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Mother's Day Green Gift Guide for New Moms

Our MVO team is almost entirely moms so we put together a guide for things we would have loved when we were new to motherhood. A little luxury, a little practical and always focused on what’s safe for moms, our families and mother earth.

Perfect for Nursing Moms

New moms will love this organic cotton piece sourced from our Marin Neighbors, Embodies. Wear it as a dress or as a tunic and you are guaranteed to be complimented on your style. Buttons in front are perfect for nursing moms.

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Study Turns the Spotlight on Green Sunscreens

A recent article appearing in Forbes magazine draws upon a peer-reviewed study just published in Environmental Health Perspectives. The study, funded by the Silent Spring Institute, reports that an alarming number of chemicals found in personal care products don’t make it onto their lists of ingredients. The investigation included a surprising category —sunscreens and “alternative” sunscreens. The study says:

"Fragranced products – including air fresheners, dryer sheets, and perfume – and sunscreens, had the largest number of target chemicals and some of the highest concentrations. In addition to the labeled ingredients, alternative sunscreens contained up to 7 target chemicals that were unlabeled, including estrogenic UV filters. The alternative sunscreen with the highest number of target chemicals was a product marketed for babies, children, and sensitive adults."

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Green Holiday Gifts Guide: For Home and Pet Lovers

In the last of our Green Holiday Gifts Guide, we asked our CEO, Hillary Peterson and Founder, Marie Veronique what is on their own holiday wish list.  No surprise to the team, Hillary chose eco-friendly gifts for the home and Marie highlighted green gifts for pet lovers and their furry family members.

For the Home

Recycled Nautical Sails

Reclaim, Reuse, Reycle: Reiter8. This pillow is made from upcycled sail boat sails! Add a little sail to your sofa! These accent pillows add an instant dash of nautical style to any setting; they are great for nursery, kids rooms, beach house, boat house or house boat!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/reiter8?section_id=5146749

Eco-Iron Green Cookware

Heirloom-quality enameled cast iron is an exceptional value any way you look at it: it’s chemical free and will not leach into food and it’s built to last. Stovetop to oven-safe, it is suitable for use with any heat source, requires no seasoning and is easy to clean.

http://www.napastyle.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=4392

MadMats for the Outdoors

Made of recycled polypropylene (plastic) these mats are perfect for porches, decks, and patio areas. Unlike most outdoor mats, attractively designed Mad Mats are made from high-grade recycled polypropylene from sources such as water bottles and plastic milk and soda bottles and and other kinds of packaging. Popular for their classic style and modern usage, they can be put anywhere around the house, inside or out.

http://www.outdoorrugsonly.com/mad_mats-outdoor-rugs.asp

Viva Terra Gifts Under $50

Viva Terra is a favorite place for green, eco-friendly loving home lovers.  Everything they carry from furniture to home accessories to women's gifts is chosen for its style and environmental impact.  You'll also find many unique gift ideas for every day of the year.

http://www.vivaterra.com/gifts-1/under-50

For Pet Lovers

Organic Catnip Cotton Sushi Toys

A roll, sashimi and wasabi! All seasoned with catnip. Om nom nom. Now your cat can haz sushi. This listing is for three individual sushi toys! Three > one. Made with certified 100% organic catnip.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72897441/sushi-cat-toy-catnip-sashimi-crochet

National Wildlife Foundation: Adopt a Lemur

Ring-tailed lemurs are primates native to the African island country of Madagascar. The dry forest habitat that they depend on for survival is rapidly vanishing. Ring-tailed lemurs can easily be identified by their long, striped, black-and-white tail. Unlike some other primate cousins, ring-tailed lemurs use their tails for balance but can't grasp with them. Instead, they use their hands and feet to move through the trees. Adopt a lemur today.

http://www.shopnwf.org/Adoption-Center/Adopt-a-Lemur/index.cat

Cycle Dogs  Recycled Collars

Cycle Dogs are collars, leashes and other dog lover accessories made from recycled bicycle tubes. The goal at Cycle Dog is to create the world's best dog products with a focus on the environment and to raise awareness of the millions of bike tubes thrown into landfills every year. Cycle Dog products are proudly made and tested in Portland, Oregon.

http://cycledog.com/index.html   Read more »

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HuffPost Green Feature: Nanoparticles and Your Health

The Huffington Post has featured another contributed article from our CEO, Hillary Peterson, exploring the reality of nanoparticles, assessing your health risks and why you should care about the growing industry of nanotechnology.  

