The Green Parent

I think it’s safe to say that I’m a big fan of nature.  On any given day, I can usually find beauty (and even a little peace) by checking out a shadowy patch of trees or listening to the crickets chirp outside my window.
But all of that pales in comparison to the enjoyment I get [...]

Do lower gas prices have you dusting the cobwebs off of your camper or RV this Labor Day Weekend? RVs tend to get a bad rap in the green scene because of their propensity to guzzle gas as they veer precariously down the road. But Janet Groene, a self-described green “maverick” says that with a [...]

Labor Day Weekend, the last official hurrah of the summer season is finally upon us and Green Parents across the U.S. are gearing up for one final fling before the school year begins in earnest. Cooler weather, lower gas prices, and school-wary kids combine to make Labor Day weekend a truly great time to hang [...]

Ahhhh…you’re finally on vacation! Whether you’re on the slopes, at the beach, or on the couch, here’s how to go green on the go:
At The Hotel

Turn off lights, air conditioning units, TVs, and other appliances before you leave for the day.
Most hotels have a policy in place to limit unnecessary bedding and towel changes. [...]

Make It Green: Look for gently used luggage (either from around your house or from your local thrift store) to pack up your gear. If you do need to purchase new, try a daypack or courier bag from Osprey that’s made from 100% recycled PET plastic.

Keep It Light: Save you back and [...]

Before you head off on your eco-friendly vacation, take these steps to make sure that things stay green back home:

Adjust your hot water heater and heating and air conditioning units to use the minimum amount of energy necessary while you’re gone. (If you have [...]

If you’re going to fork over the cash to stay at a hotel on your trip, look for one that makes an effort to go green. Most hotels have jumped on the “green” bandwagon by asking folks to pass on the daily linen and towel service to conserve water and energy. That’s a good [...]

Think a green vacation means trekking through the wilderness or surviving on nothing but granola and berries? Think again! Green vacations come in as many shapes and sizes as American families. In fact, with a little preparation, you can turn almost any vacation into an “eco-vacation.”
As a general rule, the closer you stay to [...]

Feeling the sting at the pump lately? You can alleviate some of this misery by making sure your car is properly tuned. Your car should receive a professional tune-up every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first, in order to run at its maximum fuel efficiency. But there are a number [...]

The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without a visit with friends and family. So for many of us who have wandered a little from the proverbial family roots, that means a trip by sky, rail, or road. Here’s how to green your holiday travel.
1. Leave The Flying To Santa: Traveling by airplane [...]