Try These Simple Improvements for a Greener Home

Want to make your home greener without having to spend too much time and energy on it? There are a few simple things you can do that'll make your home more green literally overnight with very little effort.

Here are a few simple improvements you can make for a greener home.

1. Invest in Auto-Off Lights

Getting a light switch system that automatically turns off is a great way to save energy and help the environment.

This is an especially good idea if you have a hard time remembering to turn off the light or have children who aren't in the habit of turning the lights off (and who doesn't?) :-)

2. Purchase Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulb. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Energy saving light bulbs use much less energy than the typical light bulb. They generate less heat and produce just as much light as your typical light bulb.

Yes, they are slightly more expensive than a run-of-the-mill light bulb. However, if you care about going green, this is a really simple way to do so - and they can last 5-20 times as long, so you actually save a lot of money in the long run! CFLs and LEDs are two types of energy-saving bulbs you can find just about anywhere these days.

3. Use Water Conserving Shower Heads

Water conserving shower heads are very affordable, easy to install and can help you save a lot of money on your water bills.

Essentially what they do is inject air inside the streams of water. It still feels like you're getting a full blast of water on your body when you shower, but you're actually using a lot less water. I absolutely love mine!

4. Improve Your House's Insulation

Improving your home's insulation can save you a lot of energy in the long run. It might take a bit of upfront investment, but it'll easily pay for itself.

Insulation will help you keep the heat in during winter and the heat out in summer. It'll help you reduce both your air conditioning and heating bills.

Different kinds of homes and different climates work best with different kinds of insulation. Talk to a local expert to figure out your exact cost to benefit ratio.
 

5. Use Green Products Wherever Possible

There are many places you can opt to go green in your house. You can buy eco-friendly biodegradable dishwashing soap instead of commercial detergents. You can buy organic soap and shampoo in your local Whole Foods instead of mass produced soap.

You can buy biodegradable plastics instead of plastics that clog up landfills. You can buy products made from recyclable products or which are themselves recyclable, instead of products that contribute to our unsustainable waste growth.

These are just some of the many ways you can go green. Just about every room in your house can benefit from going green. Often going green means not only helping the environment, but also saving money for your family. It takes a little bit of effort in the beginning to set up your home properly, but the rewards more than justify the effort in the long run.

5 Fun and Unusual Ways to Reuse Household Items

Sometimes reusing items in the house isn't about saving money or helping the environment: sometimes it's just pure fun. Coming up with new ways to use old things is a creative process that can be a real blast. Especially when it works! You'll have something real that you can touch and use that others would have thrown away.

Here are a few fun and unusual ways to reuse household items.

1. Make Your Own Sprinkler System

Old garden hose. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Don't throw away your old garden hoses, even if they leak! Instead, seal off one end of the garden hose with cement, melted plastic or glue. Then poke holes throughout the rest of the garden hose.

You now have a soaker hose! Thread this hose throughout your garden and turn on the water. Your new soaker hose will spray water throughout your garden while you barely lift a finger.

2. Make Your Own Fridge Magnets

Instead of throwing away your bottle caps, save them up. Go to your local stationary store or eBay and buy a pack of small magnets.

Then grab your bottle caps and glue the magnet to the back. Congratulations! You now have home-made fridge magnets that look really neat!

There are a lot of things you can use besides bottle caps. Your creativity is the only limitation.

3. Make Your Own Drink Coasters

Do you have old CDs lying around that you'll probably never use? Instead of just throwing them away, why not turn them into unique drink coasters?

There are many ways you can do this. You can paint over them then laminate them. You can melt the surface of the CD to create unique textures. You could sand the surface of the CD in uneven shapes to create an interesting effect.

Don't be afraid to experiment - chances are, you've got a lot of these lying around.

"Ball blue" aqua glass home canning Mason jar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4. Make Your Own Lamp

Take your used glass bottles and make your own lamp. From your neighborhood shop, just buy a small light that can be inserted into the bottle. Thread it in, then turn it on.

To get even more creative, you can use a light coating of paint on the outside to change the light's colors. You can use several different colors to create a multi-colored light that'll really impress your friends.

5. Turn Your Shoes into a Playground

Did you know that you can send Nike your old shoes and they'll turn them into a playground? They'll literally take your old shoes and melt them down in a safe way, then use the plastic to build playgrounds.

These are a few fun and creative ways you can reuse household items. Unlike buying a lamp or a soaker hose, you'll get to look at these items and know that YOU made them! You get to express your creativity while feeling the pride that comes with making something new, all while doing good things for the planet.

7 Simple Tips to Help Keep the Earth Clean

Many people don't bother making changes to live a greener and more environmentally friendly life because they don’t think what they do can make a difference. It is difficult to imagine how one person can make a change in the environment when there are billions of people on this planet.

Yet each small part does make a difference. Think about it this way - one tree over the course of its lifetime will remove 600 pounds of carbon dioxide. One small tree makes a significant difference in the cleanliness of the air you breathe and you can make a big difference too. Here’s how:

The aerosol spray canister invented by USDA researchers. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Paint Your Home With Latex – Oil-based paints contain solvents that are released into the air and cause pollution. Latex paints are water-based and safer.

2. Stop Buying Aerosols – Many things come with a propellant. From hair spray to cooking spray, each requires a propellant to release from the can. These propellants release harmful gases. They’re not great for your health and they’re certainly not good for the environment. Use pump sprays instead.

3. Unplug & Turn Off – When you’re not using an appliance, unplug it. This includes electronic devices too. And turn off lights in your home when you’re not using them. In fact, try to watch less television and use electronics less. You might decide to designate an afternoon or an entire day as a day to “unplug” and not use any electronics for entertainment (Hint: Earth Day is next Tuesday!). Read a book. Go for a walk. Enjoy a game or time with your family.

4. Recycle – Recycling is something that is so easy to do. Even if your community doesn’t offer a recycling pick up, you can make a weekly, or even monthly, habit of driving to the recycling center to drop off your materials. You’ll be amazed how much you save from the landfill when you recycle.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5. Use Environmentally Friendly Cleaners – To be fair, not all “green” cleaners work as well as you’d like them to. However, there are some amazing brands and truly effective and “green” cleaners. Read reviews. Find the products that fit your needs, and clean your home without harsh and harmful chemicals. We often offer suggestions on this blog, or check out our Green Living Products page on our website for some excellent suggestions.

6. Wash In Cold Water – Most washable items do not need to be washed in hot or warm water. When possible, use cold water. It requires less energy from your water heater and is usually better for your clothing too.

7. Buy Organic Whenever Possible – Organic crops are crops that are not treated with harmful chemicals. They’re better for your health too. However, we realize it’s not always feasible to buy organic all the time. Check into the "Dirty Dozen," which includes items like apples and strawberries which have a heavy use of pesticides and other chemicals.

Cotton is another product that should ideally be organic. The cotton industry is one of the most harmful industries. “Cotton covers 55% of the world's cultivated land and uses 75% of the world's insecticides, more than any other single major crop.” (Source: Organic Trade Association)

You really can make a difference in the world around you. Small changes to your habits and your lifestyle do have an impact. In honor of Earth Day next week, why not choose at least one or two of these tips, and put them into practice this month!

How to Become An Everyday Environmentalist

Every day, just about every action you take provides you with an opportunity to make an environmentally sound decision. For example, do you purchase the oranges grown in California or the ones grown in Costa Rica? Do you idle the car while you wait to pick someone up or do you turn the car off? There are simple things you can do every day to make a difference. Here are just a few to consider and remember.

Eat More Vegetables

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Livestock produces a significant amount of methane gas. And the care and keeping of livestock requires an abundance of resources and energy. Vegetables, and fruits, don’t require as much energy and they’re generally better for you.

Additionally, if you buy locally grown organic vegetables and other produce, you’re taking huge strides to improve the environment because there are no harsh chemicals used to grow organic food, and locally grown produce doesn’t need to travel across the country to get to your dinner table.

Use a Car Share

Car shares are membership programs. You pay a monthly fee and borrow a car from the fleet whenever you need it. They’re fantastic because you don’t have to worry about the daily expense of insurance, parking, and car maintenance. You only pay for the gas you use and the cost of car shares is usually quite affordable.

Get a Reusable Coffee Mug

How many cups of take-out coffee, or tea, do you drink each week? If you’re like many Americans you may consume 3-5 cups of coffee-shop coffee on a weekly basis. Simply buying a reusable coffee mug and refilling it can save tons of garbage from finding its way into landfills. You don’t have to give up your coffee habit to be an everyday environmentalist.

Reusable shopping bag (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Reuse Shopping Bags
Stop bringing home all of those plastic shopping bags! They’re made from petroleum products and they don’t break down in landfills. And paper bags aren’t much better. Trees are cut down to make those bags and trees are what we need to continuously clean the air. Not to mention the amount of energy it takes to make one paper bag.

Instead, purchase a few reusable cloth shopping bags. Wash them weekly when you wash your towels or sheets; you’ll keep your food germ free and the environment will be in much better shape.

Turn It Off

Did you know that if you if you leave your computer on 24 hours a day, it could be responsible for releasing up to 1,500 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere every year (www.nature.org)? Turn off lights and other electronics when they’re not in use as well. It makes a big difference.

It doesn’t take much to become an everyday environmentalist. Simply think about how your actions affect the planet and then make the best choice possible - for yourself and future generations.

Greener Pets: How You Can Make Pet Ownership More Eco-Friendly

Pet ownership is a big responsibility - you have to care for the animal for its entire life, buying food, bedding, clothing, toys, and other supplies. But did you ever stop to think about the environmental responsibilities of owning a pet?

There is, in fact, a significant environmental consideration in owning a pet. Consider, for instance, the manufacture of pet foods and all the packaging involved, and consider the synthetic rubber and plastic toys pet owners often buy for their animals. Here are some tips on how you can make pet ownership more eco-friendly.

Managing Pet Wastes

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dogs - When you walk your dog, you really need to scoop its poop. Leaving it outside pollutes the water supply and is unsanitary. It also changes the composition of the soil and kills grass and other plants. When you dispose of your pet's waste, the most eco-friendly thing to do is seal it in a biodegradable bag and trash it.

Cats - Scooping kitty litter is one of those tasks that most cat owners dislike, but you can at least make it a more eco-friendly venture by also using biodegradable bags to place the "scoopings" in. Also, effective, biodegradable kitty litter is available and is a good, eco-conscious choice.

Buying vs. Making Food

Interestingly, pets produce more of that problematic waste material (i.e. poop) when they are fed cheap pet food that's full of fillers and artificial colors. Also, the manufacture of pet foods on such a massive scale may not be the most environmentally friendly thing.

Consider making your own pet food, or buying sustainable, pre-made pet foods that are simple and natural. It's not too hard to make your own pet treats, either - they are basically just hard biscuits made in pet-friendly flavors.

Does Your Dog or Cat Really Need That?

Let's face it - it's fun to buy little cute toys and things for your fur babies. But does your dog really need another rubber squeaky toy, and does your cat need another plastic dingle ball? Many dogs are happy with a stick or a favorite toy or two, and many cats just enjoy an inexpensive piece of string. Rope toys made from natural hemp are an option for dogs, and many cats enjoy rolling on catnip, which you can grow yourself.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Flea Control

Controlling fleas is important for your pet's health and comfort. But using pesticides on your pet's body may be harmful both to your pet's health and to the environment. Consider eco-friendly, herbal flea collars, sprays, or spot-on treatments. It's also a good idea to comb your pet daily to remove fleas that were picked up outdoors before they get established.

By following just a few simple green tips, you can make owning a pet better for you, them, and the environment.

How To Go Green In 2015

Many people start off the year with some lofty goals for how they will live a healthier lifestyle this year, and do more to help others as well as the planet. One great way to do that is to adopt an environmentally friendly, or "green" lifestyle. However, many people find the idea intimidating. Perhaps you think it takes someone special to live green, or maybe you believe it requires a certain personality type or income level. But in reality, green living is within everyone's reach.

This month, we will share some ideas for helping you live a cleaner, greener, healthier lifestyle in the year(s) ahead, starting with the 4 tips below.

Think Before You Buy

Eletrical wire reel used as an eco-design coffee table. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In our modern culture, it's tempting just to go out and buy something new, cheap, and (usually) plastic whenever we have a need. But used items are worth considering, either from second-hand stores, antique stores, or yard sales. And it might pay to look around your house for hidden treasures first.

For instance, you may decide you need a lemonade pitcher or a container for iced tea. Rather than getting a cheap plastic one, look around and see what you can reuse - maybe a glass juice container that you were going to throw away would work just fine.

Did you know it's considered "green" to buy pretty much anything second-hand? Clothing, furniture, lamps, appliances and so forth can all be purchased second-hand for a fraction of the cost, and it helps keep those items from being thrown away.

Shop Local for Food

If you've looked at the price of organic food, you might think you can't afford to go green with regard to the foods you eat. But you don't have to buy the expensive imported organic foods to be green; it's just as eco-friendly to buy locally-grown produce or foods that are produced near you.

Foods like honey, vegetables, fruits, breads, and meat can often be found at decent prices from local producers - and you're also supporting your local community (try a CSA for an even easier shopping experience). Organic whole grains and dried beans are still pretty cheap, and switching to those is a move in the green direction.

Plastic recycle logo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recycle

In addition to doing the usual "recycling thing," you can also look around and think of creative ways to recycle or reuse items around your home. For instance, use empty jars, cardboard tubes, and cereal boxes in crafts, or reuse plastic food tubs for storage (you could paint them or cover them with construction paper first if you want to pretty them up).

Look at yard sales and second-hand stores for your household needs - this is not only cheaper; it also means you're reusing (recycling) items that are already in circulation. Recycling means more than just shipping off your plastic, glass, and metal to the recycling center. It also involves reusing items to avoid buying new ones. That's budget-friendly for just about everyone!

Conserve Resources

From saving water, to reducing energy consumption via your heating and cooling system, to using blinds for passive solar heating and cooling, there are lots of things you can do to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint that not only don't cost you much money, but can even result in some significant savings!

Buy following these tips, at least some elements of the green lifestyle are within everyone's reach, and with just a few simple adjustments, you can live a healthier, cleaner lifestyle this year. Be sure to check back later this month for some more tips to help you live green in 2015.

One of our goals this year is to update our website to include even more helpful resources. Along with getting our little homestead going, we're going to be extra busy this year! For the time being, we are switching to a once-per-week posting schedule, so be sure to check back each Wednesday for more healthy green living tips.

Does Recycling Really Matter?

Recycling is all the rage these days. Green this and green that. Think about the environment. No more chemicals. Recycled materials for everything from what things are packaged in, to what our homes are made up of. The symbol for recycling can be found on so many different things and yet here we are, still dealing with global warming and climate change. So does recycling really make a difference? Or is it all just the latest fad? Let's take a look at what recycling really does for the environment:

International Recycling Symbol  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to keep a 100-watt light bulb burning for up to four hours or could even run your television for up to three hours. The energy it takes to create one aluminum can with new materials could create 20 aluminum cans from recycled materials. In almost all cases, it takes more resources and energy to make something new.

2. There are social benefits to recycling. Many non-profit organizations have drives to raise money for various causes. Habitat for Humanity for example has a program called Cans for Humanity which raises money to help Habitat for Humanity make quality affordable housing for low-income families. They have locations all around the nation for people to drop off cans.

3. Glass is the easiest and most frequently recycled material. For every 20 glass bottles recycled you will save two pounds of carbon emissions. For every ton of glass recycled that's 700 pounds of saved carbon emissions, or the equivalent of line drying your laundry for six months.

4. The energy savings we see from recycling reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn affect climate change. If we save 18 million tons of CO2 by recycling in a year, that would be the equivalent of taking five million cars off the road.

Comparison of greenhouse gas emissions for municipal solid waste disposal methods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5. On average an eco-conscious person recycles up to 1.5 pounds of municipal solid waste (MSW) a day. That's a savings of over 2.5 pounds of carbon emissions from one person a day. For every ton of MSW waste recycled, that's 2.27 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

6. If we were to recycle about 50 percent of our waste per day (or just over two pounds), then on average per family we would save 2400 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

7. Everything you recycle instead of dump in the dumpster saves room in landfills. Large amounts of methane gas are produced at landfills. And these areas can become hazardous, not to mention unsightly.

Recycling definitely has its benefits for the environment - even though it seems like such a small thing! However, it's not all we should be doing. We also need to be much more conscientious consumers. This includes buying products which save energy, and buying products made from recycled materials. Buy green power for your home. Be aware of what you're doing when you travel and think about how you're traveling. Eat healthy, whole, sustainably grown foods - and grow your own organic garden. 

Doing all of this will reduce your carbon footprint even more, but recycling is a great start to a life of being green and helping to save the planet for future generations.

Living Green Starts at Home

You may have gotten the impression that living green involves some sort of enormous campaign that will take all of your time and cost you lots of money traveling all over the globe. While that may be a dream of some conservationists, you can live a green lifestyle in your own home. In fact, it begins here - those who find a niche in going green in their own lifestyles may branch out and become eco-consultants or other professionals in the field of environmental conservation.

Here are some tips for implementing a green lifestyle at home.

The Kitchen

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is where you cook, use appliances, and wash hands and dishes. The kitchen may be where you eat, too. So this is a good place to start with your green lifestyle.

* Save water in the kitchen by not pre-rinsing dishes and only running the dishwasher when it's full. If you have to pre-rinse (some dishwashers just can't handle non-rinsed dishes), then do so in a sink half-full of water. Scrub and rinse with the water off, and then load the dishwasher. You've only used half a sinkful of water to pre-rinse. You can also save water in the kitchen by washing produce in a pan of water.

* Appliance use is heavy in the kitchen, from the refrigerator to the stovetop. To save energy, you can combine the cooking of foods by baking more than one thing at the same time. On the stovetop, use residual heat where you can and place pots and pans on appropriately-sized stove eyes.

If possible, use energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen. And your parents were right - don't hold the refrigerator door open!

The Bedroom

In your bedroom, you can go green in some different ways.

* Use natural bedding such as cotton sheets without a lot of heavy dyes and deep colors.

* Place air-cleaning potted plants around your bedroom to purify the air. In kids' bedrooms, potted plants can also be implemented as long as they are out of reach of young children.

The Living Room

In your main living space, you can go green by using fans to cool the room in the summer and a space heater to boost the central heat in the winter. You can also:

* Set potted plants around for cleaner air.

* Cover windows with shades or curtains to keep out hot sunshine in the summer, and open them in the winter to help warm the room.

* Make use of natural light as much as possible. Position reading chairs and couches so that window light comes from behind, over the reader's shoulder. Use small lamps with CFLs and timers.

Peripheral Rooms

In rooms that are not being used, close vents to keep down heating and cooling costs and energy use. Make sure sunshine is not heating these rooms in the summer, and apply the same principle in reverse in the winter.

These are just some simple tips that you can use to live a greener lifestyle without spending any money at all! If you have other ideas, please comment below and share your tips!

6 Tips for Cost-Effective & Eco-Friendly Living

Being conscious of the environment in your daily life can be hard and sometimes sounds costly as well. But it doesn't have to be. You can be eco-friendly without breaking the bank. Here are some cost-effective eco-friendly tips to help you out.

1. Unplug appliances. When appliances are not in use but are plugged in, they are still using a small amount of electricity. The coffee pot, toaster oven, and fans can all be unplugged when not in use. So if you get into the habit of unplugging things when you're not using them, you will not only start saving yourself money on your electric bill - you will also be making your carbon footprint smaller by using less electricity and energy.

2. Replace older appliances with Energy Star appliances. Now we know it can be a huge up-front expense having to replace appliances that don't really need to be replaced. But you will save money on your energy bills and eventually it will pay off. You don't have to do it all at once, but you can save up to $75 a year by making the switch, so just start switching over when you need to replace things. When old appliances start to wear out, gradually replace them with newer, more energy-efficient models. For our new house, my husband and I will be replacing the 20+ year old furnace, and inefficient window air conditioning units, with a new geothermal system when we move in. While it is more expensive up front, it will save us thousands of dollars in electricity usage in the long run.

Battery charger (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3. Use rechargeable batteries. You will again be spending slightly more money up front, but think about how many times you have to change batteries on those TV remote controls or the kids' toys. You will save quite a bit by purchasing rechargeable batteries that you can use over and over again, rather than the disposable kind that you throw away after one use. And you will be keeping more batteries out of landfills - batteries which do not break down and can release harmful chemicals into the environment.

4. Replace your chemical household cleaners with natural cleaners. You can buy specific green cleaners which will cost you more. Alternatively, if you use something like white vinegar or baking soda to disinfect, clean, and remove stains and freshen the air, then you'll be saving huge amounts of money on your cleaning products - and still getting things clean to boot.

5. Whenever possible, skip the car and walk or bike where you need to go. The obvious savings would be gas savings, but you'll also save on auto repairs. If you must drive, though, then try to combine errands as much as possible and take a more direct route to get there, and carpool whenever possible. If your co-worker needs to pick up their dry cleaning at the same laundromat as you, then just do it together. Or ride to work together if you live close to each other.

6. Research recyclable items and use products that are made from recycled materials. It can be cost-effective to use items which can be used over and over. Companies are learning that they also save by using recycled materials, and they pass those cost savings onto you. However, they need the materials to come back to them if they are going to continue producing recyclable materials. So make sure to recycle your materials when done.

Just think smart and work hard to be aware of what's out there. Saving money and being conscientious of the eco-system just go hand in hand. If you follow these tips then you will be keeping money in your pocket while also helping protect the planet. It's a win-win situation!

5 Tips For An Eco-Concious Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States.  Food, family and fun - it doesn’t get much better than that!  Well, actually it can get better than that.  You can have that same food, family and fun while also having a positive, or at least a neutral, effect on the environment.  Here are five tips to have an eco-conscious Thanksgiving:

Oven roasted turkey is common fare for Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

#1.  If turkey is on your menu, and for many families it’s just not Thanksgiving without a turkey, then consider buying a free-range, organic turkey.  These healthy birds are better for the environment because raising them doesn’t put harmful pesticides into the environment.  And they don’t contain any added hormones or other items which can be bad for the environment and your health.

#2.  Buy whole foods.  This means you buy foods that aren’t prepared already and sitting in a box or package at the store.  This is an environmentally-conscious way to celebrate because you’re not putting all the packaging into landfills. 

Additionally, processed foods are less healthy for you, contribute to emissions, and take tremendous energy to make.  If you buy organic, whole foods then you’re also ensuring that no harmful chemicals were used to grow your food.  If you buy locally grown foods then you’re also contributing to your local economy.  And the food didn’t have to travel thousands of miles, and use natural resources, to get to your table. It's a win-win all around!

#3.  Use your own dishes.  When serving a large group of people it’s tempting to use paper or disposable dishware.  Even serving dishes are sometimes easier if they’re made from aluminum or plastic.  However, this material goes right into landfills.  Instead, use your own dishes and recruit everyone to help clean up. With many helping hands, it'll be done in a jiffy.

Thanksgiving day dinner. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

#4.  Stay within 100 miles from home.  Many people travel great distances to be with family on this holiday.  However, that mass travel is harmful on the environment, contributing to global emissions.  If you can stay closer to home then you’re saving natural resources.  One solution, if everyone is spread out, is to create a new tradition – perhaps get together with friends nearby or volunteer to help others on this special day. Family is important, but so is taking care of the planet so that your descendants can enjoy it as well!

#5.  Decorate naturally.  Autumn is a beautiful time of the year and nature provides some amazing decorations.  Pine cones, leaves, dried flowers and vines make wonderful holiday decorations.  Skip the paper and plastic ones and enjoy what nature provides.

Being eco-conscious on Thanksgiving is as easy as following the basic principles of reduce, reuse and recycle.  Stay close to home, take advantage of your local resources and shop for whole, organic, and locally grown foods.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

How To Travel And Still Be Eco-Conscious

During summer vacation season, it can seem difficult to to travel and still be "eco-friendly,". However, there are plenty of options out there. In fact, there are so many ways that we can choose to stay environmentally conscientious when we travel that there really is no excuse for not doing it.

Here are a few ideas for families that are traveling and still want to stay in their eco-conscious state of mind. 

Image via WikipediaBefore you even leave your home there are ways that you can help save energy and waste.  Turn your thermostats down on your home and your hot water heater.  Some heaters have a "Vacation" setting right on them that can be used to set the temperature when no one will be around to need the heat.  Just keep in mind the plants that are left behind and as long as they will not be killed off due to the temperature change, you're set.  Be sure to turn off your outside water source, in the event that there is a pipe break while you're away, this will minimize the damage.  When you return home, turn the water back on slowly, where you will be able to be aware of any issues or leaks that may have occurred. 

If you are going to be away from home for a few days, stop your newspaper delivery.  That way the paper won't be left to end up in the trash receptacle and waste your time when you return home, sorting through what is relevant mail and what is not.  You may even want to check to see if your paper can be donated to a school or non-profit organization, where it will be used in your absence.

If you or someone else in your home sleeps on a water bed, turn the temperature down on that while you're away, you can go as low as a ten degree difference and it will have a positive impact on your energy usage.  If you have a refrigerator with the ability to make ice cubes, be sure to turn that part off by lifting the wire, and you can save energy and lessen the risk of flooding should it break while you're away. 

Image via WikipediaThere are airlines that offer electronic ticketing and using these services will cut back on the paper waste generated by the airline, on a daily basis.  There are even some airlines that charge a fee if you have lost a paper ticket, so rid yourself of any of those problems by opting for the paper-less airline ticket options.

If you are heading out of town, before you leave, go around the house and unplug the items that you would normally leave plugged in, like the TV, the computer, cable converter boxes, appliances, VCRs, stereos, etc.  If these items are left plugged in to the outlets they can still draw or "leak" energy, even up to 40 watts per hour, even if they have been turned off.  I think this is one of the most important messages to get across before you leave for a vacation; even if your electronics are turned off, they can still cost you money if they remain plugged in.  Do yourself a big favor and always be sure to check these items before walking out the door to your vacation.

And to support alternative sources of energy, you may wish to purchase some "offsets" for your trip. Terrapass and Native Energy are two good sources to check out, and learn more about offsets and how they work, as well as other info on reducing your carbon footprint.

Now have fun, and enjoy your trip!

Green Tips for Summer Fun

Here is an article with some tips for keeping your holiday "green" and healthy for both you, your family, and the planet. Have fun, and enjoy your holiday!

It's getting hot in here! - | TerraPass: Green Summer Tips ...
Though washing your car on a hot summer day can be fun and save some cash, it's kinder to the planet to leave the job to the professionals. Commercial car washes tread lighter on the environment because most facilities ...
Publish Date: 05/24/2011 20:25
http://www.terrapass.com/blog/posts/its-getting-hot-in-here

Fun Video for the Kids on Green Living

Introduce your kids to the concept of living clean and green, through this fun little video which can serve as a great teaching tool! Through this story of an imaginary bug community, your kids can learn fun and simple ways to contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle and a healthier planet. This is a great way to start a discussion about what your family can do in your own home to make a difference.

Check it out, and share with your kids - and if you don't have kids, pass this blog link on to someone who does!

The Energy Comes From Within: A Green Living Story By Lennar
Lennar is proud to present a new video storybook that includes everything to help kids and families start living a greener life. Follow the adventures of a smart little lightning bug named Joules, as he and his friends come up with a plan to help sav...

Recycling To Keep Our Planet Healthy

We've all heard the warnings; acid rain, global warming, landfills without any room, and on and on.  We don't recycle because it's the "in" thing to do; we recycle because we don't have any other options if we plan to leave the planet in good shape for the generations to come. Neither is being responsible for the environment just throwing stuff in a bin, either....

Image via WikipediaWhen you think of recycling you should really think about the whole cycle; reduce, reuse and recycle.  Think about it; if you don't need it, don't get it.  If you have to get it, get something that can be used again and if you get something that needs to be recycled by the professionals, put it in the recycle bin.

These are easy concepts and yet there are still people out there who ignore the signs.  The signs aren't just the ones that bear the recycle logo, but the signs that the oceans are warming and the snow caps that were visible a few years ago are barely an outline as far up as you can see.  If you've seen the Al Gore movie, An Inconvenient Truth, you'll realize there's a pretty good chance that those of us a few miles inland from the coast will be looking at water-front property one day, without having to move.

We've been careless up to this point with the way we've treated the Earth and it's time to change; not just the way we do things but the way we think.  The days of brushing your teeth with the water running the whole time are over and if we want to stay with this forward motion, we can't go back.  We can't go back to Image via Wikipediathe days when we believed we had all the room in the world for our trashed "stuff."  The planet is getting full and we have to learn how to make less, use things more or find a way to reuse them again.

If you're traveling, use airlines that work with paperless ticketing (if you have to fly that is) and be sure to scope out hotels that are inline with the recycling idea.  Bring your own soaps and shampoos; leave the little bottles provided by the hotel for people who forget to bring their own.  Reuse your towels more than once and don't have the linens changed daily, let it go a day or two. 

Before you leave for a trip remember to turn down your thermostat and/or turn off the AC.  Unplug your electronics from the wall to stop possible leaking wattage while it's turned off.  Utilize power strips for plugging items in and turn off the whole strip when you're leaving the house. 

Use linen napkins that can be washed and reused instead of paper products, check your cleaning supplies for any that have the words dangerous, poisonous or hazardous and stop using them right now!  Whether it's through direct contact or drainage from a landfill, these chemicals are not healthy and have no business in our soil and our drinking water. (For some healthier and safer options, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html, and you can also get a free checklist for making your home less toxic.)

Be mindful of what you do, pay attention to the items you buy and always check yourself to see if you really need it or if it comes in a package with less waste.  (Remember, it's not JUST about recycling - don't forget the "reduce" and "reuse" parts, which are just as important, if not more.) We can all do our part and we will make a huge difference.

Related articles on Recycling:

• How can I reuse or recycle plastic chopping boards? (recyclethis.co.uk)
• Tips for Recycling Old Computer Equipment (brighthub.com)
• How to Teach Your Kids to Recycle (brighthub.com)
• Resolving to Set Up an Efficient Recycling System (1800recycling.com)

10 Small Ways To Go Easier on the Environment

It's true that we now see the need for being green and we support other peoples' efforts, but are we doing all we can at home to walk the walk? Here are some of the easier ways to do your part in being kind to the environment:

1. Use cloth hankies to blow your nose instead of disposable tissues. Hankies are big, so either use it more than once before washing or cut it into smaller sized hankies and send it to the wash after each single use.

Image via Wikipedia2. Use cleaners you can make at home with items such as vinegar, baking soda, lemons, and borax. There are numerous recipes online for all types of cleaners using simple household products. Some of these may require you use a little more elbow grease, but consider it much safer for your health and the environment - and a good little calorie-burner too!

3. Use a broom and dustpan, duster, and regular mop instead of all the throwaway products currently on the market. It may seem like such a small thing, but consider how many of these are thrown away each day. It adds up in the landfills.

Image via Wikipedia4. Get yourself some rechargeable batteries and a recharger instead of always using and throwing out batteries. Even better, get a solar-powered recharger! Some of these can also recharge your cell phones, iPods, and games by simply using the sun.

5. Instead of reaching for the paper napkins, try using cloth napkins. Not only will you be doing your part to save trees, but you will add a special elegance to your mealtime.

6. Change out your plastic food storage containers for glass containers. Glass is better for your health, it lasts longer than plastic, it can be cooked in, and you can see what you are storing in the container without staring into the fridge trying to figure out what you have there.

7. Buy in bulk when you can as this uses less packaging. This doesn't mean buying a case of canned soup as that's still the same amount of packaging. Buy in bulk when you can get a 20 pound bag of rice, rather than in bulk where you get 20 pounds of rice in 20 boxes.

8. Look at anything you're going to throw out and determine if it can have a second life before going to the landfill. For example, reuse a commercial cleaning bottle by cleaning it out and filling it with a homemade cleaner.

9. Compost your food scraps. When food goes to the landfills, bacteria does a number on it and heat-trapping methane gas is released. Composting is easy, plus it makes wonderful soil for your garden. (For more on composting, visit our Sustainable Gardening blog - we have a lot of info there on making your own compost.)

10. Did you know sunlight is nature's favorite stain remover? Try drying your clothes on a line outside. In the winter you can use a drying rack inside.

Even if you can't do these things 100 percent of the time, aim to do as much as you can most of the time because every little bit helps.

And remember to stop by our new holistic living website and get your free checklist for making your home cleaner and greener!

 

Related articles on Green Living:

• 10 Small Green Changes To Help You Save Green (mint.com)
• Practically Green: 5 simple ways to go green when you clean (commercialappeal.com)
• Making My Home Greener and Cleaner, Part 2: Zero Waste Kitchen? (greenyourdecor.com)

Green Living Made Easy - Video

Here is a short video on energy (and money!) - saving tips that anyone can implement. You'd be surprised at how many easy ideas there are to reduce your impact and keep you healthier as well - and it's simple! (And of course you know I love the "eat local" tip! If you want some ideas on how to find great local foods, just visit our website at: http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html)

Green Living Made Easy - The Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
Go Green this week on Six Minute Style as host Susan Doherty walks you through your home, room by room, with simple steps designed to help you save the planet and your cash. Yes, green living is good for your wallet too!

Related articles on Green Living:

• LiveGreenFest to emphasize green practices (mysanantonio.com)
• Some Green Inspiration for Your Monday (greenyourdecor.com)

13 Easy Green Living Tips for Everyone

Here is a great list of easy tips that anyone can implement, to keep both your environment and your body cleaner, greener, and healthier. Living green doesn't have to be difficult or expensive, and isn't limited to a particular race, income, or age -- anyone, anywhere can help keep our planet clean and healthy. These ideas are a great place to start!

Image by davesag via FlickrHealthy Green Living Tips
13 Easy Green Living Tips for Everyone To live green means to help our environment from the dangers that are destroying it. Green living starts with each of us. Here are just few easy tips to help you get started. 1. ...
Publish Date: 10/03/2010 13:03
http://www.begreenblogsite.com/be-green/healthy-green-living-tips/

Got more ideas of your own?  Feel free to share below. Also visit  http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html for more ideas, and to download a free checklist on reducing toxins in your home!

 

Related articles on Green Living Tips:

• 10 Green Living Tips Websites We Love (ecosalon.com)
• Live Green, Save Green(SM) Identifies Ways to Help Reduce Energy Bills During Summer Heat (prnewswire.com)
• Five Easy Tips to Start a Green Life Today (socyberty.com)

Do's & Don'ts of Green Living - Video

Here is a helpful video on green living, including some realistic tips you can use in your every day life, how to stick to your "green" changes, and more. 

The one nearest and dearest to my heart is local food (as those who have read my cooking from scratch and sustainable gardening blogs well know!), and I am in total agreement with her ranking of food choices. Watch this short video and tell us what you think....

Do's and Don'ts of Green Living
In this clip www.WatchMojo.com learns some of the most realistic ways to go green, as well as some surprising tips for the eco-minded.



 So what's your green passion?  We'd love to hear your comments on ways you have chosen to "live greener"!

Related articles on Green Living:

• Change Your Lifestyle with Green Shopping (socyberty.com)
• Green Living: Would You Pay Extra for an Eco-Friendly Home? (blisstree.com)

Recent News in Green Living

Image by PicturePurrfect685 via Flickr
Here are some excellent recent articles I found on the topic of living greener. The first one is great food for thought, and the others offer some helpful tips - particularly the video at the third link.  These are good ideas that all of us can implement to live cleaner and greener, and build a healthier world for all of us.
As always, please feel free to post your own suggestions in the comments section below!



Going Green for the Average Person | Green Living Tips and Ideas
Going Green-how to Upgrade the Environment. Environmentally friendly houses are a factor an exceptional environment and save owners money. By reducing energy consumption, utility bills... Categorized under: green living. ...
Publish Date: 09/24/2010 16:27
http://www.getgreenliving.com/going-green-for-the-average-person/

What Is Green Living All About?
Green living can be defined as the lifestyle that preserves the environment and natural resources for human beings and other life.
Publish Date: 09/23/2010 8:21
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/What-Is-Green-Living-All-About-/1584296

10 Tips To Go Green At Home | Green Living Explained
www.EnergyBrainiac.com - 10 Tips To Go Green At Home 10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green | Worldwatch Institute · Environment ...
Publish Date: 09/24/2010 2:39
http://greenlivingexplained.com/green-living-tips/green-videos/10-tips-to-go-green-at-home/

 

More Related Articles on Green Living:

• Going green shouldn't make you see red (kinaxis.com)
• NOW IS THE TIME FOR GREEN INDUSTRY [Carl Dodd] (ecademy.com)

Welcome to our new blog on living greener, and reducing your toxic load!

Thanks for visiting our new blog!  This is part of our network of blogs for new holistic living. This blog will focus on articles, tips, and resources for reducing the toxins in your body and the environment, leading to a longer and healthier life for yourself, your family, and the planet as a whole.

Image via WikipediaWe will offer weekly articles and videos on relevant topics pertaining to toxic load and green living, product reviews for "green" and natural products, tips, recommendations, and many other valuable resources.

We always welcome comments and questions!  You can always find more resources, product recommendations and information, as well as contact info, on our website at http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html

Thanks for stopping by, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Related articles on Green Living:

• 10 Ways to Save the World and Your Health (lifescript.com)
• A Greener You, a Greener Earth (socyberty.com)
• Ten Tips for A Cleaner, Greener Home (mythoughtsideasandramblings.com)