Of course pregnant women should eat fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meats and whole grains. But here are five, possibly surprising, real foods that pregnant women might also consider: Continue reading
Buzzwords like “natural,” “eco-friendly” and “sustainable” frequently show up on packaging, but what do they mean? If a product says “organic,” is it really? Labeling can get downright confusing, and U.S. marketers take advantage of the fact that many consumers make purchases based on a certain word or “green-looking” graphics. That’s why third-party testing and certification processes were developed — to create sustainable standards that consumers can trust. This Ecolabel Index defines 449 labels (wow!) that speak to a variety of eco-conscious products or company. Below, I’ve selected 10 pretty common ones to seek out in your everyday consumer lives. Certified Green Restaurant® Make greener choices when you dine out. Restaurants with this seal meet standards of sustainability in resource efficiency, waste reduction and sourcing local foods. Certified Humane Raised and Handled This label ensures that the farm animals raised for your eggs or meat were treated humanely (clean, safe … Continue reading
Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids. This month’s collection focuses on crafts for Earth Day, plus make-your-own Easter baskets. Enjoy! Food Jar Terrarium from Our Big Earth Printable Tree Planting Tag from Chickabug Blog Plantable Paper from Alpha Mom Upcycled Mobiles from Plum Pudding Recycled Paper Easter Basket from Roots of Simplicity See more ideas for making your own Easter baskets at Crafting a Green World.
After 14 years of moving from apartment to apartment—across four states—my husband and I finally bought our first house five years ago. (Yes, our house came with the black wooden whale on the chimney. It might even have been a selling point for me!) After closing on the house, we spent a month taking down the 1960s paneling, painting the walls in low-VOC paints and having the bathroom renovated. To commemorate our March move-in date, I decided to provide some eco-friendly moving tips. Host a Yard Sale or Swap Getting an early start to the moving process really cuts down on the amount of stuff thrown away last-minute in a case of “I don’t know what to do with this!” Moving will go easier and cost less if you move with less stuff. You can start with those boxes in the basement or attic that have been there since your … Continue reading
March 22 is World Water Day, an awareness campaign focused on protecting the world’s fresh water supply. Parents and teachers can use this day to educate kids about the need for water conservation. It’s easy for kids to get involved—below are five actions they can take around the home. You can also extend the fun and learning with these online games on conserving water. Take showers instead of baths. A bathtub uses up to 70 gallons of water! Empty the old water from water bottles into the houseplants. Turn off the water while brushing teeth and while soaping up during handwashing. Wash the dog outside on an area of the lawn that needs watering. Be a leak detective! Check faucets, showerheads and hoses regularly for leaks. (One drip per second adds up to five gallons of lost water per day.) You can check the toilet for leaks by adding some food … Continue reading
The vernal equinox (March 20) marks the first day of spring, a shifting of seasons, a time when daylight and darkness are of equal length. Nature is in balance. Traditionally, the vernal equinox focuses on rebirth, and it was honored by ancient cultures in the festival of Ostara. With winter giving way to spring, Ostara celebrations centered around new life, fertility and the planting season. For us in the northern hemisphere, we appreciate spring’s soft breezes, newly born wildlife and the melting snow giving way to damp, nutrient-rich earth. It is a season of wonder, new beginnings and a “spring fever” that energizes us from our dormancy. Here are five ideas and family activities for honoring the essence of spring. Nesting Birds Clean out your family’s hair brushes (or the vacuum cleaner) and put the hair outside for the birds to build their nests with. Engage in some birdwatching and see how many … Continue reading
This time of year many of you are planning gardens, starting seeds indoors or making lists of what to buy in a few months.One thing you don’t need to buy is seed starting containers when there are a myriad of household items that can be repurposed as such. Save money and the earth by using any of these five unique options to start your garden growing. Loofah Sponges from Thyme Square Garden This is the coolest thing. Ever. Grow your own Loofah (I didn’t even know it grew as a backyard plant!) and then use the harvest to pot next year’s plants? Wow. Roasted Chicken Containers from Inside Urban Green My family is a sucker for pre-roasted chickens as a quick dinner. Now I have a great re-use option for the container. (This idea also works great with Applebees To-Go containers.) Egg Shells and Carton from Free People Blog Such … Continue reading
Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids. This month’s collection includes crafts for St. Patrick’s Day and the Spring Equinox. Enjoy! Shamrock Sprouts from Housing a Forest St. Patrick’s Day Bunting from Simple As That Blog Garden Hose Spring Wreath from Create Craft. Love. Floppy Disk Planters from Brit + Co. Hanging Light Bulb Vase from DIY Weddings This post is featured on Natural Living Monday, Thank Goodness It’s Monday, Tuesday Greens, Works for Me Wednesday and Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Blog Hop.