Here's a highlight from the article:

"You may assume, as I did, that the FDA is actively regulating substances such as nanoparticles. Unfortunately, this is not the case. I have had the privilege of meeting several top scientists who have helped me to understand that one of the greatest issues with consumer products today is that they are often made without regard for the precautionary principle, allowing manufacturers to use ingredients that are not proven harmful rather than only allowing the use of ingredients that have been proven safe. To make matters worse, many consumers are not aware that nanoparticles exist in many of their everyday products. My goal is to help ensure a spotlight is placed on nanoparticles so that you understand what they are and where they are. This will allow you to assess your health risk, shift your buying habits, and send a message to manufacturers that until they are proven safe, we would rather not expose ourselves or our families to nanoparticles." 

Read the full article:  Nanoparticles: Assessing Your Health Risk and Why You Should Care 

Hillary is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post Green section, you can read her articles here. 

If you're a regular HuffPost reader, be sure to connect with Hillary! 

 Image source.

  Read more »

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Green Holiday Gifts Guide: Eco Kids and Teens

Finding gifts for your kids and teens that are also eco-friendly, sustainable and stylish used to be a difficult task.  The times are changing, as more companies, designers and local groups understand the next generations love for all things eco.  

We asked green teens from Southern California, "What is on your wish list this holiday season?" Here's what we found on their wish lists.

Helveticus Lap Top Sleeve

Helveticus accessories and bags are made from 100% recycled, vintage Swiss army blankets. They are not only fashionable, but durable with a classic, vintage feel.

The lap top sleeve provides stylish protection for your teens Macbook and PC laptops.

Lucy and Mei Mona Organic Cotton Dress

Lucy and Mei makes 100% organic clothing for babies, boys and girls. Their online boutique is packed full with organic clothes made for every age group.

Their popular Mona organic cotton dress is absolutely adorable and versatile, perfect for a more dressed up day or casual.

Alter Eco Clothing Upcycled Shirts

Alter Eco Clothing, on Etsy, offers a teen fashion that is unique, edgy and eco-friendly.  Most are upcycled and recycled classics from pop culture's past.

A top pick included the Kurt Cobain Upcycled Hoodie shirt, made from a vintage look Kurt Cobain t-shirt and hoodie.

Polli Babushka Pendants

Polli is an amazing sustainable company in Australia founded by Maja Rose and Tess Lloyd in 1999.  Their line includes earrings, pendants, brooches, cufflinks and more.

Sweet Polli is a line of pendants for girls and teens, made from sustainable plantation grown hoop ply pine.  Did we mention adorable.  Shipping is surprisingly affordable.

Contexture Coffee Cuff

Contexture creates sustainable items that have form and function. Their products are all made from sustainable materials and simply unique.

The Coffee Cuff has form and function.  My daughter's friends love it for their Starbuck's tea and wear it as a sustainable fashion statement.

Dandelion Day Dreaming Organic Beanie

Dandelion Day Dreaming offers custom crocheted items made from 100% organic cotton.  From beanies to baby items, each is handmade and cute as a button.

The Dandelion organic cotton beanie is a must have for teen girls. Available in various, soft colors and in different styles.

Fluf Lunch Bags

Fluf offers safe and sustainable lunch bags with style. They have different styles to suit girls and teens alike.  Each is made from 100% certified organic cotton and are free of BPA, Lead or other harmful chemicals.

Teens love to make a statement, Fluf's new "Lunch" bag is a perfect statement.  My daughter takes her organic, vegetarian lunch in her Fluf bag.

Everyday Sheer Coverage

And of course, we couldn't forget our current obsession, our Everyday Sheer Coverage.  We both love the sun protection, sheer coverage and the condition of her skin when using it every day. The next generation is all about form and function, requiring sustainability that is also stylish.  These eco gifts make perfect stocking stuffers too.

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