A Month of Green
Start living green with this month-long guide from myhomeideas.com

June 9 | archive | subscribe

1) Fill the dishwasher with every use. Dishwashers use more energy the less they have in them. By running it with only full loads, you could save an estimated 100 pounds of carbon dioxide and $40 per year.

2) Fix leaks! As soon as you spot a leak at your house, fix it or contact your plumber to do so. Fact: Leaky toilets can waste 30 to 50 gallons per day per toilet, and leaky faucets can waste 15 to 20 gallons per day.

3) Take shorter showers. The water used in showers accounts for about 1/5 of the water used indoors. Bonus: Place a low-flow application on your showerhead to decrease the amount of water that comes out.

4) Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. Fact: Did you know that running the water for three minutes while you are brushing your teeth can waste up to three gallons of water?

5) Use reusable cleaning tools such as rags and natural brushes. This eliminates one-use wipes and cheap sponges. Bonus: Save old towels and/or T-shirts, cut them into squares, and use them as cleaning rags.

6) Cleanse the air you breathe. Repaint at least one room using low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, which does not release harmful toxins into the air as conventional paint does.

7) Use discretion when judging if something in your wardrobe is dirty or not. Just wearing it once or if you simply pulled it out of the drawer doesn’t mean it’s dirty. This alone could cut your wash loads in half!

8) Fill your refrigerator. Fact: Food retains cold better than air does, so a full fridge works less to keep it cool than does one that is practically empty.

9) Turn off all unnecessary lighting. When you leave a room, be sure to turn off the light (and other appliances). Bonus: Install a motion sensor on lights, especially in places where you only pass through, such as stairways, halls, etc.

10) Reduce phantom power. This is power used by appliances and other electronics that are plugged into the wall but not powered on. Cut down by unplugging your cell phone, iPod, microwaves, and computers when not in use.

11) Apply weather strips and door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors to cut down on gaps which lead to heat loss. You could also save money by replacing window panes.

12) Buy local and organic food. Organic farms use natural growing practices that provide healthy alternatives to crops conventionally grown with pesticides and genetically modified organisms.

13) Reduce waste when ordering takeout by telling them what you won't need. For example, if you're eating from home, you won't need napkins, condiments, or flatware.

14) Neither paper nor plastic. Many grocery stores now sell reusable cloth bags. Take advantage of this offer and purchase enough bags to cover your average trip to the grocery store.

15) Monitor your thermostat. Established where it feels comfortable and then make the "Two Degree Pledge": up two degrees in the summer and down two in the winter.

16) Ban bottled water. Yes, water is good for you, but make sure you are taking care of yourself in a way that is also healthy for the environment. Use a filter on your sink faucet or keep a filtered pitcher in the refrigerator.

17) Create homegrown oxygen. Plant a tree in your backyard. It is that simple. One tree can offset tons of carbon over its lifetime. If planted appropriately, it may also reduce the energy needed to run air-conditioning.

18) Look into green power! Lots of utility companies offer green energy options. Check your provider's Web site or call a representative to look into the options to support green energy.

19) Power yourself properly with rechargeable batteries. Use rechargeable batteries wherever possible. Save money and cut down on batteries and hazardous waste in landfills.

20) Be technologically eco. When your old printer or your computer screen breaks, don't just throw away the unusable matter. research local stores that accept e-waste as a donation.

21) Water your lawn, not your driveway. Save water by clearing leaves from your driveway, porch, and stairs the appropriate way, by sweeping them aside. Also try to refrain from using a blower on these areas.

22) Green your morning coffee. Take your own cup to your favorite bean-brewing spot to cut down on the amount of paper cups used. If you get coffee five times a week, 260 cups a year you alone could save.

23) Walk your talk by buying recycled products. Start with your basic home goods, like toilet paper, printer paper, plastic baggies. Make sure to take a reusable canvas bag to the store to carry your recycled products.

24) Go paperless by paying online. Do you pay your bills online but still receive your bills in the mail? Most companies are encouraging you to go paperless.

25) Use what's outside to make the inside greener. Next time you have a light rain at your house, put your houseplants outside to give them a refreshing shower.

26) Think before you print. Reconsider your need for a document or an e-mail before you print it. If you need to print something, print it double-sided and on recycled paper.

27) Barrels of fun. Purchase a rain barrel to fit under your gutter and collect rainwater. This water cannot be used for drinking or even bathing, but you can use it to water your plants or wash your car.

28) Dispose of hazardous materials properly. Many common household items, such as paints, cleaners, batteries, and pesticides, contain hazardous components, but many of them are also offered in an eco-friendly manner.

29) Recycle no matter where you are. When in public, ask management or workers if they have recycle bins on location. If not, take the extra steps (literally!) and take it home with you to be properly recycled.

30) Use your cell phone. Most cell phones have a "notes" or "notepad" feature that will allow you to type in little to-do lists. This will cut down on your use of paper, and help you keep all of your lists in one place!

Visit myhomeideas.com for more household green tips.

GEMINI - Angelina Jolie (May 21-June 21)

Gemini is symbolized by the Twins. You're flexible, sometimes feeling split in two directions and don't know what to do! Gemini's great gift is communication the are talkative, witty and intellectual. Jolie was bound from the beginning to follow her own path toward self-knowledge and enlightenment. They will not rely on the teachings of others, but instead must learn everything firsthand, regardless of the cost.

Other Gemini philanthrostars: Former President John F. Kennedy, Wynonna Judd, Brooke Shields, Clint Eastwood, Heidi Klum, Marilyn Monroe, Morgan Freeman, Wentworth Miller, Anna Kournikova, Kanye West, Johnny Depp, Michael J. Fox, Elizabeth Hurley, Courteney Cox, Paul McCartney, Paula Abdul, Nicole Kidman