Author Archives: Donna DeForbes

A Bit of Green Fashion at the Oscars

  By Donna DeForbes | March 11, 2010 - 9:20 am |
Leave a comment

Sofie has become a Fancy Nancy. She’s deep in that girly-girl stage of playing dress-up with high heels and gowns – the more taffeta and sequins, the better. Since I was a tomboy, we usually cannot connect on this point … except for the recent Oscars. We both enjoy watching the red carpet bits. Sofie “oohs” and “ahs” over the pretty dresses and sparkly jewelry. I wait for glimpses of George Clooney or Colin Firth. Hollywood, particularly the Oscars, seems the antithesis of green with all that high-end fashion and excess. But I discovered at least one attendee using her time in the spotlight to make an eco-statement. Livia Giuggioli, Italian film producer, creative director of Eco-Age, and wife of Oscar-nominated Colin Firth, wore a dress from sustainable designer Orsola de Castro and made entirely of scraps of waste material. Along with a purse that included ethically sourced Argyle pink … Continue reading →

Making Conscious Food Choices

  By Donna DeForbes | February 12, 2010 - 8:58 am |
Leave a comment

Yesterday Sofie asked me to play dolls with her — as she often does these days — but this time I took the dolls’ conversation to a new place. It went something like this: Daisy (Sofie’s doll): “Hi. How are you?” Tiana (my doll):”I’m upset.” Daisy: “Why?” Tiana: “I’m worried about fish.” Daisy: “Fish?” Tiana: “Yes. I don’t know which fish to buy. Is it better to get the wild caught fish from Alaska or the fish that might contain mercury but is caught locally?” Daisy: {hesitates} Hey, let’s go shopping!” OK, so obviously it was over her head, but these types of conversations, spoken regularly, might actually work their way into her daily vernacular. Fish, and food in general, was on my mind as I had been reading the first chapter in Menu for the Future, the book for a bi-monthly discussion group that Mike and I have organized … Continue reading →

This Little Family Went to the Farmers’ Market

  By Donna DeForbes | December 16, 2009 - 8:57 am | ,
Leave a comment

I want to tell you about the most delectable meal I had this weekend. Having only recently discovered the existence of the Winter Farmers’ Market in Pawtucket, we took a family trip on Saturday. Yum! Here’s my first impression of the market, located inside Rhode Island’s Hope Artiste Village: smiling families and eager vendors; the smells of fresh lemon basil pesto, pungent coffee beans and rich chocolate; the sounds of live music; and a visually sensual display of leafy and surprisingly colorful winter vegetables (who knew cauliflower came in orange and purple?). What Sofie loved most about the market were the free samples. We tasted watermelon radishes, a variety of cheeses and apples, fresh breads and fruit honey sticks. I bought a collection of winter veggies (bok choy, radishes, carrots, turnips) that came with its own stir fry recipe, fresh spinach pasta from Nonni’s in Tiverton and — because it … Continue reading →

Where Do Bugs Go in Winter? (And Other Seasonal Tidbits)

  By Donna DeForbes | December 7, 2009 - 9:27 am |
2 Comments

Sofie’s been going through a phase where she no longer likes to hike. (At least, I hope it’s a phase.) How did this happen? I have blogged here for nearly two years about my nature girl and our outdoor exploits around New England. Now she doesn’t even want to take evening walks in our neighborhood – would rather be carried or pushed in the stroller. Then a few Sundays ago, we finally joined Rhode Island Families in Nature on one of their monthly hikes. This one was through Ryan Park in North Kingstown – a place we’d never been — and Sofie actually seemed to enjoy herself. She walked about two-thirds of the trail herself. It must have been the other kids. Group behavior. Seeing other little ones hiking and having fun zapped the whining right out of her. That, and stopping for a mug of hot chocolate afterwards. She … Continue reading →

Kids for Climate Change

  By Donna DeForbes | October 26, 2009 - 12:26 pm |
Leave a comment

Last Saturday, my family recognized the International Day of Climate Action by attending a rally at Waterplace Park. Attendance was depressingly sparse, whether from the weather or lack of interest, I do not know. Worldwide on that day, 181 countries participated in over 5,200 events calling for strong leadership on the climate crisis. I hope the other Rhode Island events pulled in more enthusiasm. The point of the whole day was to demand strong action at December’s Climate Change conference in Copenhagen. That’s when a climate treaty (currently being worked on by the United Nations) is supposed to be finalized. The word at present is that the treaty is too weak to be effective. According to scientists, 350 Parts Per Million is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide. It’s the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to … Continue reading →

A Princess Birthday Party with Meaning

  By Donna DeForbes | October 19, 2009 - 10:35 am |
Leave a comment

Sofie had her birthday Fairy Princess Tea Party last weekend, which turned out really well. It was my spin on my three-year-old’s current obsession with princesses —I didn’t want to do it Disney style. (Read my previous post on thoughts behind children’s birthday parties.) The best part was how the invited families really got into the donation idea — we asked for donations toward pediatric AIDS in lieu of birthday gifts and in honor of Princess Diana, since the girls were learning about real-life princesses. Everyone donated, with some families saying it inspired them for their kid’s birthday. I’m not sure how much Sofie understood, but she was excited to learn that Diana helped sick children and that her friends could too. This being her first birthday with friends, she didn’t really expect presents. The party favor was a book I made that focused on five real-life princesses, from Queen Victoria … Continue reading →

Eco-Friendly Family Travels

  By Donna DeForbes | October 14, 2009 - 1:16 pm |
Leave a comment

We’ve just returned from back-to-back road trips: one celebrating my husband’s 40th birthday in New Hampshire’s White Mountains; the other a family reunion in southern New Jersey. Were the trips eco-friendly? Let’s find out. We certainly emitted less carbon by driving instead of flying – and our Scion xB (with adequately inflated tires) averaged a wallet-friendly 34 mpg on the highway. Traveling in the shoulder season, we didn’t require air conditioning or heat in either location. And we constantly toted along our reusable aluminum water bottles. But it was my husband’s family that took the eco-prize. My Filipino in-laws tend toward green practices naturally, and for them, it’s not part of the current eco-movement, it’s cultural. They have never owned a dryer – clothes hang on a line year-round. They keep the thermostat low (often mid-winter, I’ve wondered if it was even on) and just pile on the sweaters. In … Continue reading →

Home Green Home: What You’ll Learn from a Home Energy Audit

  By Donna DeForbes | October 1, 2009 - 10:33 am |
1 Comment

A week ago we had a home energy audit. It’s free, sort of. (You actually already pay for it through your National Grid bill, so might as well take advantage of this service.) Ron from RISE Engineering probed throughout our house from basement to attic. And what did he discover? That our walls have absolutely no insulation! Fabulous news to hear right after we’ve spent our Obama money on other home improvement projects. Really, I can’t understand how the previous owners (who had the house custom-built for them and lived here for 50-odd years) could not have insulated their abode, but for a few measly inches in the attic. Unfortunately, as oil heat consumers, we are not eligible for the current awesome National Grid discounts on home insulation. However, all you gas and electric heat customers out there should jump on this opportunity now. You’ll get sprayed cellulose insulation, which is … Continue reading →