Easy Being Green? Some Ideas To Get Started!

Green...it's the new black. It's certainly a buzzword that seems to be flying around everywhere these days. We are not all in a position to go out and buy a hybrid vehicle or build a green home, but don't worry--small steps can be very significant! If you have been meaning to join the green revolution, but are overwhelmed by where to start, here are 10 easy to implement suggestions:

1. Eat your veggies!

   Consider growing your own or buying locally grown produce through a farm stand or community supported agriculture. You can visit Local Harvest to find a location near you. The benefits? Food is tastier, fresher, (usually) organic, supports local business and has a lower carbon footprint since it didn't have to travel the globe to end up on your table.

2. Clean green

   If you're ambitious and have a little time, you can create your own green cleaning products from ingredients you can buy in bulk at Costco or other warehouse club. Clean and Green gives you the specifics on what to do. Used alone or in combination, all of the ingredients listed are safe and produce no volatile organic compounds (VOCs.) If you would rather purchase your green cleaning products pre-mixed, try Green Home Experts for a good selection. Buy local if possible to avoid unnecessary packing and shipping waste.

3. Drink green

   For some this phrase brings to mind green-tinted tap beer swilled on St. Patrick's Day... I'm actually referring to Green Drinks International, a monthly informal gathering for people interested in the environment. At the time of this writing, there are Green Drinks meetings in 300+ cities. I had a great time and learned a little something at the last meeting I attended. Walk or carpool to feel even more virtuous about attending this event.

4. Check out your local library

   Instead of joining Book of the Month Club and buying your personal copy of the latest Grisham novel, save trees (and some money) by checking it out for free from the library.

5. Recycle

   Unfortunately, the U.S. is #1 is trash production right now. Help keep recyclable items out of the trash by recycling them. Many communities provide special recyling bins for recycled materials. This is pretty easy to do once you're in the habit.

6. Got meat?

   I'll admit it--I'm a carnivore. I enjoy eating meat. However, I do it less frequently these days--partly to save money, partly for health concerns and partly to reduce my carbon footprint. Consider substituting a vegetarian meal at least 2-3 meals a week if you're currently in a 'meat and potatoes' routine.

7. Watered down results...

   There's no doubt about it...we wouldn't last very long on this planet without water. There are a lot of ways to conserve water, but I promised this would be an 'easy' list, so how about this? Just commit to turning off the faucet while you're brushing your teeth rather than letting the water run? Even that one step would make a big difference if we all did it. If you're already doing that, good for you! Explore more ideas for extra credit.

8. It's crystal clear

   Now I'm going to get up close and personal... I'm going to ask you about your underarm deodorant. Are you willing to try a natural alternative to powdery white stick or gel brands? I recently started using The Crystal body deodorant and let's just say no one has noticed, which I think is probably a good sign. It's completely natural and safe for the environment--and it lasts about a year, so it's pretty cost effective too.

9. Timing is everything

   Run the dishwasher and clothes washer late in the evening. Running them during the day produces additional heat, causing your air conditioner to work harder.

10. A lightbulb went off...

    The next time one of your lightbulbs go out, replace it with a compact fluourescent bulb. CFLs use about 70% less electricity than incandescent bulbs. They have gotten less expensive and have warmer tones available than when they first hit the market.

Green comes in lots of shades. I'm still a paler shade of green than I'd like to be, but greener than I was a year ago. The important thing is just to get started and do what you can do. Good luck!