Organic Families

Everywhere you look, someone is telling you to eat organic, wear something organic etc, but for those of us on who are new the idea it can be very difficult to learn how to integrate more green living into our every day lives. If you are already doing a little but want to do a little something more to reduce your carbon footprint; here are some easy and fun ways to go organic and get greener. In most cities and towns usually between May and October, there are Farmer’s Markets. An afternoon at the Farmer’s Market can provide you numerous opportunities to find and buy organic products. Check your local free papers, city websites for dates and times . Bring your own tote bag and stock up on organic seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Often you’ll even be able to find fine handcrafted artisan products such as soaps, candles, and textiles produced by small farms and hobbyists. If you can ‘t afford to buy the organic good you want, try bartering. Everyone loves a helping hand and offering to volunteer your time at a local farm could help you get your hands on some delicious seasonal vegetables and fruits. Speaking of volunteering another way to work some organic foods into your diet is to volunteer your time at a co-op. Many cities (again check local papers and city websites, or you can even use this search string “co-op+-your city name here” for some stellar results) have co-ops where volunteers can get free or greatly reduced priced vegetables and other foods.

And remember foods aren’t the only organic things you can get your hands on. If you look through your own pantries and cupboards you probably have lots of household cleansers right? Some careful shopping can open a whole world of toxic chemical free organic based household cleaning products. Imagine, no more headaches from the noxious fumes while cleaning your kitchen or bathroom. No more worrying about young children or pets putting their mouths on things you’ve just cleaned. Another great way to get some organic into your life is to start drinking teas. You might be surprised to find that you don’t have to buy high-end bulk teas to get quality organically grown teas.

There are many name brand and reasonably priced teas that have organic ingredients. You may be asking yourself where to find these things? Many grocery stores have their organic items in their own aisles. You might even be able to find organic and “green” items at your local drug store. Very nearly any personal toiletry you might want or need, there’s a safe bet you can find that very same thing made with all organic ingredients. Supporting our organic farmers and companies is one small thing you can do to make this world a better place for all of us. If you want to go a step further than what goes in your belly or on your skin, start looking for clothing made from organic materials. A simple web search can provide you with many companies specializing in producing apparel made from organic and Fair Trade materials.

One thing to remember when buying clothing made from organic materials is to make sure you check the care labels and treat your garments accordingly. With just a little bit of effort on your part, you can incorporate organic foods, toiletries, cleaning supplies and even clothing into yours and your families lives. A few extra minutes in the grocery store, maybe a few minutes on the Internet between checking your email and playing solitaire and voila you’re living a greener life.