faintly lemony handbag.

I have been loving these bags for awhile now. They are made from 100% recycled pillowcases and can help you tote around up to 15 pounds of groceries, the perfect picnic lunch or your diapers and wipes. Highly functional and eco-friendly.

bit by bit.

We've had fun these last three weeks celebrating green for March. Domino Magazine's editor might have said it best in March's issue when she concludes her letter titled "an ode to the little things" with:

"We're all making a difference, bit by bit. And in that spirit, it's good to remind ourselves that many of the world's biggest changes have begun with small steps."

We hope to have passed along a little motivation to do just that: change bit by bit. Good luck with your own green efforts.. something I'm excited to embrace.

As a reminder, several of the fantastic green companies we've highlighted this month are offering all tangled and true readers worthy deals + discounts:

Tomo & Edie: 20% off [email info@tomoandedie.com with a mention of Tangled and True]
Fierce Hugs: $5 off with code D05FTTB (note: that's a zero between the D and 5)
Happy Green Bee: 25% off [call 1.800.209.0094 and mention Tangled and True]
Natty Girl: 15% off with code Tangled
Blooming Lotus: 20% off with code truegreen
bioME5: $5 off + free domestic shipping with code Tangled

green toys.

With all the buzz about unsafe toys going around these days, Green Toys offers a refreshing alternative. I am completely sold and already have the Tea Set pre-ordered. The entire production process start to finish is done in California, who is known for their strict safety and environmental laws. Green Toys is also extremely energy efficient, so much so that "every pound of recycled milk jugs used in the making of Green Toys: saves energy equal to 3,000 AAA batteries, saves enough electricity to power a TV set for 3 whole weeks and saves enough electricity to keep a laptop computer running for a month."

Green Toys uses recycled milk containers as the main ingredient in creating their toys. Yes the ones you drink out of every morning. These milk containers are reprocessed into super clean fresh plastic. The plastic material they use is called high-density polyethylene (or HDPE). This is considered to be one of the safest, cleanest plastics around.

But they don't stop there. They minimize packaging using boxes that require as little material as possible. All Green Toys are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes. No plastics, cellophane or annoying twist ties and every box is 100% recyclable.

If the environmental factors aren't enough to convince you. Perhaps the toys themselves will. They are brilliant. Perfect for imaginative play. From the Cooking & Dining set to the Sand Play Set.

View list of retailers and online vendors here.

peas on earth.

Reader Tip: I was shopping for my nephew and came across this cute eco-friendly site. I decided to get his present from there and I am very happy.

Thanks Kai. We think Peas on Earth is great as well.

The Dream Green Collection offers environmentally inspired tees for babies and kids. Tees designed to inspire kids taht they too can aspire to make a difference in anything they dream to become.

So Dream Green............

View entire collection here.

bioME5.

bioME5 tees are inspired by the "visual learning process inherent in all children," yielding playful, cheerful and positive designs. It's called the animal alphabet project and it's awakened an appreciation for and understanding of the animals that inhabit the earth's natural biomes (desert, grasslands, aquatics, forests, and tundra) in the youngest learners. Even their site is child-friendly and enlightening. note: be sure to turn your sound on.

"Vibrant colors, large letters, and easily recognizable animals create intriguing graphics but also serve as recognition and learning catalysts for children. To be sure, the inverse orientation of the words on our products is not a mistake. The animal name is clearly readable from your little one’s vantage point…"

We've talked about them before and I've been excited about them from the beginning, but I just saw/felt/used them for the first time and am floored. 100% certified (undyed and unbleached) organic cotton, made in sweatshop-free environments in the USA is just the start of their goodness. Tagless and preshrunk makes them exceptionally great. The originality and like-it's-been-worn-for-years softness put them over the top. This would make for one exciting hand-me-down.

A limited edition polar bear design was just released, with 20% or proceeds being donated to the Detroit Zoo's Arctic Ring of Life exhibit- the leader in the exhibition, management and breeding of polar bears since 1928.

Tees are available in size 2T - 6T and onesies (size 3-6 months and 6-12 months). Buy sustainable and fashionable and get free domestic shipping! $28-32. (Long sleeved styles are currently discounted from $36 to $28!)

I like Z. What letter would you choose?

Tangled and True deal + discount: Use code Tangled and receive $5 off your order plus free domestic shipping.

the dirty dozen.

Not everyone can afford to go completely organic (me included) so if you focus on the dirty dozen you'll eliminate the foods with the highest amounts of pesticides, hormones, additives and chemicals. If you're going to spend money on organic, these are your best bets.

The top 12 foods to Eat Organic

1. Meat

2. Milk

3. Coffee

4. Peaches

5. Apples

6. Sweet Bell Peppers

7. Celery

8. Strawberries

9. Lettuces

10. Grapes

11. Potatoes

12. Tomatoes

For complete list and the reasons why, view here.

pictures via msn.com

blooming lotus.

"When you want to treat your body's largest organ to something yummy, remember this: what you put on it is as important as what you put in it. Your skin is a sponge. It drinks up whatever you offer it. So choose pure plant medicine over petrochemicals, organic love over toxic soup. Choose organic herbs, pure essential oils, and crystal infusions. Choose Blooming Lotus: all organic, pure positive energy"

Jen Denslow, the woman behind Blooming Lotus, spends her days blending essential oils from the heart of Kansas City's busy art district with her two year old playing on the floor nearby and friendly faces from the nearby market stopping in to say hello. Every batch of products is made with prayer and intention and the products are "pure bliss".

She is a lot like every other mother. Trying to find balance between family, work and play. We all know life can be challenging but Jen believes in doing what you love, and she's making it work. Quite well I might add.

What Jen loves are great body care products and she's on a mission to make them. Not the "natural" and "organic" brands used for marketing buzz, but authentically clean body care, it is the way of life at Blooming Lotus.

If you have ever had a child with a goose egg on their forehead you know how terrible it can make you feel as a mother. The answer I learned from a friend was in the form of arnica. Blooming Lotus's Bruise and Brawn Salve soothes bruises (literally) sore muscles and achy joints. It's made with organic arnica, organic St. John's wort in organic olive oil, organic hemp oil, organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, essential oils, & love. As a mother this will become your go-to product. It's become mine.

Soulshine Body Shampoo is a refreshing way to start your morning. I look forward to it daily. It brightens my mood and leaves me feeling ready for the day. Also available in Fairy Fresh, Groundation and Sublime scents.

Blooming Lotus also has a large assortment of handcrafted soaps. Mixing blends of organic ingredients they are scented with interesting combinations that "sing of joy and happiness".

It's clear Blooming Lotus is all about sharing the "love". So they are hoping to pass some of that along to our readers. They are offering a collection of body shampoos in their four signature scents (a $60 value) for giveaway to one Tangled and True reader.

To everyone else, while browsing their assortment of apothercary, aromatherapy and bath & body products Blooming Lotus is offering all Tangled and True readers 20% off your entire purchase simply use code truegreen at checkout.

What Blooming Lotus product would you like to have?

Would you like to win? be sure to:
*enter a comment on this post - with your name
*answer question above
*please only enter once
*entry will be open until 12 am Midnight Wednesday morning (3/26)
*winner will be announced Wednesday morning
note: winner must contact us by Friday (3/28) in order to claim prize

Good Luck and Thank You Blooming Lotus!
-the Tangled and True team

palomasnest.

I've had palonmasnest's shop bookmarked for ages now. It's such a simple accessory with many equally pure messages. And the beyond sentiments, it's the ideal solution for my jewelry that often sits on my bathroom counter.

I love Mahatma Gandhi's legacy, as it's proved very influential in my own life. He said, "be the change we wish to see in the world." And what a perfect motto for choosing to take on some green efforts. I would buy this tiny text bowl.

Caroline Colom Vasquez, the creator behind Paloma's Nest, says:

I use only all natural materials including fine clays, wood, paper, and cloth...

My inspiration lies in the purity of the materials that I use, and the idea that something so simple can be so bold...

...The studio is powered 100% by Renewable Wind Energy. I use recycled paper products in our pieces and packaging whenever possible.

myths about green living.

If an eco-friendly lifestyle seems overwhelming perhaps reading through these 10 myths about green living, might make it easier to sort through.

Myth No. 1: Small changes don't matter.

One of your biggest weapons in the green movement is your own wallet. Recent numbers demonstrate that a few smarter buying decisions translate to big changes in the planet. One that's fairly easy: When you buy household paper goods (like paper towels, napkins, toilet paper and copy paper), look for products that use high percentages of recycled or post-consumer waste.

If everyone in the country elected to buy one package of 100 percent recycled napkins instead of the non-recycled variety, that act alone would save 1 million trees.

Myth No. 6: Eco-friendly grocery options are expensive.

Not every green choice has to cost you extra green. Buying local grown produce is a good example. The average food item travels 1,500 miles to 2,500 miles to get to your store shelves, according to the Natural Resources Defense council. Locally grown produce -- usually grown within 200 miles -- saves all those transportation and fuel costs, along with tons of carbon. For that reason they are often less expensive and -- because they typically get to ripen longer -- tastier, too. What's more, many smaller local growers don't use pesticides, herbicides or artificial ripening agents, keeping petrochemicals out of the soil and reducing crude-oil usage even more.

View entire list here.

grocery getter. {reader tip}

Next time you're at the grocery store, answer neither when they ask "paper or plastic". Instead use a cloth tote. You'll find plenty of brilliant designs in this Etsy shop.

we add up.

We mentioned them when they first launched their company, but we saw our green month as a perfect platform to remind you of the all brilliant We Add Up.

It's a global warming awareness project, standing as a COUNT of people committed to reducing their carbon footprint. It encourages people to make small {or even large} changes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. WE ADD UP is an organic t-shirt campaign where each tee is custom printed with a number. Your number represents your position in the sequential global count!

In addition to a customized number, for every adult shirt, you can choose your action-- essentially stating how you will contribute. Maybe you'll go organic or drink tap, eat less meat or bike. With 25 doable options, there is sure to be something to suit anyone. And wearing your commitment is motivation enough to follow through.

We Add Up believes that "No one can do everything. Everyone can do something. And, WE ADD UP." In addition to the choose your action adult shirts, the "act now" kids tee allows the children to be counted in and spread the message. They understand that "leaving the problems created by current and past generations will cause irreparable damage to their ability to thrive. We can protect our earth and our children's futures..."

All tees are 100% certified organic cotton, grown, woven, and sewn in the USA using sweatshop-free labor. And the company does give back a portion of their proceeds to environmental groups that are working towards the same cause.

giveaway: We want all of you to feel like you can make a difference. In light of giving back, one reader will have a chance to win an Act Now Kid's tee with free shipping. Simply tell us your favorite We Add Up tee along with your comment. Act now. Make a change.

would you like to win?

*enter a comment on this post- with your name.

*answer the question above

*please only enter once

*entry will be open until 8 am Saturday morning (3/22)

*winner will be announced on Monday morning.

note: winner must contact us by Wednesday (3/26) in order to claim prize

positively organic.

I love the girls wearing good long sleeve tee-shirts on spring days and these are at the top of my favorites list. Positively Organic's Toddler Tee's are the perfect combination of bold and bright and are "made from luxuriously soft organic interlock cotton and feature beautiful earth-friendly prints".

green eggs.

We've been trying to cram all our Easter traditions into a very short amount of time with it being in March this year. I loved the idea of these naturally dyed eggs. I find them lovely and have added them to our list of things to do before Sunday.

natty girl.

There is nothing quite like meeting a person who is full of passion and life. It always thrills me to watch their passion and love of what they believe in shine through in everything they do. That is how I imagine the owner/founder of Natty Girl to be.

Our philosophy is to live in a lighthearted, yet conscious mindset where less is more. We have created a uniquely playful collection of result oriented, concentrated formulas and multi-sensory stimulating skin care products that offer a fusion of nourishing ingredients, while commanding a smile.

Struggling with multiple chemical sensitivities and allergies for most of her life, founder Brandy Zender started creating simple ointments from pure, natural raw ingredients that were effective and cosmetically pleasing. As she perfected her ointments her symptoms began to subside, her hard work, education and trial and error all paid off with the launch of NG Spa Collections (aka: Natty Girl) in the fall of 2004.

I have to say I am thrilled with the Natty Girl products. The story behind the company is compelling and their quality control is unmatched.

Our cruelty free products are created in small batches to ensure quality and absolute freshness. We list all ingredients on-line, so you know exactly what is in your products. We import natural and organic ingredients from around the world on a weekly basis in order to ensure the freshness of our raw materials. Many products have a multi-purpose usability and all are FREE from mineral oils, harsh detergents, parabens, talc, FD&C colors and paraffins. our packaging can be recycled or reused and our labels are printed on EarthFirst PLA, which is a biopolymer made from corn.

It's clear you can't go wrong with any of the Natty Girl products. Some of my favorites:

Aromatherapy Toner

A lightweight toner that hydrates and refreshes. Concentrated formula combining organic lavender and organic tea tree oils it can double as an aromatherapy experience, relieving tension and stress. A must have for every mother!

Butter for the body

I love a good body butter. 100% concentrated, deeply hydrating, this lightly whipped organic shea butter is packed full of vitamins and antioxidants. Your skin will thank you.

Be sure to browse through all Natty Girls phenomenal lines including their Apothecary Spa, Apothecary Face, Natty Girl Spa, Natty Girl Face and Natty Baby Spa. You're sure to find something that will delight and refresh you!

Extra Goodness. Enjoy 15% off your entire order by using code tangled and checkout.

robin rosenthal.

Perfect children's art is hard to come by. It's either so lovely yet so expensive or just doesn't quite work (too cheap, too traditional, too ducks and kittens). Robin Rosenthal mended the near crisis. And after my frames arrive, her posters for kids (both because I couldn't resist) will be the most fantastic accessories for my little Cole's room. Right above his big boy bed.. a post for another day!

counting birds
18x24 inches

alphadot
24x36 inches

Not only is the art green (because that is this week's theme): offset printed with soy inks on acid-free, recycled, uncoated cover stock, but it's guaranteed authentic. Robin Rosenthal has worked as an graphic designer and art director for 12 years, including deputy art director at Kids magazine, a Martha Stewart publication. She's Martha quality, ladies. "Modern, graphic, fun, and affordable." And there's word that she's currently working on more posters. Hooray!

If you're anything like me, buying posters stands a bit intimidating. Because beyond the art is the worry about the perfect frame. So, I asked the expert.

Robin Rosenthal's poster tips:

"The 2 posters are sized so they'll work in ready-made frames you can get at most art supply stores. I've framed a few and I like simple wood frames in white or natural that are about 0.75"-1.25" in width.

I would suggest using plexiglas rather than glass because of the size of the posters. It's also safer to use the plexiglas in a child's room.

*I think the Blick Gallery Wood Frame in natural from dickblick looks like a good option: see here.
*For a more low key option you can have the poster dry mounted at a local frame shop. (FYI, this is not archival and not as sturdy.)
*Or try these."

We hope that helps! Both posters are available here. $40 each. My new favorites!

bot.

If you've been on the lookout for a low sugar, healthy alternative to the vast assortment of kid drinks out there, bot is the answer.

bot is dedicated to the well being of the planet, its people, animals and environment.

On top of that bot is natural, low in sugar and packed with vitamins. Coming in three kid friendly flavors (orange, grape and berry) healthy really does taste good.

Available in the natural sections of these fine stores.

kid friendly.

Teaching your kids about the environment can be a great way to help in the "green" effort. Find out what their school is doing, involve them in community efforts and include them at home. A brilliant kid friendly resource www.kidsplanet.org.

photo via eco-me

shea terra organics.

There is no doubt that Shea Terra Organics' founder, Tammie Umbel, is a woman on a mission. A thirty minute sit down with her can change a person's perspective on life forever. "For as long as I can remember I have wanted to change the world," save the animals, create jobs for the disadvantaged, preserve the environment. When I created Shea Terra Organics, I could have never imagined how successful it would become, but our most important goal from the start has always been to support Africa through self-empowerment and environmental programs, and bring awareness about the continent's diversity and beauty."

I've connected with Shea Terra Organics and I think that founder Tammie Umbel has in fact changed the world- at least a significant part of it. It's a company that has embraced a mission. The Shea Terra difference shows itself in not only using high quality healing products from indigenous African ingredients, but supports sustainable growth through fair trade as well as "empowering natives with the knowledge and means that they need to have self governing and healthier lives." It's a mission to honor and do our part to support (which is an easy task).

All Shea Terra Organics products are:
* 99-100% natural
*DO NOT contain sulfates, parabens, silicone, artificial coloring or synthetic fragrance
*are cruelty free
*contain 10-40% certified organic shea butter
*support unique empowerment programs in Africa, including wildlife and nature preservation and education initiatives
and
*are made by hand to off-set carbon waste.
Additionally, each product is packaged in recycled packaging (made from paper and pulp) and promotional materials are printed on recycled paper with soy ink.

