I have to be honest! I really don’t get into the whole excitement and hype of Earth Day! I feel it is more about changing your lifestyle and not just about one day. I think that one particular day is a great place to start, but it is more about the lasting changes that will have the biggest impact. Those changes don’t have to be huge and could even be just be one single commitement that you make to a healthier lifestyle and a healthier planet. See, that is what motivates me first(I know, it sounds selfish), but the health of my family is the first priority and the fact that it also benefits the planet is an awesome bonus!! My other goal is that I want to spend LESS money, rather than more to become more green and healthy. That is completly doable! It really just has to become a priority, a way of life! Here are some of my favorite simple switches you can make:
1. Trade your harsh chemical laundry detergent for soap nuts! They are the truest GREEN method of washing your laundry!
2. STOP buying paper towels and tear up some old t-shirts, put them in a bucket or small container, and use over and over for all your cleaning needs!
3. STOP buying paper napkins and buy cloth napkins instead! Every time I see them on sale, I pick up a few and we now have a drawer full of them!!
4. Instead of using commerical household cleaners loaded with harsh ingredients, make your own cleaner. It is super cheap and actually SAFE for you to breathe! Who knew!!
5. Buying a reusable water bottle instead of plastic water bottles will have such a HUGE impact on your wallet and on the planet. My family loves their Sigg water bottles!! They come in so many funky designs, which makes them oh, so cool to carry around!!
6. Don’t just celebrate Earth Day, make long-lasting lifestyle changes!
7. Okay, coffee lovers, this one is for you! Instead of those coffee shop cups ending up in the trash and landfill, bring your own mug!! Some places even give a discount for this! Even better way to SAVE money is to brew your own at home and take it out in your reusable mug!!
8. If you are a meat lover, try to cut back on your consumption and try to only buy local, grass fed, free range products. This is so much better for you and the planet!
9. Got a cupboard full of plastic storage containers? The better alternatives that are way safer for your family are LunchBots or glass containers!
10. A huge way to cut down on your electricity bill is to dry your clothes on a wooden rack or even better is to hang them outside when the weather allows! Your clothes will last longer and there is no impact on the environment!
Okay, so look at this list again and choose just one or a few or all of the ideas to implement for your family. Choose one new change per week or per month. By setting small goals, you can set yourself up for success and your family will be healthier and so will the planet!
Hello,
My name is Bill Hawthorne, and I represent maacenter.org, a leading web resource for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer information. Our organization is dedicated to increasing awareness of the terrible health consequences of asbestos exposure through the distribution of the best informational materials and public outreach efforts.
I found your site through a search and decided to contact you because of its high environmental and green presence which is extremely important in our movement. Your viewers are extremely savvy and motivated. The promotion of how buildings should now be built using green products to avoid asbestos and mesothelioma as well as the awareness of past buildings and preventative steps in avoiding asbestos exposure are extremely important. My goal is to get a resource link on your site/blog or even to provide a guest posting to be placed.
I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to check out our website at http://www.maacenter.org. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Please contact me back at bhawthorne@maacenter.org! I look forward to hearing from you.
Bill