Green summer tips
As summer approaches and this school year comes to a close, we are all dying to get outside and play!! All you can think about is sitting under those blue skies, sipping cool lemonade outside traveling , letting your kids run through the sprinklers and just kickin’ back- and why not, you deserve it! As you get ready to switch into gear for hot summer days, camp lunches, road trips and BBQ’s, here is some GREEN food for thought:
1) BUY LOCAL. Farmer’s markets are in full swing this summer and nothing is more environmental conscious than buying local. You cut down on fossil fuels used to transport food across the county, which cuts down on the amount of pollution being put into the air.
2)Plant a home garden. Now is the time to put some tomatoes, cukes, peppers, raspberries and herbs into the ground so you can shop in your own backyard. Gardening is an excellent family activity all summer long. Check out www.digthedirt.com to learn everything from how to build your own garden boxes to garden art projects for your kids!
3) Did you know thGreeat using propane to BBQ with is much cleaner for our air than using wood or charcoal. If you must use charcoal try all natural Cowboy Charcoal and non-toxic, organic grill cleaning product SoyClean
4) Instead of buying boxes of posicles all summer long, make your own from popsicles molds that can be used over and over again. Store like Target sell them. This helps reduce the amount of waste we produce. Reduce, reuse, recycle!
5) Go for a picnic and bring plates and silverware from home. If you need to use disposable items, buy compostable ones. Then you can put them in your yard waste or compost bin at home and keep them out of the landfills
6) Travel local on low environmental impact trips like to parks, woods, zoos, ballgames and the beach
7) Drink lots of cold water. Cold drinks drop your body’s core temperature and cool you down without needing AC. Remember to use a reusable water bottle. Avoid purchasing plastic bottle as much as possible
Try to be chemical free this summer buy choosing alternatives to toxic repellents like garlic barier and planting rosemary to block skeeters
9) Turning up the thermostat a few degrees on your AC is a great way to save money while making the planet a cooler place
10) If you do run your AC, always run the fan on low
11) Harvest your rain in Spring to use in the summer months for gardening
12) Need new kicks for summer? Check out www.simpleshoes.com They use biodegradable and organic materials to make their very sustainable shoes
13) Going for a hike? Check out sustainable shoemaker www.flattirefootwear.com They make their shoes out of crumb rubber from recycled tires. Washington hiking info…
14) Install a ceiling fan
15) Keep your blinds and drapes drawn and your home will stay cooler, naturally
16) Lights produce heat so turn off all lights when not in use
17) Use the microwave instead of the oven to reduce excess heat in the house
18) Try using a clothesline while the weather is warm
19) Try a drying rack for your dishes., they’ll dry fast and save you lots of money
20) Replace one meal a week with a local, vegetarian meal. A tremendous amount of fossil fuels are used in raising and transporting meat from all over the country. Making pasta primavera or spinach lasagna is a great way to help the planet! If you would like to understand more about this check out this NY Times
article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/weekinreview/27bittman.html?_r=1
And of course, WEAR SUNSCREEN AND HAVE FUN!!
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