Earth Day Every Day: Partying Responsibly.

Happy 40th, Earth Day!

Earth Day is the one holiday (the only I can think of) that is fully inclusive to every culture, ethnicity, religion, country, and heritage.  Pretty great, huh?  No matter who you are and what you believe, so long as you are a resident of planet Earth (or like it a lot from wherever you are in outer space), join the party!

Unfortunately, letting the good times roll usually results with that mess no one wants to be around for.  Most are tempted to just sweep it away, bag it up, let it disappear to never-never land...fill.

But not you.  And not us.  Earthlings unite.... let's start by first changing the way we party.

Of course it's not fun to deal with the clean-up that ensues afterward.  No one enjoys it.  No, not even you type-A people out there.  (However, if you beg to disagree with me, you are most welcome to all of my post-parties).

Alas, clean-up has to happen at some time.  Wouldn't you rather do it the right way? (In the "this would make Grandma Sophie so proud" kind of a way?)

As seemingly simple as it is to just "toss it out," I implore you to listen for that eco-conscience voice you know is there.

In fact, try using this phrase throughout the day.  I guarantee it will help you be a better person in many non-eco-related facets of your life: 
"Paige, don't be lazy."
 (Only use your own name... using my name probably won't help you that much).


Simple as that.  Just don't be lazy.  And here's how:

• Make two bins at parties: one for trash, one for recycling. 

• Donate the extra food or dish out the leftovers into aluminum foil that can be recycled.

• Bring those old decorations to a nursing home or Good Will. 

• Recycle the wrapping or save it to reuse. 

• Use biodegradable dishware and cutlery.  You can find everything at the "Biodegradable Store."

Those acts of non-laziness will start to add up. Plus, you're serving as an exceptional eco example to future generations.

And, of course, it means you get to keep on enjoying those parties.  Lazy-free, waste-free... and eco.  :-)

How a broken window can make your wedding shine with Eco-friendliness.

Dear Mom and Dad,
Today in school we learned about Earth Day.

"Boys and girls, what are the three things we can do to make every day Earth Day?"
(all together now...)

REDUCE!  REUSE!  RECYCLE!!

Nicely done.  You get a gold star.

Taking my students' lead, I decided to investigate how I too could reduce, reuse, and recycle some wedding centerpiece ideas...

And here's what I found.

"Spiral Bowl- Black Glass"

Recycled Glass Bowls by Recycled Glass Works-  a company in San Francisco.  Beautiful, handcrafted, recycled glass centerpieces that used to be windows.  Fill them with quartz stones, soy candles, and succulents that are sure to add dynamic design upon your guests' tables.

"Square Platter 'Labyrinth'"

"Starburst- Clear Glass"

Furthermore... and here's where the "reuse" part comes in...

Durable and dishwasher safe, they add flare to your standard kitchenware:
Unique party trays, holiday meal platters, or... as future centerpiece gifts.

In the past, this may have been referred to as "re-gifting."

But not today.  The hereby official term:
"Eco" gifting.

And I promise not to give you a "haven't I seen this in your house before??" furrowed brow stare if I receive one in the future. 
(FYI: I am partial to the "Spiral black glass" bowl)

Rather, I will gladly accept the gift I saw in your house (or at your wedding) and show my thanks with the official Earth Day salute:

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!!

Wow- was that yet another gold star?
Oh I think it was.

100% recycled, plantable paper for every occasion...

'Tis the season of April showers and May flowers.

Let's continue to show how we'll make your garden grow!

(If it's not obvious by now...I'm an elementary school teacher by day.)

Thanks to my very first "Eco" role-model (my fabulous mom) for the lead on this!

Taking to heart the adage of "use a tree, plant a tree," the Bloomin' Flower Card Company is known fondly in Boulder, CO as the "seed paper people."

Each and every paper product they create (they even have wrapping paper!) is made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper and contain seeds that will, as they say, "spread like wildflowers."  

Their designs have a lovely "rustic" quality to them... handcrafted and, of course, 100% eco friendly.

The Green Thumbed Bride

With a May wedding, you would think my choices of "in-season" flowers would be bountiful.

Think again.

My hydrangea-set heart withered in disappointment to learn it's actually a summer flower.

And while I know I could have hydrangeas if I really wanted them, I'd like to stick with in-season flowers as my eco choice.
Here's why:

- It upholds the "shop local" philosophy.

- You know exactly where they came from and can ensure they are pesticide-free.

- It minimizes carbon emissions from shipping.

- It's less expensive.

A website I stumbled upon to aid with my in-season flower quest is The Flower Dictionary. It's a terrific resource for discovering lesser known flowers that will adorn your day nicely.

Also, a potential wedding project that's equally eco and far more economical:
 Start a flower garden of your own that will sprout your bouquet and remain a keepsake long after the wedding bells have chimed... 

And although it may cost you a manicure or two, the end result would most certainly earn you a green thumbs up!

A Glimpse into Your Dream Green Future...

"A Wake-Up Story"

 
As a green bride, it goes without saying that you want to carry out the rest of your "Happily Ever After" in every eco way possible.

So, it's never too early to start thinking about how you will create a healthful, nontoxic home and better planet for your future family.

Healthy Child, Healthy World-- an organization devoted to educating and advocating healthy environments for children and families-- has recently created this video ("A Wake-Up Story") to give a sense of the challenge we future moms are up against.


The picture it paints is far from a pretty scene.
The most staggering fact to me: Babies are born with 200 chemicals flowing through their veins.  

A future healthy baby has to start with you and your husband committing to a chemical-free lifestyle now.  You can also protect other families by sharing what you've learned from this video and website.

Healthy Child, Healthy World provides a list of companies that have won their "kid safe" approval.  Their book, written by Christopher Gavigan (CEO of Healthy Child), is also a wonderful resource to add to your registry!

Another wedding registry fav... for anyone who knows me, OF COURSE I was bound to include it somewhere, and I'll probably write more about it again soon.  Shaklee's Get Clean cleaning products.  Toxic-free, eco-friendly cleaners that end up saving you lots of money too (they're really concentrated, so just add water).  Each kit saves 108 pounds of packaging from the landfills and 248 pounds of greenhouse gas.  That's a lot, my friends.  Start doing your green bridal part now!  And reap the healthful benefits later...