where do you come from?

if the law dictates that we know where our t-shirt was made by the label inside

why isn't the same standard in place for the food we bring to our table?

(an interesting piece to listen to here.)

by chance i noticed a can of organic black beans - brand of a regular stop on our grocery hunt - had a "product of china" stamp on it. (saw it once then never saw it again on another can... hmmm...)black beans and brown rice are brought to our table on a regular basis. in an attempt to eat more locally i am trying to find out where they came from. (hey, california is the breadbasket of the world they tell me, so shouldn't i be able to find them grown here?) so i am on a search. any ideas where to start?

fantastic post over at angry chicken this a.m. regarding toys not made in china - and alot more.

thanks amy!

e's 6th bday is less than a month a way and i have been thinking of tactful ways to request no plastic and a plea for locally made. any ideas?

an exhibition and related public programming at otis

more info here

{thanks for the info sam - it does look great!}

Made in America (Toys)

While channel hoping recently I landed on the Travel Channel's Made in America. For those who don't know this is the show where John Ratzenberger drives around the US in a bus, visiting people who make American goods. The show I saw featured Marble King in West Virginia.

Glass marbles are one of those objects of desire for me. I had no idea this place existed despite their claim to be "The World's Best Known, Best Loved Marbles". But I know where I am going for stocking stuffers for the holidays this year.

I don't know how environmentally responsible King Marble is but I like the idea of not adding to America's trade deficit by buying from home.

Do you have any favorite made in America toys?

Links
Made in America
How to Play Marbles (UK)
How to Play Marbles (ehow.com)

Surf's Up

adding to e's stacking doll collection - i am thinking these chickens for her. and perhaps these for me!

checking out the night sky and using stellarium to help identify what we see

enjoying a peek inside nancy mims of mod green pod's pad via designsponge. (and while you are at it check out her organic fabric selection!)

looking for some new market bags - caterin's muslin tote swap is a great idea!

swissmiss posted a guide to wrapping via the Japanese Ministry of the Environment

all new goodies at twotrees


have a lovely weekend!

Homemade Popsicles

So the kid came home with stories of popsicles being served at school as a snack. The colors he described suggested they weren't serving up the most natural product so I decided to have a go at making some at home. I picked up some "vintage" Tupperware moulds on Ebay (try searching for popsicle moulds) and we simply used orange juice, apple juice, and fresh blueberries and apple juice whizzed together in a blender.



We buy organic juice anyway so voilà organic, good for you, popsicles. And they were really good! What could be better on a hot LA summer day?

Holztiger Wooden Figures

I've just discovered Holztiger wooden figures. Handmade in Germany from wood and painted with non-toxic paints there is something very desirable about these little figures. I treated myself to a mushroom but I'm also coveting the owl and turtle.



I'm not sure you could say these are "green" exactly. I couldn't find out if the hardwood they use is sustainably produced wood and they have to make the journey from Germany but they sure beat the toxic Elmos and Doras currently coming out of China.

You can find a list of US dealers on the Holztiger website. PADiLLY seems to have one of the largest selections and that's where I got mine from.

Let us know if you know of any other greener toy options.

Online Resources

One of the reasons Tracy and I started Two Green Chickens was to share green resources with each other. To this end I’m starting a list of online resources so I can remember where I saw that cute organic onesie when I'm looking for a shower gift or those natural sewing supplies.

I don't think that Blogger has the concept of pages yet (if someone knows otherwise please let me know) so I will create a post and link to it in the right column. We will update the post as we discover new resources.

Shopping List

Baby

• American Apparel Organics


• kate quinn organics


• Swans Island baby blanket

Sewing and Crafts

• Tenfold Organic Textiles


• Natural Stuffing and Batting at Purl Bee


• Naturally Beautiful Yarns at Purl Bee. Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3