The Green Yogini

The ABC's of Yoga for Kids

2010-03-23T20:25:00Z

I recently received The ABCs of Yoga for Kids book by TeresaPower, coloring book, and poster and I can’t tell you have fantastic theseproducts are. I am always looking for more interesting ways to incorporate yogainto my young ones lives. Let’s face it the good old A,B,C’s can get prettyboring after a while but these products actually liven them up. My children areactually asking to do the poses in the book. The quality of the illustrationsis very high as well. Next time you are looking for a birthday gift that theyaren’t going to receive duplicates of consider one of these ABC’s of Yoga forKids products, it’s sure to be a hit at the party.

The The ABCs of Yoga forKids is a colorful very easy to understand book where each page is a letterof the alphabet and a corresponding yoga pose. It is a fun read, a book thatreally gets your little one moving. The color book is a great way to get themto remember which pose goes with which letter. The poster is just a funreminder to do the poses everyday. I also think that the poster would be greataddition to a pre-school environment. This is a great product for children’syoga teachers and parents alike.

With this book children can:

· practice yoga a healthyactivity for everyone’s life

· learn the alphabet

· read the explanations ofthe yoga poses

· imitate the funillustrations

· become calmer and moreself-aware

· develop flexibility,coordination, focus, and strength

Some of our favorite poses from the book are:

· The dog –“Stretching from a nap. On my hands andknees”

· Theflamingo – “Standing tall, I bend one leg, and hold onto my knee”

· The lion –“I look to the sky. I give a mightyroar”

· The pretzel– “My hand then stretches directly behind me”

Power says “I have practiced yogamyself for over 25 years, and have taught yoga for seven years. I have seenoverwhelmingly positive results in the children I teach, and want to share mylove of yoga across the nation and around the world. If our next generation could learn to calm themselves, while atthe same time building strength and fortitude, our world would be a betterplace. With more body awareness, kidscould make better choices for keeping their bodies healthy, both mentally andspiritually.”

I’m always looking for a new yoga game to play with thechildren. I really enjoyed these products and think that your children wouldtoo. I’m sure that I will be using these products for years to come.

Unique Green Products For Children

2010-03-22T14:37:00Z

Having two children of my own and wanting to encourage everything green I’m always on the prowl for the latest green products. I also like products that a little off the beaten path. Here are a few that I found.

My children always love a flashlight. One can ask why something so simple is so entertaining but it just is. Life+Gear GlowSticks (LED light) deliver that and more: they are also flow sticks (perfect for Halloween) and energy signaling devices (great for earthquakes too). They only cost $4.99 and can be found at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Staples, Spencers, Target and HomeDepot.
I don’t know about your children, but mine always want a really cool clock in their room. Now I found one that is unique and eco-friendly: the Bedol water powered alarm clock. That's right, it runs on tap water and without batteries ($28). Bedol encourages clock owners to donate the money that they save on batteries/electricity to an eco-cause. The clocks also have a really unique water drop design that is sure to please.
The Ikea SUNNAN solar desk lamp with an LED bulb - I got one of these lights for the children, but I’m thinking of stealing it for myself because I never realized how handy it is to have a light that is cordless. Just charge the solar panel on the base of the light for 9 -12 hours in the sun and get four hours of full light! Maybe when I buy one for myself, I'll also donate one to a family in a developing country so the children can do their schoolwork after dark. Available at Ikea for $19.99.
Little Bird Tales is a online service for kids that provides a green alternative to creating books, art, sharing photos and creating stories. You simply type their message, upload family photos or artwork, record kids’ voices narrating the message then watch it playback as a slideshow that can be emailed out. This is also a great way to send really unique e-holiday cards without hurting any trees. They also have a special offer: a 30-day package that will allow your family to create as many holiday “bird tales” to share with an unlimited number of recipients for $4.95.
OrganicKidz has a stainless steel baby bottle that is convertible to a sippy cup and will also be available shortly as a water bottle too. I love that this product can be used for years rather than months. It also helps keep beverages cool. They have several attractive styles too.
Are you looking for a really unique way to encourage your children to drink water and exercise? Then check out Swiggies the wrist water bottle. It’s a great way to drink and go. They are BPA-free too. ($12.95 per set)
How about a Mr. Green rubber duck? It's available by itself or in a gift set with green natural soap, gift notes on recycled paper included. This is a great twist on the old fashion yellow variety. ($11.99/$19.99)
Shains are recycled accessories that empower kids/tweens to make their own statements and change them whenever they want. Shains are available as backpack clips, ponytail holders, bracelets, cuffs and bookmarks. They come in really nice bright colors too. My daughter especially loves the bracelet. (starts at $4.50)
Chicobags’s are made from recycled products. They have a wide variety of styles and even a cute limited edition line that would make great gifts. They have an adult as well as child friendly line. What I like about these bags is that they are really light weight (some bags are too heavy to carry along everyday but these are not), very compact and come with a self-included pouch.
Ecogear bags are all organic cotton, super eco-friendly, and they come with bamboo toggles. The colors are fantastic and bright. My children love to have their very own eco-friendly bag to take places. The backpack styled bag was my children’s favorite.
Gourmet scented colored pencils are all the rage this year, and their cases are made from 100% recycled newspapers! Yesterday's news colored pencils are made from recycled Chinese newspapers and is fun gift to give.

Kelly Neylan is a registered yoga teacher, reiki master, eco-entrepreneur/advocate, and author of the upcoming book Little Bodies Big Souls: How Stories from Yoga and Children will Change your Life. Submissions are being accepted at Little Bodies Big Souls.

How to green your lunch….it’s not too late to start and it’s easy!

2009-11-15T21:24:00Z

We all want to help the environment but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. I know what you are thinking… this is going to be a hassle, or expensive but it’s not. As a mother of two and the owner of several businesses I’m here to tell you if I can do this anyone can. Here is a guide on how to reduce your lunch waste. Remember, reducing is the new green recycling model. If the environmental impact doesn’t move you, maybe I can appeal to your sense of frugality? According to Waste Free Lunches, the average disposable lunch costs $4.02 where the reusable lunch costs only $2.65. Add that up for every person in your household and you might just have yourself a vacation fund in a year ₁. Here are just a few facts to get you fired up to make some positive changes:

80% of the 28 billion plastic water bottles every year by Americans end up in landfills _2.
The average sized American elementary school generates 18,760 pounds of lunch waste per year ₃. That’s 3.5 billion pounds of garbage a year.

Top 10 Fast Ideas to Green Your Lunch

Use a reusable lunch bag, preferably a PVC free one. PVC is a plastic that has been identified as being produced with carcinogens and toxic chemicals that can leach out. PVC products are often labeled vinyl or have the number 3, V or PVC underneath the universal recycling symbol.
Use reusable food containers (stainless steel containers, plastic reusable bags, and soft reusable sandwich wrap or pouch varieties).
Ditch the bottled water or juice box habit in favor of a reusable bottle.
If you must use aluminum foil to wrap something use recycled aluminum foil or natural recycled parchment paper.
If you must use plastic bags then re-use them by using a product such as Bag E Wash for the dishwasher or wiping them out the old fashion way.
Bring re-usable cutlery from home. You can use what you already have in the kitchen or there are also nice bamboo travel ones as well, if it has to be disposable for a particular event then use biodegradable cutlery.
Use cloth napkins rather than paper ones; it saves you money, too. I was able to find brand new ones at yard sales, dollar stores, and on clearance racks. I found that dark colors work best for children. I wash them weekly with my regular laundry, so it’s no extra work.
Consider buying organic food, it is healthier for your family and better for the environment. Go to local farmers’ markets or consider joining a local farmers CSA in order to get cheaper organics.
Buy items in bulk with as little packaging as possible. Buy large containers over single serving ones and then put a single serving in your reusable containers. This will save you money as well.
Compost your food scraps. You can use a plastic storage tub, a compost bin, or a worm bin to do this. There is an option to fit everyone's home or situation. Create wonderful soil rather than waste with your food scraps.

Favorite Eco-Friendly Lunch Products

For wrapping sandwiches I like the wrap-n-mat. It's a plastic-lined, Velcro-closure, cloth reusable sandwich wrapping device so you don't have to use disposable plastic wrap to wrap your sandwich every day. It folds out to form a nice eating area as well.
To wrap snacks and cookies, I like the snackTAXI snack sacks. SnackTAXI is also a mother inspired business as well -- always a bonus in my book. I ran right out and bought more of these because I liked them so much. They also now have a sandwich version too. You can beat their cute designs.
If you have a tight fit in your existing lunch bag I would recommend the innovative collapsible water bottle the Vapur. Another brand I like for lunches or to replace sippy cups is the Contigo autoseal kids mug. I liked this mug idea so much that I’m ordering a full sized one to use when I teach yoga. A full sized bottle for you thirsty ones is Project Earth H2O. A percentage of every purchase goes to support environmental charities. You can also now customize Sigg bottles with names or pictures at Café Press. A company with customer service bar none is EcoUsable and they have great water bottles too with optional nice sleeves for gripping called water wrapz. I had the best customer service experience with this company and have never forgotten it, they really stand behind their products.
Cool Tote’s are insulated lunch bags with a variety of fabric choices that are very well constructed. I’ve had one of their bags for years and it still hasn’t worn out. If you are going to put a drink bottle in it I would recommend the larger sized bag. Bazura’s lunch boxes are made from recycled packaging. Yubo is a unique lunchbox and container system that allows you to change the outside designs. Later this year they are adding an attached drink system as well. My daughter went crazy over the peace sign version of this lunch box. The Laptop Lunch bento box system is a very sturdy and popular system as well with many options.
When you need a pre-packaged snack for on the go, try Tasty Baby organic fruit snack in eco-friendly packaging. Both of my children thought these tasted as good as the less healthy varieties. I am all about promoting organic food options.

Do you want to inspire others? You can download a free waste-free lunch poster from the EPA as well as a waste-free lunch letter to send to parents.

End Notes

1. “What does it cost to pack a waste-free lunch?” n.d., http://www.wastefreelunches.org (accessed Oct. 2009).

2. “Facts about Plastic Bottles” n.d., http://earth911.com/plastic/plastic-bottles/facts-about-plastic-bottles/ (accessed Oct. 2009).

3. “How to Reduce Waste in Your School” n.d., http://www.epa.gov/osw/inforesources/news/2007news/03-school.htm (accessed Oct. 2009).

Some companies have chosen to send in product samples for review and testing purposes.

Twitter Party

2009-05-04T18:20:00Z

Shop for Mother's Day at The Mom Entrepreneur Co-op Shop and party with us on Twitter to celebrate! Join The Mom Entrepreneur on Monday, May 4th from 10:00pm - 11:00pm EST for a twitter party celebration. We will be announcing our Mother's Day line up of offerings at the Co-op Shop, sharing tips for balancing motherhood and running a company, and giving away some amazing prizes. Pour yourself a glass of wine, and chat the evening away with dozens of mom entrepreneurs. For complete details, click here…>

Don't let the funny shape fool you, this neti rocks!

2009-04-29T18:37:00Z

I've been around the block a few times with Neti pots so when I was approached to try another one I have to admit I was skeptical. I'm comparing this product to the original ceramic neti and to the plastic travel variety that I already have. For those of you who haven't heard of the neti pot it is used for sinus clearing. It is a part of ancient yogic body cleansing techniques that have been more recently discovered by the general public probably because they are so effective. They have even been recently touted by Dr. Oz on Oprah. They are helpful for allergy and colds. I also used one when I had colds during pregnancy since you can not take most over the counter medicines while you are pregnant (check with your doctor for pregnancy related medical advice). You add hot water and non-iodized salt to the pot and then pour it through your sinuses. I found this product to leak much less from the nostrils than the previous ones that I have tried. I also like that it is made of recyclable PEHD (PolyEthylene High Density) material. I have to admit it has now become my most favorite neti ever!

www.rhinohorn.net

Opinions stated from BuddhiWear reviews are personal opinions. BuddhiWear is not responsible for any purchasing decisions or consequences of purchasing any products mentioned.

Earth Day Activities

2009-04-14T21:12:00Z

Earth Day is almost upon us. It's time to make a plan. These two web sites can help you.

Earth Day Web Site
http://www.earthday.net/

National Parks Week
http://www.nps.gov/npweek/

Great New Book Helps International Charity Save the Children

2009-04-09T14:07:00Z

Great New Book Helps International Charity Save the Children

Do you love a good book or know someone who does? Or do you care about poverty and the environment? If so, this thriller is a must-read!

'Deftly and intriguingly written, "What if...?" is a thriller that fans of other novels such as "The DaVinci Code" will relish. Highly recommended.' John Taylor, Midwest Book Review.

‘What if...?' is a real page-turner, blending political intrigue and roller-coaster action with a thought-provoking exploration of how we might build a green, socially just world where every man, woman and child truly is equal. Shootouts, car chases and conspiracies are interwoven with human rights and environmental crises, creating a chilling, real-life picture of the world and a story that's as moving as it is thrilling.

It's about a mysterious New Yorker who's catapulted to fame by the media when he seems able to heal with just a touch. Exploiting his celebrity status to reach people, he wages a political war to end global poverty which thrusts him into a deadly struggle with the White House that likes the world just the way it is: under its control - poverty, disease, wars and all.

Steve N. Lee, the author, says, "I wrote ‘What if...?' because I had a terrific roller coaster of a story to tell. Whilst researching its themes, though, I couldn't help but be moved by what I learned: poverty kills 24,000 children every single day. Knowing that, I can't sit idly by and do nothing - for every book sold through this website $4 goes to the charity Save the Children which feeds the world's poorest kids."

If you'd like a great book that makes a real difference, or to give a copy as a gift, see: http://www.ChangingTheWorldToday.com

"Lee's vision is precise, poetic, and skillfully crafted. It's great writing with a great story, very well told." Nicholas Grabowsky, Bestselling Novelist

BuddhiWear at Howard County Green Festival

2009-03-31T18:54:00Z

Come visit BuddhiWear on Sat. April 4th at the Maryland Howard County Green Festival located at the Howard County Community College.

Fun for the entire family.

See link below for additional information.

GreenFest

Beetles and Butterflies Mother and Daughter Yoga in Washington DC

2009-03-19T15:14:00Z

BEETLES AND BUTTERFLIES

Join Autumn Wilson of Yoga Chai and Valencia Wood as they present Beetles and Butterflies: The Sustainable Journey Workshop Series for mothers and daughters (12 years old and up). The ladybug beetle symbolizes love, protection, good cheer and luck. More, the butterfly symbolizes freedom, strength, change, rebirth and prosperity. The Beetles and Butterflies series will focus on the inner journey of sustainable and authentic transformation, refreshment and renewal for Butterflies (Mothers) as we move into a New Year of an unprecedented global shift and change. Also, the workshops will offer ways that mothers can connect with their Beetles (Daughters) to impart the essence of transformation by sharing their energies to change, grow confidence and nurture well-being through discussion (thought shifting, breath work and nutrition, etc.), the development of individual Balance Sheets and relaxing, restorative yoga movement. Individuals and Mother-Daughter Pairs are Welcome! Dates March 28, April 25, and May 23rd.

Workshop Cost

$30 Per Workshop (Individual)

$45 Per Workshop (Mother and Daughter)

$80 Pre-registration entire series (Individual)

$125 Pre-registration entire series (Mother and Daughter)

** For Call Autumn Wilson of Yoga Chai or Valencia Wood for Group Discounts (Five or More).

Location

Yoga Chai

1744 Columbia Road NW

Washington DC 20009

T: 202.746.9642

For More Information Contact

Autumn Wilson : Yoga Chai | T: 202.746.9642 | E: info@yogachai.com

Valencia Wood : Beetles and Butterflies | T: 410.227.4103 | E: beetlesbutterflies@gmail.com

