7/30/10

While it's great to donate gently used items from home to charity, there are some things you should never donate. Unwanted items from both Goodwill and Salvation Army include mattresses/box springs, computers, building materials, paint, carpet, lumber, water heaters, large appliances, car parts, swing sets and venetian blinds. Check with your local Goodwill and Salvation Army for more information.

7/29/10

If you (or a loved one) need just one more excuse to give up smoking, how about this: Tobacco farms grow some of the most heavily sprayed crops in the industry. A chemical cocktail of herbicides and pesticides are used to grow tobacco, which ends up in the soil and water supply over time. Giving up smoking is better for your health, your family and our planet.

7/28/10

If you've made the switch to a stainless steel reusable water bottle, keeping it clean and fresh can be a problem. After a few uses, simply wash it out with warm, soapy water; fill it up and shake it with the cap on to clean it really well. After drying it, the best place to store your bottle (if you're not using it right away) is in the freezer. Here, any residual moisture inside the bottle won't turn into a breeding ground for mold.