The 4th is almost here! I know this is a time everyone gets ready for big parties and lots of fireworks but as much as I like to party I really am interested in finding new greener ways to celebrate. So I searched the web and brought it to my twitterer’s and fellow FB greenies. Here are some ideas I found:

Bring or Biu Biodegradable or Reusable Cutlery

Use recycled or biodegradable plates, cups & bowls

Purchase locally grown organic fruits and veggies

Buy food with as little packaging as possible. Try making as much as you can yourself at home.

Use your regular dishes, bowls and plates for food storage. You can bring them home and wash them instead of throwing out containers.

Carpool, walk, bikeor skate to your destination if possible.

Make your own decorations. That can be part of the planning fun. Holiday Magic : The Art of Making Decorations for Eventful Days Thoughout the Year

Use organic charcoal for your grill or even this lump charcoal 20LB Lump Charcoal

Terra Chips Stripes & Blues Sea Salt, 6.5-Ounce (Pack of 12)I saw this suggestion on BlissTree.com just for funzies. 

Use solar lights if your party goes into the night. Wild Grass Solar Garden Lights. 3 LED Lights, 2V/80mAh solar panel. 1.2 V/500 AAA Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery. There are many different fun kinds of lights that are sold everywhere.

Make your own ice. Prepare ahead of time. These trays are recyclable and made out of rubber.  Lekue Silicone Ice Cube Tray, Star.  You can make them red and blue colored if you want. 

As for the fireworks and sparklers that’s a big ol’ no for at home but if there is a big community event then participate in that. In this case less is definitely more.

After the party be smart about what is left over. Use the food for compost if it can’t be eaten. Recycle anything that you aren’t planning on reusing.  Be careful with your homemade decorations. Save them for next year. Who knows what other events they may be good for.

What else can you think of to help make our 4th of July greener this year?

The Ultimate Green Store Work Bags

English Retreads Guarantees:

*Easy to clean. Wipe your English Retreads product with a damp cloth.
*Easy to shine. Use any standard tire cleaner such as Armor All.
*Cruelty free & vegan: no animal products used in making this bags.
*Classic designs hand-crafted from 100% reused rubber inner tubes.
*Each bag is unique due to the markings and textures of the rubber.
*English Retreads will repair any of their bags if they become damaged due to normal wear and tear (you only pay the shipping costs).

Our Green House – natural & organic products for the home.

Does your dad like to cook? or eat? Mine sure does! This bamboo cutting board also doubles as a serving plate! Easy to clean and made out of one of the most renewable resources on Earth, make it a perfect addition to any kitchen!

Best selling audiobooks on iTunes

Does your Father like to read? Save paper and give your dad an iTunes gift card. He can download from the computer and put it on a cd if he doesn’t have an Ipod. Your dad can bring his favorite books with him where ever he goes!

 Waffle Weave Robes and Towels from Gilden Tree! Order Yours Today!

Does your father need sometime to relax? Get him a gift for 2! Gilden Tree, Inc.Weekend GetAway basket comes with: two white waffle weave robes, organic chocolates, candle, romantic music, a little 95% Shea Butter Balm and two massage stones. (massage instructions included) The set comes in a pandan box with a lid.

Is your father the outdoorsy kind? Is camping a big part of your family time or his kind of relaxation? This environmentally friendly set is great for the camper dad or grandad you know. It is compact and easy to carry, instead of lugging around a bunch of different products. Even if your father or grandfather isn’t green this is a great way to teach them to be. Once they see how great these products are they will be more willing to try other products and maybe even take some advice from you for a change!

Product Features:

*1oz All Good Goop Healing Balm
*1oz Organic Mineral Sunscreen Sunscreen in SPF 20 Sport
*2 oz Herbal Cool Sore Muscle Spray
*Organic Original All Good Lips SPF 15 lip balm
*Organic cotton gift bag with logo
*Petroleum-free
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*100 % natural essential oils
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We all know Father’s Day is almost here so if you are a little late on the gift purchases, I have found something your dad will love and so will the environment. The ECOnscious Three Pocket Apronis a great gift idea if you have a father that likes to BBQ over the summer or likes to make his own concoctions in the kitchen. The reason I really love this apron isn’t only because it’s made of 55% organic cotton 45% recycled polyester but because you can completely personalize it yourself! Embroider it, glue odd’s and end’s to it or even use paint/markers to make it even more special to Dad on his special day! Your dad will love a custom present from his children! You can even make one for grandpa! Out line your hand print and color it in! Use your imagination! Go Wild! Dad deserves it!

Plant Trees for Arbor Day.
The definition of Arbor Day is an unofficial holiday observed in all 50 states of the United States, most often on the last Friday in April, for the public planting of trees. I am disappointed this is an unofficial day and that more people don’t make it a more recognized holiday! The weather is nice, the summer is coming why not try to plant at least 1 thing in honor of Arbor Day or in honor of the the environment! Planting should be something everyone is involved in. It is a great outside activity for you and your family. It keeps you outside, it can save you money and most importantly planting is helpful to the environment! Why not take 5 minutes, saves seeds from things you eat normally and see what happens. Its an excellent science project. Imagine walking out of your house or apartment and having fresh lemons, flowers, cherry blossoms whatever you like!

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day!! What are you planning to do today? Do you even know what Earth Day is or what you can do to help? Wikipedia defines Earth Day as it is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970. Earth Day is celebrated in spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Many communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues. The first Earth Week originated in Philadelphia in 1970 (starting April 16 and culminating on Earth Day, April 22.). Earth Day Network, a group that wishes to become the coordinator of Earth Day globally, asserts that Earth Day is now observed on April 22 on virtually every country on Earth. World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5 in a different nation every year, is the principal United Nations environmental observance.

Personally, I think today should not only be about celebrating the Earth but also about making people who are otherwise unaware or unconcerned about the problems facing our planet more involved! Show them what they can do to help. There are many lists and articles about the small things you can do to change your carbon-footprint, but what can you do to help others change their ideas about what is good for the environment? This is a list of small things you can do to help people in your social environment realize what their options are for not only Earth Day but everyday after it as well!

Why not buy a box of recycled printing paper for the office to show your co-workers or even your boss the importance of using recycled products. Wausau PaperExact Eco 100 Copy/Laser Paper, 92 Brightness, 20lb, Letter Size (8.5 x 11), 500 Sheets/Ream (32518)

Show your neighbors how they can make their backyards a great habitat for nature! Try the Backyard Wildlife Habitat DVD. Every backyard can have potential for any outdoor wildlife! It is important to expose yourself to nature. It helps you understand our environment and how important taking care of it is.

If you are student or you know students use this recycled pencil case to hold all the writing implements necessary!! Its simple a simple and inexpensive way to show you care!
Made By Humans, Recycled Plastic Eco Pencil Case, Grey (497) Pencil cases are an excellent way to stay organized. By using a recycled plastic case you can recycle it again when you are finished with it! Try it out!

Why not put a wind turbine in your back yard or even get your neighbors together and see if they all want to participate and in making the community more energy efficient. You can start small and eventually try to go further in your efforts! Energy efficiency is everyones problem!

Do you have many activities you attend or children’s functions you have to go to? Why not show your friends and your families friends that you are always environmentally friendly!! Use the Juice Bag Solar Beach Tote! to pack all of your going out snacks, towels, drinks etc!

Try purchasing organic or fair trade clothing. You can even purchase clothing and accessories that donate to a worthy cause! What you wear has just as much of an impact as recycling does. You can do all the green things you want but what has more impact than your purchasing power! Show your community you are serious about our environment and they should be as well! Green T is an excellent company to get your head start in green clothing purchases.

Are you doing anything special for Earth Day? Have you done anything to help your community or try to help your community get greener? I want to hear all about it! I will post it!! I want to hear all of your feedback good or negative! We can all come up with ideas to help our local and global communities!!

Easter, if you celebrate it, can be much greener with the help of a few small changes you can still have fun and be responsible at the same time! You can make your Easter happier, healthier, & more active

1. Reuse or purchase recyclable Easter Baskets:

This year, instead of buying a new basket, reuse a basket from a previous year if you have. If you purchase a new basket try to get one that can be recycled either for another holiday or even next years Easter. With a glue gun, stickers and a few other items you can make the basket look new every year. Better yet, make an activity with the children to decorate their basket’s every year. Being green can become a fun holiday tradition! Badger Basket Honey Square Nursery Basket with White Waffle Liner 0093H

Ecoist has released new colorways in the Recycled Newspaper line.

2. Choose Alternatives to Plastic Easter Grass & Eggs:

We all know that plastic comes from petroleum which isn’t good. Besides being messy, its usless for anything other than lining a basket after Easter. Instead, use shredded newspapers or magazines. Also in many stores they sell alternatives to plastic grass made out of cardboard & paper, even cloth liners can be changed and washed over and over. When Easter is over you can recycle these kind of liners, use it for other baskets for gifts. You can even put it into your compost bin. Be creative with the liner maybe use a scarf or t-shirt etc. as part of the gift. Lady Bug Flower Basket Liner
Green T, organic cotton & Fair Trade T-shirts.

Clearly Fun Soap Bath Confetti with Rubber Duck Friend/Blue Ears

3. Make Better Choices for Chocolates and Treats:

You don’t have to give children candy for Easter. You can choose other presents or activities that your children will enjoy just as much as candy. However if you must choose candy, find brands that have the least amount of packaging, organic, locally produced or are Fair Trade. A fun Easter activity would be to make your own candy/snacks such as organic fudge, Easter shaped candies, cookies, cakes, lollipops or chocolates. You can make very creative snacks out of fruits and veggies as well. Any simple online search will give you hundreds of ideas. Teaching your children healthy holiday habits could be very beneficial for their future.
Buy Gourmet Organic Chocolates at Organic Bouquet

Earth’s Best Organic Snackin’ Fruit Hearts Blueberry, 1.4 Ounce Cup (Pack of 12)

4. Use Natural Dyes Instead of Chemical Dyes for Easter Eggs:

Egg Dying kits use alot of packaging and create alot of waste. This year, use organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices that are around your home to dye your Easter Eggs. Not only will the dying process smell much nicer than the usual vineager you add to many dye mixes you can teach your children about good natural properties/uses spices,fruits and vegetables have in your daily lives other than for eating. You can experiment with different house hold fresh foods to see what works best and what doesn’t.
ChildTrek- Toys Camden Rose Brown Egg Set

ChildTrek- Toys, Crayon Rocks

With Good Greetings LLC you can upload your fave picture and personalize your Valentine greeting to make this super cute card your own. Extra postage is required by the post office to mail this card. Please check your local postage rates.
Card Dimensions 5.25 inches square
Card Type Flat Card
Photo size 3 inches square
Paper Stock 95 lb. White Matte Cardstock
Green Info 100% Recycled, 50% Post Consumer Waste FSC Certified Paper Stock
Envelopes White 100% Recycled Envelopes Included

 
Petro-Chemical Free Lipstick: Did you know that women eat over 4 pounds of lipstick in a lifetime? Try Afterglow Cosmetics Lip Love Lipstick made of natural moisturizing organic oils. 
 
Buy One Get One Free Red Roses for Valentines Day. 3 Days only Feb 9 to 11.

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Keep your lips smooth and kissable with MoistStic Lip Balm (SPF 15) from Botanic Choice. Just $2.99!

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Materials

Prang Soybean BlendBiodegradable Crayon Pieces!

Wilton Petite Silicone 12 Cavity Heart Shaped Baking Pan
Scrap paper
Glitter (if you like)
Double-sided foam mounting tape
Scissors
Colored card stock
Marker

 
Instructions
Heat the oven to 250°.

Fill each mold with crayon pieces and bake until the crayons melt, about 10 to 15 minutes. Tip: Place a sheet pan under the crayons to catch any drips.

Once they’re cool, remove the hearts from the molds and smooth any rough edges by rubbing them on a piece of scrap paper.

Use small pieces of foam tape to stick each heart to a 3-inch circle cut from card stock .

Suggested messages:
You color my world
Valentine, you make my heart melt
Happy Valentine’s Day!