Want to get an energy buzz? Reiki & Wellness Retreat

2009-03-04T18:59:00Z

Last year I attended a fantastic reiki holistic retreat in Reisterstown, MD. They had several top notch reiki and energy healers and some fantastic speakers. I really felt energized and alive after attending. I also met some of the nicest people there and I still talk to them too. There will be a lot going on during the retreat weekend such as an Reiki/Energy Share on Friday evening! QiGong with Karl Ardo! Shamanic Drumming with Ann Hughes on Saturday evening! (Bring your frame drum, to particpate) Readings with Aurora! Morning Yoga with Kelly Neylan! Shop in our store for CDs, books, crystals, t-shirts, natural body products and original jewelry by Juelles! AND MORE!

So if you are ready for an energy buzz and to feel more alive I'll look forward to seeing you there. BuddhiWear will also be in the shop so stop by and say hi.

The retreat is open to everyone 18+. One does not have to be a Reiki Practitioner to attend.

Can We Reach Our Highest Potential?

2009-02-25T19:19:00Z

What Would It Look Like?

"What if the world embodied our highest potential? What would it look like? As the structures of modern society crumble, is it enough to respond with the same tired solutions? Or are we being called to question a set of unexamined assumptions that form the very basis of our civilization? "

This video is very thought provoking. If we can go to the moon then why can't we come together to build something greater. I challenge everyone to think of what part they can play to add to global oneness.

Watch the 25-minute video by clicking the link below and going to the Global Oneness web site.

Global Oneness Video

Florian Yoga Retreat and Blog

2009-01-15T19:44:00Z

I recently got introduced to the Florian Yoga Companion that provides business resources for yoga instructors, musings and free articles about yoga, discounts and free yoga products. Some of the themes of the writings include: using yoga and meditation for stress relief, setting boundaries, how to incorporate yoga into our daily life, and why yoga isn’t just about stretching.

www.florianvilla.com

http://www.florianyoga.blogspot.com

How to have a Green Holiday

2008-12-04T11:38:00Z

Plan your meal ahead of time
If you are having a party, know how many people you will be serving. This will help you purchase your food without buying too much, which will reduce the amount of waste you have after the meal. If you are having a lot of people over, consider buying in bulk to avoid excess packaging.
Buy local and organic
From the main course to your wine or apple cider, try purchasing your food items locally and organically. You can find local farms and farmer's markets on LocalHarvest.. Less transportation = less emissions, and you will be helping to support your local economy. Purchase your side items locally, too, whether from your local farm or from a farmer's market or co-op.
Use Reusable Shopping Bags
Worldwide, 1 million plastic bags are used per minute. Cut down on this use by bringing reusable shopping bags when you do your Christmas and grocery shopping.
Cook with a pressure cooker
If you use a pressure cooker to make parts of your meal, you can save 50-70% of the energy you'd use cooking on a stovetop.
Cook from scratch
Guests will enjoy homemade food much more than canned, boxed, or frozen. You will save money and save packaging.
Use reusable and/or compostable dinnerware
Use dishes and silverware that you already have and have your party guests help you do the dishes after. Really want to avoid the dishes? Buy one time use compostable plates.
Compost food waste
If you do end up with leftovers and can't eat them all, compost them. Not compostable: liquids, grease, cooking oil, plastic, styrofoam, glass, metal
Avoid wrapping paper
Especially paper with metallic content, as it is difficult to recycle. Use reusable gift bags, or pack your gifts in reusable shopping bags that the gift recipient can make use of later. If you want to wrap, try using newspaper and match the store to the recipient, or use colorful magazine pages, cloth, calendar pages, or recycled wrapping paper. Leftover work paper can be an interesting, personal wrapping paper. Blueprints, maps, sheet music, etc. are options personal to your interests or job that can be used as wrapping paper.
Set up Secret Santa
To avoid excess "stuff," you can set up a Secret Santa with your friends or family. Put all the names in a hat, and choose randomly. Set a price limit for gifts, and when gifts are exchanged, try to guess who bought yours.
Avoid Excess Packaging
When it comes to purchasing gifts (and other items), try to avoid excess packaging when possible. If two items or similar, buy the ones with less or recyclable packaging.
Shop consciously
Consider who made the gift, what it is made of, and whether or not the gift recipient can use it. Will it get thrown out or tossed in the back of a closet and forgotten? If yes, don't buy it. These guidelines can apply to everything you buy.
Give gifts that give back
A lot of organizations now offer gifts that give back to communities and help others in need. For a donation ranging from affordable to very expensive, you can purchase gifts for communities such as cows, chickens, water wells, schools, and more. Most times the gift recipient will receive a card saying that a donation was made in their name and telling them how the money will help people in need.
Make gift tags
If you saved last year's Christmas cards, turn the unwritten area into gift tags for your presents. Save this year's cards and do the same thing next year.
Send earth-friendly cards
Many companies now offer recycled holiday greeting cards. Ideally, you would want cards made with 100% post-consumer waste. There are also tree-free options, and FSC certified cards. Cards can be made from other recycled cards, or from magazine ads, calendar pages or catalogs. Making your cards can add a much needed personal touch.
Give rechargeable batteries
If your gift requires batteries, give a set of rechargeables with it (consider a charger to go with the batteries).
Don't use packing peanuts for shipping
If you have to ship your gifts, use something recyclable for packing. Recycled newspaper or junk mail are two options. If you just received a package yourself that was stuffed with packing peanuts, you can reuse them to send out your package.
Buy a real tree
Artificial trees are made from PVC, which is very hard to recycle and off-gases carcinogenic chemicals. Cutting down a tree for decoration may not seem earth friendly, but consider that well-managed tree farms are set up just for this purpose. For every tree harvested, 2 to 3 are planted in its place, and purchasing from a local tree farm helps support your local economy. To find eco-friendly tree farmers near you, check LocalHarvest or GreenPromise. For information on what it takes for a farm to be certified by The Coalition of Environmentally Conscious Growers, which ensures that growers are utilizing sustainable farming practices in the production of Christmas trees, visit CECG.
Decorate with with food
String cookie ornaments and popcorn for decorations on your tree or in other areas of your home. Make sure they aren't in areas that might be prone to bugs, especially if you are in a warm climate. If you string popcorn, let it go stale for at least a day or it will fall apart. Store the popcorn in a tin and you can reuse it next year.
Decorate with nature
No plastic or even recycled ornament can beat the beauty of nature's decorations. Berries, twigs, holly sprigs, pinecones, and acorns can all make beautiful decorations when used separately or piece together into ornaments, centerpieces, or other pieces.
Display your kids artwork
If your kids made decorations in school, display them proudly. These pieces are sure to be cute, and displaying them will encourage your child to continue making creative artwork.
Make something old something new
Use an aluminum can as a vase. Wrap brown craft paper or old grocery bags around the cans and tie a ribbon or twine around it. Use the cans as vases for organic flowers, twigs, or evergreen. For a unique centerpiece, line the cans down the center of the table. Used incandescent lights can be painted and hung as ornaments.
Use LED lights
Using LED lights can save you 90% on your energy bill over standard decorative lighting. Set your lights on a timer so you don't forget to turn them off!
Make origami box ornaments
From Michele Patrick, "Each year when I receive Christmas cards from friends and family, I cut and fold them into little origami gift boxes. I take a piece of the card trimmings not used to make the box and write the senders name on it and the year it was sent. I put this piece of paper into the box and use small pieces of ribbon (bought from resale shops) to finish off each gift box. I hang the gift boxes on my unconventional Christmas tree which is this fabulous 3’ tall tree branch that is spray painted gold."
Use sand instead of floral foam
If you plan on making floral arrangements for decorations, use sand in lace of floral foam. It costs less, isn't petroleum based like foam, and the arrangements last just as long.
Avoid petroleum based candles
Paraffin wax candles are made from petroleum, and they release harmful chemicals into the air. Use soy based or beeswax candles, and go for unscented. If you buy scented make sure they use essential oils for the scent rather then chemical fragrances. Dine by candlelight to save electricity.
Recycle your tree
Don't throw away your tree after the holidays. Trim off the branches and use them as mulch for perennials. If you don't have a garden, search Earth911.com to find a tree recycling center.
Bundle up and walk
Or bike, if you can. Tour your neighborhood to view the holiday decorations without your car. You can enjoy the beauty of the season much more if you take it slow rather than driving by, and you'll save car emissions and gas.
Turn off the TV
Watch a few of your holiday favorites, of course, but turn off the TV the rest of the time. Take the time to read your kids a Christmas story, or let them read to you. Invite friends or family over for story time, or to sit in front of your fireplace with cups of organic hot cocoa just spending time together.

