When serving food, avoid plates, bowls and cups that have the look and feel of glass or ceramic but the durability of plastic. According to the Food and Drug Administration, these tabletop items are made with a resin that's a combination of melamine and formaldehyde. There are chemicals in the finished product that can leach onto food -- especially if you microwave food on melamine-based tableware. Choose inert items like ceramic and glass to serve and eat food and drinks instead.

Winter weather means major snowstorms, so many of us turn to snowblowers to help remove snow from our driveways and sidewalks. When shopping for a new snowblower, look for eco-friendly models that do not emit greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. A traditional snowblower is typically gasoline-powered. New hybrid snowblowers use an integrated rechargeable battery (so they are cordless) that can work for about an hour before a recharge. And less expensive electric models (with a cord) are perfect for homeowners with smaller areas they need to clear.

Imagine getting exercise and raising money for charity -- you can with the free app Charity Miles. When you download the app, you select a charity of your choice (like the World Wildlife Fund or Habitat for Humanity) and a corporate sponsor pledges money for every mile you work out. It's all synced to your smartphone, so you can't cheat your workout miles.  All you do is hit start and then work out. When you're done, you hit stop, and the app tallies up your donation. Over time, your "sweat equity" can help do a lot of good.