|
All things green: A guide to understanding recycling, tax rebates, home-energy audits and more
July 7, 2010 1:15 CST
 Not sure if you can recycle that cereal box? (Hint: You can.) Don't
know where you can recycle batteries? What about that fridge? Never fear. We offer you an easy guide to
finding recycling info, disposal drop-off sites, tax incentives,
energy-saving resources, and more. |
Greening up your laundry
 Up to 90 percent of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating water. And the second-biggest energy-sucker in your home? It's the dryer. . Sound dirty? Don't worry. You can still clean up your laundry without mucking up the environment. |
|
5 cool facts about the St. Paul fire station’s new green roof
June 25, 2010 2:05pm CST
 For the St. Paul Fire Department’s newest station
at W. 7th St and Randolph, the folks at city hall decided to get
serious about eco-friendly design. And the bossest feature of the place
is its multilevel showpiece 2-level 8,000 square foot green roof. Here
are some of the reasons other municipal buildings will be acting jealous
of the new green firehouse: |
|
Crop mobs take root in the Twin Cities
June 21, 2010 1:05pm CST
 They descend on farms. Some of them carry pitchforks. Others wear gloves. They're called crop mobs, and in the Twin Cities it's becoming a growing movement as folks want to develop a larger relationship with their food, farmer, and community. |
|
Putting all-natural sunscreen to the test
June 15, 2010 11:55am CST
 It's no secret that conventional sunscreens pose serious health and environmental concerns. But just how effective are the all-natural ones? And which ones are safer than others? The Environmental Working Group offers a guide to the best and worst of low-hazard and chemical-free sunscreens. |
|
Green weekend planner: Go garage sale-ing
June 8, 2010 9:10pm
 The average person generates about four pounds of trash per day, and the typical American family throws out
2,460 pounds of paper, 540 pounds of metals, 480 pounds of glass every year. Help reduce your impact by attending the annual Standish, Corcoron, and Ericsson Garage Sale and stop off at the nearby Powderhorn Garage Sale, too! |
|
Easy tips for greening your summer get-togethers
May 20, 2010 1:22 pm CST
 Summer is finally here, and that means picnics, parks, celebrations, and long days in the sun are on order. So how do you do it green? LiveGreenTwinCities provides your essential guide to greening your summer gatherings. |
|
May's not-to-be-missed green events
May 13, 2010 3:39pm CST
 It's shaping up to be a cold, damp May in the Twin
Cities, but the wetter, the greener, right? From book clubs to happy hours to workshops to lectures that serve beer, here are a list of Twin Cities green events sure to keep you busy until the sun comes out again. |
|
Give mom the gift of green
May 6, 2010 10:48am
 Still stumped on what to get mom this year? From a sustainable brunch to all-natural manicures to locally grown roses and nature walks, we offer up some great, green last-minute gift ideas for Mother's Day that will keep mom and Mother Earth happy all year long. |
|
Do it Green! Resource Center opens in Midtown Global Market
April 29, 2010 3:35pm CST
 Where can you go to get the deets on real ways to make your lifestyle more Earth-friendly? The new Do It Green! Resource Center in the Midtown Global Market is a place for people dedicated to sustainable living to exchange information, ideas, and products. |
|
Market fare: A guide to Twin Cities farmers markets
April 28, 2010 9:35am
 The farmers markets of the Twin Cities will soon be offering up their
treasures. Each market has its own personality-- its own strengths,
specialties, and customs. Our Farmers Market guide will help you find
your way to the spot that best suits your tastes--and your shopping
list. |
|
Plant a tree. Plant a seed. Hug a tree. It's okay. It's Arbor Day.
