1. Trader Joe’s “Joe’s Dark” coffee is only $3.50 per canister, and it totally works for me. Previously, Coffee Snob Moi was enjoying the very delicious Weaver’s organic coffees for around $13/lb., but I have just shifted into turbo thrifty mode, and therefore, we’re drinking Joe’s and TRULY LIKING IT.

2. An eBay-type website just for family stuff? Yep, it’s true. Check out www.Storkbrokers.com. Sell your old stuff, get new-to-you stuff at a discount. And how green–not to be buying new whatevers when things already exist that would love to be part of your family gear pile.

3. When I make soup (already thrifty), I freeze the leftovers in my muffin tins, then pop them out and store them in a bag in the freezer. How unappealing is a 10-lb brick of frozen soup? We’ve all thrown out our weight in those. So the muffin-sized soup portions are FABU for bringing lunch to work–you can let them thaw and then heat them up on the job, or thaw them overnight, heat them on the stove, and pour into a thermos. (I have a silicone muffin pan, which is even more convenient for popping out those soup pucks with aplomb.)

C’mon–what’s #4 and 5 and 6…and 12? Share your wisdom, dear mamas and daddy-os.

And everyone else wins, too, with the following flash sale. For the next three days: February 28, March 1 and March 2, the 6-packs of diapers in S, M and L sizes will be on sale for 20% off (usually $99.99, now $80). Use code Mothering0320.

Charlie Banana is also offering free shipping on orders over $150 with the following code: 0203moth from February 28 through March 17, 2011.

You can use both codes for one order, and really rack up the savings.

Here’s some information from Charlie Banana:

“Born from the Winc Design Limited family, Charlie Banana  is the
international, luxury brand of modern cloth diapers and eco-friendly baby
products.  Established in 2010, Charlie Banana products are made with
care with 100% certified organically grown cotton. They are comfortable,
chemical-free and combine eco-friendliness, quality and design. The goal
behind the brand is to convince at least 50 percent of parents to use
reusable diapers and products for their children.

Charlie Banana products include the innovative  2 in 1 Hybrid Eco
Diapering System with reusable or disposable inserts, Single and Double
Layer Reusable Wipes, Tote Bags, Diaper Laundry Bags, Baby Training Pants,
Underwear, Swim Diapers, Baby Leg Warmers, Change Pads, Mattress Pads,
Reusable Feminine Pads.”

By the way, I am a HUGE fan of their feminine pads, and adorable organic cotton boys’ boxers.

Here’s how you enter to win the giveaway:

1) “Like” Charlie Banana’s facebook page, and leave a little note on their wall.

2) Leave a comment below with the size and style you prefer. You can review the different styles here.

Good luck! : )

Newborn: Less than 11 lbs.
Small: 11-16 lbs.
Medium: 16-21 lbs.
Large: 21-27 lbs.
X-Large: 27-34 lbs.

Good luck! You can learn more about Bambino Mio at www.bambinomio.com.

You might remember BEKA from Mothering’s Holiday Gift Guide this year; I featured their Little Builder Whimsie Block Set, Deluxe Block Wagon, and their Construction Zone. I completely fell in love with their beautiful handiwork, and clean, solid design.

And now BEKA is offering a Flash Sale (30% off for 3 days only!) on their sturdy, beautifully designed easels–a worthy gift to nurture the young artist in your life.

BEKA Deluxe Easel

BEKA Adjustable Easel

BEKA is perhaps best known for its easels–and would like to tempt you to acquire one as a treasured holiday gift for your child, by offering a discount of 30% off for three days only: December 8, 9 and 10. The code for that discount is “Mothering 2010.” Additionally, BEKA is offering free shipping within the lower 48 states on orders over $100.

BEKA is a small family business based in Minnesota. The Kreisman family has been creating beautiful wooden toys for 35 years (same age as Mothering!) According to their website, “The BEKA name is now known throughout the specialty toy market, the fiber craft market and school supply industry for high quality weaving and knitting tools for adults; plus easels, puppet theaters, unit blocks and other creative play products for children.”

