I have been blessed with a job that is about 7 miles from my house...So out of the 5 days a week that I work 2-3 of those days I am on bike..I work at a coffee shop, when I started here there was no recycling going on.Between 2 other employees and I we have managed to get everyone to take that not so big extra step to pitch in and start recyling..I am really proud of that because alot of the workers here are in highschool and were not really aware of our global situations..Now they understand.
 

Thanks for sharing your green story! It's great that you both educated and inspired your co-workers to start recycling... and become a little greener!
 

I buy organic and/or locally grown foods.
I make all of my household cleaners! Ahhh the wonders of baking soda & vinegar!!
I cloth diaper my son except for long outings ( I've become addicted to making my own diapers too!!) :)
I use my own bags to do some shopping & I use&recycle plastic bags for large shopping trips.
I teach my children the importance of our EARTH! and how to take care of her!!!

I'd say I am a bit darker then mint green~ ha ha~ but I feel I do what I can when I can.

We still rent, but HOPEFULLY will be able to buy within a year and plan on having solar panels, and I want to begin composting and also growing anything I can get to grow!!

Kermit was so wrong!! It's very easy being green!!!.......................... sungreen13
 

Tips for being green with Children

Anyone who knows me knows these are just suggestions. Try out the ones that you think will suit you and just ponder the rest!

Babies

Cloth Diapers- There is so many types and brands out there. They are expensive to buy but if you are committed to using them they pay for themselves.

Wipe Warmer- You can use your baby wipe warm to keep wet baby face clothes nice and warm instead of using disposable wipes.

Hand-me-downs- I know many people like to buy new outfits for special occasions but hand-me-downs are a great way to save money and the environment.

Make your own baby food-

All you need is

Mini-food processor

Rice/vegetable cooker

Ice cube trays

Plastic containers or gallon frozen food bags

Glass baby food jars

Fresh produce and meats

If you make your own food you are saving on money and plastic. Not to mention your baby's food and your table food will taste the same making the switch easy!!

Glass baby bottles- there is so many companies going green you can get them almost anywhere. Glass bottles are better for your baby and the environment because some plastics can leech toxins into your baby's formula.

Buy organic

Buying organic food is always best for you and your environment but this is such a hard one to do seeing the raising cost of food. When organic is on sale try to make an effort to buy it. Or try out your local farmers market because they do sell organic as well as vegetables and fruits with less chemicals.

Buy organic bath products because some products contain harmful ingredients (such as lead). Companies do not have to list what they put in Fragrances of a product and in most cases the smell that smells so good is bad for you.

Google Skin Deep- Cosmetic Data Base for more info.

Toddlers and Children

Model Being Green- Your kids watch and learn so much from you.

Use reusable grocery bags

Turn of light and the TV. when not in use

Use dishtowels instead of paper towels

Use cloth napkins at meals (even in lunch boxes)

Use silverware

When you are finished with a glass of water…water the plants

Use reusable cups (Sigg/Kleen Kanteen) instead of juice boxes

Turn off the water when brushing your teeth

Turn on dishwashers, washing machines and dryers at night

Buy rain barrels to catch the rain from your gutters. If you attach it to a pump or if the barrel has a faucet attachment you can water your plants with the rain water.

Buy a grey water system that collects your sink water to flush the toilet

Make up eco-friendly games or play Ekkoworld on Pbskids.org

Recycle- Mark your recycle bins have your children but items in the correct bins.

Recycle your recycling- my son likes to make boats, cars, and planes with our recycling. He can spend hours cutting (with a lot of help from mom/dad) and assembling his inventions. I like it when he makes boats because then we test them out at bath time.

My husband collects bottles for my older son to take to the recycling center so he can get nickels for his bank.

Go to the library- I use to buy movies for my son but then I realize when I bought movies he would watch them once and then never watch them again. If you go to the library and get movies you are saving money and plastic and your children learn to share. Some times their favorite movies are there sometimes they're not. Not to mention I don't think there was ever a time I didn't walk out of the library carrying books so you are promoting reading.


Walk or Bike- This was a hard one to start up again when I had my second child but every little bit helps. We live on the top of a huge hill but we still manage to walk to the library once a week. It is excellent exercise for me and I know my children enjoy it. Being in natures makes it very easy to appreciate nature. This is something that takes a little while to start and stick too. You as the adult are doing all the physical work so the first few times can be exhausting. But if you stick to it you will see how enjoyable exercise and being outside is to your children. I know many of us live near a coffee shop, a pharmacy, a post office or a park.