Every time you drive solo in an SUV, you're adding more than 1.5 pounds of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases to the environment with each mile. Change your driving habits and you make an immediate impact on the environment. Take short trips on foot or by bike instead, and you'll also make an immediate impact on your health. While riding your bike at a leisurely 6 miles per hour, you can burn 240 calories an hour or more. Walking at a normal pace of 2 to 3 miles per hour, you can burn up to 300 calories or more each hour. Because of recent reports of chemical contaminants in bottled water, many people are becoming concerned about drinking water from disposable plastic bottles, and especially about using plastic bottles to feed infants. Beyond the possible health concerns, buying bottled water is a "ridiculous use of plastic and an incredible waste of money,". A better option: Buy an environmentally-friendly reusable stainless-steel canteen-like bottle for carrying your water around. For hot beverages, use a thermos so you won't contribute to the "staggering" number of disposable coffee cups and lids that are thrown out each year, she says. Look online for specialty stores in your area that sell clothes made fabrics produced using the least amount of harsh chemicals, like hemp, organic cotton, wool, or silk. This will maximize your contribution to the environment and minimize your exposure to potentially toxic chemicals. Fruits and vegetables are often shipped hundreds of miles or more from other states or countries before they reach your supermarket, which means they may have been picked weeks before you eat them. However, if you buy locally grown produce from a farmers' market, for instance, the food is likely to be freshly picked. You'll also have the chance to ask the farmer if the fruits and vegetables are organic or if any pesticides or other chemicals that could pose a danger to the earth, or your health, were used on them. Plant a tree (or a few!) in your yard as a family project. Improved water quality; and providing you with calming surroundings. They found that vegetarians are less likely to be obese, have lower cholesterol, and are less likely to have heart disease caused by blocked arteries. If you're considering the vegetarian route, or just want to cut back on meat, just be sure to get enough protein through other sources like peanut butter, beans, soy foods, and eggs. Planting and maintaining an organic vegetable garden in your yard provides countless benefits. You can enjoy a variety of veggies that are far fresher and taste better than anything you'll find in the supermarket.