Being green ... it doesn't have to be expensive!

I forgot to add the website! you can go to:
http://momto4.200team.com
or
Http://momto4.toxinchecklist.com
Here's to a safer planet!

Green was something I'd heard about, and thought about (my kids growing up) but I never made the time to investigate, other than doing the recycle thing (you can do it in Pinellas County, but they don't make it easy)..... then, eureeka, I watched Oprah on going Green a few months ago, and investigated one of the the companies she recommended - and have to tell you, I tried the products, and I love them. Cleaning Green is suddenly healthier, and affordable (I spent spent a fortune on various cleaners. My son's breathing problems have gone, and my skin rash of years has disappeared. No phosphates in the Green stuff. Now I sell the products. They work, and make a difference. They also make a lot of extra room in the cleaning cupboard :) Check out http://www.shaklee.net/healthy_living_with_julia.

http://www.shaklee.net/healthy_living_with_julia

I saw the last person was able to do a hyper link - here goes :) Hope this works !

it really makes me feel good to know there are so many people realizing the condition we and our children face today. generations after us need a place to live. our planet is our home. most of us take care of our homes......stands to reason we would take care of our planet. going green is nothing more than good sense, good housekeeping and good nutrition.
~shirley

You have to balance quality with cost. When you buy it's really important that the products are fresh, certified, seasonally harvested. I found a great site for coffee, tea, chocolate. Not only are they sustainable (green) but Fair Trade in many cases and then they have these cool accessories made from recycled materials. Just explore and you'll find great things at a comparable price to conventional goods.

oops. i forgot to mention the site.
The Groovy Mind
http://www.thegroovymind.com

Hello from Peru to wannabee "green consumers"

Here in Peru, like other countries of the region, we grow much of the produce that you eat during the off and on season.

I work in the area of consulting for the local government for exports.

I have a few tips:

a) BUY ORGANIC TODAY

Yes, I know that it is more expensive...now, however, our growers will grow what is demanded. Once organic becomes the "norm" it will be much less expensive. An overlooked point is that organic is much more labor-intensive. That is to say that while you are enjoying healthier foods, you will be generating jobs in countries that could really use them. I will not tell you that plants with chemical additives will end up being more expensive, but I will tell you that at least for local consumption I basically eat organic and pay nothing extra...Chemicals are expensive for producers here and labor is cheap. Especially for small producers.

b) DEMAND CERTIFIED ORGANIC

As I mentioned before, I "accidentally' eat organic. Producres big enough to export are also big enough to cheat. For them, chimicals are cheaper than labor, since they focus on production, standardization etc.

Right now, getting certification is too expensive for small producers. However, by demanding it, 2 things will occur (as Adam Smith) a) the price will go down, since a greater demand on an unlimited resource (yes, for those economists out there, I know no resource is unlimited, but land and labor are so plentiful here that for the time being they are) will result in a greater supply since certifying organizations can get better economies of scale and b) to meet market demand, big producrs will go organic, or at least it will become econoimically feasible for "acopiadores" or "bulkers" will find it profitable to buy from small producers to meet orders.

two other points:

a) I couldnt disagree more with the person who alleged that 'organic' is less flavorful. My daily experience shows me exactly the opposite. I eat "ugly' misshaped fruit and vegetables daily and I assure you I have never eaten these flavors in the USA form "normal." produce

b) I think that the person who raised the point about what "carbon effect" the SHIPPING of organic produce really does merit some thought and investigation, as a first step it is worth looking at how to reduce packaging, and eventually perhaps things like local freeze drying for foreign use may make sense (as freeze drying is infinitely lighter, while retaining the great bulk of flavor and nutrients).

A simple solution like "only buy locally" will have you either skipping asparagus in USA winter, or buying produce grown in hot houses. (more expensive, and for now users of energy)

Anyway, good luck

trev

RECYLE, RECYLE, RECYLE. SO MANY THINGS CAN BE UTILIZED AND RECYCLED FROM THRIFT STORES - CLOTHING, LINENS, BOOKS, FURNITURE, POTS AND PANS. I ALSO SHOP GROCERY SALVAGE AND SAVE LOTS OF $ ON DENTED CANS, TORN BOXES OF LAUNDRY SOAP, COSMETICS, ETC. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY NURSING HOMES, INDIAN RESERVATIONS, ETC. CAN USE GOOD RECYCLED CLOTHING, BOOKS, ETC. FOLKS, PUT YOUR THINKING CAPS ON.

Dear Marjorie: My daughter was born with a cleft and had to have her first surgery at 3 months of age. I had decided instead of giving her standard baby food, I made all her food from Organic Products. She had developed a bad case of skin eczema. I had used Pure Olive Oil all over her body faithyfully after every bath. Now at the wonderful age of 14 1/2, She has not had eczema in 9 years. Try olive oil based soaps and use pure olive oil after washing. As far as dishwashing powder, seventh generation I found works the best, I also have a newer dishwasher that has energy conservation cycles. I find this dishwasher soap washes better than standard store products. I had switched to Seventh Generation laundry detergent and prefer this one as well. Organic and green shopping can be very expensive. Yet, If you look for sales, this will help the pocket. Organic Chicken I find is most expensive everywhere. Yet I continue for my sake and my daughters. Organic produce actually taste pure and clean. Some will not be as sweet. Usually ripe fruit will go on sale at most natural health food stores. When the produce is ripe, the taste explodes. Vinegar is also a wonderful cleaning product; I just cant stand the smell. Pure Lemon Juice will cut grease. Try not to give up! If you can maintain some green, then you have succeeded! Something is always better than nothing. See if AARP has some discounts to natural stores, and some other organizations will give discounts as well for our wonderful mature generation. Some good fishing may surprise you. I wish you well this evening!

stop with all this "green" hippie liberal crap. i get less than 10mpg and i love it how about you hippies take baths to stop "global stinking"

I agree that going green can cost more but there are areas where you actually save money. If you are totally devoted to eating proper then buying green means paying a little more for the products BUT you won't be paying for all the junk foods which are considerably over-priced. Also for lotions, cosmetics try making your own. VERY inexpensive. You will save mega bucks there. It takes time and practice but will soon become just as easy as the convient poisons you buy now.
Ramona Jones, CNC