Go Green on Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving Day is one of those rare times throughout the year where you have a chance to catch up with your family and share what you’ve been up to all year ‘round. With all the cleaning and preparing you have to do in order to accommodate your guests, you might think “greening” your Thanksgiving dinner would be too difficult to even think about.

The truth is, like all your other choices throughout the year, it is very easy to make small changes that can make this day a nod towards the environment. Another benefit is that you will set an example to others on how easy it can be to enjoy an eco-friendly holiday season.

Here are some easy tips to green your Turkey Day:

1. Green your shopping - shop locally!
   Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to shop for your staple and perishable items at your local Farmers’ Market. Many of the recipes in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner rely on fresh whole foods that are in-season. You can find almost everything you need as far as veggies are concerned (carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams) as well as fresh cheeses and breads to complete your dinner table!
2. Eco-Clean the house!
   Whether you are the one toiling around the house the day before or you have a little bit of help, be sure to use non-toxic cleaners. These eco-safe cleaners are so much healthier than their alternatives and can make your house shine just as well! Either way, using non-toxic cleaners can make your house sparkle without chemicals. Want windows that sparkle? Here’s a recipe you can use!
3. Encourage car pooling!
   Fewer emissions and more parking spots will be the benefit in making this suggestion to your guests. It might take a little planning, such as distributing the names, phone numbers or email addresses of guests who live near one another, but it is well worth it.
4. Serve “Green” Liquids!
   Be sure to serve up organic wine or champagne with real cork, not plastic stoppers or twist off tops. Cork is renewable and no tree is touched to make cork. You can also serve organic vodka, gin, cider, wine or beer; buy local if possible. Instead of bottled water, serve crisp, clean water by using a faucet filter or a pitcher such as a Brita. A Brita “filter uses an ion resin exchange to reduce lead, copper, mercury, cadmium, zinc, and other impurities from drinking water.” Flavor it up by adding squeezed lemons, limes, or oranges.
5. Recycle all you can!
   Donate leftovers or use the greens in your compost. Be sure any aluminum cans go into the recycling bin and that any paper plates are biodegradable so they can be “re-used” as well!

There are so many more ways to go green on this day – let us know your ideas!