Why local products and organic home and building supplies (what every Filipina in America can do best for her home)

A few of the many challenges that a woman faces today in this country (USA) on top of all the economic and environment crisis are finding the right ‘shop’ or store to shop for home and building supplies, what kind of products to buy and what are the standards to set in purchasing those products. Here are a few suggestions from me.

Purchasing home and building supplies could be strenuous for some women and demanding for others specially when unable to prioritize and identify exactly what needs to be bought, from where and why. The world today is facing a danger no man thought would be ever happen- Global warming. How do we help lessen this danger through our purchases and the choices we make in purchasing home and building supplies?

Two things:

1. Buy local products and support local businesses- Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution. Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms — continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community. Supporting local businesses creates jobs locally, encourages local prosperity and above all putting the local people’s taxes to good use.

2. Buy green organic products- By definition, organic products are free from pesticides, herbicides, and other potentially harmful substances that can damage your health. Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from pesticides has been linked to cancer, immune system suppression, nervous system disorders, reproductive damage, and hormone disruption. Many products that are made from conventionally grown crops show pesticide and herbicide residues. Our bodies can get rid of a certain number of toxins that we come in contact with; in fact, our bodies are designed to eliminate toxins. However, the problem we are facing today is that we have many more exposures to chemical toxins than, say 50 years ago. These chemicals come from our food, air, water, body care and cleaning products, home remodeling products and more. Many of us are consequently facing a toxic overload, and our bodies therefore cannot get rid of all the toxins we are taking in. Organic products are sustainable.

Using organic products will help to lessen this toxic load. Organic foods also tend to taste better and contain more vitamins and minerals than conventionally grown food. Some organic products are still difficult to find, and a stretch for many of our budgets. However, any switch we can make to organic will be helpful. You don’t have to start buying everything organic overnight, in fact, you would probably find that impossible. However, as there is more demand for organic products, the selection will increase and prices will probably decrease. Using organic products is useful and helpful to babies, children and those who have compromised health issues. Babies and children tend to be more vulnerable because their immune systems are immature and they eat more food per pound of body weight than do adults. Those with chronic illness or whose bodies are weakened for any reason are also more at risk. In addition, farm workers are at risk for illnesses caused by pesticide exposure.Lastly, using organic products is best for the environment. Conventional farming practices have caused many problems in our environment. They adversely affect birds and wildlife as well as fragile ecosystems. It has been estimated that pesticides kill at least 67 million birds in the US each year. In many cases, pesticides applied to fields have led to major ecosystem imbalances that resulted in failed crops. Minor pests can turn into major pests when pesticides eliminate the beneficial insects that keep these pests in check. Drinking water supplies get polluted. Crop dusting has led to “drift” of pesticides from fields to residential neighborhoods and even schools and caused illness. Organic and sustainable farming methods avoid these and many more problems. Eating, drinking and using organic products on a more frequent basis, from food to baby care to clothes, will make all of us healthier. This is especially true for babies, children and those with compromised immune systems. Increasing our consumption of organic products will also have a positive impact on the environment, and the more demand for organic goods, the better the selection and the lower the cost.

I believe that there is a place to help save the earth in every woman’s heart. To find healthy, organic and green home and building supplies, I listed a few online sites you can visit.

You can visit Your Green Home- Your home for healthy home and building supplies

or the following :

1. Business link- http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/links/sustainable_building_supplies.htm

2. Organic store locator- http://www.organicstorelocator.com/

3. Low impact living- http://www.lowimpactliving.com/products