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Soaking Up Summer

July 26, 2011 0

We have a back-to-school meeting with Eben’s fifth grade teacher this morning. Can it be that summer break is almost over? Please, don’t tell Eben, goodness, don’t even mention it to me! It’s true, the kids will be back in school in just a few short weeks or sooner. Eben and I have been spending most of our summer snorkeling, camping, taking nature walks, swimming in the pool, and just soaking up the fun and sun. 

Thankfully, we live in South Florida so there is no need to cringe at the thought of snow boots, winter coats and cold, blistery days to come. Now, if only we can get through hurricane season without incident! However, the thought of Eben going back to school is bitter-sweet. We love his school – however, it’s so hard to send him off again, when we have been having so much fun!

How about you lovely readers, are you ready for school to start?
Or, does it make you feel a little sad?
Are you ready to get back into the school swing of things?
Have you started your school shopping?

Is Recycling Available in your Area?

July 25, 2011 0
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We have lived many different places across the United States and there have always been recycling options available. Fort Collins, Colorado had by-far the best recycling options out of all of the places that we have lived. Each home received a large full-size recycling bin that all recyclables could be thrown into. Easy-Peasy.

South Florida has had great options for the run-of-the-mill recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastics, glass) and they offer curbside pickup twice a week, which is good considering the recycling bin itself is tiny!

Georgia was the toughest, we lived in a very rural country area so we had sort all of our recyclables and transport them to the closest recycling center – which was a few miles from our home. The recycling center itself was good, offering recycling services for most recyclables.

The reason this came to mind was when we were looking for a new home, we visited an up-scale condominium neighborhood that had all of the bells and whistles – except zero recycling options. When I asked the salesperson about the recycling options, she looked at me as if I were a little crazy and said, “we don’t offer recycling.” My response – “Well, that is a deal breaker!” She thought I was joking and when I told her I wasn’t she looked at me as if I was clinically insane!

I find it very odd that you can have a pizza, newspaper, your mail and many other items delivered directly to your front door, but recycling services may not be available in your local area. It is really a shame, no?

Does your local area offer recycling services?
How good are your the recycling options in your area?
Do you have to lug your own recyclables?

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Have a Lovely Green Weekend + A Few Green Things

July 23, 2011 0

Hello, Friends! Do you have fun plans for this weekend? Since our temperatures here in South Florida are suppose to reach the mid-90’s (which is super-hot for us, considering the humidity) – we plan to spend every spare second at the beach. (It is ALWAYS cooler at the beach!) How do you cool off when the weather is simply too hot to handle?  

While I pack up the beach bag, here are a few green things that I thought you might enjoy:

– Would you wear a compostable bikini?
– This has to be one of the coolest reasons to live in Florida – sea turtle hatchlings.
– VivaTerra is having a plant sale – I want to surprise Mr. Sweet Greens with another citrus tree.
– An old door becomes a patio table. Fantastic!
– Have you ever wondered how to grow a bamboo bike?
– Did you know that play sand is dangerous?
– This is how I love to start my day!

Have a beautiful weekend + please remember to bring your pets inside during these heat waves! See you back here on Monday.

xo,
Sweet Greens

HOW TO: 6 Steps to a Simple Organic Potted Vegetable Garden

July 22, 2011 2

Our new home doesn’t have a yard (it’s a 3-story townhouse) and we wanted to grow our own fruits and veggies. What it lacks in a yard, it more than makes up for in outdoor space – we have two small balcony patios, one large balcony patio and a large front porch area. We decided to utilize this space to grow our garden goodies. We opted for growing them in pots, this way we could move them inside easily for watering and could move them to the shade when the temperature gets out of control – it does that here in Florida. Our finished project has given us a great potted garden that is starting to produce a lovely selection of tomatoes, herbs, peppers and lemons! If you live in a space that doesn’t have a lot of outdoor area – I highly recommend this approach, read on to learn how.

What you will need:

– Assortment of Pots (we like to collect our from thrift shops)
– Organic fruit and vegetable plant (minimally packaged)
– Organic potting soil

Step 1: Pick the Perfect Location

First things first, you want to decide where you will grow your goodies. Then, you need to decide what size pots and plants your space can accommodate, followed by picking goodies that will grow well in your local climate. Choose plants that will still be comfortable in your pots when they are full grown.

Step 2: Add Soil to the Pots

Start by adding organic potting soil to the bottom of each pot. If you are letting your children help, I highly recommend that they wear their swimming apparel – this was perfect for hosing Eben done at the end of the project. 🙂

Step 3: Choose Minimally Packaged Plants

Carefully remove the plants from the wrapping that they come packaged in. We try to find plants from our local nursery that have minimal or compostable packaging. If the plants come in compostable packaging, we tear it up and add it to the bottom of the pot before putting the plant in. (We only remove the bottom, leaving the sides of the compostable pot intact.)

Step 4: Add the Plant to the Pot

Add the plant to the pot to make sure that you have added enough soil and compostables underneath. 

Step 5: Top off the Soil

Finish adding the organic potting soil to the top of each pot and then water away.

Step 6: Watch your Garden Grow and Enjoy the Goodies

Enjoy spending the early mornings and evenings watering your plants. Make sure to move them routinely to prevent them from burning in the sun. Enjoy your fresh organic goodies from your own organic garden.

What type of garden do you have?
Have you ever tried potted vegetables and fruits before?

7 Lazy Summer Afternoon Activities that Aren’t Lazy

July 22, 2011 0

Summertime is suppose to packed with fun outside in the sun. After a day of summer camp, playing with friends, swimming in the pool, or running around and getting exercise with friends, most kids will need a little downtime in the afternoon to slow down, relax and enjoy a little quiet time. That doesn’t mean that the afternoon has to spent in front of the television, playing video games or computer games though! Check out seven lazy summer afternoon activities that Eben and I have been enjoying that are anything but lazy — they might even teach your kid something new or inspire a new interest or hobby.

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