... France is beating you on the race to become "green"!
Going "green", or becoming ecologically aware, is quite prevalent in France. Recently plastic bags have been banned from all shopping stores. This morning when we went to the Carrefore (the Walmart of France) we had to bring our own canvas bags to carry our groceries in. You will also find that many containers are bio-friendly and organic foods are plenty.
Here at the Sevette home being eco-friendly is a way of life. Lights are not used during the day - only sunlight from the windows. And you better be sure that if you do use a light in a room that you turn it off when you leave that room. I made the mistake of using my light in my room when getting ready the other morning, instead of opening my blinds, and I was reminded that sunlight is better for the environment, and of course the pocketbook.
When buying toothpaste this morning, Martine promptly informed me that my toothpaste selection was not good for the environment because the box that my toothpaste was packaged in was unnecessary, and why would I buy that if I could purchase a tube that came without packaging. So, of course, I promptly put my packaged toothpaste back on the self and bought the eco-friendly one, never mind the horrid taste it might have.... I know I am going to feel better about myself every time I brush my teeth.
As we continued to walk through the store Martine informed me of all the ways to be environmently conscience when shopping, all the way down to the tampax she buys. And I won't go into detail, but did you know that there are reusable ones? I'm not sure I can jump on that train.
Martine also buys only fair trade products when possible as well.
Now this might be available in the US too and I just don't know about it yet (I do live in St. Louis), but in France you can now buy cars that run on natural gas. The Sevette's are shopping for one. They are also looking into solar panelling for their home. I'm telling you, with as trendy as "green" is right now, this family is hip! I mean they even wash their clothes with a nut! Yes, a nut. From Indonisa. The nut apparently has soap inside it. CRAZY!
Now, I believe that the Sevette's are a bit of the extreme here in France, but I find it refreshing to know that American's are not the only ones working to better the environment. I have a long way to go before I am as hip as the Sevette's, but I am now much more aware of my purchases and how they effect the world I live in. This is certainly something that I was not expecting to get from my trip to France.
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6 comments:
Just say no to reuseable tampons...I'll go green just about everywhere else BUT there. I could maybe even deal with the O.B. ones...ok, TMI.
But you must be channeling the Apartment Therapy blog, because look at what they posted yesterday: Soap Nuts! :)
That's them!!! I am totally picking up this trend when i get home. Apparently one bag is like 20 Euros and wil last you an entire year.
That information is fantastic Nicole! Have loved reading your blog thus far and feel like I am on this journey with you as you have such descriptive and colorful writing. Americans are WAY behind the rest of the world in going green (well, except parts of Asia and Mexico.) It is too expensive and costly for most Americans. We definitely have a lot to learn from this global green movement and unfortunately our behavior probably won't change until it is mandatory or we are in dire need of change. Sounds like you are seeing and doing it ALL. So jealous as I study for finals for the next 4 weeks.
Nicole! I love the Blog!
Australia was considering getting rid of bags while i was there. They also had 4 minute showers! Hopefully france won't be getting those soon!
For those of you interested, here is the information on the mooncup (reuseable tampon):
http://www.mooncup.co.uk/
i may have to stop reading this blog. in the meantime, here's my favorite quote from the Mooncup website:
"I've been using the Mooncup for three years and it has been fantastic. I have a very heavy flow and used to use 2 x super plus tampons at a time, and a pad as well, and a jock strap with a cup, and swimming trunks, and a lifejacket, and I would still be in a mess in an hour for the first 2 days of my period. Try it, it is really worth it."
Gill
wha?
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