Giving Tuesday Holiday Gift Guide
For years, I’ve published holiday gift guides and, separately, information on nonprofits that I love and trust in anticipation of Giving Tuesday. This year, I’m combining the two, featuring actual physical gifts as well as great organizations where you can make a gift in someone’s name. Happy holidays!
How to Buy Non-Toxic Holiday Toys
Ah, the holidays. We’re checking the list twice—and we want those to be non-toxic holiday toys, right? Sadly, sometimes it seems like that’s easier said than done. In 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was passed to regulate lead and phthalates in toys and infant products after a public scare related to those made primarily in China. But each year another batch of tainted imported holiday toys is discovered here in the United States—including toxic chemicals linked to obesity, asthma and even cancer. Here’s a quick guide to buying non-toxic holiday toys, plus my favorite picks of the season!
How To Plan An Eco Friendly Thanksgiving
Planning an eco friendly Thanksgiving is not as hard as you might think—it just means asking a few questions that might slightly shift your traditions. Do you typically buy a cut flower arrangement for the table? Look for organic flowers or a beautiful living succulent arrangement. Is turkey your main course? Find a free range, organic, heritage bird—and add vegetarian and vegan side dishes that can combine to become a main course for those who avoid poultry. You can even shop your local farmer’s market for healthy vegetables and fruits for your feast, and find recycled elements for your holiday decor. Follow my countdown for tips on menu planning, decorating, shopping and…
Carbon Offset: The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Are you looking for a holiday gift that keeps on giving? Consider a carbon-balanced gift from TerraPass, like this cute tree ornament embedded with parsley, basil and chive seeds. Buy one plantable tree and you support the Arcata Community Forest project, which is funded by carbon offsets. Each year the forest absorbs the equivalent CO2 to taking 550 cars off the road. Love!
5 Tips to Stay Safe from Salmonella
Whether it’s organic, free range, non-GMO, cage-free or kosher turkey—now that you’ve figured out what kind of bird you’re serving tomorrow, can we take a minute to address the issue of salmonella, which affects 1.4 million people every year? Unless you’re planning a vegan Thanksgiving, I’ve got five tips that can keep you safe.
Is Heritage Turkey Worth It?
So you’re gearing up for Thanksgiving, the time when supermarkets practically—and sometimes, literally—give away turkeys in order to get you to shop in their stores. And unless you’re preparing for a vegan holiday meal, you’ll need to get your poultry order in stat. But then you look at the prices: This time of year, conventional turkeys can be purchased for as little as $.39 per pound, while at Williams Sonoma, a heritage turkey can ring up at nearly $200. Is it worth the price?
Between Pages Toasts MG Holiday
“If you’re looking to have a green holiday or discover new products, check out the Mommy Greenest site.” -Deborah Stambler, BetweenPages.org
4 Tips to Nix Toxic Holiday Toys
You’re making your list and checking it twice, but do you know what’s in those holidays toys? In 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was passed to regulate lead and phthalates in toys and infant products after a public scare related to those made primarily in China. But it seems like each year another batch of tainted imported holiday toys is discovered here in the United States. Here are a four easy ways to tell which holiday toys are naughty and which are nice.
