Modern dishwashers are designed to not only get your pots, pans, cutlery and dishes sparkling clean, but to do it using less water and energy. But even with the most efficient dishwasher, there are small tricks you can do to save even more energy when running a full load of dishes. If you have a booster heater in your dishwasher, lower the temperature by 20 degrees (to around 120 degrees). By lowering the temperature, you'll still get clean dishes, and it speeds up the whole dishwashing process. You save energy and time with this one simple trick.

America is on a health kick lately, making fresh smoothies using greens like spinach, kale and parsley. But if you're finding it tough to always have a stash of fresh greens on hand since they can wilt quickly in your refrigerator, try freezing them. Not only does freezing greens prolong their life, it's pretty easy to do in one simple step. Fill a blender with washed greens. Then add 1 cup of filtered water. Blend for one minute, and pour the mixture into muffin tins or ice cube trays. Freeze and store your cubes of greens in airtight freezer bags or BPA-free storage containers and toss them into the blender when it's smoothie time!

Approximately 40 percent of the food sold or prepared in the United States ends up in the waste stream. Not only is that filling up landfills, it's also money out the door for the average American household. To help prevent food and money waste, think creatively about the food that's about to go bad in your home. For fresh herbs, chop them finely and freeze them in airtight containers or bags. They can be added to dinners and soups when you need them. Fresh fruit can be peeled, diced and frozen; fill freezer bags with frozen fruit combinations and use them to make easy smoothies in the morning. And slices of bread can be made into breadcrumbs or used to make bread pudding.