The majority of the games played nowadays are video games that are played on some sort of electronic device and to be honest, this is not the most eco-friendly way by which you can play games. 

Using electronic devices and smartphones all the time is just not great. Sometimes, we need to go back to physical socializing and talk with our nears and dears directly. In such instances, eco-friendly board games have always been the best because not only do they bring friends and families together but they are also usually eco-friendly, not being rough on the environment. 

Whether it is your favorite board game Monopoly or you like playing cards with your friends, there is now every board game available that is made out of eco-friendly materials that aren’t rough on the environment plus you can always have a good time with your friends and family members when playing board games. Let’s have a look at some of the eco-friendly and old-fashioned games to play with your friends:

1. V:King or Kubb

It is a perfect outdoor eco-friendly game. Previously it was known as Kubb but not it is called V:King inspired by ancient Vikings. This is a fun game where the players have to knock their opponents’ shields by using their battle-axes. If anyone manages to do so then he will emerge victoriously and will get the crown.

The game relies on strategy and teamwork. You don’t need to be very strong or fast to win this game, you just need to have the right strategy to snatch the crown from your enemies and dethrone them. 

There are now eco-friendly versions of V:King/Kubb available that are made out of hardwood completely and free from chemical and toxin stains. A fun game to get you and your group pumped up.

2.Endango

Endango is a board game that requires taking care of the different environments such as forests, oceans, ice caps, safaris, etc. Each environment has endangered species that you have to protect and every move that you will make will either help them in survival or further promote their extinction. The ultimate goal is to make sure that you protect all the endangered animals in every environment.

Not only is this game made out of eco-friendly materials but it also teaches us how our small actions can lead to the destruction of the planet and different species inhabited on it.

3. Tic Tac Toe

Although Tic Tac Toe is a simple game, but who says it isn’t fun? In Tic Tac Toe, you have to think about a unique strategy through which you can outsmart your opponent. Not only is this game simple and fun to play but you can literally play it at any given time you want to. Plus, there are now different eco-friendly versions of the game available that are made of 100% recyclable materials.

4. Cards

Playing cards has always been fun. Whether you are at a party or you need to kill some time, cards have always been fun to play. Not only is a pack of cards cheap but it comes in handy in different situations. Plus, there is now an eco-friendly version of cards available such as the Bicycle Eco Edition that is made purely out of eco-friendly materials such as starch-based glue, vegetable-based inks, and paper from sustainable forests, and along with that, they can also be fully recycled into a new pack of cards. 

Those who are having a hard time leaving their smartphone or laptop can still play cards on those devices very easily. Popular electronic card games include Spider Solitaire, solitaire and Freecell. These games are also very fun to play and provide a soothing experience to the mind.

5. Jigsaw Puzzles

While people usually think of physical puzzle pieces when someone mentions a jigsaw puzzle, there are other options that are deemed more eco-friendly. For example, online jigsaw puzzles are easy to access for anyone at no cost and without wasting extra resources. One awesome site is Im-a-puzzle.com. This online jigsaw puzzle site has thousands of options. From beginner-friendly puzzles to incredibly difficult ones, you can decide which level is right for you. If you’re unsure, try out a few different options without worrying about wasting money or materials. Categories include animals, food, cars, holidays, and more. Another perk is you can create your own puzzle when you upload an image and define the settings – all without having to print a physical game.

6. UNO

UNO is the perfect game that you need when you are on a road trip, camping or fishing. All of us played UNO at some point in our lives and whenever you are out on a long trip with your friends, playing UNO is always a good choice. You won’t get bored plus if you happen to beat your friends then you get bragging rights over them. There is now an eco-friendly version of UNO available, UNO Wilderness Edition that is 100% eco-friendly. 

7. Boggle

Boggle is another classic board game that most of us love to play with our friends and family. Although most of the versions used to be made from plastic, there are now newer, eco-friendly versions of the game coming which are made from heavy-duty wood instead of plastic, and as compared to plastic, wood is definitely an eco-friendly material. 

All the rules of the game remain exactly the same, the only difference is that you are playing on a Boggle board made of wood instead of plastic. You can still enjoy playing your favorite board with your friends and family members & have fun.

