Going green can be overwhelming. If you take it one step at a time though it’s not so hard and can be rewarding.
Being green sometimes seems like a never ending and expensive adventure. Seriously, how much do I have to change in order to “be green?” It can feel like you are going to go into debt just to switch over to being green!
Well personally, I feel that it is an one step at a time process. Pick the things that matter most to you and start there. Work your way into the other areas that might require more money and/or time. While I love living as naturally as possible every little bit matters. I’m still taking it a step at a time. So even if you are only doing a few things that are “green” it makes a BIG difference in the long run!
Green Living Tips
Here is a list of some things you can do in your home with/for your family to live more naturally.
- Recycle. Many communities offer free curbside recycling. But if not, there are often locations in the community where you can drop off your recycling. And for older kids it can be a project you give them, I know I did that as a kid- e.g., collecting old soda cans.
- Organic. It can be expensive to buy all organic. So, if you’re like me and can’t afford to go all organic right now, purchase organic items from the Dirty Dozen list.
- Meatless Monday. Reducing the amount of meat we eat is healthy for ourselves and the environment. Try cutting back one day a week. It’s also a fun day to try creative new recipes. Check out Meatless Monday for more information.
- Homemade Cleaning Products. Making your own cleaners is super easy and very effective. A solution of half vinegar and half water is an all natural disinfectant that can replace conventional disinfectants.
- Cloth Diapers. If your baby is in diapers consider switching to cloth diapers. There are less toxic chemicals exposed to the baby’s skin and they are better for the environment. Check out the Real Diaper Association for more information.
- Save Energy. Turn the lights off when you’re not using them. Also, when the light bulbs in your house need replaced, choose the energy efficient ones.
- Reusable Shopping Bags. Reusable shopping bags are a great way to save trees and avoid plastic. I have decided to just buy a few bags each time I go to the store, until I get enough to completely sack all my groceries in them. This way I don’t have to spend money all at once on bags.
- Read Labels. Try and not purchase processed foods. This can be hard for some families who are very busy, so read the labels and avoid high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Both are very bad for our bodies.
- Be Informed. There are many things in our products that we are unaware of, check your cosmetic products with the Skin Deep Database and join the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families petition for congress to have stricter regulations and guidelines for chemicals in our products.
- Be An Example. You don’t have to make a massive transition overnight. Show your friends and family that it is easy to make changes that are good for you and the environment, by simply taking it one step at a time. Share what you know!
Additional Resources
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What child doesn’t like to paint? Better yet, what child doesn’t love to finger paint? It’s not very often that kids don’t like getting messy and using their hands to paint fun and creative pictures for the refrigerator.
