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Beth Aldrich, mother
of three, is an Integrative Health and Nutrition Coach, writer
and public speaker, restoringessence.com.
She is the publisher and founder of, forherinformation.com,
the online magazine for women and is the host of the Seattle
and online radio show, A Balanced Life with Beth Aldrich. Her
favorite (occasional) treat is chocolate cream pie!
 Nowadays,
people everywhere are going green, but what does that mean
and how can it make a difference? At its most basic, “going
green” simply means being aware of the immediate and
residual impact our products and practices have on the planet.
If we are causing harm at either of these two levels, whatever
we are doing is not a green practice. We all want to make
the planet a better place and the best place to start is by
thinking “sustainable.” Are the products and services
that you’re using being depleted or can they be sustained
naturally? What’s consumed should not have a negative
impact on the body or the world in general. When that isn’t
possible, make choices that have the least negative impact;
for example, buy local and organic food and chemical-free
cleaning and body products whenever possible.
Our skin is our largest organ, so remember what goes on the
skin, goes inside the body. With this in mind, be watchful
of the ingredients list and know what’s what. Why?
- A cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material
as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without
an approval by the FDA.
- Evidence shows that cumulative use of these products may
be contributing to asthma, the onset of puberty in girls
and the feminization of baby boys.
- The majority of personal care products will be washed
down the drain.
- Waste-water treatment centers are unable to remove many
of the chemicals shampoos, lotions, soaps, deodorant and
makeup, leaving the residue in our water supply.
What You Can Do
- Cut back on the sheer number of products you use. You
need less than you think.
- Pick one weekend a month to “go au naturel.”
- Prioritize your regimen and buy green (clean) products
that stay on your skin like deodorant, lotions and cosmetics.
- Buy products with the fewest ingredients.
- Beware the misuse of words like “organic,” “natural”
and “hypo-allergenic.”
- Avoid antibacterials (triclosan), parabens, phthalates
and fragrances.
- Send companies a message—either by taking your business
elsewhere or by writing a quick letter.
- Choose products with less packaging; some cosmetics are
simply sealed rather than packaged.
From the food we eat to the products we use on our bodies,
becoming mindful of our choices to live a sustainable lifestyle
is within your grasp. Today, take a minute to read the ingredients
label, recycle and consume less—your body and planet
will thank you for it.
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