By Kelly Kilpatrick

Our society is far more global today than ever before.  People are also more aware than of the impact they are making each day on the environment.  The environmentalist movement of the past has yielded concrete measures in the present to help protect our future.  Because of this, many consumers are looking into different ways they can help; this, in turn, directly affects how they spend their money.

Eco-Friendly Products

Shoppers, especially those who do their shopping online, do research on what it is they are buying.  Many are looking for companies that are trying to lessen the damage they cause to the environment.  Manufacturers that adhere to guidelines that use less harsh chemicals or limit their pollution and waste can be considered green.  Some other companies work to do their part and commit their time and portions of their profits to helping reduce environmental impact.  Shoppers are looking for ways to support the green cause by spending money with companies that care.

Organic Products

This ever-growing market is not just limited to food.  Eshoppers have many options when it comes to organically produced clothing and accessories as well.  Organic products are free of harsh chemicals, pesticides, and dyes that affect everything from ground water and runoff, to air quality.  Organic clothing has grown in popularity, which has brought prices down and increased the styles available as well.

Recycled Products

Recycled household items are nothing new, but many designers and entrepreneurs are finding new ways to make recycled goods part of daily life.  Unique, one-of-a-kind items are what people are looking for in a world where mass production reigns supreme.  Accessory items are available made from a large array of recycled items, from old vinyl records to aluminum cans.  Besides wearable recyclables, office items, picture frames, and much more is available in a 100% recycled incarnation of some sort.  Finding ways to tap this market is essential to keeping up with competitors. 

Fair Trade Products

Started in the coffee and tea trade, the notion of Fair Trade business has expanded to the clothing market as well.  Fair Trade is a democratically-run guild of growers, who help set prices for their products that are fair and ensure that workers are properly compensated for their jobs, rather than cheated out of wages simply because they work in a country where labor laws are less strict.  Buying fair trade products helps customers to feel more connected to a global community, and helps the people growing the products we use on a daily basis to achieve a better standard of living.

By Kelly Kilpatrick

With gas prices in constant flux, people are looking more and more into alternative energy sources and green vehicles. Whether you are interested in learning more about the latest green technology, looking for a greener car, or want to make your car more eco-friendly by exploring alternative fuels, these 50 great green blogs for cars lovers will help you find what you are looking for.

Green Cars, Generally Speaking

The first part of this list contains blogs that cover green cars and a wide variety of topics related to this particular market.

1. Autoblogreen: Autobloggreen covers everything from news to manufacturers of green automobiles, and much more. According to them, they ”obsessively cover the green scene.”
2. Green Car Advisor: Edmunds.com has become one of the go-to websites for car enthusiasts, and their Green Car Advisor blog is no exception. It covers different facets of green technology from different angles, which readers will find informative and interesting when looking for green vehicles.
3. Green Car Congress: The writers at Green Car Congress cover a startling wide array of topics related to green auto technology. It is a great place to get started if you want to learn more about green cars.
4. Car Domain Blog: CarDomain in and of itself is a great blog for car lovers, but their Green Machine blog gives great coverage of green concept cars, news, and other interesting items related to green vehicle technology.
5. Green Motor: This UK-based blog is full of information on green cars, including hybrids, electric cars, and concept cars. See what going on in the green car market outside of US on this blog.
6. Chris’s Car Blog: Green cars aren’t just for environmentalists and people looking to save money. If you thought green cars were purely functional, this blog will give you some food for thought.
7. Interactivist: Give this page a visit to hear from one of the web’s biggest proponents of green cars and all things green.
8. Motor Trend: Motor Trend is another industry-standard source when it comes to getting information on cars—even green cars. Turn to the folks at Motor Trend for all kinds of information on green cars.
9. Ask Patty: On this blog, patty takes you on a tour through the newest developments in the green car market. Whether you’re simply interested in the future of cars, or are seriously looking toward the future with your eye on the green, check this site out.
10. Eco-Friendly and Green Cars: Looking into alternative sources of transportation? Take a look at what this blog has to say about your green choices when it comes to seeking out your ideal green car.

Hybrid Car Blogs

The burgeoning demand for hybrid cars has helped to provide blog surfers with a treasure trove of information, reviews, news, and more related to this particular green car market.

11. Hybrid Car: According to this blog, everything you need to know about gas and plug-in hybrid cars is available through this blog. Find news, reviews and much more when you visit hybridcarblog.
12. Future Cars: Along with much information about the future of automobiles in general, futurecars has many articles on hybrid and electric cars readers might find interesting.
13. Hybrid Reviews: Visit this blog for the latest news and reviews on hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs. Readers will also find commentary and analysis on the value of owning a hybrid vehicle versus a combustion engine vehicle.
14. Mixedpower: Mixedpower offers readers and subscribers up-to-date news and information on hybrid cars and concept cars. Learn more about the future of hybrids and other green cars by visiting their page.
15. Internet Auto Guide: Internetautoguide has many blog posts on the latest hybrid technology. Find the latest news, photographs, and expert opinions related to the future of hybrid technology.

Alternative Fuels and Energy Sources

Finding new ways to power vehicles to reduce dependence on oil and gasoline is on many people’s minds. The following blogs explore different energy sources as an alternative to petroleum.

16. Domestic Fuel: With multiple posts about renewable energy and ethanol, this page has a wealth of information related to domestic alternative fuels.
17. Green Fuel Power: This blog is dedicated to biofuels and other renewable sources of energy for vehicles. External links to other sites pertaining to biodiesel and other renewable fuels, including conversion kits, are just a click away as well.
18. R-squared Energy Blog: The R-Squared energy blog focuses on alternative fuel sources and the veracity of claims made by those trying to push alternative fuel development to the next level. On this blog, you will find reviews of e85, hydrogen, and other new and information related to green cars.
19. E85 Ethanol: This blogger turned his sights from politics in general to focus on e85 and its potential to reduce dependence on oil. How-to’s, analysis, and news are the chief focus of this blog.
20. Gas 2.0: The chief focus of this particular blog is finding an alternative to petroleum-based fuel. News and reviews of conversions and other topics related to alternative fuel can be located here.

E85 Ethanol/Flexfuel Blogs

As we learn more about the types of alternative fuels available, blogs become more specific. The following blogs are dedicated mainly to the topic of e85 ethanol fuel.

21. e85 Tips: There is a loud buzz on the web as of late regarding e85 ethanol fuel. With many cars and trucks on the market now able to use either gas or e85, people with questions about this renewable resource should turn to this blog for more information.
22. Constant Life Change: New developments will naturally have their opponents. Check out what this blog has to say against the use of e85 fuel.
23. Kicking Tires: Could sifting through garbage help bring your gas costs below $2 a gallon? Read this blog and find out.
24. Dark Palmer: Another blog weighs in on the benefits of using ethanol over regular gasoline.
25. Alex Tiler: Support for the use of ethanol continues to grow with this blog. Find out how e85 helps benefit our farmers and out economy, while saving consumers money at the pump as well.

Biodiesel Blogs

The ability to convert commercial and industrial waste into an alternative fuel is the focus of the following blogs.

26. Biodiesel Blog: Biodieselblog.com is a great resource for those interested in biodiesel, how it works, and news and information as it relates to this alternative fuel source.
27. Rabid Biodiesel Nut: The blog by self-proclaimed “biodiesel nut” Graydon Blair gives many insights related to processing biodiesel fuel.
28. All Things BioDiesel: All Things Biodiesel lives up to its name by providing readers with plenty of information on this alternative fuel source. If you are looking for general information, or want to delve into the inner workings of biodiesel, this is a great site to visit.
29. Biofuels: Turn to this blog, where articles on biodiesel and other biofuels have been catalogued for your convenience.
30. B100 Fuel: Ponder this question: “What if the world replaced all diesel with B100 biodiesel?” The answer to this question, and many more, can be found here.

HHO Conversion Blogs

In recent months, more attention has been given to the HHO phenomenon. Claims of being able to convert water into gas abound on the internet, as do the amount of blogs saying whether it works or not. Make up your own mind by checking out the following pages.

31. HHO Fuel: This blog discusses the advantages of installing an HHO convertor on your vehicle. Want to greenify your car? Take a look at this blog if your interest has been piqued.
32. The Technological Experience: Focusing on technology, this blog explains the inner workings of cars that convert water to HHO. Statistics and external links to more information on HHO can be found here.
33. HHO Conversion in the USA: Another blog takes a look at the HHO converter, offering statistics and information about installing an HHO converter on your car.
34. Landjets 2020: This blog discusses concept cars based on HHO converters. Find news, information, and photos of cars that run on water on this blog.
35. RJ3S: If your inner skeptic has gotten the best of you is the HHO debate, turn to this site for arguments against HHO technology.

More MPG! Blogs About Vehicle Efficiency

If you’re interested in more miles for your buck, check out these blogs all about efficiency

36. Get Better MPG: This blog is dedicated to cars that get better gas mileage and finding ways to improve your mpg. News, suggestions, and modifications related to improving your car’s mileage are among the many posts you will find on this blog.
37. Jon’s Fuel Economy Blog: If you are looking for helpful suggestions on how to get better mileage with your car, check out this blog. From fuel additives, to accessories and conversions, this blog will help you with your quest.
38. Consumer Reports Car Blog: The folks at Consumer Reports always seem to have the inside scoop when it comes to getting the best value for your dollar. Turn to this blog for current, relevant information that may save you money at the pump.
39. Daily Fuel Economy Tip: Almost delivering a daily fuel economy tip, this blog does monitor the gas and oil markets, and gives sensible advice to those looking to save money at the pump. If you are looking to save money and be more green with your car, give this site a chance.
40. Texas Tailwind: If keeping your auto green involves spending less gas and money, take a look at this blog. Helpful suggestions for saving both fuel and money can be found here.

Getting Greener: Modifications and Conversions for Your Car

Not only are people looking for alternative fuel sources, but many are looking to convert their existing automobiles using kits or after-market products in order to make their cars more eco-friendly.

41. Hymotion: At the forefront of green conversions and modifications for your vehicle, Hymotion offers conversion kits to make even the best of the green cars on the market and even greater edge.
42. Car Domain: Take a look at the future of conversions and green technology through the postings on this blog. Combining multiple technologies, both power and economy are increased!
43. Ecoworld: This blog features a myriad of articles related to green cars and the latest green technologies. Browse through their astoundingly large collection of articles and related topics.
44. Electric Cars: Learn some basics about converting your car into the green machine of the future on this blog. Find links and other blogs about converting your old beater into a cleaner, greener car.
45. Car Tech from CNET: Rather just plug your car in when you get home than head to the pump? This blog reviews the abilities and capabilities of being able to do just that.

Maintenance-Taking Care of Your Car the Green Way

There are different things you can do to minimize your car’s impact on the environment. Whether you wash your car in a different way, change your tires to an environmentally-friendly brand, or pump your gas at a different time of day, every little bit counts.

46. Autotropolis: On this blog, you will find some basic ways you can help “green up” your car, helping you with mileage and sparing the environment in the process.
47. Clean Tech Blog: Keep an eye on the future with this innovative company’s waterless car wash. If you love your car, you keep it clean and maintain. If you love Mother Earth, keep it clean, green, and maintained.
48. Green Paige: This blog has different suggestions on how to take care of your car without making a substantial impact on the environment. Look for helpful suggestions on keeping up with your car without making a big impact.
49. Directory M Buying Guide: According to this blog, there are newer, more eco-friendly tires available on the market that also improves your car’s overall performance. Consider this when making your next tire purchase.
50. Ray Sands Glass Blog: See how even changing the type of glass used on your vehicle can impact the environment.

By Kelly Kilpatrick

Although the organic movement is larger than ever, it’s still pretty difficult to find helpful information out there. Fortunately, there are a number of bloggers out there who have made it their mission to spread information about conscientious shopping and consumption. We’ve highlighted 50 of the best here.

Parenting

Child-rearing usually involves the purchase of a lot of stuff. These blogs will give you advice on how to reduce the amount of this stuff, and make sure that what you’re buying is responsible for your family and the world.

1. Busy Moms Go Green: This mom is raising six "green" kids, and sings the praises of organic eating.
2. Enviromom: These two stay-at-home moms are newbies in the green and organic movement, and they’re chronicling their baby steps.
3. Eco Child’s Play: On Eco Child’s Play, you’ll find advice for toys, food, and more.
4. It Takes a Planet: This mom focuses on natural resources for her family.
5. Healthy Child Healthy World: Learn about organic food, pesticides, baby care, and more from this blog.
6. Green Baby Guide: Get insider secrets on organic and sustainable baby gear from Joy and Rebecca.
7. Ask an Organic Mom: These authors of The Complete Organic Pregnancy answer questions and give advice on making your pregnancy and child care as organic as possible.
8. Raising Peanuts: This mom works to live as naturally and organically as possible.
9. Crunchy Chicken: This family grows and makes their own food.

Consumption

Learn more about being a responsible organic shopper through these blogs.

10. The Alternative Consumer: The Alternative Consumer blog writes about comparison shopping that goes beyond price.
11. Egglog: The Egglog has lots of information on organic and green marketing.
12. Organic Consumers Association: This association promotes the views and interests of socially responsible and organic consumers.
13. Knowmore: Check out responsibility profiles for the companies you patronize.
14. Leafygreen: Look to Leafygreen to learn more about organic and natural products.
15. Fake Plastic Fish: Check out Beth Terry’s blog to learn how she’s living in a world without plastic.
16. Life Less Plastic: With this blog, you’ll learn how to cut down on plastic products and find out how plastic negativelty affects our world.
17. OrganicMania: Lynn at Organic Mania makes it easy to research and find information on organic products.
18. Diane’s Big Green Purse: Diane believes that we can pressure polluters where it hurts-in the marketplace.

Lifestyle

These blogs will show you how to use organic products and principles in your daily life.

19. Down to Earth: On Rhonda Hetzel’s blog, you’ll learn about gardening, green cleaning, and living a simpler life.
20. The Accidental Environmentalist: This blogger writes about her lifestyle changes, and how she’s grown into a greener person.
21. Green Eggs and Planet: Green Eggs and Planet provides readers with insight on healthy living through organics and beyond.
22. The Lazy Environmentalist: Check out the Lazy Environmentalist for tips on how to go green and organic without sacrifices.
23. Organic Picks: These bloggers find organic and sustainable products for their families.
24. Alotta Errata: This blogger loves organic and local products, but admits that she doesn’t always get things right.
25. Ideal Bite: Ideal Bite breaks "doing the right thing" into bite-sized ideas.
26. La Vie Verte: Follow this guide to green living in France.

Home

Organic products aren’t limited to food-you can use them in your home, too. These blogs will show you how.

27. Building Gypsy Rose: Learn how one house is being built in a sustainable way.
28. design^sprout: In this design blog, you’ll find lots of great ideas for conscientious home design products, organic or otherwise.
29. Low Impact Home: Find out how one Tennessee family is working to make a low impact home, from less plastic consumption to more organic products.
30. Earth Friendly Gardening: Check out this blog to learn how you can create an earth-friendly garden of your own.
31. My Green Home: This blog has loads of information about greening your home, from organic products to builders.
32. Crafting a Green World: Check out this blog to learn about conscientious crafting.
33. Broomhuggers: On the Broomhuggers blog, you’ll learn how to clean your home in a more organic and sustainable fashion.

Food

Learn more about organic food, recipes, and more with these blogs.

34. Chews Wise: On Chews Wise, you’ll get information about the food system and where your food products come from.
35. Culinate: Culinate aims to make food decisions easier, from when to buy organic to finding out where your food comes from.
36. 100 Mile Diet: Learn how to eat food that’s produced within 100 miles of your home with this blog.
37. Eat Local Challenge: Check out this group blog to learn all about eating locally and organically.
38. Envirovore: Envirovore subscribes to the thought that we are what we eat, and they want to eat responsibly.
39. Green Lemonade: This blog covers sustainability in food, asking you to become aware of what you put in your body and the effect it has on the world.
40. Bean Sprouts: Melanie Rimmer’s household grows some of their own food, and works hard to be "green."
41. Eat. Drink. Better: Discover more about the world of food from this blog.
42. FoodShed Planet: This blog discusses sustainability in food any beyond.
43. Edible Nation: Learn about eating local, organic, and tasty food from this blog.

Ethics, Safety and Policy

Learn about the political side of organic consumption in these blogs.

43. Muddy Dog Roasting Co.: Check out this blog to learn more about sustainable coffee.
44. The Ethicurean: This blog encourages readers to "chew the right thing."
45. Coffee & Conservation: This blog illustrates the connection between coffee and the environment, particularly bird habitats.
46. Beyond Pesticides: Learn about the environmental and health hazards of pesticides, and alternatives to their use in this blog.
47. Farm Policy: Hear about the latest in food politics from this blog.
48. Organic Horizon: Learn about organic food and farming in the US from this virtual farmer.
49. Blog for Rural America: Read this blog to learn about what American farmers are facing today.
50. Mulch: Hear commentary on agriculture, policy, and food safety on this blog.

By Kelly Kilpatrick

When going green is discussed, your kitchen isn’t usually the first thing to come up. But you can’t forget that your kitchen is a huge energy hog, with your refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and the food you consume. Follow these tips to take steps both small and large toward reducing your kitchen’s environmental impact.

Appliances

Get a handle on your energy-burning appliances with these tips.

1. Go solar-powered: Get a solar-powered refrigerator to cut out waste from this traditional energy hog.
2. Buy an Energy Star refrigerator: If you’re not ready to make the leap to solar power, at least invest in a more efficient Energy Star refrigerator when your old one goes kaput.
3. Install a range hood: Keep your indoor air quality cool and top-notch by installing a range hood that exhausts outside.
4. Use an induction cooktop: These cooktops use induction heating, which causes a heating reaction in a ferrous pot or pan.
5. Cover foods and liquids in your refrigerator: Uncovered foods will release moisture into the air and make your refrigerator’s compressor work harder than it needs to.
6. Keep appliances in good repair: Always make sure that your appliances are in good working order so that they’re as efficient as they can be.
7. Buy efficient appliances: Always look for the Energy Star logo on any appliance you buy.
8. Get a solar cooker: Use the sun to heat your food with a solar cooker.
9. Replace outdated appliances: Although it’s best to keep appliances as long as you can to cut down on waste, some older appliances are woefully out of date and horrible for efficiency.
10. Get an electric ignition system: Buy a gas stove that uses an electric ignition system instead of a pilot light to save gas.
11. Wash with a full load: Wait until you have a full load in the dishwasher to make the most of your energy, water, and detergent.
12. Keep appliances separate: Keep your cooling refrigerator away from your heating oven, for example.
13. Look for blue flames: When using gas, make sure your flame burns blue. If it’s yellow, that means it’s burning inefficiently.
14. Store water in the refrigerator: Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run until it’s cool.
15. Get a dishwasher drawer: Use a small dishwasher drawer for small loads, and you’ll use less water.
16. Use an aerator: Put an aerator on your tap, and you’ll get good water pressure while using less water.
17. Give your refrigerator a checkup once a year: Unplug your refrigerator and wipe off its condenser coils to prolong its life.
18. Choose a top and bottom refrigerator unit: Instead of a side-by-side model, choose a top and bottom refrigerator, which lets less cold air escape.
19. Keep your refrigerator at an appropriate temperature: A good temperature would be between 36 and 40 degrees Farenheit for a refrigerator, and between 0 and 5 degrees Farenheit for a freezer.
20. Invest in a recirculation pump: With one of these pumps, you’ll keep hot water at the tap, which saves water because you don’t have to run water while you wait for it to warm up.
21. Use a tankless hot water heater: Another option is a tankless hot water heater, which also heats water at the source and uses less water and energy.
22. Get a self-cleaning oven: Self-cleaning ovens are often better insulated than others.
23. Get a convection oven: Use this smaller, more efficient type of oven to heat small quantities of food instead of a conventional oven.
24. Check your refrigerator’s seal: Shut your refrigerator door on a dollar bill and see how easily it slides out. If it comes out easy, cold air is, too, and you need to replace your seal.

Cooking

With these tips, you can reduce the waste you create by cooking meals.

25. Put less water in your kettle: By using less water to heat your cup of tea, you’ll take less time and energy to make it.
26. Work in naturally-lit areas: Cook in the sunlight so you don’t have to use artificial light.
27. Use the right size cookware: Use the smallest size pot or pan that you need to cook, and you’ll use less energy.
28. Use smaller appliances whenever you can: If your microwave will do just as good a job as your oven, use it instead.
29. Turn off your stove and oven: Turn your oven or stove off earlier than you normally would, and let residual heat finish the job.
30. Cook smaller portions: If you’re throwing away food, you’re wasting it, so cook only what you need.
31. Avoid preheating: Most new ovens come up to temperature quickly, so preheating is not necessary.
32. Put lids on pots: You’ll bring the contents to a boil faster, using less energy.
33. Match your cookware to your burner: Use a burner that is smaller or the same size as your pot or pan, and you’ll waste less energy.
34. Cook in batches: Cook once, and store your leftovers to eat again.

Textiles & Cleaning

Make sure that your cleaning supplies and towels are earth friendly by using these strategies.

35. Carry groceries in a reusable shopping bag: Cut down on plastic bag waste by using a bag that can be carried over and over again.
36. Buy bamboo: Buy towels, rugs, table runners and more made of bamboo, and you’ll be using a renewable resource.
37. Buy hemp: Just like bamboo, hemp is a renewable resource, and makes for a great scrubber.
38. Use biodegradable kitchen bags: Make sure that your trash has a fighting chance at biodegrading in the landfill by putting it in a biodegradable bag.
39. Run your dishwasher at an off-peak time: Use your house-heating dishwasher at a strategic time, like in the cooler evenings during the summer, or cold winter mornings.
40. Set up recycling stations: Make it easy to recycle with handy places to throw reusable plastics and other materials.
41. Take advantage of recycling events: Find toxic recycling days in your area to dispose of items that are too toxic to put in the trash.
42. Use cloth towels and napkins instead of disposables: Reuse your napkins and towels instead of buying paper ones.
43. Air dry your dishes: Open your dishwasher’s door at the end of the cycle, and they’ll dry naturally in less time than you think.
44. Find eco-friendly dishwashing cleaner: Choose natural, biodegradable, and harmless chemical-free cleaners. You can also look for cleaners sold in bulk to save on packaging.
45. Open your windows: Let fresh air in instead of using air freshener sprays.
46. Use vinegar whenever possible: This natural cleaner is effective and free of harmful chemicals. Baking soda and lemon are also great natural cleaners.
47. Clean your air with a plant: Filter air with a broad green leaf plant.
48. Start a compost: Put food scraps like banana peels into an under-the-sink compost, and you’ll save waste while gaining fertilizer.
49. Skip air fresheners: Instead of using air fresheners, boil cinnamon, cloves, or other great-smelling herbs.

Furniture & Fixtures

These tips are especially helpful if you’re planning to remodel, but even the small steps highlighted here will make a difference.

50. Hire a green pro: If you’re undergoing a complete remodel using a contractor, hire one that knows how to go green, and will dispose of waste properly.
51. Buy healthy cabinets: Invest in cabinets that are made of solid wood, wheatboard, and other alternative materials to avoid the off-gas urea-formaldehyde.
52. Run your water on cold for small jobs: If you’re only using a little bit of water, make sure you put your faucet in the cold position so that you won’t be heating water that never reaches the faucet.
53. Get salvaged materials: Find cabinets, countertops, and more that have been previously used or repurposed.
54. Find alternative countertops: You can find countertops made from recycled paper, hemp, or even recycled glass.
55. Replace outdated plumbing fixtures: Invest in low-flow products to cut down on water consumption.
56. Avoid granite countertops: Although granite looks great, it’s definitely not sustainable. Once it’s removed from the earth, you can’t put it back.
57. Stain your concrete: Instead of bringing in flooring, spruce up the concrete below.
58. Use eco-friendly wall coverings: Check your paints, wallpaper, and other finishes for VOCs.
59. Get linoleum flooring: Linoleum is making a comeback with its natural materials and durability.
60. Avoid recessed lighting: Generally, recessed cans will allow hot air to escape into your attic. They can work, however, if they’re airtight and use fluorescent bulbs.
61. Create an indigenous stone countertop: Use stone from your area, often found in salvage.
62. Walk on glass: Check out EnviroGLAS to find beautiful recycled glass flooring and other products.
63. Install skylights: Use a sunny skylight, and you won’t need bulbs in the daytime.
64. Use safe finishes: Make sure that your paints, stains and finishes are safe and water-based with no VOCs.
65. Don’t throw away old kitchen fixtures: If you’re remodeling, give away or repurpose your old kitchen appliances and fixtures, or at least research how you can dispose of them properly.
66. Step up insulation: Whenever possible, use good insulation to keep the cool stuff cool and the hot stuff hot.
67. Work with what you’ve got: Going green doesn’t have to mean a full kitchen rehaul. For example, instead of throwing out your old cabinets, repaint them with low-VOC paint, and update the hardware.
68. Shop at Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity has many local stores that sell unused supplies for great prices.
69. Use a high-efficiency fan: Improve ventilation and cool with less energy using a ceiling fan.
70. Get Energy Star windows: Keep your environment more efficient with well-insulated windows.
71. Use fluorescent lighting: Let your old incandescent lights burn out and replace them with more efficient fluorescent bulbs.
72. Use alternative woods: Get cork or bamboo floors for durable, renewable flooring.
73. Install sensors: Use motion and occupancy sensors to save energy by automatically turning lights off and on when you need them.

Food

Make the way you purchase and eat your food just a little bit greener with these tips.

74. Walk to the grocery store: If you’re within walking distance of a good grocer, make the trip using your own power.
75. Buy local: Transporation of food has a great impact on the environment, particularly through fossil fuels, so cut down on this by purchasing food that’s from your region.
76. Avoid processed and prepared foods: Make your own food, and you’ll cut down on preservatives and packaging.
77. Pack reusable lunches: Use a lunch bag and reusable containers instead of plastic and paper.
78. Grind your own food: Retain the nutritional value of grains by using a hand grinder at home.
79. Grow your own: Eating from your own garden means you know all of the chemicals that have gone into growing your food, and you’ll save fossil fuels from transportation. You’ll also cut down on waste because you can use food as you need it.
80. Get a reusable coffee filter: Instead of throwing away a paper coffee filter every day, get one that can be used over and over again.
81. Start a dinner co-op: Take turns creating meals for several families, and you can buy ingredients in bulk while saving time and energy.
82. Reuse scraps: Before you throw out scraps, consider whether they’d make a nice stew, stock, or a snack for Fido.
83. Buy in bulk: Buy food in bulk to cut down on packaging, then freeze or share with a friend.
84. Eat sustainable seafood: Choose fish that are not subject to overfishing, like tilapia, striped bass, and Pacific halibut.
85. Buy organic: Organic foods are less taxing on the earth to produce, so they’re an obvious choice if you’d like to make your food a little more earth-friendly.
86. Let food cool: Save energy by letting your food cool naturally before putting it in the refrigerator.
87. Get a water filter: Instead of buying purified water in bottles, get a water filter to enjoy the same quality without the waste.

Tools

Get your gadgets to go green with these tips.

88. Use a bamboo cutting board: Chop away with a bamboo cutting board, and rest assured that you’re using a renewable resource.
89. Buy tools that last: Get utensils, cookware, and other tools that will last, so you don’t have to throw them away and get new ones.
90. Avoid one-use tools: Find gadgets that deliver multiple uses, such as an egg slicer that also works for avocados.
91. Buy eco-friendly disposable silverware: If you must use disposable products, make sure that they’re made of eco-friendly materials.
92. Get reusable plasticware: Instead of disposable plates and utensils for outdoor eating, invest in some plasticware that can be used over and over again.
93. Avoid Teflon: Teflon has been debated as hazardous, and it has a limited useful life.
94. Use cast iron cookware: Cast iron is durable, so you won’t need to replace it for quite some time, and it has excellent heat retention, so a little heating goes a long way.
95. Buy high-quality knives: Get knives that will be useful for a long time, and that you can sharpen by hand.

House Rules

These rules are good to keep in mind with everything you do in your kitchen.

96. Use recycled materials: When shopping, look for products that are made of recycled materials, like paper towels and toilet paper.
97. Use renewable resources: Using renewable resources like solar power, bamboo, and hemp will give you a green step up.
98. Always recycle: Whenever possible, recycle every piece of waste that your collection will take.
99. Repair before replacing: Don’t jump the gun and make a new purchase when all your appliance or fixture needs is a good repair.
100. Always buy reusable items: Invest in cloth napkins, a reusable travel mug, and other items that replace disposable options.

By Christina Laun

Whether you’re into the latest in green, earth-friendly fashions or want to deck out your home in a sustainable manner, you can find loads of inspiration and shopping ideas on the internet. These blogs keep up with what’s going on in green design from a variety of perspectives, and with so many to choose from, you’re bound to find something that sparks your interest.

General

These sites are great places to look for news and information on green design in everything from a pair of pants to a new car.

1. Fabulously Green: Designer and editor Stephanie Zhong runs this blog which provides links and photos to stylish (and green) fashion and interior design ideas.
2. TreeHugger: This environmentally conscious blog can be a great place to find information on almost any green issue, but they regularly post articles on both green fashion and design to help you look stylishly in harmony with the earth.
3. Victoria Everman: This blogger is a public speaker, writer and more, and shares her suggestions for green home and fashion design on her site.
4. Green Girls Global/Green Guys Global: Learn how to be a greener shopper, check out your own closet, and develop your own eco-conscious style on these two gender specific blogs.
5. Style Will Save Us: This funky and fun online magazine provides tons of features on green clothing, home design, beauty products and more.
6. EcoStreet: Keep up with new happenings in fashion, design, energy, recycling and much more on this blog covering a wide spectrum of green issues.
7. Ecobites: This blog posts loads of articles that cover topics like buying greener footwear, watching out for led in lipsticks and making your home less toxic.
8. GreenStyle Magazine: With articles on everything from environmentally friendly jeans to choosing the most energy efficient scooter, this blog is sure to provide something that sparks your style interest.
9. Low Impact Living: Check out this blog for some tips and advice on changing your lifestyle, from the way you dress to the kind of food you eat.
10. ecosalon: This blog is a great place to find articles about up and coming or established green designers, both in the fashion world and in home decor.
11. Line Dry It: If you wear clothes, you hopefully wash them on occasion. This blog focuses on saving energy by line drying clothes rather than tossing them in the dryer.
12. Crafting a Green World: Find out about a number of organic fabrics on this blog that you can use to make clothes or decorate with as well as ideas for other crafts.
13. Haute Nature: This wonderful blog provides readers with green ideas for design, living, fashion, furniture, building and much more.

Vintage and Used

Check out these blogs for advice an inspiration on making old things new again.

14. DC Goodwill Fashion Blog: Get some tips on how you can create fashion forward outfits from vintage stores as well as some other miscellaneous fashion advice in this blog.
15. Righteous (re)Style: Here you’ll find tons of information and some really cool links to fashion and design that comes from recycled, repurposed and second hand sources.
16. Vintage Fashion Guild: If you love vintage fashion, check out this blog which provides links and photos of cool and still stylish clothing that can help your wallet and the earth.
17. Zuburbia: Get some ideas on being stylish while staying budget and environmentally conscious on this vintage clothing blog.
18. EverydayTrash: Want to make your trash into something better? Give this blog a read for fashionable ways you can reuse things you already have.

Organic and Sustainable Clothing

These blogs concentrate on providing news and suggestions for the best in organic and earth-friendly clothing.

19. Eco-Chick: The author of this blog, Starre Varta, also has a book published on being fabulously green and shares her tips and suggestions for young women who want to look good while staying green in this blog.
20. Green Cotton: Here you can read about ways that organic cotton is being used in everything, from coats to underwear and get a better idea of the process of what truly makes green cotton.
21. Fashion, evolved.: Give this blog a read to learn about organic clothing companies, get insights into the fashion industry and even get weekly recaps of Project Runway.
22. Organic Clothing Blog: If you are curious about organic clothing and want to know more about what goes into manufacturing it, check out this blog, which has a plethora of information on the topic.
23. The Cleanest Line: Patagonia, an organic and sustainable clothing company, publishes this blog to keep customers and employees updated on their line and green lifestyles.
24. The Greenloop: Stay in the loop on organic fashion with this blog, which features interviews with designers and business owners, news and shopping tips.
25. Eco Fabulous: Find new places to shop, get ideas on reusing what you already own and loads of other suggestions on greening your wardrobe in this fashion-conscious blog.
26. Zoica Matei: Keep up with what’s going on in the fashion world from a green perspective in this Atlanta-based blog.
27. Smarter Fashion Blog: Here you can learn about companies that have decided to go green, find some cute green fashions and even learn to keep all those pesky clothes catalogs from coming to your inbox.
28. Hippyshopper: Get pointed in the direction of hundreds of eco-friendly and stylish items on this green shopping blog.
29. Cebra Ethical Chic: You can use this blog as a guide to finding fair trade and ecological conscious items, especially cool accessories to jazz up your wardrobe.
30. Lucky for Baby: If you wear organic clothing, why shouldn’t your baby too? This blog can get you pointed in the right direction.
31. Pier 32: This company sells its own t-shirts, but this blog covers a wide range of organic and green clothing lines to help you make educated shopping decisions.
32. MissMalaprop: While this indie fashion blog doesn’t focus entirely on green products, it does provide regular postings on eco-friendly clothes and bags that can take you from winter to summer and even back to school.
33. Jolly Green Girl: Learn how to use reusable bags, find eco-friendly fashion designers and more on this green blog.

Interior Design and Architecture

Get some ideas on jazzing up your home without hurting the environment in these blogs.

34. Green Roof Design: Roofs are spaces that often go to waste. This blog can show you how to turn yours into a lovely and potentially productive garden.
35. Small Space Living: Living in a small space can use a lot less resources but can sometimes be cramped. This blog gives you some ideas and suggestions on making the most of the space you have.
36. re-nest: This blog illustrates a wide range of green design projects from stairways to entire green homes.
37. Green Your Decor: Use this blog as a starting point to finding products that not only help the environment (or at least don’t hurt it) while making your home look fabulous.
38. Green Garden Design: Don’t just make the interior of you home green, keep your landscaping pretty and earth friendly as well.
39. Inhabitat: This popular blog is a great place to read about new and exciting products and ideas for your home, inside and out.
40. Path Design: Find furniture, fabrics and information on great products that can help you create a warm home while still staying true to your inner greenie.
41. Sustainable Design Update: If architectural and industrial design is more your taste, check out this blog for the latest news on green innovations in technology, building and design.
42. GreenFab: Find out what’s going on in the world of sustainable architecture in the articles and photos provided through this interesting blog.
43. Colors of Swallowtail: Here you’ll find some neat and environmentally friendly ideas for decorating your home and purchasing furniture.
44. Sustainable Style Foundation: Keep your style sustainable with postings that can help you find earth-friendly and sleek furniture, home supplies and much more.
45. Holistic Interior Design: Keep the interior of your home holistic and serene with some suggestions and advice from this design blog.
46. EcoKind Design: This designer focuses on making her customer’s homes more earth friendly, even if it’s just one step at a time. Check out her blog for more stories, photos and suggestions.
47. Greenwix: Peruse the design and style section of this blog to get ideas on decorating your home with a green twist.
48. Green Design Girl: Mariela Campo is a designer who works for HGTV and uses her blog to highlight some great and green home products.
49. UrthFriendly: Whether you’re looking to get safer paints, or furnish your bedroom, this blog can give you some informative articles on various aspects of green home design.
50. Green by Design: With tons of posts on both green architecture and interior design, this blog is sure to have something that strikes your fancy.

By Jessica Hupp

The Internet is full of foodies who love to share dishes of all kinds. It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for-you’re bound to find exactly what you want online. These sites in particular are great places to stumble upon great recipes, whether you’re craving something ethnic, or just feel like baking a fancy cake.

Communities

Dish and share the recipes you love in these cooking communities.

1. Allrecipes: Find more than 40,000 community-created and reviewed recipes on this site.
2. CDKitchen: Check out the recipe box, review recipes, and submit photos of your own creation on CDKitchen.
3. Online Cookbook: Check out Online Cookbook to find and share great recipes.
4. Food Geeks: Are you geeky about food? This is your place to share recipes, discuss cooking, and organize your own recipe collection.

General

These recipe sites specialize in everything-from holiday cooking to jazzed-up box cooking, you’ll find it here.

5. The Pioneer Woman Cooks!: This country housewife shares her favorite recipes, and they’re sinfully delicious. Note that there’s a lot of butter involved, and that’s a good thing.
6. Epicurious: Find loads of great recipes from this site, Bon Appetit, and Gourmet.
7. The Cake Mix Doctor: Find easy to use recipes for get-togethers on this site.
8. My Wooden Spoon: My Wooden Spoon features delights like bruschetta burgers, Mexican cornbread, and pineapple upside down cake.
9. Snacksby: Use Snacksby to create a recipe based on the ingredients you have in your kitchen.
10. RecipeMatcher: With RecipeMatcher, you’ll be able to create delicious recipes and drinks based on what’s already in your kitchen or bar.
11. Recipe Land: With more than 50,000 recipes, this site is sure to have what you’re looking for.
12. Betty Crocker: Check out recipes for just about anything on Betty Crocker’s site.
13. Wokking Mum: See what this stay at home mom cooks for her family.
14. Food Network: Get recipes from celebrity chefs and more on this food site.
15. Out of the Frying Pan: This site has recipes for speed queens, vegetarians, and vegans alike.
16. Top Secret Recipes: Use this site to make brand-name products at home with regular ingredients.
17. Food Network: On Food Network, you’ll get loads of recipes and party ideas.

Ingredient-Specific

If you love a certain food, like cheese or apples, check out these sites that specialize in them.

18. About Seafood: Check out this fish food site for healthy eating.
19. Hidden Valley Ranch Recipes: Discover how versatile and tasty ranch dressing can be with these recipes.
20. I Love Cheese!: Cheese lovers, unite! This site has recipes for entertaining, snacking, and so much more.
21. Eat Chicken: This chicken council site serves up some delicious recipe ideas, chicken cookbook reviews, and cooking tips.
22. The Nut Factory: Check out standard banana nut bread, chicken, and lots more.
23. Hummus101: If you love hummus, you’ll adore this blog, which offers recipes, trivia, and a whole lot more.
24. Vanilla: On this site, you’ll find recipes for creme brulee, pear tarte, and so much more.
25. Top Ramen Recipes: Upgrade your ramen to a main dish with these recipes.
26. Apples for Health: This site offers lots of fun and healthy ways to eat apples.
27. Chicken of the Sea: Find all sorts of different ways to eat tuna and other preserved fish on this site.
28. American Egg Board: The egg board serves up loads of different ways to eat an egg.
29. Muir Glen: Enjoy organic tomatoes in a variety of ways using this site’s recipes.
30. Crisco: Put Crisco’s oil to work to create great baked dishes, dinners, and more.
31. The Other White Meat: Find loads of tempting pork recipes on this site devoted completely to pork.

Organic

On these recipe sites, you’ll find concoctions that can be made with organic food.

32. Organic Valley: This co-op has lots of great recipe ideas that you can use with their food products.
33. Healthy Organic Recipes: Get garden-fresh goodness in these tasty recipes.
34. Eden Organic: Eden offers more than 840 tasty organic recipes.
35. Organic Homebrew Recipes: If you’d like to make your own organic beer, check out this site.
36. Mambo Sprouts: Find recipes for every meal in an easy, printable form from Mambo Sprouts.
37. Delicious Organics: Learn how to make tasty foods out of just about every organic ingredient out there.
38. OrganicToBe: This team blog serves up delicious organic recipes.
39. Healthy Organic Recipes: Check out this recipe database to find healthy and fun organic recipes.

Fast Cooking

In a rush? These recipe sites are happy to help you get through cooking fast.

40. I Shot the Chef: This classically trained chef specializes in quick, easy, and healthy food.
41. Microwave Cooking for One: Learn how to make quick and easy meals in your microwave with this recipe site.
42. Fast, Easy Recipes: Find quick and easy recipes for any meal or ingredient here.
43. Quick Dinner Recipes: The Skinny Cook offers up quick dinners, culinary travels, and more.
44. Best Simple Recipes: Here you’ll find loads of quick recipes and meals that taste great.

Healthy Cooking

Whether you’re on a diet, or just want to be a little more health-conscious, these sites are here to help.

45. Delicious Decisions: This recipe finder from the American Heart Association will help you eat healthy with your heart in mind.
46. Healthy Recipes: This site offers healthy food recipes and advice for weight loss.
47. Cooking Light: Browse menus, find recipes, and keep your own recipe file for healthy eating with this site.
48. Healthy Cooking Recipes: This site offers recipes that are both healthy and delicious.
49. KidsHealth: On KidsHealth, you’ll find healthy, kid-friendly recipes.
50. FoodFit: Learn how to make healthy food on the go with this site.
51. Mayo Clinic Healthy Recipes Center: Find special-diet, low-fat, and low-sodium recipes from the Mayo Clinic.
52. Eating Well: This site is a place where "good taste meets good health."
53. Fit Woman: This site offers healthy recipe favorites for both women and men.
54. Eat This!: Find healthy recipes and other healthy eating information on this site.
55. SparkRecipes: Check out SparkRecipes for healthy recipes and a tool that will help you find the nutritional value of your food.

Veggie and Vegan

Find delicious vegetarian and vegan recipes on these sites.

