One Green Summer Share Today at 8:15pm | Edit Note | Delete If your summer vacation plans include traveling with the canine members of your family, be sure to check out Care2's traveling tips for dogs.

And speaking of the dog days of summer, get these five favorite raw vegan salad dressings--perfect for hot summer days. And how about some rosemary lemonade to go with your yummy salad?

Is it muggy where you are too? Learn how Care2's green expert Annie B. Bond mitigates mold and mildew using completely non-toxic ingredients that smell good too!

Melissa Breyer shares her formulas for aromatic body powders that keep her cool and fresh despite the hot and sticky weather.

Speaking of hot, watch out for granite countertops because some of them have been found to contain radioactive materials. So not cool!

Summer is definitely bug season. Fireflies, butterflies, dragonflies: Yay! Mosquitos, ticks: Boo hiss. Read about the fun you and your kids can have observing ants!

But while you're outside enjoying the kind insects, make sure you are using a healthier alternative to DEET-based repellents to keep away the bay guys. Happy bugging!
xoxo
Snopp froggy frog

Warm summer days bring a bountiful harvest, namely luscious tomatoes. Check out Salmonella bad! Tomatoes good! by Care2's food writer Melissa Breyer for some important facts and a great recipe.

And what would July days be without lemons? Green Living expert Annie B. Bond shares 14 uses for lemons--all great ways to bring freshness and sunshine into your home.

Summer is about fun--or at least it should be. So inject a little fun and sense of play into your home decor after reading Play With Decorating.

For some decoration that's not quite so permanent, fun for kids and adults alike, try
Homemade Henna Tattoos as a sunny-day activity or party game.

This summer has also brought high gas prices--see Save Gas, Money, and the Planet with Hypermiling Tips and Tricks--and concerns about energy bills: Annie Asks You for Advice About Her Oil Bill.

But before you fall into those winter blues, take a peek at Volunteer Vacations for the Planet because when it comes time to get away, you don't have to leave your generous spirit at home.

Enjoy!

It's summertime, and the living is easy--so why not have fun entertaining in a way that doesn't contribute to global warming?

"A Green Touch for the Tiki Torch".

On a hot, sticky day, enjoy some cooler ice cream bars without all the synthetic colors and chemical flavors? Learn why the homemade kind are better and get some great recipes.

"The Green Dish: Ice Cream Pops and Popsicles"?

Consider activities other than shopping, inspired by Sustainable Dave's new blog at Care2, "Walking the Talk." Get some ideas for reducing waste and packaging in this week's installment.

"To Buy or Not to Buy? Is there Really a Question?"

Here's to a summer of ease!
xoxo
La Frogg

Care2 has got lots of ways to help you prepare for the best and greenest holiday weekend ever.

Plan your festivities with the planet in mind and put some green in that red, white and blue.

Protect yourself and your family with a plastic-free picnic.

Try some great meatless grill recipes, including Grilled Eggplant Teriyaki and Chickpea Patties with Apricot Mayo.

Finally, don't forget to share some of your favorite Fourth of July traditions here.

Be safe and be green!
xoxo
La frogg

There are so many things to love about summer, and a few things to hate: Sunburns and bug bites definitely top the list.

Sunscreen and bug repellent are smart ideas. Even smarter, choose natural formulas without any harmful chemicals.

Safe Sunscreens

Keeping the Mosquitos Away

But these things aren't failproof, and sometimes we simply forget to use them! So what to do with a wicked sunburn or a nasty case of poison ivy?

Favorite Sunburn Soothers

Cucumber Body Pizza for Sunburns or Itchy Skin

Summer Itch Relief

Being green isn't just about driving a fuel efficient car or recycling your cans and bottles, it's about non-toxic ways to live your life, keep your home clean and keep you, your family and your pets healthy. Care2 has a ton of great information on this, and here's just a sampling:

Top 10 uses of baking soda in the home

You won't believe how much this natural ingredient can do!

No more static cling!

Commercial fabric softeners can make you sick. Here are some non-toxic alternatives.

Safe and effective tick spray

Ticks can be a real problem, but not for you!

Remove stains and pet odors from rugs

Commercial carpet cleaners and fresheners can contain synthetic ingredients that can harm you and your pets, so try this instead.

xoxo
Care2.com

Can't Stand the Heat? Get Out of the Kitchen!

It's too hot to cook, and definitely too hot to turn on the oven. But we've all got to eat and why settle for cold sandwiches when there is a grill sitting there in the backyard just waiting for a little love.

Try some of these recipes, invite some friends over and you've got a party!

Spice up your summer cookouts with this Mexican barbecue sauce made of citrus, chiles and tequila.

Marinate chunks of your favorite tropical fruit in this rum and juice concoction, skewer them and throw them on the barbecue for a fabulous fruit kabob summer treat.

The portobello mushroom is the star of this veggie burger recipe, with a nice, meaty texture and great rich taste.

Five scrumptious vegetarian pates to delight the palates of your summer party guests.

You can eat your delicious summer berries plain or top them with this yummy berry sauce or vanilla cream.

Enjoy!
ribbit xoxoxo
La Froggie

 We applaud Oprah Winfrey's 21-day cleanse to jump-start her inner makeover. Vowing to forgo caffeine, sugar, alcohol, gluten and animal products, Oprah hopes to become a conscious eater. Easy for Oprah--along with the 21-day cleanse came master vegetarian chef Tal Ronnen! If only the rest of us had it so easy. For those of you who would like to join Oprah in the 21-day cleanse, the question is: How to do it without a gourmet chef providing three square meals, and snacks, a day?!

At Care2 we have long advocated for conscious eating, and we have a host of recipes to show for it. We have selected some of our most satisfying, cleansing favorites to share with you, whether you're joining Oprah for 21 days or not. You can even cheer Oprah on by signing the Care2 petition.

Creamy Vegan Potato Leek Soup: A delicious creamy soup made without dairy, but sure to satisfy.

Fresh Corn Soup with Healing Spices: An updated healthy chowder without the cream that can be enjoyed either hot or cold.

Green Gumbo: A vegan version of the traditional stew with spicy Cajun spices, tomatoes, and greens.

Vegan Pink Mashed Potatoes with Ginger and Cardamom: This designer root vegetable is tasty and easy to work with--and so lovely!

Eggless Egg Salad: Great tasting tofu substitute with protein but no cholesterol.

Root Vegetable No-Pasta Lasagna: Layers of root vegetables take the place of pasta for a wheat-free delight!

Colorful Whole-Grain Supper Salad: Complete meal in a bowl.

Red Bean Cakes with Creamy Coconut Sauce: Rice and beans with a zesty twist.

Berry Sauce and Berries with Vanilla-Almond "Cream": Luscious ways to enjoy your favorite berries.

Healthy Chocolate Pudding: This no-milk pudding gets its sweetness from dates and figs rather than refined sugar.

Enjoy, and happy inner makeover!

xoxo,

La Frog/Ribbita

Dear Friends,

It's Memorial Day Weekend and that means different things to different people. But whatever the reason for your celebration, it always includes food. But don't sacrifice health for good taste. Care2 has lots of good-for-you recipes for meat alternatives to throw on the grill, potato salads without the heavy mayo presence and sneakily healthy desserts to make Memorial Day a weekend to remember.

Grilled Portobello Burgers

The quickest and easiest way to make a healthful veggie burger you're likely to find. Portobello mushrooms are just the right size for burger rolls, they grill up beautifully, and their meaty texture and rich taste will have everyone asking for seconds.

Beet and Carrot Veggie Burgers

Sweet beets and carrots give luscious flavor to these patties, together with pungent onion, snappy cheddar cheese and lots of toasty nuts and seeds. For a vegan version, omit the cheese and replace egg with homemade flaxseed egg substitute.

Sweet Potato Salad

It's a departure from the basic mayonnaise-laden Idaho potato salad, and with the addition of dried fruit and nuts, it makes a satisfying side dish for vegetarians.

Curried Potato Salad

You can add anti-inflammatory healing power, along with great flavor, to your usual potato salad with this mouth-watering recipe that includes cancer-fighting curry spices, bell pepper, and spinach. A healthier potato salad recipe for your cookout or picnic!

Dark Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Your friends and family will never know they're getting a healthy serving of veggies with their dessert, they'll be too busy experiencing chocolate ecstasy.

Vegan Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

One of the most mouth-watering early-summer desserts ever, this heavenly strawberry-rhubarb creation is made without any dairy, and with only honey as a sweetener. That's how great it is!

Have a great holiday!

xoxo, Ribbita (La Frog)

Dear Friends,

The weather's getting warmer and it's time to start thinking about all things summer: Sun, sand, picnics, barbecues and more!

But before you get out there, check out some great articles on Care2's Healthy & Green Living site about staying safe for summertime fun.

Natural Hair Lightener. Get that sun-kissed look for your hair without the nasty chemicals found in most hair dyes.

Green Sunscreens. Protect your skin from the damaging ultraviolet rays, while protecting yourself from harmful ingredients used in many sunscreens.

Protect the Fish, Too! Read this before you go snorkeling.

Eco-Friendly Picnicking. Enjoy your picnic and help save the planet at the same time.

Outdoor Kitchens 101. Planning on spending lots of time at home this summer? At least spend your time outdoors, with the guide to creating a functional and beautiful place to cook and eat in your backyard.

TTFN,

La Frog