Living Responsibly…It’s Only Natural!

Sheryl Eaglewoman

Welcome! This week’s topic of choice is "disposables". "Going Disposable" is a huge measure of society. Disposable. We see the word everywhere and the idea of easy disposability permeates our lifestyles to amazing depths. Consider the question, "How centered is my lifestyle on disposable products?" Think about it…Grocery stores; do you use sacks to carry home your groceries? Fast food packaging, disposable diapers (a subject unto itself), filtered cigarettes (we won’t go there), bottled water, lighters; the list goes on…and on and on. Almost all food purchased in America today is sold pre-packed, meaning it is packaged to be purchased by an individual. A lot of waste can be put into "packaging". Consider shopping in the bulk aisle, where you can fill your own containers, getting just the right amount. (Remember to get a tare weight on your container before filling it.)

Okay. We get it. Our world revolves around easy disposability. What that means is we are now surrounded by mountains of trash, acres upon acres of trash; trash that scars our landscape. Furthermore, you see, there is a huge concern in our level of thinking. We are taught to throw things away. It is ingrained in our thought processes. Right? We throw things away. To where? Where is this far and distant place that will not be hurt by our excess waste? Away. Away doesn’t exist in the real scheme of things, the real world, because away from you means closer to someone else; usually someone who has less to throw away than most do. There’s an irony for you.

The problem with everyone throwing away so much stuff is that all this stuff, now known as trash, overwhelms the neighboring eco systems of nearly every landfill. Do you know live hepatitis and other viruses have been found in landfills, due to the disposable diapers of vaccinated babies? It is hardly any surprise we throw away so much. We are conditioned from birth to buy, throw away, and buy more; the emphasis being on buy more. We must always have the new and improved. The majority of consumers choose to discard a torn piece of clothing rather than repair it. I’ve even known people who chose to thrown away clothing rather than launder it. Waste is not okay; which takes us back to being a disposable society, as a general rule, of course. Take note! If we purchase a product designed with a limited use, we are creating the market demand to create trash. It is that simple. So, then we must ask ourselves, how much trash are we demanding the production of? Be open minded in your concept of trash as you consider this with me. Trash would include construction waste. Are you building your beloved dream home? How much waste are you creating or allowing? How is the waste being disposed of? Can it be recycled? Eat organic? If not, we are creating a demand for tons of synthetic "chemical" waste; chemical waste likely to end up in your water supply. And here is a major concern, if not the top concern of the day, water. A source of good clean water is hard to find these days. Scientists are finding fish which have testes and produce eggs. Mercury poisoning is a well known risk of eating many species of fish.

We, as a solid rule, need to consider where our trash, from every purchase we make, will go. We, as a solid rule, need to start purchasing items made to last, like cast iron cookware… and cloth napkins…real cups and dinner plates. Purchase, them, use them and help slow down the fill of the landfill. So, think about it…How much trash do you bag up every week? How many pieces of electronics go by the wayside? Wash machines? Refrigerators? Remember, recycle when you can. Simplify where you can. And good ol’ moderation the rest of the time will carry us far in our goals of better living. Really! A Happy Planet is a Good Thing!

Question of the week: What do you suggest for dealing with the effects of the smoke from all of the fires?

Answer: I like Similisan Eye drops. For internal use I would use a good lung tonic, like Clear Lung from Ridgecrest, available at your local natural food markets; as well as a good antioxidant blend.

Book of the Week: Wild Fermentation, The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods; Katz, Sandor Ellix; Chelsea Green Publishing Company; 2003

Have a question you’d like to see addressed by Sheryl Eaglewoman? E-mail your question to sheryleaglewoman@livingresponsibly.com for "The Question of the Week".

Sheryl Eaglewoman is a Natural Health Consultant, Author and Publisher. Working in the Natural Health field for over 20 years, Sheryl has an extensive knowledge base, specializing in all areas of natural health, including herbal and homeopathic therapies, midwifery and organic lifestyle. Contact her at www.livingresponsibly.com or 406-892-1116.