56. VeganImprov: This site celebrates vegan cooking without boundaries.
57. Regina’s Vegetarian Table: Regina has loads of international vegetarian favorites on this site.
58. VeganYumYum: VeganYumYum’s photos will make you want to eat everything in sight.
59. The Conscious Kitchen: Drool over this conscious cook’s tasty creations.
60. Fatfree Vegan Kitchen: This site is "sinlessly delicious," offering concoctions that don’t hurt the world or your waistline.
61. The Vegan Kitchen: This kitchen features delicious-looking dinners, dips, and holiday treats.
62. Veggies Unite!: On this site you’ll find vegetarian and vegan recipes for every meal.
63. Lily and Chew: This blog’s rule is that nothing dies for their dinner.

Holiday Recipes

Celebrate the holidays with the recipes on these sites.

64. Noel Noel Noel: Save these tasty recipes for Christmastime, or enjoy them year round.
65. Easter Recipes: Check out this site to find chocolate eggs, traditional Easter breads, and more.
66. Santa’s Favorite Food: This site has great ideas for holiday treats.
67. Bella’s Holiday and Seasonal Cooking: Find all sorts of yummy special occasion recipes here.
68. Christmas Baking with SusieJ: Susie has a whole lot more than just Christmas cookies on her site.
69. Christmas Recipes: Find Christmas favorites and beyond on this site.

Ethnic & Regional

These sites feature recipes from around the world.

70. The African Cookbook: Find African fish entrees, desserts, and more on this site.
71. Portugese Recipes: Check out this site to find recipes with beans, Cajun flair, and more.
72. Sherie’s Kitchen: Sherie serves up some delicious German, Austrian, and diabetic recipes for your enjoyment.
73. The Global Gourmet: This site features recipes and food tips from around the world.
74. France This Way: Check out this site to find some easy French recipes.
75. Indian Recipes: This site offers a massive collection of authentic Indian recipes.
76. Oriental Food: Check out this site for recipes from all over Asia, and especially China.
77. Spanish Recipes: This site is full of the best food Spain has to offer.
78. Cuisine-France: Cuisine-France is your gateway to French cooking, cuisine, and recipes.
79. Irish Recipes and Baking: Find out how to make an Irish breakfast, soda bread, and lots more.
80. Creole and Cajun Recipes: Learn how to make Louisiana basics and beyond here.
81. Hispanic & Spanish Recipes Directory: Here you’ll find loads of Hispanic and Spanish cuisine.
82. Indian Vegetarian Recipes: Here you’ll find delicious, authentic vegetarian Indian dishes to make at home.
83. French Food and Cook: Get French menus, recipes, tips, and lots more on this site.
84. Texas Cooking: Check out Grandma’s cookbook, traditional Texas fare, and much more on Texas Cooking.
85. Mexican Meals: Find traditional Mexican recipes for south of the border gourmet.
86. Italian Chef: Here you’ll find both classic and new Italian recipes.
87. Food Down Under: Find ethnic recipes by nation, ingredient, method, occasion and more.
88. German Recipes: Come armed with sauerkraut and an appetite when you check out this site.
89. Adventures in Armenian Cooking: Get more than 200 Armenian recipes on this site.

Baking

If you’re in the mood to fire up your oven, check out these sites.

90. The Cookie Tin: Find regional favorites, specialty cookies, and even participate in a cookie exchange on this site.
91. Better Baking: Learn how to make Irish soda bread, pastries, and more on this baking site.
92. For the Love of Baking: Get tips and recipes for home baking on this site.
93. Cookie Recipes from Europe: This site has recipes for favorites like coconut macaroons, gingerbread, and soft sugar cookies.
94. Baking Bits: Check out this baking collection to find from-scratch breads, muffins, and so much more.
95. Your Baking Story: This is a fun site to find baking recipes and the stories that go with them. You’re encourgaged to submit your own baking story as well.
96. Very Best Baking: Nestle’s site offers loads of free recipes and baking tips.
97. Home Baking: On this site, you’ll find recipes for baking from scratch.
98. Joy of Baking: This site features baking and dessert recipes, complete with photos and substitutions.
99. Hershey’s: Hershey’s features loads of dessert and baking recipes that include Hershey’s chocolate products.
100. Cheesecake World: Check out this site for cheap and simple cheesecake recipes.

By Heather Johnson

Can you really expect your children to prefer washing the dishes instead of tossing out harmful plastic-ware? Will your newborn notice the difference between organic onesies and non-organic clothes? Thankfully, raising your kids to be environmentally conscious is getting easier, more affordable, and more rational, thanks to kid-friendly educational websites, online games, special TV programs, networking events, and youth conservation groups that inspire kids to save the environment. Find 100 of the best tips and resources here.

Understanding the Environment

Check below for kid-focused articles, interactive websites and other fun resources that introduce kids to the environment.

1. Understanding the Human Impact: The Save a Snowman group helps kids understand the real human impact on the environment.
2. The Green Squad: School-aged children will learn how their school affects their health and the environment. The Green Squad shares ways to investigate their school’s safety rating according to an Enviro-O-Meter and more.
3. TreePeople: TreePeople specifically serves school children and the communities in the Los Angeles, CA, area, but anyone can benefit from their website, which has resources, tips and event planning ideas for planting trees and finding solutions for urban ecosystem problems.
4. Volunteering: Helping the Environment: PBS Go! asks kids, "Do you love your mother…Mother Earth that is?" Find reasons and tips to take care of the planet here.
5. Discovering the Oasis: This interactive site challenges kids to discover an ecosystem near them and report back by answering questions about what kind of environment they visited, what animals and insects they saw and more.
6. Just for Kids: The University of Illinois sponsors this website, full of games and interactive pages that let kids explore their environment, from insects to plants to planting a garden.
7. The Nature Conservancy Fun Stuff: From nature e-cards to conservation quizzes to slideshows, videos and audiochats about different ecosystems, this page is a great resources for introducing your kids to the environment.
8. A Bigger Splash: This Splash Zone from the Monterey Bay Aquarium is designed to help "children forge a lifelong love for the oceans." They can play in the interactive Coral Reef Kingdom look at pictures from the Enchanted Kelp Forest and more.
9. EPA Environmental Kids Club: The Game Room at the EPA Environmental Kids Club lists "a bunch of games that will help [kids] learn about the environment and have some fun at the same time."
10. EEK! Environmental Education for Kids: Let your kids play around this site to learn about the planet, animals, and more.

Infants and Toddlers

Start raising your kids to be environmentally conscious when they’re babies, and pursuing an organic lifestyle will come natural to them.

11. Organic Baby Food: According to this article on Good Green Fun, "making your own [baby food] is cheaper and safer." Learn how to make your own baby food in this post.
12. Green books series: The Green Eaters: This series of green books for toddlers focuses on five farm animals.
13. Chapter One Organics: The Green Eaters author also designs this organic clothing line for babies.
14. Wholesome Baby Food: Check out this website for wholesome menu ideas for babies from 4 months to 12 months.
15. 10 Ways to Raise a Green Baby: Ecostreet lists ten ways you can raise a green baby, from breastfeeding to using reusable diapers.
16. Cutting Down on Plastic Toys, Gizmos and Doodads: This author knows that when you have a baby, it’s hard to spend the time and money searching for Earth-friendly toys and "gizmos." Read her tips for cutting back here.
17. How to Raise a Green Baby: The LifeScript Connect Network shares "natural and organic choices for your baby" in this article.
18. Are Organic Baby Clothes Necessary?: Check out this post to find out if all the hype over organic baby clothes is really worth it.
19. Phthalates in Baby Care Products: How to Avoid Toxins Without Losing Your Mind: Reduce harmful toxins in baby care products by following these tips.
20. Hazel Wood Children: This online shop specializes in "environmentally conscious products for infants, children and parents," from clothing to furniture to bedding to skincare.

Nutrition

Part of raising an environmentally conscious child is getting them to eat healthy foods, especially all-natural or organic meals. Look to these sources for kid-friendly options that are tasty as well as Earth-friendly.

21. Chocolate Dreams: Chocolate That’s Good for People and the Earth: Most kids adore chocolate, but some chocolate comes from harmful sources that rely on excessive chemicals or even slave labor to work in chocolate fields. Use this guide to find out which chocolate is good for your family and other communities.
22. Make Smart Seafood Choices: The Monterey Bay Aquarium helps eco-smart parents make decisions about picking out ocean-friendly seafood.
23. The Best (and Worst) Products for Making Baby Food: From the potato masher to the mini food mill, find out which tools are best for making your own baby food.
24. Granola Chic: Granola Chic publishes lots of kid-friendly recipes that are also organic, natural and/or raw-based.
25. Organic and Other Environmentally Friendly Foods: Turn to this guide to help you understand the meaning of organic foods, sustainable foods and other natural, Fair Trade or grass-fed foods.

Cleaning Products

Be a green example for your kids by making your own cleaning products and getting creative when doing your household chores.

26. Controlling Mold Without Toxic Chemicals: A moldy house can result in a harmful environment for your kids. Get rid of mold without adding toxins to your air with the tips presented in this article.
27. How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit: This guide from the Care2 website shows green moms how to make oven cleaner, window cleaner, furniture polish and other non-toxic household cleaners.

Medicine and Health

Understand how the environment and your kids’ health are intertwined with the help of these resources and guides.

28. Ozone, Air Quality and Asthma: KidsHealth.org helps parents and kids understand how the ozone and air quality affects asthma.
29. Eczema Rise in Kids Worldwide: Is There an Environmental Connection?: This article questions the rise in kids with eczema, and lists several factors that can contribute to or worsen symptoms.
30. Herbal Medicine and Children’s Health: This resources is especially helpful for parents of young children, who can’t take over-the-counter meds to help ease their symptoms.

Special Activities

From starting eco-friendly holiday traditions to planting trees, these special activities will keep kids interested in saving the environment.

31. ZOOM Into Action: This organization partners with local PBS stations to inspire kids to volunteer, recycle, and let other kids know how they’re helping save the environment.
32. Sierra Club Action Center: The Sierra Club’s Action Center website lists current projects like the Help Save the Polar Bear plea. Check back often to find ways your kids can make a difference in legislation, saving the animals, or just learning more about energy and the environment.
33. Plant a tree: School kids have been planting trees on Arbor Day for decades. Make it a family event to plant a tree each month or year in yard, a friend’s yard, or anywhere that’s practical (and legal).
34. 5 Ideas for Eco-Friendly Holidays: Show your kids that the holidays aren’t an exception to green living. This quick guide has tips for keeping the holidays fun and eco-friendly.
35. Visit the zoo or aquarium: Getting to see animals from around the world in replicas of their natural habitat will give kids a better idea of how ecosystems affect one another.
36. Throw an organic birthday party: Bake an organic cake or batch of cupcakes following one of these economical recipes.
37. Visit your local farmer’s market: Visit your local farmer’s market to give kids a chance to talk to the farmers and gardeners who grow their own food. It’s also way more fun than going to the grocery store.
38. Take a drive out to the country: If your family lives in the big city, take your kids on a vacation or just a drive through the countryside. If they’ve never been exposed to nature, they won’t understand how or why to appreciate it.

Tips

Get your kids to go green early by following these Earth-friendly tips.

39. Recycle: One of the easiest ways to get kids to make a difference is to recycle. Set up an extra recycling container next to the trash can for empty soda cans, old papers and plastic.
40. Carpool: Save gas and the environment by taking turns driving the kids on your block to school or practice.
41. Write on both sides of the paper: When your child gets a new notebook or coloring book, encourage them to write on both sides of the paper so it’ll last longer and waste less paper.
42. Get political: If your child feels strongly about a particular issue, help them write a letter to your Congressman or U.S. Representative. You’ll not only promote environmental advocacy, but your child’s participation in the political process as well.
43. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth: Ask your kids to turn off the water when they brush their teeth to cut down on water consumption.
44. Make a birdhouse: Offset urban and suburban development by giving the birds a place to live. Making a birdhouse is a fun activity for kids too.
45. Ride bikes: If you have to run a short errand to the corner store, ride your bikes or strap on roller blades instead of jumping in the gas guzzling, air polluting SUV.
46. Grow your own vegetables: Kids might be more likely to eat their vegetables if they grow them themselves. You’ll also help cut down on the harmful mass packaging and transportation it takes to deliver goods to the grocery store.
47. Make book covers out of recyclable materials: This guide suggests that kids use paper grocery bags and old newspapers to make book covers instead of buying ready-made ones at the store.
48. Be aware of watering rules: Make sure you only water your yard on assigned days, if your city has a shortage.

Toys, Arts and Crafts

These fun activities are eco-friendly and promote environmental awareness.

49. Zen Design Group: The Zen Design Group designs and manufactures fun, engaging, good-for-the-environment toys for kids.
50. Artists Helping Children: This list of resources from Artists Helping Children has online interactive coloring books, homemade art supplies recipes and more arts and crafts ideas, some of which are green, and others are not.
51. Water Filter: Kids learn how to make their own recycling water filter in this quick guide.
52. Send Nature Ecards: Letting your child pick out nature-oriented ecards for special days is fun and good for the environment. Plus, they’re all free.
53. Monterey Bay Aquarium Learning Activities: Even if you don’t live near the Bay Area, you can introduce your kids to the animals and sea life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This page has printable coloring pages, online games and more fun facts about oceanic ecosystems.
54. Discovering Outdoors Sheets: Projects on this site include bird watching, building a nest box, and growing plants without seeds.
55. Organic Crafts: Kimberly Monaghan posts 75 different Earth-friendly arts and crafts activities for kids of all ages.
56. Art from Recycled Materials: Kids will enjoy turning everyday items like coffee can drums and coasters into art items.
57. Green Crafts: Find organic and Earth-friendly art activities here.
58. Ten Green Toys for 2008: This list of ten green toys, including Fair Trade footballs and a bamboo xylophone, are safe and fun for kids.

Articles and Guides

These articles and guides have tips for parents, as well as fun games for kids that promote an eco-conscious lifestyle.

59. 50 Ways to Save the Environment: The Kids Corner at JustGive.org lists 50 ways for kids to save the environment, from promoting conservation at home, in the yard and at the store.
60. Recycle City: The EPA’s kids’ site introduces children to recycling here.
61. Bindi The Jungle Girl: Steve Irwin’s daughter Bindi has her own show on Discovery Kids, and a website with games, videos and photos that teach kids about respecting animals and the environment.
62. Bringing Up Green Baby: This how-to guide has tips for raising green babies and older kids too.
63. Green Mom Guilt: This post helps guilt-ridden moms feel better about juggling their motherhood instincts and their environmentally-conscious lifestyles.
64. Tree Hugging Family Browse posts about Earth Day, eco clothing, organic cooking, and eco youth on Tree Hugging Family.
65. Mindful Momma: Find out what the Mindful Momma has to say about raising kids to be environmentally conscious.
66. The Green Mommy: This green mommy blogs about consumerism, raising her son to be environmentally conscious and more.
67. Eco Baby Blog: Find out everything you need to know about prenatal vitamins, harmful chemicals, children’s books about the environment, environmentally friendly products and more.
68. Be a Green Kid: If your child wants some advice on what he or she can do to make a difference, direct them to this guide at KidsHealth.org.
69. Can We Build It? : Turn your little kids on to Bob the Builder, if they’re not watching him already. According to RiverWired, Bob is "America’s greenest builder" and takes on projects that use solar panels and hay bales to increase insulation the natural way.
70. Discovering the Oasis: More Resources: This page lists books about recycling, endangered animals and other environmental subjects for kids of every age group.

Games and Interactive Websites

These online games give kids the chance to have fun while learning important facts about the environment.

71. Inspiring Kids Making a Difference: Kids will be inspired when they read about what other kids their age are doing to help animals, other children, and the environment.
72. Eco Child’s Play: This blog is devoted to sharing green finds, from organic toys to kids’ books about the environment to green holiday ideas.
73. Natural Family Online: This website gives tips, resources and products to promote "whole living for the whole family."
74. Kids’ Planet: Kids’ Planet is a colorful, interactive website that encourages kids to be "defenders of wildlife."
75. The Big Blue Bus: This website teaches kids about water consumption, different marine ecosystems, and more through games, a Water Wizards Club and more.
76. Nature Challenge for Kids: Kids take 10 challenges with tour guide David Suzuki to protect nature.
77. Kids Go Wild: Kids Go Wild! is sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Society and includes fun facts about wildlife, an arcade with different games and more.
78. TMWA Academy: The Aqua Academy has facts, games, science guides and more fun stuff about water, organized for kids in grades K-3, 4-6, and 7-12. There’s also a special section for teachers.
79. My First Garden: This "guide to the world of fun and clever gardening" has a garden gallery, tutorials explaining gardening basics and more.
80. Kids Saving Energy: Kids can play games and learn about renewable energy on this interactive site.
81. NRDC Kids’ Links: Visit this page for even more websites, games and resources for kids interested in energy, air pollution, conserving water, protecting wildlife, and preserving the environment.

Networks

Make protecting the environment a fun way for your kids to make new friends and feel like they are part of a big movement. Read below to find information on eco-driven movements kids can join.

82. Earth Force: Earth Force is a network of youth who care about saving the environment. The site has lots of "tools for teachers," as well as a list of local offices around the country, and a list of programs, like Earth Force After School.
83. Earth Day Network: Encourage your kids to join the Earth Day Network, or get the whole family to sign up. You’ll find a list of programs held throughout the year, as well as basic information on how to promote Earth Day ideals everyday.
84. Save a Snowman: Save a Snowman is a nonprofit group promoting "a fun, positive approach to solving the climate crisis." Kids can adopt a snowman, and parents can sponsor a family or raise money at work.
85. Ocean Action Team: Join the Ocean Action team, sponsored by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to get your kids involved in saving the natural habitats of whales, sea otters and other sea life. This page also has quizzes, volunteer information and more.
86. Care2: Care2 is a popular social networking sites for environmentalists. Encourage your teenager to join, or set up your own profile on behalf of the whole family.
87. The Environment Site: The Environment Site has its own MySpace profile for networking purposes.
88. Kids F.A.C.E.: The Kids For A Clean Environment group has more than 2,000 chapters all over the world and sponsors tree planting events and other activities.
89. Idealist.org: Find volunteer opportunities for your kids or show this site to your teens to connect with environmentalists all over the world.
90. Environmental Groups: The Natural Resources Defense Council publishes this inclusive list of environmental and conservation groups alphabetically.

Teenagers

Get your teenagers involved in environmental activism by showing them these sites, resources and ideas.

91. I Buy Different: This website gives teens the message: "You have the power to make the Earth a better place because of what you buy." Encourage them to make responsible decisions.
92. Sierra Club Outings: This page has information about trips around the U.S. and around the world. Travelers will learn how to offset their carbon footprints during their vacation and will meet up with other nature enthusiasts during trips to the glaciers, the mountains and more.
93. Green Alternatives to Typical Spring Breaks: RiverWired’s eco-travel post has alternative Environmental Spring Break ideas for conscious teens.
94. Top 10 Eco Celebrities: Show your teens this list of some of the hottest and most powerful green celebs on the planet to give them some inspiration.
95. Nature Stories Podcast: If your teenagers are stuck in front of their XBOX 360 day in and day out, inspire them to get outdoors and experience nature with these exciting podcasts. They feature adventures from Australia to Mongolia to Appalachia.
96. Eight Ways to Go Green: These environmental tips are geared towards teenagers.
97. How To: Recycle Your Computer: TreeHugger explains the process and importance of recycling a computer.
98. Shop green: Lots of designers, celebrities and stores like H&M, Kate Hudson, Natalie Portman, Stella McCartney and Barney’s have come out with organic or all-natural clothing lines. Shop around for green products that are good for the environment.
99. Drive an eco-friendly car: Even SUV manufacturers are getting in on the action to give consumers more options for driving green.
100. Ecorazzi: Visit Ecorazzi, a blog that dishes up "the latest in green gossip," from animals to shopping to movies to cars.

By Heather Johnson

Going organic is appealing for most, but it’s often an expense that proves to be cost-prohibitive. However, the organic lifestyle does not have to be expensive. In fact, there are a number of things you can do to make organic living more affordable, and we’ve listed 25 of them here.

Food

Food is perhaps one of the largest organic expenses. Follow these tips to trim your grocery bill.

1. Stay away from the supermarket: Traditional supermarkets tend to command a premium price for organic food, so check out alternatives.
2. Shop during the growing season: Buy produce when it’s easiest to make, and you’ll pay less for it. You can buy canned or frozen organic foods in the off-season.
3. Buy in bulk: Split with friends.
4. Don’t buy everything organic: There are a number of foods that are considered to be low in pesticides, so even if you buy cheaper, conventional versions of them, you should be safe.
5. Grow your own: One way to ensure your food is organic is by growing it yourself, and you can often do it for cheaper than you’ll find at the store.
6. Do your own prep work: Buy whole chickens instead of boneless, skinless breasts, and peel your own carrots.
7. Buy "seconds": When you’re at the farmer’s market, ask for misshapen produce that’s just as good as the rest, but cheaper.
8. Consider value: Organic food offers more nutrients for your buck, and it’s cheaper for your health in the long run.
9. Eat less meat, more fish: Organic beef is expensive, but fish isn’t, so if you make the switch you’ll see a savings.
10. Join an agriculture program: In these programs, you’ll pay for a portion of the farm’s operating expenses, and get fresh produce from the harvest.
11. Put your freezer to good use: If you’ve snagged a good deal on some organic produce, freeze your extras for later.

Lawn Care

Don’t spend lots of money on pesticides, weed killers, and other lawn care items. These tips make it easy to take care of your lawn the natural way.

12. Mow high: Let your grass stay reasonably high so that it will shade, and kill, weeds instead of the other way around.
13. Water infrequently: If you ration out your watering, you’ll force your grass roots to dig deep, which will make them stronger than most week roots. Weeds up top will die off in the dry ground, but your grass will get its moisture from deeper below.
14. Add compost: Use your compost to soften up your lawn and help it grow. It’s not cheap to buy, but you can make your own with vegetable scraps and other items.
15. Dust lime on your soil: Put a small dusting of lime on your soil to ramp up earthworm production.

Personal Care

Follow these tips to avoid paying too much for personal care and beauty products.

16. Become a beauty detective: Seek out information on your favorite products to see which ones really are worth the higher price.
17. Don’t fall for the word "natural": Don’t spend extra money on a product just because it says that it’s natural. That doesn’t mean it’s organic.
18. Use less makeup: Carefully consider just how important every beauty product is to you.

Pets

With these simple tips, turning Fido organic doesn’t have to break the bank.

19. Make your own food: It’s fairly easy to turn your organic produce into affordable food for your pet.
20. Make your own toys: Pets are fairly easy to entertain, and you can create entertaining toys on your own with organic cotton and other materials.

General

These tips apply to nearly every type of organic product, whether it’s food, clothing, or gifts.

21. Shop around: Check out different stores to find out who has the better price for the items you buy the most.
22. Change the way you buy products: Focus on higher quality organic produce and other items, and cut down on low quality items like fast food and disposables.
23. Be flexible: Don’t have your heart set on certain items and be comfortable with buying alternatives.
24. Clip coupons: Visit sites for organic products and join their mailing list for coupons. You can also check out alternative publications.
25. Shop online: There are lots of sites online that offer organic products at a discount price, and it’s easier to compare prices in this setting.

By Christina Laun

With jobs, families, social commitments, workouts and more making up our daily lives it can often be difficult to slow down and take the time to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. For many people, the clutter in their closets and the never-ending to-do lists can make even days that should be relaxing be filled with guilt at all the things they’re not accomplishing. Of course, things don’t have to be so hectic all the time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the things in your life, perhaps its time to evaluate what’s really important and scale back. These 100 blogs are dedicated to helping you do just that, so take a few minutes to see if they can start you down the right track of living a simpler, happier life.

General

You’ll learn the basics of living more simply from these blogs which cover a wide range of topics.

1. My Simpler Life: Learn to get your life under control with tips and advice from professional life coach Beth Dargis. You’ll learn how to have more fun, be more organized and pare your life down to the things you really care about.
2. Down to Earth: Here, blogger Rhonda discusses simple living topics like gardening, green cleaning, cooking simple meals, and living well on less.
3. Simple Living in a Complex World: Learn to enjoy the simple pleasures in life with posts from this crafty blogger. Recent posts have given advice on baking artisan bread, knitting and gardening.
4. The Smart Woman’s Guide to a Simple Life: Ladies looking to simplify their lives will appreciate the advice and posts in this blog. You’ll get tips on everything from caring for children to being more productive.
5. Plastic Drifter: This blog is a great help to those living the modern life who want to simplify things and get rid of the junk that clutters their homes. Read about freecyling, buying less and finding fulfilling careers.
6. Everyday Simplicity: Designed to provide information to both the newbie and the veteran simple lifers, this blog focuses on aspects of organization, daily life and providing readers with inspirational quotes.
7. Simplicity in Kansas: This blog can be a great read for anyone interested in spending less and still enjoying life to the fullest.
8. Redomestication: Blogger Michelle is a mom, an entrepreneur and a homesteader interested in sharing her experiences with living the simple (or sometimes not so simple) life with readers.
9. Finding Simplicity: Navigating through the mess of finances, junk and consumerism that is a big part of many of our lives can be difficult. Read about blogger Sharon’s journey to simplicity to get some advice on your own.
10. My Green Side: This blog is full of simple tips to help you start living sim