Becoming an Eco-Driver: Green Car Maintenance Even Your Local Mechanic May Not Know

Becoming an eco-conscious driver doesn’t only mean you have to trade-in your old four-door sedan for an electric or hybrid model. Sometimes the greenest thing you can do is make your current car last for as long as you can. One way to help the car you already have earn its status as the environmentally-friendly vehicle that you’ve always wanted it to be is to find green alternatives to some of the most common car maintenance procedures. Here are just five green car maintenance alternatives that even your local mechanic may not know about.

1. Oil changes – According to Eric Wilson of 2ndGreenRevolution.com, “Choose a re‐refined oil or one made from bio-based animal by-products. Both are API approved and last up to 24,000 miles when matched with our dual stage oil filter.” Using these types of recycled motor oils can increase fuel economy up to five percent and can last twice as long as normal filters and decrease oil use by 70 percent, according to their site.
   


2. Leaking tires – He also writes, instead of filling under-inflated tires with air, to find a place that will fill them with nitrogen. This change will cause leakage to happen slower because nitrogen molecules are larger, making them harder to leak. And since properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency, nitrogen-filled tires may improve your car’s average gas mileage over time. Look around for service garages that offer nitrogen filled tires, but don’t overpay. Ten dollars per tire will more than cancel out any possible savings on fuel.


3. Low or no VOC paint – Paints with low volatile organic compound levels will always be safer for you and the environment than their highly toxic counterparts. So, if you’re thinking about touching up some rust spots or giving your car a new coat or color, consider using low or no VOC paint to do the job.


4. Windshield wipers – Did you know you can actually buy recyclable windshield wipers? Many windshield wipers are partially recyclable, but now manufacturers are making fully recyclable blades so nothing gets left in a landfill.


5. Windshield wiper fluid – Most windshield wiper fluid is made from methanol, also known as methyl alcohol and wood alcohol according to Ecoki.com. If ingested, this highly toxic chemical can be dangerous and even deadly. But companies are beginning to produce fluid without methanol as its base. These plant-derived products may have a higher freezing point but are just as effective.

When it comes to eco-friendly car maintenance, the products aren’t the only things going green. Jennifer Alsever, an MSNBC.com contributor, explains how shop owners around the country are aiming for a new level of environmentalism not only to benefit their customers, but also their bottom line. She reports that, “Shop owners say that by going green they can cut operating costs, reduce waste disposal costs, cut long-term liability and improve employee health.” It’s a win-win situation and the options really are endless when it comes to green car maintenance alternatives in today’s car market.

So, become an eco-conscious driver and take care of the planet as you take care of your car. Whether you’re looking for a new auto loan to buy a brand new fuel-efficient car or a used car loan for an eco-friendly car that’s a few years old, there are a number of financing options for you. Or, if you’ve decided to stick with the car you’ve already got, consider an auto refinance to help you save money on your existing loan. It could save you more money to use on your next green car maintenance trip.

Thunderstorms Are My Best Summer Memories

As a child summer was always magical for me. I loved those hot summer days playing in the backyard with my neighbors and cousins, eating snowballs and running through the sprinkler on the hose. Days without school seemed marvelously endless. But I especially loved the late summer thunderstorms that would kick up in evenings. They would come on unexpectedly, with only the heat lightning to give warning of their arrival.

We didn’t have central air conditioning when I was young, as a matter of fact my parents still don’t have it, and although we had window AC units we usually didn’t turn them on unless it was “hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk”. So we usually slept with our windows open to the still summer air. That was probably the best part.

My father would always run our big window fan in hopes of creating a much sought after breeze, and I could easily hear the trains at night; they would blow their whistles as they passed. And there was always traffic on the nearby highway. These were the sounds of summer.

I loved to lay in bed at night with the window open and listen to the thunder storms as the approached. The wind would begin and the trees would start to rustle. Then the cicadas would sing in the approaching storm, and pink lightning would ignite the sky. And then the rain would come; straight down, in warm showers. I would smell the rain; so warm and fresh. It made everything different, clean somehow.

My parent’s house had a metal roof and the sound of the summer rain on that roof will always mean home to me. I would lie in my bed staring out my bedroom window, feeling the storm induced breeze and think about all those important things children think about. I would be comforted by the sound and sleep would come.

To this day I love to see the summer sky light up with a heat storm. I’ll sit at our sliding glass door watching the thunder storm roll in. Although some storms can be scary, never do I feel frightened of a summer thunder storm. They are always beautiful and calming. And they always take me home again.

Maryann is the mom behind Matthew’s Puzzle, her blog about autism recovery, green living and everything in between.

Beds for the Environmentally Conscience

Summers are getting hotter each year, winters are also warmer and the general climate of the Earth is increasingly unpredictable and filled with violent weather. These are the results of global warming and pollution.

Many homeowners are moving towards creating an environmentally friendly home and using the environment for their design inspirations.

For those that are environmentally conscience one area that has been of concern is the bedroom.  Parents especially worry about the effects of standard mattresses on their children’s beds.

The current standard mattress is manufactured with ‘man made’ materials that can cause allergies, asthma or worse. The total amounts of effects from materials used in the standard mattress remain unknown.  These mattresses do not ‘degrade’ when thrown away, increasing the landfill mass.

The good news is that environmentally friendly mattresses are now available. These mattresses are available in all of the standard sizes; you will have no problem finding one to fit your bed, and more importantly, for your children’s bunkbeds.

The eco friendly mattress is made from all natural sources, organic wool, organic cotton and 100% natural latex.

Organic wool has shown to lower humidity when next to the skin, it is said that it results in a calmer heart rate. Due to these properties your body will maintain its optimum temperature.

Organic cotton is grown in soil that has been dormant for at least 3 years; it has not been treated with fertilizers or pesticides in that time frame.  Natural compost is used for fertilizer, and introduction of ladybugs control the insects. Pesticides do NOT wash out of cotton. Fabrics made from non-organic cotton ‘out gas’ toxins that can be harmful.

100% Natural latex has natural properties that repel dust mites. Basically they can't live in it. It also has properties that prevent mildew.  100% natural latex will not ‘pack down’; it will remain soft and pliable for years to come.

Latex that does not state 100% natural is either totally man made, or has been treated with petroleum-based plasticizers.

The choice is clear – environmentally friendly mattresses are a winner! I personally would not get any other mattresses for my children’s bunk beds.

Healthy Cookie Dough Dip Recipe

This is RJ from VirtuousGirlhood.com. Marianna was nice enough to let me guest post today and I wanted to share this easy and healthy cookie dough dip recipe with you all!

I am currently on a sugarless diet. (sort of) and I saw a recipe for cookie dough dip. I died. I love cookie dough, but I was not about to eat a 600 calorie sugar laden dip.

There are lots of recipes for a healthy cookie dough dip, but all of them call for ingredients that I didn’t have and they were not easy. So I revamped several of the recipes, mushed them all together, and came up with this! It’s oh-so easy and can be made within five minutes. The best part? It tastes exactly like cookie dough.

Ingredients
2 cups of chick peas (You can buy a can in the store. Just be sure to drain them.)
1/2 tsp. of salt
1/2 cup of chocolate chips
2 tsp. of vanilla
3 TBSP of sugar
2 TBSP of coconut oil (or any oil)
2 TBSP of milk

Directions
Mix everything together in a food processor. Or pulse in a blender. Everything, BUT the chocolate chips. You want to pulse it until everything is really smooth. When you finish just add chocolate chips and serve!

This tastes exactly like cookie dough dip. No one will know any different. (If you are like me then you can serve it to your friends, then watch them groan about the calories and laugh your head off when you tell them it’s healthy!

I made this for my family and they ate it up. They didn’t believe me that it was healthy until I showed them the chick peas. You can enjoy this with any sort of cracker or fresh fruit.

RJ is a homeschooled teenager who is a passionate writer, amateur photographer, dreamer, and lover of rain who lives in the country. If you can’t find her at the barn with her horse you can find her hanging with her loved ones and friends. You can check out her blog at - www.virtuousgirlhood.com.

Cooking Scrambled Eggs with a Preschooler

One morning I was preparing to cook breakfast, scrambled eggs to be exact, when my three year old son joined me in the kitchen to ask if he could help with anything. This child is my youngest and usually the last to think of anyone but himself these days and so after I got over the shock of him wanting to help, I decided I would take this moment for us to have some quality time together. I informed my son that Mama was making scrambled eggs, but he surely could attempt to crack the eggs just like on the Wii game we play together called Cooking Mama, if he wanted to.

Happily the three year old asked me to pull up a chair to the counter so he could crack eggs. The funny thing is, my son really thought that cracking eggs was just as easy as they look in the Cooking Mama video game! After two failed attempts at cracking an egg alone, I decided to assist with the egg cracking business by simply placing my hand above his and keeping him from tossing the egg shell into the bowl a third time. Success was made and the boy was smiling from ear to ear!

After we placed three eggs into a small cereal sized bowl, I added some milk into a measuring cup so that he was able to pour milk into the bowl easily. I handed my son a fork after showing him a short tutorial on how to scramble up the egg yolk, egg whites and milk. I watched as my three year old son smiled the biggest smile ever stirring those eggs all up until they were blended good enough to scramble for breakfast.

Since my son was so adamant on helping me with the cooking process, I took this moment to teach my son something that my sister and I used to do back in our younger years, cook scrambled eggs in the microwave. I took the cereal sized bowl full of eggs and milk over to the microwave where I placed them inside and closed the microwave door. From there I placed the cook time for one minute exactly and asked my son to hit the start button. I held my son in my arms as we counted down with the timer on the microwave and as it beeped he jumped out of my arms to hit the open button on the microwave.

The next step was to stir up the eggs another time in the bowl and sort of chop up any egg that was cooked more than the rest of the egg inside of the bowl. My three year old son watched as I showed him what to do and he took over making sure the eggs were stirred up real good before I placed the hot bowl back into the microwave for another minute and a half. Once the time was up, we had a hot bowl of fluffy scrambled eggs ready to eat. I had my son help me move the eggs from the hot bowl into a room temperature bowl and we sat down to eat together chatting about what he just learned to do.

This was the day that I realized my son was ready to start being more independent. Ever since that day my son has helped me prepare the bread for grilled cheese and prepared the eggs for me to cook on the stove top. I am proud of my little independent three year old, for he is learning to cook, help his mother and be a valuable part of our family unit by doing what he thinks is fun!

This is a guest post written by Brandy Tanner, a NH Mom blogger who owns Happily Blended Blog, where she writes daily about her challenges in life, parenting and working from home but all with a positive mindset.

Battling the Post Baby Bulge

At first the baby bump was cute. Everyone was excited and you couldn't wait to show it off. But now that your bundle of joy has arrived, the baby bump is frustrating and you have to hide it. Losing the excess baby weight after childbirth is a very common problem for many of us. But it can be done!

photo courtesy morgueFile

The pregnancy process is a bit counterproductive to a normal 'fit' lifestyle. Your body craves more food and physically, you are forced to slow down and take it easy as the due date approaches. This creates a natural slowing of your metabolism as well as an increase in fat deposits for most of us. After giving birth it is usually a hectic adjustment to the constant waking to feed along with recovery from the physical experience; which makes the idea of exercise daunting to say the least. However this is one thing you should do for yourself and your baby!

Focus Points

• Abdominal muscles
• Lower back
• Arms & Shoulders

Some strength training should always be done after giving birth. You need to focus on a regular workout for abs and the lower back to help combat strain to the body from weight gain and weight loss. In addition, a change in breast size due to feeding can cause lower back problems if the muscles aren't strengthened. Also the arms and shoulders are typical trouble spots that need to be worked on. Carrying around a newborn and all of that baby gear is hard work and strong arms and shoulders will help immensely.

Cardiovascular Work

• Yoga
• Walking/Running
• Aerobics

photo courtesy stock.xchng

Surprisingly after the first few weeks of childbirth is the best time to start exercising again. A basic schedule has been developed for napping and you will have some time to devote to regular exercise. Yoga is very popular because it typically includes calming meditation as well as strengthening into the workout program. You can easily pop in a DVD while the baby naps.

Walking and running are another good starting point because you can utilize nap times and a stroller to enjoy exercise as well as getting out of the house. Aerobics can be a bit much to jump right into but with the variety of exercise programs and DVDs, they are very easy to incorporate into a nap schedule.

Diet

Typically right after child birth is not the best time to start any sort of hard diet. Your body is in recovery mode and if you are breastfeeding then you do not want to limit nutrients. However portions can be reduced from what you were eating in the previous two months as that was eating for two. Additionally drinking lots of water and eating regular meals will go a very long ways to re-establishing a more normal metabolism. Many people after birth end up eating sporadically and in a very unhealthy manner due to time constraints of adjusting to life with a baby.

Losing that baby weight and getting back in shape with not only help you physically but also mentally. This can help battle postpartum depression, strengthen your body for the coming toddler years, and help alleviate stress. By taking some time to help yourself, you will also help your child and family by having more energy and a better mood.

This is a guest post by Keira Sullivan and has been brought to you buy AbdominalWorkouts.com.

Improving Your Sleep to Relieve Lower-Back Pain

Do you toss and turn at night because of lower back pain? Part of the problem may lie in the mattress you sleep in. Studies have shown that a number of factors are involved in your sleeping habits that may contribute to lower back pain. From body positioning to the firmness and surface material can contribute to giving your back the proper relief during night time.

While there may not be any one solution that will solve every single body type or problem, there are key steps you can take to get a better night’s sleep for you and your back.

Position – Most people find themselves belonging in the category of stomach sleepers, side sleepers and back sleepers. Identifying which category you fall under can help to turn your attention that space in your mattress. The right mattress for your body type will help you relieve high-pressure points that can hinder proper circulation. Getting the proper circulation is important when you sleep as it should be able to deliver the proper oxygen levels to your body.

Additional support – Everyone’s comfort level is different. Providing additional support by way of a cushiony pillow top, mattress topper, or a firm body hugger may help to alleviate your lower back pain.

Choosing the right mattress – Whether you’re searching for a quality brand name mattress, or an affordable alternative, being well-informed prior to making your purchase can go a long way into providing you with a good night’s sleep. Everything from makes and models to warranty information, purchasing a mattress is an investment purchase.

If you are cross referencing the benefits of a Sleep Number vs. Tempur-Pedic bed, Mattress-Find.com is a great resource for potential buyers. This site provides important buying tips as well as additional tips on how to care for your mattress so you can maximize its effectiveness on your body.

It is highly recommended that if your back pain is severe, to go and see a medical physician, therapist or a chiropractor. These recommendations are simply ways that can help to alleviate your lower back pain, not completely solve the problem.

Gingersnaps Christmas Cookie Recipe

We have a family recipe for gingersnaps that we make just around the holidays, and it's a sweet and tasty version of a Christmas favorite. My friend Marianna is letting me share it with you, and we hope you and your family enjoy our recipe for delicious Winter Gingersnaps! We use cloves and extra cinnamon in our twist on this traditional treat because I love those spices, and it adds a terrific flavor. If you'd like to find more holiday favorites, check out my recipe for a Christmas glazed ham or Cherry Cheesecake on Penelope's Oasis!

Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 large egg
4 tablespoons molasses
3 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon ground gloves
1/4 tsp salt

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix shortening and sugar together with a blender. Add the egg, molasses and salt and mix together well.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and cloves together. Slowly blend in the mixture from step 2 a little at a time, mixing with blender.
4. Make small balls out of dough and roll each ball in sugar. Place dough balls on a greased cookie sheet and flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass cup.
5. Bake for 12 minutes (until light brown).

Penelope is a mom to one bunchkin and the author of Penelope's Oasis, where she writes about healthy living, beauty tips, and relationship advice.

Conserve Water & Save: Eliminating Water Waste

To most people, water seems like an unlimited resource. How often do you consider the amount of water you use and consume? Many people simply don’t realize just how much water waste takes place on a daily basis. Did you know that there are many simple ways to conserve water and cut down on the amount of water wasted inside and outside your home? Read more to learn some of the ways you can easily save this precious and valuable commodity.  

In the house
The bathroom is probably the room in the home where families waste the most water. But it doesn’t stop in the bathroom. By changing small habits in your home you may not only realize the water savings, but also the cost savings:

• Energy-efficient upgrades and appliances. If you’re thinking about making any or all of these energy-efficient appliance upgrades, or thinking about other eco-friendly home renovations, first consider the cost. Find the financing you want to fit your needs best. Use a home equity loan or home equity line of credit to pay for the work you want to do and get on your way to a more water-efficient lifestyle. Consider these water conservation options:
  
  
  • Toilets. According to the site WaterUseItWisely.com, fixing a leaky toilet can save up to 1,000 gallons of water a month. Also replacing pre-1992 toilets with low-flow toilets will also drastically cut down on the amount of water being used per flush. According to HGTV, a low-flow toilet can save you as much as $90 on your annual water bill.
  
  
  • Showers. By replacing old showerheads with new, water-efficient ones, you can conserve up to 750 gallons of water per month. This is a cheap and easy way to cut down on your bathroom water usage. Also try taking quicker showers. By shortening your daily shower by a couple minutes, you could save up to 150 gallons of water each month.
  
  
  • Washing machines/dishwashers. Most people may already do this, but always run your clothes washing machine and dishwasher only when they are completely full. On a similar note, if you hand wash your dishes, don’t let the water run the entire time. Instead, fill up the sink with sudsy water and wash all the dishes at once, then let drain, and fill up again to rinse. Also, if you can, upgrade your washing machine and dishwasher to newer energy efficient models, which can save water and money over the lifetime of the appliance.
  
  
  • Refrigerators. Not only should you get out of the habit of standing in front of your open fridge whenever possible, but also if you are able, upgrade to an energy-efficient model.
  
  
  • Hot water heaters. Replacing your old hot water heater with a new energy-efficient one may not only conserve water, but also money on your energy bill.
    
    
• Sink time. Unlike upgrading your appliances or making other energy-efficient home renovations, time at the sink offers a great opportunity to save water without spending any money. Here are three ways to conserve water at the sink.
  
  
  
  • Shaving your face. The water experts at WaterUseItWisely.com also suggest that you turn off the water while you shave. This small but important change can save up to 300 gallons of water per month.
  
  
  • Brushing your teeth. Like your mom always reminded you as a kid, don’t run the water while you brush your teeth. This one small habit can save up to 25 gallons of water per month. 
  
  
  • Fixing small leaks. Whether it’s an appliance like your toilet or a faucet, fixing even the smallest leak can conserve up to 300 gallons of water a month.

In the yard
While you may think there are limited opportunities to conserve water inside your house, consider these ways you can save water in your yard and around your house. Think about the following:

• Cleaning pets. When the weather is warmer, instead of bathing the dog in the sink or the tub, consider washing your furry friend outside. Pick a spot on your lawn that needs watering, and soap up your pet in an area that can use the refreshment.
  
  
• Watering plants. There are many ways to water your lawn and your gardens besides running the hose or a sprinkler, which can use up to 10 gallons of water per minute. Why not collect water from your roof to water your garden? Simply place containers at the base of your gutter spouts and use that run-off water. Or, instead of dumping the extra ice from your glass into the sink, drop the cubes into potted plants for a little bit of cool refreshment. Keep in mind that more plants die from over-watering than under-watering, so make sure you are giving your vegetation the proper amount of water and no more.
  
  
• Washing your car. While it may be difficult to wash your car with collected rain water, it is possible to conserve water when you wash your car at home. Never let the hose run while you’re soaping up your car. Also, when you’re tempted to just dump the dirty bucket down your driveway, dump it on greenery that can use a drink instead. However, keep in mind the kind of soap you use as you dump, and consider using a non-toxic, organic cleaner that won’t harm your plants.

The fact of the matter is we all can play a part in water conservation.Whether it’s letting your small children share a bath instead of filling up the tub multiple times, upgrading appliances to be water-efficient, or making large changes to our home. There is always something small we can do to help the environment in some way. And, for the projects that cost a bit more, there’s sure to be a financing option to fit your individual needs best.

 

How to Get Started with Composting

Composting is nature's way of breaking down and returning to the earth organic materials. By composting, you're helping to prevent pollution by avoiding contributing even more trash from rotting in landfills and instead, recycling naturally. Things otherwise known as trash decompose and return to an organic compound that can be used to enrich and fertilize your lawn and garden. Not only are you helping the environment by composting, you'll in turn have a more productive garden and reap the cost saving benefits from reducing the need to purchase harmful chemicals, potting soils, and additional water.

To properly compost, four ingredients need to be present - carbon, nitrogen, water, and oxygen. When composting there should be an approximate 2 to 1 ratio between carbon and nitrogen. The easiest way for me to keep carbons and nitrogens straight are to think of them in terms of colors - browns and greens. Carbon sources are usually brown and dry, while nitrogen tend towards things that grow and have a wet texture.

Now you're ready to start composting. But what can you compost? There are so many things that can be composted, it really does boggle the mind. Some items that can be composted are the following:

~ coffee grounds
~ vegetable and fruit scraps (including peelings, cores, and seeds)
~ tea leaves/bags
~ stale bread
~ eggshells
~ hay and straw
~ hair and fur
~ grass clippings
~ leaves
~ shredded paper with minimal ink
~ wood chips
~ yard trimmings (no diseased plants)
~ cardboard rolls
~ dryer and vacuum lint
~ shredded newspaper
~ cotton/wool rags

Things that you should avoid adding to your compost pile are the following:

~ dairy products
~ meat, fish and poultry (including bones)
~ fats, greases, and oils
~ food sauces
~ sugary foods
~ ashes and charcoal
~ invasive weeds
~ any trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
~ treated wood
~  pet feces (manure is okay)
~ non-organics (plastic, metal, glass - recycle these)

What are your thoughts on composting?  Are you inspired to start?

