Here are some ways to Green your holidays this year.

Kickoff your holidays the Green way by cooking your Turkey through a paper bag. Here is the recipe found at http://www.greatpartyrecipes.com/how-to-cook-a-turkey.html On the website, you can also find more green ways to cook your Thanksgiving turkey.

Paper Bag Turkey
1 whole turkey, 23-25 pounds
1 large brown paper bag (grocery bag)
Butter, soft but not melted
Salt or garlic salt and pepper to taste

Remove neck and giblets from cavities. Rinse the turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Stuff, if desired.

Thoroughly coat the turkey with butter using your fingers or a paper towel. Season generously.

Place the turkey in the paper bag. Seal the bag with staples, paper clips or a needle and thread. (Use 2 bags if 1 is too small.)

Place the turkey on a sturdy shallow baking pan. Bake at 325° for about 5 hours. Reduce the cooking time to 4-4 1/2 hours for an unstuffed or smaller turkey.

And no, the paper will not burn, and the turkey will not taste like paper. But you will enjoy all those little gasps of appreciation when you “unwrap” your perfect paper bag turkey.

When Turkey day is done:
Buy a real Christmas tree instead of a fake.

Decorate your Christmas tree with natural materials such as popcorn and cranberries.

Use tablecloths that are made out of fabric.

Use silverware and dishes that are not disposable.

Send out online invite cards.

Buy Eco friendly gift cards made out of bioplastic materials such as corn based and a material called Mirel. Target sells these types of cards.

Wrap up larger gifts with pillowcases and smaller gifts with newspaper.

Give battery free gifts.

Choose meat and vegetables that are locally and sustainably grown.

Organize a media swap full of movies, books, CDs, etc. with family and friends.

Filed under Green Tip of the Week