This holiday season could be the perfect time to start a new adventure in being more environmentally conscious. Take steps to make your holidays healthier for the environment and for you, whether it is preparing your meal in a different way, eating different items that are better for the environment or even volunteering your time.

It doesn’t take much effort to start on an environmentally conscious path, especially when it comes to switching over to reusable serving items. Instead of buying paper plates or Styrofoam, look into purchasing reusable plates that will go back on your shelf after the holidays and not into a landfill. Also, think about switching out paper napkins for cloth napkins to save paper and reduce trash.

The next step on your environmentally conscious adventure includes foods for your holiday feast. Buying whole foods instead of prepackaged foods can save wrappers and packaging from being thrown away. There are some options for the main course of your holiday feast as well: Consider buying a healthier, organic protein that is free of hormones and harmful pesticides for your main course, which is better for both you and the environment. Another option is purchasing a to-furkey or spicing up old-fashioned meatloaf with tofu, the popular vegetarian-friendly soy based product that can be enjoyed by vegetarian and non-vegetarian families alike.

If you are still planning what to do this holiday season, consider staying home. Not driving somewhere will reduce the emissions that cars give off. Or, consider volunteering. This activity is friendly to the social environment. It can be done with family, friends or even solo. There are many opportunities, including serving dinner at a homeless shelter, adopting a family, running a marathon for a charity, or delivering meals. You can volunteer your time visiting hospitals and retirement homes to bring holiday cheer.

Be safe during the holidays and be sure to remember these tips, or create your own, if you would like to start being more environmentally aware and a little healthier.