twitter thursday: green edition #1

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I’ve decided that I’m going to start a twitter thursday series and ask green ?’s to the twitterverse! twitter is an amazing way to connect and a network with others. It’s also been a great tool for information of all kinds. If you haven’t yet joined…you should…but don’t say I didn’t tell you it’s addictive!

It’s simple- I’ll ask a ? and post some of the responses! Let’s see what others are sayin’ in 140 character’s or less…

tweet, tweet…

Today’s ?

@LaMamaNaturale What’s your favorite eco splurge?

A few of mine- organic dark chocolate, alba lip gloss, baby items…

twitterverse said:

@NTFFC Baby items for sure, especially bath items like Earth Mama Angel Baby and California baby

@Shawnsewcrazy My kids LOVE Horizon organic milk boxes in Vanilla. It’s their drink of choice at Starbucks.

@VeganMamaDotCom Definitely organic dark chocolate, raw bars (Pure and Raw Revolution NOT Lara bars), beauty products

@buygreen Favorite eco splurges are soy candles, organic wine, & @bloominglotus lotions, soaps & bath salt

@dsfq GLUTENfreeda’s frozen (GF) cookies. That and Green Rabbit (french wine) are my two faves. Cocoa Camino chocolate too!

@VDog Juice Beauty or Pangea Organics beauty products.

@AmberStrocel My favourite eco splurge has gotta be organic fair trade chocolate. Mmmm…chocolate.

@theEcoDiva Organic coconut bliss ice cream!

Now dear reader, I ask you the same!

Earth Birthday Wrap Up: Homemade Love

Over the weekend we celebrated Tristan’s “Earth Birthday” party at my in-law’s house.. We had such a good time. I’m so thankful my in-law’s offered to have it at their place. It helped take some of the pressure off Tyler and I.  It was a lot of work anyway and definitely worth all the extra effort. This year to make it an eco-friendly birthday we didn’t have much time to really pull all the things we wanted to do together. With the arrival of Clark and several other side swipes it’s been a bit chaotic.

The party wasn’t until 3pm so we decided that we would make homemade pizzas from scratch and serve them up a salad and roasted potato wedges using organic and local ingredients. I also decided that I would make the pizza sauce from scratch also. I’d seen a recipe for both at The Natural Mommy’s site awhile back and have wanted to try it out. It turned out great and the guests really enjoyed the pizzas. We made a classic pepperoni, mushroom and olive, a veggie, a sundried tomato, artichoke, garlic and green onion, and a hawaiian pizza. I wish I would’ve taken pictures of the pizza/food. I did manage to snap a couple before shots.  It’s hard to juggle everything at once during a birthday party!!!

For the sauce I made both my own, from scratch (had 5 ripe tomatoes that needed to be used) and a homemade version from The Natural Mommy’s recipe using tomato paste. I then had about a 1/4 jar of pizza sauce that I had purchased a couple weeks prior and didn’t use all of it. After cooking up the sauces, I took all three and combined them.

My husband made the birthday cake- it was a Paula Dean cake called 1,2, 3, 4. It was more like shortcake/pound cake- it was very heavy. It was tasty but with frosting it was like a big cookie cake. We also made fresh lemonade from the lemons we brought back from my grandparents home a couple weekends ago. We’d planned to make ice-cream but time didn’t allow for it.

We did not purchase any decorations and were able to re-use the plates and napkins we had from the shower. We didn’t even send out evites for this party- it was word of mouth or by phone. This party was very last minute. I wanted to upcycle a birthday banner using some vintage fabric I have but just never found the time. Hopefully, this year, I’ll have some time to make it.  We made a pinata again this year and you’ll have to read about it at Eco Child’s Play. We filled the pinata with eco friendly treats such as glee gum, organic lollipops and organic fruit strips.

The kids did not get treat bags either. I’d forgotten to bring over the produce bags I’d planned on re-using like we did last year but we ended up giving them sandwich baggies to place their treats in- I know, cringe! It was mainly family who attended so their weren’t many kids, 5 total including Tristan. His two play buddies; he see’s almost weekly were not able to make it. He still had a lot of fun. They played in his playhouse we bought him (my parents, ty’s parents, and us) that is made out of sustainable wood. It’s really cute- I’m going to do a seperate post on that.

Overall, the party went smoothly.  It was small and sweet. The homemade touches made for a cozy feel. We saved money and the planet! Woo hoo! 

Happy WW~ Watching The Dogs Howl

Earth Day Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Earth Day Giveaway is Alaina from The FarmHouse Boutique- where she sells Waldorf inspired play silks that are hand dyed. Congratulations. Enjoy the green goods!!!

Celebrating~ Family, New Life & Birthday’s!

Building sandcastles at the beach on my Earth birthday!

My first cupcake on the beach!

My lil’ guys…

Time to sing “Happy Birthday, to you”!

Pinata Time!

He’s blushing!

Family Potrait

Paula & I with our sweet babies. Dara and Clark had the same due dates.

Dara was born on March 23rd. Ty’s family is in town this week!

Proud Papa’s!

Proud Mama!

For the LOVE of Green: La Mama Naturale’s First Year Journey

My passion for the environment has come along way! I was laid off from work… realized I needed to figure out what it is that I REALLY wanted to do. That meant a phone call to my amazing Aunt Yolaine (she assists people in finding out their passion). To make a long story short. I decided I needed to create a blog a place to write about my eco journey.

Before that, I NEVER thought I’d have a blog…*gasp*

I had no idea how the blogosphere worked or anything about etiquette. I just jumped right in- without ever even really reading too many blogs. It all came together in week. I started blogging at freewebs but that was my brainstorm tablet as I like to call it. It was considered my blog up until I moved here and became official, a dot com and everything. Next thing you know, it’s a year later.

I have enjoyed this fantastic experience and have learned many, many new things about the bloggy world, life, camaraderie, networks and everything else the net has to offer. I truly appreciate YOU- my readers. I look forward to your comments daily and love hearing from you. I want to thank you for being so patient with me through my pregnancy and during my baby moon. You rock!

There was so much I envisioned about this site starting out AND there is STILL so much that I want to do. There just isn’t enough hours in the day. I have an ongoing list of what I’d like to accomplish and hope to do so within the year. It’s taken me a year to collect information and know just what I need to do and what direction I should be headed in!!

I’ve built new friendships, had the opportunity to review earth friendly products and have learned a wealth of information in several areas regarding the blogosphere and my green journey. Since becoming a mom, going green has never been so important. Sharing natural, holistic and green living tips and ideas with such a receptive mom community and blogosphere has made writing for this site my passion.

Here’s to another year of natural living – green happenings, findings, facts and goodness! Cheers.

What would you like to read about while visiting Recycle Your Day??

Do you have any topic suggestions for future posts?

Dump the Boxes, Wrappers, Cans and Containers but Not on the Path

Post written by by Jill Nussinow, MS, RD, The Veggie Queen™ The Veggie Queen is a monthly RYD contributor.

Today while I was walking my dog on a path next to a creek, I came across a wrapper for a Snickers bar. Ugh, I thought, more processed food. Did you know that processed food accounts for 77% of the sodium you eat, according to my friend and fellow Registered Dietitian, Jeffrey Novick, MS, RD?

Therefore, getting rid of the boxes, wrappers, cans and containers is a good idea for both the environment and your health. I suggest buying as many whole foods in bulk as you can for the environment and for your health.

I know two young women, Liat and Jenna, who have made a conscious effort to reduce their use of packaged items. They discovered that at the end of the week they greatly reduced the amount of trash they generated. Additionally, they cooked most days and ate much more healthfully.

It amazes me that one can buy brown rice fully cooked in a shelf-stable package or in 2-pound containers in the freezer. Did you know that you could make extra rice when you cook and freeze it? The same is true for beans and even fresh vegetables when you have abundance. (You do have to blanch most vegetables by giving them a quick dunk in boiling water.) This makes purchasing frozen foods unnecessary.

And, all this leads me back to my morning walk. As the walk was almost over I found a plastic wrapper from a pastry, and once again, it made me think about the necessity of dumping the packaged goods if we want to have many more good days here on Earth. Just don’t leave them on my path. Happy Earth Day.

Happy Earth Day! Eco Giveaway Celebration

Happy Earth Day my fellow eco pals! Be super fly and take an extra step to go green today. You can do it!! There are so many simple and easy ways.

Since we’re celebrating…

One LUCKY reader will win!!!

- eco dough from eco-kids usa

- $35.00 gift certificate to Nurture My Body

- Make Your Own Candy Kit and a Mini Glee Variety Pack from Glee Gum

To enter:

Leave me a comment with your email address.

It’s that simple.

Giveaway ends on Sunday, April 26th 12pm PST! Winner will be announced Monday, the 27th!

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Good luck!

WW~ Earth Day Birthday Boy turns 2!

My lil explorer! Off to dig holes or locate worms maybe even a gopher hole! He’d climb a tree if you’d let him. He’s just over a yr. in this picture and his shirt says ” mine (don’t mess)” with a picture of Earth above it. Tristan has taught me so much in the past 2 years. His bright eyes, sweet smile, cute giggle, and his all around toddler personality has brought me so much joy! He loves being outdoors and being connected to nature. His favorite color is orange.  He loves to rock out to Alvin and The Chipmunks.

You can catch Tristan watching Elmo, Baby Einstein’s, Thomas the Train and his Farm and Tractor DVD (not a cartoon). He really likes music and whenever he has the chance to play the drum set out back in the playroom or the piano at my parent’s he will.

He also loves dancing to reggae beats! Trains, puzzles and his wooden tool set are his favorite toys. He really likes to play with eco dough and go for “bawalks”. Favorite phrase “Beed Chickens”! On the weekends he enjoys riding his horse Chester with Daddy. You can also find him on the park! Lately, he’s been calling us by our first names- “Hand, Lessss!” – “Look, Ty!” What a crack up he is. I’m pretty sure he’s digging his new status as “Big Bro” too! He’s really into animals and loves our visits to the zoo. I can’t believe he’s two!!

We’re celebrating his second birthday by taking him to the beach for a picnic. I have a post natal appt. in Venice so we’re taking him to Santa Monica for the day. We are going to pick up cupcakes to celebrate. Mmm…yum! We normally don’t allow Tristan to have sugar but we’re making the exception for his birthday. It’s definitely a special treat. I’m hoping our lunch prior to the cupcakes will have some nutritional value to make up for it.

We bought him the Elmo Goes Green and Elmo Loves the Earth DVDs along with a wooden activity playhouse made from sustainable wood (more details later) that he won’t get to see or play with until Saturday for his Earth Day Birthday Party! I’m looking forward to it. I know he’s going to love it. He’s such an active little guy!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Tristan!

We love you very much.

xoxo,

Mom, Dad and Baby Clark

**Check out the Earth Day giveaway!

Celebrate Earth Day the Eco Way!

Make Everyday Earthday- Love and Support Your Planet- think green, and be eco-conscience!

10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE-

1. REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!
2. Plan your meals for the day using organic ingredients or have an Earth Dinner Party!
3. Incorporate Earth Hour into your life- turn off the lights for an hr. or one day month and have fun!
4. Use cloth bags when shopping- Paper or Plastic? Neither- Bring your own bag!
5. Plant a tree or garden- Or Wildlife Habitat for the children
6. Make your own green cleaners
7. Adopt an eco-resolution- ex: kick the water bottle habit and start using a reusable H20 bottle!!!
8. Walk, ride a bike, carpool to work! Commuting without polluting!
9. Purchase recycled products…and know you’re sustaining our future!
10- CALL FOR CLIMATE- Call your Representative or Senator today!!! Demand a tougher action on the current GLOBAL WARMING CRISIS!!

US Capitol Switchboard: 202 – 224 – 3121
Ask for your representative. Tell them the current global warming proposals in Congress are inadequate. Tell them you want:
A moratorium on new coal-burning plants, Renewable energy, Carbon-neutral buildings, Protection for the poor and middle class in the new green economy.

Remember, it only takes one person to make a difference and if everyone was doing their part we’d be saving the planet, one household at a time.

A few other ways to be more eco-friendly are:

* Make the switch- change out all those incandescent bulbs to CFL’s! Energy efficient light bulbs last for year. They cost more to buy, but are well worth it.
* Disposable items are generally not recyclable so try to avoid them.
* Grow your own garden this year. The White House is on board and you should be too!
* Compost to reduce waste and keep your garden happy and healthy.

Did you hear Reynolds Wrap is debuting their RECYCLED foil tomorrow? I was so happy when I heard about this. We buy recycled foil at the health food store and it’s a bit expensive so I’m hoping this will be a much more affordable option. Plus, not to mention the fact that a big company like this is making a big switch that will make a BIG DIFFERENCE for our planet.

The packaging and core are made from 100% recovered paper and the inks used on the product packaging are water-based!

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