TASTYBABY'S TOP 10 ECO-FABULOUS HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

For the busy holiday season, shopping can be something of a nightmare, that’s why we’ve put our heads together and come up with our Top 10 eco-fabulous gift ideas.  Don’t worry, there is something here for EVERYONE!

GreenKarat Recycled Jewerly

You may not have thought much about the ecological impact of a wedding band or a pair of gold hoop earrings, but GreenKarat sure has. Unfortunately, industrial and manual methods of extracting precious metals and gems can damage land and ecosystems. Small scale miners often use excavation and extraction techniques which are harmful both to themselves and to the environment. But by teaching miners other marketable skills and providing ecologically responsible alternatives, such as jewelry made from recycled precious metals and high-end synthetic gems, these dudes are doing their part.

Guys: We are not suggesting that you substitute fake gems in your efforts to win your gf’s hand (c'mon, you know she’d be pissed), but a nice band of recycled gold ($100-1,600), will do. And a pretty yellow “diamond” ring ($975) is great guise for traveling or cocktail parties. Plus, GreenKarat also offers a voluntary carbon offset tax, which allows you to buy credits toward neutralizing carbon emissions associated with the energy usage of mining and making jewelry. GreenKarat

Pine Cone LED Christmas Lights

ED Christmas lights are very efficient: the use a tiny amount of power (80% less than regular ones) and last ten years or more. The vibrant colors put out by these lights are not available with traditional Christmas lights. The reason for that is the color isn't achieved by placing a colored glass over a clear bulb, the color being emitted is actually part of the light spectrum. Available for $9.95-$18.95 from Gardener's Supply Company or Amber Leaves.

Munchkins Skin Care

After not being able to find the natural baby care that she was looking for, Jennifer Casey started the Munchskins line out of her kitchen after the birth of her first child in 2001. Munchskins guarantees one thing – all products are hand made of pure and natural ingredients. Take the “Bum Bum Balm” for instance (and we just love that name). It contains herbal extracts of organic Calendula Oil and Lavender essential oil to relieve baby’s diaper rash. The “Boo Boo Goo” is a relief for bug bites, eczema and boo boo’s of all kinds made from essential oils of Tea Tree, Geranium, Lavender and organic Calendula. The Mini Kit includes samples of each of the products, perfect for a newborn gift. The organic essential oils that are used not only have natural healing properties, but a wonderful aroma too. Munchskins

Therapy in a Box Introduces Fair Trade Gift Baskets

Therapy In A Box’s new Fair Trade Collection features recycled telephone wire baskets, which are handmade by the Zulu people of South Africa, and are available in four different themes that feature organic and all-natural products: “Imagine,” “Dream,” “Harmony” and “Kindness.” By purchasing one of these gift baskets, Therapy In A Box will donate 10% of this collection’s proceeds to A Bridge For Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting self sufficiency and the dignity of work in rural Africa. The donations pay the artisans a living wage and are also reinvested in further jobs, training and development. The gift baskets range from $86-$250. Therapy In A Box

BluePlanetSMART’s Composter

We’ve been looking for a long time for a composter not only embodies green design should also  good design.  "The BluePlanetSMART’s round shape gives it a surface/volume ratio that is smaller than for any other shape. The smaller the ratio, the less the impact of heat loss on the total heat generated and the faster the decomposition." It easily rotates to aerate the compost. It also collects up to 4 gallons of "compost tea" in the base and has a scale built in to let you know how much is there. Faster composting, better function, better looking- that's a combination we like and would be perfect for any green-thumb aficianado.  BluePlanetSMART

Big Shrimpy Recycled Dog Beds

Big Shrimpy dog beds are stuffed plushy-thick with nylon fleece pieces collected from the cutting room floor (instead of meeting their other potential fate—ending up in the landfill.) The beds’ most amazing feature is its ingenuity—because they can be completely dismantled in order to be washed and dried (stuffing and all), they aren’t disposable unlike so many beds without the same foresight. More cool features: The bottom and sides of the outer shell are water-resistant, 420-denier nylon pack cloth (the same durable material used in backpacks) and the inner bag is also made of water-resistant rip-stop nylon, meaning the bed will resist Fido’s snowy paws when he comes in from the cold. The sleeping surface is nylon fleece for cozy comfort. $71.25-198.50 Big Shrimpy

Bullfrog Power: Green Electricity

Bullfrog Power  is alternative supplier which adds electricity to the existing grid and delivers through the existing distribution network. They sell 100% green power, 20% from wind and 80% from Brascan's EcoLogo certified hydroelectric sites. The signup process was painless and quick, and while the power is more expensive than our regular power (a mix of hydro, nuclear and coal) it is guaranteed for a year whereas OPG's will go up. And up. Cute bullfrog decal to let the neighbours know of our treehuggerness.

EUM-2000 – Whole House Energy Monitor

There are several little devices on the market that allow you to to measure how much electricity whatever you plug in it uses. But since you can only test one appliance at a time, discovering the energy consumption of a whole house is not very practical. That's where this other gizmo comes in: The EUM-2000 is a whole house energy monitor. It can display the electricity used in KWh or in dollars (after you input your local rates). It costs US$200 and can be bought here.

Sector 9's Pintail Bamboo Skateboard

Sector 9 makes three models of bamboo skate, including one for shorter enthusiasts. But the Pintail (pictured here) will suit, should you have the “need for speed”. Apparently bamboo gets right close to giving ideal pop, spring, rebound or general responsiveness. The Gear Guys describe the Pintail Longboard as a “downhill demon ... more stable and maneuverable at higher speeds than any other Sector 9 shape.” $70 USD for just the deck and about $180 USD for the whole shebang Sector 9 Bamboo Series

Worry-Free Wines

We know it can be difficult to identify good organic wines.  Well look no further. The Organic Wine Company is here to rescue you! Founded nearly 20 years ago by siblings Michel Ginoulhac and Veronique Raskin, this import house brings organic and biodynamic wines from all over the world. They even have a selection of vegan wines and sparkling vintages, if that's your taste. All of the wines are made from certified organically grown grapes. They are free of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers and other synthetic chemicals, and essential natural preservatives like sulfur dioxide are kept to a strict minimum. Prices are quite reasonable, and discounts for packs of 3 or 6 bottles are available. The Organic Wine Company