Do Just One Thing

When cooking at home, be sure to use the healthiest type of cookware possible. New "eco-friendly" pots and pans may be marketed with green leaves and packaging material at the store, but the reality is that there are no rules that require companies to tell you why or exactly what is used to make the product. Instead, opt for truly time-tested, healthier alternatives, like real cast-iron pans or oven-safe glass. Not only do they work well, they're also tough and can literally last a lifetime.

When shopping for a new sofa, be sure to look beyond just the style and size; inquire about what kind of fire retardants were used on the sofa. Many are made with polyurethane-based foam, which is a synthetic material treated with the fire retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDE. This chemical has been linked to endocrine disruption, according to the Environmental Working Group, and should be avoided at all costs. When shopping, ask for PBDE-free or -- better yet -- upholstered furniture that has zero fire retardants. Instead, opt for sofas filled with cotton, wool or a feather blend.

Love to drink a cup of delicious, hot black tea? Don't toss the used tea bags when you're done. There are myriad uses for the natural powers of tea for your kitchen. If you have stubborn, baked-on messes in your casserole dish, soak it overnight in water with some old tea bags; the tannins help break down the greasy mess. And does your fridge smell? Place old tea bags in a cup in the back of the fridge. The bags will absorb odors and help leave a fresh, clean smell.