By JJ Virgin
A few years ago, it was a novel concept. Maybe a few friends were dabbling in “going green” and tossed their empty plastic bottles into the big blue recycling bin. A few maybe even thought about those hybrid cars and listened when Meryl Streep talked about all that gross waxy coating placed on store bought apples. Now, it seems like a no-brainer to do as many green things as possible because the truth is our planet needs a lot of saving.
A funny thing will happen to you on the way to saving Mother Earth. You can also save yourself.
Many of the “green” tips are amazingly effective and workable ways to become a healthier human. It only makes sense because the more we get rid of anything processed – from plastics to chemically-laden foods – then we return to the way nature intended us to live, grow and survive in the healthiest way possible.
Here are a few ways you can go green and reap the health benefits at the same time:
*Stop using plastic bottles. These not only leave a big carbon footprint, but there is also the matter of toxicity from pthlates in the plastic. We’ve all heard reports that you should ditch those re-usable plastic bottles that many people would refill again and again. In addition, you should NEVER freeze liquids in plastic bottles only to drink them as they de-frost. This is a great way for the materials in the plastic to leach into your drink. Instead opt for glass bottles that are reusable. You have no chemicals to worry about…and no trash to toss into landfills.
*Buy from the local’s farmer’s market. Enough with the pesticide covered fruits and veggies that sit at your grocery store all week long and taste “played out” before you can even eat them. The fruits and veggies at your local farmer’s market are fresh, juicy, gorgeous, yummy and organic. You’re eating produce that’s clean while buying at the farmer’s market avoids transportation and fuel usage to get the other crops to the stores. It’s a win-win, so support your local farmer and bike over to his stand on weekends to stock up. (Extra exercise, too!)
*Buy whole foods in bulk. Those refined foods are wrapped in packaging that has to go somewhere and often is just chemical cuisine. If you buy whole foods in bulk then they’re fresh and you can freeze what you don’t eat or use it throughout the week in a variety of recipes. Also when you have these fresh foods on hand, you’re much more likely to eat healthy and not order that pizza, which means fuel costs and the cost to your waistline.
*Exercise outside to conserve overall energy and burn more of yours by varying up your burst training on the stadium stairs, hills or beaches. You will even get some Vitamin D from being out in the sunshine. It’s great to breathe in the fresh air and you will avoid the fuel use of driving up and back to the gym.
*Institute the “power down” hour. An hour before you need to go to sleep, power down everything in your house. Turn off the computer and switch your cell phone to off. Turn off the TV, DVD player and all those lights. You’re going to just read in bed (one lamp on) or take a nice bath to wind down from the day. You’re saving energy and also helping to get your body primed for a great night’s sleep.
Those are just a few tips that will turn you into a lean, green, planet saving individual. Now, I’m going to go to the farmer’s market and walk home.
*Thanks to the Sleep Doctor, Michael Breus for this great concept
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