Is Your Refrigerator Running...Efficiently?

The Daily Green reports that your home refrigerator can account for 10-15% of your energy bill every month. That's a whole lot of energy! So do your best to keep it running as efficiently as possible.

1. Set the temperature between 38 and 42 degrees F. Daily Green says, "This temperature will protect your food from spoiling while saving electricity."
2. Clean the condenser coils regularly. Home Tips says this needs to be done twice a year, since dust and dirt make the coils work less efficiently. (Check out this article for detailed instructions on how to clean your condenser coils.)
3. And whatever you do, keep that door closed! Know what you're looking for before you open the door. When you come back from the grocery store, set aside all your refrigerated items and load them in all at once. Warm air rushes in quite quickly, so multiple short openings are worse than one longer opening to put everything in at once.

Easy Baby Food

Does someone at your house eat baby food? Consider making your own! Making your own baby food has multiple benefits:

1. You know the source of your child's food. Food-born illness epidemics (E. Coli in Spinach, salmonella in peanut butter, etc.) are most often spread through food that has been subjected to multiple handling, processing, and packaging steps.

2. Easier access to wide varieties of vegetarian, vegan, and/or organic foods for your child.

3. Cheaper than buying the individual, tiny containers.

4. Less packaging waste. Even recycling the glass containers uses energy that isn't required when you make your own.

How easy is it to make your own baby food? Really easy! A blender, food processor, or kitchen food mill can easily make baby food at home. But small, portable food mills that you can stick in your kid's diaper bag abound too! For an example, check out the Wean Machine. You can even find light and portable food mills at stores like Whole Foods.

The Nose Knows

Our sense of smell is a wonderful thing. It's no wonder some people like to surround themselves with nice scents all the time. If you are among them, however, make sure you are aware of the health and environmental effects of your methods. That commercial stuff you spray or plug in or hang from your rear view mirror doesn't list any ingredients -- don't trust it! The manufactures haven't had to disclose that information. Is that really what you want to breathe?

Instead, try natural scent producers. Green Is Sexy suggests using "pine needles, lavender, green tea leaves or fresh flowers." Consider dried mint leaves, too. Soy or beeswax candles can be good choices, just be sure to avoid other types of candles!!

Many of us just seek to eliminate bad odors from our homes and cars. Again, think natural and simple. Opening a window and increasing air circulation works the best of anything. Remember to fill your home with those air purifying plants we've talked about in previous posts. And you know that thing about baking soda soaking up odors? It works outside of your refrigerator as well. Just set out a plate of it or sprinkle some at the bottom of your trashcan, and let it do its thing.

8 Easy Steps to Greener Driving

Because most of us don't have super-awesome electric vehicles yet, it is important that we all learn to get the best mileage possible with our current cars, trucks, and vans. There are many aspects of American driving that are just plain bad for your mileage. Fixing them, luckily, is pretty easy. You just have to be aware of some simple rules.

Fuel Efficiency Center lists 8 simple steps to improve your mileage:

1. Accelerate Smoothly -- Don't mash the gas
2. Brake Easy -- Don't start and stop abruptly
3. Observe Traffic Ahead -- Don't rush to stop signs or traffic lights
4. Coast Whenever You Can -- Not always on gas pedal
5. Maintain Constant Speed -- Don't tailgate and jockey for position
6. Cruise Control On Flat Surfaces -- Don't use cruise control on hills though
7. Avoid Idling and Long Lines -- Don't wait with car running for a long time
8. Control Highway Speeds -- Don't drive 10/15/20 MPH over speed limit

Changing some of these is just a matter of habit, like avoiding idling and controlling highway speeds. Others are things you were probably taught incorrectly, like coasting instead of keeping your foot evenly on the gas. [Tip: Think about driving your car as you would your bike.]

A few of these changes, however, require you to be self-assured and forceful. You will initially feel a lot of "peer pressure" to jack rabbit start from every red light. Likewise, you'll drive some really high-strung people insane by not accelerating up to red lights and stop signs. However, be strong in your knowledge that accelerating to a stop makes no logical sense and is bad for your wallet -- as well as the planet. With practice, the peer pressure you feel subsides.

And remember: the brake pedal is your worst enemy. Avoid if at all possible. Braking wastes the fuel you just injected with the gas pedal. Practice timing stops better, and you'll be surprised how little you really need to brake.

PET Plastic Alert

I've published posts in the past that talk about health and safety issues surrounding plastics. Most of the concerns have been about BPA, an estrogen-mimicking chemical.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is some new data that suggests that PET (#1) plastic also contains an unknown "gender bending" chemical of its own. For more info, check out this Treehugger article.

It really is best to view all plastics as suspect, especially if they touch your food or drinks. Try to use glassware to store leftovers, never expose plastic ware to heat (via the microwave, dishwash, or putting hot food into it), and avoid bottled water.

Edible Landscaping

Monoculture is almost always a bad thing. That includes the obligatory suburban lawn centered around grass. To cut down on the harmful effects of the suburban yard, consider reducing the footage you set aside for grass and increasing your utilization of helpful plants.

There are many ways that plants can be helpful. For one, you can use vegetation to encourage beneficial insects and birds. Or to help keep your house cooler by providing shade. Or to help feed your family!

There are many different types of edible plants that are absolutely attractive enough to go in your front yard. Just stick them in your landscaping beds -- or create new beds for them. Your homeowner's association never has to know the double purpose to which you are putting your yard!

For some examples of strikingly beautiful edible plants, check out Treehugger's slideshow "18 Beautiful Edible Landscaping Plants." Here are just some of their suggestions:

• Jerusalem artichoke
• Nasturtium
• Chives
• Passion fruit
• Sunflower

Other successful experiments from my personal experiences include peppers, red lettuce, and beans (bushing varieties work well in landscaping beds). Be sure you plant things you'll actually eat (or would like to try!) and, if possible, things that are native to your area. Planting things that are native to your area reduces the amount of work and resources required.

Sidewalk Weeds

The weeds seem to grow at warp speed this time of year, don't they? If you don't do yard work very often, you may find the weeds hard to keep up with, especially those that pop up between the sidewalk or driveway cracks.

Luckily, there's a natural method for getting rid of those pesky weeds surrounded by concrete. Pour some lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, or boiling water on them!

Just stay away from those petrochemicals and polluters!

For more info, see here, here, and here.