Babies + Kids: sustainable first years

I've been asked a few times how I have worked sustainability into our first-time parenting experience. This is a very good question, because babies come with many needs. But do they need all the things for those needs? That is often the perception, and emotion-driven-baby-centric marketing tactics don't make it any easier on new parents.

There are places where we have fallen through the cracks, not had the energy to pursue something, or just not had the cash up front for a more sustainable option, as I will explain.

Since Ira was born, some of our sustainable baby plans worked and some just didn't.  I've made a list of the biggest categories that influenced our decision making when it comes to baby/toddler stuff and things.

Yep, I really did just wasted a perfectly good diaper for this picture. 

As a marketer myself, I explore the question of what we think we need daily, and often just opt out of the things that don't fit our philosophy and lifestyle. We try to put our money where our mouth is and support sustainable baby and child products companies where we can. Eco-baby products are pricier, but they are better quality, (so you don't need to replace often), have a higher resale value, have less overall impact, and the companies often have great employee and environmental standards they adhere to. I plan to talk about B Corporations here soon - it's a legal obligation a company makes to place the welfare of people and planet on an equal footing with their profit goals.

I'm keeping this post short because I think it can be a series, so here are my initial musings on this topic.

DIAPERS
I say this is the most famous and frustrating part of trying to green the baby-having experience. Cloth diapering  - it sounded glorious while pre-baby planning, but wasn't a reality for us because of financial stress at the time our son was born. Cloth diapering can have very high upfront costs, and for the quality we wanted, we just couldn't swing it back then.  If there was anything we could've have changed, this would be it. We chose to support greener companies where we could, from Honest Co. and Seventh Generation.

So what else did we do to offset our disposable diaper decision?

Almost everything else.

TOYS + CLOTHES
We aim for quality over quantity, and simple beauty in Ira's toys and surroundings. We spend so much time outside, it often eliminates the need for many indoor toys. Those we have I rotate every two weeks so there aren't many out and it keeps him engaged (usually). He doesn't have more than five or six outfits at any one size, and we often buy them second-hand. He doesn't have more than two pairs of shoes in one size. I plan to keep it the same way if we ever have a girl.



Keeping plastic out of our toys is another area of interest for me, and a daily challenge because of its ubiquity. I am following a combination of Waldorf and Montessori principles for Ira's early childhood world. We opt for wooden toys, or cloth, and especially love the beautiful, long-lasting toys by Grimm's Wooden Toys, and from the website Bella Luna. These are open-ended and simple. We also have found good options from IKEA and Target when we aren't able to spend more on something.

Having a few well-made and lovely pieces really does go a long way in teaching kids respect for their things, and also have a special magic unique to toys made from natural materials. We do get gifts from loving family members that don't meet these requirements, and all you can do is be gracious and store it for another time, or donate to someone who would enjoy and need it more than us.

Below is Ira's playroom off the kitchen. The American-made table is by Sprout Kids, a small business creating sustainably-sourced kids furniture in Utah. Priced at $100, it has no metal parts and snaps together like a puzzle. It is so strong that I can even sit in it. I would love to support more USA-made children's companies, and plan to share more here as I find them. If you'd like to support Sprout, you can use my LINK, and I earn 10% commission for your order.

Not having much out means not much to clean up. 

Waldorf-inspired: a nature corner of seasonal finds from the yard. Montessori tip: keep artwork at a child's eye-level so they can enjoy it!

FOOD
Ira has one wooden plate and a spoon and fork set. He drinks out of little glass Oui! yogurt jars I stash in his play kitchen. Yes, he's broken one by just missing the table, but I've been amazed at how careful he is with them most of the time. We do use plastic for travel and childcare situations.

+ ACTION ITEM +
The biggest action you can make is asking yourself how much you really think you need a baby thing. Chances are if you don't end up needing the thing after a few weeks, your little one will quickly bypass the stage you thought you might have needed it in, like the little shooting stars they are.

Little IKEA kitchen of real dishes - I keep art materials and other supplies that still need supervision on the open-shelves above. That's a chalkboard wall we painted on the back of the lower cabinet for scribbling.

Sustainable gift guide!

I'm feeling pretty merry by getting this post out before the end of the holidays with a four-month-old in my life. 

If you're trying to live by your sustainability standards (or want to get some) during the season of giving, this post is for you. The pieces I've curated here are from some of my favorite online stores that know what they're doing in regards to sustainable products. Largely produced by the artisan entrepreneur community around the world and in the US, they are sold through businesses that value people, planet, and profit, and most gifts are under $50.

