Photo by shopie1 via flickr
Most people I know are familiar with the phrase “think globally, act locally.” It started as a grassroots movement that urged individuals to take action within their local community in an effort to heal what seemed like a rapidly declining healthy planet. From my perspective, nowhere has this phrase thrived more or become associated with an aspect of green living, than with the purchasing of food.
Photo by joeysplanting via flickr
Spring is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate then to compost. Composting is the ideal way to recycle your household and yard waste and can significantly reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfills. By composting you contribute to the natural sequence of recycling that occurs continually in nature and avoid wasting useful resources.
Photo by Obsequies via flickr
The items we put through the wash can take a beating from the harsh detergents and hard water used when going through the machine. And the more abuse the item gets the closer it gets to getting donated or tossed out. Caring for fabrics properly in the wash can prolong the life of your garments so that you are not replacing them sooner than actually needed, but when we do our wash we are doing much more than simply caring for our fabrics. We are using energy, water and product resources.
Photo by Treassach via flickr
There are many safe and natural products on the market to clean the home. But there is nothing as versatile and simple as white vinegar. Vinegar, meaning “sour wine,” was used by Egyptians, Romans and Babylonians in preserving food, flavoring medicine and pickling vegetables to keep them from spoiling. This clear liquid is generally made from fruit juice, grains and vegetables and can be aged and altered to produce distinct flavors. Today we have many uses of vinegar, it’s natural, inexpensive and a little goes a long way.
Photo by Chiot’s Run via flickr
Household molds are stubborn organisms and left untreated they can be extremely toxic. While molds can sometimes be beneficial in the home, they generally do more harm than good by digesting organic material as their food source. Common mold resources are leaves, wood, insulation and paper. They need at least fifty percent humidity to thrive, and once flourishing, they release lightweight spores into the air. In addition, untreated mold within a household can contribute to a variety of allergies and infections. A few familiar symptoms are; suppressed immune system, respiratory problems including asthma and infection, eye irritation, coughing, skin rashes, headaches, decongestion, memory impairment, depression, and mood swings.
Photo by Nick Harris1 via flickr
Scenting the home with a pleasant fragrance is not an entirely new concept, but using an outrageous amount of chemicals to do so is. Before there were sprays, diffusers and candles there was incense. Ancient history tells us that at one time incense was as valuable as gold and silver. They were just as serious about surrounding themselves with pleasing scents as we are, although their use of incense stemmed from a religious background and more functional purposes than ours does today.
Photo by endolith via flickr
Our home environment is one of our most precious and sacred spaces. With unemployment at high levels and the world economy trying to recover from crisis, more and more individuals and families are choosing to spend more time at home. In good conscious, many of us ride bikes, walk or carpool, contributing to healthier air quality for all. Some of us even plant trees, fight to save forests and create gardens in our backyard. Just as we nurture the planet in which we live, we can do the same in our homes by welcoming healthy plants to adorn our living rooms, balconies, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
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Two Ways to Ecolutionize Your Online Activities
If you are like most people, you spend a good chuck of your time on the computer. With work, play, communication — much of your day is lived through the internet, rather than outdoors. So how can you make your online experience more productive and eco-friendly? Here are two quick and easy programs to participate in:
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