Are you going out of town during the fall months? Have a fabulous road trip or getaway planned? I am so jealous.
Don’t forget to do these simple green things before you leave on vacation.
#1: Adjust the thermostat accordingly and turn down the temperature on your hot water heater. #2: Unplug all appliances that you won’t be using while you are away, such as your coffee maker, microwave, washer, dryer, lamps, TV’s etc; #3: Put your home lights on a timer or have a neighbor stop in and turn the lights on/off, instead of leaving the lights on the entire time you are gone. Burglars are keen on this too, they realize if your porch lights are on all day and night, chances are, you are out of town.
#4: Put a hold on your mail. This will save the post office, UPS and FedEx from having to drive to your home – this is especially effective if you live in a rural area.
YOUR TURN: What are your fall vacation plans? What are your green vacation tips?
If you shop at the farmerâs market, are a local CSA member, or frequent the âlocalâ section of your grocery storeâs produce aisle, you are well aware that fruits and vegetables come into and out of season. Depending on the climate where you live, you may have a wide variety of fruits and veggies to choose from year-round, or you may notice that summer is truly a more abundant season for produce. Wherever you live, eating seasonally has its benefits. If youâre not already doing so, here are four reasons to eat seasonally.
#1: Fresher, More Nutritious Produce Produce that doesnât have to travel long distances to get to you will be fresher when you purchase it because itâs been harvested more recently. Also, since seasonal fruits and veggies are harvested when theyâre ripe and grown outside, in their natural environment, theyâll contain far more nutrients and flavor than produce thatâs grown in greenhouses or prematurely harvested and required to ripen off the parent plant.
#2: Supporting the Local Economy Farmers harvest and sell whatâs abundantly in season. By purchasing seasonal, local food, youâre supporting local farmers and therefore your local economy (youâre supporting yourself in many ways when you think about it!). By supporting local farmers youâre not only helping people but also encouraging sustainable, green farming practices because local farmers will plant and grow only what is suited to the soil and climate where they live.
#3: Itâs Cheaper Fruits and vegetables that are in season are more abundant and therefore end up being cheaper than foods that arenât in season. Buying foods out of season means paying a higher price to cover the transportation of the food and growing fruits and veggies in artificial conditions.
#4: Itâs Eco-Friendly Buying produce that doesnât require transportation means that less gas is being consumed and less exhaust is being emitted. Additionally, fruits and vegetables that have to travel long distances (like strawberries traveling from Mexico to Wisconsin in January) require far more chemical-ridden sprays and treatments in order to stay fresh long enough to make it to the grocery store. By becoming a member of your local CSA or buying at the farmerâs market, youâre buying directly from a local farm where transportation and preservation time is minimalâmany times youâll purchase produce that was harvested the same day as you pick it up.
As you can see, eating seasonally and locally has some amazing benefits! I love sampling seasonal fruits and veggies when I travel because chances are Iâm visiting a state or country with a different climate, ecosystem, and sometimes seasonâthereâs so much variety to be experienced!
YOUR TURN: Whatâs your favorite local, seasonal recipe for summer or fall?
Looking for the perfect drink for your pool party! The mister whipped up a batch of his famous Gin Lemonade recently and I was reminded how much I love it this time of year! Be careful though, they are strong – one is all you need. Ha!
What you will need:
juice from 5 organic lemons
1 1/2 cups of organic sugar
1 1/2 cup organic gin (you can also use vodka)
8 cups ice
Directions:
Whisk the lemon juice and sugar together until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the gin and whisk again. Then, add the 8 cups of ice to a blender with the gin-lemon-sugar mixture and blend until smooth. Add lemon slices for garnish and enjoy.
Happy Independence Day Weekend! The 4th of July is one of my personal favorite holidays, with BBQâs, family, community, fairs, farmerâs markets, and fireworks to enjoyânot to mention that good old patriotic feeling. There are a lot of great, green ways to celebrate this year, but Iâve chosen four because, well, you know!
Get Outside Getting outdoors with the family instead of hanging around inside and running the AC is a great way to start greening your 4th. Since Independence Day is Americaâs holiday sweetheart, there should be no shortage of activities for you and your family to participate in, from historical tours and live music to farmerâs markets and pick-your-own berry patches. If you live near water or natural open, go for a swim or take a scenic walk or bike ride. Donât forget to use DEET-free insect repellant! I personally like to use child-safe, non-toxic Bug Bam Mosquito Bands, and this DIY mosquito repellant.
Slather on Eco-friendly, Safe Sunscreen Hopefully, youâve got plans to hit the beach, the trail, or the farmerâs market this 4th. If youâll be outside (and especially if youâre taking little ones along), make sure to wear hats and shades and use plenty of sunscreens. The Environmental Working Groupâs 2020 Best Sunscreens page lists over 100 safe sunscreens including baby, waterproof, and sport sunscreens. Donât forget to reapply!
Pack a Zero Waste Picnic If youâre setting up camp somewhere to wait for the fireworks show to start, eliminate waste and save some cash by skipping food vendors and disposable eating ware and bringing your own zero-waste picnic. You can start by packing locally sourced fruits, veggies, cheeses, and beer or wine (bottles are recycle-able!) and bringing your own water in reusable bottles. Instead of plastic and paper eating ware, pack cloth napkins and compostable plates, silverware, and cups. If you donât have a long haul or want to go super-green, pack reusable glasses, silverware, and plates.
View Fireworks from a Natural Setting The last year I lived in Boulder my husband and I skipped the impressive, grandiose fireworks and sing-a-long event at the University of Coloradoâs Folsom Field in favor of a quieter, more intimate viewing experience with friends. We packed some drinks and snacks, hiked up into the foothills, and joined other groups wanting to celebrate from a distance. The evening (and later nighttime, flashlight-lit) hike was magical, allowing us to take in the full beauty of our town and appreciate this lovely country we call home. Since we were far enough away that we couldnât hear the explosions of the fireworks, our group of friends was able to converse and enjoy each otherâs company to the fullest. Even if you donât have a beautiful natural setting to enjoy the 4th from, you can cut down on waste and pollution by not lighting off-street fireworks and enjoying a larger display with a giant group, instead.
Have a safe, green, and happy Independence Day! How are you celebrating?
It’s summer, summer, summertime! With summertime comes hot days, cool treats and lots of fun in the sun with your family. Before you hit the road for a hot sunny day at the beach, park or BBQ, check out my six favorite eco-friendly tips for a great green summer. The best part, most of them are free and will only make your summer more enjoyable, read on.
1. Get Outside
It’s much nicer to cool off outside than it is to sit inside with the air conditioning on high. Hit your local beach, lake, or pool and cool off in the waves. Also, it’s a good idea to keep your shades drawn during the hottest parts of the day and use the reverse function on your ceiling fans to circulate the air to keep your home cool.
2. Go Local
You don’t have to go far from home this summer to have a wonderful time. Take advantage of summer time by exploring your local community – hit a park that you have never ventured to before, find a new secret beach for the first time or check out the local farmer’s market and pick up tonight’s dinner.
3. Stay Hydrated
Long hot days mean that you and your family will need lots of fluids to stay hydrated. Instead of stopping to buy a drink whenever you are thirsty, keep your reusable bottles with you. I am enjoying my Vapur water bottle, it is easy to roll up and throw into my handbag or pocket until I need it. Summer is also the perfect time to make your own fruit and vegetable infused waters and homemade ice pops.
4. Stay Protected
Keep yourself and your family protected from the sun with all-natural sunscreen. I think it is a good idea to have one on hand at all times. I like to keep one in my handbag, beach bag, car, and even one by the door making it easy to grab on the way out to the pool.
5. Green Your Bikini
If you are in the market for a new swimsuit this year, consider purchasing an eco-friendly one. EcoSwim has a fantastic selection of swimsuits for women. You may also find a great selection at your local eco-friendly stores or Etsy shops.
6. Go Solar
Summertime is the perfect time to take advantage of all that sunshine. Consider using a solar charger to recharge your portable devices when out for a day of fun in the sun. We have a solar charger that we use whenever we go backpacking or camping, it is great for charging up our cell phones and extra battery packs for the RV.
What ways are you going and staying green this summer?
