Earth Day

i have never been the most eco-friendly person but as a parent, i've found myself making the change. in the last four years, we've taken steps as a family to be more "green" - eating organic, recycling, solar panels, reusable bags, making my own cleaner, etc... i ran across this great article - "40 Ways You Can Go Green on Earth Day" by Discovery's Planet Green. reading through the list, i realized that as a family, we are already doing at least 19 of the 40 recommended things. how green are you? what kind of changes do you plan to make?

1. Start carrying a reusable bag.


2. Bring a travel mug to your favorite coffee shop.


3. Eat an all-local meal.


4. Take public transit.


5. Walk or bike instead of driving.


6. Install a water filter on your tap so you don't feel the need to drink bottled water.


7. Install an aerator on your kitchen tap to reduce water use.


8. Replace old toilets with dual flush models.


9. Invest in rechargeable batteries.


10. Start buying and using compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or LED light bulbs.


11. Take hazardous waste to your local drop-off center.


12. Switch to all-natural cleaners (homemade or store-bought).


13. Stop using paper plates.


14. Buy a bunch of tea towels and ban paper towels from your home.


15. Build a backyard compost bin.


16. Plant a garden to help promote biodiversity.


17. Switch to eating organics, especially fruits and vegetables.


18. Flush your pet's poop instead of throwing it in the garbage.


19. Install a water-saving shower head.


20. Invest in cloth napkins and stop buying paper ones!


21. Plant a tree in your yard.


22. Share your green know-how with others.


23. Try a locally-brewed and/or organic beer.


24. Plug your electronics into a smart power strip, which automatically senses when electronics aren't being used and cuts power to avoid phantom power use.


25. Take a short shower (5 to 10 minutes).


26. Head to the library to indulge your reading habit instead of the bookstore.


27. Turn your thermostat down at night or when you're at work.


28. Throw a clothing swap.


29. Find new ways to use old things.


30. Recycle your old sneakers with Nike's Reuse a Shoe program.


31. Get a solar charger for your iPod and other electronics with built-in batteries.


32. Take the train instead of a plane if you're traveling.


33. Switch to a renewable energy provider.


34. If you're not doing it already, start recycling!


35. Carpool with coworkers or friends who work close to your office.


36. Ask your boss if you can telecommute even one day per week.


37. Plan a green vacation.


38. Repair a pair of favorite shoes instead of buying a new pair.


39. Recycle your old electronics at Best Buy.


40. Donate your old cell phone to a charity.


41. Turn off your computer, head outside, and do something that requires only your own energy!

April Showers...

...bring May flowers! I remember learning that saying in grade school. And although the showers here in the Pacific NW aren't officially gone until July (yes, it's true), all that extra rain means gardens really thrive here.

Many moms I know plant small gardens and get their children to be involved. Sure, it's a great way to show kids where our foods come from and perhaps give them a watered-down science lesson as well. But my daughter just loves the digging, watering and playin' in the dirt. Since it's outside, I don't mind the mess, and it's been a great way for us to bond.

I found some safety tips from Parents.com that are well-worth keeping in mind while creating a garden haven with your little ones:

• Pay attention to which products you use. Keep chemical fertilizers, weed killers, and insecticides away from kids. Better yet, the association advises, don't use them. Stick with natural methods instead.
• Offer kid-sized tools. Shovels and rakes that are the right size for an adult can be dangerous for your kids. Invest in pint-sized versions.
• Test your soil for lead. Homes built before 1970 often have lead paint. Even newer homes may have lead in their gardens, since soil is often trucked in from another location.
• Be careful with water. Remember that a bucket of water can be dangerous for a toddler, so be sure to supervise carefully when water is around.
• Monitor for allergies. Kids may have reactions to certain plants or flowers. Be on the alert for sneezing or skin irritations.

See the full article here.

Facts about Sun Exposure

it's not even summer yet, but since we're in california, i need to start thinking about sunscreen for the little ones. the other day, they went to the playground for several hours, it was still in the 60s, so we didn't even think about applying sunscreen. the next morning, they both woke up looking a little red. so now, i'm on a mission to find the perfect non-toxic sunscreen (i'll cover that topic in another post). in the meantime, i thought, i would share an article that covers the facts about sun exposure and sun safety.