Kelly is a Type A mom living in Austin.  She's a stay-at-home mom and blogs at Texas Type A Mom about family, food, reviews, and living a green life in Texas.

5 Ways to Start Living Healthier Today

Everyone knows health is important. Money can't buy good health, and if you ruin your health, you may never get it back (at least, not without a lot of work). So why do so many people do so little about it? Being busy is the usual excuse, but considering how important maintaining good health is, it's really not a good excuse. So what are some easy ways to start living a healthier life today (even if you are very busy)?

1. Eat healthier- You may have difficulty finding time to make home-cooked meals, especially if you work, but the healthiest foods are not extravagant. Eating fruits takes no more effort than washing and peeling. Many veggies can be eaten uncooked, or eaten boiled with a little salt. If you are pressed for time, make family snacks out of fruits, vegetables, and cheese. Even family meals can be simpler and take little time by adding healthy fruits and vegetables or making a small investment in a crock pot, which will do a lot of the work for you.

2. Eat organic- It's incredible how many pesticides and antibiotics are added to our foods while being grown. Those chemicals are still in meats and produce when we buy and eat them, and they can affect our health. Even though you can't control what you eat at restaurants and at the home's of others, try to you more organic foods for your own family. You'll be happy you did in the long run, when your long-term health is stronger as a result of not having years of chemical exposure.

3. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day- this may be the most difficult thing for many people, especially moms. Who has 30 free minutes a day? If you get creative, you can find those 30 minutes to exercise while doing things you already have planned. Instead of driving to work, walk. Take your bike or stroll your baby to the market. Use a stepper or stair-climber while watching educational shows with your kids or watching the news. You can strengthen your heart and get your buns in shape even without extra hours in the day.

4. Take care of your teeth- Poor dental hygiene and gum disease is linked to a variety of maladies, including heart problems and throat infections. Simply brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing, and visiting a dentist annually can keep your teeth and gums healthier, prevent bad bad breath, and keep you healthier overall. Take care of your teeth, and teach your family to take care of their teeth as well.

5. Sleep more- Like exercise, this is something many people feel they don't have time to do. You may not realize how you are wasting your time, though. If you are catching up on emails at night, tweeting, or otherwise wiling away the hours, you have to prioritize. Lack of sleep not only affects your health, it's also aging and affects your concentration and ability to focus at work or at home during the day. Try to sleep at least six hours a night. Seven or eight hours is even better. Getting enough sleep allows you to give everyone your best.

Penelope is a mom to one bunchkin and the author of Penelope's Oasis, where she writes about healthy living, beauty tips, and relationship advice.

Whole House Water Filtration Systems

In today’s environment, there are many chemicals in our water supply that people shouldn’t drink. Most people are aware of these problems, so they drink bottled water to avoid the problem. However, bottled water is often no different than tap water and can make our fresh water supply more limited.

Bottled water creates serious problems for the environment.
Only 1 out of 5 bottles are recycled, creating over 3 billion pounds of discarded plastic waste. Ironically, most of this is dumped back into our water, making the tap water we drink even worse.

When people buy bottled water, they are usually just buying bottled tap water.
40% of bottled water is simply tap water in a bottle with a fancy label. Most bottled water is taken from the source of your tap water and filtered. You are paying 1000% of the cost for the same product!

Bottled water can often be less safe than tap water.
Bottled water is not required to test for e.coli, provide the source of the water, or even provide a test for quality of health. All tap water resources are required to do so and can’t distribute water unless they pass these tests.

To solve the problems of tap water while reducing harm to the environment, install a whole house water filtration system. These filters prevent cancer-causing chemicals from entering you water supply, while causing no damage to the environment. You will save money while enjoying chemical-free showers and great-tasting drinking water.

PuriTeam is owned and operated by Maria Williams, mom of 2 and advocate of healthier drinking water for all families. She offers free water analyses and free consultation on her site. Visit today and improve the quality of life in your home.