I can vividly recall riding the school bus when I was a kid.  I remember the ride as being very long, very boring, and very stinky.  And while I was probably exaggerating the long and boring parts (my ride lasted about 15 minutes) I now know that I wasn't imagining the stink…

A recent Yale University study found that children who ride a school bus are exposed to up to 15 times more particulate pollution than average. Researchers estimate that this increased exposure is due to the idling and queuing of school buses. In other words, as school buses line up and wait in front of the school, they fill up with harmful (and stinky) particulate pollution that will stay with the kids throughout their ride.

That’s bad news for the 24 million American children who ride a school bus each day. Unfortunately, bus idling is so common simply because most people haven't thought about it yet.  Or they think the bus engines need to "warm up" in order to operate effectively.  But that's simply not the case.  In fact, car gurus now agree that allowing a bus' engine to idle causes more wear and tear on internal parts than driving.  And school bus idling is not just terrible for human health, it's also a source of environmental pollution, and a huge waste of gas!

So, what can you do to make sure your child is safe?  Make sure your school district has a policy in place to ban bus idling.  If not, talk to your school administrators about creating a policy.  Check out the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus USA project for tips on educating your school about the costs of bus idling in human health and wasted gas, and information that debunks the most common idling myths.

Don't take no for an answer on this one.

Read more from Jenn in her book, The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Environmentally-Friendly Livingor her blog The Green Parent.

Original 5 Minutes for Going Green post.

When we had a difficult time finding an eco friendly kids summer program this year, we were amazed. There are your standard programs: arts, sports, dance, music and even How to be a Pirate or How to be a Princess camp. My husband and I would look at each other mystified- where is the How to be a Good Person camp? Dead end after dead end, I felt exhausted trying to find a program and started to wonder if I was the only one looking for more.

One night at dinner, I vented my frustration and elaborated on what had been brewing in my head. There had to be a way for families to connect face to face with one another to attend green events together, host environmentally friendly play dates, share information, learn and support one another. Inspired by our conversation, I created Chicago Smart Green Families.

Our goal is to connect parents and children who are at any stage of a green lifestyle (from just thinking about how to start, to the uber-green) because we believe the journey is the focus, not the destination. Since the Green City Market is an outstanding way to shop and support local farmers and businesses, we meet there every Saturday to enjoy chef demonstrations, live music and phenomenal organic food and flowers. If parents can't make a play date during the week this gives them the chance to still be involved and meet new people. (If you haven't been yet, go and enjoy the made to order crepes and the fresh pastries too!)

During the week, the group meets every Wednesday at the Edible Gardens in the Farm in the Zoo section of Lincoln Park Zoo. Is it crazy to say that I am thrilled each time the kids get nice and dirty running down the rows of corn and herbs in that garden? They love it so much. The look of accomplishment on their faces as they eat fresh green beans and strawberries they planted and cared for all season long. And I have to say I look forward to it myself. One of our moms was still coming when her son was at day camp. It is a little relaxing getaway to chat, weed and learn.

Sure, it took a little while to buy the websites, do a little designing and organize a meetup group (great calendar, polls, message boards), but the reward is in the new members and their responses. Fulfilled would be an understatement when I reflect on what the group brings me. An immeasurable sense of gratitude, enjoyment and peace saturates me when I encounter the good energy of the parents and the kids.

Most recently our group's Reuse Tuesday Play Date was featured on ABC News Live Green series. After it aired last Friday, our membership requests have been steadily coming in. I guess I am not alone after all.

An Original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. You can read more about Jennifer's journey going green while raising a family in the city at her blog The EcoChic Organizer.

I've found there are several aspects of my journey towards going green that require me to slow down my usual crazy, hectic pace, and, I admit, this isn't always easy. When you decide to do things like prepare your meals from scratch, grow a garden, make your own yogurt or dry your clothes outside on a clothesline, you have to A) plan ahead and B) allow yourself the time to accomplish these things. This doesn't always make for an easy transition in a world where time is money and we often over-schedule our lives.

When I first started drying our laundry (everything from cloth napkins to clothes, linens to cloth diapers) on a clothesline this summer, I was frustrated with how much time it took, specifically to hang everything up. But the more I did it, the more I began to appreciate that time. It was time I otherwise probably would have spent in the house on the computer or cleaning and instead I was outside, breathing fresh air, observing the growth in my garden and watching my kids play in the yard. Yes, it is faster to throw the clothes in the dryer, set the timer and be done with them, but the process of doing it manually and hanging them up by hand is therapeutic, not to mention it saves money, uses less energy, is better for the earth and leaves your laundry smelling fresh.

I don't always make the time to hang my laundry, but when I do, I don't regret it - that is except when I hang it all up before realizing it's going to rain (but that's only happened once)!

For the record, the clothes drying rack I have cost about $30 at The Home Depot. It takes up very little yard space, collapses and can be taken completely down very easily.

Original 5 Minutes for Going Green post.

You can read more from Amy Gates at her blog Crunchy Domestic Goddess where she writes about green living, attachment parenting, activism and maternal health. Subscribe to her blog here.

In the spring the boys and I started organic gardening at Lincoln Park Farm in the Zoo's The Edible Garden.  Since then we have spent every Wednesday morning with our friends at the organic garden learning, farming, eating and weeding. Each task brings a new invaluable experience. The latest being the revelation that putting your hands in the dirt while gardening relieves depression!

Kord Staley, one of our farmer friends at the Edible Garden, shared this with me after seeing my big satisfied smile while I sat and picked weeds and it makes complete sense. Here I have been researching natural ways to cure my intermittent depression. And one of the answers was literally at my fingertips!

Gardening connects me to the earth in a way that I love. Since I am a novice gardener and addicted to organizing, each week I come with one goal in mind- to weed. But then I leave with so much more. While I sit and weed it is generally pretty quiet. Sure, the kids may come up and show me the latest vegetable they are learning about or pop by to take my weeds to the compost heap, but mostly I am peaceful and just listening. During this time, I learn remarkable facts about farming and produce. I hear my friend's genuine stories about family and life. I hear children talking to their caregivers with wonder and excitement about food and plants like they are talking about toys and games. More than improving the space I was weeding, my soul leaves in better shape than when I arrived. Talk about being grounded (pun intended).

One of the reasons I created the group Chicago Green Families was to have more families connect at these free environmentally friendly events in the city. The fact that the boys will have childhood memories of running down the corn fields and picking fresh green beans from the vine all while staying in their neighborhood makes my heart soar. These times in nature with my sons are treasures that I hold dear.

By choosing to live in the city while raising the boys, we knew there were certain things we would gain and certain things we would give up. As city kids, the boys understand which trains and buses get you where you want to go. They know the main streets to all the beach, museums and parks. They have friends that live in mansions and apartments. They are immersed in a world that is culturally, economically and just generally diverse. And we love it. Now with the addition of The Edible Garden in our life, we gain one of the things we thought we lost- the ability to farm like you were in a rural area. That deep, almost spiritual connection to the land that you get when you take care of a piece of the Earth and call it your own.

Thank you Lincoln Park Zoo for allowing us this opportunity to experience something so refreshing right here in our city. It lifts our spirits, fills our minds and nourishes our bodies each visit.

An Original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. You can read more about Jennifer's journey going green while raising a family in the city at her blog The EcoChic Organizer.

It is the time of year for summer splashes in crystal blue water, lazy sun induced naps, and barefoot running through green blades of grass to come to an end. The sounds of summer are fading as we enter the new season of clouded skies, yearnings for peaks at the sun, and grass that sometimes matches the color of the soil in which it is planted. Many of you have already sent your children back to school while others are still in the planning stages. Care has been given to choosing appropriate clothing, finding great deals on school supplies, and making sure the first day of school goes as planned. Your child will be dressed, with #2 pencils in hand, and standing ready at the front door (or sitting ready at the table) at the designated time, but what’s for lunch?

Preparing lunch for your child can be a lot like preparing dinner in that you try to find the right food(s) he will eat and not slip to the dog under the table. If your child attends school outside of the home, then you have to worry about them trading that apple, with a friend, for that bag of chips the apple was supposed to replace. Regardless of what type of schooling your child receives, he has to eat lunch.

Here are a few suggestions to try that will ensure your child gets the nutrition he needs while also making lunch something he excitingly looks forward to everyday.

1. Menu plan with your child.
Take the time to plan one month worth of lunch menus. Make three columns and label as “main course,” “snack, and “treat.” The two of you can create meals that combine your child’s favorite foods and choices that are also nutritious. Creating this one month menu may take a while, but once it’s done, you can use as a reference to follow or if your child is old enough, he can use when preparing his own lunch. Update as new food options are made at home or products are discovered.

My favorite, favorite, favorite is Vegan Lunch Box. This book is GOLD! I was able to get a reasonably priced first edition, but the second edition is worthy too and quite affordable. Jennifer McCann uses Bento style presentation and lunch is a treat everyday.

2. Have fresh fruit and vegetables available around the house to eat on a regular basis.
Children eat what is available when they get hungry. They may not like every fresh fruit or vegetable you provide, but through it being offered more frequently they may acquire a like or love, causing them to make better nutrition choices. Try to purchase items that are locally grown, because this provides an opportunity for your children to learn about what grows seasonally in their area, and also teaches them the value of buying locally.

3. Find alternatives for those “yummies” typically high in fat and sugar.
I’ll eat a few chips, but I don’t have to have them. I am also the last person (a.k.a. the “cupcake queen”) to be educating anyone on reducing sugar in their diet. Popcorn makes a great snack. My husband pops kernels on the stove every movie night and if there is any left over, our children eat it as a snack throughout the week. Newman’s Own also has some noise making alternatives with their line of pretzels and soy chips. (Tip: When Nell and Paul are on the label, then it’s organic. When only Paul is on the label, it’s natural and not organic.) Mary’s Gone Crackers also offers crunchy wheat-free and gluten-free alternatives.

Newman’s Own also has tasty sugar treats that you can feel great about offering your children. Of course you can always offer a piece of fruit which can be served single or accented with yogurt, granola, etc. Take a look at My Sweet Vegan if you enjoy cooking. If you can pull yourself away from the delicious looking pictures, then there are some great recipes of desserts that travel well for lunch. One of the great things about cooking your own food is that you can make adjustments (ex: sugar substitutes - honey, fruit - address allergy issues, etc.)

Now, the menus are planned so let’s outfit with style and consciousness that matches what is being served.

Dress Your Food To Go
Although many of our lunches are eaten at home, we have great field trips planned for this school year, so these lunch boxes are going to come in handy. Laptop Lunches are practical and reusable lunch boxes created by moms Tammy and Amy to "promote better nutrition and waste reduction.” They continue their efforts by offering volume discounts to schools and organizations wanting to do the same and have created a program called Waste-Free Lunches. This is a program that is parent-organized where they work with their children's schools to reduce lunch waste. Learn how to get involved.

Sipping Safe
We drink a lot of water and have run out of our make-shift, reusable drinking containers. I kept putting off ordering our reusable containers from Kleen Kanteen (for mom and dad) and Sigg (for the children) and am glad I finally did it. These containers are environmentally sound and are also good for storing liquids other than water. My children had fun choosing their cup from the variety of choices in the children's line.

Messy Mouth be Gone
Fabikins is another mommy business whose mission is to “provide high quality planet friendly napkins and products to help minimize the environmental impact of paper waste.” Not only are these napkins stylish, but they can be personalized with your child’s name. No messy mouths or dirty hands here.

There is no guarantee your children will enjoy planning their lunches or that their lunches won’t be traded, but you are building a foundation. It’s a new school year and since their minds are open to the new lessons they will learn in school, take advantage and add another lesson they can learn at home; green and natural living.

Additional Resources:

Great Recipes for Menu Planning with Your Children
Brown Bag Success
The Laptop Lunch
The Top 100 Recipes for a Healthy Lunchbox

Traveling Containers
Eco Bags
To-Go Ware
Bambu

Laugh, learn, and live more green and natural with Jennifer at Little Green Secrets where country living is a little easier. Subscribe to her blog here and enjoy great recipes for delicious vegetarian food that will make your mouth water, her experiences in homeschooling, and a few (ssh!) little green secret challenges she faces everyday.

An original post written for 5 Minutes for Going Green.

These great reads made their way into our minds and we couldn't keep them to ourselves:

Talking about the latest in toy safety at Grist.

Getting a fresh perspective on reducing, reusing and recycling at Recycle Your Day.

Reading about new ideas on greening your family reunion at Green Baby Guide.

Speaking up about greening up your lady business at Crunchy Domestic Goddess.

Learning about more great ideas about canning your food, from our newest contributor–Chez Artz.

Which links rang your bell this week?

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a Mommy Blogger luncheon hosted by Stop and Shop/Giant. It is Andrea Astrachan's job as VP of Consumer Affairs to listen to customer feedback. She shared with us some of the ways that they are trying to meet the needs of earth-conscious consumers (and to encourage others in this direction).

Bringing my own canvas bags is one change that I have wholeheartedly embraced. There's less waste, and they are actually sturdier and hold more than paper or plastic bags, and they can even be used in other ways (I recently wrote about my use of them at the library in Libraries are Green). Stop and Shop/Giant wants to encourage this change. For one thing, they are offering a 5 cent rebate for each bag that you bring from home. Of course it saves them money not have to supply those bags, but I applaud corporations for doing what they can to encourage people to start that new habit — and for most of us, money talks.

Speaking of money — as a self-proclaimed "light greenie," higher cost is one of the obstacles that prevents me from buying organic on a more regular basis. I want to support more earth-friendly farming practices, and to avoid the chemicals and hormones that find their way into the foods I feed my family, but the (much) higher cost is a reality. Stop and Shop/Giant has a full line of store brand products designed to help save you money. Their Nature's Promise line offers natural and organic foods at a much lower price. They will even be offering natural fresh meats under the Nature's Promise Label.

I will definitely look for these products when I am making choices at the supermarket. They sent us home with a box of mac-and-cheese from the Nature's Promise line. My daughter has known to turn up her nose at some of the store brands I try to buy in lieu of the blue box, but she gave this non-bright orange mac-and-cheese a thumbs up!

For some reason this is one of the things that really stood out to me from the time I spent with the Stop and Shop executives. The fact that they are using their corporate time and resources to develop a lower cost store brand of organic and natural products, to try to meet the needs of those who want to buy those products says something. As an added benefit, since money does motivate most of our choices, as it becomes more affordable, more people will be encouraged to make these choices with their buying dollars.

What changes can supermarkets make to convince you that they are earth-conscious?

Jennifer Donovan is Managing Editor of 5 Minutes for Books and a Contributing Editor at 5 Minutes for Mom. She blogs about her life and loves at Snapshot.

Read all of the other posts in this series on food for your family and grocery shopping featured on our sister sites today:

Save Money (and enter to win) at 5 Minutes for Mom
Stay Sane at the Supermarket at 5 Minutes for Parenting
Shop with Special Diets in Mind at 5 Minutes for Special Needs
Kids in the Kitchen at 5 Minutes for Books

Before children, I used to love to curl up with a couple of favorite magazines and a Coke and laze away an afternoon.  Important part of that sentence - "before children."  Now, mmm, I don't have the time.  Yeah, right, I would get an opportunity to "laze away an afternoon."  That would be nice.  Now, I'm lucky if I can get through 3 pages of advertisements, let alone any substance, before some small body hurls itself at me, demanding attention, and ripping any wayward page that just happens to get in the way.  Or dripping Otter Pop stickiness all over the only page I wanted to read.  Not to mention the dirty laundry that calls me or a number of other chores needing to be done.

As a result of being overwhelmed by motherhood, I've cut down on my magazine reading, and, hence my magazine subscriptions.  The magazines were piling up around the house, mocking me and demanding attention.  And I really don't need anything else to clamor for my attention, unless it is some helpful soul trying to find out what I want for dinner, and how I like my towels folded.  In any event, a husband, 2 children, a snooty cat and a guinea pig are enough for this mama, thank you very much.  Those magazine piles just made me feel guilty about all the wasted paper and energy - so I couldn't recycle them without reading them.  So, they just sat and mocked me - and I was completely unable to banish them.  I never had time to read them - and every month more piled up.  Plus, they provided a haven for silverfish, my dreaded enemy (although I've found my eco-friendly, non toxic solution - small fabric pieces impregnated with eucalyptus lemon essential oil).

So, as magazine subscriptions have come up for renewal, I've switched them over to Zinio, an online magazine reader service.  Which is great.  I'm saving resources and energy used to produce and transport the magazines I used to get by mail - although, of course, my computer uses energy.  But, overall, I'm going green with my magazines.  All sorts of green.  But not the kind that makes the world go round - you do have to pay for your magazine subscriptions.  However, Zinio does offer a free trial, so I urge you to check it out or any other on line magazine reader in lieu of your print magazines.  It isn't quite the same, but it is a solution.

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post.  You can read simple steps for non toxic & green homes, babies and kids from Jennifer at her blog TheSmartMama since Smart Mamas Do It All Naturally.

Weight loss has always been an issue with me. When I was younger I was skinny and wore boys extra slim pants. Something happened (less activity and more food) and I started having to buy plus size clothing. My size didn't define who I was but it did affect my health. I've tried a variety of things in the past 10 years and not all of them are healthy or "green".

I've done the over the counter diet pills but they made me feel jittery and I was always scared of side effects, so I would stop taking them. I've even had prescription medicine, Meridia, and despite the list of side effects, I had zero and it did help curb my appetite. It did not help me with self-control, emotional eating or to make any long term changes. It was not the answer. Then I did Weight Watchers and I have to say, I was very successful with this program. My weight toppled at 210 pounds and I was miserable. Weight Watchers taught me how to use portions control and count my calories and intake. It also taught me how to be more active. Yes, I had to learn all of this and retrain myself to exercise and eat better.

Even though Weight Watchers has an excellent program and I lost close to 50 pounds on the program I became hooked on diet soda and sugar free products and those aren't healthy. Now I've gained a few pounds back but I want to lose them again and not rely on filler foods and sugar free products. I want to eat healthy and lose the weight naturally. I have to again, adjust my way of thinking.

What are some natural ways I am trying to shed the pounds and be healthy?

1. Cutting out the sugar free soda and sweet and low and adding more H20 into my day. Sugar free products aren't good for you and there are a lot of studies to prove this. Here are a few resources to check out: Citizens for Health, Green Living Online, and Health Castle.
2. Exercise and activity. I'm not one for a daily schedule of exercise but I'm parking far away and walking. I'm running all over the yard with the kids and dog so I'm not on my butt. I'm trying hard to do sit ups and lunges throughout my day. Also to stretch and increase my flexibility. For some great tips on adding movement and activity to your day check out these sites: AOL Health and Act Now.
3. Eating less meat or at least leaner meats. I don't believe you have to be a vegetarian to be green and earth friendly, but to help do my share I'm trying to eat less red meat and add more greens to my diet.
4. Sleeping at least 8 hours. Rest has a lot to do with metabolism and when I'm tired I just don't eat as well. I'm more likely to give into the sweet tooth.
5. Keeping an eye on my Body Mass Index. It isn't so much what the scales says but rather what my BMI is and how I feel.
6. Eat several small snacks to keep me full. You don't want your body to go into starvation mode and to help me stay full and fueled I am eating more cut up veggies, cheese slices and having my favorite protein bars and tea to keep me energized.
7. Realize that mentally I have to be ready to make the life style change. Being at a healthy weight, eating well, exercising, drinking water and resting means I respect myself and I'm ready to make the change, long term.
8. I'm trying daily to give myself affirmations and encouragement. Part of weight loss and maintenance is emotional and mental. By telling myself I am doing a good job, rewarding myself with non-food rewards and patting myself on the back, I'm increasing my self-esteem.
9. No deprivation. If I want some chocolate, I eat it. I just don't eat the box. Learning that I don't have to eat everything in site and that a taste is good enough or one piece will do is helping me to not deprive myself. When I deprive myself the next day I eat the whole box!
10. Realizing when I am full. Paying attention to my bodies cues. If I feel hungry, I must be. When I feel full, stop. A body needs food for fuel and energy and listening to what my body is telling me helps me gage how much to eat and how often.

Nobody's perfect and it isn't easy to lose weight and keep it off but I truly believe anyone can do it naturally. It's a journey but I want to be healthy.  It's hard to not define yourself by what the media tells you and the pictures in magazines show us but these imagines are not all healthy or always realistic.

(Disclaimer: I am not a health professional and this should not be taken as medical advice. The only person I am qualified to diagnose is myself. You should always consult with a qualified professional before starting any new program. This is just my story and what I am been through and am trying to do.)

Original post written for 5 Minutes for Going Green

Read more from Sommer over at Green & Clean Mom, where she writes about being some shade of green every day.  Subscribe to her blog here and don't miss out her latest finds, contests, giveaways and sexy and sassy green tips!

A Going Green Checklist:

1. Learning to conserve energy? Check.
2. Reusable shopping bags? Check.
3. Shopping local? Check.
4. Making greener choices at the market? Check.
5. Using greener cleaning products or natural alternatives at home? Check.
6. Reducing water waste? Check.
7. Growing our own produce? Check.
8. Driving less? Check.
9. Treating my body like an environment worth preserving? Ummmm……check?

Did that last one stump you? In all your efforts to go green in your life, home, and community, have you forgotten something very important? We spend lots of time greening up our homes, our communities, and learning to eat better. We make choices everyday to put the environment first and preserve nature and habitats. But do we stop and take care of our bodies in the same manner? Learning to eat right is a very big step. Learning to treat our bodies like the gifts they are is an even greater step.

The path to greener living for me began with my education into holistic medicine and herbal remedies. I was recovering from an addiction, as well as coming off some seriously strong medications for depression and anxiety. My body had been put through the ringer. In my journey of recovery, I learned that my body was a treasure, a gift worth taking seriously and worth doing what I could to help it work better and healthier. For me, learning to treat ailments holistically changed my total being as well as my body for the better. I worked with nature, rather than against it.

Regardless if you believe in alternative medicines or follow the conventional medicine path, we all can agree that what we invest into our bodies is exactly what we will get out of it. I strongly believe in the mind, body, spirit connection. The three must work together in order for us to be whole. When our minds are full of stress, issues at home and work, struggles emotionally, our bodies and our spirit begin to suffer. We get achy. We come down with colds easily because our immune systems weaken. We begin to question the higher powers we believe in and find peace fleeting. If our body is not given healthy foods, plenty of exercise, water and rest, our mind cannot function. Biologically, this is true because our brains need a healthy diet to function at optimal levels. When we struggle spiritually (whatever we choose to believe in), we can feel depressed, reclusive, tired and uneasy. It's all connected. The three must be in harmony.

How can you achieve this? It's simple. Treat your body as an environment worth preserving. Treat it with the care and respect you give our earthly environment. Work on learning to create unity within your personal triad of mind, body and spirit. Work with nature, rather than against it. You can do this by starting with what is called R.E.D.S. R.E.D.S. stands for rest, exercise, diet and spirituality. Here is how I break them down for myself in terms of a green lifestyle:

REST = Conservation of energy. Without proper rest we cannot function mentally, our immune systems fail, and we have a difficult time staying emotionally stable. All of nature sleeps and wakes. Flowers sleep and wake refreshed and more beautiful the next day. When we conserve our energy by resting a full night's sleep, we help our bodies rejuvenate, replenish, and restock stores for tomorrow.

EXERCISE = Even animals take time out to play. Exercise does not have to be a strenuous work out. It can be riding your bike with your family, taking a walk with your sweetie, learning yoga, or taking the dogs for a walk in the park. The key is, to take time for physical activity that brings you joy and keeps your heart healthy.

DIET = I do not mean dieting here, I mean healthy eating and making sure what goes in our bodies will benefit it, not harm it. Same concept with organic gardening. Everything you do to your organic garden is natural. You harm one part of your garden with chemicals and the whole ecosystem suffers. What you put into your body will determine how well it functions. Put food or chemicals into it that cause one part of your body to fail and the whole ecosystem is damaged.

SPIRITUALITY = All of nature bows down to the ebb and flow of it's creator. No matter whom you believe is that creator, we all do better when our souls are fed in some way. We are given peace and tranquility. Our lives have hope and a purpose.

This is not to say that if you have problems physically, you've done something wrong. There are many things that happen to our bodies that we cannot control. But when we do our best to care for ourselves and get the most out of REDS, it can help dealing with those health issues better. The hope is, that our outlook becomes more optimistic, we build up our immune systems and strengthen our heart and lungs, we feel more prepared emotionally to take on what must come in order to deal with physical problems. We hold onto our spiritual beliefs to give us strength and courage.

Because after all, what good is a healthy earth, if the people who inhabit it aren't?

Come visit Beth at her blog Coming Up For Air, where she urban homesteads, is canning up a storm lately, and is loving life!

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post!