Nourished Magazine :: Wisdom to thrive by

There are countless ways we can help make a difference. Here are only 10..

1. When your cleaning, gardening or cosmetic products are getting low replace them with truly natural, [tag]chemical free[/tag] and/or organic versions.
2. Stop using plastic bags, period. Keep canvas bags in your car and hanging by the front door. Carry a pocket Stuffit reuasable bag. If you still forget, ask for a box. You may think brown paper bags are better for the [tag]environment[/tag]. They’re not. Often they are made from virgin forest.
3. Demand organic produce from every store you frequent. Find a local Farmers Market and make a point of shopping there weekly. Join a veggie co-op. If you want to check if what your buying is in fact [tag]organic[/tag], ask who the certification body is and the certification number. Organic farming uses less water than conventional farming and none of the pesticides that not only poison our food but also contaminate our waterways. Organic fruit and veg have been found to be significantly higher in [tag]nutrients[/tag] and organic animal farming is miles ahead for health, [tag]sustainability[/tag] and humanitarianism.
4. Buy recycled products when possible. If using recycled toilet paper hurts, there’s probably something wrong with your digestive system. Check Bee Wilder’s Candida article for tips. Converting your office to use 100% recycled paper, printers are able to cope better these days.
5. Buy sustainable, organic cotton and hemp clothing when possible. Stay away from cheap plastic seasonal clothes, buy less and keep them for longer. It’s always more inspiring to spend more money on a quality item than less on cheap rubbish. The cotton industry uses 25% of the pesticides used in the world. Blessed Earth clothing is a good place to start.
6. Buy green gifts. Organic chocolate and wine, chemical free cosmetics or sustainable organic cotton clothing. Handmade wooden or [tag]recycled[/tag] toys are great for kids. For the very young, shopping at a second hand shop for toys is just as exciting, much cheaper and more [tag]sustainable[/tag].
7. Recycle wrapping paper and cards. Kids paintings (when you have way too many) are great to use. Even newsprint is nice with a ribbon.
8. Stop using air freshener and perfume. Phthalates found in almost anything that lists “parfum” as an ingredient have been linked to [tag]birth defects[/tag] and cancer.
9. Stop using paper sanitary napkins and tampons. The toxic chemicals used to process and bleach these are a hazard to you and the environment. You can get reusable products in health food stores. It takes a little getting used to but when you honour your menstrual blood instead of treating it as a hassle you’ll be amazed as to its nourishing power.
10. Read World Changing and Tree Hugger and subscribe to Nourished Magazine.

If you have any tips for living more sustainably, leave a comment.

About the Author...

Joanne Hay, Editor of Nourished Magazine, Chief Nourisher and Mother of three is very grateful to live in Byron Bay and be able to share all she has learned about Nourishment. She has trained as an Acupuncturist (unfinished), Kinesiologist (finished) and parent (never finished). She serves the Weston A Price Foundation as a chapter leader. She loves sauerkraut, kangaroo tail stew, home made ice cream, her husband Wes and her kids Isaiah, Brynn and Ronin (in no particular order…well maybe ice cream first).