Quick Tips

We've all heard it before: - Air conditioners "work" harder when they're cooling down your house after a hot day ... But it's (True? False? The anticipation is killing me... so just click through & find out, after the jump!)

Memorial Day weekend calls for shaking off stress, enjoying friends and family, and perhaps a delicious cocktail (or two.) This recipe for a refreshing, seasonal blueberry mojito will start your long weekend off on the right foot. Bonus: it's fairly low calorie, and simple to make! Click through for the recipe.

The average American generates 4.6 pounds of trash per day. 2 1/2 lbs goes to landfill and the remainder is recycled or incinerated. Before putting something in your trash can or taking it the curb, think about possible sustainable you can implement.  Try purchasing reusable dish rags over sponges, or towels instead of the paper version. You can even challenge your household: Set one small trash bin out for each member of your household, and see who has the most in it each week.  The loser takes out everyone's trash for one month. Readers, what can you change in your household?  Please share in the comments.

As you know from my locavore kick, you can reduce your carbon footprint and get fresher, tastier foods when sourcing locally. This Mother's Day, try planning an all-locally sourced meal!  Whether free-range omelets or seasonal fruit pancakes, you're sure to put a smile on Mom's face. Find delicious meat-free options like these Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins or veggie brunch ideas. Check out other ways to green your mother's day!

Feliz Cinco De Mayo! As Dictator of a Mexican Eating Club (or "Mexadelphia" as a few close amigos call it), I'm taking tomorrow's fiesta with pride.  How can you celebrate my 2nd favorite holiday the eco-friendly way? Here's a few sustainable celebration & vegetarian comida options:

The average US household uses 130,000 gallons of water per year. Therefore, anytime you can conserve H2O helps the cause. When making a delicious dinner (or snack), try to boil food in as little water as possible.  Use just enough water to cover what your cooking, and put a lid on to heat things up faster. After you're finished and the water's cooled down, use the excess water to water houseplants instead of dumping down the drain.

Earth Day is this Sunday (obviously.). Philadelphia had a city-wide cleanup effort this past weekend, but that doesn't mean you should wait for a city-wide initiative to volunteer. Instead of hosting a birthday or holiday party at home, organize a volunteer outing to a local park or community garden. Philadelphia has a lot of green space (and litter), so start with a community park or number of blocks. Read on!

For some animal activists, vegans and other environmentally conscious folks leather is a fashion and function don't. The idea of wearing part of a dead animal corpse just doesn't sit well with some people. While I have not personally sworn off ALL leather from my wardrobe, this year I'm making a conscious effort to only purchase reused or worn items. Read on!

This Friday, we're asking you to go for the Bar! (of soap.) Over the past year, I’ve swapped liquid body wash for the bar variety.  It’s less expensive and saves packaging waste. Plus, all of that water IN the liquid wash uses… you guessed it, more water.  (More water = more weight & energy = increased fuel costs for transportation) Supposedly the average bar of soap lasts for 20 showers (vs. a 16 ounce of body wash is 80) – Although body wash costs more than 4 x’s the bar. (However, my bars of soap seem to last literally for 30-40 showers.)