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9 Plants to Grow that Repel Mosquitoes

You?ve likely experienced the disappointment of having an outdoor party, hike or other event ruined by a swarm of mosquitoes. If you?re looking for a natural way to get rid of these uninvited guests, try adding some mosquito-repelling plants to your garden this year.

Simply having these plants in your yard and outdoor living spaces can be helpful, but you?ll get the most benefit by crushing the leaves and flowers to release their pungent, bug-repelling essential oils. You can then rub the oils on your skin, clothing or outdoor furniture to deter mosquitoes. You can also cut and hang fresh cuttings around your home, or dry them to keep on hand for later use.

1. Basil

Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum

Mosquito larvae are aquatic, living underwater until they mature and emerge as adult mosquitoes. A 2009 study found that basil extract was highly toxic to mosquito larvae. Planting basil near wet areas is unlikely to directly kill mosquito larvae, but the plants may ward off any approaching adults and convince them to lay their eggs elsewhere.

Basil is an easy-to-grow annual herb you can sow directly in the ground after the risk of frost has passed.

2. Bay Laurel

Scientific Name: Laurus nobilis

Bay laurel is the plant bay leaves are taken from. This commonly used herb has been shown to contain compounds that repel various insect pests, including mosquitoes. You can also use bay leaves to ward off ants, cockroaches, flies and wasps.

Bay laurel is hardy in USDA zones 8 and up, or it can be grown as a houseplant in colder climates. You can also easily buy bay leaves and place them around your home to deter mosquitoes and other pests.

3. Catnip

Scientific Name: Nepeta cataria

If you want to attract cats to your garden and beat bugs at the same time, catnip is a great choice. Catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone that gives the plant its distinct odor. Cats find the scent irresistible, but mosquitoes hate it. In fact, nepetalactone has been found to be about 10 times more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes.

Catnip is perennial in most regions. Just make sure you protect small plants so they can get established before your local cats devour them.

4. Citronella Grass

Scientific Name: Cymbopogon nardus

Citronella grass is the plant citronella oil is derived from, which is used in a variety of insect repelling products. Citronella oil has been proven to be more effective than DEET when it?s first applied to an area, but its mosquito-repelling power slowly decreases after one hour. To maintain citronella?s strength, reapply citronella oil or crush some fresh leaves against your skin or clothing every hour or two when you?re outside.

Citronella grass is native to tropical areas of Asia and is only hardy in USDA zones 10 to 12. It can be grown as an annual in colder regions. The plants are very attractive and can grow up to 6 feet (2 meters) tall.

5. Garlic

Scientific Name: Allium sativum

Research is limited so far, but the oil that?s released when you cut up garlic cloves has been reported by many to effectively repel mosquitoes. Garlic is also included in various commercial bug and mosquito repellants. The chemical compound that gives garlic its distinct smell is called allicin, which is likely what wards off bugs. If you eat garlic, the allicin will come through to your skin. This may also help prevent mosquito attacks.

Garlic grows as a perennial in USDA zones 3 to 8. You can simply grow it as an ornamental plant, or you can harvest it in early summer to eat and replant some of the bulbs for next year.

6. Lavender

Scientific Name: Lavandula species

Research has shown that lavender essential oil is as effective as the chemical bug repellant DEET for repelling a variety of bugs. This is a good thing, considering that DEET-based repellants have been linked to motor function impairment and nervous system damage in humans.

Lavender is a perennial in USDA zones 7 and up. It can be grown as an annual or indoor herb in colder climates. You can crush the leaves to rub on your skin and clothing to repel mosquitoes, as well as promote relaxation and calmness.

Related: 6 Natural Remedies for Mosquito Bites

7. Lemon Balm

Scientific Name: Melissa officinalis

Research has shown that lemon balm has a variety of natural compounds that can repel mosquitoes. In addition, researchers made an extract of basil and lemon balm that was toxic to adult mosquitoes, whether they inhaled it or came in contact with it.

Lemon balm is a hardy perennial, but it can be fairly invasive as it?s related to mint. Plant it in a container sunk in the ground to prevent spreading. It also makes a good indoor plant.

8. Marigolds

Scientific Name: Tagetes species

Marigolds produce what are known as allelochemicals, which are harmful to a range of insect pests, including mosquitoes. One study extracted these allelochemicals from the roots, leaves and flowers of different species of marigold plants. The researchers found that marigold flowers have the highest amounts of insecticidal allelochemicals. So, it would likely be most effective to use marigold flowers to repel mosquitoes by crushing them and distributing them around your home.

