2/12/13

The refrigerator is one of the biggest users of energy in most homes because it's on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It isn't practical to unplug and replug it in to save energy, so do the next best thing: Set your fridge to 40 degrees. Forty degrees is the optimal temperature to keep perishable foods safe from growing harmful bacteria. If you set it any warmer, your food could become an unhealthy breeding ground. Fill empty jugs with cold tap water and place them inside. The chill of the cold water will help keep the interior temperature cold, saving energy in the long run.

2/11/13

With the average person tossing more than $600 worth of spoiled food into the trash every year, every little thing you can do to prevent that means less landfill waste and more money in your pocket. When you're finished snacking on a block of cheese, rub a little butter on the cut side. The butter creates a barrier, making it impervious to the cold air in the refrigerator. This helps prevent cheese from drying out, and the butter -- another member of the dairy family -- is hardly detectable.

2/10/13

While the cause of disappearing bee colonies is still unknown, we know how vital bees are in the pollination of flowers. One thing you can do to help is to set out inexpensive bee blocks, which are blocks of wood with holes drilled in various sizes. These provide shelter for bees and are like little wooden condominiums for them. To purchase, search online or visit masonbeehomes.com to see the selection.