It’s mom’s special day so what will you do to show her how much you love and appreciate her? Well, if you’re stumped on what to get her outside of making heror taking her to a nice meal, here are some of my favorite gift ideas that will not only put a smile on mom’s face but also keep her healthy, happy and green!

Goodies and Gifts

• Heart of Haiti – Mom will love these handmade home decoratives, jewelry and other fun things that are not only beautiful, but help the people of Haiti thrive.
• Amy Kathryn Bags – Give mom a beautiful, eco and vegan handbag that is stylish and compassionate all in one!
• Elysian Organics – Mom will smell and feel like a million bucks with this delicious line of healthy, eco, vegan and organic body care products.
• Allison’s Gourmet – You can never go wrong with a box of sweet vegan treats!
• Cri de Coer Shoes – New shoes will make any mom blush, especially when they are green and cruelty free!
• H&M’s Green Line – H&M has delved into the green world so mom will love her stylish new green threads!
• 360 Cookware – Help mom cook her great food even healthier with this stae-of-the-art cookware.
• Alima Pure Makeup - Keep her beautiful face shining for years to come with this all natural, cruelty-free, organic makeup!

Services and Activities

• Gift certificate to Compassion Couture - Let her shop to her hearts desire the eco and conscious way
• Gift certificate to an organic spa – All ladies love a day of pampering, especially an uber healthy one!
• Gift certificate to a local healthy cooking class – Sure, mom’s cooking rocks but she’ll love a class to learn that specialty kind of cooking she’s always wanted to master!
• Gift certificate for a green maid service – Give mom the day off from the cleaning and have someone come in to green it up!
• Send mom to an eco bed & breakfast – With her man or her girlfriends, she is sure to love this little getaway, complete with a yummy breakfast in bed ; )

No matter what you gave mom, she is sure to love it. Enjoy your time with mom and don’t let Mother’s Day be the only day you remember to celebrate her! Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms of the world!

So while Easter isn’t the largest gift giving season of the year, there are gifts given nonetheless. Be it a cute chocolate bunny or candies eggs to a basket of toys for kids, gifts should as be as thoughtful as they are healthy and eco. In fact, the Easter bunny prefers eco, healthy and vegan goodies!

Some things to think about:

• Opt out of buying cheap, disposable, plastic baskets. Not only are they not green and they fill up the landfills with junk, they are petroleum based and toxic. Buy a nice basket that can be re-used again and again either from a fair trade organization, arts and crafts fair or even thrift store!
• Nix the Easter grass! Also toxic and dangerous, not to mention bad for the earth, plastic easter grass is the worst and a total waste of money. Shred green construction paper or grow your own Easter grass!
• Don’t waste eggs, get creative with paper mache eggs, paintable ceramic eggs or find eco-eggs made from corn to hide treats in.

Check out some of my faves for kids and adults alike!

Chocolate, Candies and Treats

• Allison’s Gourmet – Vegan chocolate bunnies and eggs and candy galore! The best around!
• Vegan Essentials – Always stocked with vegan sweets fit for kids and adults.
• Chocolate Inspirations – Another one of my all time faves for chocolates and divine morsels
• Surf Sweets – All natural, vegan gummies, jelly beans and candies

Baskets and Fillers

• Etsy – For handmade, unique Easter gifts, this is THE place! From crochet eggs to sweet soaps, you can fill up a basket with tons of eco, vegan goodies!
• Fair Trade USA – Find beautiful, one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts and baskets that are green and help people around the world
• Heart of Haiti - A great product line of handmade, artisan gifts and crafts (gorgeous handmade baskets!) that help families and micro-preneurs in Haiti
• Easter bunny crayons – So cute!
• Eco Art Card Set – Eco and creative, the best combo for young minds!
• Rabbit Needle felting Kit – Keep your kids happy and busy by gifting them a kit to create their own eco doll!
• Eco Sidewalk chalk – Green fun!

