Mom Central Goes Green

Just in time for Earth Day (Sunday, April 22), Warner Brothers has released the IMAX: Born to be Wild Blu-Ray 3D combo pack. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this inspiring movie captures the close bond between animals and humans. The movie follows orphaned orgutans and elephants along with the dedicated people who rescue and raise them. Shot in IMAX 3D in exotic locations ranging from the rainforests of Borneo to the rugged Kenyan savannah, Born to be Wild provides a unique glimpse into the daily life of these orphaned animals and their human caretakers.

Making Earth Day Accessible
Not sure what you can do to make a difference? Here are some kid-friendly activity ideas to help your family get into the spirit of Earth Day and contribute to the protection of the environment:

HP, the world’s largest technology company, teams up with Staples, the world’s leading office supply company, to offer consumers and small businesses an easy and free way to recycle small electronics. Regardless of where the device was purchased, Staples’ locations nationwide (excluding Copy and Print Shops) accept the recyclable consumer products listed below. As part of Staples’ commitment to ongoing sustainability, the collaboration with HP now makes it possible for consumers to dispose of their electronics responsibly.

Sending kids to school with lunch boxes packed full of healthy snacks presents quite the challenge for many Moms and Dads. Not only do most all-natural and organic foods come in bulk, but these items also lack the junk food brand packaging appeal that kids crave at the lunch table. Faced with these challenges, along with the desire to live in an eco-friendly manner while avoiding harmful chemicals, two Moms teamed up to bring four crazy cute monsters to life.

These monsters – Sammy, Scout, Bailey, and Dusty – adorn the outside of Wexy lunch and munch snack bags. The BPA-free and biodegradable bags offer an easy way for Moms to send kids to school with fresh fruits and vegetables, organic snacks, and gluten-free goodies. Packaged up in bags decorated with their favorite little monsters, healthy snacks take on an entirely new and exciting identity.

My family has always been an avid promoter of ‘going green.’ All year long we recycle and compost instead of throwing items in the trash. We continue this trend during the holiday season. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized how eco-friendly my family was during the holiday season.

The three major green actions we take include reusing wrapping paper, buying a real tree and reusing decorations. Whether you live a green lifestyle or are just looking to save money and the environment this holiday season, these tips are easy to follow.

Reusing Wrapping Paper

Living a green lifestyle doesn’t end when the snow starts to fall. The winter months can make it difficult to continue your eco-friendly habits. Keep on the green track by the following tips below.

Seal Doors and Windows
When you let the winter chills into your home you also let your precious heat escape. If you do not know how to check for leaky doors and windows, seek professional help. Having a well-sealed house decreases your heating bill and saves energy.

Layer
Wearing a sweater and slippers around your house allows you to turn down your heat a few degrees. This slight temperature decreases also does wonders on you heating bill and energy consumption.

Green Fun
Encourage your family to sled, ski and build snowmen. If you can accomplish any of these in your back yard you can save on fuel. These activities not only create great family memories, but they also reduce you carbon footprint. Finding ways to occupy your time with something that doesn’t use fuel or electricity is the greenest solution.

As I was paying bills and writing out checks the other day I asked my husband if he knew the date. “September 19,” he replied. What? It’s practically FALL already? Yes, it’s apple, foliage and pumpkin season, at least here in New England. So with autumn close at hand, here are a few ideas to keep green while out and about enjoying the all that fall has to offer.

Keep your car running efficiently. Before you take off with the family to enjoy “leaf peeping,” check the air pressure in your tires. Cooler temperatures lower tire pressure and that, in turn, lowers fuel efficiency. So check your tires and make sure that they are properly inflated.

Take advantage of “pick your own farms.” Go apple picking. Take the kids to a local orchard and enjoy this season’s treat. Local cider, caramel apples, and the fresh pies not only support your local farmers, but are part of our tradition!

Sending kids back to school ignites hectic schedules. From shuttling kids to after school activities, to ensuring they’ve completed their homework and have a packed lunchbox for the following day, it may seem near;y impossible to maintain the green living habits adopted over the summer.

The fall provides new ways to stay green without overwhelming already full schedules. Simply accomplish everyday tasks in an eco-friendly manner and feel good about the model you set for your family.

Eco-friendly school and office supplies

The selection of school supplies constructed with recycled materials continues to grow with each new school year. From recycled pencils and notebooks, to decorative pencil cases and book covers, read labels to identify the companies with a dedication to green products. Treat yourself to some new office supplies and show your kids that everyone must lend a hand in going green.

The Halloween costume search sends kids into an excited frenzy while parents often express financial dread. Spending as much as $50 on a costume worn for a few hours creates a bittersweet feeling surrounding the holiday. In realization of the costumes from years past lining closet shelves, Green Halloween aims to benefit both families and the environment with National Costume Swap Day.

On October 8^th, 2011 National Costume Swap Day calls for Americans to set up a local kids costume swap in their communities and go green this Halloween. From witch’s hats to cartoon character outfits, clean out your closets and save money while helping the environment. Green Halloween reminds consumers that swapping the costumes of only half of the children who celebrate Halloween would reduce annual landfill waste by 6,250 tons- the equivalent weight of 2,500 midsize cars!

My family recently moved into a new home, and for the past few weeks I’ve heard my dad say the same saying over and over -

Recycling takes a beating during a move.

Recycling takes a beating during rebuilding.

Recycling takes a beating after a party.

I kept thinking these are the most important moments when recycling should not “take a beating.”

During our move, so many things were being thrown away. I would cringe to see things go straight into the trash when they could be recycled.

It’s the day-to-day recycling is what’s easy. When people get lazy, and have to put more effort into recycling, so much gets wasted. I couldn’t understand how my parents could feel PL about throwing away trash bags of plastic, paper, and cans. I felt I needed to open their eyes so they were seeing not just their own future, but their children’s and their future grandchildren’s.

So how did I try to correct this dangerous habit? I gave my parents two suggestions:

It’s that time of year again. Parents across America rejoice in sending the kids off and returning to regular schedules, while children groan about the end of summer. Yes, it’s back-to-school time!

With the school year here or quickly approaching, environmental lifestyle expert Danny Seo offers ways to make the back-to-school routine a little greener this year without breaking the bank. Danny Seo is partnering with Recyclebank, an organizations that rewards people for their everyday green-focused deeds with discounts and deals, to get the word out.