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Buy Organic and Natural Products

There was a time not very long ago when the only way you could gain access to organic items was to belong to a food co-op. Thankfully, the demand has increased and the abundance of organic and natural items has hit the market full throttle. Organic produce now is in almost every large-chain grocery store. Many communities have farmers’ markets that set up stands on specific days in various areas, catering to those who know the value of local produce.

Organic clothing, bedding and even toys can be purchased online or at specialty shops. Organic clothing is made from natural materials such as hemp or cotton and is grown without the use of pesticides. Therefore, the fabric is safer to wear against your skin. Organic toys are made without harmful plastics and paints.

Buying organic protects your family from toxic pesticides and chemicals. It also protects our environment from the polluting effects of chemicals in our water, plant life and the air we breathe. Supporting organic farming and organic business is a commitment to the health of all life.

Website resources: Mama's Earth, www.mamaearth.com; The Green Mercantile, www.greenmercantile.com; Towards Freedom, www.towardsfreedom.com; Organic Consumers Association, www.organicconsumers.org.

Think Energy Savings with Appliances

Did you inherit your parents' old appliances? Do you still have your own appliances that are 10 or more years old? Replacing your appliances could be the best thing you can do for the environment and your pocketbook. Much of the energy consumed in homes is produced by power plants that burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Pollution from these sources harms the environment and can cause respiratory disease, smog and acid rain.

Technology has greatly improved over the past decade, and what appeared to be a good deal years ago may be costing you more energy and money than it is worth. You can reduce your energy bill by 30 percent just by purchasing energy-efficient appliances.

For a list of a few energy saving appliances, check out the website for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy: www.aceee.org.

Website resources: www.howtocompost.org, www.rainbarrelguide.com.

Rebecca Reynolds is a mother of three, an environmentalist and the creator and president of Green Clean, Inc., a socially conscious, all-natural, professional cleaning company. She can be reached at (440) 899-9295 or www.green-clean-inc.com.