eco friendly Archives | Cool Mom Picks

3 new books for kids about climate change that inform, uplift, and help us move forward

by Caroline Siegrist | Books for Kids, Doing Good

I know I’m not the only parent struggling with how to talk with their kids about climate change. So I was thrilled to discover these hopeful kids’ books about climate change, each of which educates without inducing panic or despair. A tall order if you ask...

I switched to reusable bamboo paper towels to help my kids’ climate change anxiety, and here’s how it went

by Kate Etue | Kitchen + Dining, Tips + Tricks

I committed to switching to reusable bamboo paper towels recently, in part at the urging of my teens. The realities of climate change — and the constant important conversations about it in the media — is a very real stressor for my kids. Especially since COVID, when...

Here’s our 100% honest review of Green Ablutions bar shampoo: From cost to efficacy to environmental impact

by Kate Etue | Beauty + Cosmetics

Ready for a new shampoo that not only keeps your hair gorgeous but cuts back on all that bottle waste? Thanks to Liz’s recommendation that I try out Green Ablutions Moroccan Argan Oil bar shampoo to see how it works, I think I’ve finally found my new...

These 5 awesome Etsy houseplant shops are perfect pandemic pick-me-ups

by Caroline Siegrist | Art + Decor

We’ve all picked up new hobbies during quarantine, and mine has been buying and potting houseplants on Etsy. I lead an exciting life, what can I say. But while I’m at home so much of the time, surrounding myself with these little reminders of growth and...

15 easy recycled Mother’s Day gifts your kids can make from stuff you have right at home | Mother’s Day Gift Guide

by Christina Refford | DIY, Mother's Day Gifts

On Mother’s Day for the past few years, I’ve always loved my kids’ homemade gifts and cards most of all. But, this year, I don’t want my family to worry about shopping for craft supplies to make, or to have to go anywhere to buy me something....

10 ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with kids, safely at home.

by Christina Refford | DIY, Doing Good

Readers have asked us for ways to celebrate Earth Day with the kids while we’re all sheltering in place right now and I have to be honest — with all of the days starting to run together while we’re in quarantine, the holiday kind of snuck up on me...

We’ve got 5 eco-friendly paper towel alternatives to help you make the switch at the perfect time.

by Caroline Siegrist | Kitchen + Dining, Tips + Tricks

I’ve been meaning to wean our family off paper towels for years, and this quarantine is finally giving the push that I need. Thanks, empty paper towel shelves at Kroger! So I’ve been chatting with eco-conscious friends and colleagues about favorite paper...

We tried The Earthling Co.’s bar shampoo. Here’s what we thought. | Damn you, Facebook Ads series

by Kate Etue | Beauty + Cosmetics

Last year I tried Hairstory’s New Wash Shampoo after seeing some Facebook ads for it, and whoa, our review really resonated with our readers! So when I saw ads for The Earthling Co.’s bar shampoo, I knew I wanted to buy it and give it a try too. The...

Resell your used Ergobaby carriers with this cool new program that keeps more baby gear out of landfills

by Kate Etue | Doing Good, Gear

When I read that you can now resell your Ergobaby carrier through Ergobaby’s new baby carrier buyback program, I got excited. I’ve tried to be more intentional about making environmentally conscious purchasing decisions lately, whether I’m reducing...

Greta Thunberg and youth climate activism: Editors Best of the Year

by Liz Gumbinner | Doing Good, Editors Best of the Year, Health, Fitness + Wellbeing

When we first started this site in 2006, eco-friendly was one of our most popular tags. Parents were concerned about where their products were made, what ingredients were in them, and how they impacted the planet. Then the recession hit. Suddenly no one wanted to pay...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.

Trivia: It was called Cool Mom Sh*t for the first two days. (Yeah, we rethought that.)

We had no idea our site would grow to become a major lifestyle network, that we'd end up sharing our finds with the TODAY Show and Martha Stewart, that we'd be able to make a real difference for so many small businesses and women-run companies, or that we'd end up with an incredible community of the coolest readers on the planet. (If we do say so ourselves).

We still love what we do every single day. And we're so glad you're here.