Warmer weather means many of us will be spending more time in our backyards. But that also means the potential to be bitten by ticks and an increase in the potential to contract Lyme disease. One way to combat this is to look for natural powdered insecticides that have the chemical pyrethrum. This natural insecticide comes from the chrysanthemum flower, and it has natural paralyzing properties for both ticks and fleas. The powder can be safely sprayed onto lawns and other surfaces to give you effective and eco-friendly tick control.

It seems like common logic that a bottle of zinfandel from New Zealand would have a larger carbon footprint than a syrah from California. But a study by National Geographic found that the wine coming from Down Under is actually 25 percent more efficient than the domestic wine. What gives? Turns out foreign wines that are shipped through boats (rather than in trucks for domestic wines) have a lower carbon footprint. Wine lovers on the West Coast should enjoy vino from California and Australia; those on the East Coast should say cheers to wine from Europe, South America and anything made right in their own backyard.

As more of us live a greener life and it becomes increasingly mainstream, manufacturers are making it easier to find eco-friendly products. One product worth seeking out is aluminum foil made from recycled aluminum. In comparison to foil made from virgin material, recycled foil uses a whopping 95 percent less energy to make. And remember that used, clean recycled foil can be wadded up and tossed right into the recycling bin. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable.