Those of you who are moms have probably noticed the growing number of organic and "all-natural" products mentioned in publications like Child and Parents. The May 2006 issue of Working Mother even brings up ways parents can create an "eco-friendly family". This is a subject that's near and dear to my own heart, having begun my organic journey more than six years ago with a simple switch to organic milk products from our regular fare.
I've learned that mentioning organic living or "going green" can intimidate some moms, while others assume that I must live on granola and wear Birkies everywhere I go (I don't, in either case).
I have, however, found that my lifestyle choices are now so ingrained that I don't even think about them...until they are taken away. After all, by recycling everything possible, I cut my family's trash bill by more than half. No one really thinks about it now; we just do it. But when I went to Tennessee on a business trip last year, my daughter and I were both shocked to see the hosts tossing everything and anything into huge trash containers that had to be dumped nightly due to the number of guests. Imagine my shock...and the twinge in my wallet...when I thought about how much trash was hauled away at the end of that week-long conference!
That said, you don't have to become a guru of green to save a few bucks and your immediate environment. Try these little steps on for size. I bet your kids will take right to them too!
- Consolidate your errands and make lists of what needs to be done or bought. You'll save gas, and you'll have more time as a family because you don't keep running around aimlessly.
- Recycle. Most communities offer recycling programs now, and if you have to haul your own trash you may even earn back your gas money by turning in your recyclables for cash or credits toward your dump bill.
- Plant a garden. Even apartment-dwellers can get their hands in the soil with a windowbox or a grow-light. Nothing could be easier than a little tomato plant or some carrots...and you'll be ingesting fewer pesticides.
- Try organic foods a little at a time. There's a big myth out there that organics are expensive. Demand has gone way up, and thanks to companies like Safeway and Wal-Mart carrying organic foods, prices are going down. I buy organic whole wheat spaghetti at a Trader Joe's store for the same cost as the regular stuff; when I recently ran out and got stuck buying my old brand, I found it to be totally unenjoyable. Turns out the healthier stuff tastes and feels way better too! As an unenriched white bread girl, this came as a shock...but you can bet I won't run out of TJ's whole wheat spaghetti ever again!
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