The Cuddliest Valentine’s Gift for Your Little One!

toys that give back

With Valentine’s day slowly approaching it’s time to start thinking about what to gift your loved little ones.

Help your little one get extra love and cuddles this Valentine’s day and feed children in need, with a cuddle+kind doll. It’s the perfect gift for any precious newborn or treasured toddler.

For every ethically produced, hand-knit doll sold, we give 10 meals to hungry children around the world.

1 doll = 10 meals.

Started by a family of five who were inspired to help after seeing a documentary about childhood hunger, cuddle+kind has been able to give over 7 million meals in three years.

best toys for kids

A tremendous amount of love goes into each toy from artisan knitters in Peru. Hand stitching and crafting goes into every single artisanal, heirloom-quality dolls. There are 27 adorable toys in the cuddle+kind collection, each with its own birthday and a favorite quote. This collection continues to grow each year as new dolls are added.

cuddle+kind has partnerships with several respected humanitarian agencies including World Food Program USA, Children’s Hunger Fund, Breakfast Club of Canada and WE Charity to guarantee that every purchase directly benefits children in need.

Are you ready to join us on our journey to donate over 1 million meals this year? Adorable toys, well made, with no wild price tag, and it gives to those who need a hand? An all around win.

You can check out the full collection and choose your perfect toy here: https://cuddleandkind.com/collections/hand-knit-dolls.

Valentines’ Gift Idea That Gives Back

Valentine’s Day is about love, affection and giving back to those you care about. Whether it’s a simple heartfelt note, a dozen red roses, or a bottle of expensive champagne, there are endless ways to express those special feelings. However, this year, loved ones can offer one rose or two to a special set of precious animals quickly becoming an endangered species and in need of our love the most, America’s treasured and beloved wild horses and burros.

horse rescue

For brief background, over the last 20+ years, thousands of wild horses roaming our public lands out west have been brutally struck by the government’s giant bow and arrow, stripping away their protections, cruelly rounding up wild horses and giving away public lands to big oil, big cattle, and other special interests. That’s why for Valentine’s Day, there’s a unique opportunity to shower your loved ones with the following special gifts to help protect these beautiful creatures and also indirectly protect the environment since wild horses are a critical part of the overall eco-system that provide important nutrients to the soil they roam on.

Famed Wild Horse Photographer and Author Carol Walker is generously donating proceeds from of the sale of her breathtaking latest coffee table book, Wild Hoofbeats: America’s Vanishing Wild Horses and her photo calendar to the Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WHFF) in support of the organization’s efforts to save these animals and expose how the federal government is secretly implementing policies they know will result in the extinction of wild horses.  Carol was inspired to volunteer and support Wild Horse Freedom Federation after discovering that WHFF’s goals of keeping America’s wild horses and burros where they belong – wild and free on our public lands – aligned with hers.

wild horses

In addition, all who donate to this important cause can download a Valentine’s Day-themed donation certificate (in a loved one’s name) – that includes a custom beautiful photo of a wild horse – that will help keep wild horses and burros roaming our public lands for years to come.  More information on the special book, calendar and certificate can be found on the Wild Horse Freedom Federation’s website at http://wildhorsefreedomfederation.org/wild-horse-freedom-federation-fundraiser/.

Palm Oil is Destroying the Environment – This Man Is Challenging the Skincare Industry

Palm oil is the most common form of edible vegetable oil. It is made from the fruit of oil palm trees, which originally grew in Western Africa but are now grown in tropical regions all over the world.

Palm oil can be found in more than 70% of cosmetics. The palm oil industry also has a devastating impact on the environment, contributing to global deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss, the palm oil industry also has a devastating impact on the environment.

Sure, you may not see “palm oil” in the ingredients, but palm is hiding as emulsifiers and surfactants with generically chemical-sounding names—like sorbitan olivate, sorbitan stearate, cetearyl glucoside, glyceryl stearate, and more.

Additionally, palm oil offers NO benefits to soap or other beauty products – it is simply a filler.  We are needlessly destroying the environment for no reason. Sadly, most major soap brands use palm oil.

all natural soap

This is why David Bass founded Peet Bros. Palm-Free Soaps and Lotions. Filled with all natural and moisturizing ingredients such as Shea Butter and Olive Oil, Peet Bros. makes products that are good for your skin and good for the environment.  But great ingredients also mean being completely free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial fragrances.

