Ten Easy Steps to Going Green

Contrary to what Kermit the Frog said, it is easy being green! Start with a few simple changes and see your energy bill, home air quality and spending habits change to GREEN. At the same time, you use less petroleum products, reduce carbon emissions and reduce your contribution to global warming.

Let's Get Started!

1) Change your light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

CFL's use less energy and last up to 10 times longer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if every American household were to swap just one bulb to CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.

2) Change your dishwashing, laundry and cleaning products to vegetable based, soy based- non-toxic and non-petroleum products. They are easy to find! Ask me if you need help locating non-toxic, vegetable based cleaning products.

According to Seventh Generation Inc: If every household in the U.S. replaced JUST ONE 25 oz. bottle of petroleum based dishwashing liquid with vegetable based product, we could save 118,700 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 6,800 U.S. homes for a year! Now imagine if we also replaced a bottle of laundry soap and a cleaning product!

3) Save over $100 a year and use less energy by raising your thermostat two degrees in the summer and lowering it two degrees in the winter. YOU CAN DO IT!

4) Change your heating and air conditioning filters often! Clean = more efficient!

5) Travel Smarter! Complete your errands in less trips. Convert your diesel car/truck to vegetable oil. (see the green car information on the Healthy Resource tab;) purchase gas efficient or alternative fuel vehicles, carpool, walk, ride your bike, use public transportation. I bet you can think of many more ideas to travel smarter!

6) Change your water fixtures to low-flow. I have a low-flow + chemical filter on my shower. Removing chemicals is great and so is saving water!

7) Improve indoor air quality! Don't burn incense indoors. Burn only beeswax or soy candles. I can't tell you how many stories I have heard about black soot ruining a home- imagine what it does to your lungs and the air quality for your family. (See the healthy candles tab for more information).

8) Eat Local fruits and veggies! One of my favorites! Support your local farmers by purchasing from farmer's markets. You will find a good selection of healthy, organic foods that has traveled a short distance to you. Some communities even have farms that deliver to your door! YUMMY!

9) Telecommute! I love this one too. It's frustrating to see the MANY cars, trucks and SUV's on the everyday with one driver, heading to an office where the driver sits and talks on the phone all day. (I do this sometimes)

If you can telecommute, do it! Save gas, toxic emissions, and traffic congestion, lower your stress and blood pressure, use that commute time to have breakfast at home with your family!

10) Use non-toxic pesticides and fertilizers in the yard and garden.

COMPOST!

This list is not in any specific order and reflects my opinion and experience on 10 easy steps for going green. Please feel free to submit your ideas and Going Green stories! Your story can be featured on Healthy-Homebiz.com! Submit Your Ideas