Did you know many fitness and health experts say walking 10,000 steps a day is the “magic number” to lose weight and feel more energized? If you don’t have time to go to the gym, you can try to reach that number in your day-to-day life and go green, too. Skip taxis in major cities and walk instead (or use public transport, which requires some walking to and from stations). When running errands, choose a shopping center that has several stores and walk between stores rather than driving to several. Experts say downloading a long podcast to your phone can help you walk more without realizing it, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

This isn’t a radically new eco-tip, but it’s one worth repeating: Never take throwaway disposable plastic shopping bags. Did you know plastic bags are one of the worst offenders when it comes to litter? It’s believed over 4 billion (yes, billion) bags are strewn in storm drains, beaches, oceans and forests. These bags are more than just ugly, too. They kill hundreds of millions of animals including birds, whales and other marine mammals annually. Production of these bags uses about 12 million barrels of oil each year, and the bags are rarely recycled. This year, skip the bags and bring your own.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know in the late 1980s, NASA did a study of common houseplants to see which varieties were best at purifying air inside space facilities? The study was a success and found very specific types of plants that cleaned the air of volatile organic compounds, or airborne chemicals. One of the plants is also one of the easiest to grow: aloe vera. Scientists found this succulent sucked up chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene. And one bonus benefit of aloe vera? The inner gel of the plant can help heal cuts and soothe burns.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION