I can’t help but to get a little choked up as we look at Modern Hippie Mag and how grown up she’s getting. Awww! It’s been an awesome first year and what’s been even awesomer (yes, that’s an SGM word, thank you)  has been getting to really know Modern Hippie Mag and the fabulous eco-peeps involved in making it so HAWT!

Seriously – this team rocks the house and never fails to gives us a good laugh, a helpful tip or two and even make us think and rethink who we are while inspiring us to make positive changes in this world of ours! Whew – heavy green stuff there. It has been my great pleasure and honor to be a part of this fab mag and on behalf of SGM – I want to say “Happy Anniversary!”

So how does an Eco-Peep celebrate?

1. Conserve electricity! Never plop down into bed after a long night of dancing… with the lights ON. It’s wasteful and just plain weird to sleep in a lit room

2. Never give a courtesy flush – courtesy is totally over-rated

3. Always call or text peeps at the last minute to invite them over. Paper invites are a waste of trees and cool eco-peeps don’t ever want to seem too eager

4. Bring your 3 dogs, cat and goldfish all to the party. What eco-peep doesn’t love animals? You’ll make friends quick that way

5. Charge your solar powered disco light several hours in advance. Being prepared is key!

Alright…I was just joshing with you! Here are some “real” tips…

5 Musts for any Eco-Party!

1. Reusable decorations: Always reuse what you can from previous celebrations and make sure to avoid plastic food items. Glassware is much healthier for you and the Earth!

2. Low Lighting: There’s no need to have every single light bulb on in the house! In fact, a great party (weather permitting) is an outdoor bash with the wind in your hair. If you feel the need to party inside like a hermit, remember to avoid petroleum-based paraffin candles that emit toxic, sooty fumes! And if you are thinking of candles or sprays for fragrance, go for pure essential oils as a home fragrance as the commercial brands often “cover up” smells with harsh chemicals.

3. Food: Visit your local Farmer’s Market prior to the celebration and stock up on some fresh, locally grown organic fruits and veggies. These are always a hit at parties for such treats as pasta salads, fruit salad, fruit kabobs or a colorful assortment of raw vegetables with hummus!

4. Drinks: There are many flavorful “beverages” that won’t require you to cross your green boundaries. Help support the farmers who do not use pesticides and synthetic fertilizers by using your purchasing power on organic beers and wine. Here’s a helpful read from Grist - “a tasting of seven organic beers”

5. Cleanup: So now you’ve partied hard in a big green way – don’t blow it by using chemicals to clean up the mess! Rather, go for non-toxic cleaners that are safe to use and do not contain toxic ingredients. There are many safer options available and in fact – baking soda and vinegar are very effective when used for cleaning and scrubbing! Mix in a little tea tree oil for some antibacterial goodness along with it!

…and don’t forget to have a blast! Happy Anniversary Modern Hippie Mag – time to party!

Image Credits:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.allthingseco.co.uk/

Lynn

Lynn Stone is the founder of the go-to green living blog for parents, SmilingGreenMom.com. Lynn’s goal is to help others “be the best green they can be” through her affordable tips and encouraging posts. A contributing writer for multiple blogs and websites, Lynn enjoys cooking, garage sale shopping, traveling, relaxing with her family and dreams of owning an eco-friendly log cabin one day! As a former competitive swimmer, she values wellness and living an active lifestyle and hopes to one day participate in a triathlon. Follow her on Twitter, @SmilingGreenMom and Facebook.