Living in the Organic

Recently, as I was contemplating how can I save money living a organic and “green” life, and encourage others to do the same. As I considered this topic , I ponder what is living a green life. Green symbolizes self-respect and well being. Green is the color of balance. It also means learning, growth, and harmony. I was somewhat puzzle as this turn over in my mind, and I started to overthink. Okay, lets be real as professionals,teachers and,parents trying to sift through the excessive consumerism and the terminology is overkill. So I am going to break it down in layman terms.

What is “ Green Living”? It is living responsibly, and having the knowledge to sustain life for yourself and future generations. One of the small things I do as a mother is recycle. It helps you save money,energy, and natural resources. I would stay away from using a lot of plastic containers,especially when heating food up in a microwave( I haven't own a microwave in about 3 years, but that's another topic). There are a few plastics that when heated leaks chemicals into your body, such as bpa(bisphenol) which disrupts normal breast development. So how did last week turkey dinner sounds heated up in the microwave mixed with a cocktail of bpa huh! But, I digress. Being informed, is the first thing in living green. Have you ever thought what is in your face soap, or your laundry detergent. Nope I bet you didnt. Most soaps are made of lye and animal fat. Just think of the colors, moisturizers,fragrances, and animal fat mixed so you can have that beautiful clear skin, that you see on the latest commercial.( That never happens) Can you imagine rubbing animal fat all over your body, between your toes around your most precious parts, and your family. How many of you use bleach around your home, I did, and why! Because my mom,grandmother,aunt, and everyone I knew use it, because it clean the bathroom, and if it wasn't bleach it wasn't clean.Products containing bleach that claim to "sanitize" or "disinfect" are considered pesticides and must be registered with EPA (Environment Protection Agency). However, products containing bleach that do not claim to sanitize or disinfect are not pesticides and are often sold as laundry additives or cleaners. Hummmm! I smell a rat… I did say that I was going to break this down in layman terms( I love science by the way).

There are so many aspects to living an organic “green Life”, but there are simple things you can do, that involve the whole family.Get the family in geared, explain to your children why you are no longer buying that glass cleaner, and you are now using vinegar, or baking soda to clean your toilets, getting them involving in making their own toothpaste, or buying products that dont have all these additives. I always say if its been added to what is being subtracted. More and more people are looking for ways to connect to nature, and live a simple eco-friendly life. I for one would like to wash my daughter face in the morning and know that I am not introducing her to chemical bath before she goes to school. No one wants to be at the risk of rich corporations and stock holders who fool the average consumer into buying cheaply made products. So get informed, and start living a “Green” life.

Your organic fairy,
Chantaunya Muhammad