5 Simple Steps to Green Living

Spring is the season to recognize the beauty of nature as life begins and flourishes before our eyes. Earth Hour, Earth Day, and Arbor Day all fall within a month of one another further reminding us of the impacts and responsibilities we have to our planet. Green living is about taking steps in one's lifestyle to reduce negative impact to the planet. Going green not only helps the planet, but contributes to the health and well-being of the individual and family that takes steps to live green. The following lists 5 simple steps to green living.

1. Reduce your paper usage: This encompasses a wide range of practices. Instead of packing your groceries into paper bags, buy reusable canvas bags that can take load after load of items from the market for years to come. In the home, you can switch from using paper towels to cloth towels. Do you get mounds of useless junk mail too? Contact the companies which send you junk mail and ask them to stop. Following these links will also give you tips on reducing the amount of junk mail you receive-

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2. Reduce Energy Usage: Make sure you have CFL's or Compact Fluorescent Lamps, in light fixtures. They are known to save an average of $30 per lamp over a lifetime of usage by comparison to incandescent lamps. Use power strips to plug in computers, printers and other electronics so they can be completely shut off at night and not drain power. If you've been looking at a new washer and dryer or other household appliance, find ones with the Energy Star logo which usually use 20-30% less energy than required by federal standards. However, now that the weather is warmer and the sun is out, you can't beat the efficiency of line drying your laundry. If you have a lawn, let it grow just a bit longer and cut it with a powerless hand push mower. Longer grass converts more carbon dioxide into oxygen. Using a push mower gives you a workout without creating pollution. Clippings can be gathered for a compost pile.

3. Reduce Water Usage: It is easy not to realize just how much water is running down the drain when we leave a tap running or take a few extra minutes soaking in the shower. Turn the water off when not directly in use such as when brushing your teeth. Cut a minute off of your shower time and don't fill the bath tub quite so full to conserve more water. In the yard, attach nozzles with a lever that allows them to be turned off when they are not in use. If a spring rain is coming, where possible reclaim rainwater and use it for the garden. Be careful not to allow stagnant water to sit uncovered and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes however.

4. Locally Grown Produce: The most local produce you can find is what you would grow in your own backyard. Even if you live in an urban setting, it's possible to create a small garden and catch on to the trend of urban homesteading. Many types of vegetables are easy to grow in containers and raised garden beds. For those in an urban setting, increased plant life has the added positive effect of reducing pollution. If you've collected the lawn clippings from the idea above and have a good compost pile going, shred the last of your junk mail and use this as garden fertilizer instead of a host of chemical products. If gardening in your own backyard isn't an option, check for local farmers markets or small produce stores that buy locally grown items. They are apt to be fresher without the travel distances, and the pollution created to get them to your grocer is reduced.

5. Move Your Body: The New Year's Resolution to lose weight has long passed and you might wish you had more to show for it. But, now that the weather is better take advantage of opportunities to walk or bike to the store, the bank or the post office. Encourage your kids to walk or bike to school rather than taking the bus or a convenient ride in the family car. Not only will you cut down on the gas bill and pollution, your waistline will see a difference too.