Health Patio

TwitterMoms asked for 10 tips towards a money saving vacation, but to make this challenge applicable to me, I needed to think of ten ways I could save money and tread lightly on the earth. Of course, as a mom to a one-year-old, I know that camping, although inexpensive and relatively earth-friendly, is simply out of the question for most families. Its a vacation, after all, not a punishment!

1. Calling all passengers. Flying by plane is faster, but these days that’s one of the only advantages to flying. Its expensive, you can barely bring anything with you, and there’s very little sight-seeing on the way. Depending on the size of your traveling group, consider trains or driving.

2. Here we are now, entertainers. Forgo movies or expensive shows this vacation, you’re family will enjoy and remember a $12 board game far more than a stuffy play. For that matter, forget buying games and DVDs for the car this year. If you have a smart phone. Library books and books on tape.

3. Taxpayer’s dollars. You pay for national forests, visitor centers, and even the roads you travel on, so enjoy them!

4. Pack and Pick your own food. For the dreaded travel itself, try not to buy snacks from gas stations or service stations along the way. Pack your own food ahead of time. This will decrease your impulse buying, and you’ll be able to plan ahead of time to pack the least greasy and more healthful foods.

5. Volunteering. Volunteering locally will allow you to get to know the people and culture you’re visiting. You’ll also most likely get a free keepsake to commemorate your trip (one less token to buy).

6. Collectables. Help your kids decide on a specific way they plan on commemorating their travels. Instead of allowing them (and yourself) to collect a mountain of brochures, ticket stubs, buttons, or mugs, decide what kind of memorabilia you’ll be willing to buy before entering the gift shop.

7. Capatalists. Capitol buildings, and national monuments, are usually free to the public. They’re educational,

8. When in Nebraska… Pick up the local newspaper (especially the Entertainment center or weekly publication) that comes out in the

9. Make friends. Whether its other vacationers or locals, two heads (or five or six) are always better than one. They’ll be able to suggest worthwhile things to do and see

10. Home Sweet Home. Be sure to turn off any faucents, lights, and air conditioners when you’re away. Tell a neighbor you trust how long you’ll be gone so they’ll keep a look out for anything fishy.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the Toyota Sienna and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” <a

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Dairy farmers and neighbors of dairy farmers rejoice! A growing trend among dairy farmers world wide are knee-deep in a more innovative way to rid themselves of manure, which according to the Environmental Protection Agency, livestock raised for slaughter, wool and milk production account for one quarter of methane emissions in the country. Many farmers are beginning to harvest said methane, either using it to run elelcticity on their own farms or selling it back to utitility companies. Californian rancher Albert Straus uses his herd of 270 cows to run his 75- kilowatt generator. Like many environmentally solutions, this one seems to have no flaws except for the financial investment each farmer or rancher must hand over. According to Chuck Fry, vice president of the Maryland Farm Bureau, a farm about Strauss’ size of around 200 cows, can be up to a $1 million investment, not including the cost of maintenance and extra labor. As for the benefits, methane capturing tanks not only keep the stench to a minimum, they also decrease greenhouse gas emissions and keep manure from ending up in waterways. This process has been recently employed in Maryland, where debate rages on about the effect of land-based agriculture on marine agriculture. While dairy farms themselves seems to be leading the way on such innovations, dairy agriculture as a whole is still being scrutinized for emissions that have to do with processing and transportation. Thus, children, we have two lessons to learn here: one, buy milk and other agricultural products locally whenever possible, and two, remember that cows are the only kind of animals that create excrement. As they say one man’s waste is another mans fuel, I paraphrase.