Natural and Sustainable

1. Installing insulated windows to your south-facing home side. This will help bring in more light and help to heat your home in the winter months and keep your home cooler in the summer as well.

2. Install integrated air-filtration systems and use cleaners and polishes for your furniture throughout your homes that are non-toxic to help keep the air within your home toxic-free.

3. Replace all your bulbs around your home with compact fluorescent bulbs as they burn out. They will not only save your money buy will last longer as well. Ask your city council about recycle centers for these bulbs in your area.

4. Seal up all holes and gaps around you home. Air can leak out the smallest of holes and cause you to lose money and energy.

5. If you have a porch or outdoor living area that you use during the summer months, consider installing a retraceable awning or umbrellas over your sitting area. This can expand your living space and create a better area to enjoy the season without having to run your cooling system during these months as well.

6. Install low-flow faucets, showerheads and even low-flow toilets as well. You can save so many gallons of water that is just wasted during their use in your home.

7. Place rain gardens, ponds, birdbaths and even a stream around your home’s landscape if you can. Native and drought resistant plants will thrive without having to bring in non-native plants. Garden organically and use natural fertilizers on the plants and flowers you currently have and on the plants and flowers you bring into your landscape as well.

8. Consider replacing your appliances with more energy efficient models as well.

9. Consider investing in renewable energy options such as solar power, wind, water and geothermal forms. These are all renewable and can end up saving you huge amounts of money and energy lost in your own home.

10. Living close to the places you frequent the most can also save you in the long run as well. You can walk, bike or use public transportation to get to where you are going instead of using your own vehicle.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Community Supported Agriculture is a great way to give back to your community and get the very best in produce and fruits as well as other items. You pay a flat fee for a cut of a farmer’s harvest and the prices may be higher but the quality is 10 times better over all than what you would find in the local supermarket.