Greening the Holiday
Written by Debra Kirchhof-Glazier
The holiday season is upon us. Whether we celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, it is a time to think about our blessings, connect with friends, and set aside some time from our hectic lives to take a break, even if it is only for one day. Red and green, the traditional colors of Christmas, can be applied to health and wellness, with red for vitality and green for sustainability.
Naturopathic medicine, a system of healing that focuses on cultivating vitality, also includes as part of its philosophy stewardship of the earth. It is critical to cultivate a clean environment in order to maximize our own wellness. This need not be an onerous task, even during the holidays when few people are in the mood for restraint. The good news is that we can enjoy ourselves and care for the planet at the same time.
A recent Juniata College Lunch and Learn presentation focused on holiday sustainability. There were several ideas from that session that are well worth passing on. For example, the most environmentally friendly way to deck your halls is with natural materials. Holly, pine boughs, and pine cones are readily available and can easily be made into your own decorations. Paper snowflakes can be cut out from paper printed on one side or from junk mail, and popcorn can be strung with needle and thread to make natural tree garlands. Kids love helping out with these creative projects and can be kept busy for hours while you tend to other things.
If you buy an artificial tree, plan on using it for many years, as plastic trees are petroleum-based and not biodegradable. The most environmentally friendly way to enjoy a Christmas tree is to cut your own at a local tree farm and then set it outside after the season to provide winter shelter for animals or turn it into mulch with a wood chipper.
Christmas lights add a special touch to the season. However, remember to put them on a timer or unplug them before you go to bed. When you buy bulbs, consider LEDs (light-emitting diodes). They are more energy efficient than traditional light bulbs. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that at least two billion kilowatts of energy could be saved in one month if everyone in the U.S. replaced their conventional Christmas lights with LED bulbs.
Holiday cards are a time-honored tradition but are costly to send. If you want to avoid the postage, you can send paperless greetings to your computer savvy friends. The website www.photobucket.com provides directions for creating electronic cards and on-line slide shows. If you prefer sending cards the old-fashioned way, consider buying cards made from recycled paper. After the holidays, you can give cards you receive to nursing homes or schools for reuse in craft projects.
For holiday parties, think about including locally grown organic foods. Not only will you support the local economy and cut down on the amount of fuel used in getting the food to your table, but you will be enhancing your own health as well. Serving food can be both elegant and sustainable if you use real dishes and cloth napkins. The napkins can be washed in cold water and hung to dry. Wash the dishes by hand or in the energy-saving cycle of your dishwasher with a vegetable-based dish detergent, such as the Seventh Generation brand. It has been estimated that we could save 81,000 barrels of oil a year in the U.S. if every household replaced just one bottle of petroleum-based dish detergent with a vegetable-based product. This is enough oil to heat and cool 4,600 average homes for a year.
Gift-giving can also be economical and energy-efficient. Consider making your own or buying locally. When shopping, look for gifts that have minimal packaging and that don’t require batteries or electricity. You can also give gifts that encourage outdoor activities like gardening or camping. Don’t be afraid to buy good quality recycled gifts and include a note about why you are doing it. Wrap your gifts in creative ways using colorful pages from newspapers, wall paper leftovers, or artwork from your kids. You can also give donations to a worthwhile cause in the recipient’s name, as well as memberships, gift certificates for local businesses, magazine subscriptions, or coupons for special activities. An excellent website with more ideas for earth-friendly gifts is www.environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?contentID=5616
The best gift you can give at any season, especially to young people, is hope for the future. Although there are wars, hard economic times, and many other problems, this is not the whole story. Humans are resourceful and resilient, and there are increasing signs that the human spirit is alive and well. The Juniata College Lunch and Learn presentation on sustainable holidays is just one example. Another encouraging sign appeared in a recent article in the Daily News announcing that the deadline for state grants for farmers markets has been extended, a very encouraging counterpoint to other news about government cuts across the board. A friend of mine recently sent me a link to a 6 minute clip on the internet about a widespread shift in awareness that has people all over the planet waking up to new ways of thinking and living. I found it so exciting that I shared it with my students. The link is www.theshiftmovie.com/ I encourage you to grab a cup of hot cocoa and watch it.
As we celebrate the season, it is important to think about how we can work together to make 2009 a healthier year for the planet and everyone on it. Small differences by many people, including you and me, add up to make great changes. Happy holidays!
The Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association makes no medical claims or recommendations. Check with your doctor about your specific health care needs.