Reducing Paper Consumption and Recycling Paper Makes a Huge Difference- Some Statistics that Remind You Why You Should Be Green

According to Wiki Answers, the average business uses about 1 pound of paper per day per employee! Do you think you could use less paper? How about your office or school?

Once you reduce your paper consumption as much as you can, the next step is recycling. Wiki Answers suggests that recycling one ton of paper saves:
* approximately 13 trees
* 2.5 barrels of oil
* 4100 Kilowatt hours of Electricity
* 4 cubic meters of landfill, 141 cubic feet
* 31,780 liters of water, or 8,395 gallons
* 60 pounds less of air pollution

StunningPaper Recycling Facts (from RecyclingRevolution.com)
* If all our newspaper was recycled, we could save about 250,000,000 trees each year!
* The amount of wood and paper we throw away each year is enough to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years if we recycled it all!
* In 1993, U.S. paper recovery saved more than 90,000,000 cubic yards of landfill space.

I hope these statistics inspire you to reduce, reuse, and recycle all the paper you are responsible for and maybe even to help get paper recycling into your office and/ or schools!

You may also like to read You Can Recycle Even Stuff You Thought Was Trash!

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You can recycle even stuff you thought was trash- like drink pouches, and storage bags!

Here is something totally cool I just found out about! TerraCycle is the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste. TerraCycle works with over thirty major brands in the U.S. and in a growing number of other countries to collect used packaging and products (chip bags, candy wrappers, juice pouches, pens, toothbrushes, etc.) that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It repurposes that waste into new eco-friendly materials and products! The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s Brigade programs, which are free fundraisers that pay schools and non-profits for every piece of waste they collect and return. That is so cool!

Hopefully, you already reduce the amount of this waste that you consume but it is so great that Terracycle helps recycle this stuff that would otherwise end up in landfills!! You just send them your trash (they have a complete list of things they accept on their site and you can do it as a group or individually) and they pay your shipping and donate money per unit of waste and then make cool products out of it! Drink pouches become fencing material!

TerraCycle also runs free national collection programs that pay non-profits and schools TerraCycle has exclusive partnerships with major CPG companies such as Kraft Foods, Frito Lay (Pepsi), Stonyfield Farm, Mars Wrigley and many more. The partnerships create free collection programs that pay schools and non-profits nationwide to collect used packaging such as drink pouches, energy bar wrappers, yogurt cups, cookie wrappers, chip bags and more! The collected materials are upcycled into affordable, high quality products ranging from tote bags and purses to shower curtains and kites. In addition, TerraCycle works with these partners to find innovative uses for all of their waste streams and, by making products from these various waste streams, TerraCycle prevents 1000’s of tons of waste from going to landfills.

Go forth and recycle even more than you did before!! Be a real leader and go to your community schools and start collection bins in the cafeteria to recycle "trash" and earn money for the schools. Go ahead and make a huge difference and pat yourself on the back! Leave me a comment if do this already or feel inspired to do so now!

You may also like to read How to Go Green While Scrapbooking.

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Going Green Tips for an Urban Environment

This is a guest post by Metro DC Mom. She is a mom of two boys, wife, runner, (temporarily retired) librarian, writer, and wannabe running coach. She does her best to lead a green lifestyle in the nation's capital, while still taking advantage of all the area has to offer."

With a blog titled “Metro DC Mom”, you might guess we live in a very urban area. You'd be right. While we do live in a neighborhood of single family homes, the lots are small and the neighborhood is surrounded by apartments, condos, and businesses. I once thought that such a scenario would make it more difficult to live a green life. While in some ways that is true, in other ways, living in an urban environment actually makes it easier to be green.

I don't have the space to grow a garden. I have one sunny corner of my yard and we manage to grow a few tomatoes and cucumbers each year, but that's about it. I don't compost any food items because of the proximity of my compost pile to the playset (which was literally built around a tree. My house is 60 years old and would require major renovations to stop the energy leaking through the walls (my bedroom closet acts as an extra beer fridge in the winter.) I'd love to hang clothes out to dry, but my backyard is nearly non existent and hanging clothes in the front just seems wrong.

But there are some ways we can be green precisely because we live in an urban city environment:
1. We mow our lawn with an electric lawnmower that we plug in. (Our neighbor actually mows his with one of the old reel lawn mowers!)
2. We can (and do) walk to the library, a grocery store, lots of shops, and plenty of restaurants. When we want to go farther than that, we can easily get to public transportation.
3. The miniscule size of my house makes me “reduce, reuse, and recycle”, even if I didn't want to be green. I have to think about every purchase I make as our house is FULL. Nothing comes in without a purpose any more and I try to donate things as soon as the boys outgrow them.
4. While a trip to a farm is a day's adventure, we have several close by farmer's markets. When time does not allow, we also have the option of two different companies that deliver organic vegetables and milk and a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture- has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer) drops off just down the street. When all else fails, we can walk to a Whole Foods.
5. Our county offers a wonderful curbside recycling program and we take full advantage of it.

I'm sure there are lots more ways I can go green in an urban environment. I'd love to hear from others about how and where they live affects what they can/can't do to live green.

You may also like to read Reducing Your Impact Through Promoting Local Farming.

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Reduce Your Impact through Promoting Localized Farming

This is a guest post by Kori Bubnack and it addresses the reduction of biodiversity that has been speedily occurring in our crop production over the last century. I am always amazed at the variety of heirloom seeds available and it is really fun to grow some unfamiliar varieties of vegetables to add something new to your table.

Promoting Localized Farming and Sustainability Through Conservation

“In other environmental issues we tell people to stop something, reduce their impact,
reduce their damage,” states US Ecologist Gary Nabhan in a recent interview. Nabhan
is a ethnobotanist/gardener whose promotion of biodiversity has caught the attention
of many over the years. He is known for his work in biodiversity as an ethnobotanist.
Since Coming Home to Eat was published in 2001, the local food movement has ignited, causing a worldwide green epidemic.


There has been a dramatic rise over the past few years in the number of organizations and businesses that have contributed to the promotion of sustainability through conservation. The Earth Day Network has been playing a large part in bringing conservationist and green enthusiasts together, sharing ideas and discussing new ways to support the planet. Other large organizations and non-profits like Doug Band and the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative) have been working on successful emission reduction projects in the San Francisco Bay area.While climate control has continued to worsen, collaborative and individual acts are vitalfor any successful green campaign. As human beings, we’re constantly told to reduce our carbon footprint, consume less unhealthy foods, and spend less time in the shower! But let’s take a minute to step back and look at this from a different perspective; one that Gary Nabhan strongly suggests.

According to The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization-
Only about a quarter of crop diversity is left and that a dozen species now gives 90% of the animal protein eaten globally. In accordance, just 4 crop species supply half of plant based calories in the human diet.

Eating foods that are home-grown, Nabhan suggests, will have a greater impact on sustainability for our planet as a whole. Otherwise known as “eat what you conserve,” is a well-established theory in that by eating the fruits and vegetables that we are attempting to conserve/save, we’re promoting the granular dissemination of various plant species.

Agriculturist Marco Contiero also mentions that “biodiversity is an essential characteristicof any sustainable agricultural system, especially in the context of climate change.”[1]According to Conterio’s theory, this would suggest that as individuals we tend our own crops/ plants, and should make sure to purchase localized farm products at supermarkets and groceries. In the end, this condenses export/import reliance, thus reducing our carbon footprint.

Both theories rely profoundly on an action oriented approach of conservation and
sustainability. With an abundance of green movements following Earth Day 2010,
organizations and individuals have taken a stronger following to expert opinions like the ones demonstrated by both of these highly influential agriculturalists.

What can you do to help preserve crop biodiversity of our food crops?
Be sure to visit your local farmers marketing to purchase your fresh fruits and vegetables. As eco-conscious individuals, don’t hesitate to stop the next time you drive by a yard stand with fresh crops. Promoting biodiversity and localized farming is a crucial piece of the conservation puzzle.

About the author, Kori Bubnack:
I'm a political science graduate and currently attending grad school. After taking a few different classes in undergrad on environmental issues and how they relate to politics I sort of feel in love with the subject. I recently came across the mommy blogging network and realized how many moms are out there that have an interest in this too. I decided I wanted to start reaching out to them because they can really make a difference.


Here are my little ones showing off all the diversity of pumpkins at at the Nashville Farmer's Market.

You may also like to read 15 Easy Ways to Go Green and Save Money.

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I Wish I Traveled As Much As My Food! Why buying local is important!

This is a guest post by Diane from Turning Back the Clock One Eco-Friendly Step at a Time Blog. I love her blog and I am sure you will to so go ahead and check it out!


I am always looking for educational opportunities to share with my children during the day and a trip to the grocery store is a geography lesson all by itself. Apples from New Zealand, oranges from South Africa, and grapes from Chili...the list of countries goes on and on. We hear every day how we live in a 'global economy' but what price to we pay for transporting our food halfway across the country before we eat it? There is a wonderful resource that you can read that is published by the National Resource Defense Council that goes into great detail about this topic. I am going to bore you with a couple of statistics...stick with me for just a minute!

According to the Center for Health and the Global Environment, food that is allowed to ripen on the vine is more nutritious. Since food that is coming from across the world cannot be allowed to ripen on the vine, it's nutritional value is lacking compared to locally grown produce.

According to the NRDC: "Imports by airplane have a substantial impact on global warming pollution. In 2005, the import of fruits, nuts, and vegetables into California by airplane released more than 70,000 tons of CO2, which is equivalent to more than 12,000 cars on the road."

Obviously, the increased air pollution caused by food transportation has an impact on the allergy and asthma rates in this country. Just one of many ways that air pollution impacts our health!

Okay, enough statistics! You know those apples, grapes and oranges I mentioned earlier? Those are all items which grow in my region! I live in Central Georgia. North Georgia has apples, Muscadine
grapes grow wild all around my town, and Florida (only a few hours away by truck!)is probably one of the most prolific orange growing regions in the country! So why is my food making a trans continental journey?

One big problem is that we Americans are slightly spoiled. (really?) We want asparagus in August and apples in February. If we want zucchini in March we are going to need to import it from somewhere hot since it will not grow in the U.S in March. One important aspect of eating a more locally grown diet is learning to appreciate and enjoy the produce that is in season!

So, what does this mean for my
weekly shopping list? I still have a family to feed, right? What I try and do is buy as close to my home as possible. If it is a choice between North Carolina blueberries or California strawberries, this week...we eat blueberries.

I choose organic foods whenever possible. There is a great article put out by the Mayo Clinic all about organic food. I won't go into detail but the effects of pesticides and fertilizers from traditional farming range from the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico to possible increased risks of cancer, neurological issues and possible hormone imbalances. These are all things listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as possible results of pesticide exposure. Since my family is obsessed with bananas and I cannot find bananas growing locally, I choose
organic, which I can easily find in my local Publix. It's not local, but I like to think I have reduced my carbon footprint a little bit by buying organic.

Shop your local farmer's markets! Here in Georgia, zucchini grows like a weed in the summer. Farmers are practically GIVING it away! If you would like to find a farmer's market in your area, check out Local Harvest.org. Learn to preserve your summer bounty either by canning, freezing, pickling, etc. I recently got a book called Put 'Em Up by Storey Publishing to help me learn to preserve the items I can find in season. I will be reviewing and offering a giveaway of this book in a couple weeks so keep your eye out on my blog if you are interested in reading it! Peppers and onions can be sliced and/or diced and frozen back in convenient quantities for use in winter recipes. Last year, I stocked up on peaches and after removing the skins and slicing (15 minutes TOTAL for 3 pounds!) I froze them and made peach crisp several times over the winter. It does take some planning but it is not difficult to do!

Find a farmer! Use Local Harvest to find meat and poultry farmers, as well as produce. Some farmers require that you buy in bulk but if you can't afford it or don't have the room in your freezer, find a friend to buy a share with you! Nothing compares to the taste of grass fed beef!

There are so many more issues surrounding our food production system than I
have touched on in this article. The recent egg recalls have brought to light the
horrors of factory farmed eggs, however local legislation (at least here in Georgia)
makes it impossible for us to take control of our own egg production by raising
chickens. In my county, I can't have even ONE chicken unless I own *3 ACRES*
of land. Other issues like the increased resistance of bacteria to antibiotics has
been attributed to the massive use of antibiotics in livestock. Food born illnesses
are on the rise. Not to mention the humanitarian issues surrounding the raising of factory farmed animals.

Have you ever told your young child "Don't put that in your mouth, you don't know where it has been!"? I think more people need to take this same advice when it comes to the food they eat!

You may also like to read 6 Tips to Save Money by Being Green.

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Tips on How to Go Green While Scrapbooking

The following is a guest post by the author of Green Home Green Business and Go Green Live Long Blog.

Despite the fact that scrapbooking involves using tons paper, the idea of scrapbooking and going green at the same time can actually be done. One way of keeping the waste to a minimum is by recycling the products you can no longer use instead of throwing everything away.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Reuse Paper
A lot of the paper products used for scrapbooking are sold in specialty packaging that costs a lot of money. A great way to save money and be more eco friendly when scrapbooking, is by using recycled paper instead. You can also make this popular hobby green by recycling and reusing any products you don’t finish. This includes scraps of paper which can be repurposed as page borders, embellishments, etc.

Reuse household "junk"
Reusing household “junk” is another way to save money and still be green because packaging, clothing tags, and other odds and ends from around the house can find new life as scrapbooking material. Don’t buy fake (and expensive) scrapbooking buttons when you can reuse real buttons from an old shirt. Cut off the buttons and set them aside, then cut up the shirt for rags. You can use the rags for cleaning your stamps or simply glue it to some cardboard and use for a paper-piecing project. Interesting art from junk mail and magazines can also be given a second life in scrapbooks.


Share Supplies
Offer to share supplies with a few other scrapbookers. This will provide you with access to more cool stuff that you each may need and save money!

Organize your scrapbook supplies
If you really want to have an eco-friendly scrapbooking experience, organization will be the key. As long as you keep all of your scraps and other supplies well-arranged, you won’t end up buying lots of stuff that you already have. This way, you can go green, have fun, and save money at the same time!

You may also like to read Reducing Paper Consumption and Paper Recycling Statistics.

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How much do you recycle?

Recycling Statistics
I think this infographic is awesome and really helps you get a visual of recycling statistics. Did you know it takes about 2500 years for a disposable diaper to degrade? Did you know that styrofoam is not often recycled (though it can be) and it stay around for ever?

Infographic by Recycle - Don't bin it, recycle it

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Autumn Gardening

This is a guest post. I think gardening is a great way to go green and grow your own organic vegetables. It is also fun for me and my kids love to help dig, plant, water, and pick! Of course, flowers make a beautiful addition to any yard. Start out with a small patch and add to it each year!

Autumn Gardening Tips

After all the bloom and activity of the spring and summer, autumn is a moment of calm in the garden. If you’re lucky, the first few weeks of autumn will be an Indian summer making it a pleasant time to potter in the garden and get everything sorted ready for a winter rest. This article guides you through some of the main areas of autumn garden care enabling you to prepare your garden for a healthy fruitful spring.

Fall Gardening Tips-

If you have a green house, early autumn is the time to use it to house plants which are vulnerable to frost and the winter cold. If you do not have a green house, then a conservatory or utility room are suitable alternatives.

Autumn is a good time for clearing and tidying the garden. If you continue to dead head your bedding plants and perennials you can prolong their flowering further into autumn. As it is a great time of year for planting spring bulbs, autumn is a good time to consider whether you want to make rearrangements or changes in the garden. If you want to make major changes, you could dig up some lawn to make a new bed for spring bulbs, or tackle that part of the garden which has never been a success and plant some bulbs there. In terms of landscaping, autumn is also a good time to lay new lawn; however, this is only advisable if the soil is relatively dry and not too wet.

If you have tall and long reaching plants, autumn is the time to reinforce their support to ensure they can survive the strong winds of autumn and winter. This may require more than just a single support, so it could be worth considering investing in some sturdy supports such as ring or maypole structures.

It’s great to get garden maintenance over and done with in the autumn. Clear out gutters and water butts in preparation for heavy rainfalls. If you have canes or nets you required in summer but no longer need in autumn, take them down, clean and store them. Sharpen tools and fix ladders, sheds, or other equipment in preparation for their heavy use in the spring and summer months.

Clear and collect falling leaves throughout the autumn as these are great to add to your compost. Try to avoid burning or trashing any of your autumn garden waste and instead compost as much as you can.

Grant performs Garden design in Surrey. He loves to give advice on gardening throughout the seasons for beginners or even experts.

If you can't grow everything, you may also like to read Why Buying Local Food is Important and Go Green with Essential Oils.

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Mother Nature Network and Green Lifestyle

Have you heard of the Mother Nature Network yet? I just discovered it and I think it is great. It is basically a community driven site that desires to help "improve your world." They have a very broad definition of "world" and use it to encompass many different aspects— your family, your health, your lifestyle, your business, your community… AND your planet. I think they do a great job of being informative and fun!

About Mother Nature Network:
"With a goal of providing the most accurate and up-to-date news and information available, we cover the broadest scope of environmental and social responsibility issues on the internet. And, we do so in a way that is engaging and easy-to-understand. As opposed to scientists, activists or experts—MNN is designed for the rest of us—everyday people who simply want to make our world better."

Special features include:

* THE DAILY BRIEFING: Get a speed read of the morning headlines: From politics to health to transportation, our green cowboy ropes in the most interesting, must-read stories from around the Web every weekday.
* ASK MOTHER NATURE: Get guidance and tips from our advice team on everything from safe cookware to raising a green pet.
* ECO-GLOSSARY: Definitions for hundreds of terms—from the simple to the most complex.
* TRANSLATING UNCLE SAM: Information on government sites can be confusing to say the least. This feature translates that information into much simpler language—using interactives and engaging graphics.
* STATE REPORTS: State-by-state news and information. Find out what’s happening in your own backyard.
* NEWSLETTERS: Get daily tips and solutions sent straight to your in-box with free newsletters that offer coverage on green innovation, seasonal recipes, clean air, and the best ways to lead a sustainable lifestyle.
* FEATURED BLOGGERS: Get ideas on transportation, food, home, travel, and business by following some of the most respected personalities in their field.

Speaking of featured bloggers, you can check out my 6 Everyday Green Tips on Mother Nature Network. You can also like the Mother Nature Network facebook page if you want occasional highlights brought to you!

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Going GREEN this school year!

Guest post by Karyn Climans of Tail Wags Helmet Covers Inc. www.karynclimans.com

Everyone is getting on the GREEN bandwagon and I’m the first to applaud this
initiative. After all, it’s in our best interests to reduce waste and decrease our
dependence on scarce natural resources. With back to school on everyone’s
mind, I’ve put together a GREEN checklist for parents:

• An obvious way to reduce waste is to send packed lunches in re-useable
containers. When I used to teach, the mountains of garbage in the
lunchroom always appalled me.
• Label your kids’ stuff! It saves having to re-buy school supplies and
clothing if your child’s misplaced items get returned to you. I highly
recommend Mabel’s Labels, www.mabel.ca, as a great product (the labels
actually stick!).
• Buy used textbooks. It will save you a ton of money because used books
sell for 50% of the original cost but, more importantly, re-using products
reduces the amount of stuff that ends up in our landfill sites.
• Encourage teachers NOT to re-order the latest edition of textbooks each
year. Usually, there are only minor changes with each new edition so the
only people benefitting from this practice are the book publishers.
• Ask if your children can submit their homework via email or portable USB
drive in order to help reduce the paper trail.
• Encourage your child to ride their bike or walk to school and make
sure they lock it up properly when they get there. Unless they have
a huge project to hand in, there’s no reason to drive them to school.
Even on rainy days, kids won’t melt in the rain. Snow is also not a good
excuse for driving because it’s even more fun to walk home on a snowy
day. It may take longer to get home because of the snowball fights
and snow angels but who cares! What’s the rush when you’re a kid?
• Please make sure your child always wears their safety helmet when riding
their bike. Worried they may lose their safety helmet … that’s another way
Mabel’s Labels can help!

Do you have anything else you’d like to add to my list? Would love to hear
from you with your suggestions and comments!


If you enjoyed this post, you may also want to read 5 Ways to Go Green: Everyday Eco-friendly Tips

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Back to School the Green Way

This is a guest post by Beth Aldrich who is a Certified Health & Nutrition Counselor, Healthy-Lifestyle-Green Living Expert, Author and mother of three boys. Her new book, Real Moms Love To Eat (Penguin NAL, fall 2011) will take you on a love affair of healthy, whole foods! You can also check out her Real Moms Love To Eat Blog.
This post is particularly relevant to me because I have a child starting kindergarten and I will be packing her lunches!

Back to school time presents a great opportunity for children and parents alike, to take another look at ways the family can live more earth-friendly throughout the year. One easy way is to make school lunches green.

For school lunches, using reusable containers is responsible,economical, and an easy way to save our environment as well as your hard earned dollars. With dozens of great options from lead/vinyl/PVC free, to American made 100% organic cotton - there’s an eco-friendly, reusable lunch bag solution for everyone! When a "brown bag" lunch creates between 4–8 ounces of garbage every day (about 100 pounds per year!), it only makes sense to switch to simple, reusable, sustainable solutions.

One zero-waste solution for all of your lunch packing needs is the colorful and fun Kids Konserve waste-free lunch kits! With a squiggle Ice Pak & Cover made of non-toxic, biodegradable material, that fits perfectly on the bottom of the lunch kits, your child's lunch will stay cold for hours; and and the ice pack doesn't sweat!

Most earth conscious parents know that using disposable plastic water bottles bottles are a big no-no. Instead, consider using reusable stainless steel water bottles form KleanKanteen, to avoid adding the mounting plastic that occupies our landfills (taking almost 1000 years to break down in nature). These bottles are BPA-free and come in a variety of sizes and colors.

Going green can be effortless for children and still very rewarding, by using reusable containers for their school lunches.

Lots more research and information on how much money you can save packing waste free lunches at wastefreelunches.org

You may also like to read Actions Kids can Take to Go Green.

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Quick and Simple Actions Kids Can Take to Go Green

Guest post by Beth Aldrich, a Certified Health & Nutrition Counselor, Healthy-Lifestyle-Green Living Expert, Author and mother of three boys. Her new book, Real Moms Love To Eat (Penguin NAL, fall 2011) will take you on a love affair of healthy, whole foods! You read more of her blogging at Green Moms and Real Moms Love to Eat.

Children love to help out and want to fit in when it comes to going and living green. Every day, you can give your children earth friendly practices and responsibilities to add to their daily routines, where in the long run, will become healthy lifestyle habits and earth stewardship for years to come.

Let's break it down by ages:

Go Green Tips for Preschoolers

Young children just want to be a part of everything so why not let them?

* Digging for Worms- There’s nothing better than digging in the mud and being allowed to do it. Have your child help you dig in the dirt to plant container gardens for family herbs or veggies or even to dig a hole in the yard for a new tree (in their honor for good “green” behavior).
* Blue Bin It-Encourage even the smallest of children to put plastic items and newspapers/magazines into the blue recycle bins. Make it a like a basketball game, trying to see how many plastic bottles or wads of paper they can “score” in the bin.
* Water Wizzards-Encourage children to turn off the water and “plug the sink” to wash their hands with a basin full of water. Playing in water is fun but the constant flow of water isn’t for the planet. Scrub, dip and rinse (repeat for extra fun).
* Pick Up Treasures-One’s man’s trash is another man’s gold, or so they say. One fun way to get little ones involved with earth preservation is to go out on a trash hunt and collect as many wrappers, papers, etc. as possible, but remember to wash your hands when you’re through!
* Plant a Tree, Bush or Flower-Kids love to play in the dirt, so let them. Include little ones in on the planting fun. They love to get close to nature and squish around in the mud and they like to help out.
* Lo-Cal Motion-Children are never too young to get involved and help pick out food items at the local farmer’s market. They get to interact with all of the adults and they get to pick out their favorite fruit and veggies for the week. Let your child even hand the money over to the farmers for transactions, learning how to interact with adults and to learn about coins and paper money.



Ways for Elementary School Kids to Go Green

Grade School-aged children are very helpful and love to find ways to get involved and feel important.

* Fill the Bowl-Have your child place a bowl of water underneath the water stream while he brushes his teeth. Time how long it takes to fill the bowl. Then, have him brush his teeth without having the water running (but still have a small cup filled with water next to the sink). Explain to him that every time you brush your teeth for XX seconds, he uses up a full bowl full of clean, pure water that could be used during his bath or next teeth brushing. Then, make it a rewarded task for your child to brush each day without running the faucet.
* Eyeglass Savers-Have your children search around the house or ask friends for old eyeglasses to donate to the Lions Clubs International, in partnership with Airwear® eyeglass lenses to help put the world in focus for more people. Elementary-aged children will feel wonderful knowing that their efforts were put to worldly-good use.
* Re-Bag It-Sometimes it difficult to NOT use plastic bags for school lunches, at times. Instead, offer points to your children when they bring the plastic bags back home to be rinsed and re-used later in the week. You’ll save money and keep unwanted plastic out of landfills! Point systems work well with grade-schoolers because they like to keep track of things. When the desired amount of points are earned reward them with a special movie night or plant planted in their honor. They can even help plant, making them feel their efforts created the opportunity.
* Re-Distribute-Buy in bulk to save on packaging and have your child help you fill or refill up soap, cereal and snack containers around the house—reminding them that less packaging keeps our landfills less cluttered.
* Walk it Off-Children love to discover outdoors, try walking with your child to school, the bus or even to the store when feasible, giving them extra fitness throughout the day.
* Junk Mail Avengers- Each year, 100 million trees are cut down and turned into junk mail, with Americans receiving a total of 400 million tons of it every year. Earthworks Group, an environmental consulting firm, said cutting out junk mail is one of the most effective things people can do to reduce pollution. Don't just let it keep coming...get on the phone and make it known that you want off their mailing lists.
Older Kids Go Green Tips

Older children can really be helpful around the house when trying to green up the place! They want responsibilities to feel needed and you can always use the help.

* Unplug unused appliance, computers, printers and iPod or phone chargers for a quick energy pick-me-up. Older children are capable and feel responsible when asked to do these trickier tasks.
* Pack a waste-free lunch: Go a step further than re-using plastic bags, try to eliminate plastic bags all together, including, plastic utensils, disposable containers, and those brown bags. Instead use a PBA-freelunchbox, reusable drink container, and silverware. Have your child help you find odd pieces of used silverware at a second-hand store so you don't lose parts of your good set. Sandwiches, fresh fruit, vegetables and treats packaged in reusable containers are healthy alternatives to cafeteria and prepackaged foods.
* Walking Green-Older children are safe to walk to school alone, so have your older child ride her bike or walk with friends, reminding them that they get extra fitness along the way, saving you unnecessary driving to and from school five days a week!
* Portable Music-Older children nowadays love to download music onto their portable music devices, so absolutely encourage them to download tunes instead of purchasing them at the store. Each month, more than 45 tons of CDs become obsolete -- outdated or unwanted -- and end up in landfills. AND, you can reward them with points all week long for recycling, turning off water, etc. so they can rack up enough points to earn a downloadable gift card for music, games or movies.
* Donate Gently Used Sport/Activity Equipment-Older kids are involved in a variety of activities, from soccer to ballet. Encourage them to gather up unused or “grown out of” equipment to donate to co-op equipment shops, in exchange for larger equipment if needed. When kids see that they are helping eliminate landfill waste AND helping someone in need get outfitted for an activity it increases self worth and self-esteem.
* It’s the Pits- When you buy deodorant for teens, try to avoid antiperspirants, which use aluminum salts to seal up your pores. In addition to being a potential health toxin, aluminum takes a tremendous amount of energy to mine. If you buy one stick of aluminum-free deodorant, the energy saved could power your laptop for 30 minutes—and any teen will tell you more laptop time is good time spent!
* Green Investing-It’s never too young to teach your teen about green investing. Have a small amount of money set aside (perhaps from a child’s allowance) for eco-investing, where the teen can choose stocks or mutual funds that that buy environmentally friendly assets—with a little help from mom and dad. You can teach your child that green investing means buying into mainstream companies that encourage sound environmental policies and sustainability, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy and green building.

Thanks again to Beth Aldrich, of Green Moms and Real Moms Love to Eat.

You may also like to read Back to School the Green Way.

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15 Easy Ways to Go Green AND Save Money

This post is by a guest blogger. She is the self described,"Environmentalist, Wildlife Warrior, Book Lover, Green Gal, Nature Nut, BeachcomberChristian Homeschool Mom of 2 boys on the FL coast", author of Is There A Bathroom on This Ship? Blog. Click the blog button to check out her great blog.

Think going green is too expensive? Think again. Here are 15 simple ways to go green and save green at the same time!

1. Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins. A friend blessed me with a beautiful king sized sheet, but I don't have a king sized bed. I cut it into 16-inch squares and stitched the edging by hand (I don't have a sewing machine). My family has lovely cloth napkins that can be washed and used again and again. Use fabric remnants you already have or search for inexpensive fabric at thrift stores.

2. Make some of your own household cleaners. Vinegar, water, baking soda, and lemon juice work wonders for most household cleaning tasks. Check your local library for books such as Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan to find specific recipes and instructions for making many different types of cleaners.

3. Start a compost pile. It's a great way to reuse vegetable and fruit scraps, thus cutting down on the amount of trash you're sending to the landfill. Visit Composting 101 for specific information on what to compost and how. If you cannot have a compost pile where you live (i.e. you're renting, it's forbidden by community deed restrictions, wildlife such as venomous snakes make it dangerous, etc.), consider making a homemade tumbler out of a garbage bin. You'll end up with a nutrient-rich soil that's fabulous for your outdoor plants and/or garden.

4. Reuse your junk mail. Any paper without writing can be reused for making shopping lists, library lists, children's art doodling, etc. When you're finished, add it to your paper recycling bin, and take pride that you gave it a second life.

5. Wash in cold water. Yes, I said cold water. Your laundry will be effectively cleaned, and you'll save energy not using heated water (not to mention it will keep your electric/gas bill lower).

6. Hang laundry to dry. If you are able to use an outdoor clothesline, by all means harness the sun's energy to dry your laundry instead of using a dryer. Community deed restrictions, apartment/condo dwelling, weather, and other factors often make outdoor drying impossible though. In those cases, utilize your indoor space to air dry at least some of your laundry. An inexpensive garment rack or shower rod will work wonderfully. Not only will you reap the benefits of a lower electric or gas bill, but your clothing will last longer not going through the wear and tear of the dryer.

7. Support your local farmers, especially those using organic or certified natural methods. Visit Local Harvest to find farms, farmer's markets, CSA's, and co-ops in your area. Most farmer's markets do offer local produce, but many have it trucked in from hundreds of miles away - don't be afraid to ask where it's from. Buying local and in season will save you money and cut down on the amount of fossil fuels being used to transport produce to your table.

8. Give growing some of your own produce a try if you live in an area where local farms are not abundant or you really enjoy gardening. A USDA Hardiness Zone Finder for North America through search engines or search your local library for books pertaining to growing in your zone/state to help you achieve optimum results. Consider lasagna gardening as an inexpensive way to get started. Also consider checking with local bakeries for 5-gallon buckets they no longer need. Many places will give them to you for free, and they make excellent containers for growing herbs and some vegetables (be sure they food grade quality and did not previously contain any chemicals or hazardous materials).

9. Reuse your old or worn out clothing. Socks can be use for cleaning window blinds and ceiling fans. T-shirts can be turned into cleaning rags. Jeans and other clothing items can be redesigned into a rag quilt.

10. Don't use the heated dry feature on your dishwasher. Simply turn off the dishwasher at the end of the wash cycle, and leave the door ajar slightly to allow dishes to air dry.

11. Don't allow the water to run while you brush your teeth. It seems logical enough, but how many people are guilty? My husband for one! Not only will you save a precious resource, you'll cut down on your water bill if you are charged for your usage.

12. Reuse glass jars. Glass doesn't leach chemicals, so it's a far better choice for storage than plastic. Jelly jars, mayo jars, pasta sauce jars ... you name it ... are fantastic for storing dried beans, popcorn, nuts like almonds, pecans, and walnuts, dried herbs, etc.

13. Shop yard sales, thrift stores, and rummage sales as much as possible. Buying used instead of new will lessen the load on our landfills and can help reduce our dependence on petroleum.

14. Combine trips. Plan your trips to combine as many errands/stops as possible to reduce your vehicle's mileage and fuel consumption.

15. Say "no" to bottled water. Using plastic bottles of water is not eco-friendly and can compromise your health. Invest in a water purifier for your home (most are quite inexpensive), and purchase a couple of lidded glass canisters to keep filled with water in your refrigerator. You can also find stainless steel, BPA-free water bottles at prices that won't break the bank in a variety of stores such as Marshall's, TJMaxx, Target, and Walgreens.

You may also like to read Organic Coupon Sources.

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6 Tips to Save Money by Being Green

This is a guest post written by Liz C. She runs MyCCFinder, a printable coupon site helping everyone on the Internet save on a daily basis.

If you’re a fan of saving the environment like I am and you want to save your money as well, I don’t blame you! When you use green friendly products around your household, you probably don’t want to set out and pay top dollar. Instead, I want to give you a few eco-friendly tips that you can use when you’re looking to save a few bucks.

#1 Take a close look at your appliances

If you have older appliances that aren’t energy efficient and you’re thinking about getting new ones, you will want to highly consider an energy efficient appliance set, because items such as your Washer, Dryer, and many other items can save you hundreds, if not thousands over its life time.

#2 Wrap your water heater

Since being green means saving energy, you’re going to want to probably use as little of it as possible. Did you know that if you wrap your hot water heater with a specialized blanket, you can save 15-20% off your bill? If you’re going to do this, make sure you get a blanket designed for a water heater.

#3 Skip the dryer

Now, if you live in a warmer climate, you can take advantage of air drying your clothes all the time. Unfortunately, in the winter, you’re going to have no choice but to dry them inside. Invest into a $5 clothes line and dry your clothes outside to save on dryer costs. You’re saving energy and money!

#4 Create your own cleaning products

There are some cool recipes online that you can use when you’re looking to create your own eco-friendly cleaning products. Instead of buying name brands, household items such as vinegar, baking soda, and more will do the trick. Google for “eco-friendly household cleaner recipes” to see for yourself!

#5 Skip on the bottled water

Not only do those little bottled water containers hurt the environment, you’re spending too much money. Instead, you’re going to want to invest into a simply water bottle and filter. Many of these filters can filter out 500 gallons of water!

#6 Grow a garden

It doesn’t have to be huge, but you’re going to find that even if you grow a few products in your back yard, it can save you a few dollars over the summer time. It’s going to give you something to do and will help your wallet.

Sure, some of these green tips can be rather simple, but by using them, you should be able to save! Test these eco tips out and see how much you save. Not only are you going to be helping your wallet, you’re going to help the environment as well!

You might also like to read Tips for First Time Gardeners.

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Looking for Organic Coupons? A few great sources for organic coupons!

I love saving money and I love a good coupon. Only problem is that the coupons in the paper never seem to be for me because I shop for a lot of natural and organic products. I wanted to share with you a few sources I have found for great green coupons!

1. Your Green Helper does a Organic Coupon Round Up every Monday! Ahh.. the joy of it all being right in front of me and up to date! This is pretty sweeet. Plus you can subscribe and she will email it to you once a week. Yeah! Save yourself a load of time with all these eco-friendly and organic printable online coupons

2. Ecobunga is a great source for discounts on all kinds of great green, natural, and organic products and giveaways. Love them! They too have a newsletter that you come right to you when they have a new stash of goodies to pass on.


You may also like to read Eco-friendly Tips to Save You Money.

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Tips for First Time Gardeners Planting a Garden

This is a guest post. Hope you enjoy!

Tips for First Time Gardeners Planting a Garden

Having a successful garden requires more time and knowledge than you might think, so give the matter a little thought before you plunge into gardening. To begin with, vegetable gardens require at least 8 hours of solid sunlight if they are going to grow and produce well. Instead of purchasing lots of starts from the nursery as you start a garden, select a few of the hardiest starts. Gardening is a trial and error experience, so it is best to find out how proficient you are before you invest a great deal of money into the project. You can learn from successes as well as mistakes, then apply those skills for next year and gradually branch out and be successful with a greater number of plant types.

One more thing gardeners need to know is the composition of your soil. You really ought to be certain that you locate vegetables or herbs suited to your particular mix of soil and its composition. And one person's soil may be different from their neighbors, so you should test your soil and then add fertilizer and other nutrients to it. Soil testing kits are readily available at your nursery or garden center and will easily help you determine the particular type of soil you may have. Then you will know just what your soil may be lacking to make it as fertile as possible.

Now for beginners it’s easiest to begin with plants, because they are more fool proof than seeds. Seeds are more temperamental and require more care than plants, but they are cheaper. You should consider your timing - is it early or late in the season to plant the things you want? It is wise to keep in mind the growing season needed for your desired produce - how long do they need to mature, bloom and ripen? An actual plant may be your best option.

Before planting your garden, consider your water source. Many first time gardeners don’t know how often gardens need to be watered. Let's just put it this way, the farther your garden is from a water source, the longer you will spend on the daily chore of watering. Yet another crucial thing to bear in mind is that each particular seedling has varying wants in order to prosper. Some need more sun, some should be planted further down in the ground, and some must more space to grow than others so make certain to learn each plant's requirements.

Gardening is like anything else - it takes some practice runs to get it right and become good at it. It isn’t a hobby you can ignore. If you really want results, be sure you can invest the time to water and weed it once you start it. Be positive that you really would like a garden because it will be quite some time before it yields the desired produce. Your patience will be rewarded if you are willing to invest some time to care for your garden along the way.

About the Author
Diane Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah. She likes to write about the news, politics, Online Schools, and the college experience.

My advice, go for it! Plant that garden. It is fun and pretty easy. You may also enjoy my gardening with kids post or Autumn Gardening Tips

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Essential Oils Can Help You Go Green In Your Home and Medicine Cabinet

I have been using essential oils to green my home and medicine cabinet for about 12 years. My Grandmother actually introduced me to them! She was using them to lessen her chronic back pain. It worked for her so I became curious about them.

Essential oils have been used throughout time dating back to 4500 BC, in fact they are mentioned often in the Bible. From perfumes and aromatherapy to cooking and medicinal purposes, essential oils have been a vital part of everyday life for centuries. They were mankind’s first medicine.

