Green Grab Bag 6.12.09

Friday-rama-lama!  Hope you had a great week and are looking forward to a great weekend. Here is the Green Grab Bag for this week.

• If you are in the mood for a great drink this weekend here is a recipe for homemade Lavender Lemonade.
  
• Tiny Choices has made the move to vegan(ish) and her experience might inspire you to start taking steps in that direction.
  
• You may have heard a lot about stimulus money going towards green jobs but this article helps us figure out where they are.
  
• I love DIY projects and I am over the moon for this briefcase made out of reused boxes!

Before you check out the shopping links this week, take a look-see at shopping tips from the Skin Deep peeps.

• I think this eco-friendly jewelry is just beautiful!
  
• I want to lounge around in this very pretty butterfly skirt.

Finally, in a why we do this moment, you can track the sea turtles as they travel.  How cool is that???  Any big plans for the weekend?

Green Grab Bag 6.5.09

Is it just me or has June just come way too quickly out of nowhere?  But alas, it is here, and I hope your first week was divine.  Speaking of divine, here is this week's Green Grab Bag:

• I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this idea Like Merchant Ships has of running a general store out of your home with gifts and prizes for kids, especially with like-new second hand items.  
  
• Who knew there was a secret life of tee shirts?
  
• Condo Blues has 5 non-toxic bleach alternatives, some of which (like the sun) are perfectly free.
  
• There are a ton of great gardening tips this week, starting with One Green Generation's tips on making your own organic soil.
  
• The Simple, Green, Frugal folks take another look at weeds.  Did you know they could be helpful?

This week we have some great shopping ideas.

• Don't forget Father's Day is coming up.  Prissy Green brings us some good giving ideas.
  
• The Shoe Blog is one I had never seen before but I had to show you this article on socially conscious shoes.
  
• Another blog I had never seen is Green Baby Bargains which offers Earth-friendly ideas for your little ones each day!
  
• Finally, I am blown away by the intricacy, beauty, and detail of these handmade paper crafts.

I know we haven't done this in a while, but I couldn't resist this week a reminder of why all these links matter and we keep doing what we do.  Have a marvelous weekend!

Green Grab Bag 5.29.09

Welcome to Friday!  I hope your week has been amazing so far.  We have been dealing with a lot of rain, restless boys, and mosquitos here.  But the weekend is ahead and we are looking forward to it.  If you have some time to kill, check out some of the things in this week's green grab bag.

• You know I am big on green cleaning.  My Web of Life takes a look at cleaning from the standpoint of a sniffer this week.
  
• Lots of work is getting done in gardens lately and Condo Blues has a brilliant idea for using old bricks to make a garden border.
  
• A couple more DIY projects for the weekend are Beauty That Moves' homemade lunch bags and Wisecraft's fabric covered moleskins.
  
• Simple, Green, Frugal is echoing a common thought of mine, that old-fashioned ideas usually work better then modern day products.
  
• Chews Wise has an idea from a man transplanted from Dallas to Kenya by which he lost 100 lbs...who knew, veggies are good for you?
  

Before you shop this week, check out these Words that Define a Generation.  Totally prophetic.

• If you are a radio person, check out this crank/solar powered radio.
  
• You know how much I love tea so I am lusting after these adorable cups.
  
• Personalized lunch boxes help keep lunch waste free and make your kid popular at the lunch table.
  
• A fellow reader has opened a new Etsy shop, she now has Owly and the Fox for perfectly pretty pendants and other pieces and jewelry supplies.
  
• Finally, I know many of us self-classified greenies tend to write off American made cars, but if you are in the market for a car you owe it to yourself to see all the green changes Ford is making.
  

Have a splendid weekend!

Green Grab Bag 5.22.09

This week's Green Grab Bag as I have been super busy with work, volunteering, and trying to be outside as much as possible to enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having here in Michigan (sometimes while I work or volunteer).  I hope you enjoy it!

