We hear so much about “going green”, about decreasing our environmental footprint, it can sometimes just go in one ear and out the other (as my mom would often say). As Dave and I have looked at our responsibility in this area, we have gradually made some choices that we hope will contribute a little bit to our own health and the health of our environment.
Some of these choices have been easy and we have been putting them into practice for a long time now, – little things like turning off the lights when you leave the room, turning the tap off while you clean your teeth so you just use the water for rinsing, throwing garbage in the garbage can rather than littering, recycling, composting, walking or riding our bikes when we can instead of using the car.
Some of the choices weren’t really too much of a choice, like having to replace our furnace and air conditioner…the only option was to choose one that was energy efficient.
Some choices have been more recent. I am now hanging out my laundry to dry, and finding that the sheets really do smell fresh! We installed a solar hot water heater on our roof. We have replaced our old toilets with the dual flush kind to help conserve water. I have used Norwex clothes to clean our side of the house for about 3 years now, but skeptic that I am, it took me that long to be convinced they really did remove bacteria as they claimed and so now our whole house, B&B side included, is cleaned without the use of chemicals…
…and that change has brought about the hardest choice of all, – after 40 years of washing with Tide and putting my face into my Downy soft and fresh smelling towels, I have made the switch to a biodegradable laundry detergent with no fillers and abandoned my Downy for Dryer balls! OOOh, that was hard!! Please don’t laugh at me!
I know these choices may seem small, but every little bit helps right? If we all take our responsibility for this planet we call home seriously, we will make a difference and promote a healthier environment that we and our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy. And now for the next steps….