Kindness in the New Year

As we wind down the holiday season, we are reminded that this is the time of year when we look to the coming New Year.  When we ponder how the last year has gone and what we would like to change, or what we are looking forward to about the year to come.

The past year, like so many years before, has been wonderful for some and trying for others. And trying times will continue to show their faces many years to come as will the good times. But through everything, let's remember to Be Kind to one another.  


Over the past several years, we have also run two different Kindness campaigns featuring the good people at Rachel's Challenge.  Check out a few of those videos here and listen to why spreading kindness is so important in our every day lives.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBGjg16mUz4

No matter what you decide to do this next year, we at What You Can Do would like to encourage you to choose kindness whenever possible in 2017.  

This year, we were honored to share some wonderful videos featuring our friends at Ben's Bells talking about how they spread kindness.  We invite you to hear their story and learn how they empower and inspire people to help spread kindness throughout our country and the word.  You can see one of our videos with them here:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghwG8u4Qh5E

Our friend's at the Anti-Defamation League do their best everyday to help make the world a better place for all people.  Take a moment to listen to some of the ADL's interns discuss how they help make a difference each day - combatting hate and showing kindness to all.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU0roaWBAls&t=113s

You too can be an instrument for kindness in your everyday lives. 

Check out this Sacramento mom who made signs to encourage kindness during this year's election cycle:   

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/14/health/iyw-america-great-signs-trnd/  

Hopefully it will inspire you to help make a difference in your own lives and communities.

There are so many ways to show kindness to others even if you only have One Minute of time to give.  This coming year, consider helping an elderly neighbor, paying for the coffee of the person behind you, sweeping the sidewalk in front of your house to keep it safe for pedestrians, reporting any and all cyber bullying you see, dropping off a bag of food at your local animal shelter etc. etc. etc.  These are just a few simple ways that you can show kindness this coming year.  If you need more ideas check out our website:  http://www.ontheleesh.com/whatyoucando/

Take a moment this year to help spread kindness.  We promise you won't regret it.

Cheers to a very happy 2017, from the What You Can Do Team

Last minute ways to make a difference this Holiday

Here at What You Can Do, we love this time of year.

The holidays are a great time to remind loved ones how important they are to you. You can also use your spending power as a way to show your support for companies and vendors who are doing their best to make a difference in the world.

As the holidays quickly approach, here are just a few last minute ideas to help make your season a little bit brighter and a bit more greener!

1.  Gift Wrap Exchange:  If you are like me than you might buy your wrapping paper in bulk and than end up using it for multi holidays or even multiple years.  This season consider doing a wrapping paper exchange with your friends who might also have an overload of gift wrapping paper or bows. By trading old rolls  with friends, you will both get something new to use without having to go out and buy an entire new costco size roll!  It is always fun to trade with friends, so why not consider helping each others wallets and the environment out by exchanging wrapping products instead of buying new.


2.  Give The Gift of Donation:  Consider stuffing your stockings this year with a donation in someone's honor to their favorite charity. Or you can do as my mother did every year, and give your children an envelope with some money in it.  Tell them that they must use that money as a donation for the charity of their choice.  My mother did this for each one of my family members when I was growing up.  It was a great way to give and to also get her kids involved in helping others.  I was always exciting to choose where my red envelope of money was going to go each year.  It always made me feel proud to help give back to those you needed it.

3.  Give The Gift of Warmth:  Often during this time of year, the weather outside is cold, and there are lots of people who are not fortunate enough to always have a warm place to live.  These individuals are also often in need of warm clothing items such as hats, coats and gloves.  Consider going through your closets and donating gently used winter wear that you are no longer using to organizations that hand them out during the winter months.  An unused coat hanging in your closet could mean a lot to someone in need.


4.  Skip Those Cards:  Holiday cards are lots of fun to receive and send.  However, most of these cards just get thrown away immediately after arrival.  This year consider going digital and sending out your holiday cards via email or social media.  You can also still print your cards but consider using eco friendly paper and/or printing.  Also do your best to make sure all those paper products are recycled at the end of the holiday.

Have ideas about how to make your holiday greener?  Comment below and tell us what you do.  We always want to hear from our fans.

From all of us here at What You Can Do, we hope that you have a very safe and happy holiday. Wherever you are, whatever you celebrate we hope you have a wonderful holiday season. 

Time To Give Thanks

This Thursday is Thanksgiving.  Even though we know we should be thankful of our family, friends, homes etc. all year long...Thanksgiving time is a great opportunity to really take a moment and celebrate what we are all Thankful for in our lives.

Recently we have seen a lot of great ideas about how to be thankful and spread kindness etc. and wanted to share them with you.  So if you need some last minute ideas here you go!

(Photo Credit from abcnews.com)

1.  Make memories that will last for years: We loved this story about a women who has her family and friends sign her white table cloth each year, thus bringing back memories each year of the previous thanksgiving.  We just loved her idea and wanted to share it here: You can read more of her story by here: http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/familys-thanksgiving-tablecloth.  Check it out and consider starting something of your own similar this Thanksgiving.  

2. Get involved with local charities: Some cities have turkey donations at local food banks.  Others have special events to feed the hungry during this time.  Check your local listings for last minute ideas and events that you can participate in to help others around you.  Also consider making a donation in honor of what you are thankful for or in memory of those who are no longer with you.  Events like Run to Feed the Hungry are charitable organizations that sponsor a 5k on Thanksgiving morning in the Sacramento region of California.  Check local listings for charitable events like this in your area. http://www.runtofeedthehungry.com/ 

Run to Feed the Hungry is owned
by Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
and all profits directly benefit the organization

3.  Share, Share, Share:  If you are looking for a fun way to share what you are thankful for with family or friends around the table consider having everyone write down what they are thankful for at the beginning of the meal and putting it in a bowl or hat.  After dinner or during dessert pass the bowl around and everyone takes a message.  Go around the table and have everyone read the note they received.  Take turns after all the messages have been read to guess who's message was who's. 

4.  Show support with your dollar:  Black Friday shopping has started earlier and earlier as the years have gone on.  If you want to encourages business to let employees have days off for the holidays consider not doing any holiday buying on this Thursday.  Show your support that you want business to continue to care for their employees by staying closed on holidays.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying a good holiday sale, but if supporting businesses that stay closed for their employees' benefit on Thanksgiving is important to you, please consider using your spending habits to send a message.  

Warmest wishes during this time of thankfulness.

What You Can Do

What You Can Do wants you to have a Happy Halloween!

October is coming to an end and that means Halloween is fast approaching. 

We love Halloween here at What You Can Do, and all the fun and candy that comes with it. Here are some simple tips to help keep your Halloween eco-friendly, safe and inclusive for all:

1.  Participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project: What kid doesn’t love dressing up and going around their neighborhood asking for delicious candy? Unfortunately though, some children have severe allergies to common ingredients found in most candies. This holiday consider also participating in the Teal Pumpkin Program. You can let families who come to your neighborhood know that you also have non-allergy items for kids who trick or treat at your house. Just paint one of your regular pumpkins teal to let everyone know. You can pass out items such as stickers, erasers, pencils etc. etc. in addition to the normal candy. This helps include everyone in the fun Halloween festivities.  You can also learn more about the teal pumpkin program here:  https://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project#.WBEtRTt7yhM

2.  Conscious buying:  Try not to buy fake items when you can buy those same items in an easily disposable form.  For example, avoid buying plastic pumpkins that would just go in the trash when you are finished with them. Instead purchase real pumpkins from a pumpkin patch or local grocery store. Real pumpkins can be put in the compost once you are finished with them or cut up and turned into pumpkin pies or soup.  Keeping as much plastic out of our landfills as possible is a great way to be green this Halloween. You can also decorate with old corn husks, dead branches and or leaves this Halloween instead of purchasing new. Also don't forget to roast your pumpkin seeds from your jack-o-lanterns

Check out our original What You Can Do video here which gives you ideas for keeping fall decorations green:  What You Can Do: Fall Decorations

3.  Make your own costume:  Instead of going out and buying a whole new costume every year that you might never wear again, consider making your costume from found items in your home or from your local thrift store. You can also ask to borrow costumes from family and friends. Or consider reusing or repurposing your old costumes this year and save yourself from having to buy something completely new. These ideas can help you save time, money and resources.   

