LiveGreen Blog

2008-07-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

Home Decor Goes Green with New EcoArt Pillows
Wabisabi Green: EcoArt for Green Living
Going green never looked so good! Update your home with the new modern collection of
eco-friendly handprinted pillows. Made from the finest quality green materials available such
as sumptuous bamboo, plush organic cotton, silky organic Kapoc fiber and fluffy recycled
polyfiber made from plastic bottles, these durable eco goods are designed to bring luxurious
color and comfort to your home.
Local artist Jolee Pink started her innovative company, Wabisabi Green, to showcase her
colorful ceramic sculpture and stylish design for the home and garden. Jolee’s passion to
fuse her artistic expression with home accessories designed to promote greener living led to
the development of her EcoArt collections. Her designs are inspired by walks on the beach
and the natural sunny surroundings of our southern California coastal lifestyle. The three
eco chic collections just introduced are:

Shore featuring vibrant sea life*

Zen celebrating serenity and balance

Leaf bringing the outdoors in with the beauty of botanicals

For more information and to order, visit wabisabigreen.com.
*Five percent of all Tortuga design sales benefit ProPeninsula’s efforts towards Sea
Turtle conservation. To learn more, visit ProPeninsula.org.

Organic Recipes from Men's Health Magazine

2008-07-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Going green has never tasted so good and been so easy! “Nothing turns average cooks into great ones quicker than fresh ingredients,” New York Chef Tom Colicchio says in the July/August Issue of Men’s Health magazine.

When looking for some fresh ways to prepare your everyday meals, Men’s Health magazine has the following tips:

· Master The Market- Shopping at local farmer’s markets as opposed to supermarkets. Find one near you at (www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets)
· Make Friends- Building relationships with local butchers or fishmongers, can score you his best stuff.
· Stock Your Pantry- Keep extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt and fresh herbs in your kitchen at all times

Below are a few recipes with that add a fresh spin on healthy soon to become favorite dishes.

Roasted Leg of Lamb with Herbs
Ingredients: 5lb boneless leg of lamb
4 sprigs fresh thyme
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh sage
1 clove garlic, peeled and sliced
2 Tbsp peanut oil or canola oil
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
Course sea salt
1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lay the lamb flat (cute side up) on a clean surface and sprinkle it with kosher salt and pepper. Arrange half the herbs and all the garlic on the meat. Roll the meat tightly and tie it with kitchen twine at 1-inch intervals
2. Heat the oil in an ovenproof skillet on medium. Season the lamb roll with kosher salt and pepper; add it to the skillet to the oven.
3. Roast the lamb in the oven for about 45 minutes. Add the butter and the remaining herbs to the skillet and continue roasting, basting occasionally, for about 15 minutes. (The lamb is medium rare when a thermometer inserted in the center of the roll read 125 degrees F). Remove the meat for the oven, cover it loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice the lamb, sprinkle it with a touch of coarse sea salt, and serve.

Pan-Roasted Striped Bass
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp peanut oil
4 center-cut-striped-bass fillets (1inch thick, 6oz each), with skin on
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 sprigs fresh thyme
Coarse sea salt
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dry the fillets thoroughly with paper towels (this will help keep the skin crisp), season them wish kosher salt and pepper on both sides, and then add them, skin side down, to the skillet. Reduce the heat (The oil should sizzle, not sputter) and cook the fillets until the skin becomes crisp, about 3 minutes. Turn the fillets and gently brown the other side, about 3 more minutes.
2. Add the butter and thyme. Continue cooking, turning the fillets once or twice so they brown evenly, and basting with the lightly browned butter. Cook until the fish is opaque, about 4 minutes. Serve at once, drizzled with the browned butter and sprinkled with coarse sea salt.

Summer Vegetable Ragout
Ingredients: Asparagus, snap peas, green beans fava beans, wax beans, peas,
Bok choy, Swiss chard (leaves and stems cooked separately), celery
Shallots, leeks (white parts only), zucchini, yellow squash, pattypan
Squash and carrots.
½ cup unsalted butter
2 oz prosciutto (optional), cut into 4 pieces
1-2 Tbsp chopped mixed fresh herbs (such as tarragon, chervil thyme
Parsley and chives)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 radishes, thinly sliced
¼ cup vegetable sprouts (such as broccoli, radish, or alfalfa)
1. Clean, trim and cut vegetables into bite-sized pieces
2. Cook each vegetable separately in boiling, salted water until tender. Then refresh in cold water and drain. Combine them in a bowl.
3. Boil half an inch of water in a medium pan. Reduce heat to medium low and whisk in the butter a little a time. Mix in the prosciutto and the cooked vegetables, coating with butter. Add the herbs, salt and pepper, cherry tomatoes and radishes, and simmer until the vegetables are just heated through. Divide among four bowls.

Dog Doo...What to do With the Doo?

