Growing a Vegetable Garden

Long before ‘organic gardening’ was trendy, my grandparents had a great big vegetable garden in their back yard. Italian immigrants, they were religious in their daily tending, growing cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, eggplants, basil, watermelons, corn and rhubarb not only to feed their 10 children but to supplement their household budget.  I would love to help when their kitchen was changed into a factory full of jars, boiling pots on the stove, salt and vinegar as they canned tomatoes. I always knew that someday my own children would share in these traditions.

Fast forward several years, I find myself living in the home of my dreams with ample land for my first ‘serious’ garden.  You can find me daydreaming about the sun on my face and the soil in my hands all winter long, browsing seed books while charting my garden with paper and pencil. Living without a vegetable garden is simply not possible for me. Maybe it’s genetics but I take great pride in the fact that I can feed my family without a trip to the grocery store just as my grandparents did.

But why do it? Why grow a vegetable garden?

1. Taste

Ever taste a cherry tomato fresh from the vine? No? Steal your way into that crazy neighbors’ yard…you know the one with the straw hat and huge garden?!  I promise you will be hooked at first bite.

2. Safety 

We hear scary stories about pesticides, salmonella, preservatives, genetically modified foods and additives almost every day when you turn on the news. According to the EPA, we use over one billion tons of pesticides on our food crops every year. For me, this is one of the most compelling reasons to garden. I know that the food I am eating is safe…period.

3. Cost

A packet of seeds costs less than two dollars. Saving seeds costs nothing. Buying fruits and vegetables in the store, however, can be expensive. Every summer we grow more food than we can possibly eat for almost nothing. When you just can’t look at another zucchini, freeze the rest for winter.  One of my favorite snacks in mid January is a warm slice of zucchini bread. You’ll be surprised at how much you can grow for the cost of one seed packet – $1.59.

4. Health

Studies have shown that gardening for one hour can burn more than 400 calories. Gardening involves walking, stretching, lifting and bending. It can build muscle as well as give a good cardio workout.  The fresh air and sunshine that makes my skin glow is just a bonus.  

5. Spirit

I LOVE my yoga!!  But I’ll let you in on a secret; gardening is the closest I’ve ever found to that calm, grounded feeling I get from yoga. I know many friends who agree that working the garden can be immensely peaceful while the beauty you have created can lift the spirit. A vegetable garden can also lend a more spiritual link to life itself. Not only are you participating in the miracle of growth and the changing of the seasons, you will also become intimately linked to the process of nurturing your own life and nourishing your own body.

6. Security 

Security? Yes, security. With the cost of energy and global climate change, our ability to feed ourselves is increasingly in doubt. We must each seriously rethink the way we live. I, for one, feel more secure knowing that I can grow a significant amount of food right in my own backyard. The price of my vegetables is not at all dependant on inflation. 

7.  Environmental Issues

Did you know that if each of us ate just one meal a week composed of locally and organically raised meats and/or produce, we could reduce oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week? That’s not gallons, but barrels. You can’t get more local than your own backyard.

Now if you’re still not convinced that gardening is for you, that’s okay. Not everyone yearns to take up gardening or due to lack of space or time it’s not a possibility for you. You can still get the health benefits and lessen your environmental footprint by shopping at your local farmers market or joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). But if the idea sparks an interest, grab some gloves and join the millions who love playing in the dirt.

Reasons to Avoid Synthetic Weed n Feed Products on Your Lawn

“Weed ‘n feed” is a combination herbicide and fertilizer product which is designed to kill weeds and fertilize the grass in a single application. Marketed under many different brand names, these chemically-based herbicides are some of the most toxic substances which are still legal to buy. (In Canada, all weed ‘n feed pesticide and fertilizer combination products have recently been banned.)
Each year Americans apply an estimated 27 million pounds of weed ‘n feed to parks, cemeteries, home lawns and anywhere else mown grass is found. A mix of three “phenoxy herbicides” called 2,4-D, dicamba and mecoprop typically blended together into weed killers and weed ‘n feed products, they kill broadleaf plants such as dandelions while sparing grass.
The lure of convenience, and effective marketing, have made weed ‘n feed among the most frequently used lawn care products. Short-term effectiveness is gained at the expense of long-term lawn and soil health. The overpowered chemical fertilizers these products contain actually weaken turf—causing the kind of fast, weak, unnatural growth that’s susceptible to pests and disease.
Giving up the weed ‘n feed does not mean you’ll have to live with a weed strewn lawn. Organic lawn care practices, combined with nontoxic pre-emergent herbicides, will restore your weed patch to a healthy lawn, over time.
Here are six reasons to avoid using synthetic weed ‘n feed products on your lawn:
1. Uneven, excessive application of herbicides.
Granular “weed and feed” products are applied to the entire lawn, not merely to areas of weeds, which results in herbicides being applied where they are not needed. The mixture of fertilizer and herbicide is incompatible because one ingredient should be applied to the entire lawn, and one is intended for problem spots. In most lawns, broadleaf weeds like dandelions usually occupy less than five or 10 per cent of the area.
Gary Fish, an environmental specialist at the Maine Board of Pesticide Control, who used to work with Chemlawn before it merged with Tru Green, believes the combined weed ‘n feed products, whether for pre-emergent fertilizer or for weeds, are unnecessary and harmful to the environment. Fish said weed ‘n feed products use 20 to 30 times more pesticide than is needed.
When we give lawns more food than they need, the excess fertilizers end up in the water because plants simply can’t absorb as much as we think they want.
2. Granular “weed ‘n feed” chemicals harm the environment.
Quick-release fertilizers, commonly used in most weed ‘n feed products, apply a quick and heavy dose of nutrients to the lawn, and are more likely to wash off when watered or after it rains. Even if you don’t live near the water, pesticides from your yard could travel through storm drains untreated to the nearest stream or lake, or seep into the water table. Nitrogen and other plant nutrients create algae blooms that smother aquatic life forms in streams, ponds, rivers and even the ocean. In addition, a main ingredient in “weed and feed,” 2,4-D or 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, has recently been cited as a contributor to contaminating salmon habitat.
Birds eat weed ‘n feed granules as grit. Studies have linked weed-and-feed and crane fly pesticides to massive bird deaths, and this has caused the removal of some of the most toxic ingredients from the market.
3. Weed ‘n feed chemicals are easily tracked indoors.
Granular weed ‘n feed products cling to shoes and children’s clothing if they have playing on the lawn, and are easily carried indoors where they persist in the home environment. Dust is carried by the wind to neighbor’s yards, where the particles can also tracked indoors. Studies show that children and pets who play on toxically treated lawns absorb pesticide residues into their bodies. In recent governmental studies, researchers found that all study participants had residual toxins in their blood, including pesticides. Children in similar studies show pesticide residue markers in their urine.
4. There are health risks associated with synthetic herbicides.
The weedkillers (phenoxy herbicides) used in weed ‘n feed products are persistent, bioaccumulative toxic substances linked to cancers and to reproductive, immunological and neurological problems. Some of the herbicides in chemical weed ‘n feeds—especially 2, 4-D—have been linked to increased rates of cancer in people and dogs.
5. Long-term lawn health is compromised.
Once you begin a program of using synthetic fertilizers, your lawn becomes dependent on these chemicals to ensure a healthy weed-free look year after year. However, over-fertilizing with synthetic chemicals disinfects or kills most of the beneficial fungi and organisms in soil. This makes it more difficult to build naturally healthy turf which contains beneficial organisms.
6. There are safer, more effective alternatives.
The good news is that you can have a beautiful, healthy lawn without using blanket applications of synthetic lawn care chemicals. Building a healthy, organic lawn is the best way to choke out weeds. Lawns that are maintained properly through regular care (i.e. feeding, aeration, watering, and mowing), should only need ‘spot treating’ of limited problem areas.
Consumers should also realize that weed ‘n feed products may kill existing weeds, but do not prevent new weeds from growing. You can prevent new weeds from germinating by applying a pre-emergent herbicide during that first warm spell in spring and in the early fall. One of the best pre-emergents is corn gluten meal, a completely natural substance that also provides the benefits of fertilizing. Corn gluten meal is an organic alternative to weed ‘n feed.
Another effective method of controlling dandelions is pulling them manually. This may seem to be too difficult, but newly designed dandelion forks, which have a curved plate welded to the shaft, are very easy to use for pulling even the most stubborn dandelions. If your lawn is modest in size, a small investment in a dandelion fork will yield good results.
For the health of our families, neighbors and our environment, pesticide use should be a measure of last resort.

Sustainable Green Living

Only a year ago we were buoyed by the promises of “hope and change” that resonated through the political bullhorn and lifted our uncertain spirits. But as the optimistic goals become mired in longstanding political realities, many are still looking for the first signs of real change.
It’s natural to look to charismatic leaders who can deliver sweeping progressive change to those of us who yearn for a more sustainable future. But as the President-elect stated, this change must come from the bottom up. That means us. The actions of individuals and families are the real building blocks of culture and economy.
Creating change of any magnitude begins with small steps, and while these steps may seem insignificant, the rewards are immediate and tangible. Even the first spade in the ground of a new garden makes one feel proactive, in control, and hopeful. Making the simple decision to not use lawn chemicals is enlightening, as it begins the process of looking at the yard as part of an organic ecosystem which contributes to the well-being of our family, pets and local wildlife. Sewing a patch on a torn pair of jeans liberates us from the feeling that our fashion sense is dictated by the whims of designers, and helps instill the message of thrift as a family value.
Here are 6 ways we can each start building a sustainable future for ourselves and the world.
1. Get growing
Building a sustainable future begins with developing a healthy relationship with our environment. The natural cycles of life and the connections between healthy soil, water and air and our personal well-being become obvious to the gardener. If you have a yard, set aside a space for growing vegetables and get the whole family involved. Even a small plot will serve to teach your children the basics of our intimate connection with the environment. If you live in an apartment, even a small container garden on the balcony can accomplish the same.
In 1900, more than half the U.S. population lived on farms, 46 million out of the 76 million total population. By 1990, there were 3.87 million people living on farms, only 1.6 percent of the total population.
Besides the benefit of awareness, of course, a garden plot can also help defray food costs. However, this is not always the case. Gardening can be labor intensive and costly. If you hope to save on your food budget by gardening, here are some tips about the most ‘cost-effective’ vegetables to grow, and organic methods which can reduce the need for more expensive garden supplements.
2. Champion thrift
Lost in the mirage of consumerism are the timeless values of thrift and modesty. Today, many consumer purchases are not based on real need, but rather to maintain an inflated standard of living that has been influenced by corporate agendas and clever advertising. This marketing has become so pervasive that many of us feel poorly about ourselves if we aren’t driving a late model car, wearing the latest in fashion or using the newest iPhone.
We need to remind ourselves and our children that thrift is the cornerstone of sustainability. Many of us remember our parents or grandparents being proud of being thrifty, not wasting a thing, extending the usable life of an item in an imaginative way. A simple modest lifestyle is a welcome change to the pressure of constantly trying to keep up with ever-increasing consumer standards. Mend clothes, fix things in lieu of replacing them, compost food waste, conserve water in the home and yard, buy clothing with timeless styles, visit thrift shops you get the idea. Make thrift a family value.
3. Break from the car
While auto companies are retooling to produce more energy-efficient cars, there will always be significant environmental costs associated with driving. We can help mitigate these costs by being more miserly with our use of cars. Setting a family policy of “no driving for trips under 1 mile” or similar restriction, will help everyone get the point.
Consolidating trips deters impulse buying.
Public transportation, bikes, and walking need to be embraced as reasonable alternatives for short trips. The simplest method, consolidating trips, goes without saying. In our family, we now drive to the mall once a month instead of once a week. We simply keep a list and wait till there’s enough to warrant a trip. This has been easy, and I enjoy the extra time at home on weekends. And the funny thing is that by waiting, we often decide we don’t really need some of the items on the list. Consolidating trips deters impulse buying. Our current “car culture” is not realistic in a sustainable future. Walk more, bike more, car pool whenever possible.
4. Avoid using pollutants and toxic materials
Most people trust the safety of products found on store shelves, especially since we have considerable government oversight to ensure consumer safety. But in many instances this trust is unfounded. Many household cleaners, air fresheners, interior paints, carpets and even furniture items contain hazardous chemicals that can harm us. Young children are especially vulnerable, partly because of increased exposure. Everything goes in their mouths and they virtually live on the floor. And children are more sensitive because they are still developing the basic body system; the brain, internal organs, respiratory and immune systems are not fully developed until adolescence.
“How can we, as one of the most advanced countries in the world allow these to enter our household for small children, without the appropriate testing to see that it’s safe?”
Dr. Gideon Koren, Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Learn about common indoor pollutants and read the labels on products coming into your home, and look for nontoxic alternatives for home cleaning and painting. Outdoors, be aware of the hazards of lawn care chemicals found in “weed ‘n feed products. Consider the safer natural alternatives, or look to ways to reduce the size of your lawn. Better yet, convert your lawn to an edible landscape or backyard vegetable garden.
5. Teach your children
As every parent knows, time flies when it comes to raising children. The early years pass quickly while young parents try to balance the demands of career-building with child rearing. Young children today spend a disproportionate amount of time in nurseries and daycare programs, and watching TV at home. The younger the child the more impressionable.
It is essential that young parents make it a priority to spend more time with their children, especially the youngest ones, to teach them your values. Teach them the importance of a healthy environment and how it relates to their personal and future well-being. Schools are remiss in this regard – they do not teach environmental stewardship in core curriculum. It is up to the parents, and essential for any hopes of a sustainable future.
6. Adopt a piece of nature
We each have our favorite places in nature where we can find renewal and inspiration. A lovely spot in a park, a bit of shoreline, a forest path or mountain trail. Because we share these places with others, we may not feel responsible for their maintenance or protection. When we see garbage or the gradual degradation of the natural beauty, the easy rationalization is “someone else will deal with it”.
I’ve taken to bringing a plastic bag once a week when visiting one of my favorite spots, and it is most satisfying to pick up the garbage and clean the site. This simple act bonds me even more to the site, and heightens the pleasure of each visit.
Pick a natural spot that your family values and become ‘silent stewards’. This doesn’t mean starting a ‘save the trees’ campaign or engaging others to take action, but rather it’s about building a personal relationship with nature and sharing the importance of this with your family.
Right now is a special time in history, when optimism and enthusiasm for change have captured our imagination, and the status-quo seems unfulfilling and untenable. Now is the time for us each to participate as agents of the change we seek by incorporating sustainable living values and practices into our everyday lives.

