It may be more of a moral question, but with many supermarkets now offering self-checkout at the register, be sure to always weigh and mark what produce you actually get. Generally, conventionally grown fruits and veggies cost less, and yes, they look just like the organic ones. But when you weigh and pay for your produce, don’t try to save some money by saying it’s conventional at checkout. The market keeps track of purchases and will notice if organic produce isn’t selling. Less sold means less stocked. And less stocked means less incentive to growers.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know that from the moment you finish a beverage in an aluminum can and toss it into a recycling bin, it takes just three months for it to be shredded, melted and molded back into a brand-new can? Aluminum is a recyclable that is both valuable and infinitely recyclable, which means recyclers have a financial incentive to make sure cans get recycled. When choosing beverages, look for those packaged in aluminum for the greenest impact.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you read Do Just One Thing on a regular basis, you know my love for all-natural white vinegar. But there are some things you should never clean with white vinegar. Natural stone countertops like granite and marble should never be cleaned with vinegar; it’s too harsh and can cause etching on the surface. And the same goes for hardwood floors; the seal that keeps floors protected with a sheen can be damaged by the mild acid in white vinegar.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION