Encyclopedia of Life

Mom is always looking for fun science stuff and when she heard about this site, she asked me to share it with you.

The Encyclopedia of Life is a portal for all species of life on Earth. An online reference and database on all 1.8 million known species, this website will help the world better understand life on Earth.

According to their website, their goals are:
1. Create a constantly evolving encyclopedia that lives on the Internet, with contributions from scientists and amateurs alike.
2. Transform the science of biology, and inspire a new generation of scientists, by aggregating virtually all known data about every living species.
3. Engage a wide audience of schoolchildren, educators, citizen scientists, academics and those who are just curious about Earth's species.
4. Increase our collective understanding of life on Earth, and safeguard the richest possible spectrum of biodiversity.

The first version of the portal is up and running. It contains about 25 exemplar species pages. Each page has been authenticated by scientists. There are tens of thousands of additional species page, but these pages do not contain the extensive content that is found on the exemplar pages.

This project is a work in progress. The task of documenting everything on Earth is huge, but thankfully there are people who believe that this task is essential. Check out your favorite species at http://www.eol.org/.

Protect Sea Turtles From Fisheries

My mom received an email today from the Sea Turtle Restoration Project today. She asked me to get the word out to everyone to send a letter or email by August 12, 2008 to Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries to urge the National Marine Fisheries Service to withdraw its proposed rule regarding Magnuson-Stevens Act Environmental Review Procedures and develop a new rule that complies with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Click on this link to send an email http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1723/t/6251/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=25271.

The proposed NEPA rule:

Invents a complicated new processto replace environmental impact statements, effectively discarding thirty years of established case law and practice by managers and the public.

Allows individuals with financial interests to control the environmental review and public participation process. The proposed rule enables the regional fishery management councils - a majority of whose appointed members have financial interests in the fisheries they manage - to control the environmental review and public participation process.

Enables fishery managers to circumvent environmental reviewwith new loopholes.

Permits significant reduction in public inputby allowing mangers to reduce the time periods for public comment well below the current required minimum with no outside oversight.

Sea turtles are protected from by-catch interactions with commercial fisheries such as longline swordfish and tuna fisheries under federal environmental laws. However, these protections are now under threat from proposed new, weaker regulations. Please do your part to help protect sea turtles.

Change The Margins

This is a simple, yet great idea. Change the Margins is a campaign to save the environment by changing paper margins.

This project is the brainchild of Tamara Krinsky, an aspiring actress and writer. She tried to save paper because she was poor, not because she was an environmentalist. Narrow margin settings = more text per page = less paper used = fewer $$. As her career progressed, she became more financially stable, but she still saved paper. With sustainability on the minds of everyone, saving paper doesn't just mean saving dollars anymore. It means saving the planet.

Tamara Krinsky's light bulb moment came when she asked herself "What if you could get people to adopt changing paper margins on a large scale?" This meant individuals as well as companies. She knew getting people to adopt this ideas would result in: less paper consumption = saving trees = less waster.

Check out the website at http://www.changethemargins.com/ to see the campaign goals, the targeted companies, and to learn how to change your margins. The number one goal is to convince Microsoft to change the default margin settings in Microsoft Word to .75 on all sides. You can even sign the Microsoft petition on the website.

As the website says "When it comes to environmental disaster, the margin for error is small. Here's one step we can all take..."

Good Stuff?

My mom is an information freak. She is constantly looking for new ideas, facts and figures, and just plain old cool stuff to pass along to everyone she knows. When she found this information, she knew that everyone needed to read it.

Good Stuff? - A Behind-the-Scenes Guide to the Things We Buy, is a handy guide from Worldwatch Institute. Founded in 1974, Worldwatch Institute is an independent research organization known around the world for its accessible, fact-based analysis of critical global issues. According to their website, their research is the gold-standard for sustainability analysis for decision makers in government, civil society, business, and academia. Basically, everyone.


So what kind of information is in this guide? Well, first of all there's lots of good stuff (pun intended). This guide basically answers questions you may have about where everyday things come from, how good something is or isn't for you, and how to recycle certain items. The guide also contains facts and figures (great for my mom), and links that will help make you a more informed consumer.

But maybe you've never asked yourself any of these questions. Well, you should! The environmental and social impacts of products and goods you use everyday should be at the forefront of your mind. Remember, we are all in this together.

Visit Worldwatch Institute and download the Good Stuff? pdf at http://www.worldwatch.org/taxonomy/term/44. If you don't want to or can't download the entire guide, you can link to specific topics from this page and read the information online. There is even a section on shrimp - please read this if nothing else.

Mexico Finds Dozens of Dead Sea Turtles

This just came in over the AP wires. My mom worked with Olive Ridleys on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica back in 2004. She was very sad to read this report and wanted me to tell you to please, please stop eating seafood.

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) -- Environmental officials in Mexico say dozens of dead sea turtles apparently killed in fishing nets have washed up on beaches in recent days.

Authorities say 59 Olive Ridley turtles have been found on beaches in and around the resort of Acapulco.

Environmental protection officer Manuel de Jesus Solis says his agency found 12 dead turtles bearing marks apparently caused by fishing nets. It was unclear which fishing boats were involved.

Victor Berdejo says another 47 dead turtles were found by personnel at a turtle-protection area he supervises.

The sea turtles, once hunted in Mexico for their meat and eggs, were declared a protected species in 1990. Fishermen are required to include turtle escape devices in their nets.

No Way Home

Mom started reading this book the other day. No Way Home is about the decline of the world's great animal migrations. I know what you are thinking - another sad book. Sad yes, but hopeful as well.

The first part of the book deals with animals in the skies - birds and insects. Mom loves birds, so this part is right up her alley. She told me that she learned lots of things that she didn't know.

The second part of the book deals with animals on the land - wildebeest and bison. She is still reading this part, but says that she hopes one day to visit the Seregenti and witness the migration (if the animals are still there) for herself. This is yet another trip that I will not be taking, thank you.

The third part of the book deals with animals in the water - sea turtles and whales. I think you know how this part is going to turn out. You know mom and her crazy sea turtles. Her good friend Carole is crazy about sea turtles and whales, so this is a must read for Carole, too.

Seriously though, this book is not only informational but inspirational. I highly recommend that everyone putting this on their summer reading list even though mom's zoo friend Helen thinks it will be another depressing book. Like my mom always says - if Jane Goodall still has hope, then so do I.

Wednesday Wag Out!

Reusable Bags

The name says it all. Reusablebags.com sells bags and a whole lot more. Their message is clear right on their home page - billions of plastic bags are choking our planet. The costs of all these bags is staggering, not only in terms of dollars, but also in terms of the environmental impact they create. According to their website, they have been a major force providing facts and news on the global push to reduce plastic and paper consumption. In addition to the great bags they offer, they have lots of products that are designed to help everyone consumer less, preserve natural resources, and of course save money. Keep spreading the word about the plastic problem. And be a role model when you shop - bring your own bags and hopefully people will notice and join in the anti plastic movement. Vist resuablebags.som at http://www.reusablebags.com/.

Shea Terra Organics

This company sells body products that are good for the body and for the soul. According to their website, Shea Terra Organics has culminated a formula for sustainability and fair trade. Instead of exploit the wonderful resources of Africa, they not only respect the native peoples and their environment, but they believe that Africans have the right to determine their own destinies and to profit and control their own resources. By partnering with individuals, and cooperatives while working closely with NGOs to ensure that native trades people, farmers and harvesters not only get 'fair' prices for their commodities, but that they receive prices that they themselves set. These guys are doing great work and setting an example for others to follow. It is possible to do the right thing, provide great products, and make a profit. You will feel great, smell great, and support several great causes by shopping at http://www.sheaterraorganics.com/.

Wonder Tablitz

This company has created products that are a step in the green direction. The concept is simple and hopefully other companies will follow suit. Their cleaning products come with an empty bottle and three tablets. Simply place one of the tablets in the bottle, fill with water, and clean away. One bottle of Wonder Tablitz is equivalent to 3 bottles of traditional cleaners. One bottle means less waste - less waste in terms of plastic, fuel to transport the bottles, and packaging to ensure safe delivery. The products do not contain phosphates, are non-flammable, and are safe to use. Sound great? Do your own cleaning test at home after shopping at http://www.wondertablitz.com/.

Ten Thousand Villages

Ten Thousand Villages may be on of the most recognized fair trade stores on the web. They also have over 160 brick/mortar stores in North America, with the closest to us in Grayslake. Of course I can't go in the store, but I can shop online (okay on mom's lap). They don't sell anything for dogs, but they sell stuff that you can use or give as gifts.

Mom loves the story behind the name. The name was inspired by a Mahatma Gandhi quote: ...India is not to be found in its few cities but in the 700,000 villages...we have hardly ever paused to inquire if these folks get sufficient to eat and clothe themselves with." Wow! What a powerful message. To the people at Ten Thousand Villages, each village in the world represents a unique, distinctive people who offer extraordianary products born of their rich cultures and traditions.

Ten Thousand Villages has been in business since 1946. According to their site, they work with more than 100 artisan groups, purchase fine pieces from craftspeople with whom they have longstanding, nuturing relationships.

The logo represents their values. The continuous line of rooftops reminds us we are all linked together as we live on this earth. The light in the doors and windows reminds us of homes of people with whom we work in many villages. The warm red color and hand-etched edge represent the materials and methods used to make the quality handicrafts we sell. Multiply the village idea by ten thousand and it represents the world we’re working to build. This should be everyones message, everywhere.

Now that you know their stories, understand their values, and are excited about being a part of something great, get shopping! Visit them online at http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/, or stop by one of their stores. But please, whatever you do, don't buy anything for my mom. She has enough stuff!

IzzitGreen?

Mom loved this website from the get go. She is constantly questioning the "greenness" of businesses. This is one of those ideas that makes you shake your head and ask yourself "Now why didn't I think of that?"

According to their website, IzzitGreen is a rating and review website that compels people to ask "Is it good?" and "IzzitGreen?" They enable you to review any business (not just the green ones) for good and for green. This interactive dialogue between community members, allows them to share information about favorite restaurants (do they recycle?), favorite dry cleaners (are they taking steps to reduce toxins), etc. The list of possibilities is endless.

By gathering all this information, IzzitGreen.com spotlights truly green businesses and encourages other businesses to get on board.

In addition to the reviews of businesses, there are great columns on green information, in addition to a "buzz from the community" blog-like section. Their little mascot Izzit, looks like a mini Jolly Green Giant. He is the gatekeeper of green and a true spokesperson for his cause.

This is a great website that is currently available for the Boston region only. I'm sure it will be a huge success and that it will roll out to major markets everywhere, including my hometown of Chicago. Visit the Boston beta at http://www.izzitgreen.com/.

Story of Stuff

My mom is obsessed with garbage. She is always talking about how much garbage everyone produces and how people don't realize what happens to garbage. I don't produce as much garbage as a human (thankfully) so I don't get the lecture. But I hear it when people come over and I understand the importance of spreading the message.

The Story of Stuff is all about stuff and how stuff affects our lives in ways we aren't fully aware of. According to the website, from its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

What does stuff have to do with garbage? Everything! The more you consume, the more is produced. More production means more waste. We are a consumer driven society that believes that we must have more, more, more. We don't need more; we are just conditioned to believe that we do. Live with less for a while and you will be surprised how much stuff you really don't need.

Please go to http://www.storyofstuff.com/ and watch the video. The messages are simple and easy to understand. I hope you will begin to make changes in your life as a result of what you learn in the video. And please pass this on to everyone you know - Mother Earth will love you for it.

Wednesday Wag Out!

Egg Boilers
I just love this idea. This product is called EIKO and is one of the best ideas I have seen in a long time. Simply hang the egg cups containing the eggs over the edge of a pot of boiling water, use the colours to differentiate cooking times, remove the eggs by grasping the cool handle, run under cool water, and carry to the table where EIKO functions as an egg cup. The best part about this product is that it enables you to multi-task. You can hang EIKO over any pot of boiling water, even when you are boiling water for pasta. Check EIKO out at http://www.vesselinc.com/prod_table_eiko.html.

Twist and Spout
This product has my mom's name written all over it. Twist & Spout fits virtually any soda or water bottle with a screw-on cap. Use it to create an instant watering can. This is a great way to recycle your bottles. This would make a great gift (hint, hint), so expect to see it under your Christmas tree this holiday season. If you can't wait until Christmas, order one today at http://www.popdeluxe.net/twistspout.html.

Librarian Chick

My good buddy Tony sent this link to mom. Tony and mom are library and book junkies.

According to its website, Librarian Chick is a collection of links to the best of the Internet's free resources for those with big brains and small pocketbooks. This site is like a huge web portal - like one stop shopping! It will take you hours just to scroll through all the cool links.

