Earth Birthday Wrap Up: Homemade Love

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Over the weekend we celebrated Tristan’s “Earth Birthday” party at my in-law’s house.. We had such a good time. I’m so thankful my in-law’s offered to have it at their place. It helped take some of the pressure off Tyler and I.  It was a lot of work anyway and definitely worth all the extra effort. This year to make it an eco-friendly birthday we didn’t have much time to really pull all the things we wanted to do together. With the arrival of Clark and several other side swipes it’s been a bit chaotic.

The party wasn’t until 3pm so we decided that we would make homemade pizzas from scratch and serve them up a salad and roasted potato wedges using organic and local ingredients. I also decided that I would make the pizza sauce from scratch also. I’d seen a recipe for both at The Natural Mommy’s site awhile back and have wanted to try it out. It turned out great and the guests really enjoyed the pizzas. We made a classic pepperoni, mushroom and olive, a veggie, a sundried tomato, artichoke, garlic and green onion, and a hawaiian pizza. I wish I would’ve taken pictures of the pizza/food. I did manage to snap a couple before shots.  It’s hard to juggle everything at once during a birthday party!!!

For the sauce I made both my own, from scratch (had 5 ripe tomatoes that needed to be used) and a homemade version from The Natural Mommy’s recipe using tomato paste. I then had about a 1/4 jar of pizza sauce that I had purchased a couple weeks prior and didn’t use all of it. After cooking up the sauces, I took all three and combined them.

My husband made the birthday cake- it was a Paula Dean cake called 1,2, 3, 4. It was more like shortcake/pound cake- it was very heavy. It was tasty but with frosting it was like a big cookie cake. We also made fresh lemonade from the lemons we brought back from my grandparents home a couple weekends ago. We’d planned to make ice-cream but time didn’t allow for it.

We did not purchase any decorations and were able to re-use the plates and napkins we had from the shower. We didn’t even send out evites for this party- it was word of mouth or by phone. This party was very last minute. I wanted to upcycle a birthday banner using some vintage fabric I have but just never found the time. Hopefully, this year, I’ll have some time to make it.  We made a pinata again this year and you’ll have to read about it at Eco Child’s Play. We filled the pinata with eco friendly treats such as glee gum, organic lollipops and organic fruit strips.

The kids did not get treat bags either. I’d forgotten to bring over the produce bags I’d planned on re-using like we did last year but we ended up giving them sandwich baggies to place their treats in- I know, cringe! It was mainly family who attended so their weren’t many kids, 5 total including Tristan. His two play buddies; he see’s almost weekly were not able to make it. He still had a lot of fun. They played in his playhouse we bought him (my parents, ty’s parents, and us) that is made out of sustainable wood. It’s really cute- I’m going to do a seperate post on that.

Overall, the party went smoothly.  It was small and sweet. The homemade touches made for a cozy feel. We saved money and the planet! Woo hoo! 

Earth Day Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Earth Day Giveaway is Alaina from The FarmHouse Boutique- where she sells Waldorf inspired play silks that are hand dyed. Congratulations. Enjoy the green goods!!!

Happy Earth Day! Eco Giveaway Celebration

Happy Earth Day my fellow eco pals! Be super fly and take an extra step to go green today. You can do it!! There are so many simple and easy ways.

Since we’re celebrating…

One LUCKY reader will win!!!

- eco dough from eco-kids usa

- $35.00 gift certificate to Nurture My Body

- Make Your Own Candy Kit and a Mini Glee Variety Pack from Glee Gum

To enter:

Leave me a comment with your email address.

It’s that simple.

Giveaway ends on Sunday, April 26th 12pm PST! Winner will be announced Monday, the 27th!

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Good luck!

WW~ Earth Day Birthday Boy turns 2!

My lil explorer! Off to dig holes or locate worms maybe even a gopher hole! He’d climb a tree if you’d let him. He’s just over a yr. in this picture and his shirt says ” mine (don’t mess)” with a picture of Earth above it. Tristan has taught me so much in the past 2 years. His bright eyes, sweet smile, cute giggle, and his all around toddler personality has brought me so much joy! He loves being outdoors and being connected to nature. His favorite color is orange.  He loves to rock out to Alvin and The Chipmunks.

You can catch Tristan watching Elmo, Baby Einstein’s, Thomas the Train and his Farm and Tractor DVD (not a cartoon). He really likes music and whenever he has the chance to play the drum set out back in the playroom or the piano at my parent’s he will.

He also loves dancing to reggae beats! Trains, puzzles and his wooden tool set are his favorite toys. He really likes to play with eco dough and go for “bawalks”. Favorite phrase “Beed Chickens”! On the weekends he enjoys riding his horse Chester with Daddy. You can also find him on the park! Lately, he’s been calling us by our first names- “Hand, Lessss!” – “Look, Ty!” What a crack up he is. I’m pretty sure he’s digging his new status as “Big Bro” too! He’s really into animals and loves our visits to the zoo. I can’t believe he’s two!!

We’re celebrating his second birthday by taking him to the beach for a picnic. I have a post natal appt. in Venice so we’re taking him to Santa Monica for the day. We are going to pick up cupcakes to celebrate. Mmm…yum! We normally don’t allow Tristan to have sugar but we’re making the exception for his birthday. It’s definitely a special treat. I’m hoping our lunch prior to the cupcakes will have some nutritional value to make up for it.

We bought him the Elmo Goes Green and Elmo Loves the Earth DVDs along with a wooden activity playhouse made from sustainable wood (more details later) that he won’t get to see or play with until Saturday for his Earth Day Birthday Party! I’m looking forward to it. I know he’s going to love it. He’s such an active little guy!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Tristan!

We love you very much.

xoxo,

Mom, Dad and Baby Clark

**Check out the Earth Day giveaway!

Celebrate Earth Day the Eco Way!

Make Everyday Earthday- Love and Support Your Planet- think green, and be eco-conscience!

10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE-

1. REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!
2. Plan your meals for the day using organic ingredients or have an Earth Dinner Party!
3. Incorporate Earth Hour into your life- turn off the lights for an hr. or one day month and have fun!
4. Use cloth bags when shopping- Paper or Plastic? Neither- Bring your own bag!
5. Plant a tree or garden- Or Wildlife Habitat for the children
6. Make your own green cleaners
7. Adopt an eco-resolution- ex: kick the water bottle habit and start using a reusable H20 bottle!!!
8. Walk, ride a bike, carpool to work! Commuting without polluting!
9. Purchase recycled products…and know you’re sustaining our future!
10- CALL FOR CLIMATE- Call your Representative or Senator today!!! Demand a tougher action on the current GLOBAL WARMING CRISIS!!

US Capitol Switchboard: 202 – 224 – 3121
Ask for your representative. Tell them the current global warming proposals in Congress are inadequate. Tell them you want:
A moratorium on new coal-burning plants, Renewable energy, Carbon-neutral buildings, Protection for the poor and middle class in the new green economy.

Remember, it only takes one person to make a difference and if everyone was doing their part we’d be saving the planet, one household at a time.

A few other ways to be more eco-friendly are:

* Make the switch- change out all those incandescent bulbs to CFL’s! Energy efficient light bulbs last for year. They cost more to buy, but are well worth it.
* Disposable items are generally not recyclable so try to avoid them.
* Grow your own garden this year. The White House is on board and you should be too!
* Compost to reduce waste and keep your garden happy and healthy.

Did you hear Reynolds Wrap is debuting their RECYCLED foil tomorrow? I was so happy when I heard about this. We buy recycled foil at the health food store and it’s a bit expensive so I’m hoping this will be a much more affordable option. Plus, not to mention the fact that a big company like this is making a big switch that will make a BIG DIFFERENCE for our planet.

The packaging and core are made from 100% recovered paper and the inks used on the product packaging are water-based!

Buy a Book, Plant a Tree: Earth Tales!

{ATTN: GIVEAWAY AT THE END OF THIS POST}

I LOVE eco friendly books and books that children can learn about other cultures. Reading to my son is an important part of my day and I especially love books that are nature related. One that opens the mind for them to explore and dream about later…

Earth Tales offers a look into the beautiful anthology of folktales in different cultures around the world. Your child will learn how different cultures live in harmony with the rhythms and patterns of nature. The book is filled with eye capturing illustrations. Earth Tales engages future eco kids with fun activities that accompany each story, such as, making a mini water garden or building a willow den, It’s a fun and bright colored.

Earth Tales is an educational book and is recommended for “Read Together” between the ages of 4-8 and “Read Alone” between the ages of 6-10. It would make a great addition to any teacher’s classroom or children’s collection. The stories are all beautifully written and the entire book has easy eco-tips for young readers to learn about.  

Seven countries are explored in Earth Tales and it is a perfect book for the curious mind. It opens the imagination with all the vibrant colors on every page. My favorite folktale was from India “Amrita’s Tree”. I won’t go into story details but you’ll want to become a “Chipko” after reading such a lovely story. Your child will learn to appreciate other cultures and the planet through this influencial hardcover book. Discover how the rest of the world is “Living Green”!

In honor of Earth Day, which is April 22, 2009- Barefoot Books is partnering with Eco-Libris to plant a tree for each copy of Earth Tales sold this April. An outstanding cause for our precious Mother Earth~ The paper in the book is ancient-forest friendly. Overall, this book is fantastic for your future eco kid. Enter the code “SCETALES” for 10% off online purchases- this code is valid through April 30, 2009!

Barefoot Books is also offering one Recycle Your Day reader a a copy of Earth Tales!

ENTER TO WIN!!

1.       1.  What is your favorite Barefoot Book?

2.       2.  What are you doing to conserve?

3.       3. Post about this giveaway!

You will have until Tuesday, March 31st to enter! Winner will be announced on the April 1, 2009. Make sure you leave a valid email address.