You can go really green this Christmas, by keeping a healthy home environment in mind. Its even more important when our homes are closed up to keep out the elements and is not as well ventilated. Here are some options that can make your home and lifestyle as earth-friendly and green as can be!  Think: natural, local, recycled, sustainable. 

When painting, specify no or low VOC paint. When redoing floors, ask for low VOC glues and materials. When replacing cabinets that are still usable, perhaps you would like to move them to the laundry room, garage, shed, or use them for a kid's playhouse.

In the kitchen, try to get away from using plastics for storage. BPA found in plastics negatively effects hormones. There are lots of glass storage products with airtight lids. If you like to make healthy homemade popsicles, there is a stainless steel popsicle mold set that comes with bamboo sticks which would make a nice family gift. 

UNIQUE GIFT IDEA: How many times have we gone for greens in the crisper, and they weren't there, or they were so sorry they had to be tossed? How about having or giving a kitchen garden! Grow organic, save on groceries, and get kids involved with growing food for research shows they'll eat more vegetables. There is nothing sweeter or more healthy than fresh picked. You can't get more local than that! It is a gift that will keep on giving, no "green thumb" needed! Click here to request more information on how to order. Ships to continental U.S, Hawaii, and Canada.

In the bathrooms: Chlorine on skin, or breathed in while showering is harmful. Get an in-line chlorine shower filter for all showerheads, and make sure that the showerheads are low flow to conserve water. (I am most impressed with Delta). To keep clean and fresh between showers, install a Brondell Swash Seat on the toilet. That model is without electricity, but you can get a unit that warms the water, has a remote or a wall unit as well.

UNIQUE GIFT IDEA:  How many times have you dreaded turning off the warm water of a shower? Or worse, slipped while trying to dry off? A Tornado Body Dryer solves those issues, and more. It can prewarm the space, take out excess moisture out of the air, cut down on use of  a towel, and you can even get a start on drying your hair!.

Skin and body care products: Cosmetics is NOT a regulated industry. If a says for topical use only, consider it saying it is not safe to use, for what is put on the skin is absorbed into the body. The best place to research products that will be healthy to use is, Environmental Working Group Skin Deep’s data base. They are offering their annual Holiday Gift Box they give to donors to support their research. That page also has a link to their guide to healthy Cleaning for review on detergents and cleaning supplies, and my favorite, the EWG Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce, known as the "Dirty Dozen" that is most laden with toxic chemical residues that one cannot wash away!

May this list help you find some great gifts for that special someone, which may be you!

For unto us a child is born, a son is given to us; upon His shoulder dominion rests. They shall call Him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:5