Sisterhood Review: Applejack Hat

Up today is my latest Hip Mountain Mama review: The Applejack Hat!

My lovely mannequin, Ethel Mermaid, is modeling today, as she is feeling more photogenic than me!

This cotton hat is so cute, and has a little elastic at the back to ensure that it's a flattering fit for anyone. It's reversible in earthy tones of purple, blue, and beige. The cotton fabric makes it great for all seasons of the year and I love the wide brim for spending time out in the sun.

The bonus is a little zip pouch inside! This is super handy for stashing cash, keys, whatever...when you are on the go and don't want to tote a bag. 

 
 This easy-to-wear hat is must- for festival goers, bike riders, light travelers, and everyone! Check out this and all HMM's great sustainable and fun accessories!

Till next time!

~ Leslie

Sisterhood Review: Applejack Hat

Feature Friday: Handmade Bags

Today we are featuring some really awesome handmade bags made with hemp and organic cotton in the USA!  Watch the video below to learn more about these bags.  And for 1 week only we are offering these bags at a special sale price.  Striped Bucket Bag  &  Shroomin Sunshine Bag. 

Feature Friday: Handmade Bags

Stress Less by Nancy Holley

As I was flipping through my 2011 We'Moon calender these words by Nancy Holley really caught my attention.  As I read the words over and over they really resonated with me and I wanted to share them with you here.  Maybe they will inspire you also!

Stress Less by Nancy Holley

Forgive Often Listen, lighten up, let go.  Forgive the frailties of humanity, especially your own.  Forgiveness provides spiritual opportunity and fosters health-we store anger in our bodies-release it!

Practice Happiness  The mind is a radio and you choose the station.  Positive mental habits, like all muscles, are strengthened by use.


Create Poetry with Your Body  Move like the kid you still are.  Spin, tip-toe, flop yer limbs, roll on the floor, lean on walls, twist in your chair, go outside, flip your perspective through movement.  Shake yer booty.

Lift Your Heart  Balance in/out front/back.  Be with breath.  Self nourish.  Express creatively.  Singing messages from the inside out.

Draw, dabble, dance, explore being human.  Cultivate laughter.

Stress Less by Nancy Holley

Earth Day Sample Kit

Happy Earth Day Friends!  As you know we are huge supporters of this movement and we have been doing our part all month to spread awareness of making 'green' changes!  We have done several giveaways and offered discounts and free products in our shop in the hopes that we encourage others to make these changes.  We have also been making our own little changes around Hip Mountain Mama headquarters.  Why are we doing this?  Well, to us it's simple....we are destroying Earth with our trash and poisons and if we keep it up, we will have no place to live...so let's take care by reducing our waste and creating the most natural lifestyle we can. 

To help you on your journey towards a natural lifestyle, Hip Mountain Mama wants to offer you a special deal for today only!  We have created a sample kit of a few of our reusable items valued at over $20.00.  Today this sample kit can be yours for only $10.00.  Our Kit includes the following:

1  Eco Scrubber
1  Earth Lovin Cloth
1  Green Zip Up Bag
1  Soap Nuts Sampler Pack
1  Stainless Steel Container
1  Organic Cotton Lunch Sack

Just follow this link to our shop if you wish to purchase our sample kit.  This would make a great gift!!  Offer ends at Midnight tonight or when we run out!

Sorry folks...these are sold out...please take advantage of our 15% off (details below) and our HMM water bottle for only $.99..today only!


And don't forget our offer of 15% off everything in our shop until Midnight tonight on orders over $50.00...simply use the code 'Earthy' (not valid on our Earth Day Kit or Gift Certificates)

Now go plant a tree or something :) :)

Earth Day Sample Kit

Earth Month Feature: Insulated Lunch Tote

Another wonderful reusable product from Hip Mountain Mama! Check out the video below to see features of this cool eco friendly bag! Make this your easy 'green' change this month...and take 15% off any items in our shop from now until Earth Day (Friday April 22, 2011) with code 'Earthy'

Earth Month Feature: Insulated Lunch Tote

Earth Day Sale!! ~15% Off~

"The earth is what we all have in common." ~ Wendell Berry

It's true folks...we are all here on Earth together....so whatever our beliefs are, wherever we live, and however we choose to live, let's all come together this Earth Day and remember that we all have this in common!  Let's be kind to our Mother Earth and treat her with all the love and respect we would treat our friends and families with.  Our Earth provides us so much, so let's do our part to give back!

 In honor of our lovely Mother Earth we are offering a store wide sale at Hip Mountain Mama on all of our eco friendly, fair trade, sustainable, and hip products.  Simply use the code 'Earthy' at check out on all orders over $50 to receive your 15% discount!  Offer good until Midnight on Earth Day...This Friday, April 22, 2011. (not valid on gift certificates)

Earth Day Sale!! ~15% Off~

Hip Mountain Mamas Going Green

We have used this blog a lot this month to discuss ways you can 'go green'.  To us, celebrating the Earth is very important and something we are passionate about.  We are true tree huggers and are proud to take part in helping others make environmentally friendly changes.  There are so many ways we can all make a difference...you can drive less, purchase organic produce, conserve water, or reduce your waste.

At Hip Mountain Mama we have made it our mission to provide a wide selection of Reusable Products to help you reduce your waste.  To us, it is obvious that reducing our waste will help our Earth.  Let's face it, Earth does not have a trash can.  When we throw something in our trash it doesn't disappear...it disappears from our life and then we don't ever think about it again.  But it stays on our Earth, it blows into the ocean killing sea life, it flies around in the wind getting caught in trees, or sits in a landfill for years and years.  So the 2 things we are hoping to encourage folks to do is to reuse items in place of disposables and to use items that can be composted.

We are currently working on a campaign about what a Hip Mountain Mama is (complete with a song you are just going to love), and today I wanted to talk about how reusable products tie into what a Hip Mountain Mama is.   The Hip Mountain Mama lifestyle includes being kind to our Mother Earth that provides so much for us.  She gives us a place to live, a place to play, food to eat, and fresh air to breathe.  Once we realize how much she does for us, it is obvious that we need to treat her with love and respect.  Whether you live in the mountains, at the beach, on the flat lands, or in a tree house, a Hip Mountain Mama knows to do her part in making eco conscious choices.  We are all on a different path in our journey to live a more sustainable lifestyle, and wherever you are on this path is the perfect place for you.  We will all slip up some times and make bad choices, but the important thing is that we do our best.

I want to call on all The Hip Mountain Mamas out there to do a little something this week in honor of our Mother Earth.  If you have a blog, blog about Earth Day; if there is an Earth Day event in your town, attend it; if there is an eco friendly change you have been wanting to make, make it.  Hang your laundry once this week, buy organic apples instead of conventional, have an Earth Day party, turn out the lights, don't flush the toilet every time, stop using paper towels, go for a hike, plant something....together we can have such a large impact!

Earth Day is on Friday.....let the count down begin!!

Hip Mountain Mamas Going Green

Earth Month Feature: Tiffins

Are you looking for an eco friendly alternative for bringing your lunch to work or snacks on a hike or even for picnics?  Check out our Stainless Steel Tiffins!!  They come in 2 Tier and 3 Tier and can be used for many occasions!  Please watch our video below for a more detailed look at these awesome little food carriers!  And please share this video with family, friends, co workers, or anyone you think needs a little nudge in the green direction!

Our Earth Month Giveaway this week is being hosted on the Soule Mama Blog on Saturday.  Be sure to stop by tomorrow and enter our giveaway for a Green Kitchen Kit and Reusable Lunch Kit!

 

Earth Month Feature: Tiffins

Earth Lovin Cloth: Giveaway!!