They are also what I would pick if you handed me some of your money and begged me to do your gift shopping.

Personally, my favorite gift in the entire world is a gift card (or food). The act of perusing the world of things and experiences and finding just what I need, designed how I like it is so. nice. But sharing a list of gift cards wouldn't be as pretty, ya'll.

So, besides being beautiful/useful, what makes these things sustainable? It's all in the supply chain! For the most part, they each meet the following:

+ produced by fair trade labor with living wages

+ made with renewable, healthy materials in healthy conditions for workers/artists

On top of that, I have my own criteria:

+ Doesn't take up space (small/foldable)

+ Can be used up, or used for a long time

+ Doesn't scream "I'm sustainable" from first glance - the crunchy or ethnic look does not suit everyone.

Cheers to slower shopping this holiday!

Rodales - Nubby Fingerless Gloves 

Rodales-This gorgeous mug is made in Ohio 

Mata Traders - brass cuff 

Made fair - wool blanket

Bambeco - beard oil for the men folk. You all know someone who's got a beard right now.

Bambeco - pomegranate and spruce candles (ahhh)

Bohem - tea towel

Bohem - beautifully illustrated/funky story for kids about the food chain...

Bambeco - olive wood spoon - wishing I had this for meal prep.

Bambeco-Hanging Nest Aerium

Rodales-I've actually eaten this, GOOD STUFF! Eat alone or turn into hot chocolate.

Rodales - Who would't want a pretty whisk? I know I would! (Plus it's dishwasher friendly)

Rodales- One item for cheek and lip, I'm in!

Three Cords Haiti- This can be a headband or necklace. The company employs Haitians with disabilities, as well as at-risk women. I have one in white, and it goes with everything.

Three Cords Haiti - This can be a clutch or makeup bag

Raven + Lily - journal


Noonday Collection - Infinity Scarf

Barley & Birch: Reader Discount!

Remember my sustainable baby registry post from a few days ago? There was a pretty darling onesie on it sporting some chic cacti from Barley & Birch, a kid's fashion brand that's about as sustainable as you can get in terms of its production and materials quality, and their nature-inspired designs ROCK. They also have a wonderful blog that explores sustainability from many angles, and includes DIY projects and inspiration for readers.

When brands are transparent about their practices, it makes shopping so much easier for customers trying to be more conscious. 

I am thrilled to team up with Barley & Birch to share a discount code with you for their online shop - from now till the end of 2016, you can use the code MEANTGREEN2016 for an extra 15% off your order!

Before I share some of my favorite pieces from them, it's important to me to highlight what it is about Barley & Birch that can change the fashion game. Here's their mission statement on how they view sustainability from not just an environmental view, but also socially and economically as well:

"Environmentally, we decided to make every single facet of the line carbon neutral. Not only do we offset any emissions created by production and shipping, but we work with manufacturers and suppliers that are largely powered by solar energy. We chose only certified organic cotton and water-based inks, so we do not pollute the air and water with chemicals. We are made in the United States, so we do not emit the massive amount of carbon associated with trans-ocean shipping. We are largely paper-free and any paper involved with the line is 100% post-consumer recycled. Essentially, we chose to go beyond the level of convenience to be fair to our planet and to our customers.

Socially, we give at least 15% of our profits to a variety of organizations working all over the world to improve the lives of others. We fund everything from educating rural farmers on sustainable agriculture to providing shelter to victims of abuse. We are proud to aid in the growth of justice and equality throughout the world."

B&B does nature-inspired and fun prints SO well. Here are some pieces from them that spoke to my sense of design (many of these come in short sleeve styles as well, and kid Ts!) I'd definitely put my little boy in all of these, once he gets here!

A Simple Baby Registry

Plastic. Neon. Loud. I'm either describing an 80's hair band or the mass of modern baby things on the market. I've spent the better part of this spring researching for what we really believe we need for our little boy (and any others that come along!) without sacrificing our personal style and sustainability values.  I'm pretty picky about what I put in my living space, and my goal here is to have a home that doesn't immediately showcase that a baby also lives with us. 

Moving beyond design/taste into the world of marketing, sustainable products are barely regulated in our country and that makes it very difficult to cut through the "green washing" and find out who is walking the walk.

Here is a disclaimer on this post: 

Using an item for a second-time around is a great option for saving financial and natural resources in children's products - but the catch is that they may be made with materials that aren't as safe as they could be. This post is about what we would like to purchase new for baby boy, and supporting brands that are reaching for sustainability in production, materials, and throughout the lifecycle of the item. 

I have spent the last few years trying to make minimalism part of how I evaluate my daily life. When we need to buy, how can my little family buy less but buy better - especially for our baby? 

Now the baby doesn't care what we dress him in or bathe him with, but as he grows up I want him to see how we think about the things we use everyday. What is it made of? How was it made? Will it last? All things have a story.

Our main criteria are:

1) Must be visually pleasing and not clash with everything else in the house. I realize this could be seen as a very surface-level requirement, but I work hard to create uncluttered spaces that make us happy and fit our style.

2) Be durable and made of strong materials like real woods, rubbers, organic cotton or wool. You would not believe the amount of nasty things that end up in plastic, foam and many other things sold as baby-safe by marketing in the USA. 

3) Made to last. I realize kids are tough on things, but I aim to find clothes, toys and furniture that are tougher.

4) Support fair trade and/or American design, manufacturing, and small business.

Here are some of our favorite finds and brands so far. We are using an online registry called Baby List to place our favorite internet finds in one place, and take the research burden off those who who'd like to support us when it comes to sustainable baby products. You'll see that not all are 100% organic/made in the USA/uber-sustainable, but the vast-majority are. All of the links below go straight to the values/production side of the product so you can quickly see what these brands are all about!

Finn & Emma: 100% G.O.T.S. certified organic cotton; eco-friendly inks and dyes; made in India via fair trade principles and living wage jobs.

Stokke: How cool for a high chair to be able to bring baby to the table with the family, not take up tons of room, and  grow with them until they are large enough to not need a special chair? Designed over 40 years ago, this high chair is a "human centric" focus on design from Scandinavia. Sustainability  and longevity of their product is Stokke's "vision, mission, and goal."

Barely & Birch: "100% organic cotton that is grown by a co-op in Texas, with a carbon-neutral production line.
The cotton is spun, knit, and sewn in North Carolina where we print it with vibrant, nontoxic, water based inks."

Etsy: Bibdanas from a small Georgia business, and made-in-the-USA

Puj: A foldable, PVC and BPA-free baby tub that can fit in smaller sinks. Perfect for apartment dwellers like us. Designed by US parents.

Blueberry: Where you wondering when I was going to talk about diapers? Yes, we are going to attempt cloth, though we aren't sure if we're doing a cloth diaper service or not yet. I went with a one-size brand to avoid having to purchase multiple sizes.

Sustainablebabyish: I am experimenting with a couple of different diaper covers to see what works.  These are knit wool diaper covers from öko-tex certified wool yarns

Babymosesbasket: Our little one will sleep here until he can roll over. The palm basket is free of dyes and sprays, and is shown here with an organic cotton futon. Once he outgrows it, we plan on turning it into his toy basket. Sold on Etsy.

Coyuchi: Fair Trade USA organic swaddlers that become mama's scarves later.

Land of Nod: Such a great site for all things baby, but I particularly love their plastic-free toy selection. This artful stacker is made of linden and beech woods with non-toxic water based dyes and natural oils.

And there you have it! There is more on our full list, but this captures most of the brands and ideals  there. Once we have his nursery corner set up (when we get our new home at the end of this month), I will dive into more space-saving and minimalist design ideas!

The Creative Closet: A green dress for Fall

I’m late posting this, but I knew I had to participate in The Creative Closet when I saw this past Tuesday’s prompt: A Dress For Fall.

 I love me some dresses. They are the most comfortable, easy-wearing thing ever. I mean, you're essentially in a bag with sleeves, with plenty of room to relax. Well, that’s probably not true of tight tube dresses, but you wont catch me in one of those.

Staying true to the point and purpose of this lifestyle blog, I’m slowly edging into the world of sustainable fashion. Slowly meaning that I must find ways to rework what I already owned. Slowly because currently, buying truly sustainable clothing can get pricey. As hard as it can be to stomach (I love Target clothes you guys - and apologies in advance for any guilt trips!) the reason those are so inexpensive is because the true cost to make them is hidden to us.

The real cost is revealed to the people who make them. Clothing factories do create jobs, but workers don’t receive living wages and work in conditions that can and do make them ill. It’s far cheaper for a clothing manufacturer to pay a lower wage in another country, so this year I’ve decided to change my fashion world.

This summer I cleaned out my entire closet using the KonMari method and am down to about 60 pieces.

