Nothing says Spring more than shedding dogs and nutrient-rich compost. Right?

If you end up with enough hair to make another dog after a brushing, add the hair to your compost. Dog hair (and human hair for that matter) make a great additive to soil. It is a rich source of nitrogen and some even claim that it can repel deer and other critters.

Human and pet hair breaks down fairly slowly, so you’ll want to add it in small amounts and be sure it’s pulled apart so it doesn’t mat in your compost bin.

If it’s the morning after a long evening of playing in the garden, I definitely recommend a little hair of the dog to ease the pain.

Piece out,
Renee

Errr…underpants, that is. I am very pleased to announce that I, Renee, have accepted a job that will bring a very cool brand of organic apparel to the Midwest. PACT Apparel makes organic underwear, tops and socks with a mission: to support changemakers throughout the world.

I’m still living a bit of a fairytale with this transition. Would you believe that I first changed my underwear [to PACT] about a year ago, went online to restock back in February, clicked a link labeled “join our team” and now have a job with a super cool company that I totally believe in.

Since joining the team, I’ve learned that PACT isn’t just an organic product – they are supporting social causes around the globe, making socks with 100% wind power, using plant-based and recycled packaging to package and ship their products, and being mindful of their supply chain carbon footprint.

You’ll still hear from me twice a week with practical tips green tips, but I’ll leave it to your mom to remind you to change your underwear.

Piece out,
Renee

P.S. Shameless self-promotion: if you know of a retailer that might be interested in carrying a comfy and compassionate line of apparel, let me know! I’ll take any help I can get in sharing this message with others.

If you’re planning your busy weekend, you might want to include the big bike bash and book buying bonanza on your agenda.

2 Wheels 1 City is a celebration of all-things-bicycle on Saturday at City Market. In addition to lots of fun activities and competitions, local beer will be on tap and Freewheelin’ Community Bikes will be accepting gently-used bikes.

The Indianapolis Public Library Book Sale is May 4-12. You can find new and used books, cds, dvds, records, tapes and more for dirt cheap (like 50 cents to $2) and proceeds support public libraries (the token example of reuse).

It’s time to start working summer farmer’s markets into your schedule too. Cheers to a bountiful season of basil, blueberries, beets, beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and baked breads.

Piece out,
Renee

May activities! If you’re looking for things to do to continue the Earth Day high, opportunities are sprouting up everywhere.

INPAWS Plant Sale & Auction is May 12 at Park Tudor. Perfect timing for Mother’s Day – you’ll find native plants and books on native plant gardening.

The first ever EcoFest Indy is also May 12 at City Market. There will be music, yoga, rain barrels, buses, books and more!

Irvington Garden Club is hosting native plant author, Carolyn Harstad, on May 19 at Irvington Community School.

There are still a few complimentary GreenFestival Chicago tickets for May 5-6 available on GreenClipping. I’ll be taking Megabus up on Sunday to check out the scene.

Piece out,
Renee

This Saturday, April 28, from 11am to 4pm is the Earth Day Indiana festival. We want you to attend, sure. But that’s not quite your mission.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to be green at Earth Day Indiana. Sounds simple, right? I mean, isn’t just being there green?!?!

No siree.

At this Earth Day festival, if someone offers you a brochure about electric cars and you’re not in the market for an electric car, say no thanks. If someone offers you a reusable shopping bag and you already have 30 of them in your trunk, say no thanks. If someone offers you a plastic doohickey made from recycled bottles, but you don’t really need a doohickey, say no thanks. Get the drift?

As a matter of fact, you might even want to try to leave Earth Day Indiana with less than you came with by visiting Power Recycling Weekend.

If you go, please say hi to me at the Pogue’s Run Grocer exhibit. Warning: I will have samples, but you are not expected to take one.

Piece out,
Renee

So many ways to save resources…but this one’s not exactly about saving water. It’s about saving stuff.

Chances are, if you’ve been to some kind of shower – baby, wedding or other – you’ve probably questioned some of your own wares. Why not host a shower swap?

Moms, trade gently-used baby clothes and toys. Foodies, trade seldom-used kitchen gadgets. Book-lovers, trade already-read books. Fashionistas, trade phased-out fashions.

Places like Goodwill, Play It Again Sports, Plato’s Closet, and Half Price Books have a brilliant concept, but why not cut out the middle man? Find the common link among a group of friends and host a swap party. This is even a perfect time of year to swap plant starts or last season’s leftover canned goods.

I’ve recently moved and I’m thinking about hosting a house-ware-ming party. Everyone bring that random decoration that’s outlived its welcome in your own home and, who knows, it may find its way to a new home. Any excuse to hang out with my peeps!

