Lucky for us, our friends at Rainforest Alliance has conjured up a great green guide to gifts and activities especially designed for lovers to, well, show their love for one another. The best part? They are all eco-friendly, sustainable ways to spend it together.

This Valentine’s Day sweethearts can demonstrate their love for one another and the planet by choosing gifts and activities that protect the environment and improve the livelihoods of workers and their communities across the globe.

Surprise your love with certified blooms

Surprise your Valentine with a beautiful bouquet, but make sure it was not grown at the expense of the environment. Flowers that bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM seal were grown on farms that curb deforestation, conserve soil and water, provide habitat for wildlife and protect the rights and well-being of farm workers. You can find certified blooms at: Whole Foods Markets, Sam’s Club, Trader Joes, Costco, and online at FTD.com. 

Treat your love to ethical chocolate

Farmed on over 18 million acres of tropical land, some 40 million people depend on cocoa for their livelihoods. Make sure the chocolate you buy contains cocoa grown in a way that protects forests and helps cocoa farming communities thrive. Find a list of certified chocolate on the Rainforest Alliance’s Marketplace

Tell your love how you feel

Let your loved one know how you feel by sending a romantic e-card. They are environmentally-friendly, save paper, reduce carbon emissions and they’re inexpensive!

Enchant your love with an intimate night-in

Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner at home while saving emissions and money. When selecting the perfect bottle of wine to complement your meal, look for wineries committed to sustainability. Willamette Valley wines use cork certified by the Rainforest Alliance to meet the environmental and social standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Mediterranean cork forests provide refuge for the Iberian lynx and other endangered species, and support local farmers who sustainably harvest the cork bark without damaging the trees. End your evening with a super sweet delight — a chocolate fondue! Indulge in this decadent dessert while supporting wildlife and workers alike by buying fruit and chocolate that bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal.

Rekindle your love on a romantic get-away

Rekindle your love on a romantic get-away. Find stunning and sustainable destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean on SustainableTrip.org– a database of tourism businesses that conserve natural resources, protect plants and wildlife, and support local communities.

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The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org

But there is something really great about having a home full of fresh (and alive) plants. Even better are the ones that with beautiful flowers.

Here are our top favorites:

African Violets

African violets are gorgeous, compact, and free flowering plants that have a wide variety of flower forms and colors. It needs specific watering, high humidity and bright, indirect light to thrive.

Poinsettias

Pretty popular, and especially around the holidays, poinsettias are one of the most common plants available. Though we are most familiar with the standard red hue, other growers have introduced pink, white, and versions of the two.

Orchids

There are over 30,000 known types of orchids and thousands of hybrids, making them  the largest group of plants in the world. They come in a large variety of colors and shapes. The most common type is the moth orchid, which is known for its purplish-pink hue.

Begonia

Though begonias are often thought of as outdoor plants, they also are perfect for the indoors. Since they don’t need a lot of maintenace, they are great for those who aren’t the best with keeping care of plants. Plus, you can always easily move it outside.

Desert Cacti

You wouldn’t believe it, but desert cacti can be one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. There are many types available, and for a beautiful bloom they just need lots of sunlight.

Amaryllis

The amaryllis’ large, deeply colored flowers adorn tall stalks, and are most commonly sold as potted flowering plants or naked bulbs. Though they come in many colors, they are most commonly available in red, dark pink, light pink, and orange. At the end of its growth cycle, the bulbs can be removed from the soil and stored in a cool, dry place for six to eight weeks. They then can be replanted and brought to bloom again.

Christmas Cactus

These subtropical forest cacti have vibrant, drooping red or pink flowers on unique, paddle-like foliage, and are easy to take care of.

Hibiscus

One of the most popular tropical flowers, these are availabe in two types: single forms and double forms. Both of these are available in a wide vareity of colours. Some of them are huge (up to 12 inches in diameter), with bright, multicolored flowers. It is difficult to keep in bloom, and requires a lot of warmth, light, humidity. It can also become fussy, as they are prone to bugs.

For guests that are just stopping it, or starting off your holiday party, consider making this easy eggplant and ricotta appetizer. If you have vegan folks, there is a ricotta-free version, too, using a tofu and almond mixture.

If you need to make up a few last minute gifts, these gift ideas that come from the kitchen are a great alternative. Sea Salt Caramels, Lemon Infused Olive Oil, Vegetable Soup Mix, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pecan Raisin Cookies in a Jar, and Peanut Caramel Corn…. mmmm. And for those who just need a break? Here are some super-easy do-it-yourself body scrubs.

For gifts that do something for someone else, look for ones that benefit a charity. Maybe items have teamed up with charities or donate to specific causes. Product (RED), ShopAnthropy, GiftBack.com, GiftBack.com, Jedidiah, TOMS Shoes, and others make our list of favorite Gifts That Give Back.

If you have meatless folks at your dinner table, let them have more than just salad. These tips will help with entertaining vegans, and offer two delicious side dishes: Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cider Glazed Brussels Sprouts.

Our friends at the Rainforest Alliance came up with some ideas and tips among their certified products. When you choose products bearing the Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM seal and/or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo you’re supporting farmers, foresters and tour operators who have adopted sustainable practices that improve their local communities, protect wildlife and conserve water and soil. Check out their Green Giving Guide. And here is last year’s.

Need some dessert inspiration? Other than the traditional cookies and treats, consider an Apple and Pear Crisp, Crumb-Topped Apple Pie, or Maple Glazed Pumpkin Bread: all seasonally inspired, vegan, simple, and delicious.

Don’t worry about all of the gift wrap and wrapping paper this year. Read this to check out four great eco-friendly gift wrap alternatives to traditional wrapping paper.

Sure, gift giving can be fun, and sometimes we do want to buy a gift instead of make it or donate to a charity. If you plan on buying, here are some of our favourite green gifts under $20, including bamboo bowls, wood print art, gadget holders, and Fair Trade items.

Last year, David Suzuki compiled his top choices for gift giving. This year he launched Where Will Santa Live. Since climate change is melting the snow and ice, and the rising water is getting too close for comfort. Santa must relocate — fast — to make sure that all the nice boys and girls still have a Happy Holiday. Folks can help by buying Santa the supplies he needs to land safely in a new home. (Well, buying green gifts for friends and family to show you’re thinking about them — and the planet — this holiday season).

Want a fun activity for today or Christmas Eve? Gather your family, friends, and kids to make some natural, homemade Christmas ornaments. The eco-friendliest Christmas ornaments and decorations are usually made within your own home and the experts on creating holiday Christmas ornaments are about ages 4-10.

Raw vegans will love more than just a few side dishes. For dessert, dole out this raw vegan Apple Crisp. It’s super simple, delicious, and can be made well in advance.

If you’re completely stuck for another gift or two, here are 101+ of the best eco-friendly gift ideas. We’ve compiled a list that is sure to help you combat any last minute gift shopping woes you might have.

And here are some more health inspired green gift ideas, too.

And finally, it’s Christmas morning. But what’s for breakfast? Sure, snacking on some cookies is always good, but try this warming Maple Apple Oat Bake. Perfect alongside a cup of coffee, tea, or hot apple cider.

This recipe is great for that. It can be prepared in two different ways, each delivering delicious flavor to your friends and family, without sacrificing anything at all! Here’s how to prepare it both ways.

Your guests will love it.

Ricotta-Topped Eggplant Bites

This easy, non-vegan appetizer is simple to put together and guaranteed to impress.

Adapted from here (and image credit).

1 medium eggplant
Sea salt
Whole grain flour, for dredging
2 large eggs
3/4 cup whole grain breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons extra- virgin olive oil, divided, plus more as needed
2 large plum tomatoes, diced
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 cup good quality, organic ricotta cheese
Fresh basil, shredded, for topping

Use a sharp knife to thinly slice the eggplant into rounds. Season the rounds with sea salt. Pour some of the whole grain flour into a shallow dish. Crack the two eggs into another shallow dish, and lightly beat. In a third shallow dish, put the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Mix well. Using a single hand, dredge the eggplant in the flour. Dip it into the eggs. Press it into the breadcrumb mixture.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet set to medium heat. Working in an assembly line of dredging, breading, and frying, cook the eggplant until it is golden in color, about 2 minutes per side, adding oil when necessary.

Put the finished eggplant rounds on paper towels to drain. Season with additional salt.

Once the eggplant is finished, put the tomatoes in a medium bowl. Add an additional tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well, and add the vinegar.

To assemble, put the eggplant on a serving tray. Spoon some of the ricotta cheese onto each eggplant round. Top with the tomato mixture. Sprinkle with basil.

Vegan Eggplant Bites

A twist on the recipe above, this version will satisfy your favorite vegans without avoiding any of the delicious flavor!

1 medium eggplant
Sea salt
Whole grain flour, for dredging
6 tablespoons nondairy milk
2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
3/4 cup whole grain breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
2 tablespoons extra- virgin olive oil, divided, plus more as needed
2 large plum tomatoes, diced
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 cup almond/tofu cheese (below)
Fresh basil, shredded, for topping

Use a sharp knife to thinly slice the eggplant into rounds. Season the rounds with sea salt. Pour some of the whole grain flour into a shallow dish. Heat the nondairy milk briefly on the stovetop or in the microwave, about 30 seconds, until just warm. Add the ground flaxseed and let stand until thickened, about 5 minutes. Pour the mixture in a shallow dish. In a third shallow dish, put the breadcrumbs and nutritional yeast. Mix well. Using a single hand, dredge the eggplant in the flour. Dip it into the flax mixture. Press it into the breadcrumb mixture.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet set to medium heat. Working in an assembly line of dredging, breading, and frying, cook the eggplant until it is golden in color, about 2 minutes per side, adding oil when necessary.

Put the finished eggplant rounds on paper towels to drain. Season with additional salt.

Once the eggplant is finished, put the tomatoes in a medium bowl. Add an additional tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well, and add the vinegar.

To assemble, put the eggplant on a serving tray. Spoon some of the almond/tofu cheese onto each eggplant round. Top with the tomato mixture. Sprinkle with basil.

To make the almond/tofu cheese, put a block of well-drained, firm or extra-firm tofu in the food processor. Add about 1/3 cup almonds, a bit of lemon juice and salt. Pulse until the mixture is the texture of ricotta cheese. I like using this version better than straight up tofu – the almonds are a nice complement – though you can do it with just tofu if you’d like!

Here are our favorite – and easy! – gifts for everyone on your Christmas list.

Sea Salt Caramels

Makes 8 dozen

1 3/4 cups sugar
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon coarse sea salt
Oil

Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Oil lightly.

In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the sugar, evaporated milk and heavy cream to a boil over medium heat. Add the corn syrup and continue cooking until mixture reaches 230 degrees on a candy thermometer.

Add the butter and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 240 degrees. Remove from heat, stir in salt. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Let cool at least 1 hour.

Invert onto a cutting board covered with parchment paper. Cut the slab into 1-inch pieces with a sharp, lightly oiled knife. Wrap individual pieces in parchment paper and twist the ends to secure) Store airtight at cool room temperature or in the refrigerator. Caramels will keep up to 3 weeks.

Lemon Olive Oil

Makes 2 cups

2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
2 cups extra-virgin olive oil

In a medium saucepan, heat the zest and the olive oil over low heat until the zest begins to sizzle. Be sure it stays less than 220 degrees F. Remove the pan from the heat. When the zest stopped sizzling, cover the pan with its lid and let sit at room temperature for 48 hours. Strain oil into clean bottles.

Vegetable Soup Mix

Makes 1 jar

1/4 cup red lentils
1/4 cup split yellow peas
1/4 cup whole grain barley (not pearl)
1/3 cup beef bouillon mixture
3 tablespoons onion flakes
2 tablespoons parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup dried small pasta

In a two-cup jar, layer the ingredients in the order listed. Seal the jar.

Include these instructions:

In a large saucepan, combine 8 cups of water, a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes, and the soup mix. Add 2 chopped and peeled carrots, 4 chopped potatoes, and 2 cups chopped green cabbage. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cover. Let simmer at least one hour until the peas, lentils, and barley are tender.

When you’re planning on giving those gifts this holiday season, why not consider something a little kinder to the environment?

If you’re not sure where to begin, look no further. Our friends at the Rainforest Alliance have come up with some ideas and tips among their certified products.

Here’s what they recommend, with some additional notes from our team:

Rainforest Alliance’s Annual Green Giving Guide

This holiday season give a gift that counts. When you choose products bearing the Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM seal and/or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo — including coffee, tea, chocolate, flowers, greeting cards and furniture — you’re supporting farmers, foresters and tour operators who have adopted sustainable practices that improve their local communities, protect wildlife and conserve water and soil.

