Green Tip – Reduce Exposure to Toxic Flame Retardants {Giveaway}

May 15, 2012 in Environment, Giveaway, WDAY Green Tip by Wendy Gabriel | No comments

EDITOR’S NOTE: EACH TUESDAY MY GREEN SIDE BRINGS SIMPLE TIPS FOR GREEN LIVING TO THE CHRISTOPHER GABRIEL PROGRAM. WE ALSO HIGHLIGHT A FAVORITE GREEN SITE EACH WEEK. YOU CAN STREAM THE SEGMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 1220PM (CENTRAL) EVERY TUESDAY AT WDAY.COM OR, IF YOU’RE IN NORTH DAKOTA OR WESTERN MINNESOTA, LISTEN ON YOUR RADIO AT AM970 WDAY.

GREEN TIP: Avoid toxic flame retardants whenever possible. Choose products made from less flammable natural materials or made by manufacturers who use safer alternatives.

Chemical flame retardants have become very common in consumer products. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), some of the most toxic are brominated fire retardants (BFRs), which include chemicals known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

Our nation’s chemical laws don’t adequately protect us from the harmful effects of flame retardants and these chemicals are commonly found in our homes and offices.

Scientists have found that exposure to even small amounts of toxic fire retardants such as PBDEs at critical points in development can damage reproductive systems and cause deficits in motor skills, learning, memory and hearing, as well as changes in behavior. And, according to Rodale News, research on PBDEs suggest the chemicals interfere with thyroid hormones and they can affect neurological development.

Read EWG’s report on PBDEs in mothers and their toddlers to learn more about children’s exposures.

Until all PBDEs are banned from consumer products (including imports) and fire safety regulations are revised to promote safer solutions, American families – especially our children – will continue to be needlessly exposed to harmful chemicals.

PBDEs are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products (like couches and upholstered chairs, mattresses and pads, futons, pillows, children’s car seats and carpet padding, among many others), but are also in hundreds of other everyday products, including electronics equipment (like TVs, remotes, and cell phones), lighting, wiring, building materials, textiles, furniture and industrial paints.

One way you can reduce you family’s exposure  is to avoid toxic flame retardants whenever possible. Choose products made from materials that are naturally fire resistant or made by manufacturers who use safer alternatives. Click here to download the EWG’s PDF guide to PBDEs.

Some parents are concerned that their children will be exposed to chemicals while wearing fire-retardant pajamas. Pajamas are not treated with PBDEs, though synthetic fabrics are often made with a chemical additive to make them fire resistant. Chemicals used in sleepwear labeled “fire resistant” will remain in the fabric for at least 50 washes. To avoid any chemicals in sleepwear and reduce the risk of igniting sleepwear, EWG suggests you choose natural fibers that are inherently fire resistant and snug-fitting. And, of course, keep kids away from matches, candles and cigarettes. Source: Environmental Working Group

 Benefits of Wool:

  • Wool is a breathable natural material.
  • Wool can be produced sustainably.
  • Wool is hypoallergenic.
  • Wool will not harbor dust mites. Dust mites don’t like wool!
  • Wool resists bacteria.
  • Wool is fire resistant.
  • Wool is cool in the summer yet warm in the winter.
  • Unlike down bedding which uses plucked down feathers, a sheep grows a coat of wool annually and is not harmed during the shearing process. More information about down bedding production.
  • Wool surpasses synthetic fill in terms of quality, durability, breathability, sustainability, and the embodied energy and chemicals needed to produce synthetic fill.
  • Unlike down bedding which shifts over time (ie. bare spots in a comforter), wool stays in place.
  • With proper care your woolen bedding can last for decades.
  • Wool can be composted and recycled at the end of it’s lifecycle.

 

This week instead of giving you a web pick of the week, My Green Side will be giving one lucky listener an awesome wool pillow from Holy Lamb Organics. See the details at Holy Lamb Organics Giveaway.

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Holy Lamb Organics Giveaway

May 14, 2012 in Giveaway, Green Buying by Wendy Gabriel | 1 comment

I have fallen in love with a company. This goes beyond a fleeting crush. I’m impressed with everything they do, everything they sell and the thoughtful way they approach reducing their waste… which, by the way, they’ve reduced their waste to nothing. Zero Waste. I even love their name, Holy Lamb Organics. It’s congers up the image of springtime and baby lambs.

I wrote about them at 1800Recycling.com and the owner of the company, Willow Whitton, took the time to write a comment which, of course, made my day.

Let me count the ways:

  • Holy Lamb Organics only uses only organic cotton fabrics and Premium Eco-Wool from local sources. Conventionally grown cotton is dosed with pesticides and probably started as a genetically modified seed.
  • As I mentioned, they are a zero waste company and either reuse or recycle all of their production by-products. Check out their ReKindle Program, http://holylamborganics.com/rekindle.html.

Holy Lamb Organics has donated a wool pillow to a one lucky listener to my segment on The Christopher Gabriel Program.

They hand make these wool pillows using their Premium Eco-Wool batting and cover it with organic cotton Sateen fabric. Pillows made with wool batting are smooth, soft and are available in 3 different thicknesses to suite your comfort: Light Fill, Regular Fill & Extra Thick. These varying thicknesses come in standard size only. They also make a queen or king size pillow in Regular Fill. Please know that your wool pillow will be very fluffy upon arrival, but will settle over time with the weight and heat of your head. This will not change the support and comfort this pillow provides. Expect about 30% compression. For children, they recommend the Light Fill. The regular fill is their most popular thickness.

  • Premium Eco-Wool batting
  • Organic cotton fabric cover
  • Machine washable gentle with special instructions
  • Hand made in Oakville, WA by Holy Lamb Organics

Here’s how one lucky listener will become the owner of an incredible Holy Lamb Organics wool pillow:

  • Listen to Simple Tips for Green Living on The Christopher Gabriel ProgramTuesday, May 15th 2012 at around 1220pm (central). Listen live in North Dakota and western Minnesota on AM 970 WDAY. OR stream the program on your computer anywhere in the world at http://www.wday.com/pages/AM970Radio.
  • Call the studio line at 701-293-9000 or 1-888-970-WDAY (9329) when a caller number is announced.

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First Ever Fargo Junk Market

May 10, 2012 in Family, Green Buying by Wendy Gabriel | No comments

I’m so excited about an upcoming event in the Fargo Moorhead area on Saturday, May 12th 2012. Eco Chic, one of my favorite places in Fargo, is hosting a Junk Market. Here’s all the relevant information:

Worshops:

Creating a Fairy Garden

Time: 11:00 am to 11:45

Baker Garden and Gift will teach you how to create a miniature fairy garden complete with structures and actual living plants. It is designed to lure fairies and with them, good luck, to your home.

Recovering Cushions

Time: 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm

Recovering cushions is an easy way to bring new life to vintage chairs! Christy from C.Lee Designs will demonstrate how to easily reupholster a seat cushion.

Plant Your Funky Junk

Time: 2:00 am to 2:45

Baker Garden and Gift will show you how to recycle your junk into fun and funky garden planters!

All Workshops are Free and will be held inside Eco Chic Boutique.

Notes:

Parking: Don’t worry about finding a spot to park. They are only using part of the lot. You can also park on the side streets south of the event and also to the west. The weather promisies to be beautiful.

Strong Men: They will have plenty of help for you to load those fabulous re-purposed furniture pieces into your car (or trailer).

Food & Drink: Cracked Pepper and Love in the Oven Bakery will have plenty of food items for you to purchase should you get hungry while shopping. Cracked Pepper will open before 9am so you can grab something to eat before you begin shopping.

Come Inside: Eco Chic will have furniture inside and outside so don’t forget to stop inside the store and check out even more furniture and eco-friendly goods.

Doors Open at 9am: Yes the event will be outside but shopping won’t commence until 9am. The entrance for the event will be located on the west side of the lot. Come get a place in line and their little (and big) helpers will be feeding you donuts and coffee while you wait.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/beingecochic.

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Green Tip – Healthy Lawns and Healthy Families

May 9, 2012 in Environment, WDAY Green Tip by Wendy Gabriel | No comments

EDITOR’S NOTE: EACH TUESDAY MY GREEN SIDE BRINGS SIMPLE TIPS FOR GREEN LIVING TO THE CHRISTOPHER GABRIEL PROGRAM. WE ALSO HIGHLIGHT A FAVORITE GREEN SITE EACH WEEK. YOU CAN STREAM THE SEGMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 1220PM (CENTRAL) EVERY TUESDAY AT WDAY.COM OR, IF YOU’RE IN NORTH DAKOTA OR WESTERN MINNESOTA, LISTEN ON YOUR RADIO AT AM970 WDAY.

GREEN TIP: Create a healthy lawn without using toxic pesticides.

Of 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, 19 are linked with cancer or carcinogencity, 13 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 26 with liver or kidney damage, 15 with neurotoxicity, and 11 with disruption of the endocrine (hormonal) system.

Of those same 30 lawn pesticides, 17 are detected in groundwater, 23 have the ability to leach into drinking water sources, 24 are toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms vital to our ecosystem, 11 are toxic to bees, and 16 are toxic to birds.

Non-toxic weed control does not begin with finding a safe herbicide to use on your lawn. The quick-fix that chemicals offer does not address the fact that weeds are a symptom of the overall condition of your lawn, and are not just an isolated problem. For example, is your lawn being cut high (2-4 inches) and often? Is there proper drainage and aeration in your lawn? If not, your lawn may not be as healthy as it could be, and the opportunistic weeds are gaining a foothold in your yard. This overall perspective is one of the principles behind an integrated pest management (IPM) program, the concept upon which all non-chemical pest control methods are based. Source: Beyond Pesticides

The National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns has some easy tips you can use to create a healthy lawn.

  • Bad mowing practices can cause many lawn problems so make sure your mower blades are sharp and keep your grass height at 3 to 3 1/2 inches. A good rule is to cut no more than one-third of the grass height at any one mowing (see Grasscycling below).
  • Some weeds are the result of using poor quality grass seed. Make sure you use the proper grass seed for your region.
  • And remember many “weeds” have beneficial qualities. For example, clover takes nitrogen from the atmosphere and distributes it to the grass, which helps it grow. Clover roots are also extensive and very drought-resistant, providing resources to soil organisms. It also stays green long after your lawn goes naturally dormant.

Grasscycling is another great way to achieve a healthy lawn. Grasscycling is recycling grass clippings by leaving them on your lawn instead of collecting them for disposal. Grasscycling is a practice that can help produce a healthy lawn while at the same time benefit you, your community and the environment.

To grasscycle properly:

  • Cut your grass when it’s dry.
  • Cut your grass regularly. A good rule is to cut no more than one-third of the grass height at any one mowing. Cutting off more than one-third at a time can stop roots from growing and require frequent watering during dry summers to keep the grass alive. In addition, the one-third rule produces smaller clippings that disappear quickly by filtering down to the soil surface.
  • Cut your grass with a sharp blade. Sharp blades cut the grass cleanly and that helps ensure rapid healing and regrowth. Dull blades tear and bruise the grass. The wounded grass becomes weakened and is less able to prevent invading weeds and recover from disease.

Grasscycling improves lawn quality when grass clippings are allowed to decay naturally on the lawn.

  • They are returning nitrogen and nutrients to your soil.
  • They act as a water-saving mulch, since the clippings are 80 to 85 percent water.
  • They encourage natural soil aeration by earthworms.
  • Mowing time is reduced because there’s no need to bag clippings.

If you have weeds growing where you don’t want them (say, if they are peaking out from your mulch) pour vinegar, lemon juice or boiling water on them. Make sure the liquid only goes where you don’t want vegetation of any kind because it does not discriminate; it kills everything.

Incidentally, boiling water also took care of a ground bee situation we had. I waited until after dark, when the bees were back in their nest, and poured the biggest pot of boiling water I could carry on them and then ran for my life. I repeated the process the next evening . . . just in case. Problem solved without calling an exterminator.

My Green Side’s web pick of the week:

Beyond Pesticides

Beyond Pesticides is a wonderful source of information and tips for creating a healthy, pesticide-free lawn. Formerly National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, Beyond Pesticides works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides.

The site is full of wonderful article, for example: Read Your “Weeds” – A Simple Guide To Creating A Healthy Lawn and Least-toxic Control of Weeds

 

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Green Tip – Water Conservation

May 1, 2012 in Environment, Water Conservation, WDAY Green Tip by Wendy Gabriel | No comments

EDITOR’S NOTE: EACH TUESDAY MY GREEN SIDE BRINGS SIMPLE TIPS FOR GREEN LIVING TO THE CHRISTOPHER GABRIEL PROGRAM. WE ALSO HIGHLIGHT A FAVORITE GREEN SITE EACH WEEK. YOU CAN STREAM THE SEGMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 1220PM (CENTRAL) EVERY TUESDAY AT WDAY.COM OR, IF YOU’RE IN NORTH DAKOTA OR WESTERN MINNESOTA, LISTEN ON YOUR RADIO AT AM970 WDAY.

GREEN TIP: When you use water wisely you help the environment, save energy and save money.

We need water for a variety of everyday needs from growing food, providing power to drinking. Water is essential to life on earth.

We are using up our planet’s fresh water faster than it can naturally be replenished so we all need to use our water wisely.

To find out more about what is happening to our water today, watch the documentary Blue Gold: World Water Wars. The films trailer alone will get you thinking. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikb4WG8UJRw&feature=channel.

From Quest:

Blue Gold touches on how this cycle is getting interrupted. For example, in cities ground water cannot seep into the ground through the concrete to create aquifers. So most of the run off goes directly back to the ocean. Thus most cities must cart fresh water from far away; water is most often pulled out of aquifers, which creates a desertification of once fertile land. Without the ground water, soils dry out and cannot sustain the fertility of the plants and trees creating a dessert environment. Streams and rivers in a natural cycle will push sediment and nourishment into the land surrounding them. Much like blood is a super highway in our bodies, streams and rivers act like the vein and arteries of the Earth. Huge dams used to harness power and provide drinking water have dried up these rivers and the subsequent land around them.

With the interruption of this cycle scarcity has emerged. One of the biggest culprits of this scarcity is treating water like a commodity rather than a natural resource. Today, this has been seen prominently in third world countries where agricultural goods and water are being exported. In Bolivia, a civil war broke out because a private company owned the water, including rainwater. People could not pay for the water needed to survive and fought back. More about the conflict is outlined in the following article. By using water as a commodity, we are using up the fresh water the planet provides faster than it can replenish it. Source: Do We Have Enough Fresh Water?

Here are some Simple Tips for conserving water:

  • Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth.
  • Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. And water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
  • Do not buy or drink bottled water. The water is being taken from aquifers, lakes and streams. By doing so, that water cannot be replenished back into the natural water cycle.
  • On average, 10 gallons of water per day (or 14% of your indoor use) is lost to leaks. Short of installing new water-efficient fixtures, one of the easiest, most effective ways to cut your water waste is to repair leaky faucets and toilets.
  • Don’t water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
  • Nearly 22% of indoor home water use comes from doing laundry. Save water by making sure to adjust the settings on your machine to the proper load size.
  • Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
  • Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
  • Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
  • Use a water-efficient showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
  • That quarter pounder is worth more than 30 average American showers. One of the easiest ways to use less water is to eat less meat and dairy. Another way is to choose grass-fed, rather than grain-fed, since it can take a lot of water to grow corn and other feed crops.
  • When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your plants, trees or shrubs.
  • Recycling a pound of paper, less than the weight of your average newspaper, saves about 3.5 gallons of water. Buying recycled paper products saves water too, as it takes about six gallons of water to produce a dollar worth of paper.
  • When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don’t throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.

Source: Water Use It Wisely and Water Conservation Tips from National Geographic

My Green Side’s web pick of the week:

The Water Project

The Water Project, Inc. is a non-profit organization working to provide access to clean water to people in developing nations who suffer needlessly without it. The Water Project, to date, has helped over 125,000 people improve their access to clean water and sanitation. They have funded or completed more than 250 projects.

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Green Tip – Organic on a Budget

April 24, 2012 in Organic, WDAY Green Tip by Wendy Gabriel | No comments

EDITOR’S NOTE: EACH TUESDAY MY GREEN SIDE BRINGS SIMPLE TIPS FOR GREEN LIVING TO THE CHRISTOPHER GABRIEL PROGRAM. WE ALSO HIGHLIGHT A FAVORITE GREEN SITE EACH WEEK. YOU CAN STREAM THE SEGMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 1220PM (CENTRAL) EVERY TUESDAY AT WDAY.COM OR, IF YOU’RE IN NORTH DAKOTA OR WESTERN MINNESOTA, LISTEN ON YOUR RADIO AT AM970 WDAY.

GREEN TIP: Eating organic produce, meat and dairy is healthier for your family and the environment (and it tastes better). Products with a USDA Organic label were grown and processed without toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.  

