This Week In The Garden: Future Blackberries

These blackberries are in my front garden and I will train them over an arbor at some point when my finances facilitate this desire. It has been interesting to watch how the fruit transforms from a flower bud, to flower to fruit. Try growing your own food, even if it is in a pot on the windowsill (my dad grows tons of peppers this way), it is a wonderful way to connect with nature.
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Outstanding Teens

The photo features my son Michael's display in one of dozens of Outstanding Senior displays, highlighting the accomplishments of teens selected to represent their chapters. Last week I had the pleasure of attending my first and last Jack and Jill Teen Conference with my son, hundreds of amazing, accomplished and beautiful teens accompanied by dozens of parents. The conference was run by and planned by teens with support of loving and caring adults. Under the theme of "Be Green, Be Healthy, Be Innovative, Be You, Be the Change" many activities and meetings were conducted. The event was held in Michigan at Oakland University, which appeared to be a campus which takes sustainability seriously. Our conference bags were attractive and recyclable, skits, t-shirts, exhibits, community service activities and oratoricals really played up the theme of being green and being the change, and there was even a workshop selection on environmental justice! The older teens were given the opportunity to test drive GM's electric car, the Volt in addition to the Camaro. It was wonderful being around such youthful energy and promise. Our expectations for them to be the change in our communities was frequently stressed, especially at the worship service. While not all the teens were into the green theme, I feel that awareness of green initiatives and practices was greatly enhanced by the event.
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This Week In The Garden: A Beautiful Pairing

"Annabelle" hydrangea and daisies share aa spotlight in the sun.
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Green Careers: imberland Creates Executive Position for Social Responsibility

Timberland Creates Executive Position for Social Responsibility

reen Job: Online Associate, DC, M+R Strategic Services

Online Associate, DC, M+R Strategic Services

Life The Green Way: Product Reviews

Life The Green Way: Product Reviews: "Volcanic Ash: Beauty Products Flying Under the Radar by Sarafina Moon While I try to use all-natural products as much as possible, I am ..."

B Corporations Recognized as 'Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs'

B Corporations Recognized as 'Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs'

What Are the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations?

What Are the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations?

Huge BofA Project to Install $2.6bn of Solar on Company Roofs Across U.S. · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader

Huge BofA Project to Install $2.6bn of Solar on Company Roofs Across U.S. · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader

Thrifting And Living Green With The Girlfriends

This weekend a few girlfriends came up to Cleveland for a round of thriftstore/consignment shopping. We found some great deals. These sexy, sparkly, peach sandals were $10 and I'm sure will be deployed very effectively by my girlfriend at the next ladies night! We hit several stores, most of which were well curated and offered several vintage items and sizes for curvy ladies. Everyone found something - a purse, a party dress, a work dress, a feminine, flowing animal print top, a watch. We had a great time! I even got the ladies to dry some raw dried mango slices and gave everyone a cutting of mint from the garden to take home to root and plant. We had dinner at MELT a restaurant that offers a nice variety of delicious vegan and vegetarian substitutes for its menu items. Even my son will eat their veggie meat substitutes on Meatless Mondays! You should plan a green weekend with your friends. You could overtly say "hey let's do a green weekend!" Or be subtle about it and do what you do everyday but add a splash of humor and fun.
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Raw Arugula Salad

Tonight's dinner. Arugula, sugar plum tomatoes, avocado, green onions, almonds. Top with squeeze of half a lime, a zip of olive oil and a dash of seasonings. Enjoy.
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Whole Foods Parking Lot Video: Hilarious!

Summertime Raw Breakfast Idea

Strawberries, grapes, kiwi, banana and chopped almonds. Topped with almond milk. Ahhh, summer!
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The CIA and the Pentagon Declare War on Climate Change | OnEarth Magazine

The CIA and the Pentagon Declare War on Climate Change | OnEarth Magazine

Let Your Light Shine

This pink rose has a long history. It is from a collection of rose bushes that my grandfather tended back in his retirement days. I planted it some 15 years ago, then planted an Annabelle hydrangea shrub about 8 years ago. Well as you can see the large green leaves of the hydrangea has taken over my poor roses place in the garden. This year I didn't even expect any blooms given the lack of light, but was pleasantly surprised to find this pink beauty peeking out through the darkness as I pulled into the driveway. Gives me hope that innovative thought and concepts can make their way through ignorance and darkness to shed beauty upon the world. God is good.
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Mobile App Gives Shoppers Access to Product Ingredients

Mobile App Gives Shoppers Access to Product Ingredients

Cool Light Fixture from Tree Branches

Pretty awesome, right? Another creative use of recycled wood materials featured in the Smart Home created by Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
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Recycled Wood Art

Beautiful wood pieces on display at the Smart Home in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Art From Recycled Materials

Check out this cute floral arrangement made from recycled plastic bottles. Found in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Smart Home, a passive house demonstration.
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A Rare Chipmunk Close-up

How often does one get the opportunity to view a chipmunk sitting still? Normally they seen only as a tiny blur of striped fur dashing across the patio or yard. Pulled into the driveway after church and this chipmunk was just chilling on the rim of a blue pot. We sat still in the car and our patience was rewarded with seeing her grub on a seed of some sort and grooming the top of her head. Thanks God for this rare treat!
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Sierra Club Cool Green Schools List

Sierra Club Names Boston University as top 50 Green Schools » Sustainability » Boston University Again, DePaul makes the list. In my mind, the Sierra Club list is official. Click on the questionnaire to get a list of questions you can ask on college tours with your teen. This could be adapted to secondary schools as well.

Princeton Review names the top greenest colleges for 2011

Princeton Review names the top greenest colleges for 2011 Yay! My son's future college, DePaul University in one of the greenest cities, made the list. He was attracted to DePaul in part, due to their focus on social responsibility and social justice. Keep this list handy as your plan your child's college future.

Cooking Light Vegetarian Recipes

http://time.r.delivery.net/r/c/r?2.1.3Mz.2qf.11GGiU.CR2oPm..H.CjQi.AnE.bXAzMDAwMj0xMDI4Mjc0NzcxNzQmbW89Mg%5f%5fUXMHdV00

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Green Mostly Edible Living Wreath

Clockwise: Thyme, mint. strawberry, hens n chicks (this plant not edible to my knowledge). Hoping that the strawberry or hens n chicks will fill in the gap. Will add some decorative moss if not.
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Green Living Wreath

Using this as part of a table display. Will place an photo of my son in an oval frame in the center. Plants include, lemon thyme, mint, strawberry and the succulent, hens n chicks. Just have figure out how to hang it from the trifold poster board. Hmm. Any thoughts?
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Raw "Tuna" Wraps

This is a delicious raw meal. Start with swiss chard, add "raw tuna", tomatoes, avocado. Top with a splash of olive oil. Oh man, it's good. You can find raw tuna recipes online or in any raw cookbook. It's basically sunflower seeds, lemon, parsley, celery, olive oil. For best flavor add raw pickles and dulse or kelp flakes.
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Raw Blackberry Peach Lettuce Macadamia Nut and Honey Smoothie

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Dayscapes: Fragrant Honeysuckle

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Dayscapes: Peonies

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Dayscape: Shrub Rose

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Dayscape: Dogwood Tree

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Nightscapes: Peonies

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Nightscapes: Fragrant Honeysuckle

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Nightscapes: Shrub Roses

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Nightscapes: Strawberry Bloom

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Nightscapes:Dogwood

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Toy Maker Mattel Supply Chain Responsible for Indonesia Deforestation

Toy Maker Mattel Supply Chain Responsible for Indonesia Deforestation

Great American Backyard Campout Blends Outdoors, Family Fun and Science

Great American Backyard Campout Blends Outdoors, Family Fun and Science How cute is the young lady that writes this blog?! You go girl, represent the female and black scientists out there! Camping in your backyard or a family member's backyard is a great idea! A great way to pique your family's interest in the outdoors and help them to overcome their fears. If your neighborhood is safe or conducive to this activity, why not trying a mock campout indoors. Grab the sleeping bags or blankets, make in indoor tent, pack up some snacks and put some nature music in the mp3 player and/or nature videos on television. Tell scary stories and drink some hot cocoa or lemonade. Your family is sure to beg you to try the actual outdoor experience at an real live campsight. Check your local natural history museums, as they sometimes hold overnight camps for the family in their facilities.

Human exposure to bisphenol A underestimated – study

Human exposure to bisphenol A underestimated – study Exposure to these chemical through plastic food packaging may have longer time impacts on our reproductive system and other abnormalities. Eat as much fresh food as possible and use glass or ceramics (just watch for lead and mercury in ceramics from other countries).

