Would you Like Milk with your Cookies?

Where were Milk Makers when mommy needed them?! I was able to nurse my kids, but I could never make enough milk to pump. I know, I know, supply goes up the more you nurse, pump, nurse, pump. But seriously, when are you supposed to eat, groom and sleep? Oh right, not until your babies are grown!

Now there's a solution to this common connundrum - Milk Makers lactation cookies. A friend introduced me to these elegantly packaged cookies that offer a boost of Vitamin B, flax and all things natural to help with milk production. They're around 200 calories per cookie, but each one is big enough to satifsy and remember you're helping yourself and your little one to healthy and wholesome mommy milk.

If you're not in the milk making market, they make a great gift! I might package my next Satsuma Designs Bento Gift Box with a bag of these babies - yum, yum.

I'm excited to see what's next from Milk Maker's kitchen! Milkcakes, Cupcakes, per chance?

Photo courtesy of Milk Makers

Green Art in a Rainbow of Colors from Lex Modern

Let your junior activist make a sustainable statement with this rockin' collection of kid and baby-friendly art from an inspiring Arkansas Artist Mom! It's Eco-friendly, Eco-art from Eco-excellent Lex Modern. The wall art and assorted ornaments (all customized!) start at $25 and up. Jazzing up the nursery was never so easy and fun.

And complete the green nursery with baby bamboo bedding from Satsuma Designs!

Photo courtesy of Lex Modern

Tic-Tac-Toe.... WHOA!

I have been shopping at Ten Thousand Villages for years. It is a free-trade store with retail establishments all over the United States.

I absolutely love this new spin on a timeless game. Made from all natural material and vegetable dyes this game is not only eco-friendly but it can withstand even the worst your kids put it up against. Whether giving it as a gift, of purchasing it for your own kids this toy will withstand the test of time AND no two sets are alike making your child's playtime experience uniquely full of fun!

This store has option, after option of great gift ideas for kids, babies, and practically every other member of the family. Items range from musical instruments, jewelry, home decor, and even outdoor. Most everything in the store is handmade from natural materials or recycled materials. You can also find the tastiest chocolate :) I hope you can find many treasures here just like I have. Follow the link to find a location near you!


Photo courtesy of Ten Thousand Villages

Help Haiti

I’ve been reading and watching the news and all my mind can focus on is the complete devastation in Haiti. As someone who lives a comfortable life with plenty of food, a warm place to sleep and the access to an education it has always been important to me to involve myself in the community. After Hurricane Katrina I spent a week in Mississippi helping rebuild and I have been involved with trips around the local community building, painting and supplying food for those in need. I’ve been racking my mind with ways in which I can help the people of Haiti. Since I cannot leave the country right now (I have school, I've done nothing criminal!) I concluded that I would donate blood. The American Red Cross website is full of information as to where local donation centers are located, as well as other information as to how to help in the Haitian relief efforts. United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Catholic Relief Services, Partners in Health, and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) other great sites to learn more about getting involved in helping the people of Haiti.



Photo courtesy of CNN

Build! Build! Build!

Before I get to blogging I figure I should introduce myself to the Baby Grows Green followers. My name is Kira but I like to refer to myself as "Kira the Intern". I am the latest addition to the Satsuma Designs team and I am really excited to be a part of this wonderful company! I will also be a contributing writer to the blog, I hope everyone is as excited about this as I am :)

I live in Seattle and I am ALWAYS looking for things to do when the weather is less than desirable. Some of my favorite rainy day activities include taking a trip to the local art museum (The Seattle Art Museum offers free admission to all on the first Thursday of each month), a local historical site (The Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park is a fun learning experience for kids), or a trip to the public library (The Seattle Public Library offers storytime at most of their locations). One of my all time favorites has to be creating a funky art project. I was putzing around on the internet looking at fun crafts when I came across the Disney website. Disney provides us with a great "green" way to put our recyclables to good use, keep the kids occupied and provide them with inexpensive new toys!

This calls for:
-Boxes (Cereal, pasta, oatmeal containers etc.)
-Paper (Newspaper, wrapping paper left over from the holidays and construction paper work perfectly)
-Tape or glue (Masking tape works best but scotch tape will suffice)
-Drawing equipment (Crayons, markers, paint, it all works!)
-Toothpicks, popsicle sticks, dowels, film canisters, or other inexpensive household items

Cover the boxes in paper and decorate to your heart's desire. You can make "stone" pathways out of bits of paper or a chimney from an old paper towel roll. An old film canister could be made into a mini trash can (or recycling bin).

I love this craft idea and have every intention of using it next time I babysit or next time it rains. I'll just have to wait and see what comes first!

Photo courtesy of Disney Family Fun