Going “green,” on a large scale, typically takes a considerable chunk of change. Think eco-friendly cars and solar panels. The good news is, you can go green in a smaller way and still make a big impact on your environment. Here are five great ways you can adopt a green lifestyle and stay well within your budget:

1. Ride Your Bike

If you live in an urban area, riding your bike from place to place is fairly easy. Obviously you only want to do this if you can ensure the safety of both you and your children. If your kids aren’t old enough to ride, install a baby seat on the back of your bike or pull a trailer behind. A basket in the front of your bike will be large enough to carry small items from the convenience store or movies from the video store. Not only will you emit less pollution but you and the kids will get fresh air and exercise as well.

2. Conserve Electricity

After your initial investment, this one is totally free, making it incredibly budget-friendly. Replace the light bulbs in your house with the eco-friendly variety. You know those curly bulbs you see in the electrical aisle? You don’t have to replace good light bulbs by any means, but do replace your burnt out bulbs with the green variety.
Along with replacing your bulbs, be sure to get into the habit of turning off lights as you leave the room. If you need certain rooms lit up for the safety of your children, consider using night lights or even small, bedside lamps rather than larger, overhead lighting.

3. Credit Cards

Many people don’t consider credit cards as a way of going green but if you do a bit of research you’ll find that certain financial institutions are greener than others. By using credit cards from these institutions you are not only supporting their causes, which include green initiatives, but you are sending a message to banks that under perform when it comes to environmental causes and human rights.

4. Reuse and Recycle

There is a new trend among moms to upcycle, or reuse, items that they would otherwise throw away. For example, if your kids have outgrown their clothes, look at ways you can restyle them into fun accessories or household items. Use comics for wrapping paper, reuse sandwich bags and turn your old candles into wax tarts. The things you can’t reuse should be recycled at every opportunity. If you can’t recycle your items, consider donating them to a thrift store or shelter that can use them. There are all kinds of ways to get “rid” of your items without tossing them in a landfill.

5. Save Water

Get yourself and the kids in the habit of turning off the tap. No matter if your brushing your teeth, doing the dishes or washing your hands, the tap should be turned off when you aren’t physically using the water. This simple step will save hundreds of gallons of water a year. Put an egg timer next to the shower and limit yourself to five minutes. Put a brick in the back of your toilet tank and turn your standard toilet into the low-flow variety.

Conserving water takes a bit of getting used to, and a smidge of discipline, but it’s free and, ultimately, easy to do. You don’t have to break the bank to go green. There are dozens of things you can do around the house that range from free to cheap. Look into ways that you and your kids can help the environment that fit within your budget. The planet will thank you.

About the Author

Andy Trace is a money consultant and content contributor for FinanceChoices.co.uk, a site offering detailed comparisons for the top providers, and side by side features like balance transfer cards.

Baba Ghanoush

Ingredients

1 large eggplant (1½ to 2 lbs / 681 to 908 g)
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup / 60 ml tahini
2 Tbsp / 30 ml fresh lemon juice
½ tsp / 2.5 ml ground cumin
¾ tsp / 3.75 ml sea salt
1 Tbsp / 15 ml extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp / 15 ml chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Using a fork, prick eggplant six to eight times. (This will keep the eggplant from exploding when it cooks.) Place eggplant on grill to char skin, turning two or three times, 10 to 15 minutes. When skin starts to easily peel away, it is charred well.
2. Using tongs, transfer eggplant to a baking sheet and finish cooking in the oven until very soft, 15 to 20 minutes. To test doneness, stick a bamboo skewer into center of widest part of eggplant and if it easily slides in without resistance, it is cooked through. Remove eggplant and let sit at room temperature until cool enough to handle. Peel away skin and discard.
3. Cut peeled eggplant into pieces to fit into a food processor or blender. Add garlic, tahini, lemon juice, cumin and salt, and blend until smooth. Scrape baba ghanoush into a shallow serving bowl and using a spoon, make a well in center. Drizzle olive oil over top and in center well. Sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve with warm pita wedges or veggies, or use on a sprouted Ezekiel tortilla to make a wrap.

*Recipe and image courtesy of Tosca Reno and The Eat-Clean Diet.*

About Tosca Reno and The Eat-Clean Diet

Since transforming her body, health and life at age 40, New York Times best-selling author Tosca Reno has become an inspiration to millions through her motivational columns and her series of Eat-Clean Diet books. The star of her own show called Tosca: Flexing at 49 which was featured on Oprah’s OWN network, has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS Early Show, The Doctors, Fox & Friends, EXTRA TV and numerous other TV and Radio Shows nationwide.   She has also graced covers and been featured in many magazines. Today at 52 years old, Tosca is a mother of four and has never looked or felt better. She has dedicated her life to following the Eat-Clean Diet lifestyle and helping others do the same.

We ♥ Wean Green

Made from tempered glass, Wean Green eco-friendly baby food containers are 6 times stronger than a drinking glass and are designed to go from heat to freezer to heat and back again as many times as you need! You see what we mean – well designed! Each size features an easy-close lid in a bright color, and the containers boast a modern, fresh design. Lunch Cubes, Wean Cubes, Wean Bowls, Snack Cubes and Wean Tubs round out the entire collection.

We know you will ♥ the entire Wean Green Collection as much as “Mom’s” family! Check them out online at WeanGreen.com!

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

Turning yourself into a vegan or vegetarian can be tough if you don’t know what you need or how to cook it. If you buy everything from Whole Foods, then it’s going to cost you.  However, your local grocery store and farmers’ markets can yield better bargains.  Even ordering online with companies like Peapod, you will find lots of varieties and very fresh produce.

Many people, who make an honest attempt to go vegetarian, turn away from the lifestyle simply because they found the conversion too overwhelming and expensive – which seems odd as animal products are so much more money.  The switchover, however, can save you tons of money if you keep thinking fresh and homemade.  Here’s how I stocked my cupboards, fridge and freezer when I made the switch (and never looked back):

CUPBOARD

Bulk foods: since I have ample room in my cupboards, I buy in bulk; you may find it easier to buy pre-packaged varieties. I always have the following in my cupboard: brown rice, couscous, whole-grain and vegetable pastas, dried beans and peas and egg replacer (if you’re going vegan).  Variety is the key; try different colors, sizes and textures.

Spices: vegetarian dishes can be bland at times, unless you spice them up. I always have a variety of spice mixtures from garlic salt to pepper mixtures in my cupboard. Fresh herbs from your garden, and lots of flavorful spices can really satisfy your palate beyond belief! Definitely use sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Cereal, Nuts: cereal is vegetarian, there’s no two ways about it. You don’t have to munch on granola to be a veggie. Simply stock your cupboard with healthy choices; whether that means Kashi, trail mix, oatmeals, or Shredded Wheat.  Choose raw nuts, fresh when possible, especially almonds.  Don’t forget almond butter (raw is best).

Canned goods: tomato sauce and paste, veggie broth, chicken-free chicken broth, refried beans, diced Jalapenos and vegetables. Go for sugarless and little to no salt where you can.  Canned goods are easy to find and you don’t have to follow my list! Buy canned foods that you love, just be sure to check the ingredients if you’re buying soups, beans or chilies; many add animal products to their recipes.

REFRIGERATOR

Soy: because I don’t consume dairy, I always have a carton of soy or almond milk in the fridge to pour over my cereal or add to recipes, coffee or tea. I also have vegan sour cream, cheese and salad dressings. Try Vegenaise and substitute it wherever you used mayo before; it’s a great consistency and the flavor is good.

Tofu: I love tofu and use it frequently so I always have a package in my fridge. Unless you have a love affair, like I do, with the little white brick, you won’t need to keep it on hand. You can use it in everything from omelettes to salads, in then stir-fry or make a really tasty egg sandwich or scramble (just crumble it and fry with onions and mushrooms and spices, or mix it up with mustard, Vegenaise and sea salt and pepper).

Fruit and veggies: I’m a lazy cooker so the majority of my meals are either ones that I can toss in the microwave or those that I can grab on the run. I always have apples, pomegranates, oranges and salad greens in the crisper. Even if you do cook, fresh fruits and vegetables can be added to your dishes so it’s a good idea to keep your favorites stocked.  And of course you can always toss a few fruits and veggies into your juicer for a quick pick-me-up that will keep you full for hours!

FREEZER

One word: meatless. From veggie burgers to crumbles to soy chicken nuggets, I love having a few of these on hand when I crave meat or poultry. Just remember, the veggie “fast food” can add on pounds if used too often – and of course they are processed, and too much of them isn’t healthy either.  Better to fill the freezer with lots of veggie choices, rice mixtures, and live breads like Ezekiel, which can be thawed as needed.

Tofutti: again, if you will still consume dairy products, this won’t apply to you. However, if, like me, you’ve given up dairy, Tofutti is a must! The company makes great soy based ice cream and ice cream novelties; perfect for hot summer days.

Fruit: in the summer, I buy fruit in season, because it’s cheaper, and put it in freezer bags to store for those winter season strawberry cravings. Fruit is quite easily stored in the freezer, especially berries. If you have a farmer’s market or local grower, you can often get fruits and vegetables at an incredible discount. Buy in bulk and freeze what you won’t immediately use. They also make a great morning shake or snack, just add to soy milk, toss in a little Vegan protein and you’re full for hours.

Vegetarians are as different as omnivores; every person has different tastes. Read through this list and see what strikes your fancy. Keeping your kitchen stocked with the essentials will make it easier to stick to your new lifestyle.

About the Author

Writer Angie Trace is a long time Vegan, and she also stays on the lookout for ways to make better money choices like this Finance Choices comparison website which offers detailed credit card comparisons, and also credit cards for people with bad credit who’ve experienced an unfortunate hit to their credit scores during today’s tough times.

*Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.*

Ingredients

1 bulb of fennel, cut in 1/2 and remove core
2-3 blood oranges
salt & pepper
3 glugs of extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

Slice fennel as this as possible (use a food slicer or mandolin if available).

Peel & supreme the oranges. Save the extra pulp & squeeze the remaining juice into the bowl.

Mix sliced fennel, juice from the pulp & oranges – season with salt & pepper.

Drizzle with olive oil & toss.

*Recipe and image courtesy of Chef Jason Bartner from La Tavola Marche (Organic Farm, Inn & Cooking School) in Le Marche, Italy.*

This anti-aging exfoliating cream is made with rich cacao, which is a superfruit, USDA certified organic shea butter, organic sugar, all-natural vanilla and pumice to deliver a large dose of antioxidants as you cleanse and wash in the shower. It’s easy – just massage (or get your partner to massage!) the cream into wet skin in circular motions while in the shower to work away the dead, dull skin. Gorgeous soft skin is within reach for a big night out (or in!) on Valentine’s Day!

To learn more about Shea Terra Organics, their various organic skincare products, or to order online, visit SheaTerraOrganics.com.

*Company generously provided samples and images for this piece.*

When parents are busy with work, children and other obligations, it isn’t difficult to see how planning a romantic Valentine’s Day can seem impossible at best. Helping the kids get ready for their Valentine’s Day parties at school, going to work and juggling other commitments can make this day for lovers seem like anything but a day to celebrate the love you and your partner share. However, it is time to take back your special day and rekindle your love. When you remember that little things mean a lot, you can keep romantic sparks flying throughout the day between you and your sweetheart, reigniting the passion that can often be squelched in day to day living.

Here are some ideas for all of those busy parents out there, so they can have a truly romantic Valentine’s Day:

Start The Day Off With A Bang

Write a loving message on the bathroom mirror so the first thing your lover feels on Valentine’s Day morning is passion and anticipation for your special day or evening together.

Keep The Sparks Alive Throughout The Day

If your partner needs to go to the office on Valentine’s Day, you can have some romantic gestures in place to keep the sparks flying, even when driving to work. Put a love letter on the seat of his or her vehicle or put a CD in the car stereo that contains your special song with a sticky note that says “play track #3.” This will ensure smiles and nothing but strong feelings of love before the day has even truly begun.

While at work, a loving note inside of your sweetheart’s lunch bag, purse or briefcase is a wonderful way to keep the Valentine magic coming all day long. In addition, in this technological age, never underestimate the powerful feelings that can come from sending an electronic Valentine’s card with a personalized message, a loving email or even a steamy text message.

Plan A Brief Period Of Time Together Before The Evening Truly Begins

If the day has been busy, nothing can put more of a damper on a romantic evening than feeling rushed or pushed to begin the celebration as soon as a husband or wife walks in the door. When possible, try to create a little relaxing atmosphere and ambiance with music, candles, wine and just take a little time to unwind before moving on to whatever you had planned for the evening. It takes time to relax and change gears after a long day, so allow some time to get into the moment.

Have A Great Evening Planned – But If Everything Doesn’t Go As Planned, Don’t Abandon Ship!

You may have planned a romantic evening out with dinner reservations, entertainment or even a romantic carriage ride to make your Valentine’s Day extra special. Hopefully every magical part you planned together will go just how you envisioned. However, most parents recognize that things can and do change where children are concerned. A babysitter can cancel, a child can come down with a cold and many other unexpected, disappointing events.

If things don’t turn out as you’d hoped, don’t despair! Your love is all that truly matters, and it is your job to make lemonade out of lemons. Of course, you will want to carry on where you left off in the very near future and have that special evening out on the town. But don’t throw your romantic evening away just because it didn’t turn out how you had hoped. Order in your favorite food, snuggle and watch your favorite love story in your bedroom, give each other a massage after the children are asleep, indulge in strawberries and chocolate in bed and anything else your heart desires. It is always wise to have a little romantic emergency kit available in case things don’t go as planned on Valentine’s Day. No matter what, always remember that this is your special day, and your love is all that truly matters, no matter where you go or what you do with your Valentine.

About the Author

Grace Pamer is the author of romanticfrugalmom.com, one woman’s on going quest to keep romance alive despite the time pressure of dealing with three beautiful but crazy kids and an always working husband. Check out her love letters for her section if you’re looking to put the romance back into your marriage with a well crafted love letter to your nearest and dearest.

*Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.*

Breakfast Date Cake

Ingredients

3/4 cup Sun-Maid Chopped Dates
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened (“Mom” prefers organic)
2 large eggs (“Mom” prefers cage-free)
1 cup buttermilk (“Mom” prefers low-fat buttermilk)

Preparation

PREHEAT oven to 350 F. Coat a 9×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
COMBINE dates, brown sugar, walnuts, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Set aside.
COMBINE flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Set aside.
BEAT sugar and butter in a large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and beat until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
ADD flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, mixing on low speed just until batter blended.
SPREAD one half of the batter in prepared pan. Top with one half of the date mixture. Spread remaining batter over dates and sprinkle remaining date mixture on top. Bake immediately or cover and refrigerate overnight.
BAKE for 40 to 45 minutes or until deep golden brown and pick inserted in center comes out clean. (If refrigerated, bake uncovered 45 to 50 minutes.) Cool 15 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature.

Makes 9 to 12 servings.

*Recipe and image courtesy of Sun-Maid.*

“Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States.” -CDC

The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often goes unnoticed until it manifests itself as a heart attack. In fact, every 25 seconds, an American will suffer a coronary event and about one every minute will die from such an event. These astounding numbers is why the month of February is dedicated to heart health awareness.

Let’s Take It from the Top

Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, is an overarching term used to describe a number of problems related to plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries. The plaque buildup slowly narrows arteries making it more and more difficult for blood to flow—creating a risk for heart attack or stroke. Other varieties of heart disease include heart failure, an irregular heartbeat—or arrhythmia—and heart valve problems.

While some of these conditions are genetic, the threat for other conditions can be modified by controlling risk factors associated with heart disease like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and secondhand smoke.

Lifestyle Modification

According to the American Heart Association, there are seven simple steps to improving one’s health and decreasing the chances of heart disease:

• Get active
• Eat better
• Lose weight
• Stop smoking
• Control cholesterol
• Manage blood pressure
• Reduce blood sugar

The exciting part is that these changes are inexpensive and even modest improvements can make a huge difference. Check out the AHA’s interactive program and get your heart assessment.

The best lifestyle modification is not having to do any modification; so practice healthy habits with your children from a young age to create healthy adults. Family schedules are busy, but be sure your kids are getting the recommended amounts of physical activity. Serve healthy meals and teach your children the importance of good nutrition. As they grow, help them develop successful stress management techniques that they can carry into adulthood. Finally, secondhand smoke can be just as detrimental as smoking, so for the sake of your children, raise them in a smoke free home.

Go Red for Women

American Heart Month 2012 has placed special emphasis on women’s health with a series of Go Red for Women events. Heart disease and stroke are the number one and number three killers of women in the United States. It’s estimated that one in 2.4 women lose their lives to these diseases—breast cancer kills one in 29 for comparison. The campaign gives women tips and information on risk factor reduction. National Wear Red Day is February 3rd, 2012 so wear red, set up a fundraising project, and show support for the women in your life!

About the Author

Guest author Maggie, is a writer for the Affordable Style Network, specializing in discount reading glasses, handbags, scarves, sunglasses, and other accessories. With an educational background in health and science, she enjoys sharing her medical knowledge and love of wellness with others. One such project included the Eye Health Guide, a resource for all things vision related.  Outside of work, Maggie enjoys running, traveling, trying new restaurants, and concert-going.

*Image: vichie81 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.*

Make Dude Food Heart-Healthy

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the number one killer of U.S. men, accounting for about a third of all deaths. Men have a higher incidence of CVD than women and tend to experience their first cardiac event earlier.

“Sometimes men take a fatalistic approach to heart health,” says nutrition consultant Christopher Mohr, Ph.D., R.D. “They think if someone in their family had heart disease, it’s over for them the same way, but really, they can prevent it up to 80 percent of the time with a healthy diet and lifestyle.”

On the flip side, he added, some men, especially when young, think they’re invincible and don’t have to worry about heart health. But they should.

To combat these attitudes and statistics, CanolaInfo created a “Heart-Healthy Dude Food Recipe Collection” to encourage men to make some of their favorite dishes better for them. Each recipe is made with canola oil, which has the least saturated fat and most omega-3 fat of all cooking oils. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a qualified health claim on canola oil’s potential to reduce heart disease risk when used in place of saturated fat.

“I don’t tell my patients to give up their favorite foods,” Mohr says. “I simply encourage them to make smarter choices, like substituting canola oil for solid fats or other oils and choosing lean cuts of meat, and to be mindful of portion sizes.”

CanolaInfo’s Dude Food recipes include Hoisin-Whiskey Glazed Meatballs, Beef Tenderloin with Balsamic-Coffee Sauce, Herbed Pork Chops on Mustard Sauce, Fall-Apart Beer Brisket, Grilled Tuna Steaks with Cilantro and Basil and this one:

Deep, Dark and Stout Chili

Ingredients

2 Tbsp canola oil, divided

1½ lb extra lean ground beef (or 1 lb extra lean ground beef and 15-oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained)

2 cups diced green bell peppers

1 cup diced red onion

3 cans (14.5 oz each) no-salt-added stewed tomatoes

1 bottle (12 oz) dark stout beer

3 Tbsp chili powder

1½ Tbsp ground cumin

1½ Tbsp smoked paprika (optional)

1 Tbsp sodium-free beef bouillon granules

1 tsp salt

Toppings

½ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

½ cup finely chopped red onion

1 medium lime, cut into six wedges

Preparation

1. In Dutch oven, heat 1 Tbsp canola oil over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, brown beef, about 3−4 minutes per batch, stirring frequently. In sauté pan, heat remaining 1 Tbsp canola oil and cook bell peppers and onions 4 minutes or until onions are soft, stirring frequently. Stir in cooked beef and add remaining ingredients, except salt. Bring just to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in salt.

2. Serve chili with choice of toppings placed in three small bowls.

Yield: 8 servings. Serving size: 1⅓ cups.

Nutritional Analysis per Serving: Calories 240, Total Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 1.5 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Sodium 480 mg, Carbohydrates 18 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 20 g

The complete “Heart-Healthy Dude Food Recipe Collection” is available at www.CanolaInfo.org.

*Article and image courtesy of NAPS.*