The Green Resolution!
Posted by Sprouts Staff
This year many of our friends, family, and colleagues New Year’s resolutions sound something like this: I’m going to exercise more, eat healthier, make more time to volunteer, and be more organized. It’s the standard promises made to make the coming year better for ourselves. Yet, there is one resolution missing in these goals we strive for: the green resolution, the resolution to better our environment and planet.
Some people think going green is going to terribly disrupt what they are used to or that it’s too hard to go green and recycling is enough. For these people, baby steps are the best way to start the green change over. If you are this person, then this coming New Year resolve to change one thing in your life to make your existence a little greener. Maybe you change to more energy efficient light bulbs or use more environmentally friendly household cleaners. Maybe you could carpool to work or replace a broken appliance with ones that are more energy efficient. If everyone does something small in the effort to go green the impact on the planet will be huge.
For those of you who already have incorporated green living in your daily routine, see if you can assist the people in your life with their transition into a greener lifestyle. Sometimes our friends just need that extra push or someone to talk to about greening their lives. See if you can inspire others to become as passionate about the environment and planet as you are.
Let’s make a resolution to not just better ourselves, but better our environment, better our planet and make the green resolution!
Below are more suggestions on how to live a greener life and commit to the green resolution.
1. Recycle: Most cities offer recycling bins and it is one of the easiest ways to live greener.
2. Send plantable greeting cards versus ones that can be thrown away.
3. Buy locally grown produce at farmers markets in your community.
4. Start a garden that will attract honey bees and other pollinators.
5. Create a compost pile to fertilize your yard and garden.
6. Donate unused or reusable goods to local thrift stores or collection agencies.
7. Replace old or broken appliances with energy efficient ones.
8. Invest in low flow toilets and showerheads.
9. Walk or ride a bike to nearby places instead of driving.
10. Keep reusable canvas bags in your car for when you go shopping.
11. Use less water by only doing full loads of laundry, taking shorter showers, and turning off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth
12. Replace you’re A/C air filter once a month.
13. Unplug electronic appliances when not in use or attached them to a power strip and turn the power strip off.
14. Switch to energy efficient lighting by using compact florescent light bulbs or LED light bulbs
15. Use recycled paper products.
16. Buy green non-toxic cleaners for your house, clothes, and car.
17. Plant a tree.
18. Adopt green friendly products as part of your normal purchasing routine.
19. Purchase a reusable water bottle versus buying one time use bottles of water.
20. Learn about local, regional, and national environmental issues and participate through volunteer efforts and raising awareness
Click here to send Sprouts Plantable Greeting Card to remind your family, friends, and colleagues to make a green resolution for the 2010 New Year.
We’re Getting Crafty this Holiday Season!
Posted by Sprouts Staff
The holiday season is upon us and most of us will be decorating our homes in celebration. Yet, for the eco-conscious individual this time of year can pose a bit of a problem. We want to fill our homes with cheery decor for the holidays, but we need to make sure our purchases are environmentally sound. Not all seasonal decorations are made environmentally friendly and then we have the problem of storage. We should be adorning our homes with reusable decorations, but with a lack of storage that isn’t always a feasible solution. The simple answer is having one time use homemade decorations made from recyclable materials. There are many different home holiday craft projects that can be found on the internet, but one of our favorites is creating a Wintery Holiday Wreath.
To create your own Wintery Holiday Wreath you will need:
Many (25 to 45) sticks no more than a 1/2 inch thick and 12 inches long
Twine or String
Scissors
Sprouts Plantable Craft Paper
First you will have to gather up some sticks and twigs. The best place to find good sticks (if you don’t have a lot of trees near your home) is to go to a local park. You want the sticks to have various textures and lengths. Try to find ones that are no bigger than half an inch around and no longer than a foot. Also, inspect them for bugs and other critters so you don’t bring something in your home you don’t want there.
Place the sticks in several small bunches then tie them together. Then take each bunch and tie them end to end bending them slightly to form a circle. Use any left over sticks to slide and wedge in areas that look a little barren.
Now that you have the circle for the wreath, you need to make the leaves to decorate it with. Trace out leaf shapes onto the paper (or you can use our template below to print on the paper). Cutout the leaf shapes (or if you want snowflake shapes) and wedge the cutouts in between the sticks. The amount of cutouts you will need will vary depending on the size of your wreath.
Use the twine/string to create a loop you can use to hang your wreath.
At the end of the holiday season the twigs and sticks can be broken down and used for composting along with the twine. The leaves (constructed from the Sprouts Plantable Craft Paper) can be planted and will turn into wildflowers!
To purchase Sprouts Plantable Paper please click on the link: http://www.sproutem.com/category/Craft-Paper-and-Stock
Good Time Had By All at the Taste of the Palm Beaches
Posted by Sprouts Staff
Over 1,000 people thronged to the 6th Annual Taste of the Palm Beaches in The Gardens’ fashionable PGA Commons shopping district on November 11 as patrons enjoyed delicious samplings from dozens of the area’s top chefs and spirits distributors. The festive event also featured live music, ice carving, bartendering contests and much more. The sumptuous feast’s grand finale was found at Gilded Spa and Salon’s Chocolate Chamber and Bubble Lounge, where an array of mouthwatering desserts and sparkling champagnes awaited discriminating palates.
- Sharon Quercioli, Glenn Swift and Tim Byrd “The Byrdman” with his wife Donna Byrd
Many local supporters turned out for the event including Sprouts owner Sharon Quercioli and 24Seven Digital Media Editor in Chief Glenn Swift, who enjoyed the momentous occasion sampling various international cuisine and fine spirits while sharing the evening with friends. Adding a touch of flair to the event were some local celebrities, including well-known broadcast journalist Tim Byrd “The Byrdman.” Overall, it was a spectacular and most successful evening.
- Olimpia Zuccarelli, Glenn Swift and Sharon Quercioli
Also enjoying the good times was Zuccarelli’s PBG owner, Olimpia Zuccarelli, who recently added a first-class pizzeria to her highly respected family-style restaurant in PGA Commons.
A Great Evening for a Worthy Cause
Besides providing a great time for all, the event’s proceeds went to a noteworthy cause, Big Heart Brigade (www.bigheartbrigade.com), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide holiday meals and seasonal support to South Floridians in need.
To find out more about Taste of the Palm Beaches, please visit: http://www.tasteofthepalmbeaches.com
For more information on the Big Heart Brigade, please visit: http://www.bigheartbrigade.com
Earth… The Greatest Gift of All
Posted by Sprouts Staff
Remembering the important things this Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, it is important to take time to reflect on the blessings bestowed on us and make an effort to give back to all of those who generously gave of themselves through out the year.
Mother Earth is perhaps the most generous giver of gifts. She provides us with the air we breathe, water we drink, and resources necessary for our survival. She created the magnificent mountains which we climb, lush forests through which we hike, and bountiful fields where we plant our crops and asks nothing from us in return.
This holiday season take time from your hectic schedule to reflect on the gifts earth has blessed us with and make a commitment to do something kind for her in return.
In the spirit of giving back to the earth, Sprouts has designed a special new line of Holiday Cards made from its 100% recycled plantable seed paper. Sprouts Green Christmas Collection features six cards with eco-friendly sayings and designs. These cards are a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer to family, friends, and customers while reminding them of the importance of preserving all that mother earth has given us.
