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Organic foods are quickly becoming one of the most popular choices for persons who want to eat healthier while being environmentally responsible. However, many persons do not know about organic foods, and there are twelve things in particular that you should know about them. 1.) What is in organic foods? Organic foods are grown without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. This means that there is less of a chance of your body being harmed by the toxins found in them. 2.) What makes organic meats different? Organic meats are not grown with the use of synthetic hormones that are commonly used to fatten up cattle. 3.) Are organic meats processed differently? Organic meats are processed in the most natural way possible. This means that they aren’t packed with preservatives, and they are not irradiated to kill bacteria. 4.) How are organic foods packaged? Organic foods are packed in the most environmentally friendly way possible. This includes the use of packaging this is all natural, and that will biodegrade in the quickest manner possible. 5.) Organic food is oftentimes more nutritious Organic foods are grown in a manner where their size is not increased with artificial additives. This means that they oftentimes have more vitamins and minerals per weight than other kinds of foods. 6.) Why organic foods sometimes cost more? Organic foods are oftentimes grown on small farms that do not have the same efficiency as large farms. In addition, the process of growing organic foods may result in less of a yield. As a result, farmers may have to charge more for the sale of organic foods. 7.) Do organic foods always cost more? Organic foods do not always cost more than other kinds of foods. It is possible to purchase organic foods that cost less than other kinds of foods. In addition, many organic foods are naturally processed, which costs less money than other methods of production. 8.) How does one save money while buying organic? There are a number of different ways to save money while purchasing organic foods. It is a good idea to looking into local organic markets, and food delivery services. Many food delivery services offer food that comes directly from local farms, and so you do not have to pay a markup on the products. Some person can even get bags of organic foods for only a few dollars. 9.) What are some things to avoid when shopping organic? Many companies attempt to sell processed foods under the guise of sounding organic. Phrases like natural and free range are not regulated by the food and drug administration. It is a good idea to do some research on each one of the products you buy. 10.) Does organic mean less cruel? Organic oftentimes means that animals suffered less while being raised. However, the process is not regulated by the FDA. It is a good idea to look into where you organic meats came from, and to see if the animals were given proper treatment. 11.) Can non-organic items go into organic foods? Depends, there are about forty different ingredients that the FDA allows to be included in foods that are considered organic. This includes items like salt, processed sugar, and different kinds of spices. Looking at the nutrition list will allow you to know if these ingredients were added to your organic foods. 12.) Does a person have to be completely organic? No!!! Eating organic a personal choice. Many persons choose to purchase organic items because they want more nutritious food items, or because they simply like the excellent taste of organic foods. Even more people eat organic food because they are priced less than name brand items. Even more people simply eat a few different kinds of organic foods. One should eat organic foods based upon their personal choices. Overall, organic foods are an excellent thing to try out. One should try eating organic meats, vegetables, and dairy products in order to see if they like them. Image credit: CLJ Photography

People are looking towards the future and becoming more interested in protecting the planet for the next generation. Maybe you’ve already embraced the trend with fuel-efficient cars, but it’s time to make your home interior a little greener. An eco-friendly home interior is better for the environment, healthier for your family and stylish. Bring in the Plants Home interiors have more chemicals than people realize. When new carpet and furniture comes in, it can start emitting VOCs that are dangerous for your family. That “new carpet smell” is actually the chemicals poisoning your household, and they can creep into the home through all types of accessories. Use plants to decorate the home and filter the air. They remove chemicals to keep the property cleaner, and they add color, texture and life to a room. Some of the best plants for removing toxins are bamboo palm, English ivy, spider plant and weeping fig. Save on Utilities with Window Treatments This is such a simple change, but it can make a difference in your household utility cost. During the day, open the curtains or blinds to their fullest and let the light stream into the home. You can leave interior lights off, thereby reducing your electricity usage. When the sun sets and the temperature drops, close the blinds to help block any drafts and stop heat transmission. In the summer, switch to lightweight curtains that you can keep closed against the sun. Light will still filter through, but the heat transmission will be