I started All Green Things 3 ½ years ago with so much passion and wanted to empower myself and others to challenge themselves to do more for our environment. 2 years ago I decided to keep moving forward and open a brick-and-mortar location. I figured, ‘Why let the economy slow me down?’ I really believed in what I was trying to accomplish and felt if it were meant to work out, it would. I always knew that starting my own company would be the biggest challenge of my life and guess what, it has been. One of the biggest challenges has been not having the resources to hire any full time employees. The recession made it so much more challenging than I could have ever imagined. A future book could be in the works, “How the banks will bone you in a recession!”

There have been so many lessons learned. One is realizing you can’t ignore the hard facts. I think this is what drives many companies out of business forever. My reality is that spreading myself as thin as I have, is not working for me anymore. When I first acknowledged this to myself, I felt like I was a failure. It really took a while to understand I am not a failure, I am just making a very wise decision. I have decided to close my storefront and go back to an on-line store. Making this hard choice is going to enable me to continue my company and let it be what it needs to be for now.

I have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people in my community who share a similar vision for our environment. It is a wonderful experience to have a place where people can walk through your doors, sit and talk and learn from one another. It really makes you feel like you belong to your community. I have made many friendships that will last a lifetime. My community has touched my heart and in some small way I hope I have touched yours.

I will still be out and about in LA doing my “Green” thang but I am going to miss seeing everyone that would walk through my doors on a normal business day. The positive side to all of this is that I will actually have more time to write for the blog. This has been quite a challenge to do with all the other responsibilities hanging over my head.

The website is going to be in transition until about February. Shortly after, I will launch with several changes and a different product mix, including an expanded inventory. For those of you who are local, make it in for the months of January and February for some great deals.

My heart is open and ready to see what 2011 has to bring my way. I wish everyone love, good health and happiness during this Holiday season.

Be well, Tanya

The idea was conceived one morning while rushing around to pack their kid’s lunches in the morning. Every item they were grabbing needed to be kept cold so they ended up putting it all away instead of putting it in the lunch sack. They realized that it did not make sense to put back the items that were the healthiest. So the next thing you know, a business was born.

Preparing your meals at home is healthier for you, your family, as well as a money saver. 100 million plastic bags a week go into a landfill and Packit is a great way to help reduce this number. They come in 4 great colors at the moment with more to come in the next few months. Get yours now and save 10% until August 31st, 2010. Use the promotion code: PackIt at check out. Go Green!!

More and more moms are making their baby food when making the transition in to solid foods. Now there is a great storage solution for this transition. The Wean Green Glass cubes come in 4 great colors: Raspberry, Blueberry, Peas, and Carrots. How cute!

I personally do not have any babies, that I know of (just kidding), so I think I will be using the cubes for lunch items. I have slowly replaced my plastic containers with glass. I have found it difficult to find small glass lidded containers, and well, I no longer have that problem thanks to Wean Green!

I am waiting for my shipment to arrive, which will be here any day, so we are taking pre-orders. I am sure this will be a very popular item, so don’t delay!!

Melissa, the founder of Wean Green, shares recipes of the week on the Wean Green Blog. This is the most current:

Pumpkin & Carrot Orange Mush

(6+ Months)
1 pumpkin
10 carrots

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cut the pumpkin lengthwise. Scoop out all the seeds and guts.

3. Cut off the ends of the carrots and cut them in half.

4. Put the pumpkin in your baking pan so that the skin is facing up. Add the carrots and 1/4 cup water.

5. Bake for 45 minutes.

6. Scoop out the pumpkin from the skin.

7. Puree pumpkin and carrots together in a food processor or blender adding breast milk or water as needed.

Pour into Wean Cubes
Remember to check the temperature before serving.
Store the leftovers in the fridge for 3 days or the freezer for 6 months.

This bottle is chic and comes in 6 fantastic colors: Pearl White, Midnight Blue, Sky Blue, Spring Green, Orange and Red. I picked Spring Green because it’s my favorite color. Funny how that works! The price is only $22.00.

Features & Benefits
* BPA, phthalate, PVC, and polycarbonate free
* Silicone sleeve is free of plastics and 100% non-toxic
* All materials are FDA approved
* With glass there is no chemical leaching and no metallic taste
* Widemouth bottle makes it easy to add ice, citrus slices, tea bags, etc
* Bottle and sleeve can be put in the dishwasher together
* 22oz (650ml)

I am diggin’ this bottle. I would say if I were on a treadmill or a hike the screw cap may be an issue, otherwise I really like this bottle! The design and materials used in the beverage bottle were adapted from Lifefactory’s original glass baby bottle, so now the whole family can stay hydrated safely and stylishly. The Lifefactory adult bottle is poised to be a favorite among the fashion, green and active lifestyle sectors.

For Lifefactory’s ongoing green initiatives in promoting health in their community, they are being honored with the Francine Levien Activist Award by the Marin based organization, Zero Breast Cancer.  This honor is being given to Lifefactory for their continual work to change and improve the environment, especially in seeking to remove harmful chemicals that may contribute to the development of breast cancer. Lifefactory is also a proud member of the Bay Area Green Business Program, which recognizes companies that are environmentally responsible.

Carry in your hand or over your shoulder. Holds the contents of 2-3 plastic grocery bags. 14” Wide / 23” high / 5” deep. Folds into a flat 5” by 5” pouch. Holds 50 lbs. 100% Ripstop nylon. Machine washable.

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving!!

*This deal can be used with our Free Shipping Coupon when you spend over $75.00.

Extended In-Store Hours on    Nov. 27th 8AM-8PM
Store Location:
5321 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

*Meter Parking In Front Of Store & Free Parking On Surrounding Streets

*Discount does not apply to sale items, shipping, taxes, surcharges, gift cards, certificates or codes, previous orders, international orders, or our Vintage Category on-line.

On-Line Coupon Code to be entered at checkout: GRNFRI09

All Green Things wishes you & your family a Happy Thanksgiving!