HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

To all of our families, friends, customers, and supporters…we wish you all a healthy and happy 2010!

One of my favorite places to visit is Muir Woods. Located about 12 miles north of San Francisco, Muir Woods was declared the 10th national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on January 9, 1908. And quite the monument it is! Muir Woods is over 550 acres with over half of that covered in old growth Coast Redwood trees. The tallest tree is about 250 feet tall and the ages of the trees range from 500 to 800 years old!

You can hike around the main loop on a nice paved pathway, which is perfect for kids and strollers. Or you can be more adventurous and take the trails that lead to the Pacific Ocean. Whatever you choose to do, you will be in awe of the greenery that surrounds you. Because of the fog, the new growth (called burls) can be seen on almost every tree. These bright green sprouts of new trees are just waiting to shoot up! The green color of the new growth that covers the forest floor is amazing-something you’ve got to see for yourself!

We created our Nature Lover shirt with these very images in our minds. Its just so simple… we love nature! And kids do too! That is why no matter where you live, just get out and enjoy it!

To all of our wonderful friends, family, and Little Green Star customers…

We wish you a happy, healthy, peaceful, joyous, green, and HOPEful New Year!

A gift of “green” can mean anything from organic cotton baby clothes (hee hee) to a bag made from recycled materials, to something handmade from fabric you already have at home. When I think of “green” gifts I think of no wasteful packaging, something not made from plastic that will just get thrown away, or making something myself. Get creative and have fun!

When you do go shopping… THINK LOCAL! These are hard times for everyone, especially small businesses. Before you head to the mall, think of your neighborhood clothing shop or gift store. Maybe a gift from a local farm or specialty cheese shop?

Another great gift of green is donating to a special charity in honor of someone. Protecting the rainforest or an endangered species is a great gift. My mom always makes a donation to a charity for us and it really means a lot to us. A great website to find a charity of your choice is called Just Give, where you can find over 1.5 million organizations to donate to right online.

This time of year isn’t just about the gifts, its about being with those you love! So have a wonderful holiday season!!!!

Now that is officially October, we can start to think about pumpkins!! The stores put them out early, but for some reason, it doesn’t seem right until its October! Growing up on the east coast, October meant chilly days, getting dark early, and the leaves would change into the most beautiful colors. Here in San Francisco, October is like our summer time and the weather can be very HOT! So its not quite the same feeling!! So I have to pretend its really “Fall” with decorations around the house, pumpkins, and of course baking pumpkin bread!

Here is one of my favorite recipes to get you in the Fall spirit. You can easily make this entire bread using organic ingredients, which is good for you and the pumpkin bread!

HAPPY FALL!!!

2 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup milk
1 cup unsweetened organic pumpkin puree
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. salt

Heat oven to 350. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, applesauce and water. Add pumpkin and sugar and stir to combine.

In another bowl combine flour with baking soda, spices, and salt.

Pour flour mixture into egg mixture and stir just to combine.

Grease a 9×5x3 loaf pan and bake for 1 hour until toothpick comes out clean!
ENJOY!!!!

Happy Spring!! The National Geographic Green Guide posted this awesome information on Natural Egg Dyes! Who knew?!?  You have to check out their site is filled with great information: http://www.thegreenguide.com/.    

Here is the information from The National Geographic Green Guide website: ______________________________________________________________

 “Natural Egg Dyes

The following materials will give a range of intensities and surface textures to create a unique Easter egg basket or tree. Measurements where given are approximate; play with additional spices, vegetables and fruits for different results. Canned vegetables will work in place of fresh or frozen, but their colors will be paler. Also, herbal and black teas will give you varying shades of greens, reds and browns.

Pink/red: Pomegranate juice, red onion skins, beets or the juice from pickled beets, pickled red cabbage juice, chopped rhubarb stalks, cranberries or cranberry juice, raspberries, red grape juice

Orange: Yellow onion skins, paprika

Dark orange: Chili powder

Yellow: Orange or lemon peels, carrot tops or shredded carrots, celery seed, ground cumin, ground turmeric

Green: Spinach

Greenish yellow: Yellow Delicious apple peels

Blue: Red cabbage, canned blueberries or blueberry juice, blackberries, purple grape juice

Lavender: Small quantity of purple grape juice, violet blossoms plus two teaspoons of lemon juice, small quantity of red onion skins

Brown/tan: Dill seeds, black walnut shells, strong or instant coffee, tea”

© The Green Guide, 2008

Have fun!!!

I just got word that for the global Earth Hour 2008 Event  the City of San Francisco will be the lead city in the Pacific time zone.  This wonderful eco-event encourages citizens and businesses to turn off the lights for one hour on Saturday, March 29 from 8 to 9PM.  You can participate by signing up for Earth Hour by visiting http://www.earthhour.org/sign-up !  Pass this great information along and help promote awareness about the environmental benefits of energy conservation and efficiency. 

The Breast Cancer Fund is excited to present the 12th Annual Peak Hike, 7 mile or 11.5 mile, on Sunday, October 14, 2007. Experience the majestic redwoods and coastal views of the Marin Headlands first-hand while making new friends on the trail.

Registration includes a light breakfast, goodie bag, organic lunch, entertainment, and a chance to win great raffle prizes! Top fundraisers of the day will also be awarded with gifts from our leading sponsors.

Come for the hike, stay for the party! It’ll be a beautiful fall day filled with great food, music and company, so plan to spend it with us!

Registration is $50 and participants are expected to fundraise a minimum of $250 in pledges. All proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Fund. Register to hike for breast cancer prevention today!

This highly visible hike will raise awareness and funding to support the Breast Cancer Fund’s mission: to identify – and advocate for the elimination of – the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease.

If you can’t make it, but want to support this wonderful cause, please check out the donation page of Little Green Star Friends Lauen and Kevin, as they walk in honor of their Great Aunt and Grandmother. Every little bit helps, so any support would be wonderful. Good luck on the hike guys! Thanks for doing this and great job raising money for this great organization!

As Victoria likes to say, “We love new friends!”  Well, Jandi at WWOOF Sweden is our new friend, who is giving people the opportunity to learn first hand about organic farming and how it is done all over the world.  This is such an awesome contribution to promoting sustainability on a global level!!!     

Maybe you are looking for a new and different adventure this summer, WWOOF farms in Sweden provides people the opportunity to share knowledge and sustainable innovations concerning organic farming by connecting willing volunteers with organic farms in exchange for food and accommodation. 

Make new friends, meet local families, and enjoy the experience of working on an organic farm in Sweden!!   Check them out at http://www.wwoof.se/about/

Little Green Star specializes in unique organic cotton baby clothes that inspire & educate your little star!

Little Green Star has teamed up with Lauren Tuckman for a special baby shower gift idea! Lauren has been making Diaper Cakes for a while now and has realized that there is a market for more environmentally friendly diaper cakes. What is a diaper cake, you ask? Well, take a look at this!

Yes, that is made of diapers! It also includes a few Little Green Star t-shirts and some of Laurens unique jewelry. Lauren uses Seventh Generation diapers, which are chlorine free, fragrance free, and a great alternative to cloth diapers.

Lauren is able to customize the diaper cake to include jewelry gifts for mom, organic cotton onsies for the baby, fresh flowers, and any other type of accessory you are looking for. They are really cute and a fun center-piece and gift for any mom-to-be.

Please email lorlick@sbcglobal.net for more information!