Written by contributor Tiffany Larson.
I haven’t been much of a resolution maker, I’m guessing it has a little to do with too much perfection and not enough grace. But after following the inspirational accomplishments of some of my favorite friends and bloggers, I’ve decided to live with more intention in 2012.
Starting with these goal-setting questions, my husband and I spent several hours in a local coffee shop talking about our dreams and desires for 2012 and beyond. Among those, I identified 6 goals that meet our desire for a family practicing simple, green living.
Sugar Detox
I love me some sugar. I’m not a candy kind of girl but if you give me a baked good, I have zero discipline in front of a brownie. Like Stephanie suggested, I went cold turkey on January 1 and while there have been some hard moments, it has been far easier than I thought. And my skin is glowing! It must be all the water I’m drinking.
Oil Cleansing
I haven’t used shampoo in two years and my hair has never looked better so I’ve decided to try the oil cleansing method, too. My curly hair used to be dry as using shampoo was stripping my hair of its natural oils. Similarly, using facial soap can strip out the skin’s natural oil causing dry skin. I plan to find out if oil cleansing gives my skin back the moisture it craves – saving me money and unnecessary commercial products.
Natural Remedies for Illness
Every time I read about a great natural remedy for a cold or the flu, I add the recipe to my ‘to-do’ list but by the time someone in our family has a cold, it’s too late to order up some eucalyptus oil and whip up a batch of homemade chest rub. I’ve decided to order a few essential oils now, while everyone is healthy, and stock them along with the recipes in my kitchen.
Photo by grongar
Real Food Preservation
In 2011, we preserved 65 pounds of berries and 10 pounds of pumpkin puree. It might sound like a lot but it will all be eaten before we can get them fresh again. In 2012, I’d like to pick 100 pounds of berries, can diced tomatoes and tomato sauce to avoid canned food, make apple and pear sauce, and freeze my first batch of vegetables. We also received a food dehydrator for Christmas so I’m looking forward to making dried fruit, fruit leather and numerous other foods to keep processed snacks out of our home.
Homemade Household and Personal Care Products
The more I embrace a greener lifestyle, the more I realize that I need far less than I think I do. This year, I’d like to ditch more of my store purchased products and make my own at home. On my list to try: hair detangler, deodorant, hand lotion, laundry detergent, and stain remover.
Household Toxin Testing
This past year, an acquaintance passed away from lung cancer. She didn’t smoke. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer so just to be on the safe side, I will be testing our home. While I’m at it, I’ll be testing our water for lead and doing a blood lead test on our kids. We live in an area where these tests are readily available (and some are free) so I’ll be sharing our results and more information about household toxins on Simple Organic in the near future.
What are your goals for 2012? Have you accomplished any of the goals on my list? Any tips to share? I’d love to hear your favorite food preservation recipes, home remedies or DIY product tips.
About Tiffany
I want to do a better job preserving ‘practical’ foods, like tomatoes and tomato sauces (my most frequent store bought canned good). I want to freeze or dehydrate more fruits and veggies, so that I have access to foods we eat. While I’ve made plenty of jams/jellies/butters in the past, they’re always super sweet and we don’t eat them up quickly. I also want to tone down the consuming. I’m not usually a big spender on non-essentials, but the end of this last year I ended up buying many things that I didn’t need.
Hi Kara, thank you for sharing! I made a lot of jam and it was pretty sweet, too. I would also like to try making it with alternative sweeteners this year.
Wow, I have more green goals than I realized–because I was nodding all through this post. This year I want to completely convert to green cleaning at home (Pledge is my one holdout that I need to ditch), try the oil cleansing method, and preserve a bit more produce.
I love the encouragement I find here at Simple Organic!
Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy´s latest post: Change Your Google Reader, Change Your Life
Hi Anne, I use a microfiber cloth for dusting at home but it definitely doesn’t add the shine that Pledge does (which is particularly nice on some of my older furniture). I know some people add a little oil but I haven’t tried that.
I also just read your Google Reader post and found some new blogs to check out, thank you for the suggestions!
we want to start a family ear-training project. still waiting for the book to arrive.
I love OCM for my face, I had to play with the formula a little before I found the right one for me. If you find your face is dry then add more olive oil, if it’s too oil add a little more castor.
Please blog about all your tries, the successes and the fails. I make my own laundry detergent; I use powder but most people seem to have issues with powder, so they make liquid (powder takes up less space). Making lotion is on my to do list for yesterday (I didn’t get around to it, so it will be made in the next few days).
Hi Liza, I will definitely share throughout the year how things go!
What great goals!!! I really want to start doing the oil cleansing. And a sugar detox…that’s top on my list too:) Thank you for sharing your ideas!
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We are working to eat cleaner and get all, or almost all, processed foods from our diet. Even “natural” processed foods are still processed. Part of this includes the sugar detox (LOVE brownies too!) and currently eating vegan but will begin adding back in a few food items along the way.
It is difficult when for so long you have been used to reaching for the convenience of processed stuff. I find that it definitely takes more thought and planning, that’s for sure!
Great list!
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my dad passed away this past september from lung cancer and he never smoked either. i have since changed the way we live. i love that i found your blog, it has helped me change what my family eats, what we clean with, and what we enjoy doing as a family. we are slowing down enjoying gods creation and protecting it and living a greener life.
My husband and 10 yr old daughter are serious bakers. They do make everything from scratch with organic flour, but I really want to cut down on wheat in my diet and baked goods in general. They seem to be congesting to me and fill me up with more calories than nutritious, but damn are they delicious!!!
Diane Balch´s latest post: SIMPLE MEALS: USING LEFTOVERS
loved this… every part!
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Fun! I have been using baking soda and vinegar for my hair, olive oil/castor oil for my face and homemade cleaners, deodorant, lotions, scrubs and chapstick for about three years now. I’ll never go back to store bought products again!
My hair and skin are the best they have ever been and at almost 40, that’s saying something!
I have lots of links to homemade things, if you need any. You can also email me and I’ll be happy to share.
I love preserving and eating whole foods as well and if I can learn how to do all this, anyone can!!!
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Hi Kimberly, I will check out your blog for recipes, thank you!
Would live to read some of your stuff, sounds awesome!
we just started using homemade shampoo about 2 months ago and really like the results and are going to continue with it for our whole family. we also just got a large chest freezer and my goal is to use it and keep it organized this year. i have found doing new things little by little help me not get overwhelmed and slowly change my house over to a more sustainable way of life.
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I love this list, but especially the homemade remedies – having the ingredients ready ahead of time. When someone is sick, you just want to be able to reach fast… I’m looking forward to reading how some of these go! Also, I’ve thought many times about ditching shampoo… but have been too chicken so far. How long did it take for your hair to regulate? Plus, I love using conditioner to untangle my (wild) hair. Does it get more unruly without S&C? (I only wash/condition twice a week as it is…) Do tell!
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What a great post and great goals for 2012! I’m sure you’ll be so satisfied from following even some of these! Thanks too for the reminder about Radon. I am an American living in Ireland and Ireland in particular has some of the highest radon levels. I had heard about this in the past but your post reminded me. I just ordered a test so we shall see! Myself and my children thank you for this post! =)
I’m so glad Stacey and I hope the test comes back fine!
Great post, and truly inspiring! I had to give up nopooh, since I had too long and too thick hair – the natural oils never got down to the ends, and the natural hair masks became almost impossible to rinse out, but I incidentally discovered that my extra virgin coconut oil is the best makeup remover and cleanser/moisturizer I’ve ever used. I make my own deodorant as well, and I won’t go back to store bought any time soon!
As for my green goals…I have a few, but one of them is to start making my own clothes. I knit and I crochet, but this year I’ll dig a little deeper and learn how to sew a bit better as well.
Jeanette´s latest post: Schedule In Nature in 2012!
After trying this recipe, this will be your go-to for deodorant!! I have used this for 2 years now & LOVE it!! I started using your suggested oil-cleansing method & am so happy my friend stumbled upon it on pinterest!! LOVE!! Mucho Thanks!!
http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2009/03/quick-stick-deodorant.html
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