If someone can afford to ‘go green,’ it’s a celebrity

Add comment November 14th, 2008

I’m not sure whether InStyle’s whole section devoted to Going Green and Green Celebrities has more to do with the planet or the “stars” …

If you’re in it for the planet, here are a few ideas I saw when reading about Jessica Alba. Reading these mags is a guilty pleasure at the hair salon, I’ll admit.

P.S. Here’s a list of green causes supported by “stars.”

I have Ariel and a ‘recycled fairy’

Add comment October 30th, 2008

My 3-year-old, who is dressing up as a fairy, told her Nana’s friend the other day that she’s going to be a “recycled fairy” for Halloween, since her big sister already wore the costume. She nearly knocked the adults onto the floor with laughter.

But seriously, a reminder to reuse those decent Halloween costumes in your family or from your friends. No need to buy new ones if you don’t have to. They’re like Christmas dresses for little girls. They usually are only worn once!

P.S. Reminder how to be green Oct. 31 here.

UPDATE: From the ‘department of natural resources’ …

Add comment October 28th, 2008

Last week, I told you about Klehm’s search for a holiday tree.

Today,  you can sign up to learn how to “go green” with your own holiday decor.

UPDATE, TIME CHANGED: From 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden will present “Holiday Decorating with Natural Materials.” Jane Holting, owner of the Flowering Vine, will share her secrets.

Member price is $12, nonmember $15. To register, call 815-965-8146.

“Nobody likes me, everybody hates me…

Add comment October 27th, 2008

… I’m gonna go eat worms.” Remember that song?

Well, you don’t have to eat ‘em, but you can put worms to work for you by composting at home. They break down organic materials and create tunnels in soil that allow water to percolate and air to circulate.

You can learn more and make your own worm composting bin next month. The University of Illinois Extension program, led by Meghan Bowe, will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 8, at Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden. It’s “fun for the whole family.”

Register online here or at 815-986-4357.

Parting thought, courtesy of the Extension:

Worms are nature’s recyclers. There are 500,000 worms living in an acre of soil at any given time. Those 500,000 worms are capable of leaving behind 50 tons of nutrient rich castings. They are part of a natural composting process, which is nature’s way of recycling its own waste.

Try not to think about all those worms too much. After all, it has been raining a lot lately.

Going the holistic route? Connect with others

Add comment October 14th, 2008

Karen King, who owns Choices Natural Market in Rockford, says she encounters people fed up with “the conventional medical system” who are exploring or incorporating holistic healing options.

“I feel it is my duty to help,” she wrote me in an e-mail. So she started this blog for information, support and networking.

She’s set up areas for autism, ADHD, cancer, raw foodies and food allergies, for example.

Recycle your tires and …

2 comments September 25th, 2008

Winnebago County has announced a used tire recycling initiative where folks can drop off tires at the highway department the first weekend in October. Not something you think about every day, and while my dad is handy, I’m the kind of girl who pays the tire place to recycle mine.

Still, glad to see local progress on this front.

UPDATE: You can recycle metals and clothes, too.

Shopping for baby: pink, blue and green

Add comment September 22nd, 2008

Babies cost a lot of “green,” but they also can start their little lives in an eco-friendly manner with a Mini G gift set. The cost is $40 or $74, depending on how many organic onesies and bibs you get. Both sets come with “Into the Trees,” a children’s book. Interesting idea, I guess: courtesy of a press release.

I can’t say I had a drawer full of organic onesies. I did get this cute chick one as a gift, though.

wanted: green windows

Add comment September 19th, 2008

i was talking this week with a new acquaintance who is vegan.

she told me she’s looking for new windows for her home that are either “green” in construction or used (aka, removed from a home).

if you have any leads, put them in the comments and i’ll pass them along.

eat local at kiki b’s

Add comment September 5th, 2008

saturday, oct. 18, at 6 p.m., at kiki b’s in rockford, you can enjoy a three-course dinner featuring local produce, meats, cheeses and wine — and meet the farmers who give their products the tlc.

cost is $50. to register, go here or call 815-986-4357  (the university of illinois extension offers this, just like it offers other events i’ve mentioned). there may be a guest speaker, so more to come on that.

by the way, the extension is working on a local foods directory, which will have at least 65 entries. more to come on that, too!

is this book poison?

Add comment August 28th, 2008

people like to make fun of moms who are paranoid about plastic or unsafe toys from china.

and they like to pick on books like this: “poisoned profits: the toxic assault on our children” by philip and alice shabecoff, which i heard about here.

i’m no scientist, but you never know what might the impact of chemicals in our society.

Philip, chief environmental correspondent for The New York Times for 14 years, and Alice, a freelance journalist, present detailed evidence showing that children are 10 times more vulnerable than adults to cancer-causing chemicals and accumulate half of their lifetime risk of cancer by age two.

of course, there are critics, but what should be surprising but isn’t: the low nmber of stories i found, pro, con or otherwise, on this book.