I have come to appreciate Earth Day more and more each year. As I get older, my awareness of how much the season changes and our connection with nature really affect us in all aspects, and this year, celebrating Earth day with our own little plot of trees, grass, sun soaked yard, and welcoming warmth. There is such an important lesson in being grateful for this beautiful world we live in, and considering how to leave a legacy of care, gratitude, sustainability and hope for the next generation.
So 6 years ago today…
A bottle of non-toxic cleaner arrived at my doorstep. Drumroll….
Really? Is that all?
Well, that one bottle, started a process of something that changed our lives…in so many ways.
You see, I was at a crossroads in life…trying to figure out how to balance a career I loved, with having children, and my heart told me that being a mom needed to come first. But, we were living in Brooklyn, I was in the midst of job searching in the finance and non-profit accounting realm, having recently lost my high paying but super stressful job in that field. Emma was 1.5 years old, and I found myself, unexpectedly, spending my days with her, on the playgrounds, with friends, in coffee shops, and taking a hard look, with my husband, at what we wanted our family, future and my career to look like in the years ahead.
My dear friend Melinda was a health coach, and during this time, she told me, “I’m starting a partnership with this great company, I want to share some of it with you.” And I remember being like “oh, ya, vitamins, whatever. I have those, I pay lots for them at GNC, I take them (most days), and I don’t feel any different.” (Ha! What a surprise I was in for–many posts on that here on the site). BUT, I did fall in love with the concept and what she shared with me about the green cleaning line. So I decided I wanted to buy a bottle of the Basic H2, which I later learned is an official earth day product and all this…but at the time, I was just looking for a way to clean my home without guilt. See, I KNEW the stuff under my sink was bad for us, it gave me a headache sometimes, I used to have my husband clean the shower when I was pregnant (Sorry Joel), and then I would every once in a while break down and hire a cleaning lady to come in with her bags full of chemical laden cleaners–and we’d clear out (go to the park for a few hours)…when we came back, it always look good and smelled “clean” but something told me my daughter playing on the floor and touching all the surfaces, deserved better. Yes, I’d tried other natural cleaners, but I always felt they left residue, and didn’t work as well. SOO….I trusted my friend Melinda and agreed to buy a $10 bottle of basic H, intrigued by the idea that it was concentrated so it would last me a while, and would replace several of the plastic bottles I was eager to get rid of.
Best decision ever.
You see, this is the bad news. We do live in a toxic world.
And we need to be conscious of what we bring into our homes–with cleaners being a primary concern.
And then when I fell in love with the cleaning line–I began to realize just how many different toxins and chemicals I was accepting into my life–in food (scary!), in my personal care/skin care, and so many aspects of life! Did you know that many supplements are tested only to find they are sawdust and full of fillers that aren’t even on the label!? That’s crazy. So this brand that is doing the right thing by the earth, by it’s constituents, and that has a legacy of green that stretches back 60 years, with the first official Earth Day product (Basic H), and this incredible environmental legacy as the first company to become carbon neutral in 2000, and to be leading the way, showing other companies how to walk the walk when it came to green living–and more–I knew I had to make the switch over, in the other areas of my lifestyle too!
Then, next thing I knew, a few crucial soul-searching months later, I was on a path to becoming a certified health coach and LOVING helping hundreds of other families make the switch, and clean up many areas of life–because holistic living is a wonderful way to reach thriving and to live in harmony with nature.
It’s been such a gift and I’m thrilled that it all started this way. I always tell myself, my kids and my clients–little changes really do add up. Do you believe that?
What changes are you ready to make in your non-toxic lifestyle? Would you like to link arms with us and help plant some trees while greening up and cleaning up our own homes?
Well here we are, 6 years later, and we’re still finishing up that SAME, First bottle! Wow. Best $10 spent. Ever.
And through that change, to our laundry, dishwashing, cleaning, habits—we literally started breathing better, felt confident having our children clean with us! (Such a great thing!) and when I’ve had housekeepers, etc they’ve always used these products and LOVED the results. For a fresh clean smell we’ll use essential oils in them (lemon, peppermint and on guard being my favorites). And through these simple changes, not only are our clothes brighter, our home toxin free, but it also inspires us to continually make more and more choices that serve our planet–and our lives–better. It’s that ripple effect–when we feel better, we do better.
After all, shouldn’t our homes be the cleanest places on earth?
And is it possible that the small act of scouring the sink, can be the giant act of changing the world?
Now for some testimonials and tips! These amazing women share what this Earth loving change has meant to them! As well as some of their quick cleaning tips to inspire us as we all green up and clean up!
Martie Ryland:
Robin Neely:
“Before and after! I spilled juicy blueberries on this wood countertop a few weeks ago and thought it would be there forever. This morning I thought I’d try Scour Off. Took about a teaspoon of it and some elbow grease, but this old counter looks clean!”
(You can find Robin and her inspirational vegan and bunny loving lifestyle on instagram @penny_parsnip)
Newelle McDonald:
“Before I found Shaklee all I could do to help save the planet was to wash and reuse my plastic bags. NOW, I’ve prevented more than 829 plastic bottles from going into landfills EACH YEAR! I can’t possibly calculate the chemicals that have not gone into our waters. I’ve been doing this 15 years. You do the math… I can look Mother Earth straight in the eyes and say, “I’m here for you Momma!””
Newelle can be found sharing holistic insipration at www.newelle-ness.com