From Screen to...Green?

As the holidays approach, screen time is inevitable, but why not let the kids learn a little something, too?

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When it comes to kids and computers, you may be torn between handing over the mouse and keyboard, or shuffling Junior outside to get back to nature. Never fear—there exists a balance and we’ll show you where to start.

1. National Geographic Kids has been around since 1975. An interactive and appealing mix of articles, games, videos and activities for kids that focus on wildlife, science, technology, and world wonders, this site will have you thinking, too.

2. The Washington State Department of Ecology sorts out the nitty gritty recycling details, and includes some fun games to challenge you both.

3. The US Department of Energy features Tinker Bell guiding kids through some educational activities, including real action items for the home the kids can do together.

4. Holiday appropriate Treetures teaches us how important trees are to our environment. Seattle’s Saving Water Partnership features a nifty game to give kids—and parents—tips about household water conservation. Upon completion, they learn how much water they saved, rank their high score, and can print out winner’s certificates and an at-home checklist. 4.

5. Let’s wrap up with Kidsrgreen—a clever site that has games, songs, and links to even more sites for next time.

NOTE:  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) considers computer time screentime too. Guidelines and resources are available from the AAP’s SafetyNet site.

This post appeared in Red Tricycle 12-21-2009.

The Colors of Christmas

Holidays, especially if you have more than one child, can make you start seeing dollar signs and shuddering at the thought of spending even one more cent. I wrote about this for Red Tricycle this week and had a lot of fun with my own kids coming up with ways to make our holidays greener. I hope you do, too.

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You may be dreaming of a white Christmas, but when it comes to a holiday so full of buying, wrapping, decorating and yes, waste, let’s take a minute to think Green. This doesn’t have to mean skimping on the goodies. Let’s start with the tree—while re-using an artificial tree works for some, you can also teach the kids about sustainability by buying and decorating a beautiful, living tree. Kid-friendly Molbak’s Garden and Home will help you decide on a perfect tree, with advice on potted-year-round, or plantable options. Collect recycled or handmade decorations — kids will love creating garlands of berries or leaves. LED lights use far less energy than traditional ones, and you can even get solar lights. Next, the gifts. Host a toy swap playdate, and enlist the kids’ help fashioning reusable giftwrap from organic linens. Of course, new gifts aren’t taboo, but consider environmentally friendly, kid-safe products—check Top Ten Toys for great ideas.  Instead of sending out cards, consider caroling together to a select group of friends’ houses. For holiday parties, turn to recycled or compostable place settings, and locally grown, organic edibles. If you didn’t get a chance to hit a local tree farm, or you’ve already picked up that pre-cut tree, never fear. Both King County and the City of Seattle offer Treecycling. Wrap up the holidays with an educational trip to a farm that practices green farming, such as Carnation Tree Farm, to learn first hand about recycling your tree.

Time to hit the Tree Farms

I had a lot of fun searching for tree farms, while writing this piece for Red Tricycle. There are many farms in our area, so I hope you'll let me know what other favorites are out there!

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Whether you celebrate a tree-decorating holiday, or just want some good old fashioned fun with the kids, a tree farm is sure to have something for all. The Northwest is peppered with fantastic farmlands, and we’ve highlighted a few favorites. First, there’s the centrally located Christmas Creek Farm. Just 30 minutes from both Seattle and the Eastside, you’ll find it well worth the drive. This quaint farm boasts Santa in a sleigh, and free cider or cocoa around the bonfire. Seattle parents also rave about Trinity Tree Farms, nestled on a hilltop in Issaquah. Their new train rides are a surefire hit. Take some photos near the antique fire engine for some adorably quaint holiday cards. For a fun and educational twist, head down south to Tree’s n Bees—an Auburn farm that also features honeybees year-round. Let the kids frolic in the play area with Mrs. Claus while you pick up some holiday gifts—homemade honey’s always a hit. Feel like heading north? You won’t want to miss hay rides and free candy canes at Holiday Forest. Still yearning for more? Visit the Puget Sound Christmas Tree Association—a non-profit organization that organizes all our local farms, as well as the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association.

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Twin-friendly options exisit for all of these farms -- big bathrooms, double-stroller paths and more.

Treats for your Sweeties

With Winter almost here, I've been longing for those summer treats. I wrote about a new favorite of mine recently, for Red Tricycle, and wanted to share it.

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What’s sometimes messy, changes daily, but isn’t a diaper? Have we “peaked” your curiosity? Better grab the kids and skedaddle over to Peaks Frozen Custard. It’s as easy as 1-2-3 —literally. First, choose one of three flavors, with chocolate and vanilla always being a staple. The third flavor changes daily, ranging from Crunchy Vanilla Fudge Royale to Lavender. Next, chose a size, and third, if you feel adventurous, select a topping or two to crown the creation. Or, let the Peaks’ staff create something whimsically appetizing to suit your mood. Naturally, you can have your caffeine, too, and get a fix at the coffee bar. Lure the kiddies over to a fully-stocked play area with quaint toys, books, a kid-sized table and chairs, and a real wooden rocking moose! (Bring your laptop, as free wi-fi is a bonus.)
Think we’re nuts to be touting frozen treats in November? Think again—warm, comfy chairs, a fireplace, cozy couches and toasty coffee drinks will keep you coming back all season. And to make up for all that decadence, Peaks takes care of the environment and our community by using local produce and products, compostable containers and energy-saving appliances and lighting. Our favorite? The recycled doors on the bathrooms! Visit their Web site calendar and plan ahead!

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Don't just live, Thrive

November is here, and you might be feeling a little overdone just thinking about the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays. I've got some ways to lighten the month up a little, and the first is a short summary of a local shop I wrote about for Red Tricycle.

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When Little One started solids, you pureed concoctions of the freshest organic produce, but now those delicacies been replaced by Goldfish and Fruit roll-ups. Recommit yourself to a healthy lifestyle, which can be made easier with regular visits to Thrive café. This locally owned shop in Ravenna (1026 NE 65th Street, #A-102 ) promises to re-spark your interest in all things green, with a menu brimming with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, wheat-free, and dairy-free items. Sip some freshly minted water from the cooler and shop for raw nuts and seeds from the bulk bins, or sip a smoothie (Coconutty and the flavored Creamsicle varieties tempt our tastebuds) and peruse the eco-friendly totes. Have time to sit with Junior? Then dig into a salad or a warm grain bowl. But Thrive doesn’t stop with instant gratification. Dreading the overindulgence of the coming holidays? Revisit your menu items by educating yourself with a class at Thrive—Have a Rawsome Holiday, and Pies and Cakes, both coming up soon! They also offer private tours and field trips, and even would love to visit local schools. This might be your ticket to showing your new preschooler, or your PEPS group, that there’s more to life than O-shaped cereal. Don’t just live, Thrive!

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Get a Move On....

I was sorting through the attic in search of some old dress-up clothes, and found a few boxes we never unpacked when we bought our home here 12 years ago. This made me want to share a little eco-friendly blurb I did for Red Tricycle. Hopefully you, or someone you know, can benefit from these Seattle solutions!

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Whether you are moving next door, over the bridge, or across the country, preparing to bundle up those toys and treasures you’ve gathered over the years can be a nightmare. Shuddering at the thought of bug-infested boxes your S.O. picked up off Craigslist? Seattle now has not one, but two solutions to this pesky problem — enter Frogbox and karmaboxx.
Reusable plastic Frogboxes offer eco-friendly, shiny green moving containers, totes and wardrobes, while blue-hued karmaboxxes made from recycled materials are regularly disinfected and reused hundreds of times. Both companies let you order online and deliver boxes ready for you to pack — no assembly required. And talk about full-service—they’ll even pick them up at your new digs after the move.
In keeping true to their names, Frogbox donates 1% of gross revenues to frog habitat restoration, including our very own Woodland Park Zoo, and karmaboxx donates 2% to a variety of community-suggested local charities.
So, when your kids take over the home office or your start-up begins expanding, set a good example by enlisting these companies for your corporate needs. Motivation bonus: You can’t delay unpacking knowing the boxes need to be returned. Clean up those carbon footprints and get a move on—literally.
http://www.frogbox.com
http://www.karmaboxx.com/

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Green Halloween

That time of year is upon us, and every year for the last few years, I've been trying to spread the word about a local trend turned nation-wide. Below is a blurb I contributed to Red Tricycle, and I hope it helps make your Halloween 'greener'...

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For many of us, Halloween conjures up memories of orange and black decor, and sticky-sweet treats. True, Halloween is a holiday heavy on sugar, not to mention waste, but what if it didn’t have to be? Thanks to Seattle-area’s Corey Colwell-Lipson, founder of Green Halloween®, (greenhalloween.org), Seattle is abuzz with ways to make your Halloween a little easier on the environment. Start by escorting your goblins to one of Seattle’s thrift stores—or visit a virtual swap (http://www.mamaswap.com/) to pick out their haunting attire. Feeling crafty? Help Junior whip up a handmade costume, from, say, treasures in the kitchen junk drawer or remnants of your old costumes.

Green Halloween’s Web site offers many resources, including their own marketplace (new this year), where you can purchase costumes, decorations, treats, and more. There are also downloadable action kits to help spread the word. One option is  to organize a playdate to visit a participating local vendor, such as Bellevue’s Whole Foods.

Like the idea, but can’t give up the treats? Tasty organic lollipops (http://www.yummyearth.com/) are better for children and the planet and some come in compostable wrappers. A complete list of greener treats is available too, natch.

RRR tip: When your kids toss aside this year’s costumes, pack them up in reusable bags (http://www.reusablebags.com/), and have a recycled but complete costume ready to hand down to the next little ghoul.

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We were lucky enough to run into Corey at this year's Zoo Pumpkin Prowl! Still a few days left to see her!