Guest post

Halloween should be fun, right? Unfortunately, a scary reality is that one of the biggest nights for the chocolate industry supports a system that relies on forced child labor on many West African cocoa farms. But you can do something to help stop such practices and still enjoy Halloween.

This October, families, organizations, and businesses across the U.S. can help children forced to work on West African cocoa farms by participating in the 5th annual Reverse Trick-or-Treating campaign. By handing out organic, Fair Trade chocolates from Equal Exchange with attached informational cards when they go trick-or-treating, participants can bring critically important attention to the thousands of children who are trafficked and forced to work in horrible conditions on West African cocoa farms.

This year’s Reverse Trick-or-Treating program marks the 10^th anniversary of the September, 2001, signing of the Harkin-Engel Protocol that called for an end to the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa supply chains of the major chocolate companies. The campaign to raise awareness that there is a Fair Trade alternative to child labor was launched in 2007, two years after the deadline had passed for signatories to end the worst forms of child labor. Ten years after the protocol’s signing, most of its conditions have still not been met.

Equal Exchange knows there’s a better way to go and instead sources its Fair Trade and organic cocoa from farms in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru, and Ecuador. The vanilla from Madagascar and sugar from Paraguay for Equal Exchange’s chocolate are also certified Fair Trade and organic.

Contributed by: Kelsie Evans, Equal Exchange Chocolate Products Coordinator

Meet the girls of Trash Mash-Up!  Bridget and Jessica McCracken are the brains behind this eco-friendly operation.  They reduce waste by taking refuse and transforming it into art and they love working with the community hands-on by creating theatrical productions that are based in the San Francisco area.  I had the opportunity to ask them a few questions recently and here is what they had to say about Trash Mash-Up, working together, and how they celebrate a Green Halloween every year!

How did the Trash Mash-Up idea and name come to be?

Both Jessie and I have been interested in theater and puppets since we were kids growing up in Michigan.  Our parents have always supported our creativity and encouraged us to give back to our community.  When Jessie moved to San Francisco in 2004 (I had been here since 2001), we wanted to establish a community based art project that built creative connections in neighborhood of need.  We saw a need for public space and parks to be fostered for children and families in the Western Addition.  Jessie and I both wanted to work with trash to discuss issues of consumption and environmental justice but in a way that was fun, creative and not didactic.  Trash Mash-Up brings all of these aspects together in a collaborative community art project.

The McCracken sisters: Bridget and Jesse

How do you like working together?

It is amazing to collaborate with my sister.  TMU is a family affair.  Our youngest sister, Kate and our parents, Bill and Louise are on our advisory board.  But it is Jessie and myself who are the teaching artists and Managing and Artistic Directors.  Being sisters we are able to communicate ideas easily and come for a similar art background, both having studied and worked for The Dell’Arte Company.  Although we share similar training, we each bring our own style and ideas to the table.

This little girl is all dressed up and ready for the show!

What is your favorite aspect of the business?

My favorite aspect is leading the workshops.  Theater and art improves students’ self-confidence, communication skills and builds empathy for others.  They transform the learning process. It is amazing the dramatic changes and positive effects of students collaborating in creative ways.  I am always surprised by their solutions and their ability to describe their process.

Recycle and Reuse seems to be the Trash Mash Up theme and we love seeing it turn into art!

What is Your future vision of the Trash Mash-Up idea?

We are hoping to bring Trash Mash-Up to communities across the United States and world.  We are working on revising our study guide in order to better assist the spread of creative reuse.  TMU has had the opportunity to mash it up in Costa Rica, New York, Portland, and even our hometown of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.  Jessie and I look forward to additional community partnerships from around the world.

Great costumes made from recycled materials to put on a show for diverse communities in the San Francisco area.

How do you plan on celebrating a Green Halloween this year?

Trash Mash-Up is thrilled to be apart of the Yerba Buena Garden Festival’s Halloween Hoopla : Dance & Parade for Kids. This is the 11th annual YBGF Halloween program and will featuring interactive performances and games for kids. The Unique Derique hosts, The Venezuelan Music Project plays live music, Preston folds origami and Trash Mash-Up will be creating masks, eco-warrior medallions, noise makers and a Trash Monster for the costume parade. Just before the hoopla ends, children under ten accompanied by adults are invited to parade in their Halloween finery!

Empowering the community through the arts!

Get in on the fun of Trash Mash-Up!  Here are the best ways to contact Bridget and Jesse:

Email: trashmashup@gmail.com

Website: http://www.trashmashup.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/trashmashup

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/TrashMashUp

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trashmashup/

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/trashmashup

Laurali Star can be found on The Damsel in the Attic!

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Summer is back and while that means good times at the beach, the parks, and for other recreational activities, it can also mean that its time to implement a few safety precautions while having all kinds of family fun.  Here are 3 ways, in my 3-part series on summer safety to keep your family safe and eco-friendly at the same time! Read more at https://ultimateprepping.com/best-bushcraft-knife/

You can still have fun in the sun, just take a few precautions!

The Beach:

Who doesn’t love a day at the beach with family and friends?  Whether your fortunate enough to live near the beach or your just visiting on vacation, here are some things to keep in mind when laying on the sand or getting in the water.

Do the Stingray Shuffle!

Depending on which beach your visiting, there are almost always stingrays and they feed right at the edge of the water.  Make sure you teach the kids a good rule of thumb when walking into the waves known as the stingray shuffle.  As your walking into the water don’t lift your feet from the sand, instead your going to want to shuffle your feet, sort of kicking up the sand as you move to your destination in the water.  This scares off the stingrays, letting them know that something is coming in the water and to move!  If by some chance someone in your group is stung by a  stingray, here are some first aid rules that you need to quickly and aptly apply.

Teach your kids how to do the "Stingray Shuffle!"

Stingray wounds are very serious and painful so alert a lifeguard or call 911 immediately for medical attention!

In the event that there is no lifeguard available, the first thing to do is to get fresh water to soak the wound.  The hotter the better for pain relief!

The stinger needs to be removed with tweezers.

Do not close up the wound but instead apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

Apply a topical antibiotic if available and get the patient to the hospital quickly for proper medical care.

Prevent Sunburn!

This one may seem like a given but I can’t begin to tell you the countless times that people I know thought they’d be okay without the application of sunscreen for even an hour!  If your spending time at the beach, I recommend an SPF of 30 and higher!  If you have fair or freckled skin, apply with an SPF of 45 and higher for extra protection!  Always reapply several times and try not to hit the beach during the hottest part of the day, which is between noon and 2pm. Be sure to purchase reef-safe, family-safe sunscreen approved by the Environmental Working Group to keep toxins off our family’s bodies and out of the environment. The Green Halloween team loves the clean and effective sun care line from Smart Girls Who Surf.

Always apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for the beach!

In the event that you or someone in your group does get a sunburn, here is what you can do to relieve the pain and heal it faster.

Drink plenty of fluids because a sunburn indicates that your body is dehydrated from the inside/out.

Apply aloe vera or all-natural topical ointments like Burn Out from My Mama’s Love to the burnt areas of your skin in a gentle manner.

Take a cool water bath.

Wear loose cotton clothing for comfort.

Prevent Dehydration!

Many people are drinking alcoholic beverages while at the beach or they simply don’t drink enough fluids.  Bring a small iced chest filled with ice and an eco-friendly, reusable water bottle that keeps your fluids cold while your off playing in the water.  (If you have an alcoholic beverage, equal that with a glass of water because your losing fluids more quickly in the sun.)  In case of emergency, the ice will melt and become your back up plan for water since many people don’t bring enough to drink on their visit to the beach, underestimating the power of the sun.

A reusable water bottle comes in handy when visiting the beach so don't forget yours!

Blogger Laurali Star can be found on The Damsel in the Attic and her blog.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

While its true that more and more kids are receiving free or reduced lunches at school due to the recession, the lost art of the old fashioned lunch box is not dead.  Here is how to breathe life into your child’s lunch box with organic, eco friendly choices right down to the actual pail you use.  Another bennie,  if mom works outside the home, she can pack too!  A great habit to share with your child early on.

This is the Flower Bento Lunchbox I used when I worked outside the home.

Choose Your Lunchbox:
I highly recommend Laptop Lunches because they are safe, eco-freindly, being made from recycled contents.  The bento boxes also come in a fun assortment of colors and shapes, which will appeal to children.  The bento box holds little containers so food can be placed strategically to make a well-balanced meal.

An assortment of plastic containers and lids in the Bento box makes eating healthy easy!

How could kids resist a fun lunchbox like this?

Add To Your LunchBox:

• Safe cookie cutters to create a sandwich in a fun shape makes lunch time fun!
• Pretty toothpicks holds finger sandwiches and other textured food together with ease.  Make sure to use kid-friendly plastic, reusable toothpicks when packing for your child!
• Edible flowers.  Yes, there are a wide variety of flowers that can be eaten in a salad or on the side, such as the chrysanthemum, daisies, and a variety of blossoms.  I suggest, checking this list before adding flowers!
• Always add a love note to your child’s box to let them know how much you love them.  I guarantee, they will return the favor!

Happy, Healthy Eating!

Blogger Laurali Star can also be found on The Damsel in the Attic and her blog.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Just last week, amidst Earth Day and Easter, my own personal website, The Damsel in the Attic went live.  What started as a blog during a difficult time in my life has transformed into a beautiful website.  I’m proud to say that I’m supporting the green cause on my site, once again reinforcing my beliefs in an Eco-friendly world.  Here’s how I did it for my business!

Handmade:

Most of the clothing and accessories we sell are handmade by my family and I.  As artisans, much of the material that we use is created out of an assortment of recycled items.  When you hand make anything, your not using tons of machinery to create them therefore reducing your carbon footprint.  All a plus for our planet!

Here How You Can:

Try your hand at jewelry making, crochet, or hand sewing.  If your not the hand-eye coordinated type, try to make a point in visiting your local art festivals and Farmer’s Market to choose handmade items.

Vintage:

This one is simple.  Retro will not only make an outfit pop or aid you in a fashion worthy makeover, it will also use recycled results.  Breathing life into an old item is a great way to recycle.

Here’s How You Can:

If vintage isn’t your thing, you can also donate old clothing items to the Goodwill, have a yard sale, or you can even make a little money off like new clothing with places like Plato’s Closet, which will pay you for your old, designer digs.

Recycle: Grab a Vintage look!

Girl Story In A Bag:
I wanted to create a bag that is personalized to your life story.  All of our bags are either created out of your old bag or out of a new bag with recycled materials.  The inside of the bag comes with inserts that are interchangeable.  The inserts are magnetized and are covered with 100% organic or recycled scrapbook fabric and plastic.  The little pockets that are sewn in are hand-sewn individually.  Everything is handmade right down to the love letter wallets. Check it out, Earth lovers!

Here’s How You Can:

Recycle your purse when you order.  It may cost you a little extra in shipping but its worth taking something old and making it brand new!  Also, e-mail all pictures to save on paper and postage.

Girl Story in a Bag = Handmade Goodies which are sustainable to our planet.

Blogger Laurali Star can also be found on The Damsel in the Attic and her blog.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.