Category Archives: environment

Teachers appreciate reusable, practical gifts

Posted on by Verde Mom

What should I buy for my child’s teacher this holiday?  How about something they can use over and over for years to come?  What about a ‘green gift’, a practical gift they can use everyday?

"Teacher Appreciation" featured phot...

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Teachers love all your holiday presents, but when you multiply the number of years teaching by the number of children in their classrooms, don’t you think they are overwhelmed by the amount of stuff they acquire?

I imagine teachers may be tired of getting 20-25 unwanted ‘what nots’, toxic soaps and lotions, candles, picture frames and refrigerator magnets every year.  What would they really love to get?  Well, I asked a few teachers and thought I’d share!

I have compiled a list below of my customer/teacher’s favorite FIVE items, all available for sale online right at Verde Mom’s website, just click here to shop, from $9.95 to $23.00, they are the best price points for gifts.

These are not only functional gifts, they are fashionable and affordable too!

1.  Organic Eye Pillow –
My son’s teacher fights with her husband over her eye pillow each night!
These are beautiful Organic Cotton, Hemp and Silk pillows filled with organic flax seed and lavender buds. Lavender is used in aromatherapy to induce relaxation. Combined with the light pressure, these eye pillows can help release stress and tension. Sleep with the eye pillow next to you for a deep relaxing sleep or put it in the fridge to cool and help with headaches.  A big seller, and great stocking stuffer for only $14.95!

 

2.  Bamboo utensil set with organic cotton holder - In the U.S., we toss out enough plastic utensils
every year to circle the equator 300 times. Teachers will love to keep this adorable bamboo utensil set in their purse and use them again and again. Bamboo is actually a grass that grows to a harvestable height in 3 to 5 years.  The utensils come in a certified organic cotton container sewn by a local seamstress, in Northern California…all this for a gift they will use everyday, for only $12.95!

3.  Reusable Eco-Cup with organic cotton thermal sleeve  This is the coolest cup! It looks like a disposable paper cup but it’s so much hipper. Unlike bulky thermoses, this cup fits perfectly in your hands and cup holders just like the disposable type. The silicone lid and cup wash up beautifully in the dishwasher. Holds 16 ounces. Make a fashion
statement by choosing one of our organic cotton thermal sleeves as an accompanying gift! Great Gift Pair – Eco Cup ($9.95) with Thermal Sleeve ($22.90 total)

4.  Reusable Produce Bags – Recycled bottles made into a Pouch that contains 5 sturdy mesh bags – Each mesh bag can easily carry 8 lbs •Less than 1 oz – won’t add weight to the scale •Transparent – produce can be easily identified at the check-out stand • Wash and store produce in bag •Fruit and vegetables last longer •Can be used for bulk items as well: nuts, grains, oats, cereals, etc •Machine Washable - Set of 5 for Only $16.95

 

5.  Organic cotton squares – Anyone still using disposable cotton balls will LOVE our reusable, organic,
unbleached  Organic Cotton Squares. Made of super-soft, luxurious organic cotton, these reusable cotton squares are the perfect option to replace disposables. They’re as good for your skin as they are for the planet. Made in the USA and only $10.95 for a pouch with 10 squares in it.


Welcome to Verde Mom’s Eco-Journey!

Posted on by Verde Mom

Thank you for visiting Verde Mom, a mother and concerned American citizen just trying to make a difference…leave a legacy…and help others to do the same!

Read about Verde Mom’s journey here, where she came from and how she’s building a better future.

How Can Verde Mom help ME?Verde Mom Logo with butterfly on earth  By offering:

  • Free personalized Eco-Consultations for  healthier homes and families, customized plan for your needs.
  • Eco-Education and tips on helping the environment in practical ways
  • Recycling resources and 365+ daily blog tips on how and where to discard common household items
  • Easy ways to “Help your neighbor, help your earth”
  • USDA Certified Organic household cleaners that help mitigate asthma and allergies in your home. Charlotte NC Earth Friendly Products and Charlotte NC Green Products Available
  • Chartreuse’s genuine, certified organic Non-Toxic Face Care and Non Toxic Body Care with all ingredients proudly disclosed. Verde Mom is your Source for all your Charlotte NC Non-Toxic Products
    Chartreuse Logo
  • Money saving tips with reusable options such as shopping bags, produce bags and sandwich/snack bags
  • Education on how to avoid toxins, live healthier and save the planet!
  • Official seal of the National Organic Program

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Journey to Haiti 2011

Posted on by Verde Mom

I was honored to visit Haiti this summer and had the most amazing trip.  I started out quite scared, uncomfortable and anxious.  After just a couple of days, I released all fears and just embraced the few comforts we were afforded.  The truth was, those few comforts were luxuries to the Haitians, and I felt guilty indulging in 3 meals a day, fresh water and a semi-functioning port-a-potty.

Here is a short video of some of the trip, with an introduction of how the journey affected me.  It’s a personal message I shared with my church (Kinetic Church) and the first time I spoke about the trip.  After 12 days, I still found it hard to discuss my trip without sharing tears at the same time.  Haiti has so many problems and challenges, it’s hard to know where to start and how to help.  The feelings I had were overwhelming and still weigh hard on my heart.  Here is a glimpse of my journey:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwG60CbIHAc&w=560&h=345]

If you are interested in helping the poorest country in the world, I now personally know folks there, which is especially important in Haiti.  They are worthy, trustworthy and doing amazing things that actually enable the local people to learn trades and help each other.  Farsight Christian Ministries, led by Levern Halstead (www.fcminc.org), take NO administrative fees, so 100% of your donations directly help the Haitians with new houses, helpful trades and education, medical attention and even a pair of goats!  Tell them Verde Mom sent you…you, too, will be blessed by being a part of this amazing organization!

Solar highways could replace utility companies

Posted on by Verde Mom
Sun shining

Compliments of Freefoto.com

Imagine a world where there were no power lines.  Therefore, we never had power outages or downed electrical lines.  Where no coal was needed to be burned for energy. No nuclear power plants were needed.  No need to deplete our precious fossil fuels or drill in our oceans. In fact, we may not even receive a power BILL.  How could all that be possible?

Think of the one source that is unlimited, unmatched, more powerful than anything in the Universe. The Sun!  The mega light.  The source of life for all living things.  An incredible 10,000 degrees (Fahrenheit) of heat, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  All we have to do is channel it and we’ll have all the energy we could ever want, all the power we could ever use and it would be free!  The vision depends on advanced solar technology…the implementation and then the ongoing management of a massive infrastructure like no other….but it’s not out of reach.  It’s actually more practical than you might believe.

The technology has arrived.  Take a look at the concept of solar-powered highways.  Replacing all of the asphalt in the U.S. with glass solar panels would generate enough power to provide energy for the entire globe.  The entire globe!  The idea in similar concepts has already broken ground in Oregon, is proposed in Italy, Santa Monica and other places.  Santa Monica’s proposed “serpent solar highway” will include charging stations for electric cars.solar-serpent-solar-highway

Since we constantly replace and repair the asphalt on our road systems, which is not at all practical, why not start thinking about better options?  Asphalt is petroleum-based and it’s prevalence in our society (think 25,000 square miles of roadways in the lower 48 states!) promotes our dependency on oil. Haven’t we fed the pockets of the oil companies and the Middle East long enough?

The other incredibly useful purposes for a solar-powered highway are 1) it can melt ice and snow to make travel safer and 2) it incorporates changeable signage to the roads electronically 3) it can replace stop lights, or at least power them 4) it can detect weight at cross walks to keep pedestrians safer.solar highway sign at pedestrian crossing

Here’s a bonus feature of this particular product:  they use waste materials from the landfill and the ocean, mixed with organic material, to make the internal support structure.  Does it get any better?

Watch this video and you will see what a great option this appears to be.  Yes, cost is an issue…but can we afford to stay on our current path? Absolutely not.  This road pays for itself…and for all the electrical power use in the world… so that’s a pretty big return on our investment, wouldn’t you agree?

We must start to embrace and implement renewable, sustainable ideas like this one.  I applaud the engineers and producers of this concept and plan to support their continued efforts.

http://www.wimp.com/solarhighways

Cool things that are green about Europe – Part 2

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Bikes on street in GermanyIN THE STREETS…

Bicycles are the way most Europeans get around, which is great…unless you have multiple kids, groceries to buy, or a large dog to take to the vet.  Practicality seems to be the ruler in my life, and while I’d love to pedal around town for my daily needs, the reality is, I’d risk life and limb to do so, especially in these parts where Nascar rules apply on all secondary streets and everyone thinks they are related to Dale Earnhardt!  My thoughts: Keep the minivan.  Pump up the deflated tires on the bike for a ride in the park…and take the dog to a neighborhood pub (one of my favorite traits of Europeans, animals are welcome!)  Open a neighborhood pub. Serve organic Green Beer.

IN THE WATER…

The water quality was unsurpassed in Austria and Southern Germany, every faucet was fed, unfiltered and untreated, directly from the Alps Mountains.  So, why then were all the rivers completely polluted?  Why couldn’t the same water that serves the public be found in the waterways?  My thoughts: Appreciate fresh water and fresh seafood whenever you can get either…they are both becoming an anomaly.

IN THE WOODS AND AT THE PARKS…and EVERYWHERE!Park in Salzburg

Vienna, Austria was particularly inspirational, with 1/3 of this large city devoted to public parks…830 parks in one city!  The preserved “Vienna Woods” never see a chainsaw or development, laws protect them from any disturbance.  They are key to the health of the Viennese, filtering fresh mountain air from the Alps into the city below.  Water at any faucet is directly piped from the mountain tops, no chlorine, fluoride or any other chemical is added.  Austria is trying to be the largest producer of organic food and drink…and I loved the Green Meal Deal with organic burger and potato skins!Green Meal Deal Sign

Vienna Trash Incinerator

Vienna Trash Incinerator

Another great idea is that the government provides recycled heat into the social apartment complexes from the heat of incinerated trash.  The building is pretty cool, too.  Street cars, buses, trains and underground subway are more prominent than cars – SUVs were rare. My thoughts: First chance I get, I just need to move to Vienna.  I’m not sure we could ever begin to compare or catch up here in the U.S.  God Bless America and all…I really do love it here…but we sure can learn a lot from our global friends.

IN THE END…

When they bury their loved ones, the Germans in this town continue to nurture the environment with eco-friendly grave sites, complete with a flower garden for each one!  My thoughts: It’s never too late to go organic!European grave site