Simply Green Giving
By Danny Seo

Danny Seo’s Simply Green Giving is a great little reference book that offers dozens of ideas to help make gift giving green. This book includes ideas on how to make cards, tags, boxes, gift wrap, bows, and actual presents that are environmentally responsible.

I feel comfortable calling Simply Green Giving a reference book even though it is only 138 pages because of the wealth of ideas that are included within its pages. Almost every idea seems like it can be accomplished by even the biggest craft novices. Personally being a member of that group, I would have to say there are only 1-2 ideas from the book that I would be personally afraid to try.

Another thing that I really like about the book is that it doesn’t come across as preachy. Danny Seo doesn’t simply list ideas based on what is the greenest possible thing to do. For example, he (like myself) despises the impersonality that goes along with sending digital cards (Evites, etc.) instead of the real thing. So he actually recommends ways to make cards that are personal and environmentally friendly.

I really liked this book and think it makes a great addition to any home library. A lot of the ideas can be accomplished with items found around the home, and pretty much everything else needed in the book can be found at thrift shops. If I had to find a fault to the book, it would simply be that it is too short. At only 130 pages it seems like so much more could have been added.

I rate it 4.5 Out of 5 Apples, a great rainy day activity book!

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A few simple ideas can make your Christmas more eco-friendly.

Here are some tips:
1. Use LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lights. LED lights are better for the environment because they use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent lighting and as much as 50% less than compact florescent lighting.

2. Christmas Trees. Artificial trees are often made of oil-based products that end up clogging up a landfill eventually. If you use a real tree that has been cut down make sure your recycle the tree after the holiday season, it can be turned into mulch. The best choice is choosing a live tree that can be replanted. This wold mean having the root attached and the tree in a pot. Make it a tradition to replant the tree in the spring, maybe Easter.

3. Holiday travel. Save energy at home when leaving and traveling for the holidays. Uplug your TV, Computer, non necessary items plugged in; turn down the temperature setting on your water heater and make sure you set back your thermostat.

4. Wrap Creatively. Giving gifts is great, but gift wrap isn’t. Most gift wrap is never reused or recycled—in fact many recycling programs do not accept glittered or shiny foil paper because of the high metal content. Instead of using gift wrap, try one of these alternatives or come up with your own!

* Use and reuse any wrapping paper you already have. If you’re careful when unwrapping presents (try using a knife to cut any tape) the paper can be reused almost indefinitely. Just store it with the holiday decorations.

* Secure your wrapping paper with ribbon, yarn, or twine rather than tape. This makes reusing the paper even easier. For extra points and style, use the shiny black tape from an old VHS cassette.

* Instead of buying wrapping paper, use colorful newspaper, magazines, old maps, or calendars. Again, reuse the paper when you’re done and then recycle it.

* Hide gifts in bags. Decorating brown paper bags with markers can be a fun project for kids.

* Wrap small gifts in a cloth. Drape large gifts with a sheet, or just tie on a ribbon.

* Use other gifts as wrapping. Wrap a pan with a kitchen towel or hide a book in a shirt.

* Give a gift that doesn’t need wrapping at all—breakfast in bed, a massage, a hiking or camping trip… the possibilities are endless.

Ages K-4
by Anne Rockwell
illustrated by Paul Meisel

This is a Stage 2 book which explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades. As an added bonus there are simple activities inside that can be performed.

In reading the book I felt it read like a school science book with facts and examples on the dangers of Global Warming. It explained what the “greenhouse effect” is in simple terms. The book also gave examples on what we can do in everyday living to help to stop global warming.

I liked the book, but I caution it is not for every child. If you have a child that “worries” about every issue, this book might be too blunt.

I rate it 4 out of 5 apples, great for “little scientists”.

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I was checking out articles on recyling and I came across the fact that Nike allows you to donate old sports shoes (of any brand) for recycling. The shoes are ground up and turned into NIKE GRIND, which is then used to make playground and sport surfaces around the world. What a great idea that I am sure not very many people know about. Take a look at this link and pass it on. This would make a great project for schools or businesses. Let me know if you give it a try. http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/

I was starting to think about winterizing my home as the cool fall nights are approaching our Chicago area home and I came across a tip, that I used when my children were in school and forgot about.
Everyone knows we need to insulate windows and doors to make sure the cold outside air stays out side but we forget light switches and plugs.

Take the plates off light switches and plugs on outside walls and insulate them. They can be insulated with Styrofoam that you throw away from meat trays, easy to cut and fit behind the wall plate.

I have saved and washed the Styrofoam from my meat trays and I am ready to do the project this weekend. Give it a try and let me know what you think. It really is simple and saves energy and the earth by not throwing away Styrofoam that will not decay in the landfills.

I recently ran across this site: http://greenbaglady.blogspot.com/. This site was created by one person who wanted to make an effort to personally lower the amount of paper and plastic bags used across the country and the world. To accomplish this goal, the owner of the site sews bags out of recycled fabric scraps and sends them to people who promise to use them instead of paper and plastic bags. Because of the high demand for bags, they are no longer available through the site, but this site is definitely worth checking out. The Green Bag Lady accepts donations of fabric to help her create her bags, so donate if you can!

This  lively and informative handbook explains the process of recycling from start to finish. The book focuses on the paths of five different types of garbage: paper, glass, aluminum cans, plastic, and polystyrene .  It describes what happens to each of them when they are recycled into new products.

Did you know that: The energy saved by recycling a glass bottle instead of making a new one would light a light bulb for four hours. You would if you read this book.

Did you know that: Every ton of paper that is recycled saves seventeen trees.  You would if you read this book.

This book is not really for preschoolers,  a little too complicated, but a great read for early grammar school.

I rate this book 4.5 apples out of 5 for educational content.

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