USEFUL INFORMATION

Hi Everyone! I had my first meeting of the "Thoughtful Suburbanites" at my local library. It was a group I formed through yahoo's http://www.meetup.com/  It was nice to meet people with similar interests and values and I'm really looking forward to learning from other members. I'm including below a list of resources I made available to the members of the group, but I thought readers of my blog might also find it useful. The last table includes local thrift shops, so if you don't live in the suburbs of Chicago, you can ignore that! Otherwise, I hope you find some useful information on this list. If you have any other websites you think should be added, leave it in the comment section. Thanks!
GREEN RESOURCE LIST


WEBSITES FOR KIDS AND FAMILY

http://www.adventureecology.com/ An interactive game for kids

http://www.planetfriendly.com/ Certifies earth friendly products

http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/ Ideas for everyone

http://www.nrdc.org/ Natural Resources Defense Council-'Kids Make Waves” How kids can help

Www.noimpactproject.org/experiment Family project-how much smaller can you make your carbon footprint?

http://www.fooditude.tv/ Greenfood website for “tweens”

Www.nwf.org/wildlifewatch National Wildlife Federation-kids can log their wildlife sightings to help scientists

http://www.softclothing.net/ “Green” clothes for kids with sensitivity issues

http://www.climatecycle.org/ Fundraise to get solar panels installed in our children's schools

http://www.safekids.com/ Get a free basic internet filter to help you keep your kids safe online

http://www.k9webprotection.com/ See above

http://www.frugalfun.com/ Lots of great cheap and green ideas

http://www.frugalvillage.com/ More ideas for you and your family

THRIFTY WEBSITES

http://www.lastfm.com/ Free streaming music-you choose what you want to hear

http://www.pandora.com/ Free streaming music-you hear music similar to your favorites

http://www.swap.com/ Excellent website where you can trade books, music and games. They are working on expanding to other items as well

http://www.freecycle.org/ Join the one in your city and let others turn your junk into their treasure

http://www.wisebread.com/ An excellent website with hundreds of ideas on green and frugal living

http://www.gamestop.com/ Go to your local shop to buy/trade video games and game systems

http://www.cash4books.net/ Get paid for books

http://www.frugalfun.com/ Lots of cheap, green ideas for you and your family

http://www.frugalvillage.com/ More ideas for you and your family

http://www.npr.org/ Donate your old car and help support public radio


SUSTAINABLE FOOD WEBSITES

http://www.localharvest.org/ Find farmer's markets in your areas, also “pick your own” farms

http://www.landconnection.org/ Learn how to support local farmers

http://www.mrswheelbarrow.blogspot.com/ Learn to can and preserve produce-excellent recipes!

http://www.locavores.com/ Discover why eating locally is so important

http://www.chicagohomecomposting.org%20learn/ Learn to compost no matter what type of home you inhabit *Local

Www.p2pays.org/compost/  More excellent info on composting
GLOBALLY CONSCIOUS WEBSITES

http://www.causesforchange.org/ Help third world countries become more independent

http://www.shareyoursoles.org/ Donate shoes to those in need

http://www.toms.com/ Buy one pair of shoes and this company will donate a pair to a child living in poverty

http://www.workingbikes.org/ Donate your old bike and this organization will fix it and send to a person living in poverty in a third world country

http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/ This non-profit company sells “fair trade” crafts from artisans around the world.

http://www.worldofgood.com/ An ebay company which also sells fair trade items

http://www.etsy.com/ Buy handmade items from people in our area


AVOIDING TOXINS

http://www.safecosmetics.org/ Find out what toxins are in your cosmetics

http://www.ewg.org/ Environmental Working Group-what is in your shampoo, sunscreen, soap? Which are the safest products to use?

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ Another website to help you make healthy choices for your family

http://www.thegreenguide.com/ A good website to help locate green products for your home

http://www.greenguard.org/ Learn about air quality


GOING GREEN

http://www.earth911.org/ Find out how to live more sustainably-LOTS of ideas

http://www.treehugger.com/ Another excellent general resource

http://www.grist.org/ Online “magazine” about everything sustainable

http://www.consciouslivingtv.com/ Lots of short video clips to help you green your lifestyle

http://www.epa.gov/ Environmental Protection Association-governmental resource

http://www.thedailygreen.com/ More green articles

http://www.350.org/ Excellent website where you can get directly involved by signing petitions and organizing events in your area

http://www.yesmagazine.org/ Another excellent magazine with superb articles about Americans who are making a difference

http://www.mindfulmetropolis.com/ A Chicago based magazine which details the city and suburbs' efforts in the sustainable movement

http://www.swancc.org/ Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County-INVALUABLE resource if you live in the NW suburbs of Chicago.

TRANSPORTATION

http://www.chicagocriticalmass.org/ Plan to ride your bike to make a statement

http://www.activetrans.org/ Advocates for “carless” transportation

http://www.metra.org/ Rail transportation