Ten easy ways to be GREEN at home for Earth Day and a bracelet giveaway

It ain't easy being green...a famous frog once said. But alas Kermie, you were wrong!

It is easy. Easier than you think.

Today is Earth Day. Earth Day is a day with a sole purpose of inspiring awareness and appreciation for our planet's natural environment.

I'll admit, I'm not as green as I would like to be. But I want to be. Not just because it's the cool thing to do. But we were told to "care for this planet" by the creator. So, we have a responsibility! We need to take it seriously!

Here are 10 easy ways to make a GREEN effort in your home.

1. "LIGHT BULB" - change your light bulb. Make the investment in a compact fluorescent bulb otherwise know in the cool kids club as "CFL's". It's quick. It's easy. It saves energy AND money. CHA CHING! You can change a light bulb right?
2. REDUCE - lights, camera, energy. Yup, we waste it a lot. So what do you do? Turn it off. Water. Lights. Electronics. Anything with some sort of a switch. Make it a game with your kids. Who can find the most things to turn off before you leave the house. Reward with candy. Oh come on, you know you're going to win anyway! I suggest dark chocolate. But that's me.
3. BUY LOCAL - BUY LOCAL - BUY LOCAL -  find a farmer, a farmers market, a co-op anything! Food travels forever before it reaches your grocery store. Traveling expends energy! So choose the farm down the road, even across town! And choose organic if you can. It's better for YOU and the environment!
4. DRIP DRIP DRIP - fix the drip! Facet leaking? Toilet running? Do you have any idea how much water is wasted with that tiny drip? Get this...one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year. Got a leaky toilet? That will be 200 gallons of water A DAY! Seriously, call a plumber - preferably one you don't mind seeing bent over and get it fixed!
5. LET IS GROW - This is one my man will love. Did you know your lawn will actually love you more and reward you with more green if you mow it LESS? True story! Most grass grows better longer...more surface area to absorb sun = happy blade! Even better, let those grass clippings lie. Yup, you heard me. Why? Nitrogen back into the soil...discourages weeds...you'll need less herbicide and fertilizer...less in the landfills...happy grass. You're welcome!

Commercial break. My Earth Day bracelet is being gifted today, via The Artisan Group, to 25 Earth conscious celebs! How cool is that?  

I'm wearing mine every day and I adore it! There is a tie version, and a clasp version. You choose. They are both right here! Wanna win one? Keep reading!

Back to our list....

1. RECYCLE - This is the easy one, and you should already be doing it. I'm not even going to waste your time telling you the benefits. Since you already know. Right?
2. BUY SMART CHECK THE LABEL - Do you know the ENERGY STAR LABEL? It's on so many things from appliances to roofing supplies. What does it mean? It means the particular item uses "less" and is better for the environment. Want the whole low down? Click here to hit up their site.
3. WASH IT UP - laundry can be the most daunting part of my day. Not the actual doing, more like the folding. But you can make good laundry choices. Wash on cold. Yes your clothes WILL get clean. And forget the small loads. Wait and combine and do large loads only. You save water AND energy!
4. JUST BAG IT - I love carrying my own bags. I just FEEL better. And some of the bags out there today are just darn cute. So find some cute ones that fold up. Shove them in your purse, in your car, in your coat pocket...I don't care. Just find them and use them!
5. CLOTH IT UP - I know it's easy to use paper plates and paper napkins and paper towels. But it's super wasteful. Go for the cloth. Besides at dinner it just feels better on REAL plates with cloth napkins. Shoot, the kids might even chew with their mouths closed! {{gasp}}

These are just 10 ways to get your green on. There are hundreds more. Truly.

Leave a comment on how you are choosing to be green and on Saturday I'll giveaway one of my EARTH DAY tie bracelets! WOOT!

xoxooxox

lisa