Green Parent Chicago

Creative Eco Gift Ideas for Everyone On Your List

Still have a few specials things to buy on your holiday gift list? Concerned about making your purchases count toward helping the planet? Not looking to spend on something unnecessary or impractical? Here are my favorite picks to help you check off those last few "to do's" on your list, while being a more mindful consumer.

My favorite cleaning and disinfecting products are those that are safe for children and the environment. Cleanwell products are made from natural ingredients for those times when you really want to do away with the nasties in a non-nasty way. How about a green cleaning basket full? With 30% off it's a great time to try CleanWell cleaning products!  

For the green bookworm, one of my favorite independent publishers is Chelsea Green Publishing - the leading publisher of sustainable living books since 1985. For sustainable living, eco advocacy, environmental politics, homesteading, urban homesteading, gardening and simple living, look no further. For 35% off their entire selection, simply use the code CGS13 at checkout from now until the end of the year.

Chronicle Books is an independent publisher specializing in lifestyle, children's, art, pop culture, and food books. Their selection is so playful, with great titles highlighting the newest trends and showcasing amazing artwork. Whether you're shopping for yourself or others, these books inspire creativity and are just simply fun. These are definitely not just coffee table books! (I especially love their collection of journals for different tastes and interests, like "My Museum" a journal for sketching and collecting your experiences at your favorite museums.) 30% off + FREE shipping at ChronicleBooks.com! Use promo code GETBOOKS

Prefer a one-stop shop for natural and organic products for you and the family? At Abe’s Market, you'll find yummy treats, natural beauty products, gifts for children, gifts for pets, home wares, and fashion. They have a great selection of natural and organic items continually curated by their discerning staff, so you are sure to find something special you might not find anywhere else. Free Shipping on All Purchases over $49 at Abe's Market!

Art supplies you can eat? Yes. Wee Can Too Art Supply makes art products so natural, they're actually edible. What a great idea especially for toddlers! They make paints, crayons, sidewalk chalk, veggie egg paint and more. How cool is that?

How about a little something for yourself or a mama friend? You know being creative is a great way to relieve stress and renew your sense of accomplishment coming into the new year. Craftsy is like a crafty mom's dream: you select a class (cake decorating, knitting, crochet, quilting, digital photography skills, etc.) and you can watch the class whenever you please (hint: when the littles are asleep or occupied) and ask questions of the instructors whenever you need. It truly takes the fear out of beginning new projects and skills.  To get you started with supplies for your next project, check out the Craftsy 80% Off Yarn Flash Sale through 12/16 or the Craftsy 65% Off Fabric Flash Sale through 12/16

Green Kid Crafts makes eco art projects and science discovery projects for kids a breeze with award-winning activity boxes you select for monthly delivery, short term delivery or to purchase individually. Each Discovery Box contains 3 to 4 Creativity Kits, fun extras, extension activities and a 20 plus page themed Green Kid Activity Guide. Shipping is free!

Magic Cabin toys foster imagination and play through drama, art, crafts, outdoor activity and nature. I've been very pleased with the toys we've purchased through them. I have a little nature lover at home, and they have such a great assortment of nature themed items that promote open-ended play. In addition, they have a huge variety of exclusive items for non-plugged in, back to basics, good old-fashioned play. Holiday Savings! $4.99 Shipping on Orders $49+ Use Code: LSMC499

After all the gift giving and receiving is done, let's not forget thank you cards. If you're like me, you sometimes don't manage to send out Christmas or holiday cards on time. But wouldn't it be nice to send an updated photo of the family or kids to say hello and Thank you or Happy New Year to family and friends? I think so.

I've really enjoyed using Simply To Impress for our personalized holiday cards. They offer excellent customer service and their designs are super affordable. So, why not flip through those great candid shots you took this year of the kids and select a few choice ones to show off.  Buy Holiday Cards and Holiday Photo Cards- Save 20% From SimplyToImpress.com!

