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.

Spring is here, no doubt about it!  According to The National Gardening Association and their sister website created just for children, Kids Gardening.org, this is a great time of year to gather up seeds and some starter mix to get your little one in a green state of mind.  In order to create a windowsill or indoor garden, here are a few containers that you can make from materials found around the house.  You could also just purchase everything needed to start a quick and easy garden from www.thetreecenter.com. Not only are you fostering a love of nature but your teaching your child all about how to reuse and recycle at the same time.  Dig in to these eco-friendly containers!  After all, April is National Gardening month!

Recycle a box from your cupboard to create an indoor garden!

Easter is peeking just around the corner so why not recycle the egg crate and plant some seeds!

Have your child recycle their Easter basket by transforming it into a lovely garden!

Recycle old jars to create a kid-friendly garden surprise!

Tips of the Trade:

Before you begin your project, Annie’s Root4Kids recommends that each container be cleaned with soap and water first.  Always add a drainage hole or two so kids don’t over water their plants or seedlings.  Keep the soil moist but not soaking wet! Keep in an area that is well-lit, such as a windowsill.  Their little flowers and veggies cannot grow without sunlight.

Be sure to label your containers.  I like to use themes.  For example, a pizza garden, a fairy garden, a butterfly garden, or a salad garden helps the kiddies focus on a certain mental task.

Most importantly, let your kids dig in and get a little dirty!  Children are most likely to remember their p’s and q’s when play is involved and it may just spark a lifelong love of gardening.

Blogger Laurali Star can also 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.

Can you smell fall in the air? We can! Here at Green Halloween we are so excited for all the delicious treats and Halloween festivities that are in store.

This year, Green Halloween is being powered by Veritey, a website and community that helps families get to the root of healthy living. At Veritey we research and analyze beauty products, clothing, food, decorations such as the party table linen and external toys, and home goods that are not only eco-friendly and healthy, but also effective. Veritey comes from the Latin word veritas, or truth, and is combined with the sound of “tey” in tailored and the “y” in you meaning a site comprised of truths tailored for your life. Adrienne Peres and Amy Ziff are the co-founders and lead Capidealists*™ at Veritey.

The pair created Veritey when they realized there were very few resources to truly help them distinguish which products were the best for their families. Both Peres and Ziff know how overwhelming it is to sift through the massive amounts of information out there and want to use Veritey as a tool for healthy living education. Amy Ziff is an experienced journalist and business leader. Ziff has done thousands of interviews appearing on many programs including the Today Show, Good Morning America, and CNN. Her work has been quoted in publications like The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post and more. Adrienne Peres is a marketing and management expert specializing in start-ups and small businesses. Veritey is near and dear to Peres’ heart as her family has a history of illness. Veritey is a way for Peres to manage her own health as well as help others find natural and preventative healthcare solutions. Peres is an avid runner and competes in marathons and triathlons. The pair met on their first day of work at the travel website Site59 and preceded to work together at Travelocity for over a decade. They are also both Moms and they love Halloween!

I recently threw a party for my youngest daughter’s 9th birthday and in celebration of spring decided to turn it into a garden party!  Kids love to get their hands dirty and there’s nothing more special than taking home a party favor that you planted yourself.  This little shindig is not only easy and cost effective to pull off but an organic experience for all little nature lovers.

All you need is a pair of gloves, potting soil, a flower, and a pea pot to throw a Garden Party!

How to Throw A Garden birthday Party:

You can make it as simple or as complicated as you like.  I chose a local park favorite, Boca Ciega Millenium Park in Seminole, Florida and stole a park bench and a patch of grass for kite flying and fairy flower cupcakes.  Then it was time for the digging to begin!  The kids just plant a flower in the pea pot, add a little potting soil, then take it home as their own personal party favor.  It’s that easy!

Gardening helps kids appreciate our beautiful planet Earth

Finally, a party that you can afford! Dollar pea pots!

What to Bring:

pea pots (A dozen for a $1.00) at the local dollar store

Potting soil (Bag for a $1.00) at the local dollar store

A dozen pea pot size flowers (any variety will do) $10.97 at Home Depot

Little wooden push up flowers in pink ($1.00 each) at Joanne’s Fabrics

Kites ($1.00 each)  at the local dollar store

It's okay to get messy for this party

Everyone walks away with a flower and a smile

Blogger Laurali Star can also 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.

Valentines’ Day is right around the corner and you may be wondering how best to celebrate this holiday ‘o love while keeping your mother (Earth) in mind.

Fear not, fellow greenies, loving your sweetheart and your planet can go hand-in-hand when you think outside the conventional V-Day box.

