Earth Party

Summer is the perfect time to eat outside and create community. I love eating with friends...and eating OUTSIDE with friends is even better. However, summertime is notorious for creating mounds and mounds of party trash. My friend, Rebecca, is throwing a "Stop Global Warming" Party this month. What a great way to create awareness and have fun! I encourage all of you to throw your own "Earth Party"! Here are a few things you could incorporate:

• Encourage party-goers to ride their bikes, walk, or carpool.
• Have everyone bring their own non-disposable plates, cups (or water bottles) and utensils.
• Have speakers from local environmental groups (Rebecca has the Sierra Club Student Coalition coming to hers)
• Make it a vegetarian potluck...meat production is a huge problem for the environment!
• Serve organic, raw fruits and veggies
• Have a tree planting ceremony
• Send invites by email to avoid paper trash

Have a great time at your Earth Parties...I'd love to hear how they go!

Green Notes: Bags, Teeth, and being Earth-Friendly

A few things that have been on my little "eco-mind": Radius Toothbrush I recently bought a Radius toothbrush with a replaceable head. It's not only super comfy to brush with and easy to hold, it's earth-friendly! I love the handle. I also like that they are a company that thinks about environmental issues.

Bag Lady I was recently in Best Buy and as I was checking out, the cashier put one ONE TINY item into a big plastic bag. I immediately said "Oh...I'll just carry that without the bag...thanks!". We completed the transaction and left the store. Matt turned to me after we left and said, "she just threw that bag in the trash!". Hmmmmmm. I have seen this happen more than one time, not just in Best Buy. Maybe they have a policy that says bags can only be pulled out for use one time?  It's a little maddening. Perhaps I should have said "no thanks, you can save that for the next customer". Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon?

Earth-Friendly There was recently an article in the Des Moines register that talked about how you could throw a more earth-friendly party. They recommended using recycled paper plates and biodegradable plastic utensils. While this is a BETTER option...why use disposables at all? Summer is party-time...a great way to make a difference is to avoid all of the disposable party goods. Your trash can will thank you for it.

GREEN! There has been such a HUGE focus on "green" this and "green" that in the media. While it can get a little overwhelming sometimes, I do think it's a good thing. Even though it's turning "trendy"...it's increasing awareness, and that can only be a good thing. So the next time you get sick of hearing about Wal-Mart being "green"...just think about all of the minds being opening...even if it's just a little bit.

Wheeeee! Have a great weekend!

Live Lightly: Spread the Love Tour

Hello friends! I've been gone a long time...but I'm back with a really exciting announcement! Matt, Bella, and I are going on tour! We have recently purchased an RV that will run on straight vegetable oil, and we are going to travel around the U.S. for the next year.

Wait a minute! Did you say veggie oil?! Yes. FREE waste vegetable oil...the same kind that your eggroll was fried in for lunch. Pumped straight from behind your local Thai/Chinese/Fast Food restaurant into our tank (filtered of course). I am writing this post from Springfield, MO, home of Golden Fuel Systems. Golden Fuel Systems converts any diesel engine to run on veggie oil...and we are so excited to be a part of this alternative fuel movement.

BUT...I NEED YOUR HELP! We have a rough route mapped out...but we want to base our travels on YOU! I would love to come and meet you face to face...and also have you assist us in finding green/sustainable/alternative fairs, coops, and other educational opportunities in your local areas. We are going to be looking for companies/organizations to sponsor our educational tour as well.

While we are on the road, we will still need to make some money to live. I am going to be scheduling photo shoots in each area that we stop in. For those of you that could assist in getting the word out in your town...I will give you a significant discount on your own photos. You can see some of my portrait sessions here. I will also be available to help you simplify, downsize, and/or decorate your homes! Matt will assist by doing any handiwork/painting around your house.

If you are interested in adding your town to our tour...please contact me immediately and we'll start talking details! We are planning to leave in late August/early September.

We just launched our new website today with many more details of what I have just shared... and we will be detailing the entire journey on that site. Check it out here: http://www.livelightlytour.com

Wheeeeeee! We are so excited to hit the road!