2/10/14

This winter's unusually cold weather -- the "Polar Vortex" -- may be miserable for many trying to keep warm, but it's actually a good thing for the environment. Invasive insect species that have been ruining crops, trees and other native plants and do not have a natural predator are more likely to freeze to death during the winter months. Come spring, fewer invasive insects means more trees, plant species and farm crops. And invasive plant species that are not indigenous to cold regions will also have their path of growth slowed or destroyed. So bundle up, because the Polar Vortex is helping Mother Nature.

2/9/14

Has your company, church group, nonprofit organization or school printed way too many promotional T-shirts, or does it have a large supply of misprinted or out-of-date shirts? One way to use your excess supply in a good way is to donate it to the nonprofit organization Open Arms. This American-based charity employs refugee women from war-torn countries, like Sudan and Congo, who recycle the T-shirts into new fashions. These stylish new pieces are then sold online and create a business for the women who work at Open Arms. To donate or shop for one-of-a-kind creations, visit theopenarmsshop.com.

2/8/14

Not only is pre-shredded cheese from the supermarket expensive, it also comes packaged in hard-to-recycle plastic. One way to go green and save money is to buy blocks of cheese from the cheese counter and shred it yourself. To save time, shred the entire block of cheese at one time and store it in a large freezer bag. To prevent it from sticking together, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the freezer bag and shake. The cornstarch will lightly coat the cheese and prevent sticking and will also help keep it fresher longer. Store it in the freezer and use the cheese as needed.