Check out our Green Giving Guide for the environmentally savvy:

For the parents:

Do your parents like to garden? If so, give them a way to tend to their greens through the chilly winter months with a SunPod mini greenhouse, made with FSC-certified wood. SunPod green houses are hand-crafted green houses that increase yields and can be used all year round. They allow you to grow your own vegetables, fruits, and flowers, and are made with sustainable materials. Their ideal growing environment shelters your plants from cool weather and winds, and their non-toxic, multi-purpose containers are suitable for any home.

For the kids:

Kids love to be creative, so they’ll definitely get into the creative spirit with an Eco Tots easel. These easels are made from FSC-certified wood. They have loads of options, including memory games, mobiles, and more!

For the tech savvy:

Is there someone on your list who loves gadgets? If so, be sure to check out the TAPE collection. This collection offers a range of stylish pouches and sleeves, all of which are made with FSC-certified cork, and designed for cell phones, e-readers, laptops and more! You can also choose your option of colorful stitching. Established in 2009, TAPE offers
sustainable, durable, functional and useful covers and sleeves to protect your personal devices.

For the pampered:

Those that need a little lovin’ will appreciate Alba Botanica skin care and hair products. Made from pure plant proteins, natural botanicals, vitamins, advanced sea enzymes and tropical fruit, nut and plant essences from the Hawaiian Islands, they not only do their job, but offer you benefits, too. The best part/ the Andiroba and Brazil nut oils are both Rainforest Alliance Certified.

For the foodie:

Those who love food will love a gift basket with gourmet treats, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, and fruit. Many products now bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, so it’s easy to hunt down what is available in your major supermarket and specialty stores. JK Adams also offers a range of cutting boards, all of which are made with FSC-certified wood. Find certified products on their website depending on your country.

For the adventurous:

Those who love a good adventure will need to head out on a trip that’s good for themselves and the planet. That’s why the Rainforest Alliance, and us at ecoki, recommend SustainableTrip.org, which features  hotels, tour operators, and other businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean that are either verified by the Rainforest Alliance, certified by third-party programs or recommended by reputable organizations. Their goal is to help travelers and tour operators choose destinations that are not only beautiful, but also benefit the communities, flora, and fauna they will be visiting. It will help you hunt down eco-friendly hotels, lodges, restaurants, and other businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean. And even better, if you choose to travel on American Airlines, British Airways, Asiana Airlines, or Al Nippon Airways, you also get complimentary Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee onboard your flight!

For the person who has everything:

We always have someone on our list who has everything (or needs nothing). This is the perfect opportunity to make a tribute gift to adopt-a-rainforest, which will support conservation projects run by Rainforest Alliance partner organizations in Latin America.

Check out more sustainable gift ideas in our articles listing over 100 eco-friendly gift ideas, health-inspired gift options, and some picks from David Suzuki.

Christmas decorations can easily be created and made from recycled materials, scrape pieces, and organic gear. Items such as cinnamon sticks, homemade gingerbread, holly, ivy and evergreen branches, pinecones, popcorn, and dried indian corn can easily store year to year, and look great, too.

An easy way to start off the decor is using items form the garden and seasonal fruit. Think of fresh, bright clementines, rosy apples, and vibrant pears. Decorate with these alongside greenery from your garden – simply twist it into wreaths and garland, make table arrangements, or add a little outdoors.

If you have a real tree, purchase the tree from a sustainable, local grower. Choose a tree that still has its roots intact so you can replant it. If that isn’t an option, see what your region or city has for a Christmas tree recycling program. Wrap the roots with hessian, and decorate it with organic, nature-inspired decorations that are both good for the environment, and budget-friendly, too. Pare these alongside storebought favorites that you’ve collected over the years for a perfect balance.

Instead of wasteful tinsel, start decorating with handmade paper chains, strings of popcorn (not buttered!), and cranberries. All will be traditional, without the glitz and glam (and mess) that tinsel delivers.

Easy decorations can be made with cardboard, cardstock, and paint. Just draw and cut out shapes from recycled materials, and use natural paints, foil, or scraps of giftwrap to cover.

To make baubles, use old tennis balls or other balls of a similar size. Wrap in colorful twine, focusing on the colors of your holiday decor, or reds, greens, golds, silvers, and white. You can also purchase inexpensive foam balls, and use material or cord to cover them.

Other Christmas ornaments can be made from just taking a look around your house! Thread spools wrapped in ribbon or recycled paper can be threaded together to create garland, or hung one by one for a single ornament. Old costume jewellry can also be painted or strung along the try. Gift cards can be revamped to turn into a simple tree decoration.

For those who are a little more crafty, you can also make origami figures out of scrap paper. Birds (which can be made from white and resemble doves) are pretty easy to do. Here is a great step-by-step for making origami cranes. Just round off the beak and the wings to make it a little more dove-like.

Bows are another easy form of decoration that can be made from nearly anything. Make simple bowls out of old material or ribbon, and check out local fabric shops for discounted (or free) scraps.

Pine cones are another easy option. It’s a fun project for the kids, too. Go pine cone gathering together, then get ready to do some crafts! Dip the pine corns in a soy, beeswax, or natural-based candle wax, or splatter them with some white paint so they appear frosted. Finish them off with a bit of glitter. When the cones are dry, tie a festive ribbon around the top.

Pipecleaner is one of those craft supplies that goes a long way. Use beads threaded onto pipe cleaner, alternating between red and white. Bend into a candy cane shape and hang directly on the tree! You can also take colourful pipe cleaners and create shapes to wrap around the Christmas tree or to hang from branches, adding beads or another items that you might find around the house.

Another fun and easy craft is using a homemade dough that you can bake and paint to make ornaments. These are perfect gifts from your kids to others. The basic salt dough includes 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 cup water. Mix together the flour and salt. Add just enough water until you have a firm dough. Knead for about 8 minutes, then roll and form into shapes and bake at 325 degrees F for up to 90 minutes, depending on thickness.

For more ideas, check out our article on Natural, Homemade Christmas Ornaments.

29. De-ice in the colder months

In the wintertime, you can use salt to de-ice the sidewalk, porch, or driveway by coating it liberally. Wait about 20 minutes, and it will start to melt the ice, making it much easier to shovel and keep it clean.

28. Use it as a cleaner

If you have stains on your kitchen or bathroom countertops that are proving difficult to remove, put some salt on the mark then scrub with a damp dishcloth. The salt acts like an abrasive to help remove stubborn or dried on stains.

27. Pest control

Have some ants that you don’t want around? The salt won’t kill them but instead just keep them at bay. Sprinkle salt in any areas where you have an overflow of ants.

26. Cleaning your pans

If you’ve accidently burned your food and it is seemingly forever burned to your pans, use salt to help clean it up. First scrape off as much of the food and burn as you can. Then, put 1/2 cup of salt and water to cover in the pan. Bring to a boil and let boil for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat, and let stand 30 minutes. Scrub with ease.

25. Soften your skin

When you take your next bath, add 1/2 cup sea salts or Epsom salt to your warm bath water. This helps smooth and moisturize the skin.

24. And smell nice, too

Take that one step further by making your own scented bath salts. Mix 1 cup Epsom salts, 1 cup baking soda, and about 4 drops of your favorite essential oil. Keep in sealed jar and scoop out a couple tablespoons into your warm bath water.

23. Or pamper your feet

Long day? Long run? Soak those tired feet in a supercharged salt bath. Mix 12 cups of warm water, 2 tablespoons salt, and 2 tablespoons baking soda.

22. Wash your vegetables

Any greens, such as collards or kale, that have a lot of dirt on them can benefit from being washed with salt. Use mildly salted water to make them easier to clean, and ridding them of any possible grit.

21. Cut the grease (on your pans)

If your pans are really greasy, rub a little salt on it first. Let sit for a few minutes, then wipe with a paper towel. Wash the pan in hot soapy water to clean it completely.

20. Cut the grease (fire)

Kitchen grease fires can be super scary. But even scarier? Dousing them with water. Instead, cover it with salt.

19. Rub it on

For a moisturizing, sloughing mixture, mix equals parts olive oil and salt. Rub liberally over your body and wash off well. Be sure you’re sitting down to do this: the olive oil might make you slip.

18. Use it for flowers (real or artificial)

For artificial flowers, fill a vase to hold them in place. For real flowers, add a couple pinches to the water to increase their lifespan.

17. Boil your water hotter

When boiling water, increase the temperature by adding a few dashes of salt to the water. This will help reduce cooking time.

16. Ban the browning

Sprinkle salt in a bowl of cold water. Add sliced apples, pears, or potatoes. The lightly salted cold water will keep them from browning.

15. Get rid of fleas

Fido have a flea issue? Salt is a natural flea repellent. Give your dog a bath in salted water if you suspect he’s overrun.

14. Gut the garlic smell

If you have the smell of garlic seeped into your fingers, rub them with a lemon that has been dipped in salt, then rinse and wash with soap. Garlic smell begone!

13. Heal a piercing

Use a mixture of 1/2 cup of warm water and 1 teaspoon sea salt (also known as a saline solution) to soak piercings to aid in healing.

12. Put it on fruit

Yes, we know it enhances the flavor of our favorite dishes, but did you know it can make fruit taste even sweeter? A common favorite: cantaloupe and other melon.

11. Banish the bubbles

Got a little soap friendly while doing the dishes? Sprinkle it with a little soap and their disappear in a jiffy.

10. Make your own toothpaste

Use equal parts baking soda and salt instead of toothpaste for a homemade version. If you like what it’s doing but hate the flavor, just add a bit of peppermint extract, then get brushing!

9. Get those stubborn stains

Wine (or even blood) can easily be cleaned with salt. If the stain is fresh, blot up as much as possible, then cover with a generous amount of salt. Leave it on the stain until it has completely dried. Vacuum then rinse with cold water.

8. Move aside, mildew.

To remove stubborn mildew, make a mixture of lemon juice and salt. Scrub away!

7. Heal a bee sting

If you’ve suddenly been stung, wet a bee sting then cover with salt.

6. Combat coffee and tea stains

If teacups or coffee cups are laced with stains, rub a mixture of salt and water on the stains, then wash with soapy water. The stains should be gone.

5. Remove rust stains

Have rust stains? Nothing that a mixture of lemon juice and salt can’t fix!

4. Say goodbye to stubborn odours

If your cutting board reeks of onions and garlic, pour a generous amount of salt on the board and rub lightly with a damp cloth. Wash in soapy, warm water. The odours will be gone.

3. Fix that sore throat

Just like mom used to say: gargle with 1/2 cup warm water and 1/4 teaspoon salt for an all-natural throat soother to kill away the germs.

2. Salt your eggplant, but not to make it salty

Eggplant can sometimes be bitter, and this can be relieved by salting. Let stand for a few minutes, and rinse before cooking.

1. Clear up that cold!

If you have a stuffed up nose, use that saline solution to keep it clear. Pour or spray a mixture of 1/4 cup warm water and 1/2 teaspoon salt up the nose, then blow it all out!

Exfoliation is an important step to bringing our winter body back to its original softness. The thing is, this easy step shouldn’t be forgotten: it kick-starts your skin’s renewal system, by removing dead skin  cells, and bringing forward  the fresher skin  underneath. Not only does this skin feel better, it looks better, too.

Because it takes a skin cell 28 days to move from the dermis, where it’s created, to emerge to the top layers of skin, where it’s naturally sloughed off, our body is constantly going through the motions of making our skin the best that it can be.

When we take a little time to exfoliate, we help out the process. Here are our favorite do-it-yourself body scrubs to keep our skin and body looking blissful.

Sugar and Spice Scrub

With the holidays around the corner, this scrub will get you in a festive mood and is perfect for gift giving, too. Sugar, the base of this scrub, is both inexpensive and a gentle exfoliator. Combine 3/4 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cloves, a pinch of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon dried rose petals, 2 teaspoons grated orange zest, and 1 1/2 cups sesame oil in a large bowl. Mix all ingredients until well combined. Using hands or a washcloth, use on damp skin twice a week, rubbing in small, circular motions. Store up to six months in a cool, dark cupboard.

Coffee Ground Scrub

Instead of composting those coffee grounds, consider using them on your body. The combination of coffee and peppermint is perfect for waking you up in the morning, and the sugar crystals exfoliate deeply and smoothly. And the olive oil? It’s the perfect match for keeping you smooth.

Just mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup raw sugar, and about 15 drops of peppermint essential oil. Stir in 1/2 cup coffee grounds from a freshly brewed pot of coffee. Apply handfuls of the coffee scrub to your wet skin, rubbing in circular motions. Follow with washing with your soap or body wash. The scrub will keep for one to two weeks, longer if refrigerated.

Olive Oil and Honey Scrub

A simple scrub that uses honey and olive oil, this scrub is easy to put together and just requires a few ingredients. Even more, honey is a natural form of a humectant, meaning that it draws water into the skin. The addition of sugar buffs away dead skin cells, and the olive oil thoroughly moisturizes. It all comes together with a hint of orange. Just add 1 teaspoon honey to 1/4 cup light olive oil. Add 1 cup of sugar. Mix well. Stir in 2 teaspoons of fresh orange zest. Mix well. Store in a jar for up to six months in a cool, dark cupboard.

Simple Epsom Salts

Epsom salts are cleansing and calming, and this simple scrub is fresh and enlightening. Just combine 3/4 cup Epsom salts, 1/4 cup baking soda, 4 drops of grapefruit essential oil, and enough walnut or almond oil to make a paste. Using gentle scrubbing motion, apply the mixture to your body. Rinse in a warm shower.

However, it is also time for homeowners to prepare for that rush of trick-or-treaters, begging for goodies and laughing and having fun at your decorated home. As well, it’s also the time where we start to look for creepy costumers, whether they are for our kids or ourselves.

Halloween, unfortunately, can be loaded with waste, and approaching it sustainably is a great way to start. Luckily, our friends at the Rainforest Alliance have delivered up their five top tips to helping you have the most sustainable and spooky holiday.

1)      Choose Rainforest Alliance Certified™ chocolate for Halloween treats. Farmed on over 18 million acres of tropical land, cocoa supports some five million farm families. Unfortunately, many of these cocoa farmers live in poverty and cut forests to open up fields and grow cocoa more intensively. To help support healthy farmlands, forests and wildlife habitat — as well as the well-being of farm workers and their communities — look for chocolate that features the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal! Find certified chocolate here.

2)      Make demonic decorations from Rainforest Alliance/Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and cardboard. FSC certified wood products come from well-managed forests that protect wildlife habitat as well as the rights and well-being of forest workers. You can find FSC certified products at Staples, Office Depot and Home Depot. Find a full list of FSC products here.

3)      Teach your kids where their favorite chocolate treats come from and how they impact people, wildlife and the planet. Visit the Rainforest Alliance’s Kids’ Corner! Play the online game Track it Back to learn where the cocoa in chocolate is grown and how it is harvested! Also visit our virtual rainforest, “Living in the Chocó Forests of Ecuador: The Chachi Cocoa Farmers.” (Brush up on your own knowledge about cocoa farming here.)

4)      Ensure your little trick-or-treaters collect candy using reusable bags. Even better, use Rainforest Alliance reusable bags — your gift with a $50 donation — and they can promote our conservation work at every house they haunt!

5)      Make terrifyingly tasty treats with Rainforest Alliance Certified chocolate, bananas and coffee. Check out our list of “Haunted Halloween Recipes” and find out where you can find ingredients from certified farms.

Stay tuned for Part II of Having a Green Hallowe’en! If there is anything you’d like us to cover, comment below!

Take our 12 question quiz to see if you’re as green as you think.

1. You just got off work and you decide to grab dinner from the grocery store on your way home. You:
a) grab your reusable grocery totes – you never use anything else.
b) Get to the checkout and realize, nope, they’re probably in the car. Oh, well. 5 cents a bag it is!
c) Look at the reusable totes for purchase and think, “hmm… I should probably get some of those.”

2. Your parched and head to the local corner store when you’re out for a walk. You buy yourself a bottle of a beverage of choice. After you drink it, you look around and all you see is a garbage bin. You:
a) Keep walking til you find a recycling bin.
b) Toss it… but feel guilty.
c) Toss it. You’d maybe recycle at home but right now it isn’t worth the hassle.

3. The phrase “climate change” makes you:
a) Lose sleep.
b) Bother you a bit, but not over the top.
c) Roll your eyes. Haven’t we heard enough of it already?

4. What best describes you?
a) You’re completely in tune with what is going on with the environment.
b) You’ve heard some stuff on the news, but don’t really have an opinion.
c) What? Something is happening to our environment?

5. To get around town, you:
a) Walk, bike, take public transport or, if needed, drive your hybrid or electric vehicle
b) Bike, take public transport or, quite often, just jump in your gas-guzzling car.
c) Drive your car/van/truck always.

6. When you go and buy paper for your printer, you:
a) Most often choose 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper.
b) Look for recycled if it is on sale or the same price.
c) Buy the first thing you see, hopefully on sale, and you don’t really care what it is.

7. When you get your morning joe at the local cafe, you:
a) Bring your reusable coffee thermos and choose organic and fair-trade coffee.
b) Buy organic or fair-trade… or whatever they have.
c) Get a fancy drink… double cupped, please.

8. When you clean your home, you:
a) Look for safe, nontoxic cleaners, or make them yourself.
b) Try some of the green brands, but you usually opt for the traditional ones, convinced they work btter.
c) Stick to bleach, ammonia, and anything that “gets it really clean”.

9. When shopping for produce, you:
a) Go to the local market, or join a CSA.
b) Buy organic at the local grocery store, but only if it is on sale.
c) Just buy whatever is available at the store.

10. You get loads of junk mail in your mailbox, day in and day out. You:
a) Register with the DMA to get your name removed from the list.
b) Recycle it.
c) Throw it away.

11. When it comes to living green and spreading awareness, you are:
a) The only to always be educating and talking to your friends and families about living sustainably.
b) Sure it makes sense… and do what you can to take eco-friendly steps.
c) Not sure you know what to do. But you hang your clothes to dry and try not to stress out about the Earth.

12. When shopping, you are more likely to buy from companies that:
a) Are committed to keeping it organic, using sound environmental practices, and are 100% sustainable.
b) Offer natural or organic options, but you don’t really stress about it.
c) Sell what you need, eco-friendly or not.

That’s it!

Let’s tally our scores.

Give yourself three points for each time you answered A, two points for each time you answered B, and one point for each time you answered C. Add them to get your total to see your final score.

Green Machine: 30 to 36 points

Awesome! You’re the highest, and greenest that they come! You definitely are passionate about staying eco-friendly, and work hard to put these values into action.

Getting Pretty Green: 20 to 29 points

You’re definitely thinking in terms of green but need to take a few more steps. Consider measuring your foot print, filling in the gaps, and opting for organic and local when possible. Get your friends and families involved to keep you motivated.

Somewhat Sustainable: 12 to 19 points

You’ve probably made a few choices but you need to get on the right track. The environment is a big concern and we can help make an impact! Start by taking the right steps to get you in the greener direction.

The Rainforest Alliance takes the time to dedicate their work to conserve biodiversity. They also ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.

Some of their ongoing projects include:

Keeping Forests Standing

Because forests are disappearing, wildlife habitats are destroyed, species are becoming extinct, soils are eroded, water is unsafe and climate change is in overdrive. For more than twenty years, the Rainforest Alliance has worked to stop deforestation by developing innovative and sustainable alternatives to forest destruction. Through certification and verification, they give forest managers, farmers and tourism entrepreneurs tools to manage their land in a sustainable way. They also help build communities in these areas. Read more here.

Curbing Climate Change

We know climate change is a huge issue, and although some is the result of natural processes, the biggest impact is caused by human activities: in this case, greenhouse gas emissions. The Rainforest Alliance’s programs help alleviate this. On Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms, farmers cannot deforest, must maintain healthy soils, protect native ecosystems and decrease their use of energy, water and agrochemicals. Read more here.

Protecting Wildlife

As forests are cleared and degraded, the two-thirds or so of the world’s plants and animals that depend on these ecosystems become threatened. In this case, preventing deforestation is key. Read more here.

Alleviating Poverty

According to the Rainforest Alliance, about 1.4 billion people around the world live on less than $1.25 a day. Because of this, they have to resort to clearing land for subsistence agriculture, cut down trees for firewood and sell illegal timber on the black market. To help, the Rainforest Alliances works with farmers and forest managers to provide them with the tools and know-how to manage their natural resources, reach new markets, and earn extra money. With this, they can develop a more secure future. Read more here.

Transforming Business Practices

For long-term success, businesses must ensure they have responsibly sourced resources and keep their employees healthy, happy and productive. To help, the Rainforest Alliance ensures that farms and forestry operations that they certify give workers decent wages, good housing and healthcare, and that the workers’ children have access to education. Read more here.

This is just the beginning.

So now that it is Rainforest Alliance Week, we want to make sure that you tune in to their tips on sustainability.

To let consumers know how they can support healthy farms and forestlands, the Rainforest Alliance is launching a week-long social media campaign, September 19 through 23, and we at ecoki want you to get involved! All you have to do is take up our offers on moving toward a more sustainable lifestyle.

Here are three simple ways consumers can get involved from the Rainforest Alliance.

1) Follow the Frog

You have the power to support a healthier planet. Learn why your consumer choices matter – watch the “Follow the Frog” video then share it with family and friends! Follow @RnfrstAlliance on Twitter and “like” the Rainforest Alliance on Facebook to get the latest environmental news and tips for a sustainable life. [Also check out their special #frogstory on Twitter!]

Why this matters: Agriculture and livestock are responsible for 70 percent of global deforestation. By choosing products that bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM seal, you’re supporting farms and forestlands that curb deforestation and provide habitat for wildlife, while protecting the rights and well being of workers and their communities.

2) Shop the Frog

When shopping, look for the Rainforest Alliance’s little green frog on everyday items like coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit, flowers, paper and furniture. And when planning a vacation, use SustainableTrip.org to find hotels, lodges and tour operators in Latin America and the Caribbean that are good neighbors to the community and the environment.

Why this matters: The Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal and the Rainforest Alliance Verified™ mark are your assurance that goods and services were produced according to strict standards for environmental, social and economic sustainability. When you choose goods stamped with the little green frog seal, you’re rewarding communities for their commitments to sustainability and investing in their futures.

3) Spread the Word

Tell your friends and family how easy it is to support a sustainable future! Share the “Follow the Frog” video with friends, look for the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal in stores, post photos of your favorite seal-bearing products on the Rainforest Alliance Facebook page, write your own blog about why you choose certified… Get creative!

Why this matters: Small actions lead to big change. If everyone takes just one small step to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, we can collectively make a huge impact, protecting our planet’s precious resources for generations to come.

The end of summer is here–although, weather-wise, you’d never know, and we’re thinking about school full-fledged ahead.

Unfortunately, school can also be pretty treacherous on the environment. Think of the emissions from idling cars, waiting for kids to be picked up from school. Or, in fact, driving kids to school in general–surely there is a better solution?

And what about the waste for each snack and lunch we pack. What are we packing them in? Are we keeping the environment in mind with each thing we wrap in disposable, or nonrecyclable options?

And the supplies… well, we talked about PVC finding its way into school supplies in depth last week. Make sure you download the guide to keep the items they use PVC-free.

Luckily for us–and you!–our friends at the Rainforest Appliance put together an awesome list of tips to prepare families for the upcoming school year. With sustainability in mind, they’ve come up with five green tips that support the environment and help to cut costs.

1) Greener Lunch

• Pack your child’s lunch in reusable containers and use reusable water bottles. In doing so, you can help reduce the huge amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
• Ask your kids’ school to source sustainable foods for cafeteria lunches, including locally grown or Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM produce.
• Pack fruit as a healthy alternative to chips, and you also save on the wasteful packaging!
• If your school has a garden, consider collecting organic material in a compost bin in the cafeteria and creating fertilizer from lunchtime waste.

2) Greener Transport

• Have your kids walk or ride their bikes to school if possible. Not only does this help reduce carbon emissions, but it is also good exercise.
• If you live too far from the school to make walking or bike riding an option, have your kids catch the school bus as opposed to driving them.
• If you have to drive, arrange a carpool with other parents. Not only will this help reduce emissions, but it will also help minimize your gas costs.

3) Greener Waste

• Remind your children to use both sides of the page when they’re writing or printing.
• Choose recycled and/or Forest Stewardship Council / Rainforest Alliance Certified paper.
• Don’t forget to recycle your own paper waste. Make sure your kids’ school recycles, too.

4) Greener Supplies

• Save money and trees by purchasing textbooks second-hand.
• Don’t throw away old text books — sell or donate them instead!
• Try to use school supplies from last year; your kids don’t need new supplies every year!
• Use refillable pens and pencils.

5) Greener Education

• For fun and educational games, activities, stories and forest facts, check out the “Kids’ Corner” on the Rainforest Alliance website.
• If your kids love the rainforest, treat them with Rainforest Survival Challenge, a fun and educational iPad app.
• Tell you kids’ teachers about the Rainforest Alliance’s free school curriculum for K-8^th grade, designed to help students understand how our lives are connected to forests around the world.

Need some other ideas? Check out our other Back to School articles!

• Top 6 Greener, Vegan School Lunches
• Apple Offers Recycling Program to Schools
• PVC-Free School Supplies
• To-Go Ware review
• 7 Ways to a Green Lunchbox

Image source

Some of their replies were typical, some were clever, and some were… Interesting. Read on to take some tips from a group of grade two students. (With a little editing and a few added thoughts and ideas).
“One way to save the environmental is if you don’t finish your water, instead of dumping it down the drain, you can use it for the plants.”

“Another way to save the environment is instead of using tap water to water your plants, just go outside (when it’s raining), and use the water that you got from the rain to water the plants.” [Use a bucket to create this conscious collection.]

“Instead of turning on the air conditioning, just open the windows.” [Obvious, perhaps, but for many, an afterthought.]

“I am making a car powered by numbers! I need to do a little bit of science. Also my sister thought of a flying car. Our dad is going to help us, though.” [You never know.]

“I help the environment by pitching my pet’s shavings in the compost.”

“I help the environment by turning off the water for my dad.” [Brushing his teeth? Watering the lawn? Either way, water conservation is a key aspect we often bypass].

“I don’t pollute the earth by riding my bike to places.” [We can revisit this when he is 16, but having a young understanding of the importance of using a bike over a gas-guzzling car is a great way to start]

“I use both sides of the paper.” [His teacher laughed, asking his to apply this to his journal.]

“I help save the environment by using newspapers to clean our windows. I also share and donate my toys.” [Newspapers offer a streak-free shine and don't leave annoying lint particles on the window.]

“After I carve my pumpkin for Hallowe’en, I take all the gunk stuff out of my pumpkin and I put it in the garden.” [Conscious composting!]

“Hand wash your laundry and dry it outside.” [Check to see regulations regarding outdoor clothes hangers in your region.]

“Instead of throwing out juice boxes, I make crafts.” [Many items can be used for crafts. Give them a second thought before you toss 'em].

“I play with my sister instead of watching TV.”

“Tell someone if you see someone dumping trash because that is polluting.” [Try starting a community or neighbourhood watch.]

“We save and collect gift bags to make crafts or give gifts back.”

“If you are making art and there are leftovers use the leftovers for another piece of art.”

“If you are eating dinner and you didn’t eat something, save it for the next day.” [Or double the recipe anyway, using less energy because you're only making it once, and you have a built in lunch to pack for school or work]

“Instead of using night lights, you could use a candle.” [When you aren't sleeping].

“When I was little I asked my mom if I could have a swimming pool. She said no. So when it rained I was happy because I went outside and played and that was my swimming pool.” [Kids are easy to please with homemade alternatives. Check out our green birthday ideas, too].

“Cut open old tennis balls and attach on the bottom of desk chairs so they don’t scrape along the floor.” [Used in all their classrooms, this reduces noise, and keeps the floor looking a little better, longer.]

“Use empty water bottles to store beads and other craft stuff.” [Another option? Fill it with potpourri and put in the corner beside your hamper]

“Eat from our local farmers.” [Many piped in with stories of their friend's/grandparent's/neighbours farms and the bounty they get from it. How lucky we are, how little we realize.]

“My mom takes all of our leftover bones and scraps and puts it all in water and makes a soup broth and then freezes it so we always have broth. You can use anyway that you have.” [To make it meat-less, just fill up on a plethora of veggies, and ditch the bones.]

“Eat raw veggies instead of cooking them.” [You can still make them interesting, by tossing them with vinaigrette, or enjoying vegetables and dips like hummus and guacamole]

Image courtesy of Wendy at picasaweb

The Christmas Tree

If you opt for real holiday trees, remove all decorations and its stand, and put it outside on collection day. Don’t use a tree bag. They’ll pick it up with the rest of your organic waste.

The Old Computer

If your old computer is completely lifeless, call a local computer repair shop to see if they want it for parts or can repair it. If it does work and you just don’t need it, delete everyone important and donate it to a local charity, school, or organization. To recycle ink cartridges, Hewlett Packard will take them. They convert the material of the recycled cartridges into raw materials for everyday products.

The Used Batteries

Once your non-rechargeable, one-time-use batteries juiceless, they actually become household hazardous waste. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) works alongside Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada, Environment Canada, and every provincial and territorial environment ministry, launching a national Canadian Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd)  battery recycling program called “Charge Up to Recycle!” You can drop off your batteries at many retailers, including Bell Mobility, Blacks Photography, Canadian Tire, Fido, Futureshop, Home Depot, Telus Mobility, Best Buy, and Target, among others. Because these batteries won’t end up in the landfill, it’s better for our environment and the recycled remnants are used to manufacture new  Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries.

The Cell Phone

Old cell phones that we know longer need pollute our waterways with flame retardants, lead, mercury, cadmium, gallium arsenide and other toxic materials. Sounds great, right? Even if your phone no longer works, Collective Good International will use it for parts and recycle what it can. This organization donates to international charities.

The Empty Paint Cans (Spray Paint, too)

You might not know, but paint and aerosol cans can be recycled with glass, metal, and cartons. Just remove the lid first and recycle as per normal.

The Craft Supplies

Sure we can recycle popsicle sticks, shoe boxes, and toilet paper rolls, but where is the fun in that? Instead, repurpose them to a teacher or daycare–and the kids will thank you!

The Empty Pie Plate

Aluminum packaging, such as those found in pie plates, wrappers, and disposable trays, can be recycled along with metals, glass, and milk cartons and Batteries.

The Old Glasses

If you have prescription lenses that you don’t need any more, did you know you can donate them? Most glasses places, such as LensCrafters, will repair and clean your glasses, then send them to international missions for people in developing countries. Lions Club International will also do away with the old lenses. Read more about it here, too.. Single stream recycling equipment

Here are our top tips for staying cool indoors when the weather gets a little too warm. *Other than of course, jumping in the pool).

Keep the windows and door closed

So it’s cool inside (thanks to the AC) and way too hot outside, but what happens when you open the door to step out for a few moments? Instant indoor heatwave. Heat is attracted to cold and will continue that way until it is the same temperature. Your best bet? Keep those doors and windows closed.

Move on down

As you probably know, hot air rises. That means, the upstairs of your house is going to be warmer than the bottom floor or basement. When you put on the AC, warm air still leaks through cracks, pipes and gaps. The result? It gets a heck of a lot warmer upstairs, because the air move up… and fast.

Do some air sealing and insulation

In order to be sure that the barrier is beaten, leaving the warm air out of the house, get yourself some air sealing and insulation. Insulation prevents heat leaking through the walls and ceilings, and air sealing prevents heat coming through air movement. By improving insulation and air sealing, it will keep you a lot cooler. Start at the top by sealing the ceiling under the attic, then move toward the garage as the next step.

If you have central air conditioning, air can still leak through a network of supply and return ducts, through the fittings, seams and joints in the ductwork. This air ends up in the basement, walls,  floors and other wasted places.

Get a shady exterior

Use large, shady trees on the outside, along with awnings to keep the heat from reaching the house. You can also use window coverings inside. Shading windows keeps your house cool and energy costs low.

Customize the thermostat

By upgrading to a programmable thermostat, you can program automatic temperature settings to suit your needs. Even better, you don’t have to think about it when you leave for work in the morning, or if you’re going away for a few days. You can also take advantage of “fan only” option, which uses some of the cool basement air and circulates it within the house.

Maintain your AC

Keep your  filters clean, which can improve the system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent. Replace them as needed, checking every three months or so.

Use those ceiling fans

But have you ever taken a moment to see how much you really spent, and how much you could have really saved?

Here are our top six budget grocery shopping tips that’ll keep the spending at bay and still scoring all the same swag.

Buy in bulk

Some items, such as herbs, spices, flours, and baking ingredients, are great to buy in bulk. You don’t want to load up on a year’s supply (spices, for example, can lose their potency), but it is far cheaper than purchasing them in the jar each time.

Bulk shopping doesn’t necessarily mean digging into those bins, too. Visit wholesale stores such as Costco and buy bigger packages of must-haves. It is easier to overspend at these locations, so buyer beware. But if it is food items that you eat all the time, go home, separate them, and freeze them… and you’re good to go for awhile.

Support local goodness

Stepping away from the large grocery chains takes away the temptation of extra items you might not need. Local and smaller grocery stores, delis, and shops carry the essentials, without extra mish-mash that aren’t necessary. Even better? Hit the market for all of your produce, getting what you need right in season.

Start clipping coupons

Get out those scissors and fire up that printer, then store the coupons inside an envelope for your weekly purchases. Sure, 25 cents might not seem like a lot, but clipping $2 worth each time can deliver a savings of over $100 each year.

Read the flyers

If there is more than one store in your area, check out which ones have the best deals. Certain chains have amazing sales, such as scoring certain items for a dollar. It might be a good time, too, to stock up on certain things, like dish soap.

Make it from scratch

Some items cost a lot less than to buy out of a can, jar, or in the frozen food section. Frozen kale, for example, is about $5 for a small bag, and you can get a whole bunch for usually about $2. Other items, such as tomato sauce, cost an arm and a leg to buy ($3 to $6 for your average jar!). But instead, pick up a 79 cent can of tomatoes, some dried herbs, and a scoop of tomato paste.

Plan it out

Write your grocery list in order as it goes around the store. And, even better, make sure you make that grocery list. This will, then, not allow for frivolous buying, and instead, you’ll stick to exactly what you need.  When you’re shopping, stick to the edges of the of the store. That way, you’ll skip all the packaged items… most of which are way overpriced.

But I only have three things on my mind: fireworks, food, and family and friends.

So how are you enjoying your long weekend?

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Perhaps you need some weekend recipes to get you started? Read more here for some homemade guacamole, corn chips, stuffed zucchini, and marinade ideas.

While you’re at it, check out our twist on a classic broccoli salad as a great side dish.

And you can never saw no to grilled corn on the cob. Have you never had it? Trust me… those sweet, juicy kernels with a hint of that delicious char.. You’ll never boil those babies again.

Spend the time with family and friends going on a leisurely bike ride. If you don’t have one already, here’s a short guide to buying the perfect bike… and take the weekend to relax and peruse the local shops for what they have to offer.

If you have nothing planned, take some time to do some yard work. That might include tending to your garden, looking after your lawn, or getting that clothes line ready for eco-friendly laundry.

Hopefully, no matter what you do, the weather complies, and you can spend it outside, relishing in nature’s own vitamin D.

I can’t understand why you wouldn’t want to end it with some ice cream. Sure, these ice creams are vegan, but they’ll be the best you’ve ever had. Really.

Need some more? Here are some other tips from July 4th, 2010.

Baking Soda

We love baking soda, and not just to make some awesome banana bread, or to use as a deodorant or toothpaste. To use as a great bathroom cleaner, mix one cup with a teaspoon of liquid soap, and a bit of water. Make a paste, and add essential oils if you want it to smell pretty, too.

Milk

Milk isn’t just for drinking. Mix it with white vinegar, then let any clothing that has been exposed to an ink stain sit in a bowl on the mixture. Let it soak, then wash as per normal. The ink stain will be gone!

Club Soda

This fizzy liquid isn’t just for drinking either. It is also effective in removing stains. Like a bubbling detergent, the same effect in club soda lifts stains from mugs, clothing, and silver.

Glass Bottles

Purchase a few glass bottles to house bulk items such as liquid soap and other cleaners. It will also look more attractive than a large plastic bottle on top of your counter.

Fresh Vegetables

We’ve talked about how a vegetarian diet can help the environment, and lessen the effects of global warming. Meat and dairy cause more carbon emissions than our cars do, so reducing them in our diet is a step forward for our planet.

Lemons

Use its juice for dissolving soap scum and hard water deposits, to clean and shine brass and copper and as a natural bleach. You can also cut a lemon in half, sprinkle baking soda and use it as a scrub for dishes.

Bamboo Washcloths

Wash cloths made from bamboo give you the softest possible way to pamper your skin. They have a natural high absorbency factor (up to 400% more than cotton), as well as natural antibacterial properties to make them non-irritating and hypoallergenic.

Olive Oil

Need a quick furniture polish? Use amixture of 1 cup olive oil with 1/2 cup lemon juice. Done and done.

Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs

An obvious solution, these bulbs use a third of the energy than incandescent versions, which help the environment and your wallet, too.