Ten on Tuesday-Tidbits and Tips for green living with kids

1. Try packing kids' lunches in reusable containers and use real cutlery instead of plastic baggies and throwaway silverware.
Bento boxes make for fun lunches! Try cutting cheese with cookie cutters or decorating hard-boiled eggs with food markers to create fun characters. Check out the fun at Maisie Eats Bento. For more info about creating bento lunches, see Cooking Cute

2. Need some time for household chores? Check out Birdycake's great recipe for eco-playdough!

3.Keep those extra canvas and cloth grocery sacks right in the car so they're there when you get to the store! Grab them when you head into other stores too like Target or the drugstore. Most cashiers are used to seeing them now, and the easier they are for you to see in the car, the more likely you are to remember them!

4. Good: Pick seasonal produce.
Better: Pick locally grown produce in your grocery store that is appropriate to the season. As an added bonus, It will taste fresher and be more economical as well. Produce shipped across borders has the added environmental cost of transportation.
Best: Shop local farmers' markets or farm cooperatives.

5. Have little ones who put everything in their mouths? Try replacing one or two brand name household cleaners with non-toxic or natural alternatives such as vinegar, baking soda or plain hot water! Baking soda deodorizes and scours, while white vinegar cuts grease and removes mildew. Try adding 5-10 drops of essential oils such as lemon, orange or peppermint if you desire a scent.

6. Remember Punky Brewster? Well, she's all grown up with two daughters of her own (Poet and Jagger) and co-owns The Little Seed, an organic children's store in Los Angeles. So if you're in a shopping mood, check out the store and blog for fun green products! Buy green!

7. Plan an Earth Hour event or party in your home or neighborhood. On March 28, 2009 at 8:30 P.M. millions of homes and businesses will switch off the lights for one hour. If you plan ahead, it's an opportunity for a fun night for family and friends. Tell stories, play guitar, just talk! Reconnect in the dark and Vote for Earth!


8. The Lorax is a popular Dr. Seuss tome first published in 1971. It describes the plight of The Lorax, who desperately attempts to defend the trees when the Once-ler comes to town and starts a Thneed factory, soon decimating the lush landscape of Truffula Trees and leaving a smoggy, gray, barren place instead. Now you can visit The Lorax Project and take the pledge! There are activities, games, and information too. Most appropriate for elementary-aged children, though some preschoolers will enjoy the games and pictures.

9. Read The Lorax with your kids!

10. Help kids see garbage as a potential resource. Instead of throwing all empty containers in the trash or recycling bin, consider designating an area of the garage or basement to collect empty jars, egg cartons, lids, and small boxes to use for art projects such as recycled instruments (a shoebox with a paper towel tube and some rubber bands makes a great guitar!) or giant robots. When kids are finished with the homemade toys, have them take it to playgroup or school to share with someone.


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