Baby Steps in the Green Movement
In the words of Kermit THE Frog, “It’s Not Easy Being
Green”. Sure, I recycle… most of the
time and I show off my collection of Klean Kanteens while practicing yoga on my
eco-friendly mat, but I may also purchase a plastic bottle at a gas station if
I’m in a pinch… baby steps. I keep uber
cute reusable bags in my fuel-efficient vehicle, but I don’t always remember to
take them into the store… baby steps.
I have been an unassuming part of the environmental and
natural health movements, in some capacity, for 20 years. I have never been all out judgmental hippie,
but I have made thoughtful, yet subtle changes in my green journey since I was
15. That’s when I decided, on my own, to
give up the consumption of beef and pork, for all of the reasons that most of
us should not be eating beef or pork. I
did not completely veg-out (at that time), I just took baby steps in that
direction. However, by my third year in
college, I was a vegetarian (more like a junk food-a-tarian: no meat, few
vegetables, but lots of pasta, Doritos and M&Ms). I have even had a few stints as a
vegan. I now consider myself a part-time
vegetarian: juicing, and eating a ton of grains and veggies with the addition of (mostly)
local and/or organic poultry and fish a few times a week… baby steps.
For years, I have been using natural(ish) skin and hair care
products, but I still have a wicked collection of Mac, Bobbi Brown and Dior
make-up. I have dabbled in mineral
make-up, but was never quite satisfied until I discovered Jane Iredale… baby
steps. When I polish my own nails, I
make sure that I invest in formaldehyde free brands, but I have also been
sucked into the shellac or gel nail game from time to time… baby steps.
Now, with a pregnancy due date just a few weeks away, I am
more conscientious than ever about what I feed myself and my baby. I am concerned about introducing harmful
carcinogens and hormones through my baby’s food, skin care products, clothing,
bedding, gear, and toys. I have become hyper-vigilant about protecting her from
lead, BPA, parabens, extra estrogen and anything else known or suspected of
having immediate or long-term effects on her development. I also want her to leave a smaller carbon
footprint, but a greater impact on the world.
That starts with me and the decisions that I make for her now… baby
steps.
If you too are leaning green, visit often to read what baby
steps my wee one and I are taking to make this world a healthier and happier
place.
