Natural and Sustainable

Can a chocolate bar be two things at once? Say for instance; good for the environment and good for you as well? With the Endangered Species Chocolate it can.

They have many flavors and products that contain this world-changing chocolate, from baking chocolate to all-natural and organic and they not only carry chocolate that’s healthy and planet-saving but they are also apart of the Fair-Trade.

Their many flavors of chocolate bars include:

• Organic Dark Chocolate with Goji Berry, Pecans and Maca ($3.69)

• Organic Dark Chocolate with Goldenberry and Lucuma ($3.69)

• Organic Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs, Yacon and Acai ($3.69)

• Organic Smooth Dark Chocolate ($3.69)

• Organic Smooth Milk Chocolate ($3.69)

• Organic Health Collection ($10.00)

Endangered Species Chocolate also has selections in the bite-sized chocolate category as well as wedding favors and hot cocoa. All of their chocolate, no matter what selection you choose there is a 10% of the net profits are donated to help support species, their habitat and humanity of that species and their future.

The next time you are in the mood for chocolate, or you are just craving a chocolate fix, make sure you are making a good purchase and not just a quick purchase that doesn‘t really benefit anything. Calories are the main ingredient that causes guilt in most of us, so the Endangered Species Chocolate purchase will counter-act the guilt. Trust me, while you eat Endangered Species Chocolate you will feel a lot better than just the added guilt of calories that normal and everyday chocolate brings.

To learn more about Conservation and Endangered Statistics, please lick here.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Re-Use, Reduce, and Recycle; Mulch your food waste. It’s the best thing you can do for the earth and your very own garden. Encourage your friends and even your own family to recycle. Pretty much everything can be recycled. And if you buy articles an food products in recyclable containers, you can put them right back into the recycling bin to become something else you can purchase again and again.

• Flip Flop Bins: Recycled flip flop bins put to use those old flip flops that, when broken or torn up go straight into the trash. Right? Why no repurpose them and make something else that we could all use around our house. Storage bins. Of course. They also come in a round shape as well and can even be stacked. And if you love the flip flop storage bins you will love the flip flop-repurposed into floor mats. Everyone loves the feel of flip flops on their feet, so why not put that feel under your feet in a different way.

• Handmade Sorghum Broom Set: Sorghum is a 100% renewable resource, just the same as bamboo. This broom set is handcrafted in Thailand and are colored with nontoxic dyes. So instead of cleaning with a chemical laden broom and dust pan, go that extra mile and clean with a cleaner-for-the-environment broom and dust pan as well.

• Entwined Root Mirror: Bring nature inside to your own home and personal space. Each mirror you find, made with recycled twigs has its own unique shape and style, so not one is the same. So no matter how many you purchase, you can add that special, all-natural, feeling to any room. You can also find this unique twig design on tables, a coat rack, and a bookcase as well.

• Driftwood Planter: We have all seen it, wood drifting along the beach or a river channel. At times it’s within arms length and we all think, “I wonder what I could make out of that.” You don’t think that? Well, I do. And if I had ever learned to widdle, I would be a millionaire. But someone came up with an idea far more interesting than widdling driftwood, a driftwood planter. By adding any plants, even succulents, this planter can withstand any growing season it is faced with. And with the eco-friendly driftwood, it looks great indoors or out.

Just a few household changes and replacements within your collection of household items can mean big changes for the environment and your health. Not every piece of furniture nor every cup, shower curtain or even rug is created equal, so choose wisely. For your own health’s sake and your pets and family.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Conserve energy: Don’t drive-try to bike, bus or even walk to locations close to your own home. Use energy efficient light bulbs throughout your home as well. And always use the stairs, not elevators and escalators. This will give you the added benefit of not only conserving usage of energy, but help trim that waist line as well.

Biodegradable Seed-Starter Pots:

You will need:

• Scissors
• Empty Toilet Paper Rolls
• Potting Soil
• Seeds of Your Choice

Cut each roll in half and press them all flat as you can. Use a book or a brick to get them flat. It’s best to use recycled toilet paper rolls for this project, that way you already know they are environmentally friendly and haven’t been chemically altered with man-made ingredients. Next, make four, half-inch to three-quarter-inch slices on one end of each roll to create four equal-sized flaps. Open up the roll and fold in the four flaps on the tub that you just made, like a box-bottom. Fill the pot with the potting soil, and plan your seeds, and be sure to water gently or have another bowl or dish under the pot if you are having them inside. When the seeds have sprouted and are ready to go in the ground, either pull the plant straight out of the soil, or plant the “little pot” you have made directly into the ground. This a great project for kids and even for the entire family. There is no need for tape, glue or even rubber bands, which aren’t all made earth-friendly. These little pots can be used over and over again if you pull the seedling sprouts out of the little pots directly. You can experiment with different plant types to see which ones work best inside you little pots. I like to plant pumpkin seeds and squash seeds inside mine. Mainly because, their roots tend to grab the soil better and it’s easier to pull them out. With strawberry sprouts, I plant them directly into the soil inside the pot. Have fun with your kids and planting seeds and teaching kids how wonderful and great the world really is.

Fight the toxins that build up in your body with food and good habits. Here’s how.

Most people are in a state of toxic overload with heir own bodies. One main contributor to this toxic overload is our currently environmental state, the other is our very own lifestyle such as, not getting the recommended nine hours of sleep every night, not eating only wild foods, and lack of exercise is the biggest contributor.

Although our bodies are designed to eliminate these unwanted toxins, when your body is in a toxic overload it can’t keep up with all of them. The end result is either illness, skin issues, fatigue in mental clarity as well as our digestive tract becomes off and causes unwanted issues in that department and other areas.

What’s the solution then you might be asking, simple, boosting your bodies ability to ward off the toxins in a natural way.

Here’s the steps to follow:

1. Drink only filtered water.

2. Eat organic fruits and veggies. (pomegranate, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and onions.

3. Drink Green Tea whenever you can.

4. Eliminate white flour and white sugar.

5. Exercise and making your body sweat regularly.

6. Making your bowels move daily.

7. Taking good quality vitamins and minerals daily.

8. And the most important, keep stress at bay and relax your mind and body daily.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Listening to sound music and focusing on what’s important, don’t sweat the small stuff and everything else will fall into place where YOU think it should be if you are living an all-natural-eco-friendly lifestyle.

“If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat….it’s staggering when you think about it. Vegetarianism takes care of so many things in one shot; ecology, famine, cruelty.” - Sir Paul McCartney

Eating meat effects not only the animals welfare, but also the environment. Were humans ever supposed to eat meat in the beginning. In the days of the cave men and even when Indians first inhabited the Americas, what if they never eat or used animals for food or for clothing. What if they stuck to the vegetables and the cotton, etc. for survival, how would our current world look today? Here are some ways that eating meat effect the world as a whole.

• Global Warming: According to the recent United Nations report, the meat industry causes more global warming (through emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) than all the cars, trucks, SUVs, planes and ships in the world combines. Researchers at the University of Chicago determined that switching to a vegan diet is 50 percent more effective than switching from a regular car to a hybrid in reducing your impact on global warming.

• Water Resources: More than half of all the water consumed in the U.S. is used to raise animals for food. A totally vegetarian diet requires 300 gallons of water per day, while a meat-based diet requires more than 4,000 gallons of water per day.

• Pollution: Farmed animals produce about 130 times as much excrement as the entire human population of the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), the run-off from factory farms pollutes our rivers and lakes more than all other industrial sources combines. Raising animals for food is one of the top tow or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to globally world wide.
(Source: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

From this:

To This:

It’s cause for thought, definately….Wouldn’t you agree?

