Yes, canned soup can be a fast and convenient way to have a warm meal in minutes, but many tin cans are lined with a nonstick coating called Bisphenoal A, or BPA. This coating is necessary to prevent spoilage of product inside cans, but it can also be an endocrine disrupter. If you want to avoid BPA when buying soup, look for soup packaged in glass, aseptic cartons or cans marked “BPA-free.” You can also look up recipes online to make homemade soups that are easy to freeze and reheat.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It may be more of a moral question, but with many supermarkets now offering self-checkout at the register, be sure to always weigh and mark what produce you actually get. Generally, conventionally grown fruits and veggies cost less, and yes, they look just like the organic ones. But when you weigh and pay for your produce, don’t try to save some money by saying it’s conventional at checkout. The market keeps track of purchases and will notice if organic produce isn’t selling. Less sold means less stocked. And less stocked means less incentive to growers.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know that from the moment you finish a beverage in an aluminum can and toss it into a recycling bin, it takes just three months for it to be shredded, melted and molded back into a brand-new can? Aluminum is a recyclable that is both valuable and infinitely recyclable, which means recyclers have a financial incentive to make sure cans get recycled. When choosing beverages, look for those packaged in aluminum for the greenest impact.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION