1. Green Idea Girl starts on a new green path.

Each entry will focus on a new green idea that anyone and everyone can put to effect in their own lives. Starting today, the new idea of the day is using the toaster oven vs. the conventional oven. The toaster oven saves a load more energy then the regular oven. Imagine how many more minutes it takes to heat up a huge square oven, even if it's a convection oven it's still going to consume energy and your money.

Each time you use a regular oven in the summer for example, not only are you using up electricity to run the oven but you are making your air conditioner work harder to keep the air cool as the oven throws off some serious heat while it is turned on.

My toaster oven takes the same time to cook as the regular oven and uses far less energy to run and doesn't heat up the kitchen either. I understand the argument that you can't bake a 20" pizza in a toaster oven. That's true, but wouldn't it be better to get a mini pizza or do home made organic pizza's? It's a healthier option isn't it?

Bottom line is, if you don't have a toaster oven, buy one, but buy a good one. It'll pay for itself in no time and be good to your needs for years to come.