by Corey

We are thrilled and honored to partner with Non-GMO Project to present the first-ever Guide to a non-GMO Halloween!

Offered to parents as a toolkit, the 2011 Guide contains a list of Non-GMO Project Verified Halloween treats (such Nature’s Path organic crispy rice bars, Endangered Species Chocolates and Glee Gum minis), fun ideas for “treasures” (non-food goodies) and even a healthy recipe from our very own food blogger, Kia Robertson.

Get the Guide here.

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.

Guest post

Face painting is an eco-friendly solution to all the synthetic, wasteful, and expensive Halloween costumes out there. With some painted-on whiskers and a blackened nose, your child can easily be transformed into a loveable feline. With some black circles around their eyes and a white sheet (with eye holes, of course) over their head, they’re instantly the scariest little ghost on the block.

Unfortunately, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reported that 10 out of 10 face paints they tested contained lead (a powerful neurotoxin), while others even contained nickel, cobalt, and chromium. Masks aren’t a healthy alternative either, as they have been discovered by the Washington Toxics Coalition to contain high levels of cadmium, another toxic heavy metal in paints that can accumulate in the body. Masks may also contain hormone-disrupting, off-gassing phthalates. Even trace amounts of chemicals and toxins are worrisome to parents, as children absorb about 50 percent of all the lead that enters their systems; and it never goes away.

Thankfully, there are natural, healthful alternatives available to eco- and safety-conscious parents.

Luna Star: This mother-and-daughter-founded company based in New Hampshire offers natural, hypoallergenic costume makeup for Halloween as well as other dress-up occasions. The ingredients, which include natural oxides, micas, and essential oils, are gentle enough for delicate young skin, and still easy to remove. Luna Star a proud signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and comply with their non-toxic, no animal testing standards. Luna Star products do not contain preservatives, artificial colors, fragrances, parabens, or gluten. Their jars are also BPA free, and they use recycled shipping boxes and labels.

Terra Firma Cosmetics: Terra Firma Natural Face Paints are non-toxic, kid-safe, and eco-friendly. The Washington-based company is committed to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and donates 10 percent of its proceeds from paint kit sales to Green Halloween! Each kit includes an applicator set with an instruction pamphlet. The paints include ingredients like vegetable glycerin, aloe leaf juice, rose water, jojoba oil, beeswax, and grapeseed oil. Terra Firma Cosmetics also hold a record of making the best double jogging stroller available in the market.

Wee Can Too Edible Art Supply: Edible face paint? That’s exactly what Wee Can Too has done. This natural, eco-friendly, non-toxic face paint is made with organic fruit and vegetable dyes – real blueberries, beets, pumpkin, and spinach – mixed with rice cereal and rice flour! The ingredients are vegan, free of wheat, dairy, sugar, and preservatives. Purchase Edible Face Paint by Wee Can Too through the Susty Party website.

Celebrate Green! recipe: If you want to know the exact ingredients in your child’s face paint, make it yourself. Try this DIY recipe from the mother-daughter founders of Green Halloween and authors of the book, Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations & Traditions for the Whole Family.

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ChasingGreen is a website dedicated to sharing the message that ordinary people can positively impact our world in their everyday lives. ChasingGreen knows that your life is already complex and works to show you how you can reduce your environmental impact in simple practical ways.

Halloween is big on fun but, unfortunately, it’s also big on unhealthy traditions and waste. Many moms and dads worry about the impact of this holiday on the health of their kids and the planet.

And for good reason.

Almost $6 billion a year is spent on costumes, candy, décor and other accessories, most of which are made from unhealthy, unsustainable materials, by people who may not be paid living wages or treated fairly. Most of the stuff – what isn’t consumed – winds up in landfills.

And scary news about high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, lead laden accessories just fuel parent’s concerns.

But our goal is to show families that it’s easy and affordable to keep the fun, while losing the unhealthy, un-Earth-friendly traditions. It’s not about telling parents how they should celebrate – it’s about inspiring them to make choices that make sense to their families, their budgets and their schedules. And when many families make healthier and more sustainable choices for Halloween – taking even the smallest of steps – big impacts can be made for the short and long term.

Here are a few of the “spooky statistics” that might fuel your desire to help change the way you celebrate Halloween:

• One in three trick-or-treaters born today will develop diabetes.
• One-third of America’s trick-or-treaters are overweight; 17% are considered obese.
• Today’s trick-or-treaters have a life expectancy that is shorter than their parents.
• 1 in 13 trick-or-treaters suffers from food allergies.
• Coco beans used for chocolate that are grown in full sun (as opposed to shade) are susceptible to disease and therefore require heavy doses of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
• The chocolate industry has engaged in the use of child slaves and other unethical treatments of growers.
• Store-bought costumes, makeup and accessories may contain phthalates, lead and other toxins.
• One test of multiple brands of face paints found detectible levels of lead in all of them. (According to experts there are NO safe levels of lead).
• Over 6,000 synthetic chemicals are used in the processed-food industry. Most Halloween “treats” are processed.
• A 2004 study with 1800 three year old children found that behavior measurably improved after a one week diet without preservatives and artificial colors and dramatically worsened on the weeks they were given preservatives and artificial colors (present in most Halloween candy).

For more “why’s” of Green Halloween^®, click here.

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.

We caught up with Creative Kismet blogger Regina M. Lord recently, out of Tuscon, Arizona (Corey’s hometown!)  and discovered that she has some very crafty Valentine’s to share with the people she loves.  Regina is a talented artist and blogger that will be featured from time to time on Green Halloween and we look forward to sharing her talents with you!  As the busy mother of two boys, she still manages to do an exchange with her fabric be my Valentine bookmark. Check it out and make your own!

Find out what Creative Kismet is all about!

Be My Valentine's Bookmark's

Blogger Laurali Star can be found on The Damsel in the Attic.

You can also follow Green Halloween on twitter!

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.

Oprah and staffers at The Oprah show took on the challenge of going meatless for an entire week!  If  Oprah can do it, so can you!  Staffers say that going vegan for a week not only changed their bodies but their psyche.  Oprah’s vegan-guru, author Kathy Freston, claims that eliminating meat has a host of benefits such as, flawless skin, shiny hair, and nails that grow faster.  And, she claims, weight loss is a breeze.  Of course, there are also many environmental benefits. I’m even considering trying it with my daughter’s next week!  Are you up for the challenge? Follow the link for more great info!

You can also follow us on twitter!

Blogger Laurali Star can also be found on The Damsel in the Attic.

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.