Don’t let this doll’s sweet name fool you. Emma *is* oh so sweet, but she’s also a little bit rock ‘n roll, with her wild curly red-streaked hair. Made exclusively for UrthChild, doll artist Emma from Jem of Mine Waldorf Dolls lovingly handcrafted this gorgeous Waldorf doll using the highest quality natural materials. Emma is clothed in a hand-sewn dress, with cotton underpants, and wool felt shoes. Her wool stuffing is naturally antibacterial and absorbs the smells of your home, making her a wonderful comfort toy. Emma is a free spirit your child will cherish for years to come.

If you’re a fan of Jem of Mine dolls, you should be aware of this insider info: UrthChild has three more Jem of Mine dolls that will be available for sale later this week (date and time to be announced on UrthChild’s Facebook page–another great reason to LIKE it. ). They are…

Leah

Spencer

Jill

Here’s how you enter to win:

1. Leave a comment below. Let us know your favorite item on the UrthChild site, OR if you did that already, let us know what you look for when buying a babywearing item. While you’re over there, please do sign up for the Urth Child newsletter; enter your email address at the bottom of the homepage and click “submit.”

2. For a second chance to win, please go to UrthChild’s Facebook page and “Like” it. Then come back here, leave a second comment telling me that you did.

3. For a third chance to win, follow UrthChild on Twitter. Leave a 3rd comment to let me know you did.

If you already joined UrthChild’s Facebook page, followed them on Twitter, and signed up for their newsletter, feel free to leave comments stating that you did so : ).

This is the final day of UrthChild’s delightful week of giveaways; I will pick winners for the lovely items TOMORROW. So if you haven’t entered the other UrthChild giveaways yet, please do!

Here are the links:
Moby D Black Silk Wrap
http://mothering.com/candacewalsh/greener-pastures/urthchilds-wednesday-giveaway-kate-quinn-organics-layette-set
Organic Robbie Adrian Blanket
Haba Blocks Set

Everyone who knows Kate Quinn Organics…loves Kate Quinn Organics. And the mama behind UrthChild knows that you will absolutely LOVE Kate Quinn’s new organic layette collection called Plum Bunny. From UrthChild’s organic clothing department, today’s giveaway includes an organic layette set from Plum Bunny. You pick the color and size you want for the following three items:

- Plum Bunny Long-Sleeve Henley Onesie
- Plum Bunny Pointelle Sweatpants
- Plum Bunny Pointelle Flight Cap

Here’s how you enter to win:

1. Leave a comment below. Let us know your favorite item on the UrthChild site, OR if you did that yesterday, let us know what you look for when buying baby clothes for your baby or as a gift. While you’re over there, please do sign up for the Urth Child newsletter; enter your email address at the bottom of the homepage and click “submit.”

2. For a second chance to win, please go to UrthChild’s Facebook page and “Like” it. Then come back here, leave a second comment telling me that you did.

3. For a third chance to win, follow UrthChild on Twitter. Leave a 3rd comment to let me know you did.

If you already joined UrthChild’s Facebook page, followed them on Twitter, and signed up for their newsletter yesterday, feel free to leave comments stating that you did so : ).

In an ideal world, every baby would have an organic baby blanket. UrthChild carries a beautiful selection of organic cotton and organic wool baby blankets in many different sizes. Today’s giveaway from UrthChild’s bedding department is a Robbie Adrian Luxury Organics Organic Cotton Velour Stroller Blanket with Straight Polka Dot Silk Trim.

I reviewed a Robbie Adrian organic blanket (with silk trim) in Strokes of Genius last year, and can confirm that the silk is SO SOFT, and the velour is remarkably cozy and cuddle-able.

Here’s how you enter to win:

1. Leave a comment below. Let us know your favorite item on the UrthChild site, OR if you did that yesterday, let us know what you look for in a baby blanket. While you’re over there, please do sign up for the Urth Child newsletter; enter your email address at the bottom of the homepage and click “submit.”

2. For a second chance to win, please go to UrthChild’s Facebook page and “Like” it. Then come back here, leave a second comment telling me that you did.

3. For a third chance to win, follow UrthChild on Twitter. Leave a 3rd comment to let me know you did.

If you already joined UrthChild’s Facebook page, followed them on Twitter, and signed up for their newsletter yesterday, feel free to leave comments stating that you did so : ).

