5 Minute Green Miracles

Making miracles happen may seem a bit daunting for a Tuesday morning, but with 5 minutes to spare, you can take it upon yourself to make something wonderful happen for our earth. Here’s a few quick ways to make a miracle when the phone is ringing, the kids are making a ruckus, and you’re feeling like green living is impossible:

1. Unplug it. That’s right. Walk over to your laptop and computer, your counter top appliances, your television, hair dryer, vacuum, alarm clock, cell phone and lamps, and pull the plugs. Even when electronics are turned off and plugged in, they continue to draw power. If unplugging appliances is not convenient, invest in a power surge protector. Now pat yourself on the back. Not only are you saving power and money, but you are reducing your carbon footprint.

2. Install a toilet dam. Maybe you’ve considered replacing your toilets with low-flow toilets, but right now, you want to conserve water and lower your water bill without spending a lot of money and time. A toilet tank water dam like these available at amconservationgroup.com help reduce water waste up to 30% with each flush. The quick and easy part is that installing a toilet dam takes about 45 seconds. Just wedge the dam into the toilet tank, and one flush later, you are conserving water and saving our planet.

3. Grab a bag. Go outside. Look around. Unless you are living in Amish Country, you will likely notice litter on your street, in your yard, or somewhere on the route leading up to your front door. Go back inside. Grab a garbage bag. Put on work gloves or even disposable medical gloves. Now set a timer for 5 minutes and go! Pick up whatever litter is in your line of sight. Get your kids in on the clean up fun. Not only will your street, yard, and neighborhood be cleaner, but your neighbors will thank you for removing environmental eye sores. Oh, and just for the record, you’re helping keep waste out of our dirt and water supplies. Aren’t you awesome?

4. Eat a veggie burger. Switching to a vegetarian diet is not at the top of every environmentalist’s list, however, incorporating a few vegetarian meals into your diet each week is as easy as frying up a veggie burger! You can enjoy a zesty side of pride and satisfaction with your veggie burger since, according to a 2006 report published by the University of Chicago, eating a vegan diet is more important in the fight against global warming than driving a hybrid car. And all you had to do was pull out your frying pan! Just think of all that money you saved not having to purchase a hybrid!

5. Put the neighborhood kids to work. Right now, at least 5 kids are running around our neighborhood searching for something fun to do. A great way to give back to your community and the environment is to inspire young environmentalists. Each evening when I go outside to water our vegetable and flower gardens, I wave at the neighborhood kids and invite them over to our yard. So far, none of the kids have turned me down when I’ve offered to have them water the gardens. By putting kiddos to work in the garden, you are growing young environmentalists and are nurturing a love for nature that will last for generations. It’s so easy. Have the kids do your gardening for you!

There is so much that can be done for our planet with only 5 minutes to spare. If it helps, play Madonna’s new “4 Minutes” single in the background while you make miracles happen. You are so fabulous. Isn’t living green an amazing way to spend time?

Do you have any quick and easy 5 minute green miracles? Do share in the comments

Jessica Monte also blogs about natural parenting and the environment at Green Mamma and API Speaks.

Original 5 Minutes for Going Green post.