My Garden Green

Sight Word Flash Cards

2012-02-16T14:39:00.000-08:00

What a great way to repurpose paint sample cards! Obviously, deciding in-store the color you want for your room would be the most eco friendly, but if a few cards happen to find their way back home, here's a great idea to repurpose them.

My middle child is going to kindergarten this fall and dying to read. So I gathered up the paint sample cards she and her dad brought home and turned them into flash cards. So easy!

I found our list of sight words HERE.

Tag It!

2012-01-22T17:32:00.000-08:00

Brilliant use of bag tags! Label away!

Safe and Sound

2011-12-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

A song the ladies and I are just LOVING right now.
Purchase the song HERE!

We saw Taylor in concert this summer and it was probably one of THE best shows I've ever been to - she is an amazing performer! We are so excited that she is going to be part of this amazing story.

Absolutely loved the books and can't wait for the movies!!
Click for info on the books

My Three Green Girls

2011-12-26T19:58:00.001-08:00

Well it's been a looong time since our last post & I am hoping that with the start of a new year, we can change that! After an endless (lol) pregnancy, my 3rd miracle finally arrived in October. A lack of a working laptop, a dislike of typing from my phone, and her crazy weeks of colic kept me from heralding her arrival. Hopefully as things are settling down we will get back in the swing of blogging. My oldest now has her own laptop and her own room, so I'm sure we'll be seeing more from her!

So without further ado...

My beautiful daughter arrived October 20th, weighing 8lbs 11oz and was 20 inches long. She is named in memory of her Uncle Joe, after her father, and in honor of her great-grandmother. I've dubbed her our "tribute" baby!

Welcome Josie Mikayla Adele!

Minty Madness!

2011-06-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

The mint is prolific in our garden this time of year

and so we thought we’d share some

favorite non-food recipes.

Minty Facial Toner
4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 ¾ cups water
Directions:
1. Bring water to a boil, add mint, take off heat and steep 15 minutes.
2. Strain the mint leaves from the liquid.
3. Pour the liquid into a glass bottle and store in the fridge.
4. Apply to face – no need to rinse!

Fresh Mint Foot Scrub
3 tablespoons ground salt
3 tablespoons sugar
3 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops tea tree oil
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ cups finely chopped fresh mint leaves
Directions:
1. Combine salt, sugar and mint leaves.
2. Add oils and mix well.
3. Store in a glass container.
4. Massage into your feet and rinse with cold water when done.
Minty Smooth Hair conditioner
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup chopped mint leaves
1 tablespoon honey
½ juice from a fresh squeezed orange
Directions:
1. Mix well.
2. Leave on hair for at least 15 minutes.
3. Rinse well.

Here's a post for the mama's-to-be

2011-04-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Nothing like unrelenting all day nausea

for weeks on end to put a crimp on

anything computer related!

Our third miracle is will make his/her

spooktacular presence this October.

In the meantime, here's my tried & true remedies for nausea!

1. Anything lemon.

In my water, candies, tea, protein bars.

2. Spanish olives

3. Decaf black tea

4. Potato chips

5. Gum - lots of gum

6. Sleep - lots of sleep!

And if it doesn't end by 12 weeks, or 14 or 16, it will by 40!!

Just say NO!

2011-02-07T11:13:00.000-08:00

Eco tip for the week!

A really cool website that lets you

opt out of receiving the yellow pages,

all in one click!

CLICK HERE

to start saving some trees!

DIY Boo-Boo Bins

2011-01-30T15:26:00.000-08:00

Need a handy way to cart around first aid supplies?

Then you need to make yourself a Boo-Boo Bin!

Easily fits in your purse, the glove box or a backpack.

To transform your tin into a Boo-Boo Bin,

you'll need:

1 empty Altoids tin

Different colored paints

(the girls used nailpolish this time)

Sharpie markers

Stickers

First aid supply suggestions:

assorted bandages

butterfly bandages

tweezers

alcohol wipes

antibiotic ointment

q-tips

eye drops

yummy candy :)

DIY Facial Toner

2011-01-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

Here in our house, we try to lesson the amount of toxins and chemicals we put on our bodies. With a multitude of skin types, we've found this recipe works best on all of us!

Toner Ingredients:

Witch Hazel

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tangerine Essential Oil

1 repurposed small container

(think shampoo bottles from hotels,

prescription bottles, make-up jars)

Directions:

1. Fill bottle 3/4 full with witch hazel.

2. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil.

3. Add 4 drops tangerine oil.

4. Cap bottle and shake well.

5. Store in refrigerator.

6. Shake well before each use.

**To stay earth friendly, use an old t-shirt and cut

into 2 inch squares to apply the toner to your face!

Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

2011-01-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

This one's an easy project!

You'll need:

toilet paper roll

peanut butter

birdseed

hole punch

yarn

Directions:

1. Punch 2 holes opposite each other at the top of the roll.

2. Spread peanut butter all over outside of tube.

3. Roll in birdseed.

4. String yarn through holes.

5. Hang outside near other branches,

so the birds have somewhere to perch. :)

Here are some more creative ideas for toilet paper rolls!

(photos belong to their respective websites)

Binoculars!

Pencil Holders!

Firestarters!

(click on the underlined ideas above to

get instructions for the other crafts pictured!)

Ice Play!

2011-01-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

Even in the winter we can continue to help keep our beaches clean.

On a recent expedition to the vet (sans dogs), we decided to stop at a park we've not yet been. We trooped down to the beach and on the pier and discovered an ice palace. We were also pleasantly surprised to find very little garbage on the beach after such a windy week!

People are Getting It!

2010-12-30T05:47:00.000-08:00

So nice to see in our community that people do care!

I loved watching my oldest separate all the paper &

cardboard that could be recycled from Christmas gifts .

I didn't even have to tell her or remind her!

Wrapping and packaging from each relative's house

we visited was repacked out and stowed in the car.

Then we made the trip out to the recycling center

and saw a container full of more wrapping paper!

Thanks community for remembering to be good recyclers!

Save a Stray and Share your Love!

2010-12-08T11:18:00.000-08:00

We rescued a puppy 2 weeks ago, who ended up being really sick and after having her only 3 days had to put her to sleep. I had my 3 yr old with me and it was a heartbreaking and learning experience. Morgi was a trooper and we sent Luna to heaven with a hug and a kiss good-bye. We snuggled at home and I fielded all sorts of questions. We decided that she was a lucky dog, because for 3 days she was loved and adored.

Undeterred, we headed back to the rescue for her littermate. Affectionately known as Peppermint, aka Pepper, she is spunky & wild and in very good health. The girls miss Luna, but love that we were able to save 2 dogs, even if one was for a fleeting moment.
Pepper is a boston terrier mix and she looooves her new brother Timbo!

If you're thinking about getting a pet this holiday season (or any season in general) consider adopting one from a rescue. What better way to share your love? It keeps the pet population down, you aren't promoting puppy mills or buying from pet stores and you get to save an animal from an uncertain future. Woof!

Greening up the Gingerbread House

2010-12-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

We thought this was so cute! Happy Holidays!

A New Take on the Old Twist-tie!

2010-11-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

My ever so creative mother forwarded me

this idea in an email for our blog.

While we all KNOW that we shouldn't be

buying things that come in plastic bottles,

the inevitable does happen.

And so we recycle them!

But we also all KNOW that the tops on

plastic bottles do not get recycled.

So what to do?

Try this ingenious idea!

Cut up a plastic bottle and keep the neck and top, as in below photo.

Insert your repurposed plastic bag through the neck
and screw the top to seal the bag.

Voila! You're a recycling, reducing, reusing pro!

From Jar Lid to Spoon Rest

2010-10-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

This one's a no brainer!

We don't own a spoon rest, so we are always looking

for something to set our utensils on while cooking.

So we started using the tops to spaghetti sauce jars,

pickle jars - any jar with a wide mouth.

So easy!

I've Got A Walnut Brownie Brain!

2010-09-17T17:13:00.000-07:00

A song post from Meira:

mewithoutYou

The Fox, The Crow and the Cookie

A new favorite in our house!

Happy Friday!

2010-09-10T15:40:00.000-07:00

Even the smallest actions count!

Have an action filled weekend!

Wanna Feel Good? Try some Feelgoodz!

2010-09-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

The other week I read an article on Change.org lamenting the plight of a newly formed eco-friendly flip-flop company not being able to sell their flip flops, all because of the nasty BP oil spill.

So I skipped on over to their website, Feelgoodz.
I LOVED what I read about the company and the flip flops
and bought a pair for myself!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!
They are SO comfortable, 100% natural rubber,

fair trade, and 100% biodegradable.
What more could you ask for in a flip flop?

Here’s a condensed excerpt reposted from Change.org. For the full version hop on over here:
“Last week, we told you the story of Feelgoodz, an ethical flip flop startup whose major summer order had gotten stuck in BP oil spill-related madness in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Whole Foods wasn't able to sell nearly the number of pairs that they had planned on, and Kyle [Berner, owner of Feelgoodz] was left unable to repay the loan, jeopardizing not only his company, but Drop the Chalk, the education software nonprofit who was supposed to get the next loan.
“Less than a week later, with the help of the Change.org community and an assist from Groupon, FeelGoodz has sold almost its entire summer line, and will be able to repay the loan.”
“It is an amazing testament to the power of the internet to help people form rapid and spontaneous communities of support. Finally, it's a powerful demonstration that this community cares not just about rallying against companies doing bad, but about supporting companies out there trying to do good.”

So hop on the bandwagon, do a little social good, and go get yourself a pair!

Friday Food Frolic! Garden Pesto!

2010-09-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

The basil is plentiful in our garden at this time of year,
so I thought I’d share our favorite pesto recipe.

Basil Pesto
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
½ cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper to taste

1. Rinse leaves and add to food processor.
2. Add olive oil. More or less depending on how thick you like your pesto.
3. Add garlic and cheese.
4. Add pine nuts/walnuts.
5. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Sometimes I omit the nuts & cheese and it tastes perfectly fine that way, too!
Tip – spend the $$ on quality pine nuts (don’t buy any from China) or you could end up with pine mouth!

How to preserve all that extra basil? Try:
**Drying**
Rinse the leaves and spread them single layer on a screen
OR
Tie the stems together and hang upside down in a dry, airy place.
Once the leaves are completely dry, crush them up into spice jars.
(Be sure they are completely dry or they will get moldy - yuck!)

**Freezing**
Half make the pesto recipe,
by blending just the basil and oil.
Freeze into ice cube trays
then transfer to an airtight freezer container.
Each ice cube holds about 2 tablespoons.
You can freeze the entire pesto recipe, too, if you want.

A Surprise for ME!

2010-08-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

So I've been talking and talking about how I need to switch to loose leaf tea over tea bags. I drink mainly herbal & decaf tea and haven't been able to find them loose in my area. I tried searching online and couldn't make up my mind with all the brands & choices.

Then lo & behold! I go to my car at lunch and find this nifty little treat on my seat! (Left by my not-so-keen-on-being-green hubby!)

Brewing a cup right now, back at my desk!

19th Annual Midwest Reggaefest

2010-08-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

Every year we venture forth to the Midwest Reggaefest in Ohio.

held at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park.

Three days of primitive camping (read no running water or flushing toilets) and three days and nights of reggae music. Our two main reasons for going are 1) we love camping and

2) we LOVE Carlos Jones and the PLUS band.

(they even played at our wedding almost 12 years ago!)

This year I was so happy to see that the campground has implemented and pushed recycling at the stage, quarry lake, playground and campsites.

It was so nice to only have to pack out paper recycling!

Each year I make the little ladies outfits for when PLUS plays.

Last year was dresses with band's logo,
this year skirts and custom shirts!

C is for Carlos & P is for PLUS Band!

Every year that we've camped since Meira was born,

it has rained at some point.

But the best part of the rain is when the sun comes out and we see this:

What a great end to a day full of music, dancing, and fun!

A Follow up to the Kleenex "Rant"...

2010-08-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

...with a great post from "It's Starts With Me" blogger Danielle! Click below to read all about buying recycled vs. non-recycled paper products.

It Starts With Me: 90 Years: "That's how long it takes to grow a box of Kleenex Brand tissues. Back in 2005, my father in-law started talking to me about buying recycled..."

Disposable Bathroom Hand Towels??? What??

2010-08-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

The latest in eco-friendly designs - NOT!

Complete with a gimicky song for the kids!

The Kleenex® Hand Towels Drying Song

My hands are gonna be clean

When I wash and I dry with mommy and sing

This song that's exactly two clean hands long

Warm water and soap and bubbles that shine

A Kleenex® Hand Towel that's mine all mine

And a song that's exactly two clean hands long

No yucky old towel's gonna ruin my day

I dry my hands the Kleenex® towel way

So if you're a fan of clean hands too

Roll up your sleeves and I'll sing with you.

How DIRTY are we in our OWN private bathrooms

that we need a new paper towel to dry off

with EVERY time we wash our hands?

Join me in boycotting Kleenex (and Kimberly-Clark)!

And let them know what you think of

their new product by leaving a comment here:

http://www.kleenex.com/NA/ContactUs.aspx

Mama Earth Thanks You!

Monday Words of Wisdom

2010-08-02T18:12:00.000-07:00

"The only person you are destined to become

is the person you decide to be."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yummy Blueberry Buckwheat Muffins!

2010-07-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

Blueberry Buckwheat Muffins
1 ¼ cup buckwheat
1 c whole wheat flour
1T baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup vanilla coconut milk
¼ cup applesauce
1 cup blueberries
¼ cup agave nectar

Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients.
Blend both together – batter will be thick & lumpy.
Spoon into greased muffin tins (makes 12).
Bake in 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
*Hints*

I eat mine with a little Earth Balance spread on them!
Paper liners will stick to the muffins.

And I like to use Bob’s Red Mill Buckwheat Cereal
and grind it a couple of times in the food processor
before baking with it.

My Garden Green

2010-07-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

We've spent the last two years, tearing up turf and creating our own little secret garden. The best part about it is that it needs little watering. We've planted mostly perennials & native plants that go with the flow and hardly ever need a drink from us. Hopefully we will be installing our homemade water barrel this weekend. Talk about your water conservation!

And to top it off - the birdbath & chair are rescued from the trashman.

More to come on the homemade water barrel!

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a safe and fun 4th of July!

Looks like my posts will be tapering off as summer hits Ohio full swing. Us Northerners know how short the good weather is around here, so the little ladies and I are taking full advantage.

Which means 99% outside time for us and 1% computer time for me the next few months!

It's this time of year that I'm always reminded how proud I am to be an American. To have the freedom to say what I want, protest when necessary, and as a woman the liberty to go to school, vote, and work.

And I'd like to say THANK YOU to all of our military.

Whether I believe in the wars or not, it is because of these brave

men and women that we are and remain free!

Off to the parade we go!

Some Weekend Fun with Jason Mraz

2010-06-25T04:21:00.000-07:00

Another request of Lady Morgana's! One of our most favorite musicians on EARTH! A stellar artist and even greater activist! Hope you all have a Sunshiney weekend!

From Recycle Bin to Playland!

2010-06-24T03:06:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite playgrounds in our area!

It's such a great, concrete example for kids.

Who knew something so fun could be the end result of recycling!

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

2010-06-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

Nine years ago today, I gave birth to the little girl I had waited my whole life to have. She's fiery and wild and sweet and shy. We share this crazy sisterly bond. We look the same - she has my hands and my feet and my body. She is wildly imaginative, insanely athletic and has the most incredible grace about her.

In all her years on earth, I have only been sad on two of her birthdays. Her fourth, when I was so sure that she was going to be an only child and that my baby was now on the brink of becoming a kindergartener. And this year. NINE. Nine years has gone too fast. She has been my light and my rock, my best friend and my biggest challenge and in NINE more years, she will be graduating. This is the halfway mark of raising her. I am halfway done. And for some reason it makes me sad because I am not ready for her to grow up and move on. (and yes I know nine years is a long time!!)

So my darling Meira, this post is dedicated to you,

my magical, beautiful first born daughter.

Happy 9th Birthday!

I can't wait to spend our day together!

Remembering Joe

2010-06-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today, we lost my husband's best friend of 20+ years in a motorcycle accident. An 80 year old woman wasn't paying attention when making a left turn and turned in front of him.

He died instantly and our lives changed forever.

He was an uncle extraordinaire, loving godfather,

and life long brother.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in

my heart) i am never without it (anywhere

i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
~ee cummings

Eating Green While on Vacation

2010-06-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

A little food for thought...

For this post, lets just talk about food packaging. It's something I've been thinking about not only for vacation, but in our daily lives as well. My husband and I both work full-time. We have two little girls, the oldest who chooses to participate in soccer, ballet, & gymnastics. Our nights are crazy and sometimes (though I cringe at the mere thought of where the food comes from) we get fast food for dinner. My girls are good eaters and Meira loves to get a salad, apples, juice box and sometimes fries. I think they switched Morgi at birth because she likes a plain old hamburger patty, apples and milk. You can get this typical combination of foods at pretty much any drive-thru. But once I read about how a fellow blogger was able to get rid of her garbage service, I started to take a serious look at our habits. And wow, fast food really fills up the can FAST! So I thought I'd throw out (ha ha) some tips on how to eat out a little greener, especially on vacation, when not cooking is part of the fun!

Think about the containers.

Can they be recycled? Does your community/hotel recycle their number?

Do the kids meals come in paper that you can recycle? What about what the food is wrapped in?

Think about condiments.

Pack bottles of mustard/ketchup/salad dressing for the trip and decline the packets handed out at the drive-thru.

Think about utensils.

Again, pack your own reusable silverware. Pass on the plastic wrapped plastic forks,etc. If they toss them in, hand them back. It gets easier the more often you do it!

Take it one step forward.

Does everything need to be packed in individual bags? Think kid's meals.

(And do they really need the plastic TOYS?)

Condense the food order - have the kids share nuggets, drinks, salads, etc. Sometimes it's actually cheaper to buy adult size and split it.

Think about what the food comes in, from each place. Qdoba puts practically everything in something plastic, Taco Bell is all wrapped in coated paper, Burger King/Mc Donald's use lots of paper bags and boxes, Chipotle wraps in aluminum foil - catch my drift?

The picture above is a lazy Friday night dinner. Had I made it myself, I'd have 2 less pizza boxes, 1 less breadstick box, 1 less plastic salad container, no packs of dressing or utensils or non-recyclable marinara sauces. But as far as trash choices go, it's almost fully able to hit the recycling bins. On the road, it's the lesser of evils. At home, I'd be better off mixing up my own dough and chopping up our own salad. It's always good to know where your food comes from!

So have fun on vacation, but don't forget that you can still make good environmental choices when eating on the road!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 06.16.10

2010-06-16T18:36:00.000-07:00

This time it's in a favorite tune of ours, per Morgan's request!! Enjoy!

Jack Johnson performing "The 3 R's."

Choosing a Green Hotel

2010-06-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Something new is happening in the world of hotels. A little process by the name of LEED, which stands for "Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design," that was dreamed up back in 1998.

It's a 3rd party rating systems that certifies companies based on these criteria:
Location and Planning, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation and Design Process & Regional Priority.

When we went to Gatlinburg, we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, which was the 1st LEED certified hotel in the town. (click on the underlined words to read in depth the extent that this hotel is green).

What we saw in the hotel were:

recycle bins inside & outside the rooms,

dual flushing toilets

recycled toilet paper

as well as, thermostats for the rooms, and the request to reuse your bathroom towels. One more tip from us is to skip maid service - do the sheets & blankets really need to be cleaned so soon?!

The Beauty of the Smoky Mountains

2010-06-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

While we have the lush valleys all around us where we live in Ohio, I am always in awe of the mountains. Smokies or Rockies, small or big, they are just breathtaking! So here's a little photo stroll of our recent trip to the mountains. Enjoy!

coming up next: greening up your vacations!

On hiatus! See you in a week or so!

2010-06-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

Take a Pledge!

2010-06-03T07:08:00.000-07:00

(courtesy of my young preschooler!)

Eco Tip of the Week - Ban The Paper Goods!

2010-06-02T05:45:00.000-07:00

So you've nixed the plastics, now it's time to phase out the paper goods, too! As your supply starts getting low, it's time to start looking for cloth/fabric replacements. As for paper plate substitutes? Use your dishes or grandma's china!

Or try some of the following ideas:

**Look for sales after holidays on cloth napkins and hand towels.

**Shop secondhand stores.

**Peruse local garage sales.

**Check with mom (or dad), it's amazing what they find in their linen drawer!

**Make your own napkins out of fabric remnants.

**Make your own towels out of old t-shirts & thermal shirts.

The forests will thank you!

Almost Vegan Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

2010-06-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

These are by far, my most favorite cookies. Everytime I make them, I tweak the recipe even more! They are great raw and even better cooked! They make a quick & healthy breakfast or afterschool snack. To up the protein, you can substitute a little flour for a couple spoonfuls of protein powder (my kids can always tell, so I usually skip it).

Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 cup 50/50 Smart Balance Butter Blend**

1/2 cup Agave Nectar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tbsp. wheat germ

1 cup coconut*

1/4 cup crushed pecans*

1 cup oats

1/2 cup multi-grain oats

*optional

**substitute the butter blend and you'll have a full-on vegan treat!

1. Beat on medium speed until blended: butter, agave, baking powder & soda, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla.

2. Beat in flour & wheat germ.

3. By hand, mix in: coconut, pecans, and oats/muli-grain oats.

4. Press into a 9x9 pan OR

5. Make into 1 inch balls (pack like a snowball!), press flat and place on cookie sheet.

6. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 9-11 minutes.

7. Enjoy!

Oh the PAIN of poison ivy!

2010-05-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

Right now my oldest is dealing with the awfulness that is poison ivy. On her TOES! Flip-flops and woodsy areas don't always mesh well, even if it is in the middle of a city, during a festival, on a well-trodden foot path. Poor thing!

So we thought with summer starting, now would be a good time

for a post on poison ivy! If you’re anything like us, you spend a lot of time outdoors. And if you’re one of the unlucky 50% of the population who is allergic to poison ivy, then you have a good chance of having to deal with the itchy ooziness of it at some point this summer.

Here’s what you can do if you’ve been exposed:
The first line of defense is to heavily rinse the area with water immediately.
Then rinse with rubbing alcohol.
Do not use a washcloth or it will just spread the urushiol oil all around. Urushiol oil is the toxin in poison ivy & oak that causes the blistery, itchy rash on your skin.

Next, you have a few options. Keep trying until you find one that works.
1) Drying agents: use until the oozing stops.
    *Calamine lotion (Zinc & Iron Oxides together)
    *Zinc Oxide (think baby bum ointments/some sunblocks)
    *Witch Hazel
    *Baking Soda
    *Colloidal Oatmeal

2) Oral Medicines: an added measure for if the itching gets awful.
    *You can try Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine maleate)
    *or Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride)
~~~just remember both can make you VERY sleepy!!~~~

**edited to add - what worked best for us this week was frequent foot soaks in warm water & baking soda and spraying the rash with a white vinegar & water mix. Great tip from my sister-in-law!

Are You My Mother?

2010-05-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

The House Finch eggs have hatched!

I noticed mama bird was sitting a little higher than normal,

so when she flew away we snuck a peek in the nest.

And this is what we saw!

Mother Nature at her finest!

Eco Tip of the Week - Phase out those toxic cleaning supplies!

2010-05-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

Eco Tip for the Week:

How to phase out toxic household cleaners.

I've been slowly making the switch to natural cleaning products. Since I don't want to be wasteful and just dump everything down the drain to make room for new kinds, I replace the toxics with non-toxic as they get used up. I now even go so far as to make my own cleaning products, instead of buying replacements. I think it's so important to be conscious about the chemicals we dump down our drains. Not only do they contaminate our water supply, but they affect all the wildlife that depends on it (a whole other discussion!).

In a pinch though, I like to be able to just grab a bottle and go!

Products I like to use are Seventh Generation & Method.

But if you've got the determination and have the time, try some of these ideas!

1) Stock up on a few safe, simple ingredients that can be used in most cleaning situations. Soap, water, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax, and a coarse scrubbing sponge can take care of most household cleaning needs.

2) Instead of using a standard drain cleaner, which likely contains lye, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid, try pouring a quarter cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar. Close the drain tightly until fizzing stops, then flush with boiling water.

3) For an effective glass cleaner, use a mixture of half white vinegar and half water.

4) Baking soda and cornstarch are both good carpet deodorizers.

5)To clean up mildew and mold, use a mixture of lemon juice or white vinegar and salt.

6) A paste of baking soda, salt, and hot water makes a great oven cleaner and tub scrubber.

In the rare instance you need to use a hazardous product, use as little as possible and dispose of it in a way that will cause minimum harm—for example, by bringing it to a hazardous waste recycling or treatment center.
(source http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1484)

Which Side Are You Standing On?

2010-05-26T06:48:00.000-07:00

I'm standing on the side of LOVE!

Imagine what this world would be like

if we approached every situation with love first!

Goodbye road rage!

Goodbye bullying and relational aggression!

Goodbye impatiently waiting in line, in traffic, at the doctor's office!

Goodbye jealousy, hatred, gossip, selfishness!

When we stand on the side of LOVE,

we react to everything differently.

Better, smarter, safer, kinder.

So the next time you feel your temper rising,

you feel yourself getting agitated, or annoyed or mad,

ask yourself "is this negativity really worth it?"

and then ask, "how can I approach this situation with love?"

BE LOVE!

(I love that this banner hangs outside my daughter's preschool!)

(For more on being LOVE check out Jason Mraz - master muscian and awesome activist.)

Move Over Robins, There's a New Bird in Town

2010-05-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, our robin's nest tipped in a storm and the mama bird abandoned her three beautiful eggs and nest. Within a few days we noticed that the house finches were back in the bush, singing their beautiful songs.

And then we noticed this!

It was empty, but not for long!

And not to be outdone by the robin family...

We now anxiously await the hatchings. Hopefully the eggs will start cracking by the end of next week!

Eco Tip of the Week - Ban the disposables!

2010-05-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

Becoming eco friendly can be a daunting task. Where to start? Do you buy organic, get rid of all plastics, save water, use toxic free cleansers, compost, get a canteen, walk to work, start a garden? It can be so overwhelming to decide how to make these important changes. So I decided to start posting a weekly tip that is easy to accomplish and easy to incorporate into your daily life.

So without further ado, here we go!

Tip #1: Ban the disposables!

Remember when using the good dishes/silverware/napkins

was such a special treat?

Now you can treat yourself everyday! You may have a few more dishes, but you'll have a lot less garbage and save a few trees in the process.

*Use cloth napkins
*Skip the paper plates
*Don't use plastic utensils. Yes, even the little ones can handle real silverware!
*Store items in reusable containers - stainless steel, glass, repurposed cereal bags, etc.
*Use the nice drinking glasses and wine goblets - even if it is just water!

Make the change one meal at a time, one day at a time and pretty soon you won't even miss the paper & plastics goods!

What to do with those annoying plastic containers?

2010-05-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

We don't get take-out often, but when we do,

it comes loaded up in plastic containers.

I can recycle most (1-2 in our community, 3-7 at work),

but most communities leave you hanging on those #5's.

What to do, what to do?

Plant a garden!

They make excellent seed houses.

Pop a few holes in the bottom for when you plant

and rinse and put away after you transplant!

(Big Tip: Preserve Products will also send you

pre-paid shipping labels to collect all your #5 recyclables!)

Words of Wisdom from the 4th grade hallway

2010-05-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

From Rags to Riches!

2010-05-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

A lot of our hand-me-downs still have a lot of life left in them.

But they've also been well lived in, ie: stains, rips, faded patches.

So what do do with those not-so-perfect beauties? Get out the fabric markers!

The little ladies love coloring their own designs and then showing them off.

We use Crayola fabric markers on clean clothes and

then either iron to set or toss in a hot dryer for about 10 minutes.

And the finished product! Good as new!

Repurpose Those Cereal Bags!

2010-04-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

What to do with those plastic bags that house your cereals & crackers? Use them as ziploc bags! I have not bought a box of plastic storage baggies since November - yay me! I've been saving the plastics bags from inside our cereal & cracker boxes. I just turn them inside out and wash them and let them dry. So far I've been able to use them for taking my lunch to work, holding my washed/cut up fruit and veggies, storing leftovers in the fridge and even in the freezer. I even stored a min-watermelon in one the other day. Who needs plastic wrap?! While I'm not sure what number plastic they are made from - yet - it sure beats tossing them in the trash. (I've emailed a couple of the companies and have not received any answers yet, but googling the bags points to a #2) How to seal it with no "ziploc"? Reuse rubberbands or simple tie a ribbon around the opening!
Goodbye plastic bags and plastic wrap! May you never set foot in my house again!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 04.28.10

2010-04-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

"Life is a gift.

If you do not value your gift,

nobody else will."

(from my Yogi Tea tag)

Happy Birthday to my Morgan!

2010-04-27T07:35:00.000-07:00

This one is dedicated to my newly turned 3 year old. It took three years of trying, 4 too many losses, a high risk pregnancy and a speedy week early delivery. She is my miracle. She is the child I never thought I'd have and the sister my firstborn spent three years praying for.

So Happy Birthday Morgan! Thank you for blessing my life each and every minute.

You truly are our sunshine!

You & I minutes after you were born. You still owe me that orange popsicle!

Meeting your sister and now constant companion for the first time.

You on your 3rd birthday! What a great day we had!

Lunch & ice cream!

Picking out a toy!

And finally getting sis from school! (morgan "only I couldn't stay up for the car ride home and yes, I normally ride in a carseat, but wanted to snug, so mom let me ride in the booster seat" - which you can see why 3yo's shouldn't ride in booster seats!)

So here's to many, many more years with you my sweet baby! xo

Our New "Neighbors!"

2010-04-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Our yard is a constant work in progress. We are trying to create less grass and more garden beds with perennials and ground cover that doesn't need constant mowing and watering. We took out a bunch of old bushes this spring and are excited to replant the beds around the house with wildlife sustainable plants and flowers. We are trying to attract butterflies and birds and maybe a toad or two! Last year we had it certified as a "Backyard Wildlife Habitat" through the National Wildlife Federation. We have lots of wildlife that visit - birds, bunnies, hawks, chipmunks, butterflies and deer. But none have chosen our small suburban yard as home - expect for bugs!

(a work in progress! the deer eat everything!)

Last night we discovered our first inhabitant! My oldest was so excited and said, "our yard must be perfect with enough food and water and shelter for her to pick our tree!" Normally this Rhododendron tree is feeding station to a handfull of purple finches. Lately I've noticed that they haven't been hanging around and was curious as to why. So dad spotted a nest, but let the little ladies hunt for it instead of showing them where it was hiding.

And yes! A Robin family has taken up residence! We will update pictures as things progess. The little ladies are anxiously awaiting the hatching of these beautiful eggs!

You too, can certify your backyard by following these

5 steps from the National Wildlife Federation.

1. Provide food for wildlife.

2. Supply water for wildlife.

3. Create cover for wildlife.

4. Give wildlife a place to raise their young.

5. Let your garden be green.

And Voila! go get certified!

HAPPY EARTH DAY! Save a Life!

2010-04-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

"Imagine if, instead of just going to a tap in your kitchen, or to a water cooler, anytime you were thirsty, you had to hoist a heavy vessel onto your head and walk, up to two hours, to a well, where, after filling your vessel, you had to carry it two more hours back home."

My heart breaks just thinking about the water dilemma facing so many people around the world, while we sit here taking our clean, safe water for granted.

Check out these facts:

***Every 15 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease.***

Roughly 1/6 of the world's population does not have access to safe drinking water.

Some 6,000 children die every day from lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene.

In the past 10 years, diarrhea has killed more children than all the people lost to armed conflict since World War II.

The average person in the developing world uses
2.64 gallons of water/day.

The average person in the United Kingdom uses
35.66 gallons of water /day.

The average person in the United States uses
between 100 and 175 gallons every day at home.

Want to save a life? Skip one dinner out this month!

Donate $30 to Blue Planet Run Foundation

and provide safe drinking water to one person for their ENTIRE lifetime!

Click here to find out more ways to make a difference.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 04.21.10

2010-04-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

“When you are content to be simply yourself

and don’t compare or compete,

everybody will respect you.”

~Lao-Tzu

Refill Those Cartridges!

2010-04-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

So, I don't do a lot of printing at home. If I need a picture, I just upload it to a photo site and have it printed off at one of our local drugstores. But, we are completely out of ink and I have 3 separate Teacher Appreciation projects for 3 different schools that involve lots of printing. (Thanks dear sister, for tossing your project my way, as well!)

I grabbed my empty cartridges and headed up to OfficeMax to buy some new ones. On my drive up, I got to thinking about how it's great that we can recycle the empty ones, but what about taking it one step further? How about REFILLING them? When you first walk in at our OfficeMax, there is a station for dropping off your cartridges to refill them. Approx. $10 for black & $15 for color. I left them last night around 8pm and got a call this morning that they are ready. So, while I didn't get to take them home right away, I still get them within 24 hours. The one thing I worry about is how the printing will actually look.

Here's a little info:
PROS:
*Save money
*Reusing something made from plastic
*Reducing packing paper/plastic packaging by not buying new
*Someone else does the filling, so no mess
CONS:
*Have to wait to pick up the refill
*Questionable quality due to reusing cartridge heads made for single use only
*Air bubbles in reservoir can cause messy printing on the paper

I will update when I print to compare the quality of these refilled versus new cartridges!

My New Love! Why you should ditch your plastic water bottle.

2010-04-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

Finally! I found a stainless steel water bottle that I love! (I don't love the cheapo ones we have, as all of them tend to leak!) I've been going round and round about what brand I want. I didn't want a Sigg. I didn't want a Klean Kanteen. I wanted something pretty and something where I didn't have to drink straight from the metal edge - without costing a fortune.

So walking through Target on my lunch the other day, I popped down the aisle with all their stainless steel bottles. Lo and behold, I found perfection! Reasonably priced, BPA-free plastic drinking spout, and made by Thermos.

Change happens once small step at a time. Start with the water bottle and move on to the rest of the plastics. IF you have to buy something in a plastic container, these plastics are BPA-free, phthalates-free and PVC-free: #1, #2, #4, #5.

If you ever needed a reason to ditch the plastic - read on!

#1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET): No known hazards.

#2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): No known hazards.
#3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl): Plasticizers are added to many PVC products to make them flexible. These include phthalates — suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), DEHA, another possible EDC, was found to leach from PVC cling wraps into cheese. Grocery stores commonly use PVC to wrap deli meats and cheeses. Reyonds cling wrap is PVC. Some waters and vegetable oils are bottled in PVC. Ad PVC’s manufacture and incineration produces highly toxic dioxins, as does the PVDC used in Saran Wrap, according to Consumers Union.
#4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): No known hazards.
#5. Polypropylene (PP): No known hazards.
#6. Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam): Made from styrene, a suspected carcinogen, PS also contains p-nonylphenol; both chemicals are suspected EDCs. Do not consumer fatty foods or alcoholic beverages from Styrofoam containers; styrene can leach into these substances. Some opaque plastic cutlery is PS, as well.
#7. Other Resins, including Polycarbonate (PC): Most clear plastic baby bottles and 5-gallon water bottles are made of PC. Bisphenol-A EDC in PC, has been found in water and heated infant formulas bottles in PC, as well as food cans lined with a plastic film. For more on the evils of BPA, click here.

(source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/safe-plastics-for-lunchboxes.html)

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 04.14.10

2010-04-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

"We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle."

~Marilyn Monroe

How to Hike & Picnic Like a Good Little Eco Friend!

2010-04-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

With the warm weather finally rearing it's pretty head, we are entering the season of hiking and picnics in our household. So this Sunday we did a little geocaching and a LOT of hiking and ended our afternoon with a picnic.

While sitting at a table in our amazing metroparks along the Rocky River, the little ladies and I got to talking about all the litter we saw while hiking. When geocaching, we practice "cache in, trash out" - the art of collecting trash you find while hunting for your cache. It's a practice that has been spilling over into our daily lives and quite frankly I'm still amazed that in this day and age, people litter.

So, we came up with some eco-friendly tips for hiking and picnicking and leaving a zero impact on nature.

1. Leave only footprints.
2. Be careful where you walk, so that you don't disturb natural habitats.
2. Carry a canteen - not a disposable water bottle or even a juice box.
3. Pack all trash with you and dispose of it when you leave or get home.
4. Choose local, seasonal, and/or organic foods - fresh fruits & veggies.
5. Use reusable plates, napkins, utensils, and cups.
6. Use natural/organic bug sprays & sunscreens.
7. Bring a camera :)

(forgot to bring the backpacker, so she rode like this up the 500 ft ravine)

(all to see the remnants of an old rollercoaster built into the side of the incline)

(where we found a tree growing on a tree, but no luck on the cache this time)

(and safely, thankfully, made our way back down to our picnic area!)

Save Water! Shower with a Friend!

2010-04-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

Water conservation always starts at home. Each minute you spend in the shower uses 5-10 gallons of water. So here are some tips to help green up your clean up time!

1. Shower with a friend! The little ladies and I usually all shower together. We try to keep it under 15 minutes and I think that's pretty good when you divide it by three. Someone rinses while someone soaps and the preschooler usually just plays in the bottom with her water toys.

2. If you are up to it, try a "navy shower." Talk about your water saver! The concept is simple: hop in, get wet, turn the water off, soap up, turn the water back on, rinse off, turn the water back off. I think that it's a perfect way to shower in the heat of summer, but in the thick of winter, I'll take a steady stream! Which ties into #3...

3. When taking a regular shower, use a bucket to collect the water running as you wait for it to heat up. We all do it - let the water run until it reaches a nice hot temp and then (and only then!) hop on in the shower. You can then use this water to fill the toilet tank, water plants, wash dishes, etc.

4. Upgrade your shower head to a low-flow model. You should be able to find one for under $40.

5. And lastly - take shorter showers. A four minute shower uses approximately 20-40 gallons of water. A 20 minute shower uses up to 200 gallons of water! Yikes!

From Trash to Treasure!

2010-04-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

In our neck of the woods we've been under a serious spring thaw. That means that we can start hunting for beach glass again. What started out as just picking up some pretty frosted glass on the beach has turned into an all out hunt for the rarest of colors.

I never realized the history that beach glass holds and that the colors represent different time periods and different types of bottles and glass containers.

The common colors of brown, white, and green are prolific. We have jars and jars of them. But it's the rarer colors of red, blue, purple, orange and black that we are after this summer.

Wikipedia summaries it so well that I'm just going to quote from them: "Sea glass is one of a very few cases of a valuable item being created from the actions of the environment on man-made litter." The shards are tossed against the water, rocks, and sand until they becomes frosted and their rough edges smoothed.

"Rare and extremely rare colors include gray, pink (often from Great Depression era plates), teal (often from Mateus wine bottles), black (older, very dark olive green glass), yellow (often from 1930s Vaseline containers), turquoise (from tableware and art glass), red (often from car tail lights, dinnerware or from nautical lights, it is found once in about every 5,000 pieces), and orange (the least common type of sea glass, found once in about 10,000 pieces).

These colors are found once for every 1,000 to 10,000 pieces collected. Some shards of black glass are quite old, originating from thick eighteenth-century gin, beer and wine bottles."

We found pieces of red, purple, lavender, and black

on our Lake Erie shores.

I am on the hunt for orange or yellow this summer!

(yes, princess dress & galoshes - spring hadn't totally sprung yet

and it was only about 45 degrees out!)

(rare sea glass chart borrowed from http://www.westcoastseaglass.com)

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 03.24.10

2010-03-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning,

but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

~Maria Robinson

Kudos to the Great Green Wolf!

2010-03-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

Since I have a winter birthday, we go away to an indoor waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge, for the weekend every year. It's not too far, and we only stay one night, but it's perfectly sized for the little ladies and so much fun!

Every year I'm more and more impressed with where we stay! Great Wolf has been doing some serious "greening up" of the hotel and water park. I love walking into a hotel that has recycling stations for paper, plastic, glass, and cans all around the levels and in the rooms, as well. They ask you to reuse linens and bath towels, and to turn the lights off and the a/c if you aren't in the room.
In fact, they are the first and only hotel chain to have all it's U.S. properties "Green Seal Certified ~ Silver."

So, hooray for Great Wolf Lodge!!

One mini-vacation that truly leaves you feeling environmentally refreshed! To read more about this great hotel & water park's green policies, click HERE!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 03.10.10

