Green Thanksgiving Tips from the Authors of Celebrate Green

Plan ahead Thanksgiving saves time, money and waste

You may balk, but the best way to save money, save time, save waste and save your sanity if you want to have an eco-friendlier feast this year, is to--say it with me now--plan ahead.

Planning helps zero in on when to buy, how much to buy, how to decorate, how to deal with leftovers and all the other details around hosting a fun, Earth-friendly celebration.

One hour of planning can make the difference between a pleasurable event and a frenzy of expensive over-consumption.

So gather the kids, a pen and pad (or be extra-eco and write on a blackboard), and start by posing and discussing these 10 questions:

1. What foods do we traditionally serve? Are we going overboard? If we usually provide eight side dishes, could we cut that to six?

2. What items should we be sure to buy organic? (Here's the list of fruits and veggies with the most pesticide residues and those with the least.)

3. How are we going to decorate the table? Can we use décor we already have? Borrow? Use items from nature? Do double duty with edible décor?

4. Can we check with friends and neighbors to see if they'd like to join us in buying organic produce in bulk at reduced cost?

5. Can we aim for a no-waste Thanksgiving by avoiding pre-packaged items?

6. Can we find what we need at a local organic farm and save money while having fun by picking veggies and fruits?

7. Can we consider an organic turkey or a heritage variety? (It's complicated and time consuming to wade through all the labels you may find on turkeys, but the USDA organic label offers pretty clear standards. If you're buying from a local farmer, ask about methods used in raising and slaughtering. Their turkeys may not be labeled organic because of the cost involved in doing so, but assuming you trust the farmer, you should be purchasing a healthier alternative to conventionally raised birds.)

8. Do we have enough dishes, flatware and glasses for the crowd? If not, how will we sidestep purchasing new? (We suggest asking guests to bring their own place settings. To add meaning to the greening, ask them also to be ready to share the history of the plates. Were they a wedding gift? Handed down from great grandma? Purchased with your first paycheck?)

9. How much of our meal can we make using in-season items instead of those imported from far away?

10.What will we do with leftovers? Will we provide guests with upcycled glass jars for them to take home what they like? Can we make something delicious from leftovers and take to a food bank? Freeze for later? Will we compost anything we can't use? If we don't compost ourselves and haven't asked, can we call our local trash service and ask if they will compost food scraps?

Whether you go all out in celebrating an eco-Thanksgiving or take one or two steps, be sure to give thanks for the bounty that the Earth provides.

~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

Thinking electronic gift for dad? Think green!

Dads tend to love electronic gadgets and on Father's Day, who doesn't want to give dad what he craves? The challenge is fulfilling dad's wishes while staying aware of the environmental issues raised in the making, using and disposal of electronics.

The best gadget would use solar or human power, be made locally of recycled materials, come in no or minimal packaging (which is compostable), contain no harmful materials and would be fully recyclable when dad is done with it.

Dream on!

We have yet to reach electronics nirvana. But there are options that meet at least some eco-expectations. Choosing one of these is certainly better than ignoring the issue.

If given the choice between two items that perform in the way your dad wants, see if one of them is better on the green front.

Look for:
Products powered by the sun, gravity, human power or at the least, rechargeable batteries. Solar chargers are widely available as are items like cool, hand cranked flashlights and radios.

Products that are comparatively energy efficent. Computers, TVs and printers are some of the products that companies are working to make better in this department. Check out Energy Star labels where available.

Products made with fewer hazardous materials. All electronics contain hazardous materials (PCs, for example may contain lead, cadmium, mercury and flame retardants in plastic casings). This is why they should never be thrown in the trash. Look for electronics that meet European standards which, while not perfect are better.

Products containing recycled content. Moblie phones and computers are just two of the items available that use some percentage of recycled materials.

Another great idea is to upgrade what dad already has instead of buying a new unit. Adding a larger internal hard drive to his computer, paying for a professional "tune up" so the computer will run faster or purchasing extra memory for a camera are all eco-friendlier alternatives to buying new. And of course, buying the item used, but usable is another green option.

How about gifting dad with a surge protector that turns off power to idle devices eliminating electricity usage and saving money?

As a bonus gift for dad, whether buying electronics or not, offer to recycle any he's ready to get rid of. Electronics make up 70 percent of all hazardous waste and very little of what could be recycled actually is.

So collect dad's outdated gadgets, head to Earth 911 and find out how to recycle them close to home.

Enjoy a happy, green Father's Day!

~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

Easy Ways to Celebrate Earth Day by the Authors of Celebrate Green

13 no-cost ways to celebrate Earth Day in ten minutes or less

• 
  Turn your thermostat down two degrees and keep it there. And turn it off altogether tonight, heaping on the blankets if necessary.
• 
  Send Happy Earth Day e-cards to a half dozen friends.
• 
  E-mail your state or national representatives about a green initiative.
• 
  If you're in the supermarket, track down the manager and encourage him or her to source local products.
• 
  Make signs to put on the mirror over faucets to remind family members to turn off water when they are brushing their teeth. (You can save an average of nine gallons every time you do this.)
• 
  Cancel subscriptions to newspapers or magazines you don't really want.
• 
  Go online to CatalogChoice.org to free your mailbox from junk mail.
• 
  Call several people and arrange to carpool for an upcoming event such as a child's sporting activity or a club meeting.
• 
  Go online and join a group like Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, Kids for Saving the Earth, the Wilderness Society or Co-op America.
• 
  Make a family pledge to walk everywhere today.
• 
  Talk to the principal at your children's school about instituting environmental education in the curriculum.
• 
  Check to see that your tires are correctly inflated.
• 
  Sign the " Healthy Yard Pledge" at Audubon.org.

Top Earth Day Tips

1. Do one thing today to show others you care about the environment.

2. Volunteer on an environmental projects, there are no doubt plenty in your community.

3. Great day to start some seeds, whether inside or out.

Top Earth Day Picks

1. Books on the environment great for children of all ages from www.GreenSugarPress.com

2. Learn about composting with earthworms with your kids.

3. Let's Save our Earth, a non-competitive game.

~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

Eco-Easter Tips from the Writers of Creatively Green

Some Bunny will Love a Green Easter Basket

Easter brings thoughts of spring and rebirth, so there's no reason not to celebrate it with the Earth's best interest at heart. Since for many families, Easter wouldn't be the day without the basket, here's how to transform this traditional hit, into a gift that truly is worth celebrating.

Instead of buying a new plastic or woven basket made in a country far away, this year, how about using your imagination? Choose an item that can hold the goodies, decorate if you like and you've got a unqiue, no-cost container.

How fun would it be for your kids to go on the hunt with one of these?

• A purse


• A backpack


• A scarf tied to a hobo stick


• A decorated paper bag or shoe box (add a handle if you like)


• A fabric bag of any kind


• A pot (decorate by drawing on a strip of paper the height of the pot, then fasten with tape


• A boot (Kids rain boots are especially cute. Tuck some fabric inside to keep goodies clean.)


• A paint can (again, add fabric inside if you like)


• Make our simple fabric basket. Instructions here.
  

If you're the traditional type and like the look of grass, instead of buying the plastic stuff, why not try:

• strips of fabric


• real grass, either wheat grass or grass from your yard


• shredded recycled paper


• green scarf


• strips of organic nori (seaweed availbalbe in paperlike sheets)


• green napkin, washcloth or dish towel
  

As for filling the basket, you're probably aware that Easter is the second biggest holiday for candy sales next to Halloween. Sweet treats are fine, but how about choosing high quality over quantity? And just one over handfuls? Fortunately, this year, there are many great Easter treats that are better for kids and the Earth.

Here are just a few:

• Organic vegan bunny and eggs from Allison's Gourmet


• Organic jelly beans from Nuts Online


• Baking your own cookies? Pick up organic food colors from the Natural Candy Store which also carries loads of other sweet Easter treats like Easter eggs filled with organic candy

Once the candy is taken care of, you'll most likely want other items to fill the basket. Considering the economy, you might come up with activites you can do with your child that cost nothing, write them on slips of paper and add to the basket. We bet if you ask your children in advance, what special activities they might enjoy, you'll have enough for months of fun.

Suggestions:

• Stay up late with you one night.


• Bake something special together.


• Make up a game.


• Make popcorn and enjoy a movie on TV.


• Sleep outside under the stars.


• Have a tea party


• Create a mural


• Create and enjoy an "art" day using only items you have on hand
  

If you do want to purchase some special items for the basket, instead of heading to the dollar store, consider whether spending $10 on plastic toys that will break quickly is better than spending the same amount on one quality item that your child might enjoy playing with long after the holiday has passed.

If you're with us that the latter is worth investigating, here are a few ideas:

• Seed packets and a garden implement or two


• Felted egg kit from A Child's Dream Come True


• Fair trade egg shaker from Down to Earth Toys


• Wooden play eggs from A Toy Garden


• Paper mache nesting eggs from Magic Cabin


• Organic finger puppets from I Play Baby Wear


• Handmade decorative eggs from you or Etsy


• Seeded paper or cards that can be planted from Botanical Paper Works


• More ideas for Easter baskets and festivities are available at www.CelebrateGreen.net/blog
  

Top eco tips for Easter:

• Dye eggs using natural food colors. Instructions here.


• Take the focus off "stuff" and keep it on fun. For instance, reverse roles and have kids hide the eggs and parents search for them.


• Avoid buying those cute, live chicks or bunnies for gifts. They'll grow up, and then what will you do? Instead, plan to visit a nearby farm where kids can get an idea of where eggs come from, without the complexity of taking on a pet.


• Make a contribution to the Earth this Easter by planting a tree.


• Fold cloth napkins into bunnies
  

Top eco picks for Easter:

• Egg-shaped, artisan sculpted 100% beeswax candles from http://www.bigdipperwaxworks.com/


• Organic turkey or ham from Diamond Organics


• Organic hemp napkins in spring colors (Fold cloth napkins into bunnies)


• Easter e-cards
  
  ~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