2008-06-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

by Lia Mack of begreendesigns.com

Summer is here! The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and I get to enjoy my lovely backyard... However, before I sit out in the grass, there are a few steaming items I need to first address. If you've got a dog, you know what I'm talking about. Dog doo. Doggie poop. Doggy-doo. Whatever you call it, it's there, day after day (didn't I clean this up yesterday?!?!) and it'll be there tomorrow...

So, what's a 'green' dog owner to do? Pick up the poo in a PLASTIC bag and toss it in the trash!?!? Oh, no, people. That does NOT sound like a good-green idea. We know how long plastic will take to 'decompose' (that's if it ever will). So why hide away Nature's potential (aka: compost for the earth) in a plastic bag in a landfill? That isn't very smart. Or green.

BUY
Instead, you can invest in a doggy-doo composting system:
Doggie Dooley 3000 Septic-Tank-Style Pet-Waste Disposal System "The Doggie Dooley is like a miniature septic tank for your dog's waste. Simple start-up. Just dig a hole, drop in the Doggie Dooley, add water and the Digester Powder, and your system is ready to go. System breaks down dog waste using the enzyme and bacteria action in the Waste Terminator Digester Powder. "

DIY
However, if you are a frugal-green like myself, there are ways to do-it-yourself:

"The solution, says Mike, is to compost dog waste in yard, using a old plastic garbage can. The folks at City Farmer developed the method, which is one of the most popular tips on the cityfarmer.org web site. The technique provides 'a chance where people can have it slowly decompose in a yard and be environmentally safe.'

Here's a step-by-step description:

Take and old garbage can and drill a dozen or so holes in the side.
Cut out the bottom (A keyhole saw works great for this.)
Dig a hole in the ground, deep enough for the garbage can.
Toss some rocks or gravel in the hole for drainage and position the garbage can so it's a little higher than the soil level.
Place the lid on top (you might want to paint it with something like Dog Waste Composter.)
When you scoop some poop, put it in the hole and sprinkle in some septic starter (available at hardware stores) and add some water.

According to the www.cityfarmer.org web site, "Within 48 hours, the septic tank starter, (which is non-caustic and promotes natural bacterial growth) will have begun its work and you can add more dog doo. You can then begin to add it daily. This waste biodegrades and flows into the subsoil."

Mike adds that you should not put the composted dog waste in your garden.

While burying a garbage can to compost dog waste might seem like overkill if you live near the woods or close to a patch of blackberry bushes, but when you think about it, why not contain the waste in a more environmentally-friendly manner?"

As for when out on a walk...
"Don't use plastic shopping pags for your pooch's poo-poo! These bags are 100% biodegradable. Made to decompose in 40 days."

So there you have it folks! You'll not only remove the crap (no pun intended) from your yard, but you will also be giving back to the earth!

Have a Happy Summer! :)

San Diego EarthFair 2008 - Worst Earth Fair EVER!

2008-04-20T20:59:00.001-07:00

Just a quick comment about this EarthFair.

Our booth was sandwiched between WALMART and CLOROX.I had always heard of small businesses being shut down by a Walmart moving into town, but this was the first time I'd felt the effects.

If you thought it couldn't get any worse, the food vendors used styrofoam and plastic bags were being handed out by the City of San Diego. This by a fair that claims to be zero-waste.

Turn Off Your Lights - March 29th

2008-03-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

Want to join people around the world who care about the environment? Turn off your lights this March 29th for Earth Hour 8-9pm...make a difference.

Keep America Beautiful!

2008-03-07T09:26:00.000-08:00

By Lia Mack of BeGreenDesigns

Have you looked outside lately? Take a walk around the block. Hike through the woods. Or just look at your own yard after a windy day. It's a mess. Plastic bags, ignored roadside newspapers, candy wrappers, water bottles and more. All just lying around cluttering up the landscape. On a recent hike I actually found a ceiling fan in the woods...A ceiling fan!?!? It is a sad absolute that when I take my children outside, they will see more trash laying around than other children playing and wildlife put together. Just as with violence on TV, the more they see it, the more immune they become to litter being a part of their world. If we don't do something about it, together as a family and a community, litter will become a permanent part of our great outdoors.

One way for communities to get together to tackle the problem is underway right now! Keep America Beautiful™, the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization, is hosting The Great American Cleanup™ in communities, both nationally and internationally. "The Great American Cleanup™, [is] the nation's largest community improvement program, [which] takes place annually from March 1 through May 31, involving an estimated 2.8 million volunteers and attendees…The hardworking volunteers donated more than 7.7 million hours in 2007 to clean, beautify and improve more than 17,000 communities during more than 30,000 events in all 50 states and beyond. Activities included beautifying parks and recreation areas, cleaning seashores and waterways, handling recycling collections, picking up litter, planting trees and flowers, and conducting educational programs and litter-free events.

"Keep America Beautiful™ believes that each of us holds an obligation
to preserve and protect our environment.
Through our everyday choices and actions,
we collectively have a huge impact on our world."

Get Local & Get Involved!
"There are more than 565 certified community affiliates of Keep America Beautiful™ doing good works." Click here to find a group near you.

Can't find an affiliate in your area?
Start one of your own. "Organize a clean-up committee by seeking out a few people who share your passion for the cause. Set a meeting date and let the ideas flow. Decide which project everyone wants to tackle." Click here to learn how you can Organize your own Great American Cleanup™

Here are just some ideas of how you can get involved from Keep America Beautiful™:

Host a tree planting party
Put a new coat of paint on a graffiti-marked wall
Adopt a road with your friends and plant flowers
Sponsor a litter collection contest
Clean up a river or field that has become an illegal dump site
Collect recyclable and reusable items on your block and deliver to a recycling center

Together we can make a difference. The possibilities are endless!

$30 Off Registration For Urban Assault Bike Race

2008-03-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Urban Assaulter,

I have received some emails wondering why the Urban Assault Ride is not
coming to SoCal in 2008. As any of you probably have seen, we have a new
title sponsor (New Belgium Brewing) and a new focus for the events. The
UAR has proven very effective in helping folks use their bikes for
transportation. For 2008, we have chosen cities that have the best
infrastructure for bike transportation, with the hope that we'll have
more of an influence.

We're sorry that we're not in SoCal in 2008 - we can only do so many
events each year. That being said, we could be back - so don't write us
off.

As our way of thanking your for your participation last year, I am
offering $30 off a team registration to any 2008 UAR of your choosing.
Hopefully you can make it down to our biggest event in Austin, take a road
trip to the Rocky Mountain and participate in Ft Collins or Denver. Maybe
even check out our new events on the Pacific Northwest or Mid-West.

This offer expires 3/21 - so if you plan to sign up, pleas email me which
city you'd like and I will send you a coupon code.

Thanks again for participating and we hope to see you at the UARs again
this year!

-Josh Kravetz (josh@adventurefit.com)

Earth-Touch

2008-02-05T07:55:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while we are contacted by a unique company or group of individuals eager to share their story. Earth-Touch is one such group. I was contacted by one of their members from South Africa excited to share her story.

REAL LIFE. NOW

Life on Earth is not a documentary. The Earth is a living organism that responds to each day with different subtlety. At any moment in time a complex cycle of natural wonder is playing out somewhere on this planet, while a butterfly flits in the Amazon, a lion roars in the African night and a great white shark silently moves through the Indian ocean. This intricate choreography that we are a part of is often hidden from view – playing out in some remote and undisturbed part of this planet. Earth-Touch strives to capture the best of this activity every day – quickly, simply, in the highest quality possible and then to relay it to audiences everywhere in the world, in the shortest time possible. Earth-Touch puts people in touch with the Earth, Now.

All the Earth-Touch content producers, film makers and editors are committed to making entertaining and educational wildlife films and new media in ways that are both environmentally and ethically sound. The footage is not sensationalized, the subjects are not antagonized…the mission is simple, to celebrate the truth and the beauty of nature.

Any representation of the natural environment demands from the crew, a very high level of personal integrity that supports the values of environmental awareness and concern. This is best achieved when high standards of journalism are merged with a profound respect for the natural world. Earth-Touch content producers scrupulously avoid harming or disturbing their subjects and the habitats in which they live in.

On the website you can download weekly podast highlights, featured stories, backgrounds and screen savers, earth-touch audio clips etc. We encourage people of all ages, demographic backgrounds to come explore the natural beauty of their planet!

www.earth-touch.com

LiveGreen Partners with TerraPass

2008-01-16T21:19:00.000-08:00

White Badge Partner
LiveGreen has reduced up to 200 metric tons of carbon emissions in the current year.

LiveGreen is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and is working towards a zero footprint. With renewable solar electricity for our facilities, as well as recycling and composting our waste, we are well on our way. Until we reach our goal of zero waste, we will offset 100% of our remaining waste with TerraPass.

Carbon dioxide emissions, the principal cause of global warming, are an inevitable consequence of energy use. Every time an individual or organization uses electricity for lighting, fuel for transport, etc., additional carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere.

LiveGreen has partnered with TerraPass to sponsor clean energy and carbon reduction projects that result in a verified, measurable reduction in carbon emissions.

A Year of LiveGreen

2007-12-27T10:26:00.001-08:00

I can't believe this year has almost gone by. My wife and I are truly amazed looking back at the progress we've made with this company. In a little over a year LiveGreen has gone from an idea without a name to a company providing services and selling products. We could not have done it without the support from our friends and families.

We are also aware that there is a lot more we could be doing...and the task is a little daunting. Finding the time to invest in pushing this company farther is not easy with two full-time jobs.

