!rethink: EVERYTHING

Today we’re presenting a guest blog from Sommer Poquette, one of the partners of 3 Green Angels and founder of the blog Green and Clean Mom.

When I first started “going green” it seemed overwhelming. I had so many questions. Where do I start? What do I use? What do I do that isn’t wrong? Am I doing something wrong?

I felt as though the “green police” were going to come to my house without warning! When I watch this television commercial from Audi I laugh, but it’s a nervous laugh because I still wonder who is going to bust me if I forget to bring my reusable bag to the grocery store.

The great thing about starting to “go green” is that you’re probably already doing something and you don’t realize it. Like shutting off your lights to conserve energy and save money. Do you tell the kids to shut the refrigerator door because they’re letting the cold air out? If so, you’re already doing something and that is a start – so give yourself a hand!

Since there are not really police that will arrest you for making a Eco mistake, it is good to know that you’ll make them (mistakes, that is). But since you’re already doing something Eco-friendly without even realizing it, it’s time to turn it up a notch! Here are three things you can do today to start being even more Eco-friendly and they don’t even include using stainless steel sippy cups (which of course I’m in support of):

1.  Check Your Car Tire Pressure. Yes, this makes a difference because when your tires are under-inflated you burn more fuel = more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Check out the details from Drivers Go Green and Planet Green will help you learn how to use a tire gauge, if you don’t know how to!

2.   Close the Blinds. When the sun is beating in and it feels like a thousand degrees outside close your blinds or drapes and use a ceiling fan. When the sun beats through open windows, rooms heat up more quickly, causing you to crank up the air conditioning. That equals more electricity used and more money out of your pocket!  Grist has a great article on fans verses air conditioning for a humorous green read!

3.  Take off Your Shoes! When you walk inside your home with your shoes on, an estimated 85% of outdoor toxins make it inside! For real! Lawn pesticides, lead, dog or cat dodo, and more can come into your home when you don’t take off your shoes and wiping doesn’t 100% do the trick. Check out this Healthy Child article that gives you the low down.

Inflate, close the blinds and take off your shoes and – boom – you’ve done three easy and simple things today to start adding to your list of Eco-friendly living habits!

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