Green Options

This new iPhone App actually makes a ton of sense. Instead of having to print out coupons or clip them from mailers, you can just get the store clear to scan your iPhone. Check out how it works:

“We know that paper coupons will not be completely replaced, but providing consumers and retailers with an outlet for mobile coupons is a positive start towards reducing the waste created by the mountains of mail we all receive,” said Luke

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Here at Low Impact Living are big advocates for residential renewable energy. We’d like to see every home in the US being fed by solar, wind and/or geothermal power.  (And we hope that President Obama will be driving to make that vision a reality!)

But we also understand that very few of us Americans can afford $20,000+ for an installation of a solar PV system– especially these days!  [...]

As the mercury drops this winter season, the Grande Latte is in vogue again - but will set you back almost $4. Here are 5 tips for how to have your cup o’ Joe without breaking the bank.

The Holiday season is just around the corner, and if you take a gander in any store it will appear that we are already in its midst. For many families, the economy is making us think about saving money this holiday season. We should always be looking for ways to have less impact on Mother Earth. The good news, being green this holiday season will accomplish both.

Here’s how to save money and help the earth this holiday:

Often times the easiest way to lessen the impact on our Earth and our wallets is simply to use LESS. The third part to our series on being green when budgets are tight.

Use the correct amount of product. For laundry soap, this is usually 2 ounces or about HALF the cap. Many of us naturally fill the cap, isn’t that what it’s for? Shampoo and conditioner usually require only a teaspoon or two. Better yet, if you can, switch to a shampoo bar. Store your soap out of the water spray, otherwise it will be shrinking while not in use. Ration your children’s shampoo and body wash supply by giving them small portions (use a shot glass size container) of products at bath time.

They’re not sexy, and the Department of Energy estimates 13% of your home energy consumption goes into a big tank of hot water. I’ve seen other estimates that go higher, and a larger or older tank will burn more energy. So your water heater may be one of the more boring appliances in your home, but it’s a leading load on your energy bill. Fortunately, there are easy ways to fix that.

First let’s talk about how to improve a water heater that you already have. For less than $20, you can hit your local DIY hub/ home improvement store and buy a water heater blanket with quick and easy assembly instructions. If Internet testimonials are true, it will probably take more time to drive to the store and buy one, than it will to install it. If your water heater already has a blanket, bravo! Just keep in mind that the big sticker on the front of your water heater has some important information. You might want to tape it to the blanket for easy reference. While you’re at it, you could also consider insulating some of your pipes or ducts (see first link in this paragraph) for even more savings.

As for the yawn-factor on water heater tanks, check out my favorite Myth Busters episode from the Discovery Channel. (Please don’t try at home, duh)

Despite the fact that our Wisconsin farmstead, Inn Serendipity, remains covered with that nameless white stuff, my heart sits outside in the garden, ready for spring. Since curing my spring fever won’t come from planting pea pods anytime soon, I’ve learned to channel this vernal quest for change by revisiting old ideas with fresh perspectives.

March begs for a dash of newness and, in the spirit of greening our lives and recycling, there’s no better food for fodder (literally) than revisiting the things we see everyday, probing for a nugget of inspiration. From dusting off old cookbooks (I’m amazed at how I can always rekindle an old favorite I haven’t made in a while from our B&B cookbook, Edible Earth: Savoring the Good Life with Vegetarian Recipes from Inn Serendipity) to foraging to the back of the pantry and finding that jar of grape leaves in brine (foodie impulse buy?), there’s a good shot of ideas nearby.