Category Archives: Nature

Nature Photos from my Alaskan Adventure

  By Donna DeForbes | September 4, 2015 - 1:10 am | ,
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Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska | Eco-Mothering.com

My family just returned from an Alaskan cruise, and I wanted to post some of the beautiful nature and wildlife photos we took while there. Although a cruise is certainly not an eco-friendly travel option, the trip was wonderful, made even more so by the friends we vacationed with. One of our favorite excursions was whale watching, where we saw about eight humpback whales in Auke Bay, Juneau. We were close enough to hear them breathing. I managed to capture several of their tail fins after diving under as well as a calf who showed more of himself while playing with a sea lion.             We had anticipated seeing lots of glacial action, however, due to a medical crisis with one of the ship’s guests, the Tracy Arm Fjord part of our trip was cancelled. Still, we managed to see Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Did you know … Continue reading →

Family Nature Getaway in #PerfectVT

  By Donna DeForbes | May 13, 2014 - 5:00 am | , ,
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#PerfectVT | Eco-Mothering

Last month, a friend and I headed up to Vermont for a blogger retreat (a.k.a. weekend getaway). Like all moms, I’d been feeling the need for some time away, ideally spent soaking in nature or indulging in awesome food and spa-like activities. And, except for the spa bit, I found it all in the tiny town of Pittsfield, just north of Killington, Vermont. I discovered the area through my hosts, Tom and Erlin, the founders of Perfect Vermont Retreats. The young couple organizes fitness and nature retreats (for corporations, groups of friends, wedding parties and families) where they “challenge guests to get outdoors, live consciously and experience life simplified.” Such a retreat might involve yoga classes, guided biking tours, hikes on 30 miles of mountain trails or “re-wilding” instruction from an expert on foraging and wilderness survival. Pretty cool, huh? I love that Tom and Erlin’s business is run as an ongoing … Continue reading →

Beat the Winter Blues and Prep for Camping Season With These Green Tips

  By Donna DeForbes | February 20, 2014 - 5:00 am | ,
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camping-in-trees

This is a guest post by Douglas Moore. It’s never too early to start thinking about camping season, especially while hibernating during the dead of winter. Suffering from cabin fever? Look ahead to an adventurous camping excursion with your family once this brutal winter finally breaks. A camping trip is the family’s warm light at the end of a snow-flurried, bone-chilling winter tunnel. Plan an upcoming camping trip that’s not only super fun, but kind to our earth. Eco-Packing Tips Start with the essentials — a tent and sleeping bags for shelter and staying warm at night. Unless you’re avid campers, ask family or friends if you can borrow a tent or sleeping bags. Before investing in a collection of camping gear, think about whether you’ll actually get use out of your investment or if the gear will just collect dust and take up space in your garage. For the … Continue reading →

7 Winter Games to Get Your Kids Outdoors

  By Donna DeForbes | January 30, 2014 - 5:00 am |
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Winter Games for Kids | Eco-Mothering.com

This is a guest post from Katie Bugbee. Who wants to go outside?! If this question is often met with chilling silence in your home, you’re not alone. These freezing cold temperatures can make everyone want to hibernate. But outdoor play — even in cold weather (as long as it’s above 20 degrees, per our preschool rules) — is good for kids and their grownups. It energizes, refreshes, provides room for healthy exercise and tuckers them out for bedtime. Below are seven fun games to inspire kids to rush for their hats and mittens. Game on! 1. Sled Sprint Here’s a fun game to keep the holiday spirit alive well into winter. Pretend you’re all reindeer on a mission to get stuffed animals home safely. First, take lightweight plastic sleds and tie them to the waist of a child. Then place 3-5 stuffed animals on each sled (the same amount … Continue reading →

3 Unique Weekend Getaways for Nature-Loving Families

  By Donna DeForbes | January 23, 2014 - 5:00 am | ,
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Nature Getaways | Eco-Mothering.com

This is a guest post by Dolores Edwards. Environmental mindfulness starts at home with simple green living habits like recycling and using homemade natural products. Nature, however, is the best teacher for showing our children Earth’s beauty and why it’s our responsibility to honor and preserve it. Educational outdoor landmarks provide families with hands-on experiences that can foster a green spirit. The following three unique trips can also engage your little ones with Mother Earth. Family Field Trips (Moab, Utah) Discover the majestic sandstone of the Colorado Plateau and sheer cliffs formed in deep canyons while adventuring along the Colorado River. Journey into Labyrinth Canyon as you and your family paddle down the Green River. Your family can experience a memorable white water expedition with Canyonlands Field Institute (CFI), an outdoor non-profit organization that offers wild canyon country getaways and river explorations. During a one-day or private custom trip, learn … Continue reading →

Top 5 Creative Uses for Snow

  By Donna DeForbes | January 10, 2014 - 5:00 am |
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Creative Uses for Snow | Eco-Mothering.com

Snow. We get enough of it here in New England, which got me to thinking… there must be something more we can do with snow than simply shovel it. So here are five fun and sustainable ideas for winter’s white gift. Make Ice Cream Of course! Sofie and I will have to try this recipe from Sharon Glasgow during our next snowfall. Water Your Plants Why waste water from the faucet when you get it for free right outside your door? Collect clean snow in buckets, allow it to melt (by placing it near a radiator or sunny window), and use it to water your houseplants or clean the house. If you boil the snow after its melted, you could even use it for cooking. Store Extra Food If you’re hosting a party and run out of room in the fridge, you can place the food inside coolers and bury them in … Continue reading →

Top 5 Tips for Nurturing Wildlife in Winter

  By Donna DeForbes | December 27, 2013 - 5:00 am |
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Nurturing Wildlife in Winter | Eco-Mothering.com

We may stay nice and cozy in our heated houses stocked with store-bought food, but our furry friends have a harder time finding food and shelter in winter. Here are a few simple things you can do to help them out. Provide Food Plant native trees and bushes in your yard that offer their own fruits (berries, seeds, acorns). Leave your Jack-o-Lantern out after Halloween, as we do, and watch squirrels dig into it. Offer feed such as black-oil sunflower seed, cardinal mixes or peanuts that appeals to a wide variety of winter birds. Stop the Yard Work Don’t trim your dead plants and flowers until spring because many animals use the branches, twigs and seedheads for food or protection in winter. Leave flowerpots turned upside down to provide a safe spot for toads and newts. Some plants that wildlife are particularly fond of include: sedums, black-eyed Susans, sunflowers, zinnias, … Continue reading →