Category Archives: Holidays

Sustainable Education You Can Provide

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A workshop scholarship can be a game changer for an adult. Seven years ago, two workshops changed my life. I designed and built my own zero-waste solar tiny house on wheels and became a sustainable lifestyle leader that travelled over 17,000 miles across the country and inspired thousands of people and families to live a more sustainable lifestyle. 
 
Workshop scholarships boost self-confidence and self-reliance; build work experience and confidence; and lead to the acquisition of life-long sustainability practices, teamwork, responsibility and leadership.  Inspiring future sustainable lifestyle leaders is more than just a job.

At TerraBluTeams we take pride in providing 10 people scholarships each year since our inception in 2012 to learn how to design and build sustainable housing, and how to design a sustainable lifestyle.

TerraBluTeams Partner Scholarship Program is just one of the unique programs that connect people to remarkable social communities, while providing valuable skills that sustain them in New England. With your help, we are working to ensure that people have access to sustainable skills that benefit their environment, their wellness, their economy and their social habitat. Their skills, choices, accomplishments and stories will benefit present and future generations.

Your support matters.  I hope you will consider making a year-end donation today, see below. You can purchase a gift certificate online (donated by local restaurants), or an art class for a friend or child (donated by local artists), or you can make an online tax-deductible donation here.  

 

Thank you so much,

Vera Struck
Founder

Lots of local options for the Northern Massachusetts area. Your support means the world to us. Get something you would already spend money on so we can continue to inspire and edcate others about living a sustainable lifestyle!
Andrea Guay $150. Two hour private art studio lesson
Body by Fisher $50 towards massage
Brine $50
Already purchased! Thank you!
Vera Struck $150. Two hour Sustainable Lifestyle Design Consult
Already purchased! Thank you!

#GivingTuesday Gift Certificates to support Sustainable Education

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Make the nice list this year! Click and pick from 12 different gift certificates to wonderful, responsible, green friendly, sustainable restaurants, services and businesses in our area.
Enjoy our local entrepreneurs while supporting a Massachusetts sustainable lifestyle education non-profit. Make sure to leave your mailing address once you purchase thru PayPal!
Take your mom out to dinner during the holidays or gift a friend or child an art lesson. Perhaps learn about the ‘tiny house movement’ from one of its leaders.
If you are not in Massachusetts, you can directly donate here.
Lots of local options for the Northern Massachusetts area. Your support means the world to us. Get something you would already spend money on so we can continue to inspire and edcate others about living a sustainable lifestyle!
Andrea Guay $150. Two hour private art studio lesson
Body by Fisher $50 towards massage
Brine $50
Already purchased! Thank you!
Vera Struck $150. Two hour Sustainable Lifestyle Design Consult
Already purchased! Thank you!

Sustainable Declaration of Independence

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The Sustainable Declaration of Independence 

Every other year, I repeat this posting with updated links and ideas, as its message is still relevant. And now, more than ever, humanity and the planet need attention.

On July 4th, 1776, 56 of our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence. We celebrate our independence day with fireworks, parties, barbecues, carnivals, concerts, public speeches and family reunions.

Can we lessen our carbon footprint on such a day and still have fun?

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The WHY and WHAT:

We not only think we can, we believe it is imperative that we do. The Popes Encyclical and the Dalai Lama‘s position on climate change can no longer be ignored by the 321.2 million Americans that celebrate this holiday.

Today, Americans will ingest 890 million pounds of beef, pork and chicken and 155 million hot dogs. Imagine the impact of all the refuse from those events, the fireworks, and the carbon footprint of all those burgers, hot dogs and steaks.

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This week’s practice is to become independent from our current cultural conditioning by shifting to a more sustainable holiday tradition, remembering the true spirit of the Declaration.

Instead, try one of these recipes from Serious Eats:

 

The HOW:

We have our Top Ten suggestions for you:

  1. Read the sustainable version: The Sustainable Declaration of Independence, an adaptation by Dr. Susan Krumdieck, 2008. (Transition Committee of Oamaru, NZ) Consider helping your community adopt this statement.
  2. Buy reclaimed wood furniture for your outside recreation areas.
  3. Try Eco Sky Lanterns instead of fireworks; they are simple to launch and create an amazing spectacle in the night sky.Screen Shot 2015-06-24 at 5.37.40 AM
  4. Consider using public transit or cycling to your July 4th event.
  5. Having a vegetarian Independence Day limits your GHG/carbon impact. Several great menu’s can be found on the Healthy Happy Life, the Vegetarian Spotlight, Cooking Stoned, or the MisoVegan.
  6. Instead of ice cubes, consider the Scottish way of cooling with On the Rocks Drinks Chillers.Screen Shot 2015-06-24 at 5.39.24 AM
  7. For the kids: make Red, White and Blue Ice Pops (from Inhabitots)
  8. Party organically with VitaFrute.
  9. Recycle, repurpose any waste and/or compost any leftovers.
  10. And most of all, connect with family and friends; share the love, laughter and joy of living a sustainable lifestyle. (“Enough for all, forever”)
Let us know how what sustainable ideas you practiced this holiday on twitter,  (tag us at @terrabluteams, Facebook , comment to our founder on Instagram at @sustainablestruck or comment here.

The Deep Dive:

DIY Vegan, Gluten Free, Egg Free, Soy Free, Nut Free, and Refined Sugar Free Red, White and Blue ORGANIC Popsicles

Eco Picnic Basket

Preserve EveryDay Plates

Solar String Lights

Recycled Fire Pit Sources can be found here:

https://www.aerecycledgranite.com/fire-pits

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Recycled_Fire_Pits

Reclaimed wood outside dining pieces can be found here and here.

The Transition Towns movement

http://transitionculture.org/