Going, going, gone...Green!

And a very happy Monday, folks! It's a dreary one here, but this post is sure to brighten things up with a few tips and tricks for how to eat a live a little more sustainably.

I've curated the following tips from a couple of different sources, most notably localharvest.org and via the fabulous podcast of the one and only Nutrition Diva, Monica Reinagel. Find The Nutrition Diva on Facebook, Twitter, or iTunes for great health and nutrition tips, as well as the Diva's own take on new research and trends in the field. 

A disclaimer: these tips are all great and will all surely help you to reduce your carbon footprint, make healthier choices for yourself and your family, and make you a better steward of the environment. While I am not going to post about anything I don't agree with, I'm also not going to pretend that I am actively practicing every tip I dish out! I am a member of a CSA and I do make it a habit of only buying organic eggs and dairy, but there are many places where I can improve. I hope that this list (while no where near exhaustive) inspires all of us to make healthier, smarter choices for our vitality and for that of our Mother Earth! 

So without further ado, here's my list. To be a Green(er) Warrior, you might consider (in no particular order):

-reducing the amount of meat in your diet. The average American gets much more than the recommended amount of protein in his/her diet, and most of it comes from meat. If you are happily carnivorous, try going one day a week without meat and get your protein from plant-based sources, such as quinoa, legumes, or tofu. A small change like this can dramatically reduce the amount of fossil fuels that our nation burns on the regular. Join the revolution: Make every Monday Meatless!

-when you do opt for meat, buy locally-raised, humane, organic meat whenever possible. Because organic meat is significantly more expensive, this choice had the added benefit of helping you to control your portion sizes and therefore consume less fat and calories. When the meat you consume is raised without pesticides and free of harmful antibiotics, you reduce your risk of developing food-borne illness. 

-in addition to buying organic meat, make sure your eggs and dairy are organic, as well for many of the same reasons. When shopping for fruits and veggies, steer clear of The Dirty Dozen--unless you plan to buy organic. A good rule of thumb is: if you can't afford the organic version, skip it and buy fruits and veggies with thick rinds and skins which absorb less pesticides (think oranges, grapefruits, many varieties of squash/gourds, etc). Check out the list of The Clean Fifteen for more suggestions.

-eating low on the food chain. This is especially true for seafood. Fish like anchovies, sardines, and mackerel are good options. If you like salmon, buy wild-caught as opposed to farmed. 

-buying in bulk. Lots of speciality grocery stores and food co-ops sell things like grains, legumes, nuts, and dried fruit in bulk. It's cheaper this way because manufacturers don't have to pay most packaging and printing costs. Additionally, most stores will offer organic options in bulk which are much cheaper than buying similar products from the shelves. I love to buy nuts, quinoa, bulgur, and the occasional organic chocolate peanut butter malted milk balls (!) from the bulk bins.

-growing your own food! Backyard vegetable gardens are the thing du jour, and from what I've read because I'm planning to plant some window box herbs this spring, not too hard to do. It's amazing how much food is yielded from some tiny little seeds!

-making your own cleaning supplies. Traditional cleaning supplies are full of harsh chemicals. All you really need to make your own affordable and effective alternatives is a lemon, vinegar, soap, and baking soda. Check out this site for more tips on making your own non-toxic cleaning supplies for your home. 

So, that's my list! What would you add to this list that I forgot? How do you live "green?" Leave me a comment!