Tag Archive for saving

Take a Nap Today–and Every Day

Feeling extra tired today? You’re not alone. The day after the start of Daylight Saving Time is when most people feel the worst sleep deprivation. That’s why today is National Napping Day–we may need a nap today. And we may need what the Spanish call (and take) a siesta each day.

Besides the Spaniards, other cultures have long recognized the value of a midday nap, going back to ancient Arabia, Rome, and Greece. They found napping to improve health and productivity.

So, celebrate this unofficial national day, for the sake of your health and well being.

Time to Enjoy

This Sunday morning we turn our clocks back.  What will we do with the extra hour we’ve gained?  Why not share it with someone who doesn’t necessarily consider time a friend, like that neighbor or acquaintance who is too ill or shy to get out much.  We can spend time feeding hungry families at a kitchen, gathering food for local food pantries that serve them, visiting veterans at the VA, bringing a picnic lunch and conversation to Aunt Sally at the nursing home.  Or give that extra hour exclusively to our children, playing, reading, or just being together.  Or nurture our marriage with an uninterrupted hour together, being present to each other. Through that one hour, we won’t let stress, overwork, or other pressures interfere with our relationships. In short, rather than waste that morsel of extra time we can use it to enjoy and share the gift of life.

 

How to Spend that Upcoming Extra Hour

Let’s plan ahead for Sunday, when we turn our clocks back an hour.  What will we do with the extra hour we’ve gained?  Why not share it with someone who doesn’t necessarily consider time a friend, like that neighbor or acquaintance who is too ill or shy to get out much.  We can spend time feeding hungry families at a kitchen, gathering food for local food pantries that serve them, visiting veterans at the VA, bringing a picnic lunch and conversation to Aunt Sally at the nursing home.  Or give that extra hour exclusively to our children, playing, reading, or just being together.  Or nurture our marriage with an uninterrupted hour together, being present to each other. Through that one hour, we won’t let stress, overwork, or other pressures interfere with our relationships. In short, rather than waste that morsel of extra time, we can use it to live life more fully, sharing our time and selves with others.

 

 

More Down-to-Earth Back-to-School Ideas

Last Saturday I gave you a few ways to get the kids ready for school while being kind to the Earth.  Here are a few more: Shop for school clothes made out of organic cotton or hemp. Look for recycled-plastic totes.  Shop at thrift stores, which have like-new and even new items people bought then discarded.

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[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

 

 

Freshening Up the House

When freshening up those dingy walls, use eco-friendly paint.  It’s is healthier—even dry paint can emit vapors that trigger headaches, allergies, and asthma—and, when discarded carelessly, one gallon of regular paint can pollute 250,000 gallons of water.

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 [For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

Furniture-Buying Tip

Buying some pretty new wood furniture?  Or other wood items?  First, find out where the wood used for the item is coming from.  If it’s from a rain forest, buy something else.  Our dwindling rain forests are essential to life on Earth.

Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]