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Photography: Pink, Orange, White & Green Nature’s Variety #MyrFam

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This photo was taken during my stay in Myrtle Beach when I visited the Huntington Gardens. It’s a beautiful place to go visit with so much to do. You can’t even possibly get it all done in one day. I love the varieties in the plants they have. I never know there were so many different varieties of the same plants and that they would all grow in one location like this. I wish I could remember what those big pink plants were called. It’s a common plant that’s not usually pink. At least I’ve never seen it pink before.

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Keeping Green and Health in Schools this Valentine’s Day Green Gift Ideas

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By Summer my in house green expert.

There is too much commercialism surrounded by sugar coated goodies, over scented flower s, expensive cards and lavishly crazy gifts. I’m going to help you keep your Valentine’s Day smart and simple with some red, pink, and green:

– Make some cards at home with simple 3×5 cards … I even cut mine in half to help save a tree. Another card idea to spread the eco-love is to use green construction paper cut into hearts. Let your kids decorate them as they wish. (Thi$ can al$o $ave $ome of that other green.)

Bowl of Oranges– Have your child hand out clementine “oranges”. If they’re Cuties brand leave the sticker on and write a cute play on words on the card: You’re such a CUTIE; Happy Valentine’s Day!

If your clementines are another brand or you buy full size oranges then try: ORANGE ya goin’ to be my Valentine?

– Instead of oranges you could also do apples. Find the small ones that kids can actually hold in their hands; these are the proper serving size any way. Have the note read: You’re the APPLE of my eye!

– Maybe you still need something a little softer on the wallet … bananas: I’m BANANAs over you!

– Grapes? “I like you a whole BUNCH?” or “I heard it through the GRAPE vine that you’ll be my Valentine.”

– Baby carrots: “Hey BABY, ORANGE ya goin’ to be my Valentine?

– For the teacher make a fruit basket and make a little story or poem out of the fruit names or colors.

– Want to purchase something for the whole classroom? Buy a rooted plant. I’ve read articles that say having live plants in the classroom have improved student learning. Isn’t that the gift that keeps on giving?

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Sure your dentist and nutritionists might think these are great ideas, but environmentalists will too.

– Fruit comes in its own biodegradable “wrapper”.

– You can find some type of local seasonal fruit to make a pun off of in your market. Search and think!

– Rooted plants are great for our air quality. (In my opinion our attitude too.)

– The cards will be easily recyclable if you keep decorations to eco-friendly products (nix the glitter, plus your kid’s classmates would look like pixies for a week).

If you have a group of parent advocates in your child’s class or school consider making a greener Valentine’s Day theme using these tips as a base.

I’d LOVE to hear what you have to say! Do you have some green ideas to spread the LOVE this Valentine’s Day?

 

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.