As my those in my program are aware, the first thing I am doing to remove chemicals from the way I live is to quit smoking. This is not an easy thing for me, or anyone else who has smoked as long as I have. Sorry to say, when I added up the years I have been smoking, I realized I have smoked almost twice as long as I have been alive. That means, all of my habits and rituals have revolved around smoking for at least two thirds of my life. My husband is also trying to stop smoking.
While it has not been easy, it has been doable. I did not implode when I thought for sure I would the first day without a cigarette. Although I thought the more days I did not smoke, the easier it would be. This has not been the case as I still long to enjoy a smoke, especially when I am in certain places, like my car or a casino. So for know I will try and avoid those places as much as possible. This is no problem with a casino, a little more difficult for my car. Also, I am finding that I don't realize what triggers me to want a cigarette until I am in that place.
Enough about smoking for know, another trigger is talking about it.
While I was in Meijer's (the grocery store within 1/2 mile of my house) I noticed something new. In the back of the store is a display of "Natural Meijer cleaners" like laundry and dish soap, all purpose cleaner, glass cleaner and paper towel that is 100 % recycled paper, 80% post consumer waste. The bottles all say they are made from recycled products and are made within the USA, as well as some other nice things. The contents are not as clear. For instance, the glass cleaner contained vinegar and "other natural products." I am not sure what the "other natural products" are. I also noticed the products had the names of the owners of the store on the packaging, as well as a guarantee of the ingredients, where the product are made and how they are made, as well as their continuing effort to bring more natural products to the store.
A couple of things I found interesting is people who had chose other products, seemed to change their mind and opt instead for the "natural" Meijer's brand, as they left the products on the shelf with the Meijer's brand. One other thing I noticed was the display shelf with the new "All Natural" Meijer's brand is in the far back corner of the store. I think Meijer should be proud of the effort they are making to bring natural products as well as organic to the store and proudly display them as people walk in the front door.
It sounds like your grocery store is really a local leader in environmentally respoonsible products!
ReplyDeleteKristen, I would go in and interview those store owners and find out exactly where their product is made, of what and why they decided to do it. There is some investigative journalism waiting to happen. It would be good to know if the product is truly what they say it is.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with quitting the smoking - I hope that is going well. Casino? Wow - you might be the first one I know that actually goes to one. I'll have to hear more about that this summer. But one sure thing, if you don't go there, you won't be tempted to smoke. You'll save double the money - no smokes, no gambling... equals more money. Easy for me to say I know. Good luck.
Kris,
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work on your journey.
You make a good point that the owners should display the more eco-friendly products at the front.
It seems like people are definitely excited about them. Perhaps you could offer to make the store some swanky new signs for their products in exchange for them moving those products to the front. All that is needed is some poster board and markers.