Mother's Day 05/07/2012
 


Pagan holidays have evolved into many of our Hallmark holidays today.  Saturnalia became Christmas; All Hallow’s Eve became Halloween and even our celebration of that most important woman in our lives originated in ancient festivals as well.  Mother’s Day is this May 13th and the modern holiday of brunches and bouquets is one with quite a history.

In ancient Greece, the traditional holiday of Mother’s Day started out as a non-traditional feast for Cybele, an exotic, mysterious goddess who arrives at parties in a lion-drawn chariot accompanied by wild music and wine.  And while most of our mothers don’t make quite the entrance she did, Cybele was known as Magna Mater, “Great Mother.”

In ancient Rome, the festivities were centered on a celebration for the vernal equinox also honoring Cybele whom they considered the “mother” of all gods.  It coincided with the first day of the year that was longer than night meaning that winter gloom was gone and mother earth was brighter each day.  Their honoring of Cybele, though, was a solemn one with a statue of the goddess carried in a long procession complete with richly goods and precious works of art.

With the introduction of Christianity, the celebration to honor Moms became a part of the church calendar during Lent with the intent to honor the Virgin Mary and the “mother church.”  People would go “a-mothering” and visit their home church and family on what was then the only real holiday for the working class.  Children would pick wildflowers along the way home and gift them to their mothers and eventually this tradition became Mothering Sunday and included a tradition of gift-giving that we carry on to this day.

From a religious holiday grew a commercial holiday (no surprise there).

In the United States, Mothering Sunday was revived by Anna Jarvis [put this before the UK] who founded the Mother’s Day Work Club in five cities to improve sanitary and health conditions.  After her own mother passed, Jarvis began a nationwide campaign to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday by the government.  Jarvis’ revival of Mothering Sunday caught on strongly in the 1920’s in the United Kingdom thanks in large part to the deployment of so many American soldiers during WWI and the eagerness of shopkeepers to market their wares. The holiday of Mother’s Day was promoted with zeal by the church and merchants alike.

While Jarvis herself became embittered by the commercialization of Mother’s Day, there is nothing kinder in my mind than a reason to buy your mother a gift to thank her for her kindness and sternness and patience and love.

Since it started off a celebration of a goddess, treat your mom like a goddess by indulging her with the gift of amazingly soft bamboo clothing or bamboo sheets!  Fresh new styles have arrived spring while bedding is available in a variety of colors and patterns sure to fit any mother’s décor.

Green Earth Bamboo is happy to help you pamper your mother with an incredible Mother’s Day Sale!  Between May 7th – 13th, receive $15 off any $100 order and free shipping on orders over $200!  Use Coupon Code MOTHER12 at checkout.

Happy Mother’s Day!
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If we can celebrate Labor Day with appliance sales and commemorate Memorial Day by purchasing mattresses at incredibly low prices, then surely it makes sense shop green in honor of Earth Day.

Bamboo clothing offers a sustainable fabric option for eco-conscious shoppers.  Viscose from bamboo is harvested from the quickly growing bamboo plant growing at a rate of 1-4 feet per day.  Bamboo grows without the use of pesticides, herbicides and the earth surrounding needs not be disrupted as bamboo requires no irrigation and can be harvested by cutting at the root (leaving it to regrow).

While one might think eco-friendly clothing equals drab clothing, let Green Earth Bamboo prove that wrong!  Check out these NEW ARRIVALS of sizzling items for women featuring stylish cuts and fresh colors for spring!

Spruce up a closet with a versatile and beautiful Chloe Skirt with pockets that goes from day to night easily with its mid-length style.  Available in the staple black and for a bit of a kick to any outfit a Riviera blue is also available.

Add a bit of layering to a wardrobe with a Kalin short-sleeved top available in trendy stripes, beautiful basic colors of fern or black or a fun and lively Paradise pink!  For a long-sleeved look, choose the comfortable Lela top with dolman sleeves fitted just below the elbow.  Super soft and super sleek, the top is a perfect complement for bamboo skirts and bamboo pants!

Perfectly paired with bamboo leggings is this Maddy Tunic with a scoop neck and flattering drape for anyone still working on their summer swimsuit figure.

Don’t let the comfort end when it’s time for bed.  Snuggle into bamboo bedding wearing this ultra-feminine Luna Pajama set available in black, paradise pink and a soft peach.

Green Earth Bamboo is excited to offer Earth Day savings starting today and ending on April 23!

Get $10 off orders over $100 (use coupon code EARTHDAY10 at checkout) or get $15 off orders over $150 (use coupon code EARTHDAY15 at checkout).  In addition, receive Free Shipping on all orders $200 and over!

Happy shopping and Happy Earth Day!
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As we continue our month of Earth Day awareness and look to find methods to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, we also welcome warmer weather and in some parts of the country the return of those pesky summer pests, the mosquito. Lounging outdoors last night enjoying the balmy weather and planning my next bamboo trellis project, I was driven inside by the flying pests. Determined to help keep my life chemical-free this month, I scouted about for all-natural ways to fight off mosquitoes this summer.

Here are some all natural ways to combat mosquitoes this summer:

Get rid of standing water: While mosquitoes can breed in both water and trees (based on the species), I don't advocate for getting rid of all of your trees. You'll be able to, nevertheless, get rid of modest patches of water which includes empty flower pots, birdbaths, and clogged gutters to discourage the skeeters from hanging out in your yard.

Wear light-colored clothes: Not only will it keep you cooler but it may keep you bug-free as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. Take it one step further for comfort and select bamboo clothing!

Use wind power: Mosquitoes are disrupted by moving air so when the night is stagnant with no breeze, think about an outdoor fan to help keep the mosquitoes away.

Make your sweat a repellent: While this may not be one of the most appealing choices, many suggest drinking a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar or adding more garlic to your diet regime to repel mosquitoes. A less odorous option would be to attempt taking a Vitamin B1 supplement everyday.

Protect your yard: Sprinkle garlic powder around your yard to make an organic barrier for mosquitoes paying distinct attention to the regions surrounding porches and patios. This benefits both us humans and our four-legged friends too.

Make your own repellent soap: Add 10 - 15 drops of essential oils per ounce of liquid soap (many recommended Dr. Bonner's soaps). You are able to use anything from lavender to rose geranium to lemon balm to peppermint. Wash with it ahead of and right after spending time outside. You'll repel the mosquitoes and smell fantastic simultaneously!

Make your own repellent: Another solution is to combine 25 drops of essential oils with ¼ cup of organic apple cider vinegar in a jar. Dab on skin and clothing before heading outdoors.

Make your own candle repellent: Buy a simple burner candle and combine water with crucial oils such as lavender, lemon, eucalyptus or catnip. A mixture of several oils works best. The heat in the candle will evaporate the oils in to the air which ought to offer you a 3 -4 feet radius of a mosquito-free zone.

Use some herbs: Crushed parsley inside a jar of apple cider vinegar tends to make an amazing repellent. Or if you're doing some eco-friendly grilling, add some sage or rosemary to the grill to discourage mosquitoes from joining you for dinner.

Let your plants battle for you: Include some horsemint, rosemary, marigolds, ageratum or catnip inside your garden, be it potted or in-ground. These plants have rather odorous qualities that mosquitoes will steer clear of. To make them more effective repellents, crush the leaves to release their scents.

While you're spending much more time outdoors thanks to these tips on staying mosquito-free, take some time to plant a bamboo garden or try a delicious outdoor bamboo recipe!
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In the 1930's Superman was nicknamed the "man of steel" because back then steel was considered to be the ultimate symbol of strength and durability. These days we'd be more likely to call him the "Man of Bamboo". With good reason.

In our 21st century scientists, architects, and builders have found the new steel for this age... bamboo. Strange as it sounds, bamboos tensile strength and durability match or exceed steel. Our Superman would be proud of the new nickname when he learns of bamboo's power and feats of strength.

Spanning the River Min in Saechuan is the largest suspension bridge on the planet, held together entirely by bamboo cables. Metal detectors will not find any iron or nails on the entire bridge structure. A bamboo bridge sounds far fetched till you understand how effectively the ancient and modern Chinese have harnessed the power of bamboo. Bamboo cables had been the earliest structural element within the history of engineering to be utilized for suspension bridges, which originated in China and also the Himalayas. A bamboo cable 2-inch diameter can support four tons and these ancient bridges spanned distances up to 76 meters with no central supports.

Bridges are not the only structures where bamboo proves it strength. "Anything built with steel, I can do in bamboo faster and just as cheaply," mentioned Colombian architect Simon Velez. He ought to know, Velez developed the largest bamboo structure ever built: the 55,200-square-foot Nomadic Museum, a temporary building that not too long ago debuted in Mexico City and takes up half of the Zocalo, Latin America's biggest plaza.

Building is only one part of bamboo's wonders, durability is another. Jules Janssen was in Costa Rica in 1991 when a deadly 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck. Touring the epicenter hours later, he discovered every brick and concrete building had collapsed.
"But 20 bamboo structures built there by coincidence held up marvelously. There wasn't a single crack," stated Janssen, a civil engineer and expert on bamboo's physical properties.

Bamboo proves its worth not just as a building material but as an inspirational style at the same time. Taipei is home to the tallest skyscraper on the planet. The whole design is based on a bamboo shoot as a result of the Chinese belief system with bamboo.

Add versatility to bamboo's list of talents, as displayed by the bamboo organ of Las Pinas built in 1824. This is definitely not a reed instrument, yet it creates a powerful musical voice. Bamboo is the key element in an organ that can create notes light as air or make music that will pound your socks off. (Speaking of socks, it's fascinating to note that though bamboo can make buildings of steel, it's also versatile enough to also produce luxuriously soft bamboo sheets and bamboo clothes!)

Superman may well believe "the man of steel" is catchier, but "the man of bamboo" is all about strength and style.
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Bamboo tends to be more of a restaurant title than a main ingredient - think Bamboo Garden with a lunchtime buffet rather than a heart-healthy ingredient for your home-cooked dinner. But bamboo, long a diet regime staple along with a cure for what ails you in Asian countries, could simply be a crucial ingredient in the fight against cancer and heart disease in the United states.

Already, we realize that bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar are purifying agents that can keep us healthy whether or not it's with their antibacterial properties or as a source of Far Infrared Rays that can be absorbed by the human body to help improve circulation. (A lot of this may be attributed to the presence of phenols which give bamboo its antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties, the study discovered.)

But now researchers have found that bamboo contains antioxidants, a critical buzzword for the fight against cancer. An article published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety pointed out that bamboo shoots "contain anti-carcinogenic agents," and that "bamboo-derived pyrolysates have been proposed to have antimicrobial and antifungal activites and to protect neurons from oxidative stress."

For those searching for a healthier diet, there is certainly more good news in regards to the health advantages of bamboo shoots. The study, led by Nirmala Chongtham, a botany professor at Panjap University, found that research suggests that they [bamboo shoots] possess health rewards "from cancer prevention and weight loss to lowering cholesterol levels."

Young bamboo shoots "are rich in nutrient components, mainly proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and fibre and are low in fat and sugar." Although some could take multi-vitamins daily, one could easily pop some bamboo shoots as they may be a good supply of thiamine, niacin, vitamins A, B6, and E, potassium, calcium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, and chromium, and contain 17 diverse amino acids, eight of which are important for human health.

And if you are attempting to combat a lifetime of greasy food or just eat a healthier diet, throw some bamboo shoots into a salad to reap the benefits of the phytosterols, phytonutrients which are related to cholesterol yet have been shown to inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the intestinal tract and help lower "bad" LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.

Some smaller markets within the States actually carry bamboo fiber that can very easily be added to baked goods, sauces, cereals as well as other foods within your pantry.

So not only are you able to make your diet regime much more eco-friendly by including a sustainable ingredient like bamboo, but it is possible to make it healthier too!
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Clothing is among the most significant supplies for your baby, and the comfort of one's baby clothes really should be your top priority-especially infant clothes! Whether or not it's bamboo clothing or bamboo sheets, here is what to think about when choosing what to purchase for your baby:

The Climate - Choose pieces that warm your child in winter and keep him/her comfortably cool in the summer.

