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	<title>The Green Bean Blog &#187; green</title>
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	<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com</link>
	<description>Green living for the home and family</description>
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		<title>Cheap, Clean and Green!</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/cheap-clean-green/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/cheap-clean-green/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:44:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Megan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Around the House]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cleaning Products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Appliances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bathroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cleaning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cleaning Green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Furniture Polish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kitchen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Laundry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lemon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vinegar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thegreenbeanblog.com/cheap-clean-green/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A great new way to clean your home is through these handmade recipes, and there is no chemistry set needed! Just mix a few simple ingredients together and youve got your very own green-clean team.<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/cheap-clean-green/">Cheap, Clean and Green!</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fcheap-clean-green%2F"><img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fcheap-clean-green%2F" height="61" width="51" /></a></div><p><em>by Marissa Lenting</em><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 5px" height="100" alt="Cleaning green." src="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/green-cleaning.jpg" width="150" border="0" /></p>
<p>Cleaning green.</p>
<p>These days everyone is cutting back on extra costs in their lifestyles. Keeping your home clean shouldn’t cause a pain in your wallet, but the cleanliness of your home shouldn’t suffer either.</p>
<p>A great new way to clean your home is through these handmade recipes, and there is no chemistry set needed! Just mix a few simple ingredients together and you’ve got your very own green-clean team! It is a great way to look out for the environment and your family, as they are kid and pet friendly! These homemade recipes are also a lot more cost effective than your typical chemical-based cleaners.</p>
<p>Try using vinegar for many of your home cleaning remedies. Don&#8217;t worry about your home smelling like vinegar, the smell disappears when it dries. A bottle of vinegar will cost around $3.80 for 128 oz. and a 26 oz. bottle of window cleaner can cost $4.79! That’s more than a $20.00 difference! Some simple and common uses for vinegar are:</p>
<p><strong>Bathroom </strong>- Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.</p>
<p><strong>Kitchen </strong>- Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.</p>
<p><strong>Laundry Room</strong> &#8211; Use as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively.</p>
<p>Use lemon juice to clean your surfaces and rid of smells. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make all sorts of cleaning pastes. A bunch of 5 lemons will cost you around $2.50 and one lemon can cover an entire house! A 12.5 oz. bottle of furniture polish will cost you $3.99 the savings are simple. Simple and common uses for lemons are:</p>
<p><strong>Bathroom</strong> &#8211; Lemon juice can dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Soak your showerhead in a bowl of lemon juice or rub a mixture of lemon juice and water on your sink or bathtub.</p>
<p><strong>Kitchen</strong> &#8211; A great way to shine brass and copper. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section and scrub dishes or pans. Put a few slices of lemon in a bowl of water and place in microwave. Cook for 2 minutes and remove bowl. Then easily wipe off any food particles or grease from microwaves surfaces. Put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal, it freshens the drain and the kitchen.</p>
<p>Baking soda can also be used in an all-purpose way of cleaning. Mix it with vinegar or lemon for an abrasive super cleaner! An all-purpose cleaner can cost around $3.00 for only 32 oz., while a 48 oz. box of baking soda costs $2.25 and will last you a lot longer!    <br />If you really want a great way to freshen up your home, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your cleaning mixture, a 10ml bottle goes for $5 &#8211; $10, and can last you a year.</p>
<p>Here are some more really great recipes and ideas for all your homemade cleaning needs!</p>
<p><strong>Furniture Polish:</strong> Combine 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar, and 2 tsp. lemon juice and shake well. Dip a clean and dry cloth into polish and rub wood in the direction of the grain. Refrigerate any remaining polish.</p>
<p><strong>Toilet Bowl Cleaner:</strong> Sprinkle bowl with baking soda and drizzle with white vinegar. Let soak 30 minutes, and scrub with toilet brush. For tough stains, let soak overnight.</p>
<p><strong>All Purpose Cleaner:</strong> Combine 2 cups of white distilled vinegar and 2 cups of water. Use on counter tops, kitchen floors, windows, mirrors, and any other hard surfaces. For tough jobs, warm the cleaner in the microwave.</p>
<p>Happy Cleaning!</p>
<p>BE PART OF THE SOLUTION!</p>
<p>Original Article:&#160; <a href="http://earthorganization.com/Library.aspx?tid=38&amp;CatID=13">http://earthorganization.com/clean-green</a></p>
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<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="Cheap, Clean and Green!" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/cheap-clean-green/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/cheap-clean-green/">Cheap, Clean and Green!</a> is a post from: </p>
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		<title>Environmentally Friendly Shoes</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/environmentally-friendly-shoes/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/environmentally-friendly-shoes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:05:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Megan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Clothing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biodegradable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biodegradable packaging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buy green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chemicals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[environmentally friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environmentally Friendly Shoes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fair Trade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green Footwear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Organic]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[If you’re in the market for new footwear, why not try environmentally friendly shoes. From sneakers, to flats, to heels, there’s likely to be one that’s just right for your liking. You don’t need to give up style and comfort in order to become a friend of the Earth.<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/environmentally-friendly-shoes/">Environmentally Friendly Shoes</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Blucher_%28PSF%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 5px;" title="Line art drawing of shoe." src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Blucher_%28PSF%29.jpg/300px-Blucher_%28PSF%29.jpg" alt="Line art drawing of shoe." width="240" height="158" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd zemanta-img-attribution" style="font-size: 0.8em;">Image via <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Blucher_%28PSF%29.jpg">Wikipedia</a></dd>
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</div>
<p>If you’re in the market for new footwear, why not try environmentally friendly shoes. From sneakers, to flats, to heels, there’s likely to be one that’s just right for your liking. You don’t need to give up style and comfort in order to become a friend of the Earth.</p>
<p>When people hear the term “environmentally friendly shoes,” the first things that enter their minds are Birkenstocks or moccasins. This should not be the case, because modern eco-friendly shoes don’t sacrifice style for their lower carbon footprint.</p>
<p>Environmentally-friendly shoes are made of organic or recycled materials. Their linings can be made from bamboo or recycled yarn. The outer layer of the shoe may be made from hemp, organic bamboo, or any other sustainable material. Their soles are often recycled from old tires, while their laces can be made from recycled plastic.</p>
<p>There are several companies that manufacture environmentally-friendly shoes. These companies make a conscious effort to decrease their carbon footprint with regards to their operations, including their processing, manufacturing, and shipping activities. Even big companies are restructuring their processing methods in order to conserve energy &#8211; thus decreasing their carbon emissions.</p>
<p>Consumers should be well informed and should read the labels to find out whether the pair of shoes they’re considering buying are environmentally friendly. Some labels contain information about the total environmental impact of the pair. Some manufacturers have a rating system with regards to the carbon footprint a pair has. If the product is said to be organic, then it should have an USDA label. This certifies that the product was made from materials grown and was processed without any chemicals. The health of the ecosystem where the sources of materials were grown will also be considered.</p>
<p>Fair trade is another matter which people should consider when buying shoes. Farmers are among the worst treated professionals in the world. “Fair trade” means good working conditions, fair wages, and reasonable treatment of the environment. Fair trade also gives farmers the freedom to choose whom to trade their goods with. And with fair trade, toxic pesticides and GMOs are out of the question.</p>
<p>Most environment-friendly shoe manufacturers use minimal and biodegradable packaging, to keep their carbon footprint low. Some companies also donate a portion of their profits to organizations that help the environment.</p>
<p>You can go online and do your research to find out where you can buy green footwear. Some retail stores have entire “green lines” because of the demand for such products. Buying and using environmentally-friendly shoes is one easy way to help care for our planet.</p>
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<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="Environmentally Friendly Shoes" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/environmentally-friendly-shoes/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/environmentally-friendly-shoes/">Environmentally Friendly Shoes</a> is a post from: </p>
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		<title>How to Go Green in Your Day-to-Day Life</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/green-day-to-day-life/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/green-day-to-day-life/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:53:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Megan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cleaning Products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food & Diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reduce & Recycle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amazon Green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Appliances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biodegradable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chemicals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cleaning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conserve Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[environmentally friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[environmentally friendly products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fuel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[go green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Going Green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[How To]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nontoxic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Organic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Save Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shopping Online]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sustainable Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thegreenbeanblog.com/?p=454</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As awareness of the civilization's impact on the environment increases, people are becoming more willing than ever before, to accept clean lifestyles. But some aren't exactly sure where to begin.<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/green-day-to-day-life/">How to Go Green in Your Day-to-Day Life</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fgreen-day-to-day-life%2F"><img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fgreen-day-to-day-life%2F" height="61" width="51" /></a></div><h3>Ten Simple Steps to Greener Living</h3>
<p>As awareness of the civilization&#8217;s impact on the environment increases, people are becoming more willing than ever before, to accept clean lifestyles. But some aren&#8217;t exactly sure where to begin.</p>
<p>One doesn&#8217;t have to start out with leaps and bounds.  Installing a full solar power system on one&#8217;s home or switching to a hybrid car would be great. But large steps require planning and financing.  Small steps can be taken right now.<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-460" style="border-right: black 1px solid; border-top: black 1px solid; margin: 5px; border-left: black 1px solid; border-bottom: black 1px solid" src="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/how-to-go-green-everday.jpg" alt="Woman Walking Bike through Green Field" width="420" height="189" /></p>
<p>In some cases, your choices might depend on several factors: where you live, the natural resources available to you, your lifestyle, and others. Therefore there is probably no &#8220;one-size-fits-all&#8221; solution to going green (or at least, greener).</p>
<p>But there are many simple things you can do to live a greener life, through your day-to-day activities, and most of these apply to just about anyone.</p>
<h4>1. Learn more about sustainable living</h4>
<p>This is the first and most important step in going green. You should read up on the subject of environmentalism, and how your personal carbon footprint can affect global pollution levels. There are plenty of resources available online, and you can visit your local library for books on related topics.</p>
<h4>2. Save energy</h4>
<p>The most effective way to cut down on your carbon emissions is to conserve on energy in your home. Install energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, turn off the lights when they aren&#8217;t in use, ensure your house is properly insulated and windows are properly sealed, and keep your energy consumption to a minimum. You will save energy and money at the same time.</p>
<h4>3. Conserve water</h4>
<p>Every drop of tap water you use consumes energy – for transport, filtering, and purification. It might just be water, but a lot of fossil fuel is consumed in processing it. In some places, water itself is scarce. You can turn the tap off while brushing your teeth, switch to more efficient washers and dryers, and collect rain water for use in your garden.</p>
<h4>4. Use less fuel for transport</h4>
<p>If a hybrid car is not an option at the moment, you can take other steps; walking or biking to work, or whenever you have to travel a short distance. If your work place is too far for a daily bicycle commute, consider using mass transit. You can carpool with a friend or coworker if that works. For long trips, consider the fuel efficiency of your different options.</p>
<h4>5. Eat greener food</h4>
<p>Eating is one thing everyone has in common. But did you know that eating the type of food can make an impact in the environment? The food industry contributes substantial carbon emissions in the process of shipping their products around the world. When you eat seasonal, local, and organic food, you help to conserve the environment – as well as improve your own health.</p>
<h4>6. Buy smart</h4>
<p>Instead of buying brand new wooden furniture for your home, you can search for good used furniture online, or even visit garage sales to find what you’re looking for. Think before making a purchase, no matter how big or small it is. Buying grocery items in bulk can save money and conserve on energy and packing materials. Also, be sure to buy high-quality products that will last for a long time and not just wind up in a landfill a year from now.</p>
<h4>7. Shop Online</h4>
<p>Shopping online is another good way to conserve on fuel. When you receive a purchase by post, the amount of fuel used to ship that purchase is no where near the amount of fuel you would have used to drive to a store and buy it offline. Furthermore, you can also save a considerable amount of time and money by shopping online, and many online stores offer free shipping.</p>
<h4>8. Proper waste management</h4>
<p>Years ago, many considered waste management to be the main environmental issue of concern. As long as you reduced, reused, and recycled, you were a friend of the environment. Things are not that simple these days, but waste conservation is still a big part of living green. It takes a lot of energy to process and dispose of waste, whether it’s recycled or dumped in a landfill. So conserving on waste is important, even if you do recycle. You should also compost your biodegradable waste materials.</p>
<h4>9. Wear the right clothing</h4>
<p>Your choice of clothing can make a big impact on the environment. One of the most heavily sprayed crops across the globe is cotton. Chemicals which are used as insecticides harm the environment, and harm people&#8217;s health. Fortunately, there are other alternative fabrics available in the market; such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and flax. Try to find and purchase clothing that uses these natural and nontoxic materials. Wearing such clothing is also better for your health.</p>
<h4>10. Avoid toxins and chemicals</h4>
<p>If you look carefully at many of the products you use every day, such as cleaning and personal care products, you might be quite surprised at the harmful chemicals they are made from. Use products made from natural and nontoxic ingredients.</p>
<p>They aren&#8217;t hard to find – even Amazon has an entire section dedicated to green products. This section is called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAmazon-Green%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D394379011&amp;tag=sourceandresource-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957"><strong>Amazon Green</strong></a><strong><img style="margin: 0px; border-top-style: none! important; border-right-style: none! important; border-left-style: none! important; border-bottom-style: none! important" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sourceandresource-20&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=1" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> </strong>and it includes many household, personal care, home improvement, office, clothing, and grocery items. By shopping at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAmazon-Green%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D394379011&amp;tag=sourceandresource-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957"><strong>Amazon Green</strong></a><img style="margin: 0px; border-top-style: none! important; border-right-style: none! important; border-left-style: none! important; border-bottom-style: none! important" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sourceandresource-20&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=1" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> you can find nontoxic and environmentally friendly products more easily, while also saving money and conserving resources by doing your shopping online.</p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="How to Go Green in Your Day-to-Day Life" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/green-day-to-day-life/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/green-day-to-day-life/">How to Go Green in Your Day-to-Day Life</a> is a post from: </p>
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		<title>Tips: How to Go Green Video</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/tips-green/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/tips-green/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:03:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Megan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Green Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Videos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cleaning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[go green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Going Green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thegreenbeanblog.com/?p=436</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cleaning up one’s life and helping clean up the environment at the same time really difficult.  Remembering the little things goes a long way.  In fact, when millions of people remember millions of little things, it adds up to big changes - just like millions of people not remembering adds up to big landfills.  Here are a few tips and reminders you can use to help protect the environment, in your everyday life.<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/tips-green/">Tips: How to Go Green Video</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
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<p>Cleaning up one’s life and helping clean up the environment at the same time really difficult.&#160; Remembering the little things goes a long way.&#160; Here are a few tips and reminders you can use to help protect the environment, in your everyday life.</p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="Tips: How to Go Green Video" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/tips-green/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/tips-green/">Tips: How to Go Green Video</a> is a post from: </p>
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		<title>Laundry Day: Try Green Wash Ball</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/laundry-day-try-green-wash-ball/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/laundry-day-try-green-wash-ball/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:39:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Around the House]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/?p=261</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What’s round like an orange, textured like a porcupine and green like a lime? It’s the green wash ball. This ball works by bouncing around natural ceramics inside the ball that raise the ph level of the water. This process is much like how traditional detergent works but instead of friction they use chemicals to raise the ph level. Also the texturing on the ball helps loosen dirt and at the same time softens clothes without the use of chemical fabric softeners.<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/laundry-day-try-green-wash-ball/">Laundry Day: Try Green Wash Ball</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Flaundry-day-try-green-wash-ball%2F"><img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Flaundry-day-try-green-wash-ball%2F" height="61" width="51" /></a></div><p><img class="size-medium wp-image-262 alignleft" style="margin-right: 5px; margin-left: 5px;" title="green wash ball" src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/greenwashball_275-150x300.jpg" alt="green wash ball" width="150" height="300" /> What’s round like an orange, textured like a porcupine and green like a lime?  It’s the green wash ball.  This ball works by bouncing around natural ceramics inside the ball that raise the ph level of the water.  This process is much like how traditional detergent works but instead of friction they use chemicals to raise the ph level. Also the texturing on the ball helps loosen dirt and at the same time softens clothes without the use of chemical fabric softeners.</p>
<p>To use, simply place ball in washer without detergent or fabric softener and wash as usual.  The green ball can be used 7 times per week and then refreshed by place in the sun for 1 hour.  Following this pattern of use will give you enough cleaning power to last 1,000 washes or 3 years worth of laundry.  The green ball safeguards clothes, activates water’s natural cleaning power, eliminates odors, cleans with an antibacterial effect, removes dirt without chemical detergents and avoids allergic reactions to clothing detergents and fabric softeners.  The green ball is safe for septic tanks and in the production of gray water.  Also with college starting the green ball is an easy way for students to do their laundry with one simple ball.  So the next time you’re in the detergent aisle think about trying the green wash ball.</p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-266 alignright" style="margin: 5px;" title="ClothesDryer-main_Full" src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/0ClothesDryer-main_Full-243x300.jpg" alt="Clothes drying" width="243" height="300" /> Also, while laundry is on your mind think about the art of clothes drying.  While fall is quickly approaching, the art of hanging your clothes on the line to dry is liberating and nostalgic.  One can hang clothes on the line and enjoy the sun and breeze of the day.  This enjoyment continues when the clothes are taken down in their crispness and the scent lingers in your closet and drawers.  But if you cannot hang your clothes out or, have allergies, using a dryer to dry your clothes is your only option.  However, you can save money, soften your clothes naturally, and save time by using dryer balls.  These balls placed as pairs in your dryer beats one’s clothes to soften and speed up drying time.</p>
<p>So even the art of doing laundry can be green.  Green wash balls reduce the use of plastic, cut down on unplanned trips to the store when you run out unexpectedly and soften one’s clothes by the tumbling of the ball in the washer much like what has been done for centuries with beating clothes on rocks.  The green wash ball can also be used in the refrigerator to help keep fruits and vegetables fresh.   The final task on laundry day is drying and it can be the most enjoyable.  Mother Earth has provided the most wonderful dryer for clothes, the outdoors. But if you cannot take advantage of Mother Earth’s dryer the dryer balls in the dryer are the next best thing.  While this act uses energy the beating of the ball softens clothes, cuts drying time which saves energy and if nothing else creates rhythmic music that spices up a mundane task.</p>
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<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="Laundry Day: Try Green Wash Ball" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/laundry-day-try-green-wash-ball/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/laundry-day-try-green-wash-ball/">Laundry Day: Try Green Wash Ball</a> is a post from: </p>
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		<title>WHAT’S FOR DINNER: Nutritional and Green Meals for Kids</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/what%e2%80%99s-for-dinner-nutritional-and-green-meals-for-kids/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/what%e2%80%99s-for-dinner-nutritional-and-green-meals-for-kids/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:52:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/?p=239</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As kids are going back to school and schedules become more hectic, families are looking for inexpensive, quick, nutrional meals.  All three of these requirements can be met by using the “other white meat;” tofu, tempeh, seitan, and textured vegetable protein.<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/what%e2%80%99s-for-dinner-nutritional-and-green-meals-for-kids/">WHAT’S FOR DINNER: Nutritional and Green Meals for Kids</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fwhat%25e2%2580%2599s-for-dinner-nutritional-and-green-meals-for-kids%2F"><img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fwhat%25e2%2580%2599s-for-dinner-nutritional-and-green-meals-for-kids%2F" height="61" width="51" /></a></div><p>As kids are going back to school and schedules become more hectic families are looking for inexpensive, quick, nutrional meals.  All three of these requirements can be met by using the “other white meat;”  tofu, tempeh, seitan, and textured vegetable protein.</p>
<p><strong>Tofu</strong></p>
<p>Tofu is the most popular as far as meat alternatives.  It is made from coagulated soy-milk curds that are pressed into blocks.  While tofu has a soft, gelatinous consistency that can never mimic meat but its limitless flavor versatility makes up for the lack of texture.  If you experiment with freezing and thawing tofu before cooking it the texture issue can be minimal and the spices used when cooking tofu can give it any flavor you choose.  As far as nutrion, tofu has nearly zero saturated fat, 100 calories, and 10 grams of protein all in a 4-ounce serving.  So when asked what’s for dinner try this recipe.</p>
<p><em>Turkey or meatloaf sandwich</em></p>
<p><em>1 block firm tofu</em></p>
<p><em>½ cup peanut butter</em></p>
<p><em>1-cup olive oil</em></p>
<p><em>¼ tamari</p>
<p>Breadcrumbs, onion and garlic powder, buffalo sauce</p>
<p></em></p>
<p><em>Drain tofu and cut into 1/3-inch slabs.  Mix peanut butter, olive oil, and tamari.  Pour mixture over tofu and marinate for 1 hour or longer.  The longer it soaks the more flavor will be absorbed.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes on each side.  Take out of oven and cover in breadcrumbs seasoned with a pinch of garlic and onion powders and bake again for 8 minutes per side.  Pour buffalo sauce or tofu and serve on a whole-wheat roll or bread.</em></p>
<p><img class="size-full wp-image-244 alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" title="Marinated Baked Tofu" src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/marinated-baked-tofu.jpg" alt="Marinated Baked Tofu" width="300" height="300" /></p>
<p><strong>Tempeh</strong></p>
<p>Indonesia is the home of this meat alternative.  Tempeh is created by fermenting whole soybeans and forming them into cakes that have a nutty and chewy texture.  Just like tofu tempeh absorbs whatever flavor it comes in contact with and its meaty texture makes it a great substitute for hamburger or pork.  Tempeh has 22 grams of protein in a 4-ounce serving.  So when asked what’s for dinner try this recipe.</p>
<p><em>Vegetarian Chorizo</em></p>
<p><em>1 brick premade tempeh</em></p>
<p><em>Oil, onions, cayenne pepper, cumin, toasted funnel, coriander, garlic, shallots, paprika, onion and garlic powders, and parsley flakes</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Take the brick of premade tempeh and crumble it like chopped chorizo sized pieces.  Sauté in remaining ingredients adding as needed for individual taste.  One may use this in any Mexican dish as a vegetarian chorizo substitute.</em></p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-247 alignright" style="margin-right: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" title="Tempeh" src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tempeh-281x300.jpg" alt="tempeh" width="281" height="300" /></p>
<p><strong>Seitan</strong></p>
<p>This was invented allegedly by Chinese monks who were looking for other forms of protein substitutes.  Seitan is wheat gluten or in other words the protein part of wheat.  Washing the wheat until all the starch is gone and the gluten remains creates seitan.  This is then cooked in a soy sauce and seaweed stock.  Seitan’s texture is the most meat like and is used in vegetarian Asian cuisine to prepare mock meat dishes.  It works great as a mock steak due to its chewy texture, not to mention it’s fat free with twice as much protein as tofu for a 4-ounce serving.  So when asked what’s for dinner try this recipe.</p>
<ul>
<li><em>Mock Country-Fried Steak</em></li>
<li><em>Unseasoned strips or cuts of seitan</em></li>
<li><em>Flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper</em></li>
<li><em>Oil</em></li>
<li><em>Egg</em></li>
</ul>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Beat egg and mix flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper together.  Dredge strips or cuts in flour then egg and repeat in flour.  Deep-fry or panfry and serve with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and fruit.</em></p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-251 alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" title="Seitan Ribs" src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ribz-300x201.jpg" alt="seitan ribs" width="270" height="181" /><br />
<strong>Textured Vegetable Protein</strong></p>
<p>If anyone has had Bac-O they have had TVP.  This is made from defatted soy flour, which is a by-product of making soybean oil, and shaped into flakes or chunks.  When purchasing TVP keep in mind it’s dehydrated and will need to be rehydrated before using.  Try rehydrating by mixing 1 cup of TVP with 1 cup of hot water and soak for 5 to 10 minutes.  You will need to experiment with the soaking time to meet your needs and texture.  TVP has 94 calories, 14 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and zero fat per ounce.  Due to TVP’s meaty texture it is best used as a ground beef or turkey substitute.  So when asked what’s for dinner think about the “other white meat” that provides and economical source of protein at a reasonable price.</p>
<p>And as a footnote if you would like to reduce your individual impact on climate change choosing an alternative meat source is a good choice in reducing your carbon footprint.</p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="WHAT’S FOR DINNER: Nutritional and Green Meals for Kids" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/what%e2%80%99s-for-dinner-nutritional-and-green-meals-for-kids/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/what%e2%80%99s-for-dinner-nutritional-and-green-meals-for-kids/">WHAT’S FOR DINNER: Nutritional and Green Meals for Kids</a> is a post from: </p>
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		<title>Clean and Green: Method’s Home and Personal Care Products</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products-2/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:26:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Around the House]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/?p=228</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I, personally, love to clean. I love the look of a sparkling kitchen and a tidy bathroom. However, I am not as fond of the toxic smell of chemicals, which is usually a side effect of having a clean home. So, I was thrilled when I finally tried Method’s line of soaps, surface cleaners and detergents. They are ‘people against dirty’ (read, people after my own heart) and they stand for great design, sustainability, safety and good-smelling cleaning products.<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products-2/">Clean and Green: Method’s Home and Personal Care Products</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fclean-and-green-method%25e2%2580%2599s-home-and-personal-care-products-2%2F"><img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fclean-and-green-method%25e2%2580%2599s-home-and-personal-care-products-2%2F" height="61" width="51" /></a></div><p>I, personally, love to clean. I love the look of a sparkling kitchen and a tidy bathroom. However, I am not as fond of the toxic smell of chemicals, which is usually a side effect of having a clean home. So, I was thrilled when I finally tried Method’s line of soaps, surface cleaners and detergents. They are ‘people against dirty’ (read, people after my own heart) and they stand for great design, sustainability, safety and good-smelling cleaning products.</p>
<p>Method offsets their carbon from all of their employees’ commutes and the energy it takes to run their office buildings. They also offset the energy consumed by the manufacture of products through renewable energy credits. They work to reduce their energy consumption from making, shipping and using their products. One of the ways they can do this is by manufacturing concentrated soaps and detergents. Oftentimes, soap contains a large percent of water, but Method makes more concentrated products which allow less packaging materials and less weight. This results in fewer carbon emissions during the shipping and distribution of products. </p>
<p>In terms of safety, Method has followed the ideas of Michael Braungart, co-author of Cradle to Cradle, in using completely natural, biodegradable and harmless ingredients in their products. They were recognized at the ‘champions’ level of Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative, as part of the EPA’s Design for the Environment program. The program works to reduce chemical risk and improve energy efficiency to be better for both people and the planet. The EPA now has 1,034 products and counting as part of this program, which have eliminated more than 270 million pounds of harmful chemicals. Method currently has 50 products in compliance with the DfE program. </p>
<p>Method also prominently displays their ingredient lists on their website, breaking each product down ingredient by ingredient. You can feel good about knowing exactly what’s in every product you use. The people at Method work with Michael’s Braungart’s team at the Environmental Protection and Encouragement Agency (EPEA) to carefully consider every material that goes into their final products, and to make sure that the products won’t pollute any of our water systems with harmful chemicals.</p>
<p>Method makes Cradle to Cradle certified products, which is a huge achievement in itself, but they also became endorsed as a Cradle to Cradle company recently, which means that they are environmentally sustainable not only in their products, but in all aspects of their business. </p>
<p>Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, the founders of Method, have also figured out how to capture the market (and my gratitude) with their sleek designs. I no longer feel the need to stuff cleaning products under the sink or put them in non-descript containers; my dish soap stands proudly out on the counter. The bottles are 100% recycled plastic and Method uses labels that won’t jam up recycling systems. And did I mention they are pretty?</p>
<p>I knew I loved Method’s products the moment I read the bottles and discovered scents like ‘pink grapefruit, cucumber, ginger yuzu’ among others. Thankfully, we finally have another choice for scents in the cleaning aisle besides lemon. </p>
<p>Method has revolutionized a market which has historically been seen as environmentally unsound. They have made effective cleaning products that can be washed down drain without the subsequent environmental guilt pains. They have made it so we can take off the rubber gloves, and we can keep our cleaning products on display. Above all, they have set a standard of sustainability.</p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="Clean and Green: Method’s Home and Personal Care Products" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products-2/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products-2/">Clean and Green: Method’s Home and Personal Care Products</a> is a post from: </p>
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		<title>Clean and Green : Method’s Home and Personal Care Products</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:24:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Around the House]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/?p=231</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
I, personally, love to clean. I love the look of a sparkling kitchen and a tidy bathroom. However, I am not as fond of the toxic smell of chemicals, which is usually a side effect of having a clean home. So, I was thrilled when I finally tried Method’s line of soaps, surface cleaners and [...]<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products/">Clean and Green : Method’s Home and Personal Care Products</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fclean-and-green-method%25e2%2580%2599s-home-and-personal-care-products%2F"><img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fclean-and-green-method%25e2%2580%2599s-home-and-personal-care-products%2F" height="61" width="51" /></a></div><p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-236" title="method for home and personal" src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/method_logo-300x106.jpg" alt="method for home and personal" width="300" height="106" /></p>
<p>I, personally, love to clean. I love the look of a sparkling kitchen and a tidy bathroom. However, I am not as fond of the toxic smell of chemicals, which is usually a side effect of having a clean home. So, I was thrilled when I finally tried <a href="http://www.methodhome.com/">Method’s</a> line of soaps, surface cleaners and detergents. They are ‘people against dirty’ (read, people after my own heart) and they stand for great design, sustainability, safety and good-smelling cleaning products.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.methodhome.com/">Method</a> offsets their carbon from all of their employees’ commutes and the energy it takes to run their office buildings. They also offset the energy consumed by the manufacturer of products through renewable energy credits. They work to reduce their energy consumption from making, shipping and using their products. One of the ways they can do this is by manufacturing concentrated soaps and detergents. Oftentimes, soap contains a large percent of water, but Method makes more concentrated products which allow less packaging materials and less weight. This results in fewer carbon emissions during the shipping and distribution of products.</p>
<p>In terms of safety, Method has followed the ideas of Michael Braungart, co-author of Cradle to Cradle, in using completely natural, biodegradable and harmless ingredients in their products. They were recognized at the ‘champions’ level of Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative, as part of the EPA’s <a href="http://www.epa.gov/dfe/">Design for the Environment program</a>. The program works to reduce chemical risk and improve energy efficiency to be better for both people and the planet. The EPA now has 1,034 products and counting as part of this program, which have eliminated more than 270 million pounds of harmful chemicals. Method currently has 50 products in compliance with the DfE program.</p>
<p>Method also prominently displays their ingredient lists on their website, breaking each product down ingredient by ingredient. You can feel good about knowing exactly what’s in every product you use. The people at Method work with Michael Braungart’s team at the <a href="http://www.epea.com/index.php">Environmental Protection and Encouragement Agency</a> (EPEA) to carefully consider every material that goes into their final products, and to make sure that the products won’t pollute any of our water systems with harmful chemicals.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-237" title="Method products" src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/6a00d834515f0569e200e54ff9a3b98834-800wi-298x300.jpg" alt="Method products" width="298" height="300" /></p>
<p>Method makes Cradle to Cradle certified products, which is a huge achievement in itself.  They also became endorsed as a Cradle to Cradle company recently, which means that they are environmentally sustainable not only in their products, but in all aspects of their business.</p>
<p>Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, the founders of Method, have also figured out how to capture the market (and my gratitude) with their sleek designs. I no longer feel the need to stuff cleaning products under the sink or put them in non-descript containers; my dish soap stands proudly out on the counter. The bottles are 100% recycled plastic and Method uses labels that won’t jam up recycling systems. And did I mention they are pretty?</p>
<p>I knew I loved Method’s products the moment I read the bottles and discovered scents like ‘pink grapefruit, cucumber, ginger yuzu’ among others. Thankfully, we finally have another choice for scents in the cleaning aisle besides lemon.</p>
<p>Method has revolutionized a market which has historically been seen as environmentally unsound. They have made effective cleaning products that can be washed down the drain without the subsequent environmental guilt pains. They have made it so we can take off the rubber gloves and keep our cleaning products on display. Above all, they have set a standard of sustainability.</p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="Clean and Green : Method’s Home and Personal Care Products" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/clean-and-green-method%e2%80%99s-home-and-personal-care-products/">Clean and Green : Method’s Home and Personal Care Products</a> is a post from: </p>
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		<title>Teaching Kids to Love Fruits and Vegetables</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/teaching-kids-to-love-fruits-and-vegetables/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/teaching-kids-to-love-fruits-and-vegetables/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:37:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food & Diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Organic]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/?p=221</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Everyone knows that kids can be really picky about what food they eat. They usually don’t choose to eat fresh fruits and vegetables on their own. So how can we get them to eat a healthier diet? Take them out to do the foraging and collecting themselves.
Growing up, many kids go to the grocery store [...]<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/teaching-kids-to-love-fruits-and-vegetables/">Teaching Kids to Love Fruits and Vegetables</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fteaching-kids-to-love-fruits-and-vegetables%2F"><img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fteaching-kids-to-love-fruits-and-vegetables%2F" height="61" width="51" /></a></div><p><img src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/pyopic.jpg" alt="Fresh fruit" title="Fresh fruit" width="300" height="450" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-222" /><br />
Everyone knows that kids can be really picky about what food they eat. They usually don’t choose to eat fresh fruits and vegetables on their own. So how can we get them to eat a healthier diet? Take them out to do the foraging and collecting themselves.</p>
<p>Growing up, many kids go to the grocery store and see the stacks upon stacks of fruits and vegetables but they have no real concept of where all that food comes from. They’re missing the joy of walking through blueberry fields early in the morning, or apple picking in the fall. Kids are much happier to run around and eat fruit directly from the tree it was grown on than to eat it when it magically appears at the dinner table. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/dude-and-kids-picking-fruit-300x199.jpg" alt="dad and kids picking fruit" title="dad and kids picking fruit" width="300" height="199" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-224" /><br />
So, whether it’s taking your child to the local CSA to pick carrots and to see the farm that their food comes from, or picking fresh blueberries and making pie, show your child the value of farms and local food. After all, there isn’t much that is better than eating a fresh strawberry in the summer, or harvesting local tomatoes. And you’ll be teaching your children how important local, organic produce is while they run around and have fun. </p>
<p>Whether it’s a natural return to our hunting and gathering origins, or just the simple joy of being in nature, kids are sure to love the adventure of picking fresh produce. And hey, you just might get them to appreciate where their food comes from and to actually eat their fruits and veggies. </p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="Teaching Kids to Love Fruits and Vegetables" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/teaching-kids-to-love-fruits-and-vegetables/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/teaching-kids-to-love-fruits-and-vegetables/">Teaching Kids to Love Fruits and Vegetables</a> is a post from: </p>
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		<title>Swaptree: Trade Books and DvDs Free Online</title>
		<link>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/swaptree-trade-books-and-dvds-free-online/</link>
		<comments>http://thegreenbeanblog.com/swaptree-trade-books-and-dvds-free-online/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:11:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Around the House]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/?p=205</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Odds are, you have a DVD lying around the house that you’ve watched so many times it’s practically committed to memory. Or a book someone gave you that you’ll never read. You’ve thought about trying to sell these items on e-bay or amazon, but then it hardly seems worth it with the time and costs [...]<p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/swaptree-trade-books-and-dvds-free-online/">Swaptree: Trade Books and DvDs Free Online</a> is a post from: </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fswaptree-trade-books-and-dvds-free-online%2F"><img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenbeanblog.com%2Fswaptree-trade-books-and-dvds-free-online%2F" height="61" width="51" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.swaptree.com/"><img src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/swaptree_logo1.gif" alt="swaptree_logo" title="swaptree_logo" width="242" height="58" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-209" /></a><br />
Odds are, you have a DVD lying around the house that you’ve watched so many times it’s practically committed to memory. Or a book someone gave you that you’ll never read. You’ve thought about trying to sell these items on e-bay or amazon, but then it hardly seems worth it with the time and costs of listing those things. Well, for those of you who have been holding onto your old collection of movies, music, books or video games, you’ve hit the jackpot.</p>
<p>You can now swap any of your old media for something new through <a href="http://www.swaptree.com/">Swaptree</a>. They allow you to set up a list of all your DVDs, CDs, books and video games that you no longer want (a “have list”), and media that you want (a “want list”) and the website goes to work to find you what you want. It’s easy, and it’s free. You’re only responsible for the shipping costs, which can be done on the cheap through the post office’s media mail rates.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.swaptree.com/">Swaptree</a> keeps consumers happy but is also reducing the number of shopping trips, packaging, and new goods purchased. Say you’ve got the last season of “Lost” on DVD, but you’ve watched it so many times you’re sick of it. Instead of tossing it, or even donating it, you can retain its value by trading it for something else you want.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.thegreenbeanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Photoshop-before1.jpg" alt="DVDs and books" title="DVDs and books" width="400" height="320" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-215" /><br />
If you’ve always wanted Michael Pollan’s book The Omnivore’s Dilemma, you can put it on your “want” list, and if you’ve got something that somebody else wants, you’ve got the book and it’s yours for as long as you want. For those of us who want to keep books we really love, this is a great system since libraries always have a return policy and buying through bookstores can be expensive.</p>
<p>Swaptree has brought real meaning to “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” The more members, the greater chance of scoring the loot you want. So go ahead and try Swaptree, maybe that novel you just read at the beach this past weekend will be just the thing to get you a copy of your favorite movie.</p>
<script type="text/javascript" class="owbutton" src="http://onlywire.com/btn/button_3793" title="Swaptree: Trade Books and DvDs Free Online" url="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/swaptree-trade-books-and-dvds-free-online/"></script><p>This post was first published on <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com">The Green Bean Blog</a>.  To continue reading, please visit <a href="http://thegreenbeanblog.com/swaptree-trade-books-and-dvds-free-online/">Swaptree: Trade Books and DvDs Free Online</a> is a post from: </p>
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