• My friend Lisa found this post on making your own reusable snack and sandwich bags for me from Claudia's Irish Eyes and I love it!  Even better if you can use scrap or repurposed material.  I could use some of the shirts I inexplicably keep staining.
  
• On a similar note, Gray Matters has a brilliant post on repurposing old t-shirts into throw pillows.
  
• Perhaps these are things you could use in the 29 gift challenge.  I plan on taking the challenge and giving all intangible or repurposed/regifted things.  I encourage you to do the same!  I know in these tight times it seems we have nothing to give, but we all have so much right inside of us!
  
• And a final DIY with what to do with left over crayons from Sweet Greens.
  
• If you are using the gorgeous weather to get fit, check out Gorgeous and Green's green workout tips.
  
• Planning on planting this weekend.  First look into how sustainable your landscaping is.
  
• Lisa over at 5 Orange Potatoes has amazed me again with her ability teach her little ladies about nature in a way I never would have imagined.  An important lesson for all of us in hurting no living thing.

Only a couple of things to check out on the shopping front this weekend.

• If you are in Florida I am jealous because you can potentially visit this cool vegan store!
  
• Here are the top 5 organic beauty products for Spring.
  

Green Grab Bag 5.15.09

I hope you are having a splendid week thus far and are looking forward to a beautiful weekend!   Isn't this nest great?  It sits in a tree right outside my kitchen window and I get to watch mama Robin as I wash the dishes every day.    She inspires me to keep going with things like this.  Here is this week's Green Grab Bag.  

• Here are some easy peasy green tips for your home.  Some we have hit on here, others we will, all of them are just great reminders.
  
• Kimba at a Soft Place to Land has a tutorial on hanging flower baskets.
  
• Sweet Greens wants to live in a cob house, and after reading her post, I do too!
  
• The Idea Room has a tutorial on how to make glass tile pendants.  A great DIY project that can reuse old magazines.
  
• I love Condo Blues' idea of taking an old silver tea pot into a flower pot.
  
• Lisa has great idea after great idea over on 5 Orange Potatoes but this charming toad house really made me smile this week.
  
• Anyone planning on traveling this summer? If so, consider staying at a Marriot that is going greener.

Before you go shopping this weekend, please know that I am not the only one constantly harping on unnecessary packaging materials, here is Soy is the New Black's rant.

• Look at these lovely bracelets made from Girl Ran Away With the Spoon reusing old silverware.  Brilliant!
  
• Here is something else to think about before you run out to buy makeup.  Josie Maran, apparently a green washer.
  
• Finally, I love supporting crafty readers of the blog (so if you are one, let me know) especially when they make beautiful products like this gorgeous bag I am lusting after.
  

Any big plans for the weekend?  I am working and planting.  Hope you have a great one!

Green Grab Bag 4.8.09

Welcome to Mother's Day weekend.  I hope you all have big (or small) plans in the works for honoring the mothers in your life this weekend.  More on that tomorrow.  Here is this week's Green Grab Bag, enjoy!

• Condo Blues had a great idea for homemade Mother's Day gifts with sugar scrubs.
  
• The Green Parent has more waste-free gift ideas for mom.
  
• Maybe you couldn't celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday, maybe you just need a good drink this weekend, maybe mom does, try eco-margaritas.  
  
• Maybe you could clean the house for mom with these great earth-friendly cleaning tips.
  

Before you let your fingers do the shopping this week, do a quick check of your computer settings and make sure you are doing all you can with them to save energy.

• It has been raining a lot here, and my son broke my umbrella...so I have my eye on this 100% biodegradable  one.
  
• It might just be because I love all things Willo, but I think this is adorable.
  
• ToGrandma'sHouseWeGo is my new favorite upcycled store on Etsy.
  
• How cute is this skirt?!?  I don't know that I could pull it off but I think one of you should and send me pics!
  

