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On Saturday March 10^th, get ready for the 9th annual “Water Matters” event.  It’s just around the corner at  Tree Tops Park, located at 3900 S.W. 100th Avenue/ Nob Hill Road in Davie, Florida.  For almost a decade, Water Matters has educated policy-makers, homeowners, families, and kids about the importance of learning to conserve one of our most precious resources – water. It’s a useful and fun day spent in a natural setting, great for families with young kids, or for those looking for an inexpensive and educational way to spend a Saturday.

Learn to Conserve Outdoors…

Get into the flow of over forty Florida-friendly workshops, all focused on ways to conserve water. Water Matters Day aims to teach Broward residents about everything from landscaping practices to everyday conservation. Those with a green thumb should check out one of the many workshops facilitated by landscaping experts. At-home gardeners can learn how to create a less water-dependent garden. If you go, check out the popular NatureScape sessions. The sessions also focus on how to protect drinking water for people, animals, and plants.

…And Indoors

Participants can also learn how to conserve water at home thanks to the many free talks and workshops given throughout the day. Attendants get an in-depth look at ways to save water in the kitchen or the bath and learn ways to lower their monthly water bill, a great chance to save your green while being green. Plus, participants who visit at least twelve of the workshops will get a free native tree or plant to take home.

For Kids

Bring the kids out for a fun day of face painting, clowns and free giveaways. The Kids Ecology Corps  will have a booth there as well. The KEC gets kids and teens involved in nature conservation through information, fun, and hands-on demonstrations. Live entertainment and craft workshops will also be part of the entertainment.

If You Go

Water Matters Day is on Saturday, March 10 from 9 am to 3 pm. At Tree Tops park. Admission to the park is $1.50 per person; kids five and under are free. For more information, please go here. 

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By corsi photo

For some of us, vacation is a welcome reason to ditch the sweats and sneakers for a few days, and resolve to return to regularly scheduled workout programs when we return home. Some of us have our schedules ingrained in our heads: Mondays are swimming days or Saturday mornings are times to do yoga. But what if you want to keep the motivation going during your travels and stick to your routine when you go on vacation?

Map It

If you’re staying in a hotel, travel on foot and get to know the area around your hotel. Check out local maps and phone apps to find out where you’re going. Check with the front desk for tips about the surrounding area. (Some cities may even have downloadable walking tours.)

Ditch the In-House Gym

No matter where you go, try to ditch the in-house gym for the outside world. If you’re on a green cruise, forget the ship’s workout room if at all possible.  One of my favorite workout memories took place on a 2007 cruise. I jogged around the upper deck. The deck was gigantic and it was refreshing to look out and see ocean surrounding me as I worked up a sweat. There’s no way I’d have experienced that kind of beauty if I went into the gym and used the stairmaster. Here’s another green reason to leave the gym alone unless you can help it: according to statistics, treadmills give off four pounds of CO2 for a one hour workout.

Water

As always, make sure you stay hydrated! Grab a stainless steel or BPA-free water bottle for both your workout and your travels. Coconut water can also give your system a natural lift while keeping you thirst-free.

Workout Clothing and Accessories

When it comes to workout clothing, you have two choices. The first is to invest in workout clothing made from natural fibers. Gaiam’s line is one of my favorites. The second green clothing option is to go with what you already have, since saving your green is also eco-friendly. If you’re looking for small, green workout accessories to take on your travels, this eco-friendly workout company has everything from green bags to tiny, 1.5 pound hand weights, perfect for throwing into a suitcase.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By Perfecto Insecto

Sustainable travel is important. As we learn about green travel, we come into contact with the many ways we can help protect our environment. For example, we already know that carbon credits are a good way to offset a plane trip. Another ecofriendly travel tip is to travel light (your wallet will thank you for it) and travel nonstop, in order to cut down on your carbon footprint.

But protecting our health is also an important part of green travel.

Sometimes, when I’m on a plane, I can already feel the tell-tale signs of impending illness: headache, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. I know that if I don’t take simple precautions, I’ll feel rundown after I get off the plane, and nothing – not even the knowledge that I’ve flown nonstop to reduce my carbon footprint – will make me feel better for at least a week.

Anti-Sick Gel, Please

To cut down on my chances of getting sick, I’ve learned to make sure that I’ve got handy anti-bacterial gels or wipes with me at all times. Some anti-bacterial gels are even eco-friendly, without fragrance and with green ingredients. Prefer to take wipes instead? I love these green ones. Remember your plastic baggies so that your ecofriendly anti-bacterial gel can fly with you.

Manners

Go by the good-neighbor rule. If you’re the one who’s feeling sick, please cover your mouth or nose if you have to cough or sneeze.

Socks

Going through pre-flight security? Since I know I’ll have to take off my shoes as part of most security checks, I’m never without socks when I’m traveling. Make sure you wear socks in order to avoid walking barefoot on the same carpet as the last several hundred travelers who flew the friendly skies. (Can you imagine all those germs? Oh no, thank you.) If you’re traveling in flip-flops or sandles, stow the socks in your purse or backpack and pull them on when you’re in line. Socks will also come in handy if you want to take off your shoes and get comfortable on your non-stop, green-friendly flight.

Water, Water Everywhere

It’s easy to get dehydrated in the dry air of the cabin, so be sure that you’re drinking from your stainless steel (or eco-friendly, BPA-free) water bottle. If possible, avoid caffeine or alcohol, neither of which will keep you hydrated. If for some reason you don’t have your travel bottle with you, remember to ask for water frequently.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo By victoire_za

There is no reason why you should not be able to broaden your horizons while on vacation and learn something new. How about scuba diving? Any scuba instructor will tell you that the only necessary trait you must have to learn is the ability to have fun. They teach you everything else.

Scuba Diving

South Florida destinations provide plenty of scuba learning opportunities, since many diving expeditions will provide a quick certifications shortly before heading out. Once you have your diving skills in order, take time to explore South Florida, which is considered a premiere diving destination. There are many great, popular diving spots, including shipswrecks, offshore oil platforms, airplanes, tanks among others. These structures attract the growth of corals and a multitude of vibrant marine life, ensuring fantastic underwater photographs of artificial reefs. If you want to dive into the deep in unusual diving locations, get your GPS device ready and check these out:

Miami

Neptune Memorial Reef

(N25 41.41572 W80 5.44554)

This underwater cemetery is the first of its kind. It is an underwater mausoleum dedicated as a final resting spot for the cremated remains of those who loved the sea. It is located about 45 feet deep, approximately 3 1/2 miles east of Key Biscayne. As you swim through it, you will see actual gates, walkways, plot plaques, statues and benches. It is also the world’s largest man-made reef and makes for a strange, surreal and wonderful destination for certified divers. Among the cementary structures, schooling fish, sting rays, sponges and soft coral abound.

Boeing 727 Aircraft Wreck

(N25 41.880 W080 05.220)

Ever see a jet plane up close? Just off the coast of Miami, a broken up Boeing 727 jet is waiting for you in the deep. It was originally sunk as part of an artificial reef program in 1993. Going by the name of the Spirit of Miami, the pieces are covered with corals and snapping oysters. Urban legend says there is a time capsule hidden somewhere in this wreckage that will be unearthed and opened in 2043. If found by a diver, they have dibs to open it first.

Fort Lauderdale

MERCEDES I

(N26 09.370 W080 04.513)

This famous but rarely visited underwater wreck is a 198-foot freighter, approximately 97 feet offshore of Fort Lauderdale. The freighter’s deck can be reached at 60 feet and her tower at 45 feet. Florida hurricanes have, over time, almost torn her into two pieces. It is an enchanting dive for more advanced divers, as the current can sometimes be strong. For the serious recreational scuba diver, this would be in their short list of great dives. Sharks, turtles and other colorful marine life are common companions.

Capt. Dan Wreck

(N26 13.125 W80 3.975)

For all skill level divers, this 175-foot U.S. Coast Guard buoy has a long history, going back to 1937. Nowadays, she has been repurposed as an artificial reef. Named and reefed in the memory of Captain Dan Garnsey, a well-known local drift fishing boat owner, this vessel lies beneath 110 feet of sea water, with most of it under the sand. It is almost completely intact and has large access holes providing divers easy opportunity to enter and explore to their heart’s desire. Since there are many hiding spots, divers can expect to be surprised by the current marine residents.

By Nuria Almeida

Photo By Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Camping trips can be beautiful and restful, allowing us to experience nature away from our busy lives. Staying hydrated is one of the most critical factors in any camping trip. So how to best stay hydrated and still be environmentally friendly?

Staying Hydrated

Don’t let yourself get thirsty, as thirst can be a sign that you’ve already begun to dehydrate. Other signs that it’s time to reach for the BPA-free water bottle or hydration pouch include headaches, weakness, and irritability. Experts recommend drinking at least one liter of water for every mile that you hike – and make sure you’re drinking water, as opposed to alcoholic or caffeinated drinks which won’t keep you hydrated.

Water Bottles and Water Purifiers

Make sure to bring your favorite stainless steel water bottle or thermos with you and make sure it’s BPA-free. Several BPA-free water bottles have built-in filters that are perfect for camping. This one caught my eye, as its internal filter is almost 100% likely to get rid of dangerous bacteria and protozoa found in drinking water. Plus, it’s made entirely of recyclable materials. There’s also this hand powered water purifier. It kills bacteria and many kinds of viruses, and it takes under two minutes to purify one liter of water. Many other pump water purifiers are also available and those with ceramic filters can be used several times without being replaced.

 The Beauty of the Water Hydration Pack

Water hydration packs – a backpack with a hydration system inside it and a drinking tube attached to the outside- is a very convenient camping option as well if you want to avoid toting water bottles during a hike or a nature walk. While these can be expensive, they’re also a welcome addition to outdoor gear as you can carry large quantities of water. Hydration packs can be bought according to individual hydration needs (including body size and gender), how long you’ll need the water, and type of activity. Whether you’re camping in winter or at the height of summer heat or if you plan to be hiking steep or gentle terrain, there are many ways to stay green and hydrated.

Photo by slinky2000

By Marissa Cohen

Is your green hotel really green? Or is your hotel merely trying to dip into the pond of eco-travel? Here are some tips to separate the truly eco-friendly from the environmental pretenders.

Local Staff

A good sign of an eco-friendly lodging is to find out if the people employed by the hotel are locals. Are the tour guides and trail leaders ‘locally grown’? This is a key way for green hotels to give back. A good eco-friendly hotel should make the most of community involvement. Does the staff seem knowledgeable about the eco-friendly policies of their establishment?

Water

Several hotels give you the option to reuse towels and thus, conserve laundry (and valuable energy and water). When searching for a green hotel, be sure to find out more about their water conservation policies. Are there water saving devices such as water sensors or lo-flow shower heads installed in the bathrooms? Does the hotel kitchen use similar devices? Of course, make sure that you’re also staying aware of how much water you’re using, but make sure that the eco-friendly hotel supports your water-lovin’ efforts.

Recycling

Most hotels and business establishments recycle these days. Still, dig a little deeper and get curious. What kind of recycling does your green hotel do? Do they recycle paper or aluminum? Does the hotel or lodging participate in a carbon offset program?

Food

One of the best things about vacation is the food. However, make sure that the hotel you’re considering uses either organic or locally grown produce whenever possible.

By Marissa Cohen

Eating Green on Labor Day – Veggie Burger

We’ve already talked about ways to green up your Labor Day plans. You can do this whether or not you decide to travel or stay home. Sometimes the best cookouts can happen while you’re on vacation. In any cookout, though, the biggest and most important thing is the food, of course. Half the fun of Labor Day is the smell of burgers, hot dogs and other deliciousness. (And as a reminder, make sure you’re grilling your food with eco-friendly charcoal and grilling on a gas grill.)

Burgers and Hot Dogs

If you want to stick with the traditional red-meat burgers, try to find grass-fed, free-range meats so that you’re not injesting hormones. Want a non-meat option for Labor Day? Ditch the cheeseburgers and hot dogs and try vegan patties, gardenburgers, or veggie dogs, most of which can be thrown on the grill. If you want to skip dairy, several food brands make soy or rice cheese. I can tell you that this rice cheese  is delicious on top of any kind of veggie burger and melts just like dairy-based cheese.

Sides

For organic fruits and veggies, such as apples, tomatoes, squash, peppers, berries, and other in-season produce. Another great tip? Grilling produce is not only cheaper than spending money on red meat, but it’s also great for the environment. Try grilled apples or watermelon. Not sure what to do with fruit and veggie scraps? Use them for compost.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo by Dano

It’s officially here! Summer is out and fall is in. Say goodbye to the summer and greet the fall this Labor Day weekend. If you’re like me, you’re wondering how you can incorporate green and clean principals into your Labor Day celebration.

Staying Home?

Even though we know that it is easy to stay green while on the road or in the air, staying home or close to home during Labor Day weekend – or other high-traffic holidays – can contribute to a vacation that’s truly green because you’ll be spending less money and using less gas. However, if you’re going to hit the road for Labor Day, be sure to look into websites that offset vacations such as Terrapass.

Cookouts

Eco-friendly Labor Day cookouts can be a great time to go green. Make sure that your plates and cups are either recyclable or reusable. Serving beer, soda, or wine? Eating off disposable flatware? Get a few separate containers – one for glass bottles, one for aluminum cans, one for flatware – in order to encourage your pals to recycle during the party.

Gas grills are the way to go since they don’t leave behind as much waste as charcoal grills. Several organic stores sell eco-friendly coal. Make an effort to avoid conventional briquettes and go with either natural, hardwood charcoal
or check this list of eco-happy charcoal products.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo by Ilovebutter

Now that you have some green cleaning car tips, it’s also important to know how to give your car eco-friendly love. There’s plenty we can do to conserve resources while still having a great family road trip.

Don’t Let the Car Sit

It’s typical of any family vacation. One of the kids forgets something and runs back to the house to get it. Maybe your son forgot a favorite magazine or your husband forgot his eco-friendly phone charger. They jump out of the car to go get it – and the car is still running. In order to reduce the amount of carbon emissions caused by this, turn off the car when someone goes on a pre-vacation dash back into the house.

Pile ‘em In

While cars overstuffed with relatives is truly the stuff of hilarious vacation stories, there’s an up side to cramming yourself into a car with Great-Aunt Edna and Cousin Charley – you’ll use less carbon emissions and the decision to carpool is kinder on the environment.

Clean it Out

Believe it or not, all that accumulated car trash from the week can add weight to your car, making it use more fuel and release more carbon emissions into the air. Want to save some gas? Toss the car trash. Keep a bag for compost (food scraps) in the car so that your fruit and veggie peels can be used to help a garden grow. Also consider keeping a bag just for recycling and empty it into a recycle bin.

Check the Tires

Car experts advise that you check your tire pressure once a week to make sure that tires are inflated properly. The more deflated your tires are, the more gas you’ll use. If your tires don’t have the right pressure, your car’s fuel consumption can feel the impact.

Offset the Trip

Check carbon offsetting sites like Terrapass in order to find ways to offset the cost of your car trips. The environment will thank you!

Photo by Wetwebwork

by Marissa Cohen

I was packing for a cross-country airplane trip when I realized that I just didn’t need those four extra dresses when one would do.  There are many benefits to traveling light. Not only will you avoid having to sit on your suitcase to close it, but by only packing what you need, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint. Here’s how it works. The heavier your suitcase is or the more suitcases you bring, the more fuel that car, train, or plane will need to use and the more carbon dioxide emissions are produced. In order to shrink your carbon footprint, follow these simple travel tips.

Carry It On

Airport luggage fees can get sticky, so aim to pack light. It will save you money and stress. No more frantically trying to find your luggage at a busy, jam-packed baggage claim! Better yet, see if you can pack everything you need in a small suitcase or backpack and only bring a carryon.

 Reuse and Reduce

Pack items that can be used for more than one thing. For example, consider bringing along a scarf that’s also big enough to be used as a shawl. Bring reusable water bottles or shopping bags. Bring only two kinds of shoes if you can help it – one for play and one for a night on the town.

Bring It

To save money, pack green or sustainable toiletries with you (shampoo can go in travel bottles) to avoid having to repurchase an entire bottle for travel use or worse, have to go trolling through the dollar bin for non-green items. Remember to make sure your travel bottles are two ounces or smaller and then fill them up with your favorite green body washes, shampoos, and conditioners.

Clothing

Pack clothes that are similar colors. That way, outfit planning can be easy. Rather than stacking clothing, roll wrinkle-free outfits up in order to save suitcase space.

By Marissa Cohen

Photo  by kthrn