Have a Green Summer!

We're 5 days into spring and summer is upon us. Its time to put on your short shorts, flip flops and fire up the grill. But wait...this is a new year, why don't we start new traditions. Let's have a green summer! Come on, its easy, and I'll get you started:

Barbecues-
Did you know that on the 4th of July, nearly 60 million barbecues take place on this day? In the form of lighter fluid, charcoal, gas, electricity, that's nearly enough energy to power 20,000 households for a year. Yes you can "green" your grill! You may want to use a cleaner-burning propane or electric grill instead of your traditional charcoal burning grill. Can't live without that smoky flavor? Try grilling with the briquettes that have a starter already inside the briquettes. Lighter fluid releases smog forming VOCs so you may even want to switch to a chimney starter. A good natural products to use is Cowboy Charcoal This charcoal is much cleaner than your traditional briquettes.

Food -
When it comes to eating who know you could eat green and no I don't just mean your vegetables. For your barbecue, grill organic, hormone free, chicken, beef, pork and fish. Don't forget those organic fruits and vegetables on the side. For your cookout use reusable dishware, silverware, and tablecloths. Try cloth napkins but if you didn't plan that well, look for biodegradable or recycled-paper dinnerware, cups and napkins.

Cleaning -
Cleaning up is never fun but if you use a natural cleaner like SoyClean or OrangePlus, for your grill, you'll be doing your part to help mother earth. Many mainstream household brands are starting to finally jump on the bandwagon and make more natural household cleaners. Greenworks by Clorox has several items for your kitchen and bathroom so check those out. Its time for Spring Cleaning!!

Keeping Cool -
I know when summer hits, many of you are reaching for the AC. Once again, lets try something different this year. Instead of turning your AC down, turn your AC up to 72 degrees. Keeping your AC at a steady (that means keeping it at the same temperature all day) can save you plenty of cash over the summer. Still too hot?? Turn on a fan, keeping your fans circulating will help reduce the heat and keep the electricity bill down as well. If its not all that hot, especially at dusk and at night, open a window. Try an evaporative/swampcooler, like small heaters , these ACs cool large areas with minimal energy. http://www.air-n-water.com/swamp-coolers-evaporative.htm

Lawn -
As many of you know, my daddy loves his lawn. It is going to be a task, as it has been for the past few years, to get him to cut back on watering his beautiful well manicured lawn. My suggestion to all you grassheads, like Papa Talley, is to water your lawn at dusk or at night. Its much cooler and the water won't evaporate as quickly. You may want to even get rid of that grass and go for a more eco-friendly lawn. We can talk about this later :0) What about those pesty west-nile carrying mosquitoes you ask? Well go for products like the Mosquito Magnet and Garlic barrier. You can even plant rosemary in your garden to ward them away.

If you have any good summer green tips let me know...