3/26/14

If your houseplants or outdoor plants have an infestation of destructive insects, ditch the chemical insecticides and reach for red pepper flakes instead. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add several tablespoons of the spicy flakes. Allow the mixture to sit overnight. Spray the leaves of the plant infected with insects, then wait a few days to see if the infestation cures itself. Insects are not attracted to spicy flavors, so this spray mixture will naturally repel them.

3/25/14

When eating out, think about going vegetarian for one or two meals a week for your personal health and the health of the planet. Eating a plant-based diet is environmentally friendly because the grains, chemicals and fuel costs to transport livestock, and efforts to treat wastewater from farms, accounts for nearly 50 percent of the energy used to make food in the United States. Farm crops and other plant-based foods use significantly less energy and can still deliver a complete meal full of nutrients and protein. With so many delicious meat-free meals at restaurants, you won't sacrifice taste -- or the planet.

3/24/14

Junk mail is still a serious problem that many homeowners face every day. One way to cut back on junk mail is to make sure your home phone number is private and not listed in a phone book or online phone directory. Having a public number means your home address is also public information. Be cautious when signing agreements or contracts -- read the fine print and make sure there is no mention of allowing a third party to use your address for marketing or sales purposes. When you do get junk mail, cross out your address and write "return to sender" before sending it back.