Stylish Eco-Friendly Shoes: Naya Shoes

Looking to support a shoe company with a soul for the earth? Consider Naya Shoes. I discovered this line of shoes while checking out Nordstroms portfolio of eco-conscious products. I must say that these shoes are very stylish! I did ask a company representative if they carry an animal friendly line of shoes, not currently, but hopefully they will strongly consider doing so, given the growing number of vegans in the marketplace. See the features below that make for a greener shoe:

1) Vegetable-tanned leathers and linings
2) Natural or recycled content fabrics
3) Foot beds and outsoles containing natural cork
4) Water-based cements
5) Boxes made with 80% recycled paper pulp
6) Soy-based inks and water-based glue
7) Reusable shoe bags and shoe forms made with recycled PET
 
The company seeks to follow the triple bottom line in its approach to operating its business. Composting, recycling and waste reduction are integrated into business operations. Naya's key designer also lives a green and active lifestyle. She drives a hybrid, enjoys the outdoors and enjoys spending time with her two dogs.

Green Graduation Gift: Apple iPad and MacBook Pro

Eco-Libris How Green is Your iPad? My son wants a Green Mac laptop to take to college with him, not so sure if I want to purchase one, given Apple's relationships with some questionable suppliers in China. Need to do some more homework on this one. Maybe I will have him do it, since he wants one. The Macbook Pro is pretty green though from an environmental perspective, there was some pressure by Greenpeace to encourage Apple to do the right thing and it apparently worked!

Gardens Blossom in the Neighborhood



A Buckeye Shrub - The Buckeye Tree is the state tree of Ohio. Go Bucks!

 I'm so excited to witness the birth of three new gardens in the neighborhood this spring! Two neighbors next to me and one across the street. Beauty is contagious! I will post more photos from the garden, but this is what I have to share for now.
Th

Hydrangea in an antique urn - Gorgeous Darling!

Ajuga - this sits in a patch next to the sidewalk, shade tolerant and nice leaf

Banana Based Raw Smoothies

Wanted to share my latest raw smoothie innovations with you. Check it:

Banana Maple - 1 banana, handful frozen pineapple chunks, dollop cashew butter, splash of maple syrup, almond milk to cover half the ingredients. Blend. Say "Ahh!"

Banana Avocado - 1 banana, handful frozen pineapple chunks, 1/2 cup avocado, raw honey, 2TBL raw shredded coconut, almond milk to cover half the ingredients. Blend. Feel the power!

Banana Peach - 1 banana, 4 frozen pineapple chunks, 3/4 cup frozen peaches, dollop of cashew butter, splash of maple syrup, almond milk to cover half the ingredients.  Blend. Refreshing.

Banana Avocado Smoothie - G is for Great!

Eco-Libris blog: 10 best ebooks for green entrepreneurs!

Eco-Libris blog: 10 best ebooks for green entrepreneurs!

Goodwill Huntingg: "I Could Thrift That!" Spring Trends Thrifting Gui...

Goodwill Huntingg: "I Could Thrift That!" Spring Trends Thrifting Gui...: "I just published a new shopping guide for Cleveland Free Press. Check it out here 'I Could Thrift That!' Spring Trends Thrifting Guide"

Keep Current on Fair Trade Events with The Fair Trade Newsletter

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/WFTD---Movement-News.html?soid=1101862221357&aid=DtpOvbguU_8 Click on the link to learn more about Chicago's recent status as a Fair Trade City, the events of World Fair Trade day and other fair trade happenings around the nation and the world.

P&G Health Program Enables Consumers to Help Provide Clean Drinking Water in Developing Countries – Press Releases on CSRwire.com

P&G Health Program Enables Consumers to Help Provide Clean Drinking Water in Developing Countries – Press Releases on CSRwire.com

Kodak Hands Out Cash for Cameras · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader

Kodak Hands Out Cash for Cameras · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader

Cool Green Job For Fashion and Music Lovers

Sales and Marketing, PlayBack Clothing

Sprint Announces Electronics Stewardship Policy, First in the Industry

Sprint Announces Electronics Stewardship Policy, First in the Industry

GM Recycles 227 Miles of Oil-Soaked Gulf Spill Booms Into Chevy Volt Parts

GM Recycles 227 Miles of Oil-Soaked Gulf Spill Booms Into Chevy Volt Parts