The Green Parent

When Christine Stewart was pregnant with her first child, she began to look at the products she was using on herself and in her home and the food she was eating. What an eye-opening experience to discover that just because something is sold in the store doesn’t mean that it is safe for use or consumption—many of them can do serious harm to our bodies and our planet. She began to try to find safer alternatives to her favorite products. While there are lots of companies out there offering green options (certainly many more now than there were then), there were just some products that she couldn’t find—so she made her own. As friends would see the things Christine and her family were using, they would encourage her to sell them. Reluctantly, she began to do so. And there began . When asked why she named the company “For My Kids”, Christine replied “All our products are really the result of my desire to protect my own children from harm—hence the name For My Kids. While these products are safe enough “for my kids” they aren’t just for kids. I think the whole concept behind going green is an altruistic one, so the green-conscious people that are interested in these types of alternatives generally have the same desires to protect their families by making their homes safer and to protect the planet for future generations. The name For My Kids invokes that same feeling of unselfish concern for the welfare of others that is behind the green movement.”

Farmer’s Markets

315 South Chestnut Street

McKinney, Texas 75069

972-562-8790

All of the vendors are committed to offering at least 60% of their wares grown by them. The remaining 40% must be local (which means within 70 miles of McKinney) and they are asked to know their vendors so they can answer customer questions. The Historic Downtown McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square opens on April 25, 2009 and runs through October 31, 2009. Local and organic meat, dairy and produce vendors will offer their wares from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM every Saturday.

1010 South Pearl Expressway

Dallas, Texas 75201

214-670-5879

The Dallas Farmers Market emphasizes locally grown goods through the Verified Local Farmer program. These farmers, who sell their own produce, grown within a 150-mile radius of Dallas, can be found in Shed 1 and are clearly identified by the signs. On Saturdays, you’ll find verified local farmers selling meat, poultry, eggs and produce that are organically, naturally, sustainable and conventionally grown. The Dallas Farmers Market is open for retail sales from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM 362 days a year.

Grocery Stores

Cox Farms Market

1026 South Main Street

Duncanville, Texas 75137

(972) 283-8851

Cox Farms Market focuses on local produce and fruit. It also has a grocery section with all of your natural and organic favorites.

(various locations throughout the North Texas area)

Whole Foods Market is the world’s leader in natural and organic foods, with more than 270 stores in North America and the United Kingdom. They seek out the finest natural and organic foods available, maintain the strictest quality standards in the industry, and have an unshakeable commitment to sustainable agriculture.

702 North Buckner Boulevard

Dallas, Texas 75218

(214) 319-SPOT

The Green Spot is the first of its kind Healthy Convenience store and gas station with regular unleaded gas, diesel gas blended with biodiesel and B100 biodiesel. The Green Spot offers healthy, organic, natural food and beverages as well as some personal care products. Also come to The Green Spot for organic and fair trade coffee, a natural soda fountain, fresh produce, gourmet sandwiches, breakfast tacos and more. The Green Spot utilizes eco-friendly cups and utensils made from corn plastic and other compostable materials and other eco-friendly supplies.

Herb Stores

503 East 2nd Street

Irving, Texas 75060

(972) 579-7042

Huge selection of herbs. Enough said.

Gardening Centers

813 Straus Road

Cedar Hill, Texas 75104

(972) 291-7650

6855 Greenville Avenue

Dallas, TX 75231

(214) 987-0204‎

BLISS is committed to using high quality ingredients from organically-grown sources in all of their 100% raw and organic cuisine and refreshments. They use seasonal and local wherever possible.