buy local - what does that mean?

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Would you believe that the only brand of apple juice you buy in the united states, who actually uses American apples, is martinelli's? The rest come from China!

It's hard to believe but true. On top of the growing concern over where the ingredients for our produce and prescription pills come from is the idea of keeping things local. The more local you keep the things you buy, the smaller the carbon footprint you will personally leave on the environment.

Patagonia is a wonderful company with a strong commitment to protecting the environment. On their website you can track the journey, from start to finish, of a single piece of clothing, shoe, etc.. You'd be amazed at how many different countries play a part in creating a piece of clothing, electronics or even the food on your plate at night. Obviously the longer the distance your item travels to you, the greater the carbon footprint.

Farmers markets are an easy way to ensure you are buying things local but looking at the labels on the brands you are buying can help too. It just doesn't seem necessary for your bottle of apple juice to be coming from china.

a reusable coffee mug makes a big difference -

A reusable coffee mug is an easy and cost effective way to have a positive effect on the environment. They range in price from $10-$20 but almost all coffee places give you a ten to twenty-five cent discount for using one and more importantly you are personally saving thousands of cups from ending up at the landfill.

con-edison offers green energy

Did you know you can request for your home energy sources to be green for only a few extra dollars a month? It's true and contact con-edison to find out more.

small changes to your life - add vegetarian and / or vegan meals:

image source: veganMenu.blogspot.com

Adding vegetarian and vegan meals to your diet benefits your health, the environment, animal welfare and there's so much great food to eat. When you start to remove meat from your diet many people start to recognize how it's not the taste of meat people love but rather the texture and flavors. Many of these textures and flavors can easily be duplicated without meat.

organic farming -

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"it's the right way to grow....the ground's not being poisoned, the workers aren't being poisoned, the water's not being poisoned...we're trying to farm with nature...eating vegetables is good....eating organic vegetables is better....eating organic family farmed, best...."

- organic farmer jonathan steinberg, santa cruz, california

small changes to your life - ride a bike:

image source: jupiter images

There is definitely a sense of freedom you feel on a bike. Including more bike riding in your weekly regiment obviously improves your health but also has a great impact on the environment. Check out some bikes today at your local shop or by clicking here.

small changes to your life - eat organic and buy local produce:

image source: join jake

Industrial farming does not work! It's a nightmare for the animals, the environment, the consumer and for the employee of the industrial farm too. It has been a complete failure...to put it lightly. I'm going to try and shop at farmers markets more often and only buy organic. There is a watershed of excess pesticides needed to be used in this country and if you don't buy organic and support local produce, that pesticide will end up on your dining room table.

re-newable energy:

"The only blackouts we see are intelligence blackouts on the part of the politicians. If the governor bought 4 compact florescent lights for every household in california (and) one water saving shower head, we'd be able to shut down 100 of the 1000 power plants in california, right now. So conservation? Renewable energy? It's all a very simple solution...the answer is all around us."

- john schaeffer - founder of real goods solar living center

small changes to your life - reusable shopping bag

image source: tierra canela

Over one billion plastic bags are used on a daily basis to bring home groceries, pharmaceuticals, etc.. When these bags are thrown out they eventually break down into tiny toxic bits polluting our soil, rivers, lakes, oceans, as well as killing wildlife. A very easy way to curb your use and need for plastic bags is to bring along your own tote bag. Buy one today!

small changes to your life - lightbulbs

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Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs have revolutionized energy-efficient lighting. They can be up to 4 times more cost efficient and can last 10 times longer than normal bulbs. Here's an easy, cost efficient way to greatly help the environment. Buy some today!