If you haven't played that violin, clarinet or drum set in a long time, dust it off and recycle it! Many high schools will accept good-quality musical instruments for their music programs and give them to students to use for the school year. Why give? Children with music education perform better in math and develop better problem-solving skills. Now that's something to sing about!

2/6/10

Change the color of your home's walls. Choose items from nature with a vibrant appeal, such as a leaf, branch or a flower petal, and have it color-matched at your local hardware or paint store. Make sure to choose a paint that has a low amount of volatile organic compounds, which, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, can cause adverse health effects. Low-VOC paints are easy to find and also are low-odor.

2/5/10

Here's an idea: Make a big batch and put it in an air-tight jar as a housewarming gift.

2/4/10