Sustainable Living Made Simple GOING GREEN FOR SUMMER
While summer is a favorite season for many, it’s also a time when people start slacking in their sustainability efforts. They start using more air conditioning or try other environmentally unfriendly methods. While there are certainly some days when we need the A/C, there are many more we can survive without it. In addition to turning off the air conditioner, there are other things we can do regularly to ensure a sustainable summer.
energy. Instead of relying on the A/C, utilize your fans more often or open your windows after the sun goes down. Don’t leave your air conditioner on if you’re leaving the house for more than a few hours. Also, keep in mind that summer brings more sunlight, which means we can open the curtains and let the sunshine in instead of turning on a few lights. Get your produce from farmers markets. Farmers markets offer a great selection of local produce and other foods. If you’ve never been or don’t go regularly, you should make a habit of going as often as you can. Not only are you supporting local businesses and farmers, but you’re also helping the environment since you’re buying from vendors that don’t have to travel far to sell their products. Avoid using disposable products. Summer is the best time for picnics, and many will try to use Styrofoam cups and plastic utensils for easy cleanup. However, these items are incredibly harmful to the environment! Rather than buying single-use items, bring Tupperware or other reusable containers, and be sure to clean up after yourself.
Here are a few practices to incorporate into your life this summer that will be less damaging to the environment than the alternatives.
Control your home temperature and lighting. We all know how refreshing it can feel to walk into an air-conditioned home after a hot summer day, but air conditioners use a lot of
Don’t Let Your Dog Miss Out This Season! SUMMER FUN FOR YOU AND FIDO
If you consider your dog family, you probably have felt the pain of leaving them at home when embarking on a new adventure. Sadly, not every destination is pet-friendly, but North Carolina does have a delightful array of hangout spots that welcome your furry friends! As you dive into summer, there’s no reason not to let your puppy pal tag along with you. Burntshirt Vineyards, Hendersonville Spend a warm July afternoon at Burntshirt Vineyards where you can savor various wines with your canine companion by your side. Located in Hendersonville, this vineyard allows dogs as long as they are leashed and well-behaved. You can purchase a gourmet lunch box or bring snacks to enjoy on a vineyard picnic. Burntshirt Vineyards is a peaceful place to unwind with your favorite friends (furry or not). 4 Paws Kingdom Campground + Dog Retreat, Rutherfordton Want a wide-open area for your dog to let loose and embrace their zoomies? 4 Paws Kingdom Campground + Dog Retreat is a fun-filled day trip spot you and your dog will love. According to Travel + Leisure, this campground is the No. 1 dog-centric campground in the country! Whether you’re camping or just visiting during the day, you can enjoy numerous off-
leash parks, a swimming pond, an agility park, hiking trails, a doggie bathhouse, and much more. Ghost Hunters of Asheville, Multiple Locations Too scared to embark on a ghost-hunting experience on your own? Bring your puppy protector with you on these haunted tours! Join ghost hunters in any of their three locations: Asheville, Montford, and Black Mountain. These paranormal experts will bring you along for a ghost-hunting experience you’ll never forget. Meanwhile, your dog will be there for emotional support! SkyTop Orchard, Flat Rock Pick from over 20 varieties of apples atop McAlpine Mountain, where your pup is more than welcome to soak in the mountain views, bamboo forest, and ponds. This orchard is also well-known for its mouthwatering apple donuts, made fresh every day! Your dog can enjoy the vast orchard’s play areas, picnic spots, and barnyard animals.
These dog-friendly destinations are just the tip of the iceberg for summertime adventures you and your furry friends can explore. North Carolina is home to many natural wonders and parks, which means endless fun for your canine!
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