By Lisa Blau, VitalJuiceDaily.com
With winter weather upon us it's important to remember there are some simple steps we can take to make sure our coldest season is also one of our greenest. Here's what the healthy living gurus at VitalJuiceDaily.com recommend:
Natural ice: Skip the chemical de-icers and instead go for sand, fireplace ash, cat litter or alfalfa meal (natural fertilizer) -- all will naturally melt ice while providing traction. They'll also keep hazardous chemicals off of driveways and roads, and out of our surface waters and groundwater!
Snow workout: Snow piling up on your sidewalk or driveway? Skip the gasoline-powered tools you keep for just this occasion and instead grab a shovel or broom and get to work. You'll burn calories and keep greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere.
Take your temperature: Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat and you'll save money (about $100 each year) and energy if you use one of the pre-programmed temperature settings. When you go away for vacation, remember to lower the thermostat so you don't waste unnecessary resources.
Protect yourself: The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) warns that radon levels can soar during colder months because we keep windows and doors closed and huddle up indoors. Radon is a cancer-causing natural gas that you can't see, smell or taste. January is National Radon Action Month, so in honor we suggest testing your home (approximately 1 in 15 homes across the country has dangerous levels of radon).
Battery up: With big winter storms blanketing the country, we're always stocking up on emergency supplies. Skip the disposable batteries and instead buy rechargeable ones to have on hand for flashlights in case of power outages. That way you're not tossing out mercury and hazardous waste every time you run low.
Bundle up: Fleece is the word this time of year -- so make sure you're wearing fleece that's been recycled (many are made from recycled plastic soda bottles). You'll be keeping warm while fighting global warming!
Have other ideas on how to green your winter? We'd love to hear about it.
Lisa Blau
Editor, Vital Juice Daily
www.vitaljuicedaily.com
Global Warming Hoax. You bought in to the Hoax. Remember 25 years ago, when you were claiming Global Cooling? What was that? Another HOAX or Just the changing temperture of the SUN? Mercury and Mars has increased their global tempature the same as ours 1/2 degree. Are their People responsible for the increas in Carbon or just the Sun.
Something to think about. Stop peddling the HOAX of Global Warming.