July 20, 2010

Control Garden Pests Naturally

By miranda

The first wasp
Creative Commons License photo credit: Cindy Funk

Now that your garden is growing nicely, you are probably noticing that there are some pests about. It can be tempting to go out and buy a pesticide, but you should reconsider. Many pesticides contain man-made chemicals that can be damaging to your health (or your kids’ health). The good news is that nature offers a number of ways to control pests. You can engage in earth-friendly pest control, helping your organic garden grow beautifully.

Good Bugs

There are good bugs and bad bugs when it comes to your garden. Happily, the good bugs eat the bad bugs and largely leave your plants alone. Some insects like bees and monarch butterflies are desirable because they help pollinate your plants, but they don’t do much to keep the pests down. Here are some good bugs that can keep your garden:

  • Praying Mantis: This interesting looking insect will eat just about any garden pest — and like it. You can order eggs that hatch and grow quickly to adulthood.
  • Ladybugs: Every child recognizes ladybugs. They love those pesky little aphids, and they will also eat whiteflies and mites. You can order ladybugs through catalogs, but you can also attract them to your garden by having members of the daisy family nearby.
  • Ichneumon Wasps: These are especially helpful when it comes to getting rid of caterpillars that eat leaves. They are attracted to gardens with carrots, parsley and celery.

If you plan properly, you can set up a small flower garden near your vegetable garden in order to attract the good bugs. This way, you will be more likely to have them close at hand to go “hunting” in your garden.

Natural Pesticides

In addition to using good bugs to control your pest population, you can also make use of pesticides with ingredients found around the house. It is important to note that some of these won’t kill the pests; they will just keep them off your plants. These forms of pest control are best applied either early in the morning, or applied near dark. Remember, too, that these can also affect your good bugs.

  • Cayenne pepper and soap: In a quart of water, mix a couple drops of liquid dish soap (bonus points if you use a natural dish soap) with two tablespoons cayenne pepper. Pour into a spray bottle and shake to mix. Spray lightly on the tops and bottoms of the leaves. You can also add garlic to the mixture for extra potency. Contents will settle, so you may need to shake regularly.
  • Cooking oil and baking soda: Another spray you can make up contains two tablespoons baking soda, one tablespoon cooking oil, and a couple drops of liquid soap in one quart of water.
  • Diatomaceous earth: This contains small, sharp particles. If you sprinkle this around the edges of your garden bed, and even around your plants, the sharp particles will cause problems for grubs, slugs and snails.
  • Milky spore: These granules will kill grubs. Supposedly, it can remain effective for years.

As you can see, there is no need to turn to harmful chemicals in order to control the pests in your garden. With a little foresight and preparation, it is possible to create an organic garden that is truly natural and earth friendly.

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July 7, 2010

Reasons to Buy Local Produce

By miranda

Wax Beans
Creative Commons License photo credit: di_the_huntress

Summer has arrived, and in my town that means that the Gardener’s Market is open for business. I love the Gardener’s Market. I can find delicious, fresh local produce. In most cases, I buy straight from the farmer/gardener. Our Gardener’s Market also includes grass raised, hormone-free beef and other meats. We can find fresh caught trout from an hour away in the neighboring state. I just bring my reusable grocery bags to the Gardener’s Market and stock up on what I need for the week.

While I do enjoy the occasional meat or fish from the Gardener’s Market, I am much more interested in the produce. One of the reasons is that there is a psychological connection to buying produce from someone you consider a neighbor. But there are other reasons to buy local produce:

  1. Fewer fossil fuels: This is one of the biggest reasons that many people try to buy from a local produce market. Transporting produce across long distances uses a great deal of gasoline or diesel. This contributes to pollution and energy use. By supporting local produce markets, you are helping to reduce the transportation associated with produce. When I can’t get local produce at the Gardener’s Market, I try to look at the stickers on the food in the grocery store to see where the food is coming from, and I try to choose food that has taken the shortest trip.
  2. Help keep more open land: If you are concerned about development in your locality, one way you can help reduce development is by purchasing local produce. Local farmers are more likely to remain in business if they are making money. If you help them stay in business, their farms are likely to remain intact, rather than the land being sold off to developers.
  3. Fewer pesticides: While there is no guarantee that local farmers use fewer pesticides, many claim to. If you trust your local farmers’ claims that they use organic, non-pesticide methods of pest control, then you might feel better about what you are eating. While there are no conclusive scientific studies showing that organic produce has a greater health value, many feel that chemicals on food can’t be good for the body. As a result, it is encouraging for many to find foods that ripen naturally and are not sprayed down with chemicals.
  4. More nutrients: Again, this can’t be substantiated by rigorous scientific study, but some nutritionists believe that produce that ripens on the vine is more likely to have a higher concentration of nutrients. In many cases, non-local produce is picked before it is ripe, so that it does not spoil in transit. If you believe that your food will have more nutrients if it ripens on the vine, then using local produce might be a good option.

One of the best ways to get local produce, though, is to grow it yourself. There are a number of plants that you can grow on your own, including in small spaces. Having your own garden can help you save money on produce, which can get expensive. Plus, you will be living a more sustainable lifestyle. As a bonus, you can get good exercise while gardening — just one way that going green can improve your health.

In the end, you can help benefit your local community, when you buy local produce that is better for the environment and, arguably, better for your health.

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June 23, 2010

Home Energy Audit: Improve Your Energy Efficiency

By miranda

Energy monitoring panel
Creative Commons License photo credit: futureatlas.com

One of the ways you can save money is to reduce what you are spending on energy in your home. In order to do this, though, you need to increase your home’s energy efficiency. An energy audit can help you determine where your problem areas are, and figure out the best way to solve these issues. An energy audit can also be helpful in determining which energy efficiency projects can be undertaken in order to help you get a tax credit credit for green home improvement, or for exchanging some of your outdated appliances for greener appliances.

An energy audit can be done professionally for a fee. When having a professional perform an energy audit, it is important that you double check credentials. EnergyStar.gov offers a list of qualified builders and partners who can help you find someone to do an assessment of your home. Before you have your professional home energy audit, though, you should make sure that the cost will be worth your savings.

Perform Your Own Energy Audit

It is possible to do your own basic energy audit as well. While you may not catch everything that a professional would, you can still figure out what you can do to plug up some leaks and improve your home’s overall energy efficiency.

The first (and easiest) thing to do is to check for air leaks that can be plugged. These air leaks let hot air out during the winter and let cool air out during the summer. You can find air leaks by closing all windows, doors, flues and other connections to the outdoors. Use exhaust fans or window fans to create air flow. You can then use your hand (usually damp) to find where the drafts are.

Here are some common trouble spots for air leaks, which you can then plug with weather stripping, caulk, insulation or methods:

  • Window frames
  • Hatches to the attic
  • Electrical outlets
  • Doors
  • Dampers on your fireplace
  • Baseboards
  • Ducts and ductwork

It is also worth noting that some windows are inefficient, and replacing them with more efficient double-paned models can help improve your home’s energy efficiency — and these windows are eligible for a green home improvement tax credit.

Next, you want to make sure that your insulation is adequate. Many home builders just put in the minimum, and that rarely allows you to maximize the energy efficiency of your home. Double check your attic insulation, measuring it by putting a yardstick down until it rests against the “floor” (the ceiling of the room below) and consider adding more. You can also measure the wall insulation by sticking a ruler or long stick through the insulation you see when you remove the cover plate of an electrical outlet. Be careful, though! Turn off the circuit breaker or remove the appropriate fuse. Make sure there is no electricity flowing through the outlet before doing this test.

Finally, double check your appliances and lighting. Outdated appliances can be real energy vampires, as can incandescent light bulbs. Consider replacing old appliances, especially those related to your heating and cooling systems. Think about using CFLs as well for lighting. You can also increase the energy efficiency of your home by planning some of your plugs so that they go into smart strips that you can turn off at the end of the day.

With a little time and planning, you can increase your home’s energy efficiency, lowering your energy costs while helping the environment.

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June 9, 2010

7 Natural Cures and Home Remedies for What Ails You

By miranda

Gac fruit
Creative Commons License photo credit: noshit-mag

Part of living a natural and healthy life is looking for natural ways to cure common problems. We all know that chicken soup can help ease some cold symptoms, and we know that some natural items like ginger and chamomile are also natural remedies for a number of ailments, and you can drink a glass of milk to help calm anxiety. It is true that you can ease a number of symptoms — and even find cures for common sicknesses — with items easily obtained around the house or with a quick trip to the natural foods store or market.

If you are looking for some home remedies, there are a number of possibilities. However, it is important to note that not all of these remedies have been tested vigorously by the scientific community, and that it is a good idea to consult with a health care provider before engaging in a treatment regimen.

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar: May help keep blood pressure under control and help with weight loss. Dressings made from apple cider vinegar may be helpful in preventing some of the problems that lead to hypertension and can help you cut down on the calories from fat that you are taking in. Apple cider vinegar may also help reduce the swelling from bruising.
  2. Turmeric: If you have painful boils, using turmeric might be a way to get rid of them. Some argue that, since bacteria are growing resistant to antibiotics, a natural solution with turmeric might be a good way to fight boils.
  3. Cayenne Pepper: Your sore throat may be helped with cayenne pepper. It may seem strange to use something hot and spicy to cure a sore throat, but it might work. Add a pinch to cocoa, or to some food that you are eating, and it may help with your throat problems.
  4. Baking Soda: Not just good for cooking, baking soda has a number of uses. It can be used to clean around the house, and it can be used as a natural way to brush your teeth. It can also work as a way to help smooth your skin, relieve the itchy burn from bug bites and even be used to relieve minor cases of sunburn.
  5. Salt: Cure athlete’s foot with a special soak made with salt and vinegar. This can be a cheap way to cure athlete’s foot, and you can keep it at bay by continuing to apply salt and vinegar to your foot with a cotton ball.
  6. Lemon Juice: If you are looking to fade age spots, you can use lemon juice to help you out. It might also help with freckles. However, for best results you have use lemon juice regularly over a period of weeks.
  7. Olive Oil: Those suffering from eczema know that it can be painful and irritating. With the help of olive oil, though, you can find some relief. No chemical irritants, and plenty of antioxidants, olive oil can be a great way to moisturize.

There are plenty of ways you can improve your health in your home, from using natural remedies, to increasing the number of plants in your home to improve the air quality. Once you know how to take care of yourself using simple, every day items and techniques, you will wonder why you ever needed more expensive counterparts.

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May 25, 2010

6 House Plants That Can Improve the Air Quality In Your Home

By miranda

Debbie's bromeliads
Creative Commons License photo credit: H.C. Williams

I love house plants. I have them in my workspace, in my front room and in my family room. I even have an orange tree growing in the kitchen. Plants have been shown to help relieve mental fatigue, and scenes of nature can help calm and soothe us. My husband, who studies environmental psychology, assures me that numerous studies support the idea that growing, caring for and looking at plants have positive effects.

But plants are more than just soothing for the mind; they can also contribute to your physical health. Some plants are actually able to help clean the air in your home, creating a healthier environment. Adding plants to your home decor can be a good way to improve the look of your home, contribute to better health, and enhance your mood.

3 Plants that Can Generate Plenty of Fresh Air

At TED, Kamal Meattle offered insight into arranging three house plants in such a way as to generate plenty of oxygen (helping you remain more alert and energized) for your home:

  1. Areca Palm: During the day, the Areca Palm generates a great deal of oxygen, taking the carbon dioxide you exhale and turning it into oxygen. While four shoulder-high plants for each person in the home is recommended, you can can still get benefits even with fewer plants around the house.
  2. Mother-in-Law’s Tongue: This plant generates more oxygen in the evening. With six to eight plants per person, you can help ensure a good supply of oxygen through the night — although you don’t need that many to get some of the benefits.
  3. Money Plant: If you are interested in removing volatile organic compounds from the air (VOCs), you can use the money plant to do so. It acts a filter that can remove VOCs like formaldehyde out of the air, improving air quality.

3 More Plants that Can Improve Air Quality in Your Home

All plants give off oxygen, and they can contribute to improve air quality in your home. Some plants, though, are specialized to also help filter your air. Like the money plant, the following plants act as filters. They were shown to reduce VOCs like octane, TCE, benzene, alpha-pinene and toluene. They were tested by the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia:

  1. English Ivy: This beautiful plant is easy to care for, and can be trained to climb book cases to add a bit of nature to your home. It can also be hung from hooks in the ceiling. One woman I know grows it along the tops of her kitchen cabinets.
  2. Asparagus Fern: Another favorite, the asparagus fern is not actually fern. But it looks like one, and is easy to grow as a container plant. Grows lushly, and can add some green to your home, while purifying the air.
  3. Purple Heart Plant: If you want to add a touch of bright color to your home plant decor, the purple heart plant can be a good choice. Like the other plants on this list, it is easy to care for, and it flowers beautifully.

Nature provides a number of solutions to many of the problems that we have. If you don’t mind increasing the nature you bring into your home, you can purchase some house plants that can produce oxygen and clean your air, contributing to your health and mental well being.

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May 11, 2010

20 Plants to Grow in Your Container Garden

By miranda

IMG_9491.JPG
Creative Commons License photo credit: jwalsh

The recent interest in living more naturally and sustainably, not to mention the recent financial pressures of the recession, have many interested in growing their own food. An organic garden is nice, providing a way for you to grow food without having to make a trip to the grocery store. But what if you don’t have the space for a garden?

The answer is to grow a container garden. It is possible to grow a number of plants in a container garden. Growing container gardens  by a sunny, warm window is best, or you can keep them out on a balcony or in a small backyard. And you might be surprised at the amazing variety of plants you can grow in a container garden.

What to Plant in Container Garden?

  1. Apples: Use a technique called espaliering to keep them a little more compact — but still provide fruit.
  2. Blueberries: You may need to be careful about the pH in the soil, but my husband has successfully grown blueberries in a container.
  3. Citrus fruits: You can grow a number of citrus fruits in containers, including oranges, lemons and limes. We have an orange tree that produces. We keep it in the house, by a window that gets plenty of afternoon sun, since we live in a fairly cool climate.
  4. Hops: If you want to take up brewing, you can easily grow hops in a container.
  5. Strawberries: Make sure they get plenty of sun.
  6. Herbal tea varieties: You can grow chamomile, mint, and lemon balm for use in teas.
  7. Tomatoes: It helps to have some sort of wire structure for them to climb on.
  8. Peppers: You can grow hot peppers or sweet peppers.
  9. Cucumbers: A longer container might work, or you can take off blossoms or small developments to cultivate just a few.
  10. Squash: You will need at least a five gallon container for many squashes, but they can be great. Acorn, pumpkin and summer varieties can all be grown in containers. And you can always grow zucchini anywhere.
  11. Melons: Small melons, including Jenny Lind, Golden Midget watermelon and cantaloupe, can be grown in containers.
  12. Herbs: Most herbs can be grown in containers. You can make your own herb garden consisting of thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary, parsley, chives and sage in a single container if you like. We grow basil in the house, for use year round.
  13. Leafy greens: Lettuce, kale, spinach, chard and collard greens can all be grown in containers.
  14. Potatoes: Yes, you can grow potatoes in a container, even a fairly shallow one.
  15. Carrots: You might need a slightly deeper container to accommodate carrots, and you want the soil to be a little sandier.
  16. Sugar snap peas: Something for the peas to climb might be a good idea.
  17. Pole beans: Put a pole in the container for the beans.
  18. Mushrooms: Look for edible varieties that you can enjoy in cooking, and you don’t need a lot of sun.
  19. Sprouts: You can grow these healthy, green foods at home and use them on sandwiches and in other dishes.
  20. Aloe: You can grow aloe, which is used in skin care products, to help you with dry skin or even with sunburn.

