Discovering that January is International Quality of Life Month hit home with us. Many of us are considering resolutions at this time of year with one main goal: changing things in our lives to make this year better than the last one. In other words, we’re all hoping to improve our quality of life. Making sure the changes we make have a positive environmental impact means even the most personal resolution can have a ripple effect. As the European Commissioner for the Environment put it, “A healthy environment is the foundation of our prosperity and of our quality of life.”

Here are tips for keeping some of the most common new year’s resolutions, along with resources from our member charities to help you do it in the greenest way possible.

"I resolve to eat healthier."
One of the easiest ways to eat well is to replace processed foods with whole foods. Eating fresh, locally grown produce not only trims your waistline, but also helps reduce your food’s carbon footprint by reducing the time and distance your food travels. The average fruit or vegetable travels more than 1,500 miles to get from its origin to your plate.

EarthShare member organization American Farmland Trust works to protect the nation's farm and ranch land, keeping it healthy and improving the economic viability of agriculture. Their website features great resources about American agriculture as well as how to find a farmer’s market near you.

"I resolve to lose weight and get in shape."
You know exercise should be a part of your daily routine, especially if you’re trying to drop a few pounds. Millions of Americans resolve to lose weight each year and invest money in expensive equipment or gym memberships when all you have to do is head outdoors!

Explore the world outside your door and get your heart rate up while you’re at it. Thousands of miles of “rail-trails” -- abandoned railroad tracks that have been converted to biking and walking trails -- crisscross the country, thanks to our friends at the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy. Click here to find a rail-trail near you, then upload pictures of your family exploring your local trail via TrailLink.com – maybe you’ll inspire someone else to take a hike.

"I resolve to spend more quality time with my family and loved ones."
How to get the whole family involved in an active, healthy lifestyle? Take the kids outside with you! National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Wildlife Watch inspires kids to get out of the house and offers fun, informative activities for you and your family to do together.

How about committing to NWF’s Green Hour as a family resolution? The Green Hour campaign’s success has helped seed a national movement to help all American children reap the benefits of outside play. NWF’s parent’s guide also helps inspire fresh ideas for connecting with the great outdoors.

"I resolve to manage my money and spend less."
Many of us are guilty of buying or having too much, especially after the holidays. Learn how to live with a little less with help from our friends at the Center for a New American Dream (CNAD). Resolving to buy less can help your family better evaluate purchases and save money in this tough economy. CNAD’s Conscious Consumer Marketplace can also guide you on purchasing everything from chocolate to diapers in a financially and environmentally responsible way. Other useful purchasing information: the real deal on fair trade, buying school supplies, and parenting in a commercial culture.

"I resolve to give back."
Whether you’d like to give the gift of your time or money, it’s been proven that giving back makes you feel happier and more connected to your community. If supporting environmental charities is important to you, consider asking your employer to offer an EarthShare workplace giving campaign in 2010. Why?

Workplace giving lets you and your co-workers donate just a few dollars per paycheck to causes you care about – it’s easy and painless. Workplace giving magnifies the power of charitable giving because it reaches not just you but all of your co-workers with a convenient, effective way to give back. And donations through workplace giving enable EarthShare's member organizations to spend less time fundraising and more time working toward a healthier environment. Let us help you get started.

Prefer a hands-on opportunity? Visit the EarthShare affiliate in your state to check out local volunteer opportunities in your region.