Finally, this Mother's Day weekend, I give a big cheers to Beth Terry at Fake Plastic Fish who, when she couldn't birth a child, birthed one of the biggest, bravest efforts in environmentalism.

Green Grab Bag 5.1.09

Welcome May days!  Spring has definitely sprung here.  As I type this I have my windows open as I listen to the rain and smell my lilac bush which has just started blooming.  I hope you all had a spectacular week and are looking forward to a great weekend.

• I love the idea of DIY toothpaste from the Alternative consumer.  I am definitely trying it when I run out.
  
• Crunchy Domestic Goddess enlightens us on why healthy bodies are good for the Earth.
  
• Just in case you missed National Arbor Day, Judy gives us a friendly reminder.  It's never too late to plant a tree.
  
• Can internet sensation Susan Boyle teach us something about the true nature of beauty?
  
• Look how cool this solar pizza oven is!  The Green Parent teaches us how to build one.
  
• Going green with vegan cuisine.
  
• A great kid's project from Nature Mom's blog, helping kids plant strawberry bushes.
  

This week before we shop, Gorgeous and Green has us asking ourselves, is organic worth it?

• Check out this great book that focuses on handicrafts of days lost, or are they?
  
• Don't forget the Loomstate organic clothing is currently available for affordable prices at Target stores.

Any big weekend plans?  Are you going to get outside?

Green Grab Bag 4.24.09

Happy Friday!  This week putting together the Green Grab Bag is really interesting for me because of the way different bloggers have reacted to Earth Day.  So I have included some of the different takes on the event here.  Enjoy!

• Why the Alternative Consumer is not jazzed about Earth Day
  
• Scream to be Green's take on consumerism in Earth Day
  
• Mindful Momma's reminder to make every day Earth Day
  
• And Down to Earth's beautiful commentary on how you don't even have to know that there is an Earth Day.
  
• Then check out these amazing self-watering planters.
  
• Beauty that Moves has some yummy looking grain salads.

Before you check out this week's shopping links-look at gardening like you can't go to the store. 

• I found this lovely new little etsy shop called The Jellybean Giraffe that makes darling little girls things.  
  
• In case you into the obvious eco-gear there is the dishtowel and the reusable cup.
  

And finally, a long but worth it video on the Future of Food.

Green Grab Bag 4.17.09

I hope you are all having a splendid week.  I am really loving my new flowers.  I planted the bulbs in the fall and had never done it before so I was pleasantly surprised when the bright blooms popped up this week.  Now if I could just convince my son to stop cutting them down with sticks.

I hope you enjoy this week's green grab bag.  

• I love this idea of giving away a green cleaning gift basket.
  
• Enlightened thoughts from Remodeling this Life on going without.
  
• Here is a cool idea from Plants and Animals for a Solar Bird Bath Fountain.
  
• It may be because I am all about trying to start my garden right now, but I love this post from One Green Generation on seed starting for beginners.
  
• You know I love both vinegar and multiple uses for things so I couldn't pass up this Simple, Green, Frugal post on 20 household uses for vinegar.

And now (yes, they are back) this week's shopping links:

• This video advertising an organic clothing doesn't so make me want to put clothes on, but it definitely gets the viewers attention.
  
• Green and Natural parenting brings us reports on green pots and pans and washer and dryer (this one's for you Debbie).
  
• I have been lusting after one of these soda makers, which are now at Kohl's.

And finally, why we need to keep making changes..

Green Grab Bag 4.10.09

I hope all of you are having a great week.  I hope those who celebrate are enjoying the religious celebrations taking place and looking forward to more this weekend.

Along with the celebrations here are some ways to celebrate an Eco-Easter from around the web...

• Here are the tips from Green Earth Journey, parts one and two.
  
• Over Coffee's Eggsperiment
  
• Mindful Momma teaches us how to make felted Easter Eggs

That's it.  Short, sweet, complete.  Go forth and enjoy your weekend.  Try to spend some of it in nature if you can.  

Green Grab Bag 4.3.09

Happy Friday!  As you read this I am in Massachusetts for a conference.  But fear not, the Green Grab Bag is still here!

• Mindful Momma is teaching us how to get produce without pesticides.
  
• Tiny Choices is teaching us how shutting off your computer can save a bunch of energy.  You should check it out and try it...right after you finish reading my blog.
  
• Green as a Thistle is teaching us how to use apple cider vinegar as facial toner.
  
• I love this piece from Over Coffee about making your own all natural Easter egg dyes.
  
• Kalamazoo is the biggest city near me and I was amazed at the numbers in this blog about how much money and energy they are saving just by switching the traffic lights to LED.  Can you imagine the difference it would make if every city did this?

Before you shop this week watch this great music video for some deep thoughts in harmony.

• Furniture made from re-claimed wood.
  
• Gotta love vintage handbags.
  
• Kid's Konserve, which I reviewed a few weeks ago is offering a chance to win a Lunch Kit.
  

Have a great weekend!

Green Grab Bag 3.28.09

I want to start today by saying I had a wonderful "Unplug" day!  It was amazingly freeing not to have a nagging feeling all day that I needed to check my computer.  And I was able to be very productive.  I ran about 6 errands all over town that I had been putting off, took my boys to a playdate, donated and reorganized toys with them, totally cleaned out and reorganized our front closet, and got to chat with my girlfriends at book club into the wee hours of the...well, evening.  We aren't exactly party animals.  Did anyone else try it?  What were the results?

Ok, onto the grab bag.  

• I love this!  It is the Great Sunflower Project and it gives you free sunflower seeds to plant and draw bees to your yard so that you and your family can help count them national data!
  
• If you don't have space or inclination to start your own garden, Tiny Choices tells us how to make seed bombs to spread the plant love.
  
• Nature Moms has 8 great ideas for children's gardens.  I personally have one of these books and would highly recommend the author, Lovejoy.  Even her name makes me happy!
  
• If you are up for a do-it yourself this weekend, here is a post from Gorgeous and Green on making your own toothpaste.
  
• And Prissy Green has one on making your own flea repellent.
  
• I was fascinated by this post on making algae into biodiesel.  We really are brilliant people who can find better solutions in almost everything.  We should trust our intelligence and nature to provide more.
  
• If you are up for a kitchen adventure, here's a recipe for vegan chocolate donuts from Sweet Greens that look delicious!
  
• We are going to a birthday party tomorrow and I wish everyone could throw their children a green birthday party.

No shopping tips this week.  I didn't come across any stellar sites.  But I did come across this article from Down to Earth about taking small steps towards a simpler life, and it occurred to me that maybe that's all we need this week.

I would be remiss if I failed to tell you that Earth Hour is tonight!  It won't be a problem for us since we are usually in bed by this time.  But give it a shot if you at all can.  It's just one hour from 8:30-9:30 pm in your local time zone, wherever that may be.   Switch off your lights.  That's it.  A simple step to help make a big difference.  I hope you will join us.

Green Grab Bag 3.20.09

I thought since we have been so focused on Spring Cleaning this week that I would focus the Green Grab Bag on that as well.  Don't worry, I'll still give you shopping links.  But first, more cleaning:

• Here is a whole list of Green blogs that focus on cleaning for the Green Moms Carnival.
  
• The Crunchy Chicken is offering thoughts on an Eco-Cleanser Roundup.
  
• If painting is on your Spring cleaning t0-do list, the Green Phone Booth is offering advice on no and low VOC paints.

These are not from this week, but in the spirit of Spring cleaning, I didn't want you to miss my previous posts:

• On laundry
  
• Making your house smell great
  
• And all the things-you can do-with lemons.
  

As you view this week's shopping links, shop guilt-free in the new found knowledge that online shopping is more energy efficient:

• If you are still in the St. Patty's mood, Green Earth Journey has a great list of handmade products the Irish would proud of.
  
