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jan 01

Resolutions for a Greener New Year

This year make a few resolutions that are easy to keep. Pledge to take a couple simple steps, one at a time, to live healthier, reduce waste and tread a little more lightly. Do one or do them all but each is a beginning, a small step to a more balanced life. Start by eating well, then take a couple steps to simplify your life and cut down on clutter.

 

Eat well!

Buy organic when you can particularly peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines and strawberries, which commonly contain the most pesticides.

Eat more locally grown food. In season produce that hasn't flown half-way around the world will be fresher, tastier and cuts down on pollution.

Stop buying tomato-based canned food and drink less soda. The linings of the cans leach BPA into your food and drink.

Avoid fish high in mercury and choose fish that are sustainably caught to ensure a steady supply for years to come.

Simplify!

Grab that stack of holiday catalogs and log onto Catalog Choice to put a stop to unwanted catalogs.

Don't spray pesticides to control pest in your home. Safer alternatives are more effective and longer lasting.

Carry a reusable bag and refuse plastic bags -- no more breaking, tearing or blowing in the wind.

Save!

If you're leaving a trail of 12 oz. plastic water bottles in your wake, buy an aluminum reusable bottle instead.

Take a couple simple steps to save a lot of energy. Start by disabling your computer's screensaver and setting it to 'sleep' after 5 minutes of activity. Shut it off when you're done.

Don't buy clothes that need to be dry cleaned. Many fabrics can be safely washed or spot cleaned at home, even if the label says 'dry clean only'. Almost all dry cleaning uses toxic chemicals that linger on your clothes and in the air.

Clean your home with natural products, just about anything can be cleaned with vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda or Borax.

Reuse and Recycle!

Every piece of paper, bottle and jar counts. Every TV, answering machine and old computer really counts by keeping toxic chemicals out of our air and water.

Before tossing something, donate it or offer it to others.




Comments (13)
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1. 01/07/2008 08:48:17 AM
Hi, I dont know anything but this is cool! x
Written by Leigh (Guest)
2. 01/10/2008 12:45:02 PM
kind, 
have read: doctors claim raw fresh nuts, vegetables & fruits daily is what is required so body may have needed daily nutrients. outside of this causes diseases. even drinking acidic water can cause diabetis. that vegan diet after the body removes the nutrients leaves a slightly alkaline ash the slightly alkaline blood we are needs. cooking over 116 degrees kills the digestive enzymes needed to help obtain nutrients, causes ones pancreas to be overtaxed & soon its reservoir is empty & less nutrients is absorbed & more wastes are not removed. so needed is plant based digestive enzymes supplements to refill reservoir & allow body to obsorb needed nutrients, for what ripens the plant helps us digest the plant. kind
Written by holy (Guest)
3. 01/10/2008 02:30:46 PM
Ever since wathching "An Inconvenient Truth" I have been making changes in the way that I live. I have changed out 80% of the incandescent bulbs in my house with CFC's, with the remaining 20% to soon follow. As soon as I am able to afford it, I am going to purchase a Hybrid vehicle. It just makes me sick to think of all the damage just one single person can do to our environment. Imagine what the millions have done and continue to do on a daily basis. I voice my concerns with my friends about our environment, and many are in agreement. I will keep on keepin' on with making the changes I need to make to make our environment a greener one.
Written by Monique (Guest)
4. 01/10/2008 05:11:21 PM
Work Training Center in Chico, California carries tote bags made by adults with disabilities. Order online: http://www.deercreeksewing.com/
Written by Darlene (Guest)
5. 01/10/2008 09:45:21 PM
Unfortunately, the hybrid cars are causing acid rain :( I found this out from a girl from Argentina. It is all of the electronics in them. *sigh* Hemp is the better solution for paper, saving our soil, and creating oil & plastics that are ecofriendly. Sustainability: it's what's for dinner :) Check out the emperor wears no clothes by Jack Herer if you haven't already...Peace & enlightenment
Written by firedaisy (Guest)
6. 01/12/2008 09:15:29 AM
Let's stop using gas powered lawn mowers also. It's so easy to use manual push mowers and electric mowers. They are actually much more convenient anyway.
Written by Soulangeana (Guest)
7. 01/12/2008 10:10:49 AM
I'm scared of the outcomes of global warming. There I said it.
Written by Stephanie (Guest)
8. 01/14/2008 11:48:38 PM
Clean Green for Health..... 
 
What would you do with 15 million pounds of orange peels? How about 50 million pounds of pine chips? Would you: send it to a landfill; burn it for fuel or crush and distill it into a highly effective cleaning solvent? If you thought of the last option then you will come to understand how terpenes are natures own cleaning solution. 
 
The green movement currently taking place in the US is more than just a matter of sustainability; it fully encompasses human health as well. Awareness of health risks posed from chemicals and pollutants has grown in recent years. We know that exposure to chemicals in our environment, including chemicals from cleaning products can adversely impact health. Cleaning Green for Health is a concept based on the idea of reducing the need for harsh chemicals, reusing one spray bottle with multiple applications and recycling everything when finished.  
 
For more information visit www.GreenTerpene.com
Written by GreenTerpene (Guest)
9. 01/15/2008 03:19:52 PM
I have many old light bulbs, some of them never used, that I kept after switching to the low energy ones. What should I do with them?
Written by Martha (Guest)
10. 01/15/2008 03:27:38 PM
You can donate them to a place like Salvation Army or something. Or you can sell them at a yard sale. Put a note on them that says "Use me until i die then but CFL's, they help global warming and take less energy so your bills arent to high! stopglobalwarming.com" . Just an idea..
Written by Stephanie (Guest)
11. 01/17/2008 11:13:03 AM
I read an interesting article about the cleaning power of vodka. Not sure if it applies to all alcohols or if it was just a PR stunt to sell more booze but it might be worth a shot for all those who resolved to kick booze and still have a few bottles lying around...
Written by jj (Guest)
12. 01/26/2008 03:54:04 PM
reuse, reduce, FREECYCLE!!!!!!! google it! it is a great way to get rid of stuff you don't need and also to pick up stuff you might!
Written by zedkitty (Guest)
13. 06/18/2008 11:17:28 AM
Shut off the breakers for your water heater...I only turn mine on for about a half hour every other day...everybody has different lifestyles and this schedule might not work for you...but you can adjust it to meet your needs...you\\\'d be surprised how little you need the water heater.
Written by Celeste (Guest)

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