ANOTHER TWO-FER

I just posted this on my "clean environment" bog: http://mycleanenvironment.blogspot.com/

Please check it out: A glass straw - a great gift idea Made in America and good for the environment too.

TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS

Ok, I'm almost done shopping. Here are a few more Made in America toys that I purchased this year:

Age 3+ Flippity Find-A matching game of Disney characters (Timer made in China)$16.99
Age 5+ Scrablle for Junior $15.99
Age 3+ This is the latest girl's toy - anything Fancy Nancy. I don't know if everything Nancy is made in America, but this one is: Dress-Up Game (Colorforms) $12.99
There is also a movie, but don't know the origin of it.

These items were purchased at Toys r Us.

And don't forget: Most, if not all,I SPY games are Made in USA

MORE TOYS FOR KIDS

Toys of USA makes quality toys for kids of all ages. There are many internet sites for kid's toys made in the USA, but I recently bought four items for this year's holiday from this site.

For my almost 3 year old granddaughter: Magnetic Schoolroom - A board with 33 magnetic pieces, including two teachers, 7 students (some sitting for placement on chairs,) easel, globe, backpack, and lots of school supplies. There are two pieces I don't like: fish bowl and hamster cage, sad realities in classrooms, but a good opportunity for us to talk about the captivity of animals. We can always make them disappear after our discussions.

For the almost 5 year old: A Flower Purse Set. A great way to teach lacing (sewing)

For both of them: Magnetic Alphabet Animal Bingo and a set of recycled plastic dishes to go along with their tea set which I purchased last year and their new stove, this year. I love those dishes. The colors are deep pastels.

I LOVE TOYS MADE IN THE USA!!!!

www.toysofusa.com

IT'S TIME TO START SHOPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

I usually start shopping for the holidays the end of October because if I wait too long everything will be gone and then I will be forced to buy things I really don't like. So, from now until the holidays I will be adding to this post. Usually, I just shop for children, but I will post other items as I find them during this time.

WALMART: KIDS OVEN
I don't like to buy many plastic items and make every effort not to, but some of my convictions go out the window when it comes to my grandchildren. I just bought them a huge plastic oven. It measures 33"x12"x38". Cost: $45

It comes with 22 accessories: pots, pans, utensils. All the doors open and there is a microwave on top, which opens. My granddaughters are 2-1/2 and 4-1/2 years old and their mom told me when they saw something similar in another store they loved it. (See my other post of the coolest recycled plastic dishes)

WALMART: COLORING BOOKS AND CRAYONS
Children love to color at all ages. There were dozens of different coloring books for all ages from 2 yrs old and older. Not only are they Made in America, but they were only $1 each. There were others that were $2.49. Also, look for the drawing pads and colored construction paper. These are such fun items for kids and easy on the wallet.

The crayons are made by Crayola. There are also magic markers, colored pencils, scissors, etc. Be sure to look for the Made in America Insignia - Usually a flag of the USA, but not always. But it will always say Made in America.

ALL DOLLAR TYPE STORES: They tend to carry coloring books, pads, pencils, etc. that are Made in America.

GAMES: Many games are Made in America, such as Candyland and Chutes & Ladders. I know I bought others last year, but can't remember which ones were Made in America. And, they were only $5 each.

WANT BEAUTIFUL HEALTHY SKIN?

I have been using aloe vera on my face for decades. It is known as a healer of skin. Bonus: If you burn yourself, there is nothing better than aloe. It stops the pain completely by forming an invisible bandage which stops the air from hitting the burn - air is what causes the pain. I also use it as protection from the sun. I apply it before I go in the sun, after I swim, and as a preventer of peeling, plus further protection when I am done sunbathing. I do not trust sun block and never did from day one. Now, there are many articles warning about sun block. So, back to beauty. Aloe prevents wrinkles because it heals skin. The brand I use is Skin Gel, Ultimate Skin Treatment, 99% Certified Organic Whole Leaf Aloe Vera plus Vitamins A,C, E, & Herbs. Unscented. Vegetarian (seems to be vegan also) and Cruelty-Free. MADE IN AMERICA! (Purchased at Nutrition Smart, and probably Whole Foods)

AMERICAN ICONS NOT AMERICAN

The following items that we all think of as American have been bought by or have always been owned by foreign companies. The story behind them was found on Comcast on July 4th.

Budweiser (DRINK SAMUEL ADAMS -BOSTON
AND EXCELLENT)
Nestles (Toll House, baking supplies, chocolate)
Puma, Adidas, and Reeboks
French's Mustard
Anheuser-Busch
Good Humor Ice Cream
Shell Oil
Trader Joe's
7-11
Holiday Inn
Sunglass Hut
Firestone Tires
Frigidaire
Dial Soap

GHIRARDELLI AMERICAN VEGAN CHOCOLATE

Most of the better quality chocolates are from foreign companies, but Ghirardelli chocolate is a California company (the only American one that I found that makes a good vegan chocolate.) Their vegan brand is "Intense Dark Twilight Delight 72% Cacao". Please remember though, it is made on machines that make non-vegan chocolates, which I would imagine all companies do also.