When it comes to your morning cup of java, do you ever think of its impact on our environment? No? You should. Coffee is the world’s 2nd most traded commodity and it is a commodity that millions of people in the tropics rely on economically.
When purchasing coffee, please consider choosing shade-grown, organic, fair trade and Rain Forest Alliance certified coffee. Shade-grown means the coffee is grown traditionally, under a canopy of trees. (delightful, right?) By choosing Rain forest Alliance certified coffee you support coffee grown on farms where forests, rivers, and the soil are protected and wildlife conserved. The workers are treated with respect, paid a fair wage, have the proper equipment, and are given access to medical care and educational services. Fairtrade means it’s grown by family farmers who are paid a fair wage and treated well.
So next time you purchase coffee, consider making a change for the better. You will enjoy your morning Cup o’ Joe more knowing that you are respecting the planet, as well as the local farmers and wildlife that live in the rain forest.
Have you ever walked through your house at night and seen all of the little lights on? You are probably thinking that I have gone mad and really should be in bed, instead of walking around in the dark. Well, before you think I am crazy, try it. It is only when your house is completely dark that you may notice all of the non-essential items that you have plugged in or items that could be unplugged in between uses. Could you possibly unplug the cell phone chargers, printers, computers, scanners, TVs, curling irons, hairdryers, coffee pots, lamps, etc;?
You probably won’t see a huge decrease in your power usage as far as your utility bill is concerned, but every little thing counts and if we all did these things, it would really add up.
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We have items such as lamps and clocks in our house that are not even plugged in, they are only there as decoration.
Taking your shoes off before walking into your home is a healthy habit for your family. This is a healthy habit because you won’t track in any guck, but most importantly because the bottom of your shoes is exposed to so many chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and toxins. You could have possibly walked through gasoline, soot, or any number of other toxins and when you crossed the grass, chances are you walked through pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides.
So next time you come home, remove your shoes for the safety of your family.
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Do you take your shoes off before entering your home? The homes of others?
Summer is coming to an end! You can enjoy summer fruit all year long though! Simply purchase local fruit now and can, dry, or freeze it. This way you will have local fruit in the cold winter months!
Cherries are out of season and my husband LOVES cherries, so we freeze them. You know what is better than fresh cherries, FROZEN ones. They are amazing! Frozen strawberries are amazing for smoothies, same goes for bananas and blueberries, oh my! The options are endless.Â
What are your favorite fruits and veggies to can, freeze or dry?Â
Road trips can be so much fun and an amazing way to bond with both friends and family – however, you also want to make sure you’re doing your bit for the environment. While road trips can be fun, they can also be a little damaging to the environment if you’re not mindful. If you want to not only have a fun road trip but an eco friendly trip, you’ve come to the right place!
Below, we have 7 ways you can have a fun and eco friendly road trip so that you can incorporate them into your next load of plans. Take a look, have fun, and do your bit:
Choose The Right Car
First of all, make sure you choose the right car. This may mean renting a car that is not your own – but for all intents and purposes, now might be the time to upgrade to a more eco-friendly model if you’re worried about the environment. Buy a car that is fuel efficient – or even a hybrid/electric car if you can. Those cars do come with a set of their own considerations, as you need to make sure there are charging points along the way for you. That being said, you could definitely make it work with some preplanning.
Pack LightÂ
You might be tempted to take extras with you, but make it your mission to pack as lightly as possible. Keeping the car light will enhance your fuel efficiency. You’ll save yourself a lot of hassle, too!
Take Reusable Containers and BagsÂ
Take your own reusable containers and bags so that you don’t need to purchase a load of plastic wrapped items while you’re out and about. If you do need to buy items, try to avoid buying things that are excessively wrapped and go for environmentally friendly options instead. Even taking your own knives and forks can help you to avoid needing those plastic ones!Â
Never Litter – Alway Tidy Up After Yourself
Never litter, even if it’s fruit peel. Tidy up after yourself. Have a bag in the car and use it as a trash bag and then take it to a bin when you find one. If you can still separate items to be recycled while you’re on the road, that’s even better. Just don’t throw your litter out of the window or leave it laying around for someone else to deal with – or for wildlife to eat.
Make Sure The Car Is Fit To Drive
Always check over the car, especially the tire pressure before you set off. Not only will this mean you won’t have to work with an expert personal injury attorney due to a car accident, you’ll save money and the planet as you won’t be emitting more carbon emissions.
Leave Any Area You Visit Better Than You Found It
This could mean clearing up a little mess you didn’t make, but do try to leave an area better than when you found it!
