When it comes to living a greener choice, it’s hard to decide just how Eco-friendly works for us. From using organic beauty products, to buying organic or fair trade foods, to wearing organic clothing to be willing to drive hybrid cars all depends on how far you are willing to go. Everything we do leaves a carbon footprint, it’s up to us to decide just how big.
Did you know that if 1 out of 5 women demanded that lead be removed from all lipsticks and started refusing to use any lipsticks with lead in them, that the beauty companies would have to change the ingredients? We eat our lipsticks, and just think how much lead you are introducing into your body each and every time you wear a lipstick with lead in it. Not a pleasant thought, is it?
How about this simple fact. Did you know that only 1% natural ingredient in a product gives those same beauty companies the right to call their product “natural”? Scary thought indeed. Even today, there is still no clear way of knowing just how much “natural” a beauty product can be.
If Possible, look for products that stated there are:
- Made without GMO
- Gluten
- Parabens
- Petroleum
- Phthalates
- Silicones
- Sulfates
- Artificial Fragrances
- Artificial Colors
- Vegan if possible
- Cruelty-Free (ALWAYS)
- Recyclable
Created in the country you are living in if at all possible.
Not so fun tip: The word organic isn’t regulated in the cosmetics industry. So while buying products with organic ingredients is great, make sure they are certified organic. The packaging will say so. If it doesn’t? You might be paying for a lot of nothing. Same with cruelty-free. It if says it is (talking major brands ) and its leaping bunny approved? They pay for the rights to use the bunny logo.
One of my favorite brands is ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND – Rose Blossom Vital Care <- I will be doing a review for it later on. Another one is Pacifica! They have a new vegan skincare line products geared I feel towards us with mature skin. I am testing out their new eye cream and serum.
Its understandable that most might not be as “green” as they could be because someone may have told them that it’s just too hard to do. Just how wrong they are! There are simple things that we all can do that aren’t that hard to do. For example, carpooling is a great idea when there is no public transportation available. With gas prices on the rise, over 4 dollars in most areas in the over 10 dollars overseas, carpooling looks to be a great idea.
For all those of us who tend not to eat meat, here is some glad news. Did you know that it takes more energy to produce animal protein over vegetable protein? If you never thought about becoming a vegetarian or just eating less meat and meat by products is good for you and the planet over all. It cuts down on your personal carbon footprint and is healthier for you to eat more vegetables.
Why not start looking into helping out your local organic farmers by visiting the local farmer markets when ever you can. The cost of gas is causing prices to rise all over, including the grocery store, which means the cost of food goes up. So why not visiting your local market for fresher vegetables? And while at it, why not bring your own bags as well?
Start looking for products, beauty, food without excessive packaging is also helping save the trees and besides you are just going to throw it away helping fill the landfills even more. There is no real need for the extra packaging, as there is a way to get around it.
Ever thought that not asking for an ATM receipt at the gas pump or the bank, and anywhere you may get a receipt for something, helps reduce your carbon footprint as well? Same as banking online does, and paying your bills online does.
For those of us who have Amazon Prime, you can ask that all your packages that you order off Amazon be delivered on the same day, saving the prime drivers time, and you get all your items at the same time if at all possible!
Simple ideas that we all can do helps with reducing our carbon footprint overall. Start thinking about what you are doing as well as teach your children what they can do as well. When we all work together, we have a better life and save the planet just a little, one person at a time.
