As my dashboard states, this blog is about building a greener life at home. This first blog is about the 10 steps we are taking at home to live a greener life. The changes we are making in our lives are based on personal research, a
reverence for the environment, and a need to simplify our lives while preserving the future. Later blogs will include more details about the steps we are taking.
10 Steps to a Greener Life
1. Buy organics. Be smart about your choices. Not all foods have to be bought organic. Save money by knowing which fruits and veggies are must buys. To find a printable, portable list of which organics to purchase go here
http://www.foodnews.org/ We downloaded and laminated this list and take with us to the grocery store. Now we only buy essential organics, saving money and watching out for our health as well as the environment.
2. Gardening. Plant a garden, grow veggies and herbs to use in cooking. For tips and tricks and to learn about the $25 Dollar Victory Garden you can start check out
http://www.joegardener.com/ This year we are growing a dozen different herbs, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and key limes.
3.Composting. Composting helps to cut down on kitchen waste that goes to landfills. (More on composting to come)
4. Rain barrels. Gardens need water and water is precious. We have installed 2 rain barrels to help off set water usage in the garden and water cost, keeping that water bill down saves $$$
http://www.fiskars.com/content/garden_en_us/Garden/Home?CMP=BAC-joegardener&ATT=sponsorlink5. Metal water bottles. We have stopped using plastic water bottles. First, water bottles end up in land fills, taking years to break down. Second, plastic water bottles (all plastics) can contain
BPA (
Bisphenol A) a toxic chemical that off gases into your drinking water. For more information read this
http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/plastic_bottles.htm Another alternative is a
BPA free water bottle with built in filter
http://www.fit-fresh.com/products/livpure/6. Water Filter. Water filters connect to your faucet and save you money. It took me approximately 15
min's to install a filter in our kitchen. Now we have filtered water to drink and to cook with. If you are no longer buying bottles of filtered water and instead using your own water filter, you are saving money, your health and the environment.
7.We are using products in our home that have less chemicals such as fluoride free toothpaste and natural cleaning products. (More to come on this subject)
8)Recycling. This is a no
brainer. Recycling has been around for years. Call your local municipality to get recycling bins. In
Jax, 630-city call to get your free blue bin.
9)Light bulbs. Everyone has heard about the Compact Florescent Light Bulbs (
CFL's). These light bulbs consume 75% less energy and last 10
x's as long as traditional light bulbs. Less energy = more money!
http://www6.homedepot.com/ecooptions/index.html?cm_mmc=Thd_marketing-_-Eco_Options_Site_07-_-Vanity-_-Home10) We turn it OFF! When we are not using appliances we unplug them. Do you need 4 appliances in your home to tell you what time it is, 24/7? Microwave...unplug it. Toaster...unplug it. We unplug any electronics not being used, except for the television, refrigerator, stove, and alarm clock. These thing continue to draw power, even in the off position. The first month we did this faithfully our electric bill dropped $50. I'm not saying this will happen to you, but if you save money while saving the earth BONUS!
All these tips are steps towards greener, more sustainable living. There is also a theme here...a lot of these tips also save you money. I'm a big believer that saving green ($$) is living green!
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