12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 12. Happy Holidays!

If you were able to follow the complete [12 Days 'Til Christmas] series, then congratulations!

Please continue to always do your best for the environment, as well for yourself and loved ones.

Enjoys those Christmas presents, food and fun. You've earned it!

For those that weren't able to follow us, feel free to look through the thread and proceed at your own pace. Mother Earth will thank you either way...

Merry Christmas to all our [Be + Green Beans] subscribers and supporters. 

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 11. Something Borrowed

We know this is the season of giving, but sometimes it's good not to get completely carried away with that merry spirit. That's why Be + Green Beans is encouraging you to look into:

Day 11: Something Borrowed

As we get closer to Christmas and a New Year, this is a good theory to follow for days to come. Whether it's borrowing some tape, hammer, or a paintbrush, see whether a friend or neighbor could lend you a hand. It will save you a buck, some space and a trip to the hardware store.

Oh yeah...

Plus, the environment will thank you for putting something less in the trash bin.

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 10. Shut Off Computers

For those getting ready for a much-needed vacation, today's tip fits perfectly into your schedule.

Day 10. Shut Off Computers

You've done the 'Secret Santa' and thanked everyone for an amazing year. Plus, you've cleaned out your desk and checked your flight (or hotel) information twice. But before you leave the office, make sure that your computer is turned off. U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 75% of energy consumed is due to an idle electronics (and no, screen savers don't count).

As a matter of fact, this should become a resolution for 2010. So go ahead and mark this down on your list, right after healthier eating and [especially] before sky diving.

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 9. Last Minute Gifts, Bring Your Own Bag

If you're still doing several rounds of shopping, why not bring your own canvas or eco-friendly reusable bag.

Day 9. Last Minute Gifts, Bring Your Own Bag

This will not only cut down on the 11 million plastic grocery bags used each year, but will also make it easier for you to tug around those gifts. If you have an idea of what you want to get, you can insist on sticking to just the few bags that you carry to get the job done. We guarantee that with this system, not only will you be doing your part for the environment, but also sticking to that shopping limit and budget.  

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 8. Maintain Your Vehicle

It's another workweek starting up. Luckily, this one's short and sweet with Christmas at the other end of it. You'll soon be visiting friends and families to drop of gifts and visit à la St. Nick's style. For those traveling far, it's a good idea to follow-through on today's challenge:

Day 8. Maintain Your Vehicle

Even if you're not going far, it's always a good idea to take care of your car and make sure that everything's functioning smoothly. You'll extend the life of your vehicle, while also creating less pollution and saving on gas. When you're car is maintained, this means that everything is working properly and depleting some of that extra gunk that cars are commonly dumping.

Also, while you're at it... When was the last time you cleaned up on the inside too? Glove compartment, trunk and in-between the seats included.

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 7. Visit the Farmers' Market in Inwood

According to various weather reports, Washington Heights + Inwood are expecting their first winter storm today. Just in time to finish up the Christmas gift-wrapping and get ready for a little hibernation.However, before even doing that, residents here should first make sure that everything is set in the kitchen area. That's why today's eco-friendly tip is:

7. Visit the Inwood Farmers' Market

Gather all those fruits, vegetables and treats for the coming week. Because nothing says holiday spirit like some fresh, delicious ingredients. So go ahead and shop 'til you drop at the market. Your family, local producers and Mother Earth will thank you.

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 6. Enjoy the Scene

Today's task is a simple and nice one. Since it's Friday, we decided to go a little easy on you. Plus, we're already halfway there. Just sense the excitement... So sit back and get ready for our next challenge:

Day 6. Enjoy the Scene

For those that work near a park, take the opportunity today to walk through and enjoy their beauty (regardless of the weather). If you're someplace where there's no green left, then just imagine how beautiful everything will look once in full bloom. Those of you that don't have one nearby, then decorate your space with green today. Whether it's a nice plant, a picture of a garden, or even a green sheet of construction.

The point of today's challenge is to imagine, enjoy and live being green beans.

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 5. Recyle, Recycle, Recycle

Whether it's reusing old sheets of paper, properly stowing away that stack of newspapers or recycling an old cell phone, the theme is basically the same: recycle.

So as we continue our [12 Days 'Til Christmas] run, Be + Green Beans is kindly reminding you to:

5. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

Also, if you wish to receive a Be + Green Beans t-shirt, just sign up for our bloggie-updates. We've extended it since it's only fair that the offer runs through the [12 Days 'Til Christmas] surprise.

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 4. Take a Shower w/ Your Partner

We're not trying to get wet & wild here, but taking showers together actually saves, well—water.

So go ahead and use this day as an excuse to squeeze in that morning time together in the bathroom. And if they ask, tell them that today Be + Green Beans is celebrating:

4. Take a Shower w/ Your Partner

If they want to know anything further (which we doubt they will), also let them know that this is your eco-friendly effort to save the environment and them. 

We Mean Business: Win Free "Be + Green Beans" T-Shirt

Make a Be + Green Beans Difference!

Join us in making the world a little greener, and just in time for the holiday season with...

Be + Green Beans: 12 Days 'Til Christmas

If you sign up today, you'll receive a free Be + Green Beans t-shirt. Be sure to read the fine print too.*

There's nothing to it.

Besides.

What other green and life-altering decisions have you made today?

::[Offer ends: Wednesday, December 16, 2009]::

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 3. Pay Bills Online & Switch to Electronic Statements

We're halfway through the month, and for some of you that means it's time to pay another round of bills. Others will more than likely pretend like this day never happened and finalize their shopping list at the nearest shopping center. Whatever the case is, we'll go along and commemorate this day as:

3. Pay Bills Online & Switch to Electronic Statements

So as you click submit and scan those pesky invoices, think of the good you're doing for the environment. Not only are you saving paper, but also your time and sanity by avoiding those long lines at the local post office.

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 2. Unplug

Today's the day to unplug. This means disconnecting all those appliances that are not used on a daily basis. 
 

2. Unplug

Not using that coffee maker? Unplug.

How about that microwave? That's right. Unplug.

Other things like stereos, printers and home theaters could also be disconnected. Although you may not know it, these little devices are sucking up energy as you read.

So if you don't use it everyday, then pretty please just unplug away. [Being eco-friendly even helps us rhyme.] 

This may seem small and trivial now, but could save the environment and tons of energy in the long-run.

12 Days 'Til Christmas: Day 1. Turn Off the Lights

It's Sunday and the work-week is basically here. That's why the first gift to Mother Earth is going to be a simple one. We're going to make it so that you won't even know you're saving the environment, but you are...

So without further ado, here is the [Day 1] of the 12 Days 'Till Christmas Event.

1. Turn Off the Lights. 

Yes, you've been told this thousands of times before. Yet it really hasn't stuck, now has it?

We're not sure if it's cause you're afraid of some boogie-man or creepy-crawlers in the night, but we do realize that you tend to forget and leave them on.

Whether its finishing up in the kitchen, playroom or bathroom, if you're planning on being out for longer than 15-minutes then go on and flick that switch.

Turning off the lights will not only save the light bulbs, but also the monthly billing. Your utility bill will thank you later, and so will the environment.

Join Us This Christmas for the 12 Days 'Til Christmas Be + Green Beans Celebration

This Christmas season, why not give [Mother Earth] something special...

No, we're not talking about the latest 32" flat screen television or the latest Apple-gadgets.

We're talking about something bigger and greener.

For this holiday season, Be + Green Beans has the eco-perfect solution.

Starting Sunday, December 13th, we'll be hosting the "12 Days 'Till Christmas Be + Green Beans" special...

Each day we're going to post a different activity for you to do at home, work, while in the train or in the rain... Just a little green-friendly encouragement for you to remember during the holidays. These will be simple, easy to-do things that will make a large difference.

So mark your calendars for Sunday, December 13th and get ready to give [Mother Earth] the absolute best gift she's ever gotten on Christmas Day. (Gift wrapping mess not included.)

Who knows?

This might balance out our weather again, giving us those hot summer days that went missing last season. That's something to go Christmas-caroling about.