If you have a female teen, take a good and long look at her makeup. If any of those chemicals pop up, Jane “Iredale Mineral Cosmetics” and “Tarte Cosmetics” have great all natural substitutions.

An annual tradition we, as kids, celebrate and fear is back to school shopping. It is the time when we get lots of new books and have a fresh new year, as well as realize that school is coming upon us.  Well, this ritual too can be turned green. “Ecojot” has excellent recycled school supplies, ranging from notebooks to calendars.  Go on their site, www.ecojot.com for more information.

My mom and I are never without an extra bag inside of our pocketbooks. Even if it’s plastic, as long as you don’t throw it away and you reuse it, you’re safe.

When buying clothes go vintage! Or show your child that it is OK to wear hammy downs from yourself or another sibling. “What Comes Around Goes Around” is my favorite hot spot for the best “new” vintage, but my mom's closet can be just as exciting.

Although the latest tabloid magazines are a fun read, Organic Beauty magazine is the latest eco obsession, and is filled with just as much juice.

Get rid of the pink soap, Purell dispenser, or dry erase board markers in your schools. Find greener alternatives on the web or at my favorite store, Whole Foods. Benedetta Sassy Sacred Soap and Organic Rosemary and Mint Sanitizing Spray are daily must-haves from Teens Turning Green. You can find those products and more at Whole Foods and TeensTurningGreen.org, a organization which I am very much a part of.

A few tips when buying food include: Buy local, organic, and bring your own bag! Buying locally grown foods are not only easier to buy because of their distance, but will help support your farmers and surrounding community.