Search Results for: blog how to make your home more earth friendly

What to do with that dry, dry garden

So it’s been hot. Maybe it’s been really, really hot where you are. Perhaps you’re in the south, in which case it could be hot soon. What’s a gardener to do? If you’re searching for the places where drought and gardening come together, here are a few ideas to help you shape your future garden. 1. Think about what you want from your garden. Do you want a play space for the children? Would you like to sit outside in the shade and read a book? Are you looking for a paradise for pollinators and birds? Would you like to … Continue reading →

Cleaner, Greener Houses

April is Earth month and all though we all know the things we can do in our home to get rid of toxins and make it more Earth friendly, sometimes we need a reminder. Here is your reminder. You’re welcome. *Dust with a damp cloth to make sure the toxins in the dust in your home don’t just get redeposited in the air. *Open your windows occasionally, even in the winter, to allow fresh air in and stale polluted air out. *Buy organic food for your family. It is grown without pesticides or fertilizers and meat contains no drugs or … Continue reading →

Put Some Green In Your Spring

I’m attempting a greener spring, and not just outside but inside as well. When I think about how many chemicals my family is exposed to, inside the house, it makes me a little sick. I try to do the right thing and have as little impact on the is planet as I can but, let’s face it, we are all used to our modern conveniences. I’m typing this on a computer made up of lots of plastic and metal, connected to electricity and a modem, in a warm, well lighted house. All of those things come together for one little … Continue reading →

Cleaning after Illness Has Hit Your Home

Although it is the last thing on earth we like to think about when we have just come out of a bout of sickness, cleaning is important. I have been on a cleaning rampage since the stomach flu hit my family big time. It’s important to clean however, because there may be bacteria and germs left over. The last thing I want is to recover, only to get sick again. Although there are lots of areas to clean after your family has been sick, I am going to focus on a couple of them. First, wash all of your bedding. … Continue reading →

Know Your Seeds!

In the winter, the garden becomes quiet. Everything nestles under the snow: a layer of leaves, sleepy bugs, and soil. But the gardeners are still busy. Inside their houses, they pore over seed catalogues, searching for the perfect tomato as the winter grows colder. By spring, they will have made their selections and ordered their seeds. It seems so simple, this winter ritual of choosing what will grow in the garden next spring, summer, and fall. How can you choose wholesome seeds that will grow into hearty plants that work with your local environment? This week, I’ll explore your seed … Continue reading →

How to Make Your Home More Earth Friendly

There are simple things that you can do in your home to make it more Earth friendly. Make a few changes or a complete overhaul. Either way, you will be making an impact that can affect future generations. Speaking of future generations, a lot of these ideas are great for kids. Assign children appropriate earth-friendly tasks around your home. Not only will they learn a great lesson about being environmentally responsible, but they will also get a kick out of being in charge. Purchase and place reusable shopping bags in the front hall closet, so you can grab them on … Continue reading →

Outdoor Christmas Trees

You may or may not know that I have a slight problem. Hello, my name is Carol and I’m addicted to Christmas decorations. Every year I need something new! Just one more thing will make the display perfect. For a while now I’ve been drooling over those little spiral lighted trees for the front yard. I just have a tiny little front yard and while a blow up Santa would be overkill those little trees would be perfect. The only thing I didn’t like about them was their price. Then it hit me, I can make my own! I came … Continue reading →

Do You Live in a Cruddy City for Children?

What makes a city ideal for raising kids? If you are the editors of Parenting magazine, then you base your decision on great schools, affordable living, low crime rates, decent air quality, an abundance of pediatricians, ample job opportunities, kid-friendly restaurants and outstanding green spaces. Oh, and free museums. The popular periodical culled more than 8,000 bits of info and placed them into 84 categories to come up with its 2011 list of best cities to raise children. The annual list features 100 of the most family-friendly cities in the United States. Only this year your hometown may not have … Continue reading →

Real Life Science (and Nutrition): Sharing Farm-Fresh Veggies With Kids

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We love vegetables that come in boxes in the summer time and the fall. We love them because we love to visit the farm that they come from, because we know the farmer, and because they vegetables are local, fresh, and good for us. However, we also love them because they hold a lot of useful lessons for our family. Getting farm fresh vegetables helps your children understand the seasons. Around here, there are very distinct growing and dormant seasons, yet we can get fresh strawberries and lettuce all year round. While this is useful for cooking, it doesn’t really … Continue reading →

The Effects of Off Gassing on Our Children

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When Maggie was born, I knew little about off gassing. I knew it existed, I knew it caused problems, but I wasn’t overly concerned. Then she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and protecting her lungs became our number one priority. That is when my husband and I began to pay much closer attention to the products in our home. We rid our house of chemical cleaners and bleach and we keep the windows open as often as possible. We also used no VOC paints and run air purifiers throughout our home. Off gassing has become a serious threat to our … Continue reading →