Jodi Helmer

Jodi Helmer is the author of The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference (Alpha) — a guide to simple ways of living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, one day at a time — and writes about all things green for magazines like Plenty, Backpacker, American Way, Yoga Journal, ReadyMade and Midwest Living. She developed an interest in living green during a 7-year stint in Portland, Ore., where she rode the light rail through downtown, spent Saturday mornings at the farmers market and spent her hard-earned freelancing dollars at locally-owned restaurants and boutiques. She Originally from Toronto, Jodi now lives in Charlotte, N.C., with her dachshunds, Molly and Milo. Visit Jodi at GreenYear.com

It was 80 degrees last weekend (don’t shoot the messenger; it’s one of the perks of living in the South) and I spent some time relaxing on the patio. Cold glass of water in hand, I surveyed my surroundings: worn furniture and barren pots as far as the eye could see. Time for a patio makeover … and since I wrote a book about making green choices all year long I have no real excuses not to do it green. I’ve learned a lot about how to choose products that are green yet also practical and affordable.

Working out takes a lot of energy – and not just the physical kind. You probably haven’t given much thought to the environmental impact of your workout — but the gear it takes to keep you comfortably, safely active can leave a surprisingly pudgy environmental footprint.

I’m a sucker for love letters and chocolate, so it should come as no surprise that I look forward to Valentine’s Day. Show a little love for the planet and your partner by having an eco-friendly evening.

Last week I walked out of the supermarket with four paper bags and no she-brings-her-own-bags discount on my receipt. I forgot my canvas shopping bags — again. I walked the three blocks home worrying that the thin little handles would break from the weight of the apples, milk and laundry detergent; and thinking of ways to make sure I didn’t commit the same environmental indiscretion next time.

Confession: I spend as much time searching for the perfect holiday gifts for my dachshunds, Molly and Milo, as I do choosing gifts for my parents. (Sorry mom and dad)!

I’m not alone.