Three new (to me) green blogs I'm following

It occurred to me last night as I was checking my RSS feeder that because of my blog on MNN that's all about food, I've been spending much more time reading and researching environmental food topics than I have other green topics.

So I went to Twitter with the determination to find three people that I follow on Twitter that have green blogs that aren't all about food and add them to my RSS feeder. Here's who I added.

The Greenest Dollar - Tagline - Save Money. Save the Environment. Be Happy. Heather Levin started this blog about saving money and being green to share what she was learning about doing both while trying to pay her mortgage off as quickly as possible. On Twitter @GreenestDollar

You Green Review - Tagline - Where Every Voice is Heard. Founder Sara Rampersaud, a Sustainable Business Consultant, started this blog as "an interactive information hub whose mission is to bring some of the most pressing environmental issues facing us- as global citizens, businesses and consumers-to the forefront." A little bit of everything here for individuals and businesses. On Twitter @GreenSara

The Green Parent - Tagline - Your friendly guide to earth friendly living.... Jenn Savedge, one of my fellow bloggers on MNN, writes about two topics that are close to her heart - the environment and children. I can't believe I didn't have this in my RSS feeder already. Lots of eco-friendly activities to do with children and lots of environmental information make this a useful site. Jenn also has a new book coming out - The Green Teen which I'll be reviewing soon - and she just may do a guest post here, too. On Twitter @thegreenparent

And hey, if I'm not in your RSS feeder, put me there. You can follow me on Twitter, too, @rshreeves.

Going Green for your graduate

Little Darryl is graduating from college next month. Only no one calls him "Little" Darryl anymore because he's 22. Darryl lives next door (when he's not on campus), and he was 11 when we bought our house. When we first moved in, he mowed the lawn for us until we got our own lawn mower and over the years he has done lots of yard work for us, fixed our kids' bikes, driven us to the airport at some outrageously early hour, and I can't remember what else. 

There will be some definite celebrating on my block when Darryl graduates. Lynn and Corey from Celebrate Green have come up with some ideas for greening a graduation celebration and some eco-friendly gifts for the grad. I just might be able to get an idea for my neighbor from it and you might be able to get ideas for your own graduate.

Giving a graduation party? 

• Easy to make it greener by not over buying food and composting leftovers
  
• using tap water instead of buying bottled
  
• if you do purchase beverages, buy glass bottles over cans, cans over plastic; 
  
• provide recycling bins
  
• use reusable plates, cups, utensils and napkins; buy organic and local when possible
  

Gift green-minded grads with something that appeals to their eco-altruism 

• Shares in a socially responsible investment fund
  
• A Tis Best gift card that allows the graduate to choose from among hundreds of charities to give money to
  
• A trip via a socially responsible eco-travel organization or a volunteer trip
  

Other ideas for graduates that will most likely align with their eco-values:

• A digital camera with a reminder to take only photos wherever she travels
  
• A treefree paper journal and recycled pens
  
• A gift certificate to a CSA so they will start off their new lives with fresh, local food
  
• A local coupon book for sustainable items and organic food like this one that is                                available in six cities around the U.S.
  
• Books like Making a Lviing While Making a Difference: Conscious Careers for an Era of Interdependence or Green Jobs: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Employment.