Prius lovers weren’t looking for another reason to drool over Toyota’s good green-car sense – but they got one. Yesterday, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the automaker introduced a new member to the elite eco family of cars, the Prius v. The “v” joins the lineup of existing Priuses (the third-gen and plug-in models), offering a more spacious vehicle that the brand hopes will cater to wider audiences.

Unlike the compact car status previously owned by Prius, the “v” is considered a midsize ride and grants over 50 percent more interior cargo space for stowing gear when on the go. According to Toyota, “v” stands for versatility, and I’d say that’s spot-on, with a wider rear hatch that reveals 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats. Just think about the flea market finds you could stash… making the wagon-esque “v” nearly as practical (from a stowing perspective) as an SUV. But way cooler, obviously. (more…)

The Hudson Valley is home to many a fine craftsman…or woman.  One such artisan is Kieran Kinsella of Rosendale, NY’s Kieran Woodworks.

The studio’s handcrafted, organically shaped stools and side tables are created from locally sourced and salvaged wood.

Eco fashion Flash Sale going on right now, get 40-60% off dresses and tops made of eco friendly bamboo, Tencel and a touch of Spandex for extra stretch. This California-based company dyes and sews all its apparel right here in the USA. Find @ ecoSkincollections.com.

I just finished reading author Paige Wolf’s Spit That Out! – The Overly Informed Parent’s Guide to Raising Children in the Age of Environmental Guilt. With a title like that, I had high expectations — and these 150 pages don’t disappoint.

With good humor, Wolf mixes her experiences as a new parent, as well as those of other new moms, and sites expert studies that shed light on common issues to help one curb the phenomenon known as eco guilt. The green moms share real-life anecdotes, openly demonstrating how frustrating and neurotic it can be to raise baby green.

Chapters are introduced with relevant or irreverent quotes from feature films and tv shows, and woven throughout is plenty of solid info in the form of Green Mom Sanity Tips and Dollar-Savvy Sustainability Tips. Wolf offers practical solutions to big guilt drivers like food, fashion and fun — cloth or disposable diapers; formula or breast-fed milk; organic or conventional; natural remedies; household cleaners; kids’ toys; and my favorite — family and friends.

The verdict? Spit That Out is an easy-to-digest, enjoyable and fact-filled read. Any new parent looking for honest, real advice on how to balance raising baby with being green should give this book a read, and share with friends.

find the paperback or Kindle version on amazon.com