8. Scrabble & Jenga

Scrabble is another eco-friendly board game that is always fun to play. If you are a linguist or vocabulary geed then you would love playing Scrabble. There is also a wooden version of Scrabble available nowadays that you can play with if you want to promote eco-friendly living. 

Jenga is another game that people love to play, especially kids and teenagers. Stacking up the sticks and keeping them balanced is always a fun & challenging thing to do. Jenga is loved by people of all ages and as the game progresses further, it becomes harder and harder to balance the wooden sticks and eventually one of the players ends up losing. 

Scrabble and Jenga are two games that have their eco-friendly versions readily available in the market and they can be played by people of all ages, kids, teens, adults, seniors, everyone can play these games.

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As most artists and writers know from experience, inspiration can strike at any moment – while driving the car, while brewing the morning coffee, or in the shower.  Sultan Saeed says he owes his inspiration for the title of the book to the online game, World of Warcraft.

Sultan Saeed was playing the game with a friend, when the pair encountered some noxious (though simulated) birds in an uncharted dungeon.  Perhaps because he is an animal lover, or perhaps because he had already worked out in his mind some strategy for success in the game that required the use of the birds, unharmed, Sultan Saeed started shouting at his friend, “Leave the Birds Alone!”

He is quoted as saying, “This incident has stuck with me all these years, so I decided to name my first book after it.”  The title found him; he didn’t have to search for it.

Readers, though, can take this quote and assign to it some deeper meaning (maybe by considering it the perfect maxim to combat harm inflicted on birds from wind turbines?).

A single thought dominates each page of Leave the Birds Alone.   Here are four examples:

“Qualities qualify you, more than qualifications.”

“Always pay attention to the small details; they are the hardest to find when missing.”

“One mistake can lead to another, yet not as much as one solution leading to another mistake.”

“Don’t say your life is peachy, as others may be looking to make a cobbler out of it.”

Furthermore, each page is graphically designed in accordance with its aphorism.  For example, the second example quote from above (“Always pay attention…”) is written over and over, covering one line after the next, in very small font.

Sultan Saeed announced, “I don’t say this book will change your life or this book is going to help you become a millionaire, rapper, cowboy, space jumper…But I would say this book doesn’t insult intelligence or flatter stupidity. It’s just me sharing my thoughts.”

His goal in publishing this work was to amuse readers, and I think Leave the Birds Alone will continue to accomplish that.  It is available for Kindle on Amazon, and hard copies are being sold, but only in Abu Dhabi.

::The National

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After being on the air for just a few weeks, “The Green Man” TV show has been temporarily shut down due to allegations of bribery and greenwashing. It is funded by an Israeli chemical company.

A new environmental television show called “The Green Man” debuted just a few weeks ago, hosted by well known Israeli news anchor Gadi Sukenik.  The promotional video for the TV show, shown above, shows Sukenik walking through all kinds of environmentally polluted areas and finally asking the viewers how long they can remain detached from the environment.  The real question may be, however, how detached from altruistic environmental goals “The Green Man” is.

Following numerous complaints, the show was temporarily suspended last week until further investigations can be conducted into whether the show received compensation for featuring certain companies, and the extent to which it is a conflict of interest that Israel Chemicals is one of the program sponsors.

The production company is currently being investigated under allegations that companies paid to be on the show, with prices dependent upon the amount of time that the company wished to be featured.  Documents were found suggesting that companies could purchase small amounts of time (such as five minutes) or even an entire episode.

The broadcasting company issued a statement saying that “The Green Man will not be broadcast until the investigation of the production company has been completed.  The results of the investigation will be send to us, and we will respond to the actions of the production company with great severity.”

The show may have been laden with problems since the very beginning, though, since Israel Chemicals is one of the main sponsors.  Sukenik, the host of the show, sees no problem with the sponsor, however, and said that “if you ask me, it’s good that a polluting company takes steps to partly rectify its actions… I believe eventually they’ll repair… I hope it won’t be too late.”

Read more about eco-friendly TV shows and TVs:
Thirteen Part Television Series on Geography and the Environment Broadcast in Israel
Qatari TV Program “Stars of Science” Focuses on Environmentally Friendly Innovations
Israel Has Plans to Outlaw Dinosaur TVs

The post Green Man Show Suspended Due to Greenwashing appeared first on Green Prophet.

The most recent Valentine’s Day may have reminded you that it’s a harsh dating world out there. Whether you’re lucky enough to meet someone through a chance encounter at the coffee shop, free dating sites, or even through unorthodox methods such as Chinese astrological sign alignment – once you’ve met someone special you probably want to do everything in your power to make it work.  Easier said than done, though.  This can be especially tough sometimes when your love interest is a hard core environmentalist and has some less-than-conventionally-romantic habits. You may love your baby for having those strong beliefs, but watch out before they become deal breakers.

As with all relationships, the name of the game is compromise.  For those of you that just starting dating an environmentalist (or “greenie”), watch out for these five potential deal breakers and figure out how to resolve them:

1) He/she shows up sweaty everywhere because of refusal to use a private transportation. Private vehicles are a big offender when it comes to carbon emissions, and even eco-friendly cars like the Prius still have an environmental impact. The most friendly forms of transportation are either public transportation (which is not always air conditioned enough), cycling, or walking – and all three may leave your date sweaty when showing up for… well, your date.

The solution?  Try avoiding places that require your date to travel far distances and opt for a closer-to-home alternative.  One option is having a romantic picnic in your living room.  Another option is getting your date a solar-powered, hand-held fan for traveling on the go.

2) He/she uses eco-friendly deodorant. Eco-friendly deodorants which we love avoid using certain anti-perspirant ingredients, such as aluminum ions and other chemicals. Not wanting your body or the environment to be subjected to such substances is noble, but may not do much for your romance if you’re getting up close and personal.  That may be a deal breaking combination.

Have no fear, this can be fixed too.  In addition to avoiding long, sweaty travel, you can suggest that your date carry a spritz bottle of water infused with natural essential oils.  Lavender is a great one, and strong enough to diffuse any unpleasant sweaty odors.

3) He/she thinks vegan desserts are delicious. Animal lover? Yes. Have a lower carbon footprint? Yes. These things can be said of vegan desserts. But delicious? Ummm…. not really. Call us old fashioned, but good desserts have butter and eggs and lots of them. Have you ever tried eating vegan chocolate mousse?

Try to compromise and get your date to agree to organic non-vegan desserts.  If all else fails, stick to seasonal fruits dipped in dark chocolate which are both delicious and a fun activity.

4) He/she has bed bugs in his/her second hand furniture. Second hand furniture has a far lower environmental impact than, say, hopping over to your local Big Box store, but it is not without its dangers. When you buy something new out of the box you know that no one else used it or got into it before you – with second hand furniture you often have no idea who or how many people used the item before you. This can be especially worrying with upholstered furniture, so before spending the night at your greenie’s place, do a quick little scan of the bed and couch to make sure that they are bed bug-free.

A fair compromise may be for your eco-love to buy second hand bed frames, but a new mattress to go with it.  Explain your concerns and hopefully he/she will compromise.  If you mention the green bedding options out there, you’re sure to score some points.

5) Your vacations may be limited to places within driving or railroad distance. If you’re fantasizing about whisking your beloved to Paris or Rome for the weekend, you may want to make sure that that’s even an option. Air travel is one of the worst environmental offenders out there, and some hard core environmentalists have sworn off air travel completely. They have restricted themselves to traveling to places within driving or railroad distance.

But for those dating within the Middle East, this may not be a problem since there are lots of beautiful places to visit within driving/railroad distance.  Check out the eco-tourism options available in Yemen, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, and Syria.

Read more for some extra green dating advice:
5 Green Gifts When Dating an Environmentalist
5 Green Dating Ideas for the Middle Eastern Romantic
5 Green Valentine Ideas for Your Eco-Girlfriend

Image via: LeChon Wilson, Denis Dervisevic

The post Dating an Environmentalist? 5 Tips For Avoiding the Pitfalls appeared first on Green Prophet.

Impress your date and reduce your negative impact on the environment with a green-ified date.

Dating can be rough. Firstly, it can be hard to find that special someone (which is facilitated, in our modern times, by some form of online dating site or one of those popular US dating sites), and secondly, it can be difficult to come up with a date that is fun for you, your date, AND the environment. The classic “dinner-and-a-movie” date often involves a great deal of wastefulness since most restaurants are major resource and food wasters. But it doesn’t have to be. If you want to flex your creative side and show off some environmental muscle, try going on a green date.

Need some help?  Here are some ideas:

1. Cook a homemade, local, and organic meal for your date. A home cooked meal is one of the easiest ways to someone’s heart. Put in the extra effort and make something a little more challenging and different for your date. If you need some inspiration for Middle Eastern recipes, search Green Prophet’s archives.

2. Take your date out for a meal at an eco-friendly restaurant. Not a cook?  That’s ok, not everyone can be. But how about enjoying an eco-friendly meal together anyway? Look for a restaurant in your area that uses mostly local (and, if possible, organic) ingredients with a largely vegetarian menu, and it’s an added bonus if the restaurant recycles. Some restaurant suggestions in Israel are: Cafe Louise, Mitzpe Hayamim, Goats with the Wind, and LovEAT. In Saudi Arabia, check out Pizza Fusion’s organic pizza. In Abu Dhabi, go out for some sustainable fish at one of Le Royal Meridien’s restaurants.

3. Go for a romantic bike ride. Take your date out to see the sunset on a bike, enjoying some nice scenery and some exercise along the way. Bring along some refreshments to enjoy at your final destination like some wine or locally brewed beer.

4. Get your hands dirty at a local farm. In our modern culture, many of us have to go out of our way to get physically active. Which is why when we finally do get to run around and use up some energy, it’s a lot of fun. Do something different and get your hands dirty at a local and preferably organic farm.  In addition to getting some exercise, you’ll probably get some great fresh food to take home as well. Check out WWOOF for a list of farms near you.

Spend a weekend at an eco-tourism destination. Tourism destinations aren’t just for tourists. Go on a mini-vacation nearby that’s a little off the beaten track and try an eco-tourist spot. Read our tips for eco-touring in Yemen, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, and Syria.

If you are interested in joining an online dating site but don’t know where to turn, we recommend you check out some of these dating websites where you can read reviews and check rankings of some of the more popular and trustworthy rooms. If you sign up please come back and tell us about your experience.

Image via: CarbonNYC

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The sun is shining and the days are long right now in the Middle East, which can only mean one thing- it’s wedding season! Invitations are flooding in and every night there seems to be wedding party going on into the small hours. Fireworks, food, fancy clothes and fights is how I would usually sum up an average Muslim wedding in the Middle East but is this leaving behind a trail of waste and carbon emissions?

I spoke to Rianne ten Veen of the book ‘199 Ways to Please God’ who came up with some practical advice for couples on how to ‘green’ their wedding as well as their future together. A Muslim convert with a long-standing passion for the environment, Rianne’s suggestions are all based on principles she outlines in her book which are organised around four key areas of Islamic life: beliefs, worship, transactions and moral character.

There are already some great eco-traditions at Arab Muslim weddings which means that waste is minimised. Buses are provided for guests to travel to the wedding location if it is far, any leftover food is given out and you’ll find an array of young children after your empty can of juice which earns them a couples of coins when they get recycled. Honeymoons also tend to be in a neighboring country which cuts down the air miles. However, the following Rianne’s tips to fully ‘green’ a Muslim wedding and -more importantly- to encourage couples to become more conscious of the need to make green decision in every aspect of their lives.

DO

1. Worry about the weather: Bear in mind the weather when planning your wedding and avoid mid-winter or summer when it would you be forced to heat or cool the venue. Not only would this cut your carbon footprint, a spring and autumn wedding is bound to be cheaper!
2. Organise Transport: Guests travelling to the venue tends to be one of the most carbon-intensive aspects of a wedding so make sure that the wedding venue is reachable by public transport and encourage attendees to arrive on foot/ bus/ train. Include information on public transport on the invite and mention that the venue has a place to freshen up. If this isn’t possible, then follow in the footsteps of Middle Eastern weddings and arrange for a coach or bus to take people to the event and back.
3. Green your Vows: Ask the imam doing the nikah (matrimonial contract) to include the Islamic duty of humans as guardians towards all creation, and incorporate a commitment by both the bridge and groom that they will do everything in their capacity to faithfully fulfill this duty and strengthen each other to have the best record on Day of Judgment in this respect.

