Daily Green Action #10

Only run your dishwasher when you have a full load. Use energy-saver drying features and dry powder detergent.

Daily Green Action #9

Draw the curtains. According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling buildings is responsible for 42% of the fossil fuels consumed by homes and businesses in the United States. Much of this energy escapes from poorly insulated doors and windows. Whenever possible, keep your blinds and curtains drawn so your home's energy - and your hard earned cash - won't be gone with the wind.

Daily Green Action #8

Ditch the microwave popcorn. Conventional microwave popcorn contains diacetyl, an additive that destroys the lung’s ability to expel air, causing the disorder bronchiolitis obliterans or Popcorn Lung. Next time you get a popcorn jones, drop one teaspoon of olive oil and ¼ cup loose organic kernels into a covered pot. Listen for the first few pops, then lift and shake the pot occasionally to prevent burning. In just a few minutes, you’ll have fresh, healthy popcorn than you can season to your own taste with salt and real butter. Now that’s tasty!

Daily Green Action #7

When you go out to a restaurant, bring along a plastic container to carry your leftovers home.

Daily Green Action #6

Forget the counterculture - it's all about vermiculture, baby! The practice of composting with worms can fit into any lifestyle - you can even get a bin that slides under the kitchen sink! Once your worms have done their magic, use that good rich dirt to grow your favorite potted plants or replenish your garden. You can even give it away to a local community garden.

Daily Green Action #5

Switch from liquid laundry detergent to powder. Liquid detergent is 80% water, which not only takes water out of our drought-stricken environment but requires more petroleum to transport. Next time you throw a load in, grab a scoop instead of a spout.

Daily Green Action #4

Take it on tap. Bottling water requires petroleum to make the bottles, petroleum to transport them to your shelves, and coal to power the recycling plant, unless your bottle ends up in a landfill, along with 2 billion lbs of unrecycled plastic bottles. Aquafina, Dasani and numerous other bottlers are just tap water; as for the allure of "spring water," why is water from springs filled by acid rain and industrial runoff, which is then treated and fluoridated just like water from municipal sources, more alluring than purified tap water? Stop paying for what comes out of your tap for free, people, and do something good for your wallet and your planet.

Daily Green Action #3

November 27, 2007: Cover up! When cooking on the stovetop, cover your pot or pan with a lid. Covered cookware heats your food much more quickly, which helps the earth and your grumbling belly!

Daily Green Action #2

Skip the conventional air fresheners, which contain four basic ingredients: formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, p- dichlorobenzene, and aerosol propellants. Try burning essential oils; boiling cloves or cinammon; burning a beeswax candle scented with pure essential oils; or decorating with fragrant potted plants like rosemary, sage, or lemon verbena.

Daily Green Action #1

Keep a mug or travel cup in the car to use at fast food restaurants.