Keeping Cool and Green This Summer

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Today was both gorgeous and starting to be sweltering hot. Here are a few tips to keep cool in the coming months of hotness, (and not the sexy kind, the don’t touch me its too humid and sticky) and staying a nice shade of green too.

1.Travel Consciously

Check out local activities close to home. The less gas saves your wallet and carbon emissions and riding your bike is even better. One of my favorites stops to turn off my phone and put my feet in the grass is the Tourne in Boonton and the Jockey Hollow, full of historical importance, beauty, open rolling fields and trees. If you are going on vacation far away consider carpooling and Amtrak to get you there. I recently took a ride to Washington D.C. and it was faster, cheaper, and a lot less stressful than driving. With the price of gas what it is these days, you must be conscious of your wallet and the earth at the same time.

2. Cool and easy

Air conditioning is a necessary evil and for a lifesaver for many people. Keep the thermostat at a higher temperature will even out your electric bill and help the environment. On those extra sweaty nights, a cold, wet towel on your head or the back of your neck helps (Lavender scented can be a delightful bonus). Turn off the lights in your house is another way to keep cool.

3. Grill Baby Grill

BBQ is a summer favorite past time. Propane also burns cleaner than wood and charcoal. If you are really ambitious try a solar cooker, the new rage, super green, and humanitarian friendly. Their is currently a project being run by the New Jersey Coalition to benefit families in Darfur and war torn countries in Africa were you can purchase one for you, donate one, and learn to build them yourself. This would be a great project to build with your kids!

4. Eat Locally

The Slow Food movement is sweeping across the United States and the Garden State is a perfect place to start. Farmers markets are great places to shop, and ensure that the fruit and veggies you're eating are supporting local growers and traveling within a closer distance, cutting down on fuel, cost, and pollution.
5. Culinary Cutlery

Make an effort to use reusable dishes rather than plastics or Styrofoam. If it’s not an option to wipe out the homemade ceramic plates, check out bamboo plates, and biodegradable paper products. BBQing and socializing is great but garbage can pile up if your not paying attention.

6. Protect Your Skin

Try out organic sunscreen, bug repellent, and organic clothes. Your skin is the largest organ on your body and protecting it is an importance we forget in the sunshine. Many sunscreens and bug repellents are chemical heavy (Can anyone say Parabens?). Many organic lines of body products can smells great and works just as good if not better. Rosemary is a natural way to block the mosquitoes in your garden and on your skin.
7. Charging Your Toys

Try out a solar device with all the sunshine your are sitting around in. If you’re at the beach or in the mountains, this is a great way to recharge your phone, iPod, or radio. This practice can save a buck on your electric bill and solar chargers have had exceptional developments in the last few years.
8. Watch The Water

Watch the amount of water you use this summer. The drought season can be tough on your garden and we must save all our natural resources as possible. Use low usage showerheads and sprinkler systems can help on water saving.