Oh the simplicity of ripping off a paper towel square, swiping up a mess and tossing the whole glob into the trash.

The ease of the paper towel can quickly overpower your eco-conscience until you unthinkingly grab for one after every little spill. Suddenly it means nothing to create mini mountains of used paper towels in your trashcan after every dusting session or bathroom cleaning.

In a plastic-dominated world, it’s hard to imagine doing everyday tasks completely plastic-bag free. But you can do it! And the environment will thank you for it. 

Plastic bags are incredibly harmful to the environment: One plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to degrade and remains toxic even after it breaks down, according to reuseit.com, a company that sells reusable bags and educates consumers on how to live plastic-free.

Why contribute to harming the earth? Follow these simple tips on how to live without plastic bags and you’ll wonder why you ever thought you needed them anyway.

Often when I’m making dinner, I imagine creating decadent dishes, so tasty that I’ll wonder why I ever go out to eat. Then cluttered counters with no space to chop vegetables or a wasted five minutes spent searching for that serrated knife I know I put somewhere gets me so frustrated that my professional chef illusion completely shatters.

Too many evenings spent in the kitchen ending with an exasperated me and a messy space inspired me to reorganize my kitchen. If you too dream of an uncluttered, efficient kitchen, then create one! Organize and simplify your kitchen with these easy decluttering tips.

After awhile, the humdrum of using the same ordinary glass vases to showcase your flowers can start to wear on you. Those gorgeous flowers you nurtured from seed to bloom (or purchased at your local farmers market from someone with a greener thumb) deserve a special vase. And why buy new when you can repurpose items you already own? Check out these seven common household containers that make beautiful and whimsical repurposed vases.

Disasters such as the massive earthquake that devastated Japan get us all thinking... about how prepared we aren't. They serve as a wake-up call to make sure we are equipped for a potential emergency. While you may not live in an earthquake prone region, there are numerous situations that put us all at risk. Experts suggest that in the case of an emergency, it could be at least 3 days before a rescue or vital services are restored. Having a 72-hour plan can make a huge difference in your chances of survival.

Funky bright-colored vintage bed sheets carry a certain charm. Making up a bed with bold-patterned vintage linens adds cheerfulness to a bedroom. Why not bring that fun to the other rooms in your home? Learn four ways to repurpose vintage bed sheets into cheery home accents.

Do you have an old dresser that’s looking a little worse for wear? Perhaps it has some chips and nicks, or a broken handle? Maybe it’s just outdated? Don’t toss it in the garbage. Salvage the dresser drawers to reuse as other items in your home.

Now that we’ve got you hooked on our picks for the best foodie documentaries, let us whet your appétit with these top 10 foodie books. We suggest getting a few friends in on the action for a mini sustainable book club – trust us, you’ll want to discuss with someone. PS: Go eco when you can and buy in e-version, or used.

The 8.9 earthquake and ensuing 30-foot tsunami in Japan have combined to form one of the biggest disasters ever recorded. In the wake of it, dozens of cities and villages spanning 1,300 miles of coastline were rocked by violent tremors that reached as far as Tokyo. Now, conditions are getting worse day by day, so get involved by donating or volunteering at these disaster relief charities for humans and pets.