I would like the majority of my clothing to be:

• -       Made to last
• -       Made in the United States (or Canada)
• -       Produced as sustainably as possible if from outside the U.S.
• -       Classic and mixable. Trends just come and go too fast for me.

 This green dress caught my eye in one of our city’s boutiques in our most Brooklyn-like neighborhood a few months ago. It’s an area known for unique brands and handmade artisanal lovelies. The brand is Birds of North America, and their lovely, "contemporary, vintage-inspired" clothes are manufactured in Canada.

I had been on the lookout for a dress after purging most of mine. One that I could wear to work and out to play, one that was timeless. The jewel tone shade of forest jumped out at me at the store, then its little wood buttons finished me off. The fit was beyond anything I’d found at a department store. There’s so much craftsman ship here, every time I wear it I feel joy - and is that not the point of style?

No kidding, this may not be easy. But I think I now have the patience to try. We have everything to gain for ourselves and others if we can make the switch and change it all for the better. It's closer than we think!

Colorado trip with the fam

There's something pretty remarkable about returning in different family combinations of people for over sixty years to the same few cabins. Speaking of time, the National Park system is 100 years old in 2016! Thought I'd throw that in there, it's so amazing how far we've come protecting what is so beautiful and perfect. (All pics are my own unless otherwise stated).

The fourteener, Long's Peak. We admired it from all sides, just not the top : /

My grandfather began the tradition when he came to Estes Park for a conference in the early sixties, and decided to come back again with his family of three boys (one of which is my papa!) and his wife. Forward to Sept. 2015 and Cody and I just got back from my fourth trip (his first) to the YMCA of the Rockies.

There's so many reasons to be thankful for trips like these.

Nothing in life stays constant though sometimes things feel slow. We've moved many miles from home for school and work, and my career field of the ever-vast realm of sustainability constantly challenges me. That's why it's so special to recognize the same view of snowcapped peaks and Ponderosa pines once every decade or so from the same cabin porch each September (more now that I'm out of public school, or any school for that matter).

As nice as it was to get out of town and visit some of my family we hadn't seen since the wedding, there was a dark side to the trip! I got hit by altitude sickness for the first time - cue nausea and headaches. I'd say the culmination was an epic vomiting scene in a gorgeous grove of Aspen trees.
ROUGH.

I don't do sick, and there were about three days I wasn't able to hike. My dad got some of it too, genetics I guess! We weren't even able to eat the slow cooker meals Cody and I slaved over for about five minutes each morning. Pulled pork and jambalaya are NOT recovery foods sadly. 

Not bad for having puked twenty minutes earlier, right?! 

We made three major hikes in the park (~ 6 miles, lol) that were each beautiful and different. It's easy to end up in "green tunnels" in heavily forested areas without a plan, so we aimed for diverse landscapes that included some stunning waterfalls, places to rest and enjoy the view and a riparian (by the water) meadow complete with a trout stream.

If you're going to Rocky Mountain National Park, we recommend these hikes:

• Ouzel Falls Hike on the Western side (plenty of streams and a special gray bird that dips and dives along the rapids, the Ouzel!)
• Lake Hiyaha on the Western side (giant boulders around a glacial lake)
• Driving over Trail Ridge Road (bring oxygen, but the view is worth it)
• Big Meadows Hike on the Eastern side (stunning meadow, great napping by the trout stream)

Gear:
September being my birthday month (thanks to mom and dad) I got to try out some wonderfully light and strong hiking boots from Lowa that are going to carry me to the day when we get to hike the Appalachian Trail. I just know we are! They don't have a steel shank so you go far and fast and don't want to throw your boots over a cliff at the end of the day.

Sweet, sweet boots.

I lived in this pullover from Patagonia, Aztec is everywhere and this is no exception - it's so fun for a fleece!! You can see me rocking it in the post-puking pic above the boots. Also, you can't beat Patagonia's business model. As a B-Corporation, they take care of the earth, their employees and their bottom line. Supporting companies like this makes the price 100% worth it for me. Plus it'll last, I just wish it had pockets!

Image via patagonia.com

Landscapes flying into Denver. 

The view on our first morning, and several mornings after.

Trail Ridge Road, the highest in the country

Cute mom, her first time on the mini-golf field. She'd rather hike but had to take care of her sick husband and daughter who wanted to take it easy.

Chilly on the highest road in the United States! 

Tundra plants, it takes them hundreds of years to grow

On our last hike with my parents we found this glorious trout stream. And napped.

Peachy blues on the last night.


Always grateful to explore and travel. And see loved ones.