Winter may officially be here but doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beauty of nature. Surround yourself with plants and create an indoor garden display. Not only will it bring a smile to your face, but it will help you kick those winter blues and brighten up any room in the house. First off, pick a sunny spot by a window so it's guaranteed your living lovelies will get enough light. Once you do that, decide on what you're going to use and what kind of plants you want. Take a step back and try to imagine what will look cool in the space. Get creative and have fun! While deciding on what plants …

This holiday season, try to be green when giving gifts. There are a bunch of eco-friendly ways to show you care without excluding the Earth. Just be conscious of what you are buying and if you choose to create your own gifts, use materials that would make the planet happy. Here are a few tips and ideas that should help you along the way. When shopping, stay local and try to do most of it in the same day. This way you are driving less and using less gas. This is good for the planet and your wallet. Choose stores that carry eco-friendly items or search vintage shops for the perfect nostalgic …

Being a vegetarian was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It makes me extremely happy to know that I am saving animals from harm just by my food choices. My lifestyle went through a few changes and the way I celebrated Thanksgiving was one of them. I no longer found happiness in having a turkey on the table. Being with my family is important, but it doesn’t have to cost an animals life to have a great holiday. So last year I started my own tradition with a veg Thanksgiving. Needless to say, it was a great day. I wanted to share a few recipes of mine to spread the love. Be thankful …

In my last article, I wrote about healthier foods to feed your pet. Giving your furry friend healthy snacks is important as well. There are so many options out there from dental treats to bones and sometimes it can get hard to choose the best ones. Here are some guidelines to follow to help you make the smartest choices. 1. Always read the ingredient list on the packaging. If there are words you cannot pronounce or some that seem like chemicals, its best to stay away. Some additives and presertives you might see are Glyceryl Monostearate, Phosphoric Acid, Propyl Gallate, BHT and Propylene …

Do you really know what you are feeding your pet? Most households these days have them and I'm sure they consider them a part of the family, as they should. This is why feeding them a healthy diet is important.  There are tons of processed food out there. If you look at the ingredients on most pet food packaging and research some of it, I think you will second guess your choice in foods. From sugars to crushed up animal parts, they should all be far away from your pets belly. Treats have the same issue. In some cases they are worse.   Don't listen to anyone who says animals shouldn't be fed …

Every day is a chance to live healthy. What you put in your body is important so it can thrive and be at it's best. It should be strong, lean and full of energy. The foods that will help you gain ultimate health are vegetables, fruits and whole grains. You don't have to be vegetarian to know the great benefits they have to offer. Merrick provides its residents with many healthy options when grocery shopping. Between organic and local produce to lean natural protein, there is no excuse not to eat right. Here are some tips, recipes and advice that might help you on your journey to eating …

Now that spring is here, summer is right around the corner. This is the perfect time to clean house and finally start some of those projects you've been thinking of. Merrick provides it's residents with many options when it comes to home design and green living. Supporting local businesses is a major part of living green so thumbs up to you. For bigger projects such as contracting and remodeling, Land & Home Design offers a variety of services from kitchen and bathroom expertise to exterior renovations. They have been in the business for more than 30 years and have tons of experience working …

Earth Day might have passed but doesn't mean you have to stop celebrating. Living an eco-friendly life and taking part in green activities is a great way to show your love for the Earth as well as everyone living on it. There are plenty of ways you can be Earth friendly in Merrick. The bonus is you can also support local businesses in the process. Eating healthy and choosing sustainable foods is a key element to living green. Considering we need to eat everyday, this is where you can really make a difference. It is wise to always read ingredient labels and know where your food comes from. Try…

We all know eating good is key to living a healthy lifestyle. But that isn't the only thing you should focus on. Treating your body with respect and love is also vital to feeling young and fresh. Movement and exercise is not just important for our bodies but our mind and soul as well. There are lots of different ways you can get up and get moving. The options seem to be endless. Lucky you, Merrick residents, there are plenty offered right in town. For all you nature lovers who like to get outside and get moving visit the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve on Merrick Road and take advantage of …

Living a green life doesn't just mean using eco-friendly products and eating natural and organic foods. People matter, too. Charities and organizations that were created to make this place safe, clean and more successful deserve a lot of credit. What would we do without them? In some cases, they are the backbone of a society. There are a few organizations I want to mention here, but don't think there aren't more in Merrick that you can count on. There are plenty of resources for town residents to get information, guidance and anything else you might need. The Associate for the Community …

There are tons of ways to live green, but one easy thing everyone can do is recycle. This doesn't just mean separating your plastics and paper. It also means reusing items you already have so you don't create more waste. We don't want this planet to become a garbage dump,  so it is necessary for all of us to do our part and take care of the Earth. When you are out shopping, keep in mind how things are made. Are they hazardous or toxic? If they are plastic, are they safe? Are they made of natural materials? These questions are important when bringing items into your home or someone else's.   A…

In my last article I wrote about choosing sustainable and cruelty-free clothing.  This is a very important issue because there are better ways to create fashion and products than putting an animal's life in jeopardy. However, you should also know how certain companies are treating people in the process. Being socially conscious is something all businesses should take seriously.  Having people work for nothing is simply not acceptable.  When they are also working under harsh conditions it seems inhumane to be a part of it.  For years, hiring people overseas has become the easy and cheap way to…

Shopping is a huge way we show what companies and products we support. I think people forget that some of the materials used to create clothing are hurting the planet and killing living creatures.  I guess they disassociate themselves from the reality of the situation to make themselves feel better.  However, ignorance is not bliss. Not knowing the damage the clothing industry is doing is just not realistic anymore. Buying fur coats, leather jackets and products that are made of exotic animals skin is sadly in style.  I, for one, do not think it's necessary.   How can someone feel comfortable…

Being aware of and using eco-friendly products is really important, not just in your home, but on your body as well. What you put on your skin is essentially being absorbed into your bloodstream so making sure what you use is safe is top priority.  All you have to do is a little research and be smart when buying certain items. There are a lot of chemicals and toxic ingredients in products out there.  Many are harmful to your skin and may cause allergic reactions.  Others are just plain horrible. But there are a good amount of companies that strive to create better products for all of us, …

Having a green home is very important to living a healthy lifestyle.  So what you use to keep it clean is vital to keeping you and your family safe.  I am adamant on using green, non-toxic products in my home and only buy the ones I have researched.  You never know!  There are so many great picks to choose from but you have to be careful.  Here is a list of cleaners that you can trust that are "Green Certified." Waldbaum's has a variety of cleaners that are good to use.  Clorox has a brand called Green Works that seem pretty good.  If you like to use all purpose wipes than try their …

In my last article I wrote about going vegetarian.  I hope that many of you were able to benefit from what I shared and have become more open minded to an alternative lifestyle.  It really is the best thing you can do for yourself and the planet.  If you are thinking of playing around with the idea of becoming veg, great.  Take your time and go at your own pace.  For the people who have already made the change and is ready to take the next step than listen closely. Being a vegetarian is a good place to be.  Like I said before, it was the best decision of my life.  You are totally fine staying…

When people think of living green, they think of the environment.  There are so many ways to help the planet but the biggest thing you can do to is become vegetarian/vegan.  Factory farms are one of the leading causes of global warming.  In addition, millions of animals are tortured and killed inhumanely.  This should not be happening.  Not to mention, all the money and food we are wasting on feeding all those animals and the high amounts of antibiotics that are used.  With the amount of food we grow here in America no one should be starving.  Its absurd. So how can you start to ease into a …

We all have busy lives.  Whether we have kids to take care of, a marriage to work on or a job that takes up most of our week, we can all understand the meaning of being busy.   Well, living green doesn't have to take up more of your time and it doesn't have to spend more of your money.  In these tough economic times it is essential to know how to budget and get your priorities in order.  Living green and healthy helps to put the important things first and allows the rest to flow smoothly. First things first, try to see your life as a whole.  You know, look at the bigger picture.  This shouldn…