Halloween costumes can be the cause of such stress!  They’re cheaply constructed, generic, and expensive.

Some thrift stores set up Halloween sections during this time of year.   If you live in Los Angeles, at the moment there is a large section in the Goodwill at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd and 6th St in Santa Monica.  I’m sure other thrift stores have a similar set up.  They may not have the hottest superhero your child most desperately needs, but they’re likely to have more unique options (no one wants to show up wearing the same thing as someone else), and still allow your kids the fun of roaming the aisles to pick out his or her own costume.   I think it’s also a good chance to instill that Halloween really is about having fun, getting dressed up, and stuffing yourself with candy.  And just as much fun can be had in a used Gumbi costume as in a brand new Iron Man costume.

I’ve also heard of parents organizing costumes swaps.  Both are really great ways to get kids fun new costumes on a budget, and while helping to minimize clothing manufacturing and landfill use.  If you’re in New York, go to this one that my friend is organizing on October 24th !

Another idea is to convert an old costume into something new.  With new accessories a fairy can be adjusted to a princess, remove the padding and get a new nose and an elephant becomes a seal, dye a good witch dress and it becomes a wicked witch.

You can also make your own costume.  All of my favorite costumes growing up were made by my mom.  They were nothing too elaborate, but it ensured that no one else would have the same costume, and I got to help her out and  suggest changes here and there, so I got just what I wanted.   We also stored costumes away, so I often wore what my brother had worn a couple years prior.  They also had a great homemade touch–accents and accessories were actual tactile objects, not just screen printed onto chintzy fabric.  Scrap fabric, string, glue, tape, paint, and carboard boxes can take you a very long way.   It’s so much fun to get creative with kids.  Making costumes with them is a great way to stretch their imagination and encourage them to find ways to translate that imagined idea into a functioning frock.

Save yourself a couple of gallons of water and pee in the shower!  But make sure you’re shampooing or otherwise scrub-a-dubbing simultaneously, or that half-minute while you just pee will use up a as much water as a toilet flush (older showers use about 4 gallons/min, newer ones about 2.5)…plus shampoo adds a delightful flowery scent!  Also, perhaps do it in the beginning of the shower to ensure it all makes its way down the drain by the time you towel off.  And for those of you with roommates, remember pee is virtually sterile!

I think I may ride my bike to work from now on.

DENPASAR, KOMPAS.com -

“Konsep 3-R tersebut yakni mengurangi (Reduse), memanfaatkan kembali dan daur ulang (recycling) terhadap sisa-sisa yang tidak berguna, kata dosen Fakultas MIPA Universutas Udayana, Dr Ketut Dharma Putra di Denpasar, Senin (20/7).

Ia mengingatkan, semua pihak hendaknya menerapkan konsep 3R secara konsisten dan berkelanjutan sebagai upaya menyelamatkan lingkungan dan terpeliharanya kelestarian lingkungan.

Untuk itu masyarakat perlu didorong untuk mengurangi pemanfaatan sumber daya dalam melaksanakan berbagai aktivitas pada kehidupan sehari-hari. Selain itu memanfaatkan kembali sisa-sisa yang tidak berguna
menjadi benda yang bermanfaat.

“Masyarakat perlu dilibatkan secara langsung dalam melakukan upaya mengurangi, memanfaatkan kembali serta melakukan daur ulang terhadap barang-barang yang telah dimanfaatkan,” tambahnya.

Ia mengingatkan, upaya tersebut dilakukan dengan cara yang sangat sederhana, menarik dan konsisten. Untuk itu program sosialisasi mendapat perhatian serius secara khusus sebagai upaya merangkul masyarakat.

“Dalam memerdayaan masyarakat, sangat diperlukan keterlibatan tokoh masyarakat dan intelektual, sekaligus mendukung terlaksananya konsep tersebut dengan baik,” harap Darma Putra.

source:kompas.com(http://sains.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/07/20/08451683/3.r.solusi.kurangi.sampah)

Since most people have Memorial Monday off, the 3 day weekend leaves many options open for celebrating the holiday. One option that you should consider is learning how to have a green Memorial Day weekend. If you can make this weekend eco-friendly, then you will be reducing the carbon footprint of everyone who shares in your festivities.
Here are some green steps that you can take before, during and after the picnic:

Before the picnic….

