Earth Day is upon us and TV, magazines, blogs and newspapers are flooded with ideas on what we can do to help save the planet. Instead of repeating the common ideas, I want to share a few different ideas and resources that I've come across this week. One stat that I heard that stuck with me is that on average, each person produces 3.5# of garbage/day.
IDEAS:
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Plan and carry out a waste free lunch day at least once/week
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Keep one set of dishes at the office, including: a cup, utensils, bowl, and plate. This will prevent you from reaching for disposable utensils, cups, and plates.
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Install low flow toilets or add a brick or bottle of water to tank.
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Wash car in lawn, not in driveway to save water.
- Chemical Alternatives (not new, but I always forget the proportions, so here they are again)
Glass Cleaner – ½ vinegar, ½ water
Furniture Polish – 2 parts olive oil, 1 part lemon juice
All purpose cleaner – 1 cup baking soda in one gallon hot water
- Build a rain garden
What is a rain garden? A rain garden is a garden with a shallow depression that captures runoff from impervious surfaces, such as rooftops, patios, driveways, and parking lots, before it enters the storm water system. Rain gardens can be customized and are limited only by the resources and time you want to put into them. They use natural processes to improve water quality by filtering pollutants and reducing the amount of storm water runoff. The water easily infiltrates into the soil because of the deep roots of the native plants and recharges the groundwater supply.
- Use healthy and environmentally friendly cosmetics, such as mineral-based cosmetics and natural bath products. (Several Destination Spas carry these products).
RESOURCES:
www.h2ouse.org - learn how to be water efficient. Lists top 5 actions to save water.
www.bluegrassraingardenalliance.org - download a rain garden manual for FREE.
Brown Bag Bean Burritos - Try this brown bag recipe from www.kaboose.com
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 cup salsa
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
Rinse beans in cold water, drain well. Combine beans, salsa, cumin and chili powder in large pan. Cook over medium-high heat for about ten minutes, mashing beans slightly with back of wooden spoon. Stir occasionally, adding a little water if mixture looks too dry. Spoon bean mixture into tortillas. Top with cheese. Fold each tortilla into an envelope shape, ensuring both ends are tucked in. Eat warm or wrap in plastic to take for lunch.
Hopefully this gave you at least 1 new idea to celebrate and save our planet for many days to come. Happy Earth Day from Destination Spa Group.