• Fellow reader, Owl and Fox is having a sale on some gorgeous green jewelry.
  
• Over Coffee is sharing info on 50% off 100% organic towels.  What a great deal!

And here are a few hundred reasons from my back yard swamp why I keep doing this.  Ignore the clicking in the foreground, I don't know what that is or how to stop it, but the chirping in the background is the mating of hundreds of precious tree frogs.

Green Grab Bag 3.13.09

Happy Friday!  I told you it would get cold again in Michigan...it has.  But it is supposed to warm up this weekend so I am looking forward to going outside and getting my hands dirty.

And here is the grab bag of green goodies for this week...

• Good Housekeeping's Seal of Approval has gone Green
  
• Know someone going to prom?  Check out Project Green Prom and get down with your bad self...does anyone say that anymore?
  
• Now that we are all eager to start gardening (right?) check out Eco Etsy's tutorial on yogurt planter's and learn how to reuse and grow good at the same time.
  
• Can you tell 5 Orange potatoes is quickly becoming one of my favorites?  This week check out her nature-filled activities that fit in perfectly with what I learned at Ringing Cedars.
  
• Making pasta this weekend?  Learn how to use less water.  Every little bit helps. 
  
• Get organized by de-cluttering your house the green way.
  
• and...Nature Moms Blog has 10 ways to Green your bathroom...just in case you were looking for something do this weekend.
  
• then...Do some self-pampering with these homemade foot scrubs.
  

And while you are self-pampering, you should of course do some shopping...or at least browsing.  Read this for some meditation on consumerism first.  Then dive in:

• Ok, is it just because I adore tea?  Or are these upcycled tea things not the cutest?
  
• Yummy green smells.
  
• Not only does Sohomode make beautiful skirts and dresses, but unlike other vintage clothing, she makes them in sizes that can fit real women of many sizes.
  
• These monogramed pillows made out of 100% recycled plastic felt are definitely on my wish list.
  
• I am over the moon about these shirts from Re-shirt that tell the story of where they come from.  Now you can conserve resources, wear history, and feel closer to your fellow human at the same time!
  

Whew!  That was a lot of good stuff this week.  

Now one really big reason for fighting the good fight!

Green Grab Bag 3.6.09

Welcome to March!  Can you feel Spring in the air where you are?  We have spring fever big time here! 

I am going away to a conference this weekend based on The Ringing Cedars novels (on the right on the Amazon widget) and am so excited!  There will still be new blogs posted though so make sure you check in if you have the chance.  

And now onto this week's Green Grab Bag:

• A great break down of the facts on clean coal...which is really just coal.
  
• A chance to get dirty with Green and Clean mom.
  
• This a great You Tube station devoted to Depression Era Cooking, which means stretching your dollar, your food, and your resources.
  
• You know I adore multiple uses for the same thing.  So does 5 Orange Potatoes, and she's got 8 uses for Onions!
  
• Amy over at Mom Advice and her family took a no spend challenge in February.  Can you imagine?  No spending for a whole month!  She reflects on the experience and shares some great insight into what saving money (and the planet by proxy) taught her.

Before you take view the shopping links this week, take a look at buying green, how to vote with your dollars.

• Look at this adorable ribbon that is also plantable seeds!
  
• EcoEtsy is feeding your Spring Fever with all things yellow!
  
• In the market for lingerie?  Why not try these earth friendly underthings?
  
• These fashionable coasters are made with re-claimed wood.
  
• Green Mom Finds is not only featuring these ultra-cute gardening gloves, but giving you a chance to win a pair!
  

And finally, a slow-mo glance at one of the many reasons why we keep trying.

Any big plans for the weekend?

Green Grab Bag 2.27.09

Happy Friday!  Here is this week's Green Grab Bag!

A couple more links for parents or soon to be parents and a big congrats to fellow-reader (and my cousin) Megan who had her first baby, darling little Iris, yesterday!

