The kitchen, is the perfect place to make changes for a "greener" lifestyle.  You'll be surprised how many simple things you can do right from your kitchen that can greatly impact our environment.

Water Filter  Instead of purchasing water in plastic bottles that are an enormous strain on the environment, why not just filter the water from your own kitchen tap.

Reusable Water Bottle  Take your water with you every where you go- in a lightweight, non-leaching, stainless steel, reusable water bottle.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)  These bulbs fit into standard fixtures; use up to 75% less energy; last 10 to 15 times longer and reduce waste and air pollution.   When a light bulb burns out in your kitchen just switch to a CFL.

Reusable Shopping Bags Off to restock the frig.-  bring your own reusable bag and say no thank you to the plastic. 

Bamboo Kitchen Accessories Bamboo is one of the earth’s fastest growing plants.  It needs no replanting, grows without fertilizers or pesticides and has a growth cycle of three to five years.  Next time you’re in the market for a new cutting board, platter or cooking utensil, try bamboo. 

Hemp Kitchen Textiles Need a new apron, kitchen towel or oven mitt, why not try hemp. Hemp is an ecological alternative to cotton.  Cotton is one of the most environmentally destructive agricultural crops, annually using over 275 million pounds of pesticides in the US alone. 

Soy Kitchen Candles  Try a soy kitchen candle for romantic dinner lighting or just to freshen the air. Most candles are made from paraffin and often have wicks with lead which may add potential carcinogens to the air you breathe. Soy candles are made from 100% soybean oil and are a non-petroleum renewable resource.

Pressure Cookers  If you eat a healthy diet and like to prepare whole grains, beans, or healthy soups and stews, these foods can take a very long time to prepare.  Using a pressure cooker takes an average of 1/3 the cooking time of conventional methods and saves up to 70% of the energy normally consumed during cooking.  You’ll also preserve more vitamins and essential nutrients.

Grow a Kitchen Garden What could be more earth friendly than growing some of your own food. A sunny kitchen windowsill is a great place to grow fresh herbs, even tomatoes.  And if you’re convinced you have a black thumb try sprouting, it’s incredibly easy, super nutritious and ready to eat within a week.

Organic Kitchen Bar Soaps Try an organic kitchen bar soap to scrub your hands before and after handling food.  Regular soaps can have chemicals that are unhealthy for the environment.  Organic soaps with essential oils are nourishing to the skin, gentle on the planet and last longer than liquid soaps.