What it Means to Live “Green”

A “green” lifestyle is embraced by people that are consciously aware of the Earth’s environmental limitations, and who are determined to live in ways that preserve and protect the Earth’s limited natural resources for future generations.

Each individual person that makes even just a small change in their daily consumption routines can improve the quality of the environment by protecting forests, promoting cleaner air, maintaining global climate levels and sustaining our precious limited resources. 

How To Start Living Green

Someone who wants to start living green does not necessarily need to make huge life changes right away to make a difference. In fact, it is probably better for most people to ease into living green with incremental lifestyle changes at first, in order to develop more positive consumption habits without drastically altering their everyday lives.

Over time, people who live green become ever more conscious of their daily actions, and tend to find even more ways to live in positive harmony with the environment.

Being more conscious about recycling, reducing unnecessary consumption, eating more organic foods, and utilizing more eco-friendly home and lifestyle products are just a couple of easy ways to start living your life in a greener, better way.

Recycle More, Recycle Better!

Most people know that recycling is one relatively easy way to start living green. Recycling cans and bottles is a good start, but there are many other items that we use every day that can be recycled as well.

Plastic containers, glass jars, newspapers, magazines, cardboard food boxes, packing materials, even printer cartridges, computers and other items that you may recognize as trash can be recycled in many neighborhoods.

On average, U.S. residents recycle about 28% of the waste we generate. Not a bad rate, until you consider that about 80% of the waste we generate is recyclable. We can all do better!

Eat Organic Foods

Eating organic foods is an easy way to kick start a green life style. In recent years, the availability of Organic Foods has become more widespread across the nation. Organic foods are produced without use of pesticides and other synthetic chemicals that are often found on conventionally grown fruits, vegetables and grains.

Fruits and vegetables are excellent places to begin if you want to start integrating organic food products into your daily diet. Ounce for ounce, organic fruits and vegetables are twice as rich in certain nutrients compared to non-organic produce. Most supermarkets offer organic alternatives to many of their standard produce items.

Organic milk is a much healthier alternative to standard milk. Organic farmers follow environmentally responsible business practices, and organic cows are free of antibiotics used as routine prevention. Cows that are treated with fewer drugs produce healthier milk.

Top 10 Organic Foods That Should Be in Your Fridge

Certain non organic foods have very high chemical and pesticide levels, meaning that their organic counterparts are especially good for your health. Many of the non organic foods listed below can be contaminated with harmful chemicals.

If possible, you should always choose organically grown brands when you purchase the following food products:
o Baby Food
o Milk
o Strawberries
o Bananas
o Apples
o Peaches
o Cherries
o Grapes
o Bell Peppers
o Green Beans

Bamboo, the Eco-Friendly Tree

Bamboo plants are eco-friendly because they can grow successfully with little water and without any fertilizers or pesticides. Bamboo plants release a large amount of oxygen into the air, can survive drought and flood conditions, can reduce soil erosion and can actually help improve soil quality in eroded areas.

Bamboo trees produce bamboo fabric that is comfortable and has some great environmental benefits. Bamboo fabric does not need chlorine to bleach it and it can be dyed easily. Fabrics that do not dye easily are often treated with harsh chemicals and a lot of water, so an organic fabric that dyes easily is generally better for the environment.

Bamboo clothing is said to be softer than cotton, with a texture more like that of silk or cashmere. This soft eco-fabric is available in many organic clothing stores.

Reduce Unnecessary Consumption

Many Americans purchase goods and consume materials far in excess of their basic needs. For such people, changing their consumption habits to emphasize a simpler lifestyle is a critical step towards living a greener life.

Many Americans have shopping addictions and constantly purchase new items when items they currently own would suffice. Itís always fun to get new things, but sometimes it is better just to put the credit away and try to use things until they wear out, buy second-hand, or even repurpose old things into something new.

When you do buy, make your purchases count by purchasing natural and organic items whenever possible. Always try to support companies with products that promote and support environmental preservation.