It's Spring: Go Green

"Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations." — Jean Paul Richter

If you stop and think about how much waste we create in our lives on a daily basis, you will notice how fast it adds up... and if you think about the formula we're creating: more garbage + more pollution = higher expenses = less money, it's not a pretty picture. 

Perhaps you've heard my favorite muppet Kermit the Frog crooning in his song, "It's not easy being green." Lately I've been thinking more about the green movement, but it didn't really hit home until I realized that unlike Kermit's words, being green is rather easy to do. In fact, being green isn't a fad - it's a change in your behavior... and it's really easy to do once you raise your awareness and start paying attention to your actions and attitudes.

There are a plethora of resources out there about greening your life, but allow me to highlight some simple habits you can quickly adopt which will not only make your neighborhood trees happier, the lakes and air cleaner, but your will benefit your body and mind as well.

Tips for Heading Towards Greenville:

• First, and foremost, start paying attention to what you use, keep, and throw away. Whereas in the past the 3 R's related to school, keep in mind the 3 R's of the 21st century: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
• Use a washcloth instead of paper towels to wipe up spills.
• If you like using paper towels, buy the half-sized perforated style which uses half the amount of a regular towel each time you tear one off (also makes great napkins!)
• Reuse the unused and gently used paper towels or napkins as handy wipes for wiping food from dirty dishes, greasy pans and for quick clean-ups.
• Use the backs of previously printed papers in your printer. Most of what we print is not the final pages of a dissertation so save the new paper for the important stuff. This is especially for us Boomers/Gen Xers who still print out email messages and ebooks (oh come on, admit it!)
• You know those handy little Ziploc bags? Unless you're filling them with pudding or peanut butter they can usually be reused a few times.
• Ask for a ceramic mug instead of paper at your local coffee shop. Instead of running off, take a moment to stop, relax, breathe and enjoy your java or tea - especially with a friend.
• Once in a while consider replacing coffee with green tea (blended with jasmine or lemongrass rocks). It's green and it's better for you.
• Turn off non-essential lights when you're not using them.
• Buy electronics with rechargeable batteries instead of disposable.
• When possible, walk, bike, bus, train, or carpool instead of drive. It's better for you, the environment, and saves money. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to see more sights!
• Reuse hotel sheets and towels. Do you change your sheets and towels every day at home? Then don't do it when you're on vacation.
• Buy reusable shopping bags. Save a plastic tree!
• Reconsider bottled water. Consider purchasing an aluminum refillable bottle and going back to the tap. Seriously - the whole bottled water craze is more of a fad than a fact. Did you realize they're slowly raising the prices for bottled water? Retailers are smart... but you are smarter.
• Consider going greener by using non-chemical cleaning supplies and supplementing your health with essential plant oils instead. Young Living is a fantastic organization I've been working with for years to help support you and your families' health with greener choices. 

Green Resources:

Personally, I like National Geographic's Green Guide, which gives a consumer a heapin' helpin' of stuff on everything from home and garden to personal care and product buying guides. There's also:

• Going Green Resources
• Worldwatch Institute 
• Oprah's Going Green Resources
• And lots more! Just Google "going green"

I encourage you to think about where you can Go Green by reducing, reusing and recycling more in your life. You'll feel good about the planet and your pocketbook. And by showing Kermit that you understand what being green is about, you'll make him a happy frog.

Namaste,

The Ambassador

And thanks to blog reader Barbara, here is a great article about Top 10 Things Most Garbage Services Won't Take. Thanks, Barbara!