Your Backyard Bounty Makes Great Gifts (Photo Courtesy of Technotheory)

Spring is here which means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. A great way to spend more time outdoors is by starting a backyard garden. Not only can a garden offer great, organic and fresh food for you and your family, but it can also be a great source of gifts for family and friends this summer. If you’re starting a garden this spring, think about planting vegetables, flowers and herbs that can be used to give great gifts your loved ones will appreciate.

Homemade Salsa

Nothing at the grocery store quite compares with fresh, homemade salsa. Grow the tomatoes fresh in your garden along with the other ingredients you need to give your friends and family members homemade salsa. Check out salsagarden.com for tips on growing your ingredients and canning your salsa.

Fresh or Dried Herbs

Cooking with fresh herbs is the best way to go. Share your backyard bounty with your friends and family members by giving them some herbs. You can either cut fresh herbs and tie stems together with twine, or you can hang your herbs upside down inside and let them dry out. Once they are dry bag them up and give them away.

Flower Bulbs

Flower bulbs make great gifts. If your backyard is full of them pull some out of the ground and package them creatively using a flower pot or other plant container. Include a short list of instructions explaining how to plant and grow the bulbs.

Fresh Cut Flowers

Just about everyone loves getting flowers. If you grow flowers in your backyard this gift will be quick and affordable. Create a bouquet from the blooms in your own backyard. Arrange them in a low cost vase and your gift is ready to go.

Ingredient and Recipe

If you’re great at growing peppers, eggplant, avocado or another vegetable, bag up several of them to give as a gift. Include a recipe where that ingredient is the star. Your loved one will appreciate the thought and care that went into your gift.

Southern Man Vintage Tees

Southern Brand recently launched a line of Vintage Tees for men, aptly named Southern Man. Southern Brand features classic design tenets of the south and images of rural Americana including noble critters, roadside BBQ shacks, the blues highway, old wooden letterpress show posters and phrases born of tradition, hard work and good livin’.

Southern Brand tees are Vintage Soft and weathered feelin’. These are the kinda’ tees Dad wants! These premium Southern Tee are made from 100% pure cotton and has been put through an extensive Vintage Wash process. This produces distinctive weathering and classic color, resulting in a true vintage look and a feel as soft as a baby’s bottom. Printed with vegetable inks and non-formaldehyde discharges. Keepin’ Mother Earth smilin’.

Price: $29

Ball and Buck Pocket-T

Price: $34.00 +

Old Spice T-Shirts

Old Spice’s new online store featuring some really cool kitschy Old Spice clothing and accessories.  Perfect for dad’s who love that Old Spice!

Many of the t-shirts feature the Old Spice insignia in a simple manner, which makes it easy for many guys to wear and love. Plus, at this price be sure to grab more than one!

Price: $20

Crazy Shirts Father’s Day Tees

If dad’s a beer lover, how about a beer dyed T-shirt? Only Crazy Shirts would make a beer dyed T-shirt that is dyed with pale ale from a genuine microbrewery in Hawaii. The brewed tee is infused with hops and barley and designed with water-based inks. Isn’t it amazing that you can wear something out of beer?

Each t-shirt also comes in unique packaging and can be purchased online at local Crazy Shirts store locations across the US.

Price: $25 – $29

Marine Layer T-Shirts and Polos

Marine Layer makes t-shirts and polos that fit and feel like your old favorite right out of the box.  The shirts are sustainably made in California using a custom knit fabric that is softer and more eco-friendly than cotton.  Plus, they come in “between sizes” Smedium, Marge & Larger,  so you’re guaranteed to find one that fits your father just right.  Shirts are sold exclusively online.

Price: $35 +

Tarte Tote Set

This Mother’s Day give a beauty gift that not only would please your mother,  but mother earth as well.  Here are a few suggestions for great eco-friendly Mother’s Day beauty gifts:

Tarte Be Good To Your Mother (Earth) Tote Set

Celebrate this Mother’s Day with this environmentally friendly set featuring a reusable natural cotton tote and three natural lip sheers.  The three lip sheer are packaged in post-consumer recycled aluminum tubes and geniusly named reduce (sheer peach) , reuse (sheer poppy pink), and recycle (sheer pinky beige).  The SPF 15 lip sheers are sulfate-free and paraben-free and come tucked in a the natural cotton tote that can reused as a grocery bag or a fun beach bag.  Price $35

Bare Escentuals Siren of the Sea Collection

Bare Escentuals Siren of the Sea Hydrating and Brightening Collection

This seven-piece collection is named siren of the sea, referring to the mermaid of course, to reflect the cool and hydrating effects of the ocean.  This collection features a blush and powder with water-encapsulated technology, making skin look hydrated while provide natural color.  This seven-piece Bare Escentuals kit comes with; Natural Lip Gloss in Chiffon (nude sand), Mermaid (dark blue-green) eye color, hydrating coral blush, hydrating mineral veil, High Shine in Sand Dune, double-ended brush with bamboo handle, and a straw clutch. Price $49

LAVANILA The Healthy Candle

LAVANILA The Healthy Candle

For the mother who always wants a candle, The Healthy Candle from LAVANILA is made of pure beeswax and pure essential oils.  Inspired by their signature fragrances, LAVANILA The Healthy Candle with give the home a beautiful and inviting scent.  Pure beeswax, which burns 90% cleaner and last 50% longer than paraffin candles, burn clean to create a safer and less polluted indoor environment.  These three wicked candles come in a keepsake tin and are available in the following fragrances: Pure Vanilla, Vanilla Grapefruit, Vanilla Coconut, and Vanilla Spice.  Price $32

Josie Maran Earth Day Essentials

Josie Maran Earth Day Essentials Green-On-The-Go Kit

This kit features Josie Maran’s best-selling and award-winning products that are eco-chic and a great way to start with a healthy and natural makeup routine.  This kit comes with five products; 100% organic Argan Oil to be used on the face, pluming lip gloss in Daring (sheer rosy nude), cream blush in Sunrise (soft pink), mascara and eye liner both in black.  Josie Maran products are paraben-free and sulfate-free, and made without any synthetic fragrances, petro-chemicals, or phthalates.  Price $48

Juice Beauty Organics To Go

Juice Beauty Organics To Go Starter Kit

Finally, beauty would not be complete without having the foundation of great skin.  This six-piece organic skincare starter set provides all anti-aging needs for day and night.  The set contains a bamboo washcloth to be use with the Cleansing Milk, Green Apple Peel for Sensitive skin, Antioxidant Serum, Hydrating Mist, and Nutrient Moisturizer.  Price $29

Make Your Easter Basket Green. photo courtesy of Butterfly Sha

Start With the Basket

Going green this Easter can start with the basket that will hold it all. This Bolga basket is made by artists in a small villiage in Northern Ghana. This fair-trade basket is made from natural grasses by people who have been making them for decades. Pick one up for just $15.95.

Forget the Plastic Grass

Rather than picking up a cheap bag of plastic grass, why not try something a little more Earth-friendly? Try green yarn, strips of recycled paper or 100% biodegradable grass like this one for $2.29 a bag.

Chocolate Can Be Green

Chocolate is usually brown, but it can be green, too. Try these cute organic and fair-trade chocolate bunny twins ; they are just $5.18 at the NaturalCandyStore.com. Throw in some organic jelly beans and vegan gummy bears.

Try Wooden Toys

Wooden toys are a good option when trying to go green. This egg shaker is hand crafted and is colored in natural vegetable dyes. These are sold for $8 at TheLittleSeed.com and are made by artisans in India.

Include a Book

Books made with recycled paper are another great addition to any Earth-friendly Easter basket. Barnes and Noble sells several titles your little bunny will love including this one called In the Garden.

Gift Shopping at the Grocery Store? photo courtesy of ralphbijker

In our super busy lives full of family and work obligations, sometimes the inevitable happens– we forget a special event. Whether it be a birthday, baby shower, house warming or anniversary celebration there is no need to panic. Thoughtful, special, and affordable gifts are as close as your neighborhood grocery store. Here are a few options for finding last-minute gifts at the grocery store.
Flowers

Grocery store flowers can be just as pretty as the ones at the fancy florist. Pick up a few bunches of flowers. You can even ask if they’ll combine them and wrap them in coordinating tissue paper. Use the complimentary flower cards to write a sweet message about how you hope the flowers will brighten their special day or their new home– whatever the occasion may be.

Beauty Products

Put together a little gift bag full of bath time favorites. Try to steer clear of the more utilitarian products (like, say, Irish Spring or Dial) and find slightly higher end grocery store products. Grab some nail files, polish and a bath puff to complete the package.

Go Ethnic

Put together an ethnic-themed gift. Grab a strainer and throw in some pasta, sauce and a loaf of fresh bread for an Italian-themed present. Or do something similar with Mexican food essentials like tortillas, cheese, and salsa.

Sweets

Everybody loves sweets! Fill a baking pan with treat-making essentials like sprinkles, frosting, and cookie cutters.

Think Organic

The organic craze is everywhere these days. Just about every grocery store sells reusable grocery store bags. Fill one of these with organic and earth-friendly food. Your store likely has a special aisle stocked especially with these items.

Coffee

And who doesn’t love coffee? You don’t have to go to a pricey coffee shop to get some good beans. Peruse the coffee aisle for a nice roast, throw in a coffee mug and maybe even some coffee flavoring and you’ve got a great little present thanks to your neighborhood grocery store!

#########

If you have any other ideas, please let us know. Leave a message!

Charles Chocolate Edible Box

We mentioned Charles Chocolates in our 2009 Valentine’s Gift Guide.

Charles Chocolates is one man’s pursuit for gourmet premium chocolate.  Charles Chocolates uses only the finest ingredients; the world’s best chocolate, organic herbs, fresh nuts and fruits, and Straus organic cream and butter.  All the chocolate is made by hand, in small batches, and shipped to customers within three days of being made.  For more information on the history and products, watch the video:

For Valentine’s Day, the best gift from Charles Chocolates is to not just give a box of chocolates, but give chocolates with a box that is edible as well!  The Heart Collection features a white chocolate lid decorated with red hearts on top of a dark chocolate box base.  Inside this box are Charles Chocolates heart-shaped truffles filled with a rich, creamy ganache in a thin 65% bittersweet shell.  Each Heart Collection Edible Box comes with eight of each flavor truffle ( Raspberry, Passion Fruit, and Mojito).  If you just want the heart-shaped truffles in a traditional box, they are available as well in a 10 and 20 piece box.

Want something besides chocolate?  Try Charles Chocolates Paté de Fruit.  Each piece is made with at least 45% real fruit and pure sugar cane.  There are two varieties to choose from, Classic Paté de Fruit and Wine Infused Paté de Fruit.  The Classic gift box features 15 pieces of Paté de Fruit in 5 flavors: Raspberry, Blood Orange, White Peach, Papaya and Passion.  The Wine Infused gift box features 15 pieces of Paté de Fruit in 5 different flavors: Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Champagne.  Both varieties have intense taste and a bold fruit flavor, no artificial flavoring here!

For more gift ideas, check out Charles Chocolates online store.

___________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever tried Charles Chocolates? Tell me what you think of Charles Chocolate or this post.  Please leave any comments or suggestions. Share the love!

 

 

Sleep Sheep

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZIJlgNxdw[/youtube]

From Cloud B comes the Sleep Sheep. It’s the perfect gift to give for those who have fussy babies who have a hard time sleeping at night. The Sleep Sheep is a 12″ plush sound machine with four soothing sounds; Mother’s heartbeat, spring showers, ocean waves, and whale songs. Created to be attached outside the crib or as a plush for the baby once the sound machine device is removed.

Pee-Pee Teepe

From Beba Bean it’s the Pee-pee Teepee. A great gift for those who have mishaps changing baby boys. The Pee-pee Teepee is a 100% cotton cone-shaped cloth which is used during changing to provide an extra hand and makes sure diaper changes are dry and easy! Each package comes with five Teepees.

100% Organic Cotton SleepSack Wearable Blanket

Halo created the SleepSack Wearable Blanket to keep babies safe at night by replacing dangerous lose blankets. This wearable blanket carries the “#1 Safe Sleep Product” gold seal from First Candle/SIDS Alliance, and makes the perfect gift for new mothers and those who are just worrywarts. The SleepSack comes in organic cotton, which is free of dyes, chemicals, and preservatives. Great for those who are concern with both safety and the environment.

California Baby Holiday Cheer Gift Tote

California Baby’s Limited Edition Holiday Cheer! Gift Tote is the great gift to give this season if you really don’t know what to give. The tote comes with a bubble bath, aromatherapy spritzer, and bath mesh. The limited edition Holiday Cheer! scent is a blend of orange, lavender, and a touch of vanilla. All products from California Baby are used with essential oils and contain organic and sustainably grown ingredients. The biodegradable bubble bath is non-drying and is free of sodium lauryl sulfate and DEA.
________________________________________________________________

Have any holiday baby gift ideas? Please leave a comment and tell me all about it!

Earth Kit from earthkits.com

One person can make a difference– especially if that person is a child. That’s the philosophy behind EarthKits.com. The idea is to educate and excite some of Earth’s youngest inhabitants so that they’ll continue a long life of environmentally-friendly living.

The site’s signature product is the Earth Kit for Kids. (The Earth Kit for Adults is on its way.) There’s a deluxe version and a mini version. The deluxe kit comes with lots of items including a 16 oz. BPA-free “Kids Go Green” spill-proof water bottle by Camelbak, a “Kids Go Green” organic cotton T-shirt, a “Green at Heart” wristband and a seeded download card. Kids can download two songs for free and then plant the card and watch the seeds grow into a plant. All of the products will come in a cardboard box that has been made from recycled materials. For under $50 you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping the environment one child at a time.

Everything Kits Environment Book from earthkits.com

If you’re looking for a great gift under $5, why not have a tree planted on someone’s behalf? Your $3 donation to American Forests will plant one tree. American Forests is working on tree-planting projects in all 50 states, as well as 21 countries worldwide. If $3 buys a tree, a $100 donation could practically fund a forest!

Besides the online shop, EarthKits.com offers lots of free information on how YOU can slow global warming or make a difference to help our environment. Take a few minutes to review dozens of tips on how to live an earth-friendly life at home, at work or even on vacation. Soon, you and your family will be living green!

If you tried any of these “go-green” products, please leave a message! We’d like to know about your experience!

Korres Limited-Edition Sugar Plums Set

Korres Limited-Edition Sugar Plums Set

This limited-edition nature-inspired kit has all you need for a fresh and flawless look. Korres Sugar Plums Set comes with a lip butter, lip gloss, and a shimmering eyeshadow. The Plum Lip Butter is a mix of Shea Butter and Rice Wax that will melt on the lips and provides a shiny, tinted finish which will hydrate and add softness.  Plum Cherry Lip Gloss is a sheer, high-shine, color lip gloss.  Cherry oil hydrates the lips while vitamins E and C offer antioxidant protection. The Plum Shimmering Eyeshadow is very easy to apply and is infused with sunflower and evening primrose oils to nourish the sensitive eye area.

LAVANILA Three Wishes Healthy Body Trio

LAVANILA Three Wishes Healthy Body Trio

The trio of 100% pure Shea and cocoa butters are infused with super anti-oxidants Goji Berry and Kakadu Plum, for a healthy dose of 30 essential vitamins & minerals and 19 amino acids to feed the skin.  These naturally formulated and rich body butters deeply nourish and repair the skin. 

The LAVANILA Three Wishes Healthy Body Trio comes with a Pure Vanilla Body Butter, Vanilla Grapefruit Body Butter, and a Vanilla Blossom Body Butter, all in a beautiful signature gift box.

Tsi-La Organic Eau De Parfum Mini Collection

Tsi-La Organic Eau De Parfum Mini Collection

Delicate, sophisticated and 100% organic. Untouched by alcohol, preservatives, artificial fragrances or colorings, the Tsi-La Organic Eau De Parfum Mini Collection uses a moisturizing base of select coconut oil infused with botanical extracts of pink orchid flowers.

The 4 miniature bottles are perfect for travel and come packaged in a black lotus signature box. 

Comes with four fragrances: Fleur Sauvage, Kesu, Ilang Ilang , and Kizes.

Burt’s Bees Men’s Natural Grooming Kit

Burt's Bees Men's Natural Grooming Kit

We didn’t forget the men!  This collection of men’s grooming necessities is the perfect gift for guys on the go. Burt’s Bees Men’s Natural Grooming Kit is all you need to cleanse, moisturize, shave and invigorate your skin with natural botanicals including Sunflower, Coconut, Cyprus and Fir oils, Aloe and Vitamin E. Each kit contains aftershave, shave cream, body wash, bar soap, and a lip balm all in a men’s travel bag.

______________________________________________________________

Do you have any earth friendly bath & body products you would like to recommend?  Please leave a comment and share any ideas you have.