I discovered the games/toy company eeBoo when searching for an inexpensive yet thoughtful birthday party favor for my four year old. I fell in love with their illustrator game cards, and have been hooked on all things eeBoo ever since. When my girls received the eeBoo Respect the Earth and Good Citizenship Flash Cards, I was once again reminded about how thoughtful a company can be, with a classically vintage twist that’s appealing to both kids and design-conscious adults.

The flash cards come in a pack of 48 cards, each one illustrated with a simple yet powerful suggestion fit for a child to understand. The Respect the Earth Flash Cards have sayings such as “When you play or read during the day…Use natural light. Turn on lights only when necessary!” “To better understand the planet…Spend time in Nature and see what it can teach you.” And, my personal favorite, one which I’m really trying to help my own kids - “Before opening the fridge…THINK before opening the fridge! Don’t let the cold air escape!”

Good Citizenship cards feature words of wisdom such as  “When someone is being unfair…Point out injustice!” “When a volunteer is needed…volunteer!” “When people talk about the news…listen and learn about your world.” Both sets of cards are great for kids who are ready to step up and learn about responsibilities both within the home and the larger world around them. Eeboo recommends these for kids ages 5 and up, but are a great tool for every child - as well as a reminder to parents about what’s important for children to learn beyond reading and writing.

Since becoming more environmentally conscious, I not only keep a lookout for eco-products, but pay close attention to how people act towards the process of going green. Whether you’re changing over your home, your wardrobe, even your diet, I believe a big part of going green is not only about making habitual changes, but the initial efforts to make these changes happen. In essence, we’re making promises - to ourselves, our families, homes, etc. - to better our world. Fortunately, there’s a website to help you recognize and prioritize which changes are the perfect fit for you.

Earth Promise is an on-line community of eco-conscious people who want to make and share the steps we take towards being greener. It’s free and easy to set up a personal profile. Then comes the fun part.

Making eco-promises is easy, right? You turn out lights when you leave a room, run the dishwasher only when it’s full, etc. But what else? The Earth Promise Starter Plan is a great way to explore what promises might pertain to you. Categories include “In Your Car,” “Personal Care,” “In the Kitchen,” and more. Or, write your own promise! If you don’t see something about, say, reusing craft materials for pillow fill, or shopping only at consignment shops, go ahead and add it. You may be surprised at who else is inspired by your efforts! The best part is, you can be reminded (via email) about your promises, so you can stay on track and manage your progress. You’ll be amazed at the little ways being greener can play a bigger part of your day!

Earth Promise’s blog is also an important element of their site, so be sure to check it out! I was honored to be a part of their “Green Guide to Grown-Up Eco-Sites,” which highlights a great group of people writing, thinking and being green. I hope you’ll sign up and make Earth Promise a part of your daily eco-reading/interacting routine. They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter!

Happy New Year! It’s been a very busy holiday season for us, culminating in a move to our new home in Fort Lauderdale. One thing I absolutely love about living here is the ability to walk to around a quiet neighborhood rich in history. We also take advantage of not having to use our cars to get to restaurants, the post office, even the library (if we’re feeling a little adventurous).

Downtown Fort Lauderdale is rich in culture and activities for children as well! If you live nearby, or a planning a trip down here, don’t forget to visit the Museum of Discovery and Science and 3D IMAX theater. Right now, they’re featuring “The Climate Change Show,” a multi-media exhibit that explores the effects of global warming through special effects, weather recreations and talking sheep (it is a show, after all). For little ones, the permanent playroom includes bubble making, climbing through a make-believe rain forest, and other hands on/nature related activities. Of course, there are also huge fish tanks, turtles ponds and baby alligator tanks to delight everyone.

This weekend (starting Friday, January 2nd through Sunday, January 4th) marks the 21st annual Las Olas Art Fair, one of my favorite in this area. The streets are jam-packed with craftsman and artists featuring everything from sculpture to photography, jewelry, home goods, clothing, and whimsical things you have no need for but are fun and pretty anyway. There are also great handmade toys and stuff for kids - I’ve been known to pick up some wooden cars or funky mobiles for people. Since I’ve missed the fair the past couple of years, I’ll be sure to be on the lookout for recycled or upcycled crafts to buy report on!

Let’s face it - if you could have someone come into your home, for a small (but seriously affordable) fee, jumpstarting the way you clean and green your home - would you do it? Of course you would! Reading green is one thing, but actually putting your home to the test is completely different. Thankfully, there’s someone who can help you walk the eco-walk.

This month’s “Mommy Go Green” Blog Tour presents Green Irene, who really want to be your personal green makeover consultant!  For only $99, and one to two hours of your time, a local Green Irene representative will come to your home and walk you through the many ways you can save money, health and peace of mind, including

• water conservation
• energy conservation
• reducing harmful chemicals with greener cleaning products
• tax credits, rebates and incentives in your area
• indoor air quality
• overall carbon footprint.

If you’re in the market to outfit just one part of your home, Green Irene also offers specific kits that present a wonderful bottom line - a lot more cash in your pocket! Their EZ Bulb Swapout service does just that - brings in a Green Irene specialist to help replace your energy-sucking, carbon-spitting incandescent bulbs with energy efficient, long-lasting CFL bulbs in every shape and size. You might think this isn’t much of a torturous task. But, have you counted how many bulbs your home has? According to the Green Irene website, replacing ONE 75-watt incandescent bulb will save you $80 alone in New York City. Multiply that by all your bulbs, and your mouth is guaranteed to drop! CFL bulbs also release much less heat, saving you in cooling costs as well.

If you’re psyched about Green Irene coming to your home, or if you have a passion for eco-ing everything and want to spread the good green word, you too can become a Green Irene Eco-Consultant! This is a growing business with great opportunities for both consultants and clients. And in this economy, any little bit helps. Check out the FAQs for becoming an Eco-Consultant. Your community will thank you!

Heads up, Boston-area parents! Seventh Generation and the Environmental Working Group are sponsoring an incredibly informative event on Tuesday, October 14th from 6:00-7:30 PM  at the Boston Children’s Museum regarding “A Conversation About Chemicals and Our Children”.

The EWG has been a consistent voice for children and consumers through education and their tireless work. Their Kid-Safe Chemicals Act Project highlights the need to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act, which was created in 1976 as has not been amended since. According to EWG, when the TSCA was orginially passed, 62,000 chemicals were declared safe. In the last 32 years, however, more than 20,000 chemicals have been introduced in various products in the US, with little or no data to support their safety. In this age of rampant autism and other learning and disabling issues with children, don’t we have a right to know what we’re putting in and on our bodies? In May, Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Representatives Hilda Solis (D-CA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) “would place the burden of proof on the chemical industry to show that chemicals are safe for children before they are added to consumer products”. It’s an uphill battle, but one with an important end in sight.

The discussion intends to help parents learn how to create a healthy home and how you can take action to ensure children’s safety from harmful chemicals. The first step is to learn how to become involved in speaking up to improve legislation for our smallest citizens!

The featured panel includes such distinguished eco-experts, authors and parents such as

Dr. Alan Greene, M.D. - Practicing pediatrician, renowned authority on family health and the author of Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care;

Jane Houlihan -  Vice-President of Research at the Environmental Working Group;

Courtney Loveman - “Brand Mother” at Seventh Generation; and

Simran Sethi - EMMY award winning journalist, focusing on social and environmental sustainability.

The event is free and children are welcome! I’d love to hear from someone who attends, and I’ll be getting a video of the webcast when it’s up. Whether you can make the event or not, I think it’s a worthwhile cause to educate ourselves and become our children’s best advocates!

Do you know how green your child’s school is? It might seem like a dream, but there is a way to help schools truly go green, beyond recycling and teaching the basics of eco-education. Mom and activist (among other notables) Jill Buck wrote the basis for her Go Green Initiative (GGI) at her kitchen table in 2002. Since then, GGI has grown to be the largest environmental education program in the world, with 1500 schools, 1.5 million students and over 113,000 teachers in all 50 states (as well as thirteen countries outside the US) participating!

So, how can GGI help your school go green? The very best way - by allowing parents, teachers, administrators and kids to develop a green plan themselves. When your school signs up with the Go Green Initiative (which is FREE), the school’s “Go Green Team” has access to GGI’s wealth of resources, including the five ways GGI can help your school form productive ways to have a successful plan. The GGI Planning Guide outlines the concepts of composting; recycling; environmental education; evaluating the environmental impact of activities (including such topics as indoor air quality and buying school supplies); and adopting a plan of responsible paper consumption. GGI is tailored to the needs of your school, and helps schools find a way for budgeting and implementation. GGI focuses on a thorough process of environmental stewardship. It also helps schools track their success, and has been a major testament to GGI’s own successes. In a recent announcement, GGI announced it has kept over SEVEN MILLION POUNDS of recyclables out of landfills in the last three years, as well as significantly reduced energy, water waste, and greenhouse gas emissions in schools around the world.

So, do not pass “GO” without “going green”! Read GGI’s “Why Go Green” section, and see how you can begin to help your child’s school - and children, and community, and on and on - go green!

Jill Buck is taking GGI to the internet airwaves, starting this Friday, June 27th! Her “Go Green Radio” show premieres at 9am PST/Noon EST on Voice America radio. I’m so thrilled that Jill has asked me to be one of her guests on her very first show, as we discuss Go Green for Kids! I hope you can join us and keep an ear to the radio Friday morning!

Now that the summer is almost upon us, I thought I’d restart my “Weekend Outing” posts on Thursday. Who doesn’t need ideas about how to keep busy during the steamy, lazy days of summer? This week, let’s head over to the awfully steamy city of Houston, where the Children’s Museum is hosting a special exhibit called “My Home Planet Earth“.

My Home Planet Earth tells the story of Riff and Rosie, squirrels on a mission to find out who and what is polluting their home! Kids act as sleuths uncovering environmental issues through hands-on science. Activities include -

Rosie’s Tree House - Kids learn about allergies and indoor air quality; explore lung functions; and see dust mites under microscopes.

Marigold Marsh - Play games to learn how animals are affected by water pollution; “fish” for pollution clues; and gather samples from the water to determine what’s polluting Riff and Rosie’s habitat.

There are over 25 hands-on activities in the “My Home Planet Earth” exhibit, as well as ton of wonderful other ways to entertain your kids for at least part of an afternoon. The museum’s EcoStation, an outdoor, activities-based exhibit with puppet shows and crafts, will reopen in June. There’s also free admission on Thursdays from 5-8pm, and weekend hours will be expanded for the summer!

I have to admit, I’m having a bit of green burnout these past couple of weeks (if you couldn’t already tell from my lack of postings). Aside from my internet being down right smack in the middle of Earth Week, I’ve just felt my topics to be a bit repetitive lately. Also, all of a sudden every PR firm from NY to LA is sending me emails about this green product and that green event, whether it pertains to kids or not. So, needless to say, it’s been a bit hectic. When I finally started to get out from under the mass emails, I opened one with the subject “something a bit different”. As a skeptic, I skimmed it. Then I read it again. And, voila, here I am writing about it. What is it, you’re wondering? What could have possibly gotten my tired fingers typing again?

See this very tall, very in-shape woman? Her name is Colleen Smith - she’s a six foot six inch, professional volleyball player who has taken the initiative to help kids learn about climate change and going green. I love what Colleen is doing for two reasons - one, she’s using her celebrity to promote green initiatives; but she’s also inspiring kids to be active and get their bodies moving. She uses her height for education by wearing a temporary tattoo of a wave at her one meter mark (right at her bathing suit), to start a conversation with kids about rising sea levels due to global warming, and engages them about being proactive about helping the Earth. And what kid wouldn’t want to talk to someone who is probably the tallest person they’ve ever met? Colleen is also working on making changes at volleyball tournaments, such as sponsoring recycling bins and replacing paper cups for players with more responsible ones.

For your other sports enthusiasts, here’s a great article about more sports celebs doing good for the planet. Thanks to Steve Crandall for your email about Colleen - and for getting me back to the keyboard!

On March 31st, 2007, Sydney, Australia went dark - on purpose. Earth Hour 2007 was a huge success in Sydney, and unified the city in the fight against global warming. Organizers estimated that 2.2 million people participated, as well as 2100 businesses including the landmark Sydney Opera House. Apparently “if the greenhouse reduction achieved during Earth Hour (2007) was sustained for a year, it would be equivalent to taking 48,616 cars off the road every year”. Amazing stats - can you imagine what can happen as it goes global?

This year, the entire world is taking part. Earth Hour 2008 is March 29th from 8-9:00 PM local time, and cities around the globe are participating, as communities or individually. Sign up at Earth Hour and you’ll get emails highlighting which cities are taking part, ideas for what to do when the lights go out, and information about climate change. Check out the Earth Hour cities list to see if your city is participating, or simply turn your lights out, tell your neighbors, and party in the dark! I asked my older daughter how we can support Earth Hour at home. Since Earth Hour is during my girl’s bedtime, we decided to have a ‘flashlight’ storytime. Our new favorite book, Whoo’s There, is a perfect flashlight entertainment companion. I even relented and am allowing cookies and milk for the special occasion!

Image courtesy of sarabcanada.  Note: Earth Hour homepage takes a little time to load - be patient, it’s worth it!

This is my favorite time of year that only happens every four - primary time. The Florida primary is tomorrow, and while only the Republican candidates are being voted on, (don’t get me started about this whole DNC punishing the state about pushing up the primary date…) I’m still thrilled over all the excitement here. I love election years, and this year, I’m paying much more attention to environmental issues and the like.  However, just as tough as is it to truly figure out who to vote for, it can be even more daunting to find a website that will take you through the research process easily and without bias.

Enter Glassbooth. Like its name, Glassbooth gives you clear, unbiased access to the candidate’s stances on all of the major issues at hand. Of course, since you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering how Obama, Clinton, McCain, Romney, and the rest of the pack stand on the environment. Glassbooth breaks down the environmental issues further into subcategories including investing in alternative energy, fuel efficiency standards, endangered species programs, and public transportation, among others. Health care, the economy, education, and pretty much anything you might have on your mind (or what’s on their minds) is covered as well. Glassbooth provides candidate quotes, voting records, videos from interviews, links to interviews, and many other forms of information for each category.

Want to know which candidate is standing with you across the board? Glassbooth has a neat quiz you can take to compare where you stand on the issues with the candidates, issue for issue. Start with the point ratings on the homepage, and it will take you further to help you find your perfect candidate. It’s like matchmaking for the President! Your results will be in a unique URL you can send to others, or remind yourself where you stand. It’s a truly comprehensive resource you’ll need to share. And don’t forget to vote!

Thanks to MZS for the tip!