With many of us doing more online shopping, do you know what is the greenest shipping option, if you have a choice? If your favorite online retailer allows it, choose shipping with the United States Postal Service. The reason is simple: Your mail carrier is already driving by and delivering mail to you and your neighbors, so adding a package or two cuts down on emissions. When you choose a private service like UPS or FedEx, you may be the only delivery in your area, which means a large, gas-guzzling truck will have made a special trip just for you.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you use condiments like mayonnaise, mustard and other spreads when making a sandwich or homemade salad dressing? One of the easiest ways to contaminate all of those jars and bottles is by using the same utensil each time you scoop out a spoonful. Because the shelf life for many condiments can be very long (about three years for mustard), the fastest way to spoil condiments is through cross-contamination. Instead, make a habit of using separate spoons, or at lease rinse the spoon before dipping into another jar.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you love avocados? Turns out all of those pits you've been tossing can be a beautiful DIY to turn boring fabric into something gorgeously pink-hued. When the avo pits are boiled, they release a milky, tannin-rich liquid that's deep ruby red. When simple white fabrics are left to soak in this natural dye, they turn beautiful shades of pink. To make avocado pit-dyed fabric, simply toss a few clean pits into water, add your fabric and bring to a boil. Let simmer for a few minutes until the dye is released, then turn off the heat; let it sit overnight before removing the freshly dyed fabric.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION