Choose Nontoxic! 

Our bodies mimic a sponge that absorbs the substances we put into it as well as on it. Similar to the food we eat, the products we use on our body can either have positive or negative impacts on our health and the environment. Choosing nontoxic body care products can help you protect yourself and the environment. Thankfully, as sustainability makes it into the forefront of everyone’s lives, it is easier to find sustainably sourced body care at most stores. If you don’t know where to start, here are some tips on how to green your body care:

1. Do your research. The cosmetics industry is largely self-regulated, and manufacturers do not always report customer complaints about adverse effects of their products to the FDA. A great resource is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, which informs readers of the potential health concerns related to over 70,000 cosmetics products and thousands of ingredients.
2. Keep it simple. A good rule of thumb is the shorter and simpler a product ingredient list is, the less toxic it may be. Aim for products that have pure, truly natural ingredients and are scented with pure essential oils
3. Do it yourself.  Consider getting creative in the kitchen and making your own, using natural substances already in your household. Everyday items, such as castile soap, avocado, honey, and apple cider vinegar can be used in DIY body care.  
4. Use organic products when possible.  Doing so ensures that the natural ingredients in your products were grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers—better for the Earth and your skin. A certified organic label on a body care product means 95 percent of the ingredients in it are organic 

We are all spending more time at home these days. In addition to working, learning and playing from home, the cold weather has us spending even more time indoors. Here are some ways to save energy throughout this winter season.

• Turn the heat down – keep it at a temperature where you need a sweater
• If you don't already have one, install and use a programmable thermostat. This can result in energy savings year-round
• Use weather-stripping to improve the energy efficiency of drafty doors.
• Always do a full load in the dryer
• Turn off lights in rooms you aren’t using
• Use your fireplace if you have one that works
• And lastly, take a walk outside to reduce your time using energy consuming items