Be The Queen of Green

From switching to sustainably-farmed food to ridding your home of any last remaining shards of carcinogenic-PVC-filled plastic, green-ing up your family life can be a tall order. But according to Helen Coronato, educator, green-living expert and author of "Eco-Friendly Families," when it comes to leading an environment-friendly family life, it is easy being green. It's all about making small changes, one reduced-carbon-footprint step at a time.

According to Coronato, any time is the right time to implement small eco-conscious changes. "You don't have to wait for the end of the school year or when you've got a bit more time to go green," she says. "Don't look at going green as this big, huge task. Little by little, start to make small adjustments. Just go for it. Don't worry about what you're not doing, just do whatever you can."

Reusing recyclable bags is one of the easiest ways to go green, says Coronato. "My whole philosophy is that it's better to use what you have instead of buying something new," she explains. Coronato also recommends putting the kids in charge of storing reusable bags. "It's a really easy way to get kids involved," she says. "When you go grocery shopping, make them responsible for putting the bags in the car."

RELATED: Easy Ways to Go Green

Save a tree (perhaps even an entire forest) and reduce sending paper mail as much as possible, advises Coronato. "I can't tell you the amount of people that just waste all that paper," she says. "You can switch all of your bills over to online with one or two clicks. It's not a hard thing to do."

Instead of dumping hard-earned dough on store-bought gifts and contributing to the wasteful consumption of the earth's precious resources, Coronato recommends making edible gifts from scratch. "Learn how to can and jar fresh fruit, like peaches," she suggests. "Store in a pantry for up to two years. When it comes time for the holidays, birthdays or if you need a housewarming gift for somebody, you have these wonderful little treats that people just love."

Don't let a leftover mushroom, wedge of lettuce or stalk of celery go to waste. "Throw all your leftover vegetables together and make vegetable soup," says Coronato. You can also turn browning bananas into fruit smoothies. "Throw the bananas, some peanut butter and some yogurt into a blender," she suggests, adding, "Eating home as much as possible cuts down on waste across the board."

RELATED: The Benefits of Natural Cleaning Products

When bathing, cut down on water usage as much as possible, says Coronato. "In many cultures, taking a bath is a luxury," she points out. "You don't have to fill up the tub every night. When you're showering, don't stand there for 30 minutes. Remember, the point of bathing is to get clean. That's it. Do what you need to do and then get out."

Letting your freshly washed clothes air-dry on a rack — outside, weather permitting; indoors during winter — is a practical way to conserve energy, says Coronato. "If there are certain clothing items you don't want to get stiff, let them air-dry until they're a tiny bit damp, then throw into the dryer on the fluff cycle for five minutes," she recommends. "This way you're using five minutes of energy instead of 45 minutes."

While hybrid vehicles are certainly a trendy eco-option, a pricey car isn't the only environmentally conscious form of transportation. "Maintain your car on a regular basis to extend its mileage," says Coronato. "Get the oil changed, get tune-ups. My family has had the same car for 10 years. You're creating less waste by driving your car for a longer time period, eliminating the need to buy something new. Of course, biking is always the best option if you can do [it]."

RELATED: How to Use Lavender for Laundry

"I believe strongly in a clothes swap," says Coronado, who regularly joins groups of moms to exchange everything from lacy nightgowns to nursing bras. "You have to find your comfort level," she notes of wearing secondhand clothes. "The idea is that you walk away with something that's new to you, as opposed to going out to the store. Once you get over the weird factor, you'll find that hand-me-downs are the most economical and ecological way to dress — especially for kids who grow out of things so fast."