I am ALWAYS thirsty. No, really, I always have a water bottle or drink in hand. And whenever I go out to eat I always tell the waiter– just go ahead and refill my water glass any time you pass by! (weird right?) With the weather heating up, staying hydrated is SO important–so for me that means about 20 bottles of water a day! Ditch your plastic water bottle for a more eco-friendly option. Here are some of my favorites:

ROHO by Thermos

I love these designs! The BPA-free, stainless steel bottles have a really cool one-hand pop-off top too. So it’s perfect if you’re a mom with a baby in one hand and your water in another!  Check them out at thermos.com.

SIGG

SIGG may have gotten some bad press in 2009, when news broke that their eco-friendly bottles were not BPA-free (bottles manufactured prior to August 2008). But since then they’ve been hard at work to fix that. The 100% recyclable bottles now have an EcoCare liner, made from BPA and phthalate-free ingredients. Plus they’ve even got smaller versions for kids, perfect for their little hands. And we are thrilled because their designs are just too cute to pass up!  See our favorites at mysigg.com.

Klean Kanteen

If you’re like me and like to drink your water iced cold, you’ll love Kleen Kanteen’s Wide Insulated bottles. The stainless steel, BPA-free bottles will keep your iced drinks nice and cold for up to 24 hours–the opening is wide so you can fit as many ice cubes as you need. And when then weather gets chilly again, the vacuum insulation will keep your cocoa toasty for up to 6 hours.  The Klean Kanteen Classic bottle is another option, which comes in tons of colors (seriously, you can get one for everyone you know!). For more info, visit kleankanteen.com.

These are KIWI’s faves, what eco-friendly water bottles do you all use?

-Nicole McGovern

As a vegetarian, I eat a lot of beans. What’s more, I usually opt for the dried variety over canned to make my black bean soups, lentil salads, chickpea falafels, refried pintos, and other dishes. Yes, they take longer to cook, but since the canned variety’s liners contain BPA, I figure a few hours of extra stove time is more than worth it.

Now, it looks like I can have my beans and eat them, too, thanks to Eden Organic. Last month, the natural foods manufacturer received a “Green Packy Award” based on the responsible packaging guidelines for the organic industry in recognition of their BPA-free, organic bean cans. Instead of lining their cans with the harmful chemical, Eden coats their cans with oleoresin, a non-toxic mixture of oil and resin extracted from plants like balsam and fir. And although the safer lining is a bit more expensive than traditional BPA, I say it’s a small price to pay for convenience with a conscience.

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

Purple and Carrot, discuss. Purple carrots can now be found in a fruit & veggie drink for kids. First Juice, Inc. just introduced two new flavors, blueberry+purple carrot and peach+purple carrot. And, if you are wondering…yes, purple carrots are real! Furthermore, their darker complexion brings antioxidants similar to blueberries and red grapes.

It is sold in an 8 oz. reusable and recyclable, spill-proof, BPA-Free sippy-top container that is convenient for parents on-the-go. The First Juice 32 oz. bottle is great for refills.

Read about the history of the purple carrot and First Juice!!!

– Stephanie, KIWI staff and wondering if adults can drink this too…?

It’s easy to say no to preservatives and additives with Tastybaby’s organic frozen baby food. They might be serious about nutrition, but with flavor names like “Corn in the USA” and “Peas on Earth,” TastyBaby knows how to have fun.  What’s more, all the food is gluten-free, and is packaged in reusable, BPA-free cups.  Getting a stamp of approval from eco-conscious moms like Cindy Crawford, Ali Landry, and Lisa Loeb, try a Tastybaby gift basket for a great shower gift!

– Marygrace, KIWI intern and fan of eco-consious moms

By now, we’re all plenty familiar with the fact that many types of reusable, plastic bottles are unsafe-full of toxic phthalates and BPAs, drinking from these bottles can do serious harm to your body. Imagine, then, the impact such chemicals could potentially have on babies that drink from plastic bottles on a regular basis. With smaller bodies and rapidly developing systems, they’re left extra vulnerable to these dangers.

Enter Green to Grow’s collection of non-toxic bottles and nipples. Their BPA- and phthalate-free bottles ($9.99-$10.99) are made from 100% recyclable PES, an alternative plastic that’s safe for babies and the environment. Contrary to traditional, rubber counterparts, their nipples are made from heat-resistant silicone without any harmful nitrosamines ($5.49). And if Green to Grow hasn’t already made your life a little easier by providing a sound piece of mind, their products are completely dishwasher safe. Talk about milking a good thing!

Visit greentogrow.com for more.