Is it Easy Being Green?

Renee Loux's book is Easy Green Living and that about says it all. Loux is a well-known proponent of the environmental movement, an organic chef and a TV personality, besides being an author. She hosts her own TV show called "It's Easy Being Green" and appears on the Today Show, Good Morning America and other TV shows as a green expert.

Here's some advice from Renee about easing into green living:

• Being green is not black and white. It's about making the best choices whenever we can.
• Consider the life cycle of a product. First, what is it made with; second, how is it made; third, how does it affect you when you use it (safe or harmful); and fourth what happens to it when you're done with it
• Start small. Try changing one thing a month.
• Green living is a process. It's not an all-or-nothing game.

She also gives you 25 ways to go green at home, at the office or on the go. For instance, did you know you can turn your old-style toilet into a low-flow toilet just by placing a full plastic water bottle or two in the tank to displace the water? Older toilets use 3.5 to 7 gallons of water, but by putting a 1.5 liter bottle or two inside the tank, you can save that much water per flush.

Her book is so full of information, you probably won't be able to sit down and read it cover-to-cover. It's great for thumbing through or looking up a specific area.  The chapters are arranged for separate areas of living, such as the kitchen, the bathroom, or personal care. Then, in each chapter she gives you tips for going green, explanations of product labels like "Natural" or "Organic," information on the chemicals and what they do for you and to you, products you can buy that are green and products you can make at home.

Or take a look at these "going green" books:

The Essential Green You! is the third volume in Deirdre Imus's Green This! series. Here is everything you ever wanted to know about how to be environmentally friendly  when purchasing or using cosmetics, personal care items, food, medicine and clothing.

Go green and save money with Go Green, Live Rich by David Bach, the best-selling author of The Automatic Millionaire. He gives you 50 ways to help save the planet and add to your bank account.

The Lazy Environmentalist is a catalog of earth-friendly places to buy everything from outdoor gear to furniture to pet accessories.  Author Josh Dorfman developed the Lazy Environmentalist radio show in 2005 and has become a leading spokesperson for the green movement.

Come to our 5th annual Green Fair, Saturday, April 21 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm for more ideas!