The links are organized in the following categories:

Books/Audio Books
Class Management/Worksheets
Collaboration/Social Networking
College/Student Loans
Computers and Technology
Culture, Arts and Music
Dictionary/Thesaurus
Foreign Language
GPA Calulators
Graphs/Printables/Presentation
Highlighters/Web Annotation
History/Geography
Home Library
Kids/Young Adult
Lectures/Speeches
Mathematics/Calculators
Memorization
Notes/Writing
Online Learning
Open Source/OpenCourseWare
Organization/Brainstorming
Poetry/Quotes
Reference/Research
Sciences/Space
Test Taking/Prep
Video Tutorials

Wow! That's a lot of categories. There are some familiar links scattered here and there, but there are definitely some that I am sure you've never heard of. I was happy to see librarything.com on there (I had a post about them last month), but I was surprised that bookcrossing.com was not represented. Hmmm, mom is going to have to talk to her buddy Scott Sorochak about that.

Visit Librarian Chick at www.librarianchick.com/.

Freerice.com

What is it and where can I get some? No silly it's not for you. This was the dialogue when mom told me about this website. I admit that I am not a fan of rice, but I do like to eat and I was hungry.

Freerice.com is a website in which you play a vocabulary game and for every right answer you get, 20 grains of rice is donated to the United Nations World Food Program. Sounds simple, right? It is simple, fun, and for a good cause.

FreeRice has two goals:

Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.
This is made possible by the generosity of the sponsors who advertise on their site.

Here's how you play:

When you go to the website, a word with four meanings is shown. Click on the answer that best defines the word. If you get it right, you get a harder word. If wrong, you get an easier word. Not only do your right answers donate much needed food to people in need, but you grow your vocabulary.

According to the website, learning new vocabulary has tremendous benefits. It can help you:

Formulate your ideas better
Write better papers, emails and business letters
Speak more precisely and persuasively
Comprehend more of what you read
Read faster because you comprehend better
Get better grades in high school, college and graduate school
Score higher on tests like the SAT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT
Perform better at job interviews and conferences
Sell yourself, your services, and your products better
Be more effective and successful at your job

After you have done FreeRice for a couple of days, you may notice an odd phenomenon. Words that you have never consciously used before will begin to pop into your head while you are speaking or writing. You will feel yourself using and knowing more words.

So far over 38 billion grains of rice have been donated. But there is one warning: this game is addictive. This is a good thing because the more you play, the more rice is donated. This is a win-win for everyone involved.

Love My New Collar!

A big pug shout out thanks to Laura at LewAllen & LewAllen Jewelry. Mom and dad were in Santa Fe, NM at the end of May and ordered this collar for me. When it arrived in June, it was a tad too small. They sent it back and Laura redid it. Don't I look quite stylish?

Think Outside The Bottle

I don't drink bottled water and neither should you. It is a waste of energy and precious resources that are quickly being used up. According to the Think Outside the Bottle website, 74% of Americans drink bottled water, and one in five drinks only bottled water. What is even worse is that each year more than 4 billion pounds of PET plastic bottles end up in landfills or as roadside litter. Making bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water required the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil last year – enough fuel for more than 1 million U.S. cars for a year - and generated more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide.

This website urges users to pledge to Think Outside The Bottle. This is the easiest thing you will do today. We are all in this together. Please do your part by not buying, consuming, and drinking bottled water. Pass this message along and encourage your friends and family to take the pledge. Mother Earth will love you for it.

I pledge to Think Outside the Bottle, which means:

Opting for public tap water over bottled water; and

Supporting the efforts of local officials who prioritize strong public water systems over bottled water profits.

Signed by:[Your name]

Because water is a human right and not a commodity to be bought and sold for profit;

Because bottled water corporations are changing the very way people think about water and undermining people's confidence in public water systems;

Because up to 40% of bottled water in the U.S. and Canada is sourced from municipal tap water;

Because some bottlers have run over communities' concerns and the environment when they extract water and build bottling plants to get local spring and ground water;

Because bottled water travels many miles from the source, results in the burning of massive amounts of fossil fuels, and contributes to the billions of plastic bottles ending up in our landfills;

Because worldwide there is a need for investments in public water systems to ensure equal access to water, a key ingredient for prosperity and health for all people; and

Because solutions to ensuring water as a fundamental human right require people acting together and standing up for public water systems.

How Can I Recycle This?

Is this something you ask yourself many times a day? My mom is constantly asking it and when she found this website it was like she had struck gold.

“How can I recycle this?” is run by Louisa Parry and John Leach from Leeds, UK. Their hope is that the site will inspire people to reduce, reuse and recycle.

The concept is simple - each day a recycle question is asked. Yesterday's question was "How can I reuse or recycle a cracked canoe?" The authors offer up some suggestions and then throw it out for others to comment on. Users can even suggestion an item that needs recycling or show off their creative recycling projects.

Check out the endless recycling ideas at http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/. I am sure you will be amazed at the ideas and hopefully find inspiration to recycle everything you come across in your daily life. I wonder if there is a post about dog fur because my mom saves mine for the birds to use in their nest building. Let's hear it for recycling!

Wednesday Wag Out!

Chicago Girl T-Shirts
My mom is a Chicago girl and she just loves Festa T-Shirts. In addition to the Chicago girl shirt, they have northside, southside, 312, and 773 designs. And for those of you who are not from Chicago, they sell shirts for almost every state, city, and region in the U.S. Check out their cool designs at http://www.shopfesta.com/.

Protection Necklace
Who doesn't need a little energy in their life? Energy Muse sells some really cool necklaces like the one below. This necklace is called protection and when mom told me about it I asked her what the necklace would protect her from. According to their website, the protection necklace focuses on creating a shield against harmful energy. Once introduced to your energy field, Black Onyx works to repel negative vibrations. Lapis Lazuli has been added to encourage total awareness and support a state of attentive serenity. The Chinese coin, estimated to be 100-500 years old, is the ancient symbol of good fortune; with its round shape representing Heaven and the interior square symbolizing Earth. This is all a bit too much for me since I think I can protect mom from all the evils of the world. If you don't have a pug and you need protection, visit www.energymuse.com/index.asp.

Honu Glasses

If you are like my mom, then you have TONS of turtle stuff in your house. What's a few more turtle things, my mom often asks herself. These glasses are super cute and would make a great gift (wink, wink). Peaceful Valley sells lots of great items besides the honu glasses. Add a few honu to your life at www.peacefulvalleygreetings.com/index.asp.

Getting Rid of Mosquitoes

We received a lot of rain this spring so now we have a lot of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes fill a variety of niches which nature provides, so they are important to the ecosystem. They have been around for about 100 million years (much longer than pugs) in North America and there are about 2,700 species worldwide. Mosquitoes serve as food sources for a variety of organisms but are not crucial to any predator species.

My mom gives me heartworm medicine every month so that if the mosquitoes bite me I will not get a bad disease. The mosquitoes really don't bother me, but they bother my mom. Unfortunately there isn't a magic pill that will keep mom safe from the wrath of the mosquitoes, but there are several products she can apply to her skin to hopefully keep them at bay. Mom is especially worried about the effects of DEET, so she ordered some DEET-free insect repellents and she will be testing them out this summer. I will let you know the results of her tests later this summer, but for now you can check out these products at http://www.drugstore.com/.

All Terrain - Herbal Armor

This product claims to be time released and sweat resistent. It is also 100% effective for up to 2 hours and is environmentally friendly. The company supports environmental groups.

Active Ingredients: Oil of Citronella (10.0%), Oil of Soybean (5.6%), Oil of Peppermint (2.0%), Oil of Cedar (1.50%), Oil of Lemongrass (1.00%), Oil of Geranium (0.05%)

Inactive Ingredients: Water, Bees Wax, Bentonite Clay, Vegetable Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Lecithin, Citric Acid


Jason Natural Cosmetics - Quit Bugging Me

This is a company known for their pure, natural, and organic products. Quit Buggin Me claims to keep bugs at bay for up to 3 hours.

Active Ingredients: Soy Bean Oil ((2%)), Geranium ((2%))

Inactive Ingredients: Water Purified, Coconut Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate


Quantum Health - Buzz Away Extreme

This product claims to provide up to 8 hours of protection. It is sweat proof and waterproof.
It even provides protection from ticks for 2 hours. Mom hates ticks so she has high hopes for this product.

Active Ingredients: Soybean Oil (3.0%), Geranium Oil (6.0%), Castor Oil (8.0%), Cedarwood Oil (1.5%), Citronella Oil (1.0%), Peppermint Oil (0.5%), Lemongrass Oil (0.25%)

Inactive Ingredients: Water Purified, Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Benzoic Acid, Wintergreen Oil

1% For The Planet

This is one of the greatest ideas on the planet. Companies donate 1% of their sales to a network of 1,586 environmental groups worldwide. 1 % For The Planet is enabling businesses to take a lead role in being environmental stewards and to set an example for the rest of the business community. These companies embrace the notion that the sustainability of the natural environment is fundamental to the sustainability of business.

According to their website membership creates opportunities for companies to network, conduct business and simply associate themselves with over 700 companies that have made the same noble commitment. From a consumer standpoint, member companies re-enforce a positive perception of their brand, adding value that can result in greater customer loyalty and an increased customer base, especially among the growing number of people who recognize and appreciate the importance of environmental responsibility.

These guys know that the environmental challenges we face are enormous. The need for businesses to lead the way is even bigger. 1% For The Planet offers a simple, tangible and proactive way for the business community to be a part of the solution.

If you have a business then you can join. If you are a nonprofit then you can join. And if you are neither, you can once again choose wisely when shopping and find businesses who are part of 1% For The Planet. Simply search their website to locate businesses from over 65 industries. Even musicians like Jen Frazier's fave Jack Johnson are members!

Please do your part today and everyday to ensure a future for every living thing. You have the freedom, so make the choice.

Science Tattoos

I don't have any tattoos and neither does my mom, but she has been talking about getting one for over 20 years. She came upon Carl Zimmer's Science Tattoo Emporium website a few months ago and she is constantly on the site looking for ideas. People submit their science tattoos to the site with a little blurb about the tattoo - what it means and why they got it. There are some really cool ones on the site, but there are also a lot of math tattoos which mom hates. Math is a science, but mom HATES math. She said if she passes calculus she may get a little, bitty math tattoo as a reminder of the painful experience.

There are some animal tattoos on the site, but no pug tattoos. Even if you're not into tattoos, I think you should check out the site. The stories alone are worth a look and most of the artwork is excellent. Check out this cool praying mantis tattoo - a little big, but beautifully inked.

This orangutan makes me wonder how long they will last in the wild with the current state of the world. I also wonder what people at the beach think of these tattoos.

I have tried talking mom into getting a tattoo of me, but I think she is going to eventually get one of a sea turtle. Whatever. I hate being second banana to a reptile. Maybe my dad will get a tattoo of me.

Check out Carl Zimmer's Science Tattoo Emporium at http://carlzimmer.typepad.com/sciencetattoo/.

Wednesday Wag Out!

The big 4th of July holiday is right around the corner, so my mom thought you might like some eco friendly party supplies.

Confetti Recycled Melamine Plates

Doesn't everyone hate paper plates? And what about those disposable plastic plates? YUK! Of course you don't have to use paper or disposable plates anymore. Target carries a line of confetti plates, bowls, and juice tumblers. Everything is made from recycled melamine and the best part is that you can put them in the dishwasher. They come in orange, blue, magenta, and my mom's favorite green. Check them out at http://www.target.com/.Preserve Tableware

Another alternative to the Target plates are Preserve Tableware. This line has been getting lots of press lately and for good reason. The entire line is made from 100% recycled plastic, are dishwasher safe, reusable, and recyclable in communities that recycle #5 plastic. The tableware looks like the traditional plastic throw away stuff that we have all used in the past, but this stuff is made to be reused. The company that makes Preserve, Recycline, has lots of other great products for the kitchen and for personal care. You can buy their products at many retail and online locations. Visit them today at http://www.recycline.com/index.html for a store near you.

Green Glasses

Okay, so we have the dinnerware, now we need a glass to hold nice chilled beverages. I don't use a glass because I drink out of a bowl, but my mom prefers glass to plastic cups whenever she drinks. She found these ultra cool glasses made from what else but recycled bottles. Mom loves the many things you can make from recycled glass and these really caught her eye. This cute tumbler comes from the Green Glass Company. It is made from a Sol beer bottle and it will be the hit of the party. Not only does this company sell glasses, they also buy bottles from bars and restaurants to use to make their glasses. I love it! You can purchase glasses directly from their website www.greenglass.com/, or search for a retailer near you.

Bamboo Flatware

One of the best flatware ideas my mom has ever found was at Crate and Barrel. They sell bamboo flatware, but unlike the one time use bamboo flatware that is being sold at places like World Market, this flatware is reusable. The set contains full-sized utensils and even though they are not dishwasher safe, they are worth $3.95. Get yours before they are all gone at www.crateandbarrel.com.