http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents Where it Pays To Buy Green. http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/423 Sunscreen should be worn daily—after all, the sun even shines during the winter months. Since the summer season is upon us and temps are rising, it’s more important than ever to protect ourselves from harmful UV/UVA rays that can cause sunburn—a major risk factor for skin cancer (melanoma). Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/421 Father’s Day may evoke memories for some of us of celebrating and honoring Dads. For me, it’s a joy to be writing an eco living theme around Father’s Day. My father was the perfect example of an eco living guru. He was an environmental economist; the very first for the US Government Department of Commerce. As a child, I grew up knowing the importance of honoring the earth. Our family practiced environmental sustainability with passion and purpose. General http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/419 Now that the weather is warmer in New York, I can’t wait to invite my loved ones over for some fabulous outdoor entertaining! Gathering for fun is already, well, fun enough. But when you add in some beautiful weather, it makes for an even greater time. I like to be at the ready for entertaining at the drop of a hat—or the rise of the mercury—so here are some of my eco-friendly essentials. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/418 Mother's Day may be over, but we’re celebrating moms all month long! And what better way to tip our hats to the hardworking women on this planet than by giving them special recognition. Check out EcoPlum Salutes Green Moms: Composting Pilot to learn about five ladies who started the Food and Tray Waste Composting Pilot in District 3 schools in New York City. Green Moms http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/417 Kristen Bell is known for playing the lead role in the hit television series Veronica Mars. But nowadays she is playing the biggest role of her life…a mom! The eco-friendly actress gave birth to her daughter, Lincoln, on March 28 of this year. Bell already has a reputation for being an environmental activist and this month, EcoPlum salutes her as a Green Celebrity mom! Green Moms http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/416 Three years ago (oh my how time flies!!) as I approached my 46th birthday, I wrote all about how I was going to get a composter and start composting at home.  Well as it turned out, I never got that composter.  Not sure if it was the price or space needed in my kitchen or what - but it never happened.  So I needed to find another way to make sure my food scraps were not ending up in a landfill taking up space and creating potent methane gas.  Gia's Blog http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/415 If someone ever told you that a handful of people can’t make a difference, he or she hasn’t met the five hardworking moms who started the Food and Tray Waste Composting Pilot in District 3 schools on the Upper West Side of New York City. What began with the moms’ concern for making their own children’s schools more environmentally sustainable has evolved into a citywide effort to reduce waste and educate future generations. Green Moms http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/414 With the winter season behind us (oh, yeah!), it’s time to get our minds and bodies ready for Spring. That means curing dry skin, which includes those yucky dead layers on our lips (yes, they are there!). The best therapy? A wonderful lip balm. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/412 The weather is getting warmer, the flowers are blooming and everything is coming out of hibernation! It's Springtime! And is there ever a better time to throw a breezy, outdoor party? Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/410 It’s all about love! Environmental stewardship and green living start within, deep in the core of our heart and soul. Embracing green living through honoring Mother Earth begins by first embracing self-love of your mind, body and spirit. In today’s hectic, faced-paced world, we often neglect self-care practices that feed and nurture our mind, body, and spirit. Distractions, deadlines, commitments, and complications often undermine our best intentions to create a balanced life. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/409 Achoo! Achoo! Do you find yourself sneezing all day at work? Do you blame it on your allergies, or an a looming cold? But what if the real culprit is actually your working environment? Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/408 Matt Damon may not have starred in the movie Water World, (which I’m sure is something he’s happy about), but he is trying to address the world's water shortage! Matt Damon co-founded a charitable organization called Water.org with Gary White of WaterPartners. The goal of Water.org is to try and solve the global water and sanitation crisis. Nearly two billion people do not have access to clean water and toilets. And 4,000 children die every day from this solvable issue. Entertainment and Media http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/407 When was the last time you bought a brand new designer bag or the newest, most buzzed about electronic invention? How much did that cost you? $800? $1,000? MORE? Well, it’s time that you stopped spending your life’s savings on brand new items, and discovered the art of sharing, borrowing and swapping. Haven’t you heard?? It’s the hot, new trend! Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/406 The winter season in the northeast (where I hibernate) doesn’t seem to want to end. Despite the arrival of ‘Spring’ on our calendars (March 20th), temps have barely crept over the 40 degree mark and we’re still days away from tucking our long down coats into storage bins. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/405 Jessica Alba may have played Sue Storm in the Fantastic Four films, but she’s playing a superhero in real life as well…herself! Inspired by the birth of her two daughters, Alba created the Honest Company. The company which sells eco friendly, toxin-free products, such as diapers, shampoo, and cleaning products. Alba's goal is wants to help other families live an eco friendly life. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/404 Furniture shopping can be stressful, whether you’re a pro, (like me), or not! The options seem endless and that makes it even tougher. Double that if you’re aiming for eco friendly additions. Finding pieces that are fabulous, affordable AND green is the ultimate challenge of furniture shopping! Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/403 Ready to add lots of pop to your peepers? Eye liner is like the ‘little black dress’ of the face because it instantly livens it up. For example, you can make your palette look more sophisticated if you line your eyes with charcoal and other muted hues. You can look more playful if you smooth on a fantastic metallic or copper hue or you can go super sexy if you draw on black wings. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/402 On Sunday, February 17th at 12:00pm, tens of thousands of people (35,000 or 50,000, depending on who you talk to) filled the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the “Forward on Climate” rally. They traveled by bus and rail from 30 states and crashed on couches of local supporters listed on CouchSurfing.org. They marched, they worked their triceps thrusting signs into the air, they were among actresses Rosario Dawson and Evangeline Lilly. They made a lot of noise in what 350.org, The Sierra Club and the Hip-Hop Caucus said was the biggest climate rally in U.S. history, all while President Obama played golf in Florida with Tiger Woods. But what makes a rally meaningful is if the shouts echo... If the packaged slogans inspire the remaining 313,864,040 people in the U.S. to delve into the details and add their voices. Green Living http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/401 I recently left my childhood home and moved a few towns over to a much bigger and nicer house. In addition to finally enjoying the luxury of having my own bathroom, our new property sits on one and a half acres of beautiful land. Oh, and our land is home to 48, tall, oxygen-producing trees and a family of deer – which I love! General http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/400 Love is in the air, whether you’re romantically involved or not. This is the perfect time of the year to show someone special just how fabulous he or she is. If there’s a little bit of romance, all the better! Green Living