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Archive for the ‘Everyday Green’ 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

Green Halloween® Blog Carnival

Monday, September 30th, 2013

2013 Green Halloween® Blog Carnival

Check out these amazing blog for healthy Halloween ideas. You can also read why we at Green Halloween® are so passionate about changing the holiday for the better. Take a look here.

Groovy Green Livin – Put a Little Green in your Halloween & The Truth About High Fructose Corn Syrup

Healthful Mama – Healthy Treats

Non-toxic Kids – 7 ways to your Green Halloween

Mom- blog – Safeguarding Your Child’s Special Diet This Halloween

Working Mom Goes Green – No Sew Halloween Costumes

99 Cooking – 7 Ways to put on a Healthy Halloween Party

Candy Experiments – Halloween Decisions: M&Ms, Apples, and Other Ideas

Today I Ate a Rainbow – 5 Steps to a Healthier Halloween and a guide on one of the
Spit That Out – Healthy Candy Options

Climate Mama – Halloween, Climate Change, the IPCC report and Scary Stories

Made in the USA Challenge – Made in USA Green Halloween Guide

Green 4 U – How to Decorate Your Home for Halloween

Eco Mom Alliance – How To: Tips for a Green Halloween®

Almost all the Truth – Halloween: Fun or Green?

Factory Direct – How Businesses and Consumers Can Both Go Green This Halloween

Surviving and Thriving on Pennies – Autumn Traditions

Liberated Spaces – The Purge, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

To read other great pieces follow us on Facebook facebook.com/greenhalloween or Twitter @greenhalloween

 

 

Welcome to the Green Halloween Blog Carnival!

Monday, September 30th, 2013

2013 Green Halloween® Blog Carnival

Can you believe it, Halloween is only one month away? We at Green Halloween®  are so excited for all the costumes, snacks, decorations, and party-favors we are going to make (and swap) this month. Of course, we need to remember why it is so important to be aware of what you buy, use, and eat this time of year.

  • Many store-bought face paints contain harmful chemicals, or even lead
  • High-fructose corn syrup (which does not exist in nature) and is linked to various health issues, like child obesity and dental problems. For treat ideas check out our Treat Alternatives list and the Candy Cheat Sheet.
  • Swapping half the costume kids wear at Halloween would annual landfill reduce waste by 6250 tons
  • Friends and neighbors may have allergies to gluten, soy, corn, and nuts. Or, they are on special diets.
  •  Over 6,000 chemicals are used in the processed foods industry. Do you know what you are eating?
  • Cocoa farms often exploit their workers (who are usually children).

And that is just a taste of the Halloween horrors out there. We know that you want to do the best you can for your family and the planet. So, our fabulous bloggers have a few ideas on how to have an awesome Green Halloween!

Thanks to all our bloggers for helping us #takeback Halloween! Stay tuned throughout the month for other great ideas for a fun and eco-friendly Green Halloween!

For more tips follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/greenhalloween or Twitter @greenhalloween

Relax! It’s Monday

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

Mondays are tough. But, just because it is the start of the workweek, doesn’t mean you can’t pamper yourself! And what better way to do it than with natural ingredients free of harmful parabans? Plus, you can use the Green Halloween team favorite gourd, pumpkin! Rich in Vitamin A, these homemade beauty treatments will help you relax and let you concentrate on what an awesome eco-friendly Halloween you are going to have!

Pumpkin Mask

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons canned pureed pumpkin
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon heavy whipping cream
  • I recommend to use under eye masks

Directions

Mix all ingredients and apply to face. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse. Voila! Smooth beautiful skin.

 

Pumpkin Exfoliant 

Ingredients

  • 1 small pumpkin
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup organic coconut oil (other oils can be used, but coconut oil is thicker than others at room temperature)
  • 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spices (I combined cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger)
Directions

Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds (but save them to roast!). Roast pumpkin for 30 minutes or until tender. Canned pumpkin puree can also be used, but I prefer fresh. Scoop the pumpkin puree into a bowl and add the sugar, oil and spices. Mix well and jar. Yum! An exfoliant that smells like pie.

To learn more about pumpkins, check out this post and this post

These natural beauty ideas come from Mother Nature Network and Green Global Travel

For more natural remedies  follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greenhalloween or Twitter @greenhalloween

5 Fun Eco-Friendly Fall Activities

Monday, October 29th, 2012

By Wendy

With the cooler temperatures outside, we’re finally getting into swing of fall. Before it gets too chilly out and the snow begins to hit the ground, enjoy the autumn season with these 5 fun and eco-friendly activities you can do with the entire family:

1- Visit a national state park for a hike- hiking is a great thing to do with the entire family. You’ll not only get to enjoy the great outdoors, but you’ll also get the heart pumping, nice quiet picnic along the hike and maybe see some forest animals.

2- Check out the fall foliage at your local park- take a stroll at your nearest park on a sunny afternoon and you’ll see trees with leaves change from green, to yellow, orange and red. It also makes for beautiful pictures!

3- Go apple picking- whether its apple picking or pumpkin picking, there are tons of local farms that start their picking season’s right after Labor Day and into the Fall season. It’ a fun weekend event for the family. Plus there are tons of activities right on the farm, from corn maize’s, hayrides, haunted houses, apple cider, and more. Check online for local farms and orchards in your area.

4- Make a delicious butternut squash soup- or maybe even a tomato basil soup. Head to your local farmer’s market and you’ll be able to find the fresh and locally sourced produce to make something delicious that will warm up everyone’s tummy.

5- Make your own Halloween costume- with Halloween a week away and no costume, it might be time to get creative this year and make your own costume. You can use any materials you want, from things you already have at home, like cardboard, construction paper, and glue, to picking up a few things at your local craft store. Have the kids come up with ideas and start decorating!

So whether you choose to go hiking or apple picking at your local farm this fall, have some eco-friendly fun this season this year with the family! What’s your favorite fall activity?

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Wendy Yu is a digital marketing professional living in New York City. When she’s not using the power of social media to share ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly, she is exploring the city, trying local foods, and learning more about how she can reduce her carbon footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Green Halloween® or our partners.