Celebrate Arbor Day 2011

Arbor Day 2011 is held on April 29th this year. Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.  Arbor Day began in 1872, prompted by the lack of trees in Nebraska. A pioneer named J. Sterling Morton proposed a tree-planting holiday named Arbor Day. It is estimated that one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Due to J. Sterling Morton’s initial efforts, this day is now celebrated nationwide and in many other countries as well.

Why are trees such an important part of our lives that they deserve a national celebrated day of their own? For many reasons!  Trees improve our environment by increasing air and water quality, conserving energy, helping to control storm water and sequestering carbon. Trees increase property values, create wildlife habitat, and add beauty to any landscape. Arbor Day is a day to celebrate the importance of trees in our lives!

How can you celebrate Arbor Day? How about something that’s simple, inexpensive and good for all? By becoming a member of the Arbor Day Foundation and pledging as little as $10 you will be gifted with 10 trees that grow well in your vicinity http://www.arborday.org/shopping/memberships/memberships.cfm. Or, if you wish, you can also choose to have the trees sent to someone else. Another great option is to have the Arbor Day Foundation plant 10 trees in your honor in a forest in need. Our nation’s forests provide wood, habitat, clean air, and drinking water for millions of us. Your honorary trees will help preserve these precious resources for this and future generations.

You can also send FREE e-cards to your friends and family for Arbor Day. Check out all the different card options at http://www.arborday.org/cards/index.cfm.

Or if you don't have a green thumb, get your family out and enjoy the outdoors to celebrate Arbor Day! Go for a hike, bike ride, or even a picnic outdoors! Fresh air and exercise do a body good!

Happy Arbor Day!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 4:35 PM 0 comments

Easy Natural Easter Egg Dyeing

As Easter Sunday is fast approaching it's time agin to dye Easter eggs! This year why not skip the pre-packaged dyes and make your own natural dyes! The prep time for making your own egg dye takes a little extra time but the results are so beautiful and a lot more natural not to mention much safer for you and your family to eat! And the best part is you probably already have most of the supplies in your pantry!

Follow these directions to prepare your dye in four beautiful natural colors!

PINK

1 15-ounce jar beets

1 cup water

1 teaspoon vinegar

Bring beets and water to boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour through a colander into a bowl to retain the liquid. Cook, then stir in vinegar. 

YELLOW

1 tablespoon turmeric or curry powder

2 cups water

Bring spice and water to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Cool.

GREEN

1 cup water

3 chlorophyll capsules (available at vitamin or health food stores)

Bring water to a boil, the remove from heat. Open up the capsules and stir the contents into the water. Cool 

BLUE

2 cups frozen blueberries

2 cups water

1 teaspoon vinegar

Bring blueberries and water to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour through a colander into a to retain the liquid. Cool, then stir in vinegar. 

It will take about 5 to 15 minutes depending on how deep you want the colors for the dye to set. Remember you can wrap eggs with rubber bands or decorate them with stickers and peel them off after dyeing to leave beautiful white designs behind. 

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 5:43 PM 1 comments

Earth Day 2011

Earth Day is this Friday April 22nd! What are you doing to celebrate?

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 and has been celebrated every year since. Earth day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, after years of being frustrated that the environment was a "non-issue" in politics. 20 million people took to the streets that first day, vastly exceeding even the most optimistic expectations. Republicans, Democrats, school children, college students, labor unions, housewives, doctors, religious leaders, bankers, retirees, farmers and everyone in between participated in thousands of local marches, rallies, parades, protests and other events. The first Earth Day was deemed a blazing success. The event was front-page news almost everywhere, and coverage was overwhelmingly positive. The event cemented in people's minds the importance of environmental issues as a community concern and an international political priority. Earth Day has since expanded to reach almost every country on earth, attracting around a billion participants per year!

So what can you do to participate in Earth Day 2011? Earth Day events are being held throughout the world and range from large scale actions such as the San Francisco Earth Day Festival to small scale events organized by community members -information on local events can be found at: http://act.earthday.org/events/. In addition to the Earth Day events being held around the globe, people who are eager to participate can pledge "an act of green" as part of Earth Day's "A Billion Acts of Green" campaign. Pledges range from donating money to simply picking up trash or using re-usable shopping bags - for more information on the campaign visit http://act.earthday.org/ .

To help get you in the Earth Day spirit here are a few freebies for you to enjoy this year on Earth Day. 

• Origins is offering a FREE Full Size Cleanser on Earth Day when you fill out this form and take in your current cleanser container empty or full to trade for the Origins full size Checks and Balances or A Perfect World (Value $18!!)
• Don’t Forget the Starbucks FREE Coffee or Tea offer!! Bring in a travel cup at Starbucks and receive a free coffee or tea.
• Disney Store is offering a free Reusable shopping bag! When you bring in 5 plastic grocery bags to recycle with them. Limit (1) bag per guest while supplies last. In store only.
• Saturday April 23rd Lowe's is giving away a million trees, visit your local Lowe's to get one!
• National Parks Week! April 16-24, 2011. Get out and discover something new about your 394 national parks. This year’s focus, Healthy Parks, Healthy People, highlights the connection between human and environmental health and the vital role America’s national parks play in both. Whether your prefer a 20-mile backcountry hike in Yosemite or a leisurely stroll around Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, moving outside is good for you and offers a chance to explore. During National Parks Week entrance to all parks is FREE!  So get out there and get to know your National Parks!

Happy Earth Day!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 5:15 PM 0 comments