Living Green in a Convenience Based Family

Every so often I read a quote that just simply HITS me. This is one of them.It comes from sparkpeople.com, SparkPeople's Healthy Reflections a daily newsletter I recieve.
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"Is there anything that Ziggy doesn't know? In the cartooning universe, he's often placed in hopeless situations, pitted against a world that doesn't make sense. He's an agreeable punch line for the quirks of human nature. Yet he's able to brush off his mishaps and focus on the opportunities that today brings. He can also look to the future with hope, knowing full well that more struggles may lie ahead. Most of all, he can look at himself and have a good chuckle. Do you make yourself anxious about things that might happen or stew over mistakes you've made? Don't let a preoccupation with tomorrow or yesterday rob your ability to face that crazy world with a smile. For Ziggy, today is today. It's not a good day; it's not a bad day. It's a day. And he knows that it's important to give that day the value it deserves."
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THEY ARE RIGHT!! Just take one day at a time and make 1 choice at a time! We can only truly affect today.

As the weather gets colder - let's think Green.

TIPS---

1.Add weather- stripping to your doors and windows.

2.Insulate around outlets and light switches that are on outside walls.

3.Have your heating units professionally cleaned and serviced. Just like you, when they're "healthy" they will work better!

4.Lower the thermostat 5 degrees lower than you use to. Every degree you lower your thermostat you save about 3% on your heating bill. You can buy a new sweater with the savings!

5.When you're finished baking, leave the door open -BUT only if it is safe.(please don't if you have younger ones around!!!)

6. Teach the kids - or hubby - to close the doors behind them, even if they'll "Be right back in!"

7. Wrap your Water Heater. If your water heater is not ready to be replaced (by a 5* rated one!)then wrap it. $15-25 and you will save more than that in heat loss!

The national average cost of water is $2.00 per 1,000 gallons. The average American family spends about $474 each year on water and sewage charges. American households spend an additional $230 per year on water heating costs. By replacing appliances such as the dishwasher and inefficient fixtures such as toilets and showerheads, you can save a substantial amount each year in water, sewage, and energy costs.
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If everyone in the U.S. said "no thanks" to ATM receipts, it would save a roll of paper so long it could circle the equator fifteen times(1)
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Turn your car off instead of idling when waiting for the kids at school. When a car idles for more than 30 seconds, it's actually using more gas, therefore putting more greenhouse gas pollution into the air and using precious fuel!(1)
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Paper or plastic? How about neither. Each year the United States uses 30 billion plastic and 10 billion paper grocery bags, requiring approximately 14 million trees and 12 million barrels of oil. Everyone can do their part for the environment by keeping a reusable bag handy for shopping trips.(1)
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(1)www.filterforgood.com/tips_from_josh.php?WT.srch=1
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If you reduce your use of paper towels you could save $5-$10 per month
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By turning off electrical appliances such as TVs, computers, lights you could save an average of $20 to $30 a month!!

Being Green in the kitchen is easier than it might seem. Remember, just shift 1 idea and habit and you will make a difference.

HOT---
1. The stove - make certain to use the right size pot for the job and the right size burner. Don't be like my hubby - bigger pots and bigger burners MUST be better! Not only will using the right size take less time to heat, it will also use much less energy.

2. Pre-heating the oven. Don't pre-heat your oven if you will be cooking your food for more than 1 hour. Even when baking sweets and breads, there is no need to pre-heat for more than 10 minutes.

3. Microwave - USE IT! It is more than just a convenient left-overs warmer! If you have only used yours to make tea... MOM... you are missing one of the easiest ways to "shift" towards Green. Buy a microwave cookbook and begin saving energy. A microwave is around 4 times more efficient than using an electric oven.

COLD----

1.Refrigerator... keep it closed! Teach the kids (regardless of the age) to not spend an hour with their heads in it! This could save you as much as $50 a year.

2. Garbage Disposal - If you don't already compost, consider it. If you are like me and love your disposal, use cold water not hot. I was concerned about keeping it clean only using cold water so a friend recommended putting a little dish washing soap down it every couple of days to clean it. Mine always smells fresh and clean.

Wet----

Drinking water. Every TV station is running wonderful ads for Br... brand water filtering systems. They are correct. Plastic bottles that are used only once are a hideous blemish on the face of our environment. If you can't stand using tap water, than filter it and use reusable containers. PLEASE.

Other--

Stopped buying paper towels, and switched to reusable washcloths or hand towels.
A paper towel holder is great for drying washcloths or little kitchen towels.
You can use an old vertical napkin holder to organize your monthly bills.

Continue to check back as these will grow and or change!!
1.Install a programmable thermostat to automatically use less A/C or heat while you're at work and asleep, and combat sky-high energy costs.

2.Make the switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10x longer. They're more expensive than traditional light bulbs,but the price is becoming more and more reasonable.

3. Find out which appliances are wattage hogs.
Gadgets such as the Kill-A-Watt and the Watt Minder help you find the biggest energy users in your home. Plug an appliance into one of these devices and it will tell you how much energy it uses per hour, month, or year, and how much it's costing you.If you are interested in the bigger picture, the Power Cost Monitor tracks, in real-time, the electricity use in your entire house and shows how much it is costing you. The monitor attaches to your electric meter.

4.Keep fit AND reduce greenhouse gases! These are "DUH" suggestions, but we all need to be reminded of them from time to time!
A)WALK - When the distance is short; walk!
B)RIDE YOUR BIKE- if you don't have one, help stimulate the economy and purchase one, for you and your friend!
C) TAKE THE STAIRS!- Your legs and backend will get a real workout,and you will not be using electricity for an elevator or step machine.

REMEMBER - CHOOSE ONE THING TO DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND DO IT!!