• Product Safety for parents from the Environmental Working Group
  
• If you are using a bottle with your baby, please make sure (and you have to actually make sure because it most likely isn't) that it is a BPA free bottle.
  

• Brummet offers some conscious discussion and practical eco-tips.
  
• As someone attempting to start her first garden this spring, I found this "Organic Gardening: Lesson One" extremely helpful.
  
• Nothing better on the weekend then some home made, Mama E friendly spa treatments.
  
• Winter may be almost over, but there is still time to save $ on heating costs. 
  

And as always, a few shopping tips.  But make sure you are a mindful shopper and ask yourself these 10 questions.  Then click away!

• First you have to check out Clementine's Closet.  It's the Etsy shop (and home of the great dress pictured above) of fellow-reader Meghan and it is full of beautiful vintage and upcycled clothes and accessories!
  
• Look at this cute recycled plastic watering jug!
  
• Green Earth Journey featured an interview with All Wired Up Jewelry.  It's amazing how they make all their treasures out of recycled metals without machinery.  
  
• And I may just have fabric on the brain because I am thinking about wanting to start sewing and quilting (any pointers?) but I was head over heels for this article on building a "green" fabric stash.
  

And finally The Future Is Green brings us a very funny reminder of why we keep on keeping on!  Have a great weekend!

Green Grab Bag 02.20.09

Happy Friday!  I hope y'all had a fabulous week and are looking forward to a magnificent weekend.  If you have a chance, check out some of these treasures.

Continuing on the pregnancy theme...

• Another look at flushable and cloth diapers
  
• Enviroblog with a lesson in toxins for pregnant women
  

The Green Phone Booth offered  thoughts that made me smile and ponder...

• What do you believe?
  
• I agree that we are truly our own best stimulus package
• Melinda has some great recommendations if you have time to read this weekend
  
• Cell phones are becoming more and more green.
  
• Retro Housewife is trying to get Lowe's recycling CFLs.  Please help.

There are also some cool things out there if you are in a (window) shopping mood...

• Everything up close offers  a review and coupon on Kids Konserve lunch kits.
  
• Elephant Journal tried out this super cool herbal remedy kit.  
  
• Over Coffee tells how to listen to your music, then plant it.
  
• Tiny choices is giving away free organic cotton flannel hankies.
  

Finally, a little reminder of why we keep making the effort.

Green Grab Bag 02.13.09

Photo source

I am starting something new here at Green Gracious.  It's called the Green Grab Bag.  The idea is that every week while cruising the internet I find all kinds of cool ideas that I want to shout about from the roof-tops.  But, as my roof is kind of slippery right now and I don't think the deer really care, I have decided to share them every Friday with all of you.  So if you are goofing off on Fridays or have time to kill on the weekends, you will have great sites to see.

• Eileen wrote this great piece on Children and the Pressure to Buy.   It is truly something every parent should contemplate.  
• Which made this post by Vanessa even more perfect.  Wouldn't it be great if every child could be part of a Nature Play Group?
  
• Trying to Be Greener had a great review of green perfumes.
  
• Also on the beauty front, Prissy Green handed out 4 recipes on making your own lip balm.  I am SO trying this someday soon!
  
• If you have seen 10 Uses Tuesdays, you know I love getting more out of everyday items so I was head over heals when I saw 5 Orange Potatoes had this great post on 14 Things to do with Orange Peel.  I particularly dig the ant and fly elimination ideas.
  

And finally if you are looking to do some shopping this weekend I found a few great things. 

• Organic Baby Products 101 is launching on Valentine's Day and will have 3 posh giveaways.
  
• For adorable little (girls) clothes made of repurposed items check out Planet Playground.  
  
• If you want to look at beautiful handmade clothes for you (women-wedding dress  anyone?) take a look at The English Dept.

Have a very happy Friday and if you've seen any great sites this week, please share!