When you plant container garden, make sure you have good drainage out of the pot, and air flow. You can put gravel in the bottom of the container, to help with airflow, and put a plate or some sort of water catch underneath to catch draining water.

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April 27, 2010

7 Tips for Growing a Healthy Organic Garden

By miranda

Baby Broccoli
Creative Commons License photo credit: Will Merydith

Supporting local Farmers’ Markets is important to my husband and me. During the summer (the only time we have one in my local area), we bring the reusable shopping bag to the market and get some fresh produce — and even some organic and natural soaps and soy lotions. However, we don’t get everything at the Farmers’ Market; we also like to grow a garden for some of our needs. It doesn’t have to be difficult to start your own organic garden. Here are 7 tips for growing a healthy organic garden:

1. Compost

As you might imagine, compost is an essential ingredient when it comes to a healthy organic garden. It provides plenty of nutrients for the garden, and it also provides a way for your to live a greener life. Even if you have limited space, it is often possible to build a small worm composting box to help create this natural fertilizer. Organic kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and fallen leaves are great additions to the compost pile.

2. Mulch

You can use your compost as mulch in the garden. Organic mulch is great for attracting earthworms. A three-inch layer can be very attractive, and bring earthworms that naturally aerate the soil and build it up. You will find that mulch can also help keep down the weeds, especially when combined with newspaper.

3. Orange Peel Slug Traps

You want to keep out the damaging slugs. Orange peels can be a way to do this. Set them out toward evening, and slugs will gravitate toward the shelter — and the sweetness of the fruit that used to be in the peel. In the morning, you can discard the slugs, and put the peels in the compost pile.

4. Water Smart

It is vital to understand how to properly irrigate your garden. When done improperly, water can actually encourage diseases in your garden. Instead of watering at night, water early in the the morning. This will give the soil time to absorb the water before the sun evaporates it all, and the leaves of your plants will dry out before night. Wet plants at night are more prone to fungi and mildew.

5. Biological Pest Control

An organic garden can benefit from organic pest control. There are parasitic nematodes that will destroy Japanese beetles (milky spore disease works as well), and there are some bugs that naturally prey on garden pests while leaving the plants alone. You can find biological controls for garden pests at different seed stores, greenhouses and organic gardening shops. You can also order them online.

6. Provide Space for Your Plants

Plants need some space and ventilation to grow. Make sure your seeds are spaced properly, so that they have room to grow. You also want to make sure that there is properly ventilation so that air flow can benefit the plants. Earthworms can help with this by naturally aerating the soil. Raised beds and container gardens, when done properly, can also help provide proper ventilation.

7. Keep Your Garden Clean

Pull weeds when you see them, vigilantly keeping them from cluttering your organic garden and choking out the plants. You should also clean your garden at the end of the growing season, raking up leaves and preparing the soil so that pests don’t find shelter in your organic garden. You can also clean out plants that do poorly for two seasons. Instead, choose something that is more likely to thrive. You’ll get a better yield, and you can supplement from other sources.

Bottom Line: An organic garden can be a great way to go green, save money and enjoy better health. You will get exercise, and have better, fresher produce. Plus, since you are growing it yourself, you won’t have to buy as much produce, saving you money. An organic garden is a great way to start down the path to self reliance.

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April 13, 2010

5 Earth Day Projects You Can Do With Your Kids

By miranda

Little Green Planet
Creative Commons License photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography

Earth Day is coming up on April 22, 2010. Many parents like to use this time of year to teach their children principles that can help them grow up to live greener, more sustainable lives. If you are interested in doing something with your kids for Earth Day, here are 5 projects to consider:

1. Pinecone Bird Feeder

This is an easy project that can attract birds to your yard. Find a pinecone and tie a piece of yarn or string around the small end. Spread peanut butter all around the pinecone. Roll the sticky pinecone in bird seed. You can make several of these and hang them from various branches in your yard. Get some binoculars and a field guide and identify the birds that come.

2. Tire Vegetable Garden

Teach your children about re-using items by getting an old tire and planting a small vegetable garden. Figure out where you want your garden, and put down some mulch in order to help prevent weeds. Next, thoroughly clean the tire to get rid of what’s inside. Fill the tire with dirt and topsoil, and maybe some plant food. Teach your children how to water the garden and take care of it. Hearty plants that are easy for children to grow include peppers and tomatoes.

You can also do this using a container garden. Your children can decorate their own containers for the garden.

3. Indoor Herb Garden

You can grow an herb garden in the house using used tin cans that you have emptied. Get aluminum cans, clean them out, and turn them over. You will need to punch holes in the bottom of the cans, using a hammer and screwdriver. If opening is rough, sand it down. Use paint or stickers to decorate the outside of the tin cans. Wait for the paint to dry.

Next, have your children find small pebbles to create a single layer in the bottom of each can. Use soil to fill the can. Only fill it 2/3 if you are transplanting herbs that have been started. Fill almost to the top if you are using seeds. For most herbs, you don’t need to cover them with much dirt; some only need to be sprinkled on the top of the soil.

You can use a craft stick or popsicle stick to label which herb is in each can. Place the cans on a small plate in order to catch the water that drains out the bottom. Keep the herbs in a sunny window, properly watered, and watch them grow!

4. Compost Bin

You and your children can start composting with a decorated bin. If you have an extra storage bin that you aren’t using, you can use that. Or you can buy a bin. If someone in your family is handy, it is also possible to use wood scraps to build a compost box.

Once you have your container, begin to decorate. You can use paint or fabric scraps. If you have stamps or sponges, you can create shapes on the bin. Label it “compost”, and talk to your children about what can be composted, and what you use it for. Then, use your compost on your garden.

5. How Much Trash Do We Throw Out?

Help your children see how much waste is created in your home. Throughout the day, place trash in specially labeled bags: Plastic, Glass, Paper, Metal, Food, Miscellaneous. Every time someone throws something out, put it in the appropriate bag. At the end of the day, talk about how your family can make efforts to create less waste. You can even carry this on for a week. It’s a great eye opening project for parents, too!

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March 30, 2010

Go Green, Get a Tax Credit

By miranda

solar powered home
Creative Commons License photo credit: TheTruthAbout…

Last year, as part of the economic stimulus bill, Congress passed upgraded tax credits for those who make green home improvements in 2009 and 2010. If you made green home improvements in 2009, there is still time to claim a credit on your income tax return. If you haven’t made green home improvements, but are thinking of going green and making your home a little more earth friendly, this is the year to do it, so that you can claim a credit next year on your 2010 taxes. A tax credit is desirable because it directly lowers what you owe. It’s kind of like taking a gift card and using it to reduce your total.

Not only will you get a tax credit when you make certain green home improvements, but you can save on your monthly heating and cooling bills as well. And you can have the happy feeling of knowing that you are helping the environment.

Start with an Energy Audit

The first thing you should do is conduct an energy audit of your home. You need to know where the trouble spots are so that you can fix them more effectively. You can do the energy audit yourself, you can pay someone to come in and perform the audit for you. Either way, the goal is to look for energy leaks. These can include your windows, ducts, doors and a lack of good insulation. Additionally, old water heaters and furnaces can decrease the efficiency of your home. Once you have your energy audit complete, figure out which changes would be most effective for you, based on your financial situation, what you can afford, and the tax credit you can get.

Tax Credits for Small Upgrades

Most of us can’t just put in a solar panel system. However, you can take advantage of the tax credits with some less expensive green home improvements. When you make certain changes, you can get a tax credit worth 30% of the cost, up to $1,500. Some of the upgrades eligible for this tax credit include:

  • Replacement windows.
  • High efficiency heating system.
  • High efficiency cooling system.
  • Highly-rated insulation.
  • Duct seals.
  • Energy efficient doors.
  • Water heater.

With just these small changes, it is possible to make your home much more energy efficient.

Big Green Home Improvements

If you have been thinking of installing solar panels, a geothermal pump or a wind turbine, this might be a good year to do it. This is because you can get a tax credit worth 30% of the cost — and there’s no cap on how much you can get. So if you spend $20,000 on installing an alternative energy system, you will get a $6,000 tax credit. That’s not too shabby. If you install your new system right, you will also find that you can enjoy lower power costs, since you won’t need to buy as much from the grid. Combine such a system with measures to make your home more energy efficient, and you’d be surprised how much you can save.

Of course, if you do install an alternative energy power system, it will probably take years for it to pay for itself. However, the tax credit is still useful, since it offsets the cost of these systems. In some cases, you can get home improvement loans to help you pay for energy upgrades, allowing you to deduct the interest you pay. Another option to help you pay for energy efficiency upgrades to your home is to check with your city and with your state for special grants, state tax breaks and low-interest (or even interest-free) loans.

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March 10, 2010

5 Ways Going Green Can Improve Your Health

By miranda

Going Green is Good for Health

When you make small changes to live a little greener, you aren’t just helping the environment. In fact, there are some green changes that you can make to can improve your health as well. You might be surprised to learn how much better you feel, in terms of your health, when you make a few changes to live more sustainably. Here are 5 ways going green can improve your health:

1. More Exercise, Fewer Emissions

One of the best ways to improve your health while helping the environment is to exercise more as you go to work or run errands. Walking or biking to work provides you with more heart-healthy exercise, while at the same time you are putting fewer pollutants into the air since you aren’t driving your car. You can even use a bike to run errands, since there are specially made “riders” — grocery bags that you can use with your bike.

Even if you don’t walk or bike all the way to work, you can get a little more exercise while reducing emissions by taking public transportation. Walking to and from the bus stop increases your exercise, if only by a little, and using public transit means that you are helping to reduce overall emissions.

2. Less Meat, More Produce

While you don’t have to go vegetarian or vegan to be greener and live healthier, you can improve your health by reducing your overall intake of meat. As a society, we have been adding more and more meat to our diets. If you replace just one meat entree a week with a vegetarian dish, you can lower your cholesterol a little, increase your intake of fiber from more natural sources, and reap other health benefits. And, because the process of raising meat for the dinner table takes more energy and produces more emissions that raising vegetables, you can add your bit to better sustainability.

3. Buy Locally Grown Produce

When produce is shipped in from thousands of miles away, the trucks that carry it put out a lot of emissions. On top of that, the produce is often picked early so that it does not spoil on its journey of thousands of miles. Some nutritionists claim that fruit and vegetables that haven’t ripened on the vine offer fewer helpful nutrients than produce that is picked closer to peak ripeness. Buying local — at farmer’s markets or at the local grocery — can mean produce that is better for you, chock full of nutrients. And it also means that fewer emissions went into getting it to your table. Bonus if you can get locally raised meat.

4. Gardening: Exercise and Nutrients

One of the ultimate ways to get locally grown produce is to grow it yourself. Gardening is a good way to get exercise for your body, as well as a good way grow produce that you can pick at the proper ripeness for all the nutrients. You can also control what pesticides are present, and you will be reducing emissions since you won’t even have to drive to the store or market for your produce. Produce from large gardens can be frozen, preserved for later in the year, and it is even possible to grow a few things in small spaces and containers for those who live in apartments.

5. Reduce the Chemicals in Your Environment

Studies have shown that chemicals in the environment can affect the health of you and your children. The products you buy for your children, and for use in your home, are not just bad for the environment. They can also be bad for your family. Look for greener toys and consider the types of chemicals you use in your home. Many household cleaners can be replaced by water, vinegar and lemon juice — all of which are less harmful than the chemicals you buy in the store. Breathing in some chemicals can result in respiratory problems, and some irritate the skin, causing rashes. You can increase your overall health just by being aware of what you are bringing into your environment and reducing the harmful items.

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