Going Green: Saving the Planet and Saving Ourselves

In the June/July issue of Travelgirl magazine there are some great tips for going green one step at a time. Most of the five steps below are quoted directly from the magazine.

1. Research green hotels and resorts. The Green Hotels Association is a good place to start. The International Ecotourism Society and Sustainable Travel International also have lists of eco-friendly accommodations. No matter where you're staying, ask questions. For example, find out if you can opt-out of having towels and sheets changed daily. If the hotel doesn't provide and eco-friendly card to leave on your bed regarding when to change the sheets and towels, download a travelgirl eco-card. Just print it out and carry it in your suitcase. Then put it on your hotel bed to alert the staff that you will reuse your sheets during your stay.

2. Offset your impact. Plenty of programs allow you to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of your frequent flier miles and other travel-related actions. Make a donation for carbon-reducing projects, such as planting trees or installing solar panels. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation website is a great resource for offsetting, and green travel in general. Another option is http://www.carbonfund.org/.

3. Reduce unnecessary business trips. Teleconferencing is always a great option. IT saves money and often turns out to be a more effective use of time.

4. Investigate the natural world. Choose sailing, instead of cruises. Go snorkeling, instead of jet skiing. Thinking about your impact not only helps save the planet, but also can save you money.

5. Drop in on Green Drinks. Check the Green Drinks website and find out when the next meeting is where you live, or in the places you're visiting. Then, whenever possible, drop in for a cocktail. It's a great way to socialize and connect with like-minded people.

Also, if you own your own home, check out the Pegasus Cottage Chair-Height All-In-One Elongated Toilet. "Each 1.28 gallon water-efficient flush uses 63% less water then a 3.5 GPF toilet!" Cut your water bill and save the environment! And apparently some counties offer rebates for families who install these commodes :) Go to www.homedepot.com/ecooptions.com for more information.

Need a new waterbottle? The CamelBak Tritan Better Bottle with Classic Cap is only $9, dishwasher safe, no after-taste, and BPA free! It is very highly recommended by all users at REI.com. Use a reusable waterbottle instead of buying 24 packs and keep all that plastic from ending up in our landfills!

My friend Caitlin is an eco-pro! For more ideas check out this post.

I've been working on going green myself and have made some very worthwhile changes! I've been a vegetarian now for almost two months and I feel great! I've lost a few pounds and I have way more energy. According to Cait, going vegetarian or vegan is one of the best things you can do to help save the environment (and rid your body of yucky waste!). If you're not up to going completely vegetarian yet, just cut back on your meat consumption, and inform yourself! The Word of Wisdom Food Plan by Kenneth E. Johnson has tons of GREAT info (I got it at a used bookstore for cheap, or you can find it at amazon.com), or you can check out this website with 20 FAQ's about vegetarianism, or this article about vegetarianism and it's effect on the planet and our bodies.

I also consciously try to use fewer paper products and try not to waste water by running it while I'm brushing my teeth or continuously while I'm doing the dishes. I have found that not only is going green better for the environment, it also saves money, and is better for you and your body! I bought the book, The Naturally Clean Home, and it has TONS of useful tips for cutting back on the chemicals and toxins in your air and those that are created by what you use to clean your home. I have tried some of the recipes in it and I LOVE it (we made some together as a family home evening activity and my family thought it was great!).

In short, remember that everything we do has an impact on our physical bodies, and on the earth and the rest of the people inhabiting it. It's the least we can do to be mindful of our activities and what we're doing to make a difference!