– Reusable paper bags. Whether Christmas themed or plain, ol’ brown, reusable paper bags are a great and easy way to wrap your gifts this season. Toss in your gift, maybe some old shredded paper, add a bow and voila!

– Newspaper, old magazines, all that junk mail! Is your friend a penny-pincher? Wrap their gift in junk mail coupons! Or use articles and ads featuring your recipient’s favorite celebrity or news features. Kids will love receiving gifts wrapped in the Sunday comics!

– Outdated maps, posters, and calendars – No longer a fan of that 80′s band whose poster you have rolled up in storage? About to throw away all the 2009 calendars in your house? Use them as gift wrap for a one-of-a-kind, reusable look! Gather any other papers lying around your house and about to go into the recycling bin and wrap your gifts in them!

– Fabric – You can use old fabric from that pillow you never started or from that beautiful roll on sale at the fabric store. It’s more durable than wrapping paper and you can encourage your recipient to reuse to fabric either as a cloth napkin or as gift wrap next year!

– Reusable tote bags – Reusable totes are everywhere and being sold at the cheapest prices. Have a friend who still insists on plastic bags? Wrap their gift in a reusable tote or checkout the Baggu reusable bag: it holds up to 50 lbs and is easy to use as gift wrap.

How cute are these?

– Food jars & boxes – Instead of throwing out your empty cereal box or the jar from last night’s pasta sauce, put your gift in there, close the box, and wrap it in some ribbon!

– Your children’s masterpieces – Cut open grocery store paper bags or department store bags, wrap your gift with the blank side facing out, and let your kids be O’Keefe or Picasso and decorate the box. They can decorate with stamps, stickers, markers or soy crayons.

– Bows and more – Get creative with the bows by curling newspaper or sewing together ribbon scraps. Gather pine cones or leaves from your backyard and add them to the gift for a beautiful, natural touch!

Have a very merry holiday!

They invited me to join them to talk about being green in the home and how to involve your children in caring for the environment. We chatted about ways to get kids to be more eco-friendly at home and at school, as well as easy waste-free lunches, cleaning supplies and more. Would love for you to check it out and let us know what you think – here or on Facebook.

The LA Times recently published a good overview article on the EV market, “Consumer Guild to Electric Vehicles.” As with any car purchase, many factors come into play including price, driving range, size requirements, etc.

Gerry with his new Nissan Leaf

Recently I chatted with my friend Gerry about his purchase of the Nissan Leaf, and the pros and cons of driving an EV. I’m most amazed to see that Gerry — who stands at a tall 6 feet 7 inches — thinks the new car is plenty roomy. And with an entry price point of $32,000, it might be a deal worth considering.

the greenbeanie: What is your favorite thing about the Leaf?

Gerry: My favorite thing about the Leaf is the car’s technology. It amazes me that the same batteries that power my laptop are propelling me around the city. The integration of my iPhone with the car is seamless – I can control the phone from my steering wheel.  Voice activation, navigation, bluetooth and remaining fuel updates are items that can be found on many cars but they have an intuitiveness in the Leaf that I haven’t experienced elsewhere.

The electric motor in the Leaf has a much different feel than an internal combustion engine. The transmission doesn’t shift like a normal car partly because I don’t think it has a transmission. It climbs hills with an assuredness and the torque that is available is really impressive. I drive 90% of the time in ECO mode that limits the power to a degree in favor of greater range but when I want extra power for entering a freeway the regular “drive” mode has ample amounts of it!

The application on my iPhone allows me to check on the status of the Leaf. I can control charging times from the phone as well as receive texted reminders should I forget to charge. I can even have the car turn on the AC prior to my getting in or heat it up on a cold day.

My workplace doesn’t currently have a “fast charger” but I plug into a regular outlet when I arrive in the morning after a 22 mile commute, and it is refilled before lunch.

This EV can be charged two ways - with a regular 120V outlet or a fast charger.

