Category — Green Shower Gifts

One of my favorite tips from last week’s KIWI College webinar with Paige Wolf (author of Spit That Out!) was when she said that while she’d love to buy only wooden toys, that’s just not practical for her. So instead, she tries to avoid colorful plastic toys  when it comes to things that kids will put in their mouths. That’s a great goal, not only to limit kids’ exposure to plastic, but to avoid artificial colors! We think about them in food, but not always in the other things kids put in their mouths.

It reminded me of a product we learned about recently here at KIWI: Hevea bath toys. These rubber bath toys have a cool translucent color, because they’re totally dye-free. So, wood is not your only source of dye-free baby products. (Another great option? The water-based dyes used by Plan Toys on their cute wooden toys.)

What are your favorite eco toys?

—Sarah, editorial director

Finished your latest issue of KIWI and  just can’t wait for the next one to arrive? Now you can get a little taste of KIWI in between issues with our interactive publication, KIWI Slice. The summer issue, available now, is all about pregnancy and babies. If you’re a KIWI mom or dad who’s trying to live greener and healthier with a baby, you won’t want to miss:

• The best kinds of exercise during pregnancy 
• What to eat when you’re nursing
• How to protect your baby from toxins

There’s more—and it’s all free! Once you’ve checked out the baby issue, don’t miss the food edition of KIWI Slice, either: lots of yummy recipes you can call up quickly on your computer (or print, as long as you promise to keep or recycle your print-out!).

—Sarah, editorial director

I cannot even count the number of baby showers I’ve been to this year, but there have been several! I always search online for fun gift ideas and cloth diapers are always a great buy.  Thirsties is a line of sustainable cloth diapers that provide comfort as well as leak proofing for your baby.  CEO Erin Kimmett has made it her mission to provide families with a line of affordable and eco-friendly diapers for their babies as well as to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint. Thirsties’ line of diapers uses high quality fabrics that are PVC-, phthalates-, lead-, and latex- free.  Thirsties also offers other fabulous finds including prefolds, inserts, diaper washing solutions, wipes,  hemp inserts, diaper duffles and liners. The list goes on!  To check out Thirsties adorable products as well as learn more about this growing “green” company, please visit Thirsties, Inc.

-Brittany, KIWI Staffer

Sometimes it’s hard to believe, but I’ve reached the point in my life where a lot of my friends are starting to settle down and have kids! The result? More baby showers than you can imagine!  Even though I always check out the mommy-to-be’s registry, I like to use my knowledge of all things baby (courtesy from my job at KIWI!) to find cool, eco-friendly items my friends might not know about. One site I really love: My Green Baby, whose green baby inventory isn’t only adorable—it’s affordable, too.

Eco-conscious mom Megan Szczepanski founded the site after she was unable to find a place nearby that sold cloth diapers for her newborn. Sure, she could’ve ordered online, but Szczepanski wanted to be able to try the diaper out to see if it worked for her (and fit her baby’s bum). So in addition to offering adorable cloth diapers at My Green Baby in a variety of colors and prints, she gives moms the option to meet with her in person to see if the diapers are the right buy for them. Interesting idea, right? Check it out for your next baby shower—or your baby!

-Brittany, KIWI staffer

In honor of our KIWI staffer Marygrace, I decided to give the bride-to-be some tips on how to throw an eco-friendly bash. Sure planning a wedding is a lot of work and can be very time consuming and expensive but if you take the time to research you will find there are a few ways to make your wedding friendlier on the environment. First come the decorations. Opt for organic flowers instead of fresh cut ones or use lemons or limes in pretty vases for decor. Next, location. Choose a location that is within close proximity to your loved ones so they do not need to travel far distances and also bring up the option of carpooling to omit less gases into the air. When it comes to dining, choose a vegetarian dish and serve it on reusable plates. No need to waste here! Also opt for handing out homemade gifts to the guests such as granola or another baked goods instead of wasting paper or plastic product giveaways. When it comes to the cake, use organic mixes which can be found at any local grocer. Last, when choosing a honeymoon destination, research eco-tourism spots and find sustainable hotels and locations where you and your significant other can have a big impact on your lives but not the earth.

Brittany, KIWI Staff and future bridezilla

With a full line of body care products for pregnancy, labor, post-partum, and breastfeeding, Earth Mama Angel Baby has new and expecting moms covered in organic goodness.  The line was created by moms who view pregnancy the way our foremothers did, as a phenomenal natural process to be honored accordingly.  Their offerings feature eco-friendly packaging and 100% natural, vegan ingredients for lotions, potions, sprays, and oils you can feel good about.  We’re big fans of their Mama-to-Be Tea Sampler, which makes a cool, unexpected shower gift.  Learn more at earthmamangelbaby.com.

Marygrace, KIWI intern

If the name Pure and Little doesn’t give you enough warm fuzzies, try their logo on for size: Organic. Baby. Love.  Ahhh!  I’m sold.  The company offers organic baby clothing, bedding, and accessories like bath products, books and music, and plenty of plush toys.  Spring and summer babies can keep comfortable in Pure and Little’s organic cotton onesies (we love the peace out natural), while fall and winter babies will stay toasty with a unisex kimono jacket.  But my very favorite?  The Baby Fred monkey plush.  He just looks so happy!  More at pureandlittle.com.

Marygrace, KIWI intern

If a Prius is beyond your budget right now, try a new kind of hybrid: gDiapers.  Perfect for the eco-conscious mom-to-be who isn’t quite ready to embrace cloth diapers full on, gDiapers are made of a washable cotton outer with a disposable, plastic-free liner that can be flushed down the toilet, composted, or tossed in the trash (they decompose in about 90 days.)  A starter kit is available at gDiapers.com, or try their gBaby Shower Gift, featuring the starter kit, an extra cloth outer, and a case of flushable refills.  Oh, and the “g”?  It stands for green!

Marygrace, KIWI intern

I am sure some of you have received the latest issue of KIWI. For our January/February issue, KIWI had a special “delivery.” (Ignore the lame pun!) We rounded up some wonderful gift ideas for parents-to-be in our “Oh, Baby!” green baby shower feature. Obviously, we can’t mention everything in the magazine, but luckily for us, we have KiwiLog and everything we wanted to include… we now can. Hooray!

Our first in our blog series on baby shower gifts is the Chubby Bunny and Snuggle Blanket sold by Happy Healthy Baby. Both pieces, the bunny and the blanket, are 100% organic cotton and dyed with metal free dyes. The doll is 7″and the blanket is 29″ X 29″. If you are searching for the perfect snuggle buddy for your baby or a friend’s baby, this bunny and blanket duo should fit the bill. And look how cute!

Available at Happy Healthy Baby, $36.