It seems like a sustainable idea: Place some bamboo plants in the yard to add some vegetation and create a fast-growing barrier to act as a natural fence between neighbors. But here's the reality: Bamboo is an incredibly invasive plant species that's best used as a small indoor plant in your home. The fast-growing plant knows no boundaries, so it can quickly spread onto your neighbor's property and also choke out native plant species. And if you ever want to remove the bamboo, it will take a lot of chemical herbicides to kill it for good. Leave bamboo plants to their native regions and go with other fast-growing bushes and trees instead.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Your canine companion doesn't care what color their dog food is (they are colorblind, after all), so it's best to avoid food that is loaded with dyes. When looking at the ingredient list on pet food packaging, look out for artificial dyes like Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Blue No. 2. Manufacturers often add these colors to food to make it look more appealing. Just normal brown, natural-colored dog food is fine for your pet. Artificial dyes have been linked to behavioral problems, and they have no nutritional benefit, so avoid them altogether.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

A majority of households in America use gas stoves in their kitchen. The stoves actually pose a health risk because they produce carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and something called "fine particulate" matter that finds its way into your indoor air. Whenever cooking, use your vents to help flush out the toxins and bring in clean air. And try to cook on the back burners whenever possible; their positioning allows your vents to pull in the gases with maximum efficiency.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION