Put your money where your mouth is by buying products with recycled packaging or from companies that participate in a carbon offset program. Think snack foods, bottled water, toiletries, paper products…even the stores where you shop. When you give your business to companies that are trying to be more eco-friendly, you are sending a message that you like their efforts to be green. More companies are sure to follow suit, if and when it is in their best interest to do so. Not sure which products and stores are the most socially and environmentally conscious? Books like Big Green Purse! by Diane MacEachern or The Lazy Environmentalist by Josh Dorfman look to answer this question.
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Grocery List
3 or 4 large organic bananas, mashed (use 4 if you like moister muffins)
1/2 cup organic cane sugar (I like Florida Crystals, a domestic, carbon-free manufacturer). For a Florida Crystals coupon that saves you money while also making a donation to save endangered wildlife, visit www.floridacrystalscoupon.com/.
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour
Directions
Mix together the bananas, sugar, egg and margarine/butter. Set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together baking soda, baking powder, salt and flour. Mix wet and dry ingredients together, being careful not to over-stir. Pour into greased muffin tins, and bake at 350 degrees for 15- 20 minutes. A great snack to bring to your child’s school or on the road for a healthy treat!
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What better way to teach your kids the value of nature than to plant a tree or start your own garden. Get the whole family involved with digging, planting seeds and watering. How exciting to be able to see sprouts grow into vegetables that can be picked and eaten. If you, like I do, have a tendency to kill every green thing that you have ever planted, then, you might be able to participate in a community garden. If you don’t have a yard, you can donate to an organization that will plant a tree in your or your child’s name.
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Although the name may sound daunting to those who do not like Indian food or spices, this dish is mild enough for even the timid and the picky.
Grocery List
One lb. all-natural/organic chicken breasts or use left-over cooked chicken from another night
One package frozen organic broccoli florets or a head of fresh organic broccoli
One package instant white or brown rice
Two cans low-sodium cream of chicken or mushroom soup
One package organic shredded cheddar cheese
Mayo, curry powder and lemon or orange juice
Approximate Cost $10.00-$14.00 (organic will cost a little more)
Serves four.
The complete recipe with directions can be found at:
www.recipezaar.com/Chicken-Broccoli-Cheese-Rice-Casserole-242282
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Got Rain? Going online with your child can be a fun and interactive way to learn about the environment. And it’s free! Here is a list of a few of the many educational and fun websites (and games) for kids that teach them to protect our planet:
For younger children:
disney.go.com/games (Recycle Rush Game)
nickjr.com (Toot and Puddle’s Friendship Garden Game, Diego’s Arctic Rescue Game)
pbskids.org (Cyberchase The Quest: Eco-Haven Emergency Game, Arthur’s Groovy Garden Game)
For older children:
kidsplanet.org
meetthegreens.org
www.eere.energy.gov/kids/index.html (U.S. Department of Energy’s Kids Saving Energy website)
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