If you have not seen the commercial for the new, all electric, Nissan Leaf…check out this commercial. It really tugged on my heart strings.

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Sometimes I post links to some interesting blog articles.

This one is a great read on many diets out there that can indirectly influence conservation of resources and lessen the impact of your carbon footprint.

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Happy Hallowgreen!

With the event right around the corner, I did an informal poll to see how “green” people were thinking for Trick-or-Treat. Why, you ask? Last year, I saw many people carrying around small plastic pumpkins. Think of the amount of plastic used and/or discarded for that event.

I conducted this informal research to see if folks were thinking about alternative containers more this year than last. After all, capturing all of that candy treasure during the spooky quests is fun, but why not be green in the process.

Here are the top 5 alternatives to using a plastic pumpkin:

• Shopping Bag (made from recycled plastic or cotton)
• Pillow Case (wowie! a bountiful feast of candy and/or cavities awaits the person who can fill one of those. I say, go for the King pillowcase for the added challenge)
• A plastic shopping bag/Halloween bag (reused from previous years)
• A woven basket
• A backpack (I thought that was creative – they also liked carrying their bottled water, warmer layers if it got cold, and a flashlight)

If you elect to use a plastic pumpkin and do not wish to keep it, see if it can be recycled or give it away. Keep in mind that many are made from plastics that can not be placed in the good ole recycle bin. Have fun and be safe.

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Driving too and from a workout facility can be straining on the wallet and can take a toll on the size of your carbon footprint over time.

Yes, I understand not all have a vehicle and may walk to the club or bike. In addition, I understand that some enjoy the atmosphere and motivation a club can evoke. No, I am not suggesting you give up health clubs. Rather, I am pausing to reflect on choices we make.

I recently started the Beachbody Shaun T Insanity workout, which is one of the most intense training workouts I have participated in (at home or at a club).  And, in my quest to find additional ways of being green, I know that I am getting fit and saving resources.

Here are just a few things that would normally be utilized because of a membership I have to a local health club:

• Water used to wash the towels (if I forgot to take my own)
• Electricity used to power the building, the dryer/washing machines that process the laundry I may create there
• Detergents used to sterilize the facility or wash towels. These may be more harmful to the environment than my personal choices that minimize their impact with use
• Fossil fuels used to power my vehicle to travel to and from
• Paper statements and other marketing material that slipped through to me despite my request to remove me from snail-mail lists.
• The plastic that was used to make my membership identification
• Etc.

Okay, it may seem like a stretch with the above (no pun intended), but working out at home can be just as successful and rewarding with the added benefit of eliminating the car ride and doing a small part in helping reduce the impact on the planet and its resources.

Stay healthy and green!

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Hey we may have another thing in common! Really. We both have been paying bills and receiving a few paper statements that still make their way to our mailbox despite our green efforts.

You can log on to your account and go paperless. And, it is easier than ever. Every utility company, credit card, or other service I interact with now offers this as a convenient option. That is a magic word for humans right? “Convenient.”

This is not necessarily something folks didn’t know, but have you acted on it yet? I have taken advantage of it in the past and recently. Some offer automatic billing and/or they will email you an e-copy of your bill with plenty of lead time before it is due. There are often many options from which you can select. I love it.

Some companies like AT&T will even plant a tree in your honor for going paperless.

Try it…you’ll like it.

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