Advice and How-To on Green Living and How to Go Green
10 Cleaning Tips from Rockin’ Green
10 Cleaning Tips from Rockin' Green
Finding a cleaning product that is ever so versatile can be a life-saver - spray a little here, scrub a little there. While it’s beneficial to have unique solutions for the bathroom, kitchen, floors, etc., it’s also wonderful to have a product around the house that can do it all when you’re in a pinch.
At Rockin’ Green, our fans/customers have been telling us for months about all of their uses for Rockin’ Green laundry detergent beyond just suds-ing up their laundry machines. So here are 10 eco-friendly, clever cleaning tips to challenge moms (and dads) everywhere to think creatively and green when it comes to household cleaning.
1. Carpet Stains. Use Rockin’ Green on carpet stains. Put a mixture of Rockin’ Green and water in a spray bottle, shake it up and blot up your carpet stain. Or if you’re a steam cleaner, in the compartment you’d normally put the chemical stuff (P-U), add in a mixture of several tablespoons of Rockin’ Green and a gallon of water.
2. Rock the Soak. We challenge you to “Rock the Soak” with any items that can get wet such as drapes, throw pillows and stuffed animals. Those items are prime allergen collectors so soaking them in Rockin’ Green every few months will do the trick. To do this simply soak the items in hot water with about four tablespoons of Rockin’ Green in the tub. Then rinse and hand wash or machine-wash on delicate. Note: For non-slip cover items, try an anti-allergen fabric spray such as Achoo Allergy to help neutralize dust mites and other allergens.
3. Mom, the Dog! Dog peed on the carpet? No problem. Try Rockin' Green's Funk Rock on it. Use a mixture of four parts water, one part Funk Rock. Dab it up.
4. Dish It Up. Rockin’ Green laundry detergent can even work on your dishes. Simply fill the detergent slot 1/4 full and add vinegar to the rinse cycle to wash dishes. (However look out for the launch of Rockin’ Green’s home line that will include a special dish solution, in coming months.)
5. Shower Clean. To clean your showerhead, use a mixture of Rockin’ Green and water. If you have a lot of hard water buildup, try soaking it in Rockin’ Green for an hour or so before cleaning.
6. Wipe Down the Vinyl. To clean vinyl flooring or furniture, dip a cloth in lemon juice and rub into stained area. Works like a charm. If you need a bit more of an intense scrub, add a little Rockin’ Green to that mixture.
7. Fridge Rub Down. When it comes to cleaning your refrigerator, for non-meat and poultry spills use a microfiber cloth and wipe it up (otherwise use paper towels to avoid bacterial contaminants from meat). To get the smell up after it’s been wiped – scrub down with a paste of Rockin’ Green and water. Do a final wipe-up and your fridge will smell delicious - like lavender or watermelon - your Rockin’ Green scent of choice.
8. Fix Tiles. If you have scummy, grubby tiles, try using Rockin’ Green to get out to the dirt. Mix with water to make a paste, scrub with a sponge and voila – sparkling clean tiles in no time!
9. Bring Back the Bling. To bring back the shine to your jewels, try soaking them in a mixture of Rockin’ Green and water for 5-10 minutes.
10. Clean that Pan. To remove the gunk from a greasy roasting or broil pan, add a little water and bring to a boil. If not stovetop safe, boil water first and add to pan. Once grease is loose, scrap with a wooden or strong plastic spoon. Cool, drain and wipe out the rest with a sponge or cloth and a mixture of Rockin’ Green and water.
Tips are excerpts from Rockin’ Green’s “52 Weeks of Clean” Campaign where Rockin’ Green sends its subscribing fans one clever, eco-friendly cleaning tip each week for a year at no charge. Fans can receive the tip via email or SMS text. Sign up on the Rockin’ Green website at www.rockingreensoap.com.
Reduce Waste at Work
Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
Reduce Waste at Work
By Marisa Belger for Green Goes Simple
When you’re a working mama, you may have to dig through Matchbox cars in your purse to find the files you need. But once you get down to business, it’s good to know there are easy steps you can take to ensure that the way you work not only gets the job done, but also creates the least amount of waste possible. I’ve discovered that it’s easy to green your gig. Here’s how.
Print Less, Print Better
No printing is the best kind of printing -- it saves paper, which saves stress -- but if you must click “Print,” there are three ways to make it more planet-friendly. First, stock up on recycled paper. Next, print on both sides of the page. And finally, seek out printer inks made from eco-savvy materials like soy, which are a little easier on the earth.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refill
Whether you’re working at home or away in an office, always keep the fourth “R” in mind: Refilling is key. Instead of tossing empty printer cartridges and plastic pens in the trash, refill them! Check out TheGreenOffice.com for all the green gear your office needs.
Beat Vampire Energy Drain
Whether you’re low-tech or extra-high-tech, power-sucking gadgets are an inevitable part of office life. You can beat vampire energy drain -- also known as wasted energy -- and lower your electric bill by unplugging computers, printers and phone chargers whenever they’re not in use. Make it easy by plugging everything into one power strip and flicking the “Off” button at the end of the day.
Marisa Belger’s work has appeared in Travel + Leisure Family, Natural Health, Prevention and TODAYShow.com, where she wrote a column about eco-friendly living. She was an editor at Lime.com and collaborated with author Josh Dorfman on his bestselling books, The Lazy Environmentalist and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget.
The (Air) Drying Chronicles
Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
The (Air) Drying Chronicles
By Marisa Belger for Green Goes Simple
Several years ago, in an effort to reduce my ever-increasing electric bill, I challenged myself to break a bad habit. Instead of dropping my laundry in the energy-guzzling dryer, I would become an air-dryer. That’s right: After years of wrapping myself in the warm fluffiness of a just-dried towel, I would embrace a towel dried with nothing more than the breeze flowing through my Brooklyn backyard or through my kitchen window.
My efforts were assisted by the knowledge that the dryer is one of the most energy-hungry appliances in the average household, clocking in just under the refrigerator. Ditching the dryer for an electric-free alternative would reduce my monthly bill and save valuable natural resources. I would also earn bonus eco-points by washing my clothes in cold water with a detergent designed to maximize cold-water cleansing, which cuts back on the energy used by the washing machine.
However, not all air-drying is created equal. Here’s what I’ve learned about drying au natural:
- Don’t skimp on the rack. Invest in a solid drying rack that gives you lots of space to hang clothes of all sizes and won’t collapse under the weight of a wet sweater or blanket.
- Shake before hanging. Giving clothes a quick shake before hanging helps reduce wrinkles.
- Leave space between items. Clothes need air to dry. Allow space for that air to flow.
- Be patient. You can’t hang your wet jeans up in the morning and expect them to by dry by dinner. Leave adequate time for items to dry completely, factoring in additional time for items made from dense or heavy fabrics, like denim.
Marisa Belger’s work has appeared in Travel + Leisure Family, Natural Health, Prevention and TODAYShow.com, where she wrote a column about eco-friendly living. She was an editor at Lime.com and collaborated with author Josh Dorfman on his bestselling books, The Lazy Environmentalist and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget.
How to Reduce Waste at Outdoor Parties
Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
How to Reduce Waste at Outdoor Parties
By Emily Anderson for Green Goes Simple
Every year, millions of Americans look forward to enjoying the warm weather with their friends and family. But al fresco entertaining can also lead to an increase in waste. When you fire up the grill or hop in the pool this year, try giving your outdoor party an easy green makeover. After all, there’s no better way to truly enjoy the outdoors than by taking the environment into account! With these simple tips, putting a little eco in your event only ups your summer fun.
Go Vegetarian
It takes 1,916 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Cattle also produce enormous amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas that’s almost 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.
Cutting your meat consumption in half will reduce your eco-impact and help you save money at the same time. Give guests hearty nonmeat alternatives, like portobello mushrooms or vegetarian hot dogs. Even if you serve guests burgers for the first round, it’s easy to offer lighter fare for second servings.
Grill Greener
For a nearly instant eco-change, skip the chemical grill cleaners and get a greener -- and tastier -- clean by rubbing an onion on the cooking surface after each grill session.
You can also switch to natural charcoal, which is designed to get hot faster than other products. Plus, the bag itself can be used to light the fire, which means less waste at the end of your event and no need for chemical lighters to get the flame burning bright. Up the green ante by using an eco-friendly grill, which doesn’t produce ash or release chemicals into the air.
Activate Fun
By upping the fun factor of your outdoor party, everyone will drink less, eat less and produce a lot less waste. So get your guests moving -- and not just to the beverage cooler. Keep them entertained with games, like badminton, bocce ball and croquet -- even a basketball or Frisbee can get everyone in the mood for play. Be sure you provide plenty of shade from the sun and keep lots of sunscreen on hand.
Serve Healthy Food
Take advantage of fresh summer fruits and vegetables and leave out the processed food, opting instead for real cheeses and whole-grain bread and crackers. Plan ahead, make foods that can be easily stored (again, less waste), and stock up on resealable BPH-free food containers to keep the leftovers fresh.
Reduce Your Trash
Plastic water bottles create a huge amount of unnecessary waste and they’re expensive too. Rather than throwing money away on something you can get for free, fill a couple of 10-gallon water coolers and stock up on reusable plastic cups. Skip canned soda; it’s loaded with sugar, anyway. Mix up some homemade lemonade or ice tea instead. You’ll save your guests some calories -- and yourself some money.
While you’re at it, try to avoid using other single-use items, like paper napkins and plates. Instead, buy a dozen washable cotton bandanas -- they’re inexpensive and they add a little eco-friendly style to your picnic table. When you do use paper products, look for recycled and recyclable options. Remember, a little change can go a long way!
Emily Anderson is the author of Eco-chic Home, Eco-chic Weddings and When Changing a Lightbulb Just Isn’t Enough. Her work has appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies’ Home Journal, The New York Times and her blog, GoodWithStyle.com.
Could You Go Water-free?
Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
Could You Go Water-free?
By Dana Courtney for Green Goes Simple
For 24 hours, I went on a water diet. No, it’s not the next fad in weight loss; it was an experiment in using less of one of the earth’s most precious resources.
My assignment began first thing in the morning as I fumbled for my toothbrush, still in a sleep-induced haze. I mindlessly reached for the faucet, but before a single drop was wasted, I stopped myself. I decided to take my toothbrush into the shower, where I could multitask my cleansing.
I’ve long since abandoned one of my favorite (wasteful) luxuries -- the 20-minute shower. But this morning, I put myself on the clock to see how much of my normal routine I could squeeze in while using as little water as possible.
With my toothbrush ready and my two-in-one shampoo/conditioner in hand, I turned on the faucet. In a mad dash of suds and scrubbing, I managed to wash my face, hair and body, and to brush my teeth in less than five minutes. Success! Sure, it wasn’t as relaxing as my usual routine, but I left the shower feeling energized and completely clean.
After dressing, I strolled into the kitchen, where a small stack of dinner dishes remained from the night before. I took a deep breath and came up with a strategy to tackle the task at hand using as little water as possible. Because our sink only has one large basin, I decided that it would be best to do the dishes in shifts.
First, I filled up the sink with a small amount of soapy water. After scraping the dishes, I dipped each one in the sudsy water, scrubbed it and set it aside. Once each plate took a soapy plunge, I drained the sink, filled it with a small amount of clean water, rinsed each dish and placed it on the rack to dry.
The process seemed to take a bit longer than my usual habit of leaving the water running as I scrubbed and rinsed each plate individually, but knowing that I consumed half the amount of water than usual made the extra two minutes feel worth it. And because my shower was so much shorter in the morning, I noticed that I was still ahead of schedule as I walked out the door.
Throughout the day, I found a few more ways to use less. In the restroom, I considered whether it was necessary to flush. Because I was in a public stall, I decided yes; if I had been at home, though, I think I could have held off. Afterward, when I went to wash my hands, I soaped up first, and then turned the water on to rinse.
That night, I met a friend at a restaurant for dinner and asked the waiter to leave our silverware and table settings between courses. Although it was a small gesture, the restaurant had to wash fewer cutleries at the end of the day, which meant less water was used for our meal.
Before bed, I turned the water off while brushing my teeth and quickly splashed my face clean.
Although it took practice to be more mindful, after a day of water-dieting, I saw how very little I had to change to make a difference. My assignment may officially be over, but I think my work to save water has just begun.
Dana Courtney is a writer, yoga instructor and whole-foods educator in New York City, where she strives to help others create harmonious, connected lives.
The Way You Water
Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
The Way You Water
By Amy Levin-Epstein for Green Goes Simple
Watering the lawn, running in the sprinkler, lazy days by the pool -- each of these summer activities proves that water is a central part of warm-weather fun. So how do you cut back on water use -- without cutting back on the fun?
“In the U.S., the average person uses between 100 to 175 gallons of water daily,” says Caroline Howell, founder of GreenBeanie, a green home and lifestyle consultant. “To put this in perspective, the average person in Africa uses a mere 5 gallons a day.” Clearly, people aren’t doing all they can to conserve water, a limited resource that -- if used improperly -- can result in sky-high summer bills.
Fortunately, hope is not lost! Howell has many easy tips to conserve water -- and save some cash -- this summer.
Wake up and Water
If you douse your lawn and garden under the midafternoon sun, a good chunk of that precious liquid will evaporate before it reaches root level. “Watering the lawn and garden should be done in the early morning hours before the sun comes up,” says Howell.
Sprinkle Your Lawn Smartly
Inefficiency equals major waste, so look for products that fix leaks and help water get to your parched plants and lawn. A noodle sprinkler can help improve your aim and keep your garden truly green. And if you have an automatic sprinkler -- which is already eco-friendly! -- make sure to override the system and shut it off whenever rain is on the way.
Conserve During Playtime
Kids are going to want to run through the sprinkler, so look for a low-flow option that reduces the amount of water used. And if they’re turning into prunes trying to stay cool with the sprinkler, give them water pistols. They will not only get some exercise while running around, but also use much less water.
Reuse Rain and Shower Water
“You can capture rainwater with barrels connected to your gutters, and then use this for watering your lawn,” says Howell. It’s not as hard as you may think -- there are many preconfigured kits available online, and you can also build your own system.
Rain isn’t the only water you can collect and reuse. “I have a bucket in the shower that captures a gallon of water while it’s getting hot,” says Howell. “I use this water on the plants on my patio.”
Protect Your Pool From Evaporation
“Put a cover on your pool to stop evaporation, which saves significant water in warmer months,” says Howell. There are even solar covers that will heat the pool naturally, so you’ll save water and energy!
Lead by Example
Kids learn from watching you, so show them easy, everyday ways to save water. Turn off faucets while brushing your teeth and shut down the hose while soaping up the car. They’ll follow your lead and you’ll see some big savings!
Amy Levin-Epstein is a freelance writer who’s been published in magazines like Glamour, Self and Prevention, on websites like AOL, Babble and Details.com and in newspapers like the New York Post and the Boston Globe. You can read more of her writing at AmyLevinEpstein.com.
Green Glossary: Sustainable Manufacturing
Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
Green Glossary: Sustainable Manufacturing
By Marisa Belger for Green Goes Simple
Sustainably manufactured goods are products made in a manner that considers the well-being of the environment and its inhabitants. In turn, this helps keep us safe and healthy, today and in the future.
There are several ways a company can produce products sustainably, including:
Creating an Eco-friendly Design
Before a product hits the factory, it can be designed in a way that makes it easy to use, long-lasting and recyclable.
Using Alternative Energy
The use of alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar power, is an essential component of sustainable manufacturing. This energy is then used to power production, transportation and other steps in the manufacturing process.
Conserving Resources
Sustainable manufacturers work to ensure that they use the least possible amount of natural resources -- think water, fuel and raw materials -- when producing their goods.
Considering a Product’s End-of-life
Eventually, all products wear out. Sustainable manufacturers consider what will happen to the product once it has reached the end of its useful life. They ensure that the product is designed and produced in a way that will allow for easy recycling or reusing.
Marisa Belger’s work has appeared in Travel + Leisure Family, Natural Health, Prevention and TODAYShow.com, where she wrote a column about eco-friendly living. She was an editor at Lime.com and collaborated with author Josh Dorfman on his bestselling books, The Lazy Environmentalist and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget.
Love Your Lawn (and the Earth Too)
Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
Love Your Lawn (and the Earth Too)
By Cynthia Ramnarace for Green Goes Simple
Maintaining a lush, healthy lawn without resorting to harsh chemicals is no easy task. Fortunately, you don’t have to have a supremely green thumb to keep your lawn naturally vibrant.
According to Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual, a truly “green” lawn requires patience, diligence and, most importantly, a pair of blinders. “Most people use herbicides because they’re worried about what their neighbor’s thinking,” says Tukey, who is also the founder of SafeLawns.org, a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting natural lawn care. “You have this aesthetic expectation that gets out, this ‘You’re not fit to live in the neighborhood if you let dandelions grow on the lawn.’”
So forget the neighbors and embrace these chemical-free and resource-reducing suggestions for a natural -- and beautiful -- lawn.
Apply organic fertilizer … and wait. Commercial fertilizers spoil lawn owners by producing overnight greenness. Organic fertilizers work by feeding the soil, not the plant, and so it takes weeks before the blades absorb those new nutrients.
“Until your soil is brought back to life with earthworms and all kinds of microscopic organisms that you don’t even think about, your lawn is not going to turn green,” says Tukey.
Spread organic compost. Add about a 1/4- to 1/2-inch of compost across the entire lawn, suggests Tukey. Then water with compost tea (2 pounds of compost for 5 gallons of water). “The nutrients will begin to bring the soil back to life,” he says.
Respect your weeds. Although they can be a nuisance, weeds hold more information than you may think. “Weeds are messengers sent by Mother Nature to tell us something about the soil,” says Tukey.
For instance, if you have a lot of dandelions, the soil lacks calcium. “Put down high-calcium limestone and come back in a couple of years,” says Tukey. “There won’t be any dandelions.” Can’t wait that long? Dig them up, flame them -- which you do by torching the seeds before they can spread -- or spray them with a vinegar-based weed killer.
Keep seeding your lawn. Try not to use the ever-popular Kentucky bluegrass variety of grass, which grows quickly. Instead, opt for a slow-growing variety, such as buffalo grass in arid environments and turf-type tall fescue in regions that get regular rain.
“There are plenty of lawn grass species out there now that grow more slowly, require fewer resources and have you mowing only every three or four weeks,” says Tukey.
Make sure your grass is at least 3 inches tall. Doing so will shade out the weeds, making it more difficult for them to grow and keeping the ground moist. The shorter your grass is, the more frequently it will need to be watered.
Don’t blow your leaves away. Instead, mulch them with a mulching or push mower. The leaves, like grass clippings, feed the soil.
Turn off your automatic sprinkler. Defaulting to an automatic watering system means you may be wasting water. See if your soil really needs it by digging a hole that is 6 or 8 inches deep, then feeling the earth. If it’s dry, water your lawn until the ground is saturated. If not, wait a few days and test it again.
“Once the soil surface dries out, the roots will naturally gravitate downward to where the moisture is,” says Tukey. “If you water daily, your roots learn to stay near the surface, waiting for their next drink. If they dig down deep, you can go away on vacation for a week and your grass will still be OK.”
Cynthia Ramnarace is a freelance writer in Queens, N.Y. She is a regular contributor to iVillage.com and AARP Bulletin. Her work also appears frequently in American Baby and Kiwi magazines.
Eco-eating: Delicious, Family-friendly Salads
Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
Eco-eating: Delicious, Family-friendly Salads
By Marisa Belger for Green Goes Simple
I pride myself on eating seasonally. This means steel-cut oats, roasted root veggies and hearty stews in the winter, and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables in the summer. And following this plan would be simple if the only palate I had to worry about was my own. But, alas, I’m also feeding a hungry -- and supremely picky -- little tummy as well.
Always challenged by the task of sneaking something healthy into my son, W., I’ve finally found a few ways of getting him to go green. Here are some of the summer dinner salads -- filling, nutritious and kid-friendly -- that have passed muster at our dinner table.
Mama’s Magic Mix
The master of all salads, the Magic Mix is made from anything and everything that W. -- said three-year-old -- deems salad-worthy. We always start with a base of mixed organic greens and expand from there. A recent Magic Mix included toasted pine nuts, avocado, green apple, parsley and cubed tofu for a protein kick. Toss the whole concoction in an easy dressing -- try honey, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Little W. gets in on the action by sliding the chopped ingredients into the bowl and mixing them together with a big spoon.
Chixalicious (or Tunalicious, if you’re so inclined)
In our house, chicken salad counts as salad. Heavy on the chopped veggies -- we use celery, carrots, red onion and apple -- and light on the mayo (a little goes a long way), this salad never fails to please. Not into chicken? Tuna makes a stellar substitute.
Modified Waldorf
I can’t deny the pleasure of a good Waldorf salad, and I was thrilled to discover that W. digs it too. Our Waldorf includes toasted walnuts, lots of dried cranberries (kids love hunting for the chewy sweet treats), apples, celery and, sometimes, thinly sliced green cabbage. Toss with a speedy dressing: olive oil, lemon juice and honey. Yum!
Marisa Belger’s work has appeared in Travel + Leisure Family, Natural Health, Prevention and TODAYShow.com, where she wrote a column about eco-friendly living. She was an editor at Lime.com and collaborated with author Josh Dorfman on his bestselling books, The Lazy Environmentalist and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget.
Camping Goes Green
Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
Camping Goes Green
By Rachel Bertsche for Green Goes Simple
Camping, by its very nature, will bring you closer to the earth. It’s a perfect way for you and your family to reconnect with the natural world -- and with each other! This summer, pack up for an adventure in the great outdoors. But before you pitch your tent, keep these tips in mind to make your camping expedition as exciting -- and eco-friendly -- as ever.
Include Kids in the Planning
Your trip doesn’t begin when you arrive at your campsite; it starts at home, when you’re scoping out your destination and planning potential hikes.
“If you have kids that are maybe 9 or older, engage them in the research surrounding the trip and let them help make some of the camping choices,” suggests Seth Shteir, the California Desert Field Representative for the National Parks Conservation Association. You can check out most campsites online -- if you’re visiting a national park, Shteir recommends the U.S. National Park Service website -- to figure out what most excites your kids about your upcoming adventure.
“It might help get your kids enthusiastic about the trip and teach them to plan their own trips in the future,” says Shteir. “Because the most green thing you can do when it comes to camping is to keep coming back.”
Check out the Visitor’s Center
Once you reach your destination, take advantage of activities organized by the campsite or led by the park ranger. These programs are often designed with families and the environment in mind. “See what educational opportunities are available,” says Shteir. “Many parks have junior ranger programs too.”
Encourage Exploration
Don’t let your ambitious goals -- hiking the toughest trail or canoeing the rockiest rapids -- overshadow your children’s abilities. “The kids may be happy exploring a shorter trail, sitting by a burbling brook, relaxing beneath the shade of a pine tree or looking at butterflies in a mountain meadow,” says Shteir.
“When you engage your kids on their interest level, you’re fostering stewardship in future generations,” he says. “Your kids, if they have a good time, will want to come back, and someday they’ll be advocates for camping and they’ll be people who protect these special places.”
Embrace the Life of Leisure
Save computers and packed schedules for the rest of the year. While you’re out in the wilderness, let go of the urge to detail the itinerary.
“The outdoors is unique in that you learn to entertain yourself with the things around you. Rather than bringing too many toys, let your kids enjoy stirring a mud puddle, looking for birds with binoculars or going fishing,” says Shteir. “In the U.S., we have some wonderful technological tools that can help us learn about the world -- computers, cell phones -- and yet stewardship is built high around the campfire or staring up at the starry night sky. Technology is important, but it doesn’t create appreciation and respect for the natural world.”
Practice “Leave No Trace” Principles
When you leave a campsite, it should be in the same condition as it was when you arrived. Don’t take souvenirs -- and don’t leave any, either. “Take only pictures, leave only footprints,” says Shteir. “And yes, that includes apple cores and toilet paper.”
Parks and campsites host millions of visitors every summer. If each camper took a piece of nature home, or left a remnant of his visit, sites would take a huge hit to their resources. “It’s an important lesson, and one that resonates with kids. You’re not only thinking about yourself and your trip; you’re thinking about other people and their camping experience,” says Shteir. “That’s the beginning of empathy and thinking about a bigger world.”
Write Your Congressman
If your family had a great trip and you want to see the land there protected, let your local government know. Also encourage kids to contact their state representatives when you get back from your adventure. It’s an easy way to make your voice heard.
“Our national parks are places of remarkable biodiversity, outstanding recreational opportunities and fascinating historical and archeological information,” says Shteir. “And yet these places desperately need funding for maintenance through future generations.”
When kids participate in protecting the land, they’ll feel invested in its future. And that’s as green as you can get!
is a Web producer, blogger and journalist who lives in Chicago. She's written for O, The Oprah Magazine; Marie Claire; Every Day With Rachael Ray, Outside and Fitness. Her first book, MWF Seeking BFF, will be out next year.
