I am Thankful for…

By: Colleen Heenan

Around this time of year I start to reminisce and think of people who are really important to me and things in my community that I am really thankful for. When it comes to the environment; we don’t always feel good about our achievements or impacts we personally make on it. Since I can sometimes feel intimidated, or overwhelmed by the seeming lack of progression, I thought I should try to be thankful for the achievements I have made on an everyday level.

I am so thankful that environmentalism is currently en-vogue. You can find clothing, shoes, reusable bag and many other fashionable products that are made out of eco-friendly products and produced in a sustainable way. By trying to buy things that are made sustainable with safe ingredients we are pushing for a new industry to a less elite crowd. There are other things I do that make me feel good when shopping. Shopping locally, when one can afford it. By buying from local venders you are helping your own economy. Also shop at thrift stores or consignment shops, you find plenty of nice cloths for a great bargain.

I am thankful for reusable bag credits, even though it is very minimal, I feel that I am setting a good example for others and reducing a demand for the disposable bags. Reusable bags get more use then just at the grocery store or farmers market, I use mine for a tote bag, or an overnight bag. They are my best tool and I am so thankful for them.

I am thankful for glass jars. I reuse my glass jars for everything. I put my dinner leftovers in them and bring them to work the next day and reheat the food in the jar (minus the lid). They are a much safer choice to store and reheat my food in verse the plastic Tupperware containers. I fill my excess dry rice and grains in jars and display them on my stove for both décor and convenience. I use them as change and pen holders. I also use them for candle holders. They are reusable before they can be recycled and I am so thankful for them.

I am thankful for baking soda and vinegar mixtures. This mixture cleans anything and everything from your bathroom tub to your carpet. As a natural disinfected and odor neutralizer and is the best new multipurpose cleaner choice. They are both cheap and easy to find at every grocery store. I am thankful for a clean house that is not filled with volatile chemicals.

I am thankful for my year-round farmers market. This is not always an option for everyone and there is not always produce offered year round. At the particular farmers markets I go to sells local breads, dairy, cheeses and meats. You can also find local honeys, jams and other canned goods (without the work). Another nice thing about the market is local vendors, which make jewelry and knitwear, are out selling their hand-made products –which can make great presents for people you are thankful for. I am thankful these vendors brave the cold all winter long, so I can reap local benefits year round.

I think this time of year we become very unselfish and focus on others. I just want to remind people to be thankful to them-selves for being ecologically conscious and remember that it also benefits the ones we are thankful for. Thanks for Reading!