Today is a day to celebrate mothers. We think about all the things mothers do for us and our families. Our mothers provide us with comfort, warmth, food, clothing, a place to call home.
Our mothers are not the only ones that take care of us. Remember, our Earth has provided many of these same things that make our lives more comfortable and meaningful.
What have you done for the mothers in your life? On Mother’s Day, my dad was famous for gifts that would lessen my mother’s workload. A sewing machine, a new washing machine and a riding lawn mower come to mind. As you enjoy the day and spend time with family, take a few minutes to think of ways you can honor moms and Mother Earth.
Green is more than just a color now. It is a term used to represent a new way to live, work and play that lessens the workload or impact on our Mother Earth. Sustainability, living today in a way that will allow us to continue to provide for the needs of future generations, has been a buzz word. But now folks are understanding how our quality of life depends on it.
We can live green and make a difference without sacrificing how we behave. We can make choices at the cash register by making choices in the products we buy. Informed consumers are changing the ways that businesses market themselves.
Green choices are not just good for the environment. They can save us money. High gas prices have resulted in increased costs of power, food and goods and services including our entertainment. Home buyers are shopping for homes closer to where they work so they don’t spend so much on fuel.
The price is only one part of a purchase decision. Now, we also are looking more closely at the maintenance costs. Car shoppers are reading the miles-per-gallon labels as much as the bottom-line price so they can get farther on a gallon of gas. Appliance shoppers are using the yellow-and-black energy-guide labels to see how much it will cost to operate a new washing machine, television or refrigerator.

orlandosentinel.com