Image by Per Ola Wiberg / Creative Commons

I don’t know about where you live, but it has been getting pretty hot around here. Temperatures have been closing in on 100°F and I’d say it is about time for some eco-friendly summer tips. Last year I covered this topic as well, and I figured it would be worth repeating, especially for those of you who missed out. So in honor of the “greenie” in all of us, here are my eco-friendly summer tips that are worth repeating:

1. Let in some light. Why waste electricity in your house or workplace, when all you need to do is open the blinds and you’ve got light.

2. Get a few living air purifiers aka indoor plants. They will liven up your home as well as help fight indoor air pollution, which is often worse than most of us realize.

3. Plant some native plants. There are many reasons why you should do this, but here are a few good reasons to plant native species in your garden. Of course, one of the best reasons is that you won’t waste so much water.

4. Start your own backyard (or front yard) garden and grow some fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re organic and they taste better. Here are a few ideas for vegetables to plant in July.

5. Find out when your local Farmers’ Market is being held and go there to get some in-season, local produce.

Image by Andy Fell

6. Eat at home. Get away from processed foods and start making more meals at home. It’s cheaper and better for you too.

7. Remember to practice healthy summer grilling tips. And even though it isn’t grilled, I wanted to share my new favorite recipe, Anita’s Lime Avocado Quinoa Salad, and yes, this tasty recipe is perfect for summer picnics and parties.

8. If you need to do any driving, slow down a little. Not only will it help with your fuel consumption but it will help you enjoy your drive time. A proven fuel additive wouldn’t hurt either…hint, hint.

9. Quit idling. Just turn off the car. Turn it back on when you are ready to go again. It’s that simple and it saves gas and harmful emissions. (The new Malibu Eco has a cool feature that switches off the gas-guzzling engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and lets it idle on a lithium-oin battery.)

10. If you can walk or ride your bike instead, then do so. Many people don’t consider this as a viable option, but just think how much you used to walk around when you were younger. Those feet were made for walking.

Image by one2c900d

11. If you need to go somewhere a little further away, check public transportation options. Riding the bus or taking the train are smart ways to get around during the summer.

12. Make the simple change so you do all your energy-heavy chores off peak hours. Do your laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cooking, etc. at night. Doing so will cut your energy bill and help prevent your home from heating up unnecessarily during the day.

13. Skip the dryer and hang your clothes out to dry. If you have the space to do so, might as well take advantage of it.

14. Plan a staycation. Maybe you don’t have time to go on a full-blown vacation. Maybe you’d rather stay closer to home. Either way, here are 25 great ideas you can incorporate into your staycation plans.

15. If you are planning on going camping this summer, be sure you learn how to have a “leave no trace” camping trip. Some simple basics can help ensure others will be able to experience the beauty of your camping spot just as you did.

16. Is the thought of going somewhere to camp during the summer months a little too daunting? Set up camp in the backyard. Especially if you have kids, this is a great idea for a smart, eco-friendly activity the entire family will enjoy.

Image by zet

17. Have a potluck get-together. Invite family and friends over for a picnic or backyard party. Ask them each to bring a specific food item (in a reusable container) along with their own dinnerware, cups, etc. This way you’ll have a great mix of foods and drinks. Plus, there will be very little clean up or waste afterward. Check out these green picnic tips.

18. Remember the sunscreen. But not just any sunscreen, you need to choose a non-toxic sunscreen so you aren’t polluting your skin or the environment.

19. Drink, but don’t waste water. Your body needs water to stay healthy and hydrated. So you need to drink water. Don’t waste it though. Any “leftover water” can be used to water plants, give to your pets, etc. Just be aware of what you are doing and you will probably save quite a bit.

20. Unplug. Even if you missed this challenge on the 4th of July, it doesn’t mean you too can’t make a personal commitment to unplug more and reconnect with family and friends. Declare your independence from technology.

Image by Ben

21. Since you are going to unplug, get outside! That’s right, I saved this one for last, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t important. It’s key not only for your health, but your peace of mind to get outside, breathe in some fresh air and enjoy nature a little bit. Go for a hike, a walk, a bike ride, relax in the pool, sit on the porch…whatever you do, just get outside for a bit every day.

