Natural and Sustainable

A lot of change can happen in just a short period of time when changing your home to green standards. Green standards are not only good for the environment they are also great changes for your money-saving ability as well. When it comes to green standards, it’s not really a difficult task at hand to achieve, all it takes is a bit of know how and a bit of time. Here are some ways to get your current home or even your future home plans up to the current green standards of living.

First and foremost, don’t try to do it all. Not every home can live green all the time, even if there isn’t any other option to live. All of us will slip up from time to time and it’s to be expected. So don’t try to kill yourself and do it all.

Secondly, older homes need to be tested for heat loss. Good ventilation is a great way to save energy and be sure to check the water heater, clothes dryer, enclosed spaces and other areas of the home to make sure of good sealing. Some other areas to check would be heating oil tanks for leakages and environmental contamination, if needed and tested for asbestos in the flooring, walls, ceiling and even some of the piping.

Third, check the paint. Is a lox volatile organic compound (VOC) choice of paint? Does it contain lead? If you answered yes to the first then you really can do nothing, except change the color if you choose, but if you answered yes to the second the only thing you can do is change the paint choice and paint over the existing paint color.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Worried about your drinking water? There are a lot of scams running rampant that are meant to scare you into buying bottled water, but are all of them scams? Many are rip-offs, deceptions and mostly just lies. Learn the difference in distilled, mineral water, spring water and even what the best one is for your family to drink with the Waterwise Report. Is softened water really that great? Is reverse osmosis the right choice, know for sure with this report.

The housing crisis really got a lot of home owners worried and there is still worry about what is the best route to go when it comes to purchasing or even keeping the right home. Many of us, that are in the market for a new home, turn to a realtor, but if your realtor keeping up with the eco-times or is she out for what’s in the good for herself?

Ecobroker International is a real estate company that offer the education for realtors they touch on topics such as health and environmental concerns. There are many other educational realtor options in the Unites States alone to help realtors stay up with the times.

There are very many environmental concerns when it comes to purchasing a new home like radon, lead, mold, energy systems, indoor air quality and even water efficiency. The list can go on and on, but is your realtor in the know when it comes to these issues?

Green homes are all the rage right now, mainly because they will save you more money over a long period of time. If your realtor isn’t one that is in the eco-know then it may be time to make a change for one who is. It may cost more to buy a greener home at first, but within a few years you will begin to reap the benefits over all. Let your realtor know you concerns and if she/he isn’t willing to give on any, then find one who is. You can begin your search here.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Want a better choice in a computer? Then choose a radiation and chemical-free computer or laptop. Computers have been linked to cancer, depression and other issues such as birth defects. Some people have even reported neurological disorders as well. At Technology Alternative Corporation they will help shield your computer from these and other issues. For as little as $400, you can have a chemical-free and radiation-free computer experience.

These tip can be used for any room in your home really. The choices we make when added items to our own home or bringing in our own personality can go a long way in making a better impact on the environment over all. Here are some ideas in keeping our homes in the eco-up all the way around.

• Go chemical-free: This is above all the most important tip. When we clean our home or bring in chemicals, we end up either breathing those chemicals in or allowing others to be in harms way when it comes to cleaning with the wrong types of chemicals. There is a lot of convenience in the world today, but you shouldn’t sacrifice health over convenience ever.

• Add the right furnishings: Look for materials made of bamboo, organic cotton, and even hemp and natural rubbers. These options are great alternatives to the PVC materials and other chemical-laden materials that are again convenience over what’s healthier for the environment and you.

• Go green with your paint choices: This one is one of the main topics that has been a staple in many green-blogs throughout the internet as well as at Natural and Sustainable as well. Look for low or even no-VOC paint. Even though paint says it is “no-VOC” it does contain a trace amount. A trace amount is better than a lot though.

• Forget that carpet: Steer clear of synthetic carpets and look for reclaimed wood and seal it with water-based sealant rather than oil-based polyurethane.

• Choose a better insulation: Look to eco-foam or recycled denim when it comes to your insulation into your home. They will help maintain a better temperature in your home just as the toxic-laden and unhealthy fiber glass insulation well.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: When looking for greener materials look to cork and bamboo. They are both highly renewable and are readily available worldwide. You can find these materials for cabinets and furniture and even flooring as well.

There are many things to consider when you go to place in eco-friendly options in your home. There are also other ways that can actually save you money as well. Here are some options to consider.

1. With Appliances: When you got to choose a refrigerator choose one that is Energy Star rated. It will be the most energy efficient appliance that way and also end up saving you a heap of money throughout its use.

2. With Cooling Systems: Consider adding a ceiling fans or whole house fans above anything else. Also if you feel that the air flow is a problem throughout the entire house, consider whole-house fans. There is also the option of deep roof overhangs and opaque window coverings are another route to consider as well. Around your yard, consider shade tress that can help block the heat from the sun as well. This can help lower your cost as well as wasted energy too.

3. With Furnaces: The best way to help with heat loss as well as saving you money and wasted energy is to get the smallest unit to meet your needs in heating in your household. The best way to go is not to guess, but to get a certified contractor to come out and determine you needs. Proper insulation throughout your home is a must with considering this option to get a better energy saving model. If your insulation needs to be replaced or updated, take care of that before the furnace issue.

4. For windows: You want to stick with reflective glass, low-E (low-emissiveity) coating. You can also consider the frame type as well. Insulated gases in the window are a good choice as well, but may loose their gasses over time. Your best bet is to seek out the most efficient Energy Star rating.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Today is Abraham Lincoln’s and Charles Darwin’s Birthday. Two great men to have graced us with their presence here on earth.

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Abraham Lincoln

A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.
Charles Darwin

You have either read it here, in books or heard it on the news lately, saving energy is at an all time high and everyone should save no matter what the situation, but where to start? The best way to start is to change your energy drainers with more eco-friendly options. You can change with anything such as music, computer, your phone and even your television. Here are a few suggestions to get you started now.

• Efficiency with your music: A regular stereo uses 120 kilowatt hours compared to an MP3 player that only uses 6 kilowatt hours. That’s a savings of $12.54 and 196 pounds of CO2 a year.

• Efficiency with your cable: A set up with regular cable uses about 239 kilowatt hours compared to a satellite set up that uses 124 kilowatt hours per year. That’s a savings of $12.65 and 197 pounds of CO2 a year.

• Efficiency with your computer: A set up with a desktop uses about 255 kilowatt hours compared to a laptop that uses 83 kilowatt hours. That’s a savings of $18.92 and 295 pounds of CO2 a year.

• Efficiency with your phone: A set up with the traditional cordless phone uses about 26 kilowatt hours compared to a cellular phone which uses 3 kilowatt hours a year. That’s a savings of $2.53 and 40 pounds of CO2 a year.

• Efficiency with your television: A set up with a plasma television uses 441 kilowatt hours compared to a LCD television that uses 77 kilowatt hours. That’s a savings of $40.04 and 624 pounds of CO2 a year.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Small Changes. Big Impact.

You maybe thinking, how can a further make my bathroom more eco-friendly without breaking the bank? There are ways you can save the environment and being forth a better eco-friendly and greener bathroom. Here are some easy ways to green your bathroom and still keep that wallet fat.

1. For shelving: Consider bamboo. It is a sustainable material, along with cork that can bring forth a natural tone into your bathroom. You can either get it unfinished, which is just beautiful, or get a painted shelf option. Make sure if you go painted, that it is painted with nontoxic paint through.

2. For toothbrushes: Go with a recycled plastic toothbrush or even a wood handle toothbrush. There are many options on the market now days that offer recycled material. My first post for Natural and Sustainable that gave options for a recycled toothbrushes. Read it here.

3. For towels: Look for towels that are either 100% organic cotton or even made from bamboo. You can even find ones on the market that are reclaimed from other materials as well. Just make sure they are thick and absorbent and don’t tear up the skin when you dry with them. Or find ones made from hemp such as the ones from Rawganique.

4. For the hamper: The Container Store offers a variety of recycled materials like bamboo, palm leaves and even grass. They also have handles to easily carry to the laundry room. They have a snag resistant interior so it doesn’t snag your most delicate clothing.

5. For a bath mat: Look for bath mats that have been reclaimed from other materials and give the utmost in absorbency. You can find ones that have been reclaimed from materials like flip slop sand other rugs from their past.

No matter where you currently are in your changing to a greener lifestyle check list, this summer is a great way to get that list up and going. There are several ways to go eco-greener and it all starts with small steps. Here are some ideas to get you headed in the right green direction and quickly.

• Shop at local farmers’ markets: Summer is the best time to start shopping a local farmers’ markets. During this time of year there are so many things to choose from.

• Grow your own foods: If you can’t seem to make it to the farmers’ market, then the next best thing is to grow your own. Have a garden and give it a try.

• Plant native flowers and shrubs: Whether it’s to add color to an existing garden or just because, native shrubs and plants are a great way to get started in a green lifestyle.

• Create a rock garden or xeriscape: These are great options to help you save in water waste.

• Start a recycling program in your neighborhood: If your neighborhood you live in doesn’t currently have curb-side recycling, petition to your town’s mayor to get one started.

• Buy sustainable clothing and home furnishings: Not only buys home furnishings and clothing that are sustainable, purchase everything you use from toothpaste to other body care products with this idea in mind as well.

• Walk or bike when you can: Even if it’s to the local grocery store it will help save you on gas and the earth on carbon emissions as well.

• Driving a hybrid car and travel local: The best way to reduce your carbon footprint is to take trips that are closer to home. There are many things that are offered locally or within a few minutes of drive time. Take advantage of all that is around you first then travel longer distances. And when that time comes a hybrid car will come in handy for sure.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Endangered Species Chocolate is all natural, planet saving and it is packaged in a paper that helps reduce paper waste.

If you currently own your home there are a lot of things you can upgrade or change to make it more energy efficient and green. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you are wanting to flip-your-house-green.

1. Know your Community: Ask about water-wise systems. This could include separate water systems for potable and non-potable water and the use of native vegetation within your own landscape. Water-wise systems can also include rain runoff collection bins. If you live within the city limits of your own community ask about adding a rain garden or rain runoff collection bin under the ground to use for gardening. Some cities offer tax breaks on eco-friendly improvements to your property as well. Every green addition can up the value of your home as well.

2. Understand and know about Third-Party Certification Programs: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are homes that meet national standard that have been set up by the United States Green Building Council for design. If it is from construction to operation overall your house could meet these standards with the green-changes over time. Your house would be grades in five areas: Sustainable site devolvement, water saving, energy efficiency, sustain ably used materials and indoor environmental quality. Visit their website to learn more on making your home LEED design approved.

3. Never be afraid to ask Questions: Asking questions is the key to making your home a greener one. The bottom line is, the more questions you ask the better you will know about efficiency of your home, where does my house stand on air quality, or even if you have leaks where air escapes, etc. All these questions as well as many more should be answered. Always ask before proceeding.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: If you are considering replacing your floors with something more sustainable consider cork flooring. It is not only softer for falls, but also is the most sustainable product besides bamboo on the planet.

Here are five tips to help cut your costs at home as well as help the environment in the process.

1. Leftovers at home are the number one way to cut your food cost and save you from using unnecessary resources as well. If your leftovers aren’t appealing for a second or even a third night, try adding them to a dish already prepared. Experiment with different left over food and you may make a whole new recipe and dish

2. Another way to save on food cost and help the environment out at the same time is to eat close to home. Why travel 50 miles to a fancy restaurant when there are many restaurants in your own town. Even if they are mom and pop stands, it’s nice to be giving back to your own community as well as eating at a place that you don’t have to drive so far to as well.

3. If you close up drafts around your home with things called draft snakes, you can make a few out of old fabric, you will save on energy cost that is slipping out the cracks. This technique works great for the winter and the summer as well. Install a programmable thermostat as well; program it to come on about 5 minutes before you come home.

4. Order your products online before heading out to shop for them. Yesterday was the infamous “Black Friday” and many of us could have saved a bundle, as well as the man’s life in New Jersey, if more of us had shopped online on Friday. Many of your regular products can be found in many online retailers and it cost less for you to pay online shipping then it is to drive from location to location. Many retailers have free or drastically cut shipping cost if you buy many products at once.

5. When you leave you home consider biking or walking to your location if it’s close. Even if it is a couple of blocks from your home, consider walking or biking there as well. The more you do it the easier it becomes and you will burn calories as well. We are a society of convenience, how convenient is it to head out on your own two feet and leave the same way you came without having to pay for parking or try to find your car in the parking lot of a large store? Pretty darn easy I say.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Large sized dog food bags can be made into a kitchen waste bag instead of wasting a plastic garbage sack. Just fill it the same way you would you regular garbage sack and save yourself that expensive of using yet another plastic bag.

There are several questions that someone wanting to go green in their lifestyle may want answers to. The main question one may ask them self is what is my reason for wanting to become greener? Of course this reason is yours and yours alone. Do you want to continue with the lifestyle you are comfortable with or do you want to change for the better with the environment in mind and your own health.