Preparing Your Kids To Love Green Living

Children are born with an innate curiosity about the natural world around them. How can we help them satisfy it?  Parents need to teach children in a simple but deliberate way how to understand and interact with the natural environment. If this curiosity is not stimulated, it gradually dulls as the many distractions of modern life fill the child’s interest.

When a child becomes excited by nature, he/she gains access to its inherent rewards – inspiration, entertainment, comfort and perspective. As our modern life becomes more complex and over-stimulating, an appreciation of our natural world offers the child a gift that will last a lifetime.

When they are young

First impressions are lasting impressions. Even babes in arms, birth – 6 months old, will respond with interest to the wonders of their natural environment. The first year or two of a child’s life is a special time when the child looks to the parent for guidance in all areas of learning. Seize the moment to instill in your child an interest and a reverence for nature.

As an example, when my children were babies I would take them to a quiet spot near the house before dinnertime to listen to the evening bird songs. As each bird gave its distinct call, I would simply say the name of the bird – varied thrush, grouse, towhee, robin, woodpecker…. Invariably, my child would be fixated in silence, concentrating on the attention we gave to the sounds of nature. Beyond the learning experience, these were precious moments, rewarding for both child and parent.

Go with them

Your participation is essential, as it underscores the importance of learning about our natural environment. As guide and mentor, your example sets the benchmark for your child’s level of interest in nature.

Begin by taking your child out in nature with just yourself. Avoid bringing your child’s friends along for the first few outings; children listen to their peers more than their parents and all it takes is one snicker from a friend saying ‘this is dumb’ to throw a wet blanket on your efforts.

Also, sending your child off to camp or school field trips is no guarantee that he/she will have a successful experience in wild nature. With children, social interactions can distract from their experience of nature.

Help Them Observe

Equip your child with the means to better explore and observe the natural world, from the miniature world of the insects to the local flora and fauna, and the swirling night sky constellations.

BINOCULARS/MONOCULAR

Give your child his/her own child-sized binocular for use during outings in nature. A monocular may be even preferable to binoculars for young children because a monocular is smaller, lightweight and easy to pack in a pocket or pack.

JOURNAL

A sturdy, hard-bound journal with blank pages enables your child to keep a record of personal observations. Coloured pencils are also useful for nature drawings or bird sketches. As journal pages gradually fill with drawings and observations, the child gains a sense of pride and accomplishment which deepens the growing bond with nature.

LOCAL WILDLIFE BOOKS

Find a book which details the birds, mammals and wild flora specific to your locale. Reading a guide will greatly enhance your child’s outings. The children’s book section of the library will have lots to offer.

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS

Your town’s bookstore will likely have topographic maps of your area. Pin a large (poster-size) copy on a wall at home as a reference. The child can highlight areas explored or pin small numbers that correspond with pages in their journals. Over time, the child develops an intimate knowledge of the surrounding area and its wild attractions. It’s also useful to have a laminated copy of the topo map to bring along as a pocket guide during outings.

Encouraging

Keep a checklist of local wildlife and flora and try to “discover” them in the wild. Give your child a small camera to document their find, and mark it off on the checklist. By documenting their discovery, the child sees progress and can take pride in their accomplishment. Use copies of the child’s photos for Christmas cards to the relatives. This adds value to the child’s efforts.

Let Them Lead

Although you may have a preset route to follow, give preference to the child’s interests. Follow their interests, and let your child set the pace. Keep the outing easy and fun. And, you may be surprised by what your child’s keen eye can teach you.

The Green way home

You might think that organizing a house is not really a big deal, that is just common sense. If you have a lot of stuff, you simply reduce the amount, use what you have and stop shopping. But many of us are aware that organizing is a big business especially in the case of container companies. According to a newsweek report, the home storage products business has become $4.36 billion industry in USA. All of sudden, having a tidy house is becoming very expensive and it’s not helping those that are struggling with disorganization. A growing number of professional organizers in Canada and USA are passionately promoting reusing, reducing and recycling. The word GREEN is becoming very popular among my fellow organizers.

Before you go on your shopping spree, walk through your home or office and find out what you already have to contain your stuff. A word of caution, if you skipped the process of purging and sorting, there are not enough containers in the world that will help you to get organized. So let’s Go Green and get organized.

Re-use your stuff

• Reuse plastic coffee lids or any other lids under cooking oils or any other messy containers.
• Use old dresser drawers as under the bed storage.Casters will allow you to easily slide them in and out
• Baby jars are ideal to contain your small houshold items such as buttons, paper clips, and push pins. Ideal for craft material. Let you kids decorate and label them.

• Use small, plastic, square or rectangle containers, those that you are planning to recycle and use them to store all the items in your junk drawer, hopefuly you have one. Organize and contain your batteries,paper clips, envelopes pens etc.

Reduce Your Stuff

Living green doesn’t mean living below the poverty line. It simly means being conscious about  your shopping habits and the negative affect it will have on your finances and your family. If you shop till you drop, the clutter is the price you pay. I have clients who simply use their shopping habits as their hobby or to make themselves feel better. Shopping addiction is just like any other addiction, it feels good for a while and then reality checks in.

I urge all my clients to give a gift of time to their families and friends. Let me explain the meaning of a gift of time.  If your grandma is eighty years old, she doesn’t need another basket of lotions and potions.  She needs somebody to tend to her garden, clean and organize her house etc. Take her out to see a play, gas up her vehicle, take her to her favorite restaurant – make sure to take a picture of the two of you during your gift of time.

Recycling Tips

• Purchase quality brand name, durable goods rather than cheep and disposable.
• Buy good quality and long-lasting clothing. When the time comes to part with your clothes, you could always resell or donate.
• Whenever possible buy products made of recycled material.
• Rent or borrow seldom used tools and equipment.
• Swap your children’s clothes and toys with your neighbors, family and friends.
• Donate your gently used items to charity to reuse or resell

Green Cleaning Proucts and Safety

A growing number of Americans are seeking so-called “green” cleaners — products made with natural, nontoxic, and biodegradable ingredients. Sales of natural cleaning products totaled $105 million in the last year.

Some of these cleaners promise that they contain natural (instead of synthetic) agents, break down quickly in the environment, or pose less of a toxic threat to humans and ecosystems. But critics caution that just because the ingredients in green cleaners are plant-based or natural doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe.

Although green cleaners may purport to list all ingredients, the market is largely unregulated — which means consumers still must be wary of what’s in the bottle. Even cleaning products labeled “natural” may contain some fraction of synthetic chemicals. Or they may contain natural ingredients consumers would rather avoid, such as petroleum distillates, some of which can cause cancer. And just because a cleaning product is biodegradable and made from plant-based sources doesn’t mean that it is without potential adverse effects on health.

Plant-based ingredients included in some green cleaners include limonene (a citrus-based oil), pine oil, and the foaming agent coconut diethanolamide – all of which can cause allergic dermatitis. And a recent study of natural and nontoxic consumer products found the suspected cancer-causing chemical 1,4-dioxane in roughly half of 100 tested products — including several dish washing liquids with words such as “Earth friendly” and “eco” in their brand names.

Some natural cleaners still contain petroleum distillates such as benzene, or 1,4 dioxane, both of which can cause cancer, not to mention the fact that they come from a non-renewable resource (oil) which is, in and of itself, far from eco-friendly.

1,4 dioxane is also a suspected kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant.

Based on the Organic Consumer’s Association’s review of natural and organic personal care and household cleaning products, the only products that consistently tested negative for 1,4 dioxane were those carrying the USDA Certified Organic seal.

Other dangerous ingredients to look out for include:

• Phosphates – cause algae proliferation in bodies of water, killing marine life
• Nonylphenol ethoxylates – cause reproductive defects, liver and kidney damage
• Phthalates – cause sperm damage and reproductive defects in boys
• Volatile organic compounds, including 1,4-dichlorobenzene – cause nose and throat irritation, dizziness, asthma
• Glycol ethers
• Ammonia
• Chlorine
• Ethanolamines

Consumer advocates have pressed for stricter labeling rules, but the industry has resisted, arguing that long lists of ingredients would create a distraction on product labels, drawing attention away from important safety information.

For many home cleaning chores, you can avoid commercial products entirely by making your own cleaners. 

Staycation and workation

The term "staycation" (combo of staying home and vacation) was coined during the rough economic times these past couple of years. We learned how to enjoy fun destinations close to home, little day trip excursions or just indulging in chilling out in our own homes. Having moved from the east coast to west coast, we frequently enoy staycations, because this is where we used to pay to come to enjoy vacations! There are endless interesting & fun spots to visit within driving distance, not mention the beach within walking distance.

One thing I battle during staycations though, is the ease of sliping into my office and working. There's nobody telling me I can't or shouldn't. Everyone in my family takes time to do their fave things during staycations, so I do have my allotted down time. My husband and younger son may golf, my older son will hang with his friends at the beach or play his DJ set up or guitar. I will go to yoga, ride bikes, walk, read and I love planning family excursions so we do get that quality family time.

So, why do I feel guilty working during these staycations? I don't know! Maybe it's because my oldest son only has four more years of living at home before he's on his own...I just spend little bursts of time at the computer, not entire days or evenings but still... So, as I begin this staycation for 2 weeks, I'm over analyzing...but coming up with some ideas for balance...but leaning more towards real vacation than work. If I'm with my family on an excursion and something comes to mind or work, I will just make a note to myself on my Blackberry. Then I will add to my list and when its time for my alone time, I will handle my work activities.

I love what I do, so mixing in biz while on staycation ust makes me feel productive. But I also know that wonderful feeling of rejuvenation that comes from leaving all work behind and enoying complete fun and no business. Then I am truly recharged when I get back to work. Balance is nice, yes. But imbalance can be terrific too. So, this year, I'm thinking I will really treat this staycation as more of a vacation and not think about work much at all for the next 2 weeks. I will allow myself to make my lists so I don't forget my ideas, but that's about it. Im ready for some fun family time. It's been a work filled year and its time to LET GO & ENJOY... Guilt free.

How to go green at your home?

When you go green at home, you can make your home environment a healthier place to live. You can be green and stay well within your budget, too. By taking just a few actions to go green at home, you can make your life better and maybe help future generations, too.

When you go green at home, you can make your home environment a healthier place to live. You can be green and stay well within your budget, too. By taking just a few actions to go green at home, you can make your life better and maybe help future generations, too.

Laundry

You can change your laundry cleaning habits as one way of going green. The ingredients of many commercially available ones can cause problems for humans and the environment. Chlorine, for example, is poisonous to humans and animals and can create dioxin, a dangerous byproduct, when flushed down the drain. You can avoid harmful detergents by choosing eco-friendly products that do not contain bleach. The label will read "non-chlorine bleach" on the label. Eco-friendly products may contain hydrogen peroxide instead. Also, use "fragrance-free" detergent because the fragrances in detergents can irritate allergic or sensitive people. Washing your clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot water reduces your energy use by 50 percent per load. By forgoing the dryer and hanging your clothes to dry, you can save $10 a month, says Brad Stroh, founder of Bills.com on the Bankrate website. Clothes dryers are the third largest energy users in the home, after the refrigerator and the washing machine.

Programmable Thermostat

If you don't have one already, a programmable thermostat can help you control your home's heating and air conditioning units. In the summer, every degree you raise the thermostat, you reduce your air conditioning bill by about 2 percent, according to Bankrate.com. In the winter, every degree you lower the thermostat, reduces your heating bill by 3 percent.

Increase Ventilation

The biggest threats to indoor air quality are volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are gases emitted from certain chemicals. VOCs can have short-term and long-term adverse health effects, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Paints, cleaning products and hobby products can all contain harmful chemicals. Increase the ventilation in your home when using these types of products, and dispose of them properly when you are through. You can find out from your local government the proper disposal methods.

Cleaning Products

You can make your own cleansers by using environmentally safe products. Use products such as baking soda, soap, lemon, borax, white vinegar, washing soda, isopropyl alcohol, cornstarch and citrus solvent.

Organic Foods

You can buy organic food that has the USDA organic seal on it. These foods are not produced with antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, bioengineering or irradiation, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

Recycle

It's important to recycle items, such as plastic bags, bottles, cans and newspapers. But you don't have to stop there. You can buy recycled products when possible. Look for the words "recycled content" on the packaging.

10 quick tips about your hump of laundary

The never-ending pile of laundry also drives up energy consumption in the home. Simple changes to your laundry washing and drying routine mean less energy used. This translates to more money saved, a benefit everyone can appreciate. Eco-friendly and budget-friendly laundry techniques don't require much extra effort or time, making them fit into a family's busy lifestyle.

1. Wear Clothes Twice

Clothes are often thrown into the hamper, whether or not they are dirty. Some articles of clothing such as sweatshirts or clothing worn for only a short time can be worn two or more times before they are washed. This means less laundry.

2. Wash Full Loads

Full loads in the washing machine consume less energy, but overloading the washer means the clothes probably won't get completely clean. Adjust the load size on the washing machine to match the amount of clothes you have in the load.

3. Shorten the Cycle

Most washing machines offer different cycles and settings, which vary in length. Choose a shorter cycle for the washing machine, especially if the clothing is delicate or only lightly soiled.

4. Wash on Cold

Washing laundry in cold water saves on energy because the hot water heater doesn't need to run to heat the washing water. Special detergents made for cold-water washing are available if you are concerned about getting clothes clean. If you want some heat in the water, try the warm setting instead of hot.

5. Water Heater Setting

A lower water heater setting keeps the washing costs lower if you do choose to wash laundry on hot. A lower setting also prevents accidental scalding when using faucets and bathtubs in the house, so it adds a safety aspect. A setting of 120 degrees allows you to get hot water but not too hot.

6. Presoak

Presoaking heavily soiled clothing gives some of the dirt a chance to loosen before the clothes are washed. This step might mean you only need one washing cycle rather than two to get the clothes fully clean. When you add detergent to your load, avoid adding too much, which could require an extra rinse.

7. Remove Lint

A full lint trap reduces the drying efficiency of a clothes dryer. Clean out the lint trap after each load of laundry for maximum drying effectiveness. Check the dryer exhaust periodically to ensure it isn't clogged.

8. Drying Time

Newer dryers often have a moisture-sensor setting that detects when clothing is dry. This prevents the dryer from running longer than necessary, saving you energy. Less drying time can also save wear on the clothing. If you don't have this setting on your dryer, set the machine to run for shorter lengths of time. Check the laundry each time the machine shuts off to see if the clothes are dry.

9. Air-Dry Clothes

Air drying your clothes reduces the energy consumed since you skip the dryer step. If you don't have an outdoor clothesline, use indoor drying racks. Toss the clothes in the dryer for a few minutes with a dryer sheet when they are mostly dry to soften them and add the fresh scent of the dryer sheet.

10. Update Your Washer

Older washing machines and dryers are less energy-efficient than newer models, meaning they use more energy just to run. Older machines might not work as well, causing you to run them through several cycles to get clothes clean. A new model with the EnergyStar rating cuts down significantly on your energy consumption.

2 more Glaciers missing

We all know warmer temperatures have led to shrinking glaciers, and now two more of Glacier National Park's ice fields are too small to be classified as glaciers, according to a recent article on msnbc.com.

The Shepard Glacier and Miche Wabun Glacier have shrunk to less than 25 acres, bringing the number of glaciers in the Montana park down to 25; the park was once home to some 150 glaciers. And the article paints a grim picture for the future of the Montana park's glaciers.

Dan Fagre, a U.S. Geological Survey ecologist, reported the change in the status of the former glaciers earlier this week.