Our honey bees continue to be challenged. Whether it’s climate change, GMO crops, cellular tower radiation, or a combination of factors, scientists have not been able to solve what’s killing these wonderful insects. More money is being shifted to “Plan B”, or finding what else can pollinate our crops and orchards. Your backyard holds the…
DIY / Crafts
Composting 101: How to Make a Compost Pile
If you’re someone who throws food waste into the garbage while thinking, “I wish I knew how to make a compost pile,” — this article is for you! You’ll be pleased to know that setting up a composting system at home isn’t as much work as it sounds. Compost Pile Prep Start by clearing the perfect…
3 Steps to a Clean and Healthy Home
Anna Dyer from the Washington Toxics Coalition stopped by to share how she makes spring cleaning a little more eco-friendly and a lot more fun! I’m no stranger to housework… but that doesn’t mean I like it. Growing up, my mom made sure my brother and I were quite experienced in household chores. We were each assigned…
DIY Herbal Pregnancy Teas – Morning Sickness & Nourishing Mama
Just one cup of these nourishing, herbal pregnancy teas has the same vitamin and mineral content as a bowl of dark leafy salad! Herbs can be used to soothe the agonizing nausea that so commonly plagues your first trimester. Many herbs are powerhouses of vitamins and minerals that can help strengthen uterine muscles, relieve fluid retention,…
Cultivating Family Traditions for the New Year
Editor’s note: Family traditions for the new year are often focused around a meal or football. We felt it was time for a change! In a brainstorming session, our team came up with this beautiful idea to gather the family together to listen to each member’s goals and dreams. Everyone writes his or her hopes on…
Reduce Waste and Earn Money for Your School with TerraCycle Fundraisers
As an eco-savvy parent, have the school fundraisers ever made you decide to attend a PTO meeting? Fundraisers are often known as cringe-worthy for their focus on junk food or wrapping paper made from virgin trees… not to mention the cheap incentive prizes that don’t even make it off the bus in one piece. We’re…
How to Make Your Own Cloth Wipes
No matter what type of diapers you choose for your baby, one way to reduce exposure to chemicals and impact on the planet is to use cloth wipes instead of disposable. Why use cloth wipes? If you’ve looked at the ingredients on a commercial brand of wipes, you’ll see more than a few red-flag ingredients….
For an EEK-O-Friendly Halloween… Do This, Not That
Halloween is heavy on sugar… not to mention waste. But it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how a healthy and EEK-O-Friendly Halloween can be even more fun… Instead of buying a new costume… Participate in a local costume swap Use a hand-me-down costume from family member, friend, or neighbor Make a costume out of what…
Eco Spotlight On: Earth Paints
When was the last time you let your creativity run wild? For many busy parents, art has become something we hang on the fridge when it comes home from school, or glance at while our children entertain themselves as we make dinner. But the more we learn about how the brain works, the more you…
Things You Didn’t Know You Could Recycle
Even in today’s increasingly eco-friendly society, many still think recyclable items are limited to plastic bottles or paper products. In reality, local and national organizations are on their way to collecting almost anything that usually ends up in the trash. Here are a few unexpected items that can be part of your home’s recycling routine….
How to Make Your Own Herbal Baby Oil
Gardening is a family affair at our house. My toddler loves to pluck handfuls of tomatoes and strawberries and stuff his mouth to bursting. We call him the chipmunk. My four year old daughter helps me water and harvest a rainbow of yummy fruit and vegetables and then delights to help prepare them in the…
DIY Natural Insect Repellent with Essential Oils
Keeping your family healthy and safe is much simpler with an organized, easy to find Natural First Aid kit. Near the top of the list is this recipe for making your own DIY natural insect repellent.Why go to the trouble of putting together a non-toxic first aid kit if you’re going to spray your family down with DEET…
DIY Pinecone Bird Feeders
by Susan Pokorny Life can get pretty complicated with kids. Often we look for new ideas to entertain them, when the simplest activities can bring joy to the young and old. We have many choices of activities to do with our kids. We’ve been intentional about choosing things that give our kids an awe of creation…
How to Make a Homemade Marble Roller Coaster
If your child has played with a marble roller coaster at the library or a toy store, you’ve seen how entertaining it can be! Now you can make one at home out of things you already have around the house. Here’s what you’ll need: • a flat pizza box for the base (or reuse a…
Fresh as a daffodil, the Spring 2012 Issue is Here!
[issuu width=420 height=272 backgroundColor=%23222222 documentId=120323020337-1a6981d407d14d12885c92c9bc9e6968 name=march_2012 username=greenchild tag=arbor%20day%202012 unit=px id=0c74b6aa-88f7-9b9c-72ac-9c966c1490d0 v=2] View on iPad You’ll find family-friendly ways to celebrate all the Spring holidays – Easter, Earth Day, Arbor Day – in the greenest ways possible. This issue also features interviews with eco celebrities, Mayim Bialik on her new book Beyond the Sling, and Jessica…
A Naturally Colorful Easter
Our Spring Issue is packed with Eco Easter activities and tips for an eco friendly Easter. Watch as the Wee Can Too kids show us how fun and easy it is to dye eggs naturally. How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally: Eggs are an essential part to Easter, Begin with cool, dry hard-boiled eggs. Place…
A Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Gardening
A year-round outdoor garden is not an option for everyone, especially for those who live in areas with long cold winters or no access to garden space. Luckily, there are many options for indoor gardening!There are many benefits to involving your children in growing food, and a lot of families have already picked up the trowel…
Eco Valentine’s Day Project – Love Letter Candy Holder
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love. So when you’re making crafts or writing out Valentines to your child’s classmates, make sure you’re showing plenty of love to Mother Earth. We love this craft by our regular contributor, Heather Valentine of The Sewing Loft. Try to find items you already have on hand to make…
Upcycled T-shirt Scarf Tutorial
This project takes 20 minutes, and all you need is an old tee and a pair of scissors! No sewing!! It’s super easy, fun, and dare I say it… fool proof!? Try it out, share it with your daughters, sisters, and friends. For this tutorial, we used a men’s shirt size large,…
Thanksgiving Crafts: Turkey Hot Mitts and Pad
Remember tracing your hand and turning it into a colorful turkey drawing? That’s what this project reminds us of… only in 3D. Kim from MommySteffan shared this Thanksgiving craft idea you can make with your child from items you already have on hand. Materials: Oven mitt & hot pad Fabric scraps Floss Needle All-temp fabric glue gun Disappearing…
Recycling at Home: 10 Things You Can Recycle or Repurpose
Looking for eco-friendly ways to declutter? There are plenty of practical and creative ideas for recycling at home. In fact, your home is probably a treasure trove of items you can reuse, recycle, repurpose, or upcycle. When you change your perspective of throwing things away (where is “away” anyway?)… you’ll find yourself looking at…
