• The Green Walnut Archive

    When it comes to sunscreen, you can never have too much. Believe me: I’m living proof. After going through my second skin cancer treatment in two weeks, I am regretting all those hours in the sun as a kid that may have been fun at the time, but for which I am now paying the price. Sure we wore “suntan lotion” (as it was called back then), but re-applying after time spent in the water wasn’t stressed nearly as much as it is today. As a mom of two young girls who spend their fair share of time outdoors, I am constantly running after them with sprays, lotions, face sticks…anything I can get my hands on so they can avoid having to go through surgery [&hellip

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    With a hint of spring in the air and warmer weather well on its way, we can expect to see a caravan of strollers making their rounds. If you will be among the many fellow baby-toting moms, here’s a bit of advice from this seasoned mama: Pack lightly. If there was one thing that used to drive me bonkers as a new mom heading out to the park or playground, it was how unbelievably bogged down I was, schlepping all this stuff around. Between a clean diaper, wipes, snacks, a hat, sweater (in case of a breeze, God forbid!) and anything else I could cram into my bag, I wasn’t just prepared for an afternoon out with my baby daughter…I was ready for the apocalypse, [&hellip

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    If I had a nickel for every time I’ve used a plastic sandwich baggie, I could cash out and skip playing Lotto. Seriously, we go through dozens of these bags every week: from packing snacks and small lunch items, to storing craft supplies and other items I can’t seem to get handle on otherwise. Part of me feels guilty every time we open yet another one (hey, at least I recycle the box!), but as a busy mom, these baggies have become one of my most indispensable items to date. Imagine then how I felt when I recently received a sample of Stasher, a plastic-free, silicon storage bag. To call this item revolutionary would be putting it on a pedestal, and yet I feel this [&hellip

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    Have you noticed it is getting darker, earlier? As summer reaches its half-way mark and the daylight hours are slowly dwindling, nighttime seems to set in sooner than we’d like. Anxious to take advantage of those lovely nights before they’re out of our grasp, my husband and I happily sat down to dinner al fresco last Friday night…only to be greeted by some unwelcome guests. Enter the ever-pesky mosquitoes (what would summer be without them?). Because we were determined to eat without having them ruin our meal, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to try out the new Stinger All-Natural Mosquito Repellent Lantern. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary outdoor light you’d have on your deck or patio. But underneath its [&hellip

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    Now that summer is in full swing, we’ve officially moved onto camp season. My older daughter has decided that she’s outgrown her lunch bag, so we’re in the market for something a bit more, shall we say, “sophisticated?” (read: middle school cool). While out shopping the other day, I came across some bento boxes, which seemed like the perfect upgrade to the lunchtime routine. But upon further investigation, I decided the plastic containers appeared a bit too flimsy, and figured they wouldn’t hold up to a rough-and-tumble camp day. So when I heard about PlanetBox, a line of stainless-steel, multi-compartment lunch boxes, I was determined to check it out. There’s so much to like about this product line…where do we start? Kids with fussy appetites [&hellip

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    We recently took a stroll down memory lane watching videos of when my girls were toddlers. It’s hard to believe they were once that young–no backtalk, just babble–and so fiercely independent (or at least trying to be). I  remember so well how determined my older daughter was to drink out of her own cup, minus the top. And if my well-worn kitchen floor is any indication of just how many spills of knocked-over drinks I’ve cleaned up, well…let’s just say there’s a reason for all those stains. If you have an equally determined toddler on your hands, you know that meal time isn’t the best time for arguing over minor mishaps. Katesplace Kupp’ is the answer to those relentless cries of “I do it myself!” [&hellip

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    It’s not even June yet, and it already feels like summer. The sun is out, the heat is on and the kids are thirsty. Fresh off the school bus with sweaty, rosy-cheeked faces, they can barely make it through the door before they are asking for something cold to drink. Yesterday, I was able to surprise them with something new and boy, did it make an impression. Honest Tea‘s latest addition to its organic Summer Refreshers line, Watermelon Lemonade, combines the classic taste of tart lemons with a refreshing twist of mouthwatering melon. The result is a well-balanced beverage that tempers the taste of sharp citrus with subtle fruity flavor. We like to think of as a new summer beverage for the seasoned palette…or for [&hellip

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    As April turns into May and thoughts of summer vacation are on the horizon, it’s the perfect excuse to update your little one’s wardrobe (as if you needed a reason to shop!). If you’ll be planning a trip to a seaside destination this summer, why not speak the language of the natives and go for some beach-inspired baby wear? We are loving the newest collection from SoftBaby, makers of designer organic cotton clothing for infant boys and girls. From soft tees, to one-piece rompers, this all-natural assortment is entirely non-toxic and features whimsical prints that are both playful and fashion-forward. We especially love the long-sleeved play suits that protect little ones from chilly sea breezes…utterly adorable. So, stop dreaming about your summer vaca and start [&hellip

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    It doesn’t take a genius to know that the organics food market is exploding, and that’s especially true where babies and kids are concerned. When my girls were toddlers, I introduced them to some bunny-shaped cheddar crackers, but truthfully, they were just as happy with their Goldfish. Today, you’d be remiss not to experiment with organic foods; there’s no shortage of options for babies and toddlers alike, and if you’re trying to expand your child’s culinary horizons, this is the time to do it. We asked one of our mom testers to sample Plum Organics’ Mighty 4 Essential Nutrition Bars with her 10-month-old son, and find out whether they were worth checking out. “He LOVES these,” she enthused. “I love that there are vegetables in [&hellip

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    I never dreamed that my kindergartener would visit a spa before I did, but lo and behold, hell hath frozen over. She has since attended two beauty-themed birthday parties–all at the ripe old age of 5–and seems to have had her fill (for the time being, at least). But one take-away that never seems to get old is the experience of having her nails “done.” While she loves the glittery glow and the endless array of rainbow hues in which to adorn her digits, she admits that the stinky chemical smell is something she can live without (you and me both, kid). Because yours truly only breaks out the polish for her own twice-yearly at-home mani/pedi (if you call air-drying on the back deck a [&hellip

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