 Fabric Choice - Select clothing that's made of soft fabrics and steer clear of those which can be made of stiffer components.
 Irritation - Choose pieces without thick seams, which can trigger irritation to the baby's skin.
 Fit - Select clothes that are roomy enough for baby's movement and growth.

Another main consideration is the safety of the material that your baby's clothing is made of. With increased incidences of asthma, eczema, spots, nappy rash, bugs along with other hypersensitivity-related illnesses, more and more parents are becoming concerned about their baby's wellness in connection to their clothing. A fantastic way to stay away from these allergies and skin sensitivities is always to choose fabrics without toxic substances like pesticides and fabric finishing.

Organic infant clothing is produced from toxic-free substances and are also free from flame retardants, petrochemicals, heavy metals and other toxins which may be hazardous to your baby's health. Asthma, skin allergies, poisoning and also cancer are the wellness risks which are linked with using traditionally grown crops for example cotton.

A smart choice for parents who are attempting to stay away from toxic substances in their children's clothing is organic baby clothing. Organic baby clothing is created from materials from organic crops, that are not sprayed with any synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Plus, going organic not just benefits infant but our whole ecosystem! A single shirt produced of a 100 percent organic material saves more than 33 pounds of synthetic fertilizers and chemical compounds.

One type of organic baby clothing is adorable bamboo clothing and accessories for the eco-friendly mom and dad from Green Earth Bamboo. Their organic baby clothes, blankets and sheets are:
Hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and anti-static
Ultra soft and cozy for baby
Naturally wicking that make them super absorbent
Naturally resistant to odor, which keeps your baby's clothes and bedding super fresh
Temperature regulation, so your baby keeps cool in the summer and warm in the winter
Free from chlorine and formaldehyde
Eco-friendly and organic-from a pesticide free, sustainable and renewable resource

With all that bamboo infant clothing and accessories has to offer, the decision must be clear. Bamboo infant clothes and bamboo blankets are the best choice for you and your infant!
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April brings showers leading to May flowers as well as the annual celebration of Earth Day across the globe. In honor of the occasion, let's take a look at exactly where our carbon footprints could make a smaller impact beginning with transportation.

It's a struggle against tradition to encourage public transit use in many regions. Most of us waited eagerly for that rite of passage known as the driver's test and couldn't wait to get our hands on a set of keys. Automobiles mean independence and self-sufficiency and freedom, all things good.

In reality, though, our love of automobiles is responsible for 28% of all US greenhouse gas emissions. And while I would love for us to have an opportunity to flag down a bamboo taxi, pedal a bamboo bike or perhaps catch a bamboo train, I'll instead encourage all of us to choose a day through the week of Earth Day and use only public transportation for one day.

Wonderfully green reasons to utilize public transportation include:

 Public transportation saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. That is the equivalent of emissions from 4.9 million households.
 Public transportation use saves the equivalent of 900,000 auto fill-ups of gasoline daily. (In accordance with the most current Texas Transportation Institute report on congestion, men and women who reside in areas with access to public transportation save more than 300 million gallons of fuel annually.)
 In case you choose to trade in the 20-mile roundtrip commute in an automobile in favor of utilizing public transport, your annual CO2 emissions will decrease by an impressive 4800 pounds a year.

Following the national trend of electric vehicles and hybrids, public transportation systems are investing in diesel-electric hybrids that are 40% more fuel efficient than conventional buses. Even the regular bus-stop is finding an overhaul with an emphasis on installation of solar technology into current buildings and platforms.

British designer Tiffany Roddis has even come up with a sustainable resolution for offering comfort and protection from the elements while waiting for the bus or train. Her EcoShel Sustainable Bus Shelter is created of sustainable and recycled supplies and utilizes solar panels and pressure pads to power the heat and electricity. To encourage more folks to take advantage of public transit, the shelter itself provides comfortable seating and hyperlinks schedules using GPS so commuters know specifically how far away their mode of transport is.

And if riding the bus for all of its environmental advantages isn't enough for you, consider the monetary savings that include using public transportation. You are able to save more than $9000 a year if you choose to ditch your automobile in favor of mass transit. And to help our economy, know that for every $1 invested in public transportation $4 is generated in financial returns.

So until the day when we can fill up our cars with bamboo fuel, contemplate giving your local transit system a chance. It's both carbon-saving and cost-saving!

For more ideas on eco-friendly living throughout this month of Earth Day, check out Green Earth News' Green Is Grand section.
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There are small companies nationwide seeking to not just make a profit but to help make the world a greener place. And although branding plays a large part in what consumers see as green, let's reflect on companies whose actions speak louder than words. Not to toot our own horn (or at least not to toot it too loudly), Green Earth Bamboo is one such organization. And although there is an emerging industry of bamboo goods shouting loudly that they're sustainable and eco-friendly, it is critical to check out the manufacturing process. The proof is within the pudding, or in this case, the bamboo crop.

The bamboo at Green Earth Bamboo used for everything from bamboo clothes to bamboo bedding just isn't only USDA certified organic but additionally meets Oeko Tex 100 Class A certification parameters which means they meet an international standard that restricts use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. On a larger scale, the Oeko Tex certification also looks at how the manufacturing process impacts the globe outside the factory and works to ensure that energy consumption is optimized, that noise and dust pollutions are kept low and that the safety of the workers remain paramount.

But enough about us! Some other firms that are doing their part to make this planet a greener place in their own way consist of regreet, a business that has identified an addictingly enjoyable strategy to re-use greeting cards. That's correct, I said reuse, not recycle. Now the majority of us would argue that merely not purchasing and sending on-line greeting cards rather than paper ones is the most efficiently eco-friendly approach to resolve this dilemma. But let's face it, till Hallmark decides to relinquish their world domination of greeting cards and made-up holidays, paper cards will continue to populate mailboxes worldwide.

regreet was designed in response to the question several of us face following unique occasions and holidays of what to do with all those cards. A regeet reuse kit lets you apply a strip of material over the prior greeting to send the good thoughts within the card along to loved ones and close friends and co-workers. It also introduces fezzy wog the frog to follow in his adventures as he travels the globe.

You see, what makes regreet so fascinating is that the reuse kit comes with a fezzy wog tracking code so you are able to follow the journey of your card as it house-hops across the globe! For any individual appalled at the notion of re-using a greeting card, consider it as akin to the practice of saving wrapping paper from gifts for re-wrapping (or in my case, gift bag re-gifting).
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Let's just skip right past the apparent observation of Tax Day and move on to a much more enjoyable day approaching - Easter! Rather than talk tax forms and tax credits, let's talk about the extraordinary amount of waste that comes hop hop hoppin' down the trail with the Easter Bunny. This is a holiday of cheap plastic goods - eggs, baskets, grass - that more often than not find their way into trash cans and nearby landfills.

Here are some methods to make the holiday an eco-friendly Easter:

Use paper grass - Skip the neon green plastic and select a decorative paper grass which includes the unbleached natural type. OR place that paper shredder to a festive use and turn newspapers and old tax returns into a crinkly basket filling.

Bag the candy - I do not mean eliminate it (what an Easter transgression that would be!). Visit a candy store or even a Super Target to make the most of their bulk candy dispensers. Use a plastic bag tied with a festive ribbon or even a paperboard box that is decorated with holiday stamps. There is still some packaging to dispose of but considerably less than if you utilized small, individually-wrapped candies.

Reuse your baskets & eggs - Along with all the Christmas ornaments and Halloween yard decorations in your attic, make some space to store Easter baskets from year to year. Oftentimes, nearby resale stores will have some for sale. Or if you're very ambitious, weave your own bamboo basket! Same goes for eggs! Well, you can't weave them but here's a great idea for knitting a wool egg cover to make them last from year to year. If you're not adept with all the needles, not to worry - you can nonetheless use the same plastic eggs from year to year. The kids will be too busy cracking them open for sweet treats to notice that they are the same from last year. Actually don't they always look the same from year to year even if you buy them new?

Use natural dyes - Ignore the packets of egg dyes in the stores with a list of mystery ingredients and raid the produce aisle instead:

 Cranberry juice, beets & raspberries = red and pink
 Saffron or turmeric = yellow
 Red wine = purple (adults should probably be the ones to make purple eggs!)
 Cabbage leaves or blueberries = blue
 Grape juice, rosehip tea or coffee = brown
 Yellow onion skins = orange

Imprint natural designs with herb sprigs or rubber bands for a modern edgy egg!

Resist the urge to give random shiny plastic objects that will only get thrown away within a week as gifts! - Instead choose gifts that kids will use and use often. Try pencils, erasers, egg shaped chalk, homemade play dough, books, or bubbles. For older kids, consider promoting spring and inspire a love of gardening with a gift of a watering can filled with paper seed packets, gloves and simple gardening tools. Imagine how excited they will be to plant their own flowers or vegetables and watch a garden grow! For even older kids (or even an adult that misses getting an Easter surprise), consider some comfy bamboo clothing!

Easter is the quintessential spring vacation so what better holiday is there to make a green statement!
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The Easter Bunny will be hop hop hoppin' into your yard soon not to mention precious tiny hands on an Easter Egg hunt. Ensure that each and every blade and leaf that gets touched is as natural and organic as possible with these eco-friendly lawn care tips:

Give your grass seeds a fighting chance - Instead of pouring on chemical-filled growth supplements, be sure your lawn is free of debris and use spike-thonged sandals to aerate instead of gas-guzzling machines. (You will keep pollutants from the air and get a workout in!) Use compost from your organic composting pile to fertilize or make your own.

Homemade Organic Fertilizer

 4 parts seed meal or fish meal
 1 part dolomite lime
 1 part rock phosphate or ½ part bone meal
 1 part kelp meal

Make your own organic pesticide - To repel pests from your lawn you'll need a mixture with an appalling taste and smell. Create an oil, soap or vegetable based mixture to utilize within your garden.

Oil Mixture

 1 c. cooking oil (canola or vegetable)
 1 tbsp. liquid dishwashing soap with no additional additives

Dilute 2 ½ tsp. of the oil mixture with 1 cup of water. Spray on the surfaces of leaves.

Soap Mixture

Mix 3 tsp. of liquid dishwashing soap (with no additional additives) with 1 gallon of water. Spray on the surfaces of foliage to prevent the pests from feeding. To get a heavy infestation, spray every 3 days for two weeks.

Garlic & Pepper Mixture

 ½ c. hot peppers
 ½ c. garlic cloves
 2 c. water

Combine ingredients in a clear glass jar and seal tightly. Place the jar in a sunny location and let it steep for 24 hours. Strain the mixture and spray on your lawn.

Make your own weed killer - Before the killing spree begins, it's worthwhile to note that some weeds are more useful than their reputation implies. Plantain, for example, is a wonderful bug bite treatment while dandelion are actually nutritious greens that can be added to a healthy meal! Heck, you can even ground up dandelion roots and make some coffee.

But if you're insistent on killing the weeds in your garden, consider a vinegar solution. The acetic acid in the vinegar burns the weed's foliage on contact and temporarily lowers the pH of the soil which makes it hard for weeds to re-populate.

To kill weeds with vinegar, mix a tsp. of dishwashing soap with one cup of vinegar to help it stick. Spray or pour the vinegar mixture onto the weeds being careful to avoid any plants that you don't want to kill. For best results, do this on a dry sunny day.

Go Beyond Grass - If it requires mass quantities of herbicides, pesticides and other lawn care maintenance to keep your lawn looking beautiful, think about alternative lawn covers such as moss, clover and even native plants. By investing in native plants, you can reduce the number of invasive species that you have to fight to maintain a healthy lawn and surrounding eco-system.

Use these how-to's to keep your lawn lush and toxin-free! And ensure to enjoy an eco-friendly Easter with more tips from Green Earth News!
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