Guests:

Tina North from Twin Cities Green joins us to talk about some green gift options for everyone on your list!  The holidays can be filled with purchases that have a large carbon footprint.  Tina talks about a whole slew of great eco-friendly gifts that will make you and the planet feel good!  Some great green options - BPA free baby bottles, natural wood toys, recycled plastic toys, long-lasting soy candles, recycled glass dishware, healthy mattresses and a super cool electric bike!  From stocking stuffers to a new eco-bed, Twin Cities Green knows green gifts!

Laura Mullen is here from Flings Event Design to talk about greening your holiday parties!  Laura's event planning business works with groups to plan everything from birthday parties to weddings.  She offers her planning with a "positive ecological edge"!  Gathering with friends and family is very popular at this time of year.  Why not tread a little lighter on the Earth this season by adopting some eco-event tips.  You can start out by using email invites to summon your revelers.  Then use real china or compostable dinnerware to feed them.  And the food, try local, free-range and organic where ever possible.  Need entertainment?  Your iPod is full of great tunes or hire a local band to come and play your venue.  If a big shindig is in your future, try renting your space from a non-profit such as a museum so the fee goes to a good cause.

Info and Tips:

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Green Tip #294

Use a Laptop instead of a Desktop

If you have the choice between powering up your desktop or a laptop, choose the latter. Also, when it's time to upgrade to a new computer, think laptop.

Laptop computers draw only 15 to 25 watts during regular use, as compared to the 150 watts used by a conventional desktop computer and monitor. Plus, laptops also draw just a fraction of a watt when in sleep mode.