I have to admit that I have been off paper towels for quite a few years.  But I realize that many people are still using them and depend on them for daily clean ups around the home.  Let's face it, they are convenient, they get the job done, and they are easily disposed of.  But, let's also face that they are expensive, wasteful, and not very durable.

If you are someone who is addicted to paper towels or even if you are someone who doesn't use them, but is looking for something similar for household cleaning jobs, I've got the perfect solution!  How does a 100% natural, biodegradable, reusable, durable, affordable, colorful, and earth friendly cloth sound? If it sounds good, then I would love to introduce you to our new Earth Lovin Cloths.

Our Reusable Earth Lovin cloths can be used in place of paper towels and sponges all around the home, office, garage, car, camp site, or anywhere you can think of. They can be used over and over again and when you are done with them, throw them in the compost!

Our Earth Lovin Cloths are 100% biodegradable and are made from a natural cotton and wood pulp cellulose. They are non toxic, chlorine free, and made using water-based colors and inks. They are very durable and can be used many times before breaking down. Paper towels are expensive so switching to these reusable cloths will save you money and eliminate a lot of waste.

And better yet, these cloths were created by 2 stay at home Moms in the USA!  By purchasing these eco friendly alternatives to paper towels, you are not only being kind to Mother Earth, but you are also supporting 2 small family businesses.  

Giveaway:
We are dedicated to helping you make earth lovin changes this month!  We are excited to offer 1 lucky winner a set of 4 Earth Lovin Cloths.  And 7 lucky winners will win 1 sample cloth!!

Here is how to enter:


Mandatory:  leave us a comment here telling us if you would like to try these cloths (please leave us an email address so we can contact you when you win)
Additional:  Join our Facebook community, then leave us a comment letting us know you 'liked' our page
Additional:  Share this giveaway with your friends on twitter, facebook, blog, etc. then leave us a comment letting us know.


Congrats to all of our 8 winners!
*Winner of 4 pack- Sarah
*Winners of sample cloths-
Kayleigh, Stephanie Butler, Heather Ann, Sunshine Mom, Coriwestphal, Stephanie, and Marni

Everyone has been contacted...if you see your name and have not received an email check your spam box or send us an email at suzy@hipmountainmama.com

WE know you are going to love these cloths! 

Earth Lovin Cloth: Giveaway!!

Less is More

I always feel more at peace and balanced when there are less things around me.  I feel happier when there are less things on my calender, less dishes on my counter, and less toys on the floor.  The more clutter, obligations, and things I bring in to my life, the more stress I feel.  With this in mind, it is clear to me that less is more.  More means stress, less means peace.

With this being said I was thinking about reusable items and how they create less.  They create less waste, less things in your home, less of a burden on your pocket book, and less of an impact on our earth.  Think about it....you can either buy disposable lunch bags by the case over and over again, or you can purchase 1 reusable lunch bag and be done with it.  By purchasing 1 bag, it costs less, there is less to worry about, less storage area needed, and less waste.  Another example is switching from dryer sheets to eco friendly dryer balls.  By switching it will cost you less, you will have less on your grocery list each month, less chemicals on your clothing, and less waste. 

By making very small, easy, and affordable changes, you are creating less stress on your life and a more happy Earth.  Can you think of one area in your life where you are creating a lot of waste?  Bags, plastic bottles, paper towels, napkins, etc?  Or even an area where you are creating just a little bit of waste and can easily eliminate this waste all together?  Now, why not change it!  Why not buy a set of cloth napkins for your family and eliminate the use for paper napkins?  Why not buy 1 reusable lunch bag and eliminate the use for paper disposable bags?  Whether you buy it, make it, borrow it, or find it on free cycle change something today that will make a difference for our entire planet. 

If everyone who reads this blog post makes a switch to 1 reusable item in their lives, think of the impact we can have!  Spread the word to your family and friends and let's all do something today!!

