Just as we were getting ready to list our green ways to unfurl the holiday mess, came a timely tidbit about using  cedar spray on holiday decorations to discourage critters and insects from feeding on them in the off-season.

(Photo: Green Right Now)

Naturally, this bit of advice arrived from the CedarCide company in Spring, Texas. Still, it sounded like as good a place to start as any, and frankly, we’ve failed in the past to seal up keepsakes well enough to fend off tiny invaders. Sure, we’ve used cedar blocks and scents in the closet, but it just never occurred to us to spray it on attic storage. According to the website, Cedarcide can be lethal to dust mites, bed bugs and fleas. It’s unclear whether is will deter rats and squirrels. Still, it smells considerably better than the fox urine that some people use to dissuade squirrels from attic camp-outs.

A caveat: We can’t endorse CedarCide’s program in which a homeowner blasts the lawn with CedarCide, killing many tiny living things. This would needlessly destroy the balance of nature in an organic yard. We’re talking here about using the scent on boxes and possibly on pets to keep harmful pests at bay while forgoing more toxic options.

But back to the post holiday clean up.

Here’s the checklist for winding down greenly, after the holidays, which is a great time to reduce, recycle and reuse:

• Go ahead, put the folderol in plastic boxes, the better to keep it in the attic or basement. Use cedar blocks to deter moths, and watch out for food items on wreaths and homemade goods, they’ll attract unwanted guests.
• Mulch that Christmas tree. Check your city website for times and details. If those are hard to come by, the best directory of Christmas tree recycling centers can be found at Earth911. Get ready — Earth911 reports that Jan. 3 is the most popular day for tree pickups. By the way, congratulations Chicago for topping Earth911’s list of the cities with the most Christmas tree recycling programs.
• Now, about those cardboard boxes you’ve accumulated this season. Most cities will gladly pick them up on bulk recycling day. It’s helpful – in some cases necessary – for you break them down and present a flattened layer for pick up.
• Another use for cardboard, however, is as a weed blocker in the garden. If you’ve got trouble spots, plain, matte cardboard can block sunlight to emerging weeds in early spring, and it’s completely degradable, so you don’t have to worry about that weed blocker sheeting sold in stores leaving a synthetic residue in your flower or veggie patch. Granted, mid-winter is not the best time to lay down the cardboard, so you’ll have to store it until early spring. When you do use cardboard, mulch over the top, and punch through for plantings.
• One more thing about boxes. It’s a no-brainer, but we’ll mention it anyway. Those US Postal Service boxes that can be mailed for a set fee, can be reused and reused. So find a spot for them.
• Wrapping paper, obviously, can be refolded and saved for next year. (Just keep buying smaller and smaller presents!) We’ve been saving bows and paper for years and find that the collection makes a nice pastiche. This year, one of our gift recipients remarked on what a nice bag her gift came in. We didn’t mention that it had once been hers!
• Hang on to that wreath. If it’s got live needles, you can collect them for mulch in the garden. If it’s faux, it can be reused for years and refreshed with holly leaves and berries and bows next year.

• Got leftover club soda? Plants apparently like it, once it has gone flat. It provides potassium they need. We stole this idea from Real Simple, which has printed an interesting list of wind-down holiday ideas. This caught our eye because it seems to be a cousin to another recycling practice we promote: Using leftover beer as a hair conditioner. Of course, you’ll  want to be selective about which post-party beer you choose for this personal haircare treatment. Don’t need any extras with the beer. This natural treatment cuts through the gunk that accumulates on your hair and leaves it nice and shiny; especially good for hair that’s more naturally oily.
• Got leftover energy? Take the opportunity to cull old sweaters and clothing while hanging up the new duds you may have received. Donate the stuff you’re not going to wear again right now, while it’s in season. At least you’ve likely got a ready box. And you could spritz it with cedar oil! If you don’t have a local place you use for donations, check out Freecycle.com.

Weighing the merits of buying a real tree against trotting out a store-bought fake one this Christmas season?

Consider the source.

Christmas tree farms grow evergreens with a purpose

Opting for a real tree could be the start of a Norman Rockwell kind of family tradition. A trip to a nearby Christmas tree farm – there are now more than 15,000 spread across all 50 states — might include a pleasant Sunday drive, a walk in the country, and a chance for spirited debate when it comes time to determine which tree is “The One.” Toss in a hay ride, a cup of apple cider, and perhaps even a picture with Santa, and you have the makings of a perfect start to the holiday season.

If, on the other hand, it’s a fake tree you covet, the original source might be the Addis Brush Company, which began mass-producing artificial trees in the 1930s…with the same machinery used to make toilet brushes. These days, your provider most likely is a factory in a pollution-choked town in China. (An estimated 85 percent of all artificial trees are manufactured there.) Have a nice trip, and don’t forget your smog mask!

While you are checking out your fake tree’s roots, so to speak, smog won’t be your only health issue. Those artificials are mostly made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, which releases dioxins when produced or burned. Lead, often used as a PVC stabilizer, poses yet another hazard, particularly to children. And, when you decide it’s time for a newer model, the discarded tree is almost certain to end up in a landfill, with all the issues that implies.

Finding "The One" (Photo: Bill Sullivan)

For more than a decade, wife, son and I have been making the trek out to a tree farm in East Texas, cutting down our own, tossing it in the back of her father’s F-150 and wrestling it in the front door of our small town home. It’s a little more of a hassle in some respects, but for us, it wouldn’t quite be Christmas any other way.

We used to feel a little guilty about this. After all, that Virginia pine was minding its own business and posing no threat when we strolled up, saw in hand. Was our preference for that pleasant scent around the house just another case of environmental ignorance coupled with good old American self indulgence?

Maybe not so much, as it turns out. The real versus artificial debate rages on, but the fresh approach seems to be gaining favor with environmentalists and others simply hoping to reduce their carbon footprint.

Before we get to that, a few (brief) words on behalf of the fake tree lobby:

• Fans of the faux argue that fake trees can be used year after year without reducing the number of oxygen-producing trees in the environment.
• An artificial tree is almost certainly more cost-effective if kept long enough.
• Fake is about the only way to go for anyone with serious allergy problems.
• On a trip to just about any home and garden department, you can find plenty of perfectly nice-looking fake trees, many of which have the couch potato-pleasing advantage of being pre-lit.

Several of these points have some merit. As you might imagine, however, the National Christmas Tree Association sees things a bit differently and states its case in no uncertain terms. Consider this shot across the bow from the top page of the organization’s Web site:

We know there are some crazy things that people have been told about Christmas Trees over the years. And this has led to a large number of confused consumers. While many of these myths can be traced back to the fake tree industry, many are like urban legends … they just sort of exist and nobody really knows how they started.

Sore subject, guys? Just guessing…

In buying a live Christmas tree, the NCTA argues, you aren’t depleting a forest; you are harvesting a crop grown for this specific purpose — a crop that contributes positively to the environment during its life by adding oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide. (According to the group, about 450 million trees are currently growing on tree farms in the United States.)

The NCTA also estimates that Christmas tree growers plant one to three seedlings for every tree cut, so the number of trees is actually growing. And, instead of sending all that Christmas tree money overseas, the tree farm industry adds about 100,000 jobs to the U.S. economy.

What to do? Obviously, you don’t need to provide most of the heavy lifting to get a real tree for your house. Plenty of stores truck in pre-cut trees to help you eliminate all that hacking and sawing and crawling around in the dirt (or mud).

Becky and Austin Sullivan with holiday tree 2009 (Photo: Bill Sullivan)

Freshness, however, can be an issue. This route also is a bit less environmentally friendly overall, since those trees were trucked in to that store, often from hundreds of miles away, whereas most people cutting their own do so much closer to home.

Another option: “Balled and burlapped” trees. Farmers grow the tree and wrap the roots in a burlap sack. The trees can be used for two weeks, then replanted. Messy and labor-intensive, but undeniably a very green choice.

If, in the end, you decide to go the hayride and hacksaw route to that perfect Tannenbaum, here are a few other things to consider, some drawn from bitter experience:

• A real tree is…real: While tree farmers often trim and shape trees to make them more attractive, hidden imperfections can be a major drawback. Be sure to check out the trunk and make sure it isn’t shaped like a Grand Prix race course. A tree with a crooked trunk can be almost impossible to balance on a conventional stand. (End up with half a dozen strings connecting said trunk to various walls or pieces of furniture and you won’t make this mistake twice!)
• Fire ants can dampen that holiday spirit: Getting down and dirty in the tree-cutting process is one thing; coming away with a couple dozen fire ant bites is another matter entirely — particularly if you are especially allergic to those nasty little creatures. Check out the area near the base of the tree before you get to sawing. If you find a mound, find another tree.
• The longer the search, the bigger the tree: Wife and son tend to be perfectionists. It is an unwritten rule of the Christmas tree hunt that the tree expands proportionately with the time spent looking for it. This can result in the tree ultimately occupying one-fourth or more of your living room. Yes, it looked magnificent out there in the middle of that field, but inside, it’s just TOO DARN BIG.
• Don’t forget the water: That real tree you just cut down may now be dying, but it isn’t dead yet. By putting the base in water, the tree will continue drinking and stay relatively fresh for weeks.

When the season is done, your real Christmas tree can continue to be environmentally friendly. Look into “treecycling” operations in your area, where your holiday companion can be turned into compost or mulch.

It may be a small thing, but every little bit counts. Either way, it surely beats sending an over-sized toilet brush off to the landfill.

Heading home for the holiday (Photo: Bill Sullivan)

Copyright © 2009 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

Let’s shop green without being obvious about it, OK? You can, you know. There are many ways to tweak the holiday list this year to skew it toward recycled, socially conscious, energy-conserving goods. Of course, we don’t like to advocate lots of consuming. We definitely don’t buy that theory that it’s our patriotic duty to purchase our way out of the recession.

On the other hand, we are going to exchange gifts this holiday season. With that in mind, here are a few humble suggestions for keeping it green (and affordable), subtly:

A TOASTER OVEN

Black and Decker CTO6301 convection toaster oven

Mom, dad, a kid on her way to college. Lots of people can appreciate the utility and electricity savings of a toaster oven. Did you know that the average 1500 watts used by a toaster/convection oven is less than half, or even more, than that used by a full-size oven? How many times have you heated the entire oven just to warm rolls for dinner? Or to bake a couple ramekins of dessert? Or broil a tuna melt? Or brown a small brushetta?

Turn that big oven off, and use a tool that’s sized-right for the job. That’s the very sound idea behind this “smart” appliance. There are dozens to choose from. The Black & Decker one shown here can be had at Amazon and other stores for around $60. It gets good reviews for durability, space and function.

THE WOVEL

THe wovel uses see-saw action to shovel snow.

This goofy looking simple machine just might keep some snow blowers off the road. It’s unique enough to keep the relatives marveling about the weird gift Aunt Sally got Uncle Mel, but it’s got its serious side: It powers through snow without using fossil fuels.  More importantly to most users, it makes the job of shoveling the white stuff, pound per pound, easier. Easier on the back, mainly, because the motion of pushing and then “throwing” the snow engages leg and arm muscles.

We don’t actually have one, and we wonder if it’s quite as easy as it looks, but the see-saw action does appear to take a load off the back, a victory over bending, raising and twisting to shovel snow the old-fashioned way. The Wovel has made several YouTube appearances since being named on Time’s Best Inventions List in 2006. Check out this video by a convinced user.

It is expensive for a shovel ($119.95 retail), but it solves a problem, without adding another pollution-spewing machine to the household arsenal.

RECYCLED TIRE WALLET

Recycled Tire Wallet made by artisans in El Salvador

Number three on our list is black, but so very green. This completely recycled, vegan friendly wallet is made from discarded tires. But it looks so much like the standard leather version we thought it would qualify as a green gift that doesn’t stand out as different. Each 9 x 3.5 inch wallet has a slot for money and six slots for credit cards, just like you’d expect. A Fair Trade artisan group in El Salvador makes these wallets, helping provide jobs and living wages in their community. You can buy it ($30)  through the GreenHeartShop in Chicago, at their online store.

Green Heart helps promote artisan craft goods, clothing and food from around the world and in the U.S.

When we think about Thanksgiving, we think about Plymouth, Pilgrims, and of course turkey. What would Thanksgiving be without a turkey?

For the longest time when it comes to food, we’ve gone by the notion that bigger is better. The bigger the turkey, the better it will taste. Unfortunately this process of thinking led to the inhumane treatment of animals and use of growth hormones, in order to turn a quick profit and satisfy customers.

Lately, though, people have become significantly more conscious about what chemicals animals are exposed to, because it directly relates to them when they are putting it in their body.  And that has led to some options when it comes to picking your bird from among the 270 million or so turkeys raised in the United States. ( In 2008, 273 million turkeys were raised in the United States, according to the National Turkey Federation.)

If you just walk into almost any grocery store you will see that there are multiple turkeys from which to choose. They are labeled with all sorts of eye-catching phrases such as, pesticide-free, organic and all-natural. But what do these words really mean?

Don’t let the lingo scare you. National Turkey Federation’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Sherrie Rosenblatt broke down the differences:

• Conventional:  Conventional turkeys are raised in scientifically designed, environmentally controlled barns that provide maximum protection from predators, disease and bad weather.
• Organic:  An “organic” turkey must be certified by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to have been raised on land that has been free of prohibited pesticides and other substances for at least three years; the bird’s food would also be pesticide free (though that’s no guaranteed that it’s pure in every way). Technically speaking, the turkey produced must consist of at least 95 percent organic ingredients (excluding water and salt).  Any remaining product ingredients must consist of non-agricultural substance approved on the “National List” or non-organically product agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form.  Visit the USDA AMS website for more information.
• Heirloom:  Heirloom turkeys take much longer to raise that a conventional or organic turkey.  Because of the added costs, these turkeys are much more expensive than a conventionally raised turkey.  The taste and appearance are also much different than a conventionally raised turkey.  The light meat is almond colored and the dark meat is cappuccino, with both having a firm texture. Heirloom turkeys are bred from breeds of birds that pre-date the industrial food era, and are typically raised on smaller traditional farms, and let run on pasture or are grain-fed. Can’t find them at your grocery store? Check your local CSA or farmer’s market, or online at Local Harvest.org.

Two other types of turkeys not mentioned are pastured and free-range turkeys. The difference between the two is free-range turkeys are not confined to cages, but “range” can mean within a barn. Pastured turkeys are raised outside and their meat may be richer in omega oils because of their grassy diet.

Over the past few years sales of organic have continued to increase, according to Whole Foods Market.

“It’s a little too early to speak to this for this year since we tend to sell more fresh birds (than frozen). The bulk of the sales generally happen in the two weeks prior to the holidays.  We are prepared for and anticipate that the trend will continue,” said Cathy Cochran-Lewis, National Media Relations Coordinator for Whole Foods Market – Central.

While the numbers are rising, it may still be difficult to find just the right turkey. Sprouts, a familiar market to organic shoppers, does not sell any organic turkeys,  a spokesman said.

Wegmans has a couple of options for shoppers. The store carries an organic choice, the Jaindl Organic Grand Champion turkey, and their own Wegmans’ Grand Champion turkey, which is not certified organic but is raised in a humane and healthy way.

“The Wegmans Grand Champion turkey is not organically raised; however it is a free range bird that has been raised without antibiotics and no animal by-products in the feed,” said Jeanne Colleluori, Communications & Media Specialist for Wegmans Consumer Affairs.

Whole Foods Market might be the store with the largest variety of healthy turkey choices.

“Our stringent quality standards require that every turkey we sell meets our animal welfare standards, which include no antibiotics, ever, and no animal by-products in the feed.  They also are not injected with any solutions or marinades,” said Cochran-Lewis.

Heirloom turkeys are more commonly available at Whole Foods stores. “The flavor and composition of the heirloom turkey is the closest we have to turkeys of yesteryear. The turkeys tend to have dark spots on the skin which is natural to the breed (results in their darker feathers),” added Cochran-Lewis. Another benefit to heirloom turkeys is they require less cooking time due to the lower amount of fat.

Whole Foods also offers other organic Thanksgiving alternatives. THeir 365 Organic brand makes includes stuffing mixes, cranberry sauces, broths, truffles, and caramels and they have a vegan pumpkin pecan pie recipe that will make your mouth water.

You can even skip your trip to the grocery store all together and buy your turkey online this year. Williams-Sonoma offers their California-raised, free-range, Willie Bird Organic Turkey that can be delivered right to your front door. Consumers give the Willie Bird Turkey rave reviews; it’s worth taking a look at.

Organic and Heirloom turkeys are a bit pricier, but they are worth it if you’re seeking a gourmet or leaner taste, and if you want to support the way the turkeys were raised.

Copyright © 2009 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

Planning a low-impact, money-saving Halloween is so much more rewarding than trying to turn some other holidays green. You don’t have to argue with relatives about whether or not to have a turkey, or disappoint the kids with gifts to humanitarian causes in their names at Christmas. All you really need to do is think creatively, get holistic about your pumpkin, maybe dust off the sewing machine and take it easy at the store.

Here are our best nine ideas to help you get started.

Halloween Chico Bag

1 - Get A Reusable Halloween Bag

This is a no-brainer, the equivalent of buying CFLs. If you can’t do this, hang up your werewolf mask right now. We like this Chico Bag. It is reusable, affordable and designed by kids. Buy it at Greenfeet for just $5. Or find a pillowcase for treats. Either way skip the clunky orange plastic pumpkins, unless you’ve already got them, then: reuse, reuse.

2 – Make Your Own Costume

Don’t sew? Keep it simple – a cape, fairy wings, a skirt or a toga can be made from remnant material or old sheets with minimal stitching. Use inexpensive, iron-on fusing tape to make seams. Cut with pinking shears so fabric won’t unravel. We won’t insult your intelligence by suggesting you use a sheet to be a ghost (duh!), but old sheets can make good costume base material. Accessorize princes and princesses with glitzy fabric leftovers from the wedding/party section of any fabric store. We once glammed up Ginny Weasley with a pastiche of recycled duds, using a red robe from two previous Harry Potters, and a moon-and-stars cape from wizards past. Capes, velvety robes and glittering trim can add a lot of drama for little sweat equity. Here are some basic instructions.

Boy Snatched by Alien (Photo: Homemade Costumes)

But… if you’re making your own, why stop there? Get creative.  Turn your kid into a child being snatched by an alien, a mom-niacal optical illusion they won’t soon forget (that’s just the kid in the photo; the alien is affixed to his back). Read details at Costume-Works.com, where veteran costume maker, Colletta, mother of six  and grandmom, showcases homemade costume submissions. There’s some amazing stuff here, from Oompa Loompas to boys dressed as both plane and pilot. (Your kid may not remember being a pirate from a package, but he’ll surely recall the day he trick-or-treated as a cardboard plane.)

3 – Hold a Costume Exchange Party

This is novel idea could work for the under-10 or over 30-crowd. Any grade-schooler whose accumulated a few dress-up outfits and costumes would probably love to trade one in for a “new” one from another kid. So share!  Make it a party by allowing participants to “buy” the costumes with coins or points earned at activities or games. You’ll be recycling and creating a fun experience.

We think this idea, now wafting around the Internet, may have taken flight at GreenHalloween.org, a website founded by Seattle mom Corey Colwell-Lipsome and her mom and partner in green adventures, Lynn Colwell. Green Halloween delivers many ideas for making spooky parties healthier and greener, like skipping the candy and serving black olive and orange bell pepper pizza. See their neighborhood Halloween kit for more.

(Photo: AllRecipes.com)

4. Make pumpkin bread

It’s yummy and healthy. Pumpkins are full of beta –carotene (present in all orange veggies) which is converted to Vitamin A. Some nutritionists consider these orange foods to be Super Foods” with properties that protect against cancer and strengthen the immune system. Another reason to celebrate the orange. Drizzle icing over it for picky eaters or serve plain and warm, a perfect fall treat for a Halloween gathering.

There’s a healthy, light recipe using buttermilk on AllRecipes.com, and another delicious pumpkin bread recipe on Cooks.com. (And countless more, but these two are not too sugary.)

Twisted Fruit snack (Photo: Clif Bar)

5. Give Trick-or-Treaters dried fruit treats...

Treats can be tough when you’re thinking green. There’s a problem from the git-go with all that individual packaging and while you may want to give something healthier, you don’t want to suck the fun out of the evening for visiting Draculas. Dried fruit is one answer. Try Clif Bar’s Twisted Fruit sticks.

Or combine dried mangos, pineapple, cantaloupe and dates into a sweet mixed-fruit goodie bag. Downside: You’d have to package it yourself, which might raise suspicions that your treat was tainted, leading to its expeditious disposal at the recipient’s home.  Hardcore greenies also might have trouble with including tropical fruit, but there are lots of local dried fruits, from apple chips to dried cantaloupe slices. available stateside.

6. …Or crackers

The University of Illinois Extension service came up with these ideas for healthier treats: Cheese and cracker packages; sugar-free gum; juice boxes; raisin or nut packages or peanuts.  We say no to the Aspartame gum, and hold those peanuts (God forbid you’d give them to a kid with a peanut allergy). The crackers sound like a plan though. Butter crackers, graham crackers. Kids love them, especially after consuming a pound of sweets.

Halloween Crackers (Photo: Martha Stewart.com)

And wait! There’s a variation. From Martha Stewart (who else) comes this idea for Halloween “crackers”, as  in those party favors that you pop open. She uses orange crepe paper and plastic spiders. No, we don’t think the world needs more plastic spiders, but these crackers do reuse toilet tissue tubes. Fill the tube with selected treats and fulfill your Martha leanings.

7.  Don’t forget popcorn

Kids with braces won’t like you, but popcorn would be a welcome departure for some wee spooks. Here’s an idea that uses a little plastic, but not so much as to violate the green spirit: Take some of those thin plastic gloves that servers wear in cafeterias and stuff them with popcorn. Paint the nails red, add some gashes or creepy tattoos; bind the glove closed with a rubber band and give a “hand out” at Halloween.

8. Decorate with compostable stuff

Straw is really great for animal bedding, but it can be used as a  garden mulch. So if you’re decorating with straw bales for fall, spread it on the flower beds afterward. Dried colored corn can be re-purposed as a winter treat for squirrels and birds. Hang a string of dried garlic on the door to ward off evil spirits on Halloween night, and doubtless you know it can be cooked with later. Cardboard can be easily turned into tombstones, and later used as a weed cover.

De-decorate by turning off all the lights except for a few candles at the door. Put on some scary music, dress like a gangster and you’ve turned your casa into a mysterious manse. (We concede it won’t give Tony Soprano nightmares, but it might hit the right note for small tricksters). Bada-bing!

Heirloom pumpkins (Photo: GreenRightNow.com)

9. Use the whole pumpkin

If they weren’t orange, pumpkins would be the ultimate green Halloween veggie — and some of them actually are green, or blue, on the outside. These heirloom pumpkins (see picture) make some of the best pumpkin foods. Carve them into jack-o-lanterns at the last minute so you can pull out the pumpkin meat for soup or a pie. Remember to roast the pumpkin seeds. We again defer to AllRecipes for directions on this.

Afterward, take the pumpkin to the compost pile. See Earth 911 for composting directions. If you don’t have a compost pile, fall’s a great time to start using leaves, grass clippings and garden dredge. It’s positively frightening how useful the resulting mulch will be come springtime.

Copyright © 2009 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media1 –

As you sort through which Disney character your child will be and find the candy of choice for the trick-or-treaters, think green this Halloween. From candy to pumpkins, there are many ways to make this holiday eco-friendly.

Here’s an idea for an organic treat, Yummy Earth lollipops or drops.

Invented by two dads who simply wanted a healthier alternative to candy, Yummy Earth is now the number one seller of organic candy in the United States. Available in 21 flavors, Yummy Earth offers gummy bears, gummy worms, lollipops, and candy drops. Yummy Earth is 100% USDA and EU certified organic. With no artificial coloring or high fructose corn syrup, these candies also are gluten-free, peanut-free, and tree nut-free.

So what do they put in there to still make it taste fabulous? The company uses raw organic brown sugar instead of processed sugar or artificial sweeteners. Other ingredients include, “citric acid made from Israeli sugar beets instead of genetically modified corn; bright red coloring from Japanese purple carrots instead of artificial red dye; real pomegranate extract for our Pomegranate Pucker lollipops and candy drops. Organic pumpkin and black currant also is used to create the vibrant colors,” stated Rob Wunder, Yummy Earth co-founder.

Yummy Earth is widely available at Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Whole Foods, Marriott Hotels, Amazon.com, Harry and David, Smoothie King, Sprouts, Borders Books, and other health food stores.

The Natural Candy Store also offers healthy candy alternatives. Each item is marked by symbols indicating which dietary categories it fits in with, such as vegan, organic, gluten-free, allergen-free, kosher, and the Feingold diet. This candy store also features jelly beans, sprinkles, cotton candy, and chocolate!

Their gummy worms aren’t as scary as some Halloween goodies, but they’re vegan or vegetarian; made with pectin instead of the gelatin (which comes from animal hooves and hides) used in so many gummy candies.

Fair Trade "Action Kit"

If it’s chocolate you seek to give, make it Fair Trade. In fact, send that chocolate with a message to buy Fair Trade Trick or Treat Action Kit composed of candy, an info card and a Mexican streamer.

It may make your house the most political on the block, but the grassroots message will be sugar-coated; the kit includes 40 dark chocolate treats.

(By the way, be sure to practice green hygiene on H-Day. Make sure those candy wrappers do not end up on the sidewalk or in any yards.)

Earth-friendly costumes are a little harder to come by. Harrisons Halloween Costumes for infants are not organic, but they are 100% cotton, so they are a great alternative to synthetic costumes.

There are multiple free patterns located online for children’s costumes, for example if they want to be animals, fairies, or even a chocolate chip cookie.

As far as completely organic, there are not many options, so this year choose to reuse and recycle. Go through your closets to see what you can turn into a costume. If you are blessed with the ability to sew, make your own costume. Either way, minimize your carbon footprint by using materials you already have.

Several websites can provide guidance, such as Mahalo, which publishes a list of easy throw-together  costume suggestions.

You’re throwing a party. That means thinking about the guest list, the menu, the theme, the décor–and of course, how to be green while doing it all.

The event industry creates the second largest carbon footprint. So much waste can certainly put a damper on the celebration, so green-minded party planners across the nation are teaching both corporations and private citizens how to cut down when they’re throwing a party.

Green Right Now has enlisted the help of two party planners that specialize in hosting green events, Chrissy Gray, owner of Green Events in Laguna Beach, Calif., and Lenny Williams, owner of Garden Party NYC in New York, as well as the help of green guru and author of Simply Green Parties: Simple and Resourceful Ideas for Throwing the Perfect Celebration, Event or Get-Together Danny Seo to tell you all you need to know so that your next celebration is just as eco-friendly as you are.

INVITES

First step to a great party is making sure your guests know you’re having one. But instead of using traditional (and wasteful) paper invites, choose to send out electronic invitations. Sites like www.evite.com and www.pingg.com offer a more cost-efficient and eco-friendly way of getting the word out. You can choose to decorate your evite with pictures from their gallery or upload your own JPEG image. The invitations are free and really easy to create, and the sites offer planning tools to make sure your green party goes off without a hitch.

Related story:

• Party (!) simply and eco-wisely with designer and author Danny Seo

If you want something a bit more personal than a pre-designed evite, then opt to design something yourself on paper (or have your kids do it!), scan the image, attach it to an e-mail and let the Internet work its wonders. Follow-up with a phone call so your guests can rave about how creative and environmentally conscious you are.

In case your party is more formal and you feel it necessary to have a paper invite, opt for an eco-friendly letterpress. Smock in Syracuse, N.Y. is the first print shop in the U.S. to offer printing on bamboo paper (talk about a sustainable and renewable resource), and the invitations are absolutely gorgeous. Twisted Limb Paperworks in Indiana is also a good choice. It creates invites out of 100 percent recycled paper using old colored office paper, grocery bags, recycled flowers, leaves and grass.

FOOD & DRINK

It’s not a party if there isn’t plenty to eat and drink, but again it’s really simple to make sure your spread is “green.” If you’re preparing your own food, then opt for organic ingredients and shop local. And please remember to take your totes. If you’re not sure where your local farmer’s market is, visit Local Harvest and find out. For packaged ingredients that you might need to purchase, use www.greenerchoices.org, a site that gives information on environmentally friendly products, to help you decide what to buy.

If you’re throwing a bigger party (or are afraid of the kitchen) and need a caterer, be sure to find one that uses fresh local ingredients, avoids GMOs and employs sustainable practices like recycling and minimizing waste. It is your party, so don’t be shy and be sure to get all of your questions answered.

DISHWARE AND CUTLERY

Of course, we can’t forget to mention all the dishware and cutlery you need to serve and enjoy the food you prepared. Ideally, you want to set out reusable plates, cups and silverware, but if you need to use disposable, make sure you’re considering what it is all made of.

This Father’s Day go green and sustainable with gifts that support eco-friendly clothing, are made with recycled products or help de-toxify dad’s bath and body routine.

• Whether dad is a rugged outdoorsman or just likes to trek around the ‘hood and occasionally go off-road, he might appreciate these Finn Vegan Hiking Shoes by Patagonia. Made without any animal by-products, they’re topped by a breathable mesh and have a footbed composed of 70 percent recycled foam containing carbon and cork bits to wick moisture and control odor. (Making for a lighter footprint!). The insole board is made from recycled polyethylene and the patented “Vibram Ecostep” outsole is composed of up to 30 percent recycled scrap rubber. Patagonia has been producing green clothing and gear for many years, so these shoes are backed by eco-experience that newer green shoemakers are still acquiring. About $100 at Zappos, which carries many more vegan shoes.

• Exercise is good, but so is relaxation. Any pop would like to hang out on this Envirorope Double Hammock, made from recycled soda bottles. It’s available at Greenfeet, which promises that the Envirope is “softer than virgin polyester and shares the same durability”. It’s mildew- and UV-resistant and measures a generous 5 feet x 7 feet, with an overall length of 13 1/2 feet. So no surprise that it is listed as capable of holding up to 450 pounds for familial group naps (you’ll have to figure out how your family adds up). The Envirorope Double Hammock is made in the USA and the spreader bars are white oak from second growth Virginia trees. $134.95 at Greenfeet, which also sells other hammocks, including a single hammock made of hemp.

• What is it about electronics and guys? They seem perpetually delighted with the latest blinking gadget. This year try giving dad a way to power his gadgets, his iPhone or iPod or handheld game devices, with a Solio Classic Hybrid Solar Charger. The Solio is compact and green, collecting power from the sun to recharge small electronics. A fully charged Solio is listed as able to recharge the average phone once and perhaps twice, or power 15 hours of MP3 music. (The rough calculation is 15 minutes of talk time or 40 minutes of music for one-hour of sun charging time.) You charge at about the same rate of speed as if the gadget were plugged into the wall, except there’s no “charge” because solar energy is free! Great for outdoor excursions, or just use a clear, sunny windowsill to collect the rays. The Solio comes with adaptor tips to fit iPhones, Samsung, Sony-Ericson, Nokia and LG phones and devices. Available many places, including at Green Home for $95.00 

• Get dad started on natural body products with this new Burt’s Bees Men’s Natural Grooming Kit, containing a small body wash, soap bar, sponge, lip balm and aftershave. Good Guide gives Burts Bees products an 8.2 rating, on a scale of 10, for health and social responsibility criteria and notes that the company is a member of Safe Cosmetics and on PETA’s “no animal testing” list. As for the actual ingredients, the Burt’s website lists the ingredients of each product. The body wash, for instance, relies on coconut, citrus and sunflower oils and contains no parabens, phthalates or synthetic fragrances.  $19.99 at Target. Get bigger portions by buying the 12 oz. bottle of  Natural Skin Care for Men Body Wash or the Natural Skin Care Shaving Cream, 6 oz.  These retail for $8 each and are available at many stores.

• Improving the wardrobe — always a good bet and often, necessary. Combine practicality and fun by treating padre to an upscale Loomstate Organic Cotton T-shirt with arty graphics. Loomstate, a collaboration between designers Rogan Gregory and Scott Mackinlay Hahn created in 2004 to create demand for responsibly made, organic cotton clothing, does it better than just about anyone. Check out this breezy “Peace Signs” SS Crew Tee, with whirring wind turbines. It’s $54 at the Loomstate website and there are plenty other designs to choose from.  Loomstate T-shirts, hoodies and shorts are also available at Barneys New York and other retailers.

Copyright © 2009 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

When getting ready for Mother’s Day, don’t forget about Mother Earth. We have gathered ten ideas that your mother will love and won’t hurt the earth.

A Gift That Blooms

1. Flowers are always right for Mom’s Day. If you are leaning in that direction, consider buying local blooms from a local florist. Picking out flowers that are grown locally cuts down on the amount of gas used to bring you that flower, and you will be supporting your neighborhood economy. If cut flowers aren’t easily found, look for a perennial or shrub in a pot.

Find local flower markets and farms by typing in your zip code on LocalHarvest.org. We found White Dove Farm Flowers, in Santa Paula, Calif., north of Los Angeles, which produced this gorgeous Iris.

White Dove is just one of many possible local sellers. You’ll find several flower farms, sometimes as part of larger produce and herb farms, in any large market.

A Gift With A Conscience

2. Make your mom proud and invest in another woman’s future. Microplace.com enables you to make an investment in a loan of a hard-working borrower in an impoverished nation. With only a $20 donation, your mom can receive a hand-woven, free-trade scarf from Bihar, India and you will help a hard-working entrepreneur to lift herself out of poverty.

A Tasty Treat

3. A basket full of fresh organic fruits and vegetables can more than carry the day. Stop by your local farmers market and hand pick some fruit or veggies. To be earth friendly, reuse a basket or pretty tote you have in the house and fill it with your hand-picked goodies, her favorites.

Add some baked treats from Blackbird Bakery for some gluten-free sweets to make mom smile. Blackbird, founded by Karen Morgan, and popular with Courtney Cox Arquette, Island Def Jam and Laura Dern,  uses 100 percent organic fruit, eggs and dairy in its products.

Or add a sweet touch from Taza chocolate – it’s organic and stone ground and available in gift boxes.

As Earth Day approaches, one of the most significant things you can do is to help a child celebrate nature and embrace a greener lifestyle. Here are ten ideas for creating a fun and meaningful Earth Day celebration.

1 – Picnic (with local food)

Get outdoors and enjoy a snack with the squirrels and ants. To really get the most out of this, take your favorite kid(s) to the market in preparation and let them search out local healthy foods. Even young kids can participate, choosing the apples, veggies and cheeses they want to include. So introduce them to the farmer’s market or local foods section of your neighborhood grocery. Look for organic and lower your impact by using reusable dinnerware and plates, or biodegradable paper plates.

Then head to your favorite city park or nearest lakeside picnic spot to relax. Note the trees, the wildlife, the wonderful spring flora, the plastic bags wafting in the breeze…what!? Be a good scout and pick up a bit of trash during your visit.

(Photo credit: Sebcz/Dreamstime.com)

Every little girl dreams about the perfect wedding growing up. Missing from that dream is the large amount of waste caused by that wedding. When it came time for 29-year-old Tara Brown-Selders to walk down the aisle, she could not imagine having an event that produced so much waste. “When I learned how much waste is produced by a single event, I knew I could not have the traditional wedding,” she said.

Her then-boyfriend, 31-year-old Michael Selders,  proposed with her great grandmother’s diamond that had also been used by her mother. By reusing the diamond, the couple had a green start to their wedding. GreenKarat also has earth friendly options for engagement rings and wedding rings using recycled metals and fair trade gems.

When it came time to plan the wedding, Tara knew that she knew nothing about planning a green event. She had always been passionate about recycling and eco-friendly initiatives, but knew nothing about planning a green wedding. After doing some research, she came upon Green Lily Events and it was a match made in heaven. Green Lily Events is based in Houston and is an eco-friendly event planner. Together Tara and her wedding planner Jessica Zapatero started to find ways to make every aspect of her wedding green.

“There is a common myth that eco-friendly events are more expensive but that is not true,” said Tara. “Although many green products and services can cost more, some do not and it’s about making wise, informed decisions.”

The wedding and groom’s cake were made by an organic baker Monica’s Divine Delights. They saved a total of $400.00 based on the quote they received from a non-organic baker in town. The choice was clear for Tara, and she said “the cakes were delicious, organic and fabulous.”

One wasteful aspect of the wedding can be the invitations. After doing some research, they discovered Invitesite an low-impact invitation company. Tara and her fiance would be saving $600.00 by using the earth friendly company. Not to mention they invitations were printed on tree free paper and post consumer recycled paper. “We did not have to sacrifice elegance for an eco friendly invitation, rather I was just the opposite,” she said. They also used the same company for their menu and place cards. Other companies such as Earthly Affair, Green Field Paper Company and Twisted Limb Paper all offer earth friendly options to the invitations.

The couple also made sure that they had an eco-friendly option to the flowers in the wedding and reception. They contacted a local florist and expressed their desire for an eco-friendly option. They were able to get some flowers from local Texas farms. After the ceremony was over, some of the flowers were reused in the decor for the reception. After the wedding, the floral centerpieces were donated to a local senior care center so they were not wasted. By using a local florist, they reduced their carbon footprint and helped out the local economy.

They couple originally wanted to have their wedding at a boutique hotel, but that did not pan out. The Four Seasons hotel in Houston was more than happy to help the couple with their green wedding vision. The hotel already had a few eco initiatives like compact fluorescent bulbs and was a member of Chef’s Collaborative Association, which promotes sustainable cuisines and local cooking. They hotel worked with the local recyclers and Tara insisted on training the staff to recycle for her big day.

If the wedding venue you have selected does not offer organic food, find a company in town who does organic and have them cater the event. When planning for the big day, make sure you make arrangements ahead of time for the leftover food to go to a homeless shelter or another organization. The key to waste free successful green wedding is planning.

The couple knew they would be having lots of out of town guests and wanted to reduce the carbon footprint. By having the wedding and the reception at the same location, the guests would waste less gas. The hotel offered pick up service from the airport, which meant that the guests had no need to rent a car.

Tara’s environmentally sensitive favors consisted of potted plants and lavender seeds. “Several of them told me that they planted their seeds since the wedding and love to watch the lavender grow,” she said. Other green favor ideas include organic chocolates, reusable cloth tote bags, or seed packages.

It was very important to Tara that her dress was made of natural fibers. She was able to locate the perfect dress at Paloma Blanca, a bridal gown company located in Toronto, Canada. Some other green dress ideas include wearing a vintage dress or a family members dress.

No wedding is complete without the time honored tradition of throwing rice at the bride and groom. This practice simply just wastes rice. Ecofetti is a great alternative to rice. It is biodegradable and water soluble and available in a wide variety of colors.

“There are green alternatives to almost every aspect of a wedding,” said Tara.

Tara also says that planning a green wedding no more stressful than planning a wasteful wedding. “Planning a green event does not add any additional stress. Sometimes is almost makes things less stressful because you know that your actions are not causing extreme harm to the environment,” she said.

Tara did have one piece of advice for green brides-to-be, is hiring a green wedding planner. “The best thing about hiring an eco event planner is that they are there to serve not only you but the planet as well,” she said.

After the wedding, Tara decided to start her own recycling pick-up service. Recycle4U and Tara are helping to make recycling easier in Houston. What more could you ask for a fairy tale ending?

(Photo credit: Green Lily Events)

Copyright © 2009 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

MORE FROM GRN

Earth Day is just around the corner, and the easiest way to show your support is by what you wear. Many different retailers have put out Earth Day t-shirts. Just remember you need time for shipping, so order soon.

Here is a slideshow of some Earth Day T-shirts:

Earth Day Network has released two official T-shirts for the occasion. Both cost $25 and are made of organic cotton. The cotton is woven in the US and then the shirt is assembled in Honduras.

The website also offers the official 2009 Earth Day poster for sale and more info about organic cotton that explains how it helps drastically reduce pesticide use. (Proceeds benefit EDN, though this is not considered a donation.)