Earth Friendly

Of course, the Macy’s Parade will be airing on Thanksgiving Day but don’t missing the Thanksgiving dog show on NBC from noon to 2 pm. This is a great opportunity to spend time with your family and your pets.

Also avoid feeding your pet any table scraps. This can start them on a bad habit, which can result in them becoming overweight. Since it’s difficult to prevent friends and family from feeding your pet, have some healthy treats on hand. If the weather happens to be nice, take a walk with your dog and burn off some of those calories; pets can always use exercise.

To a vegetarian or vegan, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner can be one of the most uncomfortable experiences. It’s particularly uncomfortable if you are meeting your significant other’s family for the first time. People might question your reasons for not eating meat and some might be offended. In my experience, I have had people become upset while others have seemed genuinely interested in my decision. Regardless of how people react to your lifestyle, it’s best to remain calm and avoid preaching. This is supposed to be a relaxing time for people to get together, so I usually don’t draw attention to my eating habits unless someone else brings it up. This doesn’t mean I’m not proud of being a vegetarian, but there’s a time and a place to argue and Thanksgiving dinner is just not the time. However, more often than not, I find that people want to know more about my choice, and it’s always a good feeling when you can enlighten others.

If you are one of those people who like to get your tree up right after Thanksgiving, here are some tips to help you have an eco-friendly Christmas tree.

• Use LED lights instead of the traditional ones, because they are more efficient.
• Reuse ornaments from last year’s Christmas tree.
• Bake cookies and turn them into tree ornaments.
• Buy a real tree instead of a plastic one. Artificial trees are usually not made from biodegradable material.
• Put lights on a timer so you don’t waste electricity all day and night long.
• Avoid buying any new ornaments or decorations for your tree.

If you have dogs or cats, it’s important to some research before bringing a plant into your home. Many common household plants can be dangerous and even toxic to your pets. For example, the Peace Lily can cause cats to vomit after ingestion and within 24 hours, the cat will most likely experience renal failure. So before you buy any trees, vines, bulbs, shrubs, lilies, ferns and other houseplants, you need to check online. There are many sites that list out poisonous plants for pets, so it doesn’t take long to figure out which ones you can and cannot have. 

I guess this week of posts are related to winter…probably because it’s been snowing heavily outside my window while I write them. Anyway, since you might find yourself at home more often, start to be more resourceful so you don’t have to go outside of your home to buy items. For example, use old toothbrushes to scrub stains out of your clothing. Or sprinkle baking soda on your carpet to absorb odors. Since you have the time, start your recycling bins. Put a few under your sink for paper, plastic and glass. Make sure they are big, so you only have to visit the recycling center once every two weeks.

When you’re hibernating in the winter season, the inside of your house can become boring and stale. Since opening the windows isn’t an option, decorate your home with real plants. Plants can help filter the air and freshen it. Although you have to remember to water them, it’s nice to have some natural color in your home.

Flowers can also make you feel better. The scent of tea roses or one of your favorite flowers can help brighten the day. Gerber daisies are fun and colorful, and they can add a lot of personality to your home or apartment. Not only will some greenery make you smile, it will make your guests smile too.

It’s a shock to the system when it gets cold outside, which is probably why you are inclined to turn up the heat. However, you will probably be even more shocked when you get your electric or gas bill. There are ways you can limit your use by dressing warmer while you’re in the house. Wearing warm sweaters or shawls, you can keep the chilly air away from your skin. It also helps to make sure all windows and doors are sealed tight. Check to make sure they are all shut, and if you have damaged seals, place towels around them to keep the cold air out. You can also keep the rooms you rarely go into closed and put a space heater in the family room or bedroom.

I might hate driving in the winter, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love winter. This season is a great time to take outdoor adventures with family and friends. Skiing is my favorite sport, and it can be a fun experience if you are a first timer. If downhill skiing doesn’t entice you, resort to cross country skiing. This will get your heart rate up in no time, and if you have younger children, it might be an easier activity for them to do. Some ski resorts now have separate areas designated for sliding down the hills in inner tubes, which might be more appealing to your children. Regardless of what winter activities you like to do, make sure you take time to admire the winter wonderland.

It’s snowing in Ohio so the fun has just begun. Driving in the winter is not my cup of tea, but it’s a necessary evil that I have to deal with at least three to four days a week for work. One tip I have that also saves gas is to do your errands either on your way to work or on your way home from work. This might be the last thing you want to do, but you will eliminate the need to drive back out onto the icy roads on another day. Another tip is to keep your tires filled with the proper amount of air so that they grip the roads. Another important thing to be cautious of is static electricity, which can cause explosions at gas stations. I know it’s cold, but it’s safer to stand outside of your car while you pump your gas.  

During the holiday season, there is so much paper that is wasted. In order to eliminate the unwrapping, consider less tangible gifts. Treat your family to a vacation away from home or near home. Even if you don’t have much money to spend, you can find interesting and unique places in your hometown to visit. Trips like this make memorable gifts, and your family and friends have a chance to spend quality time together.

If you don’t enjoy Christmas shopping and getting gifts, think about making an agreement with your friends and family. For example, between you and your spouse devise different ways that you can improve your relationship. Maybe you will stop taking your stress out on your husband by releasing your stress through a different outlet like yoga, and your spouse will spend more quality time with you and the kids. You can also do this with your friends and plan to take each other out to lunch once a month.