When buying a dozen eggs, look for paper pulp or cardboard cartons. The majority of egg cartons are already made from recycled materials, and they are also 100 percent biodegradable. Tear up the paper cartons and add them to your compost bin or even work them into your garden as mulch. Just break them into small pieces and use a small hand shovel or trowel to place them around plants. They'll break down quickly and help with drainage in the soil.

Many recipes call for unwaxed citrus fruit, especially if you are zesting the skin. But finding unwaxed fruit at your supermarket can be impossible. Growers spray wax to protect the fruit and to give it a sheen so it looks good in stores; while considered safe to eat, many people prefer to avoid it. To remove the wax at home, just microwave a lemon or orange for 20 seconds; use a brush to remove the melted wax. Rinse and wipe with a clean towel, and you'll be good to go.

It's a smart idea to give babies and toddlers a healthy diet of organic food, since pesticides and herbicides can harm their developing brains and nervous systems. But once they grow up and are running around the house, it's still important to think organic. Conventional apples, for example, have the highest level of pesticide residue of all commercially grown fruit, so organic apple sauce is much better for kids. The risk of harm to children is still higher than adults, since kids eat more fruits and veggies relative to their body weight.