Green Options » fun

Summer Cool: Homemade Frozen Pops and Flavor Infused Water

Jamie Ervin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:19:41 +0000

Our kids will go through ice pops like water in the summer… well, let me restate that, they will eat as many as I will let them regardless of the weather outside.

During the hot days of summer, I want them to stay hydrated and I also want them to get good nutrition. We are drinking lots of flavor infused water and gobbling up all kinds of frozen creations.

We like commercial molds because they contain all the necessary pieces and use a smaller space in the freezer. However, ice cube trays & cups work well also. For reusable “sticks” opt for plastic spoons or other easy to clean item. We go through about 24 a day so I just toss things into the blender until its full, leftovers can be a nighttime snack!

Make a bunch every night, this is a good post dinner/before bed activity. The kids love to choose the ingredients and help mix everything up. There are a few simple ways to go about this…

Frozen Pops

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I Love Dirt Book Review

Summer Minor — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:43:42 +0000

Dirt used to be the only place for kids to play, before we concreted most of it up. As recent news has shown playing in the dirt and grass actually made kids healthier a lot of parents are tossing their kids back into the yard for some old fashioned fun. That’s where the book I Love Dirt by Jennifer Ward comes in.

This is one of my favorite books of ideas for getting kids outside and playing. I Love Dirt is more of an activity guide, featuring 52 wonderful ideas for kids ages 3-8 to get out in nature, explore, and even learn something along the way. The various activities span the entire year, covering ideas for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. No matter if your kids are in the middle of a city, out in the suburbs, or already enjoying the country side you will find something worth doing. I love that Ward also included little “Help Me Understand” sidebars for adults to help us explain the science aspects of nature.

“Here is the potential for much fun, many meaningful experiences—and a trove of shared stories.”

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Green Toys Inc - Recycled Toys Made in the USA

Summer Minor — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:52:24 +0000

What if that empty milk jug you just tossed into the recycling bin could be made into a fun toy for your kids to play with? Now it can, thanks to an amazing toy company called Green Toys Inc. This amazing toy company out of California creates cute and colorful children’s toys from recycled plastic milk jugs. creating toys that really are green in so many ways.

We believe the world would be a much better place if everyone said “please” and “thank you”, cell phones didn’t ring during movies, and all toys were fun, safe, and made from environmentally friendly materials. Since it’s probably no use holding our breath for those first two, we’re concentrating on the toys.

Green Toys Inc strives to be eco-friendly from start to finish. First their toys are made from recycled milk jugs and other environmentally friendly materials. Second, everything is local to their business in California. They are made 100% in the USA, reducing the fuel and energy use that transporting the toys or materials would use. And as they mention on their site the toys are made in California, a state known for strict toy safety and environmental laws. Even their packaging is recycled and environmentally friendly!

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Back to Basics: What Kids Actually Need for Play Fun

Jamie Ervin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:56:09 +0000

I am a firm believer in minimalist living. That said, my kids like so many others have WAY too much stuff. We are working hard to change this and focus on what actually makes sense. The phrase, “I’m Bored” is never to be uttered in my house. I get this from my darling Grandparents who had a large hand in raising me. There is NEVER an excuse for boredom and if you do find yourself bored, there are always chores to be done. It always amazes me what bored minds can come up with when given the alternative of scrubbing the bathroom.

I have a huge problem with how so many toys on the market today have one use. The toys tell you how to use them (this even goes for planned building sets). I want my children to use their imagination and to not be hindered by what a toy is suppose to be for. (And don’t get me started on all the idol/hero worship, dolls who look like streetwalkers and massive amounts of fighting toys.)

So, what does a child really need (other than love, shelter, clothing & food):

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Seven Tips for More Enjoyable Hiking with Kids

Josh Thomas — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:27:18 +0000

With the holidays — or is it the holidaze!?! — all around us, plenty of parents are looking for excuses to get their kids out of the house. Why not take a family hike? While many associate hiking with summer or early fall, the winter can be a terrific time to hit the trails. Cooler months often mean far fewer crowds and present different viewing opportunities for young eyes. So with that in mind, here are seven tips for a more enjoyable hike (these work, of course, regardless of season). I won’t add it to the list, but clearly, if your climate calls for it, dress in layers — ideally non-cotton layers — appropriate for where you live. Now, the list:

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Top Five Scariest Vegetables

Beth Bader — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:07:57 +0000

Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Beet

Leery of the leek? Afraid of asparagus? Broccoli your personal Boggart? It seems witches are not the only green thing that scares us. You are not alone. According to a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Medicine, fewer than a third of us eat enough fruits and vegetables daily.

Perhaps it’s time we faced our deep-rooted fears?

Number 5: Beets.
I clearly recall making little towers of canned, pickled beet cubes. I don’t remember eating them more than once. It was a long, long time before I faced down a beet again as an adult. As my first season participating in the Eat Local Challenge and as a member of a CSA, I felt compelled to cook whatever came in the weekly box in whatever way I could to make it palatable.

What I found out was, they are pretty good. That, indeed, everything not in a can tastes a whole lot different. Beets are especially good roasted and especially good for you as they are rich in the same anthocyanin compounds like wine and berries.

And the Top Four Are …

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Estate Bottled Fuel

Philip Proefrock — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:09:20 +0000

Fine Fueling offers a pointed and ironic take on fuel prices (and takes a couple of political jabs at a couple of recognizable figures as it does so), by presenting bottled varietal fuels and offering capsule reviews of them. For example,

A zesty, full bodied, thermal cracked desert fuel, with wonderful balance. This fuel totally over-delivers on our hedonist’s meter.

This petro-oenophile’s version of fuel choice includes such fine vintages as Carbon Offset Yacht Fuel, Crawford Ranch Secret Reserve Helicopter & Limousine Fuel, OPEC Ultra, Gazprom Caspian 2008, and Chavez Light Sweet 2008.

Link: Fine Fueling

Hybrid Revolution: Key West’s Famous Pink Taxis Go Green

Jennifer Lance — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:58:19 +0000

Flamboyant Key West is going green with hybrid taxis…not just any taxis, but the famous pink taxis! Five 6’s Taxi Company president Jan Doelman says the hybrid pink taxis “will reduce our emissions factor by 80%,” improving the existing pink fleets mileage from 12 mpg to 35 mpg.

Via: Freep.com

Google’s Project ‘10 to the 100th’ Deadline Is Oct. 20

Adam Williams — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:57:31 +0000

Google is holding a Project “10 to the 100th” competition to offer opportunity to all of the unknown geniuses out there who have something world-altering to contribute.Serve up an idea that can improve the planet for the most people you can imagine.

It’s simple to submit an idea online. Check some boxes, fill out some blanks and click the “Submit” button before Oct. 20 to participate.

Source: Google

‘Cool Globes’ Inspires Action Against Global Warming

Adam Williams — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:03:13 +0000

It’s art in action for the planet. CoolGlobes is a project confronting the need for a cooler planet, by generating awareness via art such as Karen Ami’s Wind Andamento that is on view in San Francisco. Chicago, San Diego and Washington, D.C. are also into the CoolGlobes scene, with London planning to debut in 2009.

Source: CoolGlobes

Gary Busey Confronts Cow Methane Madness (Funny)

Adam Williams — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:03:37 +0000

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

Gary Busey is a man of action. He’s taking his massive cow corks to the farm and putting an end to the madness — with the help of an assistant, an unwitting farmer and a few approachable, if displeased, cows.

‘Cycle Sol’: Solar-Powered Electric Bicycle Concept

Adam Williams — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:19:56 +0000

Would love to bike commute to work but don’t feel up to it? Wouldn’t mind an electric bike but would love one that’s as green to ride as a traditional 20th Century-style bicycle? The Cycle Sol is a concept that aims to address those concerns, making biking an ergonomic, speedy, environmentally-friendly go-go ride.

Source: The Design Blog

Eco Street Art: Roadsworth Questions Our Car Culture

Jennifer Lance — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:56:12 +0000

Montreal artist Peter Gibson (aka Roadsworth) is known for his nocturnal activities in the streets. His art is a commentary on our car culture, and he has been charged with 53 counts of mischief for his work in the past. You can see more of Roadsworth’s work at Toxel.com.

Pig Nightmare for Vegetarian Driver

Max Lindberg — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:20:30 +0000

A vegetarian woman was driving along a German highway and came upon a truckload of pigs headed for a sausage factory. She told officers she was so traumatized by the site of the poor little animals going to slaughter, that she momentarily lost control of her car and sideswiped another truck, filled with pigs.

Apparently, there was little damage to the vehicles, the pigs survived and so did the driver.

Source

Image:

Solar Fashion: A Purse That Charges Your Cell Phone

Jennifer Lance — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:30:17 +0000

Solar has entered the world of fashion. First we discovered the solar bikini, then the solar tie. Photovoltaic cells are popping up everywhere, even purses. Iowa State University PhD student Joe Hynek created the solar handbag to charge women’s ipods and cell phones. Hyneck explained his use of solar fashion:

I thought consumer stuff would be a good application. Using technology, I could make an ecological statement with a solar handbag that could keep up with the electrical needs of one device at a time - a cell phone, an iPod, or a Blackberry.

Image: Joe Hyneck

Via: Environmental News Service

Upcycling Ideas: Stairway to Skateboard Heaven

Jennifer Lance — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:48:57 +0000

These stairs are so cool! At Toronto’s Roarockit Skateboard School, they used skateboard decks to build a stairway. It appears the decks were custom made for the stairs, but this would be a creative way to upcycle old decks.

Via: Treehugger

Grow Graffiti Moss to Put ‘Green’ Into Your Wall Art

Adam Williams — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:00:20 +0000

Environmental Graffiti serves up a recipe for making a moss mixture that can be painted wherever you want to adorn your world with a bit of green — and ‘green’ — graffiti.

photo: the real janelle, via flickr.com

Woman Makes Wedding Dress Out of Rubber Gloves

Kelli Best-Oliver — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:27:43 +0000

British artist Susie MacMurray used 1,400 inside-out rubber gloves to craft her one-of-a-kind wedding dress. Guess she has a preternatural fear of dishpan hands.

Guerrilla Gardening: Vigilante Green Thumbs Illegally Plant in Public Places

Jennifer Lance — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:41:38 +0000

Guerrilla Gardening is popular in London, where gardeners illegally, under the cover of night, cultivate plants in public spaces. Food, flowers, and trees are planted where weeds once grew, providing the public with beauty and free food. Technically, guerilla gardeners are participating in “criminal damage” under the law.

Via: Web Ecoist

Grow-Your-Own Architecture

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:44:28 +0000

This has got to be one of the coolest green concepts I’ve seen in a long time: shaping the malleable roots of ficus trees into useful, eco-friendly structures like benches, playground equipment, bus stops and even umbrella stands. The “eco-architecture” technique could one day even be used to grow homes, according to the researchers at Plantware and American Friends of Tel Aviv University. (Be sure to check out the mind-boggling gallery of tree-based structures at Plantware’s online gallery.)

Image credit: American Friends of Tel Aviv University