Are you ready? Do you even acknowledge Earth day? Some of us do and some of us don’t. For our family it’s all about balance…oh yeah, there’s that word again!
I think it’s vastly important that we take care of this amazing planet God created! As good stewards I believe it’s our job to care for and clean up any messes we have made to retain the integrity of the beauty around us.
So, what is Earth Day…here’s the technical answer:
Earth Day began on April 22 more than 30 years ago when Senator Gaylord Nelson decided that it was important to teach everyone, especially children, about our environment. He wanted to be sure that people understood how important it was to take care of our planet.
Many people will use this day to raise awareness about global warming, endangered animals, recycling, local business support, harmful chemicals and their effects, or they may simply plant a tree. Though all of these are fine in their own right, many of them are justa little over most of our heads!
So what can we do for Earth day with our families that makes more sense? Let me answer that by telling you just a little bit about what we do.
No, we don’t make a big deal out of Earth day per se, it is a great platform though to learn new things about our earth and to think any other things we’d like to add to what we regularly do.
Most of my suggestions boil down to one thing…make smart purchases. I could go on all day about the changes you can make in your purchasing that are more environmentally friendly. I am responsible for almost all purchases around here, so whenever possible I do purchase things that preferrably fall into three categories…Natural, Organic & Local. This especially goes for food and household products (detergents, etc). This is one of the easiest places to make a change! Most local supermarkets and many of the warehouse stores offer a wide variety of organic/natural choices that are very affordable options.
You will find that some of it is simply a matter of trial and error. You may have to go through a few different brands before you find the one that works best or is most comparable to your regular name brand product. Definitely look for environmentally safe products, but keep in mind…just because the brand says “natural” or “organic” in it doesn’t mean that the product is actually natural or organic. You have to look for that information in the labeling, NOT the name!
Food: When you are buying food, make sure you look for the organic label, but also make sure that the items are in containers that are easily recyclable.
Recycling: Make recycling a regular thing in your home. My 5 year old shocked me one day when he was just 3 years old by holding up an empty can and asking me where the recycling bin had been moved to.
Chemicals: Always keep in mind that the chemicals you use in your home get sent out into ground and our waterways (in our case, a creek just feet from the house). Something that many parents aren’t aware of though that is potentially an even bigger deal is that the chemicals in everything in your home are absorbed into all your family members’ skin! Shampoo, soap, detergents, cleaning products and even the chlorine in our water. If you have a child who suffers from any respiratory issues, remove all bleach from your home – yes, I’m totally being serious! Do a little research on it and you’ll quickly discover why.
Those are three quick and easy ways to simply incorporate a greener lifestyle into your family’s day. You’ll be preserving the precious planet we have been given and you’ll be offering your family a healthier home and healthier foods.
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