April 26, 2010 1:49pm CST
 Arbor Day is April 30th, but the little day has sprouted from a mere seedling into a celebration
lasting all through May. Called "From Small Seeds Grow BIG Dreams, " the month-long celebration encourages
planting, growing, and plenty of family-friendly, nature-loving fun and
education all month long. |
|
The Minnesota Zoo invites you to "Celebrate the Farm"
April 21, 2010 6:17pm CST
 The Minnesota Zoo's celebration, the "Year of the Farm," puts the spotlight on
agriculture--on the role it plays in Minnesota's past, present, and
future; on the people who are actively engaged in it; and on the animals
and plants that are the life-sustaining output of the whole endeavor. |
|
Guide: How to find a CSA in the Twin Cities
April 15, 2010 11:11am CST
 Along with
getting local, sustainable produce at area farmers markets, many folks are buying
direct from the farm, too. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) offers
pick-up or weekly
delivery of
organic goods directly from the farm to your table. Here's a guide to finding one that works for you. |
|
Earth Day 2010: 9 ways to celebrate Earth Day in the Twin Cities all week long
April 14, 2010 3:22pm CST
 Earth Day is approaching, and what started out as a single day of environmental awareness 40 years ago has blossomed into a week-long series of eco-consciousness-raising events. The Twin Cities offers plenty of ways to celebrate Spaceship Earth while preparing her for a beautiful spring. Here are some suggestions for Earth Day-related fun. |
|
Living Green Expo returns to the State Fairgrounds on May 1 and 2
April 12, 2010 4:05pm CST
 After getting canceled late last year, the Living Green Expo is back on, thanks to its many fans and supporters. The free event is now sponsored by the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, a coalition of more than 80 environmental and conservation organizations who have come together to bring back the beloved, eco-minded weekend event. |
|
Target Field takes home title of greenest ballpark
April 9, 2010 2:08pm CST
 The excitement over Target Field has reached what we like to call a "fevered pitch," because we really like bad jokes. And now that the new Twins ballpark has received LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, green-living enthusiasts have plenty of reasons to cheer, too. |
|
Toy tales: The best shops in the Twin Cities for safe and sustainable toys
March 17, 2010 10:11pm CST
 Shopping for toys and kids' gear that are both affordable and safe can feel like as big of a chore as picking up all the toys after an extended play date. But the Twin Cities has plenty of shops that sell affordable, sustainable clothes and toys that are totally safe. We offer up a guide to the best. |
|
What are your kids eating for lunch? Simple, Good, and Tasty hosts a contest to find out
March 15, 2010 1:25pm CST
 What are your kids eating at school? Lee Zukor of SimpleGoodandTasty.com is encouraging parents to find out. He's holding a contest, asking parents to eat lunch with their kids at school, take a picture of it, and send it in to the web site to inspire conversation and possibly change. |
|
Shop local: 10 local Etsy artists turning recycled goods into must-haves
March 12, 2010 12:51pm CST
 Local artists and crafters are re-using glass bottles, old record covers, and vintage fabrics, and more to create baby clothes, jewelry, housewares and everything in-between. It's a simple yet revelatory
practice Americans are once again embracing: Use what you have. |
|
Farm to school grows in Minnesota
March 10, 2010 11:36am CST
 Concerned that your kids are eating junk at school? You're not alone.
But there's some good news on the horizon. According to a new survey, the number of Minnesota school
districts purchasing food directly from local farms has more than
doubled in the last 15 months. |
|
Fifth Annual Neighborhood Sustainability Conference to be held on March 13
March 1, 2010 11:51am CST
 Minneapolis has announced its agenda for its Fifth
Annual Neighborhood Sustainability Conference, where neighbors can
gather for an all-day event focused on sustainable issues and
grassroots projects like neighborhood energy conservation, rain
gardens, composting, community gardening, and more. |
|
Plastic garbage patches invade the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
February 24, 2010 11:44pm CST
 The Great Garbage Patch covers an area of the Pacific Ocean as big as Texas. It's hundreds if not thousands of miles long. And more than 80 percent of it is plastic. And all of it is toxic. Now it's revealed that the Atlantic is filled with its own chemical-sludge island. So what happens next? |
|
Organic baby food leaving you broke? A guide to easy, affordable, and organic options for baby
February 22, 2010 12:10pm CST
 How do you find affordable food kids love that’s also easy to make, light on
packaging, and good for baby and the earth, too? We offer up some tips
on how to integrate healthful, whole foods into your kids’ diet without
breaking the bank.
|
|
Cloth vs. disposable diapers: Tackling the dirty issue of how to best pamper baby
February 17, 2010 1:28pm CST
 To cloth or not to cloth? Sure, disposable diapers might be easier. But they account for as much as four percent of solid waste in U.S. landfills. But is cloth the way to go? One mom talks about her trials, tribulations, and solutions to the mess of cloth versus disposable. |
|
Michelle Obama applauds Minneapolis farmers markets
January 26, 2010 1:28pm CST
 Is Minneapolis a shining example of the future of food? Last week, in a speech before the Conference of Mayors, first lady Michelle Obama cited Minneapolis' mini farmers markets as a leading example of communities combating obesity and promoting healthier, sustainable food initiatives. |
|
5 cool facts about the St. Paul fire station’s new green roof
For the St. Paul Fire Department’s newest station
at W. 7th St and Randolph, the folks at city hall decided to get
serious about eco-friendly design. And the bossest feature of the place
is its multilevel showpiece 2-level 8,000 square foot green roof. Here
are some of the reasons other municipal buildings will be acting jealous
of the new green firehouse:
|
|
Twin Cities New Year's Eve: Go green
December 30, 2009 11:45am CST
 Looking for a festive and unique celebration this New Year's Eve? Head on out to these "parties" in the parks, featuring skating, nature walks, and more to inspire all those green New Year's resolutions. |
|
A Made in Minnesota gift guide
November 23, 2009 10:10am CST
 Minnesota 2020 recently released its annual Made in Minnesota Gift Guide, a wonderful and comprehensive guide chock full of locally grown gift ideas, from food to clothing to toys to pets and everything in-between. |
|
Cool event alert: Green Gifts Fair Saturday at Midtown Global Market
November 19, 2009 12:00pm CST
 Get your reusable bags ready. This Saturday more than 70 local retailers will be at the Midtown Global Market offering up their green, recycled, organic, and fair-trade gifts as part of the annual Green Gifts Fair. Clothing. Jewelry. Bags. Artwork. It's all local, green, and perfect for gift-giving. |
|
Green gift guide: 40+ local, cool, and green gifts they'll love
November 15, 2009 12:01am CST
 Looking to give your loved ones the gift of going green this season? We
have it all. Cool home accessories and eco-friendly toys. Half-price
deals on clothes and green events. Free green makeovers and killer
deals at the greatest sustainable restaurants. We make your holiday shopping simple---and green. |
|
Cool event alert: 'Big River' premieres at Riverview Theater on Nov. 18
November 10, 2009 11:49am CST
 "King Corn" filmmakers return to Iowa to learn the impact their acre of corn had on the people, land, and river in a new documentary called "Big River." The Riverview Theater will show both films and host a questionnaire with the two critically acclaimed filmmakers on Wednesday, Nov. 18 |
|
Teaching your children's school about green cleaning
November 9, 2009 12:26pm CST
 A recent report by the Environmental Working Group reveals that common cleaning supplies emit more than 450 toxic contaminants into the classroom air. And now a growing number of organizations are offering easy ways for parents to educate school administrators about the benefits of going green. |
|
Green fall fashion: HandmadeMN spices up every fall wardrobe
November 2, 2009 1:22pm CST
 We admit it. We're totally addicted to Etsy, the clearing house of all things handmade and adorable. Which is why we're in love with HandmadeMN, a blog that helps us find the local folks selling their handmade wares and fashions on Etsy. |
|
St. Paul's RiverCentre aims to cut waste in half
October 29, 2009 3:50pm CST
 Going to a Minnesota Wild game this year? A concert at Roy Wilkins? Then you're probably contributing to the 2.8 million pounds of trash generated by events at the RiverCentre every year. But a new program aims to turn the RiverCentre green by cutting that waste in half in just two years. |
|
Have a green Halloween
October 26, 2009 12:23pm CST
 Chemical-free candy. Fair-trade chocolate. Eco-friendly costumes. Non-toxic make-up. Having a green Halloween is easy, and safer for you, your family, and the environment. And LiveGreenTwinCities has all of your green tips, tricks, and treats. |
|
10 easy tips for turning your fall green
September 18, 2009 4:27pm CST
 The leaves might be changing colors, but there are simple steps you can take to ensure your fall stays green. LiveGreenTwinCities offers 10 easy tips for having a happy, green fall season. |
|
Are you ready for some football? Greening your sports events
September 8, 2009 12:27pm CST
 There's no doubt that 50,000 people in a single space can create a carbon footprint nearly as long as a 50-yard pass. But there are easy ways you can reduce your environmental impact and still have a winning game day. |
|
How to go green at the Minnesota State Fair
August 26, 2009 2:20pm CST
 1.7 million people. 500,000 corndogs. 22,000 rolls of toilet paper.
And nearly three and a half times more materials getting recycled than get tossed out every year. It's Minnesota State Fair time, and
LiveGreenTwinCities is here to show you how to go green at the Fair. |
|
Feeling frugal: Minneapolis war posters showcase the origins of the green movement
August 25, 2009 12:04pm CST
 Treehugger has a great series of WWII posters espousing frugal and
green living. The posters promote everything from canning to saving gas
to recycling to staycations. And some of the best posters come
from the Minneapolis Library, which has an extensive collection of WWII
posters promoting gardening, canning, and--what else?--winterizing
homes.
|
|
As kids head back to school, the American Lung Association of Minnesota offers tips on clearing the air
August 24, 2009 6:00pm CST
 Just as the yellow school bus is about to make its way down Minnesota roadways again, the American Lung Association of Minnesota offers up easy ways to reduce bus and vehicle pollution, clean the air, and keep kids healthy. |
|
What's in Minnesota's landfills? About $300 million dollars
August 17, 2009 4:49pm CST
 Don't toss out those food scraps so fast. They're about 25 to 75 times more polluting than our gas-guzzling vehicles. Local recycling expert Susan Hubbard lays out the dirty facts and explains how Minnesotans tossed more than $300 million worth of recyclables last year. |
|
Green events: 15 cool things to do this weekend
August 13, 2009 11:25am CST
 It's Thursday, close enough to noon, which means it's officially the
weekend. And what better way to greet this summery week's end than
with free food, cooking classes, and more delicious food. |
|
10 easy tips for greening back-to-school
August 10, 2009 11:25am CST
 It's no secret: Back-to-school can cost a bundle. But parents can teach their kids about environmental issues and easily save money--and the planet--by checking out these 10 earth-friendly options. |
|
Green links round-up: news and notes from a green world
May 13, 2009 3:46pm CST
 Want to know how to avoid the chemicals in everyday products? Looking
for a green job? Want to learn more about cap and trade?
What about cars running on chocolate? LiveGreenTwinCities offers a round-up of green tips, news,
conversations and more. |
|
Minnesota bans Bisphenol A in bottles and sippy cups
May 11, 2009 1:36pm CST
 Minnesota will be the first state to ban Bisphenol A (BPA) in products intended for children under 3. BPA is used to make plastics and sealants, and the chemical can be found in nearly every American, according to numerous reports. |
|
Mother's Day green gift guide: 25 local and green gifts mom will love
May 4, 2009 3:34pm CST
 Still hunting for that perfect gift for Mom? From locally-grown flowers to co-op classes to wine tours and organic dinners and more, LiveGreenTwinCities offers up a guide to the
coolest Mother-approved green gifts in town. |
|
April 27 is National Healthy Schools Day
April 27, 2009 1:22pm CST
 Today is National Healthy Schools Day, a nationwide effort designed to
promote healthy school environments.
And parents in Minnesota are helping to lead greener school initiatives nationwide by
pushing for legislation requiring schools to use safer cleaners here in Minnesota. |
|
CSA Day: Celebrate local farms at Seward Co-op's CSA Fair
April 23, 2009 12:19pm CST
Still looking for a good Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA) that will allow you to enjoy the bounty if this season's best produce? Want to learn more about CSAs and what they have to offer? Come out to Seward Co-op this Saturday to meet local farmers and choose a CSA that you can enjoy all season long. |
|
Earth Week planner: Green and family-friendly events for the week of April 18-25
April 17, 2009 5:14pm CST
 Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, but there are number of ways you can take part in fun, earth-friendly events all week long. Check out our handy events guide to learn more about eco-home tours; parks clean-up; events featuring local farmers; as well as networking events, kids' parties, business expos, and more. |
|
Little Falls, Minn. green team nominated for Heart of Green award
March 16, 2009 1:32PM CST
 The Daily Green's second annual Heart of Green awards includes Minnesota nominees the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. The members of the organization's Campus Green Committee were honored for their commitment to greener practices and healing the Earth. |
|
Baby food, from farm to cradle
March 16, 2009 4:12pm CST
 Sweet Cheeks Baby Foods is expanding the traditional meaning of "farm to table." How a one-woman St. Paul company is making organic baby food that's so good and Earth-friendly even foodies give it the stamp of approval. |