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Stand behind what you believe and stand strong. Nobody else-not your friends, your soul mate, your parents, or even the people who annoy you most, can change your inner sate more than temporarily.

Bush’s recently approved economic stimulus package is supposed to help boost our economy that is slowly shrinking away, by returning funds back to the Americans who are cash-strapped. Bush assumes that all Americans who are going to receive their checks will turn around and spend it in the shopping malls and for purchases online as well. The federal debt is already at $9 trillion, will this little bit of return help our earth’s future? I have already heard so many people tell me how they already have their money ($600 or $1,200) spent. The earth is trying to heal while Americans are thinking, turn that money into a big screen TV or even something that will be thrown away when it’s time is done and used up.

Why not take that money and turn it around for the good instead of the bad? Here are some ideas to help you in the process.

• SRIs (Socially Responsible Investments): These are a way to invest financially in corporations that are legit as far as the environment is concerned such as:
1. Domini Social Investments
2. Pax World Mutual Funds
3. Calvert
All of these companies offer socially responsible mutual funds with companies that embrace fair labor practices, environmental preservation and human rights, to name a few.

• Green Century Funds, Portfolio 21 and the Sierra Club Stock Fund go the extra green mile with super strict eco-criteria for their mutual funds they offer the public.

• Village Banking, Accion, Grameen Foundation, and Kiva: These companies bolster a small business in the developing world through a micro loan. For a small investment, you can help third-world entrepreneurs escape poverty and improve their standards of living.

Here’s a timeline of when you might receive your money:

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Last two SSN digits: Payments will be transmitted no later than:
00 through 20 May 2
21 through 75 May 9
76 through 99 May 16

PAPER CHECK

Last two SSN digits: Payments will be mailed no later than:
00 through 09 May 16
10 through 18 May 23
19 through 25 May 30
26 through 38 June 6
39 through 51 June 13
52 through 63 June 20
64 through 75 June 27
76 through 87 July 4
88 through 99 July 11

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Cooking and baking with organic and natural products and food choices is a great way to avoid pesticides, and eating locally is a great way to keep the money in your own community and help the small-time farmers.

It might be a great idea to consider an electric or hybrid car since to-date, the gas prices aren’t changing and I have been told by MANY people that the price of gas won’t be dipping below $3.00 ever again. Ever is quite along time, but I am thinking the price of gas will not be changing for a great long while.

Driving electric, hybrid or even a low-gas mileage car helps not only your wallet in these times of gas guzzling craziness, it also helps the environment in a great way. There are several alternatives to gas-needing cars that are currently on the market no and will help with your daily commute and help reflect your values in saving the environment and becoming more conscious of earth-issues.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have very peaceful motors and they don’t release air pollutants like normal cars that use gas would and do. EVs also come in the plug-in variety and are more fuel efficient than existing hybrids on the market. They are 90 percent cleaner than the gas-powered competitor. Here are some of the top EVs to check out.

• AC Propulsion: ebox all-electric car.

• Brammo Enertis: Electric motorcycle.

• Vectrix: low-maintenance maxi scooter.

• Ford Escape: Plug-in hybrid.

• GM Chevy Volt: Plug-in hybrid model.

• Mitsubishi Colt: Electric vehicle.

• Phoenix Motorcars: Electric sport-utility.

• Subaru R1e: Electric micorcar.

• Tesla Roadster: Luxury electric roadster. All 2008 models have already been reserved, but get a jump on the 2009s while you can.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Common drain flushing products on the market are chemical laden and cause corrosion on your water pipes, and eventually may end up in our water system, especially if you are on a well. Instead of using those , why not make your own. Boil about 4 gallons of water on the stove, while that is boiling add baking soda to the drain, about 4 cups. After the baking soda has been added, add 4 cups of white vinegar to the drain and wait for 10 minutes. After time has passed, add the boiling hot water to the drain, be sure and add the entire 4 gallons slowly to the drain. The drain should be unclogged, if not, do the process again.

