Being a Green Shopper
In order to become a sucessful eco-shopper, you need some tools. Websites have become my tools for bargain hunting, and great finds. Things to look for when shopping are; products made out of recycled materials, or eco-friendly materials such as hemp, organic cotton, anything that has been made from something pure with no added pesticides or chemicals really. In looking for furniture, you should use that same pricnicples as food, natural, organic and free of chemicals. An easy way to start is by going toxin-free, avoiding polybrominated diphenyl ethers (flame retardants that can be harmful to developing brains) and resins and glues containing carcinogenic formaldehyde and other neurotoxic, and volatile organic compounds. Same with Matresses, where conventional ones can be extreememly bad for your health, organic, natural ones are comfortable and won't be realeasing toxins in to your body at night. Although I have some good resources to find bargains on eco-friendly matresses, if you can afford it, just buy an organic/natural matress cover that will block some of those harmful off-gases from penetrating. In addition, buying a used matress that looks clean, is also a good alternative as most of the chemicals have already left the bagging area, if you know what I mean. For furniture, go to your local artisan fair and commission an artisan to make a piece for you, or look at antique shops, thrift shops and any good resale furnishings outlet...great buys, less toxic. Anyway, good luck, and I hope I am of some help!
ecomama
BUDGET WEB SHOPPING!
Here are some great budget websites I found, check them out and find some great stuff for your family (and guess what, you will actually be able to afford it!)
Mamas Baby
A natural parenting website providing a full range of cloth diapers and potty training supplies, a nice assortment of organic clothing for your newborn, natural toys, natural skin care, pregnancy and nursing supplies, wool blankets and even baby gift baskets. They also have Baby cribs/bassinet, Custom Futons in Organic Cotton and Hemp, $55, and the White Lotus Crib Mattress for $300.
Look for the ‘specials’ link on the top of the page for sale items.
Alternative Baby
Cloth diapers, Organic fitted diapers, Organic Training Pants, Tiny Hinnie diaper covers, Organic Cloth Wipes, Diaper Bags, Organic Baby Bedding, Slings, Baby Carriers, Ergo carrier, “Organic grown” clothing and Wooden Toys, like the wooden “Heart Clacker” for $8.50. All good prices!
Modernseed.com
This is a great website full of eco furniture for kids, adults, home accessories and kids clothing, and 5% of their profits go to UNICEF. They have a modern seed outlet link and a sale link where you can find great modern eco friendly deals for the parents on a budget. Playhouse kit made out of recycled cardboard that your kids can color on the outside, only $49.
www.modernseed.com/instsaforpiu.html
Romp Store
I love this website!! From wooden toys, to unique multi-use furniture for the kids, to home goods for the whole family, all at exceptional values, this is a great website for us eco-parents on a budget. Like the cutest wooden kitchen set, only $38!!!
Natural Play
Natural toys for baby, toddler, kids, and even games for adults. This is a very affordable website of non-toxic wooden and educational toys as well! Features art supplies, musical instruments, blocks, baby toys, and felting, weaving and knitting supplies.
Hugg -A-Planet
Find great Organic Cotton stuffed animals for as low as $15, all products are made with recycled materials whenever and wherever feasible and using organically or sustainable produced materials.
Maggies Organics
You may have scene these products in stores such as Wild Oats and other Health food stores, this is a very budget friendly 100% organic & fair trade clothing company. From babies and kids, to lounge wear, and socks, tights and tee’s. The have a “irregular Closeouts” link and a “sale” link. But even without being on sale, the prices on these clothes are very affordable.
Sandy Summit Wood Swing Set
A great set for small spaces quick setups and lots of fun! Includes high rail wave slide cedar rock wall lower sandbox 6 inch swing beam 1 cedar glider 1 belt swing 1 acrobatic swing multi-colored canopy and a sturdy wood stake anchor system for safety. . Factory applied environmentally friendly stain.
If you look on Amazon.com you can find a nice one for as little as $350. Just type in 'Wooden Swing Set by Willy Goat'.
Best Price Toys
This website has Melissa & Doug products at a nice discount, Swing sets, bike and trikes (even a wood bicycle), art supplies and easels, wooden play kitchens and accessories, train sets and train tables, and much more…all at a discount.
Another great place I found was TJ Maxx, which actually has Melissa & Doug toys, as well as other non-toxic and wooden toys, at a deep discount! Check it out!
So MAMAS get out there (in cyberspace) and start Shopping!
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