Going Organic: One Environmental Step at a Time

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Going Organic: One Environmental Step at a Time

Everyday millions of people purchase and cook with organic food. Some even grow their own vegetables rather than purchase from the market. To some people the idea of going organic seems daunting. However, going organic is easier than most people think.

The first step in going organic is to start with your produce. The simple way to do this is by checking for organic labels on the item. If no labels exist, a simple Internet search will give you a list of items with the lowest pesticide levels. Or even more simply, take a trip to the farmer’s market! There you will find all kinds of options that are naturally healthy for you and your family.

Buy your meat and dairy organic. Look for terms like free range or farm raised. Organic meat eliminates much of the chemicals, antibiotics and hormones put in commercial meats.

Have an earth friendly cup of coffee. If a coffee states that it is Rainforest alliance certified, it means it was grown in a environmentally friendly way. You can also help by using reusable coffee filters. Americans drink a lot of coffee, so contributing in that simple way is an easy solution for many.

Everybody knows it, but most ignore it. Plastic shopping bags fill the landfills and are not biodegradable. Reusable shopping bags are the way to go. Invest in them once they will last forever and you won't be left wondering what to do with all those leftover grocery bags. If the thought of taking your own bags to the grocery store is enough to turn you away from and organic lifestyle ask for paper bags, and if you absolutely must have plastic bags, then reuse them. They make great laundry bags, lunch bags or trash can liners.

Buy eco-friendly clothing. Look for clothing made from Bamboo, cotton, sasawashi, soya and recycled materials. Finding eco-friendly clothing may be a little more difficult, but there are many brands like Lisa Miller and Linda Loudermilk that make clothing of this type. A simple Internet search will help you in your search for stores that carry eco-friendly clothing.

Avoid fast food restaurants. Fast food restarts often use non- biodegradable containers. Additionally, they don't typically use organic foods or healthy alternatives for frying.

Compost your trash. Rather than throwing your food scraps away buy a compostor and create your own compost. Not only are you helping do your part environmentally, but also you can use the created compost to start your own organic garden.

Get off the mailing list. Save paper by opting out of mailings and unnecessary monthly statements. Get on the Internet pay your bills over the phone and online. You can also go online and register with www.dmaconsumers.org and it will reduce the junk mail you get as well.

Use a push mower in your yard rather than a gas-powered mower. The new push mowers are far easier to use than the one's your grandparents had and the will also give you a good workout. Battery operated mowers are another alternative if you can't use a push mower.

Try using organic cleaning products. Chemicals in cleaning products are responsible for many ailments in humans and an abundance of environmental issues. The fact is they are simply unnecessary. Natural products clean just as well and they are safer and better for your family. You can buy many organic cleaning items right in your local grocery store. You can also make your own cleaning products with ingredients you probably already have around your home.

Small simple steps can make a huge difference in your life, the life of your family and the environment. Not only will you be healthier, but also you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference.