An interesting trivia:  In the United States, 99 percent of all types of business organizations are considered small businesses.  Thus, they have a significant influence on our country, be it in terms of the economy, of politics, of society and of the environment.  And because small businesses account for 65 percent of national consumption, you can bet your bottom dollar that indeed any and all green initiatives, or the lack thereof, on their part will considerably impact on the environment. If you have a small business, you must consider greening your supply chain.  You will find that your relatively small eco-friendly initiatives will pay off big time in many ways.  On one hand, you can reduce costs and, hence, increase your profits.  You can even attract new customers who want their suppliers to serve their green needs.  On the other hand, you can reduce your organizational and individual carbon footprints.  You can even ask for energy rebates, thus, further lessening your expenditures. Opt for Local Suppliers When and where practicable, you should opt for local suppliers and producers of the items you are selling on the shelves.  You can save on freight and handling ...

Everyone likes to take a hot shower all year round, it does not even matter if it is over 100 degrees outside, and we still love our hot water!  So when you buy a new or older house, you want to make sure you look at your water heater and find out how old your water heater is.  Most water heaters that are built within older homes lose their insulation over time, which means that your water will not get very hot.  When this happens you should look into purchasing a water heater blanket for your water heater! Water heater blankets are a great thing to have when you realize your water heater is not holding on to your hot water like you need it to.  Buying a water heater blanket will also save you money from having to go out and buy a brand new water heater! Not only will it save you money on a new water heater, but water heater blankets can also save you money on your water bill every year considering you will not be using as much energy or water once you get a new water heater blanket! There are a few things that you need ...

Cast iron cookware has been in use since 513 BC when it was first introduced by the Chinese.  Known for its immense health benefits, cooking in cast iron utensils is making a huge comeback amongst the health conscious.  Apart from the obvious health benefits, cast iron cookware is sturdy and easy to maintain and has the ability to withstand the abuse meted out to utensils of everyday use in a busy kitchen. These utensils are very long lasting and can be very easily seasoned and reused irrespective of its age.  So, if you find your mothers or grandmother's cast iron utensils lying around gathering dust, don't throw them away.  Seasoned cooks claim that food that is cooked in cast iron utensils always tastes better than the one cooked otherwise. One of the biggest health benefits of cooking in cast iron is the ability of this metal to increase the source of iron in the food.  Iron as a dietary supplement is important to generate proper blood flow and circulate oxygen.  Iron deficiency in the human system can lead to a number of health issues such as anemia, headaches, a general lack of energy and tiredness.  Cooking with cast iron is a great ...

If you don't like the idea of animals being killed and tortured, the going vegan is the right choice for you.  However, there are a variety of reasons to go vegan that you probably haven't even thought about.  Here is a look at some of the totally selfish reasons that you should consider making the choice to go vegan. Taste Bud Reasons * If you're eating the traditional diet of the West, you're missing out on some tasty meals.  Dishes that include meat take the place of natural foods that are full of nutrients.  Instead of feeling that they are deprived, many vegans find that they enjoy the great tastes they have never experienced in the past. * If you want to have meals that taste a lot like the foods you're used to, you can do it in a healthy manner.  There is soy chicken, meatloaf that is not made of meat, and other options. * Charred meat has carcinogens in it that can cause cancer, and you definitely won't miss them. Fashion Reasons * One of the substances used in making fur is formaldehyde, which is used to embalm dead people.  There is enough evidence out there to support that fact that it can ...

Do you know how far your food has travelled to reach your dinner table?  In many cases, Western society routinely purchases food that was grown more than 1000 miles away and transported to the local grocery store.  While food prices in the store are relatively inexpensive, the environmental cost of transporting your food is often very high.  Trucks, trains, and boats, all of which consume fossil fuels, are the primary methods for transporting large quantities of food around the world.  Additionally, the transportation of these goods causes an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.  Many people are becoming aware of the impact that food mileage has on the environment and are choosing alternative food purchase options to reduce the distance that their food must travel to reach their plates. When purchasing food in the store, consider the food miles that it has accumulated to reach the shelf.  For example, many fruits and vegetables which are out of season are provided by foreign countries and have travelled a significant distance to reach the local shelves.  By choosing locally grown produce, you can drastically cut the food miles that you consume.  Additionally, buying produce that is in season increases the chances that it is ...