5/12/12

If you like your pasta cooked al dente, here's a simple culinary tip that's delicious and energy efficient: Place dried pasta in water in a saucepan, and bring it to a boil for two full minutes. Turn off the stove, cover the pan with a lid and let the pasta sit in the hot water for the amount of time it says on the cooking instructions. In a few minutes, you'll have perfectly cooked pasta and you'll save energy, too!

5/11/12

When buying cleaning products, try to use products that are unscented or fragrance-free whenever possible. Many products will have scents like "April Fresh" or "Lavender Fields" added to their formulations. These aren't just artificial fragrances added on a whim -- they help mask the chemical odors from the product. People with chemical sensitivities can be bothered by artificial fragrance, so it makes sense that a truly clean home is one that smells like nothing at all.

5/10/12

Remember the plastic cooler or icebox you use for picnics and tailgating parties the next time you go grocery shopping. During the summer, your car can get ultrahot in a few minutes flat. Even with air conditioning, groceries stored in the back seat of the car can still get warm very quickly. To keep frozen food and produce cool and help extend their shelf life, pack the food in an ice chest with ice packs.