Green Your Internal Environment.
Going green
actually begins with tackling the toxic buildup inside your
own body. Besides using an effective total-body cleansing formula
made with herbs and other natural ingredients, consuming more
fiber also assists with healthy detoxification by helping to
absorb and eliminate toxins from the body. You can also keep
your internal environment green with probiotics, the friendly
intestinal bacteria that help limit pathogens and boost immunity.
Available in supplement form and in fermented foods such as
yogurt, these bacteria help your immune system fight off infections
and synthesize beneficial vitamins.
Eat Locally Grown Organic Foods.
Buying
locally grown organic food means fewer greenhouse gases released
by trucks and planes transporting food to market. While the
items in the conventional supermarket travel an average of
1,500 miles from the ground to the grocery store shelf (sustainabletable.org),
those at the local farmer’s market come from nearby counties.
Choosing organic foods also discourages farmers from using
herbicides, pesticides and other toxins that pollute our natural
food sources.
Ease Up on Heating and Cooling.
In addition
to using less hot water, lowering your thermostat during the
winter months and raising it in the summer can significantly
cut back on energy use and costs. Doing so will also reduce
the amount of greenhouse gases generated to produce the extra
energy. For every degree you move the thermostat, you save
up to 4 percent of your energy bill. Other energy saving tips
include using fans during hotter days to make your house feel
several degrees cooler and opening windows during the summer
to let in the cooler air.
Switch to Fluorescent Light Bulbs.
Fluorescent
light bulbs are approximately four times more efficient than
conventional light bulbs and last up to ten times longer. In
the long run, this saves a considerable amount of money and
energy and cuts back on the amount of greenhouse gases released
during electricity production.
Choose Non-Toxic Paints.
Conventional paints
are filled with volatile organic chemicals (VOCs)—chemicals
released into your indoor, household air. These toxins have
been linked to decreased respiratory function and a possible
increased risk of developing asthma and cancer. Natural paints
are now available that have eliminated VOCs and use ingredients
such essential oils, beeswax, plant dyes and natural minerals
instead.
Bathe Faster, Smarter.
Every minute you
are in the shower, another 6 gallons of water go down the drain.
Shortening your bathing time helps conserve water, as does
reducing the amount of time you spend in the shower and installing
a low-flow shower head to reduce water consumption by up to
50 percent. Other tips include keeping the thermostat on your
hot water heater at 120 degrees; washing your clothes in cold
water; and hanging clothes out to dry instead of tossing them
in the dryer.
Scrub with Natural Cleaners.
Conventional
household cleaners often contain oil-based solvents and glycol
ether, which are laden with harmful chemicals. Choose natural,
non-toxic alternatives instead to ensure a healthy indoor environment.
Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances.
Products
with the Energy Star label meet strict energy efficiency criteria
in order to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Star refrigerators are 15 percent more efficient than
other refrigerators, and televisions that have the Energy Star
label use half the electricity of regular TVs when they are
in standby mode.
Fill Your Home with Plants.
House plants
absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. In addition, spider
plants and peace lilies remove carcinogens such as benzene
and formaldehyde from your indoor air. In the yard, plant native
vegetation suited to your climate. They require less attention
and resist pests and insects, while at the same time attracting
beneficial insects such as pollinating bees. Local plants also
require less fertilizer, pesticides and water.
Reuse, Recycle and Repair Your Stuff.
When
you throw out a household item instead of fixing it, you waste
all the energy that went into manufacturing and transporting
that object. Fix it instead and conserve the energy and raw
materials that would go into a replacement product. Other “green” tips
for reusing and recycling include donating used objects to
local thrift shops; recycling bottles and cans instead of tossing
them in the trash; and using rechargeable batteries whenever
possible.
