Going Green in a Toxic Environment

It is sad, but our environment is not a very healthy one and we must take action to stay healthy. One way is to go green. Now what does that mean exactly? Going Green means to make an effort to improve the environment. It can be as simple as recycling and that is a great place to start. There are also many other things you can do to ensure you are doing your part to improve the environment and why not begin in your own home.

Below you will find some helpful hints to turn your home into a ‘green home’. You do not have to do everything on this list and this is by now means a complete list either. Many ways are being discovered daily and as long as we make an effort we can feel good about helping our environment as a whole.

Some helpful hints:

• Start a vegetable and/or fruit garden - Not only will you be eating healthier but you will also be saving gas from the many trips to the grocery store. You can experiment with different herbs, vegetables and fruits and have a great amount to last all year round. If a vegetable or fruit garden in impossible for you, supporting your local farmers and growers is another way to help.
• Recycle – this is something that everyone knows about but not many actually do. It is as simple as recycling newspaper, and aluminum and plastic products. A perfect way to recycle is to re-use the plastic bags you get at the grocery store. Take the used bags back with you and re-use or use as garbage bags. A better idea is to bring cloth grocery bags to avoid the accumulation of plastic bags from grocery stores.
• Avoid fast food – planning your meals will actually save you money and keep you and your family healthier along with preserving the environment.
• Clean green – this is a perfect way to save money and avoid the toxic cleaners that we all seem to purchase. You will save money by making your own cleaners using vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and essential oils. You will also feel better knowing you will have a shiny, clean home without using expensive toxic cleaners.
• Start your own compost- this will avoid garbage from accumulating and will be perfect for your gardening needs. Compost unitsvary in size; you can make them as big or as small as you like to meet your needs.
• Use a water purifier – instead of using bottled water invest in a water purifier
• Use ‘real dishes and utensils’- save the plastic or paper ones for picnics or outings.

It may seem difficult to turn your world into a green one, but starting out small will make it a much easier transition. You will be healthier, and actually save money by going green. Try it as see the difference some effort can make. Want to learn more about going green visit Bath and Body Organics for some great tips.

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy

Going Green - What does that mean?

We hear the phrase, ‘going green’, everywhere. We hear on television, radio and read in the newspaper and magazines, but do we really know what it means?

It is simply another way of saying, ‘environmentally friendly’. If you recycle or try to conserve energy, you are actually ‘going green’. It is about saving our natural resources and there are many ways we can contribute. You do not necessarily have to live on a farm, to be environmentally friendly. Just making simple changes to your life will benefit you and the environment.

Here are some ways to start ‘going green’:

• recycle - paper, plastics, glass
• use energy efficient light bulbs
• walk more or ride your bike - getting exercise and conserving
• carpooling, or mass transportation such as bus or train
• switching electric off when not in use
• limiting shower time
• purchase from local farmers
• re-use shopping bags or use cloth bags

This is just a start but, every little bit will help the environment. So, let’s start today - going green.

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy

10 Tips to Greener Water Habits

Conserving water is something we must all do, especially during the summer months. If you live in the Southern States, you are more than likely still experiencing droughts and conserving water is a must. Below you will find some helpful hints that will help you conserve water this summer and can apply throughout the year.

1. Run the dishwasher and washing machines when you have full loads.
2. When in the shower, place a bucket to catch extra water that can be used to water your plants.
3. Plant native plants to avoid wasting water on irrigation or a better option would be to xeriscape which would require less water.
4. Do not use running water to defrost or thaw your meats or frozen foods. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
5. Reduce your use of kitchen sink disposals which require a lot of water to function; obtain a composter to dispose of food waste.
6. Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving.
7. Check leaky faucets, pipes and irrigation systems and have them repaired as soon as possible.
8. Hot water on demand saves water and energy.
9. Make sure to know the watering rules and conservation guidelines required by your state.
10. Start conserving water today, because every drop counts.

Until next time,

Dr. Daisy