Thrifty and Green

Many people have the belief that it is too expensive to buy environmentally friendly items. It is true that organic cotton is more expensive than traditional cotton as is organic produce. Is it possible to be natural without going bankrupt? Absolutely.

Don't forget the 3 R's. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Lets focus on Reuse today.

The absolute best thing you can do to prevent waste and have the lightest carbon foot print is to simply reuse items from others. This is especially easy with children's clothes. Kids grow so fast that they can't possibly wear out clothes before they are in the next size. So talk to you friends with older kids, most people can't wait to get rid of the clothes that don't fit anymore.

Check the local thrift stores, Goodwill, etc. Just spending a little time looking around could save you a fortune on children's clothes. Also check out your local Freecycle. Freecycle is an awesome network of people giving items to members of their community. It is the ultimate in reuse and recycle.

If you are careful to save money on the majority of your child's clothes and get them from free or less expensive sources, you can afford to purchase organic cotton on the few items that you actually do need to purchase. By reusing items from your friends and neighbors you are keeping those items out of the landfill which is just as important as supporting organic farmers and it is cheaper.

To do the right thing for the planet you don't have to spend a ton of money. You just have to be thrifty. Then you can afford to make the conscious decisions and buy green products on the few items you must buy.

Organic Cotton Baby Items

I feel it is important to purchase items for my family that I can feel good about. I try to purchase organic cotton toys, clothing, and household goods whenever possible. Organic cotton is so much softer than traditionally farmed cotton. It uses less water and eliminates the use of pesticides which keeps our soil and ground water safe and clean. I blogged about the benefits of Organic Cotton a couple of months ago, check it out here.

One company who specializes in Organic Cotton toys and children's clothing is Under the Nile. All of the Cotton used at Under the Nile is 100% Organic Cotton from Egypt. Under the Nile's mission statement is "Concern for the environment, humanity, and ethical business practices working harmoniously as one".

The company takes part in the 13 Villages Project which provides healthier living conditions for impoverished people living in Egypt. Your purchase of these organic baby clothes actually helps people live better lives. The money doesn't end up in the coffers of some huge corporation but in the hands of villagers in Egypt.

You can truly feel good about dressing your child in the 100% Egyptian Cotton Clothes or to soothe your child with an organic cotton teething toy. Not only does it soothe your baby or keep them soft and warm, but it improves the lives of others.

Make the conscious choice to do something positive in the world today. You can find a wide array of organic cotton items from Under the Nile available at Hip Mountain Mama.

Baby Leg Discount

Everybody is looking for ways to save money but to still live the best life possible. You don't have to be cheap but just look for deals because they are out there. I am excited to announce the Hip Mountain Mama Stimulus Package. We are offering 50% of off the adorable Baby Legs. Just use the coupon code "Baby" at check out to receive the discount. The coupon is good only for the month of March. The code expires March 31, 2009.

This is a great way to save on a cute, versatile, and practical clothing item for your child. We love Baby Legs because you can add them to a skirt or a pair of shorts when the weather is cooling down. You don't have to bring a whole new outfit. You can just slip them on. They can also be worn on arms or legs and one size fits all. If you have two or more kids they can share them regardless of their size. My 2 and 4 year old take turns wearing the same pair. And don't forget how cute these are. Hip Mountain Mama has a large selection of many adorable styles.

The sale includes regular Baby Legs, Organic Baby Legs, Natural Organic Cotton Baby Legs, and Natural Organic Wool Baby Legs. Be sure to take advantage of this great discount by using the Baby Legs Coupon Code.

New Native Organic Baby Carriers

I am a supporter and advocate of baby wearing and baby carriers. I carried my children everywhere we went. In the store, around the block, around the house, anywhere. Babies love being held close to mommy or daddy. They don't want to be in strollers or carried in a car seat. I have blogged in the past about the benefits of baby wearing which include a close bond with mom, better adaption to the outside world, and improved speaking abilities. Look for my previous post here.

At Hip Mountain Mama we are active supporters of Attachment Parenting and the ideals of API. We have been proud to carry the Zolo Wear Slings which is an American company based out of Austin Tx. We have also carried Moby Wraps which are fun, fashionable, and offer an Organic Baby Carrier.

Now we are please to being carrying the New Native Baby Pouch. A comfortable fit for your baby in a 100% organic carrier. Check them out. These are awesome.

What are the benefits of organic cotton?

A lot of people are beginning to understand the importance of eating organic food. Obviously, we need to be aware of what we are putting into our bodies. But why worry about the cotton in your T-Shirt, baby's clothes, and toys?

Growth of conventional cotton, as it is currently grown, is making a serious environmental impact. In 1995, California's cotton fields were covered by over 17 million pounds of pesticides, and use of these dangerous chemicals has only increased since then. Globally, conventional cotton uses 25% of all insecticides, and 10% of all pesticides. It is now estimated that less than 10% of these chemicals are accomplishing their tasks, the rest is absorbed into the plant, air, soil, water, and eventually into our bodies.

The good news is that the production of organic cotton in American is increasing. In 1990, there were about 900 acres of organic cotton grown in the U.S. Today that figure has grown to nearly 10,000 acres. Thanks to a serious commitment by growers, manufacturers and retailers, chemical-free clothing, bedding, toys, and other products are now readily available to the honest consumer who would rather not contribute to more toxins on the farm, in their home, and on their bodies.

By making the switch to organic cotton, you’re helping to support sustainable farming practices, and family farms who have been growing cotton without harmful chemicals for years. These farmers produce high quality cotton that is equal to or superior than conventionally grown cotton. The natural farming process supports biodiversity and healthy ecosystems because it often uses fewer natural resources. The elimination of these nasty chemicals, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves our water resources. Growing organic cotton can actually replenish and improve soil fertility, improving land quality and our planet in general.

If you care about what you put in your body, perhaps it is time to consider what you put on your body and how it affects the environment.