• Get rid of any stuff that has accumulated in your yard by donating it to thrift store, or let it be reused when you sell it on eBay or Craigslist.
• Mow your grass with an old-fashioned push mower or an electric mower. Gas mowers are more expensive, and they also leave a huge carbon footprint.
• Purchase an electric grill powered by wind energy or a solar powered grill to have the most eco-friendly cooking experience with your food.
• Clean off dirty lounge chairs or other outside patio furniture with green and natural cleaning products instead of using toxic chemicals.
• Instead of going to a grocery store, support your local farmer’s market. Walk or bike to it to reduce your automobile emissions. Or, if you have a garden, pick your own organic ingredients from it!
• Want to keep pesky mosquitoes away from you while you eat? Lather on some organic bug spray and repellant. You can also leave a cup of sugar water away from the crowd and bugs will flock towards it instead of you.

During the picnic…

• Use biodegradable utensils, bowls and cups (or reusable ones are even better) to create less waste for your local landfill. Have guests write their names on the items so that they can be reused.
• Keep a recycling bin (like one from Recyclingbin.com: Eco-Friendly Bins & Containers) next to the trash can so that people know you support plastic, metal and paper recycling.
• Give guests reusable napkins so that they can be rewashed and used again.
• If you do have a charcoal grill, use lump charcoal made from natural and sustainable wood and try to avoid using lighter fluid.

After the picnic…

• Use biodegradable plastic trash bags to clean up any surrounding trash.
• Let your guests take home any leftovers so that no food goes to waste.
• Clean the grill with soap and water instead of using harsh chemicals.
• Compost any leftover food scraps in a special compost pile in your back yard. You can also throw those lawn clippings from the other day in the pile!

You can have a fun, affordable and green Memorial Day weekend if you just commit yourself to earth-friendly practices. Plus, if you can commit to these practices on Memorial Day, then you can do it every time that you have a cookout! (via huddler)

When I was growing up my parents had to really stretch the budget to take care of us seven kids. Being the youngest of seven, naturally I knew the definition of hand-me-downs! There were home made dresses from mom and patched up pants. I didn’t mind when I was in grade school, because I was a tom-boy and it gave credence to that mission. Often times I was mistaken for a boy too, much to my delight, when I was paling around with my older brother Mike.

I remember more than one occasion at Christmas time when my mother would bring a gargantuan green plastic bag out and dump the contents on the living room floor Like vultures to prey, seven children would fight over the lot…seizing the best pieces of recycled clothing for themselves. Fist fights ensued, scratching and pulling hair and 14 hands and arms entangled together for the best article of clothing. We made it clear that we would be lining up for confession the following month with all the other devoted Catholics.

As anticipated, this excitement for hand-me-downs wore off around the age of twelve. I started caring a little more about my appearance and how my classmates viewed me. Unfortunately, that did not change the situation from my parent’s practical point of view. So I borrowed clothes from friends! I was amazed at the myriad of clothes my friends had. I was perplexed when I learned that “normal” parents actually bought items NEW at DEPARTMENT stores! Wow, what had I been missing?

In high school I started working and would spend my money on clothes. Working at a fast food joint doesn’t get you rich, though, so my Levi 501s had to be worn at least three times a week to get the mileage out of them. Thank God they were so in style! I just had to change my shirt and wash them…..a lot!

I continued buying new out of high school, into college, and into the early days of my career. I hit the sales, tried to be economical and still graciously accepted donations of clothes from my older sister, Kati, who is still much more of a fashion goddess than I will ever be. Then I had kids, and that ALL changed.

When my first child was born I was overwhelmed by the amount of presents I received at two separate baby showers. The only other time I remember receiving so many gifts was my wedding and I actually felt guilty about how much was given to me. I was very grateful, though, and carefully unpacked and arranged our newborns’ closet with brand name clothes. They all looked so neat and organized! No one ever told me about the dark side, though. You new moms know what I am talking about…..the good old blowout! All the sudden my beautiful bleached white onsies had poop stains all the way of the back. No one told me that the labels for size were just a farce. What is that all about? Part of the reason I ended up with three children was that my first two outgrew their size so quickly I still had new clothes to put another baby in! Your OB needs to warn you about that the first time around, so you take protective measures.

As my children quickly outgrew their clothes I started sharing with friends, hitting garage sales, and (gasp) even went to Goodwill. It was there that the old habits of my mom rekindled in me 30 years later…….I was addicted.

So, what used to be a shameful thing to me is now worn with a badge of pride. I had NO problem telling my friends recently at a hat party that my really cute Borne shoes I paid next to nothing for at Goodwill! Speaking of the party I went to, it was a hat party where all the hats are recycled from used sweaters and t-shirts.

Get this: it is now actually HIP to be frugal! Little would I have known so many years ago that my mother was ahead of her time….the Rosa Parks of the Reuse, Recycle and Reduce movement. So, thanks mom. I didn’t know it at the time, but you taught me a valuable life lesson. Being a good person means loving someone from the inside out, despite what they are wearing. Recycling means honoring and respecting Mother Nature.  Paying forward means being a good neighbor and friend.

Life Lesson? Giving feels great! Try it, you will be filled with the gift of happiness, and you can’t buy that new at any store.

When I was growing up my parents had to really stretch the budget to take care of us seven kids. Being the youngest of seven, naturally I knew the definition of hand-me-downs! There were home made dresses from mom and patched up pants. I didn’t mind when I was in grade school, because I was a tom-boy and it gave credence to that mission. Often times I was mistaken for a boy too, much to my delight, when I was paling around with my older brother Mike.

I remember more than one occasion at Christmas time when my mother would bring a gargantuan green plastic bag out and dump the contents on the living room floor Like vultures to prey, seven children would fight over the lot…seizing the best pieces of recycled clothing for themselves. Fist fights ensued, scratching and pulling hair and 14 hands and arms entangled together for the best article of clothing. We made it clear that we would be lining up for confession the following month with all the other devoted Catholics.

As anticipated, this excitement for hand-me-downs wore off around the age of twelve. I started caring a little more about my appearance and how my classmates viewed me. Unfortunately, that did not change the situation from my parent’s practical point of view. So I borrowed clothes from friends! I was amazed at the myriad of clothes my friends had. I was perplexed when I learned that “normal” parents actually bought items NEW at DEPARTMENT stores! Wow, what had I been missing?

In high school I started working and would spend my money on clothes. Working at a fast food joint doesn’t get you rich, though, so my Levi 501s had to be worn at least three times a week to get the mileage out of them. Thank God they were so in style! I just had to change my shirt and wash them…..a lot!

I continued buying new out of high school, into college, and into the early days of my career. I hit the sales, tried to be economical and still graciously accepted donations of clothes from my older sister, Kati, who is still much more of a fashion goddess than I will ever be. Then I had kids, and that ALL changed.

When my first child was born I was overwhelmed by the amount of presents I received at two separate baby showers. The only other time I remember receiving so many gifts was my wedding and I actually felt guilty about how much was given to me. I was very grateful, though, and carefully unpacked and arranged our newborns’ closet with brand name clothes. They all looked so neat and organized! No one ever told me about the dark side, though. You new moms know what I am talking about…..the good old blowout! All the sudden my beautiful bleached white onsies had poop stains all the way of the back. No one told me that the labels for size were just a farce. What is that all about? Part of the reason I ended up with three children was that my first two outgrew their size so quickly I still had new clothes to put another baby in! Your OB needs to warn you about that the first time around, so you take protective measures.

As my children quickly outgrew their clothes I started sharing with friends, hitting garage sales, and (gasp) even went to Goodwill. It was there that the old habits of my mom rekindled in me 30 years later…….I was addicted.

So, what used to be a shameful thing to me is now worn with a badge of pride. I had NO problem telling my friends recently at a hat party that my really cute Borne shoes I paid next to nothing for at Goodwill! Speaking of the party I went to, it was a hat party where all the hats are recycled from used sweaters and t-shirts.

