What's in it for me?

Today is Blog Action Day!

I know we should all be motivated to make changes in our individual lifestyles that will be for the greater good, even if we won't personally benefit or see a measurable difference in our lifetimes. But the fact is, sometimes we aren't so motivated. Those are the times we sit around and talk about doing stuff, but don't really act. Or we stick our heads in the sand. Or we speak out against the issue--as if denying it will change the facts.

Anyway, there are immediate personal benefits that come from "going green." I've experienced many of them, and hope that if you haven't tried these ideas out yet, you'll be encouraged to do so, if not for the greater good, in the interest of improving your health and feeling better physically, which will end up being for the greater good whether you like it or not. Here are two suggestions:

• Getting rid of toxins in the home makes a big difference. It's not just about lead paint, although testing is a good idea if you live in an older home. You can purchase eco-friendly cleaners that have no toxic chemicals in them, and you may notice a difference in the ease of your breathing, or the number of allergies you experience. Avoid chemical air fresheners that mask odors. There are a lot of Internet resources that can help you become aware of household toxins and how to make the switch. Here's one. Constant assault by toxic chemicals, even in low doses, weakens the body and the immune system. You may not even have noticed a slow decline in your energy level or overall health, but I guarantee you will notice when you start to feel better!
• Eat organic and sustainably harvested foods whenever possible. Most commercial meats have added flavor enhancers and chemicals (even if they are hormone free), and large farms contribute greatly to the problem of climate change. You can find out which seafood is sustainably harvested and free of mercury or other harmful chemicals from Monterey Bay Aquarium. Vegetables that are grown locally don't add to environmental problems by requiring transportation. They usually taste better, and if they're grown organically, they aren't adding harmful chemicals to the ground, the air, or your body.

Is it more expensive? Yes. Is it affordable? Yes, for almost everyone. People living at or below the poverty level in this country have an extremely difficult time affording healthy foods and other products, which contributes to poor health, which is sadly a major factor in keeping people in poverty. But for those of us who aren't living in poverty, it's not too hard to make lifestyle changes that will enable us to afford eco-friendly foods and household products. It does require a bit more planning, such as a weekly menu, which will help avoid impulse purchases and spending on unneeded items. With effort though, our family budget for these items has hardly increased.

Some of my personal reading in pursuit of health (which has led to sweeping lifestyle changes) includes

• The End of Overeating by David Kessler
• Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels
  

Both of these books talk a lot about lifestyle and the environment in relation to health, and offer reliable scientific data to support their claims. I highly recommend them.

I have noticed significant improvements in my family's physical and mental health since we began making a more concerted effort to go green. Once you feel healthier, you wonder how you ever lived. And if each of us works at becoming healthier, our planet will notice the difference!