, Win
Tags: children's music, green, kid music, Music, planet CD
Please see our Disclaimer regarding the content on this site.

Happy Earth Day! We’re so glad you decided to stop by because we’ve got lots of earthy Earth Day things for your consideration — like you don’t already have enough to do, right? But seriously, here at Green Mom Finds, we really do try to make every day a good day for the earth so rather than doing something really over the top, we decided the greenest thing we could do is give you even more ways to help our planet and even take some action if you’re feeling extra feisty!

One of the coolest things we’ve recently come across is Ecocho, a search engine portal that allows you to use Yahoo to conduct your internet searches and in return for using their portal, they plant trees! More specifically, for every 1000 searches users make on Ecocho they’ll “offset” up to a ton of greenhouse gases by sponsoring two trees via the advertising on the site. They even have a cool search toolbar that you can install right in your Firefox or IE browser so using Ecocho is extra easy peasy. You can read more details about this fabulous and free service here.

(Google was participating in this undertaking but after a week, they decided to disallow Ecocho to use their search technology. *making my grumpy face at Google* Whatevs… You can still use Yahoo, also a very fine search engine, and do mucho goodo at the same time.)

Find It Here: Ecocho

Want to really make a statement? Pick up your phone and make an Earth Day Call for Climate. It will take just few minutes but if everyone does it, the impact will be staggering. And then? Take a moment to sign this Earth Day Network Sky Petition and let Congress know that we cannot wait any longer for stronger and bolder action against climate change; that they must act NOW. Your great grandchildren will thank you :)

Find It Here: Earth Day Network

If have decided to forgo putting pesticides on your lawn (much safer for kids, pets, water supply and wildlife!) let the world know by planting this cool Pesticide-Free Zone sign in your yard. With the sign you will receive a Pesticide-Free Zone Owners Manual that gives you tips on what it means to be pesticide-free and how to talk to your neighbors and others about pesticides. Imagine the thrill of being a trailblazer! An influencer! A trendsetter! Or even better — that warm fuzzy feeling you’ll get from doing something good.

Find It Here: National Coalition for Pesticide Free Lawns

And finally, a fun Earth Day photo contest put on by our friends over at BlogHers ACT Canada. Take a photo of your child gardening or doing something gardenish, submit it and you’ll be entered to win one of two copies of Whole World. Printed on forest-friendly paper, this beautifully illustrated, full-color hard cover children’s book includes a sing-along CD featuring the music of Fred Penner and eco-tips for preserving the planet. And if it matters, Whole World was recently featured on Oprah’s O List (eco fabulous prizes provided by Green Mom Finds!)

Find It Here: BlogHers ACT Canada

You might also like:

• Go Green Tube
• Recycle. It’s Good Karma.

By Janet, April 21, 2008  •  No Comments  
Filed under: Do Good
Tags: , action alert, offsets, pesticides, search engine, trees, yahoo
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