Earth Day is officially tomorrow but many stores are considering this Earth week with sales on organic products, green cleaning products and even seeds (Home Depot). So how can you add a little green to your life this earth day? Here are a few tips:
1) Grow your own (pesticide free) food. Even if you buy the tomato kits for $10 you’ll save money, eat fewer chemicals and enjoy eating something from your garden (or back deck in the case of the hanging tomato plants). Planting an edible garden is a great activity for kids too!
2) Buy locally. By doing so you are helping support local farmers and decreasing fuel costs (think about the gas it takes to ship produce across the country versus going to your local farmer).
3) Find organic food near you: http://www.localharvest.org/
4) Eat more vegetarian based meals. I’m not telling you to go meat-less but just eat some meals meat-free or add more vegetarian sources of protein throughout the day.
5) Think twice about single serving packs and buy in bulk (unless you have issues with portion control).
6) Bike, walk or share a ride. Don’t do what I did as a child and sit on the seat while my older brother stood up and pedaled his dirt bike.
7) Buy green cleaning products and avoid exposure to some nasty chemicals.
8) Throw out less food. No, this isn’t a license to stuff your face. But, put less on your plate to begin with and save the leftovers.
9) Unplug your appliances after using them. Coffee pots, toaster ovens, blenders – unplug them all while not in use.
10) Re-use those little plastic bags from your grocery store or bring your own cloth ones.
11) Try batch cooking. Yes, you can feed an army or you can just refrigerate and freeze some for later. Less dishes, less mess, quicker food prep.
Alright, I’m off to go hug a tree now and plant catnip for our neighborhood cats.