ANSWER to Thought for Thursday - and EARTH FRIENDLY FRIDAY

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

ANSWER TO THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY: Here is a list of the most searched for candy during 2007, according to yahoo.

The ever popular tootsie roll was the most popular Halloween candy in 2004. See the statistics here.

So, what will it be this year? We'll have to wait and see.

HAVE A GREEN HALLOWEEN

1) Stainless is Sustainable: Use stainless steel silverware, regular plates, and cups – don’t buy paper plates and plastic silverware. They just cost more money and waste space in our landfills.

2) Carbonless Footprint Costumes: Instead of buying a new costume you’ll soon throw away or shove in a box to be forgotten, “Go Retro” and make your own outfit using items you already have sitting around the house. (Of course, when I was a kid, this was just called being cheap but now it’s cool and called being sustainable.)

Have your kids go as ghosts. Use an old white worn out sheet. Just cut out eyes and mouth holes. It will be fun making the costume and won’t cost a penny.

3) Don’t Brown Bag It – Make it Green: Use an old pillowcase for a treat bag, decorate it with sharpie markers, or use a cloth or canvas bag. You can find these eco-friendly alternatives to paper and plastic at your local grocery store.

Americans use more than 380 million plastic bags and more than 10 million paper bags. These bags kill thousands of marine mammals annually and pollute soil and water. Plus, paper bag production consumes more than 14 million trees annually. Go Green!

4) Seasonal Support: Buy local pumpkins, apples and other farm fresh produce. By buying locally, you’ll help your own community by keeping your dollars circulating where you live. And, in the United States some food travels over 1000 miles before reaching its destination. This wastes fossil fuels along the way.

5) Have a Heart-Healthy Halloween: Don’t drive the kids around this year, walk with them and stay close to home. This will help you save gas, and money, while giving your heart a little exercise.

6) In the Fall - Use it All: After you’ve carved your Jack-o-lantern, clean the seeds off and bake them in the oven with a little olive oil and salt. It’s a healthy homemade snack and if you don’t like those seeds feed them to the birds (wet or dry). And, last but not least, after the holiday compost your pumpkin. This will feed your garden and reduce the waste in our ever growing landfills.