Save Money and the Environment

We all want to do our part to be eco-conscious but "green" companies often present us with a choice: be Earth-friendly or wallet-friendly... never both. The reality is that prices at the average retailer are just plain lower than at eco-friendly businesses. Until now.

For those of you who shop online (and who doesn't?), there are coupon sites galore. But just in time for Earth Day, two coupon sites, UltimateCoupons.com and Tjoos.com, have introduced a special green section. And with discounts up to 50% off at popular green retailers, shoppers can easily save money while helping save the environment, Be green, save some green-- everyone wins.

Earth Day stands for working together to create change—and online shoppers can make a big impact on the global economy by committing to support environmentally-conscious businesses.

http://www.ultimatecoupons.com/coupons/eco_friendly_coupons.htm
http://www.tjoos.com/Holiday/29/Earth-Day/

Be sure to check out our Earth Day section for crafts, recipes and lots of Earth friendly ideas!

Choosing a Green Pediatrician

Shortly after your labor and delivery, the mixed anxiety and joy of this life experience will be in your past, and it will be time to look forward to the future-to the time when your baby will live and grow in the protective environment that you will create in your home.

As you did when choosing an ob/gyn, you want to find a pediatrician who is top-notch medically. How much better if he or she is also on the journey to an environmentally sustainable perspective on pediatrics!

This may be the first time you have selected a pediatrician; if you already have children, you may have an established relationship with their pediatrician-or you may have inherited a treasured family doc from when you were a child. In any case, here are five representative questions you may want to ask politely to gauge physicians' thoughts on things green:

Please go to Choosing a Green Pediatrician on FamilyCorner.com to read the rest and to access a printer friendly version.

Homemade Organizer Shelf & Cubbies

Tired of the clutter laying around? Too many junk drawers? You don't have to spend $50.00 on an organizer shelf with pretty baskets, you can make your own from cardboard boxes, fabric and glue. Perfect for holding bills, small trinkets, car keys, crayons and more!

What you need

shoe shelf
small cardboard boxes
fabric or cardstock in pretty, colorful patterns
fabric or cardstock in solid colors to match
ribbon, twisted paper, and/or raffia
white craft glue
large paint brush
water
hot glue gun
acrylic sealer spray, matte

Please go to Homemade Organizer Shelf & Cubbies on FamilyCorner.com to get full instructions and to access a printer friendly version.

Edible Crawlies for Kids

Earth Day is all about nature, the planet, and all those that inhabit it. Well who says that learning can't be fun... and tasty too! Try some of these adorable snacks with your kids while explaining the importance of respecting nature and all that live around us.

Note: some treats are not pictures, be sure to FC for all the ideas!

To make some of these treats, you may need some of the following ingredients:

graham crackers, crushed
chocolate sprinkles
snack sized resealable plastic bags
celery stalks
peanut butter
raisins
black or chocolate licorice twists
fudge sandwich cookies
chocolate frosting
red cinnamon candies
crunchy chow mein noodles
muenster cheese (or other soft block cheese)
bananas
peanut butter
grapes
chow mein noodles

Visit FamilyCorner.com to try all the Edible Crawlies for Kids and to get a printer friendly version!

How to Create a Paper Bag Floor

I remember the first time I saw this article. When the author submitted it to me I couldn't wait to get it posted on FC. What a cool idea, creating new flooring with paper bags! Home decorating is expensive, even when you do it yourself the materials can cost a fortune. Ask me! I just went through it a year ago!

However, this gorgeous floor is not only frugal, it looks great, you are recycling brown paper bags, and will feel a major sense of accomplishment when finished.

To get started, the tools you will need are:

• Paper bags or a roll of brown Kraft paper from the postal supply aisle (enough to cover your entire floor, with some overlapping)
  
• Gallon of water based polyurethane (I recommend Minwax Polycrylic, or Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane)
  
• Scissors
  
• Old work clothes

Visit FamilyCorner.com for the instructions on How to Create a Paper Bag Floor

Air Drying Clothes Without A Clothesline

Going green doesn't mean spending more money. Earth Day is right around the corner, and we want to help you find ways to not only save money, but also save energy, thus doing your part in saving the environment. 

Clothes dryers can be pretty hard on fabrics. Shrinking, setting in stains, and where do you think all that lint comes from? Yep, it's the fabric being slowly stripped from your clothes.

If you would like to try an alternative to the dryer, but you either don't have a clothesline, you live in an apartment or your homeowners association won't allow clotheslines, here are a few ways to dry without using one.

To read these energy saving and money saving ideas for drying your clothes, visit Air Drying Clothes Without a Clothesline on FamilyCorner.com

Earth Day Eggs

Still have a surplus off eggs from Easter? Whether they are already colored or not, you can make these fun eggs for Earth Day. if your eggs are already dyed, simply run them under luke warm tap water and gently rub off as much dye as you can. This works wonders if you used food coloring, but I cannot vouch for how it works with other dyes. Let us know if you tried it by commenting below!

You will need

hard boiled eggs
blue, green and yellow food coloring
vegetable oil
white vinegar
water
coffee mugs or other containers
3 spoons
paper towels
newspaper or a plastic disposable tablecloth

To get the directions for this fun activity, go to FamilyCorner.com: Earth Day Eggs

See more Earth Day crafts, recipes and ideas at FamilyCorner.com

18 Ways to Reuse Egg Cartons

Recycle and reuse! Earth Day is a little over a week away and I'm sure you have some empty egg cartons leftover from Easter egg dying! Here are several ideas on how to use up those empty cartons instead of putting them into the landfill.

1. Money Container - Use old egg cartons to store your change for garage and yard sales. Egg cartons are good for this because you can separate all the change and it is easy to get to.
   


2. Golf Ball Storage - What a great place to store extra golf balls. Easy to sort by brand and condition and they are stackable so they can be stored neatly.
   


3. Travel Helper - Use them to hold small items like earrings, necklaces, sewing notions, etc; weave needle thru the inside top cover so as not to lose it in your suitcase. Hold it together with a large rubber band.
   


4. Waste Paper Basket - Make wastebaskets from egg cartons. Cut off tops. Then poke holes on the flap that is used to close the carton. Then take ribbon and tie each carton to the next. Takes 8 cartons to make a circle. The plastic bags from Wal-Mart or the grocery store fit into these nicely. Makes a great waste paper basket.
   


5. Craft Helping Hand - When working with small round items, use an egg carton to hold the item while you paint one side, or just as a holder while they dry. It keeps those little round things from rolling away.
   


6. Fire Starters - Fill the cardboard egg cartons with dryer lint, and then pore melted wax over the lint. You can tear apart the sections and use for fire starters when you are camping, or in your fireplace. Use left over candle pieces for the melted wax. 
   

See the rest of these great ideas and get a printable list on FamilyCorner.com

Check out our Earth Day section for crafts, recipes and great ideas