The Best Way to Green Your Home

My mother and father both come from 5 children homes. My father's house growing up had 7 people living in it, 2 bedrooms, and one bathroom. My mother's house growing up was similar. It had 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. Essentially, houses were built smaller than they are today, even if there were a ton of people crammed into them. This was the 50s and a different time.

When I was growing up as an only child, we lived in a house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. I now live in a house with 2 adults and one dog. It's 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The point is that we seem to be getting bigger houses with less people living in them. Is there really a need for all this "extra" space that just costs us more money to heat and cool it? Not only does it dwindle down our cash, but it also hacks away at our energy sources.

In fact, the average home size in 1950 was 1,000 square feet. By 2005, this figure increased by 150% to 2,500 square feet. We're having smaller families today, but need more space. Does that make sense?

At least 7 energy sucking items in your home

Did you know that there are some "plugged in" items in your home that are sucking energy (electricity) even when you're not using them? Not only does this have an effect on your wallet when it comes time to pay your electric bill, but it wastes energy too.

Consider unplugging these electric guzzlers when you're not using them and plug them in only when you need to use them. It'll make a difference.

1. Televisions (and their posse--the cable box, DVD player, VCR (if you still have one)
2. Cell phone chargers--when your phone isn't plugged into it
3. Cordless phones
4. Microwaves
5. Stoves
6. Digital clocks
7. Computers

Happy Valentine's Day

Green Your Baby's High Chair Tip #3

More sustainable high chairs options.

This high chair is not only built with sustainable wood, but it also can be used into your child's teen years. Yes, just like there are cribs that can be transformed into "big" boy or girl beds, there are high chairs that can be transformed into "big" boy and girl chairs.

Check out the Svan for a comfy seat option that stays with your baby as they turn into a young adult.

Green Your Baby's High Chair Tip #2

Buy high chairs made with sustainable wood.

There are several options available when looking for an environmentally friendly high chair for your baby. Any high chair made from sustainable wood is environmentally friendly. Safety 1st is one of the manufacturers of sustainable wood high chairs. These high chairs also have more of a traditional high chair look to them.

For more of a European looking high chair model that still offers an eco-chic factor, check out Stokke high chairs.

Green Your Baby's High Chair Tip #1

Buy it used.

I know people get a little germophobic when it comes to their babies, and as a slight germophobe myself I can relate. With so many ways to de-germ, buying a used high chair is one of the best ways to eco-chic your baby. If you have more than one child, then be sure to use the same high chair for each child instead of buying a new one every time.

Craigslist is but one online classifieds site that offers a multitude of baby finds on the cheap. Also try hitting your local thrift stores or baby stores that specialize in second hand goods. Friends and family are other great sources for gently used baby items such as high chairs.

Green Your Coffee Tip #3

Drink organic.

Coffee beans that are grown organically means that they don't have the harmful pesticides that many coffee growers use to keep the bugs away. Drinking organic coffee not only keeps the toxins out of your body, but it helps to keep the toxins out of the coffee workers' bodies, the environment, the birds, and more.

Green Your Coffee Tip #2

Bring your own reusable coffee mug.

Many local cafes offer a discount if you bring your own mug to fill. Even gas station coffee comes cheaper if you trade in using their styrofoam or paper cup for your travel mug. It's also much friendlier to the environment because after you inhale your caffeinated brew, there isn't any waste to throw away. A little soap and water and your coffee mug is ready for round two instead of a trip to the land fill.

Green Your Coffee Tip #1

I love coffee. Without a cup or two in the morning I have a hard time getting started. I guess if it's my only vice, then I'm in good shape. One of my favorite coffees is Costa Rican coffee. When I travel to Costa Rica, I always bring some back with me, but I hesitate to order it because I'm in Miami and its in, well, Costa Rica--Central America.

So, I began to think. How can I green my coffee?

Tip #1 Buy coffee that has traveled the least distance to land in your coffee cup. If you have local cafes, coffee growers, etc., in your area, support them by buying from them. It may be the freshest cup of coffee you've ever had!