Friday, September 30, 2011

It's Easy to Go Green for Halloween

How easy it is to celebrate green
Busy parents need greening to be simple. Whatever the choice may be (goodies, costumes, décor, etc.), adding an eco-friendly twist shouldn’t increase stress and chaos to an already hectic holiday season. But making healthy and green choices is, in fact, easier than it seems. The key is thinking (and acting) outside the conventional candy box.
1. Plan ahead. Halloween is a fairly last minute holiday, resulting in a lot of knee-jerk choices that aren’t good for kids or the planet. But if you make a habit of thinking ahead, you can find exactly what you want while saving time, energy and reducing stress. One idea is to create a reoccurring appointment in your calendar for each October 1st. Decide what you are going to give away this year and, if necessary, order it online or pick it up. If you have the bandwidth to coordinate with a few friends or co-workers, you can save money by buying online, splitting the quantities and dividing the shipping charges. If the recycled plastic tops or eco-themed temporary tattoos are a hit, make it easier on yourself by giving the same thing away next year. (Make your green goodies a tradition.)
2. Take a different road. Who said goodies have to be bought at grocery stores? Most of us run out to the grocery store the night before Halloween to pick up that 10 pound bag of candy (or two), but what if we realized that great, green goodies can be found elsewhere, too? What about picking up some seeds while you’re at the nursery? Or some cool glass beads when you drive by the art supply store? Playing cards with magic tricks, recipes and Halloween jokes can be found at bookstores and toy stores. Lots of ideas for “treasures” can be found here.
3. Include the kids. Going green is a family affair, so make it easier on yourself and include the kids by asking for their ideas. When they’re involved from the get-go, they’re more like to stay involved and to have positive attitudes.
4. Relax. Going green isn’t an all or nothing deal and busy moms have a lot on their minds and plates. So start with simple green steps that will work for your family this year. You can always add more the next time around. Holidays should be about the fun, not about the stress. Even green choices, if stressful, won’t be sustainable over the long haul.
Other ideas:
The loot
· When it comes to which goodies to hand out, take a cue from doing laundry. Why? What “treasures” do your kids stash in their pockets? Polished rocks, feathers, seashells, and other items from nature are timeless treats for children of all ages. (And we’ve polled thousands of kids – toddlers to teens – who say goodies like these get two thumbs up!)
· No matter what goodies you give away, give just one (instead of handfuls). When we were kids, most of us received one treat and each door, but now everything is supersized – including trick-or-treating. Giving away just one of something is easy to do, costs you less and is better for children and the planet. And here’s a tip: Place goodies in a bowl and let kids know - with barely contained enthusiasm - that they can choose just one really special treat. When you do, something magical will happen. The kids will get excited about picking that one perfect treasure – more excited than if they had received a handful.
· Many stores have healthier options for Halloween, but they might not know it (or market them as such). Take a quick stroll through the aisles and consider treats and treasures such as: Larbars, honey or agave sticks (may cost as little as 5-10 cents apiece), Stretch Island fruit leathers, all natural gum (like Glee Gum), or mini packs of all natural or organic crackers, granola or granola bars, cookies, or dried fruit. For treasures, stickers, bookmarks and pencils all made from recycled materials. Click here for a big list of ideas.
· If you want to give out candy, consider organic options such as Endangered Species “Bug Bites” and look for candy in bulk. While still made with sugar, organic and all natural ingredients are better for children and growing foods organically is better for the planet and the people who grow them. Companies such as Surf Sweets sell organic candy with low price points.
Costumes
· Go green, save time and money by shopping for your child’s costume at a consignment or thrift shop such as Goodwill.
· Celebrate National Costume Swap Day (www.CostumeSwapDay.com). Have a lunchtime costume exchange with co-workers who are parents, or with your church, after a weekend soccer game or combine it with a ladies night.
· Set the timer and let your kids go on a hunt through the house looking for Halloween costume components. (Be sure to tell them if any parts of the house are off limits). Let their imaginations fly. Instead of being a superhero or television character, the might just want to flex their creative muscles and be something unique.
· If buying, look for costumes made from petroleum-free fabrics that are less likely to contain phthalates, lead or other toxins.
· For the goody bag – use something you already own that goes with their costume. A chef can carry a bowl, a mountain climber a backpack, a princess a purse, football player a helmet, etc. Or go with the adorably eco, keepsake, reusable Green Halloween® trick-or-treat ChicoBag®.
Décor
· Instead of buying petroleum based or disposable décor items, think about using items from nature such as pumpkins, gourds, hay, etc. When you’re done, simply toss them into your yard waste bin (if allowed in your area) or compost. Or buy items that are recycled, upcycled, handcrafted or ethically sourced (e.g. Fair Trade) such as those found here.
· Candles are a popular Halloween décor item, but paraffin is an unsustainable product and contributes to poor indoor air quality. Instead choose 100% beeswax candles (available at most health food stores in a rainbow of colors, shapes and sizes). They burn cleaner and longer and don’t make as much of a mess. They also smell naturally sweet.
· Instead of buying décor for the entire lawn, consider decorating just the doorway. Go simple in the house, too, by choosing one area to spruce up. Focusing and simplifying will save time, money and resources.
· At the end of the holiday, pack reusable décor away carefully so that it stays in good shape and can be used for years to come. (Remember, when it comes to holidays, reusing=traditions.) While it may take some extra effort at clean up time, doing so will save money, time and resources in the long run.
Party food
· Don’t make food ahead, instead, make it an activity. Here are a few ideas that are easy and fun to make (not to mention healthy and high on the ‘yum’ scale):
o Pumpkin smoothies
o Pumpkin seed “gorp”
o Halloween pizzas (use pre-made, whole wheat crusts and have available orange, black and green veggies to customize)
o Halloween-ka-bobs (let kids make their own with Halloween colored foods)
Putting some green into your Halloween does not have to be difficult or costly. In the continuum of being green, all families can hop on board! You can start wherever you are. For example, if your family eats organic and shops mostly locally, Green Halloween offers additional ways you can make your holiday even healthier and more green with tips even seasoned health-conscious parents will find useful. If your family has yet to try healthy alternatives, this is a great year to start. The Green Halloween website (www.GreenHalloween.org) offers even green-newbies fun, easy and affordable ways to start new holiday traditions your whole family will enjoy. Being a part of Green Halloween means trying one new tradition–or trying them all. By going green for just one part of your Halloween, you’ll be making a difference you and your family can be proud of.
~Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter founders of Green Halloween® and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Why Go Green for Halloween