Often referred to as “nature’s living energy” or the very essence of a plant, essential oils are aromatic liquids derived from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds. Essential oils help defend plants from insects, environmental conditions, and disease. There are over 70,000 different kinds of molecules in plant oils, many of which mimic the molecules used by our bodies for support, maintenance, and regeneration. Almost all essential oils have antiseptic properties and are able to fight infection and destroy bacteria, fungi, yeast, parasites, and/or viruses.
Many essential oils also reduce aches and pain, soothe inflammations and spasms, stimulate the immune system and insulin and hormone production, affect blood circulation, dissolve mucus and open nasal passages, or aid digestion -- just to mention a few of their amazing properties. Aromatherapy can also have a considerable influence on our emotions. Since your mind strongly influences your health and is itself a powerful healing tool, it makes aromatherapy's potential even more exciting.

Today, I am going to talk about 9 Essential Oils that can be used daily to replace harsh chemicals in your homes and medicine cabinets.

Lemon
Offering a clean, refreshing, and purifying citrus scent, lemon oil is revitalizing and uplifting. Lemon contains 68_ percent d- limonene, a powerful antioxidant, has cleansing properties, and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function.
I use it to help remove grease stains, for cooking and baking, making lemonade, washing veggies and fruits, and to make my own furniture polish.

Lavender
One of the most versatile essential oils, lavender has a sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is calming and soothing. One study showed that lavender added to bath water reduced negative thoughts about the future.
I always carry it in my purse for the children’s boo-boos because it is antiseptic, does not sting, stops bleeding, and helps prevent bruises. I also use it for burns and sunburns. I put it in the kid's bath water to calm them in the evenings. I used it in a spray bottle with water as my wipe spray since it is antiseptic and soothing to the skin. I also diffuse it to minimize seasonal reactions to pollen and dust mites. I also put some on cotton balls in my closets to repel moths. So versatile and useful!

Peppermint
Peppermint is one of the oldest and most highly-regarded herbs for soothing digestion. Research shows the inhalation of peppermint oil helps trigger a sense of fullness after meals, enhances your sense of taste and smell, and improves concentration and mental activity. Applied topically, peppermint oil leaves a soothing, cooling sensation that can alleviate bodily discomfort.
I put 1 or 2 drops in water to soothe my digestion when I need it and it really helps. I rub a drop on my temples to take away my headaches or fever. It is great for reducing motion sickness/nausea and for soothing sore muscles. It is also a great natural insect repellent and a drop makes ticks crawl out of your skin! Also so useful!!

Purification
A blend- contains citronella, rosemary, lemongrass, lavandin, Melaleuca alternifolia, and myrtle.
Formulated for diffusing to cleanse and sanitize the air and neutralize mildew, cigarette smoke, and other disagreeable odors. Purification can also be used directly on the skin to cleanse and soothe insect bites, cuts, and scrapes.
I use it to take the itch out of mosquito bites. I also put it in a spray bottle with water and peppermint oil as my natural bug repellent. I spray that same mixture on my dog beds to remove the smells and keep fleas away.

Thieves
A blend- contains clove, cinnamon, rosemary, lemon, and Eucalyptus radiata.
Based on the historical account of four thieves in France who protected themselves with clove, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims, and they were able to survive the plague. This proprietary blend was university tested for its cleansing abilities and found to be highly effective 99.6% against airborne bacteria. I use it in a spray bottle with water as multi-purpose cleaner. I diffuse it when someone is sick to keep the germs from spreading. I also use it to disinfect my carpets, mattress and anything else that is hard to wash! I also gargle with it in water for sore throats and dab onto sores in my mouth.

PanAway
A blend- contains wintergreen, clove, peppermint, and helichrysum.
The wintergreen is known to help ease muscle and joint discomfort and provide a comforting warm sensation. The helichrysum is studied for its support to the circulatory system and for cell regeneration. Very healing oil.
This is the oil my grandmother uses for her back pain. I use it on my neck and shoulder muscles when those get out of wack!


Frankincense (You may be familiar with this from the Bible. It was a gift brought to Jesus by the Three Wise Men.)
Frankincense is also a valued for its skin-healing properties, including DNA repair from sun damage and support of respiratory function. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-tumoral.
I use a drop in my face lotion and on blemishes.

Peace & Calming
A blend- contains tangerine, ylang ylang, blue tansy, orange, and patchouli.
Peace & Calming promotes relaxation and a deep sense of peace, helping to calm tensions and uplift spirits. Studies have shown inhalation of patchouli caused a 40% decrease in relative sympathetic activity which is responsible for flight or flight response in the body and orange oil use resulted in a lower level of anxiety, a more positve mood, and a higher level of calmness than the control group.
I use it for traumatic events, when I can’t sleep, naptime, and when stressed. It was invaluable during both my natural home births. It is also great for calming my dog Dutchess when there are thunder storms.

Valor
A blend- contains spruce, blue tansy, rosewood, and frankincense.
Valor helps to increase feelings of strength, courage, and self-esteem. It has also been found to help the body self-correct its balance and alignment.
(comforting bath, foot massage, for alignment and to help hold adjustment)

I hope you found this information useful. I know that I enjoy having natural solutions at my fingertips to everyday challenges my family faces.

One quick note. Not all essential oils are equal. Essential oils must be pure
for optimum results so I suggest using therapeutic grade oils. In order to achieve therapeutic-grade classification, each essential oil must achieve the designation naturally, without excess manipulation and refinement, and meet specific criteria in four key areas: Plants, Preparation, Purity, and Potency. Gas chromatography testing is used to ensure optimum levels are naturally occurring compounds are present in all therapeutic grade oils. I use Young Living essential oils. I have used them for 12 years now and I love them.

You may also like to read Go Green and Save Money Tips.

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