Sustain yourself with a few yoga moves. You know, yoga is for more than just getting into shape. It can also help you relax from all the pressures of the global warming stress that a lot of us are feeling anymore. Sometimes it just seems that all we do isn’t enough, even a simple pause can help us get back to what’s important and ground our focus. Rejuvenating our brains and clearing the cloudy thinking from a scattered lifestyle to a more centered one is the most important thing. Here’s how to capture that moment back to stable thinking.

• Adho Mukha Svanasana: Downward-Facing Dog Pose

• Parsvakonasana: Side Angle Pose

• Trikonasana: Triangle Pose

• Setu Bandha Sarvangasana: Bridge Pose

• Janu Sirsasana: Head-of-the-knee Pose

• Viparita Karani: Legs-up-the-wall Pose

With a bit of incorporation with yoga into you day to day activities, you will see a change for the better in your thinking and your ability to sustain yourself from the drumming of stress from your daily tasks.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Solar power is becoming more and more popular with every passing day. If you are considering solar power within your own home, I hope these thoughts push you toward the direction of solar energy even more:

1. Solar power significantly cuts your electricity costs and protects the environment as well.

2. A complete “turnkey” system within it’s self-all rebates and permits are handled by the installer.

3. Virtually maintenance free.

4. Most companies that install solar power panels back their products with a full 10-year warranty on parts and even their workmanship.

5. Join the solar power revolution and help save the earth and your money everyday you use them. For more information, check out BP Solar.

You can help improve your lawns, your families and others exposure to lawn chemicals by raising awareness in your town about how dangerous lawn care and how much better the use of organic turf is. Here is a rough draft of how you can start change within your own community, as well as try to change your very own town into become a more conscious lawn care community.

• Get your neighbors involved: The quickest and easiest ways to get them involved with the change is to educate them. Post pesticide-free lawn signs in your very own yard. Then talk to them about how important the change is for not only the environment but for their own health as well.

• Create a demand for it: Request that the local nursery in your own town and the surrounding towns carry organic fertilizer and even organic and quality organic lawn products. There are several products right in your own pantry that can be used for your own lawn care.

• Be the example of your own talks: Growing your own organic grass in an organic way, is to lead by example. When you are questioned as to how you are growing your beautiful grass, tell your questioner what you are using and how your change to organic lawn care and fertilizer is helping your grass and you earth.

• Get active in a political way: Writing to local officials in regards to the concern about lawn-chemical use in the community will spawn change. Urge them to consider the change in making it harder to use chemical pesticides and passing local pesticide ordinance that are stricter than state policies.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Gather up your old mobile phones and give them to Eco-Cell. They will in turn refurbish or recycle your the phones instead of sending them to the landfill. And we all know there is already plenty already there.

First off, Happy Earth Day everyone. And here are some right moves for the Earth Day change in your life.

1. CFLs: The mercury in a CFL bulb us far less than the mercury emissions released from a coal-burning power plant lighting up a regular, less-energy-efficient light bulb. If you happen to break one, visit Environmental Protection Agency help page and then get a new CFL bulb.

2. Locavoring: The problem with reports that state that local food choices requires more energy and creates more greenhouse gas emissions than products sourced from far-flung lands is that often times the figures are distorted to make for a controversial story. The public likes to read drama, not what is.

3. Hybrids: If you are in the market for a new vehicle, don’t just fall for the word hybrid, do your research. Use tools like MPG Gennie to see exactly how fuel-efficient a car really is. This tool even help you calculate the cost of your commute will be as gas prices rise. Of course, taking public transportation, riding a bike and even walking are all better-for-the-planet choices as well.

4. Biofuels: Because corn ethanol requires so much more energy to produce, the end product is nearly more eco than petroleum itself. The entire U.S. corn crop would only produce enough ethanol to replace 12 percent of our current gasoline usage.

5. Bamboo Clothes: To make sure your favorite bamboo T-shirt is as green as possible, do your best to check up on the environmental and labor practices of the company you are buying from. The very best companies are members of Fair Trade or have a Co-op America Business Seal of Approval.

6. Bioplastic: It makes a lot more sense to bag a bad habit rather than to switch to a slightly less bad habit. Don’t just ditch the plastic. Ditch the one-use lifestyle, and embrace your reusable to-go mug and organic cotton tote instead.

7. Mineral Makeup: Until we have better FDA regulation of personal care products , evaluate each item on a case-by-case basis. EWG’s cosmetic safety guide Skin Deep provides hazard scores on over 25,000 products to help you make smarter makeup buying decisions. (Source: Some information pulled from Conscious Choice Magazine 2008)

Take an Earth Day Quiz!

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip:
To find out more, Click here.

Ahimsa literally means, “the voidance of violence.” Your tax dollars that you pay in each year go to support violence more than you know. And anymore the violence you go to support is quite high on the scale of “things you don’t want to help pay for.” But, your tax paying dollars also go toward a lot of good thing as well, such as, road construction, public schools and assisting the poor, including some $4.4 billion in aid to Africa alone. Our taxes have a negative and positive effect on our world currently, but you can’t know whether the dollars you pay it will go for good or to the bad. But failing to file taxes will lead to jail time, interest, penalties, and tax liens.

Americans overpay the government an average of $1 billion every year, some 11 million people fail to take the Earned income Tax Credit and various education credits. Hire a tax professional (a CPA or and Enrolled Agent) to make sure you are maximizing the deductions available to you.

Do your duty by paying taxes, but be aware of not overpaying. Here are four ideas for making your contributions count in a good way toward the earth:

• Give to charity, engaging in voluntary (rather than involuntary, government-directed) philanthropy.

• Contribute more to your 401 (k) or other tax-deductible retirement accounts, or set one up if you are self-employed.

• Invest, with your tax adviser’s blessing in municipal bonds instead of bank savings, CDs, or table bonds. Many of these securities pay interest that is tax free.

• Avoid giving Congress an interest-free loan. Most people allow their employer to withhold more than they end up owing in taxes, leading to a big refund each April. Instead, work with your payroll department to lower your withholding so that they more closely match the actual amount of tax you will owe come year’s end. (Source: YJ 2008)

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip:
What Counts:

• 1/3 Amount of earth’s natural resources that have been mined, chopped, blown up, or otherwise extracted in the past three decades alone.

• 3 to 5 Number of extra planets we would need if everyone consumed at American rates.

• 5 Percentage of earth’s population living in the U.S. (yet Americans use up to 30 percent of the world’s resources and create 30 percent of the world’s waste.)

• 100,000 Number of synthetic chemicals used in commerce today, many of which wind up in our bodies (human breast milk is the food at the top if the food chain with the highest level of many toxic contaminates.)

• 99 Percentage stuff we harvest, mine, transport or otherwise produce that is trashed within six months (many products are specifically “designed for the dump”).

• 30 Percentage of kids in Congo ho have dropped out of school to mine metals, the majority of which end up in cheap and disposable electronic products bought by Americans.

• 75 Percent of global fisheries that are fishes at, or beyond, capacity.

• 4.5 Pounds of garbage each American makes each day (twice as much as we made 30 years ago).

• 3000 Number of advertisements targets at American consumers each day.(Source: Conscious Choice 2008)

Here’s your chance for a leg-up on starting to live more green.

Two yogis put together all you need to take the first steps toward a greener life-style with an eco-startup kit.

The two women who are behind the company Rocklovepeace, Melanie Monroe and Del Harley, are musicians who met in Nashville, Tennessee, 10 years ago. They found they were kindred spirits and decided to perform and record together.

