In a few weeks, I’ll be graduating from the University of Kansas. This graduation will mark the end of my college career as well as the end of my internship at Natural Home, but it won’t end with a fizzle. Instead, in an effort to combine these two momentous occasions, I’ll be hosting a green graduation party. I’ve learned so much about living a greener life while at Natural Home, and here are the things I’ll be considering when planning my eco-friendly bash:

Instead of buying fancy centerpieces, opt for a more natural (and earth-friendly) approach. Arrange in-season fruits and vegetables in bowls, and fill any empty spaces with potted plants and herbs. Photo by Cherry and Eric/Courtesy Flickr

Food and Drinks

-I’ve written a lot about buying organic and local foods, as well as about how to be a greener cook, and here’s my chance to finally practice what I’ve preached. Of all my green grocery tips, I’ll mainly be focusing on buying organic and in-season produce, and of course using all those canvas shopping bags I’ve been hoarding.

-When deciding what to serve, I’ll be looking up great finger food recipes. Finger foods are fun to eat, plus they cut down on the number of plates and utensils people use.

-With all the leftovers that I’m bound to end up with, this will be the perfect opportunity for me to start a compost pile instead of just throwing out all the extra food.

-Any alcohol I buy will be organic or local. The Organic Wine Company offers a plethora of wine choices from all over the nation and world, while I have two great local breweries to choose from: Free State Brewing Company and 23rd St. Brewery.

-Because aluminum cans and glass bottles are easy to recycle, I’ll be serving soda that comes in either of those two containers. In addition, I’ll place easily accessible and clearly marked recycling bins around so people know where to put each container when they’re done with their beverage.

-For after-dinner treats, I’ll brew Mother Earth News Conscientious Coffees and Teas for an early evening eco-friendly caffeine boost.

-I’ll serve water and mixed drinks in some extra vases and old wine bottles instead of buying new pitchers. I don’t need any more stuff, and my goal is to use as much from around my house as possible.

Decorations

-Making and sending party invitations is always fun, but it creates a lot of waste. Instead, I’ll be sending e-vites to my guests. It’s faster than standard mail, and only requires the amount of energy to view it once or twice. Still, if you want to make invites, you can repurpose old magazines and stuff from around your house to add a touch of uniqueness to each one.

-For place cards, I’m going to use wine corks and paint chips (which I collect). Just a slice down the middle of the top of the cork serves as a snug holder for the paint chip, on which I’ll write each guest’s name with nontoxic ink.

You can make creative place cards by slicing a cork and inserting a paint chip with the person’s name on it. Photo Courtesy Epicurious.

-Instead of wasting hundreds of paper napkins, I’m going to provide my guests with cloth bandanas. It’ll add a bit of sophistication to the party, plus it’s been my experience that people don’t waste as many cloth napkins as paper ones, which will greatly cut down on waste generation.

-If I end up needing more tables and chairs than I have, I’m going to rent more instead of buying them. Again, I don’t need any new stuff, and renting is a very practical alternative to buying all new products.

-I can already tell that I won’t have enough dishes and silverware for all my guests from my own stash, and because I refuse to use all disposable items, I’ll ask friends if they have any I can borrow. This way, the place settings will have an eclectic feel instead of being too formal. And, of course, I’ll be washing the many after-party dishes in an Energy Star-rated dishwasher because it’ll be more energy efficient than washing them all by hand.

-Instead of buying anything pre-made, I’ll be making my own table centerpieces out of colorful in-season fruits and vegetables and scattering potted plants and herbs around the tables, too. My guests and I can consume the fruits and veggies either at the party or after, and I can give away the potted plants and herbs or plant them in a garden at a later date. These are both much more sustainable choices than cut flowers, but if flowers are what you want, make sure to buy local and organic ones.

-Because graduation is in May, there is a good chance the weather will permit an outdoor get-together, or at least will provide enough natural light that I won’t have to turn on many lights inside. Taking advantage of natural light is a great way to save on energy bills as well as add some ambience to any party.

I recently wrote about my first green grocery trip and what I learned from that experience. Now I’m moving into the next stage: what to do with all that eco-friendly food. Buying green groceries is just half the battle; preparing and cooking them responsibly is just as important.

Buying local and organic foods is great, but it's just as important to cook in eco-friendly ways. Photo by _nezemnaya_/Courtesy Flickr

-Cooking responsibly means using eco-friendly cookware and kitchen utensils. PristinePlanet.com offers a variety of eco-friendly cookware options, including cast iron skillets, pots and frying pans. For kitchen utensils, I turn to Natural Home’s own line of sustainable food prep products made from bamboo.

-When cooking with oil or vinegar, use a non-aerosol brand such as Gourmè Mist. These misters contain no alcohol, additives or chemical propellants and the bottles are recyclable, which makes them a healthier choice for you and the environment.

-If you have the funds, switch out your old refrigerator with an Energy Star-rated one. I know this has more to do with food storage than food prep, but this can really save you money on your electric bills and decrease your total carbon footprint. If you can’t afford to get a new fridge, always try to keep your refrigerator full. This ensures that the fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to cool a small amount of food.

-Grow your own vegetables and herbs. I found an easy no-dig garden recipe that consists of cutting drainage holes in bags of topsoil, then cutting away the tops and planting your seeds or transplants directly in the bags. Genius! Cooking with your own veggies and herbs means fresher produce and the peace of mind of knowing where your food is coming from. If you have a little greener of a thumb, NRG offers an array of gardening tools, and Tasteful Garden can supply you with live transplants to get you started.

I’ve also collected some cooking tips that can help you decrease the amount of energy you use while cooking.

-Cut your food into smaller pieces before you cook it. This will shorten the cooking time on denser foods like meat and potatoes, which will in turn decrease the required energy.

-Cook more than one item at a time. For example, you can boil pasta and eggs simultaneously—even if they’re not for the same recipe—thereby cutting down on your energy use.

-Invest in pots, pans and casserole dishes with tight-fitting lids, then keep the lids on while cooking to reach the desired temperature quickly. This allows you to cook your favorite foods in less time, and decreases your carbon footprint in the process.

With all the clothing options out there, make sure you keep the planet in mind when you’re shopping the racks. Photo by jcolman/Courtesy Flickr.

On my quest to slowly green my life, I realize that there is still one huge facet of my life that I haven’t really dealt with yet: my wardrobe. Most of my favorite shirts, skirts and dresses—many made from fabric hodgepodges—weren’t very Earth-friendly. For the first time, I was ashamed of my clothes.

I’ve decided that from now on, I’ll be keeping the planet in mind when I shop. Here are some of the things I’ll be considering the next time I buy clothes.

There are some really great Earth-friendly fabrics out there, each with its own list of benefits, and here are the three I’ll focus on in the future.

-Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides and is processed without chemical dyes or bleach—which means fewer chemicals for you to worry about. Organic cotton is the eco-friendly version of a classic, so one of its biggest benefits is its familiarity; it’s a fabric that everyone has grown up with, so there are no surprises down the road, like how it feels or how to care for it. Sites such as NaturalClothingCompany.com offer a wide variety of organic cotton apparel.

-Hemp is another viable clothing option. It is a very renewable resource because it grows so quickly, and is naturally resistant to weeds and other pests, so it doesn’t require any chemicals to grow. I’ve never worn hemp before, so I can’t attest to its comfort, but looking at sites like TheHempest.com really makes me want to try some on.

-Bamboo may seem an odd choice to use, but it is actually extremely soft when made into fabric. Like hemp, bamboo is a very renewable resource, and it, too, requires no chemicals to grow. One of bamboo’s downsides is that much of the bamboo used in the US is actually shipped from other parts of the world. So, although it is a sustainable resource itself, some consider it light-green because of its shipping requirements. BambooClothes.com is a good resource both to buy bamboo products as well as to learn more about bamboo textiles.

Garments aren’t the only items going green. Shoes also have a place in the spotlight.

-SimpleShoes.com has shown me that shoes can be both eco-friendly and fashion-friendly. Shoe materials range from hemp and organic cotton to recycled inner tubes and 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper.

Buying eco-friendly is one thing, but what about the stuff I already have? Here are a few ways I’ve found to responsibly repurpose my old clothes.

-From green craft projects to hosting a clothing swap party, the possibilities are endless for how to reuse and repurpose your unwanted clothes.

-If you don’t have the time (or ability) to make new things, consider selling your clothes to a resale clothing store, like Plato’s Closet, or any local consignment shop. That way, you can gain a little green while staying green.

-If all else fails, donate your clothes to a local donation center, like Goodwill, so someone else can benefit from your boundless generosity.

Buying organic and local groceries is great, but make sure to budget yourself and prioritize if money is tight. Photo by cafemama/Courtesy Flickr.

I went on my first “green” grocery shopping trip last week to The Community Mercantile near my apartment in Lawrence, Kansas. I was charged with the green spirit, determined to finally turn my life around. I wanted to buy groceries that satisfied more than just my stomach; I wanted to help support local farmers and producers. I wanted organic and all-natural foods. I wanted that feeling of knowing that my dollars were being spent responsibly and conscientiously.

In short, I wanted to practice what I’ve been preaching about greening my life.

What I ended up doing was going overboard.

The Merc is a great store. It exudes a genuine eco-friendly vibe, and I got swept up in it all. I wanted everything I saw; organic produce, local sourdough bread, homemade granola, Annie’s all-natural mac and cheese, Amy's organic soups, organic yogurts and tortillas and pastas…EVERYTHING. I went up and down the aisles spotting these all-natural crackers and those local and organic baked beans, and it was all I could do not to fill my basket to the brim.

When all was said and done, I had purchased almost $50 worth of groceries, but soon realized that I didn’t have much to show for it. Sure, I’d done just what I wanted to do (buy groceries that benefit more people than just myself), but I’d also spent $48.63 on a mere 22 items—including three avocados and four bananas—averaging out to about $2.21 per item.

To be honest, I was a little distraught. As I looked at my short receipt, I wondered how I could have spent so much on so few items when I could have bought more at a store like Dillon’s for much less?

It was then that I realized that the best course of action for someone on a budget—like myself—is to prioritize your green shopping. It’s no secret that local and organic foods are more expensive (in large part because they’re of higher quality), so if you don’t have the green to go all-green yet, buy the things that matter most to you. For instance, many people value organic milk and meats over other products, so that is the part of their food budget they’re willing to stretch. Just because something is organic or local or all-natural doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right product for you right now. By prioritizing your green shopping, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and more in control of your spending, which will help you stay on the green path. Once money isn’t so tight, you can invest more in buying all the things you couldn’t afford before.

Besides, there are other ways to go green that are far less taxing on your wallet. You can bike or carpool to work, reform your dishwashing routine, and use plastic bag alternatives to name a few.

This was a really important lesson for me to learn because it affects my life every day. Of course I want to be as green as possible, but I also want to keep my bank account in the green. For now, I’m going to focus on organic milk and produce, because those are things I really value. Buying organic can really make a difference in how healthy fruits and vegetables are, especially considering pesticide exposure. And maybe I can treat myself every so often with some local bread or all-natural mac and cheese.

This truly was a lesson in greening my life, one small step at a time.

Passover is the perfect time to incorporate local and organic foods into your life. Photo By @MSG/Courtesy Flickr.

This year, Passover is couched between Earth Hour (March 28) and Earth Day (April 22), and what better way to continue your commitment to the planet than by preparing and hosting a green seder? Passover starts today and continues on through next week (April 8-16), but there is still time to incorporate a little green into your holiday.

Preparation

-A staple of Passover is the pre-Passover cleaning to get rid of all the bread in your home. Instead of defaulting to just any store-bought cleaner, invest in cleaners that are nontoxic and are made from natural ingredients. If you’re looking to buy a safe cleaner, Seventh Generation offers a wide variety. If you want to venture into darker green territory, try making your own cleaners from ingredients you can find around your home.

-Flowers are a great way to decorate your home for this spring holiday. If you grow your own flowers, display them proudly around your home for your family and friends. If you want to buy flowers, make sure they are locally grown, and preferably organic. Potted flowers and herbs are a more sustainable option because they last longer; plus, you can give them away at the end of the meal as parting gifts.

Shopping

-Always try to remember to BYOB—bring your own bags. This way, you don’t have tons of unwanted extra plastic or paper bags floating around your home after a large shopping trip.

-When possible, buy local and organic foods. An easy way to incorporate local and organic food into your seder is by buying free-range and organic eggs, local fruits and vegetables and local meats. Local kosher meats can be hard to come by, though, so when local isn’t an option, you can still opt for organic with Wise Organic Pastures. Buying organic and/or local matzah is another great way to stay green during Passover. If a local bakery offers matzah that is kosher for Passover, consider yourself lucky and buy some right away. Otherwise, check out Matzah Online for a variety of handmade and organic matzah.

-When choosing a wine, go organic, too. If a local winery makes wine that is kosher for Passover (because not all wines are), buy some of its wine. Otherwise, try a wine from Four Gates—located in California—or visit KosherWine.com for a large selection from around the world.

The Meal

-Make your charoset with local or organic apples and fairly traded nuts. Equal Exchange offers a variety of fair-trade products, including pecans and almonds. For a little extra green, you can also grate horseradish root by hand instead of buying pre-made horseradish.

-If you are attending a seder, try carpooling to limit the number of cars on the road (and thus the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere.)

-Break out the good china instead of relying on disposable plates and utensils. This will help decrease your waste production. And if you have a lot of guests (which means a lot of dirty dishes at the end of the night), wash your dishes in the dishwasher (preferably an Energy Star-rated one) to cut down on wasted water from handwashing (unless you’re using the two-tub method, in which case, go for it!)

-After the meal is over, you are bound to have copious leftovers. Salvage what you can to eat throughout the week, and compost the rest. If you have extra matzah after Passover ends and don’t know what to do with it, make a diorama with it and enter it into The Jew & The Carrot’s Matzah Diorama Contest.

A green life starts with a green morning. Without a routine to set the eco-friendly vibe, it’s difficult for me to stay in a green state of mind. To that end, my next logical step toward a greener existence is reforming my morning routine, from my bedding to my breakfast. These are some ways in which I hope to improve, or have already.

Morning routines are important for setting the tone for your whole day, and starting your day with these green tips in mind can help you stay on the right path. Photo by ewanr/Courtesy Flickr.

-Buying organic bedding is an investment in your health. Organic bedding and mattresses offer many advantages over conventional options, including reduced allergies and chemical sensitivities, as well as the joy of knowing that you’re supporting businesses that care about the earth as much as you do. After graduation I’ll be moving into a new home, which provides the perfect situation for buying all new bedding (which I will be taking full advantage of). Organic bedding companies abound, but I’ve been looking into Gaiam and CozyPure products. Ralph Lauren’s new “Spa” collection also offers a variety of bedding and home décor made with organic cotton.

-If you take your showers in the morning (which I rarely do because I never get up early enough), limit your water waste by closely monitoring your time. A quick 5- to 10-minute shower provides plenty of time to wash the sleep away without unnecessarily draining resources. Another way to conserve water in the shower is to install a showerhead shutoff button so you can shave or lather without wasting a ton of water. You can also opt to take a bath if you prefer to bathe longer. This way, the amount of water you use is not contingent upon how long you’re in the tub.

-When you’re washing up at the sink, turn off the water when you aren’t using it. This may seem a small task, but about two to four gallons of water go down the drain every minute. So if you’re brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes, you’re wasting between four and eight gallons every time you leave the water on while you brush. This rule is also applicable to shaving and washing your hands and face. If you must warm up the water before you get into the shower, collect the wasted water for watering your plants.

-To avoid harmful chemicals and unnatural ingredients in your morning routine, try homemade recipes for toothpaste and mouthwash. I’ve heard that natural toothpaste tastes a little funny at first (it’s not as sweet because it doesn’t contain as many sweeteners), but after a month or so of consistent use, conventional toothpaste tastes unnaturally sweet. As far as products go, I’ve heard of a company called Preserve that makes a variety of products, such as razors and toothbrushes, out of 100 percent recycled plastic, including Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups. When you’re ready to replace your razor or toothbrush, you can send them back with a postage-paid label from Preserve to be recycled yet again into plastic lumber for decks, park benches and more. These can also be recycled anywhere #5 plastic is accepted.

Preserve products are made from 100 percent recycled plastic, and can be recycled wherever #5 plastic is accepted. You can also send them back to Preserve, and they’ll recycle them for you. Photo Courtesy Preserve.

-Finally, a green morning routine isn’t complete without a healthy breakfast. Buying local produce is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to start eating green. This helps support local businesses and farms, and also cuts down on carbon emissions necessary to ship fruits and vegetables from farther away. Another way to stay eco-conscious is to purchase fair trade and organic coffees and teas. I prefer Mother Earth News Conscientious Coffees and Teas because they are organic and triple-certified fair trade, and I like supporting a magazine that cares about the environment.

Mother Earth News Conscientious Coffees and Teas are triple-certified fair trade and organic (which is good for the farmers and the planet), and are affordable (which is good for your wallet.) Photo Courtesy CuppaJane.

Getting myself around in the morning is a daunting task at times, but keeping these tips in mind helps me stay focused on what’s really important: my health and the health of my planet.

Last week was spring break, and I had a blast. I also realized that while breaks are a great time to kick back and relax, that doesn’t mean you have to take a break from your eco-friendly lifestyle. Here is how I lived it up while keeping the planet in mind.

First, I drove up to Des Moines, Iowa, to see my boyfriend. My new car gets a little better gas mileage than my old one, but it’s still no hybrid. However, what made this trip particularly green was that I took on another passenger that was headed my way. A friend of mine needed a lift up there, so we went together instead of taking separate cars.

In Des Moines, my boyfriend and I spent much of the time doing things that required little to no external energy sources. We spent two afternoons feeding geese and ducks by a cemetery pond. This was a nice way to spend some time outside in the beautiful weather and to interact with nature. We walked to the grocery store and rode our bikes together just for fun. We watched Netflix movies that were shipped to my apartment instead of having to drive all over town looking for movies we wanted to watch. (While I understand that it still takes energy to ship these movies, we didn’t have to waste gas or time on our end, so I still think the effect is positive overall.) We also cooked outside on the grill a few times, alleviating the need to power up any electric appliances. And, when we weren’t doing any of those things, we were mostly just spending time together at home.

We drove back to Kansas mid-break to see his parents, and to chill out in Lawrence at my apartment. While in Lawrence, we spent two afternoons riding the tandem bicycle he bought us for our three-year anniversary. I like to call it “bike-pooling.”

Although this isn’t our exact tandem bicycle, this is what it looks like. Riding a tandem bicycle is an awesome way for two people to get somewhere and have fun in the process. By bert_m_b/Courtesy Flickr

To save gas, we stayed in to watch basketball (instead of venturing to a bar).. The fantastic weather also afforded me the luxury of finally turning off my heating unit in my apartment, and I even opened the windows to feel the breeze.

On Sunday, when my boyfriend finally had to travel back to Des Moines, he took a Greyhound bus from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, instead of both of us driving our cars to Kansas from Des Moines, and then him driving back.

This may not seem like the most exciting spring break, but I am more than content with how it turned out. Not only did I get to spend time with someone I love, but I also found ways to stay green while still having fun.

I’ve only had one cat, and that was when I was about 8 years old. He was a black cat named Spooky, which was fitting because he used to hide under the bed and attack my feet when I would walk by. This scared the compost right out of me.

I’ve never really been a cat person, but cats are the only other animal after a dog that I’d want to own, so I’m considering not only how I could own a green dog, but also how I could own a green cat.

Creating a garden with cat-friendly herbs and plants for your feline friend is a safe way for him to spend time outside. Photo By OiMax/Courtesy Flickr

-Just as with dogs, adopting a cat from your local shelter or Humane Society is one of the greenest things you can do. This way, you can help decrease the growing number of unwanted pets while finding a new best friend. Spaying or neutering your cat is another important step in green pet ownership. This will help cut down on potentially unwanted kittens, thus preventing them from filling up the shelters.

-Use green products as often as you can, which includes what kind of litter you buy. Yesterday’s News is made from recycled newspaper and is not toxic if ingested. World’s Best Cat Litter is another option that is made from all-natural whole-kernel corn, which absorbs odors without the need for extra chemicals. Feline Pine is another all-natural litter that I hear is really good. Their website even offers tips on how to transition your cat to a new litter. Regardless of which litter is your match, do not dump the entire box every time you scoop. Don’t leave the litter in there forever, but dumping the entire box instead of scooping is extremely wasteful, no matter how eco-friendly the litter itself is.

-Instead of buying expensive and potentially harmful toys, amuse your cat with safe items from around your house. Simply tie some fabric strips to the end of a stick with a long string and watch the hilarity ensue. Cats love to play, and they don’t care how much a toy costs as long as it’s fun to bat around. You can also plant a garden for your cat to play in, and fill it with cat-safe herbs and flowers. Catnip (or cat mint) is a favorite, and planting wheatgrass can give your friend something healthy to chew on outside. Just make sure to designate a spot for your cat to relieve himself. While this is a great idea, some plants are not safe for cats to ingest. The ASPCA provides lists of toxic and nontoxic.

-Treats are a great way to show your love, and making them at home can ensure you’re only feeding your feline friend the best. Here are some recipes I found that I might want to try.

I haven’t found nearly as many helpful sites about raising a green cat as I found about raising a green dog, but they’re out there. I hope these tips, along with the first installation about dogs, has helped you focus on the simple things each pet owner can do in order to keep your furry friend—and the planet—healthy and happy.

All I can think about lately is the day I’ll finally have a dog again. I grew up with dogs (often more than one at a time) constantly around me until about 8^th grade, so I have been living with an ever-growing a dog-shaped hole in my life, and once I graduate that dream will finally be realized. However, I understand that there is a lot to consider with this kind of choice, and having worked at Natural Home now for a while, I have even more to consider than just which breed and names I like.

You don't have to dye your dog green to have a green dog. Follow these tips to get started on greening your dog ownership. Photo by  Beau B /Courtesy of Flickr

While my boyfriend and I may bicker about the fine points, what we both agree on is that we will be as green in our pet ownership as possible. Even though we won’t have to make any big decisions for a few months still, we’ve already come up with some guidelines to follow:

-First and foremost, we want to adopt a “recycled” dog if at all possible. Adopting from a local shelter or Humane Society is important because those animals need homes, and there is limited space for all of them. I’ve volunteered at the Lawrence Humane Society, and I can attest that the people who work there take good care of the animals there, and they only want what’s best for them. Going to a shelter can feel overwhelming and tiresome, especially if there is a particular breed you are searching for, but at least consider checking out your local shelter before you contact a breeder.

-The next important step to green pet ownership is spaying or neutering. We both know this is important because it prevents unwanted puppies, and thus more animals in shelters. We don’t want to add to the problem of animal overpopulation—we want to be part of the solution.

-I’ve been really interested in making my own green products lately, and I plan on continuing that into the future. I’ve found some great dog treat recipes lately, like this one for homemade frosty paws, and I want to try them all out. This way, I can be sure that only the best ingredients go into our pup’s treats. Another way I can be sure this is to feed it organic food.

-Making toys is another venture that can save you money and can ensure that your dog isn’t coming in contact with dangerous substances. One or two knots + a cotton towel or wool sock = hours of fun for your best friend.

Enough sites exist with information about owning a green pet to make your head spin, and it can be overwhelming sifting through everything. I’ve found the Raise a Green Dog blog extremely helpful and entertaining. It features products and tips that I never would have thought about (like using dog- and eco-friendly melting salt to help keep your pet and your rivers healthy and chemical-free), plus an engaging blog to help you through the green transition.

A lot can happen if you don’t pay close attention to your shopping habits. You could end up with a wardrobe consisting of the same two colors. You could blow your rent money on a new digital camera.

You could also eventually build up an arsenal of plastic bags and not have any idea what to do with them.

Photo by  The BrassPotato /Courtesy flickr

I have fallen victim to all of these pitfalls, and while I have taken measures to rectify the first two, I find myself constantly swimming in plastic bags, shoving them into cabinets just to keep them out of sight. Well, I will shove no more! It’s time to use plastic bag alternatives, and to make as much use of the bags I’ve accidentally collected.

• The best way to cut down on plastic bag buildup is to avoid plastic bags all together. Switching to more sustainable options, like canvas or burlap, is easy and stylish. Many grocery stores sell some sort of tote bag, usually made of canvas or recycled plastic, with their logo on it. You can also buy bags from other stores, such as Baggy Shirts, which makes bags out of recycled clothing.

• While buying the canvas bag is the first step, you have to actually use it for it to be effective. I’ve bought so many bags for grocery shopping, but I have yet to ever really use them. I either forget them at home or end up buying more than can fit in the ones I did bring. To combat this problem, I’m going to start keeping them in my trunk so I am never without at least a few.

So, what about the plastic bags I have stashed around my apartment?

• So far, I’ve mainly used mine to line the small trash cans in my bathroom and by my bed. I know they’re still going in the trash, but at least they’re serving a purpose instead of just taking up space.

• I don’t have a dog or cat (yet), so I have no poop to scoop. However, for those of you who do, plastic bags can make cleaning up after your pet a little less stomach-churning. This is the same concept as using them to line trash cans; they’re still being thrown away (bad), but they’re being put to good use.

• Possibilities abound for craft projects using plastic bags. From making plastic bag yarn to knitting an entire ensemble out of plastic bags, Craftzine has you covered.

• Try this do-it-yourself project from Natural Home. It provides step-by-step instructions for making durable lunch totes from unwanted plastic bags. Just another way to green your lunch.

• Check out this feature on shoes made from plastic bags. You might not be able to make them yourself, but perhaps it will inspire your own creativity.

Cutting down on plastic bags, and responsibly reusing the ones you have, is yet another step toward full-on greendom.

Save water and money when doing dishes by investing in a sink stopper.

Courtesy of steev-o/flickr

I recently went to the store to buy a sink stopper so I could stop running the water when I wash my dishes by hand. “How very green of me,” I thought as I paid my $5, excited to try out my newest green product. When I got home, I put the stopper in the sink, turned on the water and watched as…it let all the water run down the drain. Apparently, my sink drain is not what the stopper package would consider “of average size,” and I was left with a device that only delivered on half of its promises; its food-catching skills were exemplary, but I knew I needed to find other ways to green my dishwashing routine.

I don’t particularly love washing dishes, but it a necessary evil. It’s also another area of my life that could use some revision. I have made a few small steps toward a greener dishwashing routine, but on the whole, it still leaves much to be desired. So, here are some tips that I’ve collected (and some that I practice myself) that will make washing dishes less of a drain on the planet.

If washing by hand:

• Don’t leave the water running as you’re washing and rinsing. The best way to accomplish this is by placing a tub of hot water in each side of the sink: one for washing, one for rinsing. The washing tub should have very hot, soapy water in it to ensure that you’re getting your dishes as clean as possible, and that no germs are left behind. As far as I know, the rinsing tub can contain water at any temperature; this tub is just to prevent water waste.

• If, like me, you don’t have two sides to your sink, simply stopper your drain (like I tried to do), fill the sink no more than halfway with hot, soapy water, and dig in. You’ll just have to rinse them after you’re all done.

• After washing and rinsing your dishes, place them on a drying rack instead of using cloth or paper towels. This cuts down on both spreading germs (cloth towels) and waste (paper towels).

If washing via dishwasher:

• Only run full loads of dishes.

• Skip the dry cycle option and let your dishes air-dry.

• Don’t wash your dishes off before you put them in the dishwasher. This is double-duty for you, and it’s double the energy waste.

• If possible, invest in an energy-efficient dishwasher. Energy Star dishwashers are very popular. 

Personally, I’m interested in starting to make some of my own household cleaners, and in that vein, here are a few recipes from The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier.

Dishwashing Blues Blend

Liquid castile soap

10 drops lemon essential oil

6 drops bergamot essential oil

4 drops lavender essential oil

2 drops orange essential oil

Fill a clean 22-ounce plastic squirt bottle with castile soap (diluted according to directions if using concentrate). Add the essential oils. Shake the bottle before each use. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the liquid to dishwater and wash as usual.

Lavender Lift Automatic Dishwasher Powder

2 cups washing soda

2 cups borax

20 drops lavender essential oil

Combine all ingredients, taking care to blend in the essential oil well. Store in a plastic container. Use 2 tablespoons per load of dishes.

Photo by 46137/Courtesy flickr

Lunchtime is your time.

You work hard for your afternoon break. You file, type labels, answer phones, do research and complete a million other tasks every day at work (at least I do). And that glorious break is all that stands between you and complete insanity. Well, Mother Nature works hard, too. Nurturing all life on this planet is a consuming job, and she deserves a break, too.

Here’s your chance to give Mother Nature a break. By following these simple tips and tricks, greening your lunch can be a real piece of (organic) cake.

-The best way to green your lunch is by making and bringing your own. This way, you know exactly what’s going into your grub—which is healthier for you—and you don’t waste gas idling in a fast food drive-up lane—which is healthier for Mom.

-Pack your lunch in reusable containers to cut down on waste. I use Tupperware to hold the bulk of my meal (i.e., angel hair and meat sauce, lasagna, soup, etc). I know plastic is not an ideal “green” solution to the question of reusable containers, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten thus far.

-Don’t use plastic bags. I know it’s tempting to use them for small bulk items like carrot sticks or even to house a sandwich, but these just end up in the trash. For things like carrots and grapes, use a smaller version of the reusable containers of your choice. And use sandwich holders for your sandwiches (because I bring a lot of sandwiches, this is my next green lunch goal). LunchBots offers one- and two-compartment 100% stainless steel containers that make packing a healthy and eco-friendly lunch easy as (locally grown cherry) pie.

-Tote your lunch in an old-school lunchbox, or even in a canvas bag. This will keep your lunch more stable, which is especially beneficial for preserving easily-bruised fruits. Here is one woman’s quest to find the perfect sustainable lunchbox.

-If you need utensils, bring silverware from home instead of using disposable plasticware. Again, this will cut down on plastic waste.

-Carry your drink in eco-friendly canisters. I got a Klean Kanteen for Hanukkah this year, and it has served me very well. Here is an article explaining why buying bottled water is a waste of money.

-This is a step above where I’m at, but if you really want to reduce your waste, bring and use organic cloth napkins instead of paper ones.

-Finally, if you just can’t kick that fast food craving, try to put together a carpool so you’ll at least be able to cut the number of cars out during the lunch rush, thus decreasing your (and your coworkers’) carbon footprint.

As I finish this post, my Granny Smith core sits atop my desk. I could just toss it in the trash (it’s biodegradable, right?) But instead, I’m going to add it to my office’s compost pile. Just one more way I show my Mother I love her.

I love green.

They say geniuses pick green (and even though I don’t know who “they” are, I can certainly get on board with that). But beyond that, green just has a bright, likeable quality that fits very well into my life. Which is convenient because, not only does it adorn about 90 percent of my belongings, but now, as a brand spanking new intern for Natural Home magazine, it’s also my job. That is, it’s my job to bring to the public sensible tips on how to green your life in bite-size bits that are easy to incorporate into every day life.

In honor of my new job, I’d like to start with tips about how to make commuting a little greener. I live in Lawrence, Kansas, but my internship is in Topeka, so I commute about 120 miles a week (60 miles round trip, twice a week.) I don’t own a hybrid or electric car, but I’ve found plenty of ways to make commuting a bit less burdensome on the planet.

     -Whenever possible, walk or bike to work. Neither of these modes of transportation uses fuel, thus they emit no pollution. Plus, they’re good for the body, and both allow you to take in the scenery around you. There are even some programs that work with companies to encourage employees to walk or carpool to work. Check out CommuterChoice for more info.

     -If your work is too far away to walk or bike to, you can look into getting a scooter or electric bike. Here is a blog post from Scientific American explaining their benefits.

No matter how green you might want to be, though, reality sets in at some point, often making it too difficult and inconvenient to follow the above advice. I feel you, people. I have two jobs, and neither one is within walking or biking distance. However, there are still ways to commute that you can feel good about.

     -Use public transportation as often as possible. If no buses run a route you need, try setting up a carpool with some fellow employees. This will help cut down on the number of cars heading in the same direction, and will save everyone a little gas money (as long as everyone pitches in).

     -Driving the speed limit (say, 65 mph) will help keep your tailpipe pollution to a minimum. The faster you go, the less efficiently your car runs. Plus, burning rubber on the highway only saves you a few minutes, when some careful planning could eliminate your need to speed.

     -Instead of immediately running your A/C while driving around town, try using your car's air vents or rolling down the windows and enjoying the breeze. It’s a free, fresh and pollutant-free way to cool down on the go. While rolling down the windows works well for driving short distances, there is a bit of disagreement about whether or not it is as efficient for longer trips or highway driving. Articles from the California Energy Commission and Mother Earth News both offer good info about it, so you can make an informed decision.

For the latest car ratings and to view more green driving tips, visit www.greenercars.org.