5 Conscious Style Hacks for the Perfect 4TH OF JULY Celebration!

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. 

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts,baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States!

It's not a day about getting smashed or loaded up with unhealthy food, its a day to celebrate history and the continued progress of this country. Its also a day to make a stand to redefine what it means to be American, the principles this country was founded on such as freedom of expression. To fight for fair practices, equal rights and choice in religious beliefs. We have the freedom to have meaningful, conscience lifestyles, filled with abundance and joy! 

Have you ever hear of flag etiquette or the Flag Code? Did you know....

The Flag Code prohibits using the flag "for any advertising purpose" and also states that the flag "should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use".[72] Both of these codes are generally ignored, almost always without comment.

Here are 5 ways to style a respectful and conscientious 4th of July celebration:

1.  DIY Flowers and Table Cloths

Use a mason jar or vase that you already have and pick flowers from the garden or one near by, if your neighbors are friendly ask if you might pick some of their roses for a small arrangement.  Red and white roses work great!

Use a strip of burlap with red and blue ribbon as a table runner. Cut lines the width of the ribbon and thread through the burlap, this takes a very small amount of time to do and is quick, cheap, and easy!

2. Healthy Fruit Salad

Use red apples, raspberries and blueberries for this yummy fruit salad. Rinse with water and lemon to clean, cut your apples into cubes, throw them into a salad spinner to eliminate extra water, toss in a serving bowl and your ready! 

3. Blueberry and Cherry Pie

This one might take a bit more time, however if your a baking lover then you'll have fun doing this one. Use blueberries for the blue corner of the flag and cherries for the rest of the pie. Use a star cookie cutter and a knife or pizza roller to cut out strips. Martha Stewart has a great gluten free pie dough recipe on her website, here. If you want to skip flour and sugar all together try coconut flour and almond extract instead.

4. Bandanas and Silverware in Mason Jars

In respect of the flag don't buy disposable flag napkins, also keep waste and trash down by using cotton bandanas in blue and red as napkins. Take mason jars and stuff the bandanas in then, insert silverware. Try and stay away from using plastic disposable flatware to keep waste down. To save water keep a mini bucket of soapy water near the trash for people to put their silverware, jars or small plates in to make for easy clean up and less water waste later.

5. DIY Decorations with recycled wood

Ever find random pieces of wood around your house or in the garage, especially if you live with or near a handy person, if wood isn't what you find maybe its boxes or something else. Take these items and turn them into decorations for your house on this 4th of July. You can find lots of cute ideas on Pinterest or check out this one above. A little bit of paint (water based, non-toxic) and some burlap, a cut out star and you have a great DIY display that can be reused or redesigned.

Source: Wikipedia and Pinterest