Ways to Live Green for Less

 Green living can seem complicated and expensive. When you compare prices of organic products to regular products, it looks as if you have to be wealthy in order to be more environmentally conscious.

There are many ways to live green without breaking the bank, you just have to use yours or someone elses creativity. Here I have a few ideas for you to green up your life a bit.

I love bottled water because I don't have to pour water in a filtered pitcher and then pour it into a glass. BUT. I thought about the space one bottle everyday takes up because it is the law in most places to recycle. I live in an apartment and I hate clutter.

An estimated 86% of all plastic water bottles whine up in our landfills.

I found out that tap water is healthier than most brands of bottled waters and one is my favorite. So, I decided to do what I have for my kids when they were small, I bought a few sports bottles at a near-by Dollar Store. I bought more than one so I don't have to pour me some water everytime I want it.

Eating less red meat can lower greenhouse gases. Even if you only eat 1 burger instead of 2 each week, can made a huge positive result.

You can get the needed protein in many different ways. My favorite is Peter Pan peanut butter.

Foods that contain all of the essential amino acids are called complete proteins. These foods include beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk and just about anything else derived from animal sources. Incomplete proteins don't have all of the essential amino acids and generally include vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds and nuts. So, if you're a vegetarian, does this mean you can't get complete protein? Not at all. Below is a chart listing some incomplete proteins.

Grains, Legumes, Seeds & Nuts, Vegetables

Barley, Beans, Sesame Seeds, Leafy Greens, Corn Meal, Lentils, Sunflower Seeds, Broccoli, Oats, Peas, Walnuts, Rice Peanuts, Cashews, Pasta, Soy Products

How Much Protein Do You Need?

There is a belief that all females love to shop and spend their father's or husband's money. (In some parts of the world, this is true)

I have been a female as long as I've been in this world, I do not like shopping all that much. I hate grocery shopping but I am the one who cooks and am picky to what I use. Clothes shopping has its own category. I hate it but a love it at the same time, guess it depends on how much $$$ I have to spend. But even then, I do not like to spend a lot on one piece of clothing but I do not like typical t-shirt and jeans look.

My favorite thing to shop for is cooking/kitchen items and that is where I can spend money. I do know that the cheaply made items will last enough to get you started if proper care is taken. I have been a professional cook and perfer stainless steel over everything. I do not like coated items because it always comes off and I get angry because of how it looks.

Back to the topic... Limit the times you shop during a one month period. This will also save on the trips to the gas station as well. This could also limit you with what you may buy as well. Also, less gas fumes equals cleaner air.

 Decrease the amount of gas needed to get from point A to point B by keeping your tires properly inflated and maintaining the care of the engine. This can also save money in the long run.

Take advantage of the summer months by checking out the fruit and veggie stands and/or your near-by farmer's markets.

This link can help you find a farmer's market in your area. Link

 Time and activities are way more creative and satisfying. Movie tickets, a trip to the zoo, or an evening sunset picnic create so much more than a store bought item. Everyone involved benefits, including yourself.

My kids needed to be entertained 24/7 pretty much. One of our favorites was an indoor picnic on my livingroom floor of our apartment or in whatever yard space we had.

 You may feel that little things could not help to better our world but they do, over time. It took time for our world to have the problems that it has and it will take time to fix it.

Test the difference you can make by doing something simular to this:

Go get a cheap kitchen trash can with a lid and line it with a trash bag. What do you drink which is purchased in individual containers on a daily bases?

My one daughter drinks canned soda all day and everyday. I can't say much because she is 21. :) I make sure her can is empty, take the tab off (I have a recycled mayonnaise jar with a slotted lid) and crush the can on a small carpet I have next to the door with my foot. This can be a great stress relief :)

When your trash can is filled, take a look at the space you saved in a landfill.