Eco Friendly New Year's Resolutions

Dec 16, 2009 Posted | 1 comment

Just a Few Earth Friendly New Year’s Resolutions

It’s not even Christmas yet and my mind’s already on setting goals for 2010. Of course most of us will add eat right, exercise more, etc. to the list, but this is the year to also start thinking about the environment and your health (if you’re not already there).

Here are some New Year’s resolutions tips, most of them “green.”

Cut sugar from your diet. It’ll do your body and mind wonders (see my Avoid Sugar post from November 26^th).

Use recyclable bags when you shop for food. Whether you’re going to the grocery store or farmer’s market, don’t leave your house without those reusable bags. In fact, it’s always good to leave one or two in your trunk for unplanned trips.

Cut back on you time behind the wheel. Take mass transit. Telecommute a day or two each week. Carpool when possible. Even better, walk or bike when you’re only going short distances.

Opt for a Brita water filter over that plastic bottled water. It’s finally time to stop buying the plastic bottled water every week. If knowing plastic is just outright bad for the environment doesn’t motivate you to stop, be well aware that you will also save A LOT of money. Those cases of water add up. Yes, you have to suck it up and by the filter, etc, but it’s well worth it in the long run. And fyi, several bottled water brands do in fact use the same water that comes out of your faucet.

Eat more organic foods. The average child in the U.S. is exposed to 5 pesticides a day, whether they be in his or her food or water. Need I say more? Seek out my post from November 8^th to help you choose which foods you must buy organic, all due to the potential pesticide levels.

Use green, non-toxic cleaners in your home. You’ll experience improved sleep, less headaches and an overall sense of well being.

Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient LEDs or CFLs. Little do you know that lighting accounts for 15%-20% of most homes’ energy usage. In replacing bulbs, you will end up saving both time and money.

Replace old appliances. Opt for Energy Star energy efficient models instead.

Start using eco friendly laundry detergent. I recomment Win Detergent, especially if you’re an exerciser.

Be creative to cut water usage. Don’t leave the sink flowing when you brush your teeth. Cut back on the number of loads of laundry you do each week. Take shorter showers.

Wash your laundry in cold water. As washing machines are power suckers, this saves quite a bit of energy. You can even air dry your laundry. I do and really find that my clothes keep better because of it.