I am and environmental scientist by education, spending 4 years of my life learning about environmental impacts both on humans and by humans. I am quite fully aware of the zillion dangers, toxins, problems, and views out there. From some circle I might be seen as a little "tree hugger-y" because I fight against the norm of 1st world consumerism. In some circles I'm completely un-earlth friendly I"m sure. I know some "hippie" environmentalist who have taken "living green" to a place that I am not willing to go. I don't want to be too "radical". I don't want to be "weird" or "extreme". I do want to do the best I can to take care of the earth we have been given, the body I have been given, and the family I have been given.
Creation Care. We have all been created by God, and without him nothing has been made that has been made. We are given the responsibility to live off the earth, but also manage it, and to think of others as we would ourselves. The earth, we are told in the Bible, is headed for an end. Much of that end includes judgements sent from God to destroy our natural resources or food, land, or water. The end will come. The earth cannot sustain life forever. It is not my job to "save the planet" and thereby determine the fate of the entire human race. No! That's God's job. It's my job to be faithful, wise, responsible, and live by conviction.
In past years I've made steps toward living reasonably, while being conscious of my use, my waste, my exposure, yet still living with some modern conveniences. I used to be at a place where functioning in modern society was becoming a mental burden for me. My heart would feel sad every time I threw away a plastic fork, didn't recycle a can, used a plastic bag, didn't get a high MPG on my vehicle. Although all these things are noble, it's unrealistic in a plastic filled, one time use society. I didn't want to be depressed and anxious for the rest of my life. So...I made a compromise. To do the best I can, realizing I may have to be accountable to God someday for the choices I've made, but also being able to "live" where I've been put and foremost within the financial resources to which I have been entrusted. Living "green" isn't cheap!
We cloth diaper - for the most part. I have dabbled with some essential oils, and used to make my own baby products (wipes, rash cream, etc) - until baby #2 came along. We recycle everything we are able. I use cloth grocery sacks. We grow a small garden. I enjoy canning. I only buy 100% juice, and vowed as a teen to never drink Sunny D. Ever. Again. A promise I have easily kept. However, despite the small efforts, over time laziness and "normality" creep in.
These past few weeks I've had what feels like a million reminders of the seemingly zillion problems environmental toxins have on the human race. From a man who lost his wife to cancer, attending an essential oil party, and fluoride being announced as a neurotoxin...and it's in our water. Then there's evidence of artificial colors leading to behavioral problems in children such as ADHD and aggression, the dangers of household cleaners, and radiation from wifi routers and cell phones. It's screaming at me. DO SOMETHING!! So I will.
This is my new phase plan to slowly lead our family onto a healthier lifestyle. For our bodies (the temple of the Holy Spirit), our health, our future, and maybe even our happiness.
Phase One: FRESH FOOD
-Avoid artificial colors and sweeteners
-Begin buying organic or farmers market produce. Starting with the "dirty dozen" at least.
Avoiding artificial sweeteners isn't really a change for us. Aspartame has been giving me headaches for years, and all my learning in nutrition says it's just not good for your body any way around. Long before the diet soda industry hit mainstream news. So unless I become diabetic, I don't plan on ever using them. The artificial colors though...this will be a change. Sorry kids, Fruit Loops are out, so enjoy the last box in the pantry while we have it. As for the produce, I dabble here and there with buying organic, but lets face it, I'm a cheap skate with a tight budget. We're talking about $100 a week for two adults and two toddlers. Doable with reasonable healthfulness, but not exactly a lot of moola to work with. I have now decided that the additional cost to buy organic produce is going to be well worth the dividends in better health, taste, and quality of life. At least that's my hope. So organic here we come!
Phase Two: DRIED FOOD
-Reducing overall dairy consumption, or increasing dairy quality.
-Organic or more natural dried foods
I'm a Wisconsinite by birth. We eat a LOT of cheese at our house. Plus, yogurt, milk, ice cream, sour cream, butter, queso dip,... There's pretty much dairy at every meal. We can definitely work on this. My husband already drinks almond milk, so eventually switching everyone over to non-cows milk is one goal. We buy Greek yogurt, in fact my son won't eat any other kind, but we can improve the quality of the brands we buy on all fronts to include more grass fed, less sugary, more natural alternates...if and when the budget allows, hence this being a separate phase from the produce. On the dried food fronts, eating better cereals, more whole grains, less gluten, higher fiber....you get the picture. Not necessarily going organic. Switching to Ezekiel Bread is one idea I have in mind.
Phase Three: CHEMICALS
-Replace current cleaners, detergents, toothpaste, personal care items as they run out.
This runs the gamut of the whole home. I've made some wise choices, so not everything we use needs to be switched out or changed, but there are certainly some things that can be. Higher quality make up, better shampoos, safer cleaners, and maybe staring to make some homemade. I love the idea of having fewer products, fewer bottles, and more control over what is in them. Stuff management makes me stressed so if we can find something that is safe and works for multiple uses for the whole family, I'm all on board. Which is why I'm making my first switch to Young Living's Thieves cleaner. One bottle will do pretty much everything, and replace toilet bowl cleaner, windex, clorox wipes, etc. This blog is called sweet simplicity after all.
These are the 3 phases I'm hoping to focus on first. Of course they may not be sequential or complete, but a plan, and a place to start is better than nothing. Wish me luck!
