9/7/13

Your public library can be more than a free resource for books, DVDs and as a place to research new information: It can also help your home become more energy efficient. Many public libraries also offer money-saving devices you can borrow for free. One item is called a Kill A Watt monitor, an electricity usage monitor. It tells you exactly how much energy your electronics use and empowers you to make energy-saving adjustments on the spot.

9/6/13

More than 36 million tons of food waste reaches U.S. landfills every year where airtight conditions prevent perfectly biodegradable material from becoming beneficial mulch. To prevent such waste, compost organic matter at home whenever possible. One more thing you can do: Eat the peels from foods. Instead of buying slivered almonds, buy whole ones with the skin still on; it's loaded with essential flavonoids that have cholesterol-lowering benefits. Don't peel apples; instead, wash the whole apple and eat the skin -- studies have shown the peel can help reduce bad cholesterol, too. And the other waste? Try juicing it to get all the benefits, and then sprinkle the unused pulp on the yard for instant nutrition for your lawn.

9/5/13

While it may seem like common knowledge to wash your hands after you've touched grimy surfaces, many of us don't realize we need to wash our hands after we've done laundry. Dirty clothes, especially undergarments, can harbor illness-causing germs and bacteria. When you're sorting laundry, you risk contaminating your hands, which is problematic especially if you multitask laundry with preparing lunch or dinner. Make a habit to wash your hands after sorting the laundry to keep your food and family healthy.