Loose tea tastes better than the powdery stuff that comes in pre-filled bags, but convenience often trumps taste when you’re on the run or at the office. Blomus’ tea stick takes the hassle out of making a proper cuppa. The spring-loaded, stainless-steel gadget is easy to fill and clean, and the many tiny holes make for perfect steeping.

$20.15 at Cooking.com.

Kids get the sniffles all the time, and they almost never have a tissue handy. So what do they use? Their sleeves. And it’s gross. After chasing their toddlers and preschoolers around with tissues, moms Sharon A. Pevsner and J. Kelly Mayes came up with Sniffle Buddies. They’re soft, washable hankies that your kid can wear on his wrist and use to wipe his nose on the go (for proper nose-blowing, he’ll still need a tissue). Made with bamboo and organic cotton, the ultra-soft cloth is naturally anti-bacterial and antifungal, and very absorbent. It keeps germs off of hands and sleeves, making it a perfect, natural line of defense this cold and flu season, too.

$9.99 each (adult sizes, $10.99-$11.99) at SniffleBuddies.com.

The weather is wonderful, so if you’re thinking about squeezing in one more outdoor adventure before the school year really gets under way, now’s the time. The only problem is that all of the bugs in the state seem to have the same idea, and want to share your camp site. Don’t Bite Me offers an all-natural insect repellent in a thin, transdermal patch that promises to protect against biting insects for up to 36 hours. The DEET-free patch is safe for young children; it uses Vitamin B1 and aloe, which are absorbed by the skin and secreted through the body’s pores, to create a barrier against bugs (it even protects parts of the body like the scalp and ears, which are difficult to reach with a regular insect spray). The patch is waterproof and works best if applied two hours before going outside; stick it on the kids while you’re still in the car, and by the time you get to your campsite you’ll be good to go — I mean, stay.

$7.99 for a package of 10 at Don’t Bite Me.

As we get ready for back-to-school this year I am renewing my commitment to producing less waste. So I found these BPA and phthalate-free food storage containers that I am going to use to pack our daughter’s lunch for school. They come in many colors, which is a life-saver, because I was told by none other than our kiddo that everything must be pink.

$18.50 for a set of 4 at PotteryBarnKids.com

Reusable grocery bags are ecologically sound and all, but they fold down to the size of a large three-ring binder, which isn’t all that easy keep in your purse. The Joey Tote takes care of this problem — it stores in it’s own built-in pouch, which is roomy enough to hold another tote or two. The machine-washable, rip-stop nylon bags come in two sizes, and are strong enough to hold about 40 pounds worth of stuff (I shoved two gallons of milk into one of the small totes after my last shopping trip with no problems). The large size is just right for slinging over your shoulder, and the small one is about the same size as a standard plastic grocery bag, and as easy to carry, but much more durable. They’re not just for groceries, either: Keep a three-bag set (one large, two small) in your purse and you’ll always have a way to carry your surplus souvenirs when you travel, or to keep the sandy stuff separate after a family trip to the beach.

$8.50 (large), $7 (small), or $20 (for a set of three) at Joeytotes.com.

With drug-free remedies taking a hit thanks most recently to Zicam, parents should be aware that there are still a few medicine-free cold and allergy treatments out there. Little Allergies Allergen Block is a gel that helps prevent sneezing, runny noses, and nasal congestion by creating a positively charged barrier that stops negatively charged allergens (like ragweed and pollen) before they can cause irritation. Rub the gel around the nostrils and between the nose and upper lip; it’s scent-free and invisible, but provides hours of relief.

$14.99 for a 1-ounce tube (about 150 applications) at drug stores and Drugstore.com.

This time of year, my Black Lab starts shedding like he’s trying to clone himself, and huge clumps of fluffy undercoat drift through the house like tumbleweeds. The FURminator’s newest deShedding tool works like a charm — without chemicals or messy shampoos — to remove all that dull hair and reduce shedding. The latest version has two metal edges to comb out extra fur twice as fast, and you’ll be amazed at how much extra fluff your pet was carrying around.

$24 at Amazon.com. Other sizes, as well as versions for cats, are available at PetCo and PetSmart stores.

Check out these fun and eco-friendly finds from our friends at MomFinds.com and help your kids generate less waste and trash. My favorite is the Waste-Free Lunch Kit — it’s so cute I am sure my daughter would have fun using it.