Celebrate Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day by changing the way you shop and cook
Celebrate Earth day April 22, 2014  & every day!

• Buy your meat, eggs, fresh produce from local farmers or farmers markets--it's healthier and generally uses lass packaging.
• Grow herbs in your own back yard.
• Plan to "pick your own":  Strawberries, peaches, apples are my favorites.  Pick your own incorporates healthy eating with an activity-a 2for 1 event which is always a good frugal option!
• Grill out suing a gas grill-more eco-friendly and a LOT easier.  Natural gas burns cleaner than propane and high BTUS burn more energy.
• Choose sustainable seafood for more information check out www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx
• Read Animal, Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingslover
• Compost.  Read www.howtocompost.org for tips
• Use cloth towels for kitchen cleanups and cloth napkins instead of disposable
• Keep your oven pre-heating time to a minimum
• Make your lunchboxes waste free by wrapping sandwich's in waxed paper which can be composted. 
• Keep the oven door shut while cooking.  Every time you open the door the temperature drops by about 25 degrees, increasing the cooking time
• Cleaning your oven:  If you have a self cleaning oven, do this immediately after you've used it to take advantage of residual heat
• Cooking on a gas stove?  The blue flame indicates efficiency
• Use your microwave-it's energy efficient
• Minimize the use of your garbage disposal
• Refrigerators account for about 12% of your monthly energy bill-buy an Energy Star qualified appliance when replacing
• Appliance seals minimize energy waste--make sure the seals on your oven, freezer and fridge work properly to help reduce electrical consumption
• Use the toaster oven for preparing small meals
• Recycle glass, plastic an newspapers
• use cloth bags to carry home groceries
• Run your dishwasher when it is full
• Use items made from recycled products:  everything from glassware to garbage bags