Plan a green Super Bowl bash that's a steal

Some are calling this the Recession Bowl because normally astronomical ticket prices for the 2009 Super Bowl are down by a couple hundred bucks. The typically wild commercials during the broadcast may be toned down because companies are struggling.

But that doesn't mean we can't pop open some brews and enjoy the last night of football for the season. We can also do it on a budget without creating a lot of unnecessary garbage too. Think lean, mean Joe Green for the current generation.

Ditch disposables

Buying paper plates and plastic cups and utensils for parties isn't necessary and costs extra. You already have plates, cups, and silverware in your kitchen, right? Unless you're inviting 50 people over to watch the game, you probably have enough stuff to serve with. If you don't, coordinate with a couple neighbors or co-hosts and ask them to bring a dozen dishes or glasses.

Matchy china is for Martha Stewart, and cute printed plates are for kiddies -- nobody will care during the Super Bowl. Afterwards, washing dishes just is a minor inconvenience (and dishwashers conveniently save more energy and water than hand-washing).

The real problem is that plastic is a non-renewable resource and adds junk to landfills. While paper plates are biodegradable, they often don't break down in modern sealed landfills. Stick with reusable dishes, and you'll also save money in the long run.

Go green beer

Football and beer got together like peanut butter and jelly, like CFLs and energy efficiency. OK, maybe that's just my house. Still, you can green your beer without food dye like St. Patrick's Day.

First, think local. I've made a commitment to a 100-Mile Beer Diet. It's like being a locavore for drinking. Skip the national brands, and look for beer brewed in your hometown. That means it hasn't been shipped very far, so you're reducing the carbon footprint. Oh, and I'll bet dollars to donuts it tastes better than certain swill that rhymes with "dud" too.

Most every state in the U.S. brews beer, and you can find brands near you though websites like the Brewers Association and Realbeer.com. Look for the suds themselves at independent liquor stores and chains like Beverages and More that have larger selections.

Another way to keep it eco-friendly is to get a keg or growlers if you expect a larger crowd. That eliminates garbage. But if you do have beer in bottles or cans, make sure to recycle them.

Make it easy on your guests and put out a separate trash can, box, or bag marked "recycling." Place it near the fridge or cooler so people can dump the empties when they're getting a fresh drink. Tailgating.com reminded me that bottle caps are made of steel and -- duh! -- that's recyclable too! It's easy to forget those little things, but they add up while watching a long game.

Make a veggie feast

Have you heard that there could be a hot wing shortage during this year's Super Bowl? Chicken prices are sky-rocketing due to the country's economic woes. One tasty and affordable way around this is to go vegetarian.

For years, I've been making a southwestern-style vegetarian chili that's perfect for a crowd. Nobody notices or cares that it doesn't have meat because it's loaded with flavor. Best of all, it's painfully simple to make and dirt-cheap. The ingredients are all things you can keep in the pantry, so you can whip this up any time, not just game day.

Super Bowl Chili

• 2 large cans of diced tomatoes
• 2 cans black beans, slightly drained
• 1 can chili beans in sauce
• 1 can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 small can "mexi-corn" (corn with red and green bell peppers), drained
• 1 medium jar southwestern-style salsa
• Tabasco sauce, to taste
• Cumin powder, to taste
• Chili powder, to taste
• Cayenne powder, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and simmer for at least three hours. Serve with tortilla chips, and top with your choice of sour cream, shredded cheese, onions, and cilantro.

Power down that HD

Finally, if you've upgraded the TV in time for the game (or are still considering it), make sure your setup doesn't hog extra energy. Check out our tips for buying and using your TV in an energy-efficient way.

The big thing to look for is a "home" mode instead of "retail" or "vivid." This can use up to 30 percent less energy, and it looks just as good (I've done this with my new HD-TV, and I'm still totally impressed by the picture quality). Also, plug the TV and all those other boxes into a smart power strip to reduce vampire power loads.