The greenbeanie: I think the Leaf might have a new spokesperson! What made you want an electric car?

Gerry: A couple of reasons. Much of my time driving around Los Angeles is during rush hour traffic in which I hardly get above 15 mph. I drove a Toyota Prius prior to the Leaf and enjoyed when the car would run on battery power. It felt like I was saving money as well as not contributing to the smog. After researching the Leaf I realized that I could experience that feeling on a regular basis.

Another reason for getting involved with an EV is the sense of being involved with an intelligent movement. I like the idea of helping to move society in a helpful and responsible way.

The greenbeanie: You are definitely an early adopter and that’s great. What’s your least favorite thing about an EV?

Gerry: My least favorite aspect of the EV experience has been the number of people trying to overly profit from this technology. A company wanted $2200 to install my charger (which my electrician did for about $500) and the dealership tacked on $4,000 to the price of the vehicle. It’s a shame that these people are adding another roadblock in the way of ushering in this technology on a large scale.

Many thanks to Gerry for providing his perspective on the EV. The Sierra Club is hosting “National Plug-in Day” on Sunday, Oct. 16^th with local events around the Country so be sure to check that out.  Do you have an experience with an EV or an opinion? Let us know here or on Facebook.

There is even a “National Costume Swap Day” this Saturday and this site will give you all the tips if you want to participate. But don’t feel overwhelmed about organizing a big event; putting together a swap can be as easy as sending out an email or a Facebook post to friends. Put a bin on your porch and ask folks to drop off a costume and pick one up. Organize an afternoon playdate and tell your friends to bring their old costumes that they are no longer using.  Leftover costumes can be donated to a local shelter or a preschool’s dress-up bin.

There is a Los Angeles Costume Swap this Sunday at the Mar Vista Farmer’s Market and there is a calendar here listing more swaps around the Country. What ideas do you have for putting a little “green” in your Halloween?

nicobella's Maple-Nut Munch is yum yum

Summer is over and school has started…and I have been debating a new blog topic. I have several “back-to-school” blogs from years past and thought about a round-up of green school supplies and waste-free lunch products that I should be doing. But I can’t quit staring at the empty nicobella maple-nut munch chocolate package that I gobbled up this spring. I saved the wrapper and promised myself that I would share this delicious treat with you all. So back to school and the to-do list will have to wait.

At the Women of the Green Generation conference back in May, I met a darling entrepreneur named Nichole Dandrea who had launched a line of vegan dark chocolate. As I sampled her tasty morsels of chocolate, I fell in love! Who could feel guilty about eating chocolate when it contained fair trade ingredients, antioxidants and wholesome nuts? Nicobella offers dark chocolate truffles and nut “munch” chocolates as well. I recommend a sampler so you can find your favorite (mine is Maple Nut Munch).

It’s always fun to find a new treat that you want to share with your friends. I’m thinking about what great teacher gifts and holiday gifts the sampler packs would make so I might get this checked off my list early since I can order online.

Do you have a favorite healthier indulgence that you recommend? Let us know!

Have a happy fall, y’all. Best, Caroline

A note about GreenBeanie – While I continue to blog, speak to groups, and provide advice for green living, I have migrated my blog to a new site. If you have any topics for future blogs, I would love to hear from you. And, please continue to visit on Facebook.

This is that time of year when I start scrambling to figure out the final plan for summer. How many camps and activities will the kids do? How much hang time should we have? Will I really plan activities and will they really get their “play” time to be creative and unscheduled?

I keep going back to what my friend Kate said, “Just get the kids outside and connect with nature.”

Kate is a SoCal mom currently working in education research. Before kids, she was a naturalist in northern California and then served as the director of the Maryland Association for Environmental Education. She told me that the best job she ever had was being outside teaching kids about the natural world. I have been lucky enough to serve on our school’s Green Team with Kate for the last 3 years and I witnessed her popular nature games in action at our Earth Day celebration in April.

