Jennifer has done a really great job with this blog from the very beginning, and I’m sad to see her go, but will still be reading her green writing online.

You’ll see a few things change (like the blog look, again), but some things will stay the same too. I’ll feature truly green products, not greenwash. And tell you my honest opinion in product reviews.

I’ll try to tackle the hardest green issues in our lives. Tree Hugging Family should have something for everyone in the family, from baby and college students, all the way to the family pets.

For those of you who don’t remember me from writing here in 2007-2008, I don’t want to be a complete stranger, so here goes. I live with my husband Michael, cat Choco and betta fish I never really named. Having grown up out in the country or “out in the sticks” as some of my friends said, I have a deep love of nature and animals and fresh veggies like real homegrown tomatoes.

While I don’t have kids myself, I do have nephews. And I’m always checking out new books, toys, recipes and food for kids. You’ll likely see a few guest posts from green parents too.

In November, we’ll focus on green Thanksgiving choices, including food, yum. I look forward to getting to know everyone better as we enter the crazy holiday season when it’s usually a bit of a challenge to stay totally green. Please leave a comment to say hello.

(Image via stock.xchng)

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

The songs, written and performed by members of the Methodist Youth Resource Centre in Bo, Sierra Leone, tackle the issue of stigma and HIV awareness and have been a hit with radio stations across the country.

The album, which took three months to produce, features 12 songs in a mixture of English and local dialects.  They take their inspiration from a range of music, from Sierra Leone and elsewhere, but share common themes of infectious rhythms and uplifting lyrics.

The animations were produced on computer equipment at the youth centre using the skills which were taught to those attending the centre.

Sierra Leone has 48,000 people living with HIV and Christian Aid funds 10 projects there working on issues such as stigma, discrimination, health education, behaviour counselling, support and care, voluntary testing, income generation and mother-to-baby transmission. 

Christian Aid is pioneering the SAVE approach with nearly 300 local HIV partners in 40 countries.

Mark Nunn, project manager at Christian Aid said:  ‘To date we have produced 800 CDs which have been distributed to radio stations, local NGOs, schools, churches and the National AIDS Secretariat of Sierra Leone.  The project has proved to be very popular and we are hoping that we will be able to get enough funding to repeat it in other countries where we work on HIV education, such as Zambia.’

The duo covered a staggering 45,000 miles, passed through no less than 31 countries and spent over six weeks at sea on five different ships.

Here is a fun film of them and friends on Christmas Day at Taboga Beach