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Archive for the ‘Other holidays’ Category

Finding the Gifts in Goodbye

Sunday, September 21st, 2014

We started with a tiny spark of an idea: make Halloween better for kids and planet.

The year was 2006 and “going green” was being embraced by the mainstream. But holidays and celebrations were still in a conventional bubble; as of yet, this topic almost entirely untouched.

Parents who wanted to create healthy and fun traditions were on their own and Halloween Crafts for Seniors of every type And just forget about easy or affordable.

We had a feeling we were about to spark a revolution. From the moment we uttered the words, “Green Halloween,” people clamored to join in. The world was hungry for ways to celebrate sustainably and, as a mother-daughter team, ours was a mission fueled by love. We were not starting a business; we were igniting global and generational change. Our idealism was born of unflinching optimism.

We first announced the launch of our book, Celebrate Green!, with a “baby” announcement complete with weight (1 pound), height (12 inches) and a picture of us, beaming with pride. Possibility was in its infancy. We nurtured this possibility and it bloomed.Read these baby photo contest tips that we made if you want.

Over the next seven seasons our “spark” would ignite a flame reaching more than five million people coast to coast. We were asked to write our book, Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family. Seemingly overnight we had a radio show, speaking invitations, and requests from around the globe on how to green up everything from Appetizers to Zoo events. Good Morning America, Real Simple, People.com, MSNBC and more buzzed. Even Stephen Colbert chimed in on The Colbert Report! Leading, visionary non- and for-profit entities partnered: EcoMom Alliance, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Dr. Oz’s HealthCorps, Green America, Larabar, Surf Sweets, Plum Kids, Nature’s Path and many more.

We inspired good-for-kids and planet brands to become even better. We secured donations of millions of dollars of healthy treats and treasures. We enabled shifts in long-held retailer, consumer and product trends, opening up entire markets for new entrepreneurs. We transformed traditions from public events to private homes alike, by proving what could be gained by losing the stuff that never really mattered in the first place.

We opened doors, reframed conversations, wrote new rulebooks and built bridges.

And we were deeply honored to have done so.

Because of course, fanning the flame, fueling the revolution, driving the possibility of change, was you. And we couldn’t have done this without you.

And people like you. People who envision a world where healthy, safe and planet-friendly traditions don’t require revolutions because healthy, safe and planet-friendly options are simply woven into the fabric of our culture. Of course treats are made with real food. Of course costumes can be swapped. Of course face paints don’t contain lead.

We are endlessly grateful to have walked this path with you, whatever your role, and we thank you for saying yes. For all that you did, gave, shared, created, led and held, we recognize your priceless contributions, and celebrate the powerful ripple effect that occurs when you, and people like you say yes.

And now, it is time to say goodbye.

It’s sad. And it’s hard. And we will miss you terribly.

But as Lynn lyricized in a song celebrating Corey’s high school graduation, “love is letting go.”

So, with love, we are letting go…

As of this Halloween season, our programs, Green Halloween® and National Costume Swap Day™, will not continue in their current formats. Our websites, including Celebrate Green! will remain for a period of time and we welcome you to gather ideas and inspiration for your own continued journeys. Please note we will not be updating via social media.

Our decision, made over this last year and a half, was a difficult one. In a practical sense, our fledglings grew too large, too fast for our existing structure. In a personal sense, we have accomplished what we set out to do. We have more seeds to cultivate, more ways to serve and perhaps more revolutions to lead, personally and professionally.

Of course, as with all transitions, the possibility for transformation is ever-present. Should we have an announcement to make regarding a re-launch or new twist, we’ll let you know about it via e-mail (register for updates at the top of this page).

We are proud of what we’ve nurtured, and it’s time to release it, let it fly. We trust that what we have built with you will continue to flourish, without our being at the helm.  We leave with tremendous gratitude towards you and all of those, our village, who helped raise this revolution.

Signing off with profound love… and of course, laughter!  (If the video below doesn’t load, please click here.)

xoxo,

Lynn & Corey 

We’re signing off with a light-hearted look at some of our less shiny moments and hope you’ll laugh along with us as we are reminded that the rewards of a journey are found not only at the destination but in the journey itself. We’ve sincerely enjoyed taking this journey with you and wish you, and yours, all the best this year and always. Party on! xoxo Lynn & Corey

 


What helped us the most in the village was having the support of the best electrical company in the country: BSK Data & Electrical. They supported us with their highly specialized equipment in electricity and now we are sure that we have our electrical connections in perfect condition.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

When we did the project we received our new electric bike, which was then used in the village from BSK’s power plant in Wukupa, Uganda. This is now our newest bike with all-wheel drive (RWD).

The bike was built with an aluminum frame and a carbon frame using high quality materials as well as great workmanship.

As in all the projects of the project, we have to offer them a special package at a reasonable price (20,000 yen each, 1st class delivery, no shipping costs!).

I hope you enjoyed my project as much as I enjoyed your pictures, as you will find it in the pictures below. The bikes are manufactured in Germany by RWE. Don’t forget to vistit https://www.bskelectrical.com.au

A Healthy Valentine’s Treat

Monday, February 6th, 2012

It’s getting close to Valentine’s Day so we thought we’d share a favorite treat we like to make for our daughters class for their Valentine’s party. Her teacher asks that 3 families supply goodies and 3 families supply healthy treats in order to ensure the kids aren’t going to end up full of sugar by the end of the day. These lovable little ladybugs make a great treat and they’re really cute!

What you need: Adapted from Batter Up Kids: Delicious Desserts ~ Makes 16 ladybugs

16 seedless Green or Red Grapes

16 (6 inch) wooden skewers or toothpicks

16 whole strawberries

32 mini chocolate chips or dried black currents

 

Directions:

Step 1.  Wash your grapes and strawberries

Step 2.  Cut the grapes in half

Step 3.  Slice off a strip on one side of the strawberries (this will help them to sit flat on the plate)

Step 4.  Place a grape on a toothpick sliding it all the way to the end

Step 5.  Next place the strawberry on the toothpick and slide it down to touch the grape

Step 6.  Gently score a line at the top of the strawberry to create the appearance of wings

Step 7.  Finally, carefully push the pointed ends of the mini chocolate chips (or dried currants) into the strawberry to make the ladybug’s spots.

 

Happy Healthy Eating
Kia

Kia Robertson is a mom and the creator of the Today I Ate A Rainbow kit; a tool that helps parents establish healthy habits by setting the goal of eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day. Kia is passionate about creating tools that help parents raise healthy kids!

5 Clever Ways to Recycle Fitness Magazines

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

I’m sure before you Discover more at My Fitness Hub for fitness exercises you start with reading magazines and happen to make a pile of it somewhere in your drawer. For your knowledge, Fitness Magazines are not just a great read: They can be reused over and over in several fun ways! Recycle Fitness Magazines

 

This New Year, why not kill two birds with one stone.  Keep your resolution for going green, getting the body you’ve always dreamed of or taking holiday weight off with fat burning pills, and organizing your paperwork, your life, and your home all at once.  You can start with that stack of fitness and health magazines that have been sitting in a pile and collecting an array of dust.  This month, check back every Wednesday to tackle one project at a time.

This Week:  Get in shape while reducing, reusing, and recycling!

Step One:  Magazine Subscription Insert Cards

 

Subscription Cards

Use subscription insert cards to blot lipstick! Keep stacks in your make-up organizer for ready use.

 

 
 
 

Step Two:  Donate Magazines

When finished with old magazines, pass them on to friends, family, or even your local doctor’s office to keep the ideas going and to inspire another.

Step Three:  Create a Fitness Scrapbook

When I’m completely finished with my fitness magazines I cut out the moves, ideas, inspiring words, and recipes into a personal fitness scrapbook.  I bought a journal for $5.00 at my local Big Lots, took a glue stick, scissors, stickers, and gems to create my work-out scrapbook on the cheap.

 

"Work-Out Journal"

My personal work-out scrapbook that I bought for a mere $5.00

 

 

 

"Workout Journal."

Recycle old fitness magazines by cutting out moves and recipes then using a glue stick to place them where you like then get ready to shape-up!

 

"Magazine Clips"

Old magazine clips have a wealth of routines, moves, and recipes!

 

"Work-out Scrapbook"

Creating your own personal scrapbook gives you time to research and reset your brain for easing into a fitness routine for the New Year!

 

Step Four:  Use Tear-Out Cards!

Take tear out cards and mix n’match by using a hole puncher and place them on a ring for quick and simple work-outs!

Step Five:  Cut and Paste low-cal Recipes on Index Cards

Be sure to buy an index card box too with a variety of colors then cut and paste your favorite healthy recipes.  Use a label divider to keep your recipes stored in order such as, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and smoothies.

 

"Subscription Cards"

Magazine subscription cards also make great bookmarks for the avid reader!

Blogger Laurali Star can be found on her blog, Charming Laurali Star, and on her site, The Damsel in the Attic, where she sells handmade and vintage clothing and accessories.  Another fab way to help reduce, reuse, and recycle!  Check it out!

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.

Handmade Christmas Wreath (Smells like Pine Needles!)

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
"Christmas Wreath."

Make a handmade Christmas wreath using raw materials for a Green Christmas!

"Real Christmas Tree Clipping."

Use free real Christmas tree clippings from Home Depot to create the perfect wreath

"Pinecone Decorations."

Add pinecone love to your wreath using raw materials

"Snowflake Ornament."

A snowfake ornament can add a dash of whimsy to your wreath

 

"Wrapping Ribbon."

Curl wrapping ribbon for your wreath on the cheap

 

"Organic Christmas Wreath."

Organic Materials: Coathanger frame, tree trimmings, pinecones, all pulled together with twine. Decorate as you wish!

 

Blogger Laurali Star can be found on her blog, Charming Laurali Star, and on her site, The Damsel in the Attic, where she sells handmade and vintage clothing and accessories.  Another fab way to help reduce, reuse, and recycle!  Check it out!

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.

Soap and Washcloth Christmas Craft

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Get crafty and recycle by using up an old wash cloth and a wrapped bar of soap to make a reindeer!

Here is an easy Christmas craft that you can make using recycled products from around the house!  This is also a great craft that can be used for kids Christmas parties, in the classroom, or at home with mom and dad.  Parents can take the reins with the hot glue gun with small children while the kids pick and choose items to decorate the reindeer with glee!

What you Need:

  • A glue gun
  • Googly eyes
  • Little craft bows and beads
  • Brown Pipe Cleaners
  • An old wash cloth, preferably brown
  • A bar of soap
  • Lots of imagination!
 

"Bar of Soap Reindeer."

Reindeer made easy with 1,2,3 steps!

 

"Brown Washcloth."

Step One: Cut brown wash cloth in half to wrap around a bar wrapped bar of soap. Fold over and hot glue in place.

 

"Brown Pipe Cleaner."

Step Two: Tie brown pipe cleaners around each ear to make antlers

"Package of Googly Eyes."

Step Three: I spy googly eyes to give my reindeer the gift of sight!

"Assortment of Doo Dads."

Step Four: Hot glue craft bows, doo dads, and beads to decorate your reindeer with style!

"Soap and Washcloth Craft."

Step Five: One very cute little reindeer gift or house decoration!

 

Blogger Laurali Star can be found on her blog, Charming Laurali Star, and on her site, The Damsel in the Attic, where she sells handmade and vintage clothing and accessories.  Another fab way to help reduce, reuse, and recycle!  Check it out!

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.