Here are a few pointers:

Cards – Traditional Valentine’s Day cards are made from virgin trees. Now that’s not spreading the love. Instead, choose cards made from 100% recycled or tree-free stock, or make your own from similar materials. Want to create something truly unique? See below for inspiration.

Gifts – Top gifts for Valentine’s Day include chocolate, jewelry, flowers and lingerie. You don’t have to go the conventional route just because you want to stick to tradition. Look for gifts that are made sustainably and ethically and remember that sometimes the greatest gifts are free and don’t require wrapping.

Activities – Just about any game or activity can be tweaked for Valentine’s Day. To green it up, use reused, reusable and recycled materials or find activities that don’t require “stuff” at all. Or, put a little sexy fun into the idea of “reducing” by cooking dinner with your sweetheart sans clothes and, in lieu of a card, use body paints to illustrate your love for your partner. A body poem will definitely earn bonus points.

Our top ten picks:

We made this whimsical “card” out of an old pair of scratched reading glasses. (The glasses slide into the recycled paper “case.”) We’ve also made cards out of mint tins, lids, boxes and more. What do you usually throw away that might be re-purposed? Your love will love your creativity and effort.

Go sexy and sustainable with lingerie made from bamboo, organic cotton or other soft, eco-fabulous materials. Check out Cosabella, Urban Fox and Sweet Skins. If you happen to live in Europe (or your sweetheart does), you’ll both go ga-ga over G=9.8 and Green Knickers.

Why do we love chocolate? Let us count the reasons… the luscious taste, the aphrodisiac affect, the health benefit. But the conventional chocolate industry has some dirty little secrets you can learn more about here. Look for organic, Fair Trade, and bird-friendly options available in all shapes, flavors and price ranges. (For a limited time when you purchase a copy of our book, Celebrate Green! you can add a box of Sjaak’s organic, Fair Trade chocolate at no cost except for shipping! Click here for details.)

Ah, roses. The quintessential symbol of blooming love. To keep your symbol green this year, look for organic or VeraFlora Certified and Fair Trade options. Choosing an eco-bouquet is a gift to the Earth and to the farmers who grow and prepare the flowers because conventional flowers, such as roses, may be doused with up to 1,000 times more chemicals than conventionally grown food. Look for florists selling locally grown flowers or contact Organic Bouquet

If you’re thinking of giving the gift of glam, consider artisan made jewelry that is hip and eco-friendly. We love Smart Glass (in photo) made from re-purposed glass and Green Karat’s responsibly indulgent jewelry made from recycled metals and gems.

Pamper your partner and the planet with sustainable luxuries for the body. Vintage Body Spa makes organic and Fair Trade confections for the skin, so eco-yummy you’ll want to eat it. We especially love their line of chocolate body polish (pictured) and shea butter lotion.

When giving the gift of wine, look for locally produced organic or biodynamic wine with sustainable real cork stoppers. We’re fans of Cooper Hill and Badger Mountain. Where to buy? Check your local grocery or even big box store or better yet buy direct from a winery near you. (Here’s an idea, how about taking your sweetheart on a V-Day tour.)

Celebrate your love this V-Day with a gift basket filled with ethically sourced, all natural, organic and chemical-free romantic goodies such as Good Clean Love’s oils and body butters, Earth Erotic’s phthalate-free “toys,” a 100% beeswax candle from Big Dipper Wax Works, and a DIY booklet filled with coupons redeemable for a massage, a movie, a love letter, and a dinner for two.

No matter what gift you’re giving, if you’d normally consider wrapping it, don’t. Instead, make your gifts fashionably fun by dressing them up in fabrics such as the one pictured above by Bobo, or make your own from fabric remnants or silk or cotton scarves. Or do away with wrapping all together and hide your gift/ gifts (adults love a good treasure hunt, too!) or wrap your gift in what your love really wants – you.

Several studies have shown that philanthropy creates a chemical reaction in the brain similar to food, drugs and sex. So, if you want to create that warm-a-heart glow this V-day it could be as simple as making a charitable contribution or donating your time to a worthy cause (something you can do along side your love). Consider non-profits that are in line with your partner’s values and passions. Go to Just Give for ideas on where to start.

Want more ideas on how to celebrate green this Valentine’s Day and beyond? Visit Lynn & Corey at www.CelebrateGreen.NET

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.

(These ideas were featured today on Northwest Cable News)

Eek! It’s Valentine’s Day card time! What are you sending to school?

Packs of pre-made cards are typically made from virgin trees. With schools across the country celebrating this day ‘o love & friendship, imagine how trees are needed to supply all the cards!

100% Post-consumer waste cards can be hard to come by, so here are a few fun, green ideas to consider as an alternative.

Seed embedded card

Wool felted hearts

Sole Mate “card”

Catch more of Lynn & Corey’s eco-Valentine ideas on CelebrateGreen.net.

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.