Not all essential oils in the supermarket are actually natural. If the words "naturally derived" are on the bottle, that means the molecular structure of the oil was simply derived from a flower or plant in a laboratory. In fact, the oil may be 100% synthetic. Look for USDA certified organic oils, or opt for scents like peppermint and rosemary, which are plentiful ingredients that are almost always actually natural and not "naturally derived."

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you support your local food bank, you can also ask if they are looking for non-food-related items to help the people that they serve. Often, personal hygiene products are an in-demand item that aren't in stock to give. These items include toilet paper, soap (shampoo and body wash), diapers, toothpaste and laundry detergent. The reason they are in demand is that these items often are not covered by government assistance programs. If your local food bank needs these, be sure to buy them new and leave the seal intact; anything opened or used will be tossed away.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When flying, it's not only quicker to fly nonstop, it's also greener. Choosing flights that have connections means you're contributing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere with your travel choice. A tremendous amount of fuel is consumed for takeoff and landing, which can mean you're doubling or tripling your fuel usage, depending on the number of connections you make. Another bonus of flying nonstop: You won't get stuck in a connecting city if your flight is late.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION