4 Easy Ways to Make a Small Business Environment Greener

The thought of going green as a business owner sometimes feels a bit lofty. With payroll and
larger expenses to worry about, knowing that going green will take large commitment of both
your finances and time, it often feels like something better left alone. However, there are plenty
of ways you can take charge as a business owner to make sure you're doing what you can for the
environment, and do it much more easily that you would have thought. Read on for some simple
ways to help your small business go green:

1. Use mugs instead of plastic or Styrofoam.
Using and re-using dishes in an office environment can get a little hairy. You never know how
well something has been cleaned, who has used it, and why that plate has been left in the sink for
two days. The trials and tribulations that often go along with sharing a kitchen space can just be
a little too distracting to bring into the workplace. So, you may have to provide things like paper
plates and plastic utensils just to keep the peace. But one easy way to help out where you can is
be mandating that employees bring their own mugs and use them every day, instead of providing
Styrofoam cups. This is a great way to cut down on your daily waste and keep one of the most
harmful landfill components out of the trash.

2. Recycle office-wide.
Make sure to place recycling containers throughout the office. If you only keep a place for your
recyclables in one area, employees will be less encouraged to head there every time they need
to throw a recyclable item away. Take the time to consider the work flow of your office, and
place recycling bins in corresponding areas. Place paper recycling under printers and next to
the trashcans near desks. Place plastic and aluminum in the kitchen. Also, consider purchasing
recycled paper products for your in-office needs.

3. Have employees turn off computers when they leave.
This simple step can save tons of electricity, depending on the types of computers you use in
your office. PCs use much more power than laptops, so, if your office depends heavily on PC
use, then you can save quite a bit of energy by taking moves to conserve power. And, with any
device, by turning the setting to sleep or hibernate, you will be using about a third of the power
you would normally use if you had kept it on, which is still significantly more than turning it of
all together. So, if possible, have employees completely shut down their computers when they
leave for the evening.

4. Don't print out what you can provide online.
Businesses get into the habit of printing out every important HR document, but there is no reason
to print anything out unless you actually need to. We may not think twice about the things we
print, but it really can be a waste of paper. Not to mention an unnecessary use of funds. Make
sure to speak with your office coordinator to let them know which types of documents should be
printed and which are better dispersed online.


Eliza Morgan is a full time freelance writer and blogger. She often writes forwww.businesscreditcards.com where she specializes in small and independent business topics. If
you have any questions, email her at elizamorgan856@gmail.com.

Green and Frugal: Hertz Announces Electric Vehicle Partnership Featuring Nissan Leaf



"Fueling up" the Nissan Leaf



The Hertz Corporation announced a Commitment to Action at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to bring the next generation of electric vehicles to the general public through its car rental and car sharing operations.



As the world's largest general-use airport car-rental brand, Hertz is uniquely positioned to introduce multiple groups of consumers - urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations - to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Hertz's leadership in this initiative will catalyze other partners and cities to provide additional infrastructure for mass scaling of electric mobility.



Hertz and its partners are planning to roll out the EV rental program starting this autumn with full-scale deployment in both the U.S. and other countries beginning in 2011. Hertz Global EV will be the first to provide a range of all-electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and charging stations on a rental and car-sharing basis at this scale.

"Our Hertz Global EV program will galvanize support for building out the infrastructure platform necessary to make electric vehicle travel an everyday reality," said Mark P. Frissora, Hertz's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "With our rental and car sharing expertise, industry relationships and global footprint, we are in an ideal position to lead this new frontier in transportation. This is the game-changer for electric mobility."



Hertz is building partnerships that will help scale up electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid usage for the general public. Hertz is forming strategic partnerships with manufacturers, charging station providers, municipalities, NGOs, corporations and other stakeholders.

"Done right, electric vehicles can help the environment and represent a leap forward in transportation," said Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund. "We look forward to working with Hertz and its partners to ensure that this leap drives measurable benefits for both consumers and the planet."



In February, Hertz announced a joint commitment with Nissan to bring the 100 percent electric, zero-emission Nissan LEAF to its select US and European car rental and sharing locations. Additionally, Hertz will supply EVs and PHEVs from other manufacturers including GM, Toyota and Mitsubishi. In Europe, Hertz EVs have already been introduced in London and Zurich with additional cities adding EVs this fall.

During the next several months, Hertz Global EV will leverage the company's rental and car sharing locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations, and tap into its technology - including sophisticated fleet management tools and the consumer-facing NeverLost GPS system - to help form an EV grid.

Looking forward, the company will build on its EV grid and explore new opportunities - including potentially bringing other areas of the business, including Hertz Equipment Rental, into Hertz Global EV.

Electric vehicles are catching on. Would you like the option to rent an electric car?

 

 

The Green and Frugal Way to Revamp Old Furniture

Whether out of a desire to save money or a duty to keep still-useful furniture out of the landfill, it can be difficult to turn down a secondhand sofa or armchair when it is offered for free or a small price. The downside can be that while they may still be quite comfortable, they may not look the best or go with your current décor. Fortunately, slipcovers offer the ideal solution for a variety of reasons.


Save money

Buying new furniture for a home is an expensive proposition. It can be much cheaper to let someone else buy new and then take their castoffs. Owners very often get rid of furniture not because it has outlived its usefulness but because they no longer like the way it looks. Pay attention when family and friends are remodeling and find out what they are doing with their old furniture. Don’t worry what it looks like, just find out if it is still comfortable and not in need of being repaired. Often, owners will part with it for next to nothing just for the opportunity to be rid of it.

Help the environment

Recycling old furniture and keeping it in a home means it is not going to the landfill. This not only saves money, it helps the planet. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, furniture accounts for more than 9 million tons of waste in American landfills. It only makes sense if a sofa or chair is still comfortable that it should be kept out of a landfill.

Make it look good

Unfortunately, older furniture often has upholstery that is downright ugly. That is where slipcovers come in to play.

Furniture slipcovers come in a variety of colors and styles for sofas and easy chairs. With so many choices available, it should be easy to find something that will make that old furniture fit in with the rest of the décor in your house.

Prices range from around $35 up to $100 for sofa covers. With their affordability, several can be purchased and the look of furniture can be changed year round.

Get the right fit

Of course, taking advantage of slipcovers does not do much good if the wrong size is purchased. Below are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for the right slipcover.

First determine if a stretchable or non-stretchable slipcover is desired. Stretchable slipcovers fit tightly to the furniture, while non-stretchable types will have a skirt or similar piece of hanging fabric covering the bottom.

Measure the maximum seat cushion width in the front from arm to arm. Then, measure the circumference, or total of all four sides, around the sides of the couch.

Slipcovers offer many options if you have a habit of rehoming unwanted sofas or recliners. They help protect the environment and they save money, while adding a dramatic change to a room.

This is a guest post from Caroline Smith, who tries to make green and frugal choices when furnishing her home. She has written for a number of blogs and owns a website all about slipcovers for loveseats and ways to use them to recycle old seats.

