plant a tree

HAPPY EARTH DAY !!!

Some easy ways you can help out the planet:

• Recycle your old fleece! Patagonia (an outdoor outfitter company) will melt down all donated fleece to make new products!
• Turn off your computer instead of using a screen saver (screen savers still use energy)
• B.Y.O.B. (to the grocery store, of course) OR if you must use plastic grocery bags, collect them and bring them by your local Publix to recycle
• Change to compact fluorescent light bulbs. If you're worried about the light quality, go for the premium ones. You can choose from either bright white or buttery golden light, and the cost difference is only about $3. If that is still too much of an expense, only change the five most used lights in your home.
• Go for paperless bank and credit card statements, only accessing your statements online
• Ditch the paper towels and use micro-fiber cloths for your cleaning purposes (don't worry, they're machine washable and just as effective)

If you still want more or are just interested, here are some "green myths" that were featured on GMA this morning. Although we often have good intentions for helping the planet and ourselves by buying natural and organic products, it is better to simply read the ingredients. The FDA regulates standards for organic food of course, but as far as beauty products go, any manufacturer can claim that their product is "all natural". Also, look for trade names that you trust. For me, one of those names is Dove. I still read the ingredients labels but have never seen anything that has turned me away. Food labels are important, too, especially on packaged items such as rice or noodle bowls. So, just a heads up for those of you who have some hippie in you (it's okay, I'm there too) and are big on being green, make sure you read your labels, and if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.