Less is More

Earth Month Feature: Glass Straw Giveaway

We are so excited to bring to you our first Earth Month Feature and Giveaway.  In lieu of Feature Friday's this month, we will be bringing you features of some of our favorite eco friendly products!  Today we are featuring our wildly popular Reusable Glass Straws.  We want to spread the message how even changing one small area in your life (like switching from disposable to reusable straws) can make a big difference.  We are asking that you help us spread the message by sharing the video below...you can share it on facebook, email it to a friend, show it to your spouse or co workers, blog it, twitter it, etc etc.  After you have shared it, please leave us a comment here and you will be entered into a drawing for a FREE Glass Straw (please leave us an email address so we can contact you once you win)!  That's it...help us spread the word and you could get yourself a brand new straw!  Enjoy the video and I will announce the winner on Sunday April 10!






Congrats to Carrie for winning a reusable glass straw!  And thanks to everyone for helping us spread the message about making eco friendly changes!  Stay tuned for more fun this week on ways to go green!

Earth Month Feature: Glass Straw Giveaway

Ice Pop Joy: Organic, Healthy, Fresh, Delicious

I have to admit, I have one of those kids...you know the kind...the kind that won't come near anything green and refuses to eat any fruit other than grapes no matter what I do.  I have been very creative over the years on sneaking fruits and veggies into food and some times things work...but before I know it she catches on to my sneaky tactics and starts refusing my snacks with hidden healthy food.  What is a Mom to do when her child won't eat fruits or veggies (other than grapes and baked potato fries smothered in ketchup)?  It is easy to say, do this or do that, but as a busy Mom I usually just give her what she wants (within reason) and hope she thrives on bread, peanut butter, potato fries, and of course, grapes. 

My guilt, fear, and worry were all put to rest when my friend Anni sent me a copy of her new book, Ice Pop Joy.  Part of me thinks..why the heck didn't I think of this, but mostly I am just ecstatic to have this book in my possession.  My kids are obsessed with Popsicles...all year long they ask for Popsicles.  In the summer time I pour juice in Popsicle molds and they eat these just about every day for the entire summer.  Why didn't I ever think to sneak healthy food in their Popsicles? I don't know, but now that I have Anni's book with tons of healthy delicious Popsicle recipes, I am never going back. 

As soon as Ice Pop Joy arrived, the kids had a field day looking through the recipes and picking out their favorites.  We have bookmarked several pages including Island Breeze, Green Wonder, Heavenly, and Sore Throat Soother (yes she even has recipes made with herbal teas).  The book has everything from fruit pops to chocolate pops from tofu pops to veggie pops.  She's got something for everyone and has created a way to get your kids eating healthy while enjoying themselves!

Just in time for summer, Ice Pop Joy is available now!  Give your kids healthy, organic, and delicious food without the stress!  And they aren't just for kids!  Sever these as a healthy dessert at your next dinner party or simply enjoy with neighbors on the porch. 

Please enjoy a recipe from Ice Pop Joy below and check out the book for other amazing recipes! 

Pomalicious

1 Cup Pomegranate Juice

1/2 cup raspberries

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes

1.  Combine pomegranate juice, raspberries, and tomatoes in a blender and puree until smooth

2.  Pour mixture into chosen pop molds and put stick in place.

3.  Freeze pops until solid!

Makes 6 4oz pops

Enjoy!

Ice Pop Joy: Organic, Healthy, Fresh, Delicious

Green Camping

The Hip Mountain Mama Family headed out West last week for a 3 night camping trip in Moab Utah.  The 4 of us have been camping for several years and each year we try to be more and more aware of our impact on the Earth when we camp.  I have had some requests to write a green camping post on ways to lessen your waste when camping.  I am no expert, but do have a lot of camping experience and am happy to share with you the ways we go light on the Earth when camping.

1 Bring Reusable Plates, Bowls, Cups, Utensils: If you have sturdy plastic plates, bowls, etc. in your home already, then use these. If you don't, then a small investment in some stainless steel, bamboo, or plastic items is the way to go. Each family member only needs 1 plate, 1 set of utensils, 1 bowl, and 1 cup to be cleaned after each use and used again. We used our To Go Ware Bamboo utensils and absolutely love them! 

2.  Eliminate Paper Products:  Along with leaving the paper plates at home also forget about the paper towels!  We don't even bring them.  I bring dish cloths and Eco Scrubs to clean dishes and even a hand knit wash cloth to wash faces.  I hang some yarn somewhere at camp and use clothes pins to hang up wet dish cloths to dry during the day.  If you use Eco Scrubs, they dry really fast and work really well!  We also bring along hankies and at the end of the day wash them with water then hang them up to dry. 

3. Use a Natural Biodegradable Camp Soap: We use Dr. Bronners for washing dishes and hands! You can find specialty camp soaps at your local camp store. Do not use soap in rivers or lakes.

4. Use a Natural Sunblocker and Bug Spray: There are several natural options on the market for sunscreen and bug spray.   Check out your local natural food store.

5. Pack it Out: Even if you bring reusable items, you will still end up with trash. Make sure to bring a trash bag so you can bring your trash out of the camp site with you.  Separate all recyclables and pack them out also to be recycled. 

6. Campfires: We love evening camp fires while camping! Make sure to only burn wood fallen from trees....do not cut down branches from a living tree. Build campfires in designated fire rings only and never burn plastic or other toxic materials.

7. Campsite: use existing campsites to prevent impacting new areas and pitch tents in cleared spots.

8. Have fun: Enjoying nature and (if you have kids) teaching our kids how important it is to respect nature is a great way to have fun while camping. Explore nature and play with what is available rather than bringing too many gadgets or toys from home (if camping with kids you may want to bring a few balls, hula hoops, or jump ropes). Going with other families can be a great way to make the experience more special and fun and can help kids to appreciate their natural surroundings.

We do our best to take care of our Earth and it is important to get out and enjoy ourselves in her beauty. If you follow a few simple guidelines while camping, it can be eco friendly and fun!

Green Camping

Feature Friday: FREE Earth Scrubber ALL Month Long

Yes, it's true...this sucker is FREE all month long!

In honor of our Mother Earth we are celebrating Earth Day all month! So, Happy Earth Month to you and please take advantage of this free Earth Scrubber with any purchase this month.

Here is how it works: Place an order at Hip Mountain Mama any time this month, then add this Earth Scrubber to your cart and we will send one with your order. Limit 1 per order and we can only send them while supplies last.

Now a little bit about this tough scrubber....This kitchen scrubber is so amazing and can take care of so many jobs! Use it to clean fruit, scrub pots and pans, on your dishes, wood, glass, porcelain, tiles, china, stainless steel, copper, and so much more!

Now for the eco friendly aspect of the Earth Scrubber...it is made with 100% loofah (a plant) and 100% natural vegetable dyes. It is 100% non toxic and bio-degradable. You can use this scrubber and when you are done throw it in the compost creating no waste!

And, if you can believe it, this scrubber also has a humanitarian impact...Loofah Art, LLC (the creator of this scrubber) is dedicated to helping provide humanitarian and economic support to impoverished farmers and their families in developing cultures around the world. Currently over 11,000 farmers have been trained and certified to grow and cultivate loofah sponges. The fabricating process employs local craftsmen and technicians who hand process, dye, sew and finish the products and package them for shipment. The growing of loofah not only helps save the land from ecological erosion, but a percentage of all proceeds received from the sale of Loofah art products go back to the countryside to provide funding to build new schools, much needed medical care and decent living conditions!

Happy Earth Month from the Hip Mountain Mama Family!  We are looking forward to a month filled with giveaways, videos, informational posts, and time spent inspiring each other to make small steps to live a more sustainable lifestyle!  

Feature Friday: FREE Earth Scrubber ALL Month Long