The Art of Zen Living

Go to a farmer’s market.

Check Local Harvest or the Eat Well Guide. Another resource that is still under construction (but has a bunch of interesting information) is Food Routes.org.

Buy “low milage” food.

Start small if you need to, and select foods that are from closer to you if you aren’t quite ready to eat local. Every mile food has to travel means more air pollution, water pollution and higher prices for fossil fuels. Agriculture and food distribution accounts for over one fifth of our consumption of fossil fuels. Your food may seem cheap, but don’t forget you’re also paying for it at the pump!

Not sure where someplace is? Check Google Maps.  Make a game of it with the kids and turn shopping into a fun educational experience!

More tips and tricks inside!

Start a compost pile
Even if you don’t have a garden, you can always give it away, or spead it on your lawn. Anything that keeps it out of the landfill and in your local ecosystem.

Need directions? Composting 101 is a good place to start.

Change to CF Light bulbs
I’ve seen some alarmist articles and speeches out there, but when I got this video of a Texas Congressman sent to me in e-mail, I decided to check into it. We ALL know that a Congressman from an energy state couldn’t possible have a political reason for wanting to discourage us from conserving energy, right?

I did a little research and found this information:

“The real truth is yes CFL bulbs do contain mercury, this is an essential element of the bulb and without this it would not operate. Whilst the amount of mercury used in production a CFL lamp is at most 6mg, the average mercury content is 4mg.

Taking the above totals into consideration, mercury emissions by a CFL lamp from electricity consumption over its lifetime is about 2.4mg of mercury. Emissions from an incandescent light bulb is about 10mg for the same period through electricity consumption. Therefore a CFL bulb emits 76% less mercury over the same time period. However, mercury stored in CFL bulbs is perfectly safe unless the glass is in someway damaged, in which case the bulbs can then emit mercury vapor. If the mercury from a CFL was to escape it would total 6.4mg, a 36% reduction on emissions from an incandescent. “

From this source: http://howtosaveenergy.blogspot.com/2007/05/cfl-mercury-myths.html

Also, the EPA recommends CFLs as the cleaner solution: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

As near as I can tell, while not perfect, they are still a better choice overall.

Start a worm bin
Worm composting turns your kitchen scraps into the highest quality plant food available. Again, Composting 101 has some good information, and so does City Farmer.

Buy some reusable shopping bags

You can reuse bags you have, or choose a local store (or several local stores) that sell them and support your local economy as well.

Hypermile!
Hypermiling is a combination of strategies designed to help maximize your fuel economy. On average, I’ve gained 10 MPG - in my car, that’s like getting a “buy 10 gallons of gas and get 3 free!” deal.

Put up a clothes line
I’ve seen a few different numbers, but running the dryer will cost you anywhere from thirty to forty cents a load, and it will wear out your clothes more quickly.

Check your recycling weekly for items you can reuse

Make your own “frugal-eco-friendly” (F-E-F for short!) laundry products!.
Here’s the link to the “How To” article I did on this, which I had great results from!