Kate commented on my last blog about being a green mom and struggling with green guilt. Her comments stuck with me so much that I thought they were worthy of their own blog post:

“I have a positive and fun way to approach this issue …what we can do as mothers to address the environmental challenges that face us. Simply go outside with your kids! Enjoy and learn about nature. I try as much as possible to encourage my children to respect and appreciate the natural environment.

The more connected children feel to their natural surroundings, the more motivated they become to protect and respect it. Especially in the very young, research has proven time outdoors is extremely beneficial for cognitive functioning, reduced symptoms of attention deficit disorder, increased self-discipline and emotional well-being. In addition, studies have shown children who have direct experience in nature have higher levels of environmental concern, appreciation for the environment and positive feels about conservation.

Moms can help by educating the next generation in environmental awareness. If you are lucky enough to live in Los Angeles, a great place to start is the Audubon Center at Debs Park. It is a hidden treasure.  My kids have spent countless hours there making mud pies, building shelters, and looking for critters in the pond. My visits there have proven to be not only enjoyable, but we always leave with a renewed enthusiasm for “helping to make the world a better place.”

Lucy and Sam on a nature hike

I hope you have a great summer and have a chance to get outside and enjoy nature with your kids. I think we all should “drink the wild air” a little more.  Any suggestions or comments? I would love to hear from you here or on Facebook. Happy summer!!

Jessica Iclisoy, Anna Getty and I at WOTGG. photo credit: Tamara Henry

Saturday was a great day to get my “green groove” on at the Women of the Green Generation conference in Los Angeles. The conference, founded by Kris Willey, brought together nearly 300 women (and a few good men!) to discuss topics ranging from honing your business marketing and utilizing your utmost creativity to the future of sustainability and personalizing the green movement. The event was hosted at Marrakesh House, an amazing and beautiful eco-friendly property owned by Chris Paine, creator of the documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

I participated in a panel discussion moderated by my friend Jennifer Grayson called “It’s Not Easy Being Green When You’re a Mom (Or Is It?).” I felt so lucky to participate in the discussion with esteemed panelists and green divas, Anna Getty and Jessica Iclisoy. Anna is an author and environmental activist who founded Pregnancy Awareness Month (PAM), contributes to numerous magazines, and is the mother of two. Jessica is the founder of California Baby, a line of natural and non-toxic skin products (including my favorite sunscreen), and a true greenie at heart.

Granted, we were at a conference of women who already drink the kool-aid of green living, but the discussion points for the Green Mom panel resonate with all moms that struggle with balancing green living and what works for your family. And that was the key point of our talk — there is a personal  balance for all mothers and families. Weighing eco-choices, cost factors, convenience, and health and safety can cause a good deal of eco-angst and guilt for everyone. No one is perfect and we all have the right to make our own decisions about healthy living.

In my house, saving energy and eating (mostly) organically are easier choices. And we have made the effort to walk to school most days this year. However, I haven’t given up my minivan and I still drink Diet Coke. Some choices are easier than others, and there’s always another green goal to add to my list. What we all agreed upon during the panel talk is that we are OVER our green guilt and we acknowledge that working with our kids to make green choices – however small they may seem – will help the greater good. We are all women of the green generation, so what’s on your list these days? Would love to hear from you here or on Facebook.

According to the Birmingham News, the death toll in Alabama alone is 236. Thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed by what is being called one of the deadliest storms on record in the Southeast. President Obama visited Tuscaloosa last Friday and has pledged Federal aid for the area. The President stated, “I’ve never seen devastation like this.”

President Obama tours Tuscaloosa on 4/29

There has been an amazing amount of online organization to meet the various local needs and match volunteers with areas as thousands have lost their homes, transportation and all personal possessions.

But what can we do from afar? As people compare this region’s devastation to Hurricane Katrina, we should remember that supporting key relief agencies through financial contributions is probably the most effective way for us to help. The United Way, Red Cross and the Salvation Army are all on the ground in the region so please consider contributing to one of these organizations.

Appie Milsaps, a local lawyer and volunteer, said that financial donations are encouraged for remote supporters, instead of shipping supplies, and that the Mayor’s office has set up the Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund for tax-deductible contributions to the community.  She said that pre-paid cell phones are needed desperately for displaced persons. In addition, there is tons of good hardwood that could be repurposed for furniture and building wood if they receive help for these tasks.

I also talked with another volunteer on the ground there, Elizabeth Stanard, a Tuscaloosa native that has put together a blog called Tuscaloosa Tornado Donations to compile the various donation needs and efforts.  And we can’t forget our four-legged friends, which are often displaced or abandoned in times of crisis so consider the Humane Society as well.

My heart and prayers go out to the victims of this terrible ordeal. Please consider joining me in helping the communities of the South get back on their feet.  Best, Caroline

To be honest, I was completely disappointed with the showing of vendors and attendees. Granted, Friday is the “B-to-B” day, so I’m hoping that they had more consumer foot traffic as the event continued over the weekend. However, there were several fantastic vendors that were right up my green alley, so here are a few of the highlights:

Dixie sniffs her approval for Smart Dog Jerky

Bow Wow  — Smart Dog Jerky – Brand new company offering all natural beef jerky treats for animals (but safe enough for humans – I had to take the chicken jerky away from my kids!). Hopefully coming to your local pet shop soon or you can purchase online. Dixie loved the jerky as much as Sam and Lucy!

Let’s Lunch — Re-Pac – New offering for the waste-free lunch market, this time with a handy zipper. The owner claims that her bags hold moisture-rich foods without getting you or the foods soggy. Can also be used as a travel bag or to hold anything. Wrap-N-Mat – One of my all-time faves for wasteless lunch products. New small snack size bags now available, and all fold out as handy placemats and for easy cleaning.

Fab, eco-friendly purses from Fibre Arts Design

Bag It – Fell in love with the handbags from Fibre Arts Design. Made in Northern California using faux leather and faux fur; they are hip, green and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Also worth checking out are Fuzzy Green Monster for adorable organic baby clothes and the notecards from Mr. Ellie Pooh. Who knew elephant poop could be so trendy?

Are you and your family doing anything to celebrate Earth Day? Let us know here, or on GreenBeanie’s Facebook page.

Petrolatum - a byproduct discovered on oil rigs. Eww.

Do we really want to slather petroleum byproduct on our bodies? Petrolatum (aka  petroleum jelly, Vaseline, et al) is not a moisturizer but a barrier….a barrier that clogs pores and prevents skin from breathing. Mineral oil is an equally evil cousin of petrolatum, and traps dirt under the skin (avoid at all costs on your face or risk major breakouts!). Petrolatum was first discovered as a paraffin-like substance on oil rigs in the 1850s and was used to treat burns and heal the skin.

As they say on the Booda Butter site, “What goes ON you, goes IN you!” which is so true. So why not think about a better natural alternative for your lotions and potions?  Organic coconut oil, almond oil and shea butter, to name a few, don’t clog your pores. They are derived from food substances in nature, not oil (yes, also “from nature”).

But why should we avoid Vaseline? According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and other sources,

Petrolatum sits on the skin surface and may “suffocate” the skin by forming an oil film. May aggravate acne and slow down skin function, resulting in premature ageing. May be contaminated with cancer-causing PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).

Natural moisturizers are 100% pure and safe for you and your little ones.

And, petrolatum is listed as a probable human carcinogen in the European Union’s Dangerous Substances Directive (UNECE 2004) because of these contaminants. Wait, PAHs and other contaminants can be found in Vaseline? That’s both scary and disgusting.

Do you have a favorite natural moisturizer that makes your skin feel soft and silky? Let us know here or comment on our Facebook page.

(Booda Butter is one of many natural alternatives on the market. GreenBeanie was not paid or asked to promote this product.)