How to Throw the Best Green Labor Day Party

Here in the States, cooking out is a Labor Day tradition. You may be like many people, wishing to extend your green lifestyle choices to include entertainment and leisure activities. Here's how to throw your next green Labor Day party. 1. Use natural charcoal or wood for your grill. Natural charcoal is very basic - it's simply charred wood. It's available by the bag at major retailers and home improvement stores. Using wood itself is another option. If you have a basic backyard grill (not propane), you can burn fallen sticks and twigs that you can gather yourself with minimal effort. 2. Send out electronic invitations to save paper. Or, make your own invitations from scrap paper or junk mail. 3. Encourage your guests to walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation to get to your party. 4. Serve local, seasonal foods. Labor Day is still within the growing season in many parts of the country. Corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions and squash are all good options for grilling and are still in season in early September. Potato wedges cooked on the grill can take the place of packaged potato chips. Regardless of where you live, there will be something good and grill-able that is in season and grown locally. 5. Serve food on reusable flatware and plates. Serve drinks from washable cups and glasses. If possible, have drinks in coolers and kegs rather than individual cans or bottles. 6. For those items that are disposable (beverage cans or bottles, for example), have clearly labeled recycling bins set up for guests where they can easily toss their used items. 7. Burn citronella candles or torches around the edges of your party or grilling area if it's all outdoors. Have citronella candles burning on any outdoor tables where your guests will be eating. Provide natural insect lotions or sprays for your guests as well. 8. If you want to cook meat on the grill, choose grass-fed, organic, and/or free range meats. Wild meats are also a good option if the season coincides. You can still serve traditional burgers and hotdogs - just choose vegetarian or free-range, organic versions of these classic foods. 9. Whole grain flat bread is good on the grill, and with toppings of grilled vegetables and/or meats, it becomes a main course. 10. Make dessert from seasonal, local fruits. Some berries are still in season around Labor Day - serve them in a cobbler or pie, or raw with sauce or dips. 11. Strings of festive LED lights in appropriate colors provide eco-friendly lighting for your party. Solar lights are also an option - they are easily obtained these days and can be quite affordable. Most Importantly - Be Safe, Have FUN, and Enjoy Your Company!!  The memories are PRICELESS!!

Here in the States, cooking out is a Labor Day tradition.

You may be like many people, wishing to extend your green lifestyle choices to include entertainment and leisure activities.

Here's how to throw your next green Labor Day party.

1. Use natural charcoal or wood for your grill.

Natural charcoal is very basic - it's simply charred wood. It's available by the bag at major retailers and home improvement stores.

Using wood itself is another option. If you have a basic backyard grill (not propane), you can burn fallen sticks and twigs that you can gather yourself with minimal effort.

2. Send out electronic invitations to save paper.

Or, make your own invitations from scrap paper or junk mail.

3. Encourage your guests to walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation to get to your party.

4. Serve local, seasonal foods.

Labor Day is still within the growing season in many parts of the country.

Corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions and squash are all good options for grilling and are still in season in early September.

Potato wedges cooked on the grill can take the place of packaged potato chips.

Regardless of where you live, there will be something good and grill-able that is in season and grown locally.

5. Serve food on reusable flatware and plates.

Serve drinks from washable cups and glasses. If possible, have drinks in coolers and kegs rather than individual cans or bottles.

6. For those items that are disposable (beverage cans or bottles, for example), have clearly labeled recycling bins set up for guests where they can easily toss their used items.

7. Burn citronella candles or torches around the edges of your party or grilling area if it's all outdoors.

Have citronella candles burning on any outdoor tables where your guests will be eating.

Provide natural insect lotions or sprays for your guests as well.

8. If you want to cook meat on the grill, choose grass-fed, organic, and/or free range meats.

Wild meats are also a good option if the season coincides.

You can still serve traditional burgers and hotdogs - just choose vegetarian or free-range, organic versions of these classic foods.

9. Whole grain flat bread is good on the grill, and with toppings of grilled vegetables and/or meats, it becomes a main course.

10. Make dessert from seasonal, local fruits.

Some berries are still in season around Labor Day - serve them in a cobbler or pie, or raw with sauce or dips.

11. Strings of festive LED lights in appropriate colors provide eco-friendly lighting for your party.

Solar lights are also an option - they are easily obtained these days and can be quite affordable.

Learn more about Green Living at Vitality Market proud distributors of Essante Worldwide home of the famous Power Pop

 

Free Wind Energy Savings-Saving Your Money And The Planet At The Same Time

 

With so many of us feeling a financial pinch, implementing energy savings techniques around our homes just makes sense.

Let's face it, few of us are in a position to increase our incomes, or if we can usually not by very much, therefore we need to find a way to save money.  The good news is that you can start today and you can start at home.

There are dozens of simple, cheap, and even free, things you can do right now that can make your home more energy efficient.

A few of the things that you can do to save energy around your home are: replace burnt out light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs, cook foods at the lowest temperature possible, turn off all lights and appliances when you leave a room, keep your computer on energy saving mode when not in use.

This very simple list isn't going to save you thousands of dollars a year, but each one of these things is easy to do and will save you money so what have you got to lose?

If you want to make a bigger dent on your utility bill there are other things that may cost some money and/or take some effort but they can pay off big by reducing your electric bill significantly.

One of the most powerful ways to save your money and even possibly increase your income is installing a home wind turbine for your home. You can get these kits for under $300.00. You can even store the excess electricty you create with your wind power generator and sale it back to your electric company.

These things are upgrading your windows and doors, you may even be eligible for a tax credit, adding insulation to your attic, upgrading to energy efficient appliances, replacing your furnace if it's more than 10 years old.

While these things are going to cost quite a bit of money, and it will take longer to recoup your investment, they will pay off by helping you keep your utility bill lower for years to come.

The bottom line is that you can save money by using one of more of these energy savings strategies right now.  Some are cheaper and easier than others, but they will all work to cut back on your expenses.

Learn more about Green Living at Vitality Market proud distributors of Essante Worldwide green and organic inexpensive products and home of the famous Power Pops.

 

 

 

Wind Turbine and Going Green Tips You Can Start Using Now

 

The nice thing about the renewed interest in the environment is that going green can also save you green...a lot of green. 

There are dozens of things you can do to save energy that will not only help the planet but your financial health as well.  Some things are fairly elaborate and may cost a little money, and other's are very simple.  No matter which option you choose, you should start today.

Some of the simpler things you can do to help the environment are to make sure your car is tuned up, check your tire pressure, combine errands so you don't have to backtrack.  These simple things can help you get better fuel economy as well as save harmful emissions.

Around your home simple things like recycling your empty pop cans and papers, adding insulation, keeping your thermostat low, and using caulk to seal out drafts can also save you money.

If you had something a little more significant in mind building your own wind turbine might be a good option for you.  Despite what you might think, you don't need to build a huge wind mill in your backyard. 

There are 'home sized' turbines available that not only come in smaller sizes but can even come in different shapes. Some of these turbines actually look like a modern sculpture and many can be mounted right on your roof.

One small wind turbine can cut the amount of electricity you need to buy from your utility company by up to 60%.  That can add up to a very significant savings.  Turbines can be built for around $200 in a matter of a couple of days.

Going green can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be.  The important thing is that you decide on a course of action and then go for it.  You will feel really good knowing that not only are you saving money, but you're saving the planet too.

Learn more about living green at Vitality Market proud distributors of Essante Worldwide home of the famous Power Pops.

 

Cut Energy Bills With Wind Power And Winterize Your Home

 

Heading into this winter season many families are understandably nervous. 

It's a tough economy and many people are worried about their jobs and keeping up with rising costs.  But there are many cheap, or free, things you can do to cut energy bills.  Here is a list of some of the easy, yet effective, changes you can start making today.

1. Make sure your furnace is ready for the winter.  Have a qualified HVAC professional check and clean your unit.  Once the heating season starts make sure to change your filters monthly.  If the filter is dirty it will restrict airflow which will use more energy since it has to work harder.

2. Add a programmable thermostat.  You can set it to automatically adjust the temperature at certain times of the day and certain days of the week.  That way the temperature in your home will automatically go down during the day when no one is home, or overnight.  It can also raise the temperature shortly before you get up in the morning.

3. Take care of your fireplace. Make sure the chimney is cleaned and in good repair. If you use your fireplace more than once a week you should have it professionally cleaned yearly. Also install a cap or screen at the top of your chimney to prevent birds from building nests.

4. Caulk around your windows and doors.  The more heat loss you can prevent the less your furnace will have to run, and that will save you money all season long.  Using window kits is another way to prevent heat loss from older windows.

5. Using wind power, (think home windmill) along with the above winterizeing tips and this will more than put you ahead of the game; on cutting your long term electric bills.

Now is a good time to make some simple changes that can help you cut energy bills this winter.  Take a few minutes now to save hundreds not only this winter but throughout the year and for years to come. 

Learn more about Affordable Green Living and Essante Worldwide green products at Vitality Market.