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. 

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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.