Caring Kids
Darkness doesn’t have to mean boredom
Over 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries across the world are turning off their lights for an hour at 8:30 PM this Saturday. The symbolic gesture will introduce kids to an hour free of lights, screens or electronics. It might even be a first for some. How are you going to make sure that hour doesn’t suck? Don’t sit in silence staring into an abyss of blackness, for one thing. Max. fun doesn’t require max. power use. Plug into your people-powered source of entertainment and get ready for an awesome hour.
Power on!
1. If lighting off fireworks isn’t an option where you are, sparklers make an interactive, safer alternative. Sparkler writing photography makes for awesome family photos. (We want to see ‘em, too! Send us a link!) Read more...
Cravings
Cookie mogul Eden Hertzog shares recipes she enjoys with her family
We waste too much. Yes you, and me, and most likely 95% of us living in the Western World. I notice this the most around the holidays, when consumption is at its absolutely peak. I am always bothered by the garbage bags and recycling bins that are dragged out after Christmas and how very full to the brim they are. Let’s all take a picture in our minds of what wrapping paper looks like, and now can we just stop using it?
As I step down from the soapbox I’d like to share this very small recipe with you that I consider to be a huge revolution for me: I made my own almond milk. I know that doesn’t sound like a big thing, but it’s our main staple in the household and I always feel a tinge of guilt when I see all those crushed empty cartons in the recycling bin. Read more...
Blog
We’ve rounded up these gems from Earth Days gone by
1. Building a green roof on your garage. The uber-cool eco-dad and founder of Green Garage tells us about going green with his family and building a natural green roof on top of his garage. He now counsels other families on how do the same.
2. Brockton Triangle neighbourhood cleanup. This amazing Toronto neighbourhood gets together for pot lucks, street parties, yard sales and even childcare. They also get together to clean up their neighbourhood for Earth Day. Adults and older kids perform the actual cleaning, while younger kids do crafts and decorate the ‘hood with sidewalk chalk. Coolness!
3. National Audubon’s Pennies for the Planet. The National Audubon Society provides lots of Earth Day fund-raising tips to help kids collect pennies to save wild species and places. The site also offers suggestions on how kids can save energy and respect the environment. The ideas are all child-friendly, inspiring and very easy to accomplish and help to make a difference. Read more...
