8/21/09

Take a minute to pull your refrigerator a few inches away from the kitchen wall. By allowing extra air in the back, the condenser coils will work better because of the increased air circulation. When you have time, pull the fridge out completely and vacuum the back to remove dust and debris. Doing this twice a year will improve the efficiency of your fridge, too.

8/20/09

One of the greenest gifts is no real gift at all: gift cards. If you have difficulty choosing a gift for someone who is impossible to shop for, avoid choosing the wrong gift -- which may go unused or eventually be thrown away -- and let them choose. A gift card is a green choice since the recipient can pick and choose exactly what he needs or wants. Tip: Unused gift cards can also be traded online at Gift Card BuyBack for cash: www.giftcardbuyback.com.

8/19/09

Even if you're more of a shake-and-bake type of a cook, that doesn't mean your instant brownies and cupcakes can't be organic, too. Organic foods have become so accessible that they're a cinch to make. Look for organic instant boxed mixes the next time you need to bake a sweet treat; they often feature higher-quality ingredients that just might fool others into thinking you made the chocolate cupcakes from scratch.