Environmental concerns are on the forefront of many people’s minds this year. If this is something that concerns you, you might be interested in green gift ideas that will help preserve the planet.

As we buy more and more “stuff,” we encourage the manufacture of these things that are often made of plastics and others non-biodegradable materials, and many such manufacturers do not follow environmentally-friendly practices (not to mention all the plastic toys that end up in landfills). If you like to reuse, recycle, and care about the planet, here are some ideas that might help. Read the rest of this entry

In these days of economic leanness and environmental concern, many of us are looking for ways to save money and be more eco-friendly. Making your own wrapping paper this holiday season is a small but significant way to address both of these concerns. After all, wrapping paper can cost more than $5 a roll, and most of it is torn up and thrown away. Read the rest of this entry

The Baby Ritzy Rider – Infant Car Seat Cover is made out of eco-friendly, soft and beautiful baby bamboo. It is machine washable and easy to put on and off for a quick clean up, without having to remove any straps. It is designed to fit almost all infant carrier car seats such as Evenflo, Peg Perego, Graco, Orbit and others.

The infant car seat covers include pacifier pockets, a canopy hood and two neck straps. Baby bamboo is a sustainable and eco-friendly crop and grows without pesticides and fungicides. Therefore, it won’t irritate baby’s skin. It is also naturally anti-bacterial and anti-deodorizing.

The Baby Ritzy Rider is a great option when you are looking for quality, eco-friendliness and soft infant car seat covers.

Go to www.itzyritzy.com and find out more about this product.

Christmas can be a wasteful and expensive holiday, but it doesn’t have to be. There are lots of ways to make your Christmas celebrations more affordable and environmentally friendly. Here are some suggestions and ideas. Read the rest of this entry

The down-turn in the economy may cause some families to think that Christmas won’t be as festive, or that it won’t have the glitz and excitement of Christmases of more prosperous times. But this is actually a perfect opportunity to explore and discover ways to celebrate Christmas that do not involve a lot of money and material items. Here are some ideas for celebrating Christmas in a more meaningful and less materialistic way. Read the rest of this entry

Yacon syrup is derived from the root of the yacon plant. This member of the sunflower family is found in South America, and Peruvian people use the root chopped in sweet dishes. The syrup has a distinctive flavor, not unlike molasses or caramel. Read the rest of this entry

Living Like Ed: A Guide To The Eco-Friendly Life is a book full of common sense advice and practical options on how to make your life “greener”. It is a great resource for anybody wanting to do the right thing for the environment. Ed Beagley, the author, has been an advocate for the environment for over 30 years and lives in a self-sufficient house powered with solar panels.

The book is conveniently laid out and divided into topical chapters including transportation, garden and home. In each chapter you will find information on how to make small to large changes to improve our environment.

The author raises awareness about toxins in our house, to do a better job of recycling, converting to more efficient lights, how to save water, why you should grow some of your own vegetables in your own garden, saving energy by turning off lights, walk or use your bike instead of the car for short trips, donating used items to charities to decrease landfills and much more. Other more expensive ideas include how to get off the grid by installing enough solar panels and hybrid cars.

Ed Beagley’s book is a no nonsense read and should be owned by every household.

For more information, go to www.amazon.com.

Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States. Food, family and fun – it doesn’t get much better than that! Well, actually it can get better than that. You can have that same food, family and fun while also having a positive, or at least a neutral, effect on the environment. Here are five tips to have an eco-conscious Thanksgiving:

1. Buy organic turkey

   If Turkey is on your menu, and for many families it’s just not Thanksgiving without a turkey, then consider buying a free-range, organic turkey. These healthy birds are better for the environment because raising them doesn’t put harmful pesticides into the environment. And they don’t contain any added hormones or other items which can be bad for the environment and your health.

2. Buy whole foods

   This means you buy foods that aren’t prepared already and sitting in a box or package at the store. This is an environmentally-conscious way to celebrate because you’re not putting all the packaging into landfills.

   Additionally, processed foods are less healthy for you, contribute to emissions, and take tremendous energy to make. If you buy organic, whole foods then you’re also ensuring that no harmful chemicals were used to grow your food. If you buy locally grown foods then you’re also contributing to your local economy. And the food didn’t have to travel thousands of miles, and use natural resources, to get to your table.

3. Use your own dishes

   When serving a large group of people it’s tempting to use paper or disposable dishes. Even serving dishes are sometimes easier if they’re made from aluminum or plastic. However, this material goes right into landfills. Instead, use your own dishes and recruit everyone to help clean up.

4. Stay within 100 miles from home

   Many families travel great distances to be with family on this holiday. However, that mass travel is harmful on the environment, contributing to global emissions. If you can stay closer to home then you’re saving natural resources. One solution, if everyone is spread out, is to create a new tradition – perhaps get together with friends nearby or volunteer to help others on this special day.

5. Decorate naturally

   Autumn is a beautiful time of the year and nature provides some amazing decorations. Pine cones, leaves, dried flowers and vines make wonderful holiday decorations. Skip the paper and plastic ones and enjoy what nature provides.

Being eco-conscious on Thanksgiving is as easy as following the basic principle of reduce, reuse and recycle. Stay close to home, take advantage of your local resources and shop for whole, organic, and locally grown foods. Happy Thanksgiving!

Indian Head Massage has its roots in Ayurveda, which is an ancient form of medicine. It began as a cosmetic practice, wherein women would massage oils into each other’s scalps and hair. Now, it has come to involve more than just the head – Indian Head Massage focuses on the upper back, arms, neck, face, and shoulders as well.

The recipient sits upright, so this form of massage can be done just about anywhere. The use of oils is optional, but some practitioners feel that the various herbal aromas in the oils are an important component to the massage’s healing effects.

Because it targets key pressure points in the upper body, Indian Head Massage tends to bring immediate relief to such complaints as stress, emotional distress, and muscle tension. It is said to enhance mental clarity and improve memory. Read the rest of this entry

It’s that time of year again – time to put up the Christmas tree. Whether you do it the day after Thanksgiving or on Christmas Eve, the decision over what kind of tree you are going to have still has to be made. Here are some of the pros and cons of artificial trees and real trees. Read the rest of this entry