Eco Child’s Play

My short vacation this year was spent in far Northern California, hiking, trekking through caverns and climbing up and down hilly beaches of the Mt. Shasta region with my son, my best friend and her son. At the end of the day we retired to our eco hotel for a bit of luxury …ahhhh.

While the whole concept of an eco hotel conjures up hefty price tags, The Gaia Anderson was extremely reasonable ($125 a night) and while small,it sports an on-site organic restaurant, a spa and pool and comfy rooms. The boys enjoyed swimming in the saline filter pool…a concept I’ve been learning to like a lot since I learned about the hazards of chlorine. I enjoyed walks through the pesticide free, native plant stocked gardens. And my friend raved about the organic cotton comforters on each bed to the point where she became the subject of six-year-old ridicule.

Since none of us had ever stayed at an eco hotel before, it became a game for us to try to find all of the environmentally friendly points. The boys located the recycling bins in each room and the ‘Do Not Disturb” sign made from recyclable and reusable foam. My friend pulled back the organic sheets and mattress to uncover beds from Cost Plus made from sustainably harvested wood.

We noted the dispensers in each shower for shampoo, conditioner and body wash, though since they weren’t labeled we not really sure if we washed our hair with soap or shampoo…maybe there’s not really a difference. But we did recognize the large refillable containers (no small or often “take home” size containers here) of EO lotion and hand soap on each counter…yum.

The organic continental breakfast in the lobby was a bit disappointing – organic, yes, well- balanced not really since it consisted primarily of organic pastries. But with the on-site organic restaurant opening next month, I’m guessing the offerings will expand.

I have to admit, we liked this hotel so much, though we drove 30 minutes north to get a bit closer to the attractions of Mt. Shasta, intending to spend a few days at a different hotel… after one night we returned to the Gaia.

And the boys proclaimed, “Ah…home sweet home” as we entered the courtyard. My friend and I had to agree.

Related Posts About Eco Travel:

Summer Vacations that Create a Green Tomorrow

Eco Trips for Families

Carbon Offsetting the Family Vacation

With summer in full gear displays of sunscreen appear in every drug, discount and grocery store and many other retail outlets as well. We grab handfuls, dig up bottles from last year and liberally apply it whenever we take a step out of doors. The ozone layer is thinning…didn’t you hear?

But what are we really putting on our skin? A recent study raises some concerns.

…. a new investigation of 952 name-brand sunscreens, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 4 out of 5 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Leading brands were the worst offenders: None of market leader Coppertone’s 41 sunscreen products met EWG’s criteria for safety and effectiveness, and only 1 of 103 products from Banana Boat and Neutrogena, the second- and third-largest manufacturers, are recommended by EWG.

Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever considered doing “summer camp” in your own backyard? I used to be the Nature Director at a summer camp and can promise you, the magic that can be discovered on a summer afternoon can last a lifetime!

Not only do I write for Eco Child’s Play, I write a series of novels called Gaia Girls Book Sereis. In Gaia Girls, the heroines are granted cool powers and sent on “Gaia Missions” to help the earth. They are able to do this because they are so connected and aware of the Earth (Gaia). I suspect that the majority of us reading and writing here at Green Options spent a portion of our childhood outside getting connected and I want to do my part to make sure the next generation loves Earth enough to care for it. So this summer, I’m combining my nature director experience, with the fantastical fiction. I’m inviting one and all to participate in “The Summer of Gaia!”

Each week, I set you on a Mission that will open up all the magic Gaia has to offer. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s the middle of the day. The kids have been out since 10:00am and the sun is at its mid day zenith. Recent reports tell us Kids’ sun exposure may be key to deadly cancer so we’re heading inside for a few hours to avoid the scary 12:00-2:00 UV rays.

Oh wait, this just might not be practical! We’re at the pool/a picnic/ a park…there is no inside! What should we do?

This turns out to be an issue that comes up a lot in the summer. But as child who spent every summer from 9:30am to 6:00pm at the local swimming pool, I’m full of ideas for activities to bring along to the beach or pool and do in the shade.

So, in addition to your typical beach or pool supplies – sunscreen, snack, water, towels and changes of clothes, pack a few of these things as well.

Read the rest of this entry »

The advances in cloth diapering over the last few years, not only in availability of handy diaper services, but also the quality and simple use of the diapers themselves, have converted many a disposable diaper user to “greener” ways. But while many cloth diaper enthusiasts and flushable diaper users have strong opinions about which cloth diapers work the best, I’ve yet to see commentary on reusable swim diapers.

If you’re already a cloth diaper user, than the concept of using a resuable swim diaper is probably not a far stretch. But if you use disposables or ’sposies, then you might be glad to know that reusable swim diapers are a fantastic budget conscious choice, particularly since disposable swim diapers are super expensive.

Truth be told, disposable swim diapers are more for easing our minds and less about containing bodily fluids and bowel movements. Basically, they just don’t contain all the chemicals that regular disposables do, therefore keeping them trim and less saggy when they hit water. But, they certainly don’t hold urine well. And, while they might hold a bowel movement for a good five minutes, you do not want your kid swimming around with a swim diaper full of poop.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m lucky in many ways. I have a child who is a good eater. So good, she’ll eat many things that are not even food — and a few that actually are. While this sure makes a plate of broccoli less challenging for both of us, these early years are aging me fast. To make it worse, I encouraged her to try the herbs and vegetables in our garden. Now, she thinks all plants are food. I’ve called the non-emergency poison control line three times so far. I hope they never get to know me by name. All three times were over gardening. And I am not alone.

Each year 100,000 calls are made to Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) over exposure to toxic plants and mushrooms. Some of the most common plants used in gardens and landscaping are extremely poisonous.

Here is a list of a few that may be in your yard now. Read the rest of this entry »

Can a summer vacation help create a sutainable future? YES! Sustainability begins with a concern for the wild places in the world and summer vacation is an excellent place to instill love of the outdoors.  A few months ago, I was privledge to attend the Student Conservation Association’s Earth Vision Summit.  I know the young folks walked away inspried and ready for action; but I learned a few things too.

There are 391 National Park areas  comprising over 84 MILLION acres in the U.S.   A meaningful summer vacation is closer than you think!  Our National Parks are your tax dollars at work.  If you want your kids to experience the wilderness, explore it, be amazed by it, develop a sense of stewardship and a passion to protect it, you might be surprised by all the ways our National Parks can help make that happen!

For example, do you know about the Passport?  Read the rest of this entry »

It’s bug season in New England. Blackflies, mosquitos, deer flies, no-see-ums, and even the ticks are moving northward to invade us.

Being a child playing all day outside can be a feast for these crawly creatures. Right now both my girls have big blackfly bites on their scalps, where it is hard to apply insect repellents.

Over the years, I’ve tried many natural bug repellents, some combination SPF and insect repellents. Most of them have relatively good safety ratings of 3 or under on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database. This is a good place to check out to see if your favorite brand has troublesome chemicals, or is one of the safer products.

Here are a few of my favorites:
Read the rest of this entry »

Today I swam for the first time this summer. Ah, a crisp cool Vermont river swept away the dirt and grime and I finally felt alive again after feeling wilted most of the day. We don’t get heat like this often in good ole’ Vermont, and I’m not used to it.

All that fresh water, the frogs calling and the warm night air got me thinking about how to have a less of an impact on the planet with my family this summer, and how to keep the kids safe and healthy, while enjoying this fleeting and beautiful season.

1. Use chemical free sunscreen for the whole family. There are many toxic chemicals in conventional sunscreens. Look for sunscreens that have Titanium Oxide (which stays on the surface of skin) and not much else. There are some safe brands and more information here.

2. Garden, and compost your food waste. Or, if you don’t have a green thumb or access to garden space, you can support local growers by visiting farm stands, farmer’s markets, or participating in CSAs.
Read the rest of this entry »

A new report,Vitamin D Deficiency Puts 40% of U.S. Infants and Toddlers At Risk, just came out today with surprising, perhaps shocking news.

At least 40 percent of American infants and toddlers aren’t getting enough vitamin D, according to researchers from Children’s Hospital in Boston.

The study made particular note of the fact that breast feed children may be at a higher risk and recommends both mother and child take vitamin D supplements.

Breast-feeding is a known risk factor for low vitamin D levels in infants, which is why many pediatricians routinely recommend vitamin D supplementation for breast-fed infants. Other factors that may contribute to low levels of vitamin D include not drinking enough vitamin D-fortified milk (for toddlers), staying out of the sun or using sunscreen.

Read the rest of this entry »