By Jacqui Barnes
Having children really started me on a journey of reevaluating so many things about life. I became more conscious of what was going on around me in the media, the environment and the type of world that my children were going to grow up in. It made me look more closely at my choices for food and what we as a family supported by purchasing. I started researching the process that these things went through before ending up in our home and some I was just not comfortable with.
Going Green is no longer a trendy catchphrase for the modern hippy types. It’s hit the mainstream and for good reason. We want a better world for our children, and one of the simplest ways to help this happen is to immerse yourself in nature, bathe in the beautiful energy that is getting dirty, having frivolous fun and spending quality time with your family. The best news is all the wonderful feelings of being in nature can be brought into everyday life by seeking out products that are kind to the environment, kind to the people involved in the product life-cycle and kind to you and your family.
My top 11 ways to Go Green, (just to one up the usual top 10) are:
- Connect with nature. Get to the beach, the bush, the desert or the snow, whatever tickles your fancy. Get up close and personal and breathe in the wonderful time away from the daily grind.
- Get moving! A fantastic family activity is to go for a walk, and it’s free! Australia and New Zealand are so lucky to have so many wonderful National Parks to explore or just hit the paths around your home.
- Visit the farmers’ market. Not only are you supporting small business, it’s a fun activity for the family too. Have the kids help picking the produce, it’s a great life skill to be able to pick what’s at its prime for later in life.
- Eat organic and/or locally grown food as much as possible. We have found that buying organic food from our local farmers’ market last longer and tastes the way it’s meant too. Dinner time is way yummier!
- Fairtrade. What is it? Fairtrade is about stable prices, decent working conditions and the empowerment of farmers and workers around the world (fairtrade.com.au). Look for products committed to these practices.
- Go organic! Both Australia and New Zealand have readily available options for organic in so many products today, especially those designed for children. Most are beautiful and high quality, built to outlast your child and not the other way around.
