As moms we are constantly toting little baggies of snacks. Be it crackers, grapes, cheerios or carrot sticks for little fingers. Even in pregnancy I had a multitude of snacks with me at any given time. I couldn’t leave the house without a baggie of almonds. So why not ditch the plastic and carry the snacks in a reusable snack baggie?

Below are 5 funky options to stave off hunger while reducing the number of plastic baggies being thrown out. The features all have in common are that they are fabric made, generally with a waterproof or resistant layer, are washable and reusable.

1. ACME Bags Snack Bag and Stuff Sack – These stuff-sack style bags are made from 50% recycled post-consumer content (recycled plastic bottles and containers. Draw-string and barrel-lock closure. Made with fair wages/fair labor practices. Retails for $4.95
2. Green Street (Etsy artisan) Snack Sack – Hand-made with 100% cotton in funky prints and lined with water-resistant nylon. Velcro closure. Gusseted bottom so that the baggie can stand on its own and remain open! Machine washable. Retails for $6.50
3. Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened Snack Bags – FDA approved! The colorful bags are made from a variety of 100% cotton prints with a PVC-free waterproof lining. Lead-free zippered closure. Machine washable. Retails for $9.95
4. Planet Wise Wet Bag – A colorful cotton outer hides a PVC-free waterproof lining. Lead-free locking zippered closure – it won’t open unless you unzip it. Smallest size retails for $9.50
5. snackTAXI Snack Bag – These little bags are PVC free and sport a variety of funky prints. Flap closure with Velcro. Made in the USA. Retails for $6.95

Skip the plastic baggies next time your at the store, and stock up on a few reusable bags instead. Be green in your snacking!

Netherlands based designer Anne-Claire Petit has created toys and baby items that are hand-made in bright, cheerful colors.

The toys are made from natural materials, dyed in eco-friendly ways. The majority of the crochet work is done by women in several Asian countries, where traditional handiwork techniques have been passed down for generations. Creating these colorful toys gives the women year-round work, and benefits entire villages.

The line of toys includes the ever popular dachshund and monkey stuffed animals, as well as elephants, small birds, rabbits and penguins, all with bold stripes or other bright color combinations.

The baby line includes items made in the same bright colors, stripes and dots, as the toy line. The baby line branches out a little further, and as well as stuffed toys it has dumbbell shaped rattles, a beautiful crocheted mobile with little birds, and a mushroom and heart that play music when a pull-cord is tugged.

With so many toys on the market today with plastic parts and needing batteries, it is refreshing to see such a beautifully simple line of toys. – Belinda, Staff Writer

UK company Becothings has designed a smart looking kids potty that is a great eco alternative to the some of the products on the market.

The biodegradable Becopotty starts life as bamboo waste and rice husks, which are leftover materials from farming. The company then takes the natural plant fibres and grinds them into a fine powder. By adding a biodegradable resin and pressing the powder in a hot mould a Becopotty is born!

For comfort, the high back offers extra support, while the large splash guard helps keep potty training hygienic. Parents may also like the smooth mould design with eliminates places for pee to to fall into.

Related Articles:

• Eco Fabulous: Breage Recycled Fabric Diaper Bag
  
• Eco-Fabulous! EverEarth Wooden Toy Collection
  
• Eco-Fabulous: 123 Soleil All-in-one Baby Bed

Designer Gabi Goncalves of eco-store Creollus has designed a diaper bag that is eco-fabulous in every sense!

This eclectic looking bag is not only huge, but it 100% hand made with fair labor from truck canvas (tarp) and other recycled fabrics.

‘Each mark, each hole, each spot in the chosen canvas has many stories to say’, making each bag unique and one-of-a-kind!

$215

Related Articles:

• Eco-Fabulous: 123 Soleil All-in-one Baby Bed
  
• Morf’s Brand: Recycled Cuteness!
  
• ScooterBees Shoes May be Worn 4 Different Ways to Tell Tots a Story

VIA kidcrave

Maxim Toys has introduced a great new solid wood toy line called EverEarth. This eco-friendly, kid-safe collection features a large selection of toys that are made of solid wood from renewable forests and finished with water-based, non-acrylic, non toxic paint.

Packaging is made of attractive recycled materials.

1. Activity Walker
2. Work Kitchen Set with Pots, Pans and Utensils
3. Busy Pond Activity Center by Maxim Enterprise
4. Heart Shaped Doll House with Furniture and 2 Dolls
5. Triangle Activity Center for Toddlers

Hybrid diaper company gDiaper has introduced washable cloth inserts called gCloths for their gPants.

