If you are looking for some inspiration for Halloween decorations this year check out this ultimate Halloween light show in Riverside California! He has thousands of lights, four singing pumpkin faces, hand carved pumpkins, tombstones, strobe lights and flood lights all set to "This Is Halloween" from The Nightmare Before Christmas. He began this project back in 2008 with a small set-up… it has grown over the years into what you see here. Pretty amazing huh? (as an eco-friendly side note he is now using LED lights which I am sure has saved a ton of money - not to mention helped fly over geese from thinking it is still summer) Look for the ghoully ghosty running screaming from the house at 2:22.

10 Healthy Halloween Treats for Kids

After you enjoy the Halloween light show it is time to think about what to give out to those cute trick or treaters (and your own trick or treaters of course). If you are looking for last minute Halloween treat ideas but don't want to go the cavity on a stick method of the usual Halloween candy take a look at this video on 10 Healthy Halloween Treats for Kids from EcoFriendlyParty.

Featured Healthy Halloween Treats In the video:

1) Tasty Organic Wild Berry Fruit Snacks: made with real fruit juice with no high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Fat free, gluten free and vegan to boot.

2) Earth's Best Organic Pop Snax: USDA Organic, No Hydrogenated oils or trans fats. No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

3) Glee Gum: Made with sustainably harvested rainforest chicle and no harmful aspartame. No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners

4) Envirokidz Organic Crispy Rice Bars: USDA Organic Gluten Free, non-GMO verified

5) Panda All Natural Licorice: real licorice from Finland. Not artificially flavored, no preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors.

6) Clif Kid Fruit Rope: USDA organic, gluten free, soy and dairy free and non GMO. One serving of fruit in every rope.

7) Clif Zbar: No high fructose corn syrup, Hydroginated oils, preservatives, trans fats, artificial flavors or colors.

8 ) Probar Halo: Certified organic, all natural, low in sugar, vegan and dairy free, good source of Omega 3 & 6 fats.

9) Tasty Organic Cookies: Kosher, naturally sweetened with agave (I don't see them on their website so they may be a brand new product)

10) Lifeway ProBugs Organic Kefir for kids: USDA organic. 10 live and active cultures. Made with milk from grass fed cows that is free of rBGH and antibiotics.

11) Radius Recycled Toothbrush: No heavy metals or carcinogenic substances, no waste materials or animal testing. Look for the Radius Source toothbrush which is made from 93% recycled and 47% renewable resource and uses replacement heads and a recycled wood bio-plastic handle.

If you've enjoyed these healthy Halloween treats from EcoFriendlyParty stop by her site and plan your own party!

This post on 10 healthy Halloween treats shared on Fight Back Friday.

10 Healthy Halloween Treats for Kids and a Halloween Light Show to Boot is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Includes organic fair trade coffee, three organic fair trade chocolate bars and is rounded off with a box of fair trade chocolate-covered Brazil nuts - well on second thought maybe you'd rather just keep this one for yourself - I won't tell...

I stumbled upon this fun handmade gift basket while looking over the fine selection of eco goodies on eBay's World of Good - if you aren't familiar with it stop by and take a peek. There are plenty of fun eco-friendly gift ideas.

This particular fair trade coffee and chocolate gift basket is sold by EcoExpress Gifts which has the Green America Goodprint verification on World of Good. Which means this business adopts principles, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities, and the environment.

At the time of this post this fair trade coffee and chocolate gift basket is on sale for $47.05 with only 4 remaining.

Find more fair trade and organic gifts from EcoExpress Gifts for sale below.

This Post Shared on Real Food Wednesday

Fair Trade Handmade Gift Basket with Organic Coffee and Chocolates is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

I stumbled upon Yeowww! 100% organic catnip toys while searching for Halloween costumes for cats at Amazon (yes they do actually make Halloween costumes for cats) These are cute little organic catnip toys completely handmade and made from 100% organic catnip so we can spoil our cats with organic goodness while we overindulge them with narcotic plants - but hey what's a little misdemeanor now and then for the love of our pets.

