Every week we feature a fun and/or educational activity you can try at home or in the classroom. Teaching kids to live healthy, sustainable lives can be a challenge. On April 22, celebrate Earth Day 2013 with an eco-friendly meal and invite Mother Nature to dine with your family.
Photo credit: sheknows.com
How to Prepare an Earth Friendly Meal:
- Grow Your Own Food: If you don’t have a green thumb, a few easy-to-grow herbs can help you make tasty treats like mint tea or rosemary bread.
- Visit a Farmer’s Market: At your local market, you can find healthy, organic foods and also support local farmers.
- Shop Seasonal: If a farmer’s market is unavailable, explore the option of visiting a local farm to pick your own produce. During the trip, explain the planting and harvesting process to your kids.
- Reduce Packaging Waste: Foods packaged in plastic and boxes use a lot the Earth’s resources. Start with a simple switch and make your own bread. Artisanbreadinfive.com gives healthy, fast tips for fresh bread.
- Use Cloth Napkins: You can turn this step into a project all its own. White cotton napkins, or faded colored napkins, can be naturally dyed using tea. By upcycling old items, excess waste is reduced and creative expression flourishes.
- Create a Centerpiece: Pick up extra fruit and colorful vegetables at the farmer’s market to make a “green” centerpiece for your table; you can always eat it later. Rather have flowers? Keep an eye out for wild flowers growing on the roadside or make a bouquet from backyard trimmings.
Visit the Earth Day Network and learn about The Face of Climate Change
See how Heifer cares for the Earth in its projects around the world.