There you have it. 25 simple eco-friendly tips to help you get through the summer. If you have any personal favorites, let me know. I’d be happy to hear what eco-friendly things you’ve got planned for the summer. Have a great one and as I always say, have a biofriendly day!

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Well, the weekend is here and after a long week, I figured it was time to catch everyone up on some of the weekly green news I’ve seen, heard and read about this week. I know many of you keep up-to-date on the latest and greatest in environmental and green news, but here are a few you may not have checked out. Either way, take a gander at this week’s green news:

1) German Government to Oppose Fracking: In what some consider a bold move, Germany has stated they are pulling the plug on plans that were intent on using hydraulic fracturing aka “fracking” to extract natural gas.

2) For all you environmentally-friendly chocolate lovers out there, you’ll be happy to know that the UK’s only carbon-neutral chocolate is transported by sailing ship. That’s definitely one way to travel. Now if they could just get the price down…

3) Only 1 in 10 Americans is a Global Warming Denier: How do you feel about global warming? Do you believe it? Are you moderately concerned? Are you not quiet convinced? Well, according to a recent report only 10% of Americans are convinced there is no such thing as global warming and that what we, as humans, do have no impact on global temps whatsoever.

4) Speaking of global warming, or actually climate change, how about taking a 3-minute journey through the last 250 years of our climate history…

5) Have you been pondering the idea of getting an electric vehicle? With PG&E’s new EV proposal laying groundwork for $1-per-gallon fuel, now might be the right time to seriously consider it. Of course, we’re talking the equivalent of $1 a gallon, but you get the point.

6) Plastic trash altering ocean habitats: There is no lack of information on the importance of recycling, cutting down on the use of plastic materials and working hard to see that trash does not end up in the ocean. Unfortunately we are now seeing “a 100-fold upsurge in human-produced plastic garbage in the ocean is altering habitats in the marine environment”. So much so that damage to the world’s oceans may cost trillions.

7) World’s rarest (and one of the most endangered) gorillas caught on film in Cameroon. It’s nice to hear stories about the life and survival of species that we rarely see or even know still exist. What’s even better is getting a glimpse of them in their natural habitat…watch the video and you’ll see what I mean.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to green news for the week, but hopefully it will help to either peak your interest to find out more or at least put a little green in your life. Hope you have a wonderful and biofriendly weekend ahead. Don’t forget to get outdoors and check out some of that green that nature so aptly provides.

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April is National Stress Awareness Month. It is a time when people from all walks of life can learn about how stress impacts not only their day to day lives, but their health, their sanity and their overall well-being. In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, I wanted to share a few environmentally-friendly ways to help you lower your stress levels and live a happier and healthier life.

1) Get outdoors every day. Whether you spend 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or more outdoors, getting fresh air and sunlight is good for you. Indoor air pollution is a real problem and with people working so many hours indoors these days, getting outside for a dose of fresh air is essential. Besides, sunlight gives you a little natural vitamin D, helps to lighten your spirits and improve your mood.

Image by Salil Wadhavkar / Creative Commons

In addition, when a person feels the stress of work, family, bills, etc. piling up, getting outdoors can help clear the mind and allow you to get your attention off your problems. Some people even find that getting outdoors, talking a walk or getting some fresh air helps to clear their mind and allow them to tackle obstacles better.

If you have kids, letting them regularly explore the great outdoors is a no-brainer. Studies have found that kids who spend time outside are less stressed, happier, healthier, and smarter. Don’t you want that for you and your kids?

2) Add some plants to your office and/or home. As I mentioned above, indoor air pollution is a real problem. People don’t realize how toxic the air in both their home and their office can become.

Image by Moose Mama / Creative Commons

Thankfully, there are plants that can help remove those toxins from the environment and clean out the air. Here are some of the top plants to reduce stress, cut toxins and help you live a little greener.

3) Plant a garden and grow some of your own food. Not only is growing your own food a way to eat healthier by ensuring the vegetables you are putting in your body are natural, organic and free of toxins, but it is a great way to lower your stress level too. Spending time tending to your garden can help relax you, allow you to get your hands dirty and truly create something wonderful (and tasty).

Image by Manjith Kainickara / Creative Commons

Many cities now have seed libraries where you can “borrow” seeds and then either return seeds from your own flourishing garden or offer some of “fruits” of your labor at a local Farmers’ Market and such. Seed libraries are cropping up everywhere. Check your local area and find out if you have one near you.

Well those are three very simple and truly environmentally-friendly ways to de-stress in honor of National Stress Awareness Month.  Of course there are numerous other ways you can lower your stress levels on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis, but I figured these three would give you a good start. So why not get going now. Let’s begin with taking a deep breath, getting up from your chair, going for a walk and taking a look at the wonderful world all around you. See you outside!

Image by Joe McCarthy / Creative Commons

St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays where it doesn’t really seem to matter whether you are of true Irish decent or not. People from all across the globe love to join in the celebration when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day. Of course there are people who have their Irish traditions, handed down from generation to generation, while there are others who are fully content to go hopping from bar to bar in search of the greenest beer in town.

In order to give you a little head start on your holiday plans, and to instill a bit of the Irish spirit in you, here are a few green St. Patrick’s Day traditions:

1) Drinking green beer. Although Guinness beers are not commonly dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day, mostly because their dark color doesn’t allow the green dye to show through, Guinness does have a fairly “green” beer in that their Guinness Extra Stout – North America is vegan-friendly. That makes it a nice addition to one of your St. Patrick’s Day meals.

Image by Lynn Fennell / Creative Commons

2) Planting shamrocks. One of the more traditional symbols of St. Patrick’s Day is the shamrock. Legend has it that St. Patrick used to use the shamrock, also known as a clover, in illustrating The Holy Trinity. Today the Irish, and many others around the world, consider the shamrock (especially the four-leaf clover version) to be a symbol of good luck.

3) Eating your greens. Bacon (nowadays corned beef) and cabbage is a tasty Irish meal that is often served on St. Patrick’s Day. If you haven’t eaten it yourself, I’m sure you know of someone who has has eaten it. For those meat-lovers, it is a great way to combine meats with your greens and have a relatively well-balanced meal. For those of you who would rather have a vegetarian or vegan option, here are 10 Vegetarian and Vegan Dishes for St. Patrick’s Day.

4) Last but definitely NOT least, getting outdoors. People love an excuse to celebrate and if you’re going to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, regardless of whether or not you are Irish, what better place to do it than outdoors? The backyard, a local park, the beach, a campground, or another outdoor destination of your choice.

Image by Nina Matthews / Creative Commons

Whatever you decide to do, I hope your day is filled with green from morning to night. Here’s to a happy and truly green St. Patrick’s Day!

March 11th is the day. Time to turn those clocks forward an hour and spring into Daylight Savings Time. Now, in my book, there are pros and cons to people having to move their clocks forward an hour. In all honesty, I think the pros outweigh the cons, but to each his own.

Image by Sarah / Creative Commons

Here are few tips I thought I’d share for those of you who are looking for some eco-friendly ways to take advantage of Daylight Savings Time:

1. Go for a walk. It’s going to be lighter much later into the evening now, so rather than spending that time cooped up indoors, get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.

2. Get into the garden. Whether you have an outdoor or indoor (small kitchen-type) garden, you might as well get in the Spring spirit and do a little gardening. If you need advice on how to get started, check out my friend Mike’s site: Urban Organic Gardener.

3. Have dinner outside. Why sit inside, when you can enjoy a nice evening meal on the patio, deck, backyard or if you’re feeling a little more adventurous…head out to a local park. The sun, fresh air and new setting will do you good.

For those of you who are still feeling the chills of Winter, try opening your windows for a bit and at least getting some fresh, clean, crisp air into your home. Nobody likes eating in a stuffy room. Besides, you’ll probably find the sunlight will not only brighten the room but lift your spirits as well.

4. Remember that you can save energy by adjusting anything you have set on a timer; lights, thermostat, etc. With the sun being up later into the evening, automatic lights, heaters, fans and more will all turn on before they are actually needed. Also, in most cases you’ll find that you will need your lights on a lot less. Adjust your timers and let Mother Nature cover it for you. Who knows, the money you save may come in handy.

5. Do some pre-Spring cleaning. I know this one is not necessarily on the top of your list, but Spring is coming and you know as well as I do that some cleaning is probably in order. Why not get a little head start? I’ve got 10 eco-friendly Spring cleaning tips that can help you out.

Image by Denise Mattox / Creative Commons

There are many different tips, household chores, and fun activities you can plan in order to take advantage of Daylight Savings Time. The above are 5 simple ones I thought might help you get through at least the next week or so. Oh…and don’t forget to move your clocks forward!

Image by Ben / Creative Commons

People are constantly talking about “going green” or being more environmentally-friendly, but what does that really mean? Does it mean you have to change the entire way you live your life? Should you get rid of everything from your cleaning supplies to your car in order to lessen your environmental footprint? Well, in actuality no, you don’t need to do that.

People shy away from adding “green” actions into their daily lives for a variety of reasons. Some think it takes too much time, others think it will cost more money, and other people believe there is no real reason to change because what they do doesn’t really matter. The thing is, what you do does matter. Even the little things add up quickly. And no…before you start grumbling, you don’t need to move mountains or go to some crazy extreme in order to make a change.

Start with implementing these 7 ways to green your everyday routine, and then go from there. How far you go is your decision. What kind of an impact you want to make is up to you.

1. Waste not, want not. Buying in bulk may work for some families, but it doesn’t work for everyone. How many times have you purchased food at the store to only have it later go bad in your fridge leaving you with “nothing” left to eat? Or you make a large meal and end up tossing part of it because your eyes are bigger than your stomach.

An easy way to prevent this is to plan ahead. Plan your meals, work out your recipes and buy only what you need. Europe is taking a stand on food waste. In fact, Parliament recently called upon the European Commission to take measures in order to cut food waste in half by the year 2025.

2. If you can’t buy eco, at least buy well-made. Not everyone wants to buy eco or organic, even if they do they may not be able to afford buying the “green” items they need. In cases like that it is best to buy well-made. Buy items that will last for years and years to come, not disposable items that have to constantly be replaced.

Image by Joshua Hoffman / Creative Commons

3. Toss your work waste out the window. Not literally, of course. What I mean is while you are at work, take a look at some of your daily routines. Becoming aware of what you do day to day will allow you to see what wasteful actions you can remove from your routine. Do you print documents only to then toss them because you no longer need them? Do you buy bottled water rather than filling up your cup or mug at the water cooler? Do you leave your computer on at night? Do you turn off the lights when leaving a room? All of these things add up.

4. Walk away from your problems. Now this I mean literally. If you are feeling down, maybe a little blue or your having trouble resolving an issue at work or home, go for a walk. Going for a walk can help you clear your mind, allow you to get some time outdoors, add a little exercise into your day, and to top if off, you may just find yourself relaxed enough to be able to resolve those issues.

5. Cut down on water waste. Admit it, wasting water is something most of us do without even thinking about it. You turn on the water to brush your teeth, wash a dish, water the plants, etc. and all of a sudden you notice the faucet has been running a lot longer than it really needed to be.

The easiest way to cut down on water waste is to be aware of your actions. Turn on the water, use what you need, turn it off. Don’t run the dishwasher or washing machine half-full. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. Take shorter showers. Don’t leave your sprinklers running on rainy days. A bonus for cutting down on water waste is you’ll probably notice a drop in your water bill too.

Image by Diego Torres Silvestre / Creative Commons

6. Fresh air is your friend. Many people spend the majority of their day indoors. Indoor air pollution is a big problem. You may not know how it affects you, but indoor air pollution is often worse than outdoor air pollution. One of the simplest ways to lower indoor air pollution is to air out your home by leaving your windows open at least once a day. Here are a few more ways to reduce indoor air pollution.

7. Reduce, reuse and recycle. Okay, that is really three things, but they really go together. One of the most basic ways to green your everyday routine is by taking a look at your regular actions and determining how you can either reduce, reuse or recycle. How can you reduce your vehicle emissions? How can you reuse that material you are about to throw away? What can you recycle?

When it all comes down to it, many of us have “green” actions built into our daily routines right now. Take some time and see how you can make your daily routine a little greener. Then let me know – I’d love to hear what you are doing to green your everyday routine!

Image by Kristin Sig / Creative Commons

The year is moving along so quickly. Although it may not seem like it, the holidays will be upon us before we know it. Of course, when it comes to holiday planning, now is the time to get started. Waiting until the last minute simply means you’ll be scrambling, paying more and probably missing out on many eco-holiday options.

So, for those of you looking to get a head-start on your holiday planning, here are 20 eco-holiday tips and suggestions:

1 – Give time instead of gifts. Most people have plenty of material objects. What they don’t have is the quality time to spend enjoying friends and family. Try spending a little less money and a little more quality time.
2 – If you are going to give gifts, shop early and shop at second-hand stores, yard sales or consignment stores. In most cases, there is no reason to buy new when you can find great used gifts.
3 – Make your own holiday decorations. Autumn leaves, pine cones, and more can all be gathered up and brought inside to make wall and table decorations, holiday cards, centerpieces and more.
4 – Do you have a family member who can’t live without their coffee or chocolate? If so, make your purchases from companies who sell fair trade products.

Image by hayouji / Creative Commons

5 – If you plan to do any shopping online, look for green packing and shipping options before you buy.
6 – Instead of buying cut flowers to decorate your home or give as gifts, opt for potted plants or flowers. They’re a more eco-friendly option and can be either kept in your home year-round or planted in your garden after the holidays.

Image by Kevin Phaines / Creative Commons

7 – Plan your holiday meals ahead of time. If you plan enough ahead of time, you may be able to grow your own produce. There is nothing like the taste of fresh fruit or vegetables over the holidays. Anyone up for some apple or pumpkin pie?
8 – Having family over for the holidays? Make some natural cleaning solutions and do a little spring cleaning, I mean fall cleaning, during the days and weeks before they arrive.
9 – Open your windows regularly in order to naturally air out your home. Don’t let indoor air pollution ruin your holidays.
10 – Recycle bags, boxes and other items you can use to wrap holiday gifts. It’s better than buying a bunch of wrapping paper that is only going to get one use then head off to the landfill.

Image by Mike Willis / Creative Commons

11 – Spend some time enjoying the great outdoors at least once every day. Go for a walk, breathe in the crisp air, relax and take a moment to freshen your heart and mind.
12 – If you are planning a holiday event, how about a good old potluck where each person brings a different dish, along with their own reusable dishes, silverware and more.
13 – Speaking of holiday events, encourage your guests to carpool or set up eco-friendly transportation options that will help them cut costs and lower CO2 emissions.
14 – When having lots of guests over to your home, remember to turn down the thermostat by a couple degrees. Body heat from your guests will help keep your place warm.
15 – Before you end up shorting out the entire neighborhood in an attempt outdo the Griswold house from the movie “Christmas Vacation“, you might want to check out solar lighting.

16 – If you have a lot of driving you need to do over the holidays, combine errands and other activities into one trip.
17 – Add a little Green Plus® gasoline fuel saver and you’ll be able to reduce the pollution coming from your car, while at the same time improving your fuel economy throughout the holidays and into the new year.
18 – Make donations of time, goods or money. If you don’t know what you want to do, check out the Pay It Forward Foundation: 1 Act of Kindness Can Change Everything.
19 – Go simple. Holidays don’t have to be difficult. Going simple could be the simplest way to make your holiday season a lot more eco-friendly.
20 – Throughout the holidays make the decision to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Holidays should be a time where we can enjoy the company of friends and family. A time when we can unplug from our digital lives and enjoy a little time outdoors, soaking in the beauty of nature. Holidays shouldn’t be the commercial, consumer-driven activity they seem to have evolved into, don’t you agree? What is your favorite eco-holiday activity? What tips do you have for making the holidays less consumer-driven and more eco-friendly? I’d love to hear them!

