Green Options

It’s summer vacation, and one thing parents often hear from children used to being stimulated by school all year is, “I’m bored!”.  Personally, I am never bored, so I have little compassion when I hear my daughter issue this utterance, but I have found a new book that I think will help her overcome the doldrums. Let’s Go Outside!: Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get You and Your Kids Closer to Nature is a great resource for bored children.

Just as I have little understanding of boredom, I also never find myself needing an activity while experiencing nature beyond hiking and observing; however, children are a different breed. They sometimes need help focusing their energy.  Author Jennifer Ward provides 52 outdoor activities.  From “Playground for Poets” to “Five Fine Forts”, the summer boredom crisis is solved (and these activities are limited to warm summer months).  Furthermore, these games and projects are designed for children ages 8-12.  Here’s an example:

Let’s talk climate further. That will provide insight for add-ons necessary to achieve year-round comfort.

Yurts appear logical for my tropical climate where elements of nature aren’t so severe. Well, surprise, but no worry. Just know that maintaining yurt warmth can be an easier task than keeping cool.

Summer is upon us. The plants are in full bloom, and the sun feels great on your skin. The longer days give you more energy. There are barbecues, beaches and pool parties with your name written all over them! Since you will be spending all that time soaking up the sun, there a few facts you may be happy to know about sunlight and the healing powers of Vitamin D. Vitamin D has gone on for years as the single most underrated nutrient and only recently did it begin to get it’s moment in the spotlight. Research is showing that Vitamin D is known to help prevent osteoporosis, depression, prostrate and breast cancer and even affects diabetes and obesity. If that is not enough to get you to throw your bikini on, maybe these facts from  “The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D-an exclusive interview with Dr. Michael Holick”, by Mike Adams will help persuade you.

Well, it finally feels like summer has really begun.  With bathing suits, bare feet and less clothing a typical part of our daily lives, even the mind set changes.  We crave cool fruity drinks, a quiet moment in the sun (or shade, whichever you prefer) and a sultry, musky scent.  Ok, as for that last one, it may not be exactly what comes to mind when you conjure up a summer’s day.  But Lavanila Pure Vanilla Healthy Fragrance ($56) is the perfect match for warm skin and relaxed living.

A blend of Madagascar vanilla, freesia petal, patchouli and heliotrope, the frangrance is made of pure essential oils.  This delicious, slightly-spicy scent mellows when it soaks into the skin.  Leaves you with a lovely, warm, natural fragrance that lasts all day.

Are you looking for a cute eco bikini to sport this summer? If so, check out the Kelly B Ruffle Bikini. Kelly B was recently honored in Springtime as one of the Best Eco-Creative Swimwear Designers.

This adorable bikini sports:

-an adjustable triangle top that ties at the neck and back.

-bikini bottoms that sit low on the hips with a charming ruffle accent.

-a black with orchid strap and ruffle. 

The best aspect of these Kelly B swimsuits is that the fabric is 90% Organic Cotton blended with 10% Spandex. 

If you ever find yourself near Redding California, especially on June 21st, you should make an effort to visit Santiago Calatrava’s pedestrian bridge, which spans the waters of the Sacramento River. In addition to being a stunning functional work of art that attracts thousands of pedestrians, families, bicyclists and nature lovers, every year on the summer solstice the beautifully designed structure also functions as an accurate sundial.

Greening Hollywood, Paige Donner’s column, can be found on The Huffington Post at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paige-donner. Greening Hollywood is Donner’s media platform and green consulting business.

Summer is here and Deux FM’s Mystique string bikini is one of the sexiest eco-swimsuits out this season. It is made from remnant fabric with organic cotton rope ties.

With Memorial Day signalling the official start to Summer, it’s time to start thinking SPF. If you’re still housing old tubes from last year or god forbid, the year before, now’s the time to throw it out and get yourself a fresh batch. Before you hit the stores for a new stash though, know this… Out of more than a thousand sunscreens analyzed by EWG (Environmental Working Group) for safety & effectiveness, stability in sunlight, broad-spectrum protection against UVB + UVA radiation, and containing few if any ingredients with significant or known health hazards – only a measly 15% measured up. Further, many sunscreen ingredients break down in the sun, in a matter of minutes or hours, then let UV radiation through to the skin.

Now in its 33rd year, the Union Street Festival is one of San Francisco’s biggest and best free annual events. This June the event will feature speakers, authors, organic cooks, gardening demos and more. 

“This year the east entrance of the Festival, (beginning at Gough) will again feature arts and crafts created with recycled and sustainable materials and eco-friendly exhibits. Additionally, the Festival showcases 150 arts & crafts booths, 25 gourmet food booths, two stages of live entertainment and bistro style cafes.”

Keep reading for event details:

Vive Sana sunscreens offer natural, organic safe protection in the sun- no phthalates, no parabens, no BPA, no nanotechnology, no synthetics just natural sunscreen created for healthy protection from the sun.

Vive Sana (which means live healthy in Italian) has created wonderful sunscreens that not protect but nourish the skin and they are made with US grown organic ingredients, packaged in US made packaging and they thrive on being a sustainable company.