Green and Frugal: Tips for Eating Healthy and Local on a Budget

Another great post from our friends at The Greenest Dollar...

Here’s a sobering fact from the Huffington Post to chew on:

In 1949, Americans spent 22% of their income on food, whereas in 2009 they spent a meager 10%.

Why are we spending so little of our income on food?

The reason is because we’re buying more prepackaged food, and fast food, more than ever before. Yes, this food is cheaper. But it’s also loaded with fat, calories and sodium, and gives us very little nutritional “bang for our buck”.

The Huffington Post also reports these statistics…

In 1949, 2% of children were overweight. In 2009, 19% were overweight.

In 1979, 28% of adults were overweight. In 2009, 64% were overweight.

Yikes.

Plus, food prices themselves are going up, at least according to the USDA. They expect prices on produce to go up 3% in the coming months, with further rises in 2011.

We can help reduce the impact of all these negative stats simply by making a few simple changes in the way we buy, and consume, our food.

Tips for Eating Local and Healthy on a Budget

1. Buy Peak Season Food

One of the best things we can do both for us, our wallet, and the environment, is to buy food when it’s in peak season. This is when it’s at its most delicious, and cheapest.

How can we tell what’s in season?

I found this awesome online tool from Epicurous that allows you to choose your state so you can see exactly what’s in season. right now. You can also check other months to help plan out your menus or decide what to can and store for winter months.

If you have the time, it’s also a great idea to learn how to can your own food. I taught myself how to can this summer and can tell you that at least from my experience, canning is a rewarding and fun way to take advantage of cheap, healthy summer produce.

If you have a food dehydrator, drying is also a fabulous way to preserve fruits and veggies that are in season. Plus, you can easily dry herbs (which are often sold for $1/bunch at your local Farmer’s Market) at home and save money buying them at the grocery store this fall and winter. As I type this, I’m drying lavender, sage and basil in my office. I’ve grown all of it myself.

2. Eat Nutrient-Dense Food

When you eat, you need to get the most bang for your buck, calorie and price wise. This is why eating nutrient-dense food is so smart.

Nutrient-dense food is any food that is high in nutrients for its size. Usually things like whole grain bread, figs, apples and raspberries are nutrient-dense. They have vitamins, and lots of fiber which makes you feel full.

Any food that’s high in sugar (like cookies, candy, ice cream…) is a waste because you’ll be hungry again quickly, and you just consumed all those calories for nothing more than instant gratification.

There is a great list of nutrient-dense foods here if you want to learn more.

3. Plan Meals BEFORE You Go to Farmer’s Market

I’m so bad at this.

Sunday morning comes around and the first thing I love to do is head off to my local Farmer’s Market, two blocks away. I get there and it’s almost overwhelming how beautiful everything is.

The problem? I have no idea what, or how much, to buy. I did zero planning.

The past few weeks I have gotten better at remembering to create a menu before I go. I look at recipes so I make sure I know exactly how much produce to buy, and come up with several I can make in the days to come. I’m wasting less food because of this.

4. Time Your Market

There are two great times to hit the Farmer’s Market: very early, and very late.

If you’re early, you’ll get the best produce. If you go late, you can often get great bargains because the farmers don’t want to ship that food back to their farm.

5. Eat the Whole Thing…

Did you know you can eat radish tops and leaves? Carrot tops?

In many cases, we’re throwing away nutritious parts of our vegetables simply because we’re not aware that we could be eating them. Research ways to cook and eat every part of the vegetable you buy. You might be surprised at what you could be eating!

Tip: Vegetable trimmings can be boiled to make a tasty, nutritious vegetable stock. This freezes easily.

6. Don’t Forget to Barter

Many farmers are happy to hire you to “work for food”. You could be picking strawberries, and go home with several buckets to keep for yourself.

You can also ask the farmers at your local market if they’ll trade food for work. You could help them set up and take down their booth in exchange for some food. If things are tight, this could really help stretch your budget.

7. Forage

Here’s a great story: last night I rode my bike up to our local elementary school to go swing on their playground. I chose a set of swings closest to the property line since it was in the shade.

What did I find when I walked over there?

The biggest raspberry patch I’d ever seen.

Can you imagine my delight? No one had picked these raspberries! The sad part is that there were only a few left (the season’s over here), but I could tell all those raspberries had just been left to rot on the vine. If I would have found that patch just a week or two earlier, I would have had all the raspberries I could eat and then some.

Another great story: Last month I was combing through an abandoned lot here in Howell. I was collecting red clovers to dry. But you know what else I found there?

Chamomile. Tons and tons of chamomile.

The point here is that there are often surprising places where wild food is growing. Go exploring! Hit your local woods and empty lots. Buy a guidebook that teaches you how to identify wild medicinal plants and herbs. Keep a notebook to write down where that wild apple tree is, or where that chestnut tree is. This way you can come back when those things are in season and gather to your heart’s delight.

Last Word…

I think it’s safe to say that food prices are going to continue to go up. And, many of us our stretching our food budget to the limit as it is.

If we want to stay healthy then it’s up to us to get creative and take the situation into our own hands. This is not only empowering, but it’s also liberating.

If you have any tips you’d like to share about eating local and healthy on a budget, I’d love to hear them!

Spread the Love!

Be an Eco-Fab Wedding Guest

If you're going to attend one of the more than two million weddings happening this year in the U.S., you may find the event is surprisingly eco-friendly. Wedding magazines and blogs are abuzz with ideas to help brides and grooms who want to take impact on the planet into consideration when planning their big day.

But whether a wedding is "green" or conventional, it's easy to be an eco-conscious guest. No need to show up in a dress made from last year's magazines. (While a fun idea, it would certainly grab attention from the bride, a definite no-no whether the wedding is eco-friendly or not!) Instead, simply consider each aspect of the wedding in which you'll participate and think about how you can make greener decisions.

Giving green
Start with the gift. If the couple signs up with an eco-friendly shop registry or asks for donations to a cause they support in lieu of "stuff," you've got it made. 

If not, check for eco-friendlier items on their registry. For instance, they may have chosen a set of bamboo bowls or wool blankets. Look for items that are locally produced instead of made and shipped from overseas. These may not have been selected because they're eco-friendly, but who cares? If they are greener choices, you'll feel great picking them and the bride and groom will be happy as well!

When giving a tangible gift, avoid conventional wrapping paper. The Carnegie Mellon Green Practices initiative says that "If every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields."

Why buy paper from virgin trees when there are so many great alternatives--fabric made just for wrapping, silk scarves, a map from the honeymoon destination, tree-free or recycled papers, and seed embedded wrapping that can be planted once the gift is opened, to name a few.

And when it comes to ribbon, embellishments and cards, alternative choices can make your gift beautiful and guilt-free. 

In many circles, it used to be considered crass to give cash for weddings, but these days, money really is green. Just be sure to offer bills or a check and not gift cards which, for the most part, are made of plastic, ultimately are tossed and never degrade. (Even if the plastic is made from PLA--theoretically compostable plastic--the card's magnetic strip will stay around a lot longer than many marriages!)

Getting there the greenest way
One of the most impactful decisions you can make is whether to attend the wedding or not. Flying across the country for a day is not the most eco-friendly move you can make. But if you decide to go, you may want to purchase carbon offsets. 

If you live close to the wedding venue, walk or carpool if possible. Even if you drive alone, you can volunteer to have other guests travel with you between the ceremony and reception.

Eco-chic wearables
When it comes to choosing what to wear, avoid buying new. if the event calls for more formal wear than you own, consider borrowing, renting or buying pre-owned. The web makes it easy to find designer labels in pristine condition. And if you simply must have something off the rack, search for outfits by eco-friendly designers made from sustainable materials. Whether you're seeking clothing, shoes or a handbag, stunning greener choices are available. 

Aim for low-waste
Food and wedding receptions go together and generally etiquette will trump green when guests are offered only paper napkins and plastic stemware. But just because paper napkins are available doesn't mean you have to grab a handful. Choose to reuse plastic items like plates, glasses and utensils, rather than grabbing new ones each time you return to the buffet. And when you're finished, be sure to ask where the recycling or composting bins are located and use them. 

A lot of waste is generated from wedding leftovers. Volunteer to take remaining food to donate to a food bank or local nursing home (having called in advance to find out whether they will accept the donation), or to compost flowers, paper and food that cannot be given away.

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net  

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The Hidden Oil in Our Lives

Given the devastating oil spill in the Gulf, I thought this great post from The Greenest Dollar was fitting to share with you...


The environmental catastrophe in the Gulf has been an incredibly sobering experience for all of us, and it’s really opened a lot of eyes, my own included, to just how damaging our consumption of oil is.

Right now, over 200,000 gallons of oil are spilling into the Gulf every single day. I can’t even wrap my mind around that much oil, and the devastating effects that it’s going to have on the coast’s wetlands and wildlife.

It’s simply heartbreaking.

Some Good News…

You regular readers probably have seen my good friend Renaissance Ronin lurking around here. He loves leaving snappy comments to get a laugh. In spite of his sarcastic, gruff exterior, though, he’s got a heart of gold. And, he’s an expert building with shipping containers.

Well, he lives in Biloxi (about 1,000 feet from the local beach). And, he’s putting together a relief center, out of ISBU shipping containers, to help feed the thousands of volunteers that are descending on the Gulf to help out. Here’s an update on his progress:

Man, has it been a long day…

I spent all day long trying to coordinate the creation of a foodbank system that will actually be able to feed over 500 housed workers, camping in the Mississippi Coliseum.

I have fresh/frozen chickens coming from Florida, meat from Tennessee, and vegs from Ga, plus a ton of water and drinks from the CocaCola bottlers locally.

The powers that be are planning to feed the workers MRE’s. Yeah, that’s what I’d want after 12 hours of mucking oil and sand… a big plastic bag with lousy tasting “kinda food” in it…

So, we’re taking 4 20′ ISBUs and turning them into galleys. We put them on car hauler flatbeds, and all we’ll need is a hose, and a water source. We have generators to power the electrical, and the ranges are gas, and will work off LPG.

Another ISBU is being turned into a walk-in cooler storage unit, by fiddling with a Window AC unit, and sticking a foot of foam on the outside of the box for insulation.

(Okay… we’re using three units that we prepped for the build in Alabama, because the concrete floor was already in them, and they were already basically gutted and ready to rework. We’re going to just polish the floors with a surface grinder, and then paint them. We’ll prep replacement boxes for the Alabama build, after these are set.)

A church across the street from the church next door to me… has offered up their community center building, to be used as a dining hall, if we want it.

We’re waiting on a ruling from City Hall, now.

No oil yet, but I’m told that it’s getting closer, and it should start fouling the beaches by midday tomorrow.

We’re also told that they’ll start bringing people in to train the locals in oil clean-up, on Wednesday.

Local vets are already planning to start establishing a training center, so volunteers can learn how to clean wildlife. It’s going to be horrific.

The damage to wildlife is going to be catastrophic. The damage to the economy is going to be horrendous.

Sure, a lot of people will get jobs, but there is NO housing, and little in the way of a real food source, to support that many warm bodies all piled together.

We’ll have our work cut out for us.

Ronin is going to be sending pictures when he can, so I’ll keep all of you updated on his progress.
How You Can Help…

For a full list of volunteer and donation resources, check out this list put together by MSN.

The Hidden Oil In Our Lives…

This catastrophe has made me feel like I’m partly responsible. Why? Because I use oil all the time. I’m paying companies, BP included, to drill and provide me with that oil.

It makes me feel really, really bad.

I don’t drive that much, but I DO consume a lot of oil. Oil is in tons of products we use every day, and I wanted to share a list (courtesy ANWR.org) with all of you to illustrate just how much oil we’re using. Some of these products will probably surprise you…I know it did me.

Oil is used in the creation of:

Clothing Ink
Heart Valves
Crayons
Parachutes
Telephones
Enamel
Transparent tape
Antiseptics
Vacuum bottles
Deodorant
Pantyhose
Rubbing Alcohol
Carpets
Epoxy paint
Oil filters
Upholstery
Hearing Aids
Car sound insulation
Cassettes
Motorcycle helmets
Pillows
Shower doors
Shoes
Refrigerator linings
Electrical tape
Safety glass
Awnings
Salad bowl
Rubber cement
Nylon rope
Ice buckets
Fertilizers
Hair coloring
Toilet seats
Denture adhesive
Loudspeakers
Movie film
Fishing boots
Candles
Water pipes
Car enamel
Shower curtains
Credit cards
Aspirin
Golf balls
Detergents
Sunglasses
Glue
Fishing rods
Linoleum
Plastic wood
Soft contact lenses
Trash bags
Hand lotion
Shampoo
Shaving cream
Footballs
Paint brushes
Balloons
Fan belts
Umbrellas
Paint Rollers
Luggage
Antifreeze
Model cars
Floor wax
Sports car bodies
Tires
Dishwashing liquids
Unbreakable dishes
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Combs
Tents
Hair curlers
Lipstick
Ice cube trays
Electric blankets
Tennis rackets
Drinking cups
House paint
Rollerskates wheels
Guitar strings
Ammonia
Eyeglasses
Ice chests
Life jackets
TV cabinets
Insect repellent
Refrigerants
Cold cream
Cameras
Anesthetics
Artificial turf
Artificial Limbs
Bandages
Dentures
Mops
Beach Umbrellas
Ballpoint pens
Boats
Nail polish
Golf bags
Caulking
Curtains
Vitamin capsules
Dashboards
Skis
Insecticides
Fishing lures
Perfumes
Shoe polish
Petroleum jelly
Food preservatives
Antihistamines
Dyes
Solvents
Roofing

Last Word…

That list is mind-boggling to me.
All of us can make a big difference in the amount of oil we use simply by driving less, and avoiding the products on this list whenever we can. Buying used, and reusing what we’ve got, can also make a difference.

Again, as pictures come in with Ronin’s efforts to get his ISBU containers set up in Biloxi I’ll keep all of you updated.

Frugal Tip Tuesday: How To Make Your Own Deodorant

While I'm chill-laxing in Costa Rica, here is a great post from The Greenest Dollar. I'll be back soon!

Powdered deodorant can be stored in beautiful jars like this one.

Deodorant is something that pretty much all of us use on a daily basis. And, the price of all that deodorant really adds up.For instance, I used to use Dove deodorant, until I found out how unhealthy it was from the Cosmetics Safety Database. Not good. So, I started buy Tom’s of Maine Lavender deodorant, which is aluminum-free, and much safer.

But, Tom’s is pricey. I pay almost $5 per stick for Tom’s. And while I dearly love this deodorant, I realized that perhaps I could start making my own.

A quick search online yielded a fabulous payload (what did people do before the Internet?).

The Magic Ingredient of Homemade Deodorant…
What did I learn? Baking soda is the big winner in homemade, natural deodorants. And when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Baking soda is an excellent cleanser, and it neutralizes odors. Eureka!

So, I’m assembling a few of the recipes that I found online for you to check out.

Recipe 1: Baking Soda and Cornstarch Powder

This first homemade deodorant recipe comes from Melinda at One Green Generation. This was an excellent post, and this is probably the recipe I’m going to try first.

Her recipe is as follows:
1. In a reusable, resealable container, mix one part baking soda with six parts cornstarch.
2. Close the lid, and shake the container with gusto for at least a minute to mix the two powders.
3. Apply the powder with a cotton ball, cotton pad, or cosmetic applicator (like a powder puff).
Melinda has had great results with this recipe, so I’m excited to make it for myself. I have high hopes! I don’t have a powder jar as pretty as the one pictured, but maybe I can find one at the Salvation Army…

Recipe 2: Stick Deodorants With Coconut Oil
I found this YouTube video online, and it’s actually pretty good (if you don’t like Techno music, though, turn down the volume).

This recipe makes 12 sticks of natural deodorant, and there are several great recipes on the video (including some foot deodorizing powders) that include lavender and rosemary essential oils that I think would smell heavenly. Keep in mind, you will need some empty deodorant tubes for this recipe!


Recipe 3: Spray Deodorant With Baking Soda
I found this recipe on wikiHow, and it looks pretty easy.

1. Fill your spray bottle about halfway with water.
2. Mix in a bit of baking soda
3. Keep adding small amounts of baking soda until the mixture is slimy and smooth. The amount you use depends on your water and the size of your bottle.
4. Add a drop of lavender oil if you want.(or any kind of fragrance you like)
5. Shake the bottle gently to mix all the ingredients together. Now you have your own deodorant.
6. Spray on your underarms. Do not rinse. Gently massage underarm so the skin will absorb the deodorant faster, and so that it spreads to your entire underarm.

I have to wonder a bit on this one; if it’s a thicker paste, how’s it going to come out of the spray nozzle? Seems like it would be better to keep the consistency thin. Hmmm…might have to try this one just to experiment.

Recipe 4: Baking Soda and Shea Butter Cream

This fantastic recipe comes from Amy at The Angry Chicken, a wonderful blog I found while doing research for homemade deodorant recipes. If the recipe from One Green Generation doesn’t do the trick, this is definitely the next one I’m trying.

Here is Amy’s recipe. The final deodorant is a creamy texture (which can be poured in a shallow jar) and applied with your fingertips.
3 Tablespoons shea butter
3 Tablespoons baking soda
2 Tablespoons corn starch
2 Tablespoons cocoa butter
2 vitamin E oil gel caps (puncture and squeeze out the oil)
Essential Oil (Amy used ylang yang and orange)
Melt all the ingredients (except the oils!) together in the microwave, and then stir well. Next, add the oils and give it another good stir. Pour in a small jar and put it in the fridge to set.

This recipe filled a 1/4 pint jar.

Amy has more tips for making this recipe (you can go directly to her post here), and I highly recommend you check out her article. She had to add more essential oil than you might think to cover up the shea butter smell, and she thinks next time she might add a bit of vegetable glycerine to make it softer.

Last Word…
So, now I’m super excited to make some homemade deodorant. I don’t have any essential oils on hand, so I’m going to try the basic recipe with just baking soda and cornstarch first. But, I really would like to try The Angry Chicken’s recipe, so I might give that one a go this weekend.

Have any of you made your own homemade deodorant? Do you have a recipe you’d like to share?
I’m interested to find out if homemade deodorants work as well as store-bought. There’s no doubt it’s cheaper, but does it keep the stink down?

We’ll find out. And if you’ve done this before, please write in and share!

How to Build a Pallet Compost Bin

Another great post from our friends at The Greenest Dollar...

Wooden pallets

Ok, you’ve probably seen these wooden pallets lying around everywhere, right? I sure have. Any construction site or store will have about a gazillion of these things on-hand.

The sobering thing is that most of the time these wooden pallets are just carted off to a landfill when the person or company is done using them. Wasted.

But, we can give these wooden pallets a new life by turning them into all sorts of useful things. People have used wooden pallets to build barns and homes, and even outdoor toilets.

Today, thanks to some help from fellow blogger and friend Renaissance Ronin, I wanted to talk about how easy it is to turn these pallets into a large, outdoor compost bin for yard clippings and leaf waste.

How to Build a Pallet Compost Bin

Pallet Compost Bin:

Step 1

A good bin has four strong sides… unless you’re a rabblerouser with the desire for a pentagonal or even octagonal compost bin. You can do whatever suits your fancy, but me… I’m all about keeping it simple.
Create a four-sided bin by nailing or wiring together four wooden pallets in a cube, leaving the top and bottom open. The finished bin will look like a wooden cage. I like to use scrap “L” brackets instead of nails and wire, they hold better and they look “cool”.

Step 2

You need a gate. Attach one pallet with a hinge on one side. Swing the pallet “closed” and then wire it shut. You don’t want it opening, unless you tell it to.

Step 3

Now… your compost needs a “mattress.” You need to get some air under the compost to help it along…
Lay a pallet flat on the ground in the location of the compost bin.
This bottom pallet increases the air flow under the compost pile. This is GOOD.  But, something good always costs you something, right? That airflow will dry out your compost faster, so even thought it’s a better situation, it will cost you some water.

Step 4

Place your new “compost cage” on top of the pallet that you placed on the ground. Feel free to kick it a few times, first. And resist the urge to make it easier to clean up the mess and place your compost bin on soil or grass instead of concrete or patio tiles.
Concrete and patio tiles give off a ton of heat that will dry your compost out even faster.

Step 5

You need something to add some structure to the bottom of your compost pile now. So, break out the tree trimming gear or your hedge clippers, and chop away! Use the debris to add a layer of sticks and twigs to the bottom of the compost bin.
Compost works better if you chop everything up first. So, it’s more work, but go berserk on the bushes, and then shred up everything that you can, before you toss it on the compost pile.
Continue adding layers of compost by alternating “brown waste” and “green waste”.
And remember… Chopped waste will compost faster than large pieces. Seriously. Unless you want to wait five years for composted soil for your container gardens, do yourself a favor and tear that waste up first.
Besides, it’s a great way to get some “stress relief” after your spouse “helps” you with the chores.

Step 6

Lightly water the compost, but don’t overwater it. You want the stuff to start breaking down, not drown. Don’t allow the compost to become sopping wet. It’ll just rot, smell, and make the neighbors mad at you.
Water your composting waste periodically when the compost becomes “dry”.

Step 7

Turn the compost over in the bin periodically with a pitchfork to speed the decomposing process.
In almost no time at all, you’ll have the coolest soil on the planet for your garden.

Last Word…

Building your own pallet compost bin is a great way to save money (I just saw Home Depot carrying compost bins now…for $100+) and help keep these pallets out of the landfill. And, they work really well!
Have any of you ever used pallets to make an outdoor compost bin? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience!

Valentine's Chocolate Choices

A better, luscious, chocolate choice for Valentine's Day

Chocolate is a beautiful thing. Aside from the fact that it tastes good, chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains a dizzying mix of over 300 naturally occurring chemicals and compounds including high concentrations of flavonoids, (plant-based pigments that act as antioxidants, decrease inflammation, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol). 

Chocolate also is known to make us feel less depressed (thanks to substances that stimulate a pleasure center in the brain), and more alert (due to a substance often confused with caffeine).

But while chocolate has all these amazing qualities, there is a dark side (pun intended). Chocolate as most of us grew up with in the U.S., contributes to deforestation, loss of wildlife habitat, pesticide use and injustices such as forced slavery and child labor. Makes the idea of chocolate as a gift, a little less sweet.

Fortunately, more and more companies are voting for people-, animal- and planet-friendlier practices when it comes to chocolate and sourcing cacao from ethically and ecologically sound sources.

There are three things to look for if you want to choose chocolate with a clear conscience:

1.      Certified Organic means not only that the cacao beans are organic, but other ingredients like sugar and flavorings are as well.

2.      Certified Shade Grown. The reason? When forests are cleared in order to grow cacao, more chemicals are necessary and migratory birds are deprived of territory and begin to disappear. Shade grown coffee creates habitat for birds and contributes a diverse ecosystem. (Look for the Rain Forest Alliance Certification.)

3.      Fair Trade Certified. Workers harvesting the beans are paid and treated fairly

Is triple certified chocolate more expensive? Often, yes. But here's a suggestion. Instead of purchasing a heart-shaped box filled with chocolates that are not so good for your love or the planet, buy fewer, but make them count. 

Place them on a beautiful dish and set aside a time to enjoy them together with your love on Valentine's Day. Make eating them a premier event. Notice how beautiful they are. Unwrap each carefully, Inhale their aroma, then slowly let them melt on your tongue. Talk to your love about the sensation. A single chocolate--shared--and enjoyed in this full-sense way, can obliterate any thought of a big red box.

For the consumer this Valentine's Day, it's easier than ever to find chocolate that is Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified and even Certified Shade Grown (though the last is not as commonplace as the first two). In this case, more is better. When you find chocolate with all three certifications, you know you've chosen the best, safest and most ethically produced chocolate for your love. 

But if you can find chocolate with two or even one certification, you're still making a better choice. And while you're buying, you can always suggest to the chocolate maker that you'd love to see their chocolate triple certified. 

You can make a difference by buying chocolate! Who knew? 

Top picks for great chocolate choices this Valentine's Day

• Lavender truffles from Sjaaks
• Dark ornage chocolate from Equal Exchange
• Dagoba's raspberry bar
• Endangered Species milk chocolate with peanut butter
  
  Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net   

Green Tip Tuesday: Get Rid of Your Junk Mail

The Ultimate List For Stopping Your Junk Mail

Courtesy Wikipedia

Heather at The Greenest Dollar enlightens us all with another fabulous post:

Ah, junk mail. According to experts we’ll spend 8 months of our life reading, sorting, and recycling the stuff. That’s a lot of time we could be devoting to napping, playing with our kids, reading, or pulling weeds. Anything else, for that matter, besides dealing with junk mail.

Junk mail accounts for 1/3 of all mail sent in the United States. In fact, each household gets over 800 pieces of junk mail per year.

Want to know how many trees that is? 100 million. Every single year. Just for junk mail.

This is equivalent to clear cutting all of Rocky Mountain National Park, every four months.

And the emissions from junk mail creation are terrible. According to DoNotMail.org, junk mail creates more emissions than 9,377,000 passenger cars each year.

And in spite of the major strides we’ve made in recycling, the Huffington Post reports that over 44% of junk mail ends up in landfills, unopened.

Sigh.

Yes, it hurts my heart to think about it. And although I signed up for the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) “Do Not Contact” list, I still get stuff like Val-Pak coupons and flyers from my local furniture store. I recycle every bit it, of but still. Those are trees that don’t have to die.

So, here it is folks. All the resources I could find for stopping your junk mail. ALL OF IT.

1. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
I started with the DMA, and to give them credit I did see a pretty dramatic drop in my junk mail, especially when it came to credit card offers. You can customize your mailing preferences through the DMA by heading here.

If you’ve lost a family member and want to get their name off mailing list, you can sign up for Deceased-Do Not Contact through the DMA here.

2. Val-Pak
Yep, Val-Pak is that blue envelope of useless coupons that shows up every month. What a waste! Unless you’re re-asphalting your driveway or thinking about getting cellulite removal surgery, then these coupons are a waste of time and paper.

You can get off the Val-Pak mailing list here.

Yes, you’ll still need to do this even if you sign up with DMA. After I did DMA, I was still getting Val-Pak coupons.

3. Opt-Out Pre-Screen
Opt-Out Pre-Screen stops you from getting “pre-screened” or “pre-approved” credit card offers.
To sign up, click here.

You can also call 888-567-8688 from your home telephone to opt out.

4. Catalogs
If you get catalogs, it’s probably because you bought something. Anything.

Companies are notorious for selling lists, so if you bought a sweater through L.L. Bean then chances are you’ll start getting a J.Crew catalog, an REI catalog, and a Hearth and Home just for good measure.

If you want to stop the flood of catalogs, then send an email to: optout@abacus-us.com

Or write to:
Abacus, Inc.
P.O. Box 1478
Broomfield, Colorado  80038

5. Tacky Store Flyers
I wish I had a picture of the one I got today. It was a “HUGE FURNITURE BLOWOUT!!!!” newspaper type flyer from the local furniture store. I get them almost daily from car dealerships, hairdressers, pizza stores, department stores… blergh.

These are the flyers that are addressed to “Resident”. And they usually come from Red Plum marketing.

Want to stop them?

Click here to get off the Red Plum mailing list. You can also call: 888-241-6760.

6. Publishers Clearinghouse
Ok, I’ve never been solicited by Publishers Clearinghouse, but if you have, you can get off their list by sending an email to: privacychoices@pchmail.com.

7. Other Junk
So, what about those AOL cds and “Happy Birthday” cards from our dentist that we don’t want or need?
We just have to tell them we don’t want it. If, after signing up with all the resources listed above, you’re still getting some junk, then call the company directly. Ask them to take you off their mailing list.

They can hardly be rude; after all, this is saving them money too.

And your dentist? Ask the receptionist to take you off the mailing list except for cleaning reminders. Better yet, ask if they’ll email you.

Make a Resolution: Vow to Make All Your Celebrations Green

Green up every celebration in 2010, from anniversaries to Valentine's Day

The great thing about this resolution is that it's so easy to follow! Just start with these tips and you'll be on your way to celebrating in ways that are better for the planet and people too. An added bonus? You're likely save save a bunch of cash as well.

1. Plan. Take advantage of the new year to get a calendar and fill in the dates for every event you think you'll celebrate this year. Include birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, weddings, graduations, family reunions, even office parties, then add every holiday you celebrate in any way big or small.

Now make a list of items you'll need, i.e. tableware, decor, gifts, food etc.

Check off what you already own. Then list what you need to beg, borrow, exchange or purchase.

Print out the list (on recycled paper of course) or put it in your phone, PDA or calendar you carry with you.

When you're at the thrift store or a garage sale, or see a great local sale, check the item off your list. Or, if you're into setting up an exchange, one month before the event on your calendar, add in a date for a neighborhood get together to trade costumes, decor, plates or anything else you come up with.

2. Shop local and handmade. Shipping long distances is a no-no when you're trying to live in a more eco-friendly way. So it's always preferable to seek out items you're going to buy locally.

If you've planned ahead (see tip #1), then buying organic berries in the summer from your local farmer's market and freezing them for the blueberry pancakes you'll make your love on Valentine's Day makes the process easy and fun.

3. Throw no-waste celebrations. No waste doesn't mean no trash (unfortunately). It means that everything purchased around a celebration can be recycled, composted or reused. Planning ahead (see tip #!) helps a lot.

Here are a few ideas to make it easier still:

• Be sure to have labeled bins available.
• Ask guests to bring unwrapped gifts, then hide them (the gifts, not the guests) and have the recipient hunt for them
• Collect glass jars, decorate them if you like and have them available for guests to take home leftovers
• Resist purchasing throw away decor--plates, cups, tablecloths etc.--no matter how cute or how well they match your theme

4. Make gifts and decor from items you already own, can collect, trade with friends or re-purpose. Some people consider themselves crafty and some don't. If you're in the latter category, it's not a crime, but how about giving it a try in 2010? By planning ahead (see hint #--OK by now you know what we're referring to), you'll have plenty of time to assemble the needed items, instructions or even take a class. This could be the year to learn to take old sweaters and turn them into gifts by learning how to needle felt. Or make an eco-friendly holiday tree, recycled jewelry or cook up green tomato preserves!

There are instructions for anything you'd like to craft online. Instructables and Craftster will get you started, but simply by typing in what you want to make plus the word, "instructions," you'll be on the road to DIY stardom.

Also, before throwing anything away, ask yourself whether it can be turned into a gift or decor item. Once you start looking at "trash" this way, you'll be amazed how often the answer will be, "Yes!"

5. Think about how to minimize energy waste before, during and after events.

• Plan parties during the day to minimize need for heat (depending on where you live) and lights.
  
• Keep the temperature down if you're celebrating in the winter with masses of people. Body heat may suffice.
  
• In summer, try using a solar oven for cooking instead of heating up the kitchen

Top picks for celebrating green all year

• Gazillions of ideas in the book, Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family and from the website www.CelebrateGreen.net
  
  
• Earth-friendlier party goods from www.GreenPartyGoods.com and www.GreenPlanetParties
  
  
• For handmade gift, food and decor ideas, check out www.Etsy.com

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net 

Product Review: Pangea Organics Skincare Discovery Kit

By filling out a simple online form, I received a free sample of Pangea Organics Skincare Discovery Kit. Inside were three tiny samples of their facial cleanser, facial scrub and facial moisturizer.

In addition to coupons, I received a little brochure outlining all of Pangea's products. Their philosophy is that "the face has its own special skin, distinct from the rest of the body, and needs to be treated with care." How true! Pangea's "products are designed to create and maintain balance in your skin."

Facial Cleanser -- Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange
Felt silky smooth and had a very distinct smell, similar to eucalyptus or a relaxing spa.

Facial Scrub -- Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean & Cranberry
With just the right amount of gritty-ness. The scrub made my skin feel very soft and smooth.

Facial Cream -- Italian Red Mandarin with Rose
The final step was applying the moisturizer. The fragrance matched the cleanser and scrub, but was a bit overwhelming. The cream was easily absorbed and a small amount went a long way.

I felt refreshed and energized after using the three products. Best of all was the packaging. The box contains blue spruce tree seeds and can be planted. How great is that? Plus, the label is printed on 100% post-consumer paper with vegetable-based inks, so everything is recycled and recyclable.

Want to try Pangea Organics? Every Friday they give away a free product at http://bit.ly/pangeaFBallure.

Let me know if you try any of their products and what you think.

Real or Fake? What To Know Before Buying A Christmas Tree

With less than two weeks before Christmas, here's another great post from our friends at The Greenest Dollar...

Real or Fake Christmas Tree?

My grandmother and I in front of her real Christmas tree last year...

Yep, I rarely put pictures of myself on the blog, but there it is: me and my sweet grandmother in front of her “Charlie Brown Christmas Tree” last year.

It was one of those scrawny trees that are full of holes and personality. And, it was one of the last ones on the lot. She, of course, fell in love with it. In fact, she insisted we bring it home simply because she felt so sorry for it.

And as you can see in the picture, it turned out beautiful. That scrawny tree made her entire home smell like a fresh forest, and it gave her weeks of delight. I can’t wait to go pick out another one with her this year.

When it comes to Christmas trees, there are two camps: those who think real trees are better for the environment, and those who think fake trees are better.

So what’s the truth?

Well, I have to admit I used to be on the fake side. I used to abhor the thought of “cutting down a tree”, just for Christmas. It seemed so, murderous. So, I bought a fake one and reused it year after year.

But, that’s before I started this blog. Now? Now I know better. Real Christmas trees are actually better for the environment. Let’s look at why.

The Dangers of Fake Christmas Trees

It’s really astonishing how bad fake Christmas trees are for both our health, and the environment.

Strike One: Christmastree.org reports that almost all fake trees come from China. PVC chips (one of the most dangerous forms of plastic) are melted down to form the tree “needles”. Several carcinogens like dioxin, ethylene dichloride, and vinyl chloride are produced during the production of PVC, and these pollute neighborhoods, as well as the food chain, around the factory where the trees are made.