Yeowww! actually makes a rather large selection of homemade organic catnip toys and a few fun Halloween style catnip toys like the scary little pumpkins, ghosties and bats shown here.

If you have a black cat that is feeling misunderstood this Halloween season or any cat that could use a jolt of organic catnip goodness why not cheer them up with a good 'ol organic catnip toy. They may even say Yeowww!

Treat Fluffy to Halloween Organic Catnip Toys from Yeowww! is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Not only are these organic dog treats loaded with simple organic ingredients but each has healthy benefits for "Fido" and your little (or not so little) pooch.

Here's the break down:

Organic Rye Flour: Helps strengthen your dog's immune system
Organic Oat Flour: Good source of protein, iron, copper and other nutrients
Nutmeg: Acts as an anti-inflammatory (plus it's like a gourmet dash of olfactory and palate pleasing pleasure)
Cinnamon: Good for brain function, improves blood circulation, and reduces canine heart disorders
Sweet Potato: Source of beta carotene to help metabolism and immune system
Flax Meal: Fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids (the good for you fats that dogs need - and people too!)

We picked up a box of Sweet Potato Bare Bones organic dog treats on sale at Target, but it looks like you can find Big Bark Bakery dog treats at Amazon (although last I checked they were waiting for a new shipment - word has gotten out how good they are I guess)

Update: Unfortunately it looks like Big Bark Bakery has gone to doggy treat heaven such a shame since they were really good treats.

Check out these other organic dog treats for sale below at Amazon

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R & M Dog Bone 4 Piece Cookie Cutter Set List Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $7.00 You save: $2.99 (30%)   Eligible for free shipping!

R&M Dog Bone Cookie Cutter Sale Price: $1.25   Eligible for free shipping!

Organic Dog Treats: My Dog Eats Better Than I Do is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Swell Foop has created two new 100% organic Valentine's Day themed t-shirt designs celebrating not only the little chubby angel and his ministrations of huggy kissy's but a love for the environment and sustainable products.

You see Swell Foop is a two sister tag team who believe in the good things in life - like the earth we live on and the furry, fuzzy, scaly, froggy, buggy, beautiful critters that scurry in the woods and oceans at night (ok so ocean dwelling creatures don't do much scurrying but it sounded good). Their current designs feature animals that are threatened by a variety of conditions, including global warming, human encroachment into animal's habitat, and hunting.

And thanks to their generosity and the fabulously fantastic focus organic blog you and I have a chance to bring home a soft cuddly 100% organic t-shirt with a cool new design for Free. So swing on over to Focus Organic and give Swell Foop some fooping good attention and who knows you might just have something else to celebrate this Valentine's Day.

I’m A Swell Foop are You? Organic Cotton T-Shirt Giveaway is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

I have always been a soft towel nut; unfortunately, my experience with cotton has always been a disappointment. I've been told, "you have to wash them on cold if you want them to stay soft," but then on the other hand, I have been told, "you have to wash them on hot if you want them to get clean." And so in a relatively short time, those super soft cotton towels on display at the store become just average ordinary boring towels. Some people try to get around this dilemma using fabric softener - but I just can't bring myself to douse my towels in chemicals. No, I needed another solution-and discovering bamboo towels seemed to be it.

My bamboo towels have remained silky and soft like chenille despite dozens of washings. Yet there is more to make me love bamboo towels than silky softness. I also adore that bamboo is naturally antibacterial. Unlike cotton, I haven't had the need to wash my bamboo towels with vinegar to remove bad odors, because there aren't any!

Not All Bamboo Towels are Created Equal

Unfortunately, I've recently learned there is a downside to that soft textile. Bamboo itself is extremely fast growing which makes it one of the most Eco-friendly sustainable plants available - however, some of the chemicals used to make bamboo into soft clothing and towels can be quite hazardous to the environment and possibly even your health. Chemical solvents like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide may be combined with bleaching which is not a very Eco-friendly thing to do, and is typically known as the Bamboo Viscose Rayon method.

Some companies have begun manufacturing bamboo using the less toxic Bamboo Lyocell method, which I will be on the lookout for next time I need a new bamboo towel. I still think my bamboo towels are the best and its delicious softness is something you must experience for yourself. You don't even need to travel to an exotic Chinese Garden in Vancouver Canada to do so. Amazon has a fine selection of bamboo towels like these from Think Bamboo on sale for considerably less than the $70 bamboo towels I splurged on.

Enjoy These Soft Bamboo Towels for Sale on Amazon Below

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Super Soft Lightweight 100% Rayon from Bamboo Bath Towel 460 GSM-2pc-Coffee Sale Price: $30.88   Eligible for free shipping!

ThinkBamboo 70/30, 535GSM Rayon from Bamboo Hand Towel - 5pc Aquamarine Sale Price: $29.88   Eligible for free shipping!

Why I Like Bamboo Towels Better than Cotton is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Once upon a time in a land far far away lived a puppy named Rufus. Rufus was a good little puppy so he got plenty of dog treats, treats when he held still for a nail clipping and a coat grooming, dog training treats when he rolled over on command and even treats for pretending to speak - he had his owners very well trained.

The problem was Rufus was unhappy, not unhappy because he felt unloved, he knew his people loved him very much, but Rufus was unhappy because his treats contained chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, and artificial preservatives - not to mention a certain amount of diseased meat by-products. (dead, dying, disabled or diseased food animals that have been rejected for human consumption end up in pet food and treats).

Rufus didn't think there was anything he could do about it, he knew his people would do anything for him if there was an alternative. So Rufus decided to take matters into his own paws and he called his good buddy Paul Newman - you know the one, that famous guy from all those movies who has his face on all those salad dressings now. Well Rufus said to Paul, you know buddy you have to look out for us pets, we need a healthy dog treat, in fact we'd love to have our own line of certified USDA organic dog treats.

Well Paul is a good guy so he created a line of Newman's Own®Organics Dog Treats (they make all sorts of organic pet food as well but little Rufus loved his treats best of all). Rufus told Paul to make these organic dog treats with human-grade ingredients, including certified-organic barley flour, ground chicken, carrots, apples, rolled oats, natural peanut flour, and a whole lot more natural and healthy ingredients - leave out the by-products, fertilizers, antibiotics, preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors thank you very much. Oh and leave out the wheat, soy and corn because Rufus and his friends were a bit allergic to it, not to mention it made them a bit gassy.

Paul was happy to oblige, he loved his dogs as well, and he created a great line of organic dog treats just for Rufus and his friends. So now when Rufus lets his people use dog training treats to get him to do embarrassing things he has a happy smile on his face because his pal Paul made sure he had some tasty organic dog treats. Rufus now is a very happy little puppy - just ask him he'll tell you.... after you give him a treat.

Breaking News: Rufus the Puppy Responsible for Organic Dog Treats is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

As winter grows closer and closer these days thoughts of square foot gardens and fresh herbs have to be put on hold until next spring. I feel somewhat sorry for my basil plant as it struggles inside and if it had eyes I'm sure they would longingly gaze outside and yearn for warmer days and fresh air.

I was perusing the latest Amazon email of great Holiday shopping ideas today and stumbled upon the AeroGrow AeroGarden - I could almost feel my basil plant's leaves rustle in excitement. If you haven't heard about the Aerogrow it is a home growing device about the size of a bread box that uses Aeroponic technology which means the plants grow in air and water, not dirt. My basil plant stirred with excitement as I read to him that plants grow five times faster using this method of eco-friendly growing.

Reading over the 200+ positive reviews of the AeroGrow was exciting as well. Hearing professional chefs rave over the quality of the herbs and plants had my basil plant nearly knocking me over to get to the "add to cart" button. And when I got to the part about the AeroGrow nutrient tablets being organic, according to American Association of Food Control Officials standards my basil was almost weeping with relief. (not to mention glaring at me that I wasn't reaching for my credit card yet).

I researched further to find that the AeroGrow can grow a wide variety of salad greens, tomatoes, herbs, chili peppers, flowers, and even catnip for those frisky kitties. The AeroGrow even comes with a free aerogarden seed kit to grow fresh Italian Basil, Purple Basil, Chives, Dill, Mint, Parsley & Thyme - you can just imagine what effect this had on my basil. Images of a bounty of fresh friends and perhaps the promise of a bit of Italian romance flitted through his head - I can hardly blame him for what came next...

