I'm big on giving.  And for me, it's not just about money.  I'm all about the doing, the helping, the hugging.  But there is only so much time in a day and sometimes it's hard enough to get dinner on the table let alone save the world.  So there's no better way for me to lend that hand than through monetary donations. 

The question I have is, how do I pick an organization that I know is utilizing my dollars to their best advantage instead of blowing them out the window due to some poorly designed and managed administration system or lining the pockets of an executive director?  After painstackingly searching the net for organizations in the US who CoolerChoices would want to partner with, I stumbled across this amazing site that has helped take the uncertainty out of selecting a charity.

Charity Navigator is an online evaluator with a comprehensive database of over 5000 charities.  Using IRS provided financial documents, they rate each charity based on their daily operation expenses, allocation of funds and their ability to continue to provide their services over time.  In addition to listing annual gross and net profits in addition to program and operating expenses, they also note the CEO's salary base; which when comparing a $500,000 salary for one CEO to a $57,000 salary for another - that little bit of information might just tip the scales in the decision making process.  The review section for each charity is also a good way to get different perspectives on a given charity.

Charity Navigator is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, offering this service free of charge to the users of the web.  You work hard for your money and I know have the best intentions to try to do right in this world.  It's nice to know there is a group watching out for your best interests when it comes to those hard earned donations.

You have no idea how much I love this bag.  A girlfriend turned me on to the girls from Kemby and I almost cried when I saw the Sidekick.  This has got to be the coolest, most practical mom and baby bag ever made.  Not only is the Sidekick from Kemby an absolutely gorgeous bag, with its wipe clean water resistant exterior fabric and it's three must have colors, but the outside flap flips inside out to reveal a sleek and stylish baby carrier.  I'm talking some serious simplifying here by combining the benefits of a diaper bag and a baby carrier all in one.   Talk about reducing!!!

I can't tell you how many times I have found myself blessing the girls at Kemby for creating the Sidekick.  Many times each day I find myself needing that extra arm; standing in line at the bank or post office, trying to pay for my much needed latte, window shopping where strollers can't go, even at my daughters ballet class I have found myself in a position where Gabby needed to be held and my arms needed a break.  A quick unzip, snap, flip and adjust and seconds later, WHALA!, Gabby is now resting snuggly against my hip.  The best part about the SideKick from Kemby is that you can still easily access all your goods inside the front and side compartments while using the carrier.  I've only had my Sidekick for a couple of weeks, and already I can't imagine how I survived without it.  And I love the chorus of, "Oh my god", from the various moms standing around me when I whip the carrier out.  Visit our Kemby Sidekick page at The CoolerChoices Store to read more about it.  You might even find yourself wanting another kid... it's that cool.

Please note that although the SideKick does not use sustainable materials - this is the one exception I've made as I passionately believe that mama's sanity and peace of mind need to be intact in order for her to make those cooler choices.

After failing miserably at cloth diapering, I was so relieved to find an eco-friendly alternative - gDiapers! The “Little g Pants” come in a wide range of colors, and are conveniently washed along with my other laundry. They are stretchy and durable too which means they’ll last awhile on your child, and can easily be reused. The flushable inserts are affordable, completely biodegradable, and easy to dispose of... You are even provided with a long “swish stick” to break it up with so it won’t clog your toilet. The best thing about them is that they are super-absorbent which means less frequent diaper changes – this saves you money and time. What more could you ask for? The only problems I’ve run into with gDiapers, is when I’ve gone somewhere with childcare workers who are squeamish about changing cloth diapers and won’t even try... For these excursions, I often use the Nature Babycare 100% biodegradable disposables instead (available in our store).  

Note from Stash - you can composte the wet ones.  Seriously!  They completely biodegrade in your compost heap in something like 150 days.  Way cool (if you're into that sort of thing). 

