Friday Faves (just barely)
Okay, I’ve barely squeaked in my Friday Faves before Friday was actually over. But I would be really remiss if I did not share some of the wonderful posts that I came across this week.
A post that could only be written by a superhero - Conscious Consumption is one of the most exhaustive lists I’ve read about the many options you have when you are trying to Buy Sustainably.
Greenwashing aimed at well-meaning mothers is one of my biggest pet peeves. Greenwashing Your Baby to Sleep by Wendy at My Green Side is a must read for all moms who are trying to be a little greener.
Organize It this Weekend with 10 Projects- I just love tips about organizing. Mom 24/7 has some good ones!
I just wrote a post about Giving up Carbon for Lent. It will be a four week series and this week is focused on Transportation. Lighter Footstep’s post, Do Some Early Spring Cleaning - In Your Car, includes a tip that I did not have on my list. Check it out to learn another way to reduce your carbon a bit more.
Craig over at The Green Tenant wrote a post in response to mine. He is such a gifted writer and his words are incredibly eloquent. It worth your time to read this companion post - Giving Up Carbon For Lent.
I really loved Healthy Child, Healthy World’s post, Okay, I Can Do That. Probably because it could have been my husband writing it. Andrew’s life seems to eerily mirror our own family life, and I really respected his honest writing.
Green Your Morning Routine - My husband actually did write this one and it’s really good. I’m not just saying that because I’m married to him.
Enjoy the reads and have a great weekend! I’ll talk to you again on Monday.
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Friday Faves
It’s hard to believe that we are rounding up to the weekend already. One child home sick from school followed by two snow days all while the husband is away on business has thrown me completely out of whack! Hopefully I will get a chance to sneak in a little R & R this weekend!
If you are like me, one of your favourite ways to relax is to do a little reading. Just in time- here are my favourite posts for the week:
Of course, #1 on my list is the APLS Carnival of Nature at the Green Phone Booth. One of my posts is featured and there are some really fantastic posts this month. Everyone seems to be on the same page that we need to let go and allow our children make a connection with the world outside our doors.
Following a similar tangent, Janelle at Healthy Child, Healthy World writes about why dirt is good. This post helped give me a sense of justification for my lack of housekeeping skills!
Back to the Green Phone Booth, EnviRambo puts Martha Stewart to shame turning Trash to Trophy. You’ve got to see it to believe it!
What Do You Do When There’s Too Much To Do? This post by Melinda at One Green Generation struck a chord with me this week as I am feeling completely overwhelmed (see whining above).
Ever wonder how to use some of those essential oils that you see in the health food market? Lisa at Well Grounded Life shares how peppermint oil can Pack some POW!
I’ve only recently begun blogging and DMoms’ very personal post, Let’s Be Real, resonated in my heart like an anthem. Whether you blog or not, most moms I know tend to be their own harshest critic. This is a fantastic reminder that there is a flip-side to everything, and we should all give ourselves a break.
From introspective to hilarious, my next fave is from Diary of a Mad, Mad Housewife. How to Get Through Another Stupid Snow Day is one of the funniest things I’ve read in awhile for obvious reasons (see whining above). If you have ever dealt with a snow day-let alone two in a row followed by a weekend- this is the post for you!
Lighter Footstep posted some timely tips to beat food waste by reorganizing your refrigerator. I am still struggling every day with Crunchy Chicken’s Food Waste Reduction Challenge, and any tips that I can tuck away in this little brain of mine is all for the best.
Finally, we all can use a little cash right now. 2009 Tax Breaks for Going Green reminds us that going green can also save green.
Enjoy the reads!!
Filed under Friday Faves | Comments (7)Friday Faves
Many of the bloggers that I have been reading seem to be in a thoughtful mood this week. Maybe it is the anticipation of the emotions of Valentine’s Day. Maybe mid-winter is just provides an opportunity to be pensive. Either way, I have included some of my favourite thought-provoking links this week…
What if you chose to love yourself?
…as well as some that are just plain helpful…
LendAround is a Great Alternative to Spending
FDA Remains Silent About Lead in Lipstick
15 Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat Their Veggies
Enjoy the reads and have a lovely Valentine’s Day!!!
Friday Faves - Do You have a Green Thumb?
Can someone be green without a green thumb? I hope so. I consider myself to be someone who is conscious of the Earth and what my actions are doing to it, yet I can barely keep a houseplant alive. My husband would actually argue that I should take the word ‘barely’ out of that last sentence. He is often quite irritated by my inability to give basic care to defenseless living things. At least I keep our children alive.
So for the past couple of weeks I have been seeing increasing numbers of blog posts about garden planning and seed starting. People are genuinely chomping at the bit to get a jump on the growing season. I’ve witnessed plant catalogs being referred to as seed porn. Most ‘greenies’ are obviously enamoured with their gardens. I have to confess that my mind has the tendency to scan past these posts and move on to things that I find more interesting like non-toxic cleaners, how much energy it takes to store an email, or reducing food waste.
But little-by-little I am attempting to add a bit more green to my life. Our first summer here I had a tomato plant and some flower planters that unfortunately died. Thankfully we have some perennials that seem to be safe from my ‘care’ and add colour to our landscape. Last summer, the kids and I were excited to keep a few tomato plants alive (and even got a few big, juicy ones for our efforts). I’m taking baby steps here so I will probably add more tomatoes and herbs to my little plot this year and pray that they live.
My Faves this week are some great posts for those of you that feel a bit more confident with your gardening skills. Happy planning!
Planning Your Garden Your Own Way
Urban Agriculture for the Landless
Filed under Friday Faves, Nature | Comments (3)Friday Faves - Great Eco Reads
It is blustery and cold outside (at least in my part of Canada). The snow is beginning to pile so high, it is hard to figure out where to pile it up when shovelling. My list of books that I want to read has begun to pile up as well. This is a perfect time of year to hunker down with a steaming hot cup of tea and a blanket and catch up on some good reads. Because of that, this week I’m going to focus my Faves on book reviews that I have come across in the blogosphere. Enjoy!
My Daddy is a Pretzel: Yoga for Parents and Kids
Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder
Happy reading!
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