I (state your name) do solemnly swear to unplug my unused appliances. I promise to stop leaving that darned (insert name of frequently used electronic device) plugged in after I’m done with it. I realize that a plugged-in (name of frequently used electronic device) consumes electricity whether it is switched on or not. This wastes energy, and I’m (insert “tired of,” “fed up with,” or “so totally over”) watching my electricity bill grow. I vow to share this information with (insert name of irresponsible spouse, child, or roommate), who is always leaving stuff plugged in. And I will state my intentions publicly by visiting the Indianapolis Zoo’s myCarbonPledge website, where I can join thousands of other Hoosiers who have promised to reduce their energy consumption in an effort to decrease carbon emissions. And, because I love (insert name of favorite twice-weekly e-mail service with tips for greener living) so much, I will take my pledge as part of their myCarbonPledge green team. Then I will forward this tip to (insert name of friend, co-worker, or family member). Because the more we all reduce our impact, the less I’ll have to worry about this planet still being around for (insert name of child, grandchild, niece, or nephew) to enjoy.

On that note, we recommend seeking out local spa artisans that consider the planet with each treatment.

Be Bliss Massage offers customized healing treatments, from massage to skincare. Audrey also makes luxurious products from natural and organic ingredients, and packages them in recyclable containers, offering a discount for returned bottles and jars.

Mother Nature’s Sun’s mission is to help you live a healthier life through organic/green living. She helps create healthy spaces and offers holistic body treatments like massage and sound therapy.

Allison of Terebinth Spa makes her own spa products from organic and natural ingredients like shea butter, honey, beeswax, lavender, avocado, and yummy-smelling essential oils, then uses them at spa parties for massages and facials. Her services are ideal for bridal or baby showers or girls night parties.

The Green Piece girls recently invited over a few lucky friends for an afternoon spa session with Terebinth Spa. We were treated to mini-massages using her Peace Mountain Foot Balm and Jasmine Hand Jive and were amazed how quickly we were transformed from tense to tranquil in mere minutes. Our testers raved about the effectiveness of her products.

We know what you’re thinking: sounds great, but it must cost an arm and a leg. Well, friends, it gets better. Terebinth Spa operates by donation and/or on the barter system, and Be Bliss and Mother Nature’s Sun both have coupons in Green Savings Indy!

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

TuwA, based in Lafayette, Indiana, is an online marketplace for green products. Here, you’ll find everything from organic cotton tees and paraben-free shower gels to zero-VOC paint and dog beds made from recycled soda bottles. The folks at TuwA go to great lengths to evaluate the environmental impact of each product, including its ingredients, packaging, manufacturer, use, and disposal. TuwA and its employees also do their part by recycling, composting, purchasing carbon offsets and wind energy, and drinking from reusable water bottles (as opposed to the disposable plastic variety) at the workplace.

You can also earn carbon offsets used to build renewal energy projects (and make more green jobs available) just by shopping on TuwA’s site. For each TuwA point you earn, the company will purchase one pound of carbon offset through Carbonfund.org. And yes, there’s something it for you, too. When you accumulate 2,000 TuwA points, you’ll get a $20 gift certificate to the site.

You may now resume ogling the goods on TuwA…especially the purse with the built-in solar panel that keeps your cell phone charged. What will those genius greenies think of next?

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

For that answer and more, we recommend checking out the Citizens Home Energy Advisor, a free online service for Citizens Gas customers. Think of it as a home energy audit you can perform in your pajamas. All you need is your account number, plus some data on your home electricity usage (check old bills or call your utility provider to get these numbers). You’ll also key in some information about the size of your home and number and type of appliances you use. When you’re done, the program prepares a personalized energy report for you, letting you know how much energy your casa consumes and how it stacks up to similar homes. Numbers-oriented folks will appreciate the site’s “Improve My Home” section, where you can calculate how much money you’re spending to run your heating and cooling systems, lighting, and appliances (as well as how much you could save by switching to more energy-efficient models).

Not a Citizens Gas customer or want to take it a step further? Hir a green consultant like Green Irene or Home Chek (coupon in Green Savings Indy).

