This March 23rd, millions of children around the world will wake to find colorful baskets of teeth-rotting confections by their beds. Chocolate eggs, peeps, lollipops, pecan nougat, jellybeans even Smucker’s puckers are just a few Easter favorites.

Parents, educators, doctors and dentists generally agree that sugary candies are anything but good for the growing child. Cavities, hyperactivity (as blood glucose levels fall, a compensatory release of adrenaline occurs) and childhood obesity are just a few of the problems associated with sugar. Plus, as mentioned in the blog above, the majority of cheap children’s chocolate comes from environmentally destructive cocoa farms.

This Easter, of course shower your children with lots of lovely (and hopefully organic and fair trade) candy, but don’t give the kids a lifetime supply. Too much could make them unbearably hyper Easter morning—and who needs that? Worse, you may hurt their little snappers. Rather than loading up on candy, fill the basket with a plush bunny stuffed animal (I like from Under the Nile). Then sprinkle smaller sweets around the bunny. This way you’ll avoid your child’s toothache and your headache!

Some animal lovers will use any and every opportunity to spoil their precious pets. Easter is no exception. If you choose to include Fido in the Easter festivities then consider an organic and phthalate free toy.

Organic cotton, natural rubber or latex soft toys provide a non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternative to the typical phthalate-rich dog toy.

I like these adorable Organic Stretchy Plush Dog Toys for Easter. They are especially great for the dog that loves tug-o-war. Each toy is safe, non-toxic and made of all natural organic fabric with a pure water organic dye process using natural extracts from plants and minerals. The fabric is naturally softer than regular cotton! Saliva resistant.

For Easter choose from the adorable selection, or go for the traditional “Lucy the Bunny” (pictured below).

Every holiday has its own, “essentials.” You know the customary colors, songs, drinks, food or flowers? Like clockwork they’re there, year after year, reliably decorating your table with time-honored tradition. At Easter, these “essentials” often include decorated eggs, baskets, chocolate bunnies, egg hunts, parades, and, of course, the Easter Lily.

Reminiscent of a heralding trumpet, the Lily symbolizes not only purity, but also the arrival of Spring. Yet, like the majority of flowers sold today, Lilies are often made with large amounts of pesticides. These pesticides are harmful to both workers and the environment. According to the United Nations, the majority of third world flower workers suffer serious health problems from pesticide poisoning.

This Easter, Spring forward with Organic Bouquet’s Calla Lilies. Certified organic and biodynamic and cut with extra long stems, these flowers are 100% pesticide free.

Easter isn’t Easter without chocolate (yes, I’m an addict).
Delicious Easter chocolate comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether in the form of a mini-egg, hollowed out bunny or pastel-colored bon bon there’s plenty to choose from. Just make sure you indulge responsibly.

As most of us know, chocolate comes from the cocoa bean, a crop harvested in some of the most economically and environmentally disadvantaged parts of the third world. Many cocoa plantation regions lack child labor laws and reliable environmental policy.

This Easter, nix those awful waxy chocolate eggs. Instead, surprise the kids with an Easter egg hunt choc-full of delicious and responsibly harvested chocolates. By opting for organic and/or fair trade certified chocolates you’ll be supporting farms that treat their workers and the planet well.

Hop to! Easter arrives early this year (March 23) and as we all know it’s never too early to start preparing. If you celebrate the holiday consider greener, yet equally festive, options such as Organic Calla Lillies, Organic Cotton Bunny Stuffed Animals, Domestic or Local Wines.

Of course, much about Easter has become commercialized, mass produced and therefore rough on the environment. It is important to remember Easter’s original message and spirit. That being said, however, one shouldn’t feel quilted into a sparse, if not disheartening, observance.

As some items (chocolate, chocolate, wine, chocolate) are necessity, it’s best to partake, but keep it simple. For requirements (eggs, for example) support organic and local farms, rather than mass-produced agri-factories. For toys and Easter bunny stuffed animals source from responsible companies that use organic cottons and natural dyes. Choose chocolate candies that are organic, fair trade, and not wrapped in thick plastic eggs.

Stay tuned for all the Easter eco-alternatives. More tomorrow.

This Valentines Day why not think pink. In 2004 Men’s Health magazine did a famous fashion study on color and its effects on women. The trusted monthly discovered that women love pink. What’s more, they are subconsciously drawn to the color.

Lisa Herbeert, executive vice president at Pantone, a color research firm said, “”It’s a color women gravitate toward. It indicates intimacy and sensitivity.”

Not to mention confidence. There is something alluring about pink. Consider it for this Thursday’s Valentine’s Day revelry. This pink shirt from Sierra Trading Post is a fluid blend of cotton and Tencel (aka Lyocell). Lyocell/Tencell is made from cellulose (vegetable matter), or wood pulp. Typically a mix of hardwood trees like oak and birch, Lyocell/Tencell is noted for its strength, durability and eco-friendly manufacturing techniques.

Valentine’s Day is generally thought of as a adults-only holiday, but many forget that it’s popular among kids too. Children seem to intrinsically understand a day set aside each year to celebrate love. This year, show your little one love with a World Wildlife Fund t-shirt. Your gift will not only make your little him or her happy but will also help protect the future of nature as profits from your purchase–one dollar for every t-shirt sold–benefit the World Wildlife’s Conservation efforts.

Best of all, no children were harmed in the making of this t-shirt. It is made of organic cotton and recycled polyester, which means it came from a trusted source that values environmental and humanitarian standards. To learn more about the harmful effects of pesticide heavy cotton click here .

How could I talk about Valentine’s Day without mentioning chocolate. Perhaps my favorite thing in the world. In case you haven’t noticed, I am an absolute chocolate fanatic. But, lets not forget that like coffee, chocolate comes from the cocoa bean, a crop harvested in some of the most economically disadvantaged regions of the world. Many of these regions lack sound labor laws and environmental policy.

For Valentine’s Day make sure you give your “sweetie” chocolates that are not only delicious but also responsibly produced. These organic hand-crafted and tea infused artisan chocolates from the Tea Room will do just the trick. They are delicious, organic and handmade locally in Napa valley. With 16 in a box you’ll be sure to get your fix.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful bouquet of roses or tulips for Valentines Day? They’re so beautiful—well, at first. Then, after only a few days, they dry up and droop down. This Valentine’s Day, rather than giving a gift that wilts, why not give a gift that grows over time? A symbol of your love . . . (hah, so cheesy).

A little planter pot of flowers or herbs will provide fresh scents, beauty, and enjoyment use for ages—truly the gift that keeps on giving. The best part is that homegrown flowers and plants cut back on your carbon footprint. By going local—and what could be more local than your own windowsill—you’re avoiding purchasing foreign flowers that come with hefty carbon emissions generated from transportation and shipping.

Ensure your plants and flowers last until next Valentines Day by keeping them well fed and healthy with Bonide’s Organic Plant Food.

 photo courtesy of fothergills.co.uk

Who wants flowers when you can get snacks? 1-800-Flowers offers a fantastic Organic Gourmet Sampler Basket will no doubt appeal to your loved one’s good taste. Non-processed pretzel sticks, chocolate cookies, ginger snaps, organic cheddar cheese crackers . . . what could be better? Adorably arranged in a traditional natural drop-handle basket, he assortment even comes with a chocolate coffee bar, chocolate-cinnamon crisps box and dark chocolate espresso-vivani if your Valentine is a chocolate lover (like me). If you’re Valentine is a bit more health conscious the basket also comes with spicy herbal tea sachets, banana chips and organic spicy brown mustard. All in all, a sensational selection of snack foods you won’t feel guilty about.