Five Ways to be a Little Greener

Have you ever wondered, "How much of a difference can just one person make?" The answer is more than you might think. Whatever your cause, when YOU strive to make things better, it's not just YOUR life that is being affected. You, in turn, affect everything you touch.

1. Remember the three R's. Reduce, reuse, recycle. I keep used paper for my daughter to draw on the back before it gets recycled. It helps my wallet, too!

2. Use reusable shopping bags. Some stores give you discounts/rewards points for doing this and they are great for more than just grocery bags.

3. Watch your water usage. Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth. Do you really need that much water pressure in the shower/at the sink? Some people turn the water off while soaping up.

4. Use less energy. Turn off lights and electronics when not in that room. Read up on "vampire electronics." http://articles.cnn.com/2006-12-12/us/vampire.electronics_1_vampire-electronics-electric-toothbrushes-three-watts?_s=PM:US

5. Buy local and organic, if you can. Not only are you helping the environment, but you are also keeping toxic chemicals out of your body. FYI-those strawberries we've all eaten last summer are covered in pesticides!

And remember...a little green always helps!
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Welcome to my site!

Hi. My name is Chrystal.

I live in beautiful southern California with my family and dog, Logan. Since my teens, I have been interested in the environment and animal rights. I admit that I am not the perfect example of a person who believes in those causes, but I believe every little bit helps. I'm currently unable to compost where I live, but I do (reduce, reuse, recycle). I am not a vegetarian, but have cut meat usage in my family by 80%. (My spouse is a meat lover).

In the past, I have been criticized for not supporting these causes to the extreme. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, not everyone can do that all of the time.

I believe it is better to do something, rather than nothing at all. If everyone did a little bit, we would see the demand for a better future. Eventually, it would make it easier to change to a better lifestyle. Every person can make a difference and we all do it in different ways!

There were so many changes I wanted to make, I had no idea that I would find a new challenge-the chemicals in everyday products.

Have you ever wondered what's in that soap you are putting on your body, or what is in the wipes you are cleaning your baby with? These are the questions I started asking when I had a child. I knew there were products to avoid due to animal ingredients, but didn't know that the chemicals themselves could be toxic. It never crossed my mind that toxic chemicals were allowed in products we use everyday.

I began to research products in our home and was shocked by my findings. We were putting toxic substances on and in to our bodies every day. Our shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and deodorant. The cans and bottles our food came from the grocery store in. I was floored. Thus began my quest to make our lives chemical-free.

So much easier said then done. Have you ever noticed that healthier = pricier at the store? I can't pay $8.00 a bottle for planet/animal friendly, chemical-free hand soap, so I shop around. On top of having to shop around, I soon discovered that there is a lot of green-washed companies out there. Imagine the disappointment of getting a new product, wanting to make your family healthier, only to find out it is just as bad or worse than your current one!

If I was never aware of these toxins, how many more people out there had no clue they were exposing themselves every day? Turns out, a lot! I do not like to preach, but i do feel people need to know. And that is how you have come to find me here-just doing what I can to pass the info along.

I will be blogging on anything from green topics to animal rights to chemicals, and maybe more. Whether you have just discovered the "green" world, or have been involved in it for a while, all are welcome here. Check out my sight and feel free to leave a comment below. I hope it helps to make a better life for you and your loved ones.

And remember...a little green always helps!

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