God said man should rule over the earth (Genesis 1:26). The earth isn’t just this massive blue and green globe. It is the awe and beauty that God created for us! We have inherited it and we are leaving it for all of God’s children. Your respect for God’s creation will be a legacy not soon forgotten. So, what does “green” mean? Here is what some of your neighbors do that inspire me and a few practical tips you can follow and some on-line resources to help get you there.
At a neighborhood table gathering, the hosts set up separate trash cans for “trash”, recycle-able items, and “plastic plates and forks”. What an encouragement for those of us who don’t want to throw away “perfectly good” plastic plates and serving-ware.
Wave to my friend at Woodman’s on Monday’s who not only brings her 3 yr old and 1 yr old, but also packs up the reusable bags for her groceries too.…my neighbors have an annual used toy & book sale to benefit African orphans. Why have a company manufacture something brand new, utilizing materials and energy, when you can just wash a “used” item and it is like new!
Some practical tips that make a big difference purchasing food. When possible, buy food in God’s packaging, rather than man made. Convenience foods are horrible for the environment, not to mention your health. In addition, produce need not come packaged in a hard shell or have Styrofoam underneath. Single use items come with unnecessary packaging. Buying heavily used items in bulk is a great way to save on packaging. Just because we recycle the item, it still takes energy to initially manufacture it and then to recycle it into another item.
Eat less meat. The resources needed to raise livestock, including feed, water, fossil fuel and land, dramatically surpass those required for raising vegetables and grains. As concerns for profitability grew, the space used for raising animals shrank, which has resulted in animals being exposed to high levels of toxins from too many waste products in too small an area. Runoff from farms threatens crops grown nearby.
On a more personal level, the health benefits of a plant-based diet can't be ignored. Heart disease and many cancers have a direct link to meat consumption.When packing a lunch, use reusable plastic. It’s just as easy to put a container in the dishwasher, as it is to put a plastic bag in the garbage.When cleaning your house, use non-toxic products that are safe for our atmosphere and you! If something causes cancer and harms air quality…why not opt for a kinder, gentler product that doesn’t give you a headache when you use it? Trust me; you don’t need a different cleaning product for every surface of your home, either! Be creative! There are many alternate ways to use everything. From egg cartons to the cardboard box, sour cream container, or the “other” side of the paper. You can get more use out of items before discarding or recycling. So now you know me, I’m the mom who cuts the commercial napkins in threes when I’m not using a washable cloth. I clean with diluted vinegar, and when I buy detergents, I make purchasing choices that reduce environmental impact by buying plant based ones. You’ll see me walking to the gym (weather permitting) or trekking the kids to the neighborhood strip mall when we are out of something. Say hi and let me know about your tips on going green!
Here are some resourceful websites.
https://www.dmachoice.org/MPS/mps_consumer_description.php Stops most junk mail. http://www.obviously.com/junkmail/ Informative tips on reducing junk mail.
http://www.catalogchoice.org/ Free service that stops catalogs from being mailed to you.
http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php or http://www.titletrader.com/ You can "swap" books, CD’s & DVD’s with people.
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm - Great website for green choices.
Brandi - coodohs@yahoo.com
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