Stop listening to the old wives tales: Wash your laundry in cold water.
A whopping 90% of energy used for washing clothes is heating the water (Planet Green). If you select that cold/cold option for 4 out of 5 cycles, you’ll save 72 LBs of carbon dioxide emissions this month alone! (It’s also good for your wallet – You’ll save $60-100 a year on energy bills too!)
American’s #1 New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight.
Sure, there’s some variations … Such as “get fit, be healthier, make better food choices and then there are those who get specific - consume less than X number of calories everyday, cut out candy and chocolate, stop eating standing up etc.” But the theme is we’re resolving to lose weight in ‘09 (and ‘08 and ‘07…)
This is the week I notice a shift in those around me in their approach to food and exercise. Co-workers that ran for the holiday treats in December now hold up their bag of carrot sticks and mutter “no thanks” to the leftover seasonal baked goods. My gym parking lot becomes impossible to get a spot in (though why not park two blocks away – it is exercise to walk over) and the battle to get a treadmill is fierce.
But no complaining, I commend any efforts to take better care of ourselves. And it’s no mystery why people recommit themselves to these goals year after year. According to an article by Business Week this past August adult obesity rates have doubled since 1980, from 15% to 30%, and two-thirds of U.S. adults are now considered overweight or obese.
That’s a pretty scary stat.
But there’s a very real connection between getting healthier (read: slimmer!) and living green.
As Julie pointed out in 10 Green New Years Resolutions in ‘09, there’s plenty of simple fixes that go a long way.
Here are some specific steps you can take to conquer your green and health resolution simultaneously:
Continue January 6, 2009
As we’re quickly approaching that infamous Times Square ball falling, it’s time to think ahead and make New Years resolutions. Debating what you should 
do to be greener in the New Year?
Here’s 10 ideas to party like it’s 2009:
Continue 3 Comments December 31, 2008
Planning a Christmas or Hanukkah holiday party soon? Send out invites electronically rather than in snail mail – They’ll get to your guests faster, be easier to track guest responses, and save paper (& trees!)
Are you sick of going to parties or bars seeing a girl or guy in the same outfit as you? Fear not eco-
conscientious fashionistas, there’s a clothing line in town to prevent that problem.
Nicole Rae Styer designs a line of clothes for people who like to be unique or stand out. Her inspiration comes from vintage styles. She creates one-of-a-kind dresses, tank tops, shirts, purses, intimate apparel and home decor for women, as well as kids clothing and men’s shirts. She takes pride in ensuring each piece of her line is unique and pays careful attention to detail, just two of the reasons she had her work shown at the prestigous Fashion Week run-way show last year.
Continue 3 Comments November 26, 2008
Getting ready for Turkey day preparations? The biggest travel day of the year surely makes an enviromental impact … so here’s 6 ways to help you green your Thanksgiving meal:
Continue Leave a Comment November 24, 2008
Will you be hearing Wedding Bells in the near-future? The traditional wedding expo has come undone! Save the date for Unbridaled, an alternative wedding expo focusing on local, handmade, and environmentally-friendly options for planning a wedding.
Continue Leave a Comment November 18, 2008
Thinking about Halloween costumes for this year? Rather than going to a Halloween speciality store and spending $40 on a costume worn once, try renting from a theatrical or costume shop.
Feeling extra creative?
Continue 2 Comments October 16, 2008
The Phillies-Dodgers NLDS playoff series is heating up! With plays like a game-tying two-run homerun from Victorino & Stairs’ two-run hit in last night’s game 4 – we Philadelphians are on the edge of our seats one game away from our 1st shot at the World Series since 1993.
As we root on the Fightin’ Phils, it also makes sense to acknowledge our beloved Philadelphia’s team enviro-efforts with their ‘Red Goes Green‘ campaign.
A common argument is that the recycling process causes more harm than good. While recycling vehicles & factories do give off carbon emissions, they’re intercepting trash from landfills and oceans – which is much more harmful in the long-run.
How can you limit the ‘harm’ of recycling in Philadelphia or your local area? Reduce the amount of materials you use in everyday life. Here are 6 ways to limit your waste:
