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Welcome to the 32nd "Green" Tips Message. This message is sent to all subscribing users on a weekly basis providing simple tips on becoming more Green! This article is part of Earth911’s series, where they showcase ways to green your life in various areas.This week's message provides simple tips on:

7 Resolutions, With a Green Twist

Resolution #1: More Family Time

According to About.com, “Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken and others shows that more than 50 percent of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.”

Sounds good to us! But what to do with all that time…

• The kids – Explore the great outdoors To inspire an appreciation of nature, give your kids a chance to really explore it. Do some quick research to find out more about the environmental treasures in your own backyard.
• Your significant other – Get up, get out and do something Getting involved in your local community can be a fast, easy way to get connected. A simple trip to the farmers market can help sustain local growers, hook up with your neighbors and find some fresh, organic grub. Also, a Saturday of volunteering at your community garden can help you better understand the use for your own compost or those old tires you were storing in your backyard.
• Parents – Food, glorious (organic) food Mom and Dad probably prepared, literally, thousands of meals for you as a child. Repay them with a delicious family feast made from sustainably sourced ingredients. Sustainable Table has some great suggestions, or you can also whip up your mom’s favorite recipes using environmentally conscious ingredients like free-range eggs, locally raised bacon and organic fruit.

Resolution #2: Resurrect the Workout

Weight and overall health often take the top spot on the list of resolutions. In fact, diet and health awareness is growing now more than ever, and not just among adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2006:

• • 18 percent of adolescents age 12-19 years were overweight.
  • 15 percent of children age 6-11 years were overweight.
  • 11 percent of children age 2-5 years were overweight.

While motivation may be your biggest hurdle, starting with simple steps is both healthy and green. Though gym memberships can be convenient and provide an opportunity to meet people, adding up membership fees and the amount of energy it takes to power a 24-hour gym may be cause to reconsider your routine. Get back to the basics and try taking your activities outdoors:

• • Take a jog around the neighborhood instead of on a treadmill.
  • Swim laps in a community pool instead of using an elliptical machine.
  • Lift yard waste in your garden instead of free weights in the gym.

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