2007 was a time of growth and learning. We focused our efforts and made connections with some great people. I can only hope that 2008 will be even better.

Happy New Year!

Carnival of the Green # 107!

2007-12-09T15:02:00.000-08:00

LiveGreen is excited to be the 107th host of Carnival of the Green, hosted by TreeHugger. It's our first run as host and we are glad to see you. Hope you had fun last week with Fake Plastic Fish... and stay tuned next week for Great Green Gadgets.

It's kind of a mixed bag, so here we go...

Cindy at My Recycled Bags shows off here green with a plastic bag bag. This could help with decorating on a budget

GreenDealsDaily points out an eco-friendly vodka.

Join Bean Sprouts at the Big Green Gathering.

Check out Fake Plastic Fish for some help on choosing which lipstick to use.

Victoria Everman writes about some nice green dishes and cups. Maybe a good present for a wedding...scientist says divorce is bad for the earth.

LED lights provide all the cheer for less says the Digerati Life.

Live It True talks about solar energy tackling poverty.

Natural Family Living questions the climate crisis. Sox First says businesses are worried about climate change.

Mexico is helping butterflies says Intelligent Travel.

Check out the Veggie Revolution for some coffee and chocolate.

OrganicMania talks tacky.

What Sustainable Materials To Look For When Buying Eco-Friendly Clothing.

Check out Life, the Universe, and Everything for the answer to Who Killed the Elecric Car.

and The Human Imprint talks about water and population rise

wow, that was a lot of submissions.... have a good week!

Why Paint "Green"?

2007-11-06T22:18:00.000-08:00

by Lia Mack of BeGreen Designs

Personally?
Because I care about my health and that of the environment. I cannot consciously buy, use, and toss something that is not only poisoning our land, water, and air, but can also contribute to or create health problems in my family and yours.

What you put into the Earth, you put into yourself...
What you put into the Earth, the Earth gives back to you...
You reap what you sow...
Plant a seed, you get a plant. Dump poison, you get poison!
Even my three year old gets it!

Know air pollution?
Guess what. The air your own home can be five to ten times worse than outdoor air pollution. Yes, even if you live in a city like LA or DC. The EPA estimates that indoor air pollution kills more than 11,000 Americans each year. What do we owe this unpleasantness to, you ask? Contaminants such as cleaning solutions, building materials, stains, and paints! Paints are one of the highest contributors to indoor air pollution. They "gas-off" fumes such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) not a nice organic, a bad one. These gasses can continue to gas-off for 3-5 years. Like that dark blue your room is painted with (I know I do). Well, dark pigments are the worse. They have the most VOCs and gas-off for years. The darker the pigment, the more VOCs, and the more gas-off fumes. You eat, sleep, play and work indoors. Most people spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Yikes! The gas-off of these contaminants can result in serious health problems.

Natural Beauty
We live in a natural world, and like babies, it should be treated in a natural gentle way. That is why I choose to switch to 'green' paints. There are so many choices, you won't have to compromise your style and color selection, durability or wallet! The paints I use are Zero VOC (low VOC paints still off gas and contain hazards). Begreendesigns only uses the most natural and eco-friendly materials. I am always looking for better green materials and paints. Just today I decided to, instead of recycling cereal boxes, use them as sample boards! See, being green is just that easy :)

Besides painting 'green', what else can we do? Glad you asked :)
We need to be stewards of this planet that we have been given. Look around and smell the 'great' outdoors. Isn't very great thanks to the industrial revolution. Don't get me wrong. I do like central air in August and movies in Hi-def. However, let's face it. We are ruining this great planet! So instead of placing the blame on people who don't recycle or companies who still produce hazardous waste to benefit their pockets, lets do something about it. Lets use OUR dollars and sense and only purchase green products and services that we know are made from and only use biodegradable, recyclable, sustainable, green, fairly traded resources and materials.

..................................................................
Here, I've compiled a quick list to some of the Internet's best available information on the subject of 'green' paint, VOCs, healthy children's rooms...you name it!.
Non-Toxic Paints
EarthEasy.com
"Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air , and according to the EPA, is considered to be one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes..."
An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
Studies have found that indoor air pollution on average is 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors. During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, levels may be 1,000 times greater than outdoor levels...
Creating a Safe, Healthy Room for Your Child
Green Home Guide
"Newborns, infants, and toddlers are particularly susceptible to many toxic compounds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children are exposed to higher concentrations of pollutants because they breathe more air, drink more water, and eat more food per kilogram of body weight than adults do; their skin is more permeable to certain toxicants; they are exposed to pollutants on the floor as they learn to crawl and play; and they often explore new objects by putting them in their mouths..."
'Green Paint' Makes Life Beautiful and Healthy!
"There are many options to look at when thinking about green paint. One of the easiest to find and most cost effective is Low or Zero-VOC paint. VOC, or volatile organic compounds, are carbon containing chemicals that readily evaporate into the atmosphere, destroying the ozone layer. VOCs are commonly found in paint, as well as gasoline, mineral spirits and nail polish. In addition to being ozone unfriendly, VOCs are responsible for polluting our indoor air, which has been found by the EPA to be 5 times worse than outdoor air. Low-VOC paints are often beneficial for people with breathing conditions as well as young children and the elderly..."
TreeHugger Asks: What Green Paints Do You Like?
"When it comes to choosing TreeHugger-friendly paint for whatever home improvement project that needs doing, we have a few ideas..."

Go Trash Free!

2007-11-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

by Lia Mack of begreendesigns.com

I have a very hard time tossing anything, since it's final destination is a landfill that in turn will inevitably pollute my water, air, and land. I breath the air. I drink the water. I grow food in the land. Why on Earth would I want to pollute it?!??! So I've done something about it, or at least have been moving in that direction. I'm going trash free. Yep, that's right! Totally and utterly trash free.

What does that mean, you say? Well, that means you leave nothing out for the trash man on Monday or any other day. You compost everything you can, reuse, recycle, or just don't buy it (reduce consumption). It's pretty simple on the surface. However, when you take on the challenge, it gets a bit more complicated.

You see, we've been born and raised in this not so Earth-friendly environment. You go out to eat. You take home your food - in Styrofoam. You are religious with the 3 R's in your kitchen, but you forgot about the waste basket in the bathrooms, laundry room, garage. You have guests over and they don't take heed to your cute little signs above your recycle and trash containers and toss out everything. Ok, so you see where I'm going with this. If you want to take on this challenge, it's a full-time commitment. You can't just use the "I'll do it next time" routine. You have to commit mind, body, pocket book, and spirit to the cause.

So, are you ready! Are you stoked! Here are some ways to help you stay on your game. And remember, no trash means nothing to the landfill. You can recycle till your heart turns, well, green. But no trash. No toss. No more ;)

1) Vow to never use Styrofoam again.
Whether you are buying meat at the store, taking leftovers home from the restaurant, or picking out a nice pair of new pumps, remember: Styrofoam cannot be recycled. If you can't recycle it, can't reuse it, reduce it. Just don't use it. Instead, bring your own containers for food leftovers. You'll be out to eat with other greenies, so you won't have to worry about looking like the crunchy hippie you are...you'll fit right in ;)

2) Compost everything!
I have a nifty-difty little sign above my, now empty, garbage can in my kitchen. It reads "No veggie scraps. No egg shells. No fruit peels. These go in the compost bin! Thanks, Management :)" Don't toss out that soon-to-be black gold for your garden. Make sure everyone in your home is on board with this one. And if that means being a compost police for a while 'till they get the hang of it, so be it. Why would you want put that in a plastic bag to stink up the house anyway? Get a kitchen counter top compost bin, fill it up with all your kitchen scraps (minus the meat, bones, and milk products) and toss it on your compost heap every few days.

3) Remember the 3 R's.
When you are out shopping, before adding something to your cart, ask yourself, "Can this be recycled? Can it be reused? Do I have something already like it?" The bottom line for all purchases should be that if it doesn't fit in the 3 R's, you really need to rethink the item. Chances are, yes, with a little ingenuity and creativity you can find another way to satisfy your need...or want...craving...just gatta have it!!! Yes, we were born into this compulsive consumpting society, but if you are going to be trash free, you have to "be the change you wish to see in the world". Go Gandhi!

Now, having said all this, there are some things that I have yet to figure out how to fit into the 3 R's, compost, and not buy. I eat meat, so there are the bones from food that can't go in the compost and can't be fed to the dogs (mine are rather small dogs). So what about those? There are a few items that people will struggle with finding alternative ways, so let's open up a forum to find some solutions. What about Styrofoam?!??! What do we do with this stuff? How can we reuse it? What if it was bought with meat from the grocery store? Oops. What then? Can you really reuse it?

Here is the question to ask yourself, if you want to enter this challenge...Are there really certain things that just HAVE to be tossed? I think we can find alternatives to all of these items that we've been sold on having to toss out. That's where the NO TRASH challenge comes into play.

So, let's jump in and start the challenge!!

Start with a week. One week. Go trash free. Then add another week. Once you get the hang of it, be daring. Go for a whole month. Let me know how long you can make it and what made you break. What are some of the great alternatives you have come up with? Did you find the secret? Can you share it with the rest of us?!

I think this is a great thing for us to do. Why do we need to add to the landfill. Our ancestors (yep, I'm pulling out the oldies) made it just fine without trashing our Mother Earth. Now we're destroying it for our children and our children's children.

Make the commitment. Test yourself. See how far YOU can make it. Be green! Be trash free :)

San Diego Fires: Where Sustainable Buildings Help

2007-10-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

Our home has been on the border of evacuation from the fires in San Diego. I'm very thankful we've been able to stay inside and hope for the best for the 500,000 plus San Diegans evacuated from their homes.