Harvesting palm oil destroys rainforests, wipes out endangered species, and violates human rights. Sustainable palm oil does nothing to reduce the destruction. We exist to expose the industry and make way better, moisturizing products that are palm oil free.
Peet Bros are activists with a much better solution to make palm oil free soap. 

Peet Bros puts themselves and their brand’s profit second so they can put you and the planet first. Our 100% palm oil free soap bars and lotions are filled with more good stuff like Shea Butter and Olive Oil because they believe you are how you clean—and you don’t need to compromise. P.S. Palm free bar soaps work wonderfully as hand soap.

They smell nice, they feel good, and they don’t harm the planet to make or to use.
Seems like a no brainer to me- this is one product that everyone should try.

Head over to the site and place your order today- you can get %10 off your first order when you visit the page, as well.

ECO-FRIENDLY STEEPED COFFEE GIVES BACK – 20% OF SALES DONATED TO FEEDING AMERICA

For thoughtful gift ideas that check all the boxes, look no further than Steeped Coffee (www.SteepedCoffee.com). The innovative startup is committed to premium coffee, convenience, and environmental stewardship in equal measure. So, when you introduce the coffee lovers in your life to Steeped, it’s a win-win for them and the planet. And, in an effort to fight hunger in America, the coffee company has launched its Packs for Good program, committing 20% of all sales to Feeding America for hunger relief (steepedcoffee.com/packsforgood).

What sets Steeped Coffee apart is its proprietary brewing method that does not require machines or brewing equipment, made much like tea. The coffee comes in single-serve bags that are nitro-sealed to ensure absolute freshness. It’s a uniquely “unplugged” coffee experience, from the award-winning packaging made using compostable and renewable materials to the non-GMO filters. All it takes to brew a perfect cup is hot water and a few minutes, and at the end of the day, there are no wasteful plastic pods accumulating in waterways or landfills.

Best of all, each Steeped Pack contains hand-roasted, ethically sourced, Direct Trade coffee that’s precision ground to showcase the distinctive flavor profile of every crafted blend. Whether you’re looking for light, medium, dark, French roast, or even decaf, there’s something for you.

So instead of racking your brain for the perfect gift, visit the Steeped website and make someone’s day while also being eco-conscious! With plenty of one-of-a-kind items, it’s the simplest way to give the gift of Coffee without Compromise this holiday season. Here are 5 gift ideas for the coffee lovers.

The Mug and More

Start with a vessel they’ll love and fill it with packs of Steeped Coffee. Selections include the ceramic Steeped Diner Mug (perfect for homebodies) or the Steeped Miir Insulated Camp Mug (for the adventurous type).

The Steeped Lineup Sampler

A great way for newcomers to discover the roast that suits them best, the Steeped Lineup includes five alluring blends ranging from Light, Medium, Dark, and French Roasts to the Swiss Water Processed Decaf.

The Steeped Coffee Subscription

What could be more convenient? They can choose their favorite roast and have it delivered straight to their doorstep as often as they like with the ultimate flexibility to switch roasts or pause their subscription at any time.

Steeped Home Kits

This indulgent gift has everything they need to make the perfect cup: a “smart” electric kettle or elegant stove-top kettle, a Steeped Coffee Subscription, and two high-end mugs.

Two Double Wall Tasting Glasses

Experience coffee like never before with this set of two double wall tasting glasses. The flared lip delivers coffee to your entire palate in order to taste the full spectrum of coffee flavors.

These Fellow double wall tasting glasses are cool to look at and cool to the touch, even while you’re drinking your hot cup of Steeped Coffee.

Features of Steeped Coffee include:

  • Hand Roasted Specialty Coffee: no instant powders, just delicious coffee
  • No Machines Required: unplugged single-serve convenience
  • Guilt-Free Packaging: made using fully compostable and renewable materials
  • Nitro-Sealed: removes oxygen, stopping the clock on freshly ground beans
  • Full Immersion Filter: renewable plant-based non-GMO compostable filters that regulate ideal water-in and maximum flavor-out
  • Ultrasonically Sealed: no glues, staples, or wasted materials for max steeping
  • Precision Ground: consistent water-cooled grinding to the micron
  • Pre-Portioned: optimal SCA recommended water-to-coffee ratios
  • Barista Approved: continuously tested by multiple independent specialty coffee Q-graders for freshness, quality, and taste
  • Just + Water: a simple cup

About Steeped Coffee

Steeped, Inc. based in Santa Cruz, California, is a Certified B Corp and Benefit Corporation focused on every detail from farm-to-cup and beyond, to bring people the most convenient, high quality, ethically sourced, and sustainably packaged products available. Steeped Coffee is the new single-serve coffee standard helping to make quality coffee accessible within Guilt-Free Packaging. The proprietary Steeped Brewing Method delivers 100% freshly roasted, precision ground, and nitro-sealed specialty coffee pre-portioned within Steeped Full Immersion Filters. Steeped Coffee is the simplest way to make a perfect cup of coffee by just adding water, with no machine needed.

Steeped Coffee is available on Amazon with Prime Free Delivery, at premium supermarkets, luxury hotels, and offices with craft coffee and at-home services. Through licensed partnerships, Steeped, Inc. works with over 200 specialty coffee roasters to share its technology and brewing method around the globe. For more information, visit steepedcoffee.com

Upcycling Food Waste Can Make a Difference—And These 12 Organizations Prove It #FoodTank

To begin this newsletter, I want to make sure that everyone reading this in the United States has information about how to register to vote and how to request a mail-in ballot. No matter your political affiliation, voting is not just a right, but a responsibility. For more information, you can visit vote.gov and vote.org. For resources on voting by mail, visit the U.S. Vote Foundation or the Election Management Resources from the U.S. Election Assistance Committee.

The upcoming U.S. election is critical because the urgency of the issues we face is greater than ever before. More than two dozen scientists agree that “climate disruption is now locked in.” The wildfires on the West Coast, stronger slow-moving hurricanes along the Gulf, and record heatwaves are a harbinger of what’s to come.

Our food production and consumption practices need to change in response. In the U.S. alone, emissions from food waste are equivalent to 37 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gases, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Instead of continuing this cycle of production and destruction, we have to think about wasting less and using our food resources more efficiently to help keep our planet healthy.

This is the idea behind upcycling food—taking quality ingredients that would otherwise be wasted and turning them into nutritious and ecologically friendly snacks, beverages, and meals. The food wasted in a year contains enough calories to feed every undernourished person on Earth, according to the WWF. Upcycling is a realistic way to help bridge that gap, which is why the recently formed Upcycled Food Association has brought together over 90 upcycling brands to advocate for standards and policies that can help reduce food waste.

In honor of International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste next Tuesday, Sept. 29, Food Tank is spotlighting 12 companies and nonprofits giving a second life to wasted food through upcycling: Aqua Botanical, Australia; KROMKOMMER, The Netherlands; Matriark Foods, United States; NETZRO, United States; Pure Plus+, United States; RISE + WIN Brewing Co., Japan; Rubies in the Rubble, United Kingdom; Sweet Benin, West Africa; Toast Ale, United Kingdom; Treasure8, United States; Upcycled Grain Project, New Zealand; and Wize Monkey, Canada.

Learn more about each of these organizations—and where you can find their products—by CLICKING HERE.
Over the past week, I’ve been watching with horror as farmworkers on the U.S. West Coast face a seemingly impossible choice: go to work during a global pandemic with wildfires raging perilously close, or stay home safe without pay. The wildfires are just one more threat to workers’ well-being—and like this particularly devastating Atlantic hurricane season and the Australian bush fires late last year and into 2020, they are made worse by climate change.

I am sharing this article via FoodTank.com, and it was written by Danielle Nierenberg.

Great Gifts for an Active Mom

This time of year, I’m always seeing lists about the best gifts for mom. See, I’m even making one. But the truth is, not all moms are alike, and you know best your mom’s personality. A “makeup and jewelry” kind of mom? Flowers, chocolate? Maybe she wants to sleep in and get a massage. (Hint, that’s pretty much everyone, all the time.) Some of that stuff can be sort of a “cop-out”, just going through the motions. Your mom did (and likely still does) a lot for you- make her feel special on days meant to celebrate her. (Dads, if you have very young kids, you are in charge here. Do something besides that macaroni necklace they made in school, yeah?)

As an active mom myself, and one that wears pretty much zero makeup or fussy things like that, I wouldn’t personally love a bottle of perfume or nail polish. I also try to be as eco-friendly as possible, and my family knows that’s important to me. I’m guessing to a lot of other moms out there as well.

