I am really trying to decide how I feel about kids having cell phones. What is the right age? Is giving your child a cell phone spoiling them excessively? Does the convenience outweigh the seemingly ridiculous notion of it? These are some of the thoughts going through my mind about the subject.

My oldest son is just nine and many of his friends have cell phones already. I just think it is a little too much a little too soon. Although, having a cell phone on your child might provide an extra measure of safety. They would be able to reach you quickly if they needed you. You would also be able to keep tabs on them a little better I suppose.

I was reading a blog called Motherwise Cracks and her article about "Cell Phone Snobbery". This type of thing is what makes me lean towards giving kids cell phones is spoiling them too much:   

"I handed my cell phone to my son’s friend so he could call home. He handed it back to me and asked someone else to use their phone. I asked what the matter was and he replied, “I’m not used to such a basic model.”

Where do you stand on this subject? Kids and cell phones: too much or just normal for the times?

I have referenced The Law Of Attraction several times throughout my time here. A friend introduced me to the concept and I find it very interesting. The reason it interests me is because I can look back on my life and see how my positive thinking has produced the outcomes that I wanted. To me, it is not about "The Secret", it is more about how your positive thoughts will influence events in your life.

I have had some challenging mommy moments lately. My youngest is approaching two and has become a poster child for "the terrible 2's"! Between him and my other two boys, life around my house is often chaotic. I wondered if I could use the law of attraction to help calm my house down a bit. Maybe I have not been doing things right?

I found this article   "Law of Attraction used for Your Parenting Success" - by Kelly Nault M.A. on Rebecca J. Burns' blog.  The author asked some questions that really made me think:

*How am I contributing to my kids behavior? (Gulp!)
*Are my kids responding to my lack of patience and skyrocketing stress?
*Are my children desperately seeking quality time with me because I haven’t been giving them much special time lately?
*Are my kids no fun to be around because frankly, I am not fun to be around?

I admit that my patience has not been very good lately. Working from home and tending to three little boys makes for rather stressful days. It is very likely that my stress level has been attracting more negative behavior from them. I am going to make a great effort to use this parenting strategy described in the above article.

I need to lose about 8 to 10 pounds. In the past, this would not have been a big deal for me. I would have set my mind to it and the weight would be gone. After 3 kids, 2 c-sections and passing years, I am not finding it as easy as it used to be.

I used to have amazing snack control. Basically, I did not allow myself to snack and it was no big deal. Sad to say, I have turned into a snacker. After being home for so long, the bad habit has taken a hold of me. My rigid self control seems to have vanished. I weigh more now than I did last year and have gained back some of the weight I lost after my last baby. I have finally realized that it is time to get very serious about it before it becomes a constant issue.

I found a cool website called The Daily Plate. You can enter your height and weight and how many pounds you would like to lose. It will tell you how many calories to eat daily to achieve your goal. You can keep a daily journal of what you ate that day and what exercises you performed. They have groups you can join for motivation and low-fat recipes in their forum. This might be what I need to start taking what I eat more seriously.

I am always on the lookout for something fun to occupy my sons that will also benefit them intellectually in some way. The latest activity around here has been puzzles. With spring coming, I am starting to think of things to do that involve more activity and exercise.

A mom friend mentioned a book to me called Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers. I looked it up and I must say that it sounds like an ideal way to help your little ones get some physical activity. There are so many benefits to yoga and it makes sense that young children would probably enjoy this. These activities would be fun to do with my 3 year old and my 18 month old.

From their website:

Yoga Can Help Your 18-Month to Five-Year-Old Child Have:

• Fewer Tantrums
• Better and longer sleep
• Increased motor coordination
• Improved listening and ability to follow directions
• Better self-expression
• Higher self-esteem
• Easier relaxation
• A healthy and fit lifestyle

I just might give this a try. Maybe I could do my workout and my boys could do these yoga activities at the same time. That just might work!

I used to do a lot of buying and selling on eBay. Mostly, I sold my kid's stuff once they outgrew the items. I would also buy a lot of their clothes on eBay. It has been a long time since I have listed on eBay due to the rising prices to list an auction.

I just learned that there is a planned week long strike by eBay sellers. Apparently there have been many changes on eBay that have upset a lot of sellers. These changes include the way searches are ordered and the rating system.

I am curious to know if this is mostly a "Power Seller" type of strike or if it includes regular moms that periodically list on eBay. What is your take on the turmoil surrounding the site?

You can't miss it. When you walk down the aisles of the grocery store, more and more labels are screaming out at you "Made With Whole Grain"! One might think that their local grocery store has turned into a nutritious health food store.

This new whole grain craze reminds me of the low fat craze. Consumers are being misled to believe that many foods are healthy, because they claim to contain whole grains. Keep in mind, just because a product advertises whole grains on its package, that does not mean it is necessarily a healthy food.

Healthscience.org helps to shed a little light on the subject regarding cereals "More Whole Grains? Or More Hype?"

"Unfortunately, most are far from 100 percent whole grain. Nor are they necessarily healthy foods. In the cereal aisle, for example, you’ll find products like Trix, Golden Grahams, Rice Chex, and Lucky Charms with the words “WHOLE GRAIN” emblazoned on the front of the boxes.

But few of these reformulated cereals have more than 1 gram of fiber per serving, indicating that there’s not a whole lot of whole grain in the box. Sure enough, in the ingredient list you’ll find refined white flours, often described as “wheat flour” and “enriched flour,” in addition to the heavily advertised whole-grain flour."

Buyers beware. Don't fall for the pretty packaging with the misleading advertising. The best way to determine if a product is actually healthy is by reading the whole ingredient list. 

Last Christmas I bought my son a lot of Thomas The Train engines. He loved them and played with them all of the time, That is, until I heard about the recall and had to take them away. He was left with an empty train table to stare at.

This holiday season, consumers and parents are struggling to find safe and lead free toys. The choices are limited and often expensive.

I came across this adorable little train set. It is made in the USA and is lead free. The great part is that it is compatible with Thomas and Brio sets. The price of $36.90 is reasonable too. It is quickly becoming the fastest selling toy this holiday season.

Here is further product information from the manufacturer:

Little Engine That Could Wooden Toy Train Set

Featured on ABC & NBC

Looking for a toy train set that's child safe and made in the USA? We love Watty Piper's classic story around here, so we were thrilled to find this Little Engine That Could train set. This wonderful made in the USA toy is compatible with Thomas and Brio sets. Includes the engine, three cars, and red caboose.This is crafted just like traditional toys were made in the past, so you can bet it will last!

:: Authentically made to last for generations
:: Painted with child-safe lead free paints and sealers
:: Fine Hand Detailing
:: Handmade of reforested birch hardwood
:: Railcars are heavier than other brands

Made in:
USA

I already bought this train set for my son for a Christmas present. He will be able use his train table again and I won't have to worry about taking his trains away again. Satisfy your little train lover with this lead free train set!

Asset focused parenting is basically positive parenting. The concept is to focus on helping children learn to trust in their own abilities.

All to often, parents get caught up in what is wrong with their children and what needs to be fixed. Asset focused parenting helps us to remember to focus instead on what works. This new parenting trend helps children to develop a relationship of trust with their own minds.

WomenOf.com features an article by Dawna Markova, Ph.D., entitled 6 Tips for Asset Focused Parenting. These are some great tips:

"1. Instead of focusing on what goes wrong, begin to study and amplify what's right about both you and your child. As you tuck your child into bed, ask for and share three things that went right during the day.

2. With your child, begin a joint study of the causes of positive events. What about his studying for that math exam made it possible for him to get such a great score? What was it that made you feel so excited about what happened at work? What made it possible for your daughter to learn to play soccer so readily: was it watching someone else, or being told how to make a particular play before she had to do it? How did he and she resolve that fight instead of beating up on each other?

3. Post "Strength" stickies on the refrigerator, a different color for each member of the family. A strength is anything a person does that gives them energy when they do it, and that they've always been able to do really well.

4. Let each child design a play time for the rest of the family, based on his or her strengths. Jerome might have the whole family plan scenarios for the next vacation. Ana Li might interview each family member about the ways they are smart, and then make a big chart that anyone could add to. Dawna could tell stories at dinner on Tuesday nights about strengths she noticed each family member exemplifying during the week.

5. Do a family boredom study: Have each family member study their own minds when they are "bored," and report at dinner what they discovered about what boredom feels like in their body, how to turn boredom into daydreaming, what triggered their boredom, what happens when they use a strength in a task that has always bored them, etc.

6. Have Family Focus meals: Each dinner can be a time when the entire family focuses attention on one person, asking questions about their latest hero or heroine, what activity has made them happiest that week, what three things went well, how they’ve used their strengths to face a challenge, etc."

To learn more about asset focused parenting, you can visit Visit Dawna at www.smartwired.org. 

Dawna Markova, Ph.D., Author of The Smart Parenting Revolution - A Powerful New Approach to Unleashing Your Child's Potential is internationally known for her groundbreaking research in the fields of learning and perception. She serves as the president of SmartWired, the CEO of Professional Thinking Partners, and a research member of the Society for Organizational Learning, founded by Peter Senge of the SloanSchool at MIT. In the past forty years, Markova's work has expanded into the boardrooms and corporate headquarters of companies in America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. She now reaches hundreds of thousands of people around the globe through seminars, keynote speeches, and her eight books, which have been translated into seven languages. Dr. Markova was recently honored with the Visions to Action Award, "for people who have made a profound contribution to the world." She lives in Northern California. Visit Donna at www.smartwired.org.

What do you wear when you work out? The clothes that you wear to the gym could be more important than you think. Working out is all about making your body look good and keeping it healthy. Why not look good while you are at it?

Apparently someone else agrees with me. The Luxe Mix blogged about this very same thing. Fashionable Workout Clothes -- Time to Throw out those Holey Sweats tells us why it is important to look hot while you are working out:

"Looking hot while working out is important. I know you're thinking -- Who the heck cares what I look like when I'm just going to drop into the gym? But... the truth is everyone is checking you out. Those muscle heads are looking for a date, those trainers are rating you on a scale of 1-10, and all those girls are measuring themselves up or over you."

In a way it is sad but true. Society never stops measuring you up even when you are just trying to get fit! The brand of fitness wear that The Luxe Mix recommends is Anatomie. I checked out their line of women's active wear and I must agree that it is very fashionable. What I especially like about their clothing is the quality of the fabrics they use. The fabrics have UV protection and help to wick away moisture from your body while you are working up that sweat!

Anatomie is running an ongoing promotion right now too. You can sign up to win $250 worth of their clothing in a drawing that is held every month. I love freebies and appreciate a company that gives back.

Never heard of Anatomie? Here is the lowdown:

"ANATOMIE designer active wear for women, sportswear and fitness wear is led by designer Katalin Posztos. Her background as a fitness instructor in tropical resorts around the world and her aerobic championships have inspired her vision of today's sportswear. She has worked with her team of international designers based in Miami, to bring you a unique collection of active wear for women, like women's sportswear, versatile enough to be comfortable at the gym yet stylish enough to be worn everyday, much more than typical fitness wear.

The key is in the European craftsmanship and the premiere French and Italian fabrics. ANATOMIE uses high performance, ultra lightweight fabrics that will not shrink or fade - with the latest in UV protection and moisture wicking and anti bacterial technology. We use 4 way stretch wovens for extra comfort and versatility, for some of the most dynamic bottoms in the industry.

Whether for work-out or work day, ANATOMIE offers style and sophistication for today's active trendsetter. Katalin Posztos and her team of international designers draw inspiration from the most highly regarded European fashion houses, to bring you an active lifestyle collection, designed to fit and flatter the female form."

Don't just pump the iron, pump up the fashion in your workout! I know that I am inspired now to look a little nicer at the gym. I will miss my holey sweats a little bit.

I always enjoy discovering interesting and fun sites online. I get tired of the same old networking or socializing scene that is tainted by everyone trying to push their opportunities on you.

I like FlugPo because it is totally different. FlugPo is full of great friends and fabulous finds! You can meet online friends and socialize with them. The cool twist is that the site also features classifieds. You can browse job listings, items for sale, housing, services and more. Not only can you browse these classifieds but you can also list your own classifieds. This is all free of course or I wouldn't like it, lol!

I think the reason I like this place so much is that it has a real sense of community. You won't find the usual spam at FlugPo like you do at MySpace or some other popular socializing sites. I have been very turned off to sites like that because everyone that wants to be your "friend" immediately bombards you with their "unique and amazing" offers. I have come to the conclusion of why bother?

FlugPo has some really nice people on there as well as interesting discussions and groups. I think the reason I got on this subject today is because of my post yesterday Freecycle Your Closet. Sometimes you want to make a buck from your old things and there is nothing wrong with that. Why not list them in the FlugPo classifieds to people you have met there rather than to strangers? On the flip side, wouldn't you feel more comfortable browsing the classifieds of people you talk to regularly versus a potential scammer from another site?

Okay, I know I can get on a roll sometimes! My family has always been amused about they way I talk about something I like. What can I say..... I like to spread the joy!

Everywhere I look there are amazingly adorable screen print tee's. The only downside was that most places wanted a pretty penny in exchange for these great styles. Well, I've discovered a secret and now the boys have drawers and drawers full of witty, vintage-esque and just plain rockin' tee's.

My secret? They are right under your nose! Check out the racks at Target, K-Mart and Wal-Mart. Yes, some of the designs may lean a little in the too trashy or bratty for kiddos department at these stores. I know I would never let my boys wear a t-shirt that says "Keep your hands off my nuts!" shirt, even if it does have a cute squirrel and a few acorns on it. But as long as you take a minute and weed out the not-so-classy ones, you're sure to find some keepers!

Check out this snazzy little shirt adorned with vintage gas pumps. You could easily see this at a fancy baby boutique for twenty buckaroos or more. But at Target, it is only $5.99! Can you believe that? You gotta love a good deal, especially when they will outgrow it in a couple of months anyway.

There comes a time in every pregnancy when you can't quite squeeze into your old jeans anymore, but maternity ones are still way too big and way too....well, maternity looking. Not too long ago, you just had to suck it up and wear the maternity pants as soon as your old ones got snug.

A lot has changed in maternity fashion in the past few years and this in between pants stage has been addressed too. You now have the option of the belly band. It's a lot like a big headband that fits around your waist and covers up the fact that you can no longer fasten that top button. It is very affordable and available at most maternity clothing stores.

If you want to be a little more stylish, you can now get b-buckles. Make sure to click on the link and check out the video. B-buckles are a little strip of fabric which hooks onto your first belt loop on either side of your fly. You can just leave your pants undone and the b-buckle will hold everything together for you.

They come with adorable designs, too. My favorite is probably the one in the video that says "love."  But they also have heart and flower designs and sayings like "rock start mama" and "bun in the oven."

I wish I had known about these when I was pregnant. I just relied on a rubber band hooked through the button hole and looped over the button. I would have felt much more stylish with b-buckles.

As parents we get tons of ads products thrown our way every day. You have to have the latest sling, or the lightest stroller, or Heaven forbid you forget the wipe warmer! (A little note: skip the wipe warmer, so not necessary.) With 10,000 ads passing in front of your sleep-deprived eyes, how do you know what you REALLY need? Of course, there are necessities. But when it comes to trends, that's where it gets tough.

One great current mommy-must-have-trend is the Mommy Card. Meet another cool mom at the park and want to meet up for a play date sometime? Run into an old high school friend at the mall who you soon discover also has her own basketball team worth of youngin's? Chit-chat up the teenager at the coffee shop who you just know would make a great babysitter? Then you need a Mommy Card!

It's like a business card, but your business is being a Mommy! Sure, you could make your own, but would they be as stylish and professional as the ones by Angie at Many Little Blessings. The picture above is an example of her work. So cute, huh?

So what do you think? Passing trend or mommy necessity that's here to stay? Would you use them?

Say Uncle comments on the news in the Tennessean that 10% of kids in Tennessee have the school's pet disorder: ADHD. I used to work for a daycare where a lot of the kids had ADHD. I felt really bad for them, because if their parents would forget their medicine, the kids would be whacked-out all day.

But was that the fault of the meds or the disorder? I really don't believe there are that many kids that have ADHD, I think most of those "ADHD" kids could benefit from some strong discipline. It's just like those kids that have ODD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Now, I've know several kids with ADHD that had good parents, but I don't think it's a coincidence that every single kid I've ever met with ODD had terrible parents. I'm sure there are a few kids out there with ODD that have good parents, but I've never met them. I'd hazard a guess that they're all on the internet, though. Kind of like the entire 1% of parents who are physically unable to breastfeed are all on the internet.

What say you? Do you think doctors have just missed diagnosing ADHD all these years and there really are that many kids with ADHD? Or do you think environmental factors have caused the surge of kids that have ADHD? Or do you think it's being grossly overdiagnosed by doctors who don't want to tell the parents that they just need to learn to parent?

My 14 year old son has just informed me that tomorrow is National Skateboarding Day. Hmmm. I guess this particular holiday of sorts slipped through my fingers when I was laying out our summer schedule. I politely asked him if that meant there would be no mail and if the banks would be closed but he rolled his eyes and walked out of the room. Go figure. I'm not really sure why there needs to be a whole day dedicated to the art of skateboarding. Any ideas?

Evidently, June 21st marks the day that grinders all across America will get to participate in all kinds of contests, fundraisers, and protests by skating across cities, gathering in skateparks and reveling in the solitary act of skateboarding alone. For this very reason, I am not a big fan of skateboarding. I have always wanted my kids to participate in sports that involve a team where accountability is a factor. Skateboarding seems to be such an individual thing and my son absolutely loves it. So who am I to deprive him from becoming the next Tony Hawk.

According to the Go Skateboarding Day site the pure exhilaration of said sport is what drives skateboarding to one of the most influential activities in the world. So, guess where I will be all day tomorrow? The Hwy N Skate Park. Where will your sk8ers be?

Trailer Park Feminist* has a post up that I am totally in agreement with. I've seen this whole, "Americans love their pets better than they love their kids" thing time and time again in various communities. It's irritating.

We love our animals, we dress them up in little doggy clothes and put them in little doggy purses and carry them around, but does that equate loving them more than kids? I mean, we put our kids in little cute outfits and carry them around in slings, right? Isn't that the same difference?

But I never did sit up all night with my dog with the shower on at full blast because he had croup. And my dog has never pooped all over me, as all three of my children have managed to do at one point or another. And if my kid suddenly started crapping all over the floor or biting everyone, I wouldn't rehome him or take him to be euthanized. I sure would with my dog. Don't get me wrong, I would try behavior modification with my dog, but at some point, I'd move on, and I wouldn't do that with my kids.

I have a very good friend whose dog suddenly turned vicious. We're not talking about a dog who accidentally strangled a kid, I'm talking about a dog who suddenly turned vicious. After trying behavior modification and taking the dog to a trainer and the vet and everything else she could possibly think of, the dog was just mean and went around biting or trying to bite people. So she had him put down. It was one of the hardest things she ever had to do, I talked to her several times that day and she was so down about it, my heart broke for her. But think about it, if that had been her kid, would she have put the kid down? No.

So do we love our dogs more than we love our children? Come on, Gary Bauer. Way to take an isolated incident and turn it into a "disturbing trend". (And I'm not even gonna get into the "people are choosing having pets over having children" debate. That's just amusing.)

*Someone turned me on to TPF and I don't remember who it was. If you were the person that linked me to her blog, please email me so I can thank you!

The life of a fashion trend is a subject in itself but when it comes to some trends some people seem to take the most definite stands, and quite frankly, it cracks me up!  Take the trend of Crocs for example. The She Finds Mom Blog reports that there is a website called Ihatecrocs.com and their tagline is, "I hate Crocs so much, I bought the domain." OK, now that is funny. By having a website totally dedicated to their hatred of Crocs they are hoping to eliminate Crocs and those that think their excuses for wearing them are viable. Their blog even has a You Tube Croc Burning Video. I guess I should not laugh though because I started a blog with the same type of passion, featuring my love for Starbucks Coffee.

The real fact of the matter is, kids all over love these shoes (even the knock offs) and adults do too. I have a pair. I bought them because I liked the color and they are so easy to slip on when I'm running out the door. As far as appearance goes....well, they may not be the best looking shoe on the block but to tell you the truth, I am, most of the time, too busy to care.

What do you think?

My oldest son is going on a fun field trip for school tomorrow, and the little kids feel left out. Little do they know, they're in for a really fun time- we're going to see Shrek tomorrow. I have not yet decided if we'll see it in the theater or the drive-in (yes, we're lucky enough to have one nearby!) but we're definitely going to see it.

Funny how well the marketing works. A couple of weeks ago, I asked (mostly to myself) "When does the new Shrek come out, anyway?" and HelloKitty said (much to my surprise) "May 18th!" She apparently has been counting down the days.

