Breath easier, muscle mow the lawn.

Believe it or not, the power mower in the garage is more polluting than the car you just washed to a spanking clean shine. According to the California Air Resources Board, gallon for gallon, the 2006 lawn mower engines contribute 93 times more smog-forming emissions than 2006 cars. Mowing for an hour with a gasoline- powered lawn mower can produce as much air pollution as a 200-mile drive. And consider this: Whether you are sitting on it or pushing it, either way, your nose is within a yard of the tailpipe.

What to do? Dust off the reel mower in the corner of the garage and work those upper arm muscles pushing it around the lawn. If your family doesn’t have one, suggest to your mom to get one. No matter who mows the lawn next time, they’ll appreciate the work out. Online you can find reel mowers for $95 at planetnatural.com, a far cry cheaper than a gas or electric mower.