Image by Helga Weber / Creative Commons

April is National Stress Awareness Month. It is a time when people from all walks of life can learn about how stress impacts not only their day to day lives, but their health, their sanity and their overall well-being. In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, I wanted to share a few environmentally-friendly ways to help you lower your stress levels and live a happier and healthier life.

1) Get outdoors every day. Whether you spend 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or more outdoors, getting fresh air and sunlight is good for you. Indoor air pollution is a real problem and with people working so many hours indoors these days, getting outside for a dose of fresh air is essential. Besides, sunlight gives you a little natural vitamin D, helps to lighten your spirits and improve your mood.

Image by Salil Wadhavkar / Creative Commons

In addition, when a person feels the stress of work, family, bills, etc. piling up, getting outdoors can help clear the mind and allow you to get your attention off your problems. Some people even find that getting outdoors, talking a walk or getting some fresh air helps to clear their mind and allow them to tackle obstacles better.

If you have kids, letting them regularly explore the great outdoors is a no-brainer. Studies have found that kids who spend time outside are less stressed, happier, healthier, and smarter. Don’t you want that for you and your kids?

2) Add some plants to your office and/or home. As I mentioned above, indoor air pollution is a real problem. People don’t realize how toxic the air in both their home and their office can become.

Image by Moose Mama / Creative Commons

Thankfully, there are plants that can help remove those toxins from the environment and clean out the air. Here are some of the top plants to reduce stress, cut toxins and help you live a little greener.

3) Plant a garden and grow some of your own food. Not only is growing your own food a way to eat healthier by ensuring the vegetables you are putting in your body are natural, organic and free of toxins, but it is a great way to lower your stress level too. Spending time tending to your garden can help relax you, allow you to get your hands dirty and truly create something wonderful (and tasty).

Image by Manjith Kainickara / Creative Commons

Many cities now have seed libraries where you can “borrow” seeds and then either return seeds from your own flourishing garden or offer some of “fruits” of your labor at a local Farmers’ Market and such. Seed libraries are cropping up everywhere. Check your local area and find out if you have one near you.

Well those are three very simple and truly environmentally-friendly ways to de-stress in honor of National Stress Awareness Month.  Of course there are numerous other ways you can lower your stress levels on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis, but I figured these three would give you a good start. So why not get going now. Let’s begin with taking a deep breath, getting up from your chair, going for a walk and taking a look at the wonderful world all around you. See you outside!

Image by Triple Tri / Creative Commons

The big game is almost here and if you are any kind of football fan you’ve probably already figured out who you are watching the game with, where you are going to watch it, what you are eating and most importantly which team you want to win. With all of that figured out, I wanted to give you a few friendly tips to help lower your environmental footprint just a bit. Don’t worry, they are easy to do and won’t cramp your style. You game?

First of all, many people are planning on attending parties, get-togethers or gathering at a local bar/restaurant in order to watch the game. Needless to say, there is going to be a lot of food at most of these places. You will probably have your choice of tasty snacks, drinks and other foods.

Image via Netta S on Pinterest via Facebook.com

That being said, it is important not only to not eat too much, but to not waste food either. Take a look at some of these shocking facts about how much food we waste. My tip is to a) make less, b) send friends home with leftovers so they don’t go to waste, c) compost any other left over food, and d) recycle all bottles and cans.

If you are the host of a game day party, or if you are going to a “potluck” party, then here are some organic recipes that may help you out. I know we all have our favorite, go-to snacks, but there is no need to indulge in 100% fatty foods when you can add in some fresh, yummy, organic alternatives. Feast away!

Now, you may not be aware of this, but for the last 18 years the NFL has been taking steps to “green” the Super Bowl, and this year is no different. Green Mountain Energy Company is going to be the company supplying 15,000 megawatt hours of “renewable energy certificates” designed to help offset some of the electricity (and resultant greenhouse gas emissions) that will be used at seven of the primary NFL venues on game day.

If the NFL can do it, so can you. My first tip is to to carpool wherever you are going. Second, if you don’t have plans for the game, make them – 10 people in one room will use a lot less electricity than those same 10 people being in 10 different rooms watching the game. Third, if you’re planning a big get-together, you and your guests can choose whichever Green Mountain offset product best suits your needs and take steps to offset your environmental footprint for the entire day.

Ditch the disposables. Instead of going out and getting plastic forks, knives, spoons, plates and cups, my tip is to ask all your guests to bring their own. Trust me, it’s not that hard. Besides, if someone forgets, you can also have some reusable supplies on hand to help them out.

Well, that about covers it for now. If you have any other helpful tips, please feel free to drop a comment and share the wealth. For those of you who missed it, here was last year’s green facts and figures surrounding the Super Bowl. Here’s hoping you have a great and biofriendly weekend. Enjoy the game!

One of the things even the most environmentally-conscious parents sometimes forget is to include their kids in on their “green” actions. I learned early on that my kids were very interested in doing things that helped save energy, prevent waste and protect the earth.

My daughter, for example, doesn’t let anyone in the family leave lights on. She immediately speaks up letting the offender know that leaving lights on wastes power and we don’t want to waste power. She turns the water off when brushing her teeth and makes sure her brother does the same. If either of my kids see trash on the ground, they let me know and ensure it gets picked up so that “the earth doesn’t get hurt”.

When it comes to any actions we take around the house to save energy, water, recycle, reduce waste, etc. my kids like to be involved. So, I figured I’d lay out some simple examples of environmentally-friendly actions your kids can take.

1 – Get your kids using reusable containers. My kids each have their own water bottles we fill up in order to take on walks, when we go somewhere in the car, etc. They also use reusable containers when they take food to day camp or school.

2 -Educate your kids on how to reduce waste. This includes reducing waste by eating all the food on their plate, only using the materials they need to do projects (and saving any leftover materials for next time), and cutting down on unnecessary packaging. To name a few.

3 – Teach them the importance of saving water. Save water when they brush their teeth, when they wash their hands, when they take a bath (or shower), when they help do the laundry or dishes, etc. Reusing gray water to water plants is also something most kids enjoy doing.

4 – Inspire a love of the great outdoors. Kids almost naturally like to spend time outside. They like to play in the park, go for walks, ride bikes, go skating, climb trees, etc. As long as they are outdoors, they seem to be happy. Don’t stifle this love by keeping them connected to the TV or other electronic devices all day. Encourage their love of nature.

5 – Start recycling. A few simple steps are all it takes to get your kids grooved in to recycling. When kids understand that recycling allows for one item to be saved so it can begin a whole “new life” as something else, they seem to get interested. Who wouldn’t? Here are 10 things you never knew were recyclable.

6 – Saving energy. Involve your kids by making them responsible for saving energy in their own rooms and around the house. Turning off lights during the day or when they leave a room. Opening their shades or blinds in the morning to let natural light in, rather than using electricity. Kids are more than capable of generating their own energy.

7 – Teach your kids about the value of using their own two feet. Not everything requires we hop in the car and drive somewhere. Many adventures occur down the block, right around the corner and within walking distance of home. Besides, walking is good for everyone. Take a look at these 10 reasons why you should walk instead of drive.

8 – Gardening. Kids love to create new things. They love to see things grow and love knowing their actions helped make those things grow. Teach them to grow their own vegetables. How to care for them from seed to table. Get them to know all food doesn’t need to come from grocery stores. They can grow their own.

These are just eight of the many, many environmentally-friendly actions you and your kids can take. Remember, it’s not about teaching your kids to be “greener”, it’s about teaching kids to be smarter. To respect and care for the environment around them and the earth itself. What environmentally-friendly values do you share with your children?

Image by Enokson

There is a lot of talk about going green. Thankfully governments, businesses and individuals around the world are beginning to take actions to back up that talk. From opting for alternative energies such as wind, hydro or the solar panels at Verengosolar.com to switching to lower emission transportation options, from growing their own food to putting reduce, recycle, reuse and even precycle plans into place. If you look at it, making life more environmentally-friendly simply makes sense.

Image by Pauline Roupski

If your day-to-day actions are more environmentally-friendly you not only help the environment, but you can benefit financially, physically and mentally as well. For example, getting rid of toxic chemicals in your home and using natural cleaners will cost less, it will cut down on the number of toxins you are exposing yourself and the environment to and it will have a more positive impact on your indoor air quality. I could go on and on, but instead, let me give you 50 simple ways you can make your day-to-day life more environmentally-friendly:

1 – Grow your own food.
2 – Eat less meat.
3 – Cut down on processed foods.
4 – Don’t eat foods or drink from BPA-lined containers.
5 – Open windows to let in fresh air.
6 – Open blinds to let in natural light.
7 – Fight “vampire power”.
8 – Get energy-efficient appliances and electronics.
9 – Take shorter showers.
10 – Wash clothes using cold water.
11 – Hang clothes on a clothesline to dry.
12 – Use leftover bathwater or “greywater” to water plants.
13 – Turn off lights when not in use.
14 – Turn off water when brushing teeth.
15 – Don’t let water run while washing dishes.
16 – Run the dishwasher or washing machine only when there is a full load.
17 – Use waterless car wash to wash your car or bike.
18 – Take public transportation.
19 – Walk or ride your bike.
20 – Use a proven fuel additive when you do drive.
21 – Combine multiple errands into one trip.
22 – Get rid of chemical cleaners.
23 – Use natural materials to clean.
24 – Make your own natural shampoo.
25 – Make your own natural lotion, skin masks and cleansers.
26 – Get outside every day for some sunlight and fresh air.
27 – Print documents as little as possible.
28 – Recycle bottles, cans, newspapers, etc.
29 – Donate items you no longer need or use.
30 – Use reusable bags at the grocery store.
31 – Use reusable containers at home.
32 – Make meals using leftovers.
33 – Freeze foods before it goes bad.
34 – Reduce your food waste.
35 – Compost.
36 – Plant a tree.
37 – Start or contribute to a community garden.
38 – Landscape your own yard with native plants.
39 – Buy used rather than new.
40 – Set thermostat 1-2 degrees lower.
41 – Get a reusable water bottle (and use it!).
42 – Opt for paperless billing.
43 – Pay your bills electronically.
44 – Do a home energy audit.
45 – Fix any leaky faucets to prevent water waste.
46 – Turn old t-shirts into “new” cleaning rags.
47 – Get rid of one-use items (disposable razors, diapers, plasticware, etc).
48 – Read magazines, newspapers and other publications online.
49 – Unsubscribe or cancel all junk mail.
50 – Unplug at least once a day so that you can enjoy nature and the environment around you.

One key thing to keep in mind as you go about your day-to-day activities is the old Native American proverb,

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.“

Image by Vijay

With that in mind see how many of these 50 simple ways to make your life more environmentally-friendly you can implement into your life. And yes, there are many other ways people can green their lives, but I figured these 50 ways made for a good start. I’d love to hear what steps you are taking to make your life more environmentally-friendly!

June is here and World Environment Day 2011 is right around the corner. On Sunday, June 5th UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) and millions of people around the world will be gearing their support and activities towards the theme of this year’s WED, “Forests: Nature at Your Service”.

Why was this particular theme chosen? Well, forests cover approximately 1/3 of the Earth’s land mass and over a billion people depend on forests for their livelihood. The trees in forests also play a big role in climate change. They are essential to capturing and storing carbon dioxide while at the same time releasing oxygen into the air. These are just a few of the ways forests are “Nature at your service”:

• They help feed the rivers
• They help maintain soil fertility
• They help provide natural shelter
• They lessen the impacts of weather-related incidents such as storms, floods or fires
• They are home to around half of the land-based plants, animals and insects
• They provide oxygen and help “clean” the air we breathe
• They nurture life and livelihood on Earth itself

Image by Iriskh

Can you imagine life on Earth without forests? Without trees? Neither can I. Take a look at these 29 reasons for planting trees. It’s easy to see how vital they are to our survival. Yet despite that fact, forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate of over 13 million hectares (around 32 million acres) per year.

Image by reduse.org

Thankfully, there are still steps that can be taken to reverse this destructive trend. Some of it is simply a matter of changing people’s viewpoints. Possibly even turning forest conservation into a business opportunity. Per UNEP’s figures, an investment of $30 billion to fight deforestation could result in $2.5 trillion in new products and services, not to mention all the new jobs that would be generated.

It’s all about being able to imagine and bring about a world in which forests are part and parcel to sustainable development and intrinsic to green economies. Doesn’t that sound like a world you’d like to live in?

Want to know what you can do to contribute to the actions behind World Environment Day? How about help by planting a tree. If you can’t plant one in your own backyard, then check out these resources to help plant trees in areas that need them most:

• Thank someone by planting a mangrove tree via Grow-Trees.com, a company from World Environment Day’s host country, India.
• Help The Nature Conservancy reach their goal of planting a billion trees in the Atlantic Forest.
• Plant a tree through plantatreeusa.com where they are “Celebrating life one tree at a time™“.

If you’re looking for more ways to “go green” or even help make your day-to-day a little more forest-friendly, check out the World Environment Day’s A-Z list.

Last but not least, if you are wondering what impact your individual actions can have on the world, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon reminds us that,

“Although individual decisions may seem small in the face of global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces in common purpose, we can make a tremendous difference.“

With forests and nature at our service, doesn’t it make sense for us to be at theirs? Join WED and millions of people around the world to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5th, 2011. And may this one day simply be another stepping stone on the road to a brighter future.

