Plants can be toxic to dogs
If you use your backyard as an extension of your home and a place for your family dog to play, be careful which landscaping plants you choose. What may seem like a pretty harmless-looking flower can actually be deadly to dogs. According to the ASPCA, hardy perennial flowers are incredibly toxic to them. These include flowers like mums, hostas, iris and yarrow flowers. And flowers that are bulb plants can also be poisonous to dogs. Gardeners know wild animals stay clear of daffodils because they’re one of the most toxic flowering plants out there. Other bulb flowers that are toxic include hyacinth, tulips, lilies and alliums.
OVEN MULTITASKING
When you turn on your oven to make a roast or a lasagna, it takes a significant amount of energy (gas or electric) to transform a large, cold box into a heating machine. To be as energy-efficient as possible, consider the concept of loading up the oven whenever you bake or roast something. Since the oven is getting hot, roast veggies, potatoes or even a batch of cookies in addition to your main meal. Make meals for the week and store them in
reusable containers for instant lunches and dinners. And as always, never open the door to check on meals when you can use the oven light to peek inside instead.
SOAK, WASH, RINSE
It’s become common knowledge that using an energy/water-efficient dishwasher is better than scrubbing and cleaning dishes by hand. But not everyone has a new state-of-the-art dishwasher at home, so what do you do to minimize the waste? You can fill a small plastic tub in the sink with warm soapy water and let your dishes, utensils and glasses soak. Then rinse them clean after you’ve given them a good soak and scrub. Using a plastic tub helps protect more delicate items, such as dishes and glassware, from chipping against the hard surface of the sink.
PVC-FREE PLASTIC
If you like the convenience of freezing peak fruits and veggies to use down the road but don’t like the idea of using plastic bags, there is an eco-friendly alternative. Reusable silicone bags mimic the look and feel of freezer bags, but are free of harmful PVC and latex and made with zero petroleum products. They close airtight just like freezer bags, but are also safe to use in the freezer, microwave, dishwasher and even boiling water. And remember, if you do use plastic freezer bags, they are recyclable. Just place them in the same bins that accept plastic grocery bags for recycling.
PROTECT SMALL APPLIANCES
When we think about saving energy in the kitchen, we often don’t think about the smaller things, such as coffee grinders, blenders, toasters, coffee makers and microwave ovens. These smaller appliances are a regular part of our lives and can use up loads of energy over time. Instead of keeping them plugged into outlets (where they still draw power even if they aren’t being used), plug them all into a power strip. This accomplishes two things: One, you can flip the switch on the power strip to turn off all power to the small appliances; and two, if there’s an electrical surge, your appliances are safe from being damaged.
SUSTAINABLE TUNA
Tuna is the third most popular seafood in America, right behind shrimp and salmon. And most of that tuna is bought in the canned variety. When shopping for canned tuna, look for brands that use “pole caught” or “troll caught,” which are methods that do not use nets and do not have bycatch like sea turtles, sharks and even seabirds. The nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium also has a “Seafood Watch” approved marker used by brands that follow its recommendations for fishing. Just look for the mark to find sustainable tuna when you shop.
ANIMAL TAXI SERVICE
Do you want to help your local animal shelter beyond just writing a check? One way you can help is to be a transporter for animals. Many organizations that pull at-risk animals from kill shelters need volunteers to pick them up. They also need drivers to take adopted animals to vet appointments or adopt-athons during high-occupancy months. You can also take an adopted dog or cat to its new foster home. Just making a shelter aware of your travel plans can help connect the dots so they can coordinate where you’re going to help an animal in need.