The other day, my longtime friend KC and I were discussing green ways of living. We both decided that not everyone has the ability, time, motivation or inspiration to compost, garden or create green spaces in their yards. So, with the help of my friend, I have compiled 10 quick and easy ways in which even the simplest tasks can make a difference in living a greener and healthier life. 1) Wash dishes in a bin: When washing dishes, I use a small bin that fits perfectly in my sink. I put the silverware in first and cover it with a little bit of hot water. I turn the water off while I wash the …

I consider myself to be a sentimental person. I can remember being young and watching an elderly couple, hand in hand, cross the street in my grandparents' retirement community. Even then, before I knew what love was, I appreciated what they shared. As I grew older, I discovered how much I cherished the little things, the cards and little sticky notes I would receive from friends and loved ones, sharing sweet remarks and friendly reminders of how very loved I am. All of these cards and sticky notes have found their way, over the years, into one box. As I went through them, I decided that they…

All my life, I have been a planner. I was a Girl Scout and, therefore, someone who has a plan and then a backup plan if and when something goes wrong. I always prepare for myself and anyone else who I travel with. This includes extra food like peanut butter crackers, trail mix, apples and grains. I’ve always got a first-aid kit, a sewing kit, sunscreen, glasses and an extra pair of clothes in my bookbag. In my late 20s, I find that I have more of an ability to decipher which items are necessary and which are not. However, there are times – such as now, as I am planning my hiking trip out west…

August is quickly approaching, and you know what that means: It is time for crop rotation. As you already know, gardening can be therapeutic, save you up to $300 a year in groceries and serve as an eco-friendly alternative to non-locally-grown foods. It is fun, sustainable and creates a green space for wildlife. There are several reasons why crop rotation is necessary when there is a change in the season. First, common plants such as tomatoes and peppers tend to share the same nutrients and may also become susceptible to the same pests and diseases. Therefore, it is important to change their …

July is a hot, sticky time in Florida. You have probably noticed that the wildlife is moving a bit slower, the rains have increased and the grass is growing faster. It is also a perfect time to harvest your plants, especially the ones that are about to reach their seasonal expiration. Most plants like banana peppers, green peppers, summer squash and okra are ready to be harvested and nearly out of season. Before you rotate your crop — which is ideal and healthy for the soil and plants — be sure to try one of the following recipes to gain the most from your harvest. Squash was not ever my …

Recently, I learned that the average household produces almost 8 pounds of garbage a day. One-third of that waste is organic matter, so why not save the scraps for a more meaningful purpose, like composting? Composting has many beneficial qualities. Not only will it serve as free fertilizer for your plants, but it is also a great source of organic nutrients and is one of the most eco-friendly changes you can make without a whole lot of work. Thankfully, there are classes available to avid gardeners and beginners to help in this process. I learned about the basic science behind composting from…

In light of movements around the world, I thought it would be appropriate to share the ways in which homeowners and business owners can start making the shift to renewable energy. Not only is it important for the environment that we start heading in that direction, it's also important to our bank accounts. Floridians have a unique opportunity to harness one of our greatest natural resources without having an impact on our environment: solar power. There are many incentives for homeowners and business owners who choose to make the shift to solar panels as a renewable energy alternative. …

As you may be aware, Florida’s oceans are as fragile as a delicate new bloom of a flower. The intricate ocean ecosystems are susceptible to the negative effects of civilization, people and pollution. Not only does litter such as plastic serve as an extremely dangerous and potentially hazardous entanglement, but it also promises to subsist there for hundreds of years to come. The many populations of dolphins, sea turtles, manatees and fish life depend upon their waters to grow and flourish. Last year, when 206 million gallons of oil leaked in to the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon …

Sus-tain-able: a word with such great meaning in this day and age. According to the Encarta World Dictionary, sustainable means able to be maintained or maintaining ecological balance exploiting natural resources without destroying the ecological balance of an area.  When I think of the word "sustainable," I think about living with a sense of balance and purpose. Not only does sustainable mean living with ecological regard but it also means making greater life choices to maintain that balance in every possible way. For much of my life I have acknowledged the greater understanding that if you …

A majority of the time my friends value my opinion and cherish the naturalist that I am. However, there is one battle that I constantly lose, and that is the one pertaining to our health and beauty. For many years, I have been under the impression (along with many others, I am sure) that chemicals in our food are bad, anything genetically modified is not natural and therefore we should stay far, far, away from it. So, this brings me to another query, why, oh why, are we still using shampoos that use synthetic ingredients that some argue is toxic to us? (This according to the Environmental …