Image by charmar/creative commons

Believe it or not, the work week has come to an end yet again. But before you head out for the weekend, and whatever activities you and your family have planned, I wanted to share a few of the green and environmental articles that came across my plate this last week. I know if you are as busy as I am, it’s nice to have a recap or place to get a little injection of information. So, here is your weekly glimpse into the world of green:

1)Videos on Fuel Efficiency to Help Reduce Emissions and Save Money: Who doesn’t like to save money? And if you can do so while lowering your emissions, then you’ve got a win-win situation. Here are a few videos which give you some tips to help you do just that! Oh and of course, using a proven fuel additive (hint,hint) can also do wonders for your emissions and fuel efficiency.

2) Ford, SunPower Want to Plug Homes, Electric Cars into Solar Energy: Of course having a hybrid or electric car is a great way to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Add to that the use of solar energy to power your EV (and your home at the same time) and you cut down your dependence on the oil industry and coal industry at the same time.

3) Solar Powered Street Lights and Trash Can “City Context”: Okay, I like this idea. The idea of having street lights not only powered by the sun, but also using them as receptacles for trash, recycling, etc. In my opinion this type of idea could lead to much cleaner, greener public spaces.

4) Solar Grill Stores Latent Heat for 25-Hour Cook Time at 450F: The sun generates an enormous amount of heat and power, tapping into that energy is smart not only to power vehicles and lights, but to use for cooking as well. This solar grill might just be the answer to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable cooking option for both the developing and modern world.

5) Passive Solar – As Old As The Sun Itself: Since I was on the subject of solar power, this particular article by my friend Nan came to mind. Although there are many innovative ways to capture the power of the sun, there is nothing new about passive solar.

6) 7 Ways to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week: National Farmers’ Market Week is quickly coming to an end. If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the fresh, organic and local goods offered at a farmers’ market near you, now is the time to do so.

Last but not least, I want to share this article, These small steps add up to a greener daily routine. Although it’s nice to read about different green and environmentally-friendly things going on around the world, it’s even better to be able to implement some green into your own life. I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into the world of green. Here’s to hoping to get to enjoy some time outdoors. Have a truly biofriendly weekend!

Although fall doesn’t officially start until near the end of September, kids are going to be heading back to school soon, officially ending their enjoyable summer break. Rather than spending the rest of summer connected to their computer, video games or the television (yes, this goes for you too), here are some biofriendly ways to reconnect with nature before the summer ends.

Image by Moyan Brenn

Hiking: Hiking is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the afternoon. Hiking through the woods or on predefined trails is a smart and fun way to get some fresh air, sun, exercise and really be able to experience the beauty Mother Nature provides.

Image by Gordon Bell

Walking: If hiking isn’t really your style then why not go for a walk? You can walk alone, walk with friends, walk with family, or really whoever you think would be a good walking companion. Take the time on your walk to breath in some fresh air, look around at the trees, birds, clouds, etc. and definitely take a moment to smell the flowers.

Image by biofriendlyblog

Bike Riding: It doesn’t matter how old you are, kids and adult alike, seem to have a fondness for going on a bike ride. It’s a simple way to get exercise while getting outside. Let’s face it, if this guy is still out riding a bike at 103, then we should be too!

Image by Lorenzo G

Climbing trees: I’ll admit, climbing trees was a childhood favorite of mine. There was nothing quite as fun as being able to climb high above the world and lookout over everything below. Do you still climb trees? Do your kids climb trees? I say, let’s go climb a tree!

Image by mizrak

Swimming: What better activity is there on a hot day than going swimming? Even with the sun beating down, you can still have fun in the water. You get my kids around water and the only trouble you have is when it’s time to get them out. Plus, activities such as this make us want to take steps to preserve what we have for future generations.

Image by Loren Sztajer

Kayaking: Another way to enjoy the wide open space of a lake or the ocean is to go kayaking. You can coast along soaking in every view around you or paddle a little faster to get your heart pumping. Either way, kayaking is a fun way to reconnect with nature.

Image by USDAgov

Gardening: Gardening is something anyone can do. No matter your physical condition nor the amount of time you think you have to spend outdoors, gardening is a quick and simple way to keep you connected to nature. Plant some herbs, plant some vegetables, even plant some flowers. The key is getting down and dirty!

Image by Alexander Acker

Cloud watching: Okay, be honest here. When was the last time you simply laid back outside and did a little cloud watching? Do you remember doing that when you were a kid? I sure do! I still do it today, especially because it’s a fun activity to do with the kids. Try it and you’ll see!

Image by Chris Gehlen

Rock climbing: For those of you who are experienced climbers or even those who want to learn how to rock climb, now is the time. Get outdoors, start climbing some rocks. Use nature as your guide and stepping stone to the top. Please be sure to exercise caution, however, as rocks can be pretty hard-headed or hard on the head.

Image by Rob Lee

Camping: Camping is a wonderful way to connect with nature. Whether you sleep in a tent or simply lay your camping bag out under the stars, camping brings us a little closer to nature. While you are camping, please remember to keep these principles in mind. Leaving no trace is an important part of protecting and preserving nature for those who will come behind you.

Image by mking1783

Stargazing: Another great way to connect with nature is to lay down and do a little stargazing. Yes, you are looking up to the heavens and the sky above, however, when you realize just how great this universe is, maybe some of the smaller things which keep you away from nature won’t seem quite as significant.

Of course in order to do any of these activities, you are going to have to pry yourself away from your computer or other “must do” chores. Remember, the time to get outside is now. Before you know it summer will have passed you right on by and we don’t want that to happen!

“You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.” – Saint Bernard

With those words of wisdom, what is your favorite biofriendly way to connect with nature? Leave a comment below in order to share your great nature-connecting ideas!

One of the things even the most environmentally-conscious parents sometimes forget is to include their kids in on their “green” actions. I learned early on that my kids were very interested in doing things that helped save energy, prevent waste and protect the earth.

My daughter, for example, doesn’t let anyone in the family leave lights on. She immediately speaks up letting the offender know that leaving lights on wastes power and we don’t want to waste power. She turns the water off when brushing her teeth and makes sure her brother does the same. If either of my kids see trash on the ground, they let me know and ensure it gets picked up so that “the earth doesn’t get hurt”.

When it comes to any actions we take around the house to save energy, water, recycle, reduce waste, etc. my kids like to be involved. So, I figured I’d lay out some simple examples of environmentally-friendly actions your kids can take.

1 – Get your kids using reusable containers. My kids each have their own water bottles we fill up in order to take on walks, when we go somewhere in the car, etc. They also use reusable containers when they take food to day camp or school.

2 -Educate your kids on how to reduce waste. This includes reducing waste by eating all the food on their plate, only using the materials they need to do projects (and saving any leftover materials for next time), and cutting down on unnecessary packaging. To name a few.

3 – Teach them the importance of saving water. Save water when they brush their teeth, when they wash their hands, when they take a bath (or shower), when they help do the laundry or dishes, etc. Reusing gray water to water plants is also something most kids enjoy doing.

4 – Inspire a love of the great outdoors. Kids almost naturally like to spend time outside. They like to play in the park, go for walks, ride bikes, go skating, climb trees, etc. As long as they are outdoors, they seem to be happy. Don’t stifle this love by keeping them connected to the TV or other electronic devices all day. Encourage their love of nature.

5 – Start recycling. A few simple steps are all it takes to get your kids grooved in to recycling. When kids understand that recycling allows for one item to be saved so it can begin a whole “new life” as something else, they seem to get interested. Who wouldn’t? Here are 10 things you never knew were recyclable.

6 – Saving energy. Involve your kids by making them responsible for saving energy in their own rooms and around the house. Turning off lights during the day or when they leave a room. Opening their shades or blinds in the morning to let natural light in, rather than using electricity. Kids are more than capable of generating their own energy.

7 – Teach your kids about the value of using their own two feet. Not everything requires we hop in the car and drive somewhere. Many adventures occur down the block, right around the corner and within walking distance of home. Besides, walking is good for everyone. Take a look at these 10 reasons why you should walk instead of drive.

8 – Gardening. Kids love to create new things. They love to see things grow and love knowing their actions helped make those things grow. Teach them to grow their own vegetables. How to care for them from seed to table. Get them to know all food doesn’t need to come from grocery stores. They can grow their own.

These are just eight of the many, many environmentally-friendly actions you and your kids can take. Remember, it’s not about teaching your kids to be “greener”, it’s about teaching kids to be smarter. To respect and care for the environment around them and the earth itself. What environmentally-friendly values do you share with your children?