Author: Ginny Green

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Eco Tips

How To Care For Your Pet During The Hottest Time Of The Year

Summer-tips-dog-fan-Basset-Hound

Summer is great to play outdoors with our loving pets, but it’s important to always keep their safety in mind. Some animals are not well-equipped to deal with the heat, so it’s up to us to care for them so they have a pleasant and safe summer.

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Don’t leave your pets in a parked car – It doesn’t matter if it’s only for a minute, temperatures inside a car parked in the sun can rise faster than you think. Your pet might get dehydrated, suffer organ damage and even die after thirty minutes in the sun.

Limit exercise – On the hottest days, give your pet a break and adjust the intensity and duration of the exercise. Walk your pet early in the morning or during the evening if possible. Remember that asphalt can get very hot and burn its paws, so try to walk through grass. Keep your pet under the shade, especially if they have white ears, as they are more susceptible to sun damage. Always carry extra water and a bowl with you, so your furry friend can rehydrate.

Keep water available and fresh – Have multiple bowls of water around the house and backyard, so your pet can be hydrated. Change the water frequently so it’s always fresh and maybe stick a couple of ice cubes in there if you are going to be busy for a while. If your puppy doesn’t find baths stressful, giving them a cooling spray with the hose might help them out.

Keep your dog indoors – Dogs respond differently to heat than humans. For example, they only sweat through their footpads so they cool themselves down by panting. When it’s too humid outside, that might not be enough and they might suffer from heat stress and physical injuries. Keep your puppy inside and keep a dry climate inside the house with a de-humidifier. Fans are not really effective in keeping dogs cool, your best bet is air conditioner, even if it is more expensive.

Watch out for heatstroke – If you live in a place with extreme temperatures, your pet might be susceptible to heatstroke, so keep an eye out for the telling signs. Rapid heartbeat, glazed eyes, lethargy, lack of coordination, excessive salivation, excessive thirst, difficulty breathing, vomiting, a purple tongue and unconsciousness are all signs that a dog might be suffering from heatstroke. If you suspect that might be the case, quickly move your pet to the shade or inside with air-conditioning. Apply cold towels to your dog’s head, neck and chest. Run cool water over them and let them lick ice cubes or drink small amounts of water. As soon as you can, take your pet to the vet. You might save his life.

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Eco Tips Lawn & Garden

How To Use Less Water During Summer

save-water-drought-desert-summer

Certain regions of the US are going through a pretty severe period of drought right now. And even if that wasn’t the case, summer is the time of the year when we all get a little careless with our water consumption. If you want to reduce your environmental impact all year round, here are some great was to save water during summer.

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1. Pick the car wash – Nothing wrong with wanting a clean and sparkly car, but you need to be smart when you wash it. Before taking out the buckets and sponges, consider that washing your car by hand uses around three times more water than the automatic wash. Even better, the automatic car wash is quicker and easier too, so it’s a win-win.

2. Pay attention to your toilet – Faulty toilet tanks can silently leak water into the bowl without anyone noticing. To check for this, open the tank and pour a few drops of food coloring in the water. Wait an hour and check the water in the bowl. If it’s dyed, you have a faulty tank and you need to fix it. Never use the toilet as a trash can, tissues, q-tips and every other waste should go to the bin, as they can ruin the pipes.

3. Cut down your showers – Most people know that taking a shower is much more efficient than taking a bath when it comes to water consumption. But did you know that you can save up to 150 gallons of water per month by cutting your showers by only two minutes? Two minutes won’t make a difference for your shower routine, but they sure will make a difference for the planet.

4. Green Laundry – Only wash full loads to avoid water waste and avoid the “permanent press” setting, as it uses more water during the rinse cycle. Check the hose and pipes behind the machine to make sure they are not leaking or about to burst open.

5. Get a reusable water bottle – You probably know that getting a reusable water bottle cuts down waste by reducing the amount of plastic disposable bottles that get thrown away. But did you know that it takes three to five times more water to make a plastic bottle than the amount you are drinking?

6. Smart lawn sprinklers – If you use sprinklers to water your lawn and garden, make sure they are positioned correctly. They should only be watering your grass and plants, not your walls, cobbled path, driveway or sidewalk. Install a rain sensor on your automatic system, as it will detect when it’s raining and shut down. Finally, only water your plants early in the morning or after the sun goes down, so the water doesn’t evaporate as fast and it can be better absorbed.

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Lawn & Garden

Turn That Small Space Into A Garden

tiny-garden-small-pot-plants

If you’ve always loved plants but never had any because you don’t have enough space for a garden, think again, because you absolutely do. You don’t need a huge backyard to start growing your own plants. A little creativity goes a ling way.

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Use your vertical space – Hang your planters. You can find some very pretty decorative planters to hang from the ceiling or make some yourself. And you don’t even have to settle for a hue macrame pot, depending on the plants you want, smaller, cuter containers can work just as well. And you can use recycled materials to make them too! And your vertical space doesn’t end with your ceiling. Your walls are a great place to hang pots and planters too. Let your creativity flow and organize your planters in a stylish way to make your tiny garden part of your living room decoration.

Recycle water bottles to make planters – Instead of wasting valuable space with planters that require big trays at the bottom, make your own recycled self-watering planters out of old water bottles. You need a 2-liter water bottle, cut it in half and puncture three little holes near the top of the bottle, just below the neck. Insert a couple of 4” strips of wicking fabric in the neck and turn that part upside down. Fill it almost all of the way up with soil-less potting mix and organic fertilizer, and make sure is damp. Now plant your seeds, add some water to the base of the bottle and insert the other half, neck down into the base.

Use your bathroom – We never think of bathrooms as a place to keep our plants, but there’s no reason not to do it. Some indoor plants like bamboo, spider plants and ferns are perfect for bathrooms, since they love humid places. You will enjoy some green on your morning routine and even a tiny bathroom will feel cozier with a plant.

Get some vines – Indoors or outdoor, vines are perfect plants for small spaces, since they grow up and only spread to the space they have available. They will dress up your walls, add some much needed green to your life and, if you decide to let it grow indoors, it will be the most eco-friendly decoration and a conversation starter.

Make a terrarium – You don’t even need a huge container to make a terrarium, it just has to be clear. Mason jars are perfect for this. They look super cute, they don’t take up a lot of space and they already have lids, so you can keep pests away from your precious plants. Mason jars are a big trend in interior decorating and because of their small size, you can place them on your desk, and any other well-lit spot, to bring some green to every room in your house.

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Eco Eats

Easy Ways To Change Your Eating Habits

healthy-eating-salad-woman

Eating healthy is a really noble goal, but it’s so easy to mess up once and just give up altogether. In the end, the only thing we manage to do is keep eating unhealthy snacks, junk food and overprocessed dishes, but while feeling even guiltier about it. Forget the fad diets and the extreme changes, here are some easy ways to help you change your eating habits and eat healthy, without the suffering.

Freeze your veggies

Next time you go grocery shopping, throw in a few more veggies than usual. When you get home, portion them and stick them in the freezer. Now you’ll always have a serving of veggies handy that you can add to every meal. Try to incorporate those veggies to all your dishes. Pasta with broccoli, spinach omelet, veggie stir fry and even veggie pizza are all great ways to do this.

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Go grocery shopping on Fridays

Instead of rushing the store on Sunday like everyone else, and wade through the crowds to buy your food, go on Friday after work. This way, you will be less likely to order take out or eat out during the weekend, because your pantry will be well-stocked. Besides, you get the whole weekend to plan your meals for the week and even prepare some in advance.

Eat the vegetables on your plate first

This way, you will fill up with healthy fiber and nutrients before you get to fatty foods or carbs, so you will eat less. In addition, you should stop eating once you are full and not force yourself to clean the plate. You can always have leftovers. The best way to eat around your plate is veggies first, then protein and lastly, carbs.

Portion your snacks

If you are eating chips or pop-corn, don’t eat out of the bag. Your brain will never tell you to stop until you finish it. Serve a portion on a plate or bowl and put the bag away to maintain control. While we are at it, it’s best if you don’t get distracted during your meals. When you are doing something else while you eat, you tend to overeat because your body is only half-registering the food. Practice mindful eating instead, paying attention to the smells, colors and flavor on your plate.

Replace salt

Too much salt can lead to hypertension, heart disease and liquid retention. Instead of using salt to season all your food, use other spices. Garlic powder, basil, onion and curry are great, rich choices that will bring out the flavor in your food, while providing additional nutritional value. This way, you get more varied meals and reduce risk factors. It’s a win-win.

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Eco Eats

5 Healthy Smoothies That Are Quick And Delicious

healthy-smoothies-fruit-diet

Thinking about shaking up your diet? C’mon, we’re all desperate now that summertime is right around the corner! And the many nights we’ve spent binge eating while watching Netflix finally caught up to us. So something needs to give! That’s why smoothies are a quick and easy way to get all the nutrients you need in one delicious glass. These recipes are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. They will give you an energy boost and keep you healthy while doing some real damage control to your body.

1. Spicy green tea – For a fantastic afternoon pick-me-up try this energizing spicy green tea smoothie. Brew a strong cup of green tea and chill it. Ad just a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper, three tablespoons of lemon juice, two teaspoons of agave nectar, two tablespoons of plain yogurt (fat free is better) and one small pear, with the skin, cut into pieces. Blend everything until smooth (you can add some ice cubes) and drink it cold. One cup will get you 3 grams of fiber, it will boost your metabolism and it will keep your appetite in check.

2. Banana and maple – This is the ultimate breakfast smoothie. Slice half a banana, add half a cup of low-fat yogurt (maple works best), add one tablespoon of natural maple syrup and two tablespoons of pecans and a dash of grated nutmeg. Blend it all with one quarter cup of ice until it reaches a uniform texture and enjoy. This treat will energize your morning and will provide 250 mg of potassium, 3 grams of fiber and a good chunk of proteins. Not to mention it’s sweet and delicious so it will help you start your day in a great mood.

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3. Beet, apple and ginger – This naturally sweet treat packs more nutrients than you can count. Blend one large beet, one cucumber, one apple and as much grated ginger as you like and serve cold. One glass of this brightly pink beverage is rich in potassium, iron, folic acid, vitamin C and beta carotene. Besides, it includes a good amount of fiber too help your body work regularly.

4. Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie – For those times when your sweet tooth demands a sugary treat, try this smoothie instead. Mix one cup of sliced banana, one cup of 1% chocolate low-fat milk, half a cup of vanilla low-fat frozen yogurt, 8 ounces of vanilla low-fat yogurt and two tablespoons of natural peanut butter. Blend everything together and serve very cold. This recipe yields around 3 cups, so you can either share or save some for later. It is low-cholesterol, low sodium and 201 calories per cup. It tastes just like a candy bar, but it will give you protein, calcium, potassium and fiber that you need to keep yourself healthy.

5. Vitamin punch – Combine one medium apple, two medium soft pears and half a cup of pit-less cherries. Blend until smooth and add ice if you want for a quick and healthy drink. One cup of this delicious smoothie contains vitamin A, B, C and E, to benefit your whole body. Besides, Lutein and vitamins A and C increase collagen production, which will keep your skin look younger for longer.

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Eco Eats

Up Your Summer Fruit Game, Like, Right Now

fruit-salad-summer-slices

Fruit salads are so last summer. Simply putting some fruit in a bowl and eating it with a fork is not enough anymore. If you want to jazz up your fruity summer treats, here are some great recipes to up your summer fruit game.

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Bomb fruit popsicles

All the refreshing taste of popsicles without all that added sugar, this easy treat is a must for any freezer. The best part is that you can make them any flavor you want, all you need is fruit and fresh fruit juice. Slice up your fruit and mix some berries in for good measure. Arrange the mix inside popsicle molds and pour your favorite juice until you fill them up. Now stick them in the freezer and wait around six hours until they are frozen solid. These are perfect to make once and keep in your freezer for those moments when you are screaming for ice cream but still want to avoid extra sugar.

Banana blueberry vegan ice cream

Speaking of ice cream, you can make it yourself using only two ingredients. Slice up two bananas and stick them in the freezer overnight. Put the banana slices in a blender, add half a cup of blueberries and blend away until you get a smooth, uniform consistency. Keep it in the freezer and munch away while watching Netflix. You can make other flavors by replacing the blueberries with other fruits and even adding cocoa powder to make chocolate ice cream that is way healthier than Ben & Jerry’s.

Leftover fruit smoothie

Whenever you go overboard and buy way more fruit than you are able to eat, you can save some to make leftover fruit smoothie. Before your fruit goes bad, grab those you know you won’t eat, slice them up and freeze them. Next time you are craving fruit, take your frozen slices out, mix them with some fresh fruit and add a tablespoon of honey if you want to sweeten the deal. Now blend them with some fruit juice until you reach perfect smoothie consistency. You can mix up the ratio of fresh and frozen fruit to get the texture you want, remember that the more frozen fruit you add, the thicker the smoothie will be.

Two ingredient berry jam

This is the easiest jam recipe ever. It only takes an hour to make and it will result in delicious homemade jam you can keep to eat on breakfast toast or give as a gift to impress people. You need two cups of fresh raspberries, blueberries, cranberries or any kind of berry you want. You can even mix and match. Put them in a pot on medium heat and mash them a bit so the juice come out. Depending on the texture you like, you can turn them into complete mulch or not. Cook them until they have a uniform consistency, then add one cup of sugar without taking the pot from the fire. Try to add the sugar slowly while sprinkling it over all the berries, but trying to avoid the sides of the pot. Stir and cook the mixture together until it has reduced by ¼ of the original volume.

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Lawn & Garden

These Are The Coolest Backyard Projects To Do With The Kids

fairy-garden-project-backyard

One of the best things about summer is to be able to spend time outside. Warm air, sunshine and longer days are perfect to start outdoorsy projects that will keep your children entertained and make them love the outdoors as much as you do. You don’t need to be Martha Stewart to make something beautiful, you just need to be creative and think outside of the box. So roll up your sleeves and take note of these cool backyard projects to do with the kids.

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Make a butterfly feeder

Who doesn’t love butterflies? They are pretty and colorful and bring life to any garden. Attract them to your backyard with this easy project that even the youngest children can do. The easiest “butterfly food” to make is overripe fruit. Moths and butterflies love it and all you have to do is wait a bit for those bananas and strawberries at home to turn a bit mushy and soft. Get a ceramic or glass plate or a terra cotta plant saucer, any dish with a sloping rim will do. Ask your kids to decorate it however they want with paint or gluing pieces of ceramics in it to create colorful designs. The brighter the better and if they feel like gluing silk flowers to the rim, that’s great too. Now suspend it using flower pot hangers or a macrame holder, hanging it from a tree to keep it under the shade. It’s better if you can easily see it from your house or your patio chairs and it will work best if you hang it a little bit higher than your tallest flowers. Place the slices of overripe fruit on it and wait. If it’s dry out, sprinkle them with water or fruit juice. Replace the fruit when it’s too dry or it becomes moldy.

Build a fairy house or garden

Bring some magic right to your garden by building a house (or a tiny village!) for fairies. The best part about this project is that you can be as creative as you want to use the space around your garden. If you have a big tree with flowers around it, for example, you can add a tiny wooden door to the base and put up tiny windows or decorations of any sort. You can turn rocks into fairy houses and even create a tiny village from scratch on a patch of your garden. Tree stumps are fantastic fairy buildings and old bird feeders can be filled with soil, small plants and colorful rocks to make a fairy garden as well. You can make it as detailed as you want and you enlist the help of your older children to make a surprise for the younger ones. It is really difficult to stop believing in magic when confronted with a whimsical miniature village right outside of your home.

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Eco Tips

How Camping Can Teach Kids To Be Green

kids-camping-children-tent-summer

Warm and sunny days call for summer vacation planning. And if you are taking your kids, why not seize the opportunity to have fun as a family and teach the values you hold dear? Instead of wasting away at the beach, consider a family camping trip. Sure, you can go to Disneyland and have them swallow chunks of sugary drinks and snacks, but you’ll have a lot more eco-friendly fun together if you take them camping! Have some bonding moments and also teach your kids some green habits. Just don’t let them know ‘they’re learning’. That’s our little secret.

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Lawn & Garden Recycling

Recycle Your Furniture For Your Dream Garden

piano-garden-fountain-flowers

Looking for a way to revitalize your garden? Try furniture. And I don’t mean your typical patio chairs and plastic table. Oh no! Instead of throwing away old furniture (or sell it for 89 cents at your next garage sale which is hardly a deal), recycle it and give it new life in your garden!

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Recycling

How To Reuse Your Coffee Grounds And Tea Leaves

coffee-grounds-used-recycle
How To Reuse Your Coffee Grounds And Tea Leaves

If you are anything like most Americans, chances are your day doesn’t start until you’ve had your first cup of coffee. And you’ll have a couple more cups throughout the day. And maybe a cup of tea or two as well. That’s a lot of coffee grounds and tea leaves you shouldn’t be throwing away. But did you know you could have been reusing them in your home and garden all this time? Neither did we! (Keep reading.)

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