Red, White and GREEN - 7 Tips to an Earth-Friendly Independence Day

The Fourth of July is a great time to get some sun, have a little fun and forget about the daily grind as we celebrate our nation's birthday. But just because it's an excuse to party hardy, we shouldn't forget that keeping things green and protecting our environment over the holiday is just as important as making the perfect apple pie or lighting up the barbecue. With this in mind, here are seven ways you can add a little bit of green to your patriotic party and still have plenty of fun - read on!

Tip 1: Ditch the Plastics

Disposable plates/utensils/cups may be convenient for you, but not Mama Earth. You could have a ‘bring your own plate/cup’ theme where the most unusual/fun, different categories of plates could win a prize. You could even have a dish/cup swap. You start with one, but go home with something completely different. If you must, reach for biodegradable plates, try these bamboo products by Bambu when you’re out shopping for your soirée this week.

Tip 2: Buy Local and Organic Food

Who wants to worry about pesticides on this day of patriotism? We recommend steering clear of foods produced on factory farms — instead look for locally-grown and/or organic produce and meats for you grill. Buying locally is a great way to better educate yourself on what you’re putting into your mouth and it supports your local economy. And if you’re looking to reduce your environmental impact even further by going all-veggie, there are some delish animal-free selections out there, including the classic veggie burger and tofu-pups. These tasty vegetarian dishes avoid the pitfalls of industrial meat production, which contributes to much of the world’s water use, emissions, land use and oil consumption.

Tip 3: Grill Green

With over 60 million barbecues lighting up this Fourth of July, choosing the right grill and grilling accessories can do a lot to help the earth breathe easier. There are a variety of sustainably produced charcoal briquettes out there – including Wicked Good Charcoal, which is made from industrial scrap wood. Propane is also another good option as it produces close to half the emissions of generic charcoals. If you’re looking to save space in your backyard, try out Black+Blum’s Hot-Pot BBQ, which is cleverly disguised as a planter!

Tip 4: Make Your Own Healthy Sweet Treats

Did someone say POPSICLES? Sure store-bought cakes and pie are an age-old favorite, but they’re also laden with refined sugars and fat. So say poo poo the pie and whip up some fabulous popsicles instead! Homemade ice pops are the perfect way to cool down and to satiate a sweet tooth. You can prep and stock up on the pops in the freezer the day before your party, or for those on the go try a cooler filled with these frozen treats. One nifty design that caught our eye recently is the Zoku Quick Pop, which whips up popsicles in just under 7 minutes!

Tip 5: Switch on the Solar Light

If you plan on partying into the night, a great way to add some ambiance without impacting your electricity bill is with solar lamps and lanterns. Just set them out in the sun for the day and when dusk falls, voila – you’ve got yourself the perfect setting for an impromptu dance party or a romantic Independence night with your loved one.

Tip 6: Go for Green Fireworks

It’s hardly a Fourth of July without fireworks. Fireworks however don’t fare well when it comes to their green cred, but thankfully there are some companies out these putting out some alternatives that sparkle just as bright! Some sweet options we’ve seen include perchlorate-free fireworks and Chris Burton’s Sky Orbs. These colorful lamps can be lit to light up the night, but are also made from biodegradable and environmentally safe materials.

Tip 7: Pick up your waste and RECYCLE!

After this Fourth of July there are bound to be plenty of stray cans, bottles, streamers, plates, and forks littering streets and parks. Do yourself, your community, and the environment a favor by picking up all the leftover traces of your party and properly dispose of them, recycling all that you can. It’s an obvious tip, but it doesn’t hurt repeating.

[via Inhabitat]

4th of July Food Ideas: Red, White, Blue and Delicious!

Looking forward to our nation’s birthday? One of the best ways to make this July 4th memorable is a patriotic picnic.

So how to make a picnic patriotic? However you can, show your colors: red, white and blue.

Perhaps the easiest way is with everything but the food. Plates, cups and utensils – get them in red, white and blue – or each in one of the three colors. Make sure your table cloth or ground cover also sets the colors right.

And think green, with red, white and blue. Try to use reusable, such as white or blue cloth napkins, white china plates, and blue cups. Get fun decorations like streamers and flags. And for picnics heading into the dusk, sparklers add festive light.

Next, you’ll want to think of foods and drinks that are easy to carry and serve. And of course, you’ll want to enjoy foods that fresh and unique to the season, so plan on favorites like grilled foods, fresh fruits, summer salads, and of course corn on the cob.

Here are some 4th of July food ideas that show your colors

Fruit Salads - One of the best ideas for a patriotic picnic is a fruit salad. First, there are so many fresh summer fruits that are red or blue. Mix blueberries with strawberries, raspberries, or chunks of watermelon. Then top it with whip cream – or put it on yogurt – for a cool, sweet, patriotic treat.


Tomato Salad – Another great choice. There are many varieties of tomatoes, so choose the right color for your Independence Day salad. Top with mozzarella salad, serve in a blue bowl, and you’ve got a great flag-saluting side dish.

Red Potato Salad - While we all know russet potatoes, the fact is there are many varieties. For the 4th of July, pick red potatoes. Top with shredded mozzarella or white cheddar, and serve in a blue bowl. Tasty and colorful!

Coleslaw - Another great salad idea for your holiday picnic. With so many varieties of cabbage, you can choose white, red and purple varieties to create a colorful mix. And as an added plus, cabbages are among the most healthy vegetables, and tastes great chilled – making in an awesome summer salad.

Iced Tea or Lemonade - Cool and refreshing, both tea and lemonade come in many varieties – and colors. As an added plus, many teas have super healthy antioxidants, which slow aging and help prevent cancer. So choose a red tea or strawberry lemonade, and float some blueberries on top. Serve in white cups or with white napkins, and you’ve saluting your flag.

Chicken - There aren’t any meats that are red, white and blue – and if you see some, you probably shouldn’t eat them. But your picnic can still feature a great meat dish. Chicken is a great choice because it’s easy to eat with fingers, not too greasy, and a healthy lean meat. And it’s delicious and popular cold, perfect for being outside at a picnic. Try it baked, grilled and fried.

Dessert - This is where you can really let your colors show. Some ideas include patriotic parfaits, a patriotic sundae, or red, white and blue ice creams or sorbets. Won’t be using a cooler? Try making a blueberry cobbler topped with strawberries and whipped cream, or bite-size cheesecake squares with blueberries and pitted cherries.

[via Happy Green Mama]