Eco-Friendly Father's Day

Father’s Day is just around the corner, and what a great time to celebrate the men in our lives while showing some love for our environment. Even though it’s dad’s day, here are some ideas to show your dad you care about him AND mother nature!

Give the gift of solar!

For those dad who love gadgets, hand-cranked or solar

powered chargers are perfect for loading up phones,

mp3 players and laptops on the go and on your next

family trip.

Help dad ditch the disposables.

Despite the energy needed to power them, electric razors

are a greener choice than disposable ones! Look for

a trusted brand when shopping for a new razor, since

lasting power is important.

Hit a local trail or park.

What better way to fit in some bonding time than

outdoors? Visit a National Park, go for a bik ride, or

make it a tradition to plant a Father’s Day tree!

Choose an electric Or push mower.

Choosing an electric or push mower over a fuel driven

one can help a lot to lessen carbon emissions to your

surroundings. This will be healthier for your dad because

it will provide him a good exercise at the eco-friendly

special day same time

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Green Tips of June

Summer is just around the corner, and the temperature is a constant reminder to protect yourself from excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays. For some, being overexposed to UV rays can lead to lasting damage such as skin cancer and cataracts. To protect against sun-related damage, follow these tips:

Wear your shades.
Sunglasses that provide 99-100% of UVA and UVB
protection greatly reduce sun exposure that can lead to
cataracts and other eye damage. Be sure to check the label
when buying sunglasses to make sure they have proper
UV protection.

Don’t forget the sunscreen.
Use a sunscreen with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at
least 15. Apply it liberally to all exposed areas of your
body, particularly your ears, face, back and neck. Reapply
every 2 hours when working, playing, or exercising
outdoors; even waterproof sunscreen can come off when
you towel off sweat or water.

Listen to the weather reports.
The UV Index, developed by the National Weather Service
and the Environmental Protection Agency, provides a
forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to the sun
and indicates the degree of caution that you should take
when working, playing or exercising outdoors. Weather
predictions in print and broadcast media announce the
UV Index daily.

Stay out of the midday sun.
The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4
p.m. If you’re spending the day at the beach, take refuge
under a beach umbrella during those hours when the sun’s
rays are most intense.

Green Tips for May

Gifts mom and the earth will love!

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 8, 2011. Are you looking for that special gift to show that special lady in your life just how much you love her? Whether you’re looking for a traditional gift, or something more special, you’ll find ideas below that please both your mom and Mother Earth.

 

1. Perfume

Perfumes are a perfect Mother’s Day gift, but they’re often filled with chemicals which are not great for Mom or Mother Earth. Try more natural options like those from Pacifica or Burt’s Bees, which makes solid perfumes perfect for moms on the go.

2. Organic Flowers

You’ve probably gotten her flowers before, but were they organic? Surprise your mom with a bouquet of flowers either at home or the office this Mother’s Day. Choose organic blooms from either organicbouquet.com or 1800flowers.com to show her how much you appreciate her!

3. A Garden

While what you actually give to your mom will be the seedlings you picked up from your local farmers’ market or nursery, that’s not the real gift. The real gift is the time you’ll spend together planting that garden and the memories that you’ll create.

4. Breakfast in Bed

Instead of driving to take your mom out for brunch, make her breakfast in bed! Waking up to the smell of organic coffee brewing and the sound of a sizzling skillet is always a treat. Knowing she doesn’t have to clean up the kitchen will be the cherry on top!