“I need help with all of this green stuff.  Give me a list of ways to go green and the products I need to do it.”

or something along those lines.  My usual response to these types of comments is to offer ideas for saving energy and water and reducing waste around the home, along with a mishmash of product suggestions that might be able to help.  But I’m happy to report that from now on, my reply to these comments will be a bit more streamlined:  Jump Start To Green.

I know a lot of companies are coming out with green “kits” right now to help you go green.  And a lot of them are great.  But I can honestly say that the Jump Start to Green Kit is the very best one that I have seen to help folks go from zero to green fast! And the thing I like about it the most is that absolutely every single item in the kit is usable, practical, and meaningful in terms of helping you go green.  Even if you don’t need the kit, you should definitely check out their site (http://www.jumpstarttogreen.com) for handy-dandy facts like these:

• Installing CFLs can save you up to $12 per year in electricity costs per bulb
• Installing a toilet tank bank can save you up to $29 per year on your water bill
• Cutting showers from 8 minutes to 5 minutes, can save you up to $65 per year on your water bill and $236 per year on your electricity bill.

And guess what?  I get to help one of my readers get a jump start of their very own.  I’m giving away Jump Start to Green’s Essential Kit, which includes 10 eco-awesome items and is valued at $59.

Here is what’s in the kit:

• 4 CFL lightbulbs
• 1 insulated grocery tote
• 1 Kleen Kanteen water bottle
• 1 toilet bank water saver
• 1 shower timer
• 3 eco-sponges
• 1 junk mail reducer set (the forms and stamped envelopes you can submit to get your names off mailing lists.
• Eco-savvy info and guides (including a car sticker, green tracker, green guide,  and around the house reminders)

Wanna win?  Just leave a comment below.  Contest ends Sun, Oct 5th.

And the winner is:

Here are your random numbers:

27

Timestamp: 2008-10-08 17:21:03 UTC

Congratulations Brianna!!

Do you want to win an awesome Waste-Free Lunch Kit from ECOBAGS? Contest ends today so don’t delay…enter now!

Didn’t win that one? Don’t despair. The Green Parent has loads of contests lined up over the next few months. And in keeping with today’s Back-to-School theme, we’re officially announcing The Green Parent Back-to-School Giveaway. From now until August 15th, you can enter to win a Waste-Free Lunch Kit from ECOBAGS that includes a canvas lunch sack, stainless steel bottle, and reusable utensils. To enter the contest, and automatically subscribe for daily green parenting updates, enter your email address below.

Already a subscriber? Enter the contest by posting a comment below!

Here’s a peek at what you can win…

Canvas Lunch Sack
You and your kids will be fighting over this fantastic canvas lunch sack that let’s you “brown bag it” with style.

ECOUsable Water Bottle
Made from 100% recycled stainless steel, the ECOUsable water bottle is sturdy enough for your kindergartner and savvy enough for your high schooler.

Bamboo Reusable Utensil Set
Who needs plastic utensils when you can whip out these awesome reusables instead?

Contest ends August 15th so enter today!

Here’s more good news…TGP readers can save a bundle on great stuff from ECOBAGS by using Promo Code GREENPARENT08 to receive 15% off of web retail orders! Cannot be combined with other offers. Wholesale orders excluded. Expires 9/30/08.

And guess what! This month 2 lucky Green Parents will win a subscription to Kiwi. Just sign up below to enter. Winners will be announced August 1st!

Enter Here: