3/17/09

Do you have a whole collection of unwanted CDs or DVDs gathering dust around the house? Recycle a big collection into a functional dumbbell. Buy a 12-inch threaded rod from the hardware store and four nuts that will fit snug on the rod. Attach two nuts on each end of the rod and twist until they are about 3 inches in. Thread 25 CDs on each side of the rod and then secure with another nut. Use the 5-pound dumbbell when doing crunches; it's soft enough to rest on your stomach during a sit-up to add just enough resistance to your workout routine.

3/16/09

The next time you're feeling under the weather, be sure to disinfect your toothbrush when you're finally rebounding. If you don't, you risk re-infecting yourself simply by brushing your teeth! To disinfect, place a wet toothbrush in the microwave for about a minute on high; it'll radiate the germs away. When in doubt, replace the brush with a new one. (What an opportune time to give a recycled Preserve toothbrush a try!)

3/15/09

Wash only full loads in your dishwasher, using short cycles for all but the dirtiest dishes. This saves water and the energy used to pump and heat it. Air-drying, if you have the time, can also reduce energy use. Also, look for eco-friendly dishwasher detergents free of phosphates and chlorine bleach, like Method's Smarty Dish. They're in capsule form and will make eco-washing easy as pie.