At last! There is a beautiful and comprehensive plan to address Florida’s high use of fertilizers and pesticides that contain large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. The plan is to ban all fertilizers during the heavy rain seasons. Starting on June 1, all of Pinellas County will be restricted from using some fertilizers! The countywide ordinance prohibits people from using or buying fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus through Sept. 30. I cannot express to you all just how thoroughly pleased I am to hear about the endeavors of Florida’s Sierra Club chapter to persevere in this …

Wow, the signs of summer are drawing nearer. The windows are officially closed so the thermostat can be set to keep our house cool. Just last week we had such a nice cool down, the mornings were brisk and the evenings were delightful. Of course, as it is my usual luck, I decided to travel out of the state of Florida right as soon as the weather brought a sweet gift. I went to Michigan, where I attended high school, to watch a very dear friend and his lovely bride tie the knot. Michigan greeted me with rain, big black clouds and a cool wind. As soon as I landed, I said right out to the …

Just the other day I was sitting at a nature preserve watching the sun drop below the horizon, right around dusk, when around the corner came a beautiful black skimmer. She had her wings spread out wide, low to the water with her big orange and black beak slightly opened skimming for silvery fish. I was overwhelmed with joy at the sight of this. In honor of this moment, I am focusing this week’s column on how we can help in the conservation efforts of this imperiled species and other shorebirds this nesting season. As many of you may already know, Florida is nesting ground to several …

Ah, the days of summer are drawing near. It reminds me of when I was a child. Summer meant two things: no school and free nature exploring. Almost all of my fondest memories consist of the outdoors and pretending that Pinellas Trail was a far-off land while we climbed trees and made believe that wood chips were the insides of abalone shells from the book "Island of the Blue Dolphins." My best friends, my sister and I would spend every day discovering earthworms in the storm drains after a rain and bury things like orange peels to see how long they would take to decompose. I think we can all …

Mothers, they are the link that holds our families together, the ones who endured our birth, give us breath, have rocked us to sleep, bandaged our cuts, cared for us, hugged us and loved us when we needed it. And, above all things, mothers are the ones who selflessly gave hope and laughter to us throughout our lives. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have a loving mother who dedicated her life to raising three very successful and well-rounded children. She showed my sister and I the value of traditional woman qualities. She tirelessly prepared meals, shared with us what a mother should be…

Typically, when it comes to nature, my motto is “what happens in nature, stays in nature." I tend to look around and take it all in visually, as opposed to treating nature as a tangible item meant for me. However, there are special occasions, such as teaching children about the nature around them that I tend to make special exceptions. This week I chose to focus on bringing kids back into nature. My sister and I were fortunate enough to spend parts of our childhood with Mother Nature. I vividly remember my favorite shirt, one with animal paw prints on them, used for a tracking reference. Our …

Just the other day my outdoor enthusiast buddy and I went for a canoe adventure down the Alafia River. As we drove through Brandon into the more rural spaces, we discussed just how very much we appreciated the green spaces in Florida. The very idea that within one hour we could jump in our cars and head to the nearest outdoor escape is just so appealing. Having the ability to embark on such adventures is just another perk to living in Florida. Although the Alafia is an amazing kayak and canoe experience, in all of its glory with class-one rapids, you do not have to travel that far to enjoy …

April is officially deemed Water Conservation Month in Florida. This means that daily life changes need to be made in order to bring awareness to our water usage and the ways in which we can easily conserve. Thus far, we have successfully brought this month in with some welcome heavy showers. Despite the recent heavy rains, lower-than-average annual rainfall up to this point, means that drier conditions are expected to continue. In Florida, where our last October was the driest it’s ever been, we must welcome the rain like it is a long lost friend. Our wetlands and the ecosystems that rely on…

Spring time means garden design! I am certain that you are noticing all of the beauty that surrounds you as the days get longer and the air blows warmer. Nature is at its peak and so are we! Lately, as I walk to and from my garden plot, I have noticed that there are numerous art installation pieces by neighbors and friends popping up all around the land. The most recent installation was a simple collection of twigs trimmed back from a large oak on the property. My friend and mentor collected the twigs and formulated a nest looking piece underneath the bird bath. In all of its simplicity it …

Every year, for the last five years, on March 26 at 8:30 p.m. I have happily participated in the Global Earth Hour movement. It is a time when the entire world pauses to reflect on their energy consumption. The challenge is to withstand a solid hour without electricity pulsing through the walls. Since I am so dedicated to this goal, I try each year to gather as many friends as possible for a candlelit dinner to honor any positive changes and other action steps that we can make to help preserve the earth for generations to come. It has become a sort of tradition for everyone to give their …