I gently poke about how smart we use our money, as I know many are under great stress with the economic crisis. That’s not funny.

Last year’s party on this holiday weekend was at a friend’s house who was serving appetizers on a reusable Styrofoam steak tray. You know, the longer yellow Styrofoam trays that get kind of soggy from the raw meat dripping into the tray? I love my friend and her green ambition but hey, I got the heebee-geebees. I just can’t go there. Yes, the re-using part of green is fun until my fingers reach for a luke warm taquito marinating in last night’s Tri-tip e-coli.

I kid my friends, because I love. My experience hosting a radio show for two decades included one of my favorite radio shows in which the topic was, “How cheap can you get?” One woman called and shared that her sister fills up her ketchup bottles at home by squeezing those finger size ketchup packets from Mcdonalds into a Heinz bottle on the kitchen table.

Because of our economy, today’s sales of steaks and beef got the boot. Grocery stores nationwide did not see the meat moooooove off the shelves yesterday or today as usual, hence the all-American completely ungreen hotdog is flying off the shelves.

At the risk of getting teased because your green 4th of July is perceived as ghetto, well I say, reuse, recycle and tell people like me that haven’t quite come into 2009 in the best green way, to get a grip.

Why not this weekend….

Bring your own flatware or use the reusable kind:

Bring your own cup, plate and silverware with you. This way you save on excess waste while also being able to spark up a conversation piece when people ask you where you got your plate from. You may get some other people into the habit of doing the same. If you are the one hosting the party, save some money and the environment by laying out all reusable silverware, cups, tablecloths, etc.

Organic BBQ time!

Having a BBQ for the Fourth is as American as apple pie, so mix it up this holiday and serve some organic goodies on the grill. Try organic chicken kebabs or organic hamburger meat or hotdogs. Also, try to throw in a few veggie hot dogs and burgers to let guests have a variety and also introduce ‘meat lovers’ to the world of faux-meat products. A lot of people will be surprised at how good they are and you may convert a few people to this lower calorie, lower fat alternative!

Go to the show:

Inevitably, with this holiday comes fireworks galore!! Skip buying your own fireworks and just see the local show in your home’s downtown. Unfortunately, fireworks have been in debate about their effects on the environment but, most likely, this isn’t going to stop most cities from doing them. So try to stay a little green by not buying any and just enjoy the big ones on display.

Green Drinks

You are already bringing your own cup and utensils so make sure you might want to think about supplying some organic beverages at the party. Some of my favorite organic beers include Peak Organic and Samuel Smith’s organic cider. Also, if you are buying non-alcoholic beverages, try stopping by a market to get locally grown, fresh squeezed O.J. and other drinks to support the local community.

Have a Separate Recycling Area:

If you are hosting the party or having a few people over, make sure to set aside for recycling of said drinks above and any other newspapers, plastic, etc., that may end up at your house. Label the recycling in bright colors so people don’t miss it and just plop it in the regular trash. Encourage guests to recycle and show that it is an easy way to help the environment.

So now go get your Red, White and Green weekend on.

Thanks to the Daily Loaf for great tips for the 4th.

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