by Dimakatso Komape
Organic food has become incredibly popular in South Africa especially with health-conscious people. Many people are now interested in knowing what is in their food, choosing to live an organic lifestyle. What is an organic lifestyle you may ask? Organic living is a lifestyle in a way that is healthy for you and the environment. Many people are still confused by the term “organic”. As for foods, organic means foodstuff that did not go through fertilisation and pesticides. As for living, organic simply means a healthy lifestyle, much as the foods that are not processed with harmful chemicals. This would also mean consuming locally produced products. This will not only be healthy but it will be good for the environment and the economy too.
What exactly is an organic lifestyle? Simply put, living in an organic way doesn’t only mean doing a healthy diet, but also being conscious of your carbon footprint. By doing this you can create and keep wonderful and rich places. I know I might sound like a tree hugger right now but keeping yourself and the environment around you healthy is very important.
A worry that always comes up when someone talks about an organic lifestyle is the expense of living this way. I believe that living organically shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg but help you save more money. Here are some tips to help you live an organic lifestyle on a budget.
Grow your own
The best way to ensure that you get pure organic foods is to plant your own garden. I know this might sound intimidating but start small. Even if you don’t have a backyard, you can grow a few pots of herbs on your kitchen window pane.
Buy in Bulk
Buying in large quantities is always cheaper than buying smaller portions. Shop at stores like Makro or Game- you will get great deals!
Cleaning products
We have seen our mothers and grandmothers use this method of cleaning but we never really paid attention to it because we just thought they were being cheap. Using organic cleaning products coming from natural resources, such as baking soda, vinegar, lemon etc. can save you a lot of money and help you achieve the organic lifestyle.
Organic Beauty
Just because you follow an organic lifestyle does not mean you have to give up your beauty cosmetics. It might mean doing a bit of research on the products that you use to ensure that they are not harmful to the environment. You can take care of yourself using skin care products. There are several products made from natural ingredients.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
This is not just a song we used to sing in school but a very important tool in an organic lifestyle. Cut down on the amount of waste we throw away. Recycle your food waste into superfood for your garden. Reuse plastic bags, bottles that are still useable and sort your other waste in correct bins.
I hope this will be helpful and encourage you to keep our environment safe and healthy.