Please enjoy the debut of a new A la Mama feature: A Week of Giveaways (this time by UrthChild.com).

Owned by a WAHM and devoted Mothering reader, UrthChild is a retail store that specializes in organic and eco-friendly items for the entire family. Each day this week, UrthChild is giving away an item to highlight their diverse selection of happy, healthy goods.

First up is UrthChild’s toy department, which features organic, natural, and wooden toys that are free from BPA, lead, and other nasty chemicals. Just in time for the holidays, enter today to win HABA’s Sakrada Block Set. With their whimsical designs, unexpected shapes, and vivid colors, this 10-piece block set will draw your child into an imaginative world for hours on end.

Here’s how you enter to win:

1. Leave a comment below. Let us know your favorite item on the UrthChild site. While you’re over there, please do sign up for the Urth Child newsletter; enter your email address at the bottom of the homepage and click “submit.”

2. For a second chance to win, please go to UrthChild’s Facebook page and “Like” it. Then come back here, leave a second comment telling me that you did.

3. For a third chance to win, follow UrthChild on Twitter. Leave a 3rd comment to let me know you did.

Thank you, and please come back each day to enter the daily UrthChild giveaways. It’s a delightful way to get a little break from the Thanksgiving hubbub (not that we don’t love it!).

Charlie Banana is giving the following away to one lucky winner:
-a box of panty liners,
-a box of Regulars,
-a box of Supers
-and a box of Super Plus feminine pads.

These fab pads come in a very handy, purse-friendly pink pouch.

Personal capsule review: I love them because the pads are made of so soft bamboo, and when I put them through the wash, they miraculously come out close to sparkling white every time.

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment below.

Thanks!

Candace
on Twitter @candacewalsh

How cool is this Hape wooden grill set?

This is the first in a series of A la Mama holiday gift giveaways that will stretch into mid-December. So hang around : ) Toys, mama treats, family goodies…something for everyone.

The BBQ features an opening hood, double-sided grill rack (one for grilling, the other for a stovetop), collapsible side table and wheels to move wherever grilling needs to be. Food includes two steaks, two fish, two skewers with six pieces, ketchup, mustard and tongs.

Hape is a wonderful company; their bamboo games are currently being featured in our annual holiday gift guide in the November/December issue.

They’ve earned the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) Code of Business Practices Certificate which confirms that they have implemented and maintain a Code of Business Practices related to social responsibility (good working conditions and labor practices).

Hape has also funded the construction of three schools in the poorest province of China. So far, over 3,000 children have had the experience of attending a Hape-built school and they’ll be opening two more schools in the next 14 months.

Here’s some more information from Hape on their eco-conscious business practices.

Recycle
Hape is determined to be eco-friendly at each stage of production. In terms of our products we use water based paints wherever possible to reduce the amount of lacquer and other potentially harmful chemicals. We also try to use as little paint as possible, and when we do, we have special protocols in place so as to limit the amount of waste. This comes in the form of a “drip-catcher” that then recycles the paint to go back to the beginning of the process.

Re-use
Hape also makes use of its very own waste water treatment facility in order to treat the water used in our production before it is sent back to the plant for re-use. This allows us to reduce our water consumption significantly during water intensive processes.
 Working with wood and paints has the potential to damage the quality of the air. As a result, Hape has strict protocols in place so that before our factory releases it’s potentially harmful air into the environment it is treated very thoroughly.
 Our new building currently under construction is planned to be fully outfitted with solar panels so that a significant portion of our electricity usage comes from renewable sources. We hope that the design, operation and maintenance of this energy-efficient headquarters will serve as a testament to our tradition of responsibility with the goal of optimizing energy efficiency and conserving resources.
 Our glues are free of formaldehyde and bamboo surfaces are polished with natural beeswax.  We buy local food for our cafeteria which serves 1,000 employees daily and even send the
food waste back to the farm to be used as feed for pigs and other farm animals.

HOW TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Leave a comment below.
2. For a second chance to win, follow HaPe on Twitter @hapetoys and then come back here and leave a second comment that says “following HaPe on Twitter.”

Thanks and good luck!!!

Candace
on Twitter @candacewalsh