The workers who make artificial trees only get paid around $100 per week. They work in dirty, horrendous factories, and spend all day breathing in fumes from this melting plastic.

Strike Two: ABC News reports that some artificial trees may be made with lead. And when they heat up (with lights, a fireplace, or a sunny window), that lead can release fumes into your home. Not good. And it’s not just the lead you have to worry about: several other chemicals found in the plastic can end up in your home.

Need another piece of horrifying information? Yeah, I thought so! The State of California puts warning labels on all plastic trees, warning of lead poisoning, and they advise people to wash their hands after handling. Do you really want something like that in your home? Yikes.

Strike Three: Earth 911 reports that artificial Christmas trees are made from non-recyclable plastic. Which means that once its life is over, it’s over. Yes, you get to reuse it for years, but every time an artificial tree gets sent to a landfill, it’s going to stay there.

Are there benefits? Sure there are.

Like I said earlier, artificial trees are reused year after year. The longer you keep using one, the better. And, reusing your artificial tree also saves you money each year when you don’t have to go out and buy a new one.

The Perks of a Real Tree…

Ok, I know it can be hard to walk around a Christmas tree lot and look at all those cut down trees. But hear me out here…

Perk One: Christmas tree farmers grow trees. Which means that for each tree that’s cut down, Christmas tree farmers plant 1-3 seedlings in its place. And while these trees grow (usually over 8 years), they’re helping remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Perk Two: When you buy a live Christmas tree, you’re supporting a farmer. And, probably a local one. Instead of helping support the Chinese economy, live Christmas trees keep your money local. The Smithsonian reports that the Christmas tree farming industry helps support over 100,000 American jobs. This industry makes a big difference to a lot of families.

Perk Three: Live Christmas trees are recyclable. Most cities pick up trees after the holidays and chip them up for mulch, which is repurposed elsewhere. If you don’t live in an area that picks up your tree curbside, you can check Earth911.com to find a local recycling facility.

Perk Four: The smell. You just can’t beat that wonderful, live Christmas tree smell. I’d way rather breathe in the natural fumes of a Spruce than the plastic off-gassing from an artifical tree.

Perk Five: When you buy a live tree you also cut down on the gas and pollution it takes to haul those fake trees all the way from China.

So, what are the downsides to live Christmas trees?

Well, many farmers do spray pesticides on their trees each year to help them grow better. These pesticides, just like with any crop, run off into the local watershed.

Plus, you have to buy a new one each year, which adds up.

Last Word…

Compared to all the negative consequences of artificial trees, I think live trees still come out way ahead. I’m going out to buy a live tree this week, and I have to admit I’m super excited.

One tip: If you want to do double good when buying a live tree, see if any local charities are selling them. For instance, here in my neck of the woods the Howell Nature Center is selling Christmas trees. The Howell Nature Center takes hurt animals (like squirrels hit by cars, foxes that are shot by hunters, or birds that fly into windows) and rehabilitates them so they can be set free again.

Proceeds from their Christmas tree sales go to help fund their animal infirmary. So, my dollars are doing double-duty when I go buy my tree from them.

Check your local paper or do a Google search to see if any local charities in your area are selling trees to raise money.

Green and Frugal -- Use Less Gas

Another great post by our friends at the Greenest Dollar...

I was doing research for a client last week and came across some stats from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) that made me want to cheer.

What’s the news?

Well, thanks to the recession and the growing awareness of global warming, we’re driving less this year. A lot less.

The EIA predicts that once 2009 is finished, we’ll have consumed 4% less oil than we did the year before. I know 4% doesn’t sound like a lot, but it really is. 4% means we’re consuming 800,000 fewer barrels per day than we did last year.

And the EIA reports that in the first six months of 2009, our consumption dropped by a whopping 6.3%, which equals 1.25 million barrels per day less than last year.

That is a ton of oil we’re saving, just by making small changes in our routines and cutting back to save money.

And it’s not just oil we’ve cut back on. Coal consumption fell by 11% in the first half of 2009. That equals a major reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Yahoo!

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly…

So, that’s the good news. The bad news is that the EIA is projecting that 2010 is going to show an increase in our oil consumption by 1.4%. That’s 260,000 barrels per day. And our coal consumption? It’s projected to increase by at least 2%.

They don’t report a reason why our consumption is going to go up, but it’s pretty easy to figure out. After all, it’s human nature. The economic crisis is passing, and the world didn’t collapse. Many people are going to go back to their old ways of bumping up the heat and driving more.

Not. Good.

I know it’s hard to stay consistent about consuming less. And I’m right there in it too; I’m fortunate I don’t have to commute to go to work, but I do like to drive to other cities to do fun things. Lately, I’ve been going through quite a bit of gas, and I feel bad about it. I know that last year, I wasn’t doing near as much driving as I have been the past couple of months.

I need to be more aware of every mile I’m driving, and still work just as hard as I did last year to cut back on how much gas I’m using. I hadn’t been thinking much about it until this morning when I filled up my car. I’d only filled it up the week before, and here I was doing it again.

Oops.

Gas Saving Tips

So, how can we all use less gas?

Here are some handy dandy tips I found online:

• Drive Slow- Edmunds.com reports that slower driving uses an average of 14% less gas. So, go the speed limit. EcoDrivingUSA reports that for every 5 mph you go over 60 mph, you pay an equivalent of 20 cents extra per gallon.

• Don’t Gun The Gas- Pressing down the gas pedal floods your engine with gas so your car can move. Elementary, dear Watson! But when you accelerate quickly then your engine needs more gas. CNN Money recommends not pressing the gas pedal down more than one inch unless you really have to. And, Edmunds reports that aggressive driving (accelerating quickly and rapid braking) uses up to 37% more gas than driving like a calm adult.

• Call the Store- Are you driving out to Home Depot to pick up some chalkboard paint? Hitting Target for a new furnace air filter? If you’re going to a store to pick up a specific item, call ahead to make sure they have it in stock. I can’t tell you how often I’ve had to drive around looking for something when the first store I went to didn’t have it. You can save time, gas, and stress simply by using the phone first.

• Use Cruise Control- CNN Money reports that using cruise control can save you up to 14% on your gas. Why? Because cruise control naturally helps you avoid going faster. And the faster you go, the less gas mileage you get.

• Save Gas By Cleaning Out Your Trunk- If you’re hauling a bunch of junk around in your car, then keep in mind that you’re using extra gas to cart around the extra weight. EcoDrivingUSA estimates that for every 100 lbs. your car has to carry around extra, it uses 2% more fuel. It pays to have a clean car.

Save Up To 40% By Eco-Driving

According to the Wall Street Journal, Eco-Driving is a relatively new term for a driving technique that’s starting to gain steam.

What is it?

Well, WSJ says it’s a technique that “blends the skills of a racecar driver with the proverbial grandmother’s pace”. And, you can improve your car’s gas mileage by 20%-40%.

That’s pretty significant.

Here’s a summary of what Eco-Driving entails:

• Maintain a steady momentum, like you would on a leisurely bike ride
• Accelerate very gradually
• Coast whenever possible
• Constantly adjust the car’s speed to minimize the need to stop
• Stay aware of traffic patterns in front of you so you don’t have to slam the brakes

Want to find out more specific information on how to start Eco-Driving? Then check out EcoDrivingUSA.com. They’ve got some great information posted on their site about how to get started.

Last Word…

What about you? Have you found yourself driving more now that things seem to be settling down with the economy, or have you stayed consistent with using less?

I’m definitely going to work harder at going out less and combining my trips, and I’m going to start practicing some of those Eco-Driving techniques. EcoDrivingUSA reports that the average person can use 20% less gas just by changing their habits, and that’s pretty huge!

Get Ready for an EEK-O-friendly Halloween (Part 1)

Halloween should be fun, but every year it gets scarier--for parents and the planet. From the discovery of lead in fake teeth to chemicals in costumes and mercury in the high fructose corn syrup some conventional candy is made from to the garbage left in the holiday's wake, it's a wonder more of us haven't given up the festivities and spent October 31 watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

The good news is, there are loads of child- and earth-friendly alternatives to the usual Halloween fare.

The most important point when planning to green up any holiday or celebration, especially those involving children, is to get their "buy-in." And of course, your approach makes all the difference. Telling kids, "We're going green this Halloween--that means, no candy," isn't helpful. What can be is a discussion about the challenges that Halloween brings. Obviously, what you say (or don't), depends on the age of your children. But helping them to see the wider ramifications of their actions can help make transitioning to healthier choices more appealing or at least understandable.

Many kids are learning about eco-issues in school. They often want to do something about them, but need guidance on where to begin. Talking to them about the excess and waste associated with Halloween (and all holidays and celebrations) and discussing how they can make a difference, may spark their altruism and inspire them to act in positive ways.

A great way to start a discussion is to list each aspect of Halloween (costumes, treats, decor and activities), and brainstorm child- and earth-friendly choices to what you've done in the past. Then, encourage your kids to choose one or two of the ideas to implement this year. After Halloween, talk about what worked, what didn't and what you'll do next year.

Costumes
In the "olden days," (the 80s?), many kids made their costumes, often with help from parents. Making the costume was actually an enjoyable, bonding activity. Today, millions of people spend millions of dollars on costumes that are made from non-sustainable materials (like petroleum), that are worn once, then discarded.

But there are earth-friendlier alternatives. If you usually buy costumes, consider:

• Making them. Kids are incredibly gifted and creative when we encourage them. There are almost no costumes that cannot be handmade. If your children are stuck on turning a popular TV or movie character into a costume, brainstorm how you can make it happen with items you already own or can get at no cost by borrowing or making. Be sure to check online for ideas.
• Purchasing costumes made from more eco-friendly materials or at least not from plastics. Choose cotton, organic cotton, silk or hemp, for instance. Unfortunately, these alternatives are not yet widely available, but if you're interested in them, ask local stores to consider carrying them next year. And check at the end of this post for some great online sources.
• Trading them. Arrange a costume swap with neighbors, check online at swap sites like Green Halloween, or see if you can interest a local child-focused organization in sponsoring a swap.

When Halloween is over, don't throw costumes away. Save them, dismantle and hold on to the "parts," trade or take them to a thrift store.

Treats and treasures

Halloween may be all about the treats, but happily, there are great alternatives that kids, when given the option, will happily embrace. You can't do much about the sweets your children receive on their foray around the neighborhood (although you can have the "Halloween Fairy" replace the confections with a wonderful gift when the children are brushing their teeth...shhhh...), but when it comes to what your family hands out, planning ahead so that you are not making a last-minute dash to the grocery store, will help you avoid limiting choices to what's on the shelves at the moment.

If you have a local natural foods store, check out their offerings. Take your kids along and choose a few items to sample if you don't normally shop there. Honey sticks are a favorite and are very inexpensive (never give honey to children under age 2). Many natural food companies make small "bars" in flavors kids love like peanut butter and chocolate. Assuming you have the time to order online, check out www.GreenHalloween.org for dozens of alternatives.

One issue that often comes up when discussing organic or green choices is cost. While it is true that many healthier items cost more, there is a simple solution. Instead of handing out fistfuls (or allowing kids to take as much as they want, which has become the norm), try this: Fill a bowl with a variety of great choices, whether sweets or "treasures" like sparkly stones, feathers (yes, kids love these), hair decorations, temporary tatoos, stickers etc. Cover the bowl with a cloth. When children come to the door, get down to their level and whisper, "At our house, we have some very, very special treats and treasures. You may now choose your favorite." Then with a flourish, whip off the cloth and let them sift. Compliment them on their choice afterwards.

If you're not yet ready to totally embrace greener treats and treasures you can still help cut down on expense and waste by choosing one of these options:

• Put out two bowls, one with conventional candy, the other with "treasures." Let kids choose one item from either bowl.
• Hand children whatever you are giving them. Do not allow them to take as much as they want.
• Let older children know that unwrapped candy can be composted.

Whatever you do this Halloween, taking time to plan and implement will make the holiday a lot less spooky!

Photos Copyright Holli Dunn, www.HolliDunn.com

Eco Tips for a Green Halloween

• Plan, plan, plan. Sit down and talk about what you need to buy or make, then schedule time to do it prior to the night before Halloween.
• Get your local school involved. For instance, see if they'd like to host a candy composting party. Children bring in leftover candy, unwrap it and place it in a compost bin. They can be rewarded with a healthy alternative treat or treasure (see above).
• Talk to your neighbors and friends about offering healthier, more earth-friendlier alternatives.
• Older kids might enjoy reverse trick or treating. Check it out here.
• Plan a neighborhood Halloween party with likeminded parents. You can control all aspects of the event so it is as eco-friendly as you want.

Eco Picks for a Green Halloween

Costume ideas:

• Organic cotton costumes for "wee ones" can be assembled by pairing themed onesies and caps. (Try Kee-Ka's pumpkin body suit with Under The Nile's veggie cap.)
• Sarah's Silks, Nova Natural, A Toy Garden and Magic Cabin sell costumes made out of silk, rather than petroleum. While these are more expensive than others, they can be used for years for dress up and kids adore them.

Treats and Treasures

• Snack bars such as LARABAR, Cascadian Farm
• 100% honey sticks DON'T GIVE HONEY TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 2
• Glee Gum "minis" or other individually wrapped small gums
• Spooky S'mores Clif Kid's Organic ZBar
• Organic licorice bars, rope, and gum, (cut into pieces), by Tundra Trading
• Adhesive "bandages" with pirate, black cat and other fun themes (one per child. Great for older kids!)
• Coins (US or non-US)
• Confetti-biodegradable, water-soluble
• Cookie cutters - mini
• Cootie Catcher Note Cards (one card per child)
• Crayon "rocks" (soy-based)

Brought to you by Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net