Piece out,
Renee

Green moms, unite! It’s time for change – of the cloth diaper variety. This Saturday, April 21st, is The Great Cloth Diaper Change, an attempt to break the world record for the most cloth diapers changed at one time.

What is the current record you ask? Why, it’s 5,026 in 2011 at 127 locations in five countries. Well, watch out 2011 because this year there are 16 countries participating at 305 locations, including Nurture, Little Green Bean Boutique, and Treetop Baby.

Some interesting diaper facts:

• It is estimated that 27.4 billion disposable diapers are used every year in the U.S.
• Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills.
• Cloth diapers reduce waste for families with children in diapers by more than 50%.

Are diapers not quite the change you were looking for? Check one one of these green events:

April 21 – Indiana Organic Gardeners Association Annual Plant Sale: plants, books and garden items will be available for auction at the Zionsville Library.

April 21 – HEC and Aveda Earth Month Celebration: enjoy a 360 Vodka cocktail at Ball & Biscuit, all proceeds benefit HEC’s water quality initiatives.

April 22 – The JCC Earth Day Celebration: an interactive day of learning (and fun!) for the whole family.

April 22 – Picnic for the Planet: good food, good people, potato sack races. What more do you need?
Piece out,
Renee

When was the last time you enjoyed a Sunday afternoon picnic? What about the last time you hopped to victory in a potato sack race? If your answer to either of these questions is, “Not lately,” here’s an event for you…

The Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is hosting a “Picnic for the Planet” from Noon to 3 pm on Earth Day – Sunday, April 22 – at Fort Harrison State Park. Whether you choose to purchase a locally sourced boxed lunch from Chef JJ’s Big Green Bistro or BYOP (bring your own picnic), this event, sponsored by Eli Lilly & Company, is sure to please.

Children and adults will have the chance to play good-old-fashioned lawn games, see live reptiles with Indiana Jim’s Reptile Experience, create and listen to music made with recycled materials, participate in a nature-themed art sculpture with Big Car artists, or join a guided birding or wildflower walk. Plus, prizes are in store for the spud sack winners!

There is no charge for the event, but you’ll need to register to get complimentary admission to the park for the day.

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. In Indiana, the Conservancy has worked for 50 years at over 195 sites to protect nearly 80,000 acres.

The Earth provides nourishment for over 7 billion people every day. This Earth Month, let’s give back – picnic style.

Piece out,
Renee and Maria of TNC

(This is a paid advertisement for The Nature Conservancy Picnic for the Planet.)

Some say ek-oh and others say eek-o. No matter how you say it, you’re not going to want to miss EcoFest Indy on May 12.

Natural Awakenings of Indianapolis and Indianapolis City Market will host EcoFest Indy, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What exactly is EcoFest, you ask? It’s a celebration of sustainable and healthy lifestyle. It’s a drum circle in the Circle City. It’s a chance to build your own rain barrel. It’s businesses representing natural health, wellness, sustainability, pets, kids, fitness and the environment. It’s samples, prize drawings, interactive displays and community spirit. It’s a festival that showcases the best Indianapolis and surrounding communities have to offer while treading with a light footprint. Oh, and it’s free to the public.

Join EcoFest Indy on Facebook to follow the new activities and exhibitors added. If you are a green business and would like to participate in EcoFest, sign up to exhibit or sponsor by April 30.

Now, how do you pronounce eco?

Piece out,
Renee

(This is a paid advertisement for Natural Awakenings.)

If you’ve ever wondered why environmentalists are always so darn attractive (ahem, you know who you are), I think I have your answer. Aveda.

For the third year in a row, Aveda is partnering with Hoosier Environmental Council to raise awareness on water quality issues in Indiana and beyond. During the month of April, take part in one of these Aveda Earth Month activities:

• Get gussied up – Dine at one of Aveda and HEC’s Drink for a Cause restaurants and opt to donate $1 for your glass of clean, refreshing water.
• Time for a makeover – Visit Wildflowers Salon in Greenwood for Martini Night.
• Still have in the rollers – Hop online and get raffle tickets for the HEC Earth Month Raffle. You can enter to win a kayak from Nurpu, one of two Kindle Fires compliments of Citizens Water, or one of ten Aveda gift sets.
• Time for an up-do – Aveda is hosting an Earth Month Celebration at Ball & Biscuit. Signature 360 Vodka cocktails will benefit HEC.
• A ponytail will do – Join bambu salon’s Water Warrior Yoga at Broad Ripple Park.

Check www.HoosierWaterWarrior.org throughout the month to learn about other Aveda Earth Month activities that benefit HEC. Saving the planet isn’t always a glamorous job, unless HEC and Aveda are leading the way.

Piece out,
Renee

(This email is a paid advertisement for Hoosier Environmental Council.)