2010-03-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

"I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after,

and changed my ideas;

they've gone through and through me,

like wine through water,

and altered the colour of my mind."

~ Emily Brontë

Row Katie, Row! Almost finished!

2010-03-04T11:41:00.000-08:00

Sixty-one (61!) days of rowing alone in the Atlantic ocean and Katie is nearing the coast of French Guiana! It's hard to believe that the girl I met back in November, is the girl in that boat. It's hard to believe that the boat I saw in November, is the trusty vessel that has carried her all these days.

I admire her in so many ways. Reading her twitters and updates show what an amazing person she truly is! Alone at see for 61 days and her humor never falters, she is in awe of the nature around her, and despite the aches and pains, seems like she is having a world of fun. Her website explains it all. Click on RowForWater to find out all about Katie and her personal trek to help fund safe drinking water projects! Go Katie!

My co-worker (who? whom? has been instrumental in the logistics of getting her vessel to Dakar & back) updated us yesterday with Katie's final destination. Instead of French Guiana, they are now aiming for Georgetown in Guyana. It will add at least another 10 days of rowing for Katie. I wonder how she feels about that. I wonder if I would be ready to go back to our imperfect world after seeing all the beauty she has along this journey.

Like the cool sea turtle...

or the resident dorados...

or gorgeous sunsets every night...

What a fun and wild trip to take on.

Godspeed Katie!

(ALL photos taken by Katie Spotz)

Friday Food Frolic! The Fizzy MeMo

2010-02-26T06:55:00.000-08:00

Our family's take on homemade soda.

The little ladies love that it's sweet and fizzy.

It's so easy to make that they can practically do it themselves!

The Fizzy MeMo

Ingredients:

(try to find organic versions)
2 cups grape juice
2 cups cranberry juice
2 ¼ cups cold sparkling water

Directions:
1. Mix the cranberry, grape juice

and sparkling water in a pitcher.
2. Add ice cubes.

3. Cheers!

From Yogurt Tub to Trinket Collector!

2010-02-25T06:05:00.000-08:00

This is an easy one and will take maybe 15 minutes to complete!

Supplies:

Yogurt tub (or any plastic tub)

pretty paper

glue/double stick tape

stickers

scissors

ribbon

knife

Directions:
Lid:
1. Trace around lid on paper.
2. Cut out and glue or tape to top of lid.
3. You will then cut an 'X' in the container.

This will allow toys/shells/beach glass to go in, but not tumble out!

Container:

1. Cover container with paper.
2. Poke two holes on opposite sides.
3. Decorate container with stickers, glitter glue, etc.
4. Take the ribbon and poke through each hole.
5. Tie a knot on the inside that is bigger than the hole.
6. Put lid on container.

Voila! Your recycled container is done!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 02.24.10

2010-02-24T05:41:00.000-08:00

Every child comes with the message

that God is not yet discouraged of man.

~Rabindranath Tagore

Friday Food Frolic! Garden Pasta Salad

2010-02-19T07:52:00.000-08:00

In a good year, we can successfully grow most of the veggies in our own garden. My girls like to pick the veggies and help make the salad. In a year that the deer help themselves, our local market supplies all the organic veggies we need for this salad.

I like to use Newman's Oil & Vinegar dressing. It's all natural and tastes homemade, so while not organic, it's a great time saver. Sometimes Meira will want cheese in it and sometimes not, so I left that optional in the recipe. It makes a great school lunch - filled with protein and veggies and grains - and doesn't need to be heated, so it sits well all morning in a thermos.

Garden Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 box of tri-color pasta

1/4 cup chopped red pepper

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 cup chopped yellow pepper

1/2 cup thinly sliced & peeled cucumber

1/2 cup sliced green olives

1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced

1 stalk chopped celery

shredded parmesan or mozzarella cheese (optional)

1 bottle Newman's Own Olive Oil & Vinegar dressing

Directions:

1) Boil pasta according to directions on box.
Rinse & drain under cold water.

2) Mix all veggies in a large bowl.

3) Pour dressing over mixture,
add cold pasta and mix well.

4) Chill (and add cheese, if using) before serving.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 02.17.10

2010-02-17T07:19:00.000-08:00

"People are like stained-glass windows.

They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,

but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty

is revealed only if there is light from within."

~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

For the Love of Teeth!

2010-02-15T13:29:00.000-08:00

In general, throughout our lives, we go through a lot of toothbrushes. Lately, I've been thinking about how to make this part of our hygiene a little more eco-friendly. Everytime I brush my teeth or help my girls do their's, I think, "I need to find better toothbrushes that won't be super expensive and are good for our earth." And then I promptly forget until the next brushing of the pearly whites.

This weekend, we took a trip out to Trader Joe's. While walking down one of the aisles, my little Morgi found a whole section of toothbrushes. Being the lover of teeth brushing that she is, she asked if she could have one. I read it over and checked the price ($2.99-not too bad) and put four in the cart.

The toothbrushes are by Preserve Products. I haven't researched any other eco-friendly brushes at this point to compare them, but these totally fit the bill. Conveniently priced, locally located and 100% good-for-the-environment.

       *100% recycled handles made from yogurt cups!
       *BPA free!
       *Made in the USA!
       *100% recycleable when sent back to Preserve!
       *Fun colors!
       *Comes in a wood-based plastic traveling case!

See how exciting brushing your teeth

with an eco-friendly brush can be?!

Friday Food Frolic! Pancakes

2010-02-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

The little ladies don't always eat a big breakfast. We are always on the go in the mornings and breakfast usually consists of berries & a granola bar or a homemade biscuit & milk.

So on the weekends, we sometimes like to do a big breakfast and a popular request is Pancakes! My base recipe comes from the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook. I tweak it to make it a little healthier for the little ladies and this is one recipe that they barely notice the difference!

Weekend Pancakes

Ingredients:

1/3 cup flour

2/3 whole wheat flour

1 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp wheat germ

2 tsps baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg, beaten (or replacement equivalent)

1 cup liquid (organic milk/soy milk/almond milk or water)

2 Tbsp melted butter (or any kind of oil substitution - applesauce works really well)
(I always try to use organic ingredients when possible)

Directions:

1) In a large mixing bowl, stir all dry ingredients together.

2) In a small bowl, mix liquid ingredients until well blended.

3) Pour liquid mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients.

4) Stir until blended, but slightly lumpy.

5) Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into your lightly greased frying pan or griddle.

I keep mine at about medium-hot.

6) When pancakes have bubbly surfaces, flip over to cook the second side.

7) Serve with maple syrup and enjoy!

This is a great base recipe and can be easily changed by adding blueberries or bananas. If you use "purple" all natural applesauce, you'll get purply pancakes!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 2.10.10

2010-02-10T07:27:00.000-08:00

"Courage

doesn't always roar.

Sometimes courage is

the quiet voice at

the end of the day saying

I will try again tomorrow."

~Mary Anne Radmacher

No Sew Recycled Wrist Warmers

2010-02-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

When we go out to play in the snow, even though I do the whole *gloves-on-first-then-coat* with the girls, the gloves manage to eventually wriggle out and leave their wrists exposed.

So, I recalled reading about using socks as wrist warmers for outdoor play. I dug through our sock bag for a couple mismatched & holey pairs and whipped up a few for the little ladies.
I even made a pair for myself!

The great thing about them is that if you use knee highs, you get coverage up to the elbow. It also adds another layer of warmth under their gloves and doesn't interfere with the fingers on mittens.

What a great way to reduce & reuse!

Directions:
1) One pair of socks.
2) Cut the toes off.
3) Cut a hole in the heel.
4) Voila! All done!

Friday Food Frolic! Maple Sugar Candy

2010-02-05T13:54:00.000-08:00

Candy is a thorn-in-my-side in my house.
Everyone LOVES it and there are constant negotiations
with the little ladies to get their hands on some.

So as a sort of compromise, we make maple sugar candy. I
t's good, it's very sweet, and it's not made with all sorts of white sugar and artificial colors.

MAPLE SUGAR CANDY

Ingredients:

2 cups fancy grade-A pure maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon organic milk or cream (can be omitted,

but helps to keep the mixture from boiling over)

wooden spoon

candy thermometer

powdered sugar

Directions:

1. In a large deep pot, heat the maple syrup and the milk or cream over medium-heat until the mixture reaches 233-300 degrees F. on a candy thermometer . The lower the temp, the more brittle and clear the candy will be, the higher, the more grainy it will turn out.

2. Let the mixture sit for about a minute. Stir with a wooden spoon and immediately pour the syrup into a wax paper lined jelly roll pan or into oiled candy molds.

3. Let the candies cool. Then pop them out of the molds or

out of the tray and break into small pieces.

4. Toss with powdered sugar to keep from sticking

and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 02.03.10

2010-02-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

"Be bold. Be brave. Be unafraid."

~ Jane Yolen

One of our favorite books - Child of Faerie, Child of Earth.

~Meira~

Great Natural Scrubbers!

2010-02-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

We like to use old t-shirts for cleaning around the house, only I find that they aren't always as thick as I would like for scrubbing in the tub or kitchen. So I was cleaning out some drawers and came across an old thermal shirt that had seen better days. The waffle knit in it was large and I thought to myself these would make great scrubbers!

I cut the body of the shirt into small cloths and used the bottom of the sleeves for hand mits. And I was right - the rougher texture made a great scrubber! Even the little ladies helped out with the cleaning and we knocked out the kitchen, bath, & living rooms in no time.

I'm saving the cuffs and collar for some future creations - maybe a doggie coat or freezerpop cozies!

(You can even sew the end shut so that it stays on your hand better.)

Here's a few recipes to make for your own non-toxic cleaning kit.

Vitamin D, anyone?

2010-02-01T12:10:00.000-08:00

Our little trio is big on outside adventures - in all seasons and in all weather. This past Sunday was icy cold (temps hitting the mid 20's), but gorgeously sunshiney. A trip to the fabric store turned into an impromtu trip to the beach and playground in our neighboring suburb.

The beach is a dog friendly beach. No human swimmers allowed. The rocks are the breakwall and there's usually about 20 feet of water before it hits the shore. The sand is really cool when it's frozen - crunchy and easy to pick up in big slabs,
blown all around in crazy drifts.

We kept off the frozen ice, but the little ladies had fun throwing rocks to see if they could break it. Lesson learned - just because it looks frozen, doesn't mean it is.

While we weren't dressed entirely appropriately for wind chills in the teens, we did manage to scrounge up some mittens and boots in the car to allow for a little extra playtime out in the arctic cold!

What is more fun than slides & snow?

Tunnels and ladders?

Even mom joined in the fun.

Look at those beautiful blue skies behind me!

Now go out and play!

Friday Food Frolic! Jerk Chicken Veggie Soup

2010-01-29T05:52:00.000-08:00

This one is a favorite of mine and if the jerk seasoning wasn't so hot, I would eat it for every meal! For the girls, I omit the jerk seasoning and tone down the spicy peppers. This is a great wintertime soup and with all it's peppers and garlic, it's a great immunity boost!

Jerk Chicken Veggie Soup

Ingredients:

16 oz organic vegetable stock

2 cans diced tomatoes with onion

½ can diced tomatoes with chilies

1 small can tomato paste with garlic

1 tbsp. diced garlic

1 tsp. chili powder

½ tsp. cayenne powder

1 green pepper diced

1 red pepper diced

10 red potatoes diced

3 organic, free range chicken breasts

Rasta Rub seasoning

Organic shredded cheddar cheese

Blue corn tortilla chips or rolls

(I try to buy organic when possible for all the ingredients)

Directions:

1. Almost puree the diced tomatoes, garlic, and 1/3 of the diced green & red peppers in a food processor.

2. Add the tomato/pepper mixture to crock pot, adding: the tomato paste, chili powder, cayenne powder, remaining peppers and diced red potatoes. Mix well.

3. Stir in vegetable broth to desired consistency.
You may not need all 16 oz.

4. Cut chicken breasts into 1 inch cubes. Coat with Rasta Rub (or any jerk seasoning). Toss in frying pan with a little oil until thoroughly cooked. Dice and add to crock pot.

5. Cook on high 5 hours or until potatoes are done.

6. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and serve with tortilla chips/rolls. Enjoy!

One Pint ~ Three Lives ~ One Hour of My Time

2010-01-28T09:30:00.000-08:00

A creative way to practice the three R's!

Did you know that donating a pint of blood can save up to 3 lives? Yes, one hour of your time can give THREE other fellow humans a lifetime of hours that they otherwise might not have. The whole thing takes about an hour and the actual donation takes only about 15 minutes. I did it 4 years ago for my father-in-law when he had surgery for cancer. I swore that I would continue to donate and I never did again. I had all good intentions about finding a drive and with the usual busyness of life, I always forgot.

Two weeks ago a letter came home in my daughter's school folder. Her school was hosting a blood drive in honor of a fellow classmate who died of a rare blood disorder called ITP. A sweet little girl, who had an unknown platelet disorder that the doctors caught too late. It's a heartbreaking story that crosses my mind time to time when I look at my own very healthy, very alive little girls. The Red Cross calls it a "Pint Size Hero" drive. The kids are supposed to get at least one adult to sign up in their stead to donate blood. They in turn become Pint Size Heros and get some cool prize. Perfect opportunity! I went online and signed up.

The Red Cross website lists all the drives in the area in one place, so it's easy to find a blood drive to fit your schedule.

So last night my daughter got to be a Pint Size Hero. And I got to be one, too. Last night I gave a mother back her child, a parent back, a husband, wife, sister, brother, friend back to their loved ones. Last night I got to be a miracle maker and it cost me nothing.

An hour of my time, a pound off my scale, and I received a lesson in gratitude. Because last night while my blood filled the donation bag, I sat there with my daughter and thanked the universe a thousand times over that my family and I were on the giving end of the blood donation. I was grateful for the chance to express my thanks in such a simple and profound way. And you can bet that I will no longer let excuses get in the way of my being able to give this gift as often as I can.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom 1.27.10

2010-01-27T07:43:00.000-08:00

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance,
chaos into order, confusion into clarity.

It turns problems into gifts, failures into success,

the unexpected into perfect timing,
and mistakes into important events.

Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today
and creates a vision for tomorrow."

~Melodie Beattie

Saving the World One Tree at a Time

2010-01-26T07:42:00.000-08:00

The non-recycler in our house says to me whenever I dig paper out of the garbage,"there you go, saving the world one tree at a time." And I always answer with, "if we added up all the people saving the world one tree at a time, imagine how many trees we would save!"

So it pleases me to watch the girls not even think twice about putting their paper scraps, empty cracker boxes, and miscellaneous other papers straight into the paper recycle bin. It is just second nature to them to do so!

Before we moved, we lived in a community that "got" recycling and heavily promoted it. They recycled plastics 1-7, glass, cans, aluminum, all papers, cardboards, paperboard and all curbside. The community we live in is trying to get there. But for now only glass, metals, plastics 1&2, and newpaper is curbside. I can sneak in my 3-7 plastics to work, and put them in the recycle bin there. But my papers I have to take to the drop-off facility at the other end of our town. This has become quite the outing for the girls. They love tossing the papers and boxes and cardboard into the containers and seeing who can through the farthest!

Just think!

"You use paper and paperboard products every day, from newspapers to food packaging to office paper. In fact, paper and paperboard products make up the largest portion of the municipal solid waste stream in the United States and as a result,

offer the greatest opportunity to recycle. "

So in the spirit of proving that ONE person CAN make a difference, see the below pictures.
One person at a time, filled these containers with waste paper.

And just think - each container is a container load of waste being kept out of a landfill.

Happy Recycling!

Getting Crafty! - Grab Bags Galore

2010-01-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

My oldest is a collector of all things small. This past weekend, she turned in a gift card for some more small baubles. When we got home and opened the packages, I realized that these little go-go's and mighty beans needed a happy home. She has dozens of trinket boxes that house all kinds of treasures, but nothing that allows her to carry them from place to place.
So we hauled out the tote of fabric scraps and decided to make our own grab bags. She was quite pleased that we were able to craft something new and usable out of something old. The pouch can be made bigger at the top, but this was the perfect size for her and made it difficult for the little items to spill out. So here goes!

Reversible Grab Bags
Materials needed:
2 - scraps of fabric - at least 20"x8" - different patterns
2 - 12" lengths of ribbon
velcro strips - self-stick, approx. 2 1/2 inches long

Directions:
1) Start with 2 pieces of fabric cut into the same dimensions.
2) Lay the fabrics right sides together and pin.
3) Using a 1/4 inch seam, sew the two sides together. Make sure to leave a 2 inch opening, so that you can turn the fabrics right side out.
4) Turn the fabrics right side out, sew the small opening closed.
5) Press the seams flat.
6) About 3 inches from the top (where the neck of the pouch funnels) sew the middle of the ribbon to the fabric. Both ribbons should mirror each other on the same piece of fabric (one on each side).
7) Fold material in half, with fold at the bottom of the bag. Keep the ribbons hanging out of the top so that you don't sew it into the side seams.
8) Sew both sides together. Your bag is almost done!
9) Stick the strips of velcro inside the opening to the bag.
10) Tie the ribbon around the bag's neck. You are done! Hooray!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom 1.19.10

2010-01-20T07:05:00.000-08:00

"If a child is to keep alive an inborn sense of wonder
without any such gift from the fairies,
she needs the companionship of one adult who can share it,

rediscovering with her the joy, excitement,
and mystery of the world we live in."

~Rachel Carson

Friday Food Frolic! Breakfast Biscuits

2010-01-15T09:27:00.000-08:00

One of the things we've been doing at home, is taking our favorite store bought foods and making them from scratch. My oldest likes to compare the ingredients in the store bought to the ones in our recipe. For example, canned biscuits have some 20 ingredients, from scratch only 7. She is amazed at how much better it tastes and takes pride in creating healthy-for-you foods. It makes for fun Saturday mornings and is something I look forward to each week.
So, our first recipe of this blog will be for breakfast biscuits. If I tweak too far from what the girls are used to, they won't eat it, hence the butter stays. During the week, my youngest will eat breakfast, but my oldest doesn't like to eat that early, so these are great for before school.

Breakfast Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups organic unbleached flour

3/4 cup organic whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon rice protein powder (can be omitted)

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup organic butter (we like Horizon)

3/4 cup organic milk (we like Horizon or Organic Valley)

Directions:

~Pre-heat over to 450 degrees~

1) Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.

2) Cut butter into chunks and use a fork to blend until crumbly.

3) Add the milk and stir until dough forms.

4) Knead dough until smooth (5-10 times).

Tip ~ the less handled, the better.

5) Two choices here: roll the dough out and cut into 3 inch circles

or drop by tablespoonful onto a cookie sheet.

6) Bake for 10-14 minutes on a cookie sheet in the preheated oven,

until golden on the bottom.

The less time baked, the softer the biscuit.

This recipe is really versatile!

Switch it up by adding cheese or garlic or your own herbs.

Bon Appetit!

**vintage clip-art taken from Karen's Whimsy

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

2010-01-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a little bit better, whether by healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life had breathed easier because you have lived, This is to have succeeded."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Letting go (slowly)

2010-01-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

