Eating Healthy While on Vacation
Eating healthy at home is a lot easier than it is to do it while you’re on vacation, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. The most important thing to do when you go on vacation is to plan ahead. Here are a few tips to help you eat healthy while on vacation.
1. Restaurants
When you decide where you’re going to go on vacation, go to the Internet to find restaurants in the area. Most restaurants have websites now so you’ll have the ability to see what their menu is and what the prices will be. This will help you to decide what you can have to eat. Sit-down restaurants will be better than fast food places, so you’ll want to look for those places; most hotels have them in their location so you’ll want to check with them as well.
2. Cook for yourself
If you get a room with a kitchen you can use that to your advantage. You can go to the store when you arrive at your destination and find things you can eat that are healthy for you. You’ll want to do meals that are easy since you’re on vacation. You don’t want to spend hours at a time cooking. Some rooms don’t have a full kitchen, but they have partial ones and you can still make it work. Come up with meals that don’t require cooking or if they have a microwave, come up with things you can cook in there.
3. Grocery Store
If you don’t have the ability to eat at restaurants and you can’t cook for yourself, you can make things work by shopping at the grocery store each day. You can purchase things you can eat without warming them up and that will help you to eat healthy. Before you travel come up with meals you can eat without the need for an oven, range, or microwave. This may include fruit salads, fresh salad, sandwiches, and other meals that can be made using items from the store.
4. Bring your own food
If you are traveling by car you can use a cooler to bring your own food. Planning ahead so you have enough room in your cooler may require a trip or two to the grocery store, but starting out with food will help. You should consider bringing things that don’t require being cold which will help with room in your cooler and preventing money being spent at the store.
Just because you eat healthy doesn’t mean you can’t travel. There are many ways to handle your meals including the four mentioned in this article. The most important thing to remember is you can make it happen with a little work and preparation.
Saving Money When Shopping Gluten Free
A common comment I get from people is how EXPENSIVE it must be to buy gluten free food. It’s true, our grocery budget is a lot higher than it used to be. There are ways, however, to save money even when shopping for gluten free food.
Most people look for coupons to save money on groceries, but that’s not easy when you must buy gluten free foods. These products generally cost more than traditional (gluten containing) products and the manufacturers don’t produce coupons for them. That makes it more difficult to save money, but it’s still possible.
Many grocery stores have weekly ads that contain products that are on sale or on clearance. When this happens, it’s a good idea to stock up on items that are on sale and gluten free. This will help you to save money now and not have to pay the hire price later. When shopping the sale shelf, it’s important to look at expiration dates and make sure you can use the item before it expires. You won’t save money if you throw things away.
Depending on your location and what types of newspapers you have, you may not be able to find good coupons for the gluten free foods you purchase. Searching for coupons online is an alternative to the traditional newspaper coupon-clipping. You can sometimes find coupons online that aren’t available elsewhere. Another option is to check the manufacturer’s website, or even email the manufacturer to ask if they have coupons available.
Keep track of prices for items you use regularly. Know the prices at various stores in your area, and stock up when you find a deal. You may need to regularly go to more than one grocery store if they each have better deals on different items.
Online shopping can be a nice alternative for non-perishable food items. We buy many items in bulk online and can get a much better deal that way. Even with shipping, the cost is sometimes reduced by buying in bulk.
Ask your local natural foods store or gluten free food store if they offer loyalty discount cards, or even a discount for buying in bulk. The Whole Foods Store near us offers a “case discount” on any item where you purchase twelve or more. That extra 10% off can be significant savings if purchasing things like a dozen gluten free, dairy free yogurt.
The bottom line is that there ARE ways to save money when shopping gluten free; you just have to look a little more closely than when doing ‘traditional’ grocery shopping.
What ways have you found to stretch your gluten free grocery budget? I’d love to hear them!
Getting Enough Healthy Fats and Oils, Is it Really That Important?
Growing up in the phase of low fat, where the fad was that we should only eat items with “low fat” or “nonfat” on the label, it might be confusing to understand why people are talking about the benefit of full fat and healthy oils. The odd thing is that generation has also seen a huge increase in obesity.
What happens when an item is labeled “low fat” or “nonfat”? Something has to replace the fat in the processed food and that item is typically sugar. This leads to the body’s increased feeling of hunger and the consequent storage of fat. If you are eating a diet with healthy fats, you feel full faster as the product is less processed, or not at all, and you’re more able to control what you eat. Obviously this means you will make healthier food choices.
The concern is over the saturated fats in meats and cheese. As a whole our society gets too many Omega 6 fatty acids (again, think meat and cheese), and not enough high quality fats. The health promoting fats help your body maintain its blood sugar level. Blood sugar that is out of control may lead to illness and disease. So it’s simple, really. Eat high quality foods, in particular, the oils and fats we need. You’ll feel better and will weigh less.
Foods we need to avoid include:
- Fried foods
- shortening
- partially hydrogenated oils
- margarine
- palm oils
- lard
- ease up on the hard cheese, baked goods and red meat.
Foods we want to choose more often include:
- Nuts
- seeds
- tuna
- salmon
- nut butters
- avocados
Oils to specifically implement into your diet include:
- Sesame oil
- olive oil
- safflower oil
The fatty acids we need for optimal functioning of the cells in our bodies, such as EPA and DHA aren’t hard to come by when you eat the foods mentioned above. These foods fight inflammation and maintain healthy skin. Your nails and hair will grow faster and more smoothly. Your nervous system will function more optimally and your vision will also benefit.
How much of these foods and oils do we need every day?
For oils the average serving size is 1 tsp and 4-7 servings per day is sufficient. That looks like a handful of olives, a quarter of an avocado and putting mayonnaise on your sandwich for lunch. Using walnut oil in your baking is a good idea and lends a great taste, and sautéing foods in coconut and olive oil.
For nuts and seeds, again, think in terms of a small handful. For nut butters, whatever you smear on your bread or rice cake or scoop into a small dish for dipping will be sufficient. You’ll want up to two servings per day of nuts and seeds.
What’s all this talk about supplementation? Here’s the thing: we get too many Omega 6 fatty acids from our meat and dairy consumption and not enough Omega 3 fatty acids. Try as we might, our lives (mostly) aren’t conducive to eating the foods we need all the time, so we will require supplementation. To choose a fish oil means finding a cold, dark water fish oil that is certified and without contaminants.
Laundry Danger
Sometimes we don’t give much thought to where our laundry water goes when we are cleaning our clothes, or how the chemicals in the detergent affect the world around us. One of the most common ingredients in laundry detergent is phosphate, a chemical that is largely polluting the ocean along with other harmful chemicals. These chemicals can deplete water of oxygen and contribute to “dead zones” in the ocean; a place where the oxygen level is so low that nothing can survive in these areas. One of the world’s largest dead zones is off the Gulf of Mexico, where chemicals from the Mississippi river are dumped into the ocean.
An easy way to be part of the solution instead of part of the solution is to be conscious of the laundry detergent you are using and switch to a biodegradable detergent. The detergent we use is Norwex Ultra Power Plus. It is completely biodegradable and has no harmful chemical fillers. Switching to this type of laundry detergent will ensure that your laundry will not be harming the ocean. The average American uses around 32 pounds of laundry detergent a year and a billion gallons nation-wide. By switching to a biodegradable alternative you can feel confident that your impact is a positive one.
5 Ways to Be More Organized in the New Year
1-Get Clutter Free
- Go online and search this keyword phrase: junk mail opt out. Ridding yourself of the junk mail piles you end up recycling is worth your time.
- Spend ten minutes with each child in their closet…create piles for donation, handing down or mending.
- Go through your refrigerator and eliminate expired food.
- Dive into your own closet. If you haven’t worn it or thought about it in a year, time to move on.
- Use baskets. They are a great way to organize clutter, toys, remotes, mittens and hats or whatever needs to be out but simultaneously in hiding.
2-Take a Look at Your Pantry
- Take everything out and remove food with expired dates.
- Empty the four bags of opened raisins into one container with a tight sealing lid.
- Empty your torn and taped bag of flour into a large see through jar…see where we’re going with this?
- Prepare your pantry for shopping in bulk for the New Year. It will save you time and money.
- Paint the inside door of your pantry with chalkboard paint. Tie a piece of chalk to yarn and tie the yarn to a small screw so you always have an instant note pad for what pantry staples need replacing.
3-Delegate and Automate
- Think of what you can pass on to others as a favor or as a paid service. Most likely you will save time and money in your ability to focus on your work or your family instead of trimming your own trees or repainting your basement.
