September is National Sewing Month

I'm not actually nerdy enough to know that, but I am nerdy enough to get newsletters from Jo-Ann Fabrics telling me so.

The title of their newsletter was "Repair, Remake and Reuse", which is something we should all be doing a little more of. I know that sewing isn't everyone's cup of tea - just like cooking isn't mine. But I do think that every proper greenie should know how to do thinks like simple mending, sewing a button, fixing a zipper, and so on.

JoAnn offers a ton of different classes in-store as well as many online tutorials in the categories of Repair & Mend, Remake & Refashion, and Recycle & Reuse. If you don't have a JoAnn near you, I'm sure that your local hobby, craft, or fabric store offers the same type of classes.

In my humble opinion, sewing classes would make a great gift, especially when you want to stay away from giving the gift of more "stuff". Instead, you give the gift of a skill.

8/31/09 - I'm editing this post to add some info from the JoAnn email. Upon browsing their site, it seems that it's not very easy to find all of this info in one place. Hope this helps!

	National Sewing Month is Upon Us! September is National Sewing Month and a terrific time to explore how basic sewing and even some no-sew crafting skills can help your budget, tame clutter and do something nice for the planet. Whether you're trying to stretch your back-to-school budget, show your kids the value of a dollar, prevent closet clutter, reduce your household's purchases and waste or just express your own personal style, we've got some great ideas for you. Extend the life of apparel or home decor by repairing, remaking and recycling. In other words, finding ways to "make do and mend." Even remnants—from leftover lace and ribbons to swatches of fabric—get a new lease on life with projects that are easy and oh-sew-attractive. Dazzling Back-To-School T-Shirt (shown) Trim-Touched Denim Skirt (shown) View more Jo-Ann How To Projects Online
	Repair & Mend You lose a button on your a favorite blouse; the zipper breaks in a pair of slacks; the hem comes out of your easy-breezy go-to skirt. Just a little sewing know-how can go a long way to keep your favorite outfits in your closet and out of the mending pile or, worse, the landfill. Basic sewing classes, books or videos—including those available for free on YouTube—can provide instruction and demonstrations on how to construct garments while also teaching you how to make repairs. For example, the skills you obtain learning to install a zipper can be translated into how to replace one. Projects that use or demonstrate how to create your own appliques may focus on fashion but also can be used to mend a rip or cover a stubborn stain. Choosing the right tools for the task—from correct scissors to needles—is the first step to getting the job done right. So take time to familiarize yourself with what they are and how to use them. Select a sewing machine based on your personal needs as well as your skill and comfort level. Challenging yourself is fine, but a sewing machine does you no good if you're too intimidated to thread the bobbin. And don't overlook the value of no-sew solutions. Chosen wisely, fusible bonding web, such as Heat'n Bond Hem Iron-On Adhesive, offers a quick and permanent fix for a fallen hemline and Fray Check can keep threads from unraveling or reinforce buttonholes. Learn with Jo-Ann Classes Zipper Basics Fashion in a Flash (shown) "100 Applique Motifs" Scissors Guide Choosing the Right Sewing Tools Hand Needles-Choosing the Right Needle Bonding and Stabilizers: No-Sew Solutions Heat'n Bond Hem Iron-On Adhesive Sewing Buying Guide (see Sewing Machine Finder)
	Remake & Refashion Remaking a garment to suit your personal style can be as easy or as complicated as you choose. Does your wardrobe need a little lift or a complete overhaul? You can customize clothes with lace and trim, use embellishments, add fabric insets, ruffles, or even yarn accents. Switch out buttons or use fabric paint, dye and iron-on transfers or gems to create designs that reflect your personality. Adjust sizing or change up the style by raising or lowering the hemline or adding darts to accentuate your figure. If you're feeling bold, you (or your teen) can completely refashion last year's T-shirt and jeans by deconstructing and reassembling them. "Sew Subversive," "Subversive Seamster" and "Start with a Sweatshirt" are just a few of the titles available that help you revamp closet or thrift store finds. Finally, don't stop with your clothes. You can easily restyle personal accessories, such as hats, shoes and sunglasses, and even household items to add sparkle and shine to your wardrobe or life. "Customizing Cool Clothes" Using Laces and Trims "Jeans Style" Trim-Touched Denim Skirt Fun Fur Denim Trio Sassy Shibori-Dyed T-Shirt Dazzling Back-To-School T-Shirt "Generation T - 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt" "Denim Redesign" "Sew Subversive" "Subversive Seamster" "Start With A Sweatshirt" Uptown Brown Rhinestone Accessories (shown) Ritzy Red & Black Accessories
	Recycle & Reuse When clothing becomes too worn, ill-fitting or discolored to wear or donate, it's time to recycle, reuse and repurpose the materials. Salvage the fabric as best you can and don't forget to clip and save buttons, fasteners and decorative elements like patches or labels. Maybe your teenager experienced a growth spurt, leaving behind a bundle of T-shirts or shorts that are no longer wearable but still hold sentimental value. Recycle these memory laden materials into a T-shirt quilt, pillows or even tote bags they can keep a while longer. Denim may be durable but kids can be hard on jeans over time. For pants, jackets or skirts that are beyond repair, cut around tears, holes and stains and reclaim the fabric. You can piece the bits and pieces into something cute, like this clever clock. And who hasn't been the victim of the mysterious monster lurking behind your dryer who steals socks? If you find yourself with perfectly serviceable yet single socks, grab a copy of "Stray Sock Sewing" or the "Stupid Sock Creatures Book & Kit" for inspiration and get stitching! Go Team T-Shirt Pillow Team Spirit Shorts Pillow T-Shirt Tote Bag Time for Jeans Clock (shown) "Stray Sock Sewing" "Stupid Sock Creatures Book & Kit"
	Remnants & Remainders Whether left over from refashioned garments, remainders from completed projects or great deals snagged from an end of bolt bargain bin, remnants are an inexpensive resource for creative expression. These bits and bobs of fabric, trim, lace and fasteners range from affordable to free and offer hundreds of possibilities. Create a good ol' fashioned crazy quilt or combine pieces to design a patchwork fabric that can be made into a reusable market bag. Narrow pieces of fabric are ideal for creating cute cuffs. Likewise, leftover lace or trims can be made into an Absolutely Charming Wristlet, or apply them to headbands, hats or scarves. Project scraps are perfect for creating fabric flowers for a coordinated ensemble or design a small Denim Pocket Purse from the last of that reclaimed pair of jeans. Dress your nest by fashioning decorative flag banners for any occasion or holiday; they look great draped on a fireplace mantle. Remnant ribbon can add style and personality to your lampshades. Need more ideas, take a look at this charming reprint of a 1929 book titled "The Sew-It Book: Things to Make with Needle and Thread and Odds and Ends." QUICK TIP: Hold on to fabric not suitable for projects to use for test stitches—to adjust stitch length and tension before sewing on your project fabric—or to hone your sewing machine skills. Patterned fabric with straight or curved lines is a great way to practice stitch control and learn your machine's rhythm. Crazy Quilt Wall Hanging Brick Patchwork Market Bag Creative Cuff Bracelet, Felt Bracelet and/or Embellished Felt Bracelets Absolutely Charming Wristlet (shown) Trim Terrific Fashion Accessories Fabric Flower Belt Denim Pocket Purse Patriotic Flags Banner Ribbon Embellished Lampshades "The Sew-It Book: Things to Make with Needle and Thread and Odds and Ends"

Mouse Hunt

It appears that we have mice. We're not dirty people, so that's kind of embarrassing to admit. See, now I'm afraid that none of you will come over for dinner.

I'm trying to get rid of them. I've searched high and low for where they're coming in, but have found nothing. So I've resorted to using those good old fashioned snap traps. Did you know that they're made in the US? I thought that was pretty nifty. I like the fact that you can use them multiple times...if you know what I mean. {blech}

Do you think they're inhumane though?

When we lived in a loft downtown years ago we had mice and tried those glue traps. Yikes. The mice try eating through their own feet to get unstuck. It's pretty sad...and nasty. I can't deal with those.

I looked at the poison bait stuff too, but the thought of a mouse eating it, then going off somewhere in my house to die kinda creeps me out.

Is there a nice way to kill a mouse? (And just for the record, I'd rather not capture and release, since I'm pretty sure they'll just keep coming back in.)

Introducing...... The Greenhabilitator!

I am so pleased to announce that I'll be blogging on Saturdays over at the Green Phone Booth. After some soul searching and some reviewing of the monthly bills, the Browns have decided to go back on the Compact. Read more here...

And the Citizen Pip winner is....

The lucky winner of the Citizen Pip Square Meal Kit is panamamama who said...

panamamama said...

I'm curious as to how these wash also. I have some bento boxes (small ones) that my mom got my daughter overseas. I hate how the ones I have open up and spill all over if I don't get them set just right. I make "sandwich roll ups" with a tortilla where you sprinkle with cheese for about 25 seconds, put a little turkey or chicken (or turkey pepperoni) and roll up and slice into rounds. I roll the whole thing up in waxed paper. My kids like PBJ this way too. Just came upon your blog and love it!

Thanks Panama Mama! Check out Citizen Pip's website and let me know which bag color you like and where to send it! You can email me at greenhabgoods {at} gmail {dot} com.

And thanks to everyone for the helpful lunch ideas!

Picnic on the Green

Our annual Ethiopian adoption support group picnic was last weekend down in Denver. Picnics are so much fun. We got to see friends that we hadn't seen in awhile, and we also got to meet a lot of new friends. The downside to picnics is that they usually create a lot of waste. In order to mitigate some of that, I packed some of our own plates, wash cloths,silverware and water bottles, along with a plastic bread bag to bring home the dirty dishes.


We tried to green things up at the picnic by setting up recycling bins for cans and plastic.



It must have been 150 degrees out that day. We went through our cold water quickly and ended up using some of the bottled water they had there. Bummer. Although it was probably nothing compared to what we did next...


Ah well, sometimes if you can't beat 'em, you just have to join 'em.

Green Bean Harvest

Here's my green bean harvest for the year. Um, not the cans. Just the bean on the table. The single, solitary, lonely bean. The canned beans are local Colorado beans which I had to buy after I finally admitted to myself that ours just weren't going to happen.

We planted late this year since we were in Ethiopia in the spring. Then some sort of critter got through Mr. Greenhab's fancy rigged chicken wire fence and ate most of our plants. We tried to replant, but it seems that the forces of nature are just against us. At least we've supported a local farmer, and we'll still have "real" green beans this winter (as opposed to store canned). I think I'll be reading some gardening books this winter.

Disappointed in SIGG...

I'm feeling kind of like I did when I found out that John Edwards cheated on his wife. It isn't the worst thing to ever happen in this world, but I still feel really disappointed because I thought SIGG to be a genuinely green company. They say "never trust a politician". I guess we shouldn't trust companies that claim to sell green products either.

There have been questions for some time now about the lining of SIGG bottles. In a response to the website TreeHugger.com back in April of 2008, SIGG CEO Steve Wasik said that the company uses a proprietary liner formula with

"an impeccable reputation for quality" but that "as there are many copy-cat manufacturers in the market (most based in China) that would like to get their hands on this formula, our supplier has an agreement with SIGG to keep his formula confidential."

Wasik assured TreeHugger that:

"Very thorough migration testing in laboratories around the world is conducted regularly and has consistently shown SIGG aluminum bottles to have no presence of lead, phthalates, Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Bysphenol A (BPA), Bysphenol B (BPB) or any other chemicals which scientists have deemed as potentially harmful.

NO presence! In a news bulletin from SIGG last week, Wasik sang a different tune saying,

"Within the scientific community, the safety of the packaging ingredient bisphenol A (BPA) remains the subject of considerable debate and controversy as evidenced by the FDA meetings on the topic this month. For decades, BPA has been the industry Standard for protective coatings – approved by food and health regulators around the world. One year ago, Andrew von Eschenbach, the Commissioner of the FDA, announced that, 'The science we have reviewed does not justify recommending that anyone discontinue using products containing BPA.' At that time, SIGG Switzerland, the world leader in premium reusable bottles, had already made the transition into bottles that are BPA free."

So there was BPA present, although they've always said the lining was a "safe, proprietary" formula, but it's okay that it contained BPA because the FDA hadn't yet condemned it...even though MANY other sources had. Sounds like semantic greenwashing to me.

For those of you out there who own SIGG bottles that were made before August of 2008, it's important to know that they still test at no detectable levels of BPA, which is obviously a good thing. If you still feel cheated, you can let SIGG CEO Steve Wasik know by emailing him at steve.wasik.ceo@sigg.com. I haven't done that yet, but will as soon as I can think of something to say other than "Dude. You used to be cool."

BTW: If you're not sure when your SIGG was made, you can simply look inside...

People are totally bringing me down this week.

Kids Konserve v. Citizen Pip + a giveaway + discounts

Reviews and discounts and giveaways, oh my!

Boy oh boy have I got a lot of information and goodies for you today. In my previous Lunchbox Dilemma post, I talked about all of the options out there for eco-friendly lunch boxes. In the end, I decided just to make due with the tupperware we have, since the eco-friendly options aren't really in our budget right now.

To my happy surprise, I had a few product review offers for said lunch systems shortly thereafter. (Yeah, next time I'll whine about needing a Prius.) I really try not to be a product whore, because that's not what being green is all about, so I end up deleting a lot of "Your readers will love our $100 eye cream!" emails. But since these lunch systems will definitely be used, used and used some more, I was happy to test 'em out.

So let's get to it!

First is the Waste-Free Lunch Kit by Kids Konserve.

For $42 you get a recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, 304 food-grade stainless steel beverage bottle, food kozy and two 304 food-grade stainless steel food containers.

The upside:

• Mine arrived in a pre-used box with ZERO waste to throw away. Loves it!
• The sack I received was not actually cotton, but it was made from recycled plastic bottles which I thought was cool.
• No plastic containers!
• The products (with one exception listed below) were all high-quality, easy to use, and work well.
  

The downside:

• The "food cozy" seemed really cheap. I evidently didn't read the website closely enough and thought it was going to be cloth for some reason. It's actually plastic, albeit "recycled, FDA approved, non-toxic, non-leaching, recyclable PE plastic" that "does not contain Bisphenol-A (BPA) and is Phthalate free."
  
• The products are made in China and India. The company assures me that, "We work with a variety of suppliers...many whom we have known for years and practice fair trade principals." It's always hard to know what to believe in this case, but I'd like to hope a green company like Kids Konserve is genuine in saying this.

From now until September 30th, you can get 15% off your Kids Konserve purchase by using the coupon code "green".

Next up is Citizen Pip's Soup-to-Nuts kit...

"Citizenpip is muck-free: no lead, BPA, PVC, or phthalates." That tag line should answer up front many questions we have when looking at lunch systems. They also claim to surpass FDA and CPSIA standards.

For $55, you can get the "Soup to Nuts" kit which, as it's name indicates, holds just about anything and everything you might want to send for lunch. The kit includes 1 insulated lunch bag with name tag and carabiner, 1 stainless steel water bottle, 1 stainless steel insulated food jar (like a thermos), 4 BPA-free airtight food containers, 1 stainless steel fork + spoon set, 5 100% cotton napkins.

The upside:

• The price seems steep, but you get a lot for your money. To get this much storage in the Kids Konserve package you'd have to add their $20 thermos, additional napkins, and more food containers.
• The containers vary in size - small for dips, yogurt, nuts, dessert, etc. up to a large size that is perfect for a sandwich.
• I love that the thermos in included in this package. I tested it out and it keeps food hot for several hours. (You can also get the $42 package that doesn't include the thermos or utensils.)
  
• They give you 5 napkins so you don't have to worry if you washed them during the week.
  

The downside:

• Again, products are made in China and Taiwan.
• The silverware, drink bottle and thermos arrived in individual plastic sleeves.
• The food containers are plastic. They are "muck free" so I'm not worried about that aspect, I just have an aversion to purchasing plastic, even if it is recyclable plastic.
  

From now until September 30th, you can receive 10% off a minimum $40 purchase on Citizen Pip's website using the coupon code "greenhab10".

I'm really torn between these two kits. I think both have given us some nice, eco-friendly options.

I'm not wild about all the plastic with the Citizen Pip kit, but I do know that this is something we'll be using for years to come, so I wouldn't feel as guilty using it as I would buying something that serves a one-time purpose (like putting a gogurt tube or a pudding cup in their lunch boxes).

I love the steel food containers in the Kids Konserve package, but you don't seem to get quite as much for your money. I think it's the cheapy "food cozy" that's throwing me off there, because it really is a nice kit.

Most likely the decision will have to be a personal one based on your child's lunch needs. You can also customize your lunch box by picking and choosing which items you want, rather than purchasing a pre-made kit. And both companies have programs where schools can get a portion of proceeds for getting their students to go green.

So...

Since this is my first year packing lunches (and for two kids no less!), I need some ideas. Leave me a comment with your lunch ideas or tips and you will be entered to win one of Citizen Pip's Square Meal Kits including lunch bag, 5 napkins, water bottle and 4 lunch containers.

(Open to US residents only, sorry. But you can still leave me your tips if you're outside the US! Also, you'll have the option to choose which bag style you prefer. Winner will be chosen at random on Friday, August 28th.)

Updated to add a few more discount coupon codes...

The website www.NubiusOrganics.com is offering 10% off if you use the code "eco10". Nubius offers PVC-free backpacks as well as products from many green suppliers like To-Go Ware and Laptop Lunches.

Laptop Lunches is offering 20% off their bento box style lunch systems using code "ideal55".

Also, some folks have asked about the washability of the Kids Konserve and Citizen Pip lunch boxes. Citizen Pip is really easy to wipe down inside because the entire top zips open. I wouldn't put it in the washing machine, but you could certainly wash it out in the sink. The Kids Konserve bag opens at the top like a sack, so it's a little harder to get to, but I have just put it under the spigot and run water directly into the bag to clean it. I turned it upside down to dry.

Hope that helps!

August APLS Carnival is up!

After a summer sabbatical, the APLS blog carnival is back up and running. Going Green Mama is hosting the carnival this month. The theme is "Green on the Cheap". Check it out - you're sure to find some good ideas and food for thought!

Be sure to keep an eye on the APLS blog for details on the September carnival. And yours truly will be hosting in October!

Why we don't act on climate change

I read an article on Live Science today that just left me down in the mouth. The title is Why Americans Don't Act on Climate Change and the reason is basically that we're lazy. (Ahem, according to the article!)

It seems that 3/4 of Americans believe that Global Warming is real and know that it's an important issue. They just don't see it as an immediate threat, so they don't really need to change their ways. According to the article, "The issue ranked last on a list of 20 compelling issues, behind things like terrorism and the economy."

Maybe they should be talking to the South Pacific islands that are begging us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, lest they disappear into the sea. Or the dead penguins washing up on beaches in Rio de Janeiro.

So it seems that the American Psychological Association did some research to figure out why people won't make changes. Here's what they came up with:

• Uncertainty – Research has shown that uncertainty over climate change reduces the frequency of "green" behavior.
  

• Mistrust – Evidence shows that most people don't believe the risk messages of scientists or government officials.

• Denial – A substantial minority of people believe climate change is not occurring or that human activity has little or nothing to do with it, according to various polls.

• Undervaluing Risks – A study of more than 3,000 people in 18 countries showed that many people believe environmental conditions will worsen in 25 years. While this may be true, this thinking could lead people to believe that changes can be made later.

• Lack of Control – People believe their actions would be too small to make a difference and choose to do nothing.

• Habit – Ingrained behaviors are extremely resistant to permanent change while others change slowly. Habit is the most important obstacle to pro-environment behavior, according to the report.

Sigh.

Options for green (ish) swag

I've been putting this post off for awhile since it didn't seem relevant to my life any more. A company called Forte Promotions contacted me awhile back about reviewing some of their eco-friendly swag, er, "promotional products".

At the time, I was still working a corporate job where I had to attend conferences several times each year, handing out plastic junk to hundreds of people that came by. Fun. I tried to move the company from plastic pens and staplers to mint tins and notebooks. There aren't really that many green options when you're talking affordable swag.

Since being contacted by Forte at the beginning of the summer, I took a leave from said corporate job, then made the decision not to go back at all. I'm having too much fun working from home for iVillage and spending time with the kids.

I'm sure if you've read many green blogs in the past few weeks, you know that the talk of the cyber town has been Blogher '09 and the amount of swag that was present there. Since that seems to be a hot topic of late, I decided to go ahead and put up this post now.

I don't necessarily think handing out tons of product that claims to be "green"-- instead of tons of plastic stuff -- is the answer, but I know companies aren't going to stop handing out swag altogether. Thus, I'd rather see some things that are a little less harmful to the planet than, say, a Michelin Man keychain.

Forte offers a variety of slightly more eco-friendly promotional products like the bamboo USB flash drive and recycled insulated lunch bag (both pictured above). I like the tag on the inside of the lunch tote. It reads:

LUNCH TOTE
Made with 100%
Post-Consumer
Recycled Materials.
Yesterday's Discarded Water
Bottles and Food Containers.
Except for some things like zippers and grommets,
but we're working on it!

It's actually a cool little bag and there aren't any zippers or grommets on it so, besides the velcro, it seems to be all recycled materials. Definitely swag I'd take home with me!

Yard sale booty!

Last Saturday was National Yard Sale Day. Since my mom had the two big kids, I took the little guy out and we hit a few sales. I found this adorable vintage fabric. It's cut into two pieces, but there's about 3/4 yard total. It's so cute that I don't want to do anything with it for fear that I'll think of a better project. Any ideas or suggestions?


They squares are a good size to make coasters out of...but how many coasters do I really need. I think we have 5 different sets already. Maybe an applique for a dish towel? Oooh or pot holders!

Green reading

Mr. Greenhab and I often joke about how different we are and how opposites really do attract. I'm neat and organized and he's, well, not. For example, I have one book on my night stand. I start it, it stays there, I finish it. His nightstand has about 10 books - War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, The Singularity, Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire, a comic book, and several others. He starts one, picks up another one, goes back and forth...

Have I mentioned that I am FINALLY reading Simple Prosperity: Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle? I know, I'm about 2 years behind the times. I don't have a lot of "me time" for reading but, after hearing so much about this book over the past year, I finally grabbed it at the library last week.

So yesterday when I walked by his night stand and caught a glimpse of "David Wann, co-author of Affluenza" and thought "Heeeeeeey he's trying to steal my book!" Then I did a double take. This wasn't my book, Simple Prosperity, it was the book I got him for Father's Day, The Zen of Gardening in the High and Arid West. (In my defense, that's what he asked for! He did get a zombie book along with it.)

Have I mentioned that I'm also really bad with names?

At this point, I'm still puzzled. I thought David Wann wrote the book that I'm reading. I grab his book and go downstairs to find mine...

Ahhh...the (compact fluorescent) light bulb goes on!

Maybe we're not so different after all.

And the "Bothered by my Green Conscience" winner is...

Seppie who said...

"I would love to read it! And we're in CO, so it would have way fewer travel miles than if someone far away wins it!! It could be a low-carbon contest if I'm the winner..."

Congrats Seppie! Please leave me a way to get in touch with you, or email me at greehabgoods {at} gmail {dot} com.

New in the shop!

More photo envelopes in my Etsy store. I'm loving these. I carry one in my purse because everyone wants to see photos of our new kids. They're also a great way to use up some of my favorite fabric scraps.

The lunchbox dilemma...

I've had my eye on these Bento lunch containers by Laptop Lunches for the kids since both Fletch and Macy will be taking their lunches to school this year. They're supposed to be very durable and long lasting. And, you know me, I love the organization and the fact that none of the food will touch.

But they're plastic. Albeit BPA and pthalate free, recyclable plastic, but plastic nonetheless.

Today I ran across the Goodbyn. How darn cute are these?? Forget the kids, I kind of want one for myself. They're made in the US and they're BPA and pthalate free. But they're still plastic.

I mean, if I'm going to buy plastic, I might as well get something like this Goodbyn or the Bento that will last a long time. After my kids outgrow them I can pass it along, or recycle it. It definitely won't end up in the landfill, but I'm just having a hard time justifying the purchase of something plastic. (Uh, even when I buy milk every week in a plastic container, or deodorant, or shampoo, or...) I do love that they're a smallish company who cares about manufacturing their product in the US.

Another option is the Waste-Free Lunch Kit by Kids Konserve. I think this is one of my favorites. It includes a recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, stainless steel beverage bottle, food kozy and two stainless steel food containers.

Isn't it adorable? But for $40, well... I just can't justify that price. The kids already have SIGG bottles and I can make the napkin, bag and "food cozy". I may consider some of their mini stainless steel containers that run 4 for $15. I certainly wouldn't fault someone for spending $40 on this but, for our family, part of being green is being a little frugal too.

These tiffins by Happy Tiffin run $12.99 for their smallest 2-tier version, which is a decent price. The best feature, to me, is NO PLASTIC! However, I look at this and think I'm also going to have to send a drink bottle, possibly silverware, a napkin, etc. so this will need to go in a bag...or have a bag along with it. It doesn't seem all that practical for kids but, the more I think about it, the more ideas I have for a tiffin pouch w/ pockets for a napkin, utensils, and a place to attach a water bottle.

Mr. Greenhab and I have the grown-up version from To-Go Ware. They run $45 there with the carry bag and utensils. If you sign up for their mailing list you'll get coupons and specials though. I got both of ours for under $50 (Christmas gift) when I took a product survey for them last year.

While I think they'd work just fine for kids as well, I can't really see my Kindergartner saying "Mommy, can I puh-leeeeease use this????"

So... After much research and price comparing and swearing at my conscience, I decided that the best thing to do would be to use what we already have. Anticlimactic, right?

My mom bought the kids these little soft-sided insulated bags from Target's $1 section earlier this summer. They've been using them all summer to carry their toys around, but I think they'll be just as happy using them for their intended purpose.

They have SIGG bottles and real silverware that do just fine. I'll whip up a few snack bags, "food cozies", and cloth napkins out of the plethora of scrap fabric I have. And, if worse comes to worse, we can always use some of the tupperware we still have lingering around.

As much as I love "new" and "cute", I just can't bring myself to buy new when we can make due with the things we already have.