Green is this season's "it" color, you know...

As if we haven't all been bombarded with the "Go Green" message, I'm here to continue the sentiment, as this is an issue that should have been at the forefront of our culture long ago.

Earth Day is Tuesday.  If you haven't jumped on the green bandwagon yet, Tuesday serves as a little reminder the get it done!  Living greener is healthier for our planet and our bodies, so this win-win should be a no brainer!  As mothers, it can seem that all we do is produce waste as we go through diapers, yogurt containers, snack packaging, juice boxes, etc. There are easy ways to reduce waste available to you.  For example, at Earth Fare and Publix stores reusable shopping bags are available for $1.99 and $.99, respectively.  Just one of those bags holds the equivalent of four plastic grocery bags, leaving less to roll around in the back of your car!  Besides, don't you get sick of opening your pantry and having a big ball of plastic grocery bags leap out at you twelve times a day?

If you are a gardener, composting will help those flowers grow!  Your excess food waste, such as the Cheerios that end up on the floor, banana peels, apple rinds, and any uneaten food that would go in the garbage disposal, will do everyone better in the composting bin.  The nutrients from compost will make your garden soil rich and productive.  Check Earth Fare for their large bins, recently listed at $189.99.

Switch to compact flourecent light bulbs.  Changing just eight of them in your home can reduce your power bill and the amount of carbon emitted from your home into the atmosphere.  CFL bulbs can be found at most large retail stores.

Reusable containers are best, for the environment and your family.  Always use reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, food containers, etc.  Be wary of plastic drink containers, though, as warnings are increasing about the possibility of the chemicals leaching into your liquid (check out this link for a recent NYTimes article)  This week I even bought a Sigg bottle for my 18-month-old (also at Earth Fare, $15.99).  They are pricier, but made of more durable non-plastic, alleviating any plastics wariness in the back of my mind.  My little guy loves it, too!

On that note, Pea Pie reader Helen reminded me this morning about the baby bottle plastic scare.  She said that she found Born Free BPA-free bottles at Babies R Us this weekend.   Prices range from $9.99 for a 5 ounce bottle to $53.99 for a six-pack of 9 ounce bottles, according to the website.

One last soap-box item... tell your city and county council representatives that our recycling program needs improvement!  Too many of our recyclables (such as those Yo Baby yogurt containers) are not accepted by the program.  Only two types of plastic are acceptable, and boxes and cardboard are a no-no.  We can do better!

Have a Happy Earth Day!