Healthy and Green Living » Holidays & Gifts

Have a Green Fourth of July

Melissa Breyer — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:00:10 +0000

As far as holidays go, Independence Day may not rank as the most eco-sinful, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. Here are a few easy ways to begin getting some green in with your red, white and blue. Greener Grilling Resist the temptation to buy conventional hot dogs and hamburgers for the grill. Opt [...]

Dog Safety Tips for Fourth of July

Melissa Breyer — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:00:07 +0000

While we might associate the thump and boom of fireworks with festivity and a great display, many of our canine companions are completely freaked out by Fourth of July noises. Some dogs cower and shiver, some panic and try to escape from their homes. We checked in with the The Humane Society to gather some advice [...]

Share Your Fourth of July Traditions

Annie B. Bond — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:04 +0000

Independence Day will soon be upon us in the United States. Families and communities celebrate with barbecues, town parades and firework displays. One of my favorite Independence Day traditions was our family picnic at a nearby sand bottom lake, where we would all play volleyball in the water and then enjoy my mother’s red, white and [...]

An Eco-Friendly Day at the Beach

Jana Ballinger — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:00:59 +0000

Who doesn’t love the beach? But as we all flock to the shores this summer and for Fourth of July weekend, it’s important to remain conscious of the kind of damage that our love of the beach can wreak on marine life and the beaches themselves. A good eco-rule of thumb whenever you’re out enjoying [...]

Green Birthday Party Ideas, Please

Melissa Breyer — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:00:12 +0000

Paper hats, plastic forks, wrapping paper, plastic cups, latex balloons, plastic party favors, paper napkins, vinyl tablecloths, and loads of artificially colored food and high-fructose corn syrup. Ahhh, children’s birthday parties–a few hours of glee and a heaping pile for the landfill. In the past six years I have thrown a total of 10 birthday parties [...]

Green Gift Guide for Father’s Day

Jana Ballinger — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:00:35 +0000

He taught you how to ride a bike, then later how to drive. He cooked his version of omelets, the “cheesy dadlet,” and made peanut butter sandwiches for you and your friends. He dropped you and your futon off at college and smiled proudly on graduation day. With Father’s Day upon us, it’s time to give [...]

Go Green for Easter

Jana Ballinger — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:04:07 +0000

By the Care2 Staff

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail. And what does he find? Plastic eggs and fake grass and Easter candy that bears absolutely no resemblance to any taste found in nature. Oh no!

So what's a greenie to do when hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way? Check out this guide to a healthy and green Easter, including all-natural egg dyes and instructions on growing your own grass, plus recipes for some fabulous springtime dishes and desserts sure to satisfy Peter Cottontail's sweet tooth without sending him straight to the dentist.

Homemade Natural Easter Egg Dyes

Melissa Breyer — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:32:41 +0000

The year the Easter Bunny brought my kids only organic yogurt-covered raisins didn't go over so well, but at least my daughters are gung-ho for dying Easter eggs with homemade, plant-based dyes. We rummage and smoosh and boil, and they are amazed and delighted by the colors we can come up with. They have fun, and I am relieved to be free of synthetic food dyes.

Certified food dyes approved by the FDA include colors synthesized from petroleum derivatives and even coal tar. While other food dyes based on natural ingredients come from things you may not care to ingest: Have you heard about carminic acid? It is a commonly used red food coloring, which comes from the dried, crushed bodies of pregnant female scale insects called cochineal. Yum.

Green your Valentine’s Day

Annie B. Bond — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:23:31 +0000

Valentine's Day is almost upon us and love is definitely in the air. Red and pink is everywhere, but why not go green for this holiday?

Frankincense and Myrrh: Oils of Peace and Freedom

Annie B. Bond — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 10:26:42 +0000

The three Magis brought gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to Nazareth to give to the child Jesus. Each of these gifts had practical as well as symbolic meaning. While gold brings comfort, Frankincense and Myrrh aromas have been used throughout time as aids for spiritual transcendence and peace, to manifest Heaven on Earth.