Living

Sunday, Jun. 21, 2009

Linda Lewis Griffith: Green families

Consider these simple conservation steps that will save resources and get the whole clan involved

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It may have been difficult for Kermit to be green. But for the rest of us it’s incredibly easy. There is a Priusful of steps every household can take that minimize our impact on the environment. Most of these activities are embarrassingly simple. They’re fun to do with our children. They put money back into our wallets, and we become terrific role models for our families and others. If that’s not the ultimate greenery, I don’t know what is.

Some tips have already been drummed into our psyches. Turn off the lights when we’re not in the room. Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. Recycle all bottles, cans and plastics. Walk whenever we can. Carpool to work. Unplug our computers at night. Eat locally grown food.

Others are a matter of the choices we make on a daily basis, such as how we prepare our food, what gifts we give to our friends or what products we use for cleaning the kitchen countertops.

If you want to add more green into your life, start with these suggestions. Of course, this list is far from exhaustive. There are more ways to be environmentally sensitive than there are varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Still, each of us can learn and incorporate new strategies for decreasing our impact on the planet.

Recycle grocery bags

This is such a simple act that each of us can do every time we shop. It involves a minimal investment — in a few canvas or sturdy plastic bags — and the discipline to return them to your car after unloading them in the kitchen. Most stores offer incentives for bag recycling. Others still need a gentle nudge to bring them into line. But even if the stores aren’t good stewards, we can still recycle our shopping bags. It’s the very least we can do.

Pack lunch for yourself and the kids

This idea saves money and improves the health of your entire clan. Each member of the household eats better food and gets the message, “Your well-being is important, even when you’re not at home.” Involve kids in the process by having them select foods that are yummy and easy to transport. Make and buy food in bulk so there’s plenty to use throughout the week. Adults benefit from taking their lunches, too. They get a nutritious, low-cal entree while saving the high cost of a restaurant meal.

Make your own easy-to-prepare food

Some foods are best left to experts. Others are way too straightforward to buy in a store. For instance, yogurt is an absolute snap to make. No, you don’t need a special machine.

A quart of milk and a little plain yogurt will get you started. Salad dressings and chicken broth are equally easy to do at home. Making these items from ingredients you have in your pantry or refrigerator means you waste less packaging and have food free from unnecessary salts and preservatives. They’re cheaper and tastier, too.

Give green gifts

I love giving things to my friends and family. It’s one way I show people that I care. Whenever I can I use gifts that are ecologically friendly, such as colorfully patterned grocery bags or jars of something I’ve concocted at home.

Start a worm bin

This may be hard to get your arms around at first. But using worms to dispose of your household’s edible waste material is a practical and efficient alternative to throwing food in the trash. According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, Californians throw away more than 5 million tons of food waste each year. More than 30 percent of waste material consists of compostable organic materials. Worm bins are plastic and odorless. They require minimal management once they’re up and running. Plus they make a fascinating family project for kids and grownups alike. For more information on worm bins, visit the San Luis Obispo Master Gardeners at http://groups.ucanr.org/slomg/aboutworkgroup.htm.

Use household products that are readily available

Glance at your personal care products. If you’re like most, you have a medicine cabinet full of things you use on your hair, teeth, face, feet — you name it. Most come wrapped in rolls of cardboard, plastic and cellophane. Their total cost could feed a family of five for a week in an undeveloped country.

You may not be able to survive without some of those self-care items. But others could be replaced by less costly products you already have in your home.

For instance, baking soda makes the most effective deodorant I’ve ever used. It also makes perfectly acceptable toothpaste. Instead of buying shaving cream to use on your legs, try hair conditioner instead. The list goes on and on. The goal isn’t to make you feel any less lovely. Rather it’s to reconsider what we use and buy.

Linda Lewis Griffith is a local marriage and family therapist. For information or to contact her visit lindalewisgriffith.com.