Water Conservation Tips to Save Money and Green Daily Living

 

Would you like to save money on your water bill, as well as GREEN daily living? 

I am concerned about the world's diminishing supply of safe, affordable water, and the adverse effects  water pollution and misuse has on all living things. 

That's why I’ve been studying simple, economical ways to reduce water consumption, and speak out about why it's key to conserve this precious natural resource right now! 

If we do our share and act eco-smart today, we can influence the quality of life on the planet for generations to come.

I was disheartened to read a report posted by UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO). 

It indicates 1 in 3 people on our planet don’t have safe drinking water and more than half of the world population has no access to water necessary for adequate sanitation services.

In light of this news, I encourage you to take a few moments to read easy, inexpensive water conservation ideas and tips that can help all of us live more sustainably.

Don't underestimate your power and take into account small, budget-sized actions that can prevent or correct water waste. 

Consider this. Water is an important element in food production. It is essential for crop irrigation, as well as to provide drinking water for humans and all living things.

Water is necessary for industries including oil, gas, and car manufacturing, and plastic and chemical production.

When companies or individuals don't dispose of waste products properly, or radioactive material and other contaminants accidentally or uncaringly land in landfills and groundwater, we all face the consequences. 

If pesticides are used in gardening or farming on crops or for weed control, those hazardous chemicals can also seep into underground soil and eventually enter reservoirs and drinking water.

If we don't  clean this vicious cycle up, we can expect more and more illness, starvation and water deprivation, poverty, wars, and death. 

Keep on Reading to Find Hope

Money-Saving Water Usage Tips to Green Daily Living

1. Temperatures usually climb as we go from spring to summer, and we need something to quench thirst and rehydrate our bodies. 

Make your beverage of choice tap water, and it will cost less than a penny per  glass. 

If you prefer, drink tap water that has been filtered. There are many low cost water filtration methods so do some footwork and find one that fits into your budget. 

Water does a terrific job of restoring fluids lost though sweating, breathing, metabolism, and elimination. 

This spring and onward, keep a pitcher of fresh water in the refrigerator. This simple conservation measure allows you to have water handy, and avoids having to run water down the drain, each time you want a cool drink.

2. Bottled water generally is no cleaner, safer, or healthier than tap water or filtered tap water. 

The federal government is more rigorous and does more frequent safety testing and monitoring of municipal drinking water than bottled water. 

For information about rating water quality read Guide to Safe Tap Water and Water Filters.

3. Reach for a reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle, instead of a one-use plastic bottle or even a reusable plastic one. Nix plastic straws as well. Be a power of example for your family as well.

Our landfills overflow with plastics that don't biodegrade. Plastic particles that are found in every plastic item are dumped legally or illegally. Plastic elements can seep into the ground and be carried into our water supply. 

A new study reported online by NPR indicates that even if plastic water bottles, plastic bags, and the like don't contain BPA, most plastic products release estrogenic chemicals.

When these particles are ingested by humans, animals, or sea creatures or plastic gets entangled with seals, fish, and turtles it can cause serious health and safety issues, and sometimes death. See more from the Smithsonian website here.

Another study traced plastic particles all the way into human tissue. See a report  from the American Chemical Society now and read this one too to better understand why this is a looming health hazard.

Here in the U.S. the plastic bottle industry meets America’s demand for bottled water by using more than 17 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year. 

That figure doesn't include the cost of oil needed for bringing those bottles to market and the dollars spent on transportation to get plastic bottles into your home or office. 

When we drink eight glasses of water a day from the tap, it costs about 49 cents per year; that same amount of bottled water is about $1,400.

4. Monitor your water bill monthly. Watch for sudden spikes in use, which may indicate an undetected leak. If you suspect a leak, find it and fix it right away.

Did you know a leaky shower that drips 10 drips per minute wastes 500 gallons per year?

Fix the leak and install a water saving shower head. Cut the time you spend in the shower by a minute a day, until you have a routine to clean yourself without using excess water.  

A faucet that leaks at the rate of one drop per second, can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year.

Replace worn out toilet parts with water-saving ones and fix toilet leaks. 

If you can afford it, replace current toilet fixtures with low flow ones to save up to 13,000 gallons of water per year. 

When you compare the price of water to the cost of installing a new energy efficient toilet you'll understand what a big savings low-flow toilets can be.

