Are you ready for more sun and more fun in the great outdoors? So are we. To launch into summer, we're sending our June newsletter soon with free printable coupons for outdoor recreation and reminders of all the great deals in our book.

If you aren't signed up yet, enter your email in the box at upper right. We only send newsletters monthly.

Here's a sampling to get you interested. This Tizzi bathing suit by Kelly B is 65% bamboo and 25% organic cotton (with 8% spandex), and USA made. Order online ($130) from Nimli.

Image via Nimli. More...

Becki Walker writes about food and crafts recipes. In this Fridays series, she examines the culture of farmers markets. Here she explains Certified Naturally Grown, an alternative to USDA Organic, and shopping on a budget using the food chain model and pesticide guides.

Over the course of the next few articles, I’ll be examining the farmers market.  I’ll cover how to get to know your farmer, shop on a budget, and experiment with more “unique” fruits and vegetables. Before heading to the market, though, it’s important to know some of the terminology you’re likely to find there.  Just what does organic certification mean?  Are there alternatives?  Which foods are most important to buy organically?

To be organically certified, a farm must be inspected by an agency approved by the US Department of Agriculture.  Products that are 95 – 100% organic can display the organic seal on them.  Products with at least 70% ingredients may state that they are “made with organic ingredients.”  However, anything less than 70% organic cannot include the seal on its label. More...

Eat: Vegetarian Cooking Class: Hearty Homestyle Italian
Join Compassionate Cooks’ founder Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, author of the Joy of Vegan Baking, in her monthly fun-filled Vegetarian Cooking Classes that celebrate healthful and humane eating! Designed to fill you up and warm you up, these hearty Italian dishes will satisfy anyone and everyone you feed! Cook up Italian-style Hummus; Polenta Squares with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce; Pizza Marinara; Spring Vegetable Risotto; and Chocolate Cheesecake. $55 (in advance), plus $5 food/materials fee due on day of class (Discounts for registering for class packages.) Register online or mail a check to Compassionate Cooks P.O. Box 18512, Oakland, CA 94619.
April 25, 10am-1pm
First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St, at Castro
View Coupon at ecometro.com

Live: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale
The UC Berkeley Botanical Garden has an incredible number of beautiful and unusual plants that are sure to make a spectacular addition to your garden. Check out their website for a list of practical workshops.
April 25, 10am-2pm
UC Berkeley Botanical Garden
View Coupon at ecometro.com

Even if you used all your coupons from our book, we know you still need to buy things that we don't cover. Use these three sites to continue saving money while you shop for necessities.

RedPlum.com We found Tylenol, V8 Juice, and Renu contact solution coupons to download and print. Enter your zip code to begin searching.

Smart Source Both printable coupons and online coupons are available here. Right now they have a coupon for $2 off Seventh Generation baby wipes. Mac users will need Safari.

RetailMeNot.com Search here for discount codes from online stores including clothing companies, Walgreens, and Amazon. You can almost always find a free shipping code--search by store. More...

Happy weekend, EcoMetropolitans!

This week on the site:

• March free online coupons are up!
• EcoMetro Green Events through March 19
• Sarah Gilbert on Hacking Life With Kids, But Without a Car
• Hunting for Rare Bike Racks in 'Wild Creatures of North America' and how to request a rack from the city
• Exchange Business Cards Without Using Paper Using Contxts

From our Twitter:

• Who we're following: @HD_EcoDave a green building and eco home fan over at Home Depot, the largest retailer of FSC wood in the USA
• Twollars for charity? RT @CascadiaCommons How many of you know about Twollars? Check it out because I would like some. http://twollars.com
• Who we're following: @eatsustainable, home of The Sustainable Table and The Meatrix. Good daily tips for eating better with less impact.
• Yummy Chipotle Hummus from one of our favorite cooking blogs (mostly vegan, and they do beer reviews), Hot Knives http://budurl.com/c759

Image: Flickr/Powerhouse Museum Collection More...

Grab your EcoMetro coupons and head over to Five Little Monkeys, Grove Street Kids, O! Babybaby, Ruby’s Garden, the Tulip Grove, or Crackerjacks to find eco toys and kid’s clothing.

My Dad Recycles More Than Your Dad T-Shirt ($24)
Printed on organic cotton with water based inks, Little Green Stars clothes are sweet and sassy. Our favorites are the "My Dad Recycles More than Your Dad" t-shirt and "My Other Ride is a Hybrid" onesie with a stroller image. Available online.




Eco House ($150)
Play house with solar panels, rain barrels and recycling bins. Zoom around the kitchen table on a scooter and admire the view of the wind turbine from afar. This play set is made of rubberwood and recycled wood, but is not recommended for children under 3. Available online. More...

This holiday season give the gift of EcoMetro Guide – a one-of-a-kind resource and coupon book, offering more than 300 valuable coupons for all aspects of life. Help your friends and family explore the East Bay with the guide for shopping and saving locally.

Check off the names from your shopping list and make the most of our December Holiday Special! Save $5 on each copy of EcoMetro Guide (regularly $20) at select retailers listed below or receive free shipping at our online store ($5 value).

While getting copies for friends and family, remember to grab an extra for yourself! EcoMetro Guide offers great gift ideas and the opportunity to stretch your dollar.

Click on the store names below for locations and hours: More...