What are your favorite Easter treats?

On my 5th annual visit to the Natural Products Expo West, I’m happy to report that I found some new and exciting healthy and green living products.  Along with making time to chat with friends, have a successful book signing with my friends at Daiya Cheese as well as serve up some of my original  recipes for Onion Crunch, it is absolutely ginormous and overwhelming. So much so that it is almost impossible to choose favorites but for the sake of time and brevity, I’ve compiled my top finds to chat about with you!  Be sure to look for the following goodies at a store near you! (or online outlet!)

Food & Beverage
(in no particular order)

• Chicago Soy Dairy Soft Serve - Vegan Soft Serve, sinfully delicious!
• Peanut Butter & Co. White Chocolate Peanut Butter - And their chocolate PB, Spicy PB and whole line of awesome fun, all natural peanut butters
• Cool Cups – Vegan jello cups in all natural flavors.
• Swerve – All natural, zero calorie sweetener (like stevia) with no nasty aftertaste
• Mild Vegan Queso – Mild, zesty, cheesy, creamy, this really kicks up Latin and Mexican cooking up to a whole new level. Fantastic!
• Whole Soy Vegan Frozen Yogurt – Can’t wait to see this yumminess at yogurt ships everywhere!
• Gourmet Flavored Veganaise – Very exciting to add to the already awesome veganaise line! Pesto, chipotle, garlic and more!
• Bold Vegan Pizza – Great gluten free, vegan frozen pizzas
• Silver Hills Gluten Free Breads – With sprouted, gluten free and vegan varieties, these breads will be your new favorite for breakfast as well as your lunchbox!
• Daiya Cheese Wedges – Daiya in blocks, mmmm!
• Tofurky Chorizo – A delicious ground vegan beef and mexi style vegan ground that has the texture and heartiness of the real thing. plus non-gmo!
• Helen’s Kitchen Noodle Entrees – Full of flavor and non of the guilt
• Tres Agaves Margarita Mix – All natural without that tart and processed taste
• Bolani – Delicious Afghan food, sauces and flatbreads
• Graham Cracker Crisps – Awesome vegan graham cracker snacks and crisps

Health, Beauty & Lifestyle
(in no particular order)

• Sir Richards Vegan Condoms – Vegan condoms that also give back to international communities for aids awareness and prevention
• Kegel Balls by Intimina – For pre and post pregnancy as well as to battle incontinence in ladies
• Alima Pure Mineral makeup - Vegan, allergen and chemical free mineral makeup
• Vega One – Reformulated for better taste, results, nutrition an portions
• Bamboobies – Organic, functional bamboo breast feeding pads
• Endangered Species Stone Paper & Washable Crayons – A great way for kids to be creative, compassionate and green
• Love Bottle - Beautifully designed glass water bottles with positive intention
• Reusable and sizeable cloth diapers by Sweet Pea -
• Eco and healthy toothbrushes by EcoFam – Bristles fine enough for flossing made with silver so they kill 99% of brush bacteria.
• Eco Lunch Box - Awesome stainless steel lunch boxes in all shapes and sizes
• Childlife Essentials Toothpaste Tablets – A great way to get little ones to brush in a  healthy and natural way!

I’m exhausted after days of trolling the grounds of the expo but I’m already excited for 2012!

In the coming months we will be launching a whole new section called “Road to Parenthood”. Here we’ll be talking about everything from family planning and pre-pre-natal care to dealing with teens and food allergies, and everything in between. We’ll be working with moms in every stage of motherhood and answering all those “What you always wanted to know about____ but where afraid to ask”.

In the mean time, we’re going to be adding in a sprinkling of baby product reviews and other parenting related topics. This week we have chosen to turn the spotlight on The Honest Company.

Founded by Hollywood beauty Jessica Alba, this site, company and service takes healthy and eco baby products seriously. When Alba was pregnant with her first child, Honor, he preparations brought her to an alarming discovery that baby products were full of harmful chemicals from detergent and lotions to fabrics and diapers. Wanting to be the best mother she could be, she took it a step further by launching the Honest Company for her babies as well as all the others out there whose moms and dads were concerned with the state of healthy baby products and services available.

With a whole line of eco-friendly and healthy, chemical and even gluten free products such as laundry detergent, shampoo and other daily essentials, their flagship service is their monthly service that delivers such essential products to your door. Diapers and wipes to safe home cleaning supplies, you can customize your delivery bundle to suit your needs. The diapers alone are a fabulous service as you know they are eco friendly and chemical free.

So as more and more celebrities use their fame to do good, I’m glad that the shift is a good one ; ) Kudos and congratulations to Jessica and her passion for honesty in this market!

Doesn’t it feel like Christmas was just the other day? Another gift giving holiday is upon us, however this one is much more intimate and personal then the December ones. The gift itself can speak volumes about the level at which a relationship is at. But regardless of if you’re giving a sweet gift to a friend, a not-to-serious gift to that new person in your life or a meaningful gift to your spouse of many years, it should always be thoughtful. Thoughtful in the sense that it is eco-friendly and healthy because after all, nothing says I appreciate you, I like you or I love you like a gift that also says “I care about your health as well as the earth!” Check out some of my faves for both men and women in any state of relations! Even some goodies for yourself!

Sweet Treats

• Traditional hearts filled with vegan chocolates from Rose City Chocolates
• Vegan Valentine’s Day Basket by Sun Flour Baking Company
• Raw vegan Valentine’s gift set by Hail Merry

Nifty Novelties

• Organic wine and spa gift set
• Organic bouquet by California Organic Flowers
• Music to your ears eco ceramic guitar picks
• Brew up some love with a beer making kit
• Recycled ticket stub scrapbook
• Express your feelings visually with the Love is art kit
• Love bottle by H2Om

Scent-ual Goodies

• Me so Thorny vegan and eco candle by A Scent of a Scandal
• Organic perfume and cologne for he and she by Aubrey Organics
• Creme de la creme scents by Tallulah Jane natural perfumes
• Make every step delicious with aromatherapy slippers
• Organic men smell best with Herban Cowboy cologne

All That Sparkles

• Handmade jewelry by Zulugrass
• Cute and clever forget-me-knot rings
• Jewelry and beautiful handmade art by Heart of Haiti
• Earrings, bracelets, necklaces and housewares made of eating utensils by McFlashpants

Feeling Frisky?

• Organic lingerie made from recycled materials by Clare Bare
• Comfy bamboo robes by Skinstinct
• Green your man’s junk with Woodies
• Bedroom toys and vegan condoms from The Sensual Vegan

2012 is on its way and perhaps you’re looking to go a bit greener
and save some green too!
Don’t fill the landfills with disposable plastic straws.
Instead, drink in style with beautifully handcrafted and decorated
reusable glass straws by Strawsome!
These are great stocking stuffers for kids and adults alike!
Check out my video review below!

I have to start by saying how much I love this brand!
Amy Kathryn Handbags are beautiful, practical, affordable,
animal and eco-friendly – just all around awesome!
If a gal on your list is wanting a new purse or bag this holiday season,
look no further!
Get 1 or 10 today for day, evening, travel and just looking
stylish the eco and vegan way!
Check out my video review below!

What?? We’re here already?? It’s crazy to think that we’ve made another trip around the sun so quickly ; )
Despite the state of things be it the economy, the world or even perhaps our own
personal struggles, this is the time of year to connect with those we like and love so why not give them a fabulous healthy
and/or eco-friendly gift to show them just how much we appreciate having them in our lives!

So with no further a due, here our The Healthy Voyager’s holiday gift picks for 2011
(check out 2010 and 2009 guides as well for some extra tips)!

Charity
(To give instead of receive)

Farm Sanctuary – Animal rescue, education and advocacy
Toys for Tots - Bringing joy to children in need
Operation Homefront – Helping our military servicemen and women
Habitat for Humanity – Homes for those in need
Healthy Weight Commitment – Working to end childhood obesity

Him
(For the men on your list, both young & old)
Mustache Cufflinks – For the guy who likes a classy gag
IPlunge – For the guy with the smart phone who likes a toilet gag
North Wood’s Organic Shave Set  – Nothing smells better than a green organic dude
Street Sign Book Ends – Stop in the name of literacy
Wood Tie – Bet he doesn’t have one of these!

Her
(For the ladies be they young, moms or busy bees)

Amy Kathryn Handbags – Amazing designer vegan, eco handbags
Erica Weiner Jewelry – She’ll love her eco bling
Rich Hippie Perfume – Eco alchemy
Crocheted Headphones – Keep your tunes cute and warm
Upcycled business card cases – Cause sisters are doin for themselves

Unisex & Couples Gifts
(For anyone or any duos)

Portable Wine Table – Vino for 2 to go!
Half Full Glassware – Drink positively
Finger Foods Party Plates -
Sustainable Wood Candle Blocks – Stack up your flames
Upcycled Mail bag Ipad case – Email protected by snail mail
Hypoallergenic Bed Lounger – Comfy, healthy and green

Kids
(Babies, teens & all in between)

DoodleBread Kits – Cooking for kids is fun!
Curious Chef Knives – Teaching kids how to chop food instead of their fingers
EcoZoo Cotton Kid’s Rolling Backpacks -
Eco-friendly Solar Powered Bamboo Doll House – Imagination plus green equals awesome
H Racer 2.0 – Hydrogen powered solar race car
Wonder Walker – Literally learning how to make a small carbon footprint

Pets
(For all furry babies)

Humunga Stache – Fido gets a toy, you get a laugh
Caesar’s Way Flash cards – Get your doggie trained with the help of celeb dog whisperer
Earthbath wipes – eco and vegan wipes for doggies and kitties
Cardboard cat chalet – Eco kitty
Felt Mushroom Birdhouse  – Their own fungus to call home

Health & Beauty
(For all aspects of health & vanity)

RMS Beauty – Eco vegan cosmetics
Violight Toothbrush Sanitizer – Clean the thing that cleans your teeth
Level Naturals – Delicious vegan soaps, scrubs and bath products
Plantlife – Yummy vegan soaps, lotions and skin care
Elan Veda – Natural ayurvedic products
La Fresh Towelettes – Healthy beauty on the go

Fitness, Adventure & Sport
(For the fitness sport & adventure nuts on your list)

Kulae Yoga Gear – Eco, organic yoga mats and gear
Vegan Football – Fair trade and vegan tackling is just as bad ass
Cork Yoga Bricks – Make your triangle greener
Powerbreather – Work out your lungs
Balance Ball Chair – Work out while you work!

Home & Lifestyle
(For cool home and miscellaneous goodies)

MudPie  – Gifts and tableware for every occasion
Bamboo Potted Herbs – The gift of home gardening keeps on giving
Rose Stem Cutter – Taking the pain (physical and mental) out of trimming your roses and flowers
Cast Iron Tool Bottle Openers – Make drinking look like a tough job
Snow Ski Wine Rack – Sporty and functional

Books, Book Things & Films
(For cooks & bibliophiles)

The Healthy Voyager’s Global Kitchen – Cook your way around the world the healthier, plant based way
Thumb Thing – The gadget you wish you’d thought of
Point it - Language barriers no more
Forks Over Knives DVD – Change your life for the healthier after watching this film
Milk Documentary DVD – Change your life for the healthier after watching this film too!