Republished with permission from Stefani at http://focusorganic.com please check out her web site for other great articles!

Harmonious Environment Interview

2008-03-10T15:33:00Z

Check out the BuddhiWear interview from the fantastic author of Harmonious Environment.

http://www.harmoniousenvironment.com/Green%20Experts%20BhuddiWear.htm

Excerpt:

Norma: Why is organic fabric important?

Kelly: Organic fabric is important for several reasons. Organically farmed cotton is beneficial to everyone. It helps the farm workers, the water supply, the land, the air, the food chain and our food supply. A crop the uses 3% of the land uses 25% of the chemicals to produce it using conventional growing methods. What many people do not understand is that the rest of the cotton plant from conventionally chemically sprayed cotton plants are not discarded parts of them are ground up and put in our foods (primarily baked goods and crackers) or feed to live stock (part of our food chain). So every organic garment purchased helps to reduce to amount of chemicals polluting our earth and our food.

Green Birthday Parties

2007-11-17T15:19:00Z

Happy 'Green' Birthday - Green birthday party ideas

By Lia Mack of BeGreen Designs

It's that time of year again: cake, presents, and goodie-bags...it's Birthday party time! Planning a child's birthday party can be fun and dreadful at the same time. A party is a wonderful way to celebrate the life of your wee little one. However, all the waste that it can create can drive a 'green' parent nuts!

The last party we had for the kids ended in tears (from me, that is). Sure, some of the paper products were recycled in my clearly marked containers.. However most of our reusables ended up in the trash with unwanted cake and dinner tossed in with them. I attempted to dig them out, which was absolutely gross, however I was more frazzled by the thoughtlessness of some of my guests. Hadn't I, ever so nicely, instructed everyone to reuse and recycle properly? And we won't even mention the countless gifts and wrapping and money spent and...well, the list can go on and on.

Ok, so not everyone is 'green' savvy and even the best intentions can end up in a hit-or-miss situation. So what's a green parent to do? I'd like to share with you some, dare I say, fail proof ways to have a green birthday party!

First and foremost, I say make it a combination of a traditional and reinvented green birthday party. You can't expect everyone to jump on board and be amused by your ever-green ways. So let's compromise (or at least that is what it will look like on the surface )

Invitations:There are tons of cool ways to do invites that will make you smile green. You can simply bi-pass paper all together and use an online invite service or email all of your guests individually. But what about those folks not online. Or worse, those who never read and/or respond to your emails?

Let's look at some paper options. Kids love to be involved in planning and helping out with their parties. So why not collect some paper from around the house and make your own invites out of handmade recycled paper. Paper making is fun and you can really jazz it up and make your invites unique. Another option would be to call everyone and leave a message, maybe telling them to check their email .

Party Decorations:Streamers and balloons are so old school. Let's think with our green-caps.... For my son's upcoming birthday party, we are going to decorate some old sheets with fabric paints and use them as table cloths and napkins. We can reuse these for all birthday celebrations in the future too. Also, you can cut small streamers from the same fabric and use them as decorations, just simply hang them where they will dance in the breeze. This is a great idea to use in lieu of balloons. They just end up being swallowed by baby turtles. So sad. If you don't have any bed sheets you aren't using, I bet your local fabric store has some festive threads that you can get a yard or two of.

Presents:Oh, the presents. I have to say that this is the part I dread the most. Not only wondering what in the world to buy for someone else's kid and them not liking it, but what will everyone else buy my kids!? Plus, how much stuff do the kids really need?

I don't know about you, but my kids have enough, and there are kids out there that don't. One option would be to host a party where instead of gifts for your kids, guests bring gently used or new toys to donate to a local shelter. Your child can pick which one and then help you make the delivery.

Another idea is to think local and register your child at a local toy store. And I don't mean the big-box corporate toy stores. Ask around, take a drive. We have such a store here and it's filled with special gifts and good quality games and toys you won't find at the big toy store.

You can even ask guests to get your child a book in lieu of a card and write a personal note in the book. What child doesn't love books! Also, you can send your guests home with a book in their goodie-bag. Everyone brings gently used books that they are done with for a new one. Sort of a book-swap party.

Another great idea is to instead ask for 'experience gifts' where someone can get your child a ticket to a show, a pass to a near by aquarium or museum. A camping trip anyone? These experiences will last a lifetime and won't break, make a disaster of the house, are more fun and can involve other members of the family too. Everyone wins

My favorite way to deffer gifts is to, instead of gifts, ask guests to bring their kids favorite dish for everyone to share. Not only do you get a great variety of foods, this also cuts down on your own party costs. This brings us to the best part of the party.

The food:Asking guests to bring food is great. If you are going to do it all yourself (for those supermoms and superdads out there) try to have all vegetarian foods so that all table scraps can be readily composted. Visit the farmer's market the week of for some fresh local produce.

If you do have to fire up the grill to satisfy the meat-eaters, buy local. Introduce your guests to some of the unknown local possibilities like local farmers and ranches. Not everyone knows about CSA's and local places where they can get fresh organic veggies and free-range meats.

Dishes and such:I like to use cloth whenever I can. Why cut down a tree to wipe my hands one time and toss? It's insane. Here you can use your reusable birthday bash table cloths and napkins. The washing machine does all the work. It's no big deal, looks great, and feels great too. You'll save money and the trees As for dishes and utensils, if you are partying at home, use your own dishes. There are also some great reusable dish sets out there. If you are out and about at your local park for your birthday bash, there are some great compostable alternatives. Potato forks, corn spoons, PCW paper products. Check online or at your local green grocery store.

Goodie-Bags and Games:Last but not least, the goodie-bags. The little bags you give your guests on the way out the door. Filled with tiny junky plastic toys that are not only a chocking hazard, but are cheap, break, and probably have toxic lead paint! Not to mention the candy. Kids + candy...honestly. But you can't not have them. The kids love to have something to go home with. They're kids So let's think outside the bag, shall we.

Kids love crafts. So why not have them make something that they in turn take home, and in a bag that they decorate themselves! Or, better yet, you and your child can decorate some brown paper bags before the party that you can use. For my son's upcoming party, we are going to make some bags and the kids will use them to bring home their handmade bird feeders. Send the kids off to find pine cones., add peanut butter, sprinkle bird seed, and presto! Other ideas could include: Treasure hunts, have them make tie dye t-shirts, set up a paint-a-picture station, show them how to make homemade play dough.

With a little imagination and ingenuity, the possibilities are endless. I hope you enjoy your next birthday party 'green' style. I'm off to get mine underway. Wish me luck!

National Recycling Day

2007-11-14T02:42:00Z

Check out the National Recycling Day challenge!

http://nrc-recycle.org/americarecycles.aspx

Take the Billion Bag, Bottle, & Bulb Challenge

2007-11-03T20:56:00Z

Take The Challenge – Reduce The Use!

The Challenge…to reduce the consumption of 1 Billion plastic one use items and light bulbs worldwide!

So what WILL it take to Reduce the Use! of one billion plastic bottles, plastic bags, incandescent bulbs and other plastic one-use items? Lets find out! At YourGuideToGreen.com we will provide a supportive community, informative articles, tips and ask you to share your experiences, pictures and videos.

http://www.yourguidetogreen.com/campaign/