it's EASY being green!

happy earth day everyone!

in honor of earth day i thought i'd share how the poire/devincent home celebrates & loves the earth every day of the year...maybe you will read a few things that inspires YOU to be a little greener

-  trust me, the earth will love you right back for every small step you take

we reduce by:

• using energy efficient light bulbs & LED Lights
• a Programmable Thermostat and presetting for cooler while we are not home and a tad warmer when we are
• opening blinds & shades during the day to take advantage of the day's warmth, closing the blinds at night to keep the warmth in
• replacing old appliances (when they go) with energy star rated appliances
• turning the water off while washing the dishes
• combining all errands into one trip by making lists & a plan
• buying in bulk & storing in glass reusable containers
• purchasing organic as often as we can and when it makes sense
• supporting our local farms & small businesses that supports locally made products
• joining our local CSA: community supported agriculture

reuse- it's the cool thing to do-

• stashing reusable shopping bags in your car & home & USING them
• my sis always gets me the coolest bags- see example above, hemp bag with reinforced bottom and extra long handles
• using plastic eggshell cartons to start seedlings
• these can be used year after year
• lining garden paths with newspaper and covering with mulch
• great food for the earthworms
• store & freeze left overs in glass containers
• we use cloth napkins- never paper napkins or paper towels for meals & snacks
• old towels or wash clothes for rags- cleaning the bathroom or kitchen counters
• reusable mop microfiber mop pads for hardwood floors or tiles

there are so many great products on the market that take advantage post consumer products by reusing / recycling it back into their own products:

• we recycle everything that is allowed through our city's recycle program
• composting
• purchasing environmentally friendly products
• trash bags
• paper towels & tissues Marcal Small Steps is great!
• environmentally friendly cleaning & beauty products:
• method
• mrs meyers clean day (love her!)
• 7th generation
• dr. bronners magical soaps
• burts bees
• toms toothpaste

growing your own veggies helps the earth in so many ways- you give back just as much as it gives you through the process on many different levels from the earthworms, soil, microbes, birds they all appreciate organic & responsible gardens,  your wallet will thank you too!

start small, make a few changes and see where it brings you.

every step big or small has an impact - it is up to you wether you want to take that first step

this is simply a way of life for us, we never think twice about reducing our impact on the earth; it just comes naturally.

happy earth day, make it a good day!