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

At Freewheelin’, kids ages 10 to 15 are eligible to participate in the “Learn and Earn” program, where they work with a mechanic to master the basics of bicycle mechanics, maintenance, and care. After 10 lessons, the participant gets to take home a bike, as well as a helmet, water bottle, and lock. To donate or shop, go to Tabernacle Presbyterian Church (34th and Central Avenue; enter through gym doors) from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Looking for someplace to show off your new bike? On Saturday, June 27, thousands of bicycle enthusiasts will gather in the moonlight at the Major Taylor Velodrome to participate in the Central Indiana Biking Association N.I.T.E. Ride (Navigate Indy This Evening).

When it comes to bicycles, the environmental benefit is obvious: More of them on the road means less carbon emissions and a healthier, cleaner planet for us all.

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

Whether you’re 16 and just old enough to drive yourself to the show, or older, and still refer to the big amphitheater outside Noblesville as “Deer Creek,” the Green Nation team wants your help. Visit Helping Indy Online and apply to help at one of the 20 shows taking place at Verizon Wireless Music Center and The Lawn at White River Gardens, now through the end of August. The best part: You get to see the show for FREE. According to insiders, sometimes the band even stops by to say hi to volunteers!

Sign up soon - only 15 to 20 volunteers participate at each show. Whether you like Def Leppard or the dudes from Phish, No Doubt or NKOTB, here’s your big chance to hear your favorite band and help the planet at the same time.

One solution? Say bye-bye to borers with tree treatments. Locally, Simple Man’s Tree Service offers Tree-äge (pronounced “triage”), a one-time, eco-friendly application that is injected into the tree’s vascular system and protects for 2-3 years. Ash Tree Care, another Indy business, uses Tree-äge to “save your ash” by preventing EAB infestations before they occur. Though some trees can be recovered after they’ve been affected, it is generally a more difficult, costly process.

Of course, you could always remove your ash trees altogether, or remove them and replace them with EAB-resistant trees. But is this really the best option? To see for yourself, use Purdue University’s Emerald Ash Borer Cost Calculator.

Now beat it, beetles!

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

Not so with Herbal Art. The Indy-based company produces soaps and other body care products (lotion, lip balm, insect repellent, even pet shampoo!) made from natural ingredients like honey, shea butter, lavender, and oatmeal. Bonus points: Their packaging is made with recycled content and is recyclable. Plus, if you live in the Indianapolis area, you can take advantage of free local delivery.

Another source for locally made all-natural soaps is Flower Child Aromatherapy. Available at Good Earth and farmer’s markets around town, the 5.5-ounce bars combine yummy scents like peppermint, lavender, cedarwood, and ginger with ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera tea tree oil, or carrots, all of which cater to different skin types.

Best of all, bar soap has less packaging, meaning when you’ve used that last flake of soap, all you’re left with is great-smelling skin.

Here’s to a clean and green summer!

OUT: Unloading on your colleagues about the slow crawl in to work.
IN: Unloading on us. Rush Hour Recycling sites are full-service, so all you have to do is pop the trunk and let staff do the rest.

OUT: Tossing your old analog TV set into a ditch on I-465.
IN: Bringing your old electronics (view a list of accepted items) to Rush Hour Recycling. These items typically contain highly recyclable and/or toxic materials. Workforce disassembles electronics, recycling all metals and plastics, and properly disposes of toxic e-waste. A $10 donation is requested to recycle a TV due to the expenses associated with safely disposing of lead tubes.

OUT: Giving your cardboard refrigerator box to the dude standing on the off ramp. He may be desperate, but he’s not that desperate.
IN: Recycling your cardboard at Rush Hour Recycling. We’ll take any corrugated cardboard!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjE0z02ex6o

Remember, buying items produced in Indiana not only supports the state’s economy, it helps reduce pollution since the items don’t travel as far to get to your dinner table. You’ll find markets in Zionsville, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Broad Ripple, 38th & Meridian, Binford Blvd., Ellenberger Park, City Market, Mass Ave., Greenwood, Chateau Thomas Winery…all around town!