inside the bottle, only the end result—glasses that sparkle and floors that shine. Did you know that these products emit fumes that are unhealthy?
Writer Sophie Uliano (
Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth Friendly Life) suggests making your own All-Purpose spray, which is suitable for acrylic, tile, wood, marble, and granite surfaces. Her recipe is as follows:
Ingredients:
- 32 oz. spray bottle
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup distilled vinegar
- 1 tsp castile soap (peppermint works well)
- ¾ cup hydrogen peroxide
- 20 drops tea tree oil
- 20 drops lavender or lemongrass essential oil
9. Consider the Bike
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2% of people in the United States commute daily by bicycle, but more than half of Americans live less than five miles from where they work. That’s pretty astonishing, considering the many advantages of biking.
What are some of those advantages? Exercise, less money spent on gas, less money spent on maintaining your car, fresh air. I could go on and on.
In order to see if biking to your job is feasible, be sure to try a test-ride first. Bike the trip on the weekend to see if there are any unforeseen obstacles you hadn't thought of in order to be prepared for the work week. There are so many bikes on the market; whether you haul groceries, a briefcase, or kids, there is a bike for you.
10. Take Better Care of Yourself
Maybe you didn’t realize it, but you are doing yourself a lot of favors by not ordering fast food and kicking that soda habit. Making healthier choices today literally translates into a longer life—and more money in your pocket down the road. By choosing locally grown products over fast food you are voting with your pocketbook. This is how real change is created. This is how we can help our fragile planet.
By incorporating jut one of these green steps into your life, you can create waves. Others will notice your healthy choices. They will start considering their own lives and their own actions because they see what you are doing. Tell people about the steps you’re taking, and write your local congressman or congresswoman about issues that are important to you and what you’d like to see happen in your community.
Here’s to a happy and healthy tomorrow.
Tasha Cotter's work has been featured in a variety of print and online publications. She lives in Colorado Springs where she is at work on a novel.
To read more about Tasha visit her website at www.tashacotter.com.
Green Steps
Issue 6 | July/August 2010