The Cost of Disposable Bags

Plastic Bags: The True Cost

Plastic Bags as a One-Use Item

The use of disposable bags has become so routine that most people don’t even think about it: they make a purchase and a clerk places it in a bag, which the customer takes home and throws away. Multiply the number of purchases an average person makes in a year – from groceries to cosmetics to hardware – times the number of people in the U.S., and you have a situation that creates an enormous amount of waste. An increasing number of municipalities and states are passing laws to limit or eliminate the use of disposable bags, particularly those that are made from non-recyclable plastic.

How to Go Green on Your Next Vacation

Eco-Friendly Vacation Tips

Do you do your part for the environment most of the time, but you're not sure how to stay eco-conscious while on vacation? It's not as hard as you think! By following a few basic green travel tips, you’ll do your part for the environment and get more out of your vacation.

Newborn Cloth Diaper Shower & Giveaway! (US/end 6/21/15)

What is a blogger to do when she's expecting the birth of her 5th little blessing? Hold a baby shower event to celebrate this exciting time! I'm so excited to be celebrating with Conservamom--we love babies and we love cloth diapers...and of course we love giveaways! Let's all wish Conservamom good luck and congratulations as she welcomes her fifth bundle of joy into this world. The great part is that you have the chance to win some exciting baby gear as well. The giveaway and prize descriptions are below.

Conservamom is expecting the birth of 5.0 and she's so excited waiting for baby's arrival! She's Team Green, by the way. So we all can't wait to find out if she is having a little boy or a little baby girl. For this Baby Shower Event, she's teamed up with over 29 of the best bloggers and baby & cloth diapering companies around to bring all of our readers the chance at some amazing prizes!

So are you ready to find out what the prizes are? Read on to see the prize packs worth nearly $1,000 each filled with eco-friendly baby supplies like cloth diapers, car seats, and more!

Baby's First Birthday Invitations and Party Supplies

 Choosing the Right Baby Party Invitation

Flannel Thanks Children's Stationery

Baby's First (Lumberjack) Birthday

There's an important day coming up in our house: Baby T's first birthday! I'm thinking a lumberjack/outdoorsman theme, because he looks so handsome in plaid. (And he's built solid--like a little woodsman!) I've picked out some of my favorite invitations and party supplies from minted.com to celebrate the event. If you have a favorite invitation, let me know! I'm struggling to decide between four main options. There's so much to choose from on the minted.com stationery and art website!

The above Lumberjack Thank You Card for children is clearly a top-contender. I've checked out the customization tool, and I can make this thank you card into an invitation if I want to. I am in love with the wrap-around return address label!

Here's a second possibility--the Critter Camping Children's Invitation with the tent in the woods. It comes as a postcard or a folded card, with lots of customization options. I'm leaning toward the red because it seems more lumberjack-ey.  The folded card is available in 100% recycled paper!

Critter Camping Children's Invitation Postcard

Meatless Mondays as Part of a Healthy Life

Moving Toward Meatless: Simple Steps to Improve Your Health

A quiet revolution is taking place across this country. In more and more homes, meat and potatoes are fading into the background as plant-based meals assume center stage. If this conjures up images of your family sitting around the dinner table staring dejectedly at a big bowl of lettuce or piles of steamed broccoli, think again. Meatless doesn’t have to be miserable – and it doesn’t have to happen all at once. The path to a more vibrant, more vegetarian version of yourself can begin with just a few small steps. 

Discussing Natural Gas as an Energy Source

Natural Gas: Working for the Environment

Until a stable and efficient renewable energy source has been developed, humankind requires gas for civilized existence. While sunlight and wind show great promise, the production levels just are not what they need to be right now to sustain entire population. In the meantime, natural gas can keep the lights on and the cars moving while producing less carbon dioxide, in comparison to coal or petroleum. Conversions from oil and coal to natural gas in terms of energy production could go a long way to reducing the damage from carbon dioxide.

Traveling With Kids Giveaway! (US/CAN; end 2/8/15)

Giveaway: Make Traveling With Kids Easier and Eco-er!

Have vacations changed for you since you became a parent? My husband and I have to repeat the mantra that it's no longer about relaxing, but rather about spending time as a family. Even only going to the park or the store can seem like a major excursion!

Here are some great products to make getting out of the house a little easier, whether it's just for an afternoon or for a whole weekend. We are excited to bring you this awesome giveaway in collaboration with Green Scene Mom!

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Make taking kids on the go a little easier, and definitely more fun!

Read on for descriptions of all the prizes in this eco-travel family giveaway!


The Shrunks Wally Inflatable Bed Rail - $25

At The Shrunks, we believe that kids are cool. Keep your child safe from rolling off the bed with The Shrunks Inflatable Bed Rail! Its slim design allows the bed rail to slip conveniently under any fitted standard sized twin, queen or king size bed sheet, even at a hotel or relative's house. Each package comes with a bed rail, foot pump, and a carrying bag for easy transport to all of your destinations. Recommended for kids 2 years and up. Shop at theshrunks.com.

Milkdot Popdots Go Pouch - $20
Popdots Go Pouch is the perfect insulated carryall for everyday or for travel. Use it as a toiletry bag, storage bag or quick change diaper bag.  It's the versatile pouch for children, teens and parents to take on the go for school, work or travel with plenty of room for school supplies, arts and crafts, toys, cosmetics, medicine, toiletries, first aid, baby essentials, snacks, drinks and much more! Shop at milkdot.com.

Poncho Baby Pack-N-Run Organic Diaper Pouch - $35
This eco-friendly and portable organic diaper bag pouch is perfect for those times when a diaper bag is too big. I'd love to use one of these with my baby carriers! The pouches are made in the USA with 100% Cotton Muslin Imported. It's been carefully sized to hold just the necessities. Also works great as an insert in a purse or diaper bag so that you can locate and grab your supplies quickly and easily. Shop at ponchobaby.com.

Poppy Drops $30 Gift Certificate
Poppy Drops was created due to a dilemma lots of us face — when to pierce a little girl's ears? Poppy Drops earrings really are a solution that is practical for parents and super fun for kids! Kids will be soooo happy to play with the cool products! From our signature earrings came other solutions for modern kids! We now offer Tattoo Nail Art, Mix & Match Jewelry, Perfume Sticks & Lip Luster — all of which are designed for little ones but are great for EVERYONE! All of our products are made with natural ingredients — 100% safe for any age. We make staying young even more fun than growing up! Shop at poppydrops.com.



Yummi Pouch Reusable Food Pouches set of 6 - $15
Yummi Pouch reusable food pouches combine style and convenience in an eco-friendly container you can fill with homemade smoothies and blended snacks! Kids love these reusable squeeze pouches for applesauce, smoothies, and other treats. Parents appreciate them because they keep your space clean! No more spoons and bowls on the go--use a Yummi Pouch instead! We are big fans of the Yummi Pouch and pack one often for school lunches and use them as snacks in the diaper bag on outings. You can read my Yummi Pouch review here. Yummi Pouches are easy to fill and clean through the top zipper opening and are great for taking healthy snacks on the go. Shop at yummipouch.com.

Zippyz Baby Footed Pajamas - $27.99
Zippyz are baby footed pajamas with a patented design to make diaper changes quick and easy. They'll help keep your little one warm this winter! Zippyz have a zipper from foot to belly so parents can change diapers quick and easy while keeping their baby covered and warm. Check out their cute designs at shopzippyz.com.

Pacidoodle Personalized Pacifiers set of 2 - $12.50
Pacidoodle Personalized Pacifiers are the cute, high-quality solution to accidental paci-swapping! Baby's name, monogram or cute saying is engraved on pacifiers and will not rub off or fade. "A little paci love made with a lot of His love". Shop at pacidoodle.com.

Enter to win this Eco-Travel Amazing Prize Set!

Now that you've learned all about the prizes, it's time to enter the giveaway!! This giveaway is open to United States and Canada. Please give the Rafflecopter widget a moment to load. No purchase is required to enter or win. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Winner will be selected by Green Team Mom and prizes will be shipped directly from the sponsors to the winner. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

People Who Recycle Are More Attractive, Study Finds

Look Good: Recycle

The truth is out--a study has found that people who recycle are more attractive to the opposite sex. Finally, some research that supports the good looks, attractiveness, and overall glorious-ity of those of us who recycle. Am I right?

Read on to learn about what, specifically, the study found...

The Shocking Impact of Wasting Food {Infographic}

Stop Wasting Food And Save The Earth Instead!

How much food gets wasted each day? What can we do to curb our wasteful ways (instead of putting our wasted food on the curb?) The infographic "The Shocking Impact of Wasting Food" addresses these issues--with suggestions to suit everyone. Waste not, want not!

Home Movie System Buying Guide

Welcome to our latest guest post on choosing the appropriate sound system for your home theater. I love the suggestions for different price-points, as well as the introduction of the clever soundbar. Don't forget to click through cashback sites and use coupon codes for the greatest online savings.

Home cinema system buying guide

If your speakers look like this, it might be time for something new!

Thanks to the rise of on-demand content coupled with ongoing technological advancements, more and more consumers are looking at buying a home cinema system to watch their favorite TV shows and movies at home.

However, with a wealth of technical jargon to understand and several different options available, it is difficult to know where to start. So regardless of your requirements or budget, here is a quick buying guide.

Natural Lunch Options from Leaf & Love and YumEarth

Healthier Lunch Drinks and Treats

With a new school year already upon us, we are on a hunt for natural and healthy lunchbox options for our kids. My son is in first grade and packs a lunch nearly every day. My daughter is in preschool twice a week and needs a packed lunch on those days.

We are committed to making their lunches healthy AND fun to eat. Usually we pack a sandwich, baby carrots, string cheese, grapes, a drink and, periodically, a fruit snack. Because conventional kids' drinks and fruit snacks can contain lot of sugar, dyes, and artificial flavors, I was so excited to learn about YumEarth fruit snacks and Leaf & Love Lemonade.

Guest Post: Customizable Foam Mattresses

Is There a Way to Customize Your Night's Sleep? 

Ever been this tired? Maybe it's time for a new mattress.

More than ever, sleep seems to be a struggle for people. Whether it's simply having the opportunity to get a full night's sleep, or the inability to get good sleep once you are in bed, it seems like everything in life conspires against getting rest.

This is unfortunate, because a lack of sleep is proven to have a negative affect across the board, from energy, to mood, to overall health. That makes it incredibly important to maximize the time we are able to carve out for sleep, rather than staring at the ceiling all night.

Mattress comfort plays a major role in getting to sleep, but less obvious is how particular each person's comfort and support needs are. Mattresses are too often treated as an A or B option, where you either should fit in the "hard" mattress or "soft" mattress group. If you're like most people, you find yourself somewhere in between those two types.

While this is an issue for traditional bedding, the foam industry has taken it upon itself to solve the issue of individuality in bedding. Being able to be easily cut into different sheet sizes and thicknesses, foam offers a level of customization unmatched in the bedding industry, bringing forth the concept of "hybrid mattresses" – blended bedding able to create a comfort level that fits you perfectly.

Using different foam types in different thicknesses, hybrid mattresses mix comfort and support levels in a way a solid bed would be unable to do. Varying the thickness of each layer, and the softness of each as well, will generate a completely unique mattress. If you think this is something that would make a difference in your life, contact a foam bedding manufacturer to discuss what mattress combination might be best for you!

Article submitted by The Foam Factory, an online retailer of foam bedding and mattresses, with resilient and durable conventional, latex, and memory foam products, available in numerous sizes and styles.

End of Summer Giveaway! Over $475 in Prizes! (US, end 9/5/14)

Win PayPal, Photography Sessions, Music Lessons, and More!

 
Welcome to the End of Summer Giveaway! There's still time to enjoy the warm weather before the crisp fall sets in. I know I've loved the weather this summer (although some of my friends have complained that it's not hot enough). 

Many of these prizes are specific to Michigan, although there are prizes that can be used across the country (PayPal, anyone?). Please enjoy reading about our sponsors and entering using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good luck!

Cloth Diaper & Eco-Friendly Baby Gear Giveaway! (US/CAN; ends 8/8/14)

Earth-Friendly "Little Man" Gear Giveaway

Welcome to the giveaway to help get you set up with fun and useful products to use with your little boy. (Personally, I think a lot of girls would love these items as well! I know I would!)

These adorable and eco-friendly products are designed especially to encourage imaginative play, inspire healthy eating, and cover the basic essentials. You can also check out Green Scene Mom's favorite products for little boys.

Read more below about each product up for grabs in this giveaway! This giveaway begins 7/30/14 and ends 8/8/14 at 11:59EST. Residents of USA and CANADA (ages 18+) may enter. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

Amazon $100 Gift Card Giveaway! #win (WW, ends 7/28/14)

Enter to Win $100 to Amazon.com!

 Could you use an extra $100 to Amazon this summer? I can only imagine all the fun summer gear I'd be stocking up on! Because we know everyone could always use a little extra e-cash, Makobi Scribe and Why We Love Green are bringing you this Amazon Pinterest blast where one lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card for following bloggers on Pinterest. This giveaway ends July 28, 2014 at 11:59 EST.

Read on to find the giveaway widget and start finding great new bloggers to follow on Pinterest!

My Guest Post is Live: An Ode to Reusable Swim Diapers!

Swim Diapers are Amazing!

Are you interested in reading about poop-catchers!? Of course you are! Then check out my swim diaper guest post at lo-wren.com as a part of the Prefolds to Potty-Training Event!

Here's a little preview!

"Swim diapers are basically poop-catchers. Remember that. Their function is to keep baby poop out of the pool or swimming area. So how much are you going to pay for your poop-catcher swim diaper? How many are you willing to cart around in your suitcase on vacation? ..."

To read more, check out my reusable swim diaper guest post over at Lauren's blog! You can also enter the giveaway for a tin of Reese and Luke Baby Balm (cloth diaper safe rash cream!) that I have going on now as part of this same Prefolds to Potty Training Event!

Eco-Friendly Giveaway Package for Your Little Miss! (US, ends 7/18/14)

Win Eco-Friendly Prizes for your Little Girl!

Win the items you see in the picture above--including new shoes, food pouches and baggies, clothes, bottles, and more! These Summer Essentials in girlie prints and styles   are made by companies who offer eco-friendly, quality, and innovative product solutions! We are proud to partner with Green Scene Mom to offer this giveaway of earth-friendly products for your baby girl!

Eco-Friendly Giveaway Package Includes

pediped pair of shoes
Kushies pair of pajamas
Pacific Baby 3-in-1 combo bottle set
FunBites food cutter
Bobee elephant wall decals
Babalu "Inspire" 4T lavender ruffle shirt
Yummi Pouch Brights reusable food pouches + snack bag set


Read on to learn more about the prizes, to read the giveaway rules, and to enter to win using the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway open to US residents, ages 18+. Giveaway ends July 18, 2014. Good luck!

Win Cloth Diaper Safe Reese & Luke Rash Cream! (US/CAN; ends 7/23/14) #giveaway

Giveaway of Reese and Luke Organic Baby Balm

Prefolds to Potty Training Event!

Welcome to the Prefolds to Potty Training Event and Blog Hop, hosted by lo-wren.com and Change-Diapers.com! This event began as a one year cloth diapering anniversary celebration for Lauren and has grown into a celebration of cloth diapering.

For the next two weeks, special guests are posting articles about cloth diapering and potty training! In addition, many bloggers have joined together to host some amazing cloth-diapering and potty training giveaways. After entering the Reese and Luke Baby Balm giveaway here on Why We Love Green, check out the list of other bloggers (located at the bottom of this post) who are also hosting cloth diapering related giveaways right now!

A little about the prize today here at Why We Love Green: Reese and Luke Baby Balm is made from natural and organic ingredients. It's effective for diaper rashes and other skin concerns and is absolutely safe for you and your baby. You can read my full Reese and Luke Rash Cream review here.

To enter, click on "read more" if necessary, and fill out the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Good luck!

Smoking is Dangerous

Cessation Programs For Tobacco Users

It is no secret that tobacco products cause a variety of health problems. As a matter of fact, lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States of America. Cigarette smokers are at a very high risk of developing lung cancer, as well as an array of other medical problems. 

Win $100 to Amazon! NEW Giveaway! (WW, ends 7/7/14)

Win a $100 Gift Card to Amazon.com!

 Why We Love Green has partnered again with many great bloggers and Makobi Scribe to bring you this Amazon Instagram blast where one lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.

Read on to fill out the easy Giveaway Tools form and to gain entries into the Amazon gift card giveaway! This giveaway ends July 7, 2014.