Okay, let me begin by exclaiming how adorable these are! The patterns are so beautiful and many are suitable for both boys and girls. If you don’t like wrestling with tights, you will love these... They are so easy to deal with that my 18-month-old enjoys putting them on herself! Not to mention you don’t have to take them off for diaper changes and your toddler can still have warm legs while they walk around in bare feet. The best thing about BabyLegs in my opinion though is the length of time your child can wear them... They are stretchy enough to be worn as legwarmers, calf-warmers, or arm-warmers all the way through childhood! Considering how quickly babies grow out of their clothes, this is totally amazing.

Side note from Stashka:  BTW - BabyLegs now has a darling line of organic warmers (which we have chosen to carry in the CoolerChoices store).  The quality of the cotton is fabulous and the designs are uber hip.  My oldest, Lydia, is constantly raiding her sisters BabyLegs supply.  Lydia is one of those super tall, super skinny kids who I just can't seem to keep in pants.  If they are long enough, they are sliding down her backside which we could rectify if we could find one of her belts - but every one of them has been used as a leash on her stuffed animals and we can never locate one when it's needed.  Our solution is lots of dresses and skirts paired up with her sisters BabyLegs.  On Lydia they come just above the knee and I can keep her warm without worrying about her looking like a flood is coming.  She also dances around with them on her arms - I swear, my 5 year old wears these more often that my baby I bought them for!!

This is absolutely the coolest balm I've ever used.  First off, my oldest daughter Lydia, has eczema on her cheeks that I have never been able to get to clear up.  On top of that, she's a smell snob and completely comes unglued if I put anything on her that doesn't smell like a princess.  The lavender scent of Trilogy Everything balm is not only super soothing on her chapped cheeks, but it has also gotten the 'Princess Smelling Stuff' seal of approval from Lydia.  It is packed with so much good stuff (olive, coconut, marula nut oils, beeswax and honey to name a few) and loaded with antioxidants, fatty acids, super emollients and vitamins.  The bumps on Lyd's cheeks were noticeably smoother after the first use, and her eczema almost completely gone in a few days.

And that's just her cheeks.  I use it on my lips when I can't find my gloss, on my cuticles every time I think of it, and to smooth out Gabby's skin after wiping her down.  I just keep the handy little jar in my bag so it's available whenever I need it.

Triology Everything Balm is available from one of my favorite skin care stores - Eupurea.com.  

I love, love, love these diapers!  Nature Babycare is a fantastic disposable for those moms who want a greener alternative to conventional diapers.

Nature Babycare diapers are soft and thin with an exclusive chlorine-free absorbent material.  Natural based 100% biodegradable material rests against baby’s skin allowing the diaper to be breathable and extremely kind for the baby while performing as well as the best “traditional” diapers.  Our favorite part is they don't get 'squishy' when saturated like every other disposable diaper we've tested. No gel stuff leaking out and laying on my baby's bum!  The diapers are made from sustainable materials opposed to oil-based plastics - so although you have to compost these babies in order for them biodegrade (and yes, they are certified compostable), you can feel a little 'greener' in knowing these nappies are at least manufactured in a more earth friendly way.  And if you do compost - just toss the wet ones in with the rest of your food scraps.

Our diaper tester is a chronic night time saturator.  Since using Nature Babycare, we have had no wet throughs and only a couple of blow outs.  That in itself is worth shouting from the mountains!!!  We hope you enjoy them as much as we have. 

Available at CoolerChoices.com.

You'll be the sexiest mama on the block when spotted carrying this hot little number from Fleurville.  The Lexi Tote is big enough to carry all of your mommy essentials (bottle, diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, change of clothes and even a little something for yourself!), yet so sleek and hip that you will want to use it long after your wee ones are using the potty.

Fleurville bags use a PVC and Teflon free water resistant coating that will insure that no one knows your  2 year old spilt chocolate milk all over your Lexi.  The little extras like the wipes case, carabineer key clip, matching changing pad and the Fleurville SlipNot™ universal stroller attachment may not be that 3rd arm you've always needed, but they certainly make the job a little easier.  Available at our store in 2 gorgeous prints, there's a style for everyone!!!