Some other questions may be:

1. Do I want to be 100 percent green or are there areas in which I don’t need to be green with?There are certain things you can get away with in not being as green in your habits and lifestyle. If you feel the impact is not a good one, then consider changing it.

2. In any area where I cannot go green can I offset my consumption in another way?
There are ways to offset what you are doing, one example is to plant a tree to make up for taking drying your clothes for one load.

3. Are there any green group sin my area, or should I start one myself?
You can start one yourself of course, even if there are other groups in your area already. A good start would be to do a search online for “Green Groups” in your area, online. See what comes up. If nothing is in your area. Contact another Green Group and see how you can go about starting your own.

4. When choosing to buy products and services, how do I know they are green?
Simple, ask them before you hire them.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Ways to becoming more “green” may involve: Preventing pollution, conserving energy, water and other natural resources, reducing waste, controlling chemicals within your own home, and introducing green practices to other people around you and in your own area.

1. Plug your computer, fax machine, copier, scanner, TV, DVD player, and even your Ipod and phone chargers onto a power strip and then simply switch it off when you are not suing them.

2. Replace 10 incandescent bulbs in your home or office with CFLs. Carpool to the office; donate used gear and sporting goods and even well worn older shoes that are good condition as well.

3. Turn down your water heater, air-dry your dishes and even use rechargeable batteries when you can.

4. Replace your clogged car filter; recycle plastics, paper, metals and glass no matter what. Look for recycled products as well and keep them in circulation.

5. Remove your car’s roof rack when you aren’t using it, drink filtered tap water instead of water that has been bottled and BYOB, bring your own bottle to places and refill it. Eat vegetarian twice a week at your home or at the office. Turn off the lights with you leave a room and turn off the ceiling fan when you aren’t in a room as well. Bike to most of your in-town errands and walk to places close like a friend’s house, or the library.

6. Cut down on your car washing, and sweep your driveway off instead of using the hose to spray it. Accelerate your speed gradually in your car to help save gas as well. Use the cruise control on the interstate and open highways. Always drive the speed limit, it’s better to be late then over-use your gas and even get a ticket.

7. Take a Navy shower by turning off the water while you soap up. Shave in the sink and not in the shower to help save water as well. Don’t overfill the bathtub.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Use environmentally friendly insulation on your home. It will help cut your heating and cooling cost as well as helps with your impact on the earth as well.

• Collect rainwater from downspouts and use it to water your won garden and plants.

• Say no to carpeting. Carpet contains more contaminants and pollen and dust than anything else in your home.

• Buy green power when you can and ask your utility company to off it if they don’t already. The typical U.S. household uses about 10,000 KWH a year.

• Repair, and don’t replace appliances. Each fix means your won’t be buying a new one and it will keep your old one out of landfills. IF you feel you must replace, then donate the broken or semi-broken one to a company that refurbishes or repairs then and resells then.

• Buy energy-efficient appliance when you do replace. Energy Star appliance use 10 to up to 50% less energy and water and must meet EPA efficiency guidelines.

• Dry your dishes on the dishwasher rack and if your dishwasher offers the air dry option, use that as well.

• Buy secondhand clothing or household items as tag sales and save the carbon cost of new production.

• Hang your laundry out to dry on a clothes line and eliminate one dryer cycle per week or more.

• Clean AC filters or replace them when necessary to keep your AC unit running smoothly.

• Run ceiling fans instead of the air conditioner in hot climates; this can save you more than a ton of CO2 waste within your won home.

• Use cold water to wash and rinse your clothes, only use hot water when the laundry is very dirty and always wash your bedding in hot water to kill bed bugs and dust mites.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Go for low flow showerheads, this switch can save you 1800 in eclectic cost and 43o in natural gas depending on how your water is heated. Not to mention the savings in water cost and waste as well. Consider putting in a low-flow toilet as well.

There are many sustainable ideas and practical ideas at that, you can use in your own garden right now. Even thought the growing season is just about over, you can still hang onto these ideas for next year’s growing season as well. Here are 5 ways to help you be a better gardener for the earth and yourself.

1. Conserve the water: If you seek out plants that don’t require watering everyday you can help cut back on water waste in a drastic way. If you do choose plants that require watering everyday consider putting in a rain water irrigation system or a rain garden. Which catches the rain and the plants water themselves.

2. Don’t go overboard: Don’t put in exotic plants that require a lot of maintenance and a lot of water and your time. You want to enjoy your garden by looking onto what you have created not, regret putting them in in the first place.

3. Lay off the sprays: Never you commercial pesticides in your garden, no matter what. A lot of the pesticides leach into our foods and plants such as herbs that we eventually carry into our house and we can end up ingesting that in the long run. Instead use a mixture of olive oil and neem oils. You can even find organic neem oil at many garden suppliers or online. It can help control mealy bugs, aphids and other plant harming insects.

4. Go Native: If you pick out native plants for your specific area you will have little effort to keep them growing and making your garden look wonderful. Ask your smaller local nurseries which have a better selection and a better knowledge of what native plants grow where for your particular area than a large retailer would have or be knowledgeable about.

5. Be plant happy: Try adding recycled pots with organic matter with a smaller plant rather than adding a lot of smaller plants to one pot. Your plants will be a lot happier in a lot of soil than being crowding in all that soil and not a lot of growing room. Keep things small on top and large on the bottom. Once the plant is established, you will see it take off and the pot and the plant with both compliment each other over all.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: There is plenty of gardening information on the 451 Press gardening site called Earthly Garden. Once you are done gathering information here at Natural and Sustainable, head over the Earthly Garden and learn about some great garden advice, tips and knowledge.

1. Reduce, Recycle, Reuse: If you recycle paper you use 70 percent less energy and 55 percent less water than creating paper from new source. Whenever possible, use washable cups, napkins, plates and towels instead of paper one. Pay as many bills as you can online to reduce the paper waste when a bill is sent to you through the mail. Also, please consider the planet when you go to print something from your computer.

2. Eliminate the uselessness of packaging: Use reusable shopping bags wherever you go. Drink filters water straight from the tap. Avoiding plastic containers can help save 1.5 million barrels of petroleum each year.

3. Reduce your carbon footprint at home: Replace your bulbs with CFLs or LEDs and always turn off the lights when you aren’t using them. Turn off your ceiling fans as well. Unplug your stereos, phone chargers and also your video games when you aren’t’ suing them. Set your water heater no high than 120 degrees. Vacuum your refrigerators coils monthly and keep your freezers stocked full. Consider installing solar-powered items in your home such as ceiling fans on decks or porches or pool lights.

4. Travel more green: Check your tires often and get regular tune-ups. Consider investing in a hybrid vehicle or ride a bike or scooter for shorter trips within your town or to a friend’s house. If you work near co-workers consider carpooling and walk every chance you get that means even consider taking the stairs from time to or all the time.

5. Buy organic when you can: Organic has no pesticide residue or chemical enhanced ingredients. Also many organic products have been produced sustainable, using less energy and less water. This in turn protects the animal and water supply, which in turn protects wildlife and plants

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Garden outdoors as much as possible. Plant trees and shrubs to help shade your home in the summer and block cold winds in the winter. Select organic and heirloom seeds for your garden as well. Use paper and grass clippings as much and reduce your water usage. Water your garden heavily in the early morning or late in the evening. And never ever use chemicals fertilizers or pesticides.

1. Recycled tin is the best idea for any home furnishing. You can find many household decorating items, such as lamps or even certain light fixtures made of recycled tin. Try Stray Dog Designs.

2. Many of your beddings and throws are made with chemicals and other harmful ingredients. And most are dyed with unnatural dyes that can either bleed or cause asthma problems later. Try finding ones made of natural dyes and better ingredients. Try Garnet Hill.

3. If you are looking for stools or even nightstand try reaching for ones made of solid wood or a company that gathers their goods for salvaged or a sustainable source. Try ABC Carpet & Home @ (212-473-3000).

4. Rugs are made from a material that can leach contaminant for month and months after they are purchased. So reach for a rug that is made from better sources, such as wool, felt and twine. Try Felt Rugs.

5. An organization like Sao Paulo, allows homeless people to transform recycled newspaper into one of kind bowls that you can actually use within your own home. This program allows these people to work and they are paid a wages in order to survive. Try Brastilo.

6. Wallpaper and the wallpaper adhesive is one of the most controversial paints now days. Instead of using conventional wall paper methods to cover your walls in your house try using ones that are more eco-friendly. Try DDbuilding.

7. As stated above, using better furniture and wood pieces in your home is the better option for yourself and the environment and better made products last longer as well. For your next table purchase needs try Autoban-Delaespada to find stores that carry better for the environment goods.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Recycle your rechargeable batteries just the same as you would your conventional batteries. If it doesn’t hold a charge, send it in into for recycling. Call 2 Recycle is a company that offers drop-off locations for those batteries. Visit their web site or call them toll-free at (877-2-recycle).