Going Green Living Friday Tips, News, and Kid Corner 4-19

 

Green Tip

Exercising outside can be a huge benefit to your body and mind!  I know I personally love running on trails and roads than on treadmills.  It's a great way to get some nice clean fresh air as well.  Although a nice tip to remember is to check the air quality forecast for your local area. This way you can find out if the ozone and particles in the air are acceptable for this activity. 

To see your area, go to the AirNow.gov to check for warnings and reports. 

 

In The News

Conservation

Discovery Cove has a new baby Bottle Nose Dolphin, born on Feb 25th. 

Would you like to help pick a his name?

FINN– Means finder. Dolphins are exceptional finders and use echolocation (echoes) to find fish and other objects.

DALLES- kenDAL +LESter – a combination of mom and dad’s names

KENT- Kendall is the Valley of the river Kent

If you would like to VOTE head over to their Facebook page and let them know your choice!

You can Vote now through May 1st 2013.

 

Kids Corner

Get a Free Endangered Species Coloring Book Download PDF

8 Animal Species to color and love. 
This is a great time and opportunity to talk with your kids about ways they can help these amazing treasures.

 

What are you doing with your Unwanted CDs and DVDS?

 

See how you can help reduce, recycle, and where to recycle them at.

 

Yogurt Mask and Protecting Your Skin Green Tip #8

Green Tip #8
Protecting your Skin and a Yogurt Face Mask

First I want to mention you should be wearing sunscreen everyday.  I put mine on first thing in the morning along with my makeup.  If I am not wearing makeup that day, I add only that.  I like to take walks, run, and enjoy being outside and sometimes random quick outings happen without the thought to lotion up with at least 15 or higher.  Having a daily habit will help protect you. 

It is recommended to be out of the sun between 10am-4pm, but not everyone can avoid those times.  When out please remember to wear UV protecting sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats.  Look for non toxic Skin Care Lotions as well.. 

• Avoid Sunscreens with Oxybenzone or Benzophenone-3, studies have shown these to increase the risk of cancer and other illnesses.
• Instead look for products with Titanium or Zinc. 

Get a little too much sun on your face? You can lighten and even out your skin tone naturally with Yogurt.

Yogurt Astringent/bleaching mask
2 teaspoons plain organic yogurt

Apply to clean face and neck.  Allow the yogurt to dry completely while ling back then rinse.

For Normal, Oily, and botchy skin.  You can do this one or two times a week. 

This Months Tips
Green Tip#1                Green Tip#2
Green Tip#3                Green Tip#4
Green Tip#5                Green Tip#6
Green Tip#7

Green Giveaways Going Now
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with LVR Organic Yoga Pants, be sure to Enter!
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with Reuseit, To-GO Ware Bamboo, enter here.

Do you Water the Drain? Green Tip #6

Green Tip #6
Don't waste the water while its heating up.

 There are times I have to remind the kids to not waste the water.  Say you need warm water, heating over the stove is unnecessary, so you run the tab water waiting till it runs out hot.  Don't water the drain, it's a huge waste.  Instead, grab a pitcher and use the water for plants, making tea, cleaning, you get the idea

See more on how to save water and keep it clean. 

This Months Tips
Green Tip#1                Green Tip#2
Green Tip#3                Green Tip#4
Green Tip#5              

Green Giveaways Going Now
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with LVR Organic Yoga Pants, be sure to Enter!
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with Reuseit, To-GO Ware Bamboo, enter here.

Buying Local Green Tip #5

 

Green Tip #5

 Buy Local whenever possible!

Almost every city has Farmers Markets and Stands.  They may be a hidden treasure but seek them out, and they are a wonderful find.  When you buy locally you are supporting the local economy and supporting farmers.

Why is it important to buy from your local farmers?  When we purchase in super markets, sometimes the food has traveled from out of state, if not from other countries.  The carbon foot-printing that takes place from air travel, ships, and trucks takes a toile on the environment in resources and pollution.  This carbon foot-printing drives up the cost of the food you are buying. The reason the food is so expensive is because they have to pay for the shipping and handling of that item.  Also, think about the freshness of something picked and shipped for days, then get to your town.  They usually have to cover the produce in a wax to keep it from spoiling too fast. This wax seals in the chemicals making it impossible to remove.  If you use local farmers, you know your fruit is fresh, did not have to travel far, and has been harvested that week.  Farmers do use pesticides and herbicides, but you can find the organic growers as well.  Over all, when you buy locally, you use fewer resources, and it is cheaper on your wallet.

Continue reading on why you should support your local Farmer on my contributor post.


When shopping Farmers Markets you can find produce, breads, cheeses, meats, milks, spices, and more.  The items are fresher than being shipped and they did not have a carbon foot printing  like some shipped items do.

Wondering where one is near you?

Add your zip to find out. 

 

This Months Tips
Green Tip#1                Green Tip#2
Green Tip#3                Green Tip#4
Green Giveaways Going Now
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with LVR Organic Yoga Pants, be sure to Enter!
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with Reuseit, To-GO Ware Bamboo, enter here.

Herbal Bath Bag Greener and More Natural Body Care Green Tip #4

Green Tip #4 

Greener and More Natural Body Care.

Herbal Bath Bag
2 tbsp. of Lavender and Chamomile
1 tbsp. of Raspberry leaves
1 tbsp. Comfrey leave
1 tbsp. Ground oatmeal
muslin tea bags (optional see greener option below)

Place herbs and oatmeal in center of muslin bag.  This makes enough for several bags.  Make sure bag is completely close then you can just throw into bath as water is running.

