We?ve all been there. That feeling of guilt that comes on whenever we reach for the stack of paper plates just before dinnertime at home. Let?s face it though: we have so much to do each day! Sometimes, victory is just getting something prepared for our family to eat on those plates, no matter what the plates happen to be made of! As the danger of our earth?s toxicity grows though, it is becoming more important to make eco-friendly choices as often as we can. An important thing to remember when endeavoring to ?go green? is to not let yourself get overwhelmed. Just take it one step at a time. Each new, green habit we pick up and share with our kids will reap benefits for our earth?s future. Here is a list of easy tips to get started:
Plant a Garden
Plant a Garden.? There?s nothing more satisfying than harvesting fresh produce from your very own garden. Also, growing food reminds us and our kids of where our food originates.
Buy Unprocessed, Locally Grown Food
While it would certainly be ideal, most of us can?t grow everything we eat. The next best, eco-friendly option is to buy unprocessed food, and to buy it from local growers. The packaging material from processed food packages add a huge amount to landfills each year. Whenever locally grown food is purchased, it cuts down the need to transport products long distances, resulting in fresher, higher quality food, less fuel used, and a supported local economy!
Walk or Bike to Errands Whenever Possible
Think outside the car, and walk or bike to your destination! You?ll enjoy exercise, a fresh, new perspective on familiar streets, and you?ll reduce fuel consumption.
Have a Paperless Kitchen
This one isn?t as difficult as sounds. Save paper plates and napkins for special occasions, and get in the habit of using cloth napkins for most meals. Switch out paper towels for handy, washable cleaning cloths.
Give your home an ?energy audit?
Some areas that can be immediately made more eco-friendly: Check and fix leaky faucets. Unplug appliances when they?re not being used. urn off lights when you leave the room. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater.
www.worldwatch.org www.worldwatch.org has more ideas. Just take it one step at a time, get the kids involved, and make it fun!
I don’t know why, but I can’t do the cloth napkin thing. I’m a bad girl!
paperless kitchen will never happen for us. I know it’s bad but I cannot stand using regular towels so we do use papertowels and napkins
I struggle with cloth napkins too, I think it’s just a matter of being used to doing things a certain way. I won’t give up though.