Green freebie

By Susan Seliger

Does this happen to you? Once you start dreaming about exotic places you’d love to escape to – natural wonders of the world where there are no malls or tinsel or shopping lists – you just can’t stop. There are so many things you haven’t done yet in life — like a safari on the Serengeti in Tanzania or swimming with the sea lions in the Galapagos or a trek to the Amazon and Machu Picchu – just puckering up to say Machu Picchu puts me in an adventurous state of mind.

Well, stop dreaming – Natural Habitat Adventures has come to the rescue. This eco-conscious company is offering, not one but FIVE,  big vacations for two – one every year for five years – to the most exciting natural destinations in the world. Beyond those mentioned in my dreams, they’ve also got trips to walk with the penguins in Antarctica and the Falklands as well as a trip to Manitoba to schmooze with the polar bears.

I’ve entered – and so can you – every day up until the deadline, Feb. 28, 2009. Hope to see you there – if not, give the sea lions a smooch for me. Start clicking.

Photo credit: Llama in Macchu Picchuu: from Nurse healthwriter blog

By Susan Seliger

They’re oh so cute – those Mini Coops and fuel-efficient, too. They make you want to tie a ribbon on one and drive it right over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house you go for the holidays. Well, maybe you can – for free.

Champignon Minis is giving away one Mini Cooper, valued at over $18,000, just in time for the holidays. It won’t take a miracle — just a click. So see if you can get lucky before the deadline: 12-31-08.

(Photo credit: The Horse’s Mouth )

By Susan Seliger

What better holiday present for yourself – or a friend you like to drive around with – than a cute, fuel-efficient, smart fortwo car? (This gift will be appreciated by four-legged friends as well. ) Even better — you may be able to get it free. You could be one of the 12 lucky winners in the QVC 12 Days of Christmas Sweepstakes who will drive one away.

And if you don’t win the green car, you still have over 1000 chances to win another form of green — free shopper dollars worth anywhere from $50 to $250. The deadline is 12-12-08.

(Photo credit: Smart Car Blog)

By Susan Seliger

This eco-friendly cruise couldn’t come at a better time. The recent cold snap along with the chilly, lonely feeling I get when I look at my retirement savings (what retirement savings?!) has put me in the mood for a trip to a sunny place. Though in this economy, I probably wouldn’t turn down a free, seven-day cruise even in the summer.

In addition to an eco-friendly cruise ship, and vegetarian feasts on board, you’ll also be treated to daily spa treatments along with yoga and meditation classes. The perfect antidote to financial angst. Dust off your mantra — I’m thinking of trading in my current one: It’s only money for an updated version: Yes, you Om.

But hurry up—not much time. The deadline is nigh. The sponsors of this cruise contest – Yoga Journal and Earth® Footwear – are giving you until 11-30-08 to try your luck. Go on — click – you don’t even have to buy a lottery ticket.

Can’t get much greener than running – though driving a hybrid to your destination is a close second (or third or fourth) – but definitely faster. Now you don’t even have to run to win – just pick the top three pros you think will win the NYC Marathon this Sunday – November 2, 2008 – and you can drive one of the greenest cars on the road. But hurry – you have to make your picks by Nov. 1, 2008. Run to the computer and get those fingers moving — that’s a first step. Hey, we all have to start somewhere.