Already Left Your Resolutions Behind? Here Are 3 Ways to Go Natural (again!)

Note: This post is written by a friend of the EcoSpheric Blog and fellow sustainability blogger, Tara McFatridge.

Be honest, when someone tells you to go natural, what’s the first thing you think of? I’m not talking about going “au naturale” here, I’m talking about getting rid of some of the toxins, chemicals and even electronic dependence we have all become so accustomed to having in our lives.

Face it…sitting in front of a computer all day is not healthy for you. Neither is chowing down on processed or fried foods. And how to do you expect to clean your home when your “cleaning supplies” are loaded with more chemicals and toxins?

Now, I’m no saint when it comes to these subjects, but I do try to implement natural and green activities into my routine. Why? Because I want to care for myself, my family and the environment.

You don’t have to be a vegetarian or drive a hybrid or install solar panels on your house in order to go natural (although those things are definitely more bio-friendly than many things you could be doing).

Becoming more natural is mainly just a change of viewpoint. Once you decide you want to be more natural, the rest will follow…well, naturally. But, in order to encourage you in your decision, here are a few natural activities and their benefits:

1. Get outside more: Getting outside and spending some time walking around, enjoying the natural beauty only Mother Nature can provide, climbing a tree, playing in the dirt, breathing in the fresh air, warming up in the sun, etc. is about as natural as you can get. Remember how much you used to enjoy the outdoors as a kid? It’s key not to lose that even when you’re all grown up!

Benefits include getting exercise, getting fresh air, getting sunlight (Vitamin D), clearing your mind, giving your eyes a break from the computer screen, adding some adventure to your life, etc.

2. Make your own cleaning supplies: Yes, this one takes a little longer than running to the store and buying some name-brand cleaner. However, with natural supplies you get rid of the chemical smells and instead end up with a truly fresh, clean home. You can even add natural scents such as lemon, orange, rosemary or lavender. But one thing you won’t add to your home is more toxins.

Benefits include less toxic build-up, fresher scents, clean without the toxic smells/fumes and a safer home for you and your family. Especially if you have kids and pets, you don’t want them breathing in cleaning supply chemicals.

3. Cook fresh at home: This may sound like a simple one, but many people buy fast food or processed foods, out of convenience or even laziness. But, if you opt for home-made meals, you will find yourself eating better and even feeling better. Additionally, it has been pointed out if more people ate less junk and got back to a more natural diet, we could dramatically reduce the U.S. food industry’s energy consumption.

Benefits include eating healthier foods, having more family dinners, craving fresher fruits and produce, learning how to cook, being able to season your food properly, maintaining your health, getting rid of added pesticides and chemicals, etc. It can even bring families closer together. For example, our family loves to go to the local growers and pick our fresh fruits and vegetables together.

I know there are many other ways to go natural and many other benefits as well. But if you are looking for some simple ideas to get you started or re-started on living a healthy, more natural life, these can help you out. Of course I’d love to hear what other activities and benefits you’ve experienced by going more natural. Please share them in a comment!

About the author: Tara, better known as Biofriendly Blog, is interested in learning about and sharing information on the environment, climate change, energy alternatives, conservation, green issues and bio-friendly solutions. She has been the author of Biofriendly Blog (a blog for a cleaner, greener and more bio-friendly planet) for the last year and a half. She lives with her husband, their two kids and their dog in Southern California.

Connect with Tara on Twitter, Digg and Facebook.

(Flickr photo credits: epSos.de, Mrs Logic, G & A Sattler, austinevan)

Tags: green living, guest post, natural living, tips