They're certainly green, but better yet-- luxury and pure indulgence were never compromised. Years of searching and testing have finally turned up my favorite lotions and scrubs- hands down. I think you'll agree:

miombo mango silk and shea butter lotion:
an incredibly rich and moisturizing lotion (almost too thick to make its way through the pump), made of 20% organic shea butter, goat's milk and cruelty-free silk with a sweet aroma from pure mango extract, is truly heavenly. I use it daily (it's the type that lasts through a couple of hand washings) and have already gifted a bottle as a thank-you. Nothing could have said it better.

*For the month of April 2008 (to celebrate Earth Day), $2 will be donated for each Miombo Mango product sold to The Dian Fossey Gorillla Fund.

bourbon vanilla indigenous shea body butter:
ultra thick, non-greasy formula combining 40% certified organic shea butter made with sweet vanilla from Madagascar bourbon beans (only the finest that are seldom used because of their high cost). Perfect for helping with my (your?) body's imperfections: stretch marks, dry feet and unkempt cuticles. The scent is incredibly pure and subtly intoxicating.

pink guava pomegranate shea butter dead sea salt scrub:
It's my favorite of their scents, often described as fresh and sexy. Simply, it's sweet and rejuvenating. With the pomegranate's properties to tone, the sea salt's to smooth and the shea butter's to soothe, this scrub is all around healing in a very non-oily way.

Each product featured is part of a collection. Be sure to browse the rest of their extensive collection, including bath elixirs, masks and cleansers.

And to finish with some fair trade gourmet (because there's never a better time to justify chocolate): this Divine Chocolate is all that it claims to be! "...You can fulfill your desires without the guilt." Throw some into your cart for an easy pick-me-up.

t+t deals and discounts: all readers can receive 20% off any products on their site with code: "tangled". Expires next Friday, 3/21.

The 3 R's.

We've all heard of the 3 R's. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This month Parenting magazine featured in their smart solution: 3 easy ways to make your home greener.

Reduce: Put your kid on "green duty." He can close open fridge doors, shut off the TV that no one's watching, and turn off dripping faucets. You'll save electricity, water, and money - and he'll love having an important job.

Reuse: Get creative with arts and crafts. Toss catalogs, junk mail and other "art supplies" -from candy wrappers to bottle caps - into a box. You'll be amazed what your kid can make (a 3-D truck picture, perhaps?).

Recycle: Look beyond soda bottles. Many recycling centers accept sippy cups and baby bottles. To see if one near you does, enter your zip code and the recycling numbers on the bottoms at

earth911.org.

shaklee.

Shaklee, a pioneer in planet healthy products since the 1960's, was producing biodegradable household cleaners "back when green was just a color and biodegradable was barely a word." They're the number one nutritional company in the U.S. and have even been featured on Oprah. In some ways I find myself wishing I could create my own little infomercial to show you how amazing these cleaning products really are. I am 100% completely sold. I've even gone so far as to get rid of my Windex, Clorox wipes and Mr. Clean eraser, all cleaning staples before Shaklee showed up on my doorstep.

You begin with the GET CLEAN Basic H2 (an organic super cleaning concentrate) depending on what you will be cleaning you add small amounts (read: less than 1 Tbsp.) of liquid to 16 oz. water.

My mirrors aren't streaky, my granite counter tops aren't filmy and my house is the cleanest it's been since I had Lily 4 years ago. Cleaning is fun again.

Which brings me to the Scour Off heavy duty paste.

If there is one cleaning product every mother should have, this is it. Stella scribbled on our desk with Sharpie permanent marker, this took it off instantly with no residue, Ryan moved a big screen TV upstairs and left marks on the walls and white woodwork, this got rid of them completely without ruining the finish or taking the paint off. It is a miracle cleaning product and one I will have from here on out.

The Basic H2 wipes are great for quick bathroom wipe-downs. They leave the bathroom fresh and clean with no toxins left behind. In fact all Shaklee's products are safe for you, your home and your planet. These cleaning products are worth every penny you'll spend, and in the long run, not only will you be saving by using concentrate, you'll be helping save the planet. Happy Cleaning!