Since many “idea” lists focus on candy and makeup, we here at Parents@Play thought there should be one with other options out there. This list is for the active mom, eco friendly mom, who is a little less traditional, but pretty cool in her own rights.

Sand Cloud, an environmentally aware company that donates %10 of it’s profits to #SaveTheFishes (help protect and preserve marine life) offers a wide array of items that are sustainable, adorable, and environmentally friendly. From super useful items mom will love like reusable glass bottles with beautiful and fun designs on them to metal straws that you can take anywhere (avoid those unnecessary plastic ones that end up in the nostrils of poor sea turtles and washed up on beaches), soft towels with lovely artwork, or organic tees and tanks, there is something your earth conscious mom will love.  These items are not only beautiful, but useful. In addition, a percentage from each purchase is given to a charity- I can’t think of a mother that wouldn’t be pleased that Mother Earth is also gifted on this special day.  Visit https://www.sandcloud.com to see their collections, and pick out a perfect gift for the moms in your life.

reusable bottle

Yoga lover? Me too, we hit the mat almost daily, it is one of the best ways to center yourself and have a few minutes of peace. It’s fantastic for both mind and body, and if you haven’t yet tried it out, there’s always today. The hype is there for a reason. It’s good stuff. Slightly Buddha is a yoga company for yoga lovers, by yoga lovers. The items on the site are simple, pretty, and express the ideas of living a zen lifestyle. They make, as they describe them, “well made, cute clothes” that offer value to the customer. As the owner describes the collection, “Slightly Buddha is a manifestation of my love for yoga, art and clothes.”  The clothing is soft and comfortable. Pay attention to sizing, as I find that they don’t run typically. Some say that they run large, so you will get the “heads up”, so to speak. Others don’t mention, but you can tell that they run slim. Joggers, for example, are less loose then any others I’ve had, and fit more like leggings, which you can see in the photos. They are perfect for a yoga class, however, so that may be why the design is different. The tanks are also a slim fit, but are a nice feel. Pay attention to the photos and the reviews, they are honest and helpful.  Visit https://www.slightlybuddha.com to see what strikes you- your mom will love the graceful designs that are easy to mix and match, and go from the studio to the couch to errand running and beyond.

yoga gear

Title Nine has everything the active woman needs, from running gear to swimwear to undergarments and more. Dresses that move with you, skirts that shake the rain off, leggings that actually stay in place. I can’t say enough good things about the company, which is run by amazing women for women, so they know what women want and need. It may be unseemly to talk about getting mom a bra for Mother’s Day, so maybe choose an awesome dress or sweater, and give her a gift card so she can choose her own, because these will be the only ones she will want from then on. I recently tried out the Roadster Convertible Underwire Bra and the Cuz She Say’s So Underwire Bra and I have to say, I’m in love. The :Roadster” in particular has become my “go to”- if it’s clean, I’m wearing it. Comfortable and keeping everything where it needs to be, even during vigorous workouts, this is the one to beat in my opinion. The “Cuz She Said So” was also comfortable and preformed well, but it was hard to compare to the “Roadster”.  The company is so passionate about their bras, they even have a program to help get them to girls in underprivileged communities. They know it’s hard to preform your best when you are being hindered- and that’s pretty cool. They do a lot of good work in the community. They even use “real life” models, who have regular jobs and live “regular” lives, no retouching the already impossible to achieve looks of supermodels here, and I love that. This company is all about celebrating women, and any mom would love that. Visit https://www.titlenine.com and see what mom would appreciate.

skorts

Looking for something pretty? Mountain Khakis puts a modern spin on classics, and the clothing is built to last. This company builds tough clothing that’s still pretty and soft to wear. You can find classic styles mom loves, which are durable and have the highest quality craftsmanship. A brand you can rely on not to fall apart on you. Not only that, but they are a company that cares, being Fair Trade Certified, members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and are organic and biodegradable, using only products and production methods that are safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. You can be tough and rugged and still look beautiful at the same time- all this while being environmentally responsible. Great gift options, take a look at https://www.mountainkhakis.com to see what strikes your fancy.

Healthy Bodies, Inside and Out

This winter, as Spring is (hopefully) around the corner, you might be having a hard time holding onto those New Years Resolutions or even trying to stay healthy or active as a part of your regular lifestyle. I know for me, February is my “ugh” month, I often find myself with a case of the winter blues and really just “done” with the gray and the cold. I find it hardest to be motivated in February, and not just grab a bag of chips and pop on the Netflix. What to do? Try something new, a little change can often be just the thing you need, a little bump to get you moving.

