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Author Archive | Jennie Lyon

7 Creative Ways to Experience Your Local Farm this Spring

May 4, 2011 0
Beyond simply stopping by to view the animals at your local farm, there are many other hands-on and creative activities you can do with your family — and spring is a great time to go. Visiting your local farm during spring comes complete with baby animals, plus the weather is warming up and it’s the perfect opportunity for outdoor learning time with your children. To get the most out of your springtime visit to the farm, you’ll want to explore it with a different lens and look at your local farm as more than just a place that keeps animals and agriculture. Learn seven creative ways to experience your local farm this spring with your family.
ps: How cute is Eben in his cowboy gear? This was at a birthday party when he was in kindergarten. How time flies!

Earth Day Giveaway Week: Cascadian Farm Gift Set Giveaway

May 4, 2011 0
Hello Friends. Today’s giveaway is a yummy one sponsored by Cascadian Farm. Two of my lovely readers will receive a prize package consisting of Cascadian Farm cereal and a stainless steel Cascadian Farm water bottle.
Cascadian Farm has recently launched its Change Flows initiative, asking Americans to join them in an effort to restore and preserve our valuable rivers. You may have remembered that I write the Earth Day, Every Day segment for Cascadian Farm’s newsletter – this is just another way that Cascadian Farm is showing their commitment to the environment.

Now, through April 30th, you can help make “Change Flow” by visiting Cascadian Farm and “liking” the U.S. Region you think is most deserving of a river clean-up. The region with the most “likes” will receive a river clean-up and Cascadian Farm is contributing $50,000 to American Rivers, a non-profit organization committed to restoring and preserving our country’s water sources.

Jump over to Cascadian Farm and “like” the U.S. region, you think is most deserving of a river cleanup, then become a fan of Cascadian Farm on Facebook and leave a comment here sharing your favorite memory of being at a river or stream.

This giveaway will end on May 4th – please invite your friends and family so they don’t miss out on the fun!

***Extra Entries: You can receive additional entries by Facebooking, Tweeting, Stumbling or Subscribing. Just leave a separate comment for each that you do.

* I was not paid to tell you about this fantastic initiative sponsored by Cascadian Farm — it is just one that I really believe in!

– UPDATE: The winner’s are Junkyard Jennifer and Locomono! Congratulations and thanks for playing! 

HOW TO: Find the Safest, Top Rated Sunscreen

May 3, 2011 1

My family spends a ton of time outside in the sun every week. With this said, we are huge fans of hats, sunglasses, shade umbrellas, and swim shirts. However, it is impossible to protect all of your skin, all of the time — this is why sunscreen is so important.

Finding a sunscreen that will protect your body from the sun without hazardous chemicals that penetrates the skin is vital. What good does it do to use a sunscreen to prevent skin cancer only to find out that it causes other cancers and disrupts hormones? Lucky for us, Environmental Working Group has done a great job putting together their 2010 Sunscreen Guide, giving you access to the information that you need to pick the sunscreen that is right for you and your family. You can download a sunscreen guide that will tell you which ingredients and products to avoid here.

If you are still using conventional sunscreen on your family, now is the time to switch. If you are unsure whether or not, your sunscreen is safe, look it up here. Believe me, you will be surprised! And before you buy another sunscreen, find the best of the best here.

What is your favorite sunscreen?

Summer Planning | Eco Version

May 3, 2011 0
Hello Friends. Can you believe it is already May? Summer is right around the corner! I am excited to spend another summer break with Eben. Isn’t summer break one of the lovely things about being a Mom? Every May, I like to sit down with Eben and talk about the summer activities that he hopes to do.

A few years ago, I would send Eben to a gardening camp during the summer, which was fantastic. However, I really enjoy the time that he and I get to spend together, so I want to stick closer to home and plan summer activities that we can enjoy every day together.

We do have a few camping trips on the calender, which is always good fun. Also, we are seriously considering a eco-tourism trip to Costa Rica. And Eben’s grandmother and favorite cousin are coming to town for a two week visit in June. Does it get any better than that?

The rest of the summer I want to spend growing garden goodies, hanging out at the beach, reading books under a big tree in the park, and creating memories with Eben. We are still making our list of ideas for the summer.

Are there any summer activities that you think we should definitely add to our calender? Do you have anything eco-friendly planned for the summer?  Or, your go-to summer plans? We would love to hear them and possibly add them to our list! Once we are finished making a summer plan, I will share our calender.

photo credit

How to Create your own Organic Herb Container Garden

May 2, 2011 0

Herbs are easy and fun to grow, good for your body and give all of your meals that special touch. You can grow herbs almost anywhere and in a small space too. Herb gardens are a lot of fun to create with your children and make fabulous gifts too! You can make your own easy organic herb garden in just a few shorts steps, read on to get started.

What you will need:
– several assorted flower pots
– organic potting soil
– organic fertilizer
– organic herb seedlings

1. Pick a Pot or Several:
Choose one large 16″ pot or several smaller pots for your herb container garden. Make sure your pot has holes for drainage or is deep enough to add a layer of small rocks in the bottom.

2. Pick and Plant your Herbs
Plant small herb plants approximately 4″ apart in organic potting soil (if planting in one large container). You may need to thin the plants as they mature, (just use a pair of tweezers)! My favorite herbs to plant are dill, cilantro and mint.

3. Pick a Spot
Place your containers in a spot on your porch, patio or windowsill that is bright, but not in direct sunlight.

4. Just add Water
Water your herb container garden weekly or when the soil dries out. Add organic fertilizer once the plants begin to mature.

5. Enjoy
Simply snip and enjoy your own fresh organic herbs all season long.

photo credit

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