Happy Earth Day!

You can't turn on the news without hearing about global warming, global cooling, and climate change that covers all the bases. Whether you are for eliminating oil, coal, or fossil fuels or not, there are so many other things we can do in our everyday lives to take care of our planet!

These things don't cost countries money they don't have! They don't require families to go into great debt due to mandates requiring changes to how homes and business are heated, cooled, or illuminated! They don't require ditching the family car for an electric car! Can you imagine the lines at charging stations? What a nightmare! We can do many of these things at little or no cost with a little forethought and planning. Here are some great ideas to get started. 

Walk, bike, or carpool with a friend to work. Encourage community planning to include walkable communities. Walk or bike when possible! It is good for the planet and your health! 

Combine all errands into one trip. Plan your route and minimize your mileage. This will save you time and gas while reducing exhaust emissions! While we are talking about exhaust, keep your car tuned up! It helps keep the air cleaner! 

Plant a tree and greenery in your landscape or support a tree planting program. Plants draw energy from sunlight and absorb carbon dioxide through their leaves and water from the soil producing sugar to boost plant growth and oxygen, which is released into the air.

Decrease your use of plastic water bottles. This is one we need to work on at my house. We like the convenience of the water bottles and we don't like the taste of our local water. To me, the big problem is that people don't dispose of plastic properly. I like that companies have found a way to recycle plastic into fabric for clothing and other products.

Choose reusable grocery bags over plastic or paper. In total transparency, I have reusable bags in my car. They are the last thing I am thinking of as I get out of the car! When do I remember them? In the checkout line! I'm a work in progress! I'm sure I'm not alone! 

Save paper by paying your bills online. We have gone to online banking. I still get some paper bills in the mail. When not needed anymore, they are shred and recycled. Speaking of mail, maybe we should see what we can do to cut down on junk mail! Can I get an amen? 

I like the idea to switch to glass instead of plastic. But, my local trash collector doesn't recycle glass. What about your community? Do you have to take glass separately to a recycling center?

Grow your own fruits and vegetables in your garden or in containers. It is great to see community garden plots popping up everywhere! Not only is gardening fun, it is a great skill to teach our children! Do you have a community garden near you? Perhaps your own garden?

Volunteer with a local nonprofit organization and participate in a community cleanup day. To me, littering is a huge problem! I see people throw trash out of their car all the time. We just went out to eat at a local mall. There was trash in the parking lot and curbside! How hard is it to put it in the trash can? As a friend of mine says, 'What are you doing?"!

Reduce the waste you produce. Recycle what you can. Compost compostable table scraps and lawn clippings. Minimize your water usage with low flow shower heads, shorter showers and low flow toilets. Collect rain water to water your garden!

Heard of minimalism? Living with less? Declutter your home! Studies have shown that clutter causes us stress! Who needs that these days? Not me! Repurpose when possible! Check with your local community to properly dispose of items like batteries, paints, oils, appliances and other items harmful to our environment. 

In my opinion, we all can do so much to be good stewards of this earth. Starting with the basics is something everyone can do, many times for free! Agree? Disagree? I'd love to know your thoughts! What areas do you need to focus on to be a better steward to the earth? 

Please feel free to share this newsletter to help others be good stewards to our great planet!