To continue our REDUCTION efforts, here are the final two of the four Bellisima Goddess Primary Principles for Reduction. Remember, these are just my top four principles. Feel free to challenge yourself to find more areas and ways you can REDUCE in your own life. Be sure to share what you discover with others–it is in our shared experiences that we ALL learn more!
PRINCIPLE #3: RAISE YOUR GREEN DRIVING STANDARD!
According to the Environmental Defense, there are over 239 million cars and light trucks on our roads! Americans make up only 5 percent of the world’s population, yet we’re responsible for 45 percent of the world’s global-warming pollution from vehicles. With regard to change, take a moment to consider what has happened with vehicle safety standards. We now expect safer vehicles–all cars are now equipped with airbags and other safety features as part of standard equipment. If this has happened with regard to safety, imagine what can happen if we begin to demand greener vehicles–it may not be too far off when low-emissions vehicles will become standard rather than considered a luxury “feature.” In the meantime, we can look for ways to drive more efficiently. Here are some ways to get started:
*Drive the speed limit. Driving just 5 mph over the 60 mph speed limit increases your gas cost by 20 cents per gallon. We can help decrease our dependence on foreign oil and reduce carbon emissions by abiding by the laws designed to keep us safe.
*Turn off your car and turn down your emissions instead of idling. When a car idles, you get 0 miles to the gallon but are still emitting toxic chemicals into the air. Not only are you losing money and wasting gas, but our environment is losing too. So, when stuck in stand-still traffic or waiting in line to pick up your children from school, turn off your car!
*When using your car for weekend errands, save time, energy and the environment by effectively planning your outings. Designate shopping times and plan for an extended outing when you’ll hit several stores in one day rather than spreading your trips over the course of several days. Moving from one store to the next on a preplanned route can save you about half the amount of gas it takes to restart your engine–and your errands–on different days.
*During your work week, look into telecommuting and avoiding the car altogether, carpooling to reduce your personal carbon emissions, or driving during off-peak hours to avoid fuel waste and idling. If available, try using public transportation. Even opting for a ride once a week can make a difference, giving you, your car, and the air a much needed rest.
*The better care we take of the things we own, the longer they will last and the less frequently we’ll need to replace them. For our cars, this means regularly scheduled maintenance–including oil changes–to keep your vehicle running efficiently. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for when to do your oil change and what grade of oil to use–by doing so, you’ll improve gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent. Support mechanics and shops that recycle their oil. Since oil doesn’t wear out, it can be cleaned, recycled, and re-refined into lubricating motor oils that meet all the criteria of new motor oils. When choosing a re-refined motor oil for use in your car, look for the “sunburst” designation which means the oil has met the same strict standards of non-recycled oil.
*Avoid treating your car to a higher octane than it really needs. The EPA states that “unless your car needs high-octane gasoline, use of ‘premium’ gas will not improve performance or emissions–it will just cost you more.” Additionally, higher octane fuels actually create more pollution.
*Don’t top off your tank when filling up at the pump. The auto experts at www.cars.com caution that an overfilled tank prevents toxic vapors from being properly contained in the recovery canister. These vapors can escape into the atmosphere and create ground level smog and air pollution.
-Look for those black “accordion” covers at the pump. The accordion cover is a vapor-recovery device which collects toxic fumes, so choose stations which have these covers on their pumps.
-Park your car in the shade. Not only is it more comfortable to get into a car which is cooler inside, but when the interior is cooler, you are less likely to turn on your air conditioning. Using less air conditioning means less gas consumption and limits your use of environmentally unfriendly chemicals needed to run the air conditioning. Also, a cooler car limits the evaporation of gas into the atmosphere.
-Pack wisely when heading out on a road trip. Avoid using your roof rack as much as possible. Loading up the top of the car creates drag which causes your car to burn more fuel. Also, once you arrive at your destination, unpack. Lightening the load in your car by 100 pounds can save you up to 2 percent in gas mileage!
-Avoid traveling at peak times. Stop-and-go traffic is not only frustrating to many, but it leads to the lowest fuel efficiency. When you run your air conditioning while dealing with rush-hour traffic, your fuel efficiency can decrease by as much as 12 percent!
PRINCIPLE #4: CREATE A GREEN MIND: CLEARER THINKING MEANS CLEANER LIVING!
Reduce your stress on the environment by reducing your own personal stress! When you are tired, overworked and burned out, you may not make the most eco-friendly decisions. For instance, you may print something, not remembering you already have a copy. You may forget to check the car for reusable bags or leave household lights on in your haste to get to the store in time to cook dinner. You may accidentally throw the recyclable plastic into the garbage because your mind is elsewhere.
Managing our time, planning ahead, and coordinating efforts within our families are not learned overnight but are all ways to minimize our stress. The more we can commit to reducing our waste of time with as much intention as reducing our waste in terms of garbage, the more effective will be our overall eco-efforts. Also, the more we can control our schedules rather than allowing them to control us, the more we’ll be able to enjoy who we’re with, where we are, and what we’re doing. Staying fresh and focused helps us avoid waste. We can do that in a number of healthful ways, including:
*Prioritizing our time and eliminating activities which don’t serve us. If we’re volunteering, but getting sick because we’re so over-scheduled, then it’s time to look at what needs to be eliminated. As Oprah Winfrey says, “Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: ‘What is my truest intention?’ Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it’s right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.”
*Getting adequate rest at night. A full night’s sleep is so important for a rested, clear and present mind each day.
*Taking a walk instead of unwinding in front of the television. When you feel that sense of pent-up energy from the day’s activities, take a walk to release any physical tension and allow your mind to clear with each step.
*Choosing a healthy snack such as an apple instead of a sugary “treat.” It really amounts to redefining what a treat is. A treat should not only taste good, but should recharge us. That sugary treat may make us soar momentarily, but the plummet from that sugar high can make us feel horrible.
*Taking 5 minutes for yourself. Sit with a cup of tea or water and put your feet up. Breathe and savor your liquid rejuvenation!
*Slowing down instead of speeding! This applies to your day as much as your driving. The more we can slow down, the less rework we’ll have because of omissions, mistakes or unnecessary repetition. We can do things right the first time when we’re really conscious about what we’re doing.
I wish you WELL on this Wellness Wednesday. Every action that we take in support of our earth and our environment is action that promotes WELLNESS for ALL. Have a bellisima day!
