Have you been following the latest news on peanut butter recalls? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently found Salmonella Typhimurium in the peanut butter and peanut paste produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) at its Blakely, Georgia processing plant. And what started as one recall for Little Debbie's peanut butter crackers has now turned in to a list of peanut butter product … [Read more...]
Is It Green Or Green-Washed?
April 1, 2008 By 5 Comments
Green is the new black, or so they say. And manufacturers are scrambling to meet all of this new demand by making eco-savvy products that are good for the planet. But buyer beware; not all products are as eco-friendly as you are led to believe. Many products are actually just “greenwashed,” meaning they are made to appear eco-friendly without actually being eco-friendly. Greenwashed products … [Read more...]
Register to Win the 2008 Green Parent Awards
February 4, 2008 By 8 Comments
In just a few short weeks, The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living (Kedzie Press, 2008) will finally be released and available for sale at local and online booksellers nationwide. As part of the celebration, author Jenn Savedge (that's me!) will be touring the country, asking questions, sharing ideas, gathering tips, and handing out a whole heap of eco-savvy prizes. And I … [Read more...]
Green Your Dry Cleaning
January 9, 2008 By 14 Comments
Kids and dry cleaning? You’re joking, right? These two go together like oil and water (literally). But for those of you who are adventurous enough to mix kids and dry cleaning, here's what you need to know about the toxic chemicals used at traditional dry cleaners and how to find a greener alternative. Why Go Green? The standard solvent used in 85% of the dry cleaners in the U.S. is is … [Read more...]
Green Your New Year's Eve Celebration
December 27, 2007 By 8 Comments
It’s just about time to say good-bye to 2007 and ring in 2008. Get your new year off on the right foot with these eco-friendly tips to green your New Year’s Eve celebration. Send Evites: lost robin hood downloads Paper invitations are so 2007. Send email invitations, or evites, for your New Year’s Eve celebration. Check out www.evite.com for free evites as well as party planning ideas … [Read more...]
Tis The Season…For Coughs, Colds, and the Flu
December 19, 2007 By 9 Comments
Members of a family get used to sharing. Older kids share toys and clothes with their younger siblings, parents share snacks, drinks, and occasionally the clothes from their own backs with their children, and even the family dog might be required to share a place on his cozy bed from time to time. And when one member of the family brings home an illness, whether it’s a scratchy throat, a runny … [Read more...]
Deck The Halls with Eco-Friendly Christmas Deocrations
December 17, 2007 By 6 Comments
Looking for holiday decorations that are safe for your kids and the environment? Follow these tips to deck the halls with eco-friendly style: 1. Go Lead-Free: Watch out for ornaments and holiday decorations that are coated in lead-based paint. Instead, look for decorations that bear the 100% lead-free label. 2. Go -Au Naturale: Look to nature when decorating your home this year. Here are … [Read more...]
The Green Parent Holiday Gift List
November 24, 2007 By 16 Comments
Are you worried about your holiday gift list this year? With all of the news about global warming and environmental degradation, let alone sweatshop labor and toxic toys, what's a Green Parent to do? Never fear, there are tons of gifts that you can give to show your spirit without selling your soul. Here, without further ado, is The 2007 Green Parent Holiday Gift List...a list of gifts you can … [Read more...]
Is It Possible To Find Eco-Friendly Flame-Retardant Clothing?
November 12, 2007 By 16 Comments
A subscriber recently wrote to ask if it is possible to find flame retardant clothing that is also eco-friendly. Good question!! So I did a little research and here's what I came up with: It is possible for find fibers, such as recycled polyester or natural wool, that are eco-friendly and flame retardant. According to Michael Lackman, owner of Lotus Organics and author of the comprehensive blog on … [Read more...]
Eco Confessions of a "Not-So-Green" Green Parent
November 7, 2007 By 7 Comments
I recently heard from one of my subscribers who was thrilled with the info she found in The Green Parent no strings attached movie clothing but felt overwhelmed with guilt because she simply could not do all of the things she thought she should be doing to help protect the planet. So I thought it was high time for a few Green Parent "eco-confessions." Here goes: 1. We live 3 blocks away from a … [Read more...]
Green Your Halloween: Trick or Treat!
October 26, 2007 By 5 Comments
If you're shopping for treats to hand out this Halloween, you are likely to find a frightening assortment of artificial ingredients, plastic packaging, and sweatshop trinkets. How scary! Steer clear of these ghoulish wares and Green Your Halloween by giving out treats that don't trick! Here are a few ideas: Fair Trade Chocolates: Chocolate is always a popular choice at Halloween. But according … [Read more...]
Got Leaves? Get Composting!
October 19, 2007 By 7 Comments
Have you ever met a kid who didn't love jumping into a pile of freshly raked leaves? I certainly haven't! So with a beautiful fall weekend almost within reach, it's time to rev up you rakes and get ready for some weekend fun. And after your kids get finished smashing the leaves to smithereens, be sure to add any leftover bits to your compost pile. Composting is the ultimate recycler, turning your … [Read more...]
Do The Doo
October 18, 2007 By 5 Comments
Nothing says "sucker" quite like the sight of a human being bending over to pick up a pile of doggie doo. Having a pet is like having a toddler that will never become potty trained. You're stuck in perpetual diaper duty. And all of that duty makes for a pile of doodie that needs to go somewhere. Fortunately, you can still be a Green Parent while tending to your pet's needs. Here's how: Dogs: … [Read more...]
Reduce Your Dinner's Food Miles
October 17, 2007 By 25 Comments
I recently wrote about the exploits of Manny Howard, who attempted to grow all of the food he needed for his family of four in his 20 x 40 foot Brooklyn backyard. And while Manny's experiment went beyond the limits of extreme, it was indicative of the growing national trend to eat locally. Eating locally is not a new idea, in fact, the opposite is true. When my grandmother wanted tomatoes in the … [Read more...]
Green Festival 2007
October 10, 2007 By 6 Comments
Last weekend I had the good fortune to attend the Green Festival in Washington, D.C. where I saw a convention center full of great eco-savvy products and learned the latest in environmental news from incredible speakers like Bill McKibben and Timberly Whitfield. Here are some of the highlights from the event: Step It Up 2007: Bill McKibben, a true environmental leader and author of the bestseller, … [Read more...]