I read somewhere that Shrek is supposedly a bad influence because he's fat. How ridiculous is that? Next we'll be putting Big Bird on a diet and calling him "Fit and Trim Bird". What a bunch of hooey, I say. If Shrek is a bad influence AT ALL, I would think it would be because he goes around burping and farting everywhere.

Just when are groups like the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood going to shut up and make people actually take responsibility for their parenting?

(image credit: shrek.com)

"This is ser-wious! Let's save the sea lions!" If this gets stuck in my head, it will stay there for days at a time. That's really the only complaint I have about the Wonder Pets, their catchy songs. They do stick in your mind for a long, long time.

Otherwise, I am a bonafide lover of the Wonder Pets. So are my kids. Even Flip, who at 13 is way too cool to dig children's programming, will sit down and watch the Wonder Pets. Just don't tell anyone he does that.

Even though I think Ming-Ming is the cutest, my fave Wonder Pet is Linnny. She's taught SpiderMan, my 3 year old, to be very complimentary. If we're looking for something and his older sister finds it, SpiderMan will tell her, "Good Eye, HelloKitty!" It's an exact quote from Wonder Pets and is too cute.

Tell me, what do you think of the Wonder Pets? What are your other favorite kid shows?

[Photo Credit: Noggin.com]

There is a huge trend building for baby designer clothing that goes far beyond just the basic functional play wear that most clothing stores seems to carry.  Baby Bonkin is one store that has truly stepped out of the proverbial box in the area of baby items.

Their unique online boutiques carry a limited edition of designer baby clothing and accessories that are absolutely darling. Their goal is to make their baby items as unique and special as the little ones who wear them by using innovative designs, bright colors, and unusual fabrics.   

The company is the concept of three women, all moms, that with kids in tow, run Baby Bonkin during naptime....

"The name “BabyBonkin” comes from a family nickname for one bright-eyed, blonde haired little girl.  We picture her and babies all across the world happily developing and toddling on their way, occasionally “bonkin” onto their rear-ends as they discover the world in which they live." 

I've discovered the world in which I live, with my husband and four kids, is expensive, especially when it comes to designer clothing.  I was actually very pleasantly surprised to see Baby Bonkin's prices as they are so reasonable for this type of quality and craftsmanship.

You might be past the baby stage like I am and therefore may feel sad that you can not jump on the designer baby clothing bandwagon. Have no fear, their clothes and accessories make great baby shower gifts too so check out their pj with matching blanket sets for boys or girls for your next baby shower gift.

I am spending way too much time at True Mom Confessions. It's kinda like PostSecret, minus the postcards.  Some of the confessions break my heart, like:

My daughter is 14. I really miss the days when she was my best friend and wanted to be at my side 24/7. I wish I could go back and do it over again. I would be more patient with her, I promise. Now she barely speaks to me. :-(

And some of them make me laugh, like:

I hate that I have to look like a "suburban house wife" so that I don't ruin my child's social life. I'm tired of wearing cashmere and sensible shoes.

I want to rock out with my tattoos out, wear my hair any color I want, and still be considered a great mom!   

Mainly because I do rock out with my tattoos and sometimes blue hair. Yet other confessions make me go, "ME TOO!" like this one:

I keep stealing my kids' leftover Easter candy.

True Mom Confessions is a really good way to waste spend some time.

Along the lines of "going green", "eco friendly", and "tree hugger", Pottery Barn Kids has finally stepped on to the "good for the environment" bandwagon and introduced their first line of organic baby items. Parents will be thrilled to know that their environmental baby items such as, cotton crib sheets, changing pad covers, hooded bath towels, and teddy bears, all come in a gorgeous oatmeal color that is just neutral enough for a boy or girl. 

Zem Joaquin, from the ecofabulous blog, can't seem to decide if Pottery Barn's generic oatmeal palette is an unfortunate mistake or if we should be thankful.....

"On one hand, without hue options design-centric customers  may avoid the new addition. On the other hand, had they opted for colors they would have likely ended up using traditional, unhealthy dyes... Maybe off-white will be the new black next season."

Zem is a firm believer in the fact that we can save our planet and preserve our sense of style at the same time. I agree, and what better way to teach our kids about the environment than to bundle them up in "ecofabulous" materials.  Ahhhh, there's the love....