The document provides tips and suggestions for making environmentally-friendly choices in daily life. It suggests starting with small, easy changes and working up to more significant actions over time. Examples include choosing organic and locally-grown food, using non-toxic cleaners, reducing waste and emissions by walking, biking or carpooling, volunteering with environmental groups, and educating children about nature. The document emphasizes that substantial change happens gradually through consistent small steps.

1. If you want one year of prosperity, plant corn. If you want ten years of prosperity, plant trees. If you want one hundred years of prosperity, educate people. —Chinese proverb If you want one year of prosperity, plant corn. If you want ten years of prosperity, plant trees. If you want one hundred years of prosperity, educate people. —Chinese proverb

2. Baby Steps to Better Choices Baby Steps to Better Choices Baby Steps to Better Choices

3. “ Think About It” SEEK Natural Choices CHOOSE to Drive Less FOOD vs. Food Products TEACH Children to Respect All Life Make it Yourself Eat CLEAN Foods EMBRACE Nature & Life CONSIDER Needs vs. Wants WALK Bike Bus Carpool EVALUATE Your Chemical Usage

4. Create Positive Habits What to Watch For … Good Choice the easiest change to make Better Choice these changes are easy to start, but require mindfulness to create life-long habits BEST CHOICE requires a little more effort, the best first step for making some truly significant differences Change to Consider

5. “ Think About It” Good Choice select ORGANIC alternatives for your usual grocery items Better Choice choose organic whole- food items over packaged food products (anything in its own “wrapper”) FOOD vs. Food Products Eat CLEAN Foods

6. * Know where your food is from * Keep more of your money in the local economy * Savor the freshest herbs and produce available * Reconnect with nature, the land, & your food * Enjoy the beautiful foliage you helped create – take pride in it * Plants make excellent stress-relievers, take full advantage BEST CHOICE Join a CSA, plant your own garden or container garden and utilize compost! www.localharvest.org/csa

7. BONUS All About Compost Benefits of Compost ENRICHES AND REJUVENATES SOILS beneficial microorganism growth increases moisture retention shown to inhibit plant diseases and pests reduces chemical usage … naturally encourages greater yields at harvest time U.S. Waste Stream 23% Perfect for Composting

8. BONUS All About Compost Benefits of Compost ENRICHES AND REJUVENATES SOILS beneficial microorganism growth increases moisture retention shown to inhibit plant diseases and pests reduces chemical usage … naturally encourages greater yields at harvest time HELPS PREVENT POLLUTION reduces methane production in landfill averts polluted storm-water runoff wards off erosion, silting, and turf loss U.S. Waste Stream 23% Perfect for Composting

9. HELPS PREVENT POLLUTION reduces methane production in landfill averts polluted storm-water runoff wards off erosion, silting, and turf loss BONUS All About Compost Benefits of Compost ENRICHES AND REJUVENATES SOILS beneficial microorganism growth increases moisture retention shown to inhibit plant diseases and pests reduces chemical usage … naturally encourages greater yields at harvest time ECONOMIC BOOST low-cost replacement for landfill cover and synthetic soil enhancements keeps biodegradable items out of waste-stream extends landfill capacity low-cost option for soil remediation http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm U.S. Waste Stream 23% Perfect for Composting

10. All About Compost “What Goes IN the Bin” According to the EPA Houseplants and clippings Leaves Newspaper – shredded/moistened Nut shells – crushed Paper – clean/free of grease Sawdust Tea – loose and in bags Wood chips and small twigs Wool scraps/rags Yard trimmings Cardboard tubes Coffee grounds – filters too Cotton fabric scraps Dryer and vacuum lint Eggshells – crushed Fireplace ashes Fruits and vegetables Grass clippings Hair and fur Hay or Straw

11. http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm All About Compost “What NEVER Goes IN the Bin” KEEP OUT! Animal-based products including dairy, animal fats (lard, grease, oil), and actual meat or fish (as well as any bones or scraps) – which attract undesirable pests and creates unpleasant odors Black walnut tree leaves, twigs, chips, or bark – release potentially plant-detrimental substances Coal or charcoal ashes – potentially harmful to plants Diseased or pest-ridden plants – diseases and insects can survive composting and be transferred to new plants Pet wastes (canine and feline feces as well as soiled litter/paper) – potential to negatively contribute parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses which can be harmful to humans Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides – as pesticides can kill beneficial composting organisms

12. EVALUATE Your Chemical Usage SEEK Natural Choices “ Think About It” Good Choice avoid toxic chemicals (Check with your local County agency about safe chemical disposal/repurposing programs) Better Choice choose gentle, natural, environmentally-friendly products like natural enzyme cleaners http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html

13. A multi-functional “miracle” product; * Excellent non-toxic household cleaner * Kills most mold, bacteria, and germs * Laundry softening agent * Safe vegetable wash * Lime scale remover * Odor eliminator * Low-impact pest and weed control http://www.vinegartips.com/cleaning/ BEST CHOICE Select alternatives with ingredients found in nature. White Distilled Vinegar

14. TEACH Children to Respect All Life EMBRACE Nature & Life “ Think About It” Good Choice reconnect with nature, simply appreciate the gift of nature Better Choice bring a bag and pick up trash while on walks / everywhere

15. * Be an active environmental steward * Establish and protect animal habitats * Place spiders outside – they have a lot of work to do * Deter ants with vinegar * Use plant-based insect repellent with protective clothing * Bring bags on walks-pick up litter (recycle at home) * Volunteer with a “green team” * Plant a tree to honor a loved one or to mark special occasions * Keep a bug-friendly garden BEST CHOICE Teach children the importance of nature through your examples.

16. WALK Bike Bus or Carpool CHOOSE to Drive Less “ Think About It” Good Choice carpooling saves gas, money, and reduces vehicle emissions Better Choice take the bus and save time, energy and reduce the stress of driving http://www.epa.gov/oms/climate/420f05004.htm

17. Be prepared * wear appropriate footwear * 5 minute warm-up walk * gently stretch muscles * end with 5 minute cool-down walk * gentle muscle stretch Get moving *Lower “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol * Raise “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol * Improve blood pressure * Manage or reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes * Get your weight in check * Maintain strength and fitness BEST CHOICE Walk or Bicycle at every opportunity! Create an inter-office, friends, or family-wide challenge – for the “Go By Bike Challenge” Safety first! http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walking/HQ01612

18. CONSIDER Needs vs. Wants “ Think About It” Good Choice hand-made crafts can make wonderful gifts that can be reused and cherished Make it Yourself

19. CONSIDER Needs vs. Wants OR purchase Locally-sourced HANDMADE gifts “ Think About It” Good Choice hand-made crafts can make wonderful gifts that can be reused and cherished Better Choice make and give “sew” easy reusable totes and shopping bags (a gift anyone can use!) Make it Yourself

20. * Start holiday tradition of serving food to the homeless – as a group * Volunteer with a family member, let them pick the activity * Visit with someone homebound * Schedule a gift lunch with you as a gift (why not make it a picnic lunch?) * Give gift cards – with the condition that you get to shop with the person * Make a gift certificate for one (uninterrupted) hour of your time BEST CHOICE Give a truly one-of-a-kind gift – Y O U!!! Memories make the most loved and longest lasting gifts!

21. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Restore. Reconnect. REUSE Redefine “ Disposable” as “Reusable” (Switch to Cloth Kitchen Towels) RESTORE RECONNECT Plant Seeds For Tomorrow & Repair Items to Maximize Use-life Make Time to Reconnect With Nature- Everyday ! Stop & Smell the Flowers! RECYCLE Buy Products Made From Recycled Materials & Recycle Everything REDUCE Unplug Items When Not in Use & Switch- off Entire Power-bars At Night

22. BEST CHOICE Bring Your Own Bag! * Customize for a great gift * Color coordinate with your outfit * Save a tree * Reduce pollution * Keep our oceans a little cleaner * Keep our wildlife a little safer Paper or Plastic??? Neither, thank you, I brought my own! DON’T BE A DRAG … BRING YOUR OWN BAG!!!

23. It’s all about baby steps … We didn’t get where we are over night. It took centuries to evolve to our current way of living. With each new generation, we simply sought to improve our lives. Our parents and grandparents may have touched on “conservation,” but, most likely, it was more economic based than environmental based. We pretty much got here without even realizing what we were doing. Thankfully, we are now realizing the far reaching effects of our life-style choices and daily activities. We must start taking the sustainable baby steps necessary to maintain life and to leave something positive for future generations. Whatever your first baby step is, just make it.

24. If it’s all about baby steps … what are the next steps? What are more benefits of eating organic and/or whole-foods? http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/polyphenolics031203.cfm http://www.sierraclub.org/truecostoffood/ What else should I know about CSAs? How do I find one in my area? http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ What else can I do in my home to improve indoor air quality? http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35698 http://home.howstuffworks.com/low-voc-paint.htm How do I find a “green” volunteer group in my community? www.volunteermatch.org Where do I start if I want to drive less? (see what Oregon state is doing) http://www.drivelesssavemore.com/driving/ (from slide #18) http://www.1world2wheels.org/go-by-bike-challenge What other ways can I simplify holidays and birthdays? http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/rethink-holiday-traditions.html http://www.greenplanetparties.com/pages/GreenPartyTips.htm www.celebrationforest.com How can I start a recycling/composting program in my community? http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/wastewise/index.htm (click “Partner Support”) Find all these links and more at www.BabyStepstoBetterChoices.com – click on “Think About It!”

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