touring with kids is not as hard as you might Leave no tracethink. If you’re unsure about it, start small, assoftware engineer and cycling blogger RichardMasoner suggests: “Among bike people, we have a concept of theS24O or the Sub 24-hour overnight trip. Youfind a destination within easy biking distancefor you and your family, and you don’t evenneed fancy or expensive touring gear. Myfamily and I did this with inexpensive citybikes and heavy car-camping gear, campingovernight in a nearby state park. In Califor-nia, many state parks even have camping sitesreserved just for those who bike or walk intothe site.” Richard did this when his kids were 9 and 13,but don’t discount bike travel with youngerkids, as well. My husband and I traveled 4,000miles across the U.S. on our honeymoon. Onthe way, we overtook a young family doing thesame thing. The mom was pregnant, and thedad was pulling their 2 year old in a trailer be-hind him. He was happy as a clam at 40 milesa day! Tandem extensions can help bridge thegap for kids who are too big for a trailer andtoo small to go far on their own. And if you’reworried about safety in traffic, plan your tripfor an established, dedicated bike trail. Ultimately, you’ll need to consider more thanjust carbon emissions when planning yourmode of travel. No matter how you chooseto go, purchasing carbon offsets can help youmake amends to the planet for your travelimpact. Sustainable Travel International’sCarbon Calculator for travelers is a useful toolthat lets you calculate your impact and offsetit by donating to reforestation, renewable en-ergy, and other sustainable projects. 51
Tread Lightly — Eco Travel with your kids! impact. Sustainable Travel International’s housekeeping practices, or something else en- Carbon Calculator for travelers is a useful tool tirely. Do your own research by making phone that lets you calculate your impact and offset calls to places and chatting with folks as well it by donating to reforestation, renewable en- as reading third party eco ratings and social ergy, and other sustainable projects. media reviews. Once you make the decision that feels the best to you, let go of the rest. Leave no trace “The last thing you want your eco-vacation to become is tense and frustrating because you Wherever you go with your kids, use it as an are constantly searching for the best sustain- opportunity to teach respect for the environ- able choice,” says Hillary Mizia, executive ment and for others. Whether or not your trip Director of Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge in involves outdoor exploration, consider teach- Grand Lake, CO. “Allow yourself to be im- ing your kids to follow the Seven Principles mersed in the culture and welcome social established by the Leave no Trace Center for sustainability on a new level. Expose your kids Outdoor Ethics: to happiness while traveling. Give your family • Plan Ahead & Prepare the gift of being present. Enjoy yourself!” • Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces David Leventhal, owner of the Playa Viva ho- • Dispose of Waste Properly tel in Guerrero, Mexico, agrees. “My number • Leave What You Find one peice of advice is find a place that allows • Minimize Campfire Impacts for kids to interact with nature and then do • Respect Wildlife NOT try to schedule,” he says. “We are so • Be Considerate of Other Visitors prone these days to schedule every moment Some of these principles are specific to camp- of our kids’ lives, but if you take them to the ing. Challenge your older children to come up right Eco location…the kids will become kids with alternatives that apply to non-camping again and their sense of curiosity and espe- situations, too! cially around nature will emerge.” Take a balanced approach “The last thing you want your eco- vacation to become is tense and Of course you want your vacation to be as frustrating because you are constantly eco-responsible as you can make it. But keep searching for the best sustainable in mind that stress is unsustainable, too! Do choice,” says Hillary Mizia, executive what you can to plan a trip that supports your Director of Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge family’s values and expectations – whether in Grand Lake, CO. “Allow yourself to be it’s positive social impact on the local com- immersed in the culture and welcome munity, the availability of good food, access to social sustainability on a new level. natural areas, availability of shuttles, bicycles, Expose your kids to happiness while public transit and/or safe walking paths, green traveling. Give your family the gift of being present. Enjoy yourself!”52
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top green family travel ideas |by Anne MichelsenNot sure what to plan for your next family vacation? Here are our top eco-friendly picks:1. National Parks empower your kids to be a positive agent of change. There are volunteer vacations Between them, the U.S. and Canada boast available worldwide; for more information nearly 100 national parks, offering spec- visit GoEco.org. [http://www.goeco.org/ tacular landscapes and awesome outdoor tags/family-volunteering] experiences for families of all ages. Many require reservations for camping and lodg- 4. Farm or Ranch Stay ing, so plan your trip in advance. Imagine your kids’ faces as they collect2. Glamping their own eggs to eat for breakfast, pull car- rots from the farm garden, eat blueberries Not a hardcore camper? No worries. right off the bush, then race to the creek Glamping (glamour + camping) resorts running through the property to splash offer a cushy alternative – the outdoor and wash off messy hands. Farmstays of- experience wrapped in luxury. Staying fer families a chance to experience life in in a yurt, treehouse or other cool struc- the country, to understand where and how ture with ready access to running water your food is grown or raised, and to con- and other necessities is a relaxing experi- nect families with the natural world, with ence the whole family can enjoy - includ- farmers, and ultimately with each other. ing special needs families or those with FarmstayUS.com offers a searchable data- very young kids. For more information base of farm and ranch stays nationwide. on glamping visit InspiredCamping.com [http://www.inspiredcamping.com/]. 5. Alternative Transportation Tours3. Volunteer vacation Why not make the journey itself the desti- nation? Besides bike touring, there are lots Family volunteering is a wonderful way to of other non-motorized options: trips by give back to the communities you visit and canoe, kayak, horseback, or even covered wagon! 55
Summer Sun Safety Ah, a day in the summer sun! B You set off with the family to the C beach, a campsite, or perhaps you’re off for a fun-filled day at an A amusement park. You’re excited for a day of adventure, lounging, D swimming, or searching for shells. Beach bag must-haves! “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Make your day at the beach (or pool) a breeze with these must-haves. A) Eco Lips SPF 30 It’s easy to let the hours slip by Lip Balm B) Vapour Nail Polish (for touch ups!) without even realizing just how C) Blue Planet Eyewear D) Earth Mama Angel long you’ve been out (we’ve had Baby Mama Bottom Balm (perfect for bug bites, the red shoulders to prove it!). Sun scrapes, and minor burns) Prices vary. safety is vital, and we hope that these tips, along with a few of our favorite items, will help you have a sun-safe summer! Sunscreens: Both sunscreen use and skin cancer rates have increased in the past several years. It’s not a coincidence. Conventional sunscreens are loaded with harmful chemicals, some even known to cause cancer, the very thing you’re trying to prevent. You can find a great list of non-toxic sunscreens on our website.56
UV Protective ClothingExtra coverage means less sunscreen toslather on a wiggly little guy in a hurry toget to the water. And with sun protectionof UPF 50+, you won’t have to worry aboutdrying him off to reapply. Soft, stretchy,and super comfortable, these colorful swimshirts are chlorine and salt water resistant.$29 at UV Skinz Bug Stick One touch of this silky smooth botanical butter, and you’ll never want to use another spray insect repellant again. Rather than drying out your skin, Dr. Fedorenko’s Bug Stick hydrates and protects with an effective blend of pure essential oils to keep biting insects away for hours. Plus, it smells amazing! $30 at AmazonEWG Top-Rated Sunscreen 57With aloe vera, green tea, chamomile, and blood orangeextracts, Protect All Over’s non-nano UVA and UVB formulahydrates skin with moisture and antioxidants. Lightweight andwater-resistant, this non-nano zinc oxide formula blends intoskin, which means you won’t be sporting the iridescent whitesheen this summer. The light lemon scent is refreshing, andso is the fact that this sunscreen is safe for the whole family.$26 at Beautycounter
Back to Nature plant medicine for your family |by Susie Lyons Reduce. Education is Key Reuse. Recycle. As a society, we are constantly bombarded with information about side effects caused by Many of us remember this early mantra of the every possible medication. Just as with medi- “Green” movement. cations, there are side effects caused by herbal remedies and essential oils as well. If you’re Embracing a green lifestyle is about more than using herbs and oils for medicinal purposes, a nice catch phrase. While we know those you need to educate yourself about what activities are a huge part of going green, once you’re using before you use it. you really embrace organic foods, cleaning with environment friendly products, recycling You need to know not only what to use but as much as possible, the next logical step is to when and how to use it. Just as you wouldn’t care for yourself and your family naturally as self-prescribe medication (hopefully) for a well. serious medical condition, you should treat plant medicine with the same respect. Al- Transitioning from over-the-counter and ways get a sound diagnosis before treating prescription medications for every ailment with plant medicine just as you would with to treating with diet, herbs and essential oils any other medication. At the outset of your (a/k/a “plant medicine”) is a huge change for path toward natural health, find a good local many people. Popping a pill for every illness naturopath to talk to when you need addi- is so easy and has become so engrained that a tional information or help. And always con- change to plant medicine can seem a daunting sult a naturopath, a midwife or other licensed task. As with any other lifestyle change, it is a healthcare professional well versed in natural process and not one to be taken lightly. That healing if you have any of the following issues: being said, the long term rewards are great if you make the change the right way. • Acute pain that doesn’t go away • Your condition changes suddenly or dras-58 tically (and not in a good way)
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Change is Good! Other things to keep in mind when using plant medicine or essential oils are: plant medicine for your family • Children are smaller and their ability to • Your symptoms keep coming back process drugs or herbs is not the same as • Your symptoms don’t improve after a full adults. Always use a reduced dosage for children. week of consistent treatment If you’re serious about using plant medicine, • Mild infusions or weak teas (¼ teaspoon it is vital to find a trusted source for informa- or ½ teaspoon of herb to one cup of boil- tion. Folklore and traditional healing are edu- ing water) are a good way to give herbs to cational and fascinating but make sure you’re your children. Always make a fresh batch getting information that has been thoroughly each time. researched. Some highly regarded sources are Earth Mama’s Herb Gallery, Aviva Romm, • Use mild herbs for children. Rosemary Gladstar, the American Botanical • When using essential oils topically on Council, Dorene Peterson and the American Herbalist Guild. children, use about 1 drop to 4 teaspoons of carrier oil. Their skin is thinner and they Safety First will absorb more than an adult. • Consider the age of the child you’re treat- When using plant medicine, more is not nec- ing. Some oils and herbs should never be essarily better. You’re much better off using used for infants and still others shouldn’t small doses on a scheduled, consistent basis be used on children under the age of 10. than giving a big dose at one time, especially • Inhalation is one of the best ways to use with children. essential oils for children. Invest in a good quality diffuser and distilled water. Diffuse As Melinda Olson, founder of Earth Mama for thirty minutes, stop for thirty minutes, Angel Baby says “Something to remember diffuse for another thirty minutes, stop for about plant medicine is it is processed by thirty minutes, etc. your body the same way your body processes food. Nettles, for example, are delicious when Start Small steamed and eaten like spinach. But, the an- tihistamine effect is short lived. You wouldn’t As with any lifestyle change, it’s easy to be- ask your body to be sustained long term with come overwhelmed with the amount of in- steamed spinach, you need to eat again to be formation out there. Don’t expect to be an sustained. Herbs usually go through your expert overnight. Start small with a few good, body quickly, which means the benefits do, all purpose herbs and oils and go from there. too.” This is a great rule of thumb to remem- When asked which five herbal remedies or ber when thinking about how plant medicine plant medicines she would always keep on works in the body. hand, Earth Mama Melinda Olson recom- mended lavender (for its antibacterial, calm- “You wouldn’t ask your body to be ing and uplifting properties), yarrow (as an sustained long term with steamed spinach, you need to eat again to be sustained. Herbs usually go through your body quickly, which means the benefits do, too.”60
antifungal, antibacterial and for its ability to 61stop bleeding), calendula (a wonderful woundhealing herb, it has anti-inflammatory andantibacterial properties), lemon balm (for ten-sion, restlessness and irritability) and nettles(a great antihistamine and a must have forspring tonics).Start with these five herbs, some organic jo-joba, coconut, olive or almond oil, self-sealingtea bags, a glass pot or teapot to heat waterand you have a great starter kit for herbalhealing. Five simple herbs may not seem likemuch but that is one of the wonders of plantmedicine. One herb can have several constit-uents that make it effective for several condi-tions or ailments. Instead of taking a handfulof pills every day, imagine having a cup ofherbal tea instead! The more you learn, themore you’ll add as you see what works best foryour family and what you can do without.Have Fun!Above all else, have fun with compiling yourplant medicine chest.Find local wild crafting experts and take yourchildren on a nature walk and pick your ownplants and herbs.Get your children in the kitchen for a nightlyritual of making homemade chamomile tea.Start your own herb garden. You can do thisin minimal space and it makes a wonderfulfamily project.If you start them early and make it fun, youwill be giving your children a lifetime ofhealthy living and family traditions to pass onfor generations to come.
Grow Healthy. Grow Happy. The Whole Baby Guide by Becky Cannon From the founder of trusted company i play, this truly is the only guide for whole family living you’ll need. With sections on raising a whole baby (including well- ness, spirit and learning broken down in practical and theoretical terms), a foundation of whole foods (on establishing holistic eating habits from the start with mouth-watering recipes included), and a whole living resource on healthy and unhealthy substances in items we buy and a product guide, it’s chock full of incred- ible information. $23 at Amazon The Green Foods Bible by David Sandoval A great summer read for parents, this title gets your wheels turning about the deep power that comes from plant consumption. We all know that we should be eating more fruits and vegetables, but in this well-researched book, Sandoval covers the exact benefits of plant-based diets along with some fascinating, at-times controversial theories. Ultimately, though, anyone can leave this “bible” with some great tips to incor- porate into our diets and some fresh food for thought. $13 at Amazon62
The Best Homemade Kids’ Snackson the Planetby Laura FuentesWith the kids home for the summer, this book offers simple,fast snack recipes made with real ingredients. The founder ofMOMables.com includes great tips throughout, from creat-ing a homemade snack pantry for fast, on-the-go treats (thatare better alternatives to packaged foods) to finding grass-fedgelatin in bulk online. We foresee relying on Laura’s freezepops to make it through the summer!$17 at AmazonA, B, C, Disgustingby Catherine DawgertThis isn’t your average predictable ABC book! If your littleone is all about the interestingly gross things of life (we’retalking burps, poop, zits and, yes, farts), this is a great bookto add to your collection. Not a book to shy away from thefascinating and sometimes silly realities of life, it includesawesomely quirky illustrations created with a variety ofmediums that take the book to the next level. Only readthis if you’re ready for your child to dissolve into a fit ofgiggles (and you don’t mind some gross language). Win-ner of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for curios-ity, discovery and learning through books and reading.$10 at Amazon Oh, Ranger! Parkfinder If you’re looking for inexpensive, healthy fun this summer, download this free app for help! Look up parks near home or abroad on vacation with ease, and narrow down your results based on your fami- ly’s interests. From viewing animals, hiking and pic- nicking to camping, historical touring and caving, there are enough categories to satisfy any passion. Free on all platforms 63
Making the Switch the benefits of cloth menstrual pads |by Tracy Puhl While your period may come with cramps strual cycle is a healthy and natural process. or bloating, it is part of the process that helps Many of us grow up believing that it’s a messy create life. inconvenience or, worse, a disgusting disease- How cool is that? like condition. The embarrassment or shame Unfortunately, we tend to focus on the less we feel about our periods is often a result of pleasant parts of menstruating and forget to negative cultural conditioning. Many women take care of our bodies that are hard at work. have experienced profound positive transfor- As women and moms, we’re often too busy mations in our feelings toward our menstrual putting others’ needs above our own. cycles after ditching the disposables! But your period can be a monthly reminder Cloth pads are good for the planet to take extra care of yourself. And one of the The average woman will use 12,000 to 16,000 best ways to care for your body is to choose disposable pads, panty-liners, and tampons in safer menstrual products. her lifetime. That’s a lot of waste! Plus, think Cloth pads are good for your body of the manufacturing, shipping, and packag- Conventional disposable products can contain ing impact over the years. Cloth pads last for plastics, artificial fragrances, adhesives, and years, helping you keep your environmental chemical gels – things you don’t want next to footprint small and saving you from monthly one of the most sensitive parts of your body! trips to the store. Make sure to choose a brand Cloth pads are free from irritating materials, that’s plastic and nylon free, and uses natural so you can avoid unnecessary exposure to the fibers only. synthetic ingredients in disposable pads and Cloth pads are good for your budget tampons. Once you purchase a full set of cloth pads, One of the lesser-known benefits of switch- you’ll have reliable menstrual protection for ing to reusable menstrual pads is the period years to come. Most are made to last for five positivity that comes along with it. The men- years, but many women report that their pads have lasted much longer! It can seem like wash-64 able cloth pads cost more than disposables,
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but they actually are much more economi- These are all questions you can consider cal when compared to the cost of disposable when thinking about how many cloth pads products over your lifetime. you’ll need. In general, six to twelve day Remember those 12,000 to 16,000 disposables pads and a few night pads and panty-liners the average woman will use? If she’s a buying are sufficient for most women. You can box of 20 tampons or pads at $5 per box, she’ll always start with just a few and add to your throw away upwards of $3,000. stash as you learn more about what works It’s kind of like equipping your kitchen with best for you! ceramic plates: it would be tremendously ex- pensive (not to mention wasteful!) to continu- How do I choose the right style / size? ously purchase disposable paper plates, so we While there are endless styles of cloth pads buy plates that we can use indefinitely. on the market, they can be broken down into three main groups: panty-liners, day Frequently Asked Questions pads, and night pads. Remember, you’ll about Cloth Pads probably want a variety of styles for differ- ent days of your cycle! How many pads will I need? The short answer: it depends. How long Choose panty-liners if… is your cycle? How heavy is your flow? • you want back-up for a menstrual cup How often do you plan to wash your pads? or tampon • you have very light flow, including at the very beginning or end of your cycle • you want to wear everyday protection66
the benefits of cloth menstrual pads Choose day pads if... presoak cleaner and changing the water • you typically use standard disposable every day will keep your soaking container free from mildew and odor. day pads • you sometimes leak urine when you Whatever you choose, make sure to use a mild detergent free from harsh chemicals, sneeze or laugh (happens to the best of fabric softener, or bleach, as these will re- us!) duce the lifespan of your pads. Click here • you have moderate flow to find more tips for making your cloth pads last longer. Choose night pads if... • you have just given birth and need You’ll want to store your cloth pad collec- tion somewhere free of moisture, and only postpartum protection put them away when they are fully dry. • you tend to leak over the front of back You might find, as many women do, that the monthly ritual of caring for your pads of your pads gives you feelings of satisfaction -- because • you have heavy flow taking good care of your body feels good!How do I use them on the go or traveling? Quick Tips for washing cloth pads When you remove your pad, you can put it • Cold water helps keep stains at bay in a waterproof bag in your purse or back- • Change soaking water daily, or wait to pack until it’s time to wash. Then follow the washing instructions below. soak • Avoid bleach, fragrance, and fabricHow do I wash cloth pads? There are two main washing techniques: softener the dry method or the soaking method. • Dry on lowest setting You may choose to keep a small zippered What about leakage? wet bag next to the toilet for used pads. At Leakage is the #1 worry of women thinking the end of your cycle, fill a tub or container about using cloth pads -- and for good rea- with cold water and let the pads soak for son. No one wants to be the girl with a stain about 30 minutes. Adding a presoak clean- on the seat of her pants! Fortunately, lots of er helps reduce staining. Drain the water women find that cloth actually works better and toss the now wet pads into the wash- for them than disposables. Cloth pads won’t ing machine with the rest of the load. You bunch or twist like adhesive pads can, and can also just put your used pads directly in most pads have an absorbent core to keep the washing machine if you want to skip you leak-free. To stay comfortable and the tub soak. leak-free, just make sure you change your pad frequently enough (about as often as Some women prefer to use the soaking you would a disposable) and choose the method, and keep a small container in right absorbency for your flow. the bathroom in which to soak their pads before washing. If you do this, adding a 67
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guided relaxation with Mellisa Dormoy of Shambala Kids “Lakeside Meditation”In this meditation, we will help children release bothersome emotions to leave. In doing so, youworry, sadness and stress. will free up space in your heart and mind for positive things to come. Life is all about creat-Create a peaceful atmosphere with dim lights ing what you want and choosing good thoughtsand a blanket. You can even add soothing music that make you feel good. When you focus on thein the background and diffuse lavender essential positive, you get more positive experiences inoil to set a calming atmosphere. Take in a slow, your life. Releasing any negative thoughts servesdeep breath and begin reading using a relaxing, like an umbrella on a rainy day – sure the rain issoft voice. there, but it doesn’t have to affect you.Take in a deep breath and gently close your eyes. In your mind’s eye – picture yourself now in aEasily imagine these scenes while you continue stormy rainy situation. As you open up yourto breathe in slowly and calmly. See yourself re- umbrella of positivity, you see how you are reallylaxing by a beautiful, calm lake. The breeze softly protected from all that is