It always starts in a simple way. First you have a bit of lawn and a shrub to go along with it. Then you move on to plants and flowers or even, if you’re feeling daring, a tree of medium height. Once you get to that point, it snowballs into the creation of the residential front yard jungle. Gardening can add a lot to the look of a house or business and there are many ways to get there without using a large amount of natural resources.

One of the main ways to green your garden is to avoid planting non-native plants. A non-native plant is any plant that does not indigenously live in the given area. If your front yard is full of plants that do not naturally grow in your area, it will force you to use more resources to keep the yard looking good. For example, a house in Arizona that has a huge patch of lawn will use more water to tend the lawn than a house that used things like cactus and local grasses as part of their landscaping plans.

Along with choosing the right flora for your yard, picking the right way to water goes a long way. Watering your yard first thing in the morning will help reduce evaporation from sunlight and wind and shrink the total amount of water used. Toss some mulch and compost into the ground and it will soak up more water and lessen evaporation. You can also help by targeting the supply of water with drip irrigation or soaker hoses for a noticeable reduction in your usage.

The proper use of tools can produce amazing results in your yard. One of the simplest things to do is aerate the ground. Due to the general state of the ground in your region or the time of year you’re planting, the ground could be compacted. Aeration stirs up the dirt, loosening it to make it easier for roots to penetrate and for needed oxygen to get into the soil.

A lawn mower can not only remove grass but add to it as well. While there are all kinds of mulch for sale at your local gardening store, a green way to get mulch is to use trimmings from the mowing process. By either bagging it and adding it to your compost pile or removing the bag and letting the cut grass land back on the lawn, you can use this to work as free mulch and not have to worry about spending extra funds or time.

You can even use the nearby fauna to help spread out your yard and give benefit to the entire space. By adding certain plants that butterflies or bees use as food or pollen, these plants will attract the insects that pick up this pollen and spread it out, fertilizing a larger area. Also, by giving these insects some plants and flowers they use for food, it can help native Insects survive when the human population moves into their areas.

What Can You Do?

- Plan ahead to use plants and flowers that are native to your area.
- Pay close attention to the way that you are watering your yard. Pick a manner of watering to ensure that you are getting the maximum benefit from the minimum amount of water.
- Use simple tools or mulch and compost to benefit your yard.
- Consult your local gardening shops or related websites to help you make good choices.

This month I thought I would discuss our experience with Green cleaning products – the good and the “hey that just did not work.” Thankfully, for our little green hearts, most of the household products we have tried have been viable alternatives to our current environmentally-harmful products.

We found the easiest and cheapest way to incorporate new green products was to replace them one by one as our current supply is depleted. You can replace them before you run out, but that can be very costly and you still have the old stuff to get rid of. As we incorporate more products into our lives, we will visit this issue again. For now, enjoy a few of our favorites.

Let’s start with the products that just did not work.

DRAIN PRODUCTS: We tried diligently to clear a slow drain with natural products and remedies, we tried them all, and they simply did not work. Eventually our drain became totally clogged and we had to resort to a good old industrial-strength drain cleaner (that came in a bag, it was so toxic). After temporarily clearing the drain we did break down and call a plumber to do a thorough pipe sweep so that we would not have to continue to use toxic drain cleaners. I am happy to say since the plumber’s departure, the natural remedies are working to keep the drains clear.

Next let’s talk about products that work as well, or better, than their toxic friends.

CLEANING PRODUCTS: We have found our new floor cleaning product to work better than our old product. We recently switched all-purpose cleaners but the verdict is still out on the results (stayed tuned).

• Bona Floor cleaner is simply the best floor cleaner we have ever used. It does the job without leaving a residue and it really does get the dirt up. It is also non-toxic and water-based. It is sold through many stores and on-line through www.gaiam.com
• Earth Friendly Products’ Ultra Dishmate dishwashing liquid suds nicely and smells delicious. It’s concentrated, so it lasts for a long time.

LAUNDRY PRODUCTS: In the laundry department we, again, found the products to actually work better than our old products. I will also say that our clothes, feel cleaner, are brighter and seem to have a nice feel to them. Below are some of the ones we use and love. You can find them all at Henry’s, Whole Foods, and even some at Target and all are online at www.gaiam.com

• Seventh Generation laundry soap, we like both in the Bergamot and the Eucalyptus. We were very skeptical about switching from the product we used for 20 years, but we did. We like it so much I have convinced two of my sisters to give it a try.
• Meyer’s Clean Day Dryer Sheets (Lemon Verbena) using essential oils, really make the clothes feel lighter.
• Ecover Fabric Softener smells wonderful and it works well. Their laundry stain remover is super cool and has a handy top for scrubbing. Their products are all plant- and mineral-based.

As a final note, I love Method products and I applaud all that they are doing. However, I will say that not all their products are Green. Please read the labels before you buy.

There are many aspects of the world around us that humans need to exist. The earth under our feet grows the crops that we eat and the sky gives us the air that we breathe. The third side to this triangle of nature, water, is absolutely essential.

Seventy five percent of the planet is covered to some depth with water and yet there are so many ways that this substance is being wasted or mismanaged. Because of overpopulation, mass consumption, misuse, and water pollution, the availability of drinking water is inadequate and shrinking. UNESCO’s World Water Development report from its World Water Assessment Program indicates that the quantity of water available now sits at just 30%. Water has even become a strategic resource and has led many to predict that water will become the “next oil.”

Fresh water has become more precious than ever for its extensive use in everything from agriculture to energy production. The United States leads the world in water consumption with Canada in second. While 95% of the United States’ water resources are underground, these aquifers were created over centuries and could dry up in as little as 25 years. There are many disputes forming in Asia between countries that both rely on the same water sources, as in the situation occurring between India and Bangladesh over the Ganges River.

Even with all of these problems, there are signs that the world is beginning to see the light. Many charities, including Charity:, Oxfam and Unicef are all working to drill wells and lay the piping to bring clean drinking water to people that have never had it. The changes that come from this work are absolutely huge both to their day-to-day existence and their future as an emerging country.

There are also things that we can do in our own home to help conserve water. The easiest thing to do is just to check all of your indoor water-using appliances for leaks. Studies have shown homes can waste more than 10% due to leaking, both indoors and outdoors within irrigation systems. Many companies are now making low-flow devices that reduce the amount of water wasted through things like toilets, showerheads and clothes washers. All of these mechanical adjustments can lead to a side benefit, namely the reduction in your monthly water bill.

Water is an important part of the world around us and the human race will not survive without it. The world is finding new ways to conserve our current sources of water which will guarantee that it will still be available for future generations. Along with conservation, finding sources of clean drinking water can provide an impoverished population with the ability to improve both their health and their stability as a people. This should be something that we all strive for and will only bring benefits to all of us, no matter what country we live in.

What Can You Do?
- Use sites like H2ouse to find ways to reduce the wasted water in your home.
- Donate money and time to charities that help bring fresh drinking water to people that have never had it before.
- Choose representatives in all levels of government that believe in both the conservation of the current sources and the delivery of new water sources to the people that need them

I know I was going to highlight something “new” each month that we have done to be more green. However this topic is worth discussing and even though we have been doing toting for years, we are so excited that it is catching on that I wanted say a few words.

For those of us who have been using these (often not so pretty) canvas totes, we are very excited to see cities banning plastic bags and all kinds of people adopting the tote mentality. Long gone are the days of having to carry the lame bags from that conference you went to last year. Now you actually have choices with stylish bags, fun bags, Green bags and even branded bags from your favorite grocery store (Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods). Here are a couple of sites to check out for nice Green bags and fashion bags. One site that sells all organic canvas totes and other cool bags is a new company that is doing good things and great work called Simple Peace. For those of you who must make a fashion statement while picking that perfect strawberry, try outstripia.com. These are designer bags and you are sure to find one that goes with every outfit.

Making that conscious choice to use reusable bags at the grocery store is just the first step. Once you actually have totes in your car and ready for any use, you can use them everywhere you shop. Start with grocery stores and farmers’ markets, then move on to some of the other stores you frequent (Staples, Pet Smart, Target, Beauty Supply etc.). You will find that the opportunity to reduce your plastic bag use is almost endless. Even Costco now sells gigantic reusable bags (they are plastic so not the most earth friendly). They come in a pack of 3. You have 2 bags for dry goods and 1 insulated one that actually keeps your cold groceries cold for several hours.

The last hold-out, and I know this will be hard, is to take your bags with you to the mall. Just think, no more horrible plastic coated paper bags. I know, I know, but then how will people know I just spent my life savings at Nordstrom or Bergdorf Goodman? Well, they won’t. I promise that when you get your statement, you will be reminded. Just remember that doing the right thing is not always easy.

Until next month – Keep on Totin’!

We have all been touched by an artistic moment. Everyone has a favorite song or film that is special to them and those feelings can connect them with people who feel the same way. These bonds bring us together as a people and show us how we are similar, no matter how different we may look or feel.

One of the places that many children have their first interaction with musical instruments was in school. High schools had marching bands and even many elementary and junior high schools had some form of band classes. Along with school choirs, all of these classes give children the ability to broaden their horizons and exercise the creative side of their brains.

There have been multiple studies that music education helps develop critical thinking and self-discipline skills and improves a child’s early cognitive development. Studying music leads to improved basic math and reading abilities, SAT scores, and school attendance. On a more personal level, these classes can lead to higher self-esteem, ability to work in teams, and spatial reasoning skills. Schools that have music programs have a significantly higher graduation rate. While the benefits for school music classes seem obvious, many school districts are still being forced to either reduce or remove them from the curriculum, due to budget cuts.

To bring back these classes to your local school, one of the most important factors can be parental involvement. Lobbying your local school board for reinstatement can show the board the importance to childhood development. There are sites, like SupportMusic, that are designed to help parents prove their points with both statistical facts and statements from educators and scientists.

On a much larger level, there are state and national foundations with mission statements of supporting school musical programs. One of the most well known foundations is VH1’s Save The Music Foundation. They have reached their 10th anniversary and have donated nearly $40 million worth of musical instruments to 1,500 schools in 100 cities, improving the lives of more than 1 million children. They have used many ways to get the word out about the situation, including special shows for their network, promoting local contests, and using creative links to bring in both money and attention.

Music programs have been shown to bring out so much more in the student that it would seem to be an imperative to have them on the curriculum. The fact that the educational federal funding re-authorization act, “No Child Left Behind” of 2001 named music education as a core academic subject reinforces music as a vital element in the education of our children. Art and music bring so much enjoyment to the lives of the young musicians. They won’t even realize that the songs they are learning to play will help them in other aspects of their lives, for years to come.

What Can You Do?
- Visit sites like SupportMusic and VH1’s Save The Music Foundation for information and help with promoting the topic in your local area.
- Donate used musical instruments to schools or community centers.
- Attend local school board meetings to promote the benefits of music programs.
- Support local and national politicians that have shown their support for school arts classes.

We try to adopt a new green practice at home, each month. The one that appears to be having a huge impact is switching from plastic water bottles to stainless or aluminum re-usable bottles. We chose the Sigg water bottles because they are cute, fun, and inexpensive.

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We all have strong memories of our past holiday seasons. Even with all of the busy times, we are all still able to make the season a healthy one for the environment, no matter which holiday you celebrate. It all comes down to a few simple steps that will lead to a very green holiday season.

One of the main images of the holiday season and one that I always remember fondly is the Christmas tree. Be it real or artificial, you’ll find a decorated tree in many homes. While it would seem that an artificial tree would be a good thing since it means not cutting down a real tree and can be reused every year, there are aspects of the artificial trees that can be a serious detriment. One of the main problems comes from the actual creation of the tree itself. A real tree helps to provide oxygen and reduce the area’s carbon footprint while it is growing and does not require all of the various chemicals that it takes to create an artificial tree. The plastic itself is a petroleum byproduct and lead is also used in the process. Unlike real trees that might have various pesticides and herbicides applied directly to the ground and not the tree itself, the forging of the components for a plastic tree release many dioxins into the air. These dioxins can lead to cancer, damaged immune systems, and impaired child development.

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Our world is full of all manner and style of electronic devices that many of us rely on to make it through our busy day. Devices like computers, televisions, and all manner of portable media. Along with these entertainment-based products, there are even more electronic devices that we don’t even notice like items for the kitchen (toasters, refrigerators), the home (exercise machines, vacuum cleaners), and maintenance (drills, electric lawnmowers).

The amount of electronic devices has also led to a very serious side effect - the proper disposal of these objects. Once they have outlived their usefulness, we move on to new devices but we shouldn’t forget the previous models. For many of us, this leads to tossing the device in the trash to be picked up and taken away. While this may be the standard way that most of us use for disposal, it can lead to serious repercussions on the environment. Electronic waste represents only 2 percent of America’s trash but it equals 70 percent of overall toxic waste. The USA alone discards a little over 2 million tons of electronic waste per year and much of it is made up of chemicals that can be hazardous if not disposed of properly.

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This is the question I get more often than any other.

I guess, it all started with growing up in a home where service, tithing and respect for the earth were not just taught, but expected and required beliefs.

We were always the home that took people in, from the pregnant high school friend who came to live with us during her pregnancy because her own family and private school had both kicked her out, to the Japanese exchange students who brought a wonderful cultural experience to our home.

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