We asked and you answered. Keep reading to hear what you (and lots of other cool people like you) said about how to save energy and the environment right outside your home.

Last month, we featured a fun contest in order to give away an Eco-Me home starter kit (click here to read more about Eco-Me). The contest was simple. Just tell us what you do to go green at home and a random entry will be selected to receive the prize pack.

After several entries (and one winner), we'll be sharing over the next few weeks what you shared with us. So get ready for some creativity, ideas and inspiration, from you to us to you! Here's what you do to go green outside your home:

Eileen tells us, "I ride my bike to school and work every day, and bring my green bags with me to the store."

Janice offers, "We mulch our lawn when we mow so that we don't add to the landfill. And, my husband bikes to work many days a week."

Elizabeth tell us. "My kids and I started composting this spring and by end of summer it was a HUGE pile. It's fun to show a 5 and 3-year-old composting at work! It's just in the corner of our yard and was super-easy to do!"

Jan pronounces, "We (p)recycle and compost all of our waste, and use the compost to add to our garden, which supplies about 80% of our food. We're eating healthier and more frugally, while keeping the earth clean and green!"

Deborah declares, "Everything that is compostable gets put into 'The Bin,' from shredded paper, vegetable and fruit scraps, to corn-based paper plates and cups. The worms are happy and a bunch of stuff doesn't go to the local landfill!"

Kathy reports, "We keep a covered copper pail for organic kitchen waste (peelings, cores, rinsed egg shells, etc.) that we transfer to the outdoor compost bin of grass clippings. It's easy and enhances the soil in our garden."

Sarah says, "We recycle our pet's hair clippings into the soil outside."

Beth offers up, "I have a wonderful garden at home. This year, even though we had a very cold spring and early summer and I was tied up fighting wildfires for a good portion of the summer, I was able to can tomatoes and pickles, freeze green beans and some tomatoes, and dry bell peppers and green onions. I also ate wonderful fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, and asparagus. I have been gardening on and off for the past few years (depending on the early arrival and severity of fire season) but this was the first year I was able to preserve much food. It was a good year for experimentation and learning. Next year's garden will show the results of my learning."

Mary mentions, "We landscaped using native plants, leaving all of the existing trees and plants in place when we built our home. In fact, the Google Earth view shows how green we are compared to our neighbors!! We have joined the National Wildlife Backyard program in order to educate ourselves on providing natural habitats for native animals, birds and insects and we are certified. We are members of the State Park system here, and these are the areas where we spend time as a family, so that the children can see what the natural state of the land is/was. We are now buying as much organic produce as we can, checking for location of origin and trying to stay close to home. We support local businesses, opting to pay a little more for some things instead of going to big box stores. We are on the wait list for a local co-op, and of course we recycle! We hope to continue to teach our children what is really important in living life!"

John tells us, "I recycle, use an electric lawn mower, ceiling fans, a tankless hot water heater, and have efficient insulation. I upgraded my windows and planted native plants for landscaping."

Kathy says, "We use no pesticides in the yard or the house at all, and orange oil to repel the ants."

It's clear to see that our collective intelligence is powerful, inspirational, and truly capable of saving the world. Keep the good (green) ideas coming!

Stay tuned through the end of the year to learn what you can do while shopping and at home!

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