going on outside. Youblows over the lake and you watch the thousands are safe. You don’t have to be a part of rainy dif-of tiny ripples it creates on the surface of the ficulties. It truly is your choice how you react tolake. whatever comes your way. Know that you have all the tools you need within, just choose to useYour surroundings here are so calm and pleas- them. You can see your life from a happy per-ant that it brings a feeling of complete peace that spective. Worry, disturbing thoughts, or sadnesswashes over your entire body and mind. You are choices of thoughts you think, and you canbreathe in deeply and allow the peacefulness simply say NO to them.to fill you. You notice the birds singing in the Release all the things that have been stressfultrees…. softly chirping and singing songs of their to you and you can make peace with yourself.simple happiness. Make peace now with the amazing person that you truly are on the inside. Nurture yourself withYou take the time now to release any worries, your loving thoughts – release any negative im-any disturbing thoughts, any sadness you may ages or ideas about yourself. You have a choicebe feeling. Let those feelings float up, out and in what you believe. Your mind is your great-away… floating far away. Whatever has hap- est asset and your best tool. Now take in a deeppened today that has bothered you, it is time to breath, allow good feelings to fill up your heartlet that go. and your mind…. peacefulness and calm are all around you. Open your eyes when you are readyKnow that you are really in control of your mind and stretch fully.and your body. You can choose to allow theseFor more meditations and guided relaxation audios, visit Shambala Kids online. 69
“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” - Charles Bowden70
AskHana Haatainen CayeAnonymous writes: HELP! Our laundry Next, dump 2 cups of vinegar into thestinks so bad! It’s a sour smell that is drum (in a front loader) or the fabricspreading on to more and more of the softener dispenser (in a top loader). Runclothes. None of the natural detergents it through a hot cycle. This should do theare working, and I’ve tried them all. I’m trick to eliminate odors in your washertempted to buy the most fragranced that are transferring to your clothing, tow-version of Tide available to mask the els, and sheets. Repeat the process if odorstench! Any other options before I break remains and, for maintenance purposes,our 8-year streak of safe laundry soap? do once every month or so, especially if you have a front loader. Also, it is advis-GG: Yikes! Don’t reach for the Tide! There able to leave the door open on the washeris hope. Have you tried vinegar? I recom- so that it can dry out between loads.mend not only adding it to every load of Now, you’ll want to take care of the dryer,laundry, but also to clean your washer and too. Using a 50/50 blend of distilled whiteyour dryer. Also, I’m guessing you have a vinegar and water, wipe down the entirefront loader, since this is a common prob- inside of your dryer and then dry it withlem with them. What happens is leftover a clean towel. If you’re using wool dryersoap scum starts to breed mold, mildew, balls, you can lightly scent them by add-and bacteria. Yuck! ing a few drops of essential oils to each ball, although the purpose is to add someIt’s time to reach for the baking soda and fragrance to your laundry and not maskdistilled white vinegar. telltale odors of mildew and mold. Good luck!To clean your washing machine, dissolve¼ cup baking soda in ¼ cup water andpour into the detergent container in yourmachine. If you have a top loader, justpour it into the drum.Hana Haatainen Caye, is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author of the book Vinegar Fridays, who 71shares her passion for common sense greener and healthier living.
Get CraftyDIY : No-Sew Beach Bag Have you ever needed a bag in a pinch? Or perhaps you are tired of spending on bags that just don’t hold up. This no-sew beach bag can be ready in just a few minutes, to get you out the door and ready for a day of fun! Materials: • Tank Top • Large Safety Pins • Optional: A complimentary colored jersey knit top or fabric • Optional: Needle & Thread I n st ru ction s: 1. Turn your tank inside out and fold in half lengthwise, with the side seams at the center. 2. Use safety pins to created a gathered seam along the bottom of the tank top, about 4-5 inches up. You can make the bag deaper or shorter, depending on wehre you place the seam. 3. Turn the bag inside out again so that the gathered section is now on the inside the bag. 4. Voila! You are done. Instant beach bag! 5. Add a fun flower embellishment by creating two circles of a contrasting color. Jersey knit is perfect, as it won’t fray. Grab the center of the circles and bunch them up! Secure with a small rubber band and cut off the end. Secure the base of the flower to your bag with two safey pins, from the inside out, in an X pattern. 6. If you have more time, or just want to, you can skip the safety pins and use needle and thread to make this bag permanent.72
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