It's "Money-Saving May" at The Green Parent and all month long we're looking for ways to save money by going green. Today we're talking water...conserving it not only protects the planet, it can also save you a fortune each month on your water, energy, and sewage bills. Here's how: Skip The Drips: Dripping faucets and leaky pipes waste thousands of gallons of water each year...sending your hard … [Read more...]
Are There Drugs In Your Drinking Water?
March 10, 2008 By 7 Comments
As if Monday mornings aren't bad enough, today's post is filled with the grim news that emerged over the weekend regarding the presence of prescription medications in our drinking water. According to a recent investigation by the Associated Press, "A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking … [Read more...]
Conserving Water at the Store
February 11, 2008 By Leave a Comment
By now you've probably heard the green parenting message that you need to shut off the water tap while brushing your teeth and take shorter showers to conserve water. But do you know how much water you're using each day at the store? Take this quiz to see how much water it takes to manufacture some of your favorite stuff. How Much Water Does It Take To Manufacture These Products? A pair of … [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...]
Toilet Talk: Green Parenting for the Potty?
January 14, 2008 By 21 Comments
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 3-5 gallons. Flushing gallons of water down the toilet is not only … [Read more...]
It's Good To Share
January 11, 2008 By 19 Comments
Mornings in my house revolve around a frenzy of food. Between preparing breakfast for my girls (they are on a cinnamon toast kick) to packing their lunches (PB&J, carrots, and applesauce), and taking a stab at defrosting what we will have for dinner, it seems almost surreal to me that outside my home, throughout my town, my country, and certainly throughout the world, there are mothers who … [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...]
Eco-Friendly School Fundraisers
January 3, 2008 By Leave a Comment
We are not even halfway through the school year and already I have been inundated with forms and catalogs from my daughter’s school for fundraisers that almost always include low-quality foods, junk, or paper products that I neither need nor want. Stuff that is designed to clog up my closets while depleting resources and inevitably filling up landfills. Isn’t there are greener way for kids … [Read more...]
Top 5 Green Parent New Year’s Resolutions
December 28, 2007 By 10 Comments
It's that time of year where we all reflect back on the past 12 months and make a plan for the months to come. If you're ready to really make a difference in 2008, try making a promise to go easy on the planet with one (or all) of these Green Parent New Year's Resolutions: Park It: Make every effort to walk, bike, or take public transit instead of driving you car. For inspiration, … [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...]
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...]
Green Your Halloween: Costumes
October 22, 2007 By Leave a Comment
With Halloween fast approaching, I am dedicating this week's blog entries and newsletters to helping you prepare for a Green Halloween. I'll give you the scoop on the costumes, decorations, pumpkins, and treats that provide scary amounts of fun without frightening the planet. Ready to get started? Check out these ideas for greening your kids' Halloween costumes... Raid The Thrift Store: Hit your … [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...]
Skip The Water Cooler
October 16, 2007 By 1 Comment
The office water cooler is an excellent place for gossip, but not so great for the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Water coolers use 4 billion kilowatts of energy each year, producing annual pollution roughly equivalent to the emissions of over 700,000 cars. In addition, the agency estimates that Americans spend $300 million each year on utility bills to operate … [Read more...]
Hold The Beef!
October 15, 2007 By 11 Comments
Skip the beef at dinner tonight and opt for a veggie meal instead. A vegetarian diet is not only healthier for you, it is also better for the environment. The production of beef makes more of an impact on the environment than any other type of food. According to a report produced by the World Wildlife Fund, more pasture is used for cattle than all other domesticated animals and crops combined. … [Read more...]