The herbal bath bag helps to soften and soothes skin with an extremely awesome scent.  It is important to reduce the amount of chemicals we put on and in our bodies.  Our skin is our largest organ and everything is absorbed through it.  This is a delightful and aromatic way to relax and rejuvenate minus the chemical overload in most commercial products. 

Don't forget that Mother's Day is right around the corner, make some to share with Family and Friends, and help us reduce the chemical dependence we have acquired due to commercial consumption.  A Greener life is easier than you think. 

For those that have Libre Tea Glasses, you can skip the muslin bags and steep your herbs before bath time and add when in.  I will usually steep for 20 minutes to make it nice and strong.  No waste of bags and all the benefits!  You can also make this mixture and store in a glass jar with lid and just scoop out into your Libra Glass.  LibreTea Website






This Months Tips
Green Tip#1                Green Tip#2
Green Tip#3

Green Giveaways Going Now
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with LVR Organic Yoga Pants, be sure to Enter!
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with Reuseit, To-GO Ware Bamboo, enter here.

Celebrating Earth Day all Month Long Green Body Scrub Recipe

Going Green Tip #3

Greening your Body Care 

 

Easy Natural Body Scrub Recipe
1/2 cup sea salt
1/4 cup of warmed Coconut Oil or Olive Oil. 

Good for all skin types!  You can use this amount easily for your entire body.  I have made larger batches and kept in glass jars and when needed just scoop out the amount needed and heat then.  This also makes for a great gift for Mother's Day coming up! 

One of the great things about this recipe is that there are no toxins or preservatives.  This makes for a great budget friendly green body care item.  Take the time this April to "Green" your foods, your body, and reduce the waste on earth.

This Months Tips
Green Tip#1                Green Tip#2

Green Giveaways Going Now
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with LVR Organic Yoga Pants, be sure to Enter!
Green Earth Giveaway Hop with Reuseit, To-GO Ware Bamboo, enter here.

Celebrating Earth Day all Month Long Green Tip #2

Green Tip #2
Greening Your Kitchen

Pack Lunches in Reusable Containers
The amount of packing used for lunches and meals on the go is upsetting.  Help us reduce by starting today to use only reusable containers like bento boxes, reusable sandwich bags, and reusable liquid containers.  These should be "BPA FREE" and I always recommend "Made in the USA".  Why not support Local? 

 

 

This small step alone can make a HUGE difference in the environment.  You will be buying and throwing away less while saving money.  2012 was the year we made all our lunch packing green and clean.  If you are a large family, I recommend buying in small amounts to stock pile your lunch packing items.  You can start now for the next school year and your own Lunches.

 

For more detailed information see....

Lunch Boxes, Reuseit Review

Reuseit Review Bento boxes

 



This Months Tips
Green Tip#1               

Green Giveaways Going Now
Green Earth Giveaway Hop be sure to Enter!

Green Tip #1 Celebrating Earth Day all Month Long

Going Green Tip #1
Green your Kitchen!

• When purchasing groceries look for foods with no pesticides and as minimally processed as possible.  This is easily done by looking for anything with the USDA Organic Label.   
• Get your items Naked, this means with as little packaging as possible.  Look for items in bulk and lose to add to your containers at home.  While I recycle all my plastics and cardboard boxes, I like to still try to decrease even purchasing items packaged that way.  Every little bit helps!

When foods are processed a lot of nutrients are destroyed making it a dead food.  While those foods are processed they are also increasing unnecessary waste to the environment.  Think of increasing nutritious raw fruits and vegetables and picking them up with green packaging.
I use green produce shopping bags from reuseit.

Be sure to come back everyday to see the next Green tip of the day.  Also, enter The Pitch List Earth Day Giveaway!

Natural egg coloring.

Happy Mothering

Natural Egg Coloring and this weeks Green Tip and Spa recipe!

Coloring eggs is just one of those things I love to do at Easter.  I have always loved making pictures, painting, and coloring eggs.  This year we are doing a dye free zone!  We are using toxic free paints and natural foods for our colors. Before you head to the store to get your basket stuffing's and dyes, check out these sites first!  In the sites I have below, you will find many ways to dye and decorate your eggs safely and naturally.  Also, some have hidden gems of making your own treats, basket stuffing, recycling, and more!

Eco Crazy Mom

Here are a few sites that are giving great instruction and ideas for toxic free Easter Coloring.
Happy Mothering
Eco Crazy Mom
Nature Moms
Earth Faerie Momma
Colorful Canary
Susie B Homemaker
Garden Me
The Greening of Westford
cleashannon
Dinker and Giggles has ideas for natural basket stuffer items too!

Green tip of the week

Your refrigerator can waste a lot of energy by working too hard.  Try not to over full your refrigerator.  This will keep you organized and make sure you do not waste food as well.  Is your problem the opposite?  If the fridge stays fairly bare you can add pitcher of water to help it use up the space.  Also, when you go to put leftovers in the food make sure food and containers are cooled down and not hot when placed in refrigerator. 
                                                                                                        

Spa Recipe of the week 

Sugar Scrub.  

1 teaspoon sugar 

soap and water

Juice of 1/2 lemon, or other citrus

We don't use sugar for much, but it makes a great scrub.  It cleanses and stimulates the skin.  Sugarbrasion is becoming more popular treatment at many healthy and beauty spas, so why not save yourself some money and do it at home!  While washing your face with soup, I love Dr. Bronners., add a teaspoon of organic sugar to a lather and massage gently into your skin.  Rinse your skin with a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water.  I use a cotton ball to move gently over skin.  Rinse with clear cool water and pat dry.