Travel
(For the globe trotters you’ll be gifting)

Healthy Voyager Tours – Travel to the world’s most exotic destinations regardless of your dietary restrictions
Totseat – For the traveling parent on your list
Travel Tools Keychain – Be prepared anywhere in the world
Take Charge Travel Case – Keep all your pluggy plugs snug and in 1 place
Green Garmento – Your eco travel and laundry bag

Cooking & Kitchen
(For the novice to the pro)

TopChips Maker – Homemade chips without the fryer and oil
360 Cookware – A cool, eco, healthier way to cook
Tuffy Steepware – BPA free, travel tea steeper
Digital Spoon Scale – Taking the guesswork out of measuring, once and for all
Homemade Stamp – Claim those baked goods!
Slimware – Stylish and discreet portion control plates
MeaureUp Bowls – Stylish and discreet portion control bowls

Food & Beverage
(For gifting with a smile)

CalNaturale Wines – Organic carton wine rules
Fungus Among Us – All things organic mushrooms
Garlic Galena – Fabulous gourmet garlic foodie finds
Vegan Gourmet Caramel Corn – A veganized holiday classic
Vegan Cookie of the Month Club – Need I say more?

Services & Classes
(For the gift that keeps on giving)

Healthy Voyager Tours – Travel to the world’s most exotic destinations regardless of your dietary restrictions
Personal Wellness Coaching – Get healthy and fit in 2012
Wellness Coaching Certification – Make 2012 the year you follow your passion
Vegetarian/Vegan Online Cooking Classes - Learn your way around the kitchen this year, in your pj’s!
Online Gardening Classes – Develop your green thumb this year!

Online Stores
Bourgeoise Boheme – Fashion with compassion
Herbivore Clothing & Store – Vegan clothing, books, accessories, nick knacks and more!
Cosmos Vegan Shop – A virtual vegan market
Uncommongoods.com – All kinds of neat and off the wall gifts
Alternative Outfitters – A vegan boutique
Vegan Collection – All vegan shoes, wallets and belts for men.
Moo Shoes – Lovely vegan shoes for ladies
Earth Shoes – Eco, vegan shoes for men & women that promotes fitness
Toms Shoes – A pair for you also gets you a pair to someone in the world who needs them ; )
Viva Terra – Eco living with style
GreenLoop – Sustainable style

I hope this list helps make your holiday shopping easier and merrier while making your holiday giftees happy, healthy & green!!

Happy Holiday Shopping Days!!!

Trying to switch from sipee cups to big kid cups?
Afraid to give your kids glass for fear of breaking or hurting themselves?
Enter Silikids silicon sleeved glassware for babies, toddlers
and big kids!
Their patented silicon sleeves protect their glassware
(by the way, the healthiest receptacle for liquids)
from clumsy kids and parents!
Check out my video review below!

Father’s Day is a day just for dad, where you show him how much you love him by showering him with awesome gifts. And that doesn’t mean another tie!  Check out some of my favorite eco & healthy gifts for the dad in your list this year!

• The Cooking Dad – Green Cooking Pots, Green Pan or an IGrill
• The Fit Dad – Garmin’s Forerunner 310XT, Custom Nutrition Bars or The Perfect Push-up Bars
• The Business Dad – Rugged computer bag, Handheld Zisor shredder or keep him organized with Neat Receipts
• The Sports Dad – Personalized golf balls, Eco balls for football/basketball/soccer or charge his ipod or phone will riding his bike with Roller gen
• The New Dad – The Toddler Manual, Solar powered video camera or new dad love coupons
• The Outdoor Dad – Solar camping oven, Outdoor survival Kit or natural insect repellent kit
• The Traveling Dad – Charging Valet, Recycled Messenger Bag orPolar Fleece blanket
• The Chill Dad – An eco-hammock by Gaiam, Towel heater or eco flip flops
• The Hipster Dad – Stone drink chillers, Bike Chain Bowl or a Twin Lens Reflex Camera
• The Eco Dad – A rechargeable LED Lantern, The Belkin Conserve Socket or an awesome composter

No matter what you give him this year, make sure that your love and appreciation are at the top of the gift list!