4.  Stay Safe:  Make sure that you and your family stay safe this Halloween by always having a flashlight or other type of light with you when walking the streets at night. When in costume, it can be hard for drivers to identify pedestrians walking around the neighborhood. Stay out of danger by letting cars know where you are with flashing bike lights, reusable flashlights and or reflective gear you can wear. Nothing says Happy Halloween like staying safe.

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!

Momma's Mondays: Making a difference this school year.

September is here.  And that means by now most kids are back in school and the new year is in full swing!  To finish out our #WYCDbacktoschool campaign, we wanted to share a few great ways that you and your kids can be involved with your school or local community this year. Check out these simple ways that you can help make this a great year.

Volunteer in a classroom or with School Sporting Events: Giving your time is one of the easiest and most helpful ways that you can make a difference this school year. Schools can be short staffed and rely on parents to volunteer their time to help make the classroom a better place for learning. Even if you only have one hour of time, helping out a teacher with a classroom full of kids is a great way to give back to your community school. Check with your local district and find out what their specific needs are.  You can also enquire if any of the after school sports programs need outside volunteers.  

Help with a Beautification Project at your School: Even the most well-maintained schools around the country could use some help with beautification projects on campus. Check with your local school and see what needs they have. Simply taking a few hours out of your weekend to plant some flowers, a tree or help clean up the school garden is an easy way to make a difference. Your kids can even get involved planting or picking up trash.  

Got any Artistic skills?  Petition to Paint a Mural: Some schools have indoor or outdoor walls that might need painting. If you happen to have good painting skills and have the motivation, consider petitioning the local school to approve a community focused mural.  Sharing your creativity will not only showcase your talents but will also make the school more beautiful for those attending daily or driving by.

Pick up Trash on your Walk to and from School:  Unfortunately for our Earth, trash has become a daily reality to see on the streets, anywhere you go.  If you are lucky enough to live close enough to be able to walk to school, consider starting a trash clean up project on one of those mornings or afternoons. Leave your home a little earlier than usual and bring along trash pick up tools and bags.   Just doing your best to help keep trash off of your path to school is a meaningful way to give back and an easy project that your children can be a part of.

Support Activities and Clubs with Donations: If you find yourself short on time this school year, consider using your dollar to help support your local schools instead of volunteering. Many schools hold fundraisers throughout the year to help fund programs such as sports and/or arts. Sometimes just being able to give financial support goes a long way to help make the lives of our children better.

Donate to organizations supporting our teachers and schools: Consider making helpful donations to an organization that provides much needed products to teachers and school based programs like Material for the Arts if you live in the New York City Metro area. Check your local listings to see if there are organizations in your area that accept donations for local school distribution.

If your school community is lucky enough to not need help this year, consider other ways that you can help share the importance of giving back and helping those in need with your kids. For example you can: Volunteer at a local soup kitchen with your kids on the weekend.  Teaching our next generations how to give back is very important. This school year consider spending a few hours one weekend volunteering as a family for your local food banks or soup kitchens.  Being out in the community is a great way to show how important giving back is.

There are so many ways that you can help this school year and help teach our children how important it is to be the change you want to see in the world.

Comment below and tell us your plans for the school year.

Cheers!
The What You Can Do Team

What You Can Do Goes Back To School

It’s starting to get darker outside earlier, leaves are starting to turn and kids are back in school (or heading back soon) in towns all around the country.  

August is almost over and fall is coming. Back to school time always means new pencils, books and other gear for the start of a new school year. While a shopping trip is a fun tradition, reusing supplies from past years can save money and keep trash out of the landfill. Sprucing up an old backpack or adding new erasers to old pencils can give life to items that you already own.

However sometimes repurposing old items is not possible and we have to buy new for back to school. Fortunately there are some great eco-friendly options to consider when shopping - check out the ideas below:

Eco-friendly backpacks

These adorable kids backpacks come in a variety of styles and are PVC-free, made from natural cotton canvas and rope materials. "The buttons and buckles on this bag are made from recycled plastic parts and sustainable wood parts. All colored materials used in the construction of this bag are treated with toxic-free dyes.” Check them out here for your little ones:

https://www.theultimategreenstore.com/p-1939-ecozoo-cotton-kids-backpacks-36.aspx

Reusable Lunch Boxes

School lunches are a BIG part of the daily school life routine. Consider getting one of these cool bento box reusable lunch boxes. These little guys keep food warm or cold and by reusing everyday, you are not throwing away bags and packaging.   Check them out here: http://www.omielife.com

Pencils

Pencils are a way of life when it comes to back to school.  Everyone needs pencils. This school year consider finding a pencil that is eco-friendly like these recycled newspaper pencils from Treesmart. Not only are they useful for homework but they are also super cute!  Check them out for you kids here:

http://www.treesmart.com/TSPStore/product-category/newspaper-pencils-qty-discounts/

Paper

Everyone needs paper and binders for school. So why not choose from a variety of recycled binder paper or recycled loose leaf paper. The ultimate green store has a variety of options that you should check out!  

http://www.theultimategreenstore.com/s-225-recycled-notebooks-paper.aspx

Reusable Water Bottles

Staying hydrated during the school week is so important! Check out Mama Missy's absolute favorite kids' water bottle made by CamelBak. Small, portable, virtually unbreakable, BPA free and with an easy hook on the top for little fingers to hold. This reusable water bottle is a must! Check out all the design options here:  http://shop.camelbak.com/kids-water-bottles/l/209   

Erasers

Everyone makes mistakes. Why not erase them away with these recycled rubber erasers. Check out these cute and easy to hold erasers made from other recycled rubber products.  Check them out here:

http://www.greenbackpack.com/products/pencils-pens/recycled-rubber-erasers-2-pack/  

Back to school time is an exciting adventure.  

Make sure to keep things green and eco-friendly with some of these great options.  

And comment below and tell us how you go green for back to school.

Cheers!  Mama Missy

WYCD Momma Tuesday: DIY Kids Projects

If you've followed this blog, you know that I love DIY and working with reclaimed products. I am constantly on the quest to reuse products instead of buying new and creating more trash for our landfills. Since becoming a mom, I try to incorporate DIY and reclaimed items into my child’s toy collections. I have high hopes for fun things that I could make for my son over the next several months. Below are some cool ideas - I plan on executing at least a few of these:

Tire Sandbox

1.  Recycled tire sand box - My son loves going to the sand box at the park. Unfortunately sand can get super messy very quickly, so a large sandbox in our backyard wouldn't really be ideal for keeping our place in order. However, a small one like the one pictured is a more manageable size and a great use for an old tractor or truck tire. One could even make a shade cover with scrap fabric and rope or an old umbrella. 

Wooden Pallet Climbing Wall

2.Wooden Pallet Climbing Wall - I don't know about all kids but in my experience toddlers LOVE to climb. I love the idea of this pallet climbing wall - something simple and easy for them to climb up and down on and work on their motor skills.  

3.  Kids Outdoor Kitchen or Tool Bench - My son just got a used log cabin house for our backyard and I would LOVE to build him a tiny little kitchen to go inside. I love the idea of taking found items like bowls, cups and old faucets and crafting them together into a tiny play kitchen that he can use in his new little house.

Chalk board

4.  Fence Chalkboard - I love chalkboards and have made several reclaimed ones from old windows. I think it would be so fun to have a little chalkboard space outside, along our fence, for my son to draw on. I could also use it for decoration when I have people over.

Kids Outdoor kitchen,

Donut Tire Swing via Pinterest

5.  Painted Tire Swing - One of our favorite parks has a really fun tire swing that all the kids love to ride. I think hanging one for my son and painting it a cute color would be awesome.

6.  Backyard Ball Runs or Water Works - If there are two things toddlers love - it is water and balls. Making some sort of ball run or waterfall along the fence would be so much fun. I have seen these toys made out of old plastic pipe, water bottles and tupperware.

Water feature along fence

I always have big dreams of the projects I am going to do. I may not be able to accomplish all of these, but will keep you posted on my goal to create some of these cool projects by the end of the fall.  Also please comment below and tell us about your cool kids DIY projects. Send us your pictures!!

Happy Creating,

Mommy Missy

**Pictures via pinterest