Image by mackenzienicole

There are so many containers we use on a day to day basis that simply aren’t good for the environment. Just ask yourself, every time you get “take-out” food, what happens to the Styrofoam (or polystyrene) containers your food was packaged in? Items such as plastic bottles, cans, plastic bags, paper cups, Styrofoam, etc. can all end up in landfills when not properly recycled or re-used. Worse yet, they can end up out in the environment for hundreds or thousands of years, where they can be harmful to nature and wildlife.  So, obviously biodegradable containers would be a more environmentally-friendly alternative. But what kinds of biodegradable containers exist?

Additionally, even though you may consider yourself good at recycling, there are a number of items that you might not realize can’t be recycled. That makes it even more important to search for and find biodegradable alternatives.

Of course, you can forgo using any types of containers such as these and switch to more eco-friendly options. However, if you find yourself in need of a temporary container, here are 5 examples of biodegradable containers that are better for the environment:

1) Plastic water bottles: Now, it’s always better to opt for a reusable container when looking for a way to take water (or other drinks) with you. Stainless steel, BPA-free or aluminum bottles are a smart option. But sometimes plastic water bottles may be your only available choice. In that case, it’s smart that some companies are taking steps to make their water bottles more biofriendly.

Canada’s RedLeaf is one that stands out, as they now have a “bio-bottle”. Better than plant-based bottles, their bio-bottle is not only recyclable, but is 100% bio-degradable. Better for the environment.

2) Paper/Plastic Cup Alternative: Many of us have grown up using disposable paper or plastic cups for parties, picnics and even around the house. Well, this is one of my favorite paper/plastic cup alternatives. Probably best used at parties or picnics, Jelloware glasses are a innovative way to liven up your drinking experience. Better yet, you can even nibble on your cup while you’re drinking and/or toss it in the grass or bushes when you’re done. Why? Well, because these glasses are made of a seaweed extract that provides nutrients to plants to help them grow. Wouldn’t you say that makes these containers better for the environment?

Here’s a cute video about the Jelloware glasses:

3) Take-Out Containers: Did you know that the chemicals in polystyrene take-out containers can actually leak into your food? Additionally, billion of Styrofoam™ or polystyrene containers are thrown away every year. Isn’t it about time there were more eco-friendly, biodegradable alternatives?

Image by Mr. T in DC

Well, thankfully there are. Companies, such as Styrophobia, are now making compostable and biodegradable containers to help fill the demand for take-out containers in an environmentally-friendly manner. Doesn’t it seem better to use a container made from sugarcane or corn rather than petroleum or other chemicals?

4) Gardening Pots: If you’ve ever gone to a gardening center to pick out plants for your backyard or even indoor garden, you’ll probably seen all the plastic containers that are used. Well, now there’s even an environmentally-friendly alternative for those…biodegradable pots. Natural, hygienic and fully biodegradable, these pots are perfect for anyone interested in gardening or growing food without all the plastic. Simply take a look at the product life cycle of these pots and you’ll know.

Here’s an example of how you can make your own biodegradable pots too:

5) Poop bags: Having a dog myself, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention biodegradable puppy poop bags as a more environmentally-friendly option to standard plastic poop bags. When you’re out walking your dog, rather than opting for standard plastic bags, why not bring along biodegradable bags? It doesn’t require much explaining because if you think about it, it simply makes more sense.

I’m sure there are many other alternatives for plastic or polystyrene containers, but these were just a few I thought were worth sharing. Do you know or use any other biodegradable containers that are better for the environment? What about containers that need environmentally-friendly alternatives?

Image by IcyAero

We’ve all experienced it at one point or another in our lives. A time when something or someone gets us down or maybe we just aren’t feeling as high-spirited as we usually feel. Life happens. But instead of doing one of the more “traditional” solutions such as going on a big shopping spree, spending the weekend at the spa or stuffing your face with sugary foods, maybe it’s time to look for a more environmentally-friendly option.

Here are 8 environmentally-friendly ways to lift your spirits:

Go for a walk: One of the simplest ways to lift your spirits is to go for a walk. On your walk, smell the fresh air, look at the trees, the birds, the clouds in the sky. Take a look at nature and the world around you and before you know it, you’ll begin to feel better.

Work in the garden: Another great way to lift your spirits is to do a little gardening or planting. Planting seeds that will grow into fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, etc. is a very peaceful and relaxing experience. Besides, a little sunlight and fresh air helps too.

Declutter and/or clean: Have you ever noticed that when your house, or even your room, is a mess that you don’t feel as good? Well, grab some vinegar, lemon and other natural cleaning supplies and get cleaning. By the time you are done, your place will smell better, feel cleaner, look great and you’ll be happy you did it!

Donate your time or stuff: Now, you can take some of the items you found during your cleaning/decluttering step and donate them to other people. Or better yet, go spend some time helping someone else. It doesn’t have to be through an organized charity or group, even helping a friend out works. Just go donate your time to help someone else and I’m sure you’ll find they feel better and you will too!

If you have to buy anything, buy a plant: For those of you who have that shopping gene and absolutely MUST buy something in order to lift your spirits, go buy some plants. Why plants? Well, plants will bring some of the outdoors in and certain plants have been found to help combat indoor air pollution as well. When you aren’t breathing in air pollution all day long, you’ll feel better!

Open up the windows and get some fresh air: Speaking of fresh air. Opening up your windows and letting a nice breeze blow through will help lift your spirits. Fresh air is better than stuffy air any day! Open the windows and get yourself a dose of freshness.

Give yourself a little DIY at-home spa treatment: If you really want to pamper yourself, then do a little DIY spa day. Use one or more of these simple DIY tips to create a relaxing at-home spa day. A perfect way to naturally relax and feel better without spending a lot of money.

Eat something that will naturally boost your spirits: There are some foods that can lift your spirits by giving you a sugar boost. However it’s always better to eat something that can help lift your spirits naturally. So, to get a healthy boost in spirit, try one of these foods.

Well, it just goes to show we don’t need lots of stuff or to spend a lot of money in order to lift our spirits. There are many natural ways to lift our spirits that are better for the environment and to be honest, better for us too! So, what’s your favorite way to naturally lift your spirits?

The world continues to change on a daily basis from climate change, global warming or whatever you choose to call it. Some of those changes adversely affect our food and water supplies. Due to that fact, restaurants have often been singled out for their sometimes massive impact on the environment.

Thankfully many restaurants are now entering the world of green in order to lower their impact and help make a difference. What does that really mean though? How do restaurants go green and lower their environmental impact? What measures are restaurants taking? Here are a few examples who are lowering their impact on the environment:

1) Portage Bay Cafe in Seattle, WA works on the philosophy “Eat like you give a damn”. What does that mean? That means they care and want their customers to care about where their food comes from, what they put in their bodies, how their food is handled and/or raised, how it tastes and of course care about the environment.

2) In San Francisco there is Greens Restaurant. Its name pretty much hints about its environmentally-friendly measures. Located in a converted warehouse, most of the restaurant’s wide variety of wood has been reclaimed or recycled. They are a high-quality vegetarian restaurant with organic produce coming from a local farm less than 15 miles away.

3) Then there is Founding Farmers in D.C. To start with they have received LEED® Gold for their green building. On top of that, they have also been recognized as a Certified Green Restaurant™ by the Green Restaurant Association for the environmentally-friendly measures they have taken. Just take a look at this video to get an idea of what they are doing:

4) Fast food restaurant Click-fil-A is working on going green. They’ve actually made their newest “restaurant” a lab for environmental innovations so they can work on improving the sustainability of their restaurants. Their measures include building using recycled materials, including low-flow fixtures, rainwater collection, energy-efficient appliances, etc.

5) My last example, but definitely not least is a restaurant I recently had the privilege of visiting. It’s a local restaurant called the “Egg Plantation”. It’s the first certified green restaurant in Santa Clarita. Let me tell you, the fact that they are going green serves to not only lower their environmental impact but it has improved their image, quality of food and service as well.

Here are just a few of the steps they have taken to green their restaurant:

• All their take-out boxes are made from sugarcane materials instead of Styrofoam
• Their to-go cutlery is biodegradable
• They use 100% recycled napkins and hand towels
• Water is only served if a customer requests it
• All their eggs come from cage-free chickens
• They use non-toxic cleaning materials
• They use low-flow toilets
• They have a full scale recycling program in place
• They use Energy Star products
• They have sensors that monitor lights
• Their kitchen floors are made from recycled plastic
• Even their t-shirts are made from sustainable materials.

Additionally, Egg Plantation has already earned a Two-Star Certified Green Restaurant® seal and are working on additional steps to eventually reach the three- and four-star certification. Here’s what they’ve done so far.

So, congratulations to Simon and the Egg Plantation! I appreciate your actions and efforts. I also love your food and will definitely be back! Here’s to hoping more restaurants will follow in your green footsteps. (TIP: If anyone is in the area, get over to the Egg Plantation…you won’t regret it.)

NOTE:  For those of you who happen to be in, or would like to get in the restaurant business, here are 10 ways to build a green, eco-friendly restaurant. Additionally, here are some food service waste reduction tips and ideas.

Now on an individual level, growing and preparing a lot of your own food helps to cut down on your personal environmental impact as well. Even getting fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers or farmers markets help. But when you do go out to eat, try to find green restaurants. To help locate green restaurants near you, check out the Green Restaurant Association’s website. I know I definitely added a few new restaurants to my list.

One thing that we don’t always think about as we go through each day is the quality of the air in the environment around us. Unless the air quality is extremely poor, we usually don’t worry about it or at least don’t pay attention to it. But there are many different things that contribute to poor environmental air quality and so awareness is the first step in ensuring you aren’t subjecting yourself or your family to unhealthful conditions.

Image by Spacemanbobby

In Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding areas, the South Coast Air Quality Management Disctrict (AQMD) helps monitor what they consider to be “the smoggiest region of the U.S.“.  Established under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the South Coast AQMD is responsible for reviewing and assessing environmental impact. They also strive to alert and educate people.

One example of how they have done that is through “air alerts”. For the past few months, as part of their Healthy Hearths Program the South Coast AQMD has had a voluntary “Check Before You Burn” program in place. Residents were able to check the map to see if a voluntary no-burn advisory was issued.

Image by Zigg-E

Another example is by providing a number of resources geared towards educating and helping people deal with environmental air quality. They also put together a simple “Ten Things You Can Do to Help Clean the Air” pdf which further educates people on what they can do to make a difference. And of course they have a smartphone app.

Another great resource for information on environmental air quality and how it affects your health can be found on AirNow. You can also visit the EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards or the EPA site for your state to further educate yourself.

We all know air quality can be hazardous to your health. It can impact breathing, respiratory functions, heart and lungs, eyesight and more. There are even reports that “Air pollution triggers more heart attacks than using cocaine and poses as high a risk of sparking a heart attack as alcohol, coffee and physical exertion.”

So, one of the key ways to get started along a more environmentally-friendly path is to get yourself educated. Without being educated on the importance of air quality and how it relates to your health, you may be contributing to poor air quality without even realizing what you are doing.

Even taking simple steps such as using more public transportation, cutting down on vehicle emissions, investing in alternative energies for your home or business, planting trees around your home or office, etc. can make a difference when it comes to air quality and your health.

Image by dorena-wm

Unbelievable as it may seem, the end of the week is already here. Therefore I figured I’d do a quick environmental round-up. These are just a few of the environmental or eco-stories I came across this week that I thought you might be interested in.

1) Emissions: Why Focus on the Supply Chain? – Lifecycle costs are not always factored in when it comes to purchases and supplies, yet it is a key factor related to environmental impact.

2) Taco Bell sells Fake Meat. So What? Everybody’s doing it – With all that came up in the news this week regarding Taco Bell, it kind of all comes down to the fact that people need to be aware of what they are eating. If you don’t want “fake meat”, then go organic. Don’t want contaminated fruits and veggies? Then grown your own. There are healthy solutions.

3) What Does Organic Mean? – Speaking of organic, it’s good to know what organic really means. What level of organic are you really looking for? Know before you go.

4) Fancy Solar Cooker Concept a Possible Solution for Off-Grid Communities – To me this appears to be a great idea. As long as it is affordable, this could definitely have possibilities. Seems like it might be good for camping, etc.

5) Eco-Kids Protecting Animals for One More Generation – I always love hearing stories about kids taking steps to save animals, improve the environment, raise awareness to eco-activities, etc.

6) Cornfields vs. Oilfields (Infographic) – So what are the impacts of using corn for fuel? Is it worth the investment? Take a look.

7) Freecycling at Work Drives Green Engagement, Business Growth – This one I thought was a great idea for businesses. Inspiring people at work often trickles into their personal lives as well.

Now here’s one that many of you can get behind…the 2011 Local Hero Award. Check it out and see who has already been nominated. Then if you don’t see someone you think should be there, nominate them for a Heart of Green Local Hero Award! There are lots of unrecognized green heroes out there.

Remember to have a biofriendly weekend and if you’re planning on watching the Super Bowl this weekend, please keep your waste to a minimum. Check out some of the cool Green Facts and Figures Surrounding the Super Bowl.