It was Mahatma Gandhi who said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The issues we face may seem daunting and individual efforts may not appear to have much impact, however collectively each of us can play a significant role in the effort to conserve our resources.

Here are five actions you can take that will help to preserve and protect the planet and your budget.

Drive Less

• Transportation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and the largest end-use source of CO2.¹ (EPA) Walk, bike, carpool and use public transportation more often for heart-healthy, stress-reducing alternatives that preserve precious energy reserves and save money.

• A study by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) found that families who use public transportation reduce their household expenses by as much as $6,200 annually. That’s more than the average U.S. household spends on food every year!²

…read more of 5 Things That Save Money While Saving the Planet here

I have an obsession with lip products. Whether it’s lipstick, lip balm or lip gloss, leaving the house without one or more of these in my bag is akin to walking out of the house sans pants. It just doesn’t happen, and if it does, I feel strangely naked all day long.

There are people whose job it is to taste ice cream for a living, and those who are paid to drink beer to be sure it meets company standards. Fabulous jobs, if that’s what you are into. My job? I test lip balms so that you can choose the right one for you.

All of the lip balms listed here are paraben-, lead- and petroleum-free. Here are my personal favorites: …read more of Natural Lip Balms here

Thanks in large part to the current economic woes, Americans have started looking for ways to make our lives more efficient. At the same time, people are beginning to recognize the real impacts of waste, from light-switches to landfills, on the fragile health of our planet.

Luckily, living more efficiently is as eco-friendly as it is cost-effective. It’s also quite simple: all you have to do is pay attention to the way you use the resources around you every day.

From the way we drive to the way we eat, our daily habits determine how much stuff we use – whether we’re talking food, fuel or plastic – and one small change in your daily routine can add up quickly.

For example, by simply relaxing the way you drive – accelerating and braking calmly, staying in the speed limit, and keeping your car running smoothly – you can improve your gas mileage as much as …read more of 8 Everyday Ways to Cut Costs and Live Efficiently here

Rosh Hashanah, or, the Jewish New Year, is somber unlike January 1st.  We take inventory, a lot of reflection and repentance until the 7th day of Sukkoth or Hoshaana Rabbah. Cl …read more of Making Jewish Holidays Greener here

I’ve dipped into the natural deodorant market from time to time over the years wanting to find a way to keep body odor at bay without possibly putting my good health in peril.

Chemicals typically found in antiperspirants that I’d rather do without include aluminum-based compounds, propylene glycol, steareths, and triclosan. The worry is that these ingredients applied daily year after year may cause cancer.

While the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration know of no conclusive evidence to link antiperspirants to the development of breast cancer, if I can find what I believe is a safer, effective alternative, why not go for it? …read more of 5 Natural Deodorants Tested. How Did They Fare? here