I was tagged by Amy from Disguised By Zebras to complete a quick questionnaire about “Going Green.”  Here are my answers – hope you enjoy!

1. What started it all off for you?
I’ve always had a lot of passion for the environment thanks to my environmentalist parents, but like several other bloggers answering this tag, most of my big changes started with food. I found out that I have a soy intolerance/allergy in college and after an elimination diet called the Whole30 discovered that gluten wasn’t my friend, either. Bye, bye bread. (I pretty much said goodbye to all grains, actually.) Once you start being mindful about what goes into your body, it’s easy to make the jump to thinking carefully about what goes on your body, near your body, and into the earth. Another huge part of going green for me involves making less purchases and “life editing.” I try to focus on high-quality, well-made, non-toxic items that are multi-function.

2. What was the first thing to go? (Ingredient or product)
“Disposable” clothing from mass retailers. Trendy and inexpensive but poor quality/toxic items made in poor quality factories aren’t sustainable in any way – for me, for the earth, or for the global communities charged with producing these items on the cheap. Next was was eliminating all the bad, toxic ingredients from my skincare and hair care.

3. What are you/did you struggle to let go of?
I’m definitely still in transition with makeup. I love playing with makeup and am starting to curate a smaller collection of multi-use, high-quality items instead of stocking up on fun, trendy or otherwise less-useful products. I have a pretty extensive collection of toxic high-end products that I’m having a hard time parting with. Honesty is the best policy, right? Any and all green, non-toxic makeup suggestions welcome (leave them in the comments!)

4. What has been your best find or change? (i.e a green product or a tip that you’re really glad you’ve found/learned)
I’m not unique with this one but coconut oil is incredible. I cook with it, use it as a moisturizer, etc. This isn’t a product but my “best” find is the internet! Ha.  I’m constantly finding online resources on life editing, upcycling, sustainability, localvore cooking, green beauty and ethical manufacturing.  There are so many wonderful green bloggers, too! Having an online community to turn to with questions is so helpful. I hope to bring a little of the vast resources available to light on this blog for readers who might be new to going green and not know what incredible brands and experts are out there.

5. What has been the worst thing about going green? What has been the hardest to transition or find an adequate green replacement of?
I haven’t run into any huge road blocks yet but I know they’re out there… waiting for me. (Cue the scary music: duhn-duhn-duhnnnnn.) The hard thing for me is remaining mindful and giving myself a break if I slip up. It can also be difficult to explain your green choices to family members, friends, co-workers and even strangers (I’ve definitely been questioned on my food and/or product selections by cashiers and fellow supermarket shoppers, what?!) Stay true to who you are and lead by (quiet, if necessary) example.

6. Anything else to add? Any tips or tricks to pass on?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and start at the beginning. I love the quote “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”

It can be easy to get overwhelmed and intimidated by all the aspects of your life you may have to change in order to live a green lifestyle. If you’re new to going green – or you’ve been green in certain aspects of your life but are new to it in other areas – seek out bloggers and authors on Twitter and ask them for book/resource recommendations. Ask your friends or staff members at local natural food stores for advice. Also check out the Environmental Working Group (EWG). They have great info from their “Skin Deep” site that evaluates cosmetics and skin/hair care to their advice about how to buy produce. I think a lot of green bloggers see the EWG resources as a no-brainer (“Duh, you didn’t know about Skin Deep!?”) so it may not be discussed/mentioned as much.

The Green Tag Rules:
Link back to the green blogger who nominated you. And tag other great, green bloggers so that we can expand the green community and gain exposure for all the inspiring green blogs out there!

I nominate:
Kassie from Cloudy Apples, Tara from My Organic Life, Annie Jaffrey and Danni from Holistic Green Beauty.

Thanks again for nominating me, Amy! Look forward to reading everyone else’s posts.

xo, Meredith

Photo source: Pixabay.