Sometimes the hardest gifts to think of are those for birthdays. We usually don’t plan ahead for birthdays like we might for Christmas. Christmas can also be much more simpler because we can buy in bulk and give everyone the same of similar gifts. Birthdays tend to be a little more personalized.

I started thinking about what good, sustainable gifts would be for birthdays when my daughter was invited to one of her good friend’s fourth birthday party. Most people assume buying a toy of some sort is the best gift for that age group and if you can find a sustainable toy or organic t-shirt then it is a good option. For our family though, a sustainable toy is usually out of our price range for a birthday party. So here are my ideas for sustainable and organic gifts. Read more…

Recycling is an admirable thing to do but alone it doesn’t serve a just purpose. Reusing items is also a wonderful and sometimes creative act; although beware of items that really aren’t safe to reuse, like certain plastics. I’m amazed by the people who turn normal household items into functioning decor, such as water fountains and such keeping them out of landfills. But the best thing we can all really focus on is reducing. Read more…

Shopping local is one of the best ways to be green. But what does shopping local really mean? If the store is buying everything from China or it’s your neighborhood Wal-Mart then the level of greenness just got a little dirty.

On the other hand, if you are fortunate to have a locally owned store that is buying U.S. made products and has eco-conscious buyers then you can be a cleaner shade of green.

We happen to live in an area that hasn’t always been too savvy about the environment until recently when two friends opened Fresh & Green in Bakersfield, Ca. Sometimes all it takes is a single movement by a couple of people, like what Jennifer and Sasha at Fresh & Green are doing, to educate the many. (Don’t forget that Google started with only two guys and now the world searches them over.)

Some may find it hard to believe that everyone doesn’t want to or wouldn’t like to shop online but the fact is that a lot of people just don’t. A local store that offers sustainable products makes it easier for local residents to buy products that are healthier and safer for them and the environment. Stores that offer green products can also become a local resource for consumers to learn about the effects that we have on the environment and how we can make productive changes in our lifestyle.

If you have a local store that offers sustainable and organic products shop with them before you shop online, even if you are spending a tad bit more money. It’s worth keeping the convenience of a quick trip to your local green outlet. Chances are you will get better customer service since the people can put a face with your name. If you aren’t sure if there is a local store that supplies sustainable and organic products, keep checking online. I ended up finding Fresh & Green in Bakersfield by a fluke click on a cloth diaper site. In these days of increased environmental concern and green washing, you just never know when a green store might pop up.

Interested in shopping local in more ways than just this one? Learn where to buy local produce.

Yep, you read that right… Chief Green Officers or CGO’s, are real job positions at companies both large and small, companies just like Frito-Lay and Google. When the internet came mainstream it created Chief Information Officers, so it’s no surprise that the Green Movement has brought with it green executives and company officers.

“Chief Green Officers are Sprouting Up“, an article from the Dallas News sums it up quite well..

Sustain ability officers – also known as chief green officers or by similar titles – at senior or middle management levels are becoming popular as more companies in Dallas and across the country paint themselves green. Google has a chief sustainability officer. So does Georgia-Pacific.

Many think the green buzz is not a fad and is here to stay. In addition to addressing environmental concerns, companies are going green to enhance their public image, gain an edge over rivals and cut costs as energy prices rise.

Yes, in that last paragraph they state companies going green as a business edge… which many companies do. We believe that the “Green Movement” is not a fad and that many companies both large and small are taking “green” very seriously.

Will ECO RVing be the next step in travel?

We hadn’t even heard of ECO RVing until just this past weekend. Carrie was on the Mothering.com Forum and came across a thread for families who live on the road in their RV’s and 5th wheels. It’s kind of funny that Carrie stumbled upon ECO RVing because about a month ago I mentioned something about us buying an RV and just traveling around. Of course the cost of gas came up in the conversation and we didn’t really revisit the topic of ECO RVing until we came across a blog about a couple who converted their diesel RV into a veggie oil powered machine.

Read more…