Happy New Year! 10 New Years Resolutions For A Greener Lifestyle

New Years is a time when we reflect upon the past year and make promises for the year to come.  Typically people make resolutions to lose weight, manage debt, save money, change careers, quit smoking, reduce stress, etc.  More often then not these resolutions are something that provide a tangible result, thus making it something worth doing, yet other simple ideas for resolutions get passed by. My hope is this year you can think of something “earth friendly” to add to whatever resolutions you may have already made.  Here are some ideas, food for thought, my hope is to add them all into my own life as best I can if I haven’t already.

1. Recycle More: Did you know the average American produces four pounds of trash per day?  Do your part to reduce that poundage in your life.
2. Paper Nor Plastic: Use re-usable shopping bags for groceries and other purchases (www.ecobags.com – at least ask for paper and not plastic)
3. Detox: Replace household chemical cleaners with non-toxic alternatives (www.method.com / www.shaklee.com)
4. Save Energy: Change out your regular light bulbs to energy star compact fluorescents known as CFL’s (www.homedepot.com)
5. Save Energy #2: Unplug un-used appliances and get a few Smart Strips.  Smart Strips control the energy you use and the energy you waste based on what you have turned on and off in your house.  (www.smartstrip.net)
6. Save Energy #3: Don’t let the cold air come in from outside.  Check weather striping, vents, ducts, drains, and be sure you have sealed your house up properly.  (www.homedepot.com)
7. Conserve Water: Be a stickler about turning off your water when not in use, or better yet purchase a energy saving rain spray shower head, energy saving sprinklers, and save energy and water while lowering your bills.  (www.greenandmore.com)
8. Reduce Plastic Bottle Waste: Purchase a re-usable stainless steel water bottle and use it!  Millions of plastic bottles litter our landfills daily, if we do our part we can decrease a serious source of pollution this year.  My personal favorite is Kleen Kanteen. (www.rei.com / www.amazon.com / www.sigg.com)
9. Buy Local: Purchase produce among other things from your local farmers market and local shops!
10. Ride a bike as transportation or sport: Everyone is concerned with being healthy and losing weight, well incorporate a bike into your life and get out in the fresh air and ride.  Not only is it a good source of exercise, but it is a common form of transportation.  (www.ride-this.com)

Lets all do our part and resolve to make 2009 a life changing year!

To be Green or not to be Green, is it even a question?

Today marks a pivotal time in my life, a turning point of sorts, a day when I practice what I preach, or is it preach what I practice?

I have been asked by quite a few people why I’ve decided to start a “Green” blog. Truth be told I’m not the most “Green” person I know, and a few years ago I probably wouldn’t have even thought twice about my footprint on the earth. That is exactly why I am starting this site. Because now, knowing what I know, I can not believe how ignorant I was, and honestly I don’t think it was entirely my fault.

I believe that since the 1960′s our world has become a scary place. A place where consumerism has skyrocketed and values have plummeted. A place where recycling has become a “hassle” and driving a gas guzzling SUV has become the ideal. I do believe these times are about to change, and with your help I know that every human being can help make the world a better place – for us all.

Welcome to my blog, my “Green” blog, welcome to GreenGal.org.