My name is Nicole Bennett, and I am honored and thrilled to be taking over as the new editor of Simple Organic. It has been a privilege to work under Katie’s leadership since we launched in February and I’m looking forward to another great year in 2011.
One of the great things about the Simple Organic community is that many of us have probably taken a different road to get to the philosophies we have now and the desire to go back to nature, back to basics, like our tag line says. I thought I would share a little bit about my journey today.
My Journey
As a kid, I can remember having an early desire to recycle and “save the rainforest.” I grew up in a family with quite a legacy for sewing and handcrafts and learned to create with my hands at a young age, and I always have had a strong connection with and appreciation for creation, especially the ocean.
But I was also a product of the culture and the media, and lived a fairly mainstream life all through school and college. I just didn’t think much about the effects of the choices I made.
Just after my husband and I started a family, a friend of mine introduced me to the book Raising Baby Green around the same time that another friend was starting to research and experiment with cloth diapers. The combination of those influences was life-changing for me.
I began to learn about the dangers of personal care products, the benefits of composting and organic gardening, and the Story of Stuff all around the time that the green trend was starting to boom in our culture.
As plastic grocery bags were becoming passé, I was finding more and more ways to reuse and repurpose. We began to shop the farmer’s market regularly and eventually joined a CSA. I learned how to make baby food. With my second child, I began to cloth diaper almost full-time (versus about half the time with first).
And probably most importantly, I learned to simplify. To pare down, rather than get caught up in green-washed marketing.
Ultimately, mine is a story of baby steps. Gradually, as I learned, researched and gleaned from books, blogs and friends, I began leading my family toward a more natural, sustainable lifestyle. My husband still thinks I’m a bit of hippy, but he’s also learned that there is a lot of truth in going back to basics.
I’m sure many of you have a similar story, or maybe some of you were raised by parents who were living green before it was trendy. I’d love to hear in the comments a little about your journey.
I look forward to getting to know you more as we interact in the comments, on Facebook and Twitter. Our About section has also been updated, if you’d like to read more about me and my family.
What inspired you toward a more natural, sustainable lifestyle?
About Nicole
I think my first baby steps came after the “great plastic scare”. Throwing away all the plastic bottles and researching stainless steel and glass started my journey. Just yesterday I was wondering how our family went from my grandmother chasing down chickens for dinner in her backyard to me, who hasn’t a clue as to how you would even have chickens in your yard?
I forgot to mention plastic, but that (and BPA) was a big catalyst for me to, Lydia.
I grew up in a house that has always recycled and tried not to waste too much, but beyond that I never paid much attention in high school to the environment. It wasn’t until college when “being green” started becoming mainstream did I start to learn and alter my choices. I suppose part of my inspiration is that aiming for sustainability is a natural extension of what I grew up with. It just makes sense.
My family is Mennonite and although I wasn’t raised specifically in that church I was raised with an idea of Christian stewardship. I didn’t pay too much attention to it until recently but I had learned to sew, can and preserve, and lots of other skills that are serving me well now. I guess I still don’t think of what my family does as “being green” to me, many people that claim to be green also seem to be caught up in “green-washed marketing” ( I love that term by the way!) I think a focus on simplicity is an important first step to living within your means in all ways. By doing this I hope to raise my children with an eye toward the good of others and the planet that we share.
In some ways my journey is just beginning, and is most definitely one of baby steps. Ever since I became a mother I have been concerned with what my kids ate. I thought to be thrifty, or to spend our $ best I couldn’t be “green” for a long time. However in the last year, I have started to realize the beauty of simplicity. Which goes naturally with real food, recycling, and making what we need instead of just consuming. I want above all to be able to say to my Lord that I did the best with what I was given, and this life style I believe is leading us there.
amen!
So glad to see the reigns of S.O. in such capable hands
Looking forward to working with and learning from you, Nicole!
I’d say my parents were my first examples and started me on this road. We’re raising our kids pretty much the way I was raised, except perhaps taking it a step or two further …. but my parents’ good example is certainly something I look to on this journey!
Kara @Simple Kids´s latest post: Rhythm of the Home- Plough Monday
Hooray and an “official” welcome, Nicole! You’ll be a great voice here.
Simple Homeschool ~ Jamie´s latest post: Transitioning into the Big Kid Years
Glad to meet you a little more, Nicole! I’m new to Simple Organic, but not quite as new to the whole concept of living simply in a way that’s good for health and the environment.
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And my husband calls me a hippie too
The later half of my childhood was spent in the country, raising dairy goats and eating out of a big garden. My husband and I live in a metro area now, but we still follow more of a green lifestyle – whole foods, recycling, very little disposable things things, reusing a lot. I love it!
Steph (The Cheapskate Cook)´s latest post: Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
Congratulations and I’m looking forward to keeping up with the page.
Alicia´s latest post: Rude email leads to positive change on GMOs at snack food company
‘green-washed marketing’- yes! If we buy less junk and reuse when we can- that is being authentically ‘green’- not just buying the latest gadget
priest’s wife´s latest post: Singing with Saint Nicholas
Our “going green” journeys are similar. I’m taking it baby steps at a time and learning a lot from favorite bloggers. Two years ago, we started gardening. Last year, we started recycling. This year, we switched to cloth diapering. Little by little, we’re getting greener and becoming more aware of the consequences of our consumption.
Nisha @ Healthy Mom’s Kitchen´s latest post: Giveaway Winners!
YAY NICOLE! Thrilled you’ll be stepping into this spot. You’ll do WONDERFULLY!