I'm a notorious saver. I save things that I think the girls will enjoy having as adults to remember things from their childhood. I save things that I think we might need later, or might fit again later, or might be good-for-something later. For the past year, my resolution has been to "let go" of most of these things, to clean out the clutter and give up things I no longer use. To reduce and recycle these things I no longer need.

In doing this, I have come to realize why I hold onto so much and I think it stems from being adopted. I was adopted straight from the hospital into my waiting adoptive parents arms. It was a closed adoption, so the only info I had was a misspelled last name on a document a secretary from the lawyers office should have retyped. I grew up with no past, no ethnic history, no so-called roots of my own blood. I had vowed in my teenage years that "when I have kids" I would have things to give them, that gave them a sense of familial history.

So I had three experiences this past year that were the catalyst to my letting go of all these physical memories that I was holding onto.

The First:
My husband's best friend of 20+ years was killed on his motorcycle. Devasting. (Not his fault and he was wearing a helmet.) So to really shorten a very long story, we ended up moving into his house. It's a top school district, beautiful woodsy suburb, right on the lake and my home town. We had to pack up our house of 10 years and move from a 2 story to a ranch. I couldn't believe the things we had collected along the many years and vowed that it would stay in the garage until I could sort through what was staying and what was going. I am proud to say that we now have use of our 3 car garage. And Easter Seals has us on speed dial!

The second:
About midway through my de-cluttering, I got in touch with an old friend. We were hanging out on the patio and doing some catching up since high school. She told me a story about how she & her husband did some missionary work before they had kids. They sold or gave away most of their things and left the USA with just their hiking packs on their backs. That's it. I was blown away. And I decided that I wanted that kind of freedom from possessions for myself. I began anew and started cleaning again with a vengeance.

The third:
And yet another story on a blog I read, of a girl who managed to reduce her belongings to a couple of totes. In one of her posts, she spoke of letting go of attachments to the past, to the future and it really spoke to me. So now I ask myself, "if I let go of this item, will I lose the memory?" And most of the time, the answer is, "no." So with renewed vigor, I've been attacking the memory boxes in the basement. I want space in my house and space to create. I want clear counter tops and empty shelves. I want to be able to pack my belongings in a handful of totes and know that I have all I need tucked away in my heart ♥.

Our Top 5 Ways to Save Water

2010-01-06T12:33:00.000-08:00

As we found ourselves in a snowglobe sort of snowfall this past week, I found a really cool site on snowflakes. The big fat, fluffy kind that you can catch on your tongue and see on your coat.

During this period of incessant snowfall, the weather man was warning kids not to eat the snow as it most likely was laden with chemicals and other pollutants. How sad is that? But it opened up a discussion for the girls & I on ways we can save water around our house and ways that our water use can have less of an impact on our environment.

So here's what we came up with and I think it's a pretty good, pretty doable start to the year.

1) "Save water, shower with a friend." My dad had this shirt when I was growing up and I loved it. So shorter showers and shallower baths - and not daily!

2) Use organic soap/shampoos/washes/detergents. Anything that's going down the drain should be free of chemicals and pollutants.

3) Use a rainbarrel. We bought one at the end of summer and will be installing it come spring. Our "secret" garden behind the garage is far away from any hose. We are putting the barrel there to use to water our flowers and veggies. (hopefully the mama deer will leave us some this year!)

4) Ban the Bottle, plastic that is! 3 of the 4 people in our household don't buy bottled water. It is our goal to get the 4th to abandon his water bottle addiction. Even with a fresh pitcher of filtered tap water, he will go for the bottle. I console myself with the fact that at least he recycles them.

5) Make more gardens in our yard with native plants, so that there is less watering of the lawn. Dad likes his grass green, green, green in the summertime!

And here's 95 more ways to conserve water. Cheers!

Water Water Everywhere

2010-01-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

Our household resolution this year is all about water conservation. Since we live so close the lake and many small streams and rivers, we see what happens to them when we aren't recycling and aren't being diligent about what goes down our drains.

To kick off our resolution, we donated to Katie Spotz's www.rowforwater.com. We are going to follow Katie's journey as she rows solo across the Atlantic in an attempt to bring awareness to the cause. Amazing!My girls have now provided clean and safe drinking water to one person for their entire life. And hopefully throughout the year we will be able to continue to raise money to help the clean water campaign.

So raise your canteen and toast the New Year with us as we start our water saving journey today!

A New Playlist for a New Year

2009-12-30T16:44:00.000-08:00

We are very fond of music in our house. We listen to it all the time. We have guitars and drums and microphones, shakers, and harmonicas that my sister and I like to make our own music. We like all kinds of music and decided to make a new playlist in celebration of this new year.

Here's the songs my mom, sister and I have chosen,
in no particular order:

Life is Wonderful ~ Jason Mraz

Hey, Soul Sister ~ Train

Come & Check Your Head ~ Blue King Brown

Family Time ~ Ziggy Marley

Amber ~ 311

Colours ~ Donovan

Dancing Nancies ~ Dave Matthews Band

Jah Live ~ Bob Marley

Sunshine Song ~ Jason Mraz

The Best Day ~ Taylor Swift

City on Down ~ O.A.R.

Future Man, Future Lady ~ Laurie Berkner

You Belong With Me ~ Taylor Swift

The 3 R's ~ Jack Johnson

Best of What's Around ~ Dave Matthews Band

Moment of Truth ~ Blue King Brown

Bubbly ~ Colbie Cailet

Rift ~ Phish

Better Together ~ Jack Johnson

Rainbow Chariot ~ John Brown's Body

Borrowed Hearts ~ The Pocket Band

Love Story ~ Taylor Swift

Party in the USA ~ Miley Cyrus

Three Little Birds ~ Bob Marley

The Dynamo of Volition ~ Jason Mraz

posted by Meira

See ya 2009! Hello 2010!

2009-12-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

"Live in the present, and make it so beautiful
it will be worth remembering.”

Here's to 365 days of beauty!

I have been a green kind of girl for what seems like eons, starting way back when I was 12. For 24 years I have wandered the paths of vegetarianism, recycling, organics, energy & water conservation. When I have veered off these paths, my body and my conscience has always steered me right back. That being said, it's no wonder that my two little offspring carry that same green bug with them.

My oldest, Meira, who is 8 1/2 years old, is primarily a vegetarian. She will tolerate chicken and the occasional fish stick, is not fond of anything dairy (except ice cream), and loves pasta. Since she is my "wild child" and has endless bounds of energy, I am always watching the types of things she eats, attempting to steer clear of additives, colors, & preservatives. My youngest, Morgi, at 2 1/2 years old *was* a veggie babe and has recently taken to stealing meat from her classmates' plates at school lunch. She guzzles milk by the gallons and loves all fruit.

Since their dad is a meat eater of all kinds, I try to make sure that all meat/eggs/dairy in our house are organic/free range, etc. I figure, it's more important to eat consciously than restrictively. I have always said that I would leave the choice to the girls as they grow up. I try to instill in them a sense of responsibility to their bodies and our world. Thankfully we live in an area where there are everyday lessons around us - our Lake Erie beach, our playgrounds, our metroparks, and even our own backyard.

So that's a little bit about us and I hope you enjoy reading about our green adventures, as Meira works on her journaling skills and we hone our eco lifestyle. As we leave 2009 and look back at the things we accomplished, we look forward to the challenge that a new year and new decade will bring.

My Garden Green

Sight Word Flash Cards

Tag It!

Safe and Sound

My Three Green Girls

Minty Madness!

Here's a post for the mama's-to-be

Just say NO!

DIY Boo-Boo Bins

DIY Facial Toner

Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

Ice Play!

People are Getting It!

Save a Stray and Share your Love!

Greening up the Gingerbread House

A New Take on the Old Twist-tie!

From Jar Lid to Spoon Rest

I've Got A Walnut Brownie Brain!

Happy Friday!

Wanna Feel Good? Try some Feelgoodz!

Friday Food Frolic! Garden Pesto!

A Surprise for ME!

19th Annual Midwest Reggaefest

A Follow up to the Kleenex "Rant"...

Disposable Bathroom Hand Towels??? What??

Monday Words of Wisdom

Yummy Blueberry Buckwheat Muffins!

My Garden Green

Happy 4th of July!

Some Weekend Fun with Jason Mraz

From Recycle Bin to Playland!

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Remembering Joe

Eating Green While on Vacation

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 06.16.10

Choosing a *Green* Hotel

The Beauty of the Smoky Mountains

On hiatus! See you in a week or so!

Take a Pledge!

Eco Tip of the Week - Ban The Paper Goods!

Almost Vegan Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

Oh the PAIN of poison ivy!

Are You My Mother?

Eco Tip of the Week - Phase out those toxic cleaning supplies!

Which Side Are You Standing On?

Move Over Robins, There's a New Bird in Town

Eco Tip of the Week - Ban the disposables!

What to do with those annoying plastic containers?

Words of Wisdom from the 4th grade hallway

From Rags to Riches!

Repurpose Those Cereal Bags!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 04.28.10

Happy Birthday to my Morgan!

Our New "Neighbors!"

HAPPY EARTH DAY! Save a Life!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 04.21.10

Refill Those Cartridges!

My New Love! Why you should ditch your plastic water bottle.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 04.14.10

How to Hike & Picnic Like a Good Little Eco Friend!

Save Water! Shower with a Friend!

From Trash to Treasure!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 03.24.10

Kudos to the Great Green Wolf!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 03.10.10

Row Katie, Row! Almost finished!

Friday Food Frolic! The Fizzy MeMo

From Yogurt Tub to Trinket Collector!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 02.24.10

Friday Food Frolic! Garden Pasta Salad

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 02.17.10

For the Love of Teeth!

Friday Food Frolic! Pancakes

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 2.10.10

No Sew Recycled Wrist Warmers

Friday Food Frolic! Maple Sugar Candy

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 02.03.10

Great Natural Scrubbers!

Vitamin D, anyone?

Friday Food Frolic! Jerk Chicken Veggie Soup

Choosing a Green Hotel