Have Your Kids Met The PBS Enviropals? Red is the New Green with Games, Songs, Lessons and More!

The other day my husband asked me if I had seen the Enviropals on PBS.  I had never heard of them but after checking them out, I knew the Enviropals were some new green friends I had to share.  Not only is the Enviropals the first "green" kids show on PBS, but the creators are two high school teachers from my neighboring Volusia County, Florida. 

The mission of “Enviropals!" is to empower K - 5th grade viewers to be good custodians of the Earth as they learn the importance of keeping the planet clean.  The Enviroplas website has green games, songs, Eco-tips for kids, lesson plans that go with the themes of the shows and a ton of stuff that my kids really love.

Combining musical numbers with an environmental message, “Enviropals!” chronicles the adventures of Rae Rae the Red Panda who lives in his “housetree” with his friends Safari Stan, Safari Sue and the Safari Kids. Sixteen zany animal puppets also live in the housetree and interact with the cast throughout the show.

The show is currently not airing on all PBS stations.  Check your local listings to find out if it is showing in your area and if it isn't, contact your local PBS station and let them know you want it available.  Be sure to visit their site for a ton of green kid's fun!

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One More Reason to Go Organic...Our Children's Health

I just read in Health Day that even though the pesticide Chlorpyrifos was banned in 2001 for household use, it is still being used in agriculture on fruits and vegetables.  Oh did I mention that Chlorpyifos affects kid's mental and motor skill development? There's one more reason to go organic huh?  

That's right according to a study published online March 18, in advance of print publication in the May issue of the American Journal of Public Health, high level of exposure to the pesticide Chlorpyrifos (greater than 6.17 pg/g in umbilical cord blood at the time of birth) was associated with decreases in both the Psychomotor and Mental Development Index Scores in 3 year old children. 

We have to do something to stop the exposure of toxic pesticides on our future generations and I want you to take action today.  First, be sure to spread this message by sharing this on Facebook or Twitter.  Next, watch the short video above and take the call to action.  You know we really can make a difference. 


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The Ultimate Green Classroom and their Inspiring Green Dream Teacher

One of my goals for 2010 is to spread the green living message to our younger generations.  When I ran across this article in The Daily Green News, I was truly inspired.  When we take a look at all of the organizations and amazing people who are dedicating their lives to teaching kids about the true value of going green, we all learn a lesson about what is important in life.

Greg Perry is a high school teacher who really has been blessed with the gift of really dreaming big, Green Dreams.  He has not only battled paralysis and cancer but he has battled teenagers and won!  Who isn't inspired by that these days?  Greg's marketing class students have been won over to his Big Green Dream and Ultimate Green Classroom.  You must watch the video above for the full story.

Please watch the video above for more on Greg's inspirational story and  take a tour of the Ultimate Green Classroom and get inspired to do great things with the kids in your neck of the woods.  All great things do not have to be big.  We might be surprised by just how big meaningful little life lessons can become as they plant the seeds for our green and sustainable future.

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Turn Out Your Lights for Earth Hour 2010

Earth Hour is on Saturday, March 27th 2010, at 8.30pm local time.

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Is Splenda Making you Sick? Try Stevia Plus Instead

If you have been following my blog for a while you probably know that I had a terrible reaction to using too much of the artificial sweetener, Aspartame.  My body just can't handle the stuff so I started looking for a new, safe sweetener. Forget Saccharin as it tastes like poo and I can't cook with it.  I thought "natural" Splenda was my answer but guess what?  It isn't so natural and not much better than Aspartame as it messes with the good bacteria in your gut which we all need to stay healthy.

The Truth about High Fructose Corn Syrup

You might remember that some of my very favorite commercials are from the Corn Refiners Association.  I love the way they try to make people feel like idiots if they try to steer clear of HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup).  All I have to say is keep your eyes and ears open because I have the latest news on High Fructose Corn Syrup.  According Health Day, a study soon to be released in the journal Hepatology, HFCS has been linked to liver damage in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Cash in on a Career in the Wellness Industry - Find out which job is right for you: Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist or Esthetics

Personal Trainer – The Big Boost
You’re the type that dances to the beat of a different punching bag. You love being a motivator and you love being creative as you design personalized fitness routines for clients. However, you must be knowledgeable about safe exercise habits, or you may find yourself with a hurt client.

News from 2 of my Favorite Green Dads - Yummy Earth Organic Gummy Bears and Lollipops Spring into Easter

You might remember a couple of weeks ago when my daughter told you about one of her favorite green living finds called Yummy Earth.  The company is run by two dads who couldn’t find great tasting treats for their kids that weren’t filled with corn syrup and artificial stuff.  Yummy  Earth organic candy is 100% all natural, made with real fruit extracts and planet friendly ingredients.  The folks at Yummy Earth wanted me to let you know about their special packaging for spring which comes just in time for the Easter Bunny to add a little green to all of our Easter baskets.

Yummy Earth would like to wish you a happy & healthy Easter with their launch of Easter themed packaging for two of their popular candies, Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops and Yummy Earth Organic Gummy Bears. They hope to encourage families to make healthier choices this Easter season by providing them organic candy alternatives for Easter baskets.

FLUSHED! How What You’re Flushing is Making America Sick - Why You Want to Watch This Dr. Oz Show

I love listening to Dr. Oz and his adorable wife on XM Radio.  They always share hard to find health information, great guests and health topics that I find really valuable. So when I was contacted by them with a request to spread the word about an upcoming Dr. Oz TV show, I was more than happy to help them out.  You really should listen up, because once again, Dr. Oz will be focusing in on an environmental health issue that could affect every single one of us that the media is under reporting.

On Tuesday, March 23rd, The Dr. Oz Show will explore the effects of Pharmaceutical & Personal Care Product Pollution in a segment called “FLUSHED! How What You’re Flushing is Making America Sick.”

Three Easy Green Ways to Save Money on Your Food Bill While Saving Our Planet - Get Green with Envicorp's Envisack, Envitote and Envipal

Each week I like to take some time to introduce you to some of my favorite new green living finds.  Of course I love to tell you about products you can use which will actually benefit the earth, but I really love it when I can show products you can use to go green that actually are easy to use and save you money.  You hear it all of the time that going green actually saves you money in the long run but let me tell you what...I want to save some cash now.  Am I alone when I say, "Show me the money!"?   So with the thought of making conscious consumer choices to not only save our planet but to save some cash right now, you should meet Stephanie and Tana and get to know their Envirocorp's Envisack, Envitote and Envipal.

The Most Toxic Home Products - How Many are in Your Home?

I ran across a great slide show on Forbes.com of all places which shows what products in our home are the most toxic.  I was actually surprised by some of the products listed and think you may be too.  There is a really great article that goes with the slide show that you can check out when you are done viewing the pictures.  Share this with your friends and always be on the lookout for ways to reduce exposure to toxins in your life. 

Click HERE to join our green living, online community!

Picture from www.cleanandhealthyme.org 

Moms and Dads, Power Your Child's Imagination with 100% Recycled Cardboard Rocket

Update July 26,2010 - Sad to say that this amazing company went out of business so my shop can no longer carry this amazing rocket.  :(

It is so important to not only model green living for our kids, but to also include them by offering them ways that they can participate in living a greener lifestyle.   When I found this recycled Rocket through my OpenSky Community I just fell in love with it.  When I did a bit more digging, and discovered that it is crafted and created by a really fun duo who have a sincere passion for their entire line of beautiful, functional and closed loop designs, I knew it was something I wanted to share.  I think this is really a fun way to spread the green message to our little ones. I remember how much fun I had as a kid when my brother and I would get our hands on a humungo box.  We could go anywhere with the power of our imagination.  Power your child's imagination with one of my favorite green picks for kids, with this 100% Recycled Cardboard Rocket Ship.  How cool is that? 

If you're like me and think this is cool enough to get some more information, shoot over to the Environmental Booty OpenSky Shop to get more info or pick one up for the little greenie in your life.

Save Green and Live Green - Head to the Gap for the Denim Recycling Drive and get a 30% Discount

If you are looking for a way to save green and live green, then head to the Gap from now until March 14th for the nationwide "Cotton. From Blue to Green" Denim Drive.  Bring in your old pair of jeans and the Gap will give you a 30% discount off a new denim purchase from the Gap, babyGap and GapKids.  Sounds cool right?  If you are wondering how recycling fits into the promotion, think UltraTouch^TM Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation, and communities in need.

The Gap has partnered with Cotton Incorporated and will be using the recycled jeans to provide natural cotton insulation in new homes in areas of need like the Gulf Coast Region.  “Cotton Incorporated is delighted to team with Gap on the COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.^® nationwide denim drive,” said J. Berrye Worsham, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Cotton Incorporated. “Year over year, this program continues to gain momentum, and the collaboration with Gap will build on the program’s success over the past five years.” Since the program began, the COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.^® denim drive has recycled enough denim to create natural cotton fiber insulation for over 540 homes.

So here is a way to really make a difference and save cash too!  Be sure to get to your nearest Gap before March 14th for a feel good way to save and remember to spread the word!



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PBS' Independent Lens Series Brings Us "Garbage Dreams" by Mai Iskander - Why You Want to See This...

When I was a little girl, my mom would plop me down on the floor in front of the TV to watch PBS (Public Broadcasting Station).  Back in the dark ages when I was a kid, there weren’t dozens of television channels geared to kids like there are now.  PBS was where I learned to read with Big Bird and laughed myself silly when (what seemed like) thousands of ping pong balls would fall from the sky atop Captain Kangaroo’s head.

I was a big fan of PBS as a child and now that I am a mom, I have helped my children learn to love learning from PBS.  These days, there is a little less “show” and a lot more “commercials”, but PBS is still passionate about educating us all, young and old, about things we need to know to broaden our intellectual horizons.  Believe me when I tell you, Garbage Dreams by Mai Iskander, part of the PBS Independent Lens Series, should definitely be a part of your PBS education.

Mark your calendars for April 27, 2010 at 10:00 pm (check your local listings), when the PBS Independent Lens Series presents the documentary Garbage Dreams.  For those of us living in a country such as the United States, you will see firsthand just how really far behind we are in our efforts to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.   If you have children, this is a must see as it will solidify in their minds, just how much of a difference young people can really make, and what a significant impact can be made with their knowledge and resulting power.

The movie was filmed over four years in Cairo and follows three teenage boys who are “Zaballeen” which is Arabic for “garbage people”.  The Zaballeen have collected Cairo’s garbage for decades in a way that is far ahead of any of our modern green initiatives.  They recycle an almost unbelievable 80% of the garbage they collect while lifting themselves out of poverty and creating a solution to one of the world’s most pressing crisis.  When the Zaballeen community is suddenly faced with the globalization of its trade, each of the teenage boys is forced to make choices which will impact their future and the survival of the community.

I look forward to watching the entire film and hope you and your family will join me in watching this important documentary which will educate us all on just how important it is to honor tradtions and systems which may seem archaic, but in reality create solutions to some our most important environmental issues.

Click HERE to join our green living, online community!

Your Skin is Alive! Protect it with Skin MD Natural - Skin Care Breakthrough, Shielding Lotion with Our Special Friends and Family 20% Off Coupon

A large part of our community is interested in environmental health issues.  Interestingly, a smaller number of you are interested in personal health issues.  My goal, in choosing the things I share with you (whether it is here on the blog, via Twitter, EB or FB...),  is to help you realize that environmental health and personal health are intertwined.  The choices you make today will change your health and the health of our environment tomorrow.

Live in the Moment and We Can All Live Better

This week at the Shirley-Smith house it has been a bit stressful.  My 4 year old has been so sick that, at times, I have been unsure if she was going to be able to take her next full breath.  My best friend, who I have known since childhood, has been in the hospital with pneumonia and a compromised immune system from a previous cancer treatment.  My mother is going into the hospital tomorrow for tests to make sure her heart is okay.  My "Big, Middle, Little" girl is having a birthday tomorrow complete with a sleepover party at our house Saturday.  My Big girlie has her Orchestra competition I am chaperoning for and oh yeah my hubby lost his job a few weeks back.  Can any of you relate?

Who Says Composting Isn't Sexy - How Does Getting 20% Off of The Top Rated Tumbleweed Composter Make You Feel?

Although you may not believe it, Spring is fast approaching and the time to gear up for composting is here.  If you are concerned about the effects of toxic pesticides on your health and environmental health, worried about the landfills overflowing or simply need to replace your old composting bin, you will really be interested in this deal. Hey composting may not be sexy, but it sure makes you feel good!  When I began choosing green products for the Environmental Booty OpenSky Shop, one of the first products I offered was the Tumbleweed Composter.  Just in time for planting season, I am giving you the hottest,  green deal you will find on the number one composter on the market. 

Not only is the Tumbleweed Composter  recommended by the National Home Gardening Club, it is the one that my family has.  It is easy to put together and use.  My girls have been involved in our composting efforts from the beginning and even helped me put the Tumbleweed together.  They love to give it a spin every couple of days and check the progress on our organic compost.

When the compost is ready, we use it in our flower beds and, when we are growing one, in our garden. Check out my favorite Tumbleweed Composter and hot, green deal HERE. To take advantage of the 20% off, at checkout use code COMPOSTER20. Hurry, this coupon is only good until Friday, March 5 at Midnight!  Enjoy!