Welcome to Day #29 of our

“31 days of {Green!} Giveaways“

Today’s question: Would you consider making your own face paints this year?

*Attention Facebook fans: Please answer as a comment on our blog, not our Facebook page in order to be entered to win!*

Today is day #29 of our month-long, trick-or-treating party for parents!

Just knock on our door (AKA blog) each day, answer the daily question (in lieu of shouting, “Trick or treat!” – although you are totally welcome to write that as well) and you’ll be entered to win some absolutely fabulous, ever-so-eco-friendly prizes.

Today’s prize package is worth $50!

Today I Ate A Rainbow kit.  Kit contains: An interactive chart that uses colorful magnets to track daily consumption of a rainbow of fruits & veggies, a color coded shopping list and a children’s book called The Rainbow Bunch. $25 Open to US and Canada!

1 set of three Preserve Jr. Toothbrushes, $10 each Open to Continental US only.

$15 EcoMom gift certificates via email (Can be used at the EcoMom Green Halloween store or for anything on EcoMom) Open to Canada and the US. Winner pays shipping.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Add your e-mail address to the comment login, below. (We cannot notify you if we don’t have your e-mail address!)

2. Add a comment (one per e-mail address) with your answer to the question above.

3. Comment must post before 11:59pm PST – TONIGHT

Be sure to review our giveaway rules here. Please note shipping limitations.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook & Twitter for daily reminders & updates for the 31 Days of {Green} Giveaways promotion.

Good luck & have FUN!

(& See you tomorrow )

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

by Corey

According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 13 children now suffer from food allergies. Gluten is one of the most common allergens and even those not “allergic” to it are often “gluten intolerant” so more and more families (like mine) have gone gluten-free.

So what treats to choose to ensure a safe and fun Halloween that keeps all the YUM?

Yo’ Drops from Revolution Foods

Stretch Island Fruit Co. strips

Larabar (minis)

Honest Kids organic drink pouches

Nature’s Path organic crispy rice treats

Endangered Species Bug Bites

Surf Sweets organic candy

“Angell Crisp” by Angell Bar

Eli’s Earth Bars organic candy bars

Glee Gum (minis)

***

Of course, giving non-food “treasures” is another way to make Halloween gluten-free. Just choose items that are made from safe, natural materials and look for treasures that will last long past Halloween, such as polished rocks, recycled mood pencils, and mini decks of cards or games.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Welcome to Day #28 of our

“31 days of {Green!} Giveaways“

Today’s question: What’s the most “sustainable” way for your child to carry his or her Halloween loot?

*Attention Facebook fans: Please answer as a comment on our blog, not our Facebook page in order to be entered to win!*

Today is day #28 of our month-long, trick-or-treating party for parents!

Just knock on our door (AKA blog) each day, answer the daily question (in lieu of shouting, “Trick or treat!” – although you are totally welcome to write that as well) and you’ll be entered to win some absolutely fabulous, ever-so-eco-friendly prizes.

Today’s prize package is worth $79!

A surprise treat from Honest Tea valued at $64. Continental US only. Depending on location, gift may be offered as gift certificate/coupons.

$15 EcoMom gift certificates via email (Can be used at the EcoMom Green Halloween store or for anything on EcoMom) Open to Canada and the US. Winner pays shipping.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Add your e-mail address to the comment login, below. (We cannot notify you if we don’t have your e-mail address!)

2. Add a comment (one per e-mail address) with your answer to the question above.

3. Comment must post before 11:59pm PST – TONIGHT

Be sure to review our giveaway rules here. Please note shipping limitations.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook & Twitter for daily reminders & updates for the 31 Days of {Green} Giveaways promotion.

Good luck & have FUN!

(& See you tomorrow )

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

by Corey

… We did make ‘em laugh.

Despite the truly incredible media storm surrounding the second annual National Costume Swap Day™ – with print, television, radio and online coverage in nearly every major market across the U.S. – we thought this year’s national coverage was likely over.

We were wrapping up as Happy Campers. We didn’t make Good Morning America (like we did last year) or another major morning show, but we were pretty darn over-the-moon about getting the word out about costume swapping via Real Simple, Family Circle and Kiwi magazines, MSN Money and many (many) more. Our goal of 100 registered swaps was blown out of the water with over 170 event registrations in the US and Canada. Some events were so successful that second and third swaps were planned for later in the month!

And although Halloween is just 4 days away, there are still more costume exchanges in the works.

But because the official National Costume Swap Day was actually on the 8th, we assumed (yes, I do know what this means), that there wouldn’t be any additional major PR coverage on this topic.

But last night came a treat.

Er, wait – a trick.

And I’m not sure we can call this “news” exactly, but as they say, “No PR is bad PR…”

“Environmentalism goes against everything Halloween stands for: Rampant consumerism and waste.” — Stephen Colbert

And (to quote another quote), “If you can’t laugh at yourself….”

We can definitely laugh at this one. At least it’s funny (unlike this wet blanket editorial).

(Stephen, just wait until you hear about what we’re doing with candy, face paints and decor!)

by Corey

Parents are becoming more and more savvy about how conventional candy companies work: Make the “treat” with the least amount of effort and sell it for the most money. Using real, wholesome, ethically sourced or even safe ingredients are not necessarily part of the deal.

Luckily, there are now many awesome options available. Healthy (and healthier), ethically sourced and sustainably grown Halloween treats are becoming easier and easier to find. Even super market chains, major online retailers and big box stores have jumped on the bandwagon, making these items more accessible to families no matter where they live.

But it can be confusing to negotiate the web of certifications and labels that some treat brands boast. Are they really meaningful? Or just “green-washing”? This list will (hopefully) make the process of buying healthier Halloween treats (and party fare) more simple.

Just look for as many as possible of the following:

• Non-GMO (preferably Non-GMO Project Verified)
• Organic (Certified is best)
• Locally grown/produced
• No high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
• No Palm-oil
• No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives (i.e. Real, whole foods – If your first-grader can pronounce all of the ingredients, you are probably in luck.)
• Fair Trade
• Minimally processed
• For chocolate – Rainforest Alliance Certified and/or shade grown

In addition, you may want to consider giving away goodies or serving foods that are peanut-free, gluten-free, dairy free and/or egg free. These are some of the most common food allergens. And with 1 in 13 kids suffering from food allergies*, limiting highly allergic foods is one way to ensure that Halloween is safe and fun for everyone.

*Source, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.