We are currently having an energy crisis as power links are being burned. I just went outside to check on the air quality and saw that our solar system was going strong and we were actually putting power back into the system (this with six people actively working on computers and watching news update on TV). It really brings home the fact that green or sustainable buildings are better situated in times of crisis.

Happy 'Green' Birthday - Green birthday party ideas

2007-10-23T10:49:00.000-07:00

By Lia Mack of BeGreen Designs

It's that time of year again: cake, presents, and goodie-bags...it's Birthday party time! Planning a child's birthday party can be fun and dreadful at the same time. A party is a wonderful way to celebrate the life of your wee little one. However, all the waste that it can create can drive a 'green' parent nuts!

The last party we had for the kids ended in tears (from me, that is). Sure, some of the paper products were recycled in my clearly marked containers.. However most of our reusables ended up in the trash with unwanted cake and dinner tossed in with them. I attempted to dig them out, which was absolutely gross, however I was more frazzled by the thoughtlessness of some of my guests. Hadn't I, ever so nicely, instructed everyone to reuse and recycle properly? And we won't even mention the countless gifts and wrapping and money spent and...well, the list can go on and on.

Ok, so not everyone is 'green' savvy and even the best intentions can end up in a hit-or-miss situation. So what's a green parent to do? I'd like to share with you some, dare I say, fail proof ways to have a green birthday party!

First and foremost, I say make it a combination of a traditional and reinvented green birthday party. You can't expect everyone to jump on board and be amused by your ever-green ways. So let's compromise (or at least that is what it will look like on the surface :))

Invitations:There are tons of cool ways to do invites that will make you smile green. You can simply bi-pass paper all together and use an online invite service or email all of your guests individually. But what about those folks not online. Or worse, those who never read and/or respond to your emails?

Let's look at some paper options. Kids love to be involved in planning and helping out with their parties. So why not collect some paper from around the house and make your own invites out of handmade recycled paper. Paper making is fun and you can really jazz it up and make your invites unique. Another option would be to call everyone and leave a message, maybe telling them to check their email :).

Party Decorations:Streamers and balloons are so old school. Let's think with our green-caps.... For my son's upcoming birthday party, we are going to decorate some old sheets with fabric paints and use them as table cloths and napkins. We can reuse these for all birthday celebrations in the future too. Also, you can cut small streamers from the same fabric and use them as decorations, just simply hang them where they will dance in the breeze. This is a great idea to use in lieu of balloons. They just end up being swallowed by baby turtles. So sad. If you don't have any bed sheets you aren't using, I bet your local fabric store has some festive threads that you can get a yard or two of.

Presents:Oh, the presents. I have to say that this is the part I dread the most. Not only wondering what in the world to buy for someone else's kid and them not liking it, but what will everyone else buy my kids!? Plus, how much stuff do the kids really need?

I don't know about you, but my kids have enough, and there are kids out there that don't. One option would be to host a party where instead of gifts for your kids, guests bring gently used or new toys to donate to a local shelter. Your child can pick which one and then help you make the delivery.

Another idea is to think local and register your child at a local toy store. And I don't mean the big-box corporate toy stores. Ask around, take a drive. We have such a store here and it's filled with special gifts and good quality games and toys you won't find at the big toy store.

You can even ask guests to get your child a book in lieu of a card and write a personal note in the book. What child doesn't love books! Also, you can send your guests home with a book in their goodie-bag. Everyone brings gently used books that they are done with for a new one. Sort of a book-swap party.

Another great idea is to instead ask for 'experience gifts' where someone can get your child a ticket to a show, a pass to a near by aquarium or museum. A camping trip anyone? These experiences will last a lifetime and won't break, make a disaster of the house, are more fun and can involve other members of the family too. Everyone wins :)

My favorite way to deffer gifts is to, instead of gifts, ask guests to bring their kids favorite dish for everyone to share. Not only do you get a great variety of foods, this also cuts down on your own party costs. This brings us to the best part of the party.

The food:Asking guests to bring food is great. If you are going to do it all yourself (for those supermoms and superdads out there) try to have all vegetarian foods so that all table scraps can be readily composted. Visit the farmer's market the week of for some fresh local produce.

If you do have to fire up the grill to satisfy the meat-eaters, buy local. Introduce your guests to some of the unknown local possibilities like local farmers and ranches. Not everyone knows about CSA's and local places where they can get fresh organic veggies and free-range meats.

Dishes and such:I like to use cloth whenever I can. Why cut down a tree to wipe my hands one time and toss? It's insane. Here you can use your reusable birthday bash table cloths and napkins. The washing machine does all the work. It's no big deal, looks great, and feels great too. You'll save money and the trees :) As for dishes and utensils, if you are partying at home, use your own dishes. There are also some great reusable dish sets out there. If you are out and about at your local park for your birthday bash, there are some great compostable alternatives. Potato forks, corn spoons, PCW paper products. Check online or at your local green grocery store.

