Environmental expert Sara Snow presented “Small Steps to Save a Big Planet” to Noblesville residents during a presentation March 21 at Noblesville City Hall, 16 S. 10th St. Snow’s appearance was hosted by the Sustain Noblesville Committee and courtesy of a grant from Vectren.
Snow is the creator and TV host of “Get Fresh with Sara Snow” and “Living Fresh” for the Discovery Networks. She is also the host of “Big Green Lies” for the Fine Living Channel and author of “Sara Snow’s Fresh Living.”
During her presentation, Snow spoke about creating a healthy home, as well as shared tips about reducing chemical exposure, using fewer disposables and utilizing more natural elements. Prior to her speech, Snow warned some of her tips “may not be obtainable on a day-to-day basis,” depending on the living situations of some audience members.
“By making small changes – even two of them – you’ll have a healthier home and living healthier for you and our planet,” she said. “It’s about what’s left after we are gone.”
Americans produce 4.5 pounds of trash per person, per day. Snow said easy ways to create less waste in the kitchen include using more multi-use and recycled material goods, not pre-rinsing dishes, turning old bed sheets into napkins and using towels instead of paper towels.
“Place paper towels under the sink and you won’t use them as often,” she said.
In the bathroom, Snow advised women to avoid products high in parabens, petroleum, phthalates, sodium laurel/laureth sulfates and synthetic fragrances. Cleaning the bathroom and all areas of the home can be done with five simple household ingredients instead of high-price cleaners. Snow said baking soda, lemon juice, olive oil, basic liquid soap and distilled white vinegar are very powerful disinfectants.
“I guarantee you can clean your whole house with these five ingredients and it will feel and smell so much better, and be just as clean,” she said.
Other tips Snow provided included using cold water while washing clothes (and washing less often), drying clothes on lines or outside instead of a dryer, adjusting your thermostat by 1 degree, placing more plants in your house to clean the air (suggested plants include Bamboo Palm, English ivy, Gerber Daisy and Peace Lily), composting and growing your own vegetables.
For more information, visit www.sarasnow.com.
