Green Living

  • Annual preventative furnace maintenance tips

    September 30, 2021

    (BPT) – Thermostats nationwide are flipping from cool to heat mode. In fact, most Americans begin turning on their heat in September, and they are in full heat mode by the end of October, according to data from Resideo’s Honeywell Home smart thermostat…

  • Your electric vehicle charging questions, answered

    September 24, 2021

    (BPT) – Have you been wondering if an electric vehicle is right for you, especially as more models are rolling out from automakers? Living the electric vehicle lifestyle is fun and exciting, good for the environment, and even your wallet – but there ar…

  • Creative ways to enjoy gardening this fall

    September 13, 2021

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    (BPT) – When the weather starts to cool down, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the fall gardening season, both indoors and out. All it takes is a little creativity – and the right plants.

    Eat your garden

    If you enjoy using fresh herbs and vegetables to help create flavorful meals, you can still grow them yourself inside on a sunny windowsill or kitchen counter, or outside on a patio table or balcony. The new Kitchen Minis™ collection of tabletop vegetables from PanAmerican Seed gives you cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers or hot peppers even if you don’t have a garden at all. These compact potted vegetable plants come fruiting so you can harvest and enjoy your own tasty veggies with the satisfaction of success right in your own home.

    Bring outdoor plants inside

    To add an extra layer of visual appeal and texture to any room, choose vivid plants and flowers that make a bold design statement, contrasting beautifully with your plush pillows and chunky throw blankets this fall. Here are a couple of traditionally outdoor plant options that also do well indoors once the temperatures start to drop.

    • Jurassic™ Rex Begonias have a fascinating variety of colored, differently sized and patterned leaves, and they can easily thrive indoors. Rex Begonias are ideal for novice gardeners or those who do not have much time for maintenance since they do not require intense care.

    • ColorBloom™ Gerbera offer long-lasting flowers that help bring living color to your indoor décor. Their friendly blooms take center stage in so many seasonal color choices of autumnal reds, yellows, pinks, oranges and white. Their gorgeous, non-fading colors will bring joy to any room while still being very easy to care for.

    Use flowers for festive fall decorating

    Fall is all about festive colors – and Cool Wave® Pansies will not disappoint. They are available in many rich colors that complement the bold hues of the changing autumn leaves. From golds and lavenders to deep purples and burgundy hues, Cool Wave® Pansies grace any porch or patio with their truly trailing cascades of color. They are the fastest-growing, longest-lasting flowers that you can continue to enjoy through the frost. You can place them in the ground, window boxes, lush hanging baskets or other decorative containers.

    Beyond the garden, you can take outdoor decorating to the next level with fun DIY projects:

    • Use hollowed-out pumpkins or other gourds as containers for small pots of pansies.
    • Take a fresh approach to entertaining by using Cool Wave® Pansies in multiple colors to decorate your alfresco fall tablescapes next to candles and pinecones.
    • You can even use the pansy blooms as garnishes in everything from cocktails and cheeseboards to salads, cupcakes and more – Cool Wave® Pansies are edible!

    As summer comes to a close, a new opportunity to garden is just beginning. No matter where you live, plants and flowers like these can help you enjoy the fun and satisfaction of indoor and outdoor gardening well into fall.

  • How to live a low-carbon lifestyle

    September 1, 2021

    (BPT) – Our communities are feeling the impacts of climate change in many ways, both large and small. As our collective impact on the environment becomes more and more apparent, people are looking at how they can make a difference.Climate change is not…

  • 5 ways to celebrate and support honey bees


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    (BPT) – Did you know honey bees are responsible for over 35% of the foods you eat, as well as the honey you enjoy? Honey bees are vital to the health of the planet and to the food chain, as they are necessary for pollinating more than 90 food crops including fruits, vegetables and nuts – plus alfalfa, which is used as feed for the livestock that supply our meat and dairy.

    There are many ways you can enjoy the fruits of the honey bees’ labor, while also helping to support their habitats and ensuring they’ll be around for generations to come. The National Honey Board has partnered with registered dietitian Maggie Michalczyk, RDN, to bring you her favorite planet-friendly tips and ideas.

    “Honey is one of my go-to staples because of its pure qualities and positive impact on crucial pollinators,” said Michalczyk. “I like to recommend honey to my clients who want wholesome ingredients they can feel good about consuming, without having to compromise taste – as honey is a flavorful addition to a variety of foods and beverages.’

    Here are Michalczyk’s tips for enjoying and celebrating the hardworking pollinator.

    1. Celebrate pollinator foods

    Honey bees pollinate plants and trees in all 50 U.S. states, and are needed to pollinate over 90 crops. So the next time you are enjoying apples, avocados, cherries, almonds or sunflower seeds, you can celebrate the fact that all of these foods are made possible by hardworking honey bees.

    2. Sweat for bees

    Movement is key to a balanced life. Skip the pesticides in your yard and pull weeds by hand instead. Then make sure to plant bee-friendly flowers and flowering herbs in your garden and yard. Get the whole family involved and let kids know which flowers are good for bees, so they’ll know to get excited when they see bees around in the future.

    3. Expand your produce palate

    Pollinators, including honey bees, are responsible for 1 in every 3 bites of food that everyone eats, including many fruits and vegetables. Eating a wide variety of produce plays a role in enhancing the diversity of your gut microbiome, which has been reported to be good for your overall health.

    4. Work in daily natural energy boosters

    Consider a mid-afternoon break with a cup of tea sweetened with honey. Green and black tea both contain beneficial antioxidants, and honey is a 100% pure and natural energy booster.

    5. Make it Mediterranean

    Take a page from the popular Mediterranean diet and fill your plate with whole grains, lean proteins like fish, unsaturated fats, fruits and veggies – and use honey whenever possible. Honey is traditionally part of the Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern, as recognized in the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

    Next, try Michalczyk’s tasty recipe, which features honey and other foods that have been produced by the work of honey bees:

    Honey Apple Flatbread

    Ingredients

    1 tablespoon honey
    1/4 cup mascarpone or cream cheese, softened
    1 whole-wheat flatbread, pre-cooked
    1 Honeycrisp apple (or any other favorite apple variety), thinly sliced
    1/4 cup pecan pieces
    1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
    2 teaspoons cinnamon

    Directions

    Mix honey together with mascarpone or cream cheese until combined.
    Spread a thin layer of the cheese-honey mixture on flatbread and top with apple slices, pecan pieces, pumpkin seeds and cinnamon – plus an extra drizzle of honey, if desired.
    Makes 1 serving.

    To celebrate National Honey Month this September, the National Honey Board has launched ‘Honey Saves Hives,’ partnering with several U.S. companies that will each make a donation to Project Apis m., the largest honey bee nonprofit in the country. By purchasing participating made with honey products from these brands during September, you can help save the honey bees: Companion Baking, Justin’s, Lost Cause Meadery, Melle Water and Purely Elizabeth. Visit HoneySavesHives.com for more information.

  • 5 ways to boost your home’s curb appeal

    August 27, 2021

    (BPT) – It’s no secret that the U.S. housing market is booming right now. According to realtor.com, ‘Strong demand and insufficient supply pushed home prices up at a record-breaking 16.6% pace. The combination of historically low mortgage rates, busine…

  • 3 health-conscious home updates worth the investment

    August 16, 2021

    (BPT) – The pandemic has brought new focus to home enhancements that not only add value, but also support wellness. Today’s homeowners are investing in thoughtful improvements that prioritize safety and well-being, helping to substantially increase the…

  • 3 health-conscious home updates worth the investment

    (BPT) – The pandemic has brought new focus to home enhancements that not only add value, but also support wellness. Today’s homeowners are investing in thoughtful improvements that prioritize safety and well-being, helping to substantially increase the…