- Do your grocery shopping online. With most services your food will be delivered and with your local food co-op, you pay online and go pick up your food.
- What responsibilities can your babysitter take on while overseeing homework? Can he/she clean up the kitchen, chop veggies for dinner or fold a load of laundry?
- Think about your day digitally…do you have automatic backup plugged in for your hard drive? Are there any manual updates you make that you can automate?
4-Donate
- We are a society of Stuff. We have too much of it and need support going through it. Call your mom or best friend…she’d be happy to tell you what you don’t need anymore.
- Go online and search Do Good Donor. This will lead you to a list of charitable organizations you can choose to donate your items to.
- Make a monthly note on your calendar to take a walk through your home, setting aside items no longer in use or that would be better off in a new home. Call or email to choose a pick up date and set your items outside. It’s as easy as that.
5-Calendar
- When your life gets put on a calendar, the universe conspires to make things happen for you.
- Color code your children, spouse, family and work activities to keep things straight.
- Be sure to add timely reminders for: oil changes, changing furnace filters, outdoor window washing, renewing license tabs, etc. These are things that happen on a regular basis where you can put them in the calendar for the whole year during the first week of the New Year.
- Other things to pay attention to that benefit from getting space on the calendar:
- Be mindful of how quickly your pets go through their food. Always have an extra bag on hand or plug into your calendar to pick up more dog food a week before Rufus runs out.
- Library materials and when they are due.
- When deposits and tuition are due for children’s activities.
- Choosing a day and time for bill paying.
- Book club nights or your spouse’s volleyball league times.
Tips on Self Care for the Winter Months
With winter fully settled in, it’s hard not to settle into hibernation mode. Comfy couches, cozy blankets, movies, popcorn and wool socks call our names when the sun starts going down before 5pm. Winter is a time for reflection, rest and a recharging of the batteries. Follow these tips for taking care of yourself during the winter months:
- Hot baths are generally not encouraged as they dry out our skin, but if you’re struggling with a cold or flu, a warm soak in Epsom salts or tea tree oil dropped into your bath water is a welcome way to support stripping your body of toxins.
- If you’re struggling with an earache, rest that side of your head on a warm hot water bottle.
- Hot water bottles laid upon the chest for a cough and cold help to soothe the aching muscles and release congestion.
- Hot tea with honey and a splash of apple cider vinegar soothe sore throats just like that.
- Blending yourself a green smoothie every day will increase your energy, support your immune system and have you remembering that summer isn’t too far away!
- Creating homemade lotions and lip balms is a great way to care for your skin during the cold months.
- Fresh air. Yes, it might be cold out there, but a little fresh air goes a long way. When our homes are closed up for more months than they are open, we need the powerful cold air to hit our lungs, to pink up our cheeks and to get our heart rates going! Grab a friend or your dog and hit the trails for some cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding or a simple walk.
- Nourishing food seems to come with the territory when you live in the Midwest. How would we get through the winter months without warm dishes? Soups and stews are not only economically friendly, but are among the most nourishing foods we can put into our bodies. Easy to tuck vegetables and whole grains into, a soup or stew is great served with a side salad for that crunch we all crave.
- Drink filtered water. Water systems (to rent or own) aren’t as expensive as they used to be, and with the heightened awareness around the importance of drinking water, it should be a no brainer to have this installed in your household. Drinking half your weight in ounces per day is the suggested amount you need. Add more if you’re also drinking coffee or soda as these are quickly dehydrating beverages.
- Avoid the sugar blues by using only pure sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup in your baked goods and by supporting your body with healthy oils such as coconut or walnut oils in your baking. Sugar depletes our energy and our immune system, making us more susceptible to the common colds and flu bugs. Fresh fruit and the wholesome sweeteners in your baked goods as mentioned above are a good place to start.
Protecting Your Skin
PROTECT YOUR SKIN from harmful chemicals and other dangers.
Our body’s largest organ is our skin! It weighs about 8 pounds and covers approximately 22 square feet! Skin protects our bodies, helps keep our bodies at the right temperature, and allows us to have a sense of touch. It is made up of three layers. The outer protective layer is called the epidermis. The middle layer, which contains nerves, blood vessels, oil and sweat glands, is called the dermis. The last layer, which is mostly fat to keep us warm and to provide cushion, is called the subcutaneous layer.
Because our skin has so many functions, it has been called the master organ system. Here are 10 basic tips for keeping your skin healthy :
1) Stop smoking or never start! Tobacco smoke dries out your skin and constricts blood vessels robbing your skin of essential nutrients.
2) Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day to keep your skin moist and supple.
3) Protect your skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure.
4) Eat a healthy, well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
5) Clean skin is healthy skin. Remove make-up before going to bed.
6) Moisturize! It helps to restore the oils that our skin has and helps to keep the skin hydrated.
7) Get adequate sleep for body restoration.
8) Exercise! It helps keep the skin elasticity.
9) Consider taking a daily multivitamin with anti-oxidants.
10) If you have skin problems such as itching, dryness, suspicious moles or rashes, consult your physician.
According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Americans use an average of 10 personal care products each day, resulting in exposure to more than 126 unique chemicals and this does not include the many undisclosed chemicals in “fragrance.” Toxic exposures from personal care products add to our daily dose of hazardous chemicals from air, water, food and other consumer products.
Because the skin is extremely permeable, cosmetic ingredients are absorbed through the skin. Some chemicals may penetrate the skin in significant amounts, especially when left on the skin for long periods, such as in the case of facial makeup. One study showed that 13% of the cosmetic preservative butylate hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 49% of the carcinogenic pesticide DDT (which is found in some cosmetics containing lanolin) are absorbed through the skin.
Below are some of the dangerous chemicals in cosmetics and other personal care products that can be unsafe to your health and their regular exposure can raise many health concerns :
1) Antibacterials – used in many products like soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, etc., are easily absorbed by the skin and are known to be toxic or carcinogenic in nature (an example is triclosan).
2) Butyl Acetate – a commonly used ingredient in nail strengtheners and nail polishes; continuous use can lead to cracked or dry skin. Inhalation of vapors can result in dizziness or drowsiness.
3) Cationic Surfactants – chemicals used in hair conditioners or softeners. When used on a regular basis, these synthetic chemicals can damage hair and make it dry and brittle.
4) Diethanolamine (DEA) – toxin used with cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA as an emulsifier and foaming agent in many personal care products like shampoos, shaving creams, moisturizers, skin lotions and baby washes. It is carcinogenic in nature and acts as a hormone disruptor by depleting choline from the body, a vitamin essential for fetal growth.
5) 1,4-Dioxane – a popular animal carcinogen and a potential human carcinogen that can be found in products (usually shampoos and body washes) having sodium laureth sulfate, chemicals with the terms like ‘PEG’, ‘-xynol’,’ceteareth’, ‘oleth’ and many other ethoxylated ‘eth’ ingredients.
6) Formaldehyde – harmful chemical which is commonly used in baby bath soaps, nail polishes, eyelash adhesives and hair dyes. Its continuous use can result in various health problems like immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and even cancer.
7) Fragrance (phthalates)- known to act as endocrine disruptors and can lead to various health ailments like obesity, skin allergies and discolorations, violent coughing, dizziness, etc. It is recommended that in place of phthalates one should use essential oil fragrances.
8) Lead – a neurotoxin usually found as a toxic in hydrated silica, an ingredient in toothpaste or as lead acetate, an ingredient in lipsticks and men hair dyes. Even at very low concentrations, it is known to cause brain damage and development delays in humans.
9) Nanoparticles – especially zinc oxide and titanium dioxide particles, which are normally used in sunscreens lotions and creams, can easily penetrate the skin and destroy the brain cells.
10) Petroleum Distillates – also termed as petroleum or liquid paraffin, are some potential human carcinogens that are found in many cosmetics like mascaras, foot odor powder, etc.
11) TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate – a synthetic emulsifier that is highly acidic in nature and is generally associated with nitrosamines which are potential carcinogens. Also can cause severe skin irritation and is highly corrosive to eyes.
12) Talc – another toxic chemical used in cosmetics like eye shadow, blush, deodorant, soap, etc. for its moisture absorbing properties and ability to provide a hint of sparkle. It serves as a human carcinogen and is also known to cause ovarian cancer and lung tumors.
If you want to find more information about an ingredient in a cosmetic or personal care product, and its potential hazards, check the databases listed below:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
http://www.mionegroup.com/en/toxic
Using high quality organic skin care products is definitely better for your health and the environment! True natural skin care products are made with organic ingredients, without mineral oils, parabens, synthetic preservatives, artificial colors and fragrances, or harmful substances. Organic products aim to exclude or minimize any ingredients that could be considered potentially harmful to people, animals, waterways, or the environment.
Regular cleansing is so important in keeping our skin healthy. When cleansing is done properly, it serves to remove dirt and grime, removes excess oil on the surface and from the skin pores, and aids the cell renewal process. It’s also generally a good idea to cleanse your face twice a day, usually in the morning and before going to bed at night.
Also be kind to your feet!! Years of wear and tear can be hard on them. Keep your feet clean and dry. Be sure to dry the area between your toes. Corns and calluses are caused by pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes. While bathing, gently rub the corn or callus with a pumice stone to help reduce the size.
1. http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/skin-article.html
2. http://www.drdonnica.com/toptips/00007647.htm
3. http://www.foe.org/toxic-chemicals-cosmetics-new-legislation-prevent-exposure
4. http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/cosmetics_personal_care.htm
5. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/chemicals-in-cosmetics.html
6. http://health.yahoo.net/experts/skintype/organic-better-your-skin-and-more
7. http://www.skincare.net/Exfoliation.php
8. http://www.haircareguide.com/
9. http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/footcare.htm
Reduce – Reuse – Recycle
THE THREE R’S: REDUCE – REUSE – RECYCLE
Did you know that: 
- In the U.S. the average person create 4.39 pounds of trash per day and up to 56 tons of trash per year?
- Every year we fill enough garbage trucks to form a line that would stretch from the earth to halfway to the moon?
- Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour?
- Each year Americans trash enough office paper to build a 12-foot wall from Los Angeles to New York City?
- Americans receive almost 4 million tons of junk mail every year and most of it winds up in landfills?
- Forty-three thousand tons of food is thrown out in the United States each day?
- Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1,000,000 sea creatures a year?
The three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle – all help to cut down on the amount of waste we throw away. They conserve natural resources, landfill space and energy plus reduce pollution. REDUCE means to find different ways to decrease the quantity of garbage that finds its way into our landfills. REUSE means finding methods to use things repeatedly instead of throwing them away and buying new things. RECYCLE literally means to convert something that is old into something new.
The most effective way to begin is by PREVENTING WASTE in the first place. This can help you save money and reduce your impact on the environment.
Preventing and reducing waste include:
- Purchasing durable, long-lasting goods and making them last longer by repairing them when necessary.
- Reusing products and packaging, and reducing the amount of packaging that is discarded.
- It is also seeking products and packaging that are as free of toxins as possible.
- Buying products that can be recycled.
- Buying products made out of recycled materials.
- Purchase in bulk.
- Using the least hazardous cleaning products.
- Buy only what you need for projects, such as painting, and properly store what is left.
- Maintain your vehicle.
Reuse takes many forms, but all with the same goal – to keep items useful as long as they have a function or value. It can save money and help the environment. Some ways to reuse are:
- Share – many items are needed only for special projects or activities.
- Try to repair an item before throwing it away.
- Organize a community exchange at your community center, library, school, or church.
- Shop at garage sales, estate sales, or auctions.
- Use consignment stores or thrift shops.
- Online options:
The Twin Cities Free Market is an internet-based listing service for residents who want to give away or get free reusable goods for their home, garage or garden. www.twincitiesfreemarket.org.
The Freecycle Network is similar to the Twin Cities Free Market. It is an online group of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. http://www.freecycle.org/.
Craigslist has free stuff and items for sale and is city-specific: www.craigslist.org.
Recycling uses waste such as glass bottles, paper, aluminum cans to make new products. Items and resources for recycling include:
- Recycle more paper with your curbside collection, including:
Magazines and books with hard covers removed.
Window envelopes and junk mail.
Boxboard containers, toilet paper rolls, tooth paste boxes, paper towel rolls.
Cereal boxes, cracker boxes, pasta boxes, cake mix boxes, tissue boxes.
Shoe boxes, gift boxes, electronics boxes.
Newspapers, phone books, inserts, school papers .
- Aluminum cans as well as foil and aluminum scrap are highly recyclable.
- Generally, most colors of glass bottles are accepted in curbside recycling programs and drop-off recycling centers.
- Recycle more household hazardous waste and make your home safer. Go to county HHW programs for a listing of Household Hazardous Waste Facility locations in Minnesota.
- E-Waste includes old computers, printers, fax machines, televisions, radios, audio equipment, cell phones, etc. Find recycling opportunities for consumer electronics: www.pca.state.mn.us/ewaste.
- Several major manufacturers of computers and electronics are offering consumers recycling and reuse alternatives for their products when you purchase new ones.
- Toner and Ink jet cartridges can also be recycled in areas of Minnesota. For MORE information about recycling ink jet and toner cartridges go to the MPCA recycling markets directory for a listing of locations.
- Plastic garden containers can now be returned to specific garden centers throughout Minnesota. Go to Garden Minnesota.com for a complete list of dates and locations.
- In general, yard waste facilities accept leaves, grass clippings, and other plant materials. Most often, this does not include wood debris. Contact your county recycling coordinator for more information about yard waste recycling in your area.
[Note: Minnesota sources used but each state has similar agencies and resources. ]
The benefits of recycling include:
- Recycling protects and expands U.S. manufacturing jobs and increases U.S. competitiveness.
- Recycling reduces the need for landfilling and incineration.
- Recycling prevents pollution caused by the manufacturing of products from virgin materials.
- Recycling saves energy.
- Recycling decreases emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.
- Recycling conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals.
- Recycling helps sustain the environment for future generations.
Putting source reduction into practice is likely to require some change in our daily routines. If we don’t reduce waste, the economic and social costs of waste disposal will continue to increase, and communities—large and small, urban and suburban—will face increasingly harder decisions about managing their trash. A fourth “R” – Rethinking – is also becoming part of the process associated with educating ourselves about recycling. By thinking creatively, many new uses for common items and new possibilities for source reduction and recycling can be discovered.
One of the steps we can take to reduce waste, to reuse products, and to lessen the negative impacts of household pollutants on our environment is to use environmentally friendly products for our personal care and household cleaning!
Coffee Lovers Go Green
If you like to enjoy a daily cup of joe here are a few tips to make drinking coffee more eco-friendly.
BYOM
Bring your own mug. By bringing your own mug to a coffee shop you will cut down the use of paper cups. Most coffee shops now give discounts to those who bring their own mugs too (Caribou; 50¢, Starbucks & Dunn Bros; 10¢), an added bonus to being green with your coffee.
Purchase coffee that has this stamp on it. This means that the coffee was grown under the natural canopy of the rainforest rather than in a monoculture where a rain forest was cut down in order to grow coffee beans. This helps preserve the natural wildlife while supporting a sustainable production of coffee. For more information check out rainforest-alliance.org.
Reusable filter
If you like to brew your coffee at home, switch to reusable filters. They last about three years and cost around $10, costing about the same as non-reusable filters for three years. This way you will be spending the same amount of money and not contributing to the growing mass of landfills.
Everyday Money Saving and Enviro Friendly Choices
Every day money-saving and environmentally friendly choices.
You don’t have to spend money to make your home more environmentally friendly… actually it’s the opposite. By making a few small changes in your home and daily routine you can save money by lowering your electric and water bill. These ideas will help you save your green and the earth’s.
Lower your thermostat.
By lowering your thermostat only a couple degrees in the winter you will noticeably save on your heating bill. Each degree you lower will save about 3 percent off of your bill while saving 1,000 pounds of CO2 a year. So turn down the heat and put on some slippers!
Turn off lights.
During the day time avoid turning on lights by opening the shades and let the sun light your house for you. At night, use candles for dinner and turn off lights in rooms that you are not using. This will cut down your electric bill by using the electricity for lights only when you need them.
Use cold water.
Switch to cold water when doing laundry. Not only does this keep your darks brighter but it can save you an estimated $60 a year on water. If you want to save on drying costs too, hang dry your clothes or at least jeans and thicker sweaters that take more time to dry. You can also use things such as dryer balls to cause your dryer to work more efficiently and reduce your drying time.
Unplug.
Unplug all unused chargers and electronics as these will use a small amount of electricity by just being plugged in. Completely shut down your computer at night to avoid energy being used when your computer is not in use.
Walk & bike.
The next time you need to run to the store for only a few items walk or bike ride and bring your family or friends. This is an easy way to save on gas and spend some outside time with your love ones.
Energy and money statistics take from The Home Energy Diet (New Society Publishers, 2005)