The Good as Dirt Gift Suggestions

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Bella Luna Toys has a wonderful collection of beautifully-illustrated books for children, some from Europe, some from the U.S. Some are classic favorites and others are new. Many are educational, some just for fun. The wide assortment of picture books and story books is inspired by Waldorf education. Discover a magical collection of books to inspire a child's sense of imagination and wonder!

Under the Nile stuffies are the most wonderful stuffed toys. They are filled with 100 percent organic Egyptian cotton. The scrappy line of toys, like this adorable cat, are stuffed with organic cotton scraps left over from making other fabric toys, hence the name scrappy. They are non-toxic inside and out. No poly foam, no plastic, no synthetic fabric. Natural and biodegradable. Under the Nile's non-toxic products, including clothes, swaddles and accessories, are made in a fair trade factory in Egypt where strict ethical requirements ensure workers are paid well and work in a clean, safe and healthy environment. All their cotton is grown organically and in a biodynamic system also in Egypt, which is a closed biologically-diverse self-sustaining farm system.  Their products are free of Azo colorants, BPA, flame retardants, formaldehyde, fragrance, PVC and lead.

Grimm’s gorgeous heirloom-quality wooden toys are made in Germany and Bosnia from natural timber and colored with non-toxic stains in brilliant colors that penetrate the wood. Founded in 1978, Grimm’s makes toys with a minimal design to encourage imagination and creativity. Their design's are guided by the Waldorf school philosophy and other alternative educational models. Every piece is handmade starting from the hand-sawing of each piece of wood from virgin logs. All of their vibrant stains and plant oils are non-toxic and water-based. The toys do not have a final protective coating in order to preserve the natural characteristics of the wood and give it a velvety soft feel, which also makes it easier for little hands to hold onto.

Defender Shield has a variety of products to protect us from EMF radiation emitted by cell phones, laptops, routers and other equipment. Air tube headphones are a must for using cell phones and other devices because their hollow tube design blocks EMF radiation that you would otherwise be exposed to with traditional wired headphones or wireless products like Bluetooth. Regular wired headphones do not block radiation and in fact deliver a harmful signal directly to your head. Theses air tube headphones are use copper to block Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) electrical signals. They eliminate RF wireless frequencies due to being wired to the device. The hollow air tubes then switch the electrical signal to an acoustic signal, preventing any ELF radiation from reaching your head. They have a built-in microphone and three sizes of silicone ear tips.

This "Activist Bar Soap" has the history to justify its very lofty name. Anact, an eco-friendly business that mainly makes towels, was started by an environmental activist and textile industry veteran who set out to design a bath towel made from hemp and organic cotton. In doing so she started Anact, which stands for "an act" that creates positive change. The soap is made in Jacksonville, FL with organic plant oils, vitamin packed clays and pure essential oils. 

For babies and toddlers, Apple Park's Farm Buddies line of adorable non-toxic stuffies are made with organic cotton and stuffed with a natural organic cotton and corn fiber filling. Buddies like this sweet ballerina mouse are 14 inches high, are GOTS-certified and have eco-friendly child-safe AZO-free dyes. They're free of BPA, phthalates and other harmful chemicals. They come packaged in recycled paper printed with soy inks. 

The wonderful thing about a Swiss Army Knife is that it's endlessly useful. It's a handy stand-in for a missing tool or gadget and it often comes to the rescue in an emergency. The classic well-made Victorinox knife sets last forever and they're a great gift for just about anyone. They are still made in Switzerland, as they have been since 1884, and they come with a lifetime guarantee. 

 Terra Thread's Executive Work Tote for businesspeople is made from 100 percent organic cotton. It fits a ton of stuff, stands up on its own for easy laoding, has a smart professional look and has a pocket for laptops. Purchases support Feeding America's campaign to end hunger by helping to donate meals to kids and families in need.

These wonderful colorful scrunchies are handmade in Peru through a Fair Trade enterprise headquartered in the U. S. I have these scrunchies and they're great. 

Socks from Conscious Step all support different causes -- you have 16 to choose from including The Trevor Project, which these socks pictured here supports. The non-profit works to support LGBTQ young people and prevent suicide within that population. The socks are 75 percent cotton and 23 percent recycled polyester. 

The Environmental Working Group, just tested the effectiveness of a number of free-standing water filtration systems at removing dangerous PFAS chemicals. Their top choice was the Travel Berkey Water Filter. Though it’s suitable to bring along on travels, it’s also appropriate for your kitchen counter. A big bonus is that much of the Berkey is made of metal, not plastic. In addition to PFAS, the filter system also removes a long list of other toxins including heavy metals and inorganic materials. No plumbing hook-up or electricity needed. It comes in several sizes.

When it comes to cooking, nothing says lasting quality like a cast iron pan. It's also non-toxic, unlike some popular cookware, such as aluminum and pans with non-stick surfaces. Lodge Cast Iron has been making pots and pans, including this 9-inch pan here, since 1896. Cast Iron is a great gift for anyone who cooks. 

The White Lily Valley stoneware set from Healthier Homes is a great eco-friendly backdrop for your favorite meals. The durable lead-free dinnerware features the perfect neutral white color to complement just about any table top style, from modern to rustic to traditional, Made from fired ceramic clay, it's also free of other metal metals, including cadmium.

These stylish modern glasses have a fitted bamboo top and glass straw. They're great for gatherings or situations -- like boating or walking -- where your drink might get jostled or you want a protective covering over it. Lead-free and BPA-free. 

Handmade in Turkey from olive trees cut down by farmers after they no longer bear fruit, these beautiful cutting boards rescue timber that would otherwise have been discarded. A recycled copper handle offsets beautifully against the deep olive wood grain. The cutting boards are made in a Fair Trade-certified and family-owned wood workshop. 

Waxed food wraps are great alternatives to plastic film or aluminum. But most are made with beeswax which can be harmful and cruel to bees, depending on where and how the wax is harvested. Consider these vegan ones instead. They make great gifts. They cling nicely to the bowls. The trick there is to fold the wrap on itself to secure it, not on to the bowl. These are made mainly with plant oils and cotton. Non-toxic, cruelty-free. Don't let the name fool you. These are entirely plant-based but the business also makes beeswax wraps, hence the name. They last a long time, a good couple of years. Wash with cold water only to prevent damage to the wax. 

Avocado Green Mattress makes their wooden bath mat of solid FSC American Beech in their Los Angeles workshop. Beech wood is a sustainable hardwood with well-managed growth, and it's not endangered, making it an eco-friendly choice. It is also grown in North America, reducing the carbon impact from associated transportation. Rubber feet help keep secure the mat. It's finished with zero-VOC Ecos wood stain which is organic, non-toxic and odor-free. These comfortable Earth-friendly mats make a great gift for anyone buying or renovating a home. 

This soft waffle weave throw blanket from Zero Waste Store is 100 percent organic, GOTS-certified and sustainably and ethically made. It's woven from premium long-staple cotton and has a double-stitch binding. It's a generous 50" by 70" size and is machine-washable. Colors include white, natural, navy, slate (gray) and forest (dark green) Zero Waste Store has a great collection of sheets, comforters, pillows and towels, all of it organic. 

 This whimiscal cotton rug from Lorena Canals is perfect for a play room or child's room. It's hand-woven in India and the dyes are non-toxic. As they are handmade one by one there may be slight variation from rug to rug. It's 4;7" across and is machine-washable. 

For more than 25 years the Food of Life Persian cookbook has offered delicious recipes from the Middle East. But it is also filled with enriching cultural information about the ancient region, its culinary history and how its cuisine is an important part of its ceremonies, traditions and daily life. 

 Fatal Conveniences warns the world about the hidden and not-so-hidden toxicity of common household products, from cosmetics to clothing to cell phones. It pretty much confirms the nagging thoughts you’ve probably always had about such conveniences wrinkle-free clothes, cell phones, polyester, furniture foam, flame retardants, plastics, cleaning products and food. Toxic chemicals all of it. For cell phones and other devices, we’re being bathed in radiation. The well-researched book is packed with alarming data about so many seemingly-safe products, why they're dangerous, what the health and environmental impacts are and why little is being done to protect the public.

John J. Berger's new book about the climate crisis and what it's going to take to stop it comes out in mid-October and is available for pre-order. In early reviews, "Solving the Climate Crisis" has been called "deeply insightful" and "critically important." A former policy director at The Sierra Club calls it "....a vital tool and voice that is urgently needed right now." Mr. Berger  is an environmental science and policy specialist, prize-winning author, and journalist. A graduate of Stanford and the University of California, he has written and edited 11 books, including three previous books on climate change, and written over 100 articles on climate change and transitioning to clean energy. 

This handsome briefcase is made from cork! Corkor's cruelty-free faux leather accessories are all made in Portugal where its cork is harvested sustainably from the renewable bark of cork trees. Harvesting the cork is a win-win for the environment as the trees absorb more carbon dioxide from the air after bark has been removed to facilitate the regrowing of new bark. 

Corkor's faux leather products are vegan and Peta-approved. They look, feel and behave like leather but are plant-based and cruelty-free. This slim bifold wallet has a minimalist design and perfect for someone who doesn't need any extras or unnecessary details.

This faux leather purse with front zips is all cork. Corkor's cruelty-free accessories are all made in Portugal where the cork bark is harvested sustainably from FSC-certified cork oak trees. Harvesting the cork is a win-win for the environment as the trees are not harmed and the bark grows back and, as it does, the trees absorb a greater level of carbon dioxide from the air.

This cruelty-free bag is all cork. No leather! Corkor's cruelty-free faux leather accessories are all made in Portugal where its cork is harvested sustainably from the renewable bark of FSC-certified cork trees. Corkor owns and runs its own workshop so they're able to directly ensure the quality and craftsmanship of their products.

This clutch style cork wallet for women has lot of room for cards, money and other valuables. It folds to clutch size and snap shut securely. Eco-friendly, cruelty-free and stylish. Peta-approved and vegan. Comes in several different rich colors. 

This traditional style belt looks like leather but it's entirely cork. Corkor has a nice line of handsome vegan belts, all made in their own workshop in Portugal from the bark of cork oak trees.