Green, Frugal & Healthy Living

Thinking green isn't just about reducing waste, helping the planet and living a healthier lifestyle- it's also about saving money! Following are a few tips:

• Recycle: paper, cardboard, magazines, metals, glass and plastics. Many grocery stores provide recycle bins if your hometown doesn't offer pick-up service.
• Use washable/reusable rags instead of paper towels - old worn-out wash cloths fill the bill perfectly.
• Buy reusable grocery bags and produce bags to use when you shop.
• Cloth napkins add an affordable and green touch of class to any table setting.
• If you like to can food, try reusable canning lids.
• Here is a washable and reusable lint roller you might like.
• Reusable coffee filters come in all shapes and sizes to fit all types of coffee makers.
• To reduce the risk of toxins leaching into your food, use glass pickle or mason jars for food storage instead of plastic containers and use glass or metal water bottles instead of plastic.
• Seal air leaks in your home with weather stripping.
• Save energy by turning your water heater to "pilot" until about 30 minutes before you need hot water. Also, most adults needn't shower every day - unless you have excessively oily skin or get very dirty at work, try showering only every other day and see if it works for you. When it's time to replace your existing water heater, consider purchasing an on-demand or energy star type.
• If you have a large yard, you can reduce the over-use of pesticides and herbicides by growing your own food organically.
• When it's practical, consider carpooling. Hybrid electric cars are also worth considering. This link may answer some questions you have about how hybrid cars work.
• Replace your everyday toxic household cleaning chemicals with safe organic cleaning products.
• Reduce unneccessary plastic waste AND save money on liquid soap by purchasing foaming soap dispensers for your home.
• For women, menstrual cups and sea sponges are safer than tampons due to NO RISK of toxic shock syndrom associated with use of tampons. Reusable cloth pantiliners are also available.