DON’T

1. Accept Gifts: Instead of accepting commercial gifts, propose donation to have trees planted which could include having trees planted ‘back home’ in case of diaspora or in poorest areas of the world through a charity. This wouldn’t just offset some of wedding CO2, but also ensure that the poor and those away benefit from the wedding in the form of shade, erosion prevention and a better livelihood.
2. Waste Food: The other most energy-intensive aspect of a wedding is the food so its important to be organised and use local and organic produce. “Also, make arrangements beforehand with a homeless charity to arrange for them to take any leftover food from the wedding feast.” Whilst its best not to have any leftovers in the first place, sometimes this is just unavoidable and although Islamically it shouldn’t be a feast, I guess we have to take one step at a time!
3. Buy Everything New: “If you’re having several events (such as girls night, walima, nikah party), instead of buying new outfits for each occasion, organise a ‘swap party’ where attendees swap clothes they no longer wear. Also suggest that the bride and groom and family wear organic/ recycled clothing.”

Finally, continue the green theme to the entertainment by organising environmental poetry such as as Rabi’a Al-Adawiyya or Rumi! Hopefully applying these tips – which can be used by anybody- will not only affirm the couples commitment to the environment but also inform and influence the guests into taking practical action to protect the environment in their daily lives.

Related: Find latest discount wedding dresses collection at 27Dress.com

:: Rianne ten Veen’s Book ‘199 Ways to Please God’

Read More on Green Islam:
Cambridge to Build Europe’s First Eco-Mosque
“Inspired by Muhammad” Is Islam’s Green Message to Break Terrorism
Water Conservation Values in Islam
The Muslim World Wants to Green Hajj
Breast Feed Baby in Hijab

The post Tips and guide to make a Muslim wedding even greener appeared first on Green Prophet.

So how to keep your little ones smiling and the earth green?

Well it is easier and often cheaper than you may believe, it’s all about changing your perspective and being a little radical, and not conforming.

Entertainment

There are so many ideas out there for all age groups. The traditional games are still loved by every child, the delight and anticipation of pass the parcel is one of my favorites, add an extra twist with questions, forfeits and games between each layer. Musical chairs or statues, gets them dancing and burns that energy off. A treasure hunt gets their minds working too and is good for all ages, for the young ones use picture clues.

Parties are not just about games, I took my daughter to a party recently where they all decorated their own cakes, it kept them all very busy and very happy for about half an hour, heaven for us nattering mums! If you don’t want to go the sweet route, let them make their own pizzas, this is a definite winner for everybody, as you are also cutting out the stress of preparing food.

If you really want to you can have a green theme for the party too, get your children’s creative juices flowing and get recycling all the wrapping paper from presents, you can make giant paper pompoms (this is another great cheat as it also gives them something to take home too!).

Food & Party Bags

Fast, convenient, junk food is very tempting and I do understand time is precious but there are options just as easy, sometimes more fun for the children and you, and definitely healthier. The pizza option we’ve already mentioned, other options that the kids can get involved in too, are making burgers, fruit smoothies and a taco bar. My daughter’s last birthday cake was made from organic wholewheat flour, organic cocoa, organic eggs and goat’s milk, and the kids loved it.

As for the party favors, well we’ve covered the present with a make your own craft, and harking back to my childhood, a piece of scrummy birthday cake wrapped in a paper napkin (and no bag!). An idea I think I might use next year is a plant pot and a packet of seeds, they paint and decorate the pot in the party, then just pop a slice of cake in there with some flower or veggie seeds. If you feel you need to add some more bulk, try dried fruits and fruit leathers, fresh popcorn is always a winner too.

“I always recommend to friends and family to send eco-friendly ecards for birthdays, so as not to be left with a big pile of paper cards. But at the end of a party, you could be left with heaps of disposable plates, cups and burst balloons, all very unfriendly to the environment.

I keep a stack of plastic cups, plates and bowls at home all year round, as they are supremely handy when friends come to play and they are the best for parties too. If you really can’t get your head around washing up after, there are plenty of greener, biodegradable options available today.

As for decorations, balloons are quite nasty things, when you dig a bit deeper you discover a plethora of chemicals, there are eco-options made from latex but as yet I have only found them sold to performers here in Israel. So no balloons, big deal, get creative with your kids, paper chains, paper pompoms, all made with old wrapping paper, newspapers, enjoy!

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