Eco-smart resolutions to make you happy

in GreenYankee Living: How to, People – Places – Products (Organic Gardening)
Tags: artisan, cleaning, recyle, repurpose, reuse, seed starting, seedbox, tote, upcycle, volunteer

Why do it if it doesn’t make you happier? It’s never too late to make a change, especially one that creates happy feelings. And you have a better chance of keeping resolutions if you keep them simple and pick just one or two. GreenYankee.com thrives on eco-tips all year long. These are small changes that you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle and usually have fun doing it. Here are some of my favorites for making changes at home and in your community that will make you happier. Pick one or two any time during the year!

AT HOME

Reuse or repurpose it. Before you throw anything away, ask yourself if you can use it in a new or creative way or if someone else could use it. An easy change that will help our landfills.

Did you know that most Americans throw away nearly 30% of the food they buy and that wasted foods contribute to greenhouse gas emissions? You do want to waste less, right? Here’s how: Stock up on items that last longer and buy only enough produce and dairy to last half a week. Shopping for, say, veggies and milk twice a week can also help you plan more healthful meals and inspire you to try cooking something new. Make sure not to forget ingredients in the crisper or at the back of the fridge. If you do, start a compost bucket instead of tossing them in the trash.

Clean better. Stock up on white vinegar, baking soda, Castile soap, and borax. Different combos of these naturally safe ingredients will clean most anything. Check out The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier.

Switch to: an electric kettle for boiling water (it uses less energy than the stovetop) and all natural cosmetics, such as my sister’s site www.gaiatree.com. Look for plant-based ingredients instead of chemicals wherever you shop.

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Consider whether your food came from the farm or the factory. Do you really need strawberries from Chile in January? Buy locally from the farmer’s market or join a CSA. How wonderful to meet the people who grow your food! If you volunteer at a food cooperative, you could go home with free produce every week. You might just be inspired to toss a few seeds in the ground or a container and grow some of your own!

Volunteer for a charity. Not-for-profits, like an animal shelter or arts organization, subsist with volunteer labor. Consider your special interests and skills, then ask the friendly reference librarian for a list of local charities. You might even see an immediate benefit, like a free performance in exchange for ushering.

Shop at consignment, charity and secondhand stores. The recent trend in upscale secondhand stores means designer goods for much, much less. A few years ago, I found a Bauhaus, Bavarian china setting for six (including demi-tasse!) for $30.

Support local artisans, merchants, and skilled labor. Patronize downtown. Most of us yearn for the nostalgic experience of knowing the guy in the hardware store, the local fishmonger or tailor. Look around a bit and you might be surprised what’s in your own backyard.