blocked to keep your home cooler. Go with Eco-friendly Floors One of the most eco-friendly options for flooring is wood floors from FSC managed forests. Wood flooring that’s properly cared for can last for decades, so it won’t have to be replaced. You can also look for recycled flooring that’s made from recycled lumber, and you can choose reclaimed floors that came out of warehouses, old churches and other aging buildings. Other great flooring options include bamboo, recycled ceramic and glass, cork and even recycled rubber. You can see examples by visitng hamptons houses gallery. If you want carpet, then make sure you choose options with non-toxic dyes. You can also find carpets made from recycled materials like plastic bottles and straws. Look for Energy Star Options When remodeling the home, always look for the Energy Star mark on appliances, doors and windows. Energy efficient windows will help you reduce heating and cooling costs. Appliances that are more efficient pull less electricity or gas, so you can feel great about reducing your carbon footprint. Embrace Recycling It’s hard to know whether new accessories are environmentally friendly, but you can eliminate the guesswork by recycling. Before you head to the local department store, start at the neighborhood thrift store. You can find throw pillows, blankets, vases and other great accessories that are perfect for your home. They aren’t pulling any new resources, and many non-profit thrift stores are trying to support an important mission, like helping people get back to work. You’ll feel great about doing your part for the environment and helping out your neighbors. Go Natural When looking at new accessories and materials, move away from chrome, plastic and particleboard. These are all harmful to the environment and cannot be recycled. Solid wood and other organic materials are a much better choice. When it comes to home décor, you don’t have to continue using products that are harmful to the environment and dangerous for your family. You can embrace attractive design and a healthier home by going with eco-friendly décor. Use these tips to help design your home in a manner that protects your family and the planet.

In today’s economy many people are looking for ways to save money and make their homes more energy efficient. With the rising cost of electricity, many families are finding it harder to make ends meet. By installing solar panels, you can use the energy produced to help you save about a third off of your electric bill each year. If you are interested in how solar energy can save you money, consider the following tips: Location Make sure to consider where you live before you invest in solar energy. Your home should be able to have access to the sun at least 5 hours daily. For example, if you live in a location that experiences a lot of rain such as London; you may not save enough money to convert to solar energy. However, if you live in an area where there are a lot of sunny days, you will reap money saving benefits. Government Incentives Many incentives are offered through the government that can help you offset the cost of solar panel installation. When you install solar panels, they can generate enough power to run your lights or appliances. Make sure to install plenty of panels and consider the wattage of your appliances so you have enough power to run them. By using solar energy you can decrease your dependency on traditional electricity acquired from an electrical department and help you save money. Power Purchase Agreements Power Purchase Agreements exists to help free homeowners from buying the solar equipment outright. Instead, you can lease equipment from a private company to allow you to generate your own solar energy. When you lease equipment, you can also finance some of the cost of the equipment if needed and make payments monthly. Any surplus in energy is sold to the company and customers can usually purchase electricity at a lower price than they would pay at the local electric company. Energy Efficiency Benefit The purpose of solar energy is to use less electricity. Because your home is more energy efficient, you can negotiate the rate you pay for electricity with your local electric company and save money. Alternative Renewable Energy Source When you install solar energy, you are implementing an alternative, renewable energy source. This renewable energy allows you the opportunity to sell any surplus energy that you generate from your solar panels to the electric company. This is one type of governmental incentive that you get when you own your own solar energy. Net Metering Benefit Solar energy homeowners can benefit from net metering. When the electric meter calculates the difference between your electricity production and how much electricity you consume, the difference left is saved as a credit with your local electric company. This credit can be applied to your electric bill lowering the amount you pay and saving your money. Increase Home Resale Value If you ever decide to sell your home, you can increase the resale value of your home when solar panels are installed. You could recognize as much as a 20% increase in the value of your home (you can check for actual market values by browsing this website. Hopefully, these tips will help understand the potential benefits of using solar energy in your home. By being able to save money on your electric bill, you will have more cash available to spend on your family.