Living Natural and Organic

What is Natural or Organic Living? The dictionary describes them as: Natural: Existing in or derived from nature.Organic: 1. relating to or derived from living matter.2. (of food or farming methods) produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals.Living: the pursuit of a lifestyle of the specified type."The benefits of country living."synonyms: Way of life, lifestyle, manner of living, way of living, mode of living, life. Combined the three words give us the foundation to accurately talk about natural and organic living. Not long ago the word organic held the same meaning as natural living. It wasn't a hype word or one that put an extra price tag on an item. It was just a way of life. People wanted items or food where they knew what was in them. This led to growing your own produce, making your food such as butter and cheese from scratch, sewing your own clothes, and making your soaps, sunscreens, and so on. Some of this came from the financial burden the depression or lack of resources caused, and currently some of what our COVID-19 flu bug has caused. But mostly living natural and organic is done because it is the best way in which a family can live clean. Generations of people grew up this way as did many reading this article. My husband and I were raised in small towns/the country learning the ways of the land. We now choose to raise our kids the same way. The reason may seem obvious but let's go through them anyway. Health benefitsQuality of lifeAffordable livingClean food and productsMaintaining forgotten skills These are my top five reasons for Natural and Organic Living and ones I'm not willing to give up for the sake of convenience. Speaking of convenience and natural or organic living does not fit in the same sentence. At least when we're talking about quality. If you're referring to the convenience of having food in your garden instead of going to the store or grabbing a tincture instead of heading to the doctor, then yes, it is convenient that way. Remember, though, it took a lot of work to get your garden to produce and time to make the tinctures. People nowadays often trade convenience for quality and health. However, quality takes time and is oftentimes hard work, like organic and natural living. Also, when you replace convenience with quality, you lose essential skills no matter the time in history you have lived. Health is a big issue as it is harder to give back or treat your mind and body instead of constantly giving it what it needs. There are so many products to help people get healthy, but what I've found is fresh air, exercise, clean living, and eating will always surpass the next go-to drug, facelift serum, or machine. Hard times often bring people back to the basics, but if those basics are forgotten, then what? People will often suffer when they rely on a system rather than relying on their ability to provide. For this reason, teaching the young is necessary to preserve not only our culture but to preserve necessary skills to live. Diving a little more into Quality versus Convenience Q. Homegrown food and meals.C. Buying everything from the store and popping in a microwave dinner.Q. Homemade tinctures that take 2-4 weeks.C. Buying over the counter medicine or going to the doctor and getting a prescription.Q. Canning and preserving your own food.C. Filling your cart at the grocery store in a matter of minutes.Q. SewingC. Purchasing linens or clothes online or at a store. I understand everyone's situation and lifestyles are different. Some could care less about living a natural and organic life while others are either living it or trying to start. Wherever you're at on this scale, I'm not criticizing you. I'm merely pointing out the benefits of natural and organic living. Maybe it will help some of you decide. In a world of cancer and autoimmune diseases, like Hashimoto's, I feel it's, now more than ever, important to live a healthy, natural, organic, and clean life. Many diseases can be prevented with natural herbals and healthy living. I know as I personally have an autoimmune disorder. Eating healthy, being consistent, and giving up convenience for the sake of quality is proven through blood work to be effective not only in bringing bad numbers to normal ranges but to give overall energy and clear up issues such as skin issues, inflammation, diabetes, thyroid problems, weight, and many more. Look at it this way, eating clean, and living natural and organic in no way can hurt you; it only helps. People are less stressed and live happier lives when they understand and know what they themselves and their family is consuming and using. Yes, it may take more time and effort, but the end result is usually exactly what you dream about. Less stressIdeal weightHappier householdsUseful skillsand a physical and mental feeling of satisfaction. That is what this type of lifestyle is and provides. Life is one big choice in which we all try to choose the best. This is my version of that, but as I said, it's not for everyone. You make your own choices based on your life and your families. I'm only giving you information or an alternative to consider. In the end, I wish you many blessings and remember no matter what life you are living at present, stay healthy and free. Heather EarlesHeather is married to a retired Special Forces Officer, and they live on a sustainable farm with their four children. She is an established author of inspiration, fiction, and children’s books; a journalist, a stay-at-home mother, and an advocate for healthy living. She publishes a weekly blog and podcast (Herb ‘N Wisdom™) and writes for two newspapers to aid and inspire others. “I want to make people feel good about life.” Learn more about the author