Leave the car at home
By walking or biking to work you can do your part in lowering the amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants released into the environment, and get in shape at the same time. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation you should be getting between 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, and help control risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
If walking or biking aren't options, take public transportation and get off a stop or two early so that you can get in a quick walk before you start work -- not only is it good for the heart, but you'll feel alert and refreshed as you begin your day. To track the distance you cover in a day, and the calories burned per walk, check out the Gmaps Pedometer.
Eat locally
By buying locally, you eliminate the need for wasteful long-haul transportation that burns precious fossil fuels and pollutes the air with greenhouse gases. Additionally, fresh local produce is better for your healthbecause you can reduce or avoid the packaging, waxes, gases, fungicides, and irradiation long-distance food is treated with in order to prevent spoilage.
And if that wasn't enough reason to make the switch, when buying locally grown foods you'll also get fresher, more nutritious and better tasting food because it is harvested at its peak and brought directly to you, instead of being picked early and left to ripen in warehouses and on shelves while in transit. When you're at your grocery store, look for Canadian products, especially those from your home province.
Page 1 of 2 -- Learn how to make your own eco-friendly cleaning products on page 2