Original gDiapers, consist of a washable, cotton outer little gPant and a plastic-free biodegradable diaper gRefill. They are made of breathable material just like sports clothing. So, babies stay dry and happy and are far less likely to get diaper rash.

The new washable re-fills are made of two layers of soft 100% polyester microfleece wick moisture away from baby’s bottom keeping it feeling dry and comfortable. Two layers of hemp/cotton absorb wetness and hold moisture in.

Hemp in particular becomes more absorbent with use so the more you wash gCloth inserts, the softer and more absorbent they become.

For optimum softness, absorbency and sizing, gDiapers recommends that you wash the gCloth inserts at least six (6) times before using in hot water and tumble dry on medium heat. They say to expect some shrinkage in length.

Like all cloth diaper products, the gCloth inserts will become softer and more absorbent the more you wash them.

Babysoy is the 1st company in the world to create baby’s newborn wardrobe using soybean protein fiber. Their modern baby layettes made from eco-friendly soybean fiber. Babysoy is conscientious and green by using renewable natural resources as the raw material for our baby wear – which is the leftover pulp from tofu, soymilk and other soy products.

I also love that all of their products are under $30. Environmentally friendly and cost effective!

Soopsori makes extraordinary wooden toys for kids that are 100% recyclable. The Korean company only uses natural wood without using bolts or paintings. Their packaging can be reused 100% since it does not contain unnecessary decoration or harmful surface coating.

Each wooden toy has its own unique color and texture depending on its species of wood chosen for that product. Soopsori carefully selected 20 types of natural wood to manufacture the natural featured toys.

Unlike color-painted toys, Soopori toys are not only safer but they also have the natural scent of tree because the natural wood is still alive and breaths although it is manufactured.

You can give your baby a big hug with this comfortable Huggy Bear Baby Rocker Seat from Wonderworld.

This soft and plush cushioned bear seat is detachable from the sturdy wooden, rocking frame. With a rattle in the bear’s arm and a crinkle in the bear’s ear the Wonderworld Huggy Bear Baby Rocker Seat is more than just a typical baby rocker. It provides entertainment and a comfortable place for your little one to rest.

Features:

• Designed for newborns and infants
• Crinkling ear
• Rattle in the arm
• Rocking wooden frame
• Cushion is detachable from wooden frame

*Wonderworld, an advocate of protecting the environment, insists on using only rubber-woood that is from a replenishable source*

$120 @allmodern.com

How cute are these t’s?

Puddlefoot’s organic t-shirts give veggies a personality and make them cool for kids.

The smiling bunch are printed onto organic baby rib cotton, with non-PVC, Phthlate free water based paints.

All shirts are $21.50 and they fit 6 – 24 months.

Jeep has introduced a new line of baby products for environmentally conscious families, that are made from PET recycled fabric. This amazing fabric is created from used water bottles and it has a stronger tensile strength than normal fabrics.

The new g line of baby gear uses the PET recycled fabrics in place of conventional fabrics in order to save the landfill from filling up unnecessarily.

Here a couple of the Jeep g Products:

Jeep® Wrangler Twin Sport Tandem g Edition Umbrella Stroller – Using PET recycled fabrics in this stroller will save approximately forty-five 16 ounce bottles from landing in the landfills.

It also features:

• cool-climate roll-up feature which exposes mesh for increased air circulation
• Independent reclining seats
• two individual 2-tier Sun-Rider canopies that come with a visor and cell phone pocket.
• equipped with removable cargo bags
• parent cup holder
• height adjustable five-point safety harness

In addition, the stroller features a quick, compact umbrella fold for easy storage.

$139.99, available April 2009

Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited g Edition Umbrella Stroller: Using PET recycled fabrics in this stroller will save approximately forty-five 16 ounce bottles from landing in the landfills.

It also features:

• A re-usable travel bag
• The cool-climate roll-up exposes mesh for better air circulation
• two-tier Sun-Rider canopy with windshield and cell phone pocket
• reclining seat
• a convenient cup holder
• removable cargo bags
• basket for extra storage
• shock-absorbing front swivel wheels for a smooth ride and comfort-grip padded handles.

For easy storage, the stroller features a quick, compact umbrella fold and automatically locks when folded.

$109.99, available April 2009

Jeep® 2-in-1 All-Weather g Edition Baby Carrier – The exterior of this carrier is made of PET fabric and a soft interior is made with a blend of cotton and anti-microbial bamboo fabric. Using PET recycled fabrics in this carrier will save approximately fifteen 16 ounce bottles from landfills.

The carrier allows baby to face forward or face parent for the ultimate portability. The patent-pending Secure-Fit® indicator turns red to confirm a locked latch so baby is always safe and secure. Extra wide padded shoulder straps with bolster and sports mesh help to evenly distribute baby’s weight and provide a comfortable fit for parent, while easy-in/easy-out buckles and self adjust straps make it simple for mom or dad to put on. It also features seat and leg openings that easily adjust for growing babies, a weather shield to protect baby from the elements and a mesh pocket for storage.

When not in use, the carrier stores easily in its own reusable and newly redesigned bag.

$69.99, available May 2009

The Kids Konserve reusable, waste-free lunch kit includes recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, 16 oz. stainless steel beverage bottle, food kozy, and two stainless steel food containers.The kits pictured below are the regular Waste-Free Lunch Kit followed by the butterfly and catapiller.

$40 at kidskonserve.com

Their adorable blankets and gift sets are created for cuddly comfort and to hold up to repeated washings.

Giveaway: Green Wrapz is offering one Growing Your Baby Reader the opportunity to win one of their beautiful Baby Starter Gift Sets.

This beautiful set includes a handmade organic cotton 18″ x 18″ Lovie Blanket with coordinating organic cotton rib onesie and hat. The Lovie is made of 233 thread count 100% certified organic cotton sateen printed with low-impact dyes, backed with certified organic cotton French terry fleece and trimmed with a 60% naturally grown hemp/ 40% silk blend charmeuse satin. The same printed organic cotton sateen and hemp/silk satin are used in the appliqué design on the onesie and hat. The set may be machine washed and dried.

The winner of this set will be able to choose which printed fabric and trim color they would like.

To enter please comment here with your e-mail address.

• Extra Entrants: Blog about our giveaway! Tell your readers about our giveaway and then send us the link in a separate comment for an additional entrant to the giveaway.
• Regardless of outcome – ALL bloggers who write about our giveaway will be linked back in our winners post.

*All comments are moderated and may not appear immediately*

Giveaway Closes on Friday December 12th, 2008

Giveaway Rules

Created from super-soft corduroy, these little companions are safe from birth and machine washable. Because they are made from bright colors and different materials, they are sure to become an essential for the crib, stroller or car!

Rattles: Discovery: Baby:

More toys available at allnewmaterials.com

Baby Silk® skin and hair products include ingredients like marine silk, botanicals, Vitamins E and B5 to provide antioxidant protection, relieve dryness, promote healing, and protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Every Baby Silk formulation is clinically tested, hypoallergenic and free of lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum, waxes, harmful chemicals and known skin irritants.

I recently had the opportunity to test some of the Baby Silk products on my own son. The Gentle All-Over Clean Towelettes are the softest wipes that we have ever used. Because they are not made with alcohol and other harmful chemicals, parents can use these wipes from ‘nose to toes’. We plan to use them to keep the new baby fresh and clean during those first days after he/she arrives.

MD Moms Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes (spf 30+) are a lifesaver for parents who have kids too busy for the 10 minute Sunscreen application. They are so easy to use and so effective that I had my son’s body completely covered in less than an minute.

These towelettes are enriched with with Vitamin E, marine silk, aloe and oat to soothe and moisturize baby’s skin.

Mom looking for products that are not only safe, but convenient to use can look no further. MD Moms has designed their packaging with safety in mind.

Tubes have flip caps, so you can open and apply products with one hand. Bottles have wide bases, so they won’t tip over. Pumps lock, so your baby can’t sample our body wash while you’re soaping his back. Alcohol swabs come in single unit doses, to reduce the chance of spills.

Feel Good Factor – During the month of October, we will be donating 15% of the web sales of Baby Silk on our site mdmoms.com to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

GIVEAWAY: MD Moms is offering one Growing Your Baby Reader a Baby Silk Gift pack containing a package of Gentle All-Over Clean Towelettes and MD Moms Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes.

To enter our giveaway please e-mail us at giveaways@growingyourbaby.com , with the subject ‘MD Moms‘.

Giveaway closes October 17th, 2008