5. An easy way to assure your home doesn't have any hidden leaks is to record the number on the water meter during a time when water isn't being used. Recheck in two hours, and if the meter has changed out of proportion to water usage, you've got a leak. 

Do your own detective work or call in a plumber to search for you.

6. Brush your teeth mindfully to prevent dental problems, and save water as well. See dental hygiene tips at How to conserve water while brushing your teeth.

7. Rethink how often you use your dishwasher. You may not know it, but even though dishwashing has the rep for being more ec0-friendly than hand washing dishes, the savings in water doesn't hold true if you run only partial loads or rinse the dishes by hand before putting them in the dishwasher. 

8. If you hand wash, it's still possible to conserve. Simply fill one basin with soapy water to wash, and a second basin with clear water to rinse.

9. Keep the cost of cleaning clothes down by considering this: ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers use about 25% less energy and 33% less water than regular washing machines. To learn more about savings see this.

10. Take water conservation into your garden. Find ways to cut back on water usage. One idea is to set up a Xeriscape landscape plan. This is a type of garden design requiring little of no irrigation or maintenance. Plant native, drought resistant plants to hold soil in place, offer shade, and not be water guzzlers. 

11. Water during morning or evening hours. Consider saving for a drip irrigation system, especially if you live in an area that's experiencing drought conditions. Read The Benefits of Drip Irrigation.

12. Keep an eye on state, national, and global environmental policy. Get vocal and participate in letter writing campaigns, phone calls, rallies, and voting. Join together in groups such as 350.org, Greenpeace, and World vision clean water campaign. 

Help make the climate change movement seen, heard, and bigger than the climate crisis.

There are many ways to be proactive. Please read more about this topic on my blog, online, in the press, and in books.  

Donate to those civic, religious, or social action groups who make this issue a priority. 

Screen films (streaming on Netflix) including "Brave Blue World." This documentary explores solutions to the global water crisis. 

View the film, "I am Greta," that is now streaming on Hulu. Get inspired as you see how one teenager is making a BIG difference. The trailer is here.

Eat less meat and more veggies and fruit. See reasons why going plant-based conserves water and is good for health here.

Support candidates that have a sound  policy of environmental protection. If there are few, consider going into politics yourself.

Please let us know, in the comments section below, which things you'll be tweaking to conserve more water. 

Which new ideas have inspired you?

If you already do everything I mention or more, please let me know that too.

No links in comments please, as they won't be published that way.

Celebrate Earth Day each day of the year, and please let us know any additional eco-friendly tips that have saved money and greened daily living.

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Favorite Fall Fruit and Vegetables

It's economical and healthy to pick up scrumptious fall fruits and vegetables including sweet potatoes, apples, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and pears at a local farmers market, grow them in your home garden, or get sale items in the produce sections of neighborhood markets. 

Updated 7/10/2023

Fresh seasonal fruits and veggies are loaded with nutrients needed to maintain wellness. Produce mentioned in this post is at the peak of flavor in the fall. 

In-season local produce is usually less expensive and fresher than stuff that is imported and/or has to travel thousands of miles to get to your market. 

Most of us know it's important to serve the freshest foods we can find at the most economical prices, don't we?

Note: I’ve mentioned this before in earlier posts, but it bears repeating. I encourage my readers to purchase certified organically grown foods. 

Ongoing research on organic foods shows that the likelihood of exposure to contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals can be greatly reduced through the purchase of certified organic products. 

Now Back to my Fall Favorites

yellow and orange fleshed Sweet Potatoes, and deep purple skinned piece of Japanese Sweet Potato

SWEETPOTATOES and yams are comfort foods for me. Perhaps it's mouthwatering taste is the same reason that this tater is so popular for Thanksgiving dishes and autumn meals. 

Although sweet potatoes and yams taste sugary, eating them without butter or other fatty toppings is helpful in lowering your glycemic index and reducing your hunger and sweet cravings. 

Orange or golden yellow fleshed sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and nutrients including Vitamin C. Eat the skin as well as the rest of this vegetable to reap the best nutritional reward. 

Sweet potatoes are a good source of potassium, Vitamin B6, and magnesium too. All work to lower stress, and munching on a sweet potato is a healthy way to fill yourself up without filling you out. 

Sweet potatoes and yams are rich in beta-carotene, which can prevent Vitamin A deficiencies, promotes healthy eyesight, and generates retinol production for healthy skin. 

For a treat you and your family are sure to love try this delicious Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts recipe from Katie Koteen at Well Vegan. It combines two of my featured veggies and is so delicious.

APPLES are juicy, loaded with goodness, and make a perfect snack when you’re at home or on the go. Farmers nowadays grow thousands of varieties, ranging from sweet to tart. 

Red and Golden Delicious are among the sweetest apples. Pink Lady and Crispin are sweet and tart combined. Braeburn and Fuji apples are slightly tart. Granny Smith apples are the most tart, but retain their texture best during cooking. 

Whole apples are a much better nutritional choice than apple juice. Whole apples are richer in dietary fiber. Juicing drastically reduces the polyphenolic phytonutrient concentrations found in the whole fruit. 

Apples are loaded with vitamin C, and almost half of an apple's vitamin C content is just under the skin. That’s why it's important to eat apples with their skins. 

Apples contain insoluble fiber and water, which provides bulk and liquid in the intestinal tract that cleanses and moves food quickly through the digestive system. In addition, apples have soluble fiber, pectin. This nutrient helps prevent cholesterol from building up in the lining of blood vessels, which in turn helps prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease. 

Taste wise, apples are their best from September to November. Eat those that are organic and grown local for best flavor.

Miso Sesame Seed Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Quinoa, Beet Greens, and Brussels Sprouts

BRUSSELS SPROUTS are strong (bitter) tasting and yet I love them. This dark green veggie has special cholesterol-lowering benefits. The most nutritious way to cook them is to steam them. 

The fiber-related components in Brussels sprouts do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract, when the sprouts have been steamed. 

Want to lower cholesterol levels? Eat more steamed Brussels sprouts. This bold tasting green vegetable tops the list of commonly eaten cruciferous vegetables. 

Total glucosinolate (a phytonutrient and anti-cancer agent) content is greater than the amount found in mustard greens, turnip greens, cabbage, kale, or cauliflower. 

Consuming one cup of Brussels sprouts at 38 calories provides 195 percent of the DV for vitamin K, 125 percent of vitamin C, 3 grams of protein, and 10 percent or more of vitamin A, vitamin B-6, folate, potassium, and manganese needs for the day. Brussels sprouts fulfill your DV for calcium, with 37 mg per cup. 

Recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts

My favorite way to prepare Brussels sprouts is simple and satisfying.

I purchase 2 cups of Brussels sprouts or roughly a pound. I like those that are sold loose or on the stalk. That way, it's easy to pick and choose the best. Select small Brussels sprouts, as they are the most tender and sweet.

Clean off wilted outer leaves and cut off bottom. Soak for a few minutes and then rinse in cool water. Cut each sprout in half lengthwise, and place in a baking dish. Mince 5 or 6 cloves of garlic and sprinkle on sprouts. Pour 1/4 cup water over the sprouts and stir so water and garlic is spread throughout.

Roast in a covered baking dish or roasting pan in a preheated 425 degree F oven for 1/2 an hour.  

Test to see whether the sprouts are thoroughly cooked. Brussels sprouts should be crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. If they aren't crispy on the outside, brown them uncovered for 10 minutes more.

Drain off any water that remains and place on a platter or into a serving bowl. 

Drizzle on 1 Tablespoon of extra virgin cold pressed olive oil. Add fresh ground black pepper and salt to taste. If you'd like, add a splash of fresh squeezed orange, lemon, or lime juice for zing.

Since Brussels sprouts are in- season fall, winter, and early spring in most places, it's a great veggie to serve in those seasons.

Sprouts make a delicious addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah, Easter, and Passover meals. 

BUTTERNUT SQUASH is a favorite too. It is a type of fall/winter squash that has a sweet nutty taste and tan-yellow skin. The flesh is bright orange. 

Peel off the skin and roast the squash until tender. It makes a tempting side dish along with lentil or bean and rice burritos. Cut butternut squash into chunks and add it to a tossed salad. 

Butternut squash is low in calories but high in many nutrients including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium.

PEARS are a luscious yellow, green, brown, or red skin fruit that keeps us hydrated. It contains a lot of water, and packs a variety of helpful nutrients. 

Each medium-sized pear provides about 24% of the Daily Value of fiber. Much of its fiber is in the form of pectin, which reduces cholesterol and decreases the risk of heart disease. 

The fiber in a pear also helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, ensures bowel regularity, and reduces the risk of colon cancer. 

Pears are an ideal snack food that is a good source of vitamin C, and provide 190 mg of potassium. Pears have phytonutrients, including anti-inflammatory flavonoids, anticancer polyphenols and anti-aging flavonoids. 

Studies regarding pear nutrition have linked the fruit’s consumption with lower levels of constipation, kidney stones, high cholesterol, and even diabetes.

Well folks...that's my take on Favorite Fall Fruit and vegetables. Eat color intense fall produce to maintain your health as well as enjoy their distinctive flavors.

This post is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Although I research and fact-check every post, if you seek medical or nutrition advice, see a health care provider.

Before you go, please take a moment to comment. 

Scroll down, and comment at the bottom of this post. Please no links in your comment as I won't publish it that way.

Please tell me about ways you like to serve fall fruits and vegetables. 

What new tips or facts did you learn about fall fruits and veggies? 

Why not let me know what are your fall favorites?

If you like what you see, like this on social media and drop by again.

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Select a Car Color That Pleases You

The color car you drive affects your thinking, feelings, and even behavior. It also conveys a sensory message to others about your personality and preferences. Much like the color clothes you like to wear or the color of the furnishings in your home, your vehicle’s hue says a lot about you.

Thinking about purchasing a new car? Do you want or need to keep costs down, and are in the market for a pre-owned model? Maybe you’re in a third category. Nearly 70% of the US population keeps repairing their cars and trucks, until they totally give out and need to be replaced.

According to a report from IHS Automotive, cars are getting more reliable, and Americans are holding onto their vehicles for longer than ever before. The average ownership time for cars and light trucks is approximately 11.5 years. That’s an important reason to devote time to finding a car color that agrees with you. After all, you may be riding around in it for a very long time. If your car’s exterior has gotten rusty or the color has faded, maybe it's time to consider painting it to freshen it up.

Colors transmit energy and influence your car riding experience. If you car’s color resonates with you, seeing it and being enveloped in it can help calm and relax you. Other colors can inspire or invigorate you. That’s why you need to think twice, before selecting a car color. You don't want to jangle your nerves with a color that's too stimulating or easily tire of one that's just ho-hum.

Determine whether replacing your car makes good economic sense and will improve your lifestyle in the long run. Only then, think about whether a different vehicle will mean you’re riding around in a car whose color makes you smile or is way off base.

Simply check out the details below, before you head to the auto showroom or used car lot. If your current auto is a keeper, the list below is a good source of ideas. When your car needs repainting or you're in the market for wheels, use it. Why not pin it for future reference?

Car Color Meanings

Black- a power color, classic, sophisticated, and empowering

Navy or Royal Blue- exudes confidence, credibility, and reassurance

Light Blue-calm, serene, quiet

Gray or Silver- practical, elegant, and futuristic

White- fresh, pure, direct

Red- sensual, excitement, speedy

Yellow-sunny, lively, and young at heart

Tan, Taupe, Brown-timeless, natural, down to earth

Orange-fun-loving, talkative, friendly

Light green/light teal-expansiveness, safety, soothing

I urge you to do your part to conserve precious natural resources, as well as save bucks in fuel costs. Do your share to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the environment by aiming to purchase a hybrid or plug-in model. At the very least, buy one that gets good gas mileage.

Reflect about the car color that attracts you. Does it help you satisfy a need for something you’re trying to expand on? Keep in mind that the color car you drive is a sensory way for you to express your physical, mental, and emotional state. Colors can accentuate your personality. Are you an introvert or extrovert? Think about whether you like to blend in or want to be noticed. Each color has a vibrational frequency all its own. Colors give your body sensory messages that can perk you up or soothe you. Think carefully about what works best for you, and pick a vehicle car color you enjoy.

If I were considering purchasing a car, I'd envision a color that makes me feel happy. At other times, I think I need one that helps me relax or stay attentive. On another day, I imagine a color car that helps me feel grounded. What about you?

Please let me know what car colors appeal to you. What new things did you learn about yourself from my blog post? Please share comments in the space provided below. Whatever color vehicle you drive, remember to follow traffic laws and drive safely. I care about you.

 

See More from the Kelly Blue Book. Best Car Color to Buy.  

On a related topic, see Wear-Your-Colors-and-Feel-Great-about Yourself.

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