DIY kits

Have you ever heard of Purple Carrot? You have probably  heard of similar ideas, pre-ordered meal kits delivered to your home that you cook yourself. This is the ONLY 100% plant-based meal kit company of the kind, where you can get pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step instructions for cooking healthy, vegan meals at home. As we are learning, eating plant-based meals even if only one day or a few times a week, has a positive impact on people’s health, the environment, and animal welfare. The food is very good, but it definitely takes time to make, so prepare to spend some time in the kitchen. While not difficult, some of the items made were challenging and to me very unnecessarily time consuming, like making my own veggie burgers. But we learned new things, so that was something. I can honestly say, even as vegetarians, we had never made any of these recipes before, so they were interesting and new.  Find out more here-

Trying to get yourself moving? It can be challenging in this weather. One of the fitness groups I belong to recently posted a meme which said “I was sad, then I bought some new workout clothes and now I’m running!” I was clearly amused, but it’s also true. Sometimes a new pair of leggings or shirt or sneakers makes you feel good, and then when you feel good, you move. Also, you of course need to show them off, right? Your couch will not be impressed. You however will be impressed with the Brooks Running Ghost Tight. I can’t say enough good things about it. I thought they were going to feel like shrink wrap when I saw them, but they are wildly comfortable. It’s ultralight fabric keeps  you cool and wicks sweat and the color options (3 total) are fun. Price $120 at  https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/brooks-ghost-tight-womens/221347.html

Winter can be rough on the skin, rough all over. The new Limited-Edition NIVEA Creme City Tins from NIVEA® Creme are easy to carry around. They are tiny- easy to toss in your purse, backpack, or pocket, and give you a “protective layer of care that prevents the loss of moisture throughout the day” as per the brand. Smooth and soft, it has provitamin B5, which helps it last longer. You can use it on your face, hands, lips, and body- it’s good all over. These limited-edition tins are now available for $.99, get yours at www.NIVEAusa.com.

give back

For your love, no matter if they are one or a hundred and one, take a look at these. Not only are they amazingly adorable, but each toy funds 10 meals for a hungry person. These ethically produced, hand-knit dolls and stuffed animals give 10 meals to hungry children around the world for every item sold. Hand made by artisan knitters in Peru, these handcrafted, heirloom-quality dolls are great for anyone who loves stuffed cuddles. There are 27 toys to choose from currently, and two sizes are available in most cases.

“cuddle+kind has partnerships with several respected humanitarian agencies including World Food Program USA, Children’s Hunger Fund, Breakfast Club of Canada and WE Charity to guarantee that every purchase directly benefits children in need.” (Information given by the brand)

Choose your favorites here- https://cuddleandkind.com/collections/hand-knit-dolls.

Spring Fashion for a Cause #Education #InvestInGirls

Spring is in the air and Easter is around the corner, Olivela not only offers great spring fashion finds,  but a significant portion of every purchase goes to help educate girls worldwide (cause partners include Malala Fund, Too Young To Wed and CARE for Syrian refugees).

Olivela started when Founder and CEO Stacey Boyd joined Malala Yousafzai on a visit to refugee camps in Kenya and Rwanda. There she met amazing girls with extraordinary stories of overcoming poverty and war and escaping forced marriage to pursue their educations. She realized that the opportunities she and her two daughters are lucky enough to have—access to education and the ability to live life on their own terms—these girls literally had to risk their lives for. In that moment, it became crystal clear that while talent is equally distributed, opportunity is not. It was from that realization that a new kind of retailer was born, one with giving back built into every, single transaction.

Olivela is a luxury fashion and beauty platform that offers unique styles from the world’s best designers with 20% of each sale directly benefiting the education of girls worldwide through best-in-class partners CARE, Malala Fund, and Too Young To Wed.

How Olivela Works

  • Consumers: shop their favorite designer fashion and beauty brands.
  • Olivela: Gives 20% of the proceeds of anything purchased directly to one of their partner children’s charities.
  • And at absolutely no additional cost to the shopper.

Impact:

Since launching, Olivela has provided over 41,000 days of school to at-risk girls through Malala Fund, CARE and Too Young To Wed.

Boutiques:

The online platform opened their first physical boutique in Nantucket this summer, the first of 15 boutiques to open across the country through 2019. The next will be opening in Aspen in December.