Winter Celebration Bouquet
As I’ve been whining about lately I’m home bound; totally snowed in. I’m whiny about it, because we don’t ever get snow here like this. It’s been nuts, and I know lots of folks who haven’t been able to get out to get their last minute gifts. I’m still minus stocking stuffers myself. If you’re in a fix, you can always look to Organic Bouquet.
Look now though, because you’ve got until Midnight PT Dec 22nd to order for a Christmas Eve delivery. Yeah that’s tonight. On the other hand, a nice eco gift from Organic Bouquet will likely …read more

Actually, I know you are. How do I know. Well, some of you have voted as such in our sidebar poll and also our gardening posts here tend to get a lot of views.
We’ll be wrapping up the poll during the first week of May, and based on your poll answers, there’s a good chance we’ll incorporate more green and natural gardening advice here. However, what I wanted to point out is that we already have one very good blogging friend who just happens to have a blog about nothing but natural gardening. In fact, I believe I’ve pointed this …read more

Continuing with Eco Symbols You May Not Know, let’s take a closer look at VeriFlora. This is one I’ve seen, but I never really thought about that much.

VeriFlora’s certification program isn’t one of those easy classes you take just to get an A. Tough standards must be met before growers and handlers of cut flowers and potted plants may use the VeriFlora logo. Supporting VeriFlora growers means you’re supporting farmers who are taking care of the environment. Certified growers must develop a plan for converting to organic production.
The Elements of Sustainability of the VeriFlora program include: sustainable crop production, resource …read more

Probably nearly all of you out there have seen certification symbols (logos, icons, whatever you like to call them) for things like Fair Trade Certified and USDA Organic and Energy Star.
But do you know what it means if you see a leaping bunny symbol on a product? How about FSC with a tree drawing? VeriFlora — you may have heard of it, but do you know what it’s all about?

This week we’ll look at a few of the lesser-known eco symbols you might encounter. A really good thing about these symbols is that not just anyone can stick them on …read more

Many of us are welcoming spring today, so I thought it would be nice to go over some nature loving, tree hugging, eco-friendly ideas that will carry the entire family through the better part of spring and into summer.
1. Quit looking at nature through your frosty windows. It’s warming up, so get out there and enjoy nature in real time, in real life, in full blown color.
2. Throw open your windows wide and let in the fresh air. Natural ventilation is actually a really effective green home goal to aim for. Proper cross ventilation naturally helps to remove any indoor …read more

When I was a kid I read this book – I can’t remember the name, but I do remember that it was about a large Jewish family during the depression maybe, which is besides the point, because it was the kooky kids in the book I liked. Anyhow, one of the young girls in the family got really upset because she spilled tea on her only good dance dress (which was white) and her mother was so smart that she dyed it in tea, and the daughter was still able to go to the dance.
Seriously, I thought that was so …read more

Candied flowers are one of my favorite things ever. You can use them for so many things:

Cake, pie, sorbet, ice cream, and cupcake toppers.
Bag them up and give as gifts.
Add to summer drinks.
Decoration for dishes or around a holiday table.
To teach kids about edible flowers.
You can use super tiny bags and turn them into gift tags on presents. I’m not a fan of the plastic use here, but it looks fabulous.
Add them to easter baskets.
Wedding favors.

Plus they taste great. I made candied flowers for the first time when I was about 10 years old – candied lilacs actually and I’ve …read more

Everyone has to wash their face at some point. Here are two nice recipes that cut down on packaging and harmful extras like colors and preservatives.
Cleansing Milk:
You’ll need to choose one of the following – 2 or 3 tablespoons of fresh or dried organic elderflowers, chamomile, lime blossom, or sweet violets. (I’ve personally used fresh chamomile and sweet violets).
1/2 cup organic whole milk – I was told to use creamy milk – I was never quite sure what that meant but whole milk seems to work good. I use Straus Milk because it’s really creamy. I suppose you could try …read more

We’re taking a wee detour from kid’s day here at Tree Hugging Family, because we just got some cool, but time-sensitive news.
As you may have guessed from the title, Canada is having their first Eco Wedding & Lifestyle Show (EWLS) Very cool. The show opens March 1st and 2nd at the Design Exchange.
At the show, eco-conscious couples, and families searching for green options for their special day will be able to learn about companies that will help them create a beautiful wedding, and keep the environmental footprint small. The show is sponsored by Absolute Tent & Event Rentals and Weddingbells, …read more

This is a great video about how to make a Dowel Vase Cover. This could easily be a green project with some minor adjustments. You can use this idea to refresh an old vase that you might otherwise toss. You can find scrap dowels and use earth-friendly stains or paints.

I was thinking of not using dowels at all but fallen tree twigs and some left-over hemp twine I have. Don’t you think that would look great? I do. Of course, you’ll fill this with organic flowers. Kids would have fun with this project too I bet.
If you’d like to make …read more