Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer. Beaches fill with umbrellas and sandcastles, swim clubs open for the season, campgrounds flood with tents, and the smell of barbeque pervades neighborhoods. Start your holiday weekend with our bbq favorites and the natural condiments to go with them.

Between the Buns
All-Beef: For a plump, hearty, tastes-like-it-came-off-the-grill treat, try Applegate Farms Great Organic Hot Dog. Made with 100% organic grass-fed beef, this dog has half the fat as many traditional varieties, but all the flavor as your childhood faves.

Pork & Beef: Juicy, with hints of both sweet and salty, Organic Prairie’s Uncured Hot Dog gives a great snap as you bite into it. For the youngsters, try Niman Ranch Fearless Uncured Franks for Kids. These dogs are made with antibiotic- and hormone-free meat, plus the mild flavor and thin shape make them a great choice for little mouths.

Vegetarian: Want a dog, but not meat? Packed with protein, LightLife’s Veggie Dogs, made with organic ingredients, and all-natural Yves Good Dog boasts a delicious hickory flavor. Plus, there’s no saturated fat or cholesterol in these dogs, making them one summer snack that won’t ruin your diet.

Poultry: Organic Prairie Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs and Uncured Turkey Hot Dogs are skinless, made from organic meat and boast a smoky and hearty taste, but contain much less fat than pork or beef dogs.

Tasty Toppers
Ketchup: With Annie’s Naturals Organic Ketchup, delight in the same traditional ketchup taste that you love but without the high fructose corn syrup or pesticide-ridden tomatoes. Or try a new twist on an old classic with Wholemato’s Spicy Organic Agave Ketchup, a thick adaptation with a smoky flavor that’s sweetened with agave nectar.

Mustard: Available in a jar or a squeeze bottle, Eden Organic Yellow Mustard Stone Ground with Apple Cider Vinegar is essential for any condiment lover. Gentle hints of vinegar and garlic harmonize in this smooth-textured mustard.

Sauerkraut: Tree of Life sauerkraut contains only organic cabbage, water and salt, making it mild enough for even the youngest family member to enjoy.

Relish: For a refreshing summer treat, top your dog with the crunchy Del Monte Organic Sweet Pickle Relish. Its tangy taste will be sure to put your tongue into overdrive.

– Cricket Azima, KIWI Food Editor and lover of bbqs

The official Earth Day is fast approaching and even if you believe as we do, that the Earth should be celebrated every day, there’s nothing wrong with stopping on one particular day and considering our relationship with the planet. And what better activity on Earth Day, than to open our children’s hearts to the environment by settling in at the library or at home with a beautifully written and illustrated book. Here are some of our favorites for various ages:

Young children

• The Tree by Dana Lyons

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

• Almost Gone: The World’s Rarest Animals by Steve Jenkins

Tweens

• A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids by Julie Hall

• Make It! by  Jane Bull

• Gaia Girls (series) by Lee Welles

Teens

• Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life by Linda Silversten

• The New 50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save The Earth by Sophie Javna

• What Do You Stand For? For Teens: A Guide to Building Character by Barbara Lewis

Our top pick?

• An Environmental Guide from A to Z by Tim Magner. Right now, you can get it at 25% off the cover price by entering the code, “celebrate” during checkout.

-Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.

Handmade valentines are truly gifts from the heart. A family fun project is making paper embedded with flower or veggie seeds. You’ll end up with Valentines that keep on giving. In addition to junk mail or other bits of paper, you’ll need some window screen, water and a blender. And if you’ve been looking for a way to recycle that dryer lint, you’ve found it! Learn how to make paper yourself or if you’re not into papermaking, seed-embedded cards can be purchased at GreenfieldPaper.com.

–Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at CelebrateGreen.net.

To some, the downturn in the economy is seen as a barrier to celebrating green. To us, it’s an opportunity.

We admit that we’re a couple of glass half-full-ers, but we think that if you’re concerned about your bills and how-in-the-heck you’re going to plan an eco-considerate party for your soon-to-be eight-year old, it’s the perfect time to try frugality on for size. After all, your great grandmother probably did it and so did her friends. And the truth is, living simply is at the core of “going green.”

Whether the upcoming celebration is Valentine’s Day or a birthday, this year, instead of doing what you’ve always done, why not try to stage it without spending a penny? Or replace gifts with activities? Or let your true love know you long for a poem he’s written himself?

You may just find that hard times give rise to great times.

– Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.NET

Don’t miss your chance to win DVDs this holiday season. Leave us a comment and you could own one of the follow classics from Warner Brothers: Classic Christmas Favorites including It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas, Looney Tunes Spotlight Collection, Jack Frost, Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection: Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, and more! (These DVDs are also in stores now.)

- Stephanie, KIWI staff and lover of families

Wrap your gifts in the next best thing to love—not paper, but fabric wraps that can be used over and over again. Think origami using material instead of paper. Make your own with fabric scraps, silk scarves, even napkins. You no longer need tape or ribbon. The techniques are so simple, any child who can tie a knot can do them, yet the results are beautiful and sophisticated.

Download and learn the simple techniques from www.Furoshiki.com. No material at hand? You can purchase fabric made just for this purpose. Looking for something sophisticated? Check out www.Bobowrap.com. Genuine traditional patterns? Try www.Buy4AsianLife.com.

–Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

Unsure about what to give teachers, babysitters and friends for the holidays? Say it with soy! In very little time you can create eco-friendly and recyclable candles that will spice up a room. And you’ll literally be giving the gift of light. We have helpful hints and instructions. To get started click here.

Feeling even more eco-crafty?

KIWI’s got your back. Our eco-crafts page will keep your family busy. http://www.kiwimagonline.com/ecocrafts/index.php

- Stephanie, KIWI staff and lover of families

We are all trying to raise our families the natural and organic way. Sometimes, we need a little inspiration to keep us going.

My cousins Liz and David have three kids ages 10 to 16. They try to buy organic foods and cooks most of their meals. Their family is constantly trying to find a good balance between juggling everyone’s schedules. A year subscription to KIWI Magazine will definitely spice up their eco-ability!

With the buy one, gift one offer KIWI is running for the holidays, I can also get a subscription for my best friend Nikki (her daughter Julie can thank me later).

- Stephanie, KIWI staff and lover of families

If your child has food allergies, or special dietary needs, you can still visit friends and family and share the joy of the holiday season. But when food is involved (and when isn’t it?) it’s always best to come prepared. So here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Call ahead to explain your child’s allergies and offer to bring a safe dish.

• Ask to serve your child first to make sure that the utensils and foods are not cross contaminated.

• Remind loved ones not to fuss over what your child is eating. He or she wants to be part of the crowd and not singled out because of his differences.

• If the host seems not to “get it”, feed your child at home and bring dessert or a snack.

• Keep an eye out for candy dishes and nut bowls. If your child is very young, ask if they can be moved out of the little one’s reach.

• Desserts in particular are a common cause of allergic reactions as they are often cross contaminated with peanuts or nuts and most will contain some of the top nine allergens. So, make a special holiday dessert that your child will love and bring enough to share so that she feels part of the celebration.

–Gina Clowes is the Founder of AllergyMoms.com and author of One of the Gang: Nurturing the Souls of Children with Food Allergies