Importance of being green on Halloween
Halloween is big on fun but, unfortunately, it’s also big on unhealthy traditions and waste. Many moms worry about the impact of this holiday on the health of their kids and the planet. And for good reason. Almost $6 billion a year is spent on costumes, candy, décor and other accessories, most of which are made from unhealthy, unsustainable materials, by people who may not be paid living wages or treated fairly. Most of the stuff – what isn’t consumed - winds up in landfills. And scary news about high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, lead laden accessories just fuel parent’s concerns.
But our goal is to show families that it’s easy and affordable to keep the fun, while losing the unhealthy, un-Earth-friendly traditions. It’s not about telling parents how they should celebrate – it’s about inspiring them to make choices that make sense to their families, their budgets and their schedules. And when many families make healthier and more sustainable choices for Halloween – taking even the smallest of steps – big impacts can be made for the short and long term.
Here are a few of the “spooky statistics” that might fuel your desire to help change the way you celebrate Halloween:
Today’s trick-or-treaters have a life expectancy that is shorter than their parents.
  • Today’s trick-or-treaters have a life expectancy that is shorter than their parents.
  • · One in three trick-or-treaters born today will develop diabetes.
  • · One-third of America’s trick-or-treaters are overweight; 17% are considered obese.
  • EPA considers that 60% of all herbicides, 90% of all fungicides and 30% of all insecticides found in non-organically grown food- including “goodies” - are carcinogenic.
  • Over 6,000 synthetic chemicals are used in the processed-food industry. Most Halloween “treats” are processed.
  • A 2004 study with 1800 three year old children found that behavior measurably improved after a one week diet without preservatives and artificial colors and dramatically worsened on the weeks they were given preservatives and artificial colors (present in most Halloween candy).
  • · Coco beans used for chocolate that are grown in full sun (as opposed to shade) are susceptible to disease and therefore require heavy doses of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
  • · The chocolate industry has engaged in the use of child slaves and other unethical treatments of growers.
  • · Store-bought costumes, makeup and accessories may contain phthalates, lead and other toxins.
  • · One test of multiple brands of face paints found detectible levels of lead in all of them. (According to experts there are NO safe levels of lead).
  • · Coco beans used for chocolate that are grown in full sun (as opposed to shade) are susceptible to disease and therefore require heavy doses of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
  • · The chocolate industry has engaged in the use of child slaves and other unethical treatments of growers.
  • · Store-bought costumes, makeup and accessories may contain phthalates, lead and other toxins.
  • · One test of multiple brands of face paints found detectible levels of lead in all of them. (According to experts there are NO safe levels of lead).
    For more “why’s” of Green Halloween®, click here


    .~Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter founders of Green Halloween® and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

    Wednesday, September 28, 2011

    Celebrate an “eek-o-friendly” Halloween!

    Celebrate an “eek-o-friendly” Halloween!

    Halloween is a holiday heavy on sugar, not to mention waste, but what if it didn’t have to be? And what if a healthy and eco-friendly Halloween could still be fun?

    It can! And it’s easy, too.

    Meet Green Halloween®, the non-profit, grassroots revolution sweeping the country, giving Halloween a child-friendly, Earth-considerate makeover that everyone can feel good about.

    How can you help?

    By making simple changes in your own traditions and encouraging others to do the same.

    Which ideas on this list inspire you?

    · Instead of giving away conventional candy, consider items such as pencils made from recycled newsprint, temporary tattoos sporting eco-savvy themes, or 100% fruit leathers. Even organic lollipops are better for children and the planet and some come in compostable wrappers. Dozens of ideas here.

    · Instead of buying a costume this year, see if you can make one out of materials you have lying around your house, can borrow from a friend or can find at a thrift store. Or, participate in National Costume Swap Dayand host a costume swap with your neighbors.

    · Decorate your front lawn, porch and home with items from nature. Pumpkins, gourds and hay are all great, green items that can be composted when November 1st rolls around. Ideas here.

    · Save candy wrappers and instead of tossing them, turn them into treasures. Check the Internet for cool ways you can upcycle candy wrappers into bracelets, purses, picture frames and more.

    For more practical, affordable and fun ways to make your Halloween eco-fabulous, visit www.GreenHalloween.org.

    ~Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter founders of Green Halloween® and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

    Tuesday, September 27, 2011

    greenie Halloweenie crafts


    I am trying to figure out new greenie Halloweenie crafts to create this year.
    I grabbed an ice cream pail and painted it orange and black for Halloween. I want to find some crafty Halloween paper designs to cut out to decoupage to the pail to dress it up a little more.
    I was thinking about wrapping it in scrap book paper but I had no Halloween colors or styles. But I think it turned out pretty good considering it started out as a plain white pail headed for the recycling bin. I would love to make a Halloween bucket with paper like I did when I turned an ice cream pail into a flower girl basket for a wedding.
    I also saved a few smoothie bottles from the bin and painted them black and added orange ribbon with the help of my hot glue gun. They’ll make cute little Halloween vases either for flowers or maybe for ghost wrapped lollipops.
    I am still brainstorming to see what other green Halloween ideas I can come up with. Stay tuned for more crazy Halloween craftiness.

    25 Green Halloween tips

    25 Green Halloweenâ tips

    Halloween is meant to be enjoyed, but somewhere in between “planning” and “cleanup,” many parents find themselves feeling overwhelmed. It might seem that attempting to consider the Earth while planning a great ghoulish party is just too much work and way too expensive. Some fear it might even zap the fun right out of the day. But creating an eco-savvy Halloween doesn’t have to be scary, nor does it have to cost an arm and a leg when you follow these pointers:
    1. Consider your costumes. The truth is many store-bought costumes and accessories contain toxic chemicals that not only are a potential hazard to your child, but also to the environment and the people who helped to make them. Choose fabrics such as cotton, wool and silk or make costumes yourself from materials you know to be safe.
    2. Go au natural. When decorating your home for Halloween, skip the plastic black cats and paper skeleton streamers made in China. Instead, use décor inspired by Mother Earth by choosing fallen leaves, gourds or pumpkins, and 100% beeswax candles.
    3. Trim your trick-or-treats. Hand out less ________ (fill in the blank). Preferably your goodies of choice are healthy and/or Earth-friendly, but even if they’re not, handing out just one (rather than the conventional handful) of something is better for kids, better for the planet and better for your bank account.
    4. Apply the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to all of your holiday choices: costumes, décor, goodies, etc. Of the 3 R’s, reducing is the best for the Earth, our wallets and, in regard to food, our waistlines. Rent, borrow, swap, make or acquire used, when possible, to avoid buying new, especially disposables.
    5. Choose eek-o-décor. Say ‘no’ to disposables and instead, re-use or re-purpose items you already own. Look also for items from nature and don’t forget to decorate with food (consumable décor). If you must use disposables, look for products that are compostable and then be sure to compost them. Or, choose recycled, reusable and recyclable items like Preserve products. Too bad they don’t come in Halloween colors… yet.
    6. Go kid powered. Give your child a shakable or hand crank flashlight to light his way.
    7. Love LEDs. Use decorative Halloween LED and/ or solar lights for trees, outside of your home, and for lighting the path for trick-or-treaters. They come in every shape, theme and color imaginable!
    8. Bag it, green style. Instead of buying, make your child’s goodie bag from a pillow case or anything else you already own that goes with the theme of the costume. Or, purchase a keepsake, reusable Green Halloween® trick-or-treat ChicoBag. (Designed each year by kids! Enter the design contest here. 10% of the sales support the Green Halloween initiative.)
    9. Get creative. Turn costume making into a creative and fun experience for your child. Hunt through the house, at neighborhood garage sales, or a thrift store for costume-worthy items. Enjoy the process and the product! Another idea: host a costume exchange as part of National Costume Swap Day (second Saturday in October).
    10. Switcheroo. Instead of allowing your child to eat all the candy he collects, ask him to select a limited, pre-agreed upon amount and then leave the rest out for the Halloween Fairy/ Witch/ Great Pumpkin, who will, while your child is sleeping that night, swap the candy for goodies such as books, games or “pumpkin points” redeemable for outings.
    11. Green the YUM. Make the party meal using foods that are mostly orange, black and green. Create spooky names for the food, if you can. Shop locally (support local farmers) and choose organic, whenever possible.
    12. Recycle the unexpected. Compost all leftovers, jack-o-lanterns, natural décor and unconsumed candy - remove wrappers unless they’re compostable. In some places of the country, you can add compostables to your yard waste bin.
    13. Celebrate others. Host your Halloween party at a retirement home, children’s hospital, organic farm or similar.
    14. Say ‘no’ to toxic chemicals. Make your own face paints. Here’s the recipe. Or purchase mineral-based, lead-free paints.
    15. Choose eco sweets. If buying candy, choose organic – you’ll be surprised at how affordable some brands are! If buying chocolate, look for triple certified: organic, shade grown, Fair Trade.
    16. Think outside the {conventional} candy box. Instead of giving out conventional candy: give away healthy and/or Earth friendly treats and treasures.
    17. Make décor to DIY for. Make your own Halloween décor by visiting craft sites and swapping conventional materials for eco-supplies. For example, if you are going to make some paper ghosts for your window, be sure the paper is reused, recycled or tree-free.
    18. Invite sustainably. Use e-invitations or make your own from reused, recycled or tree-free sources. Kids will love Mr. Ellie Pooh’s Elephant dung paper! It comes in gorgeous fall colors (all scent-free!). The orange cardstock is perfect for Halloween invites, place cards and more. Supporting Mr. Ellie Pooh means supporting the Elephants in Sri Lanka, who are losing their lives because without profit associated with them, they are seen as liabilities to local farmers.
    19. Reclaim wrappers. Collect candy and bar wrappers and turn them into picture framed, purses, jewelry and more. Tweens and teens especially love this activity. Contact Terracycle.net for a collection box.
    20. Trick-or-treat for good. When tweens and teens are too old to trick or treat, but still enjoy the traditions, encourage them to take a look at how they can turn trick or treating into an activity that benefits others such as: Reverse Trick-or-Treating, trick-or-treating for cell phones, or of course, UNICEF’s program.
    21. Start small and build your confidence. Start simply by having (and using) a recycle bin at your party or by going bottled water-free. You can green up each of your next celebrations a little bit at a time until celebrating green-style becomes old hat.
    22. Plan ahead to avoid costly impulse buying. You’re less likely to invade the local super party store at the eleventh-hour when you make food, gift, décor and activity decisions in advance.
    23. Get the family involved. Ask your kids to come up with three ways to give Halloween a green makeover. Write all of the viable ideas down on paper, toss them in a bowl and select three to try this year.
    24. Don’t drive to trick or treat. Encourage your neighbors to go green and then go door-to-door near you. It’s good for you and the planet and builds community.
    Learn more. For more great tips and tricks sign up for the e-newsletters from www.GreenHalloween.org and www.celebrategreen.net. And don’t forget to buy a copy of Celebrate Green! It features ideas, recipes, crafts, gift suggestions and more
    ~Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter founders of Green Halloween® and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

    Laundry Bottle Upcycled Into a Black Halloween Cat


    Here’s a cute way to upcycle plastic laundry detergent bottles into fun Halloween decor.
    You can use different size plastic bottles to create an assortment of black cat decorations for your green Halloween party.
    Supply List:
    Large Plastic Laundry Detergent Bottle
    Fine Grit Sandpaper
    Black Spray Paint for Plastic
    Glue Gun
    Glue Sticks
    Scissors
    1 Black Sheet of Craft Foam for the ears
    1 Piece of Black Craft Felt for the tail
    Assorted Collection of Flat Backed Faceted Acrylic Jewels
    (I used Jewelry Essentials Jewels Item #JC11378-123purchased from Michaels for a previous project with my daughter and had a whole box left)
    The jewels are used for eyes, nose, inside of ears, collar, paws, and tail tip. Used 2 yellow cat eye shaped jewels for the eyes, 3 clear/silver triangle jewels for inside each ear and tip of tail, two pink upside down teardrops for the nose (a pink heart could also be used), 1 clear/silver square and 8 clear/silver small octagon jewels for the collar, and 2 large round clear/silver jewels and 4 tear drop shape jewels for the paws.
    Silver Fine Tipped Paint Pen (I used Elmer’s Painters Metallic Ultra Fine Silver) to draw the mouth
    3 Silver Metallic Pipe Cleaners for whiskers and tail
    Approximate Time Needed to Complete Project: Around an hour total, not including dry time for paint
    Directions:
    1) Grab a large plastic laundry detergent bottle that is empty and clean it out really well. Allow to dry.
    2) Gently sand bottle with a fine grit sandpaper to rough it up so the paint will stick to it. Don’t bother trying to remove the labels; they are seemingly impossible to remove. They can be painted over.
    3) Take the bottle outside and spray it thoroughly with black spray paint made for plastics. You may need to apply two coats.
    4) While your paint is drying gather all your materials. You’ll need black craft foam to cut out the ears, black felt and a pipe cleaner for the tail, two metallic silver pipe cleaners for the whiskers, and an assortment of jewels for the eyes, nose, ears, tip of tail, collar and paws. You’ll also need scissors, a glue gun and glue sticks.
    5) Start by cutting out your ears from the black craft foam. Trace a pattern onto the foam and cut into rounded triangles.
    6) Glue 1 clear or silver triangle jewel to the middle of each ear.
    7) Grab your black felt and a pipe cleaner to make your tail. Roll the felt around the pipe cleaner. Cut the felt into a 2 inch wide strip. This should wrap all the way around the pipe cleaner with room to spare.
    8) Have your glue gun ready and roll the pipe cleaner up glue the first fold around the pipe cleaner. It should end up between a half inch and three quarters of an inch wide.
    9) Roll again and glue, seal up the ends as well.
    10) Pick the tip and fold each side down and glue so the tip becomes triangular in shape. Glue a triangle jewel over the folded section to hide it.
    11) If your paint is dry grab your bottle and face the front toward you. The handle should be the back that is where your tail will go. Make sure your lid is screwed on tight.
    12) Attach your ears first and work your way down. Position the ears where you want them then add a little glue at the bottom of the ear and attach to the lid.
    13) Now position your eyes toward the top of the bottle lid and glue them on.
    14) Glue the teardrop (or pink heart) jewels below the eyes for the nose.
    15) Move onto the collar and glue on all of your jewels.
    16) Position your paws and glue them on.
    17) Now you can glue on your tail. Make sure the folded side is down and glued against the handle of the bottle. You can bend and shape the tail to droop, twist, curl or stick up however you like best. Make sure the jeweled tip is at the top.
    18) Make your whiskers with the silver pipe cleaners. It will take two pipe cleaners to make 3 whiskers on each side. Cut each pipe cleaner into three equal lengths so you end up with six pieces for six whiskers. You can leave them straight or make them twisty by wrapping them around a pencil then stretching them out a bit. Glue each whisker on extending out from the nose.
    19) Draw your mouth on with the paint pen.
    20) You are done unless you want to use leftover jewels to add more decoration to your bejeweled black Halloween cat.
    You can substitute many of the used items for something else: craft foam can be changed to felt, cardboard or even stiff material like old corduroy scraps. The jewels can be switched out with other beads, buttons, even stickers. I just used what I had in my craft supply boxes.
    The spray paint, while not the most eco-friendly craft supply, is a must have. And it must be the kind for plastic or else it will peel off the bottle even after sanding lightly. I am considering using a plastic primer then using the low VOC spray paint to see how that works.
    Either way I’ll still be using a not so eco-supply. But it is better to reuse an item and upcycle it than just toss it in the trash. Of course my plastic goes to the recycling bin but you know what I mean.
    This is a cute Halloween decoration. I have also used coffee creamer bottle and mini smoothie bottles to make cute black cats, too.
    Laundry soap bottles (especially the big fat ones) turned sideways make adorable pumpkins just paint orange and add a few leaves and some jack o lantern faces.