It seems like common logic that a bottle of zinfandel from New Zealand would have a larger carbon footprint than a syrah from California. But a study by National Geographic found that the wine coming from Down Under is actually 25 percent more efficient than the domestic wine. What gives? Turns out foreign wines that are shipped through boats (rather than in trucks for domestic wines) have a lower carbon footprint. Wine lovers on the West Coast should enjoy vino from California and Australia; those on the East Coast should say cheers to wine from Europe, South America and anything made right in their own backyard.

As more of us live a greener life and it becomes increasingly mainstream, manufacturers are making it easier to find eco-friendly products. One product worth seeking out is aluminum foil made from recycled aluminum. In comparison to foil made from virgin material, recycled foil uses a whopping 95 percent less energy to make. And remember that used, clean recycled foil can be wadded up and tossed right into the recycling bin. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable.

When renovating a kitchen, the choices you make for major appliances can have a profound impact on the overall energy use and bottom line. New technology in ovens allows for even cooking and energy savings. It's called convection cooking, which circulates heated air around food, and it makes your oven bake, roast and broil more efficiently. It reduces overall cooking time and can save you about 20 percent in energy costs in comparison to a standard oven.