The Green Parent

OK, all.  Summer is just—about—OVER.  Many of you probable have the kiddos back in school already.  I’ve got one down and one more to go.  And I don’t know about you, but I’m in the mood to celebrate!!  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I had the time of my life this summer.  My girls and [...]

by Ethan Ewing, www.bills.com If you’re like many Americans, you’re probably looking for ways to trim costs while the economy is in a down turn.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American home will spend $990 on heating this year.  Create a little breathing room in your budget with these 7 tips for [...]

There’s still time to enter to win a Weatherproofing Kit from Niagara Conservation.  Click here to enter. the eagle movie Weatherproofing 101: Doors by Mark Furst, Grading Spaces Most issues with doors are due to gasket problems, either missing pieces or the door itself being poorly adjusted and not hitting the gasket right. A common [...]

This winter I am weatherproofing my house from top to bottom in an effort to save energy and stretch dollars.  My first task…the windows.  Care to join me? As a little added incentive, I’m giving away 5 Weatherproofing Kits from Niagara Conservation to help you get started (keep reading to find out how to win!!) [...]

by Ethan Ewing, Bills.com Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season in the United States, and with it begins six weeks of fun, feasts and festivities.  With its emphasis on being grateful for all we have, Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to make life greener — and a bit more frugal — in this time of [...]

by Ethan Ewing Live below your income. Do not spend more than you earn. Those who are hooked on plastic can withdraw enough cash each week to cover necessities — even groceries and gasoline — and put the credit cards away. Ewing noted that a recent study by Visa found that people who pay for their [...]

One of the most frequent comments I hear from parents is that they want to make eco-savvy choices, but can’t afford the high cost of going green. In today’s economic climate, no one (myself included) wants to place any additional burdens on already strapped budgets. The great news is that the essence of going green [...]

It’s August 1st! Which means it’s not only the kickoff of World Breastfeeding Week, it’s also the official time to start getting the kids ready for school. I got so much info about the latest tips, tricks, and gadgets to make your back-to-school a little greener that I couldn’t possible fit it in to one [...]

full kick-ass film high quality Ingredients 1 cup baby shampoo or eco-friendly liquid soap 3/4 cup water 1/2 – 1 tsp. glycerin Essential oils (optional) This bubble bath is so easy to make and use that you will wonder why you ever bought a commercial product. Little kids can help you measure out and combine [...]

It’s official! The Home Depot is now offering free CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb) recycling at all of its 1,973 locations nationwide. Just bring your unbroken bulbs to the returns desk and they’ll make sure the bulb is disposed of properly. No Home Depot in your area? Check out Earth 911 to see if there [...]

megamind download movie In my research for The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lori Helman, mom of 4, enterpreneur, homeschool teacher, environmental activist, and founder of Momma’s Baby. While we spoke on the phone, this incredible mom’s four young children were playing silently in the same [...]

You may be surprised to hear that toxins are lurking in your bathroom? And I’m not talking about whatever’s hiding on your faucet handles or under your toilet seat. I’m talking about the thousands of chemicals that are found in the very products you use to get clean and beautiful each day. Just how toxic [...]

Lighting accounts for about 20% of the total energy use in the average American home. It’s also an easy place to save energy and therefore save a bundle of cash each month. Here’s how: Don’t overlook the obvious: turn off lights when you leave a room. Use a lower wattage bulb whenever possible Replace standard [...]

Are you flushing money (and the environment) down the toilet? In the typical American household, 35 to 45% of all of the drinkable (or potable) water is used to flush the toilet. Older model toilets are the worst offenders, using 7-10 gallons of water with each flush. Newer models are slightly more conservative, using between [...]

I spend a lot of time “eco-nagging” my daughters. Whether it’s “please turn off the light,” or “DO NOT stand there with the refrigerator door open,” I am constantly pestering them use less energy…a concept that I’ll admit can be somewhat abstract to children. A great way to teach kids about energy consumption is to [...]