8/17/11

Bring a reusable, stainless steel coffee thermos to your regular barista the next time you fill up on a skim latte with an extra shot. Some stores will even give you a discount for bringing the thermos. Added bonus? Your hot drink stays hot longer and since most coffee mugs are designed to be spill-proof, you won't splatter that mocha latte all over your shirt.

8/16/11

Ditch the paper towels! Pick up microfiber cloth towels to use all around the house. Thousands of tiny little fibers literally grip and hold onto the dirt and bacteria. The best part? They are machine-washable, so you can use them over and over again. Even if you just use plain tap water, the microfiber towels will pick up germs to help you disinfect countertops and other surfaces.

We all know that bringing our own reusable canvas tote bags to the grocery store is the greenest choice. But if you want heavy-duty, extra-tough bags that can hold a lot of groceries, then look no further than your local sporting goods store. Large, sturdy totes designed to haul sporting equipment will do an extra-good job carrying heavy groceries, too.

Tip: When bagging glass bottles, pack them on their sides, not upright; you'll be able to fit more in the bag, and they won't tip over in the car ride home.