-Christine

 -This post contains affiliate links for companies that I have partnered with who offer great products that are both useful and ethical. All opinions are my own and I only offer an opinion on products I believe are good for our planet and for people. If you purchase through these links, I receive a small percentage of the sale and this helps me get compensated for my work to bring you Green Parent Chicago on a regular basis. Thank you.

Things to Do Today in Chicago: Instead of hitting the mall

7 Reasons To Go Thrifting For Cheap Stuff

For more information on The Human Cost of Cheap Stuff read this.

Chicago's Upcycled Park: The 606

The newly renamed former Bloomingdale Trail is set to reopen as The 606 in the fall of 2014. Groundbreaking for the soon-to-be reconstructed space will commence this summer.

The trail, which currently consists of abandoned railway lines, will be reborn as a public park with 2.6 miles of elevated "recreational space" running along Bloomingdale Ave. (1800 N), from Ridgeway Ave. (3750 W) on the west to Ashland Ave (1600 W) on the east, through the Bucktown, Wicker Park, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square neighborhoods. The new park will also be linked to 5 ground level parks as well.

Expected to be a haven for bicyclists and pedestrians alike, The 606 will feature gardens, an observatory, a skate park, art installations, bench seating, and overlook sites. Planners estimate that more than 80,000 families, including almost 25,000 children, live within a ten minute walk of The 606.

h/t Chicago Tonight

Learn From Your Neighbors at Learnapalooza 2013

Learnapalooza 2013, an all-day free skillsharing event, will kick off for the year Saturday June 15 in Wicker Park. The event, which consists of free classes for adults, teens, and families, will take place this summer across three Chicago neighborhoods: Wicker Park on June 15, Lakeview on July 20 and Logan Square on September 22.

The mission of the event, organizers say, is to foster "free, creative exploration by providing Chicago neighbors the opportunity to exchange skills."

Classes are lead by volunteers and hosted by local businesses. Previous Learnapalooza offerings have included: bee-keeping, dancing, culinary arts, jewelry-making, Hebrew, backgammon, web design, yoga, wine-making, and guitar.

While classes are geared toward adults, many families do attend with their children. Classes with age restrictions or those geared specifically toward children are noted in the event schedule.

Learnapalooza began in 2009, when co-founders Maggie Schutz and Sarah Press discovered similar projects in other cities and decided to bring the same type of event to Chicago.

 Planning commitee member Katie Leiblein says some of the most popular offerings at Learnapalooza have been dance and movement classes.

"Every year we have different classes, so we see different (and sometimes surprising) favorites," Leiblein explains. "Our most suprising sell-out class was Excel Basics... Everyone loves to try their hand at a new dance or yoga class! My personal favorites (and often well attended), have been bee keeping, worm composting and urban chicken keeping."

For more information, or to register for the line-up of free classes:

http://www.learnapaloozachi.com/

Book Review: Homemade Baby Food The Effortless Way

Parents of infants have an excellent opportunity to introduce healthy eating habits at an early age. By making your own baby food, instead of relying on jarred or boxed varieties, you don't have to doubt that what goes into your baby's tiny tummy is good, wholesome nutrition. 

"Real Smart Baby Food" (ReadFood Doctor Press 2013) is a new book by Lisa Barrangou Ph.D that features a simple method for making homemade baby food using a 3-step process.

Barrangou, a personal chef, has an extensive background in food science and nutrition. Her detailed writing style conveys this experience well. With brilliant full color high definition photographs and over 70 recipes for unique flavor combinations, the book's logical layout makes it an easy read.

The book is divided into 3 sections:

Section 1 provides recommended guidelines for when to begin feeding baby solid food and special consideration of safe food preparation for infants.

Section 2 introduces the "The Real Smart Strategy", which is the core method of making 3 months of homemade baby food in 3 one-hour blocks of time. This section also contains a handy "Flavor Compatibility Chart" with ideas for which fruits and vegetables compliment one another best. 

Section 3 lists recipes and ideas for combining puree recipes, as well as advice on shopping for and storing whole foods.

Bonus chapters include detailed information on nutrients and a handy conversion chart.

"Real Smart Baby Food" is a parent-friendly guide to making a 3 month supply of fresh, homemade baby food in 3 one-hour blocks of time.

Available in print and Kindle edition: http://realsmartbabyfood.com/

-Christine

-photo credit: Lisa Barrangou

 

Open Streets Chicago: A No Cars Allowed Party in the Street for All Ages

Ever wanted to take a nap in the middle of State Street? Me, neither. But, this weekend you'll get the chance to do this and much more at Open Streets Chicago. From chillin' on a "pop-up lawn" to testing your skills on a climbing wall or a mobile skate park, making chalk drawings, playing human tic-tac-toe or taking a two wheel spin with a free hour-long bike rental, there will be plenty of activities for all ages at Open Streets Chicago. 

The first of two separate events will take place in the Loop on State Street and Monroe Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The second will take place on Sept. 16 in Wicker Park/Bucktown on Milwaukee Avenue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance, the Chicago Loop Alliance and the Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, as well as local and regional businesses, the event aims to promote community culture, safe, car-free public space, and provide a chance for families to experience the city in a new way.

For more information and a schedule of activities on State Street this weekend click here: http://openstreetschicago.org/loop/activities/

For more information and a schedule of activities on Milwaukee Avenue Sept. 16 click here:
http://openstreetschicago.org/wpb/schedule/ 

-Christine

Earth Hour 2012 tonight!

Earth Hour is tonight at 8:30 p.m. Will you be taking part? My family and I usually take some time to participate and turn off and unplug all the electronics we can (except the fridge), light some candles and have a special treat, snack or dessert and tell stories or as my daughter likes to do: perform impromptu works of theatre or read out loud. How will you be spending the time?

-Christine

 

Spring is in the air, time to get your ride on at the Chicago Bike Swap

Today is sunny and warm and we just can't help but have spring fever. What better way to enjoy the coming warmth than to support planet friendly transportation in the city while trading your old bike for a new one at the Chicago Bike Swap.

This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Chicago Bike Swap will take place at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse. Event organizers promise "more than 50 bike shops, merchants, nonprofits and individuals offering deals on bikes, parts, events and gear."

Here is a sampling of what you'll find at the event: demos and presentations on topics such as family biking and winter bike commuting, bike-themed games and activities, discounted registration for upcoming bike events and food and beverages available for purchase.

Admission to the Chicago Bike Swap is $5 for Active Transportation Alliance members and $10 for nonmembers. Kids 12 and under enter for free. To sell or swap a bike, attendees pay admission plus $5 per bike (limit three bikes).

Proceeds from the Chicago Bike Swap will benefit the Active Transportation Alliance, Chicago Bike Winter and the Chainlink.

 

Taste and Learn at Garfield Park Conservatory's Tropical Treat Nights

For two evenings this month, the Garfield Park Conservatory will welcome visitors to taste and learn about the naturally sweet tropical plants that have given us history's favorite flavors.

On Wednesday, February 8 and Wednesday, February 15 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. fact and flavor stations will be staffed by educators throughout the Conservatory featuring displays about chocolate, chicle, vanilla, cinnamon, chewing gum, banana and more.

Additional activities for kids include:

•Interactive Tropical Tunes by children's music performer Sandy Lucas. Sandy will lead an interactive sing-n-dance-n-jam along concert in Horticulture Hall

•Hands-on activities, including homemade paper ukuleles, tissue paper leis, Valentine’s day cards and more

•Soil Digging Station and “Sweet Read” Book Nook in the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden

In addition, a special chocolate-tasting lounge, free to members and $5 for visitors will be available in the Community Room during event hours with a self-guided chocolate “taste test” quest, self-serve hot cocoa bar, candy-themed board games, a drawing to win a sweet-themed gift basket and more.

•Sweet Talks at the Conservatory Series will be held in conjunction with Tropical Treat Nights, featuring  talks highlighting the botany, chemistry and cultural history of some of the sweetest plants. Pre-registration online is encouraged to reserve your spot for this series of talks. The $5 suggested donation per talk will be collected at the door (the talks are free for GPCA Members).

-photo credit, onezzzart, flickr