Their professional relationship took a turn for the environmental about a year ago., The two started working on a plant to inspire others to make changes that would benefit the planet. The outcome in Change: A starter kit, it contains a number of items, each with its own instructions. There’s an energy-savings compact florescent bulb in a box that urges you the “switch”; a tree-free journal made from lokta-bush bark that suggests you “write”; a tree sapling your can “plant”; “be grateful” gratitude cards; fair trade cocoa mix that reminds you to “be fair”; a sudoku booklet encouraging you to “think”; an envelope motivating you your to “give” to end hunger; and a stylish tote fashioned from recycled materials that says “reuse”/ Tags are embedded with flower seeds your can plant/ The bag, string, and ribbon are all biodegradable. A portion of the proceeds goes to the organization Action Against Hunger. It was yoga that was the inspiration for this. Harley practices yoga on the beach, and Monroe is a devotee of Anusara Yoga. “Ahimsa [the practice of nonviolence] is definitely a part of this. They want to leave the planet a better place for their child and others children. Yoga has really helped open their eyes to the fact that the world is so much bigger than just them. (Source: Yoga Journal 2008)

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Organic is better for you, want to know why? Organic fruits and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants than nonorganic produce, according to a four-year study from the United Kingdom. Researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne grew fruits and vegetables on adjacent organic and nonorganic sites across Europe and then analyzed the yields. It was shown there are more of certain nutritionally desirable compounds and less of the baddies in organic foods, or improved amounts of the fatty acids you want and less of those you don’t’ want. The ongoing study will next focus on determining where the difference between organic and conventional food comes from. (Source: Organic Gardening 2008)

Enjoy the rewards of beekeeping, but keeping the naturally is easier than you think. Here’s how to get started and reap the benefits, such as fresh, natural, delicious honey from your own backyard.

Supplies you will need:

Beekeeping does involve some initial expenses. Here’s a list of what will be needed to start two hives. The cost can be divided into one-time startup expenses for hive components (about $350) and other equipment *about $150). If you get everything new it comes to about $500 of two hives, the bees and shipping.

Hives and frames: Two hives, commercial grade. This is a one-time expense of about $200. IT includes these parts of the boxes: Four hive bodies, six 6 5/8-inch honey supers (boxes), two reversible bottom boars, two telescoping covers, with inner covers, two queen excluders, two top feeders, two screened bottom boards, and two entrance reducers.

Frames and foundations: There will need to be gradually replaced every three years or so, and cost about $150 total. That estimated cost includes commercial frames and foundation sheets. Be sure to get the correct size frames for your supers. Also, if you decide to make liquid honey, you will need to order crimp wired foundation sheets. For comb honey, order thin, unwired foundation,

Other basic equipment: One-time expense, ($150 and up):
• Zipper veil bee suit and helmet
• Boot bands
• Gloves, plastic-coated canvas
• 7-inch stainless steel smokers with shield
• Hive tool
• Frame grips
• Bee brush
• Spur embedded for wiring frames
• Embedding wire

Bees, and other expenses:
• 3 pounds of bees, plus queen, $55 to $80, plus shipping
• 1-gallon exterior latex paint or Auro natural stain
• Outdoor wood glue
• Cinder blocks or wood for a base

Once you have built your hives or put them together, which ever way works best for you, and your bees have arrived you can start introducing your bees to their new home. Be sure to set your hives up off the ground on blocks or bricks especially where fire ants are prone to attack. All you do is wait and harvest. You can remove the honey comb with a hot knife. If you have to fumigate your hive always you essential oils, as to keep the honey harvesting an all-natural process. In the beginning, only harvest a few combs during the first year of beekeeping.

Beekeeping is a sustainable practice that most big-time farmers enjoy. Bees are excellent pollinators and bring more to a beekeeper than just the honey.

Visit the following links to find a supplier of your beekeeping needs:

1. Better Bee

2. Dandant

3. Mann Lake

4. Western Bee

5. Glory Bee

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: If you are wanting to buy organic buy some of the process are a little far out of your budget opt for all-natural veggie washes and can help clean off pesticides if you can’t always buy organically grown produce.

1. Air fresheners are another common indoor source for VOCs. Skip the artificial versions and make your own: Add several drops of essential oil to a spray bottle of water and spritz. This method helps reduce your exposure to VOCs and will cut your risk of asthma and headaches, some studies show.

2. Surge protectors lower your chances of overloading a circuit, which reduces your risk of house fires, so be sure and help out in more way then one. By using power surge protectors you also save on your electric bill as well as wasted electricity that is just being used without reason.

3. If your fridge keeps food at 40°F or below, you’re less likely to be among the 3 to 4 million people each year who get food poisoning. But for added benefit as well, keep your fridge stocked full so that it takes less power to cool your food inside. But, don’t pack it too tight, be sure air can flow through the food.

4. You will cut down on noise pollution by using a push-operated model of power equipment, such as a lawn mower. Snow blowers produce about 105 decibels of eardrum-rattling sound, and lawn mowers about 90. Prolonged exposure to noise about 85 decibels damages the hair cells in the inner ear; chronic exposure is linked to increased anxiety levels, elevated blood pressure and disrupted sleep.

5. Hemp shower curtains (roughly about $84) are resistant to bacteria and allergy-aggravating mold. With vinyl brands, sold almost everywhere, you get more than you bargain for. For high levels of VOCs, even after a month of use they are still letting out harmful chemicals with every daily, nightly or even afternoon shower time. Opt for environmentally-friendly models.

6. If everyone in the United States switched to cold water for most laundry loads, it would mean a savings of 47 million tons of CO2 emissions a year-which could help reduce global warming and its health effects, such as increased rates of asthma, heatstroke, and West Nile virus infections. But, always wash your bedding in hot water to kill bacteria and dust mites, etc.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Try to shop at farmers’ market and clean with water, vinegar and baking soda. Dust with old t-shirts, and socks. Use a push mower and make your own compost. These practices are great for the environment also fantastic for your health.

Well, generators are a nice place to start, but what is the right one?

A generators output is the best place to start looking, as well as the size of the generator. A generators output is measures by watts, a unit of power derived by multiplying electrical flow rate (amps) by electrical pressure (volts). But how much is enough?

To choose the right generator, you need to accurately estimate your power requirements. Here’s a sample of wattages required household appliances and tools. Start-up are momentary, they occur for a few seconds when a motor is switched. To find the power rating for your tools and appliance, check their manuals pr read the information stamped on the device itself.

Appliance:

Furnace: Start-up watts (1,400); Operating watts (700)

Well Pump (1/2 horsepower): Start-up (1,500); Operating watt (750)

Refrigerator: Start-up watts (1,500); Operating watts (800)

40-gallon water heater: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (3,000)

Freezer: Start-up watts (2,000); Operating watts (800)

VCR: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (50)

Radio: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (100)

TV/Computer: Start up watts (n/a); Operating watts (350)

Microwave: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (750)

Sump Pump: Start-up watts (1,400); Operating watts (750)

Washing Machine: Start-up watts (1,500); Operating watts (750)

Coffee Maker: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (850)

2-Slice Toaster: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (1,100)

Plug-in Heater: Start-up watts (n/a); Operating watts (1,500)

7 1/4-inch Circular Saw: Start-up watts (1,500); Operating watts (750)

Here are four generator safety tips to keep in mind when using a generator: Generators offer great convenience during power outages, but if not used properly they are and will become very dangerous when in use. Follow these guidelines for safe use:

• Store gasoline outside your home-away from living quarters and livestock barns.

• Always use a generator outside, never inside doors on in an attached garage. (People have died because of this in the past, never take the chance, no matter how convenient it is.)

• Protect a generator from the rain and snow and even rain while stored and during use.

• Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords sized to match the power load and the length of the cord.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Stop idling in your car.