Green Options » families

#3 Portland, Oregon (USA): Great Bicycle City Photo Tour

Zachary Shahan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:53:01 +0000

With bike weddings, bike parades, hundreds of naked bicyclists, bike fashion shows, popular & interesting cargo bikes, and travelling bike pubs, Portland is #3 on this great bicycle city photo tours list.

Portland has great bicycle facilities (colored bike lanes, bike boxes at intersections, great bike signs, off-road bicycle paths, etc.), a large number of people using the bicycle for transportation, and a bike culture that brings the fun of bicycling to another level.

As a result of these factors and more, Portland was the first large city in the US to achieve the Platinum level Bike Friendly award from the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) — the Platinum level being the highest level possible (above Gold, Silver and Bronze). It is truly a world-class bicycle city now, and the amazing photos in this photo tour help to show that.

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New Organics Campaign Aimed At Young Families

Sonya — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:18:16 +0000

A new U.S. organics education and marketing campaign is aimed at families with young children. The Organic Agriculture and Products Education Institute (Organic Institute) has launched ‘Organic. It’s worth it’, its first national consumer campaign.

“The mission of this campaign is to answer consumer questions about organic with the clear message that organic is worth it in every way from health care and economics to farming and the environment. It will increase consumer trust, knowledge and purchase of organic products,” says Christine Bushway, president of the Organic Institute and executive director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the campaign sponsor.

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Stimulus Package Gives Families $65 a Month Tax Break: Don’t Spend It All In One Place

Derek Markham — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 06:11:20 +0000

By April 1st, most workers will see a reduction in taxes withheld due to the $787 billion economic stimulus package, but unfortunately, the extra $65 a month for a family of four isn’t going to go very far.

It’s certainly not going to make the payment on a new car or house, but tax breaks on those purchases are also being touted as an important part of the stimulus package. And it’s not going to keep your mortgage payment current.

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Exciting Activities Warm Our Winters

Josh Thomas — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:49:01 +0000

Temperatures in Jackson, Wyoming, ranged from -6 to 30 during my visit over the weekend. And yet folks were much more likely to be found outside than in. Perhaps that is because the “outside” of Jackson, Wyoming, is so beautiful and offers so much in the way of wonderful outdoor activities, from skiing (alpine, nordic and telemark) to snowboarding to snowshoeing through the magnificent Grand Teton National Park, to name the most obvious. I think the beauty of the scenery and the thrill of the activity keeps us warmer than the temps suggest. This notion occurred to me when I overheard a seemingly non-sensical statement during my trip. As we waitied for a shuttle on one particularly chilly morning, it was -4 at the time, a woman waiting beside me told her friend,

You know, with these temperatures back home, it’d be freezing!

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Corn Bag Critters: A Natural Alternative to Electric Heating Pads

Jennifer Lance — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:26:31 +0000

When your child has aches and pains, heat or cold applications offer wonderful, natural therapy.

In my experience as a parent, my children often resist ice or heat unless it it is disguised as a loving toy. Cornbag Critters are lovable toys that can be heated in a microwave as a natural alternative to electric heating pads. Made from 100% fluffy cotton chenille, handmade Cornbag Critters can help soothe earaches, growing pains, muscle/joint pains, backaches, and/or cramps.

What is a Corn bag critter you ask? A corn bag is a natural, earth-friendly alternative to the electric heating pad. Corn bags are used to help soothe and relieve the pain from earaches, toothaches, backaches, cramps, growing pains, muscle and joint pain, neck and shoulder tension, knee pain, sinus pressure and many other common ailments. The inside of the bag is filled with whole kernel deer corn and is heated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Since the corn is cracked, it does not pop. Once you remove the bag from the microwave you replace the cover. This will hold heat for several hours. In addition to the healing properties, corn bag critters are wonderful to snuggle up to on a cold winter night.

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Modern Day Homesteading and Voluntary Simplicity: Giving Away Your Possessions and Living Off the Land

Jennifer Lance — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:59:38 +0000

Modern Day Homesteading

I consider my family modern day homesteaders. We started with 160 acres of raw land, which actually was an old homestead and still had some of the original fruit trees. We built our own home from the trees on the land, started a garden, and installed an off-the-grid power system. We live as self-sufficiently as possible, and the only major difference between my family and the original homesteaders is we had to buy our land and the modern conveniences of our home.

Apparently, there is a small trend in the United States for families to give away their possessions, get back to the land, and choose a simpler life. Take for example the Harris family of Austin Texas, who aspire to be organic homesteaders in Vermont.

Now they are trying to get rid of it all, down to their fancy wedding bands. Chasing a utopian vision of a self-sustaining life on the land as partisans of a movement some call voluntary simplicity, they are donating virtually all their possessions to charity and hitting the road at the end of May.

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Wierd Weather and Wake-Up Calls

Michelle Bennett — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:44:07 +0000

Thunderstorms and tornados have been pounding the southeast USA over the past 12 hours. I woke this morning and found my aunt fretting over her television. She told me that my hometown was ducking for cover because a rotating storm cell was coming in fast; the Weather Channel mentioned Chattanooga by name. At 7am, I knew that most of my family was still asleep. I called home and gave them a heads-up.

Growing up in the southeast we were very familiar with summer thunderheads and tornado drills. At school we practiced ducking for cover in cinderblock hallways and were vaguely aware of the language of dangerous weather. Tornado warnings meant nothing at all; tornado watches were almost as distracting at school; air raid sirens were rare but frightening. Almost everyone had a distant “cousin” who had seen a real tornado.

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Teaching Your Children Well: Picture Books for Eco Kids

Kelli Best-Oliver — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:17:07 +0000

Green parents want to raise their children with the same eco-values that they hold dear. What books are out there for children after they've read The Lorax? There is no shortage of beautifully illustrated picture books that will help children of all ages understand the value of the environment. Here are a few of my favorites–

Common Ground: The Water, Earth, and Air We Share by Molly Bang is simple story that teaches children about the value of common space and how we all must be stewards to preserve our earth. The illustrations are rich with vibrant colors, and I love this book so much I read it first thing at the beginning of the school year to my high schoolers.

Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg is yet another classic book by the storied children's author. Like so many of his other books, Van Allsburg creates a strange and fantastic world for his characters. This time, a careless litterbug wakes up in a world full of environmental nightmares, prompting him to rethink his actions and how they impact the environment.

Why Should I? Series by Jen Green, illustrations by Mike Gordon. This four book series explains to children why they should protect nature, save water, save energy, and recycle. These books are great because they answer common questions that children have and contain notes in the back for parents.

The Tin Forest by Helen Ward, illustrations by Wayne Anderson takes place in the future, where an old man lives among a decimated environment. He creates his own tin forest, which attracts birds, which eventually attracts a whole ecosystem that brings hope to the man that the natural environment can thrive again.

Other books worth checking out:
* The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle by Lynne Cherry
* Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser, illustrations by Elisa Kleven
* Weslandia by Paul Fleishman, illustrations by Kevin Hawkes

Bike Wedding Parades

Bike Fairy Pedicabs

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man’s brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.” ~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

Bike Halftime Shows

Bands on Bikes

Bike Parades

Bike Street Clowns

“After your first day of cycling, one dream is inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round and round they seem to go. You ride through Dreamland on wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow.” ~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance

Green Bike Lanes with Bike Boxes, Dutch Style

Blue Bike Lanes at Major Intersections, Copenhagen Style

Bike Lane Stencil — Bike & Golf

Bike Lane Stencil — Juggling on a Bike

Artistic Bike Racks

Good Signage for Bicyclists

Great Bicycle & Pedestrian Lanes on a Bridge

On Hawthorne Bridge. The photographer writes: “This clear signage allows a wide sidewalk on a bridge to be safely shared between bikes and pedestrian traffic.”

Bikes on Transit

From the photographer: “MAX trains essentially have have three kinds of carriages: two kinds of low-floor carriages and one kind of high-floor carriage.

Each MAX train consists of just two carriages (they are short because Portland city blocks are so short), and one carriage is guaranteed to be a low-floor carriage (only the low floor carriage are suitable for folks with disabilities). But… only the low floor carriages have hooks (you can stand on the high-floor ones). Each low floor carriages has 4 hooks, so a train has 4 or 8 good places to hang a bike and relax.”

Image Credit 1: poetas via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: Shannon Henry via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: Brewcaster via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 7: hradcanska via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 8: Mark Stosberg via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 9: brianellin via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 10: mokolabs via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 11: Mark Stosberg via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 12: Major Clanger via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Bike Fashion Shows

Image Credit 1: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 7: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 8: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 9: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 10: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 11: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 12: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Bike Tattoos

Bike Art

Bike Fish or Fish Bike (not sure)

“When I go biking, I repeat a mantra of the day’s sensations: bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, blue jay’s call, ice melting and so on. This helps me transcend the traffic, ignore the clamorings of work, leave all the mind theaters behind and focus on nature instead. I still must abide by the rules of the road, of biking, of gravity. But I am mentally far away from civilization. The world is breaking someone else’s heart.” ~Diane Ackerman

Bike Art?

Image Credit 1: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: vj_pdx via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: Philosophographlux via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: Ben Amstutz via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Fun Family Bicycling

“A bicycle does get you there and more…. And there is always the thin edge of danger to keep you alert and comfortably apprehensive. Dogs become dogs again and snap at your raincoat; potholes become personal. And getting there is all the fun.” ~Bill Emerson, “On Bicycling,” Saturday Evening Post, 29 July 1967

Image Credit 1: EthanPDX via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: drwhimsy via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: cafemama via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: qousqous via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: Philosophographlux via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 7: Mark Stosberg via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Naked Bicycling Events

Donuts on Bikes

Beer by Bike

Pizza Delivery

Bike-Thru Window at Black Sheep Bakery, no Cars

Image Credit 1: Anomalily via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: Elly Blue via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: Elly Blue via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: chrispyworld via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Bike on Bike

Got a Package to Pick Up? Get It on Your Bike

Bike Delivery

From the photographer: “B-Line PDX is a new local business that is looking to change how Portland businesses deliver goods across town. They got two huge cargo bikes and the clients are already rolling in.”

Cool Cargo Bike

Dutch-Style Cargo Bike

More Cargo Bikes

Both of these for sale at a downtown bicycle shop, Portland Tricycles.

Cargo Bike in Snow

Cleaning Service by Bike

Recycling on Bike

Image Credit 1: gregraisman via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: gregraisman via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 3: timmycorkery via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 4: gabriel amadeus via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 5: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 6: NathanBackous via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 7: Mark Stosberg via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 8: Portland Pedalworks via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 9: Portland Pedalworks via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 10: npGREENWAY via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 11: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 12: Philosophographlux via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Off-Road Biking Safer for Bikes than Cars

“Until mountain biking came along, the bike scene was ruled by a small elite cadre of people who seemed allergic to enthusiasm.” ~Jacquie Phelan

If you liked this photo tour, you are sure to like the previous ones as well:

#4 Copenhagen (Denmark)
#5 Paris (France)
#6 Groningen (the Netherlands)
#7 Berlin (Germany)
#8 Barcelona (Spain)
#9 Bogota (Columbia)
#10 Basel (Switzerland)

And be sure not to miss the top two photo tours! Keep your eye on EcoWorldly or subscribe to its feed or email list to make sure you don’t miss them or other upcoming posts. Have something extra to add? Comment below!

Image Credit: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license

Green Couples, Green Weddings Part 1

Kelli Best-Oliver — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:27:55 +0000

Many engaged couples spend countless hours planning a ceremony that reflects who they are. Until recently, however, green couples had limited options when it came to lessening their big day's big footprint, but since more couples are considering the environmental impact of their vows, multiple new resources and vendors are catering to a more sustainable clientele.

There's a growing group of brides and grooms who are choosing to simplify their ceremonies. For those of us (myself included) who want to eschew a fancy ceremony in favor of something simpler and/or non-traditional, IndieBride is a lifesaver. There are plenty of sustainable brides (and grooms!) who share their ideas, experiences, and advice on working outside of the traditional wedding industry DIY (doing it yourself).

The new Portovert Magazine is "the first and only magazine for eco-savvy brides and grooms", and has resources and tips for all types of weddings, from intimate ceremonies to lavish receptions. For those couples who still want the big traditional ceremony, but not the big impact on the earth, their Responsible Resources offer organic florists and caterers, tree-free invitations, and vintage gowns. Organic Weddings is another great site that provides vendors and resources.

Diamonds are the traditional stone for wedding settings, but industrial production methods can be extremely draining both environmentally and socially. Jewelers like greenKarat and Brilliant Earth combine conflict-free and created stones with recycled metals for settings to produce beautiful and sustainable rings.

Those green couples who choose to create a gift registry can forget about the traditional big-box stores in favor of more eco-friendly home stores. We registered at Gaiam, although GreenFeet has a variety of products, including organic bedding and towels and recycled glassware.

Bike Wedding Parades

Bike Fairy Pedicabs

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man’s brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.” ~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

Bike Halftime Shows

Bands on Bikes

Bike Parades

Bike Street Clowns

“After your first day of cycling, one dream is inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round and round they seem to go. You ride through Dreamland on wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow.” ~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance

Green Bike Lanes with Bike Boxes, Dutch Style

Blue Bike Lanes at Major Intersections, Copenhagen Style

Bike Lane Stencil — Bike & Golf

Bike Lane Stencil — Juggling on a Bike

Artistic Bike Racks

Good Signage for Bicyclists

Great Bicycle & Pedestrian Lanes on a Bridge

On Hawthorne Bridge. The photographer writes: “This clear signage allows a wide sidewalk on a bridge to be safely shared between bikes and pedestrian traffic.”

Bikes on Transit

From the photographer: “MAX trains essentially have have three kinds of carriages: two kinds of low-floor carriages and one kind of high-floor carriage.

Bike Fashion Shows

Bike Tattoos

Bike Art

Bike Fish or Fish Bike (not sure)

“When I go biking, I repeat a mantra of the day’s sensations: bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, blue jay’s call, ice melting and so on. This helps me transcend the traffic, ignore the clamorings of work, leave all the mind theaters behind and focus on nature instead. I still must abide by the rules of the road, of biking, of gravity. But I am mentally far away from civilization. The world is breaking someone else’s heart.” ~Diane Ackerman

Bike Art?

Fun Family Bicycling

“A bicycle does get you there and more…. And there is always the thin edge of danger to keep you alert and comfortably apprehensive. Dogs become dogs again and snap at your raincoat; potholes become personal. And getting there is all the fun.” ~Bill Emerson, “On Bicycling,” Saturday Evening Post, 29 July 1967

Naked Bicycling Events

Donuts on Bikes

Beer by Bike

Pizza Delivery

Bike-Thru Window at Black Sheep Bakery, no Cars

Bike on Bike

Got a Package to Pick Up? Get It on Your Bike

Bike Delivery

Cool Cargo Bike

Dutch-Style Cargo Bike

More Cargo Bikes

Both of these for sale at a downtown bicycle shop, Portland Tricycles.

Cargo Bike in Snow

Cleaning Service by Bike

Recycling on Bike

Off-Road Biking Safer for Bikes than Cars

“Until mountain biking came along, the bike scene was ruled by a small elite cadre of people who seemed allergic to enthusiasm.” ~Jacquie Phelan

If you liked this photo tour, you are sure to like the previous ones as well:

#4 Copenhagen (Denmark)
#5 Paris (France)
#6 Groningen (the Netherlands)
#7 Berlin (Germany)
#8 Barcelona (Spain)
#9 Bogota (Columbia)
#10 Basel (Switzerland)

Image Credit: BikePortland.org via flickr under a Creative Commons license