Being Green: Getting Started and Setting Goals
For someone that hasn't been exposed to green options, the idea of "going green" can be overwhelming. Even if you have been exposed, likely you're confused at least some of the time about what the right decision is and the impact it will make. Then you have to actually incorporate that change into your life.
Making new habits is never easy. So here are some tips on how to get started and set appropriate goals:
In this gallery
Don't try to green everything in your life at once. You may be setting yourself up for failure. Make a list of areas you'd like to green and then prioritize them based on what's most important to you or your family or maybe what you think will be the easiest to tackle. If the health of your family is a major concern, then maybe deciding to start going green with food is a good idea for you. That could include food that is organic, local, non-processed (i.e. "whole" foods), and doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup, antibiotics, preservatives, or hormones. Photo credit ©Emily2k
So you've decided to try eating "greener". Pick a start date and commit to buying and eating these foods for at least 2 weeks and preferably a month. Once the new habit is established, it will be easier to avoid those old, not-so-good-for-you foods. Photo credit © Franc Podgorsek
Don't try complicated recipes and a ton of new foods in the first few weeks. Start with foods you know, just the healthier/greener version. This way you won't feel like you're really changing your diet but you'll know it's better for you and the environment. Photo credit © Alicia Dearmin
Day 1, establish resources for your new habit. If the grocery store you shop at doesn't have adequate food for your new goal, find ones that do. Start a list of grocery stores, farmer's markets, co-ops, and CSAs (community supported agriculture). You could also start of list of restaurants that use local and organic ingredients. Voting with your dollars is one of the most important statements you can make! Photo credit © Dmitrii Chebotaey
Having family or friends to share a goal with always makes is easier. You might be surprised who wants to take the challenge with you. Photo credit © Phil Date
It's a lot easier to give up on something if you don't know why you're doing it in the first place. Get to know why eating organic/local/hormone-free/etc. food is so much healthier for you and the environment. And get to know the lingo so that you're not confused when trying to make decisions in the store. Knowing the impact you're making will make it easier to spend the extra money if and when you have to. Photo credit © Suto Norbert
1. Pick a starting point.
Don't try to green everything in your life at once. You may be setting yourself up for failure. Make a list of areas you'd like to green and then prioritize them based on what's most important to you or your family or maybe what you think will be the easiest to tackle. If the health of your family is a major concern, then maybe deciding to start going green with food is a good idea for you. That could include food that is organic, local, non-processed (i.e. "whole" foods), and doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup, antibiotics, preservatives, or hormones. Photo credit ©Emily2k
For more on this topic and some ideas for where to start go to
How Green Is My Family?
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