Happy Earth Day my peoples! Today is the day when people actually stop and think about recycling that can of coke they had for lunch, or turning off the lights in a room that’s not being used, or doing something just completely uncharacteristic of their everyday routine, just so they can feel like they’ve done their part in saving this otherwise decaying world. Yes, everybody, it’s Earth Day!
I know I sound cynical, but it’s only because I mean to. Today marks the 40th Earth Day in history. That’s pretty major, don’t you think? But in 40 years, there has been no evidence that the Earth is a safer place to live…well, in terms of the environment anyway, since that’s what we’re talking about right now. In fact, it is getting more and more polluted by each day that passes.
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not against Earth Day. I just don’t agree with the fact that people need the news, the paper, Google, and their workplace to remind them one day a year that they should do something to help the environment, because really, one day is definitely not cutting it, considering the damage this planet takes on a daily basis. I understand that we live in a highly commercial and materialistic society now (trust me, I used to sell jewelery for a living), but we really have to stop ignoring the needs of this planet. I can go on and on about all the environmental issues that are present today (and not just greenhouse gases), but instead, I will just offer some suggestions on how you as an individual can make a difference (and not just for one day!).
1. Go organic. Eat as many organic fruits and vegetables, and pasture-raised meat as possible. Big commercial farms are meant to make money, so it’s all about quantity, not quality. Commercially raised fruits and vegetables are covered with so many different types of chemicals that your body and the Earth can’t recognize. Plus, there have been studies showing that organic produce may contain up to 40% more nutrients than conventional produce! .
Eating pasture-raised meat is the only way to go, if you ask me – the animals are able to live happy and healthy lives and they are fed food that they’re meant to be eating. In conventional farms, the animals are practically living on top of each other, they are being fed the cheapest food possible to save on cost, and they are injected with hormones to make them grow bigger at a faster rate. Now when I say bigger, I don’t mean more muscular, like men on steroids, I mean FATTER! Eating animals that have lived happier and healthier lives can only equate to happier and healthier people…makes you wonder why there are so many people out there that are unnecessarily stressed out, doesn’t it? I urge everyone to watch Food Inc…especially if what I’ve said is a shock to you…you owe it to yourself, the family you feed, and the Earth you live on to get all the information you can about the food you’re eating. In short, going organic is better for both you and the environment.
2. Support your local farmers. Find out where there are farmer’s markets in your area – these are a real treat to go to. Take the kids on a sunny day, and sample all that is being offered. You never know, you might come across a real gem. The first time me and my husband went to one, we discovered salty sea asparagus – it was amazing! If you often have a craving for something salty, this is the perfect snack: it it’s crispy and covered with sea salt, not the refined salt that’s really bad for you. It’s a great alternative to eating potato chips! Talk to the farmers and find out how they raise their food. Supporting local farms allows them to grow larger crops, and it cuts down on the costs of importing produce from abroad. If you can’t make it to the farmer’s markets, check the labels on the produce in the grocery store to see where the produce was grown.
3. Get a good quality water filter. Not sure about where you are, but the tap water here in Toronto is absolutely undrinkable, unless your stomach is immune to poison. Though bottled water MAY be a healthier alternative considering what they do to tap water (again, it really depends on where you live), plastic bottles are a big waste, and the corporations that make these bottles emit many chemicals in the process, PLUS there is all the truck fumes to consider when they take it from the manufacturer to the store. I say bottled water MAY be healthier, only because as great as spring water is, chemicals from the plastic bottles are most likely to have seeped into the water, especially if exposed to sunlight, so you’re never really drinking unadulterated spring water. My husband and I bottle as much well water we can every time we go up north to see his parents. Well water is naturally filtered by the ground, and so there’s nothing added. However, if you don’t have the luxury to get well water, I suggest getting a good quality water filter – it’ll help clean the tap water, and it will save on using bottled water.
4. Grow a garden. When you’re out in nature, you can truly appreciate it. It’s spring time, so plant some vegetable seeds…you can’t get any more local than your own yard! Get your bare hands in the soil, runs your fingers through the grass and your crops, really get connected to nature. In our society, we’ve become so disconnected with nature, and so it’s never considered until Earth Day comes along.
5. Stop using perfume. Girls, I know this will be hard, but perfume companies are harsh on the environment. The perfume companies add carcinogenic chemicals (known as carrier molecules) to fragrances so that the guy 10 feet away can smell you coming. High-end perfumes have less than a percent of real fragrance, and the rest is a chemically-concocted filler. Not only are these chemicals all being absorbed into your skin, but they’re being absorbed by everyone that’s around you. During production, the chemical companies also dump these carcinogenic chemicals in the water – hence another reason why getting a good quality filter is essential. If you absolutely need to get a fragrance, I suggest getting a pure, organic volatile oil.
Okay, so these are my five tips for Earth Day. Even if you commit to just one, you’ll be doing this planet a huge favour. As temporary residents of this planet, it is our responsibility to not only find how our actions are affecting the environment, but also what steps we can take to help heal it.
We’re all together now, babies!
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