Get this: it is now actually HIP to be frugal! Little would I have known so many years ago that my mother was ahead of her time….the Rosa Parks of the Reuse, Recycle and Reduce movement. So, thanks mom. I didn’t know it at the time, but you taught me a valuable life lesson. Being a good person means loving someone from the inside out, despite what they are wearing. Recycling means honoring and respecting Mother Nature.  Paying forward means being a good neighbor and friend.

Life Lesson? Giving feels great! Try it, you will be filled with the gift of happiness, and you can’t buy that new at any store.

I was in need of something to hold my magazines, so before heading to the store I poked around the house a bit looking for ideas.  I found cereal boxes in the recycling bin and paired them with the leftover suede contact paper in the craft drawer.  Got out the scissors, cut the boxes on an angle, used the refuse to make a band to go around the boxes, covered it all in contact paper.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  Not the coolest thing I’ve ever made, but it has great function.

Hi there…..here is my latest creation. A homemade, t-shirt blanket made from Shon’s older t-shirts.

The t-shirts were just piling up, but he didn’t want to get rid f them, so creativity set in..let’s make a blanket….

This blanket tells many of his stories…from all different times of his life.

Some of the shirts, he designed. Some he just loved and others have lots of memories…

neat, hau?

the back of the blanket, I used some old camo curtains that were hanging in Shon’s work…they were just throwing it away…why?

I’ll take it…and MAKE  SOMETHING!!!

Thank for your interest and letting me share…

]]> http://kidsgarden.wordpress.com/2008/12/20/protecting-the-earth-at-ada-merritt/ Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:31:38 +0000 seoyogini http://kidsgarden.wordpress.com/2008/12/20/protecting-the-earth-at-ada-merritt/ As part of our PTA “GREEN TEAM’s” on-going effort to  assist our students to protect the earth, we are continuing our “DRINK POUCH BRIGADE”.

WHAT IS IT? A recycling program to collect & reuse juice drink pouches. Instead of throwing them away in the garbage (landfills), RECYCLE THEM!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Collect drink pouches at home and bring them to school!

A collection bid for the juice pouches is currently located  in the corridor outside of the main office. A box will also be placed in the cafeteria for drink pouches consumed during lunch! Please tell your kids to drop them there!

The PTA will be coming by to pick them up on a regular basis.

Thanks to the generous sponsorships of Honest Kids and Caprisun, a contribution of  $.02 for every drink pouch collected will be payed to the PTA.

*ONLY DRINK POUCHES ARE ACCEPTED (NO JUICE BOXES)*

Please encourage your children, friends, students and staff to join in our drink pouch brigade. Each and every one of us can make a difference!

A special thanks to the PTA and the Green Team for their efforts to protect our environment and the earth:-)

Economy may be under stressful times, but this doesn’t mean your wardrobe should feel the same.  This season is all about the three R’s: Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse.  With many of the trend’s of the late 20′s and early 30′s back in action (ironic, perhaps?), it is time to chop off some pants into pedal-pushers and raid grandpa’s old time closeted looks, keep your eye out especially for those vintage shoes. 

 Many of the men’s runway collections were filled with greys, browns, and tans this season with subtle minglings of blue, green, and yellow hues.  Pull on an old pair of jeans, a heavy knit sweater, add some suspenders (I am totally digging the suspenders) and you’re ready to go.  Oh! and don’t forget the polishing power of a scarf. Keep color and print in mind. 

FYI: Plaid is still going strong.

Being heavy has been a barrier to all things in my life. It has drained me of all self confidence and kept me from living up to my full potential. I could give you a long list of reasons why I want to lose weight (for my kids, my health, etc.) all of which are true but for me it is all about completing and crossing things off of my life list, protecting the environment, and living a new eco-friendly lifestyle.

Follow me through my weight loss journey as I use the three R’s to help me reach my goals. I will:

Reduce the calories & processed foods I eat by only eating foods that are in sync with my body and the planet;

Reuse the information given to me by Club Fitness, my personal trainer, Show Me St. Louis, Seattle Sutton, and you the public as a tool for successful weight loss and maintenance; and

Recycle the excess fat on my body by converting it to energy and burning it through exercise on a daily basis.

I’m ready to wage a war against the mirror, to be healthy, fit, and strong, and reclaim my self confidence to break down all barriers in my life and do great things.