Marigolds are annuals that you can easily grow from seed or buy seedlings at most garden centers or nurseries in the spring. They come in a wide range of stunning colors and can handle a variety of growing conditions.

9. Peppermint

Scientific Name: Mentha x piperita

A study published in Bioresource Technology found that peppermint essential oil was toxic to mosquito larvae. Also, when peppermint oil was rubbed onto human skin, it repelled 92 percent of mosquitoes across a range of species.

Peppermint is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8. The plants can be invasive, so try planting them in an unused corner of your garden or sinking a pot in the ground to contain the roots.

Related on Care2

Why You?re a Mosquito Magnet, According to Science
Foods You Can Eat to Repel Mosquitoes
8 Natural Mosquito Repellants

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Grass Alternatives for a More Eco-Friendly Lawn

For some people, their perfectly manicured lawn is a point of pride. But having the greenest grass on the block can come at a high cost.

?Every year across the country, lawns consume nearly 3 trillion gallons of water, 200 million gallons of gas (for all that mowing), and 70 million pounds of pesticides,? according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

That?s why many people are turning away from high-maintenance turf grass and moving toward other groundcover for their lawns. Although the best options depend on your particular environment and community regulations, here are some grass alternatives for a more eco-friendly lawn that will still inspire neighborhood envy.

Groundcover

Groundcover plants spread but stay low to the ground, so they don?t require mowing or much other maintenance at all. Some varieties can tolerate foot traffic, but most aren?t meant to be walked on. That makes them easy-care options for low-traffic areas of your yard.

These plants not only enhance the aesthetic beauty of your yard, but they also can fill in areas where traditional grass can?t grow and control soil erosion and weeds, according to the University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center. They?re also ideal around buildings ?to reduce heat, glare, noise, and dust.?

It?s best to use an edge barrier for groundcover plants to keep them where you want them, as some tend to spread pretty invasively. As long as you pick the right plant for your area and follow the care instructions, you should have a relatively easy time getting it to take hold and grow.

Here are some examples of groundcover plants commonly used to replace traditional turf grass.

Clover

There might already be some clover popping up on your lawn from nearby natural areas. If that?s the case, don?t be so fast to pull it. ?Dutch clover is a familiar face in meadows and lawns and actually makes a terrific lawn replacement,? DIY Network says. ?The deep green plants withstand normal foot traffic, but aren?t an ideal choice for a heavy traffic area, like a play area beneath a swing set.? Clover is both heat and drought tolerant and withstands mowing. In fact, microclover is gaining popularity as a plant to blend with traditional turf grass for a thicker, more weed-resistant lawn.

Creeping phlox

Credit: MaYcaL/Getty Images

If creeping phlox is right for your climate, you?re in for a colorful groundcover. ?Native to rocky and sandy areas of the Appalachian region, these beauties bloom in April or May,? the DIY Network says. ?? Plus, its foliage is evergreen and its typically hardy in Zones 3 to 9, making it a great year-round groundcover for most gardeners.? And as an added bonus, these plants are both resistant to deer and droughts.

Creeping thyme

You might use thyme in your kitchen, but this herb also makes an effective groundcover in the garden. ?The fragrant herb comes in a variety of cultivars that typically grow anywhere from 3 to 6 inches high with dozens and dozens of small, delicate flowers,? HGTV says. It?s good for dry soil and even rock gardens. And it?s tough enough for some foot traffic. Plus, thyme is known to repel mosquitoes and some other pests.

Monkey grass

Credit: seven75/Getty Images

Monkey grass comes in many varieties and goes by several names, including lilyturf, liriope, mondo grass and snakesbeard, according to Gardening Know How. Whatever you call it, it?s a popular groundcover for a reason. ?Monkey grass is easy to care for, it?s heat and drought tolerant, and it?s extremely hardy, growing in many types of soil and surviving under numerous conditions,? Gardening Know How says. ?This thick ground cover resists weed invasions, is rarely affected by pests and diseases, requires little or no fertilizing and performs effectively wherever it?s needed.? It grows to about 10 to 15 inches, though there are shorter dwarf varieties.

Moss

If you have moss growing somewhere in your yard, you might want to embrace it. ?Chances are if the conditions are right for moss to grow, significant renovation may be required to get turf grass to thrive in the same area, with no guarantees,? according to turf experts from the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Not only do mosses add color and beauty to spaces where little else will grow, but they also help to prevent erosion and retain moisture and nutrients in the soil. Plus, they?re a sign your ecosystem is doing well. ?A good bio-indicator of air and water pollution, these hardy, yet delicate, plants only thrive in areas that exhibit good air and water quality,? the extension says.

Periwinkle

Credit: Ilona5555/Getty Images

Common periwinkle, or vinca minor, is often grown as a groundcover and usually stays at only about 4 inches high. Not only does it add green to spaces that might otherwise be bare, but it also provides a pop of color with its springtime blooms. Plus, it has some very practical purposes for the environment. ?The periwinkle plant is exceptional as an erosion control specimen,? according to Gardening Know How. Once established, the plant is drought resistant and doesn?t require much maintenance besides keeping its spreading in check.

Sedum

Where turf grass might fail, sedum can grow. ?The Sedum genus of plants includes between 400 and 500 individual species, often known collectively as stonecrops, so-named because these are plants that not only tolerate dry, rocky soils, but positively thrive in them,? according to The Spruce. They range anywhere from 2 inches to 3 feet in height. And the low-growing groundcover varieties spread easily but aren?t invasive, with shallow root systems that make them easy to remove if necessary. ?There is no talent required to grow sedums, and the only way they can be harmed is if they are overwatered or planted in garden soil that is too moist,? The Spruce says.

More grass alternatives

Credit: Gabriele Grassl/Getty Images

Besides groundcover plants, there are plenty of other grass alternatives to make your lawn a more eco-friendly and lower-maintenance place.

The Home and Garden Information Center suggests planting native ornamental grasses, which ?are low maintenance, drought resistant, grow in most soils, seldom require fertilizers, and have few pest or disease problems.? Try creating borders with these grasses or other plants to cut down on the area of traditional grass you have to mow. Or put together a larger display of ornamental grasses of varying looks for a visually appealing patch of lawn.

You also can replace a portion of your lawn with garden beds filled with plants of your choosing. Native plants ? especially ones that attract pollinators ? are ideal for this. Or you could grow your own eco-friendly vegetable garden. Likewise, consider replacing some of your lawn with trees or bushes that can provide habitats for wildlife, among other benefits.

And finally, for a true eco-friendly approach, keep conservation landscaping in mind. For instance, ?a rain garden may be suitable in an area where you want to slow down rainwater runoff and increase water infiltration into the soil,? the Home and Garden Information Center says. Or maybe a rock garden is more appropriate for your climate.

Just make sure that whatever you plant ? groundcover or otherwise ? you?re following your local regulations. Some homeowners associations, for instance, might have rules on how much traditional lawn can be replaced with alternative plants. Or neighbors might not be happy if your plants begin to encroach on their lawns. Be open about why you?re swapping out your grass, and work to change restrictive ordinances. Who knows? You might inspire an eco-friendly lawn trend throughout your community.

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14 Plastics to Cut from Your Life that You won’t Even Miss

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14 Plastics to Cut from Your Life that You won’t Even Miss

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3 Eco-Friendly Menstrual Products that Aren’t Tampons or Pads

Let’s face it: periods can be messy and sometimes uncomfortable affairs, and some of the most common period products, such as tampons and pads, are not exactly great for the environment. For instance, the average woman will actually use one-time (and often non-biodegradable) femcare products over 11,000 times in her lifespan. That’s a lot of waste!

While you can certainly invest in or make your own reusable cloth pads and liners, or even shop exclusively for 100 percent organic cotton and plant-based packaged period products, there are alternative menstrual products to keep on your radar if you want to try something different and eco-friendly.

Here are three eco-friendly alternative menstrual products that aren’t tampons or pads.

1. Menstrual Cups

Reusable, silicone menstrual cups are?probably the most well-known menstrual product alternatives to pads and tampons. Two of the most popular brands are?The Diva Cup and Lunette, although with a little research, you’ll be able to find many more.

Not only are reusable menstrual cups eco-friendly and economical, but they can offer up for 12 full hours of leak-free protection, and they tend to come in different size “models” so you can choose the most comfortable and best-fit cup for your particular body.

What’s more, menstrual flow actually doesn’t develop an odor until it’s exposed to air, so using a menstrual cup actually eliminates some of the scents associated with periods, because?you wear it?internally.

2. Period Underwear

Period underwear is essentially a pair of extra-absorbent underpants designed to catch your flow. Some designs can?hold up to two regular tampons’ worth of fluid, and most are designed to neutralize period odors.

You’ll likely need more than one pair for a full period-cycle, and they tend to cost a little more (Lunapads underwear can cost in the $40 range while Thinx usually runs in the $30 range) but all you have to do is throw them in the wash when you’re done, and they’re ready to go again.

3. Reusable Sea Sponges

Before you freak out, first just know that these aren’t the kinds of sponges you buy in a four-pack at the store and wash your dishes with. Reusable sea sponges are natural products that come from the ocean, which means they are totally free of synthetic materials, dyes, fragrances, chemicals and chlorine?none of which you want anywhere near your vagina.

Essentially, sea sponges are natural, reusable resources (they’re sustainably harvested and biodegradable!) that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you end up buying one too large, you can actually trim it down until it feels non-irritating and comfortable for you. Just make sure to wash them before use. Check out this article for tips on how to wash, trim and use a sea sponge as a tampon alternative.

Related at Care2:

?3 Ways To “Green” Your Period?
Why We Need To Talk About Reusable Menstrual Products
Menstrual? Products Should Be Free For Low-Income People

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10 Apps That Will Help You on Your Zero Waste Journey

Going zero waste can be an absolutely mind-boggling process. Trust me, I’ve done it! Figuring out what you can recycle, where you can shop, what you can buy?? it’s an entirely new way of living.?

Fortunately, there are a lot of creative minds out there who have created?apps that help make living a sustainable lifestyle a whole lot easier. That’s backup, right at your fingertips!?Here are 10 of my favorite zero waste apps, for everyone from the zero waste newbie to the sustainability expert.

1.?Tap

Carrying a reusable water bottle with you is a great way to reduce how many cups you’re throwing away while out and about. But what happens when your drink runs out? Tap?maps every location near you that will allow you to fill your bottle up for free. This helps stop millions of plastic bottles from ending up in our oceans and landfills. Remember: every refill counts!

Download Tap?| Free

2.?Flora

One of the best things you can do to build a healthy relationship with the planet is to spend time out in it! Flora, a lovely little “focus keeper” app helps you put down the phone and be productive. Time not spent scrolling your Instagram feed could be used to tend to vegetables in a backyard garden or?go for a long walk. That’s better for everyone!

Download Flora?| Free

3.?PaperKarma

Ohhhh, don’t even get me started on junk mail. It’s the worst, isn’t it? Bottle up all that irritation and channel it toward the senders?through PaperKarma, the app that helps you stop junk mail within 1-3 cycles. Let’s save some trees!

Download PaperKarma | Free

4.?Hoopla

This has my little non-consumer heart soaring! Hoopla allows you to borrow up to ten digital movies, music, audiobooks and eBooks?from its library of millions of digital items?each month. Cool, right??Download an audiobook to listen offline along?your commute (by public transportation, I hope!) or grab a novel for your vacay.

Download Hoopla | Free

5.?ThredUP

Got old clothes crowding your closet? Don’t?send them to the thrift store just yet; try reselling them online instead. ThredUP allows you to earn cash or store credit for items you’re no longer wearing. Anything they think won’t sell will be?either donated or responsibly recycled. What a great way to keep textiles out of the landfill and refresh your closet at the same time.

Download thredUP | Free

6. DoneGood

Struggling to know whether what you’re buying?reflects your values? DoneGood, while still in its early stages,?allows you to shop by value, from eco-friendly to cruelty-free, fair trade, and on and on. Whatever you need in the sustainable market, DoneGood has it?? and lots of discount codes too!

Download DoneGood | Free

7. iRecycle

While the goal with zero waste is to?eliminate the need for recycling altogether, we just aren’t there yet. And recycling can be complicated. What do you do with old lightbulbs? Foil? Electronics? iRecycle will show you?locations near you that can recycle items of all types. It’s super handy!

Download iRecycle | Free

8.?BULK

Avoid unnecessary, wasteful packaging with this web-based app that locates bulk stores near you in the United States or in Canada. You can add new locations, rate your favorite (or least favorite) stores and browse their selection before making the trip. It’s a must have for any zero waster!

Download BULK | Free?

9.?OfferUp

The largest mobile marketplace in the world, OfferUp is a great place to hunt down everything from a new dining table to the carpet cleaner of your dreams, secondhand. People sell pretty much everything under the sun and the app helps protect the buying and selling process so you can be confident in your purchase.

Download OfferUp | Free

10.?Locavore

Shopping at your local farmers markets is a wonderful way to minimize food packaging, reduce your carbon footprint and practice eating seasonally. The more local your food, the smaller its environmental footprint. Locavore?shows you the markets in your area, as well as where they are and when they run.

Download Locavore | Free

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10 Simple Hacks for an Eco-Friendly Bedroom

You might wake up every day with good intentions to take care of the planet. But are you an eco-warrior in your sleep? With some sustainable design choices, your sleep space can be healthy both for you and the environment. Here are 10 simple hacks for a more eco-friendly bedroom.

1. Choose organic bedding

Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/Getty Images

Pesticides aren?t just something to avoid on your food. It?s also ideal to look for bedding and other fabrics that are organic and produced in a sustainable manner. ?The cotton industry uses one quarter of all the pesticides that are consumed in the world,? Greg Snowden, founder of the Green Fusion Design Center, tells HGTV. ?For that reason alone, it’s important to support organic cotton sheets and bedding.? Opting for chemical-free bedding also means you won?t be absorbing toxins into your skin as you sleep. ?Be suspect when you see the words ?repellents? or ?proof? on bedding labels, which indicate the product has been treated with chemicals,? HGTV says.

2. Go green with your mattress

When it comes to furnishing a bedroom, your mattress is probably the most important choice you?ll make. After all, getting enough quality sleep is vital to your health and well-being. Your mattress should support you through a comfortable night?s sleep ? and it shouldn?t have any qualities that adversely affect your health. ?Choose a mattress that’s toxin-free and doesn’t contain polyurethane foam and fire-retardants such as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers),? HGTV says. ?? Green options include organic wool- and cotton-filled mattresses that are just as comfortable as a chemical-filled mattress. The greenest option is latex.?

3. Avoid down filling

Although some companies are trying to source down feathers via slightly less horrifying methods (such as not plucking live birds), don?t be fooled into thinking down bedding is friendly to the environment or the animals. Buying a down product might mean you?re supporting ?the cruelty of the foie gras and meat industries because many farmers who raise birds for food make an extra profit by selling their feathers as well,? according to PETA. And we know the meat industry is a major contributor to climate change. So choose vegan fillings, such as cotton or buckwheat, for an all around friendlier option.

4. Give old furniture new life

Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/Getty Images

If you?re looking to refresh your bedroom decor, make something old new again. New furniture not only is typically more expensive, but it also takes more resources to produce and ship. So take inventory of what you already have if you?re doing a bedroom redesign. Even if you?re not that handy, there are many easy DIY tactics to give furniture a facelift. Or check local thrift stores and antique shops for pieces that meet your needs. ?You can often find old headboards to upholster or paint, giving a singular look to the bed for less,? according to HGTV. ?An old door turned on its side and wall mounted is another eco-friendly, and rustic, solution.? And try to keep any large furniture pieces on the neutral side, so you can continue to use them even if your decorating style changes.

5. Use low/no-VOC paints and stains

If you are going the DIY route, make sure any paints, stains and other products you use have little to no volatile organic compounds. VOCs are a major pollutant of indoor air and are found in many household products, including paints, solvents, wood preservatives and adhesives, according to the EPA. They can cause short- and long-term health effects, such as headaches, dizziness, breathing issues and cancer. And many of these products are considered hazardous waste that can pollute water and destroy ecosystems. So buy the greenest products possible for your projects. Use them according to label instructions, and dispose of them safely.

6. Reuse or recycle old fabric

It?s not just old furniture that you can repurpose for your eco-friendly bedroom. You also can take a green approach to your fabric choices. There?s a lot of fabric in bedrooms ? sheets, duvet covers, blankets, curtains, etc. And while buying organic bedding is a plus for the environment, don?t forget some other sustainable strategies. ?For inexpensive DIY pillows or curtain panels, visit fabric shops and ask for their leftover material scraps,? HGTV says. ?Or, repurpose old blankets and sheets for a comforter that’s completely your own.? And if you have old fabric items you?re not going to use, either donate them or bring them to a facility that takes textile recycling.

7. Open windows

For your best sleep, experts suggest your bedroom should be somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Sleep.org. But that doesn?t mean you always have to snooze in a climate-controlled environment. Open windows anytime the weather allows it to take advantage of the cool night air (and to chase out some of those indoor air toxins). If opening windows isn?t an option, opt for a fan in the bedroom. ?Buy a stylish ceiling fan to circulate hot and cool air, and save money on energy bills,? HGTV says.

8. Add insulating decor

Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/Getty Images

Speaking of windows, the bedroom is an ideal space to hang thicker, insulating window treatments that can block hot and cold outdoor air ? as well as light for those mornings when you want to sleep in. And this kind of insulating, energy-saving decor doesn?t stop at the windows. Adding rugs to the bedroom also can reduce your need for climate control, especially in the colder months. ?We all like the feel of soft rugs under our feet, but did you know that putting down layers of rugs will stop heat escaping from a room?? Ikea says. ?So turn up the rugs, and you could be turning down the thermostat.?

9. Choose dimmer bulbs

The bedroom probably isn?t a place where you need bright lighting. So an easy way to conserve some energy is by replacing all your bedroom lighting with dimmer LED bulbs. ?LED lights last for around 20 years, which significantly cuts down on the number of times you?ll have to change the bulbs,? Ikea says. ?Not only that, you?ll be cutting down your electricity bill too, as LED uses 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs.? And if you fall asleep with those LEDs still on, you won?t have to feel so bad about the energy you?ve wasted.

10. Make space to hang clothes

Clothing is a whole other category that impacts the environment. And one way you can make your bedroom more conducive to eco-friendly choices is by setting up an area to hang clothes you don?t want to put in your closet. This can be a spot for air-drying clothes. Or it can be a place to keep clothes that simply need to air out a little, rather than a full wash. ?Hang trousers or tops up on hooks overnight and you won?t need to wash them so often, saving water and time spent ironing,? Ikea says. Along those lines, aim to keep your closet decluttered. Know what you have in there, so you can shop your own closet instead of wasting resources on extraneous purchases.

Main image credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/Getty Images

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10 Simple Hacks for an Eco-Friendly Bedroom

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5 Reasons Cycling is Better than Driving

May is National Bike Month. What better time to dust off your trusty bicycle and get some fresh air. Why? Because it’s fun, healthy and way better than driving.

Established in 1956, National Bike Month is an opportunity to pay homage to something that makes us all feel like a kid again: the humble push bike.

Cycling is Way Better than Driving

If you’re like most folks, the only thing you have to lose are the extra pounds you accumulated this past winter. Besides, with all the ways cycling trumps driving, why wouldn’t you want to trade in your sedan for a shiny new bicycle?

1. It Beats Sitting in Traffic

Traffic. If you drive a car and have a job, there’s no avoiding it. When you cycle to work you get to enjoy the fresh air and scenery while whizzing past the people sitting in the cars. People assume driving is faster, but think about it: when last did you see a gridlock in the bike lane?

2. It’s Much Cheaper

Between gas, parking, maintenance, toll fees, etc., car ownership is a costly business. When you ride a bike you have to pay for the bike, that’s it. Sure, it will require the occasional service or some new brake pads every now and then, but it’s nothing compared to what you have to shell out for a car.

3. You Meet More People

In a car, you’re ensconced in your metal bubble. You might listen to the radio or a podcast, but aside from that you’re not really engaging in anything but the task at hand. (Which is a good thing, don’t get me wrong.)

On a bicycle, there’s more of an opportunity to smile, say hi and maybe even enjoy a brief chat with a fellow cyclist or pedestrian.?Even if you drive with your window down, you’re not going to start a conversation with the person in the next lane. That would just be weird.

4. It’s Better for the Planet

Cars have a big impact on the environment. Bicycles, on the other hand, could help save the planet. That’s what the IPCC claims in their report on the impact of global warming, anyway.

A smaller carbon footprint is only part of it. According to Viewchange.org, “A simple bicycle can mean transportation, employment, even access to education and healthcare.”

5. It Makes You Healthier and Happier

This one’s a no-brainer. Whether or not sitting is the new smoking, we know it’s not good to sit for extended periods of time. Using a standing desk is a great idea. You know what’s even better? Riding your bike to work.

Cycling brings with it numerous health benefits. It promotes weight loss, improves your mental wellbeing, builds muscles, helps you sleep better and?makes you happier.

Riding a bike also?increases longevity. Maybe not as much as racquet sports, like tennis and baddington, but enough to make a difference.

What to Do During National Bike Month

Celebrating National Bike Month could be as simple as riding your bike. If you’re in the mood, why not rally your workmates and take part in National Bike to Work Week (May 13-19) as a team?

If the whole week is a stretch, you could always take part in Bike to Work Day, which takes place on Friday, May 17. There’s also the option to plan your own event with your friends or local bike club.

The World Needs More Bike-Friendly Cities

Not everyone is fortunate enough to live in one of America’s bike-friendly cities. Fortunately, there are?a number of?things you can do to build a bike-friendly community in your own neighborhood.

The first step is to do a?quick assessment to see what’s preventing people from cycling (or cycling more) in your community. The Bicycle Friendly America program will then provide you with customized feedback to help you move forward.

We spend so much time sitting in our cars that we’ve forgotten there are other ways to get around. Why not make May the month you drive less and peddle more?

In case you’re wondering, you’re never too old to get back on your bike. This 105-year-old man recently broke the cycling hour record for centurions.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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5 Reasons Cycling is Better than Driving

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5 Plant-Powered Cleaning Products Worth Adding to Your Shopping Cart

Green cleaning products get a bad wrap for being weaker or less potent than their traditional counterparts, but these eco-friendly cleaners actually pack quite?the punch. Not only are they free of toxic chemicals, these green cleaning products?are just as powerful as?everything already in your cleaning closet.?Plus, they smell so much better! (Maybe it’s just me, but I like to be able to breathe after I clean the kitchen counter.)

Next time the last drop of your?go-to disinfecting spray or glass cleaner is used up,?consider adding one of these green alternatives?to your shopping list. Replace them one by one and, before you know it, you’ll have an eco-friendly cleaning arsenal ready to go! I’m certain you’ll never go back.

1. Branch Basics?”The Concentrate

If you’re looking to get more bang for your buck, this is the way to do it! Made from plant-derived ingredients like sugar, chamomile flower and baking soda, this concentrate can replace just about every cleaning product in your home. Use it?for everything from removing gunk from your stovetop to washing your dog!

2. ECOS Stain + Odor Remover

Perfect for everyday use, this plant-based stain and odor remover effectively eliminates stains and freshens even the most persistent?of odors. Who knew lemon peel oil was so effective! Use on upholstery, carpets and clothes – wherever those messes show up.

3. Method Daily Shower Spray

This toxin-free spray will have you singing in the shower. Just spray a fine mist on all wet surfaces and it will take care of the rest with its amazing plant power. And this spray isn’t just effective, it’s thoughtful too! Made by a certified B Corporation, this product is?biodegradable, BPA free, compostable and made in the USA. Awesome, right?

4. Bon Ami Powder Cleanser

Bon Ami Powder Cleanser is a wonderful example of non-toxic cleaning power. Made from naturally soft abrasives like limestone and felspar, Bon Ami can be confidently used on most hard surfaces in the kitchen and elsewhere in the house.?There’s a reason it’s been a household favorite since 1886.

5. Better Life Naturally Smudge-Smacking Glass Cleaner

It’s non-toxic. It’s 100% plant-derived. It’ll get the job done. Made from corn, coconut and palm kernel, this cruelty-free cleaner is full of just the good stuff. And it works fabulously – kicking fingerprints, greasy smudges, dirt and rain spots to the curb. And no streaks too!

When it comes to cleaning the house, chemicals aren’t the only way to get the job done. And with?so many excellent plant-based cleaning products on the market, there’s no reason not to jump on this train. Give it?a try!

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5 Plant-Powered Cleaning Products Worth Adding to Your Shopping Cart

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How to Responsibly Dispose of Kitty Litter

Disposing of kitty litter once it’s past its prime may not be a favorite chore, but it’s a necessary one. Unfortunately, cat?litter?is no joke. The cat?feces?it holds?sometimes carries?a dangerous parasite?called Toxoplasma gondii?that can cause the formation of cysts in the brain. As such, getting rid of it in a responsible manner is super important! Here’s what I recommend:

First, never?flush litter. This practice?has been shown to directly harm?marine life.

Even if the product says it’s flushable, you should absolutely never send it down the drain. That parasite we mentioned earlier sheds active spores that are not eliminated by wastewater treatments. Flushing them simply sends the parasite?out into larger bodies of water where it may be contracted by sea otters who are particularly vulnerable to infection. Just don’t do it!

Second, quit using clay litter and choose a more eco-friendly?biodegradable product.

Nearly all the bentonite clay mined in this country is obtained by an environmentally destructive process called strip mining which involves bulldozing precious natural areas?(and the living things that inhabit it)?to get to mineral deposits underneath. It’s an icky process – one we should never support. Your cat litter just isn’t worth that.

As an alternative, look at one of the many biodegradable options on the market. Here are a few options worth considering:

Newspaper
Grass seed
Wheat
Pine cobble

If your cat tends to be picky about its litter and switching to a new product sounds risky, try this method: replace one quarter of your cat’s litter with a new litter each week. By the end of the month they’ll have adjusted, no problem!

Third, retool your litter disposal routine.

When it comes to responsibly disposing of kitty litter, you have two primary options: composting or scooping and tossing in?a safe bag. If you can swing it, composting is absolutely the best option out there.

To compost cat waste, you’ll?need to make sure your compost pile heats to more than 145 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure bacteria and pathogens are removed. It’s a bit of extra effort, but?well worth it in the end.

If composting isn’t in the cards,?scoop feces into a biodegradable bag and toss in your curbside garbage with the rest of your household waste. When it’s time to change out your litter entirely, empty the box?in the same fashion then wash with a gentle but effective cleanser like?Castile soap or white vinegar.

Oh, and before you go, be sure to check out this easy-to-keep-up litter box routine. It will make keeping that litter box in check so much simpler!