Here are some money saving tips to help you eat healthier and stay within your budget:

Comparison Shop. You may be able to find less-expensive alternatives at different stores. Many major chains are coming out with their own organic brands but make sure it’s certified organic. According to Mark Kastel, the senior farm policy analyst at The Cornucopia Institute, ”Major food processors have recognized the meteoric rise of the organic industry, and profit potential, and want to create what is in essence ‘organic light,’ taking advantage of the market cachet but not being willing to do the heavy lifting required to earn the valuable USDA organic seal”.

Products with a USDA Organic label were grown and processed without toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Certified organic production also prohibits sewage sludge, antibiotics, ionizing radiation, synthetic growth hormones and genetically modified organisms.

Grow One Thing. Unless you have a lot of land, you’re probably not going to feed your family only from your home-grown harvest, but you will find that growing a tomato plant can be incredibly inspiring. And it’s not as intimidating as it seems. So pick one thing to grow – you can do it.

Cook More. The more convenient the food is, the more expensive it is. For example, buying an organic frozen dinner may save you time in the same way a conventional frozen dinner would, but it costs quite a bit more than its non-organic counterpart and much more than a homemade meal. Buy organic items that are lower in price (such as produce), and make your own dishes from scratch.

Stock Up. Stock up on your favorite items when they go on sale. Or try something new that is on sale or is priced well, and you may find a new favorite.

Buy in Bulk. Buying in bulk will keep costs down. Look for many pantry staples often available in bulk, such as beans, legumes, rice, flour, nuts, chocolate chips and so on.

Organic Coupons. Keep an eye out in the Sunday paper and grocery circulars for coupons and, again, stock up to take best advantage of the savings. Organic bargains are everywhere so click on About.com’s Frugal Living page where you will find All Organic Links.

Shop in Season and Buy Local. Shop farm stands and farmers’ markets for the freshest produce and support local farmers at the same time. Purchasing in season produce from your grocer may also keep costs down. And you can also save money by becoming a member of a local farm by joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

In the Fargo/Moorhead and surrounding areas:

  • Red Goose Gardens is a CSA in Shelly, MN. They offer locally and sustainably grown produce to communities in the Red River Valley. By purchasing a share, you become a member and receive a weekly box of our fresh, hand harvested produce. Boxes are delivered to several drop sites in Fargo/ Moorhead, Grand Forks and surrounding communities. We encourage members to connect with farm and farmer. Members are welcome to visit and we host several farm events each season. Their goal is to nurture the soil, to grow flavorful and nutrient-rich vegetables, herbs and fruits that are healthy for our bodies and our environment. They believe that the best food is whole and fresh and they grow sustainably and organically – no chemical fertilizers, pesticides or GMOs .
  • Sydney’s Health Market boasts the areas only all organic farmer’s market. Available Fridays during the growing season. They have organic produce available in the store, delivered fresh every Tuesday and Friday for Fresh Market Friday. And, if you haven’t been there recently, they are expanding their store and their selections. Visit www.sydneyshealthmarket.com or call 218-233-3310 for more information.

Be Selective. Decide to only purchase organic milk and produce. See the Environmental Working Group’s “dirty dozen” for the most-contaminated produce and make your shopping list based on that information: EWG Shoppers Guide

Source: Organic.org and Healthy Child Healthy World

Upcoming event in the Fargo/Moorhead area:

Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society is having their 9th Annual Botanic Garden Spring Luncheon and Silent Auction.

When: May 5, 2012 (11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.)

Where: Holiday Inn, 3803 13th Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103

Their guest speaker will be entomologist Maurice Degrugillier Ph.D who will be giving a presentation on Butterflies in the Garden. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser and will entice many into creating their own butterfly gardens for years of enjoyment. Along with this presentation, there will be numerous silent auction items that will include many container gardens and other botanic-themed items. Place a bid throughout the event while enjoying an amazing lunch of chicken salad, desserts, and champagne and listening to music from the Borderline Strings. If you place the winning bid on your auction item, you will also take home a wonderful gift for yourself or a special friend. This is an elegant event for all to enjoy, so plan ahead and contact us with any questions you may have.

For more information about the event and tickets, visit http://www.npbotanicgarden.com/events.

My Green Side’s web pick of the week:

eat the seasons
eat the seasons aims to promote an understanding of food seasons. Each week they list the seasonal foods that are at their peak, and share enlightening facts, useful tips and enticing recipe ideas picked from the web and their favorite books.

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Prairie Roots Food Cooperative – Fargo

April 20, 2012 in Family, Food by Wendy Gabriel | No comments

“When the root is strong the fruit is sweet.” ~Bob Marley

Christopher and I became founding members of the Prairie Roots Food Cooperative this evening. After an event of information via emcee Dr. Gretchen Harvey and many other amazing people, entertainment from Sarah Morrau, drinks courtesy of the Fargo Beer Company and appetizers from the Green Market Kitchen, I was hooked. Of course, they had me at hello… when we moved to Fargo almost three years ago I was extremely disappointed that we didn’t have a food co-op in the area. Since that time finding healthy organic food for my family has become like a scavenger hunt. I find a few things here and a few things there. I’m unbelievably excited that a food co-op is so close to becoming a reality.

As local organic farmer, Mark Askegaard, succinctly put it: “Good food is not processed food”, and we need to “bring a sense of social justice back to our food system”.

Prairie Roots Food Cooperative is dedicated to building a healthy community by providing access to natural, organic and locally produced food and you can become a member-owner too. For more information, visit http://prairie-roots.coop and join me in making a difference in our community.

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Green Tip – Earth Day 2012

April 17, 2012 in Environment, WDAY Green Tip by Wendy Gabriel | No comments

Editor’s Note: Each Wednesday My Green Side brings Simple Tips for Green Living to The Christopher Gabriel Program. We also highlight a favorite green site each week. You can stream the segment at approximately 1220pm (central) every Tuesday at WDAY.com or, if you’re in North Dakota or western Minnesota, listen on your radio at AM970 WDAY.

GREEN TIP: April 22nd, Earth Day, is fast approaching. This year find new ways to celebrate Earth Day and include your new green habits all year long.

The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, brought together millions of people from all walks of life who were concerned about the environment and they wanted our government to pay attention. The idea was the inspiration of a Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson.

“Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures.”  ~Gaylord Nelson

For more on the origins of Earth Day, read “Earth Day: How It All Began.”

Some ways you could celebrate Earth Day this year:

  • Plant a tree in your yard. Make it a fun family activity for Earth Day. Not only will it look beautiful in your yard but planting trees help to lower greenhouse gas emissions and they provide a habitat for a variety of other plants and animals. Or plant two trees… National Arbor Day is April 27th.
  • Start composting. For more information, read Green Tip – Composting 101. Locally, the City of Fargo has a wonderful compost bin you can purchase at a reasonable cost. For more information call 701-241-1449.
  • Start recycling. Find out what you can recycle though your local recycling program. Here’s an excellent article about recycling and how to get started: Project Recycling by Amanda Peterson. To quote Amanda, “It’s all about being aware of what you consume and finding ways to minimize the waste left behind”.
  • Plant flowers at a local non-profit organization, school or church, remember to contact the organization before you start planting. Most are thrilled when someone offers to beautify their grounds.
  • Go on a nature hike. Nature hikes are a great way to appreciate the details of our beautiful earth. Pick a park or nearby trail or visit a new place every year on Earth Day.
  • Clean up litter around your neighborhood, at a local park or school. Litter detracts from the beauty of nature and can be dangerous to people and animals.
  • Cook a special Earth Day meal using whole, organic and non-processed foods. Invite friends and family over to share a healthy, home-cooked meal.
  • Attend an Earth Day event. Earth Day events are held across the nation, and are full of fun activities for both you and the kids. Pick a place close to you, events can be seen at www.earthday.org.

Local events in the Fargo Moorhead area:

Mindful Living Gathering on Thursday, April 19th from 6pm to 730pm. In honor of Earth Week, Carrie Brusven, a business and home eco-consultant in Fargo, and Laura Caroon, Frozen Music Studios Photography and Midwest Junk, will host a workshop design to teach you more about environmental health and toxins. The workshop will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Moorhead.

Prairie Roots Food Co-op is fast becoming a reality. The Board of Directors and Volunteers of Prairie Roots Food Cooperative are hosting a Founding Membership Drive on Friday, April 20th, 7:00 PM at the Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave SW, Moorhead, MN. There are only a few (FREE) tickets left so hurry over to http://prairie-roots-co-op.eventbrite.com/ and reserve one for yourself. This is your chance to learn more about the co-op, meet their Board of Directors and become a Founding Member of Prairie Roots Food Cooperative! They also have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/prairieroots/events. Prairie Roots will also be at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead on Saturday April 21 from 12 – 4. Stop by if you want to hear more or become a member.

F/M Food Not Lawns has their first official meeting on April 22, 2012 from 3pm to 5pm at the Red Raven Espresso Parlor in Fargo. Do not miss this opportunity to meet action oriented gardeners in our community, share ideas and knowledge and discuss possible future projects.

Here’s a wonderful video about the Food Not Lawns movement:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqcPM6k2b4g&feature=player_embedded

For more information, visit F/M Food Not Lawns at http://fmfoodnotlawns.blogspot.com.

Remember you don’t have to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, you can celebrate Earth Day each and every day of the year.

My Green Side’s web pick of the week:

Food Not Lawns

Food Not Lawns was founded in Eugene, Oregon in 1999 and today is a global community of gardeners working together to grow and share food, seeds and knowledge. Visit their site to discover how to participate.

 

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Green Tip – Cut Back On Screen Time

April 10, 2012 in Environment, WDAY Green Tip by Wendy Gabriel | No comments

Editor’s Note: Each Tuesday My Green Side brings Simple Tips for Green Living to The Christopher Gabriel Program. We also highlight a favorite green site each week. You can stream the segment at approximately 1220pm (central) every Tuesday at WDAY.com or, if you’re in North Dakota or western Minnesota, listen on your radio at AM970 WDAY.

GREEN TIP: Cut back on screen time. You’ll be setting a good example for your children and saving energy at the same time.

Screen time includes more than just TV, it’s also watching DVDs, playing video games, texting on your cell or spending time in front of a computer. Experts say that children should get at least 60 minutes of activity or more every day, so limiting screen time makes way for regular physical activity. All of us need to find the balance between screen time and getting enough physical activity so turn off the screens and expand your family’s energy, recharge their minds and improve their health.

Here are some great tips from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation:

  • Know how much screen time you and your children are getting, and then set limits for the entire family. You’ll be amazed how much extra time you “find” when you turn off the electronic devices.
  • Using screen time to reward or punish a child makes it seem more important than it is. Use praise, encouragement and recognition for physical activity, and make screen time a “non-event” in your home.
  • When watching TV at home, do jumping jacks, push ups or crunches during commercial breaks. Set up a stationary bike in the TV room, and encourage kids to move through their favorite shows.
  • Many kids list watching TV as their No. 1 after-school activity. Sometimes, they just need help coming up with other things to do. Have your kids make a “Top 10 List” of after-school activities. Just a few examples include riding bikes, shooting hoops, walking the dog, folding laundry or even helping with dinner. Post the list on the fridge so your kids can check it when they get home.
  • Turn off the TV during mealtime.
  • Take the TVs and computers out of your kids’ bedrooms. Children who have TVs in their rooms spend almost one and a half hours more each day watching them than their peers. Plus, if your kids are in their rooms watching TV, they’re removed from family time.
  • Use the TV to watch a video— whether it’s dancing, tae kwon do or yoga. Put on your sweatbands and have some family fitness time.

This year participate in Screen-Free Week. It’s an annual event in which parents, children, teachers and others across the country turn off screen media (TV, video games, computers, cell phones, etc.) and celebrate the magic of being unplugged.

SAVE THE DATE: April 30 – May 6, 2012

For more information, visit http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/.

Need some more encouragement? Read 5 Reasons You Should Participate in Screen Free Week at The Body Smart Blog and turn off those screens!

My Green Side’s web pick of the week:

Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works to address one of the nation’s leading public health threats—childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. Founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference in a child’s health: homes, schools, doctor’s offices, and communities.

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My Green Side on Facebook

April 9, 2012 in Green Living by Wendy Gabriel | No comments

Yep, it’s finally happened… My Green Side has crawled slowly into the 21st Century. Translation: My Green Side is now on Facebook. I’m hoping it’s a way to continue the dialog about all things sustainable and make the discussion more interactive. Also, an additional way to discover things that people would like to learn more about during the Simple Tips for Green Living segment on The Christopher Gabriel Program.

So please stop over to www.facebook.com/MyGreenSide and give a hello!

 

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