I know from past polls here that several of you (our readers) are vegetarians like Jennifer. I also know from comments that many of you struggle with preparing meat-free meals due to resistance from spouses or other family members.

Me? I’m not a vegetarian, but I do eat several meat-free meals each week. My spouse eats what I cook! Actually, he doesn’t mind the meat-free thing.

Are you trying to make changes in your diet to become more meat-free?

Maybe you’ll be inspired by World Vegetarian Day on October 1.

It’s the beginning of vegetarian awareness month. Visit World Vegetarian Day for some veggie cookbook suggestions, as well as tips on how to celebrate Veggie Day.

Other posts we’ve done on vegetarianism:

Tofu Recipes for Kids

Meatless Meals: Why Go Meatless More Often?

Meatless Meals: How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

One More Reason to Eat Meatless (This one is playful, but you’ll appreciate it if you’ve ever known a cat.)

One Small Step: Eat One Meatless Meal

Meatless Meals: Veggie Books for Kids

Image via stock.xchng

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in September 2008

Spooky Foils

Halloween Milk Chocolate Foils from Divine Chocolate (a farmer-owned Fair Trade company)

Handmade Streamers

Papel Picado Mexican Streamers from Global Exchange (Fair Trade online store)

Wonderful Flavors

Phinney Chocolate Bars by Theo in Lots of Flavors (Fair Trade milk and dark chocolate bars – check out all the varieties)

Are you considering Fair Trade chocolate treats this Halloween? 

Images via Divine Chocolate, Global Exchange and Theo as noted above.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in September 2008

You can help end poverty and forced child labor among cocoa growers by reversing your kid’s trick or treat.

When children get candy from adults this year, they can hand over some Fair Trade chocolate with information about the problems in the cocoa industry.

The Reverse Trick or Treat kits are free, but there is a limited supply. You will pay for the shipping only ($4.95). Order before October 13!

Get more info and order at Global Exchange Fair Trade.

Even if you decide not to order a kit, you can download a flyer about Fair Trade chocolate to give out on Halloween.

Will your Halloween include chocolate?

Image via flickr.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in September 2008

I’ve been meaning to post this book for a while because it’s so darn cute. 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World written and illustrated by Melanie Walsh was released in August and it looks great. There aren’t that many green picture books for small children so it’s nice to see a new one just in time for the holidays.

This book is perfect for kids ages 3 yrs – 6 yrs and is not only a board book (think sturdy for little hands) but is made with 100% recycled materials. The text and images covers ideas such as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, using both sides of your drawing paper, and how to make plants grow. This is a super primer on green living for little ones. Also, the pictures are way cute, bright and bold.

This book is available at Amazon.

[images via Candlewick Press]

If you’re looking for a way to spend your Saturday, check out one of many events being held to help promote Green Jobs to Build a New Economy.

Just click on the banner above for more info.

Thanks to everyone who entered our Organic Onesie contest. And thanks also to Zoe & Sprout for providing the prize.

The randomly selected winner is Amy who said:

I am working on becoming greener: making baby food, using chlorine free wipes, using CA Baby shampoo, buying used clothing, giving clothes away, etc…

Congratulations Amy!

(Please look for an e-mail requesting your mailing info and respond within five days.)

Image via Zoe & Sprout.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in September 2008

Tree Hugging Family was a participant in last year’s Blog Action Day and we’re in again this year. Last year’s Blog Action Day Topic was the environment (hard for us here; I know). We went a little extreme.

This year the topic is poverty, and I’m not quite sure what we’ll pull together here, but we’re registered. Are you? Anyone with a blog, podcast, or so fourth can sign on to participate. All you have to do is register at Blog Action Day 2008, and then commit to blogging about poverty on October 15th.

Last year Blog Action Day was loads of fun. Tons of blogs participated and it was cool to see how everyone covered green issues from their blog’s unique perspective. Hopefully this year you’ll join us and commit to Blog Action Day. Let us know if you’re participating so we can come visit your post.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in September 2008

[image via Blog Action Day]

Yellow Label Kids is a Fair Trade company that creates beautiful handmade toys, clothing, blankets and more. At Yellow Label Kids you can find plenty of adorable Fair Trade baby items. Such as…

The right in time, Halloween Rattle Set - how cute!

Or Vegetable Rattles (rattles also available in a fruit assortment,  ice cream cones, sweets, and more).

They carry a ton of great puppets; I like the Abeja Puppet…

Everything this company carries is a perfect holiday gift in the making, so check them out while the season is still young. At the very least stop by and see their cute Halloween Loot Bags.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in September 2008

[images via Yellow Label Kids]

With all the holidays coming up, it’s the perfect time to make luminaries. You could buy some; they’re not always expensive. For example, this three piece Chelsea Luminaries set (below) from Improvements is almost half off right now; (and they’re pretty).

Still, even if you can get them on the cheap, why not make them yourself? This is a great way to recycle cans, and a fun project for kids to help with.

Make your own luminaries:
Read more

Do you want a little publicity from the entire Lifestyles Channel on b5media?

From October 6 – 17th, we’ll be hosting our Second Annual Lifestyles Channel Blogtoberfest.

We’re planning to run this event for two weeks during the month of October (or until the prizes run out). During that two weeks, we’ll be giving away some amazing prizes. Read more