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The weather is almost warm enough to head to the beach. It's at that stage where it's warm enough some days but you have to constantly check the weather. This past Memorial Day was sort of the kick off of beach–goer season. I can pretty much do all of my favorites activities at the beach so what's not to love. I can surf, do yoga, run, bask in the rays (with tons of sunscreen of course), and let the dogs run buck wild.
There's nothing more annoying than when you think you brought everything that you need but forgot a few essentials and are stuck without them all day. Check out my guide to packing a green beach bag:
1. Organic Suntan Lotion
Likely the most important thing to go in your bag. Banana Boat Sun Wear Daily Sunblock Faces Lotion, has an SPF of 30 and has essential organic botanical ingredients that helps protect the skin from premature aging and cancer. I also like Alba. It has an SPF of 30. An infusion of certified organic lavender, aloe vera, chamomile, ginkgo biloba, and green tea soothes and repairs, protecting sensitive skin against the free radical damage that often results from exposure to the sun. Or you can make your own suntan lotion, here's how.
2. Your Homemade Sarong or Cover Up Clothing
Whether you bring it along or wear it to the beach, it's a must. Read how to turn extra fabric into a sarong. You can tie it around your waist so that it's a floor length skirt. You can fold it in half so it's a mini skirt. You can even wrap it around your neck and then around your body so that it looks like a halter dress.
3. Your SIGG Bottle
Direct from Switzerland, SIGG bottles are made from tough, virtually unbreakable aluminum, and lined with a proprietary internal coating that is resistant to fruit-juice acids, energy drinks, alcohol, and almost every other consumable beverage. The company says its products exceed U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements and have been tested to ensure absolutely zero leaching.
4. Homemade Green Snacks
With all that surfing, walking, swimming, or just lying there, you're likely to get hungry. So be sure to pack tons of nutritious homemade goodness like Kelly Rossiter's homemade oatmeal raisin granola bars or my Easy Pleasin' Trail Mix:
Easy Pleasin' Trail Mix
1 cup organic raw cashews
1 cup organic dried mango
1 cup organic banana chips
1 cup SunRidge farms Natural Yogurt Covered Pretzels
1 cup Sunspire Organic Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Method
1. Mix together and serve all-week-long.
5. A Good Green Book
Reading a good book is a great way to engage yourself with environmental ideas. And believe it or not, there's a rich American tradition of writing with the environment in mind—from transcendentalists like Thoreau and Emerson to fabulists like Dr. Seuss to environmentalists like Rachel Carson. Catch up with these 7 Great Green American Classics.
Of course you'll need a good tote to throw it all in. Check out our handbag buy guide.
More on the Beach:
Help Stop the Tidal Wave of Trash
10 Tips For Avoiding a Shark Attack
Take an Eco-Trip to the Grand Strand
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
