Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!  In case you didn’t know, Earth Day was born on April 22, 1970, in San Francisco, California. Each year, the United States and more than 100 other countries celebrate the Earth on this day of April 22nd. Earth Day is the largest, most celebrated environmental event worldwide. Today, we should remember to celebrate the beauty of nature and maybe even set some new resolutions on ways to become a little "greener" at home.  I know my family tries to be green, but we have a long way to go.  This week we are going to show you some great "green friendly" and organic products, introduce our first giveaway contest to win 3 pair of Organic Baby Legs (these are absolutely the best invention for babies / pre-schoolers), and how some well known celebrities are going green.  Let’s kick off the week with 10 easy ways to be a little greener at home, (OK, remember you don’t have to do them all, just maybe pick a few.  That’s a few more than yesterday, right?)

1)  Try a New Energy Saving Light Bulb.  Installing a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) is the quickest, easiest way to save energy. These bulbs use approximately 75% less electricity and last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs.  One less thing on our to-do list…changing burnt out light bulbs.  Replace just one 75 watt bulb with a 25-watt CFL and save up to $75 over the life of that light bulb.  Hmmm…

2) Simple, yes, but conserve energy by turning off the lights in unoccupied rooms!

3) Unplugging for Cash.  Anything that has an LED (light emitting diode) that glows after you turn it off continues to burn energy, that you are charged for nonetheless.  Things like your computer monitor, TV, and even cell phone charger (which I know I leave plugged in all the time).  Unplug them from the wall or for an easier idea try the new Clever Strip.  This new power strip actually stops the current for you, so you don’t have to unplug it.  Can’t get any easier than that.  www.SMARTHOMEUSA.COM  $30.95
Want some cash?  Unplugging can save you up to $150-$200 a year on your electric bill!

4) Conserve energy by turning down the thermostat.  Bonus for you is that every degree you lower it between 70 and 60 degrees will save you about 5% on heating costs.  Studies have also shown that you get a better night sleep when it’s cooler too.

5)  Here’s a big one for us Daily Moms…lose the paper napkins and paper plates.  Just throw those cloth napkins in that Daily load of dirty baby clothes that you know you have to wash.  Hey, do even better and hand wash them and line dry (OK, that’s pushing it, I know).

6)  Buy in Bulk.  With Wal-Mart, Costco and Sam’s in all the major and most miner metros, it’s easy to buy in bulk these days.  It saves all the packaging in the individual packages from going into our landfills.  Plus a time saver for you…you can mark some of those items off your weekly trip to the grocery store!

7) Buy your produce from local farmers.  I think it always tastes fresher too…but I guess it would since it took a day to get to my store in Texas vs. 1400 miles from California.  Go figure.  To find your local farmers visit www.localharvest.org

8)  Turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth.  The average faucet puts out 3 gallons a minute, so if you are brushing for the recommended 2 minutes, you could save 6 gallons.  Turn off the water while washing pots and pans too.  I’m a bad girl here, as I tend to leave the water running while I scrub down the counters.  Just think how much I could be saving!

9) Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Did you know plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to break down?  When they ask you if you want paper or plastic, say nada, I brought my own!    Check out www.Kroger.com/bagdesign  and get a FREE Kroger reusable shopping bag when you submit a design.  The winner will win $500 and see your original design in stores!

10)  Talk to your kids about the beauty of the Earth every day and the importance of doing our part both big and small to help preserve it.
 

This Land is Your Land…This Land is My Land…

Have a Very Happy Earth Day!