A Green and Frugal Way to Bring Back Memories

Have you ever noticed how powerful scents can be? They can relax, inspire or transport us back to another time and place. Best of all, the scents and smells of nature don't cost a dime and have no impact on the environment, making it a green and frugal way to take a stroll down memory lane.

Fresh-cut Grass
Aside from the allergy-prone, who doesn't love that first dose of fresh-cut grass on a sunny spring day? For me, it takes me back to high school when I used to play field hockey. During our Saturday morning practice, you could smell the cut grass of the field we would play on. To this day, I still find that scent invigorating. It makes me want to pick up a field hockey stick and run!

Ocean Air
Being a Jersey girl, it's not unusual to take a day trip to the shore. You know you've arrived, when you roll down your window and take a deep inhale of that ocean air. There's no smell like it in the world. It reminds me of days at the beach with my family...dating my husband when he was a lifeguard...and my wedding day since we were married at the shore and had our wedding photos on the beach. Regardless of the emotion, it always evokes incredibly happy memories. That's probably why going to the shore is one of my favorite places to go -- and one of my favorite scents!

Pine Trees
Mind you, I'm not talking about the car deodorizer pine scent. When I smell fresh pine trees, it reminds me of Christmas and all the December festivities. It makes me want to decorate a tree and start wrapping presents. The smell of pine trees is so natural and fresh...it makes me want to get rid of our artificial Christmas tree and chop down a pine!

Eucalyptus
When I get a whiff of eucalyptus, I immediately want a massage. This scent is so often used in spas and by massage therapists that just the scent of it can put me at ease. It's invigorating and calming all at the same time. Whenever I'm given aromatherapy options during a spa visit, I always opt for eucalyptus. It's my calming scent of choice!

Scents are so incredibly powerful in how they can transport us to a different place and time. It's no wonder they can be used therapeutically to relax, calm and energize your spirits.

What scents bring back memories for you? What is your favorite smell and what does it remind you of?
Note: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

How to Be Green and Save Money While Driving

Car makers have embraced the call to produce new vehicles that get better gas mileage and have fewer emissions. Those cars are still out of the price range of many customers, though. However, there are ways drivers of traditional vehicles can reduce their impact on the environment and save money while getting day to day activities accomplished.

While Driving

By changing a few driving habits, better gas mileage can be achieved, meaning less fuel will be required.
*Watch the speed – Everybody gets in a rush now and then, but driving at excessive speeds can cause the vehicle to use more gasoline. Gas mileage begins to drop off considerably when speeds reach more than 60 miles per hour.
*Go easy on the brake – Constantly braking and accelerating is not only hard on the car, it can use more gas. Try coasting to stops when possible and accelerate gently.

*Drive fewer miles – It’s a simple equation – driving more miles increases the amount of gas used and pollution released into the air. Find ways to get tasks done with less driving. When running errands, plan stops out ahead of time to avoid doubling back. Use the highway whenever possible to avoid city driving, which lowers gas mileage. Create a car pool to work so several passengers can ride in one vehicle.

*Unload – Empty the vehicle of any excess baggage. The more weight the car has to push around the more gas it will be forced to use. Avoid hauling anything on top of the vehicle unless necessary because doing so reduces its aerodynamics, forcing it to work harder.

*Refuel wisely – There are certain times of the day when it can be advantageous to fill the tank. During warm days, try to gas up in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler. This will reduce how much gasoline evaporates into the air during refueling. Try to avoid gassing up at all on Ozone Action Days.

Maintenance
A well-maintained vehicle will perform better and pollute less. Stick to a regular maintenance schedule but also periodically check these items.

*Tires – Properly inflated tires can increase gas mileage and will also lead to less wear and tear on them, meaning they will not need as replaced as often. Check the owner’s manual to find what the proper pressure should be.

*Tune the engine – An improperly tuned engine will produce more air pollution and require more fuel. A faulty oxygen sensor can reduce mileage by as much as 40 percent.

*Air filters – A clogged air filter can reduce gas mileage by up to 10 percent, so check it regularly and replace when it becomes dirty.

Buying a new, environmentally-friendly vehicle may be the ultimate goal to help the planet while driving, but it might not be achievable for a couple of years. In the meantime, there are several ways to get the most out of a current car while saving money and polluting less.

This is a guest post from Jane Simpson, who has adapted the eco-friendly driving habits outlined above and now spends less on gas each month. She used a calculate car payment website to help plan her budget before she bought a more fuel efficient used car.

Go Green: Buy a Used Car

Here are the top 3 reasons to buy a used car:

1. Buying a used car puts less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
2. You can avoid the debt of a new car and save some money.
3. Get something fuel efficient, there are a lot of used cars with 30+ mpg, and more than a few that reach into the 40's.

Now you have an exciting new resource to purchase a used car -- Hertz Rent2Buy! Many used car dealerships buy their cars from auctions, which is how rental car companies get rid of their cars. Hertz Rent2Buy cuts out the middle man and sells directly to consumers, enabling you to save 15-20% versus what you would pay a car dealership.

Best of all, Hertz is giving my readers an incentive to purchase a used car by offering $100 off the purchase of some of their barely used cars for sale. Hertzrent2buy.com is an innovative way to check out used cars and prices. Be sure to see the wide variety of high quality cars and amazing deals. To receive $100 off, use promo code R2B-CSU.

Start Shopping Now!

Thinking Outside the (Conventional) Candy Box this Halloween

Halloween is supposed to be nothing but fun for kids. Yet there are some scary statistics out there right now about our children. For one, this is the first generation of American children whose life expectancy is now shorter than their parents. And for another, if the current trend continues, one in every three children will develop diabetes in her lifetime.

"But Halloween is only one holiday. Why can't we let kids eat all the candy they want?" some might ask. If candy were only doled out by the handful once a year, it might be all right. (Even then, some parents would prefer moderation and still, we would face the issues of the unhealthy chemicals in the candy.)

But the fact is that many of our holidays have turned into sweetfests-Valentine's Day and Easter, for example, to say nothing of kids' birthday parties and other celebrations throughout the year. Add to this the candy children receive if they accompany you to the bank (even the doctor!), the dry cleaners or pet store. Some teachers even hand out candy as a reward for good behavior.

So it's not about once a year. It's about recognizing the impact of our national sweet tooth (and our reliance on artificially derived and modified ingredients), and how we can help our children to enjoy healthy and safe alternatives, even when celebrating.

What to Give Instead?
If you don't want to hand out conventional candy this year, what can you substitute? Lots of things. You can choose from an assortment of organic candies, and/or those made without dyes and preservatives, and that use juice or fruit for sweetening. Or consider honey sticks, a favorite among kids of all ages. (But do not give honey to children under the age of two.)

If you'd prefer to skip the candy altogether but still want to offer food-how about real fruit strips and rolls, dried organic fruit, whole food bars, raw or toasted nuts (check with parents of young children due to allergy concerns), natural gum, organic crispy rice bars, or pumpkin and other seeds. (For a longer list with specific brands, check out www.GreenHalloween.org) 

Treasures Instead of Treats?
Another alternative is to substitute "treasures" for treats. Think about it this way. When you empty your kids' pockets before doing the laundry, what do you find? These are things your children think of as precious even if you do not-bits of shiny paper, rock crystals, acorns, for example.So when it comes to treasures, don't dismiss them just because you think kids will turn up their noses. Ask them! You might be surprised that they would be happy to receive stickers, friendship bracelets, coins (who doesn't love money?), polished rocks, sea shells, cookie cutters, or other small items. (Lots more treasure ideas at Green Halloween.)

Enter the Bowl
To ensure you offer something children will like, fill a bowl with a variety of treats and treasures, then invite children to take their pick. You will no doubt be surprised at their choices.

At a Halloween event a couple of years ago, we placed a bowl filled with feathers on a table in our booth. Adults passed by without a second glance. But as kids approached, their eyes grew wide and they asked, "Can I have one?" So many wanted a feather that we ran out in an hour. They blew them into the air, they tried to tickle themselves (or their siblings), or lightly brushed the feathers against their cheeks. Boys, girls, teens and tweens all had the same reaction. 

Who would think that today's children who seem to be entertained only when they are plugged in, could enjoy something as simple as a feather? 

So this Halloween, offer lots of choices, allow children to pick their favorite instead of taking a handful (which, no matter what is chosen, is not only better for kids' health, but also should cut down on your purchase costs) and feel great about providing the children who come to your door with a healthier Halloween.

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

Hey guys! The Love Drop team is at it again! They just came back from the Boston area where they dropped $5,000 worth of appliances and gifts to a woman who recently got hit by a car and is recovering in a wheelchair, and THIS month they're trying to round up the love for precious newborn triplets!

We want to help Jeff and Becca (the parents) prepare to bring them home from the hospital, as all three were born very underweight and are currently in the Neonatal ICU (they're doing great though! And will be coming home soon). With four children already, adding a surprise batch of triplets is going to put considerable financial strain on the family, and that's where we come in!

Let's help give them everything they need to welcome the triplets home, including diapers, food, furniture, gift cards - any cool baby stuff you can think of. We're shooting for at least $3,000 in cash, plus gifts.

Want to help? Here are three ways you can participate:

1. Give $1.00 -- This money will help go to their family, and every dollar counts!
   
2. Give a gift card -- Gift cards are extremely helpful. Places like Target, Wal-mart, restaurants, etc would be incredible.
   
3. Donate baby stuff! -- Specifically diapers, formula and clothes. Gift cards here are awesome too. (Or maybe you have contacts in the baby world?)

You can reach the Love Drop team here anytime with questions: team@lovedrop.us or by checking them out at LoveDrop.us. Thanks everyone! We'll let you know how it goes!