There must be a secret language spoken between cats and herbs because before I knew it my scrawny little basil plant was waving distractedly in the air while my cat with a catnip crazed look in its eyes pounced on the "1-Click ordering" button - the deal was sealed I had a new AeroGrow AeroGarden on its way.

I can hardly blame them as I said, the thought of fresh healthy herbs and salads year round does give one a bit of a euphoric tingle.

Update 11/28/11: If you are keeping an eye on Amazon's Black Friday Week Lightning Deals then you may be interested in this news... it would appear that the AeroGrow AeroGarden is due for a huge Black Friday Sale discount at 2pm PST. Here is their tantalizing text... "Upcoming Deal:
Grow herbs, greens, and vegetables faster and indoors" Sounds to me like the AeroGrow - keep your clicking fingers nice and limber so you can snatch them up.

Find AeroGarden Seed Kits for Sale for Your AeroGrow AeroGarden Below

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AeroGarden Gourmet Herb Seed Kit (6-7-Pod) List Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $17.95 You save: $2.00 (10%)   Eligible for free shipping!

AeroGarden 800507-0208 Universal Seed Kit, Italian Herb Sale Price: $17.95   Eligible for free shipping!

Beware of Catnip Crazed Cat: An Herby AeroGarden Overthrow is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Well, my creative kitchen gremlin tapped me on the shoulder and said "hey buddy let's experiment." So experiment we did.

Here is my Organic Old Fashioned Oatmeal Slow Cooker Recipe:

2 Cups dry Organic Old Fashioned Oats
2 Cups chopped apples (hand picked from a local orchard adds a little family fun)
2 1/2 Cups milk
1 1/2 Cups water
4 Tbsp. honey
4 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves (or 5-6 crushed bulbs)
coconut oil

Grease your slow cooker with some coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients in your slow cooker set the timer on Low for 4 hours and wait patiently until you have one fine batch of spiced apple oatmeal. mm-mmm good!

Note: to take advantage of the full nutrient power of the oats soak them overnight in yogurt or buttermilk. Sound strange? You bet, but whole grains like oats have phytic acid which binds with the vitamins and minerals in our bodies and prevents them from being absorbed. Soaking them in an acidic medium like buttermilk, whey, yogurt, lemon juice, or vinegar overnight neutralizes the phytic acid and makes them easier to digest.

This post shared on Fight Back Fridays and Real Food Wednesday.

Organic Old Fashioned Oatmeal Slow Cooker Recipe is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Are you looking for a boo-licious Halloween candy that you feel good about giving to all those special spooky kiddies - including your own? I just discovered YummyEarth Organic Lollipops and let me tell you these are the most delightfully delicious opulently organic heavenly Halloween candies I have dared to discover - yowza! I need a breather... Okay, what was I saying before I got a bit distracted by the memory of that first tantalizing taste?

Ah yes YummyEarth Organic Lollipops. These are USDA organic certified kosher allergen-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, casein-free, dairy-free lollipops that are certainly not free of taste. In fact their unique "good for you" formula actually tastes better than regular candy because it is made from all-natural fruit extracts and use red cabbage and purple carrots for color.

Huh? Vegetable Organic Lollipops - Yeah Right

Cabbage and Carrot lollipops you're saying? Um, yes that's what I thought at first but actually you'd never know and even more importantly your kids won't know. The smell and taste of these YummyEarth candies are nothing short of, well Yummy.

YummyEarth lollipops are the perfect treat for Halloween and come in a wide selection of fun to say flavors including Sour Apple Tart, Pomegranate Pucker, Mango Tango, TooBerry Blueberry, Googly Grape, Strawberry Smash, Very Very Cherry, and Wet-Face Watermelon.

This post on YummyEarth Organic Lollipops shared on Fight Back Fridays and Real Food Wednesdays.

YummyEarth Organic Lollipops: A Boo-Licious Halloween Candy is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies