It’s a new year and many of us have made resolutions to help embrace a new start. Hopefully, your resolutions include making some decisions for a healthier life and environment.
To help add a little green to your list, we gathered some great resolutions to add to your goals for a more earth-friendly existence this year.
Eat less meat. While not everyone is ready to become 100% vegetarian, there is little doubt that eating less meat is one of the fastest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Pick one or two days a week where you will only cook vegetarian food. Find a good vegetarian food cooking book to learn the best recipes, and you’re set!
Pick seasonal and local fruits and vegetables. While it can be tempting to eat strawberries in winter, when they have been imported from halfway across the planet or grown in energy-hungry greenhouses, they’re hardly sustainable. Do some research into what is naturally grown in your area in the season, and prefer these. This way, you’ll also rediscover the pleasure of meals changing with the seasons! Check out Freshfully for options to get local foods year round!
Take your bicycle out of the shed. People who re-start cycling to work and/or the supermarket often say that it’s lovely to rediscover their neighborhood that way. This isn’t always and easy feat in the Birmingham-area, especially in the “burbs,” but consider cycling on the weekends and whenever practical for a good workout. Take your wheels out for a spin at Railroad Park!
Make your home efficient. By now, we assume most of you have switched to CFL light bulbs – so it’s time to take home efficiency to the next level. Check your house for heat loss (check out our Green Guide for a listing of companies that can perform home energy audits) and make it a priority to make necessary repairs this year.
If you haven’t already committed to lowering the thermostat during these winter months, try taking it down to 68 degrees and throw a few extra blankets on the bed at night. Studies show that it is actually easier to fall asleep in a cool room. During the day open blinds and drapes (if you have properly sealed windows that aren’t letting in a draft) to let in sunlight to warm your room.
Become a toxic-free household. This might take a while in research, so plan to do it over the whole year. From beauty products to clothes detergent and computer parts, we have become used to toxics products in our daily lives. Time to stop it. When buying new products, check what they are made of, and pick the one that will have the least toxic residues. For help, check out our Quick Tips page for some home-made recipes, and the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database for details on the ingredients in your daily products.
Take recycling to the next level. You probably have two different bins in your kitchen, sorting your waste to have it recycled. It doesn’t end here though. In 2011, try to reduce the amount picked up by the garbage truck. If you have a garden, start your own compost. When you’re at the supermarket, prefer products that are not over packaged
Spend more time outdoors. Learn to enjoy nature again. Make a habit of taking a weekly walk outside. We have become so used to living in our houses and in our cars, many people have no idea what nature looks like anymore. Birmingham has some beautiful scenery – from Ruffner Mountain to the Lakeshore Trail, there are some picturesque locations all across the city that are perfect for becoming reacquainted with the great outdoors.
Take the Challenge Don’t limit your list to what you see here. Take a good look at your daily habits and figure out ways to be more efficient, healthier, and earth friendly.
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