Goodie-Bags and Games:Last but not least, the goodie-bags. The little bags you give your guests on the way out the door. Filled with tiny junky plastic toys that are not only a chocking hazard, but are cheap, break, and probably have toxic lead paint! Not to mention the candy. Kids + candy...honestly. But you can't not have them. The kids love to have something to go home with. They're kids ;) So let's think outside the bag, shall we.

Kids love crafts. So why not have them make something that they in turn take home, and in a bag that they decorate themselves! Or, better yet, you and your child can decorate some brown paper bags before the party that you can use. For my son's upcoming party, we are going to make some bags and the kids will use them to bring home their handmade bird feeders. Send the kids off to find pine cones., add peanut butter, sprinkle bird seed, and presto! Other ideas could include: Treasure hunts, have them make tie dye t-shirts, set up a paint-a-picture station, show them how to make homemade play dough.

With a little imagination and ingenuity, the possibilities are endless. I hope you enjoy your next birthday party 'green' style. I'm off to get mine underway. Wish me luck!

Vespa...Go Green

2007-09-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

Totally excited to hear about this. We love our Vespa and like to think of it as a green alternate transport... getting 70 MPG.

Well, we heard from a contact that Vespa is touting their green edge.

WIN 1 of 3 VESPAS ... or other cool prizes by entering the Go Green Vespa Video Challenge.

Did you know... if Americans were to utilize one of the latest eco-friendly Vespa motor scooters for just 10% of everyday travel, we could reduce national fuel consumption by 14 million gallons of gas a day, and decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 324 million lbs. a day.

This is the basis of Vespanomics and one of the benefits of Vespa scooter ownership.

Submit a video about Vespanomics and you could win the ultimate grand prize - a Vespa GTS! Your video will be judged on viewer ratings, originality, creativity and most importantly how the video best illustrates the Vespanomics message.

Need more information on Vespanomics? Read up on the subject. Once you've done your homework, grab your camera and start shooting. This is your chance to show and tell the world what Vespanomics is through your creative lens.

So whether you're a filmmaker with skills, an impassioned novice, an environmental advocate or just a huge fan of the Vespa brand, we want to see what you've got.

http://gogreenchallenge.vespausa.com/

Anti-bacterial Debate

2007-08-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

By Noelle Morris, EPIC Cleaning Products

Today about 75% of liquid soaps are antibacterials. But there is an ongoing controversy over the active ingredients found in these hand soaps, triclosan and quarternary ammonium compounds. Extensive studies have shown that triclosan causes skin irritations, kills human mesoderm tissues, and causes extensive damage to our environment. Surprisingly, recent research has shown that antimicrobial soaps are ineffective, outside a sterile hospital setting and are actually causing more harm to our society than good! Because they kill most bacteria in their paths, they leave only the toughest behind, potentially helping drug-resistant bacteria thrive. Also, in water sources, triclosan combined with chlorine and sunlight can produce chloroform, a suspected carcinogen. While the debate continues, it may be best to lean towards the safe side and use nontoxic cleaning products. If you'd like to learn more about the harmful effects of anti-bacterial soap, please follow this link to download a pdf file: http://www.products4causes.com/pdf/Triclosan.pdf

Blog Action Day

2007-08-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

I just found this at Earth 911. The Blog Action Day is a MASS blog writing day focused on the environment. It's definitely something we support. Stay tuned...I hope it goes well.

On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind - the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future.

We at LiveGreen will be donating any earning we make on October 15th to the San Diego Riverpark Foundation and the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy.

The Linkery: Great Food with a Conscience

2007-08-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a place to eat in San Diego and want to eat at a place with excellent food and a friendly staff, try The Linkery. Owner Jay Porter is progressive when it comes to the quality of your meal as well as its ecological footprint. Known to spend many weeks away from his hometown to visit with the independent farmers that raise food for the restaurant, Jay also works very hard to bring you a meal without causing harm to the environment.

When we took some friends for dinner the other night, we were seriously impressed with the entire dinner. Instead of bottled water we were offered a carafe of cold, sage-infused water. Our silverware was wrapped in hemp, reusable napkins and what we thought was candlelight was actually a fuel-cell light. There were a variety of organic and vegetarian meals as well as local brews and wines. I really think the reusable To-Go boxes is really innovative. (food in plastic or styrofoam containers makes me cringe)

New Takeaway Containers, Greenstyle
Posted by Jay on Saturday, 18 August 2007

We’re continuing to try to reduce our environmental footprint, particularly with consumables waste — paper, tinfoil, plastic, etc. To-go containers have been a bugaboo for us, the tin foil pie-pan containers we’ve been using are not reusable and I understand they are very resource-intensive to make.

Starting this weekend, we’re going to pack all our to-go orders in heavier, dishwasher-safe, reusable plastic boxes. These containers cost us about a buck each, and for each container in a takeout order we’ll charge a buck.

If you like the container and want to use it at home, great. But if you don’t want it, just bring it back to us at any time and we’ll give you your buck back. As Chef Tell would say, “very simple, very easy.”

Also, if you prefer, you can bring your own container in and we’ll put your food in that, and then the dollar doesn’t even make the circuit.

In any event, we’re pleased to be trying this new system, which will allow us all to reduce waste without costing anything. Which we think is cool.

If you like a good local brew and some good food to go with it, join us at The Linkery Aug 28th for the Green Flash Brewmaster's Dinner.

Free Energy

2007-08-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

I was just paying my bills and thought I'd share one with you.

San Diego Gas & Electric was getting around $100 per month from us before we went solar. It was a real eye opener.

Reusable Options for Bulk Items?

2007-07-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

I was wondering what you use when buying bulk items like flour, rice, dried fruit from the grocer. I already use my reusable bags and produce bags but I am at a loss when it comes to the other items. Thanks!
Prisilla Fisher

Clean Power Finance - Making Solar as Easy as Buying a Car

2007-07-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

Question: WHY AREN'T MORE PEOPLE GOING SOLAR?

Well, other than the many hoops you have to jump through (from finding the right installer, rebate applications, net metering ....) I can attest to one big hurdle: MONEY! Even getting a large rebate to cut the cost, trying to finance $20-30 thousand dollars is not very easy or appealing.

Clean Power Finance is a new company started in Silicon Valley that wants to make buying solar as easy as buying a car. When you show up at the dealership, do you expect to refinance your home before you can get the keys? Well, with Solar Dollars, CPF wants to make realizing clean power for you own home a simple and attainable reality. More often than not, you can just divert that monthly check to your power company over to a loan payment.

Earth Friendly Moving

2007-07-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago we moved to our new home using the zero-waste packing solution provided by Earth Friendly Moving. Take a look at our videos as we ask Spencer Brown to shed some light on his company.

2007-07-11T15:45:00.001-07:00

via TreeHugger

Christmas in July

2007-07-08T17:18:00.000-07:00

First, a disclaimer: We at LiveGreen do not discriminate when it comes to religion. Here, we talk about Christmas in the American sense (Santa Claus, Gifts, Big Dinners, Firends, Love). Now on to the blog.

You've all heard of the saying "Chistmas in July"... usually when somebody hits it big or when there is an unexpected windfall of money. Well, we'd like to talk about Christmas in December, the biggest shopping day of the year. As a consumer, you have the power to effect change with every dollar (or euro, pound, etc...) spent...and just around the corner (well, not really) comes the biggest spending season of the year. You can't get away from it! Holiday parties at work, in class, at friend's homes...there's the obligatory card to all of your friends and families. It's a time to spend and a time of waste as well. How many gifts have you returned or given to Goodwill after the holidays? Why do we need all of these gifts?

I'm not saying gifts are bad...it's great to give a loved one a gift showing how much you care. However, it seems that as we grow older, Christmas becomes a nostalic time best spent giving presents when really we just want to spend time with our friends and families. In the next six months we will be blogging about ways to make your holiday season green this year. From sustainably made gifts to no gifts at all.

We start in July with no gifts. My wife and I are in a similar stage with both of our families...a few of our siblings have kids, new Grandmas and Grandpas are just getting their first chances at spoiling, and siblings of long distances have but a few weeks a year to spend with eachother. We both come from large families. So when you add on a neice or nephew here and there the family becomes HUGE. The holidays represent a significant stress when it comes to gifts for people large and small...and then there's the 'Holiday Card' you should send to EVERYONE YOU'VE EVER MET! It's a little insane when you think of it.

Let's make this holiday a ZERO WASTE HOLIDAY. When it comes down to it, my family is not rich, but we can afford to buy some luxuries on our own. It's not like when I was a kid and had to mow lawns for months in order to buy a Super Soaker...I rather spend a lot of my money all the time on things like gas, food, clothes...the last thing I want to do is spend more. So what do we do?

Gifts: Make a pact with your family this season that no one will buy any gifts for anyone (except for kids if you want...and stay tuned for some sustainable gifts). Many cheap gifts are made in deplorable working conditions and are manufactured with earth UN-friendly materials. Think before you shop...can you live without the hassle of shopping in the busiest time of the year?

Cards: Send an eCard or nothing at all. What do you plan to acheive by sending a card? Data Transfer. You're trying to bring the people you care about (or even just acquaintances) up to speed on your life...maybe even bragging a little! Why do you need to use paper, ink, gas for transport, waste? Sending an eCard is a simple and efficient click of the mouse.