Find Green Rainy Day Activities

I know, I should probably be writing about green snowy day activities as it's the middle of winter. But you know what? That's weather discrimination. Down here in South Carolina, hell will probably freeze over before it snows. In the South, winter precipitation consists of rain, rain, and well...more rain. Not that I mind it. As a South Carolinian, droughts play a large role in my life. I view rain as a cleansing, watering of the land. So while there's nothing wrong with staying under the covers and sleeping in on a rainy day, if you feel like doing something different, here are some of my favorite rainy day activities:

• Have a green movie day.
  Watch an awesome environmental movie, like one of my favorites, Planet Earth. If you've never seen Planet Earth, you'll find it far from a boring environmental documentary. The scenes are stunning. You will see aspects of nature usually far beyond your reach. Explore the world's few remaining untouched civilizations and find out why saving them is so important. Have a few friends over and serve some green snacks. For the adults, try serving a green wine.


• Make a huge pot of chili.
  My best friend Cathy and I used to make this when we lived in DC, where it actually gets cold. Whenever I make it, I remember those times after college when we would sit around drinking good beer and eating massive bowls of this fabulous chili. Today, the weather rarely reaches 30 degrees but this recipe still warms me up with fond memories.
  
  Cathy's Chili
  
  2 tbsp organic olive oil
  2 lb grass fed sirloin steak, cut into 1 inch cubes
  1/2 lb lean grass fed ground beef
  12 oz chorizo, casing removed, cut into 1 inch cubes (or try vegetarian sausage)
  1 large local Vidalia onion, chopped roughly
  1/4 cup organic chili powder
  3 cloves fresh local garlic, chopped finely
  2 tsp cumin
  2 cans peeled organic whole tomatoes
  2 cans organic beef broth (or any kind of broth)
  1 cup cilantro, chopped roughly
  3 bay leaves
  2 green jalapeños, chopped finely and deseeded (depending on how hot you like it)
  1 tbsp cinnamon
  1 tbsp yellow corn meal
  1 tbsp sea salt (to taste)
  1 tbsp taco seasoning packet
  1/2 tsp freshly cracked pepper
  
  Method
  
  1. Brown sirloin with olive oil in the pot and remove, leave drippings in pot.
  2. Add beef, chorizo, and onion.
  3. Return sirloin to pot, add in remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil.
  4. Simmer for at least two hours while stirring occasionally, but even longer is better.
  5. Remove bay leaves and jalapenos prior to serving, and garnish with a dollop of sour cream.
  
  
  Serves 6 to 9.


• Go on a rain run.
  I have written about tons of things to do to avoid the rain, but come to think of it, why are we so afraid of rain in the first place? Why do we avoid it like the plague anyway? Sometimes getting out in the rain (at least when it's not freezing) can be the best thing for you. So try it out, go running or walking outside in a downpour. I was just in Costa Rica during the rainy season, and it rained all evening and all through the night. By the end of it, we had given up trying to avoid it and embraced it. We frolicked in it like children. So much fun!


• Use the rain to your advantage, use a rain gauge.
  Many people over-water their lawns because they do not measure, or don't know how much water their grass needs. It's such a waste. There is no point in playing guessing games when you can easily build a rain gauge out of household items. Here's how to build a proper rain gauge.



Related Posts:
Green Glossary: Rain Barrel
G Word Episode: Make it Rain
TreeHugger Tip: Jack Johnson on Collecting Rain with Rain Barrels

Are you a green hipster looking for all things green and cool? Then you'll love actor and eco-activist Adrian Grenier and his team of environmental experts, who live it up with sustainable style on Planet Green TV's Alter Eco.

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