Ten ways to go even “greener”

You've stopped idling your car and never leave a room without switching off the lights. Where do you go next? Check out these suggestions for those who want to live a little greener and have the time, interest, or in some cases, budget, to do some more.

The following tips were adapted from Green, Greener, Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-Smart Choices a Part of YourLife, which illustrates the whole spectrum of green choices that you make.

• Food: Eat foods that are in season and don't have to travel long distances to reach your table. If your budget allows for some organic purchases, then prioritize by spending your money on organic versions of the dirty dozen -- fruits and vegetables such as peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, and nectarines, that tend to have the most pesticide residues. Onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, and others on the clean 15 list are not as crucial since conventional versions don't have as many pesticides.


• Food prep and storage: Avoid plastic containers when possible. Use glass and stainless steel to store your leftovers in.


• Personal care: Avoid petroleum byproducts, fragrances, and other unsafe chemicals whenever possible. Visit Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database to see how healthy your cosmetics are and to find alternatives when necessary.


• Children: Choose toys made without toxic chemicals. The easiest way to find them is to search Good Guide's extensive database.


• Cleaning: Simply cutting down on the number of cleaning products you use will save money and limit the number of toxic chemicals you're exposed to. Drain, oven, and acid-based toilet cleaners are among the most toxic in your home so try eliminating them first.


• Save energy: Save money, energy, and time by installing a programmable thermostat and programming it properly. Want to do a little more? You can support renewable energy by signing up for a green power plan with your local utility. You'll spend a little more money on your electric bill each month, but it's much less expensive than installing solar panels.


• Save water: Buying low-flow showerheads and faucets will not only save water, but also the energy it takes to heat water.


• Home improvement: Adding insulation to your home will cost money up front, but you'll save on heating and cooling bills. Skeptical? Start out by insulating your attic for about $116 a year savings on energy bills.


• Garden: Avoid using synthetic pesticides and other poisons. Some suggestions: Use mulch to prevent weeds, and weed by hand instead or relying on chemicals. Also use compost instead of fertilizer to feed your soil.


• Transportation: Drive less often. Try carpooling to work or taking public transportation once or twice a week. Run weekend errands on your bike or by foot. If you need to drive, then bundle all your errands together so you take fewer trips in your car.

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.