Ever wonder why it’s important to rest your dog’s food and water dishes on top of a floor mat? The mat does more than protect your floors; it also can protect your dog’s health. Dogs are messy eaters, and when you have a mat, food that falls out of the bowl goes onto the mat and not onto the floor, which may be covered in harsh floor-cleaning product residue. The presence of the mat prevents your dog from licking the floor and eating potentially contaminated food. Always remember to wash the mat to keep it clean, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When it comes to wines, it turns out the process of growing grapes and turning them into a fine glass of vino has a low carbon footprint. Grapes in general need very little pesticides to thrive, and the methods used to make wine are still rooted in the traditions of the past. So when does a bottle of wine become an eco problem? When you sip wine grown and made halfway around the world. The carbon footprint to import wine is extraordinary for two reasons: Cases of wine are heavy, and the distance they are transported is far. So, to sip green, try to go organic and look for domestic varietals.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Almost all flat-screen TVs are energy hogs. To save energy, take a look at the picture setting of your television. Manufacturers typically pre-set new TVs to the brightest setting, which can actually be too bright for a home-viewing environment. When you get your new TV set up in your home and ready to view, go into the settings and change the brightness to normal or standard mode. This little switch can actually reduce your TV's energy usage by as much as 20%, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION