The Green Among Us
Today was a disheartening day. In attempt to enjoy "nature" with my family, I found that others have a different view of what "enjoy nature" means. With the intention of enjoying a little peace and quiet on the river's edge, we encountered trash, drunks, and well, people who only know "green" as a color, or perhaps associate it with "green with envy" and do not have any inclination towards environmentalism. I wondered as we walked by the trash if some folks really have no idea that throwing plastic bags, bottles, and cans negatively impact the environment or if they just don't care. Either way, it always sends me in a tailspin - what to do - do I spend the next hour picking up the trash that others left behind??? And honestly, sometimes I am afraid to pick up what's on the ground without one of those pincher sticks and a pair of gloves!
Then I came home and found a great tribute in an email to a company that is trying to do something good for the world. TOMS Shoes, based out of Los Angeles, aims to put a pair of shoes on as many needy children as possible in their "one to one" program, which basically means that the consumer, in effect, purchases two pairs of shoes - one for himself, and one for a needy child. The shoe styles are simple, as is the message, but the impact is profound. Also, they have a line of vegan shoes. Although I would hope that all their shoes would be vegan, at least it is a start. Perhaps you'll find yourself in a pair of TOMS this summer?
Another company with a similar great message is Sustainable Kids, which aims at teaching "responsible consumerism." They have their work cut out for them, for sure! I recently purchased a few items from them - my favorite being the "Eco Warrior" shirt for boys. Perhaps The Well-Rounded Child Green Things Boutique will carry their line in the future! Anyhow, they send you a small box to put things in for needy kids - toothbrushes and the like. The box already has postage on it, so there is no excuse NOT to help out!
Another company I root for is Kids Konserve, which sells waste-free lunch sacks and storage containers. We used ours for my son's entire kindergarten school year with much success! I love that I can send my son "left overs" from dinner the night before, as well as things like salad, pasta, soup - even sushi, and it all remains neatly packed in his little bag. When he comes home, I know exactly how much he has eaten because ALL of the containers come home - they are not thrown in the trash! He loves the stainless steel water bottle that comes with it, too, and the idea that each container has a little surprise in it at lunch time!
One of my most favorite companies is a local one - Green Toys, which is based out of San Francisco, CA. They produce ALL of their toys in the USA! I love them! In 2008 they one the Dr. Toy award, and I'm sure, are winning the hearts of many an eco-family with their 100% recycled plastic toys.
Recently, we attended a birthday party of a little girl, and of course, we shopped in The Well-Rounded Child's Green Things Boutique to find the perfect gift - Green Toys' 27 piece Cookware and Dining Set! The response from the 4-year old little girl was priceless: "Oh, I LOVE it! Now I have dishes for my kitchen." And the grandmother's response: "Will I be invited to tea?" It is an age-old gift, but with a new twist - NO BPAs, no phthalates, and no lead paint! How fabulous is that?!
Eco-consciousness is growing, fortunately, but still there is much work to be done to ensure our chidren - and their children - have a bright, clean future, and a river's edge to enjoy.
Then I came home and found a great tribute in an email to a company that is trying to do something good for the world. TOMS Shoes, based out of Los Angeles, aims to put a pair of shoes on as many needy children as possible in their "one to one" program, which basically means that the consumer, in effect, purchases two pairs of shoes - one for himself, and one for a needy child. The shoe styles are simple, as is the message, but the impact is profound. Also, they have a line of vegan shoes. Although I would hope that all their shoes would be vegan, at least it is a start. Perhaps you'll find yourself in a pair of TOMS this summer?
Another company with a similar great message is Sustainable Kids, which aims at teaching "responsible consumerism." They have their work cut out for them, for sure! I recently purchased a few items from them - my favorite being the "Eco Warrior" shirt for boys. Perhaps The Well-Rounded Child Green Things Boutique will carry their line in the future! Anyhow, they send you a small box to put things in for needy kids - toothbrushes and the like. The box already has postage on it, so there is no excuse NOT to help out!
Another company I root for is Kids Konserve, which sells waste-free lunch sacks and storage containers. We used ours for my son's entire kindergarten school year with much success! I love that I can send my son "left overs" from dinner the night before, as well as things like salad, pasta, soup - even sushi, and it all remains neatly packed in his little bag. When he comes home, I know exactly how much he has eaten because ALL of the containers come home - they are not thrown in the trash! He loves the stainless steel water bottle that comes with it, too, and the idea that each container has a little surprise in it at lunch time!
One of my most favorite companies is a local one - Green Toys, which is based out of San Francisco, CA. They produce ALL of their toys in the USA! I love them! In 2008 they one the Dr. Toy award, and I'm sure, are winning the hearts of many an eco-family with their 100% recycled plastic toys.
Recently, we attended a birthday party of a little girl, and of course, we shopped in The Well-Rounded Child's Green Things Boutique to find the perfect gift - Green Toys' 27 piece Cookware and Dining Set! The response from the 4-year old little girl was priceless: "Oh, I LOVE it! Now I have dishes for my kitchen." And the grandmother's response: "Will I be invited to tea?" It is an age-old gift, but with a new twist - NO BPAs, no phthalates, and no lead paint! How fabulous is that?!
Eco-consciousness is growing, fortunately, but still there is much work to be done to ensure our chidren - and their children - have a bright, clean future, and a river's edge to enjoy.
posted by The Well-Rounded Child at
8:54 PM
1 Comments:
These are great!
I loved reading about your son's creative play...so neat what can appear when no television is near (hey, that rhymes!) I'm feeling like a not very good mom sometimes. I don't feel like I engage Tristan with much. Maybe he's too young. I usually just play a little with him or let him play on his own. I feel like I'm being lazy. I need to step it up but I'm not sure how...! I just don't feel very creative as a mom! Not sure how to get out of this rut. I think I'd be a terrible homeschooler!
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