As moms, we want what’s best for our families. We care for our partners, our kids, our parents and our extended family of neighbors, co-workers, and friends. It’s what we do. In 2017, let’s try to do it cleaner and greener.
As Maya Angelou said, “When you know better, you do better.”
About 6 years ago, I made a conscientious effort to pay much more attention to the food I was buying for our home. About 18 months ago, I started making cleaner purchasing decisions about household products and personal care products. If you have not started the move toward cleaner and greener yet, now is the perfect time to start.
There are so many resources about eating cleaner and making smarter purchases.
One huge resource is the Environmental Working Group. On their website ewg.org, you can find TONS of information about cleaner choices for the environment and for your family’s health. There is a resource for food called Food Scores: Rate Your Plate. There is a resource for products called Healthy Living. It’s a free app you can download to scan a product barcode or name right in the store to get a safety rating.
Start where you can within your schedule to choose new foods and products.
If you can’t wrap your mind around a complete overhaul of your refrigerator, pantry, shower, and bathroom counter, start with the items you consume the most. If your budget won’t allow a complete dump of the processed, not nutritious food and unsafe products, begin with a few low-cost items. Then gradually replace others as products are used up. And last, but not least…
Rely on your girlfriends.
That’s what we have each other for! Ask your friends what they’ve switched up. Find out what blogs they rely on. Invite them to share what their favorite new healthier recipes are. Ask them where to get the best prices on the safer products.
Unfortunately, we can’t take away all the dangerous chemicals in our world in 2017, but we can significantly reduce our family members’ exposure by making changes in our buying habits as moms.
