First let me say, shouldn’t Earth Day be celebrated 365 days a year? Nonetheless, it’s a nice reminder to have a special single day on the calendar to remind us of our responsibilities as stewards of this amazing place billions that billions of us call home. 

Read on to find out 5 Little Ways To Make a Big Difference on Earth Day  . . . and every day. Another bonus, all of these Earth Day ideas are “eco-active,” meaning while you help the planet, you help yourself! Win-win!

1)  Plogging: Plogging, a combination of running and picking up trash, has been billed as the most earth-friendly trend fitness trend in history. The word “plocking” comes from a language collision between “jogging” and “plocka upp” which means “pick up” in Swedish – note that this craze to clean up started in Sweden. While my family and I have participated in official lake and park clean up days quite often, I love how “plogging” is spontaneous and impromptu – you see trash, you pick it up and dispose of it properly.  My friend @Mollys.Miles makes a sad but true point when she points out how so much trash is within 10 yards of a trash can! Let’s be role models and change this behavior!

2)  Planting: Whether you go big and plant a tree, start a small garden, or tend to houseplants, planting improves the Earth (and thusly all of us) in so many ways. Trees and plant produce oxygen, improving the quality of the air, indoors and out. The provide shade, shelter and nutrients right in your back yard. Plants regulate the planets water cycle and offer a habitat for a myriad of other life. Plus, plants just look pretty, make you want to spend more time outdoors . .. and, plus, gardening is good exercise!

3)  Support Earth-Friendly Companies:  Many businesses are beginning to make changes in the way they operate, putting a new priority on keeping consumers and the environment healthy and supporting fair trade. And, for some companies, these earth-friendly attitudes have been with them from the get-go, even being the reason for “being” in the first place. For others, they are riding the “green” trend – either way, I’ll take it!  When you know better, you do better!

Two companies I’m proud to partner with are noosa yoguhurt, an insanely delicious yogurt made in small batches on a family farm in Colorado. You may have noticed this yogurt at the store, it’s the one that’s in the short, wide tubs! This is one of my favorite treats after dinner, for an afternoon snack or to take along in a little cooler for our hikes. There are no GMOs in noosa yoghurt and the company also reclaims all the water use at their farm/factory in Bellvue, CO. They are also big into how bees can help the earth and also “lending a spoon” in communities – read more here.

Also, La Sportiva  (headquartered in Ziano di Fiemme, Italy) is another brand that has our collective backs, literally and figuratively. They make technical gear for mountain sports and active lifestyles, I love their innovation, attention to detail, durability, and most of all, use of eco-friendly materials. For example, La Sportiva is committed to making products (like the Hail Jacket I’m wearing) that feature Bluesign approved fabrics and organic cottons. I hear they also have a line of climbing shoes (Eco Series) make from 98% recycled materials. When companies are mindful of how they make products and the impact this production has on the Earth, it means that our beautiful places will protected and preserved longer.

4) Ditch the Car: I know it’s not always realistic, but if you can walk, run or bike to your job, do it! Also, why not role model to the kids that you won’t die walking to school a half mile away. Seriously, I find it ridiculous to see the exhaust pollution coming out of cars who are idling in the drop off lane for up to a half an hour! I even once spent a month doing alternate transportation on a job I had in Houston. I would take the bus in the morning (really not that bad) and then, after work, I would change clothes in my office, and run about 5 miles home. In the rush-hour traffic, that drive would take me at least 45 minutes. Being younger and faster then, I could keep a 7 minute a mile clip all the way home, meaning I fit my workout in AND got home 10 minutes earlier.

5) Cook at Home: It seems like today’s custom is to eat out ALL THE TIME. We are such a convenience and me-driven society – grab a coffee and pastry on the way to work, eat out with co-workers for lunch, and hit the drive thru for dinner, or grab take out or overly packaged “meal in minutes” at the market.  Why not just cook at home? The benefits are enormous – you spend more time with your family, you have control over the foods and ingredients consumed, you save money, and just think of the reductions in trash from take-out bags, to-go containers and plastic cutlery.

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day? Which of these 5 Little Ways To Make a Big Difference on Earth Day inspires you? What are your little tips and tricks to reduce, reuse and recycle or other eco-friendly ideas? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

• If you want to stay in the loop for all things noosa, join the Cream of the Crop Fan Club.  They have an easy program where you can just log in to earn points which can be redeemed for swag!
• Find out more about the awesome Hail Jacket I’m wearing (perfect for spring weather) and other awesome La Sportiva products here!

Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by noosa yoghurt and La Sportiva, however all opinions, comments and enthusiasm remain my own.