http://www.thegreenparent.com Your Kid Friendly Guide To Earth-Friendly Living! Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:43:43 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The countdown to 2009 is literally hours away.  This is the time to reflect on the year past and think about all of the cool things we can all do to make 2009 the greenest year ever?  Check out these eco-resolutions from greenies all over the country: "My Eco-Resolution(s) for 2009 are ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/31/whats-your-eco-resolution/ At a time when the Big Three are struggling, Ford is hoping to give its lineup an eco-boost with its new soybean car seats.  The seats were designed by a "mom-squad" of bioengineers who wanted to replace the 30 pounds of petroleum-based foam in a car's seat backs, seat cushions, ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/19/want-to-sit-on-a-soybean/ According to the National Christmas Tree Association, about 29 million Americans brought home a real, live Christmas tree in 2006. But that still pales in comparison to the 70% of Americans who prefer to set up an artificial tree.  So which is greener?  Here's how to make sure your Christmas ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/16/the-greenest-tree-is-your-christmas-tree-eco-friendly/ Feeling the pinch this holiday season?  Most of us are.  And sadly, one thing I've noticed this year is that the economy has brought holiday spirit to an all time low.  But if there is one thing we should all remember this holiday, its that you don't need wads of ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/14/holiday-gift-guide-green-gifts-that-dont-cost-a-cent/ Air pollution drives me nuts.  You can't see it, you can't touch it, and unless it's really bad, you can't even smell it.  And unlike water pollution, you can't even filter it out of your life. So I was pretty disturbed to see this report that just came out from USA ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/12/toxic-air-and-our-childrens-schools/ by Joyce Hinnefeld A brief piece in the November 21 issue of The Week describes my novel In Hovering Flight as, among other things, a consideration of “the paradoxes of caring.” The more I’ve thought about that phrase the more apt it’s come to seem to me. Addie ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/11/the-pardoxes-of-caring/ Need a quick and easy green gift idea that will fit anyone on your gift list?  Why not try your hand at making your own eco-soap?  It's a whole lot easier than you might think.  The awesome folks at Bramble Berry sent me this simple recipe: Ingredients Herbs (such as oatmeal, coffee, ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/08/easy-green-gift-diy-eco-soap/ 'Tis the season for the winter holidays. In my house, this is the time of year when we deck the halls, talk about the nativity story, play the dreidel game, set up the kinara, decorate the tree, and whip up the eco-friendly menorah. No, I haven't lost my mind.  Much to ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/04/take-your-kids-around-the-world-this-winter/ There's still time to enter to win a Weatherproofing Kit from Niagara Conservation.  Click here to enter. 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 leak ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/02/weatherproofing-101-doors/ 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 ... http://www.thegreenparent.com/2008/12/01/weatherproofing-101-windows/