green with ease

story by | maria bosak

I believe Kermit the frog once said “It ain’t easy being green.” Well I don’t like to argue with frogs, but I would have to disagree. Sorry Ms. Piggy, please don’t karate chop me. I think being green can be simple and fun. Not to mention healthy for the earth and our families.

The term “green” is being tossed around a lot these days and it is becoming increasingly harder to decipher what it means. That is the great thing. You get to decide what green is for you! For my friend and business partner Leanne Sucrow it means using cloth diapers for her daughter, choosing organic foods and repurposing furniture. That works for her and she does it beautifully, but for me I enjoy my new furniture and my dog won’t sit still long enough for me to get a diaper on her.

I asked ten people to tell me how they are green and here is what I heard; “realizing I can’t save the world myself, but I can get educated and make some better choices” Nikkie

“shutting off the water when I brush my teeth” Brent [5-years-old]

“making safer and healthier choices for my family and by setting a good example for others” Kimbra

“driving a smaller SUV...and not driving so fast” Lee

“conscious of how your choices impact the earth, being respectful and least toxic to our environment” Micara

“no more plug-in air fresheners or room sprays” Tanya

“dusting off my bike and hauling groceries in my pull behind bike cart” Amy

“putting the banana peels in the compost bucket on the deck and not the garbage…so my wife doesn’t yell at me” [my husband Tate]

“taking in garage sales and second hand stores” Sue

“cloth napkins and reusable lunch bags” Kim

“donating electronics, computers and old cell phones to non-profit companies that need them” Joe

Ok, that was eleven, but you get the point. Going green doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be simple and it can be fun. As we move into the holiday season and we begin our shopping how can we be green and still get some great presents for our loved ones? Well I have just the answer. Buy local! Fargo is chocked full of small locally owned businesses that would love to have you walk through their doors. It can be tempting to drive to larger metropolitan areas, but think of all the gas we would save and the reduction in emissions. The money you save on gas could be spent on buying that special someone a new composter so he remembers where to put his banana peels!

Remember, being green…is easy. I don’t care what that old frog says.

Eco Chic is a Green Boutique that carries products for babies, children, families, home & pets. Their mission is to educate families on living a healthy life through Earth friendly products and good nutrition without compromising their everyday lifestyle. Their eco friendly goods range from cloth diapers to essential oils to home accessories to everyday staples.