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How to Responsibly Dispose of Kitty Litter

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Top Ways the World Will Manage Climate Change (Beyond Reusable Water Bottles)

We all know we need to do our part to manage climate change?well, almost everyone knows this scientific fact. We know we need to drive less, recycle, stop using plastic, eat organically and opt for less packaging and reusable bags. And, if you?re like me, you?re trying to do all of these things. But, what if we ? as citizens, business owners, policy makers, or government leaders – knew the most important ways to manage climate change? Then, we could be sure we?re each doing as many of them as possible to make the greatest difference.

The group Project Drawdown ranked the most effective climate change solutions, dividing the many activities under categories such as the best ways to manage climate change based on food, movement of people and goods, homes and cities, land use, electricity use, waste management and empowering women.

Here are some of the top-ranked selections under each of the categories:

Under Project Drawdown?s food category, the organization ranked eating a plant-based diet, throwing away less food, composting waste and cooking over cleaner stoves among the top solutions. Check out my blog, ?New Study Found Plant-based Diet Reduces Heart Failure Risk by 41%? to not only help climate change but to help improve your health, too.

Project Drawdown also looked at the way we move people and goods around the planet and found that we could all help climate change by flying less and flying on more fuel efficient planes when we need to fly. It also recommended that we invest in high-speed trains, ship goods more efficiently and drive electric cars. It seems to me that there is an obvious trend toward decreasing our use (and waste) of fossil fuels and decreasing emissions of these greenhouse gases.

The homes we inhabit and the cities we live in also contribute to climate change and it astounds me that so many town, city, state and national governments continue to institute laws, regulations and policies that restrict people and communities that want to ?go green.? From outdated building codes to front yard vegetable gardens, government officials need to get informed before they get their heels in to support the status quo. Some of the top-ranked ways to fight climate change under the ?Our Homes and Cities? category include green roofs, smart thermostats and LED lighting, as well as designing (or redesigning) cities to be more walkable.

The United States has lost millions of acres of prime agricultural land to development in the last few decades. That doesn?t include wilderness lands that have been developed or opened up for development by governments that don?t understand climate change science. Project Drawdown ranks the protection, preservation and restoration of important ecosystems like coastal wetlands and tropical forests, as well as the return of lands to indigenous peoples as top ways we can combat climate change. The organization also ranked the planting of bamboo because of the plant’s rapid growth and capacity to absorb greenhouse gases at a much higher rate than most plant and tree species.

Our rapid pace of development also leads to challenges with materials and waste management. Top-ranked solutions in these areas include building with greener cement compounds. Cement is ubiquitous in our lives and most of us don?t give it a second thought. But the cement industry is the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide on the planet next to two countries (China and the U.S.), not two other industries. Cement making requires huge volumes of water (another climate change alarm bell) that could be used for drinking and growing crops, and it creates large amounts of dust that increase respiratory problems. Its negative impacts on the natural environment are innumerable. While we must address this massive threat, Project Drawdown also suggests we demand government and industry clean up chemicals in our air conditioning and refrigeration. On a more personal level, we can do a better job of recycling or repurposing more of our household goods and cutting back on rampant consumption.

It is almost impossible for most people today to imagine life without electricity even though its widespread use in society is less than a century old. Electricity generation and use is often sold as ?clean energy? but its impact on climate change is real. Among the top-ranked solutions regarding electricity use, Project Drawdown included wind, wave and solar power as better ways to generate electricity. As an added bonus, none of these energy generating options have been proven to cause cancer despite the ?windmill? claims of a high-ranking government official. Project Drawdown also included nuclear power in the rankings but the images from Chernobyl remain a horrific reminder of the dangers of this form of energy generation.

Last but not least, kudos to Project Drawdown for recognizing that empowering women will have a positive impact in our fight against climate change. Increased access to education, increased access to family planning and closing the gender gap in small-scale farming are some of the solutions the organization ranked high.

Check out all the rankings and let us know what things you are doing to combat climate change and help the planet.

Related Stories:

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Climate Change No Longer a Security Threat (Or So Says Trump)
Media Coverage of Climate Change Takes Another Dive

Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM shares her food growing, cooking, and other food self-sufficiency adventures at FoodHouseProject.com. She is the publisher of the free e-newsletter World?s Healthiest News, founder of Scent-sational Wellness, and an international best-selling and 20-time published book author whose works include: Be Your Own Herbalist: Essential Herbs for Health, Beauty, & Cooking. Follow her work.

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Top Ways the World Will Manage Climate Change (Beyond Reusable Water Bottles)

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