By Heather

I’ll be honest; we don’t watch much football at my house. Instead of playing and watching team sports, my family likes to bike and hike (or just geek out with Legos).

The other day I noticed a lot of football talk on Twitter and I thought, “oh no, I missed the Super Bowl. Too bad, I usually enjoy the commercials.”

Imagine my relief to find out that it wasn’t the Super Bowl I missed but just a playoff game. I can still DVR the big game and watch the fast-forward sports action intermixed with the commercials. Yay!

Sheriff Ronald Cary from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that the Super Bowl is fast becoming one of America’s favorite “holidays”. But what does the NHTSA have to do with a big football game? Unfortunately, Super Bowl Sunday has become the second deadliest day of the year (right behind New Years Eve).  On average there is one alcohol-related fatality every 31 minutes.

The NHTSA offers us these guidelines to stay safe on Super Bowl Sunday, especially if you’re hosting a party:

1. Offer Non-Alcoholic beverages too. Always have alternative beverages for those guests who are driving or choose not to drink.
2. Serve ample food and water with the alcohol. It is proven that food and water can help counter the effects of alcohol. I like to offer my guests “spa water” made with cucumber or lemon slices in large pitchers around the room so it becomes an easy refill option.
3. Encourage the use of designated drivers or a cab service. Make sure that any guest who has had too much to drink doesn’t drive.
4. 4. Limit your own alcohol intake to better determine if guests are able to drive at the end of the night. Did you know that you could be held financially responsible for your guests’ actions after they leave your party?

Now, go team, go! Wait, who is playing again?

Thanks to all of you who participated in our Bright Holiday Moments Contest. We’re proud to announce that “Rinky” with her story of “A Smile That Could Brighten Any Day“ is our grand prize winner! Read her touching tale of one New Years Story that meant the world to her and her family.

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It was New Years Eve and it appeared as though my water broke. For most people it would be cause to celebrate but I was incredibly concerned because my baby wasn’t due for just over two months from that night. We rushed to the hospital worried that something was terribly wrong. When we got to the hospital I learned that I was, in fact, in labor.

They informed me that they would do all they can to keep my baby healthy and inside for as long as possible but there was only so much they could do. Keep in mind it was my second birth and my first daughter was born with a developmental disability. I feared that this time things would be worse.

We were able to hold off the birth until January third, but that’s when we knew it was time. In a matter of two pushes she was born, all 3lbs 14oz of her. She was tiny, and jaundiced but she came out with her fists clenched and screaming a beautiful healthy song. Given her size and condition, she had to stay in the hospital in an incubator for about a week. When I got to see her, I knew she would be alright, even though her head was as big as my fingers are long (and I don’t have long lady-like fingers)

And like most babies she looked so worried and confused to have entered this world. She was almost like a baby alien. But in the end, my husband snapped this photo that embodies what this New Years, and New Life are all about. That smile is brighter than any light or candle.

By Whitney

Last week, I mentioned that an easy way to save water without changing your behavior is to install a low-flow cap on your sink faucet. The word “install” does not typically agree with the word “easy”, so check out this video of Heather doing the install in just a few seconds:

Did you hear what I said about keeping water usage down in the laundry room? Well, whether your washing machine allows you to use less water or you just need to be mindful of doing a full load every time, we have yet one more eco-friendly laundry tip for you.

Look for laundry detergent that is a highly concentrated formula.  The environmental benefits are that there is less water already in the detergent; therefore, the manufacturer is not wasting resources by selling us water that we are simply adding to a tub of water in our wash load. And second, a concentrated formula will come in a smaller package, so there is less plastic per package that you bring into your household. Look for 2x or 3x (or more!) on the packaging to know that it’s a concentrated formula.

By Heather

Photo Credit: Graham Turner

Walking along the streets in my neighborhood on Wednesday nights or Thursday mornings, I still see some Christmas trees littering the sidewalks. I wondered what the timber was going on.

Upon further investigation, I discovered a few things:

1. My town offers recycling of Christmas trees throughout the month of January
2. They can do fabulous amazing things with recycled trees such as restoring beachfront dunes and improving fish habitats. Watch this video for some fun tips and trivia about recycled Christmas trees
3. Rudimentary Christmas tree reuse includes composting, chipping, or using trees for fuel.

Go to the website Earth 911 to find recycling centers near you. And let us know in the comments if you’ve heard of any other creative uses for retired Christmas trees.