1	Escape The relics of the past live on in Galicia, a seaside gem in northwest Spain. read more...
2	Salon Hasblady Guzman and the basis of beauty. read more...
3	Spice The many faces of Chef Lorena Garcia. read more...
4	Casa Making your home more eco-friendly. read more...
5	Driver’s Seat A dynamic duo with forward thrust. read more...
6	Style Products that make great presents for papi. read more...

Green Sweep

Make your home, office and even shopping more environmentally sound with these common-sense tips

Kermit the Frog was wrong. The beloved Muppet, who sang “It’s not easy being green,” would be thrilled that today being green actually has never been easier. In fact, Kermit has even jumped on the eco-friendly bandwagon, starring in ads for the Ford Escape Hybrid.
And like our favorite Muppet, you too, can be eco-savvy. Peruvian-born Domenica Brazzi, host of Galavisión’s weekly decorating program, Decorando Contigo, offers some simple steps that anyone can follow.
“By helping to conserve natural resources, you’re helping to save the planet and life on the planet, contributing to the health of human beings,” says Brazzi, a spokesperson for the cotton industry. Since green standards are not regulated, Brazzi recommends “Go for natural, everything closest to nature.” By that she means biodegradable, renewable and recyclable.

Illuminate Smartly: Beginners can switch to low-energy light bulbs such as compact fluorescent or LEDs (light emitting diodes), which can save up to 75 percent on electricity, according to Brazzi. When possible, open the shades or curtains for natural light.
Eliminate Synthetics: Get rid of cleaning products with harsh chemicals. Use natural fabrics and fibers. Consider replacing polyester drapes in favor of cotton curtains, which let in more light, she says. Bedspreads and towels made of 100 percent cotton are also recommended.
When painting, choose eco-friendly brands that are free of petroleum-based acrylics. They can be more expensive, but they don’t smell as strong.
When its time to renovate, replace synthetic carpets, which trap dust and allergens, with bamboo flooring. “Every year, about 5 billion pounds of rugs and carpets go into landfills,” says Brazzi. Bamboo is a great renewable resource. As a grass, it grows much faster than trees that take years to grow.

Refurbish and Reuse: Instead of throwing out a perfectly good piece of furniture, give the sofa a new look with a slipcover. “It changes the look of a room if you don’t have a budget to buy new furniture,” Brazzi says.

Be a Water Saver: In the kitchen and bathrooms, replace old faucets with ones that have flow-restrictor aerator heads.

Do Away with Disposable: In the kitchen, eliminate plastic utensils, paper towels and napkins, instead using cloth napkins and dish towels that can be washed and reused. Use a reusable containers for bottled water.

Go Retro: Abuelas were among the first eco-friendly shoppers, taking their own bags to the grocery store. Follow their lead and skip the plastic bags, which often end up in landfills. Instead, buy reusable cloth bags. If you’re set on the plastic bags, reuse them in the home or recycle them at the store.

At the Office: If you recycle bottles, cans, plastics and paper at home, do it at work, too. Even trade magazines can be recycled. Call the local waste management agency for a special magazine bin. Also, buy recycled paper and notebooks.

ECODICTIONARY

Decode green lingo and find out what the most misunderstood terms mean exactly.

Biodegradable: Materials that can be broken down and go back into the environment without harming it.
Renewable: Items that can be recuperated because they can be replaced, such as trees through planting of new ones.
Recyclable: Objects that can be processed and remade into something else.

Green Links
Log onto these helpful sites for more information.
Cotton: www.cottoninc.com
Eco-friendly office: www.thegreenoffice.com and www.seejanework.com
Health: www.epa.gov/indicators
Home improvement/insulation: www.bondedlogic.com
Paint: www.greenplanetpaints.com and www.milkpaint.com
Reusable bags: www.greenbag.info and www.reusablebags.com