ways to improve the enviroment: Caruso's Green Tip of the Day ~ Cleaners - 02/09/12 06:47 PM

Make your own cleaners.
Household chemicals, including some cleaners, contain volatile organic chemicals, which contribute to indoor air pollution and may cause disease.
A cost-effective way to make your home greener is to make your own household cleaners.
Many homemade cleaners use non-toxic ingredients and clean just as well as commercial cleaners.
 
*Making your own cleaner costs about 10% of the price a bottle of commercial cleaner, according to Karen Logan, author of "Clean House, Clean Planet." She says a bottle of her all-purpose cleaner costs 23 cents to make, versus a price tag of $2.69 for … (4 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Caruso's Green News! - 10/15/11 02:01 PM

I have read in the news that many cities are adopting local ordinances prohibiting the use of Single use Plastic Bags & Styrofoam. Why take such drastic measures to eliminate a specific waste stream? A recent report by Clean Water Action & Clean Water Fund in California spotlights the litter from disposable plastics and other single-use containers, napkins, and fast-food packaging are the culprits in the flood of trash making its way from city streets and neighborhoods into area waterways and then the ocean. Plastics likely make up a size able portion of the marine debris that exists today. Exactly … (3 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Keep Our Water Clean with Caruso! - 08/30/11 02:35 PM
 
Home and garden pesticides and fertilizers are contaminating California creeks, rivers, and oceans. Garden chemicals cause pollution when people dump them down drains or when they are washed into gutters, drains and creeks by rain, garden watering, or hosing down sidewalks. Here's what YOU can do to help.
 
1.) Avoid Using Pesticides. Be sure you have identified a specific pest problem before applying any pesticide. If treatment is necessary, use non-chemical methods or least toxic pesticides where ever possible.
 
2.) Keep Fertilizer and Pesticides off of Hard Surfaces. For example like sidewalks or driveways. Sweep any material … (1 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Caruso's Green tip of the Day! - 08/11/11 04:08 PM

Rent, don't buy, movies.One hundred thousand DVDs and CDs are thrown away each month.
So you won't be contributing to the trash pile.
Plus you could save more than $12 a pop.
The average movie rents for about $4, while the average new DVD sells for more than $16.
And that's your green tip of the day!
… (5 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Did You Know with Caruso... - 08/09/11 03:01 PM

 
Did you know......
 
About 89 billion plastic bags, sacks, and wraps are used each year in the U.S. According to the EPA, about 12 percent of plastic bags and wraps were recycled in 2007  Plastic bags are primary source of litter because they are light and aerodynamic and are easily transported by wind into the watershed. Once littered, plastic bags essentially never biodegrade. Instead the sun breaks them into small pieces that can choke and kill sensitive marine species such as turtles and birds. A five-year-long study by the Ocean Conservancy found that small plastic bags made up … (3 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Caruso's Green Tip of the Day! - 07/06/11 04:00 PM

Changing your work area from 72 degrees
to 78 degrees could cut your energy costs by as much as 15%!
And that's Your Green Tip of the Day!
**In Southern California, electricity costs more to create in the summer (when energy demand is at its peak) and less to produce in the winter during periods of lower demand. As a result, your GS-1 rate is lower during the eight month "winter" rate period (October-May) and higher during the four month "summer" rate period. Instituted in October 2009, this seasonal rate shift was designed to align rates with the … (4 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: International Surfing Day! - 06/15/11 03:21 PM

Surfers from all coastlines are encouraged to celebrate the 8th annual International Surfing Day on Sunday June 19, 2011. Originally created by Surfing Magazine and the Surfrider Foundation in 2004, International Surfing Day or ISD is an opportunity for board riders from across the globe to enjoy a day of surfing, environmental awareness, surf classes, clinics, contests, demos, surf film screenings, premiers, beach clean-ups, BBQs, benefit concert and after parties!!
Each year since the beginning, the ISD has steadily increased in popularity throughout the coastal regions of the world. Although it's incredibly popular in America's coastal states, Europe & Australia, … (3 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Get Your Green Thumb - 06/01/11 03:31 PM

Growing you own vegetable or herb garden can help trim the fat on your grocery bill - and your body! So are you ready to start planning? HGTV experts suggest that you consider these tips before you let your garden grow.
Start by making a list; it's easier to plot out garden beds when you put everything down on paper. Write down the herbs you commonly use and look up their soil, light and water needs. Take note of a plant's growing patterns too. For example, mint, a popular herb, tends to overtake gardens so is best planted by itself.
… (3 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Caruso's Green Tip of the Day! - 05/12/11 03:32 PM

Avoid using leaf blowers & other dust-production equipment.
Make sure to use an electric lawn-mower instead of a gas-powered one.
Don't forget to leave grass clippings on the yard - they decompose and return to nutrients to the soil.
And that's your green tip of the day!
… (3 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Go Green this Mother's Day with Caruso! - 05/07/11 02:38 PM

Mother's Dayis TOMORROW. It's a day to celebrate mothers and motherhood. But why not celebrate Mother Earth/Nature as well by going green this Mother's Day! Here are some examples I have come across to help you have a Green Mother's Day!
Homemade Organic Treats and Desserts: Why not switch to something healthy for a change? It is essential to select a good range of natural and certified organic ingredients from Organic Grocery Stores before experimenting on the recipes.
Greening the household: Green plants add a splash of color and fun to the household. They not only decorate your home, but also … (4 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Caruso's Green Tip of the Day! - 04/27/11 06:33 PM

Composting is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to reduce the amount of garbage your household produces.
Through composting, yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings and food wastes such as vegetable scraps can be turned into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that reduces the need for commercial chemical fertilizers in home gardens.
And that's your Green Tip of the Day!
… (2 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Green Real Estate - 04/23/11 02:29 PM

Iridescent light bulbs, low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient windows are among the new considerations for building a home these days. "Green" real estate that is more ecologically sound and environmentally friendly is resonating with a new generation of home buyers concerned with environmental impact and utility costs. With rising prices in oil and other fuels, home buyers want to stretch their dollars as far as they'll go. Therefore, Real estate professionals must meet and address the home buyer's considerations and connect with them on the issues they care about.
Here are a few ideas for connecting with such people to tap … (1 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Caruso's Green Tip of the Day! - 03/30/11 02:33 PM

 Non-biodegradable packing materials
Styrofoam packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and foam are useful during a move, but not for the environment.
To go green on your next move, try using old newspapers to wrap fragile items, and then recycle the paper when you unpack.
Wrap pieces of furniture and art with blankets to ensure they do not get damaged during the move instead of packing them in foam.
If you must use non-biodegradable packing materials, ask around to see if anyone has any from a past move to give you. Reusing is always better than buying new for … (2 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Caruso's Green Tip of the Day! - 03/22/11 01:25 PM

With the school year almost coming to a close and summer right around the corner, parents look ahead to plenty of hot summer days out on the road with the kids in the car. Just how hot those days can be may not hit you until you open the door of a car that's been baking for hours in a parking lot. The fun really starts when the little ones have to get in. Here is where your new solar powered car gadget comes into play.
In these fuel-conscious times, when consumers may think twice before cranking the AC, one … (1 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Eco-Friendly Kitchens - 03/09/11 03:13 PM

The kitchen is the heart of every home, because it provides a place for sustenance and good conversation and family pow-wows. If you're current kitchen isn't one that meets your needs, a green upgrade is probably what it could use. In addition to being able to customize your kitchen to your liking, you will also be able to decrease your electricity bill and preserve your food for longer.  
Here are some tips that can help you remodel your kitchen in an eco-friendly way.
Purchase energy-efficient appliance. Your refrigerator is a big consumer of electricity, because it has to run all … (5 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Green Getaways with Caruso! - 02/22/11 02:35 PM

For those of you seeking a greener lifestyle, an overseas trip is not necessarily the place to start. Unfortunately, as we all know, air travel has a killer impact on the environment. On the flip side, most environmentalists agree travel is essential for the development of cultural sensitivity and Eco-awareness. So how is it possible to be green and travel around the world?! Lets be realistic - short of carbon offsetting, eliminating your travel footprint altogether is not a very realistic option. Regardless, there are ways that you can minimize your impact without too much effort...or any of those pesky additional funds!
As a … (2 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Caruso's Green Tip of the Day! - 02/17/11 04:54 PM

Run full dishwasher loads.
You'll save up to 20 gallons of water per load, or 7,300 gallons a year.
That's as much water as the average person drinks in a lifetime.
And that's your green tip of the day!



*FAST FACT: You can save even more money by running your dishwasher during off-peak hours, usually from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Many utility companies offer off-peak energy rates. And don't pre-rinse if your dishwasher can handle it.
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.     
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker … (5 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Green Valentines - 02/12/11 01:35 PM
 

Around a billion Valentines are sent each year globally, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. So why not show a bit of extra love for the environment this Valentines Day. Here are a few ideas I have gathered for ways to GO GREEN this Valentines Day holiday!  
 
- Cards made from recycled or tree-free paper (this will be indicated on the card)
- Consider sending an e-card instead using one of the many quality services around.
- Fair trade and/or organic chocolate
- Choose organic and/or locally grown flowers
- Make a … (7 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Everything Old is New Again - 02/09/11 01:37 PM

Looking for a great way to help the environment and stay trendy at the same time? We at the Michael Caruso Real Estate Group would like to introduce to our locals, Simplify You Life.
Simplify Your Life also known as Contain Yourself originally started out as a side project just for personal fun and a way to help friends organize their busy hectic lives.  
The concept of Simplify Your Life is to live an organized, peaceful life without having to spend too much, and still finding a way to help the environment. Here's how they work:  They go out daily, … (4 comments)

ways to improve the enviroment: Children Can Go Green Too with Caruso! - 02/08/11 04:37 PM

Encouraging your children to do things can be an exhausting experience. Encouraging your children to go green can be even harder. Some children refuse to eat vegetables while others repeatedly ignore simple requests. But instead of forcing your ideals onto your children, you have to let go and empower them with positivity. Of course, eating fruits and vegetables as well as participating in eco-friendly activities is important for kids to start doing at an early age, so you have to play into their egos - empower them to make these better choices and show them it can be fun. Here are … (2 comments)

 
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Michael A. Caruso ~

Laguna Niguel, CA

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Surterre Properties

Address: 33522 Niguel Road #100, Monarch Beach, CA, 92629

Office Phone: (949) 495-8600

Cell Phone: (949) 584-2300

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