Going Organic

[Singin4Him]

Since having Elijah little by little I've found myself becoming more organic and green. I just feel better buy organic products, especially when it comes to my son. We've also done some things around our house to be a bit more green.

For those of you who have gone or are going organic/green what are some of the things you've chosen to do in your home and for your family?

 

[jgonz]

For me it was meats and dairy that were the most important to switch to organic. So, I spend the extra for eggs, butter, milk, free-range poultry, and grass-fed beef to avoid the estrogens, etc. in commercial stuff. Fruits & veggies... if I can afford it that week I'll get some, but it's not been as important as the meat & dairy right now.

I've also read that even a Little is better than nothing. (At first I was freaking out at how much it was going to cost to completely switch over and only buy at the health food store. ) So switching to organic shortening, for instance, instead of using crisco is healthier. Switching to organic olive oil instead of vegetable oils is healthier. And on & on... a little at a time.

 

[JulySheMustFly]

For me it was meats and dairy that were the most important to switch to organic. So, I spend the extra for eggs, butter, milk, free-range poultry, and grass-fed beef to avoid the estrogens, etc. in commercial stuff. Fruits & veggies... if I can afford it that week I'll get some, but it's not been as important as the meat & dairy right now.

I've also read that even a Little is better than nothing. (At first I was freaking out at how much it was going to cost to completely switch over and only buy at the health food store. ) So switching to organic shortening, for instance, instead of using crisco is healthier. Switching to organic olive oil instead of vegetable oils is healthier. And on & on... a little at a time.

This is similar to us.
The other major thing we did was move away from chemical cleaners and toiletries.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

The biggest ones for me was first and foremost dairy. DH and I are both big dairy eaters so that was the first switch. Then we moved on to organic meat, eggs etc. Sometimes I get organic produce, but most of the time we shop locally for produce, so in that sense local is more important to me then organic.

The next biggest change was switching to chemical cleaners. Now I buy chemical free cleaning supplies, including my laundry and dish detergent.

We also did little things like switch all our lights to energy efficient bulbs, we also try not to use things like paper napkins or paper towel.

I've also switched over to all organic hair products and all natural cosmetics (or at least mineral). The absolute BEST organic hair products are made by MOP (modern organic products). I get it at my salon, but I've heard you can also purchase it at Ulta (if you have one) or online through amazon.com.

 

[jgonz]

I forgot about the natural cleaning products! I switched over to them several years ago (waaaay before the meat & dairy) because my oldest kids were helping clean and I was concerned about their being exposed to toxins.

I've been using Melaleuca cleaning products and really like them (I get them through a friend because I'd Never use enough to hit their minimum to join).

 

[TexasSky]

I don't do it now, because of time constraints, but I used to simply grow a lot of things: Tomatoes, potatoes, onions, carrots, garlic, green beans, peas, cabbage, squash.

They all taste better when vine ripened.
They have more nutrients.
They cost a lot less that way.
And I knew exactly what was used "on them" so I didn't have to live in fear of pesticides or someone's ecoli situation.

It was also a fun thing to do with the kids. Working the garden together. I used to do it with my grandmother when I was young.

I can't do that any more though. I simply don't have the physical strength and the time, though I may try "window box" setups. They should be a lot easier.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

I forgot about the natural cleaning products! I switched over to them several years ago (waaaay before the meat & dairy) because my oldest kids were helping clean and I was concerned about their being exposed to toxins.

I've been using Melaleuca cleaning products and really like them (I get them through a friend because I'd Never use enough to hit their minimum to join).

Hey!! This is what I'm using too!!! I love their stuff. One of my employee's sell it and I buy it through her (I'm her manager). I've even been buying their shaving cream, toothpaste etc.

 

[nateboy]

I wish I can grow my own things. I have two dogs that pee on everything.

We use florescent light bulbs
Cotton Diaper
Use cloth bags for groceries
Starting to use more cloth napkins instead of paper towels
Tried BE makeup - hated it, will attempt everyday minerals.
Did use natural cleaning products but attempting to find one we like (thanks for stating the company - will try them!).
We go to a local farmers market to buy vegs that are grown locally and are organic.

We recycle as much as we can. We reuse most plastic containers. My son and I will be jazzing some up with some cloth to our own liking.

 

[Singin4Him]

When it comes to organic cleaners how do they work? I've always wanted to do this but I question how they kill bacteria and germs...?

 

[nateboy]

When it comes to organic cleaners how do they work? I've always wanted to do this but I question how they kill bacteria and germs...?

That is my major question as well. If they are completely natural, how do they really kill the bacteria. That is my only hesitation. I want something to kill the bacteria in the kitchen to prevent salmonella and all that other fun stuff.

 

[sparassidae]

Well think about it: white vinegar (one of my favs) is an acid. So that explains itself really.

Tea Tree oil is an antiseptic. So is Lavendar oil, which is also a mild local anaesthetic (so great for itchy bites and minor wounds).

Back on topic: Most of our 'organic' at home is in the form of cleaning products, only occasionally buy organic food due to availability/cost issues.

But after we move to the new house, I'm hoping to get our veggie garden growing again.

We also love homeopathic medicines

 

[shaslove]

We are starting!!

We have just switched to organic and free-range meat/poultry.

We also have started buying organic vegetables and fruits as well...and as much canned food as I can.

We cannot do it all, but this is a start. My DH's system is REALLY sensative to soaps and the like...does anyone else have an allergy issue they deal with? I am afraid to switch to organic cleaners for this reason.

 

[katelyn]

We're vegetarians, so meat isn't an issue. We do eat natural cheese, preferably organic made without animal rennet.

With produce, fruits that you peel are less important to buy organic compared to fruits that would soak up pesticides - for example, strawberries.

We have a bread machine and started making our own bread as it's hard to find bread that doesn't contain HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), except at Whole Foods. Oroweat Health Nut doesn't have HFCS, by the way.

Non-hydrogenated margarine is pretty important to us.

I want to start a veggie garden this year - we'll see if I get organized enough to actually do it!

I use mineral makeup. I would like to switch soaps and lotions, but it's hard because I get so much of that stuff as gifts.

 

[JulySheMustFly]

We are starting!!

We have just switched to organic and free-range meat/poultry.

We also have started buying organic vegetables and fruits as well...and as much canned food as I can.

We cannot do it all, but this is a start. My DH's system is REALLY sensative to soaps and the like...does anyone else have an allergy issue they deal with? I am afraid to switch to organic cleaners for this reason.

I am very soap sensitive. Since switching to natural soaps and cleaners my skin has been a great deal better. I have to watch which scented oils are in them though.

When we were using chemical cleaners I had to have someone else clean the bathroom or I'd get sick. My migraines have also almost gone away since the change as well. I don't know if it is directly connected but it is an observation of mine. A book that I'm a big fan of is "Organic Housekeeping" by Helen Steinbeck. It is very informative although in some places I picked and chose based on other sources of information as well.

 

[nateboy]

Thanks for the book info!

 

[Leanna]

With natural cleaners the goal is to clean not to kill bacteria. There is evidence out there that suggests that anti-bacterial soaps and cleaners are not good for us.

 

[jessesgirl]

We love Target's line of organic cleaners. I know what you mean, Delaina about going organic. I've found myself doing more and more of it with Justin, too.

 

[Laurie919]

How can you afford to go orgainic? We will go to Whole Foods Market to buy the bottled water Taylor likes to drink and we will buy a few other things there, but everything is so expensive. Their steaks are over $20 a pound. Even though Taylor and I don't eat a lot, that is still so expensive.

We love to grow a garden. We didn't get to last year, but we are going to do it this year. They just fenced in our backyard so it will be easy to do with the neighborhood kids playing in it.

Taylor and I love fish, even the fish at WFM is over $20 a pound. I guess we should try it though, we waste so much food and since it isn't prepackaged I could get just the amount we need.

 

[Singin4Him]

How can you afford to go orgainic? We will go to Whole Foods Market to buy the bottled water Taylor likes to drink and we will buy a few other things there, but everything is so expensive. Their steaks are over $20 a pound. Even though Taylor and I don't eat a lot, that is still so expensive.

We love to grow a garden. We didn't get to last year, but we are going to do it this year. They just fenced in our backyard so it will be easy to do with the neighborhood kids playing in it.

Taylor and I love fish, even the fish at WFM is over $20 a pound. I guess we should try it though, we waste so much food and since it isn't prepackaged I could get just the amount we need.

We don't shop at overpriced stores such as wholefoods. There's a more reasonably priced market near my home called Market Street where I get my organics. Also Central Market is even more reasonable than Whole Foods. I don't know how other's do it but we just budget for it.

 

[Laurie919]

We don't shop at overpriced stores such as wholefoods. There's a more reasonably priced market near my home called Market Street where I get my organics. Also Central Market is even more reasonable than Whole Foods. I don't know how other's do it but we just budget for it.

I really don't know that we have any other stores other than whole foods. I know Walmart has a small section of organic veggies.

I buy mostly frozen veggies because they end up spoiling before we can use them.